NORFOLK ANNALS. VOLUME II. 1851–1900. (continued 12)

2.—A meeting was held at King’s Lynn, at which was formed for West Norfolk a branch of the National Fair Trade League. The principles of the League were, for a time, advocated in this and other parts of Norfolk, but the movement was short-lived.

3.—Died, at the Close, Norwich, Mr. John Orfeur, in his 80th year. He was a son of Lieutenant Abdiel Orfeur, R.N., of Great Yarmouth, a descendant of the family of Orfeur in Cumberland. By business a timber merchant, he devoted his leisure time to scientific pursuits, was one of the promoters of the Norwich Geological Society, and of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, and a warm supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.

6.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted a resolution affirming its belief that the long-continued depression in agriculture injuriously affected all other industries, and its desire that a Committee of the two Houses of Parliament should enquire into the causes of the distress and recommend such practical remedies as might be found advisable. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., moved a similar resolution at a meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, on December 10th.

16.—Died, at Houghton Hall, his seat in Norfolk, the Marquis of Cholmondeley. His lordship, who was born August 31st, 1800, was the younger of the two sons of George James, fourth earl and first Marquis of Cholmondeley, by his marriage with the Lady Georgina Charlotte Bertie, second daughter and co-heiress of Peregrine, third Duke of Ancaster. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, and at the age of 22, as Lord Henry Cholmondeley, he entered the House of Commons as one of the members for the pocket borough of Castle Rising, in the place of his brother, Lord Rocksavage, who was called to the Upper House in his father’s Barony of Newburgh. In 1832 Castle Rising was disfranchised under Lord John Russell’s Reform Act, and Lord Henry remained out of Parliament until 1852, when he was returned as one of the members for South Hampshire. In May, 1870, on his elder brother’s death, he succeeded to the Marquisate and the rest of the family honours, and to the estates of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, and of Houghton Hall, Norfolk. He was an excellent and considerate landlord, and did his best to encourage agricultural improvements on his estates.

17.—An extensive fire occurred in the drapery establishment of Mr. Alfred Jermyn, High Street, Lynn. A range of buildings was entirely destroyed. The premises were valued at £6,500, and the stock in trade at £20,000.

26.—Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Brace’s Comedy Company appeared at Norwich Theatre in the farcical pieces, “Nita’s First” and “My Milliner’s Bill.” At Messrs. John Sanger and Son’s Circus, at the Agricultural Hall, was produced the Christmas spectacle, “Aladdin, or an Old Lamp with a New Face.”

29.—Died, at Bridewell Alley, Norwich, aged 53, Mr. Arthur Dale Ventnor, a well-known portrait painter.

30.—Died, at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. Richard Makilwaine Phipson, F.S.A., aged 57. He commenced practice as an architect in London, and in 1849 took an office at Ipswich. In 1859 he was appointed to the post of County Surveyor of Norfolk, and afterwards became one of the diocesan surveyors under the Ecclesiastical Dilapidations Act, 1871. Much of the work of church restoration carried out during the quarter of a century preceding his death had been entrusted to him, and he was the architect of the Norwich City Asylum. Mr. Phipson was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and took great interest in the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society.

1885.

JANUARY.

2.—The Hon. T. W. H. Pelham, one of the Commissioners appointed to inquire as to the boundaries to be assigned to the divisions of the several counties under the Redistribution of Seats Bill, attended at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of receiving suggestions and of hearing objections as to the constitution of the divisions of the county of Norfolk. On February 28th it was announced that the Commissioners had issued their report and had determined the areas of the six divisions into which the county would be divided, with one member to each. These were known as South, South-West, East, North, Mid, and North-West. Yarmouth and King’s Lynn were allotted one member each.

6.—Died, at Cathedral Street, Norwich, Mrs. Emily Stannard, widow of Joseph Stannard, artist, and daughter of Daniel Coppin, aged 82. Mrs. Stannard was a clever painter of fruit, flowers, and still life. In 1821 she was presented with the large gold medal of the Society of Arts for an original painting of fruit, and in 1828 received a gold medal for a painting of game.

8.—The coming of age of Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward of Wales, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was marked by great rejoicings not only at Sandringham, but throughout the county. Addresses and gifts were presented by the tenantry, and by the Corporations of Norwich and Lynn; Sanger’s circus company from Norwich gave performances for the amusement of the villagers; and in the evening a grand ball took place at Sandringham House. The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. John Hotblack) invited 600 children to a fancy dress ball given at St. Andrew’s Hall in honour of the event.

15.—The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended at St. Andrew’s Hall to inaugurate an art loan exhibition in aid of St. Peter Mancroft church restoration fund, and of the churchyard improvement. The exhibition remained open for three weeks, and realised a balance of £517.

21.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Hamon le Strange brought an action against the Corporation of Lynn for the purpose of determining the boundary between his fishery and the fishery of the Corporation, which were coterminous. It was alleged that the defendants wrongfully cut away and removed two buoys belonging to the plaintiff. The defendants denied the act, but subsequently justified it on the ground that the buoys were an interference with the fishery of the Corporation. The hearing concluded on the 24th, when the jury found for the plaintiff and allowed 40s. damages in order to carry costs. The defendants gave notice of motion for a new trial on the ground of misdirection of the jury. On June 24th the application was made in the Queen’s Beach Division, and was refused.

21.—Died, at All Saints’ Green, Norwich, Thomas Frederick Armes, bugle-major of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Formerly in the 4th Light Dragoons, he took part in the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava, in which he was wounded and left for dead on the field.

26.—The Prince of Wales attended the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk Freemasons at Lynn, and was present at the banquet presided over by Lord Suffield.

29.—A widow, named Elizabeth Everitt, 50 years of age, of Wormegay, near Downham Market, was murdered by her son, William Everitt. The murderer was certified to be insane, and was removed to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

—Died, at Hill House, Surlingham, Mr. Frederick Anthony Mills, in his 85th year. Born at Pulham St. Mary, where for many years his father practised as a surgeon, he received his early education under Valpy at Norwich Grammar School, and was one of the last survivors of the Valpeian Club. A taste for natural history and anatomical investigation rendered his studies when a pupil at Guy’s both congenial and promising. For some time he practised surgery in Norwich in partnership with Mr. Cadge, and after the death of his wife, settled at Surlingham with his old friend and fellow-sportsman, Mr. Robert Pratt, and indulged in his favourite pursuits of fishing and shooting. Mr. Mills was a Liberal of the old school, “but his contempt for mere party triumphs led him to speak with more pride than regret of his never having been a member of the Norwich Town Council.”

FEBRUARY.

2.—Died, at Surrey Street, Norwich, Mrs. Louisa Mary Barwell, widow of Mr. John Barwell. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, and was born March 4th, 1800. In early life she showed great taste and talent in music, became one of the finest amateur singers of her day, and assisted her father in editing the “Musical Review.” In 1824 she married Mr. John Barwell, and soon afterwards contributed articles to the “Journal of Education” and other similar periodicals. Mrs. Barwell in 1833 published her first book, “Little Lessons for Little Learners.” Her works on educational subjects numbered fourteen.

11.—The “Tichborne Claimant” (who was released from Pentonville Prison on October 20th, 1884) appeared at Sanger’s Circus, Norwich, and addressed the audience on his life and adventures. He made a second appearance on the 12th.

16.—Sir J. W. Lubbock, M.P., and Mr. H. L. Courtney, M.P., at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, propounded the principles advocated by the Proportional Representation Society.

MARCH.

5.—A “service of humiliation” was held in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, “with prayers for our nation in general and specially for our soldiers and sailors in Egypt.”

—A salmon trout, weighing 4¾ lbs., was captured at Pull’s Ferry, Norwich.

7.—At the Norfolk Adjourned Quarter Sessions, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, Mr. T. H. B. Heslop of Thames Ditton, Surrey, was appointed County Surveyor, in place of Mr. R. M. Phipson, deceased.

APRIL.

6.—An English Opera Company, including Mr. Faulkner Leigh, Madame Cave-Ashton, Madame Campobello, and Mr. William Parkinson, commenced a season at Norwich Theatre in the operas of “La Sonnambula,” “The Waterman,” “Il Trovatore,” “Pygmalion and Galatea,” “Maritana,” &c. Sir Julius Benedict was announced as conductor, but in consequence of his serious illness his name was withdrawn.

—The annual conference of the National Union of Elementary Teachers opened at the Lecture Hall, Prince’s Street, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.

19.—Died, at his residence, Heigham, Norwich, aged 84, the Rev. Frederick Field, LL.D. He graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained the Tyrwhitt Hebrew Scholarship, and took his Bachelor’s degree as tenth wrangler and Chancellor’s medallist. He was afterwards elected to a Fellowship, and in 1843 was instituted to the rectory of Reepham, which he held till 1863. In 1875 he was created an honorary LL.D. of Cambridge University. Dr. Field was a member of the Old Testament Revision Committee, and the editor of “Barrow’s Treatise on the Pope’s Supremacy,” and of several learned works published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Clarendon Press, Oxford, and the Cambridge University Press.

21.—Died, at Hill House, Dersingham, Captain William D’Urban Blyth, late 14th Hussars, aged 59. He was a member of an old Norfolk family, and joined his regiment, then the 14th Light Dragoons, in India in 1847. He served through the Punjaub Campaign of 1848 and 1849; and with the Central India Field Force, under Sir Hugh Rose, during the Mutiny. Captain Blyth for some time held the post of riding master in his regiment, and in addition superintended the training of 1,200 remounts for cavalry during the Crimean War. He took part in thirty-six separate engagements, and was never once wounded. On retiring from the Army he settled at Weasenham Hall, his birthplace, and subsequently at Dersingham, where he became a warm supporter of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, and a justice of the peace.

MAY.

1.—A “habitation” of the Primrose League was inaugurated at Holt at a meeting held under the presidency of Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart. This is the first record of the formation of a branch of the organization in Norfolk. The preliminary meeting was followed by a great gathering held in the same town on May 12th. Other “habitations” were quickly formed in various parts of the county.

9.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture discussed the question of inaugurating a series of agricultural experiments. The committee to whom the matter had been referred reported in favour of the proposal, which had the warm support of the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Leicester. The report was adopted, and it was decided to commence experiments in the autumn. An address on the subject was delivered by Sir Thomas Acland, M.P.

20.—The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 21st inspected the Norfolk Artillery, in which Prince Albert Victor was serving at the time. On the 22nd the Prince of Wales was to have visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, but the parade was abandoned in consequence of the heavy rain. A ball given at Yarmouth Town Hall in the evening by the officers of the Eastern District Brigade, was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The Prince of Wales left for Sandringham on the 23rd.

