NORFOLK ANNALS. VOLUME II. 1851–1900. (continued 7)

8.—A great demonstration was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in opposition to the Irish Church Bill. The meeting was convened by the Norwich Conservative and Constitutional Association, and was presided over by Sir Samuel Bignold.

9.—Died at Lugano, Switzerland, where he had gone for the benefit of his health, Mr. Charles Cory, Town Clerk of Great Yarmouth, aged 57. He was a son of Mr. Robert Cory, solicitor, a former Mayor of the borough, and was elected Town Clerk in 1851, in succession to Mr. J. Clowes. Mr. Charles Diver was elected to the vacant office on June 21st.

15.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was reported that new governors had been appointed under the amended Grammar School and Commercial School scheme. The Town Clerk, it was stated, had obtained for the Corporation the right of interfering in the trust, and had procured the adoption of the lists furnished by the Council. The principle obtained was an important one—that no body of trustees exercising a trust for the benefit of the city and neighbourhood should be allowed to make enormous and various changes in their government and management of the school, which was the property of the Council as much as theirs, without the sanction of the representative body.

24.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Attleborough, and was continued on the 25th. The members’ dinner took place at the Corn Hall, and was presided over by the Hon. Thomas de Grey, M.P.

26.—The annual camp of the 1st Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Volunteers was formed at Hunstanton Park. The Battalion was inspected by Lieut.-Col. Elliott, and the camp was struck on July 2nd.

JULY.

7.—The new dock at Lynn, completed at the cost of upwards of £80,000, was opened by the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by the Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses arrived by special train from London, and were received at the railway station by the Chairman of the Dock Company (Mr. L. W. Jarvis), the Mayor (Mr. J. Thorley), the members of Parliament for the borough, and others. Escorted by a troop of the 3rd (Prince of Wales’) Dragoons, from Colchester, the Prince and Princess proceeded to the Town Hall, where an address was read by the Recorder. After a visit to the Grammar School, where his Royal Highness presented the medal annually given by him to the head boy, the procession went to the Common Staithe Quay, where the twin screw steamer Mary, of London, was lying ready to receive the party on board. The band of the Grenadier Guards, under Mr. Dan Godfrey, played a selection of music as the vessel steamed down the Estuary Channel. Returning to the harbour, the Mary passed through the lock gate into the Dock basin, amid the loud cheers of the spectators, the playing of the National Anthem, and the ringing of the church bells. His Royal Highness having declared the Dock duly opened, said that it would thenceforth be called the Alexandra Dock. The Royal visitors and a distinguished company next proceeded to the Town Hall for luncheon. The Prince and Princess afterwards left for Sandringham. In the evening the town was illuminated, and a display of fireworks was given in the Tuesday Market Place.

8.—After lying high and dry for upwards of nine weeks, the large screw steamer, Lady Flora, was launched from Caister beach. She was a first-class vessel, of 750 tons register, and 1,000 tons gross, 205 feet in length, 29 feet beam, and was valued at £16,000. On May 1st she ran hard and fast on the beach, in close contiguity to the dangerous shoal known as the Patch. Early in June the services of Mr. T. B. Carr, engineer, of Hull, were engaged by the underwriters, and efforts were made to get her off. The steamer had become embedded in the sand to the depth of eight feet, but by the aid of very powerful hydraulic cranes and other appliances, and assisted by 120 men, Mr. Carr succeeded in lifting the vessel four feet above the beach. In these operations upwards of £2,000 was expended. Three thousand persons assembled to witness the launch. When the blocks were knocked away the vessel, by her own weight, glided broadside off, and rolled in magnificent style into 4½ feet of water. Her draught (empty) was eight feet; as the tide rose she floated with it, and was towed to Hull for repair. On November 20th it was announced that the Lady Flora, which was then engaged in the Baltic trade, had been lost at sea.

16.—In recognition of the great services he had rendered to the Norwich Battalion of Rifle Volunteers during the five years it was under his command, Col. Black was presented with a service of plate by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and members of the corps. Col. Black was succeeded in the command of the Battalion by Col. G. M. Boileau.

19.—Robertson’s comedy, “Caste,” which marked a new era in the character of theatrical representation, was produced for the first time in Norwich, by a company which appeared at the Theatre Royal, under the management of Mr. Frederick Younge. The transition from sensational drama and broad farce to refined comedy was by no means appreciated by local playgoers, and the attendance during the week was unusually small even for Norwich. “School” was the other piece performed by the company, which comprised Mr. Frederick Younge, Mr. Craven, Mr. J. W. Ray, Mr. G. Canninge, Mr. Fortune, Mrs. E. Dyas, Miss Ada Dyas, and Miss Brunton.

