28.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Baron Parke, a libel action, Quarles v. Bacon and another, was tried. The plaintiff, a solicitor at Fakenham, claimed damages against the defendants, proprietors of the “Norwich Mercury,” for stating in that journal he was guilty of such conduct as to warrant his being struck off the rolls. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 40s.
AUGUST.
4.—A sculling match for £50 a side took place between Mr. J. L. Barber, of Norwich, and Mr. Knight, of Wymondham. The distance
was fifty-five miles, namely, from Thorpe Gardens to Reedham, thence through the New Cut and Lake Lothing to Mutford Bridge, and back to the starting-point. Mr. Knight started at 6.56 a.m., and Mr. Barber at 7.1 a.m. On the return journey Mr. Barber’s boat was upset during a severe thunderstorm and squall. Resuming, he rowed to Cantley, where he was taken from his boat almost insensible and conveyed to the inn. Mr. Knight reached Thorpe Gardens at 3.39 p.m., having rowed the distance in 8 hrs. 43 mins.—1 hr. 34 mins. less than it had ever been covered before.
9.—Died at his house at Langham, Capt. Marryat, C.B. He was well-known as the author of several works of fiction, founded principally on the naval service. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant of the county of Norfolk, and was in his 56th year.
11.—A singular accident occurred at Mattishall. A boy named Thomas Ireson, ten years of age, tied himself to the tail of a cow, and the infuriated animal kicked him to death.
24.—St. Nicholas’ church, Great Yarmouth, was re-opened after restoration. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Oxford. Luncheon was served at the Town Hall, and was attended by the Bishops of Norwich and Oxford, Mr. Baron Alderson, M. Guizot, a former Prime Minister of France, and by many other distinguished guests.
SEPTEMBER.
6.—The Royal Victoria and Albert steam yacht, with the Queen and Prince Consort on board, passed off Cromer at 6.30 a.m., on her voyage to Aberdeen. The coastguard discharged rockets and fired from the mortars a salute of seven rounds.
—Died, aged 73, Mr. John Palmer, of St. Mary’s, Thetford. “He had been twenty years afflicted with rheumatic gout, and for the past sixteen years had never left his bed but once, on which occasion he was carried to the poll at the borough election in the summer of 1842, in the contest between the Earl of Euston and Sir James Flower, when his vote on the Conservative side carried the election.”