21.—Died, aged 78, Mr. Jeremiah Colman, of Carshalton Park, senior partner in the firm of Messrs. J. and J. Colman. He was one of the twelve sons of Mr. Robert Colman, and a member of the cricket team of eleven brothers.

JUNE.

3.—The Derby Stakes were won at Epsom by Lord Hastings’ Norfolk-bred horse, Melton, which beat Mr. Brodrick-Cloete’s Paradox and Mr. Childwick’s Royal Hampton. On September 16th Melton won the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster by six lengths.

4.—A festival of the Choir Benevolent Fund took place at Norwich Cathedral.

13.—The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the honour of knighthood upon Dr. Eade, of Norwich. The Norwich Town Council on the 16th passed a vote of congratulation to Sir Peter Eade, who on August 1st was presented to her Majesty at Osborne.

17.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Watton, and was continued on the 18th. Lord Walsingham was president.

JULY.

4.—Captain Smith, East Surrey Regiment, son of Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, was enthusiastically welcomed on his return after active service in Afghanistan and the Soudan. Captain Smith entered the Army in 1878, and went immediately to the front. He served in the Afghan War under Sir Donald Stewart, and in the Soudan under General Graham, and took part in the operations at Hasheen and Tamai. While at Suakim he contracted fever and was invalided home.

9.—The Merton flock of pure-bred Southdown sheep, the property of Lord Walsingham, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. The 541 lots revised £3,254 12s. 6d.

—Died, at Catton, aged 82, Mr. William Jary Cubitt, who served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 1865–66.

10.—Died, at Thorpland Hall, Fakenham, aged 83, the Rev. Henry James Lee Warner. He was born at Stanton St. Quintin, Wiltshire, where his father was then curate. Soon afterwards his grandfather succeeded to the Walsingham Abbey estates, and in 1807 his father accepted the charge of the adjoining parishes of Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. Having attended Aylsham Grammar School he proceeded to Rugby, and thence to St. John’s College, Cambridge, where, in 1825, he took double honours in classics and mathematics, being fourth Senior Optime and in the second class of the Classical Tripos. After residing at the Temple and reading for the Bar, he travelled for some time on the Continent, and on returning to England read for Holy Orders, and was ordained at Norwich by Bishop Bathurst. Mr. Lee Warner first held a curacy at Canterbury, and in 1834 succeeded his father in the parishes of Great and Little Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. From conscientious motives he resigned his plurality of livings and thenceforth devoted himself to the more populous parish of Little Walsingham on a stipend of £100 per annum. Mr. Lee Warner largely identified himself with Church work in the diocese, and in 1863 was appointed an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. He was a well-known archæologist. “A man of singular modesty, of simple faith and self-denying habits, he was not only a strong teetotaller by conviction, but also in many ways opposed to what he considered excessive luxury.”

10.—The North Elmham herd of red polled cattle, purchased and bred since 1875 by Mr. Thomas Fulcher, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-six cows and heifers realised a total of 1,077 guineas, and nine bulls 165 guineas.

21.—A terrible disaster occurred at Caister. At about midnight a vessel was observed in distress near the Barber Sand, and the yawl Zephyr, manned by a crew of fifteen hands, was launched. The yawl had not proceeded far when she struck a sunken wreck, and her side being ripped away, she sank rapidly, and eight of her crew were drowned.

22.—Died, at Yarmouth, Alfred George Stannard, artist, aged 57. He was the eldest son of Alfred Stannard, of Norwich, a nephew of “Joe” Stannard and brother of Miss Stannard, the painter of fruit and flowers.

25.—The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Yarmouth.

AUGUST.

1.—The Norfolk Agricultural Association decided to merge with the Royal Agricultural Society in 1886 and to hold no county show that year.

6.—In the House of Commons, Mr. J. A. Picton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was a fact that, as reported in the London papers, the Rev. Coker Adams, rector of Saham Toney, had on Sunday, July 26th, pronounced in his parish church sentence of excommunication against Joseph Payne, a parishioner, aged 82, because of his persistent neglect of the Church’s ordinances and refusal of her ministrations, and enquired whether notice would be taken of his illegal action? Sir Richard Cross replied that he saw this account with extreme surprise and regret, and he thought it right the sentence should be sent to the Bishop, who, he had no doubt, would make enquiry into the matter.

7.—Died, at Rackheath Park, Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart. A prominent member of a well-known county family, Sir Henry for many years occupied a distinguished position. Born in 1802, he was educated at Eton, and afterwards served for several years in the 1st Dragoons, and on succeeding to the baronetcy, on the death of his father in 1855, he entered with considerable ardour into politics. Just previously he had been returned without opposition as one of the representatives of East Norfolk on the retirement of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. On the dissolution of Parliament in 1857 Major-General Windham, in the flush of the fame he had gained in the Crimea, was brought forward for East Norfolk with Sir E. N. Buxton, and there being divided opinions in the Conservative camp, Mr. Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey declined to contest the seat. On the death of Sir E. N. Buxton in June, 1858, Sir Henry was again nominated, and was defeated by the Hon. Wenman Coke. In the following year he was returned with Sir Edmund Lacon for Yarmouth, defeating Mr. (afterwards Sir E. W.) Watkin and Mr. Young, and sat for that borough until 1865. In 1868 he stood for Norwich in opposition to Sir W. Russell and Mr. Tillett, and was returned at the head of the poll, but was unseated on petition. In 1874 he again came forward, in conjunction with Mr. Huddleston, was unsuccessful, and thereafter took no share in polities. Sir Henry married, in 1835, Charlotte, only daughter and heiress of Mr. George Denne, of the Paddock, Canterbury. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1871, and was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk.

18.—Died, at Hingham, Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., aged 61. He married, on December 19th, 1850, Sophia Jane, daughter of the Rev. Clement Chevallier, rector of Badington and Cransford, Suffolk, and widow of Mr. Isaac Jermy Jermy, who, with his father, Mr. Isaac Jermy, fell a victim to the murderer, James Blomfield Rush. “The Beevor family, which, with their connections, are very numerous, are descended from the Rev. William Beevor, rector of South Walsham and Rockland in 1659 (the eldest son of Abraham Beevor, of Heckmondwike, Yorkshire), whose grandson, Sir Thomas, eldest son of Thomas Beevor, of Norwich, and Hester, daughter of John Sharpe, of Norwich, was created a baronet in 1784.” The subject of this notice was educated for the Bar, but in his latter years devoted himself to the supervision of the business of the Norwich Union Life Assurance Society, of which he was chairman of the directors, and was at the same time a director of the Norwich Union Fire Office. His eldest son, Thomas Edward, died to 1879, and the second son, Hugh Reeve, succeeded to the baronetcy.

24.—Norwich Theatre was opened under the management of Mr. Fred Morgan. The inaugural performance, “In Chancery,” was given by Mr. Edward Terry’s company. On succeeding evenings “Weak Woman” and “The Rocket” were produced, and Mr. Terry also appeared in the character of James Blodder in an adaptation of Thackeray’s “Jeames’s Diary.” Several improvements had been effected in the Theatre, which had undergone much-needed redecoration.

SEPTEMBER.

4.—The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry Barracks, en route to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

14.—The first exhibition by members of the Norwich Art Circle (formed in the month of February) was opened at the Old Bank of England Chambers, Queen Street.

25.—The annual congress of the homœopathic practitioners of Great Britain was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Dr. Herbert Nankivell, of Bournemouth.

—Mr. Arthur Coyte, of Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, died from gunshot wounds accidentally inflicted whilst shooting on the Stratton Strawless estate on the previous day. Mr. Coyte, who was the second son of the Rev. James Coyte, rector of Polstead, Suffolk, was 53 years of age.

30.—Died, at Norwich, aged 91 years, the Rev. Henry Banfather. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School under Forster and Valpy, by the latter of whom he was made an assistant master. On Valpy’s death he took private pupils, and was most successful in obtaining candidates for Holy Orders. He was then appointed by the Corporation headmaster of the school, a position which he held for many years before his retirement to the living of Sprowston.

OCTOBER.

7.—Died, at his chambers, Great Ormond Street, London, Mr. Robert Hindry Mason, aged 61 years. Mr. Mason had led a busy life as a journalist. He established, edited, and conducted, from 1852 to 1854, the “Greenwich, and West Kent Observer,” owned the “Sunderland Times” and “Sheffield Advertiser,” and subsequently became proprietor of the “London and Eton Gazette.” Some years previously, when a resident in Norwich, he published a work, entitled “Norfolk Photographically Illustrated,” and at the time of his death was engaged upon his best known work, the “History of Norfolk.”

12.—A great Conservative demonstration was held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, at which a requisition, signed by 5,000 electors, was presented to Mr. Harry Bullard, inviting him to contest the representation of the city in the Conservative interest. Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold presided, and was supported by the Earl of Dunraven, Under Secretary for the Colonies, and by many prominent leaders of the party in county and city. In reply to the requisition Mr. Bullard said, “My answer is unhesitatingly ‘Yes.’” This meeting was said to have been the largest ever held in a public building in Norwich.

19.—Lord Randolph Churchill addressed a large meeting of the Conservative party at Lynn in support of the candidature of Lord Henry Bentinck for North-West Norfolk. On the 20th Lord Randolph proceeded to Merton Hall as the guest of Lord and Lady Walsingham.

24.—The Channel Squadron, consisting of the Minotaur (flagship), Agincourt, Monarch, Sultan, Iron Duke, and Leander, arrived in Yarmouth Roads, and anchored between the Britannia and Wellington Piers. Admiral Fellowes was in command, and the officers and men numbered 3,750. The squadron sailed for Deal on November 4th.

31.—Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., was presented, at the Fishmongers’ Hall, London, with a valuable service of silver plate, subscribed for by many fishermen, boatowners, and others in recognition of his successful efforts to serve the fishing industry of the United Kingdom. The presentation was made by the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by Prince Albert Victor.

NOVEMBER.

4.—The 13th Hussars, who formed the principal cavalry contingent of Sir Charles Warren’s Bechuanaland expeditionary force, arrived at Norwich by two special trains. A portion of the regiment had proceeded to Colchester. Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was in command of the headquarter troops, which numbered 16 officers and 240 men.

