April 24th.—The Rev. Mr. Clarke of Norwich, had accepted the ministry of St. Peter’s, the ladies proposed to present the communion plate to this Church.
May 23rd.—The mackerel fishing had been very unsuccessful.
A meeting had been held to approve of the proposed Rules for the intended Proprietary Grammar School.
May 30th.—A Commission had been appointed to inquire into Corporate affairs “on the spot.”
Sir F. Palgrave had obtained from H.M. Commissioners of Records the presentation of some valuable publications to the Library.
June 13th.—Lord Exmouth had arrived in his yacht, and subsequently sailed with his brother, the Vicar (the Hon. E. Pellew), for St. Petersburgh.
June 20th.—Vice-Admiral Parker had been appointed a K.C.B.
July 11th.—The following is the account of the Burgh Water Frolic:—
“Monday last being the day appointed for our annual water frolic, an immense quantity of boats (from the splendid pleasure barge to the humble punt) started from our Bridge at eleven o’clock a.m. with a favourable and somewhat stiff breeze from the N.E. At two o’clock the various crafts laid-to in the Narrows to witness the sailing match. The competitors were the Venus (cutter-rigged boat), Last; Algerine (latteener), Craske; Emerald, (latteener) Col. Jones; and the Hornet, Everett. The prize (an elegant silver cup) was won by the Venus. At starting the Hornet had the lead for a short distance, when she was passed by the Venus, and on rounding the upper cross stake the latter boat and the Emerald were close together, and remained so, till they got within the Narrows, when the Colonel succeeded in passing her, winning the first by about half a minute. In two minutes after the Venus recovered her lost ground and passed her opponent, and succeeded in rounding the stake one minute before the Emerald, who, however, neared so fast that had not the Venus rounded the flag very closely she must have lost the match, the Colonel being to windward. The oldest boater never remembers so closely contested a run. After sailing, the various crafts (which absolutely studded the river) got under weigh, and proceeded towards the ancient Garianonum, opposite to which they dined. At seven o’clock p.m. the boats started for home, where they arrived in about an hour, all safe, nothing having occurred to damp the pleasures of the day, which was an extremely fine one. At Burgh, Chase, the spirited proprietor of the Neptune Gardens, was completely at home, while on the adjacent hills, opposite the cage, various groups of happy faces were to be seen enjoying tea, &c. This, together with the immense crowd of company that congregated on the road, presented a scene that must have been witnessed to have been fully appreciated. Among the company were our worthy Mayor and a large party of fashionables in the handsome barge belonging to W. Fisher, Esq., S. T. Berney, and J. Penrice, Esqs., in the former’s fast-sailing boat Meteor, Mr. Alderman Barth in the admiral’s (Green’s) boat, &c., &c. This, together with the countless multitudes that crowded the decks of the tug, Royal Sovereign and Emperor steamers, made the river appear a sort of floating fair. On the next day a number of boats, barges, &c., sailed to the Berney Arms to witness a rowing match (for a silver cup, given by Mr. Barnett, the landlord of the house) by four-oared gigs, which was won by the Wasp, a Norwich boat, belonging to William Gallant, jun. Nearer home we observed an unusually large number of stalls, &c., at our bridge foot. On the whole, there seemed nothing wanting to make this annual festival worthy of brighter days, but the presence of the Corporation barge, without which (although no brawlers against innovation) we cannot but think the Regatta is shorn of much of its glory.”
July 18th.—A fight had taken place on the Factory Denes, for one Sovereign, between Thomas Purdy, of Caister, commonly known as “The Caister Champion,” and George Elliott, of Ingham. At the 133rd round (the battle lasted 1 h. 50 min.) Elliott was declared the victor.