21.—Died at Saham, Mr. Jonas Silvanus Wright, aged 71. He was the author of “The Prodigal Son,” “Rambles in Wales,” and other poems.

AUGUST.

12.—A two days’ cricket match, between eleven of the South of England and twenty-two of Norfolk and Norwich, commenced on the Newmarket Road ground, Norwich. Scores: South of England, 33—161; Norfolk and Norwich, 172—124.

13.—The advance party of the D Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, arrived at Norwich, and on the 16th the B Battery marched en route to Ireland.

19.—The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt practices at the last election of members to serve in Parliament for the city of Norwich commenced its sittings at the Shirehall, Norwich. The Commissioners were Mr. George Morley Dowdeswell, Q.C., Mr. Horatio Mansfield, and Mr. John Biron. On September 4th (the fifteenth day) the Court adjourned until the 27th, when the inquiry was resumed. Sir Henry Stracey was examined on October 9th (the 27th day), and Mr. J. H. Tillett on October 11th (the 29th day). The inquiry terminated on October 15th (the 32nd day). The Chief Commissioner acknowledged the assistance given by the police and the Guardians. “We feel,” he said, “that these bodies have rendered us most efficient and signal assistance, and we only wish that other officials in this city had also offered us that assistance, and that we had not experienced obstacles on their part. We fear that the encouragement which has been given by them to persons to withhold information has led to many of those spectacles which have been to us a source of signal pain in the course of our inquiry.” The Commissioners, in their report, dated February 15th, 1870, stated that corrupt practices did not extensively prevail in Norwich at the election in November, 1868; that Sir Henry Stracey was returned through such practices; and that corrupt practices did not extensively prevail at the election of 1865 or that of 1860. Several persons were scheduled for bribery and for corruptly influencing voters by treating. The Norwich Voters Disfranchisement Bill, by which it was proposed to disfranchise 119 electors, passed its second reading in the House of Commons on May 2nd, 1870, and received the Royal assent on July 4th in the same year. (See January 31st, 1870.)

30.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with an evening concert, at which the “Hymn of Praise” and “Acis and Galatea” were performed. The other works in the programme were the following:—Wednesday morning, September 1st, selection from “Hezekiah” and “The Fall of Babylon”; Thursday morning, September 2nd, Sacred Cantata, by Horace Hill, “Messe Solennelle” (first time of performance out of London), and the Dettingen Te Deum; Friday morning, September 3rd, “The Messiah.” Grand miscellaneous concerts were given on the evenings of August 31st and September 1st and 2nd. The principal vocalists were Mdlle. Tietjens, Mdlle. Ilma de Murska, Madame Talbot Cherer, Madame Patey, and Madame Trebelli Bettini, Mr. Vernon Rigby, Mr. Arthur Byron, Mr. W. H. Cummings, Signor Bettini, Signor Foli, and Mr. Santley. Mr. Benedict conducted. A “dress ball” took place on the evening of September 3rd. Financially the Festival was a failure, and the total receipts, about £4,000, barely covered expenses.

SEPTEMBER.

15.—A Conservative banquet was held at the Town Hall, Great Yarmouth, to celebrate the return of the Hon. Frederick Walpole and Sir E. Lacon, Bart., as members for North Norfolk. Upwards of 1,000 electors of the Flegg Hundreds were present, and presented to Sir Edmund Lacon a piece of plate weighing nearly 900 ozs., in recognition of the services he had rendered during the period he represented Yarmouth in Parliament.

20.—Blondin gave tight-rope performances at Norwich Theatre during the week commencing on this date.

30.—An ascent was made from Norwich Market Place in a “fish balloon,” by Mr. Orton, accompanied by Mr. William Maris. The descent took place at Tuddenham, near East Dereham, a distance of fourteen miles from Norwich.

OCTOBER.

12.—Died at his residence, the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, Mr. Bernard Bolingbroke Woodward, B.A. (Lond.), F.S.A., aged 53 years. He had for some years held the post of librarian to the Queen at Windsor Castle, and was the eldest son of Mr. Samuel Woodward, of Norwich.

16.*—“The mansion that Sir Robert Harvey, Bart., is erecting on his estate at Crown Point is approaching completion. It has been built from the designs of Messrs. Coe and Peake, architects, of London.”

18.—The Prince of Wales, with his suite, passed through Norwich, on his way to Gunton Hall, on a visit to Lord Suffield.

19.—A heavy gale took place at Yarmouth, where shipping casualties occurred and several lives were lost. The sea rose to within a few feet of the houses on the Marine Parade.

