Peace was at last announced, and its advent was hailed with the utmost enthusiasm by the whole nation, who expected that it would bring with it unnumbered blessings; but its immediate effects seemed to be only disastrous. The reduction of our military forces threw great numbers of men into the labour market, and wages were reduced. While the renewed freedom of navigation brought abundance of all kinds of raw produce to our ports, it did not bring any corresponding increase of our foreign trade and exports to reimburse us, for British merchants had pushed their speculative supplies to the continent, beyond prudential limits, in spite of the Berlin and Milan decrees. For instance, tea and other goods had been sent to Germany, from the port of Salonichi, in Greece, whence they were carried two thousand miles on the backs of mules. The war too had impoverished our customers. Three per Cents. fluctuated in April from 72 to 62, and averaged throughout the year 67. The harvest this year was abundant, and corn fell to 74s. 4d.
January 19—A subscription set on foot for the relief of the poor of Worcester. About £700 raised and distributed in coals.
April 10—The populace burned an effigy of Buonaparte on occasion of the Allies entering Paris. Great rejoicings in other towns of the county. On the 7th and 8th of June there was a general illumination at Worcester on account of the proclamation of Peace. Rejoicings at the various county towns, and at many gentlemen’s seats—particularly at Stanford.
May 6—The Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh, sister to the Emperor of Russia, visited Worcester with her suite. Inspected Messrs. Flight, Barr, and Barr’s royal porcelain manufactory, and Mr. John Knapp’s glove manufactory.
August 17—The first steam boat made its appearance below Gloucester, intended for the conveyance of passengers and light goods between Gloucester and Worcester. It made the return voyage to Gloucester in four hours and a half.
September 5—Prince Frederick of Orange visited Worcester.
September 18—Mr. Kean performed at Worcester Theatre this (Saturday) evening as Richard III, and on the following Monday morning as Hamlet.
December 26—A splendid silver vase, valued at two hundred guineas, and the freedom of the city presented to Colonel Henry Walton Ellis, of the 23rd Fusiliers, a native of Worcester, who had most honourably distinguished himself in Holland, Egypt, America, the West Indies, and the Peninsular War. The Earl of Coventry was the presentee. Colonel Ellis fell in the following June at Waterloo.
Local Acts—For enclosing lands at Bayton, Ombersley, Inkberrow, Abberley, Norton, and Strensham; for vesting in Lord Somers the right of presentation to the perpetual curacy of Stoulton; for taking down Ombersley Church, erecting a new one, enlarging the churchyard, and building a workhouse at Ombersley.