9.—Mr. John Gurney, of Sprowston Hall, was elected Mayor, and Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

12.—Madame Albani gave a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in aid of the Jenny Lind Infirmary. She received the voluntary assistance of Miss Damian, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Santley, Lady Benedict (solo pianist), M. Carl Walther (solo violinist), Dr. Bunnett (organist), and the Norwich Gatehouse Choir. Signor Bisaccia conducted, and the proceeds amounted to £529 14s. 8d.

13.—Died, at Milgrove House, Fulham, Thomas Heron Jones, seventh Viscount Ranelagh. He was born at Fulham in 1812, and succeeded his father in 1820. His lordship took a prominent part in originating and forming the Volunteer force in 1859. For some time he served in the 1st Life Guards and in the 7th Fusiliers. By his death the title, which was created in 1628, became extinct. He was succeeded in his estates (principally at St. Faith’s, Norwich) by his cousin, Alexander Montgomery, son of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Alexander Montgomery Jones, son of the fourth Viscount. Lord Ranelagh served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1868.

13.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Stephen, Robert Goodale, 45, gardener, was indicted for the wilful murder of his wife, Bathsheba Goodale, at Walsoken, on September 15th. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on November 30th. Berry, of Bradford, was the executioner. “As the clock of an adjacent church struck the hour of eight, Berry, who was stationed behind the prisoner with the lever in his hand, asked him, ‘Do you wish to say anything else before you go?’ to which Goodale replied in the negative, and before the eighth stroke had sounded, the lever was pulled, the trap-door fell, and the prisoner, who weighed 15 stone, and was 5 ft. 11 in. in height, and was allowed a drop just short of six feet, disappeared from view. To the horror of the bystanders the rope rebounded, and it was thought that by some means it had become unfastened. On looking into the pit below the scaffold the spectators observed the body lying on the ground, with the head still enveloped in the white cap, completely severed from the trunk.” At the subsequent inquest the jury found that death was caused by hanging, and “they imputed no blame to anyone for what had occurred.”

19.—A desperate encounter took place between a couple of tigers at Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie at Norwich. One animal seized the other, named Tippo, by the throat, and although every effort was made to separate them, Tippo was laid lifeless upon the floor. The victim’s windpipe was crushed, and death resulted from suffocation. The animal, a fine specimen of the Royal Bengal tiger, was valued at £400.

23.—The General Election under the extended franchise commenced on this date. The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall, before the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul). The following were proposed:—Mr. Harry Bullard, of Hellesdon House (C.); Mr. Jeremiah James Colman, of Carrow House (L.); and Mr. Robert Samuel Wright, of 1, Paper Buildings, Temple, London, barrister-at-law (L.). The polling took place on the 25th, between the hours of eight a.m. and eight p.m. “The Market Place was the scene of a regular carnival. The principal form of practical joking was the discharge of small bags of flour at any prominent person who chanced to run the gauntlet of the crowd. No ill-temper was displayed, and probably no election ever took place in Norwich where so little animosity was exhibited. We think the keeping of the poll open until eight o’clock was generally admitted to be a mistake, as unnecessarily prolonging the excitement incidental to an election where party feeling runs high.” At the close of the poll the ballot boxes were conveyed to the Guildhall, where the counting immediately commenced, and the result was declared at 12.45 as follows:—Bullard, 7,279; Colman, 6,666; Wright, 6,251. On December 21st a petition was lodged against the return of Mr. Bullard. (See March 17th, 1886.)

—At Yarmouth, on the re-enfranchisement of the borough, Sir Henry Wheatley Tyler (C.) and Captain Cecil W. Norton (L.) were nominated. The polling, which took place on the 24th, resulted as follows:—Tyler, 2,661; Norton, 2,476.

—The Right Hon. Robert Bourke (C.) and Sir W. ffolkes, Bart. (L.) were nominated for King’s Lynn. The polling on the 25th resulted—Bourke, 1,472; ffolkes, 1,302.

24.—For South Norfolk Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart. (C), and Mr. Francis Taylor, of Diss (L.), were nominated. The polling took place on the 27th, and the result was declared at the Shirehall, Norwich, on the 28th as follows:—Taylor, 4,580; Buxton, 3,588.

—The candidates nominated for East Norfolk were Mr. Edward Birkbeck (C.) and Mr. Philip Falk, of Kensington Palace Gardens, London (L.). The polling took place on the 30th, and the result was declared at the Shirehall, Norwich, on December 1st as follows:—Birkbeck, 4,682; Falk, 4,459.

25.—The nomination of candidates for North Norfolk took place at Aylsham. The nominees were Mr. Samuel Hoare, of Cliff House, Cromer (C), and Mr. Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., of 50, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London (L.). The polling was on December 1st, and the declaration, at Aylsham, on December 2nd. Result:—Cozens-Hardy, 5,028; Hoare, 3,342.

27.—The nomination of candidates for South-West Norfolk took place at Swaffham. The candidates were Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst (C.) and Sir W. Brampton Gurdon (L.). The polling was on December 4th, and the declaration on December 5th:—Amherst, 4,096; Gurdon, 3,776.

30.—The candidates for North-West Norfolk—Lord Henry Bentinck (C.) and Mr. Joseph Arch (L.), were nominated at Lynn. The latter, described as the president of the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union, was nominated by Sir Lawrence Jones, Bart. The polling, on December 8th, was declared on December 9th as follows:—Arch, 4,461; Bentinck, 3,821.

DECEMBER.

3.—Mid Norfolk election, candidates, Mr. Ailwyn E. Fellowes (C.) and Mr. R. T. Gurdon (L.), took place. The poll was declared on the 4th at East Dereham—Gurdon, 5,275; Fellowes, 2,872.

9.—The parish church of East Dereham, partially restored at the cost of £2,134, by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham, under the supervision of Mr. E. P. Willins, was re-opened. The eighteenth century plaster, which concealed the Early English roof of the nave, was removed, and the unsightly old galleries, which blocked up the north and south aisles and the west end, were demolished. The Perpendicular font was transferred from the north transept to its original position near the west door. Colonel Bulwer was chairman of the Restoration Committee.

—In the House of Lords, before Lords Selborne, Blackburn, Bramwell, Watson, and Fitzgerald, was commenced the hearing of the appeal, Coaks and others v. Boswell and others. This was an appeal from the judgment of Lords Justices Baggallay, Cotton, and Lindley. On Monday, 14th, the fourth day, the case for the respondents closed, and their lordships reserved judgment. (See February 22nd, 1886.)

20.—The new reredos at the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, designed by Mr. Seddon, and executed by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, was formally dedicated. It was described as “an adaptation of the Norfolk screen, with its carved oak and painted panel work.”

26.—Miss May Holt’s company appeared at Norwich Theatre in her “local drama,” entitled, “Every Man for Himself.” “Little Red Riding Hood” was produced at Sanger’s Circus at the Agricultural Hall.

1886.

JANUARY.

2.—The appointment of Dr. Bates, of Edinburgh, as organist and master of the choristers at Norwich Cathedral, was announced.

7.—The county magistrates decided to hire of Mr. James C. Snelling the mansion known as Eaton Hall as lodgings for the judges of Assize, at the yearly rental of £250. On January 20th, Mr. Justice Hawkins, after delivering his charge to the Grand Jury at the Norfolk Assizes, said he could not offer the magistrates his gratitude for their endeavours to provide for the comfort of her Majesty’s judges, unless, indeed, they thought he and his marshal had the habits and tastes of a Polar bear and an Arctic fox. Eaton Hall was well fitted for one or both, as it was simply a bleak house in a frozen waste; it was redolent of putty and paint; workmen were tapping just beyond the dining-room door in precisely the same way as he should expect to hear tapping in the back manufactory of an undertaker’s shop; and the rooms were furnished with the view to economy and discomfort with a show of luxury skilfully but not very judiciously combined. On November 15th Mr. Justice Field, in concluding his charge to the Grand Jury, said he found the accommodation at Eaton Hall exceedingly nice and extremely comfortable, and he added, amid laughter, he had not seen any Polar bears or Arctic foxes.

10.—The jubilee of the Norwich District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was celebrated by a special service held at the Cathedral, and attended by several hundred members, and by the Mayor and Corporation. “The Order was introduced into Norfolk in the year 1835 by five woolsorters from the North of England—John Raven, Walter Meldrum, Thomas Dack, Benjamin Fearnside, and Thomas Lambert. They were the founders of the mother lodge of the district, the Travellers’ Rest, the first place of meeting being at the New Brewery, Pockthorpe.” The Mayor (Mr. John Gurney) entertained to dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, on May 18th, upwards of 900 members of the Order.

19.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, an application was received from the Norwich School Board for the consent of the Corporation to an assignment of the lease of the Dutch Church from the trustees to the Board, with the view of converting the building into a higher grade school. The Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society addressed to the Council a strong protest against the application, which was refused by 35 votes against 12. On April 21st a meeting was held, under the presidency of the Mayor, at the Old Bank Buildings, at which it was moved by Mr. Colman, M.P., seconded by Mr. Harry Bullard, and unanimously agreed, “That the provisional contract entered into by Mr. Frederic Oddin Taylor in February last for the purchase of the lease of the Dutch Church be adopted, and that a scheme be formulated assuring the future inalienable use of the building as an adjunct to and in connection with St. Andrew’s Hall, subject to existing rights.” It was further decided to raise by public subscription the sum required (£800) to present the building, “hereafter to be called Blackfriars’ Hall,” to the city after proper renovation. The Town Council on June 29th passed a resolution expressing warm appreciation of the efforts made by Mr. F. Oddin Taylor, and received a deputation composed of the gentlemen who had taken part in the movement, from whom they accepted Blackfriars’ Hall as a gift to the citizens.

21.—Died, at Child’s Hill House, Hampstead, Mr. Joseph Hoare, in his 72nd year. He was the fourth son of Mr. Samuel Hoare, banker, of London, by his marriage with Louisa, daughter of Mr. John Gurney of Earlham. Mr. Hoare, who was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, was a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Middlesex, and was president of the Hampstead Conservative Association. In May, 1859, he was returned to the House of Commons as member for Hull, but was unseated on petition. He married, in 1847, Rachel Juliana, second daughter of Mr. Charles Barclay, M.P. For many years it was his custom to spend the summer at Cromer, where he was known as a generous supporter of charitable and religious institutions.

22.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, John Thurston, 30, labourer, was indicted for the wilful murder of Henry Springall, an old man, at Hingham, on December 5th, 1885. The prisoner was found guilty, and received sentence of death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on February 10th. The culprit was a nephew of Henry Webster, who was hanged at the same prison on May 1st, 1876, for the murder of his wife at Cranworth.