—A week’s festivities commenced at Holkham Hall, in celebration of the majority of Viscount Coke, which his lordship attained in the previous month of July. The proceedings had been postponed in consequence of the illness of the Earl of Leicester.

20.—Died at Thorpe Hamlet, in his 81st year, Mr. John Kitson, Registrar of the Diocese of Norwich. He had for 58 years held the office of secretary to the Bishop, having been appointed in 1811 by Bishop Bathurst, and continued in the office by his successors, Bishop Stanley, Bishop Hinds, and Bishop Pelham. Mr. Kitson was appointed Registrar in 1825, and was Chapter Clerk and Registrar to the Dean and Chapter, and district registrar in her Majesty’s Court of Probate.

NOVEMBER.

1.—That portion of Dereham Cemetery appropriated to the Church of England was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. The chapels were designed by Mr. Brown, architect, of Norwich, and built by Mr. Hubbard, of East Dereham. “The old churchyard is said to have been used as a burial-ground for 600 years.”

9.—Mr. Augustus Frederick Coke Bolingbroke was elected Mayor, and Mr. Henry Morgan appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

12.—A new self-righting lifeboat, 33 feet in length, was launched at Wells-next-the-Sea. It was purchased with the proceeds of “penny readings” given in various parts of the kingdom. The fund, which was inaugurated by Mr. E. B. Adams, surgeon, of Bungay, amounted to the sum of £500, and represented the contributions of eighteen different counties. Of this amount Norfolk raised £161. In the presence of several thousands of spectators, the Countess of Leicester christened the boat the Eliza Adams. Luncheon was served at the Crown Hotel, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, and in the evening a ball was held.

18.—Died at his residence, St. Clement’s, Norwich, Mr. Henry Ladbrooke, landscape painter. He was a member of the accomplished family of Norfolk artists and a pupil of the celebrated Crome, the influence of whose style was apparent in his works. After residing many years in Lynn, he removed to Norwich.

20.*—“Mr. W. T. Bensly, LL.D., has been appointed by the Dean and Chapter of Norwich to be Chapter Clerk, in the place of the late Mr. Kitson.”

25.—Mdlle. Christine Nilsson, Mdlle. Anna Drasdil, Madame Gilardoni, Signor Foli, and Mr. J. M. Wheli, with Mr. Benedict as conductor, appeared at a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on this and the following evening, in aid of the local charities, which had suffered from the non-success of the late Festival. The concerts were arranged by Mr. Howlett and Mr. C. S. Gilman, who handed to the charities a sum of nearly £200.

27.*—“The catch of herring last week was a most extraordinary and exceptional one, not only as regards the present season, but also as compared with those of the wonderful voyage of 1868. The quantities of herring delivered on Yarmouth fishwharf exceeded 2,400 lasts (13,200 fish per last), a catch probably unprecedented. Several of the smacks had ‘made up’ before the recent successes, being compelled to do so in consequence of the terrible disasters that had befallen them.”

DECEMBER.

7.—Lord Claud Hamilton and Mr. Richard Young were nominated candidates for the representation of King’s Lynn, rendered vacant by Lord Stanley’s succession to the Earldom of Derby. The proceedings were of a most tumultuous character, and the show of hands being in favour of the Liberal candidate, the supporters of Lord Claud Hamilton demanded a poll. In apprehension of a disturbance, detachments of the 4th and 8th Foot were drafted into the town, and were stationed in the National Schoolroom, St. Margaret’s. The polling took place on the 8th, and resulted as follows:—Hamilton, 1,051; Young, 1,032.

13.—Died at Westacre, aged 64, Mr. Anthony Hamond. He was the representative of a Norfolk family of considerable antiquity, and succeeded to the Westacre estate on the death of his father, Mr. Philip Hamond, in 1824. In 1828 he married Mary Anne, eldest daughter of Mr. John Chaworth Musters, of Colwick, Notts. He was succeeded in his estate by his son Anthony, born in 1834, Mr. Hamond served the office of High Sheriff in 1836, and twice unsuccessfully contested the representation of the Western Division of the county—in 1847 and 1852; and in 1854 accepted an invitation to become a candidate for Norwich, in opposition to Sir Samuel Bignold, by whom he was defeated. Mr. Hamond took a great interest in country pursuits, and was ever foremost in promoting experiments for the advancement of agricultural science.

14.—Holkham church was re-opened after restoration by the Earl and Countess of Leicester, at the estimated cost of £10,000, of which £7,000 was expended for wood carving alone.

