23.—Climatic variations of a remarkable character were recorded. The thermometer on the grass in the morning fell to freezing point (32 degrees), at two p.m. it stood at 77.2 degrees in the shade, one degree higher than the point known as summer heat, and about seven degrees higher than the average maximum day readings for the month of July. In the screen the thermometer fell to 38.4 degrees, the range of temperature for the day being nearly 40 degrees. The minimum was about 12 degrees below, and the maximum about 12 degrees above the usual standard for September. On the 24th the maximum shade temperature was 75.8 degrees.
25.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, the honorary freedom of the city was conferred upon the Mayor (Sir Peter Eade). At the conclusion of the proceedings the members of the Corporation proceeded to the Castle Museum, where a portrait of the Mayor, painted by Mr. Stanhope A. Forbes, was unveiled by Lord Walsingham.
27.—Died at Welborne Rectory, the Rev. George Robert Winter, Hon. Canon of Norwich Cathedral, in his 69th year. He was a son of Mr. Roger Winter, barrister-at-law, Calcutta, and grandson of Mr. John Winter, of Acton, many years solicitor to the Bank of England. Educated at Eaton and at Brasenose College, Oxford, Canon Winter was for many years vicar of Swaffham. In his University days he was a famous athlete, president of the Boat Club, stroke of the Brasenose boat, and a bold and fearless horseman. In addition to his other accomplishments Canon Winter was a very clever artist.
28.—Died at Ipswich, Dr. John Ellor Taylor, F.G.S., F.L.S., aged 60. Dr. Taylor was the son of a foreman in a Lancashire cotton factory, and early in life was sent to the engineer’s shop of the London and North-Western Railway, at Crewe. He subsequently removed to Manchester, and contributed to the newspapers, and on adopting journalism as an occupation secured an appointment on the “Norwich Mercury.” During the smallpox epidemic in 1872 he contributed a remarkable series of articles to the “Eastern Daily Press” on “Haunts and Homes of Smallpox in Norwich,” the materials for which he obtained by personal visits to the dwellings of the stricken people. Resolutely declining to be vaccinated, he contracted the disease, which considerably marred his hitherto handsome features. He left Norwich to become the curator of Ipswich Museum and editor of “Hardwick’s Science Gossip,” and in 1885 visited Australia on a lecturing tour. Dr. Taylor was the author of several works, notably “Geological Stories,” “The Playtime Naturalist,” “Half-hours in the Green Lanes,” “Half-hours at the Seaside,” “The Sagacity and Morality of Plants,” &c.
OCTOBER.
8.—The Church Congress commenced its proceedings at Norwich. The members were welcomed at the Guildhall by the Mayor (Sir Peter Eade), after which the Congress sermons were preached at the Cathedral by the Archbishop of York, and at St. Peter Mancroft by the Bishop of Salisbury. The sessional proceedings were opened at the Agricultural Hall at two p.m. by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, who delivered the inaugural address, and afterwards an address of welcome was presented by the Nonconformist bodies. Sectional meetings took place day by day at St. Andrew’s Hall, the Conservative Club Assembly Room, St. Giles’ Street, and in the Assembly Room at the Agricultural Hall. An ecclesiastical art exhibition was held at St. Giles’ Hall (the old Skating Rink), and during the week meetings of various Church societies took place. The Mayor and Mayoress held a reception at the Castle Museum on the 11th, and the farewell sermon was preached at the Cathedral on the 13th by the Bishop of Peterborough.
21.—Died at Christchurch, Mr. Henry Reeve, C.B., D.C.L. The son of a physician, he was born at Norwich in 1813, and educated at the Grammar School under Valpy. He afterwards proceeded to Geneva, where he completed his education. Mr. Reeve began his literary career by a translation of De Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America,” published in 1835. It was followed, in 1840, by a translation of M. Guizot’s “Washington.” In 1837 Mr. Reeve was appointed Registrar of the Privy Council, and occupied the post for exactly fifty years. He was a frequent contributor to the “Edinburgh Review,” of which he ultimately held the editorship for forty years.
22.—The first of several meetings held in furtherance of a projected line of railway between Forncett and Haddiscoe took place at Hempnall. The distance proposed to be covered was fourteen miles, and the estimated cost of a single line, £1,500 per mile, or a total of £21,000. The directors of the Great Eastern Railway in October, 1896, intimated that they did not see their way to provide the railway communication suggested. (See April 23rd, 1898.)
27.—The sixth specimen recorded in Norfolk of Ray’s bream (Brama Raii) was taken in the nets of a Yarmouth drifter.