—St. Cuthbert’s church, Sprowston, erected at the cost of £2,000, was opened by the Bishop of Norwich. The building was designed by Mr. A. R. G. Flemming, of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, and the contractor was Mr. G. E. Hawes, of Norwich.

26.—A violent explosion, caused by an escape of gas, occurred at Victoria Station, Norwich.

FEBRUARY.

2.—Died, at St. Clement’s Hill, Catton, the Rev. Richard Rigg, M.A., for forty-two years rector of St. Clement’s, and some time rector of St. Michael-at-Coslany and St. Edmund the King, Norwich, in his 81st year. A clergyman of the old school, he was a warm adherent to the Evangelical party, was for forty years secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and one of the founders of the Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society.

—Mr. John Ellis, of Sprowston, received from the Treasury a grant of £150 “in consideration of his services to the nation in having been the founder of the first juvenile reformatory in England, that of Saltley, near Birmingham.”

6.—It was announced that her Majesty the Queen had conferred upon Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., the honour of a baronetcy.

7.—Died, at Brockheath, Salisbury, General William Custance, C.B., colonel of the 11th Hussars, in his 75th year. The second son of Mr. Hamilton Thomas Custance, of Weston House, he entered the Army in 1831, and served with distinction in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.

13.—A deputation of unemployed workmen waited upon the Mayor of Norwich at the Guildhall and urged upon him the necessity of steps being taken to relieve the exceptional distress then prevailing in the city. On the 17th a public meeting was held, at which a fund was opened. Relief works were shortly afterwards started on Mousehold Heath.

14.—Died, at St. Helen’s House, Norwich, Mr. Edward Field, in his 75th year. He succeeded Mr. Thomas Bignold as solicitor to the Norwich Fire and Life Assurance Offices, and in 1857–8 served as Mayor of Norwich. On the death of Sir Samuel Bignold Mr. Field became leader of the Conservative party in the Town Council, and was for many years Chairman of the Board of Guardians. He drafted the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877, and was chiefly instrumental in getting it passed; subsequently he became honorary secretary to the Board of Conservators, of which also he was a member. Mr. Field, who was a magistrate of the city, for several years held the rank of captain in the Norwich Rifle Volunteers.

20.—Died, at 49, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Mr. George William Pierrepont Bentinck, aged 82. He was the eldest son of Vice-Admiral William Bentinck (a representative of the junior branch of the family of the Duke of Portland), by marriage with Lady Frances Eliza Augusta Pierrepont, only daughter of Charles, first Earl of Manvers. In 1853 he was returned as Conservative member for West Norfolk, and retained the seat until March, 1868, when he retired on account of ill-health. He was, however, re-elected by the same constituency in 1871, and sat till February, 1884, when he finally retired from Parliamentary life. Mr. Bentinck, who was a Tory of the old school, and maintained his principles to the last, was a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county.

22.—In the House of Lords judgment was given in the case, Coaks and others, appellants, and Boswell and others, respondents. Their lordships held that there had been no fraud in the purchase of the Harvey life interest, and therefore reversed the order of the Court of Appeal and that of Mr. Justice Fry, dismissing the action with costs restored. The respondents were condemned in the whole costs of the case. On September 17th, 1887, it was announced: “The plaintiffs have discharged the taxed costs of the defendants. These amounted to £12,930 19s. 11d., of which £2,194 13s. 5d. was allowed in respect of the appeal in the House of Lords.” Mr. M. S. Emerson, solicitor to the plaintiffs, stated, in a letter published on September 24th, 1887, that they had the opportunity of compromising the case. “It is a fact,” he wrote, “that I refused £30,000 before the case came into court. . . . The six counsel engaged for the plaintiffs met, and were unanimous in their opinion that I was right in refusing the £30,000.” (See July 22nd, 1892.)

MARCH.

2.—At a special meeting of the shareholders of the Norwich Public Library, held for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of amalgamating the Library with the Literary Institution, according to a scheme prepared and approved by the committees of both institutions, it was agreed by 27 votes against 4 to adopt the proposal.

17.—The trial of the election petition presented by Mr. Henry Birkbeck and others against the return of Mr. Harry Bullard as one of the members for Norwich, commenced at the Shirehall before Mr. Justice Denman and Mr. Justice Cave. Counsel for the petitioners were Mr. Charles, Q.C., Mr. R. T. Reid, Q.C., and the Hon. Mark Napier; and for the respondent Mr. Gully, Q.C., the Hon. Mr. Denman, and Mr. Blofeld. Bribery, treating, undue influence, and personation by agents, were alleged. The only case of bribery that was proved was the gift of a two-shilling piece by an alleged agent, to a voter, but it was sufficient to render the election void, and Mr. Bullard was unseated. The judges, however, declined to give the petitioners their costs, and Mr. Bullard’s costs were defrayed by the subscriptions of men of all parties. (See May 7th.)

18.—Died, at Marham Hall, Mr. Henry Villebois, aged 79. An excellent landlord, an ardent sportsman, and for some years Master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, Mr. Villebois was one of the earliest friends in Norfolk of the Prince of Wales, whom he had the honour of several times entertaining at Marham. He married, in 1831, Maria, elder daughter of Mr. Thomas Philip Bagge, of Stradsett Hall, and was a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county. Mr. Villebois commenced active duties as a M.F.H. about 1842, when he took the Vale of White Horse, purchasing the pack from the triumvirate, the Earl of Suffolk, Earl Bathurst, and Mr. Cripps, who had hunted the country conjointly. He likewise purchased the Herefordshire Hounds from Sir Vevers Cornwall, and, with John Dinnecombe as huntsman, showed excellent sport until 1854, when, in consequence of a severe accident, he resigned the mastership to Lord Gifford, and sold his hounds to the Earl of Portsmouth. For the next three or four years he hunted with Lord Suffield, and in 1858 consented to hunt the West Norfolk. His lordship continued with the East Norfolk, but resigned in 1859; Mr. Villebois then hunted the entire country, but after two or three years resigned the Eastern portion to Lord Hastings. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Villebois sold his hounds and horses at Albert Gate, when seven of the hunters, bought from Mr. Newcome Mason, of Hendon, his great ally in all hunting matters, realised 1,015 guineas. After giving up the mastership he stuck to West Norfolk, and from 1871 to 1875 hunted the country round Marham with a small pack purchased from the Rev. “Jack” Russell. The shooting at Marham could not be excelled, for Mr. Villebois would have partridges and pheasants as well as foxes. His funeral at Marham on March 24th was attended by upwards of three thousand persons.

29.—The funeral took place, at the Rosary burial ground, Norwich, of Thomas Harrison, who was born in the city in 1795, and had seen much active service as a soldier. He joined the 69th Regiment at the age of 17, was taken prisoner at the bombardment of Antwerp, was present at Waterloo, went out to India, where he was under arms for fourteen years, took part in the first expedition to Burmah, and on returning to England in 1832 was rewarded with a pension of fifteen pence per day.

31.—A fire occurred at Browick Hall, near Wymondham, and did damage to the amount of £2,000.

APRIL.

7.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Hoare, of Cliff House, Cromer, was nominated a candidate to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of the city by the unseating on petition of Mr. Harry Bullard. The Liberal party offered no opposition, and Mr. Hoare was declared duly elected.

9.—Died, at Great Yarmouth, Mr. Oswald Diver, aged 59. When a young man he was renowned as an oarsman, won many sculling matches on the Thames, and at Norwich, Lynn, and other places, and in 1847 beat Playford, who then held the Thames Amateur Championship.

22.—The Archbishop of Canterbury administered at Sandringham church the rite of confirmation to the Princess Victoria of Wales.

24.—The Prince of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the show-ground of the Royal Agricultural Society, and was entertained at Carrow House by Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.

29.—A special meeting of the Norwich Diocesan Conference, convened by the Lord Bishop, in compliance with a numerously-signed requisition, was held at Noverre’s Rooms to take into consideration the subject of Church Reform.

MAY.

1.—The new station erected by the Great Eastern Railway Company at Thorpe, Norwich, was opened for inspection, and on the 3rd was used by the public for the first time. It was built by Messrs. Youngs and Son, of Norwich, from designs by Mr. J. Wilson, the company’s engineer, at the cost of £60,000, and replaced the old station, which had been in use since the opening of the line.

—A great meeting of “an entirely non-party character” was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, in support of the principles of the Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union. A resolution was adopted affirming that any proposals tending to invalidate the legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland would prove disastrous to the interests of both countries. On June 25th Lord Leicester wrote a letter which had an important influence upon the electorate of the county. “I have never been in the habit,” he wrote, “of taking part in political matters of a purely party description, though if ever I should have been inclined to break through the rule it would be at a time like the present, when we are passing through a great crisis in our national history, when the old party barriers have been broken down, and when Liberals, Radicals, and Conservatives meet on a common platform in a common cause. The question before the country is solely this: whether the loyalists and Protestants of Ireland should be legislated for by an independent Parliament composed of men whom Mr. Gladstone himself has termed as marching through rapine to the dismemberment of the empire, or whether the United Kingdom is to remain under one Queen and one Parliament. I cannot believe that Englishmen will ever consent to the former proposal. I trust that the electors of Norfolk, with those of the rest of England, will insist that their members shall be patriots and decline to support Mr. Gladstone’s dangerous policy.” Lord Suffield and other prominent Liberals also renounced their adhesion to Mr. Gladstone.

7.—At the combined Norfolk and Suffolk Assizes, held at Ipswich, before Mr. Baron Pollock, Charles Edward Wigger, a shoemaker, was indicted for receiving from one Walter Banham, a bribe for voting, or agreeing to vote, for Mr. Harry Bullard at the Norwich election on November 25th, 1885, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

10.—George Edward Ray, 31, solicitor, of Norwich, was sentenced at the Norfolk and Suffolk Assizes, at Ipswich, to seven years’ penal servitude for forging the conveyance of a real estate with intent to defraud.

11.—At the same Assizes Edward Burgess, of Norwich, the printer and publisher of a newspaper called “Daylight,” was indicted for publishing on February 20th a libel upon Mr. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, and Coroner for Norfolk. The trial occupied three days, and on the jury finding the defendant guilty he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment without hard labour, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution.

12.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. John Gurney), as chairman of the Conservators of Mousehold Heath, opened the new road constructed thereon, and dedicated the Heath to the free use of the people as a recreation park for ever.