27.—The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince Albert Victor and Prince George, arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester. Their Royal Highnesses left on January 1st, 1870, for Gunton Park.

—The pantomime at Norwich Theatre was produced by Mr. J. F. Young. It was entitled, “The King of the Peacocks.” Circus entertainments were provided at Messrs. Henry and Adams’ establishment on the Castle Meadow.

1870.

JANUARY.

31.—In the Court of Common Pleas, before Lord Chief Justice Bovill and Justices Smith and Brett, Mr. Mellish, Q.C., showed cause against the rule calling upon the Master to review his taxation of the costs in the Norwich election petition. The bill of costs of the petitioner (Mr. J. H. Tillett) had been reduced from £3,015 7s. to £703 3s., and of the respondent (Sir H. J. Stracey) from £793 14s. 2d. to £168 6s. Four hundred witnesses had been subpœnaed. The Lord Chief Justice said the rule must be discharged. “Sir Henry Stracey,” it was stated on March 19th, “has this week paid to Mr. Tillett’s solicitors £583 17s. 8d., which has been accepted as payment in full for his costs in the matter. The total amount of the petitioner’s costs was £3,800, and deducting Sir Henry’s contribution, it leaves upwards of £3,200 to be paid by the petitioner.” (See March 31st.)

FEBRUARY.

1.—Died in Florida, while on leave of absence from Montreal, Lieut.-General Sir Charles Ashe Windham, K.C.B., commanding the forces in Canada. He was the fourth son of Vice-Admiral Windham, of Felbrigg Hall, who was the son of the Rev. George William Lukin, Dean of Wells, and who assumed the name of Windham on succeeding to the estates of his distinguished relative, the Right Hon. William Windham. His mother was Anne, daughter of Mr. Peter Thellusson, of Broadsmouth, Yorkshire, and sister of the first Baron Rendlesham. He was born at Felbrigg in 1810, and married first, in 1849, Marianne Catherine Emily, daughter of Admiral Sir John P. Beresford, Bart., K.C.B., who died in 1865; and secondly, in 1866, Charlotte Jane, eldest daughter of the Rev. Henry Des Vœux. Educated at Sandhurst, he entered the Army in 1826, as ensign and lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, and served in Canada during the time of the rebellion, from 1838 to 1842. He continued with the regiment until the outbreak of the war with Russia, when he accompanied the Eastern Army as Assistant Quarter-master General of the 4th Division, and served from September, 1854, to July, 1856, without a day’s absence. He was present at the battle of the Alma, at Balaclava, and at the repulse of the powerful sortie on October 26th, 1854, and was with Sir George Cathcart when the latter was killed at the battle of Inkerman. At the second assault on the Redan, on September 8th, 1855, Windham (then Colonel) greatly distinguished himself by his personal daring and gallantry in command of the storming party of the second division, and for his intrepid conduct was promoted Major-General. In September, 1855, he was appointed Governor of the British portion of Sebastopol, and in the following month was entrusted with the command of the 4th Division. For his services in the Crimea he received numerous clasps, medals, and orders. In 1857 General Windham proceeded to India and commanded a division in the field, under Lord Clyde, during the advance to Kallee Nuddee. On June 17th, 1861, he was appointed to the command of the 46th Regiment of Foot, and in October, 1867, became Commander of the Forces in Canada. On the return of General Windham from the Crimea, in July, 1856, he was enthusiastically received at Norwich and presented with two handsome swords, purchased by public subscription. In April, 1857, he was returned to Parliament for East Norfolk, and remained its member for two years.

