17.—A petition against the return of Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider as members of Parliament for Norwich, was presented in the House of Commons. Bribery and other corrupt and illegal practices were alleged. The Special Committee appointed to inquire into the petition sat on July 29th, and on July 30th decided “That the election of Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider was a void election, and that both, by their agents, were guilty of bribery.” Sir Samuel Bignold, on his return from London, on the 30th, was welcomed by an immense crowd at Thorpe Station, and, escorted by a torch-light procession headed by a band of music, his carriage was dragged in triumph to his residence in Surrey Street.
23.—A writ was issued for the election of a member of Parliament for Norwich, in consequence of a vacancy caused in the representation of the city by the acceptance of the appointment of Comptroller of Her Majesty’s Household by Viscount Bury. The nomination took place at the Guildhall, on the 28th, when the candidates were Viscount Bury, Sir Samuel Bignold, and Col. Henry George Baldero. The show of hands was in favour of Lord Bury, and a poll was demanded on behalf of Sir Samuel Bignold and Col. Baldero. The poll was opened on the 29th, and declared on the 30th, as follows: Bury, 1,922; Bignold, 1,561; Baldero, 39. Lord Bury was declared elected. (See March 9th, 1860.)
JULY.
3.—Died in London, in his 90th year, the Right Rev. Dr. Maltby, formerly Bishop of Durham. He was born in the parish of St. George Tombland, Norwich, on April 9th, 1770, and at the age of nine years was sent to the Free Grammar School, then under the mastership of Dr. Parr. On the resignation of Dr. Parr, Maltby, who was then head boy, proceeded to Winchester, and entering Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, he there gained a University scholarship. He was seventh or eighth wrangler and first medallist, and obtained a prize for Greek epigrams. Maltby afterwards became domestic chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln. He was author of “Sermons on the Christian Religion,” and editor of Morell’s “Thesaurus,” and wrote a very learned and judicious book on “Divinity.” He held one of the prebends of Lincoln Cathedral and the living of Brickdon. In 1831 he was consecrated Bishop of Chichester, and was translated to Durham in 1836. Under Act of Parliament he resigned the latter see in September, 1856, and was allowed an annuity of £4,500.
7.—Died at Roydon Rectory, the Rev. Temple Frere, canon of Westminster and rector of Roydon, aged 78. He was son of Mr. John Frere, for some years member of Parliament for Norwich, and took his B.A. degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1802, as eighth junior optime, migrating afterwards to Downing College. Ordained deacon in 1804 and priest in 1805, he was presented, in 1820, to the family living of Roydon (valued at £400), which he held until his death. He owned the greater part of Diss, and was an active magistrate in that division of the county. Having served some time as chaplain of the House of Commons, he was gazetted to a canonry in Westminster Abbey in 1838. Canon Frere was remarkable for his businesslike habits, and is said to have considerably improved in value the Abbey estates.
12.—The new “marine promenade” at Wells-next-the-Sea, for which the town was indebted to the Earl of Leicester, was opened on this date. The work of construction was commenced in March, 1857. The length of the embankment is 1 mile 132 yards, and its height at the highest part 22 ft. 6 in.
14.—A fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Noble, organ builder, Pottergate Street, Norwich. The entire stock was destroyed. The building adjoined the hospital for invalids of the West Norfolk Militia. “Ten sick Militiamen escaped from the house in great alarm, and only partially dressed.”
18.—Messrs. Butcher, of Norwich, commenced the sale of the Earl of Orford’s estates; the proceedings concluded on the 21st. The Tivetshall estate realised £73,775; the Saxthorpe estate, £99,740; the Briston and Corpusty estate, £8,427; and the Burnham and Weybourne estate, £6,182.
AUGUST.
3.—Mr. Spurgeon made his first appearance in Norwich, on his mission for procuring funds to erect a “monstre tabernacle in London to accommodate the immense congregations drawn together by his peculiar pulpit oratory.” About 2,500 persons assembled at St. Andrew’s Hall to hear his sermon. In the evening Mr. Spurgeon preached in the open air, in Chapel Field, to a congregation of more than 10,000. “The collection at the afternoon service amounted to £28, which Mr. Spurgeon took occasion to say, in introducing another collection in the evening, was the shabbiest collection he had ever had.” In the evening £23 was contributed.