19.—The sale of the Westacre shorthorns and shirehorses, the property of Mr. Anthony Hamond, was conducted by Mr. John Thornton and Mr. Sexton, respectively. Forty-five cows averaged £28 ls. 5d.; seven bulls averaged £34 16s., and 16 mares and seven stallions £53 16s. 3d. The total amount realised was £2,690 13s. 6d.

25.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. E. S. Steward tendered his resignation of the office of City Treasurer. On June 8th it was decided that the resignation be not accepted, but that Mr. Steward be dismissed from office. Mr. Hugh Gurney Barclay was on June 16th appointed to fill the vacancy. At the Norwich Assizes, on November 23rd, the late City Treasurer was indicted for falsifying and making certain false entries in the bankers’ pass book belonging to the Mayor and Corporation, with intent to defraud them of £1,848 16s. 9d., and on the 24th was found guilty and sentenced by Mr. Justice Field to six months’ imprisonment, (See January 25th, 1887.)

29.—The 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars, who had been on active service in Egypt since 1882, arrived at Norwich, and took over the Cavalry Barracks, vacated during the week by the 13th Hussars. The regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Combe, came by special train from Harwich, where they had disembarked from the transport Geelong, and at Thorpe station were received by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. John Hotblack), the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul), and other prominent citizens. The route from the station to the barracks was profusely decorated, and the regiment received an enthusiastic welcome from the citizens.

JUNE.

10.—Died, at Fincham Rectory, the Rev. William Blyth, rector of the parish and hon. canon of Norwich Cathedral. An ardent archæologist, he was the author of a “History of Fincham,” published in 1863. During his tenure of office as rural dean five new churches were built, fifteen restored, and thirteen greatly improved, out of a total of twenty-fire churches in his deanery. The total outlay upon this work was £45,000.

20.—Died, Mr. Henry James Lee Warner, of Walsingham Abbey. The eldest son of the Rev. Daniel Henry Lee Warner, he was born January 12th, 1809, and succeeded to the estate in 1858. Mr. Lee Warner served as High Sheriff in 1863, and some years previously successfully contested Canterbury in the Conservative interest.

JULY.

2.—The General Election commenced. The contest was fought upon the issue of Home Rule, and the candidates were distinguished severally Conservatives, Liberal Unionists, and Gladstonians. Liberal Unionist candidates received the support of the Conservative party.

2.—Polling took place at Yarmouth: Sir H. W. Tyler (C.), 2,977; Captain C. Norton (G.), 2,011.

—Lynn election: The Right Hon. Robert Bourke (C.), 1,417; Mr. J. J. Briscoe, Bourne Hall, Cambridgeshire (G.), 1,146.

—Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst (C.) was returned unopposed for South-West Norfolk.

3.—Sir Edward Birkbeck (C.) and Mr. H. Lee Warner (G.) were nominated at the Shirehall, Norwich, candidates for East Norfolk. The polling took place on the 8th: Birkbeck, 4,578; Lee Warner, 4,000.

—Mr. Francis Taylor, of Diss (L.U.), was returned unopposed member for South Norfolk.

5.—The nomination of candidates—Lord Henry Bentinck (C.) and Mr. Joseph Arch (G.)—for the representation of North-West Norfolk, took place at the Town Hall, King’s Lynn. The polling was held on the 9th: Bentinck, 4,084; Arch, 4,064. (See April 5th, 1887.)

6.—Mr. Ailwyn Edward Fellowes (C.) and Mr. Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, Q.C. (G.) were nominated, at the Town Hall, Aylsham, candidates for North Norfolk. The poll was opened on July 10th: Cozens-Hardy, 4,084; Fellowes, 3,325.

7.—The nomination took place at East Dereham of Mr. R. T. Gurdon (L.U.) and Mr. James Toller, tenant-farmer, of Winfield Farm, Waterbeach (G.), as candidates for Mid Norfolk. The polling took place on the 15th: Gurdon, 3,032; Toller, 2,638.

8.—The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall before the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul). The candidates were Mr. J. J. Colman (L.), Mr. Samuel Hoare (C.), Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett (L.), and Mr. Clare Sewell Read (C.). The polling on the 9th resulted as follows:—Colman, 6,295; Hoare, 6,156; Tillett, 6,119; Read, 5,564.

12.—The show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England opened at Whitlingham, Norwich. There were 1,840 entries of stock and 4,656 entries of implements, as against 624 and 1,882 respectively at the former show held at Norwich in 1849. On the 13th the show was visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princesses Louise, Victoria, and Maud, who travelled from Sandringham and arrived at the temporary railway station adjoining the show-ground. Their Royal Highnesses made al tour of the show-yard, and the Prince of Wales presided at the annual meeting of the society; in the afternoon the Royal party returned to Sandringham. Their Royal Highnesses again came to the city on the 14th. They arrived at the City station of the Eastern and Midlands Railway, where they were received by the Mayor (Mr. John Gurney), the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul), the Earl of Leicester, Mr. Colman, M.P., Mr. Hoare, M.P., Mr. Harry Bullard, Mr. C. R. Gilman, and other gentlemen. Escorted by the 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars, their Royal Highnesses were driven through the gaily decorated streets of the city to St. Andrew’s Hall, where, by invitation of the Mayor, a large and distinguished company had assembled for luncheon. On the conclusion of the proceedings the Royal visitors drove to the show-ground, and after further inspecting the exhibits returned to the city and visited the Norfolk and Norwich Dog Show at the Agricultural Hall. On this day 200 of the Commissioners from the Colonial Exhibition in London were present at the Royal Show, by invitation of the Council of the Society. The Mayor and Mayoress held a reception at St. Andrew’s Hall on the evening of the 15th, and on the 16th the Prince of Wales paid a third visit to the show. In the evening a display of fireworks, provided by the Sheriff, was given on the Castle Meadow. The total number of visitors to the show during the week was 104,761, and the receipts, exclusive of the sum derived from the sale of season tickets, amounted to £6,784 3s. The loss to the society was £1,062 1s. 3d.

15.—A great sale of shorthorn cattle and Southdown sheep, the property of the Prince of Wales, was conducted at Sandringham by Mr. John Thornton. The Prince and Princess of Wales were present at the luncheon, at which there was a distinguished gathering. Fifty-two cows and heifers sold for 2,496 guineas, an average of £50 8s.; 17 bulls realised 840 gs., an average of £51 5s. 10½d. Good prices were obtained for the Southdowns.

—Died, at Golding Street, Heigham, Norwich, Mr. Obadiah Short, aged 83. Born in the parish of St. Augustine, he was employed from 1816 to 1829 as a journeyman weaver. Meanwhile he practised drawing and painting in his garret in St. Edmund’s, and became acquainted with Mr. Sparshall, a wine merchant and a local patron of art, who lent him some of Stark’s works for copying purposes. Soon afterwards Short made sketches of birds for the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, and was employed by Dalrymple and Crosse to make drawings of pathological subjects; the original drawings for Crosse’s work on the “Urinary Calculus,” published in 1841, were all from his pencil. In 1834 Short accepted an engagement as designer at the manufactory of Messrs. Willett, with whom he remained for more than fifty years. During his long life he painted a large number of pictures, principally in oil. “Although he did not attain to the production of ‘high art,’ his works were faithful delineations of landscape scenery selected with a fine taste, and pleasing to a vastly larger proportion of the lovers of pictures than many of the works of ‘high art’ which few people understand.”

22.—The Houghton Hall estate, the property of the Marquis of Cholmondeley, was offered for sale at Tokenhouse Yard under an order of the Court of Chancery. For Houghton Hall (built by Sir Horace Walpole at the cost of £450,000) and 10,564 acres of land, £300,000 was offered, at which sum the property was withdrawn.

24.—The camp of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment commenced at Yarmouth.

AUGUST.

5.—The first of the Norwich Cricket Week amateur theatrical performances was given at Norwich Theatre under the management of Sir Kenneth Kemp, Bart. The programme, which was repeated on the 6th, included “A Fair Encounter” and Tom Taylor’s “Plot and Passion.”

9.—Died, Dr. Robert James Mann, F.R.C.S. Born in Norwich in 1817, he was educated for the medical profession at the University College, London, obtained his M.D. degree at St. Andrew’s, and was for some years in practice in Norfolk. In 1857 he left England for Natal, where he resided nine years, and returned to England with a special appointment from the Legislative Council to promote emigration. Dr. Mann, in 1874, was appointed secretary to the African section of the Society of Arts. He was for some years on the staff of the “Edinburgh Review,” and was the author of several popular scientific treatises.

14.—Henry Last, a master carpenter, about 66 years of age, was murdered in his cottage in Old Post Office Yard, Norwich, by George Harmer. The murderer was apprehended in London on the 19th. He was tried at Norwich Assizes on November 22nd, before Mr. Justice Field, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on December 13th. Harmer was the last culprit executed within the walls of the Castle.

25.—The third Parliamentary election within the period of eight months took place at King’s Lynn. A vacancy had occurred in the representation of the borough by the appointment of Mr. Bourke, M.P., to the Governorship of Madras. Two candidates were nominated—Mr. Alexander Weston Jarvis, of Middleton Towers (C.), and Mr. James Harris Sanders, of Shelly, Herts (G.). The polling resulted as follows:—Jarvis, 1,423; Sanders, 1,168.

SEPTEMBER.

6.—Died, at Belsize House, East Dereham, Mr. Charles Wright, solicitor, aged 74. Mr. Wright was for many years clerk to the justices, and Coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster. He was a lover of the fine arts, and a famous cricketer, and for a long period was annually invited to play at Lord’s in the match between Gentlemen and Players.

20.—Died, the Rev. John Jessopp, M.A., vicar of St. Gregory, Norwich, aged 71. Educated at Cambridge University, he was ordained in 1840, and became chaplain to the East India Company, but after serving two years in India illness necessitated his retirement from the post. On returning to Europe he was appointed chaplain to the King of the Belgians, and for some years resided at Ostend in that capacity. Mr. Jessopp, on terminating his services to King Leopold, became chaplain at the Surrey County Gaol, and on coming to Norwich, in 1877, was presented to the living of St. Gregory. He was brother to the Rev. Dr. Jessopp, rector of Scarning, and formerly head-master of Norwich Grammar School.

28.—Died, at Heigham Hall, Norwich, Mr. John Ferra Watson. The son of a Norwich manufacturer, he was born at Weybread in 1816, and was educated for the medical profession. Mr. Watson founded Heigham Hall, which he converted from a small square building into a handsome mansion, and made it one of the finest private lunatic asylums in the country. A Liberal of the old Whig type, he for many years sat in the Norwich Town Council both as an alderman and as a councillor, and was a magistrate for the city. He took great interest in parochial affairs, and as churchwarden inaugurated the restoration of the mother church of St. Bartholomew, in the hamlet of Heigham.