5.—A meeting of the Norwich Diocesan Church Association was held at the Church Societies’ Rooms, Norwich, for the purpose of discussing the question of national education, a subject which was brought prominently before the country during this year. The Bishop of Norwich presided, and the Dean moved, “That in any legislative enactments for promoting the education of the children of the working classes called for by the destitution in this respect of many places in England and Wales, the inculcation of Christian truth ought to form an essential feature, and that provision for this purpose can be best made under existing circumstances through the medium of parochial and other schools attached to the Church of England or to other religious communions.” A further resolution was moved by the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P., “That the present system, which has been successfully in operation during the last thirty years, carried on by means of voluntary efforts, and maintained by school fees, charitable contributions, and grants from the Consolidated Fund, is capable of further extension and improvement, and is able, if adequately assisted by the State, to supply the national wants of the country without resorting to local taxation for the purpose, unless in those extreme cases for which provision can be made in no other way.” A third resolution was moved by Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., “That compulsory education, except under especial circumstances, such as the case of vagrant, criminal, and destitute children, would be an unnecessary interference with the rights and responsibilities of parents, and unless applied to all classes of the community, create an unjust and invidious distinction between rich and poor, and its enforcement by pains and penalties would cause a general feeling of hardship and discontent, while its objects could be attained by other means, such as the extension, under due restrictions, of the Factory Acts and of similar measures regulating the employment of children’s labour.” The final resolution was moved by the Rev. Canon Heaviside, “That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient that the promoters of Church education should consent that in schools aided by the Government grant provision should be made for securing perfect liberty of distinctive religious teaching combined with perfect liberty of declining it.” These resolutions were adopted. The Elementary Education Bill, introduced by Mr. W. E. Forster on February 17th, was passed, and received the Royal assent on August 9th. On October 11th a meeting of the clergy was held, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. A. F. C. Bolingbroke), at the Girls’ Model School, Norwich, “for the purpose of consulting as to the steps to be taken under the Elementary Education Act,” and it was resolved to convene a public meeting for the discussion of the question. This meeting was held on October 19th, at the Free Library, and was composed of “school managers and supporters of Church education.” The Mayor again presided. The Lord Bishop moved, “That, with the view of carrying out the objects of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, in this city, steps be immediately taken to supply and maintain sufficient, efficient, and suitable schools on the voluntary principle, in order to secure in Church schools religious education in accordance with the teaching of the Church of England.” This was seconded by Mr. Henry Birkbeck. The Sheriff (Mr. Henry Morgan) moved, “That an immediate appeal be made to the citizens of Norwich to provide funds on the voluntary principle for carrying out the object of this meeting.” A further resolution was adopted, “That the Bishop of the Diocese, with the clergy of the city, the managers of Church schools, and such donors and subscribers as may be willing to act be constituted a council, and shall appoint, as soon as possible, a committee to carry out the former resolutions, and to report progress to the council from time to time.” The body thus constituted was afterwards known as the Church Education Council. On November 28th the supporters of voluntary education held a large meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall, at which were adopted resolutions framed on similar lines to the foregoing. The supporters of unsectarian education held a meeting at the Free Library on the 30th, under the presidency of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett, at which the Rev. G. S. Barrett moved, “That a request be sent to the Mayor to convene a common hall, in order that steps may be taken immediately for the formation of a School Board in the city.” The Rev. J. Hallett seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted, and a committee was formed for the purpose of carrying it into effect. The Church Education Council, on December 13th, announced that sufficient subscriptions had been obtained for providing necessary school accommodation in Norwich. At a special meeting of the Town Council on December 20th, the return made under the provisions of the Act to the Education Department of the Privy Council was approved. It stated that the estimated population of the city was 82,000, the rateable value £212,129; the total number of assessments, 21,397; and the number of voters on the municipal register, 10,909. “The returns from elementary schools as being in operation were 93; the number of schools to which forms were delivered but refused to fill them up was 27.” (See February 28th, 1871.)

6.—Died at Bethel Street, Norwich, in his 78th year, Mr. Henry Browne. He was the youngest son of Mr. Alderman John Browne, and a liberal supporter of the charitable institutions of Norwich. In his early days of business life Mr. Browne was led to join in those well-intentioned but unfortunately not permanently successful enterprises, the Yarn Company and the movement for making Norwich a port by communication with the sea at Lowestoft.

9.—Strong gales from the E. and E.N.E., accompanied by snow squalls, prevailed off the Norfolk coast, and increased in severity until the 14th. Several shipping disasters occurred. On the 13th the screw steamer Sea Queen, with her crew, was lost on the Scroby Sands, and the American-built barque Victoria, 700 tons, bound from North Shields to Barcelona, with a cargo of coals, went down. Of her crew, several hands were lost.

12.—The Assembly Rooms, erected in 1862, on the Victoria Esplanade, Yarmouth, at the cost of £6,000, were destroyed by fire.

24.—Sir R. J. H. Harvey declined to accede to a memorial signed by 3,000 electors of Norwich, requesting him to allow himself to be adopted as Conservative candidate for the city.

26.*—“Since January 1st several rare birds have been met with in the neighbourhood of Swaffham, namely, a fork-tailed petrel, picked up at Gooderstone; little gull (Larus minutus), in good condition, and weighing only 3 ozs., shot at Beechamwell; stormy petrel, picked up at Narborough; bittern, shot at Weeting; pied thrush, shot at Cockley Cley; pied common partridge, shot at Didlington; dusky grebe, shot at Castleacre; and a peregrine falcon, a fine old female bird weighing 43 ozs. and measuring 47 inches from tip to tip of its wings, shot at Beechamwell.”

