14.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death of the Duke of Wellington. The muffled bells of the city churches were tolled for several hours. On November 18th, the day of the funeral, the principal shops were closed, and the Mayor and Corporation and the military forces stationed in the city attended a special service at the Cathedral.
17.—Mr. S. Chambers, R.N., made a balloon ascent from the Vauxhall Gardens, Yarmouth, and descended on Mautby marshes.
18.—Died at Saham Toney, John Thurston, labourer, in the 105th year of his age.
21.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The opening concert included selections from the works of classical composers, and a reading by Mrs. Fanny Kemble from the “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” with incidental music. “Israel Restored” was performed at the morning concert on the 22nd, and selections by popular composers were given in the evening. On the morning of the 23rd, “Jerusalem” (H. H. Pierson) was performed for the first time, and a miscellaneous concert took place in the evening. “The Messiah” was rendered on the morning of the 24th, and a dress ball was held in the evening. The principal vocalists were Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Fiorentini, Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Dolby, Miss Alleyne, Signor Gardoni, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Lockey, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, and Herr Formes. Mr. Benedict conducted. The gross receipts were £4,665 7s. 2d.; gross expenses, £4,171 17s. 1d.; surplus, £493 10s. 1d.
30.—Died, Rear-Admiral William Fisher, captain superintendent of Sheerness dockyard, and author of two naval novels, “The Petrel” and “The Albatross.” He was the second son of Mr. John Fisher, of Yarmouth, and was born November 18th, 1780. Admiral Fisher entered the Navy in 1795, and was engaged in many important services. He married, in 1810, Elizabeth, sister of Sir James Rivett Carnac, Bart., Governor of Bombay.
OCTOBER.
5.—A prize-fight took place on St. Andrew’s Green, near Bungay, between James Perowne, of Norwich, and James High, of Ellingham. “The former was seconded by a man named Mace,” and the other by Smith, of Ditchingham. The police endeavoured to take possession of the ring, but were put to flight by the mob; and the men fighting to a finish, High was declared the victor. Principals and seconds, with the exception of Mace, were subsequently committed for trial, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions, on October 18th, were bound over to keep the peace. Jim Mace was apprehended at Litcham, on November 2nd, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions on January 3rd, 1853, was ordered to enter into his own recognisances to be of good behaviour.
6.—Died at Quebec, Stephen Codman, for thirty-six years organist of the cathedral church in that city. He was a native of Norwich, where he received his musical education under Dr. Beckwith.
7.—The Priory Schools, Yarmouth, were opened by the Bishop of Norwich. “The site of the schools originally formed the refectory of the Benedictine friars. Many of the walls of the priory still remain, and the hall has been for many years used for the ignoble purposes of a stable.”
27.—A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which a public subscription was opened for the erection of a statue to the memory of the Duke of Wellington. On October 4th, 1853, it was decided that the statue should be of bronze, and Mr. G. Adams was commissioned to prepare the model. (See November 2nd, 1854.)