30.—The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher lectured at the Victoria Hall, Norwich, on “Wastes and Burdens of Society.”

OCTOBER.

9.—Died, at Thelveton, Mr. Thomas Mann, of Thelveton Hall, aged 65. Mr. Mann, who succumbed to injuries received through an accidental fall from his horse, was head of the extensive firm of London brewers, Messrs. Mann, Crossman, and Paulin. He was a successful exhibitor of cattle, and took great interest in agricultural pursuits; and during his long residence at Thelveton effected a series of improvements, which were hardly completed at the time of his death. Among Mr. Mann’s most notable works were the rebuilding of cottages on his estate, the restoration of the parish church, and the erection of parish schools. He was a generous supporter of many charities, and his death was greatly deplored both in London and in Norfolk.

12.—The Congress of the Congregational Union of England and Wales was opened at Norwich, under the presidency of the Rev. Edward White.

15.—Died, at his residence, Wroxham House, Mr. Robert Blake-Humfrey, second son of Mr. Thomas Blake, of Norwich and Scottow. Born November 23rd, 1795, he was educated at Norwich Grammar School under Dr. Forster, and afterwards under Valpy. At the early age of 16½ years he was gazetted to an ensigncy by purchase in the 3rd Regiment (the Buffs), and joined the 2nd Battalion at Walmer Barracks. In July, 1813, he went out with a detachment of 100 men to join the 1st Battalion in Spain, and arrived off St. Sebastian during the siege. His detachment, with some companies of the 43rd and 52nd, were immediately ordered to march up country. The force to which the Buffs were attached having taken Vieux Moguere, they were in turn driven out of it next day, and the light company in which Blake was serving covered the retreat. On the order to face about the British drove back the enemy and retook the village, and in the assault the young officer was wounded in both legs by a grape shot. Amputation of the left leg was rendered necessary, and his military career ended. With pay and pension and a very small fortune from his father, Mr. Blake retired to a quiet life in Norfolk. In 1838 he married Charlotte, youngest daughter of Colonel Harvey, of Thorpe, by whom he left three sons and four daughters. On the death of the Rev. John Humfrey, in 1847, he succeeded under his will to the Wroxham estate and other property, and assumed the surname of Humfrey after and in addition to the name of Blake. Mr. Blake-Humfrey spent much time in drawing and etching and in the study of heraldry and archæology. He compiled a complete history in MS. of the Sheriffs of Norfolk, with their coats of arms most beautifully emblazoned. Mr. Blake-Humfrey was a magistrate for the county of Norfolk.

19.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council at letter was received from the Mayor (Mr. John Gurney), suggesting that upon the Prison Commissioners handing over the Castle to the Corporate authorities, steps be taken to convert the keep and the prison buildings into a museum. The cost of such work was estimated at £5,000, and in the event of its being carried out Mr. Gurney intimated that he would be prepared to defray the expense. (See July 16th, 1887.)

21.—The portrait of Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., painted by H. T. Wells, R.A., was presented to the county by Sir F. G. M. Boileau, Bart., on behalf of the subscribers.

25.—The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. J. J. Dawson Paul were presented at the Guildhall with a valuable piece of plate and a diamond spray bracelet, in token of personal esteem, and in commemoration of the birth of their son, Joseph Dawson, during the year of Mr. Paul’s shrievalty.

28.—The Bishop of Norwich laid the foundation-stone of the new church of St. Thomas, Heigham. (See June 28th, 1888.)

NOVEMBER.

3.—The south-east corner of the tower of St. Michael-at-Thorn church fell during a gale, crashed through the roof of the nave, and did considerable damage to the interior of the church.

4.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference was held at Noverre’s Rooms, under the presidency of the Bishop. The proceedings concluded on the 5th.

5.—Died, at Great Yarmouth, Mr. Thomas Proctor Burroughs, F.S.A., aged 50. By profession a solicitor, he was greatly devoted to archæological pursuits, and took a prominent part in the preservation of the Toll House and other antiquities in Yarmouth. Mr. Burroughs was an ardent collector of pictures, books, and curiosities of local interest, a Roman Catholic, and a staunch Conservative.

8.—Arthur Riches (36), fishhawker, murdered his wife by stabbing her on the Walk, in the Haymarket, Norwich. He was tried at Norwich Assizes on November 23rd, and found guilty, but strongly recommended to mercy on account of the great provocation he had received. The prisoner was sentenced to death, but the punishment was afterwards commuted to penal servitude for life. (Riches died at Parkhurst Convict Prison, Isle of Wight, in April, 1898.)

9.—Mr. Harry Bullard was for the third time elected Mayor of Norwich. Mr. Frederick Oddin Taylor was appointed Sheriff.

10.—Died, at Scoulton Rectory, the Rev. John Munnings Johnson, in his 93rd year. A son of the Rev. Paul Johnson, of Runton, he entered the Navy as a lad, and after serving a short time in the Royal Billy, joined the Gibraltar, 80 guns, commanded by Captain Lukin, afterwards Admiral Windham. After seeing much fighting he was transferred to the Mars, 74 guns. In 1807 he was ordered out to the Baltic with the armament which attacked Copenhagen, and captured the entire Danish fleet. The years 1808 and 1809 were employed in the blockade of the French fleet in Brest. In 1810 he was called to the Tagus, and in 1811 accompanied Sir J. Moore, who went with a large armament to protect British traders from the Danes and Prussians. After passing for his lieutenancy in January, 1812, Mr. Johnson went with Sir James Lucas Yeo to the Lakes of Canada, where they contended at great disadvantage with the American squadron. In 1814, after the storming of Oswego, Mr. Johnson was made lieutenant, and at the close of the war in 1815 he returned to England with a large portion of the Duke of Wellington’s army, which, after the peace with France, had been sent to America. He then went on half-pay, and in 1824, determining to take holy orders, entered as an undergraduate at Cambridge University. In 1828 he took his degree, and the following year was ordained by Bishop Bathurst. Mr. Johnson became curate in charge of Scoulton in 1831, and was presented to the rectory in 1846. There he remained until 1878, when he went to reside at Gurney’s Manor, Hingham. He resigned the living in 1883, and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Henry Johnson, with whom he resided until his death. Mr. Johnson married, in 1833, Miss Anne Wilson, daughter of the Rev. Henry Wilson, of Kirby Cane, afterwards Lord Berners.

11.—Melton, the property of Lord Hastings, won the Liverpool Cup, beating Oberon, Bird of Freedom, Sailor Prince, and fourteen others. Ridden by Watts, Melton carried 9 st. 3 lb. and started at 100 to 8 against.

15.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Field, Elizabeth Hamlinton (34), dressmaker, was found guilty of the murder of her infant daughter, at Fakenham, on October 16th. She was strongly recommended to mercy. “The prisoner almost fainted when the judge put on the black cap; her face indicated terror, and when the dread sentence was pronounced she moaned, and at its conclusion cried out despairingly.” The Mayoress of Norwich (Mrs. Bullard) interested herself on behalf of the unhappy woman, and forwarded an influentially signed memorial to the Home Secretary. In due course the prisoner was respited.

16.—The Norwich Town Council assented to an application by Mr. Joseph Kincaird, of 3, George Street, Westminster, to construct tramways in the city upon certain routes, on condition that an amount equal to the cost of removing the lines and reconstructing the streets in case the tramways were not worked for a given period, be placed on permanent deposit. Other conditions as to the control of traffic, &c., were imposed. The Norwich Tramways Company, Limited, with a capital of £30,000, was registered on December 23rd. (See December 17th, 1889.)

27.—Died, at 41, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Mr. Octavius Edward Coope, M.P. He was first returned to the House of Commons in July, 1847, as Conservative member for Yarmouth. Mr. Coope was born in 1814, and was a partner in the firm of Ind, Coope, and Co.

30.—A military tournament by the 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on December 4th. The proceeds were in aid of local charities.

DECEMBER.

4.—A remarkable phenomenon was recorded at Yarmouth. “The tide twice flowed and ebbed within three hours. At 9.42 p.m., the calculated time for dead low water, the gauge registered only six feet above zero. Thus high and low water were practically reversed, a most uncommon phenomenon.” On the night of the 8th “the barometer fell to 28.20, the lowest local reading for the past twenty years.”

6.—A new fire escape for “populous buildings,” invented by Captain Longe, of Spixworth Park, was tested at Thorpe Asylum. It consisted of “a movable staircase mounted on a frame on four wheels, which can be readily and expeditiously moved by two men to any window of a burning building, and raised by a double crank to a window 18 ft. from the ground, at an angle of 45 degrees, by which the inmates, stepping on a small platform, can easily descend.” The Lunacy Commissioners reported favourably upon the invention.

27.—“Falka,” produced by Van Biene and Horace Lingard’s Comic Opera Company, was the Christmas attraction at Norwich Theatre. The dress circle, which had remained in its original state since the erection of the Theatre in 1826, was at this date remodelled and greatly improved by the removal of the uncomfortable and objectionable boxes.

28.—Considerable damage was done to the telephone wires in Norwich by a heavy fall of snow. “The whole system came to grief through the wires breaking and the derricks giving way.”

—Died, at his residence, Shadingfield Lodge, Yarmouth, Mr. Samuel Nightingale, in his 84th year. He served the office of Mayor of the borough in 1868–69.

1887.

JANUARY.

6.—Dr. David George Thomson, senior medical officer of the Surrey Asylum, was appointed by the Norfolk county magistrates Medical Superintendent of the County Asylum at Thorpe, in place of Dr. Hills, resigned. The Court granted Dr. Hills a superannuation allowance of £600 per annum. At the Easter Sessions resolutions were presented by thirteen unions, protesting against the allowance as an excessive burden upon the county rates.

14.—A serious riot occurred in Norwich Market Place. A crowd of unemployed workmen, harangued by two Socialists, named Mowbray and Henderson, who suggested that they could not starve, and that they must procure food for themselves, became a disorderly mob, and under the leadership of the agitators, made a raid upon several shops on the Walk. The ringleaders, with two men, named Hurrell and Hall, were apprehended, and committed for trial. The case came before Mr. Justice Grantham at the Assizes on the 21st, when Mowbray was sentenced to nine months’, Henderson to four months’, Hall to one month’s, and Hurrell to one week’s imprisonment, with hard labour. A similar disturbance on a minor scale took place at Yarmouth at about the same date. Owing to inflammatory placards distributed during the month of September, the Chief Constable of Norwich, on October 1st, applied to the magistrates for power to raise a force of 200 special constables. On October 11th the required number were sworn in, and informed that their active services would not be required except on a special summons from the magistrates.