28.—The organ at Yarmouth parish church was opened after restoration. The instrument was built by Jordan, Bridge, and Byfield, in 1733, repaired by England (Jordan’s grandson) in 1812, and again in 1840 by Gray. It was finally restored and enlarged by Messrs. Hill, of London.

MARCH.

20.—A movement known as “The Church’s Call” commenced in Norwich. A simultaneous and united effort was made at all the churches in the city; “all seemed resolved to cast aside minor differences, and High Churchmen, Low Churchmen, and Broad Churchmen apparently vied with each other in doing the work set before them.”

23.—Died at Warham All Saints, Margaret Green, aged 100 years. “The Thursford register testifies to her baptism in that parish on March 27th, 1769.”

31.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Byles, Robert Hardiment, tanner and fellmonger, was charged on five counts with bribing voters at the last General Election to vote for Sir H. J. Stracey. The Attorney-General appeared for the prosecution, and the defendant was found guilty. His lordship remarked that this was a very serious crime, and, as he was desirous that sentence should be pronounced by the highest judicature of the country, judgment was reserved. Another person, named Banfather, charged with bribery at the same election, was acquitted. On April 1st, at the same Court, John Hughes Hulme was found guilty of bribery, and sentence was reserved. Edward Stracey, son of Sir Henry J. Stracey, was next charged. The Attorney-General conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. A. Staveley Hill, Q.C., was specially retained for the defence. On April 2nd the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. “No sooner was the announcement made than deafening cheers were raised in the Court, and it was in vain that the officers tried to suppress them.” The defendant Hardiment was indicted, before Mr. Justice Blackburn, on various counts, for committing acts of bribery at the Eighth Ward Municipal Election, on November 1st, 1869. On being found guilty, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, was charged with unlawfully conspiring with Robert Hardiment and others to induce, by means of bribes, certain persons to vote for Edward Bennett and George Gedge, candidates at the municipal election in question. The jury acquitted the defendant. Anthony Freestone, baker, and Henry Ellis, shoe manufacturer, were also indicted for conspiring to bribe at the municipal election, and were acquitted. On April 8th Messrs. W. H. Tillett and Co., solicitors, addressed a letter to the newspapers, asserting that “the jury drew lots to decide what their verdict should be in the cases of Freestone and Ellis.” They added, “The verdict is, of course, bad, and we shall feel it our duty to lay the facts before the committee of gentlemen who instructed us in the prosecutions.” No further action was taken, however. In the Court of Queen’s Bench, on May 10th, before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Blackburn, Mellor, and Hannen, Hardiment and Hulme were brought up for sentence. Mr. Bulwer, Q.C., applied for mitigation of sentence in the case of Hardiment, on the ground that he was then undergoing imprisonment for municipal bribery; in the case of Hulme it was urged that imprisonment would be injurious to his health. The Court passed sentence of ten months’ imprisonment upon the first-named defendant, to run concurrently with the six months he had received for municipal bribery, two months of which he had already served, to be classed as a second-class misdemeanant, and to be fined £100. Hulme was fined £100. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., subsequently presented to the Home Secretary a memorial, signed by 1,500 citizens, praying that Hardiment should be classed as a first-class misdemeanant.

APRIL.

4.—The Rev. Canon Greenwell, of Durham, “the well-known opener of the Yorkshire wold tumuli,” who had been making scientific investigations at Weeting, opened one of the peculiar mounds known as “Grimes’ Graves,” and discovered therein “two primitive picks in situ, with a splendid ground axe, the skeleton of a bird, a chalk bowl or lamp, and other curious relics.”

18.—The Loveday Opera Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The celebrated pantomimists and dancers, the Paynes, and Mdlle. Esta, appeared with the company.

20.—Died at Aigle, Switzerland, the Rev. W. Beal, LL.D., vicar of Brooke, aged 54. Dr. Beal was the well-known originator of harvest festivals.

21.—Died at Holkham, the Countess of Leicester. Her ladyship was the eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Charles Whitbread, of Cardington, Bedfordshire, and was married to the Earl of Leicester in 1843.

26.—The portrait of the Rev. John Gunn, F.G.S., painted by Capt. H. H. Roberts, of Thorpe, was hung at the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, “in acknowledgment of his munificent gift to the geological department of his unrivalled collection of local mammalian remains.”

28.—The south aisle of Yarmouth parish church was opened. The Bishop of Rochester and the Bishop of the Diocese were the preachers.

—Died, aged 84, William Gurney, compositor, of Norwich. He had been for seventy years in continuous employment at the Norfolk Chronicle Office.

