A Society for promoting the Purity of Election had been formed.
April 23rd.—The members (Messrs. Baring and Praed) attended a dinner to which they had been invited by their constituents, at the Town Hall. Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., presided. John Penrice, Esq., sat at the head of the right hand table, and Ambrose Palmer, Esq., at the head of the left. Mr. Paget was vice-president. Among the company were Lord Walpole, M.P., E. Wodehouse, Esq., M.P., Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart., Sir Jacob Preston, Bart.,— Lawson, Esq., M.P., the Mayor of Yarmouth, John Danby Palmer, Esq., Captains Onslow, Gunthorpe, Manby, and Grint; M. Lacon, J. M. Lacon, W. Fisher, I. Preston, J. Preston, R. Ferrier, J. G. Fisher, E. Leathes, G. E. Francis, R. Cory, W. Yetts, F. Preston, and Chas. J. Palmer, Esqs.; the Revs. T. Baker, C. Penrice, W. Lucas, — Green, and about 250 electors.
May 14th.—The smuggler “Nancy, of London,” was brought in by the Badger, cutter, having on board 150 tubs of brandy, a few bags of tea, and some dry goods.
June 18th.—A meeting of Reformers had been held at the Star Hotel, when G. Danby Palmer, Esq., moved that a petition should be presented in favour of the Corporation Reform Bill.
June 25th.—Another meeting on the same subject had been held at the Mechanics’ Hall. Messrs. William Barth, R. Wall, Thomas Hammond, E. Sewell, S. Cobb, and J. Shelly taking part in the proceedings.
July 2nd.—Mr. Praed had presented a petition against the Corporation Reform Bill from the town.
July 30th.—The following notice appears of the death of J. Shelly, Esq.:—
“It is with feelings of more than ordinary regret that we this week announce the sudden death of John Shelly, Esq. This estimable gentleman had concluded his examination on Tuesday forenoon last before the Parliamentary Committee, and after being highly complimented by the noble Chairman (Lord F. Egerton) for his ability (feeling himself somewhat unwell), had retired to his inn, where he directed the waiter to call him in half-an-hour. The servant went upstairs at the time appointed, about two in the afternoon, and found Mr. S. sitting in a chair, nearly dead. We repeat that we feel more than ordinary regret at having this announcement to make. As a leader and representative (if we may so say) of a party his death will create a void that it will be long indeed ere it be filled. His was a master mind—once embarked in a subject (whatever might be its magnitude) it was sure to be treated powerfully and ably by Mr. Shelly, the whole energies of whose mind were directed to its elucidation for the benefit of his fellow townsmen. There might, indeed, be those who excelled this really gifted man in some particular department, but for general knowledge, facility, power, ease, and even elegance of expression, our lamented friend, we should say, has not left his equal in this, his native town. That he was a warm partizan, no one can deny, but that he was directed in his every movement of a public nature by sincerity and conscience is equally clear to every one who had the happiness of knowing him. The great majority of the shops kept by those in the Liberal interest are shaded, to show the sense which is entertained of the irreparable nature of the public loss sustained. But it is not alone in public that the work of Mr. S. was known. As a father, husband, friend, and Christian, his conduct was alike exemplary. We will venture to say that, warm as was his political partizanship, he never made himself one personal enemy. Mr. Shelly has left an amiable wife and eleven children to deplore his loss.”
August 8th.—The Regatta had been held, when the cup was won by Sir Jacob Preston’s “Maria”; on this occasion Edmund Preston, Esq., entertained “about 200 of the fashionables of the town.”
August 13th.—The petition in favour of Corporation Reform had been signed by 2,500 persons.