25.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Grantham, was tried the action, the Corporation of Norwich v. Coxe. In this case the Corporation sued the Rev. Dr. Coxe, one of the sureties of Mr. E. S. Steward, the late City Treasurer, to recover from him the sum of £1,000, for which amount he was bond. On behalf of the defendant it was urged that the auditors were remiss in passing accounts that were incorrect, and the judge made strong comments upon the loose manner in which they did their work. The jury gave a verdict for the defendant.

FEBRUARY.

8.—Mr. Archibald Forbes delivered a lecture, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Ten Years of War Correspondence.”

12.—A shocking murder was committed at Kenninghall Workhouse. Jonas Rivett, an inmate, aged 71, stabbed Henry Baker, a ward attendant, in the neck, severing his windpipe and jugular vein. At the combined Norfolk and Norwich Assizes, held at Ipswich, on April 20th, before Mr. Justice Field, the prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was subsequently respited, and removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

17.—Died, at Syleham, in her 100th year, Lucy Steggall, widow of Robert Steggall.

24.—Died, at Cannes, Mr. John Gurney, of Sprowston Hall, Deputy-Mayor of Norwich. On retiring in November, 1886, from the office of Mayor of the city he sought relaxation on the shores of the Mediterranean. A severe shock of earthquake, which occurred at Cannes at the time of his visit, is supposed to have told upon his highly sensitive and nervous organization, and to have indirectly caused his death. Mr. Gurney was the eldest son of Mr. John Gurney, of Earlham Hall, and grandson of Mr. Samuel Gurney, of West Ham. He was born on December 11th, 1845, and educated at Harrow, whence he proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1866. The following year he became a member of the firm of Gurneys, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxton. In 1871 he married Isabel Charlotte, daughter of Mr. R. Blake-Humfrey, of Wroxham. Mr. Gurney, who was afflicted with blindness, was one of the most liberal benefactors of Norwich, and was greatly esteemed by the citizens.

MARCH.

11.—Norfolk, in common with other parts of the country, was visited by a severe spell of wintry weather.

15.—A dispute between smackowners and smacksmen at Yarmouth ended on this date. Differences had arisen over the substitution by the former of the share system for the old plan of payment by wages and poundage. The strike was beginning to have a disastrous effect upon trade, and was ended by an amicable arrangement.

18.—Died, at Stirling, Mr. J. F. Young, for many years a favourite actor upon the Norwich stage. Mr. Young was widely known as a member of the original “Caste” Company. He had been lessee of both Norwich and Yarmouth Theatres, and was greatly respected in private and professional circles.

21.—The action, Stanley v. the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich and the Attorney-General, was tried in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, before Mr. Justice Kekewich. This case raised the question of the right of the freemen to receive in perpetuity the rents of the Town Close Estate, a valuable plot of land of about 100 acres in extent, which was conveyed to the city in 1524 by the Prior of Norwich. It was contended on the part of the plaintiffs that this land became vested in the Corporation for the exclusive benefit of the freemen, the terms in the original grant “citizens” and “commonalty” being synonymous with “freemen.” Mr. Justice Kekewich concurred in this contention, gave judgment for the plaintiffs, and ordered the costs of the action to be borne by the estate. (See January 23rd, 1888.)

23.—A remarkable sale by auction was held at Leziate under a warrant of distress for the non-payment of tithe. “Mr. W. H. Boyce, of Holt House Farm, having made up his mind to object on principle to the payment of the tithe rent charged by the Rev. A. J. Groom, rector of Ashwicken-cum-Leziate, and having also failed to induce the rector or his legal agent to make any abatement of the amount due, namely, £42 8s., a warrant of distress was issued, under which seizure was made of ten homebred steers, two cows in calf, and part of a stack of hay. The sale was conducted by Mr. W. B. Lane. It was carried out in quite an amicable manner, and the humour of the thing was enhanced by Mr. Boyce providing luncheon for those in attendance. The auctioneer had sold up to a certain point, when he announced that his duty was done, but Mr. Boyce gave him a commission to go on selling as long as he liked. This he accordingly did with excellent results. At the conclusion of the action Mr. Boyce thanked his friends for the way in which they had acted, expressed his objections to tithes in general, and the present claim in particular, and afterwards entertained several of his friends at dinner.”

APRIL.

5.—In the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, before Mr. Baron Pollock and Mr. Justice Stephen, a petition was presented by Mr. Joseph Arch against the return of Lord Henry Bentinck as member for North-West Norfolk, on July 9th, 1886. The petitioner alleged that the respondent was guilty of an illegal practice in paying the sum of £3 to Charles Wacey, of South Creake, in respect of expenses in the conduct or management of the election. The money was sent in a letter from Guist Hall, where Lord Henry Bentinck was staying, on January 20th. The letter was as follows:—“Dear Mr. Wacey—I enclose you a little present as some small compensation for the trouble and worry you have had in connection with the election and afterward. I am much obliged to you for all you have done, and I hope you will continue to help us in the future in the same able and energetic manner in which you have done in the past. Yours truly, Henry Bentinck. P.S. You had better not tell anyone that I sent you anything.” This letter miscarried, and was delivered not to Charles Wacey, but to Thomas Wacey, who belonged to the party represented by Mr. Arch. Thomas Wacey ultimately forwarded the postal orders contained in the letter to Charles Wacey, who cashed them and kept the proceeds. It was contended on the part of the respondent that the payment made in January, 1887, had no relation whatever to the conduct or management of the election in July, 1886. The money was paid on account of registration services, and the injunction of secrecy was made because to have paid all the district secretaries would have involved the respondent in an expenditure of £100. The petition was dismissed with costs.

10.—A new organ, built at the cost of £450, was opened at St. Gregory’s church, Norwich.

14.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop. The proceedings were concluded on the 15th.

18.—An “Old World Exhibition” was opened at Blackfriars’ Hall, Norwich, by the Mayor, in aid of a fund for rebuilding the tower of St. Michael-at-Thorn. This remarkable collection, chronologically arranged by the Rev. W. F. Creeny, was of great historical and educational interest, and was contributed to by many of the leading residents in county and city. The exhibition closed on April 30th.

MAY.

12. A fifty miles bicycle race from the second milestone on the Dereham Road, Norwich, to Swaffham and back, was ridden by members of the Norwich Amateur Bicycle Club. The roads were heavy, and the wind, during the greater part of the journey, unfavourable. Result: 1st, H. J. Hayes, 3h. 45m. 30s.; 2nd, Overton, 3h. 46m.; 3rd, Howes.

14.—The currency question was discussed by the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, and a resolution adopted expressing alarm at the daily increasing difficulty experienced by the agricultural classes in obtaining money with which to meet their obligations, asserting the belief that “an increase in the circulating medium would lessen that difficulty,” and urging the Government “to respond to the invitation of the great Powers who had asked this country to join with them in restoring to the peoples the free coinage and use of silver money.” The following resolution was also adopted:—“Although currency may in some way affect the prosperity of trade and agriculture in this country, it is the opinion of this Chamber that the main cause of the depression is the influx of foreign produce to the ruin of the English producer and the employment of foreign labour in the place of English labour.”

14.—Died, at Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, Mr. George Alden Stevens, solicitor, in low 57th year. An entirely self-made man, he rose by perseverance and integrity to become a partner in the firm of Miller and Son. He was an ardent politician, and for several years argent to the Liberal party, and the constant adviser of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett throughout his chequered experiences on the hustings and in the election courts. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Town Council, and an alderman, and it was largely due to his generosity and zeal that Chapel Field was transformed from a barren and useless waste into a beautiful garden.

18.—Died, at Gladstone Street, Norwich, George Wilde, aged 62, the last survivor in the city of the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava. Wilde was a private in the 13th Light Dragoons, and in the charge his horse was killed and himself wounded. He was in receipt of a pension of thirteen pence per day.

—The Prince of Wales visited Yarmouth and laid the foundation-stone of the new hospital. On the 19th his Royal Highness inspected the 2nd Brigade Eastern Division Royal Artillery, and in the evening attended a ball given by the officers.

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated in Norwich by a review on Mousehold Heath of the 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars, the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, and the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) gave a banquet at Blackfriars’ Hall in the evening. Earlier in the day his worship and the Sheriff (Mr. F. Oddin Taylor) entertained the inmates of the Workhouse.

25.—An “anti-coercion demonstration,” held under the auspices of the National Liberal Federation, was addressed at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, by Mr. John Morley, M.P.

JUNE.

1.—Died, at Yarmouth, where he had resided four years, the Rev. Joseph Philip Knight, the composer of many popular songs. The youngest son of the Rev. Francis Knight, D.D., he was born at the Vicarage, Bradford-on-Avon, on July 26th, 1812. His love for music displayed itself at an early age, and at fifteen he began to devote himself to the study of harmony and composition. When about twenty Mr. Knight composed his first six songs under the name of Philip Mortimer. Among these were “Old times,” sung by Henry Philips, and “Go, forget me,” extremely popular both in this country and in Germany. After this he used his own name, and, in company with Haynes Bayly, produced a number of highly successful songs, amongst which the most famous were “Of what is the Old Man thinking?” “The Veteran,” “Days Gone By,” “The Grecian Daughter,” and “She wore a Wreath of Roses.” He subsequently composed the song and duet to the words written for him by Thomas Moore, “The Parting” and “Let’s take this World as some Wild Scene.” In 1839 Mr. Knight visited the United States, where he remained two years. To this time are due, among other popular songs, his celebrated “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deeps” sung with immense success by Braham, and “Why Chime the Bells so merrily?” On his return to England he produced “Beautiful Venice,” “Say, what shall my Song be To-night?” “The Dream” (words by the Hon. Mrs. Norton), “Amy Robsart,” and “Queen of the Silver Bow,” all more or less the rage in their day. Some years afterwards Mr. Knight married, and lived for a long time in France and Germany, doing very little in the way of composition, but on his return to England he wrote many other songs, “Peace, it is I,” “The Lost Rose,” “The Watchman,” “The Anchor,” “Where is the Place of thy Rest?” and the duet, “Where the Roses Grow,” all of which, enjoyed great popularity. His songs, duets, and trios number 225.

