The Theatre-Royal was erected upon patent in 1768, and is a handsome house. The Assembly-Rooms next it are spacious and brilliant; and the Concert-Room, in Redwell-street, is well attended weekly:—supported by a subscription of its members.
The public gardens are Bunn’s, or the Pantheon, formerly Spring Gardens; and Quantrell’s, or the Rural Gardens. These, particularly in the assize week, are much frequented, and concerts of vocal and instrumental music given.
Mr. Arthur Young, in his Tour through the East of England, (1771) says, “The city of Norwich is one of the most considerable in England after London; it stands on more ground than any other, but in number of inhabitants, some others assert an equality. By an accurate account taken a few years ago, the number reckoned by the houses amounted to forty thousand; but by the bills of mortality only to thirty-six thousand; the average therefore of these (thirty-eight thousand) may be taken as more probable than either.”
In July, 1752, a parochial list was taken of the number of houses and inhabitants within the city of Norwich, precincts of the Close, and the hamlets or suburbs belonging to the said city, as followeth: By comparing of which with the account of the inhabitants taken in 1693, inserted in the 3d column, we shall see how greatly the number of the people has been increased in the course of sixty years, owing to the prodigious extension of its trade during that period.
Seven or eight hundred souls are supported in the two work-houses at about 10,000l. a year, in all expences; and near 3000l. yearly is paid in weekly allowances to poor out of the houses.
By a late regulation, the children of St. John’s workhouse are employed in rooms fitted up for them in Colegate-street; in street also, the children of St. Andrew’s workhouse are employed in spinning yarn. About 250 poor children are hereby enabled to contribute towards their own maintenance,—their health and morals improved, and the public much benefited!
In the present century the manufacture is increased as from four to twelve.
During the last war, Norwich supplied the army and navy with four thousand recruits; but her manufactures did not suffer in the least; for they carried on more trade than ever. The truly industrious do not inlist; and as to the idle, the greatest favour to be done to any place is to sweep them all away.
They are in this city curious in building with flint: they cut it in regular squares, and form as neat joints as with the best bricks. The Bridewell is thus built, and so well executed, that it is worth a traveller’s notice.