26.—Immense quantities of fish were caught off Yarmouth. The herring boats had from 100,000 to 200,000 fish on board. Cartloads of fish were taken to Norwich and sold at the following rates:—Fresh herring, 10 for one penny; boaters, 25 for sixpence; cod, one penny per pound; soles, from three halfpence to twopence per pair.
30.—Died at Quidenham Hall, the Earl of Albemarle. Born on May 14th, 1772, he married, on April 9th, 1792, the Hon. Elizabeth Southwell, four years his junior, who became the mother of sixteen children. Mr. T. W. Coke, though old enough to be Lord Albemarle’s father, became his son-in-law in 1822, when he espoused Lady Anne Keppel. His lordship married secondly, on February 11th, 1822, Charlotte Susannah, daughter of Sir Henry Hunloke, Bart.
NOVEMBER.
5.—Downham Market was lighted with gas for the first time. The event was celebrated by a dinner at the Queen’s Head and by other rejoicings.
6.—The Oddfellows of the Norwich District, to the number of 700, dined at St. Andrew’s Hall, under the presidency of Mr. W. M. Kitton.
7.—The Norwich extension railway of the Eastern Union line, completing the communication with London via Ipswich, Colchester, and Chelmsford, was opened on this date. It was part of the plan of the Eastern Union Company, whose Act for making the railway from Ipswich to Colchester was obtained in 1844. The line was commenced in 1845, and opened on June 11th, 1846. In 1845 another Act was passed for making a railway from Ipswich to Bury St. Edmund’s, and in 1846 an Act was obtained for making the Ipswich and Norwich extension. In the latter year an Act was also passed for the amalgamation of the Eastern Union and the Ipswich and Bury Railway Companies, and by the two united the Norwich line was constructed. Mr. Locke was the engineer-in-chief, Mr. Bruff the resident engineer, and Messrs. Mackenzie and Brassey the contractors. The first train, conveying 550 ladies and gentlemen, the guests of the directors, started from the station (“constructed in part out of the old Pantheon”), and proceeded to Stowmarket, where refreshments were served. Trains from Bury, Colchester, and Ipswich brought 600 more passengers, and the three trains uniting ran to Norwich, where they arrived at 4.30, the band of the 16th Lancers playing the travellers into the city. A dinner took place at St. Andrew’s Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Bignold), and the Sheriff (Mr. Chamberlin) gave a ball in the evening, at the Assembly Rooms. The line was opened for the conveyance of cattle and goods on December 3rd, and of passengers on December 12th.
9.—Mr. Henry Woodcock was elected Mayor, and Mr. James Colman appointed Sheriff of Norwich. Mr. Bignold reminded the Council that when he took the office of Mayor a distinct assurance was given that there was to be a retention of the system of alternate Whig and Tory Mayors and Sheriffs. He would not have accepted office but for that assurance.
DECEMBER.
2.—The consecration of the Rev. Dr. S. Hinds, Bishop-elect of Norwich, took place at Lambeth Palace. His lordship was installed at Norwich Cathedral on January 24th, 1850.
—Intelligence was received of the death of the Queen Dowager. The day of the funeral, December 13th, was observed in Norwich by the partial closing of the shops.