4.—Queen Kapiolani, and the heiress presumptive to the Hawaiian Throne, the Princess Lilivokalani, consort and sister respectively of Kalakana, King of Hawaii, on a visit to England for the purpose of attending the celebration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, arrived at Rackheath Hall, where they were entertained as the guests of Captain and Mrs. Steward. During the stoppage of the train at Trowse station, the visitors were waited upon by the Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. Bullard), who were attended by the Town Clerk and other civic officials. On the 5th (Sunday) the Queen and Princess attended service at the Cathedral, at which the Mayor, Sheriff, and members of the Town Council were present; and on the 6th they visited the Cathedral, St. Andrew’s Hall, St. Peter Mancroft church, and the Castle, and were entertained to luncheon at the Guildhall by the Mayor and Mayoress. In the afternoon they proceeded to Pine Banks, Thorpe, and were entertained by Mr. I. O. Howard Taylor. On the 6th the Queen and Princess departed for London.

15.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Blickling Park. The Marquis of Lothian presided at the public luncheon. The show was continued on the 16th.

19.—The celebration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria began in Norwich on this day (Sunday) with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral, and with special services at the Roman Catholic and other Nonconformist places of worship. The Mayor and Corporation attended the Cathedral in the morning, and Prince’s Street Congregational chapel in the evening. On the 20th a special meeting of the Town Council was held on the requisition of forty-four members, at which it was unanimously resolved to confer the honorary freedom of the city upon Mr. Harry Bullard as Mayor of Norwich. The 21st was observed as Jubilee Day. Early in the morning intelligence was telegraphed to the city that the Mayor was among the eleven chief magistrates in the kingdom who had received the honour of knighthood. The day’s proceedings commenced with a special service at the Cathedral, attended by Churchmen and Nonconformists, by a detachment of the 19th Hussars, under Colonel French, and the Norwich Artillery Volunteers and Rifle Volunteers. At noon 11,000 school children assembled in the Market Place and sang the National Anthem, after which Sir Harry and Lady Bullard were “at home” at the Guildhall, and entertained a large company to luncheon. In the afternoon there was a military parade of the 19th Hussars and Volunteers on Dix’s Land, Unthank’s Road; the school children had tea at their respective schools, and in the evening the city was illuminated and a grand display of fireworks was given on the Castle Meadow. The festivities were continued on the 22nd, when the Mayor and Sheriff entertained 1,100 of the aged poor at the Agricultural Hall, and in the evening Sir Harry and Lady Bullard gave a soirée at St. Andrew’s Hall. On the 23rd the inmates of the Workhouse were entertained. The 21st was observed with great rejoicing in every town and village in the county, and the weather being beautifully fine, the proceedings were of a most successful character. The amount subscribed in Norfolk to the Women’s Jubilee offering to the Queen was £1,565 2s. 6d.

29.—Ringland church, restored at the cost of £2,000, was re-opened.

JULY.

13.—“As You Like It” was for the first time performed locally as a “pastoral play” in the grounds of Mousehold House, Thorpe Hamlet, the residence of Mr. W. H. Hackblock. The comedy was represented by amateurs on the occasion of a garden fête.

16.—The new prison on Plumstead Road, Norwich, designed by the surveyor to the Prison Department, and built by Messrs. W. and T. Denne, of Walmer, Kent, was completed on this date. The prisoners were transferred from the Castle to the new prison on August 2nd. On September 12th the Prison Commissioners gave formal possession of the Castle to the Mayor and Corporation. The late Governor (Mr. A. E Dent), in handing the keys to the Town Clerk (Mr. H. B. Miller), remarked that the Castle had for many generations—since 1345, when it was first used as a county prison, been in the hands of governors, and he was glad, as the last of that long line, to hand over the building to the Corporation to be employed for a different purpose in the future. (See July 27th, 1891.)

20.—Mr. Henry Chaplin, M.P., was the principal speaker at a great Primrose League fête given in Melton Constable Park by Lord Hastings.

25.—Died, at his resident, at Sevran, in the environs of Paris, Mr. William Bateman, aged 75. He was second son of Mr. John Bateman, of Norwich, and brother of Dr. Bateman. At the age of 29 he settled in Paris as a merchant and acquired an ample fortune. During his mercantile career Mr. Bateman established extensive commercial operations in Spain, and in 1870 King; Amadeus conferred upon him the dignity of Knight of the Order of Charles III. of Spain. Mr. Bateman married the eldest daughter of Mr. William Harrison, of Yarmouth.

27.—The Premier (Lord Salisbury) visited Norwich. His lordship was received at Thorpe station by the High Sheriff (Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart.), the Mayor (Sir Harry Bullard), and Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold, the leader of the Conservative party in the city. Escorted by a cavalcade of fifty horsemen, among whom were several leading residents in the county and city, Lord Salisbury drove to Harford Lodge, the residence of Colonel Bignold. In the evening the Premier addressed a great meeting, held at the Agricultural Hall, under the presidency of Colonel Bignold, and at the conclusion of the proceedings travelled by special train to Coltishall, whence he drove to Horstead Hall as the guest of Sir Edward Birkbeck, M.P., and the Hon. Lady Birkbeck. Lord Salisbury returned to Norwich on the 28th, and after attending a luncheon given at the Guildhall by the Mayor, proceeded to the Agricultural Hall, where he received addresses presented by deputations from many Conservative associations in East Anglia. Having delivered a further address his lordship departed from Thorpe station by the 3.25 train for London.

AUGUST.

3.—The Cricket Week theatrical performances commenced at Norwich Theatre, and were continued on the 4th and 5th. The pieces produced by Sir Kenneth Kemp’s company of amateurs were “The Parvenue” and “Woodcock’s Little Game.”

9.—Died, at 3, Belgravia Square, Edward Fellowes, first Baron de Ramsey. His lordship, who was raised to the Peerage on July 5th, was the second son of Mr. William Fellowes, of Ramsey Abbey, Huntingdonshire, by his wife, Emma, fourth daughter of Mr. Richard Benyon, of Englefield House, Berks. He was born in 1809, and entering Parliament for Huntingdonshire in 1837, sat in the House of Commons without interruption until the General Election in 1880, when his eldest son, Captain Fellowes, succeeded to the seat which had been successfully defended against Liberal assaults during forty-three years. For more than half a century Mr. Fellowes was chairman of the Commissions which had the management of the Middle Level and Ouse Outfall Works.

19.—Died, at Alfred Place, South Kensington, Mr. John Palgrave Simpson. He was the second son of Mr. William Simpson, Town Clerk of Norwich and Treasurer for the county of Norfolk, and of his wife Katherine, daughter of Mr. William Palgrave, of Coltishall. Intended for the Church, he was educated under a private tutor at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B.A., and proceeded M.A. in due course. Abandoning the idea of adopting the clerical profession, Mr. Simpson travelled on the Continent and in the East. He was in Paris when a sudden and severe reverse of fortune, consequent upon the failure of a bank, compelled him to seek means of repairing his losses. Literary occupation seemed the only course open to him, and, as he confessed, he succeeded in his efforts beyond expectation. For some years he contributed to the leading magazines—“Blackwood’s,” “Bentley’s,” “Frazer’s,” and others, and published three novels, “Second Love and other Tales,” “Gisella,” and “The Lily of Paris, or the King’s Nurse.” Mr. Simpson’s career as a writer for the stage was mainly due to accident. He seldom visited theatres, but it chanced one night that he went to the Strand Theatre, and was so pleased with the performance of William Farren, Leigh Murray, and Mrs. Stilling that he conceived the idea of writing a play for them, and the result was the comedy drama in one act, entitled “Poor Cousin Dick,” which was played with considerable success at the house on April 8th, 1850. Subsequently Mr. Simpson wrote several successful plays, the principal of which was the famous three-act comedy, “A Scrap of Paper,” produced at St. James’s Theatre on April 23rd, 1861.

SEPTEMBER.

2.—A gale, which prevailed throughout England, was severely felt on the Norfolk coast. A large number of vessels ran into Yarmouth Roads for shelter, among them H.M.S. Narcissus and her escorts Valorous and Echo. A fine vessel, the Falls of Bruar, 1,742 tons register, the property of the Glasgow Shipping Company, was wrecked, and only five hands out of the crew of twenty-nine were saved.

21.—The Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. F. Oddin Taylor) gave a soirée musicale at Blackfriars’ Hall, at which the principal performers were M. Leopold Godowsky, Miss Alexes Leighton, Senor A. Gimenez Manjon, Signor Bottesini, and Mr. Odell.

26.—The first of many protracted discussions took place at a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, upon a report furnished by the City Engineer (Mr. P. P. Marshall) upon the state of the sewerage system of the city. The old sewers were said to be in a defective state, and it was proposed to abandon the low-level system, and to adopt the separate system with a new rising main, at an estimated cost of £78,000.

29.—The church of St. Michael-at-Plea, Norwich, which for many years had been in a dilapidated state, was opened after restoration at the cost of £3,000.

—At the annual dinner of the North Walsham and Aylsham Agricultural Association, held at North Walsham, cigarettes, made from tobacco grown in Norfolk by Sir Edward Birkbeck, M.P., were handed to the guests. The President (Lord Suffield) described the tobacco as “very good,” and said that Sir Edward, who had taken considerable interest in the experiment, “believed that its growth was really going to do something for the benefit of Norfolk farmers.”

OCTOBER.

4.—Died, at 6, St. Augustine’s Road, Camden Square, N.W., Mr. David Fisher, who for thirty years had held a prominent position upon the London stage as a leading comedian. Mr. Fisher was born at East Dereham, which was one of the towns on the circuit of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, under the control of the Fisher family. Like his father, uncle, and grandfather, Mr. Fisher was highly respected in Norfolk and the sister county, and his periodical visits to the scenes of the former theatrical successes of his predecessors were always regarded with pleasure by a large circle of friends and admirers. On those occasions Mr. Fisher gave dramatic and musical recitals, in which he was assisted by his talented daughter, Miss Mary Fisher. His career in London commenced with Charles Kean at the Princess’s Theatre, where, on November 2nd, 1853, he appeared as Victor in “The Lancers.” In 1859 Mr. Benjamin Webster, then at the Adelphi, secured his services, and until 1863 Mr. Fisher performed at that Theatre with considerable success in many important parts. For a short time he severed his connection with the stage, and gave his single-handed performance, “Facts and Fancies,” at Hanover Square Rooms and St. James’s Hall. Subsequently he joined Mr. Vining’s company at the Princess’s, and afterwards appeared at Drury Lane and other leading Metropolitan theatres.