21.—The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. White entertained 700 of the aged poor of the city to dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall in celebration of the marriage of their daughter, Miss Ellen Constance White.
—Died, at Antingham Rectory, the Rev. John Dolphin, in his 85th year. “He was among the few survivors of the University elevens that first competed for cricketing honours in the year 1827, when he played as an old Etonian captain for Cambridge.”
22.—An aeronaut named Grais made a balloon ascent from the Newmarket Road Cricket Ground, Norwich, and upon attaining an altitude of about 3,000 feet descended by means of a parachute. Grais made a similar descent at East Dereham on August 10th.
25.—Died, at West Lodge, Easton, Mr. Edward Fountaine, aged 68. He was a son of Mr. Andrew Fountaine, of Narford Hall, and was much devoted to the pursuit of ornithology. Mr. Fountaine achieved some fame as a breeder of eagle owls and was a regular contributor to “The Ibis.”
JULY.
1.—The sale of Mr. T. Fulcher’s herd of red polled cattle was conducted at Elmham Park by Mr. John Thornton. Thirty-nine heifers realised £1,026 18s., an average of £26 6s. 7d.; and eight bulls £159 12s., an average of £19 19s.
2.—The first biennial sale of shorthorn cattle and Southdown sheep, the property of the Prince of Wales, took place at Wolferton. His Royal Highness, accompanied by Prince George of Wales, was present at the luncheon, and during the subsequent proceedings. The total amount realised for the cattle was 3,000 guineas, an average of £50 each. The sheep made high prices. Mr. John Thornton was the auctioneer.
5.—The Ven. William Lefroy, Archdeacon of Warrington, was installed Dean of Norwich in succession to the Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, D.D., resigned. Dean Lefroy preached his first sermon at the Cathedral on October 15th, on the occasion of the festival of the Church of England Temperance Society.
10.—Died, at Walpole House, Thorpe, Mr. William Houghton Clabburn, aged 69. He was for many years a partner in the firm of Clabburn, Sons, and Crisp, shawl manufacturers, whose products achieved for Norwich a world-wide celebrity. Mr. Clabburn was chairman of the directors of the Norwich Crape Company, and served the office of Sheriff in 1866–67.
16.—The Norwich Town Council voted a loyal and dutiful address to the Prince and Princess of Wales on the approaching marriage of Princess Louise with the Earl of Fife. The wedding on the 27th was celebrated in Norwich by the ringing of St. Peter Mancroft bells, and the display of flags on public buildings. The ladies of Norfolk presented to her Royal Highness a diamond bracelet and a grand pianoforte, and the farmers on the Sandringham estate gave a handsome diamond cross.