30.—Died at his residence, Horsforth Hall, near Leeds, in his 74th year, Mr. John Marshall, who was Sheriff of Norwich in 1834 and Mayor in 1838 and 1841. Mr. Marshall, who was an advanced Liberal, went to Leeds in 1843, and there took an active part in the affairs of that town. His remains were interred at the Rosary burial-ground, Norwich.

MAY.

8.—Died at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, George Horatio Cholmondeley, second Marquis and Earl of Cholmondeley. He was the eldest son of George James, the first Marquis, by his wife, Lady Georgina Charlotte Bertie, second daughter of Peregrine, third Duke of Ancaster. Born January 16th, 1792, he married, first, on October 20th, 1812, Caroline, second daughter of Lieut.-General Colin Campbell, who died in October, 1815; and secondly, on May 11th, 1830, Lady Susan Caroline Somerset, fourth daughter of Henry Charles, sixth Duke of Beaufort, by whom he was survived. He succeeded to the marquisate on the death of his father, in 1827.

16.—Miss Heath, principal tragedienne of the Drury Lane, Haymarket, and Princess’ Theatres, London, supported by Mr. Wilson Barrett, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in “East Lynne,” “The Jealous Wife,” “The Bond of Life,” and “Masks and Faces.” Mr. Wilson Barrett was described as “a painstaking and conscientious actor.”

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated at Norwich by a review of the Royal Horse Artillery and the Volunteers on Mousehold Heath. The Mayor entertained a large party at the Drill Hall, and gave a dinner at the Corn Hall to the indigent blind and to poor children; and the Norwich Athletic Club held sports on the Newmarket Road Ground.

JUNE.

13.—At a meeting of 2,000 Liberal electors, held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett was adopted a candidate for Norwich. A meeting of the Whig party, convened by Sir William Foster, was held at the Royal Hotel on the 14th, under the presidency of Mr. I. O. Taylor, at which it was decided to adopt the candidature of Mr. Edward Warner.

17.—Died at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in his 72nd year, Mr. Robert Martineau, brother of the Rev. James Martineau and Miss Harriet Martineau. He was a native of Norwich, but settled in Birmingham as a manufacturer at an early period of his life, and took an active part in the Reform agitation preceding the Bill of 1832. For the last fourteen years of his life he lived in retirement, owing to almost total blindness.

23.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Harleston, and was continued on the 24th. Mr. Edward Howes, M.P., presided at the dinner.

—The Earl of Rosebery visited his Norfolk estate for the first time. His lordship was met at the entrance to the village of Postwick by a brass band, which preceded the carriage to the rectory, where he was received by the Rev. W. and Lady Margaret Vincent, the Countess of Buchan, Lord Cardross, and other guests. The cottage tenants were entertained at dinner, and “the orator of the village” proposed his lordship’s health, to which the Earl replied. A dinner to the tenantry was given in the school-room, at which his lordship presided, and the festivities ended with a display of fireworks.

JULY.

1.—The first annual meeting of the Norwich Meteorological Society was held at the Literary Institution. After the visit of the British Association to Norwich in 1868, the local committee, having defrayed all the expenses, had a balance in hand of upwards of £300. At a meeting of subscribers, £100 of this balance was devoted to the purchase of meteorological instruments, and on December 3rd, 1868, the society was formed, with Mr. S. Gurney Buxton as president.

4.—Died at his London residence, Clapham, the Right Hon. William Schomberg Robert Kerr, Marquis of Lothian. He was the eldest of the four surviving sons of John William Robert, seventh Marquis, by Lady Cecil Chetwynd Talbot, daughter of Charles, second Earl Talbot. Born on August 12th, 1832, he married, on August 12th, 1857, Lady Constance Harriet Mahonesa Talbot, eldest surviving daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. He succeeded to the marquisate on the death of his father, in November, 1844. Educated at Christchurch, Oxford, he took high honours, having been first class in classics in 1853, and first class in jurisprudence and modern history in 1854. After he had finished his University career, he went to India for a year, but the climate had an injurious effect upon his naturally feeble constitution. His lordship died without issue, and the family estates in Scotland and Norfolk were inherited by his brother, Lord Schomberg Kerr.

6.—The foundation-stone of St. Philip’s church, Norwich, was laid by the Mayor (Mr. A. F. C. Bolingbroke), who was accompanied by members of the Corporation. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on August 3rd, 1871. The architect was Mr. Edward Power, of London, and the builder Mr. J. Nelson, of Necton. It was designed to seat 775 persons, and the cost was estimated at about £3,575.

9.—The 1st Administrative Battalion Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Hunstanton Park. The battalion was inspected by Col. Freer, 27th Regiment.

11.—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the representation of Norwich caused by the unseating on petition of Sir Henry Josias Stracey, took place at the Guildhall. Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett was nominated by Mr. J. J. Colman, and seconded by Mr. Henry Birkbeck; and Mr. John Walter Huddleston, Q.C., by Sir Samuel Bignold, seconded by Mr. H. S. Patteson. The show of hands was in favour of Mr. Huddlestone, and a poll was demanded by the Liberals. The polling took place on the 12th, and resulted as follows: Tillett, 4,236; Huddlestone, 3,874. Mr. Tillett, on the 14th, took the oath and his seat in the House of Commons. (See August 3rd.)

15.—Great consternation was caused in Norwich by a report that Sir Robert Harvey had committed suicide in his grounds at Crown Point. As it subsequently proved, the rumour was well founded. Sir Robert was in his shrubbery when two pistol shots were heard. Two workmen employed upon the premises, on proceeding to the spot, found Sir Robert in a sitting posture, bleeding from a severe wound in the chest. He was at once removed into the house and placed in the library. Mr. Nichols, the family surgeon, and Mr. Cadge were summoned, and on arriving found Sir Robert in a critical condition. Dr. Copeman was subsequently called in, and every effort was made to preserve life. On the 16th the patient rallied slightly, and on the 17th he was pronounced to be better, but on the 18th he became worse, and was visited by the Dean of Norwich, who prayed with him and afforded him spiritual consolation. Later his prostration increased, and he passed away in an unconscious state on the 19th. With the report of the suicide was circulated the rumour that Sir Robert had speculated and lost heavily, and having been unable to meet his engagements, was posted a defaulter on the Stock Exchange. At an early hour on the 16th the following notice was exhibited upon the closed doors of the Crown Bank: “Norwich Crown Bank. In consequence of the lamentable catastrophe which has happened to Sir Robert Harvey, it has been determined by the other partners to suspend the business of the Bank for the present.” This notice gave rise to increased anxiety. Messrs. Gurneys offered to afford every possible accommodation to the customers of the Crown Bank, and a few hours later the National Provincial Bank made a similar offer. The affairs of the Crown Bank being inextricably involved, Mr. Allday Kerrison, one of the partners, signed, on the 16th, a declaration of insolvency, and on the same day the largest city creditor, Mr. George Gedge, presented a petition for bankruptcy. The sale of the good-will and premises of the Bank was provisionally made to Messrs. Gurneys and Co. on the 18th. Mr. Allday Kerrison and his son, gentlemen of unsullied honour, had their fortunes shattered by one dire stroke, through the reckless speculations of their partner, speculations of which they were entirely ignorant. The inquest was held upon the body of the deceased baronet at Crown Point on the 20th, by Mr. W. H. N. Turner, one of the Deputy Coroners for the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of Norwich, and the jury returned the following verdict: “The jury are of opinion that Sir Robert Harvey’s death was caused by firearms discharged by himself while in a state of temporary insanity.” A meeting of the principal creditors was held at the Royal Hotel on the 21st, under the presidency of the Mayor, and the following resolution was passed: “That this meeting entirely approves of the steps taken by Messrs. Kerrison in suspending the business of the Bank, the measures taken to protect the assets of the Bank by the immediate filing of a petition in bankruptcy and the negotiations for the sale of the goodwill and the business and premises to Messrs. Gurneys and Co.” On the 27th a meeting was held at the Royal Hotel for the purpose of considering and discussing the best course to be taken in liquidating the estate of the bankrupts. Mr. E. C. Bailey was appointed trustee of the estate, and the Mayor and Messrs. F. E. Watson, H. S. Patteson, H. Woods, and C. Hornor a committee of inspection. The first general meeting of creditors was held on August 3rd, when it was reported that the total liabilities to rank for dividend would be £1,600,321, and the total assets £910,187. [Sir Robert John Harvey Harvey was the eldest son of General Sir Robert John Harvey, C.B., K.T.S., of Mousehold House, Norwich, by Charlotte (his cousin), daughter and heiress of Mr. Robert Harvey, of Walton, Suffolk. Born in 1817, he married, in 1845, Lady Henrietta Augusta, daughter of George, Viscount Kilcoursie, and granddaughter of the eighth Earl of Craven. He was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1863, and represented Thetford in Parliament from July, 1865, to November, 1868, when the borough was disfranchised under the new Reform Act. His son and heir, Charles Harvey, was born at Bracondale in 1849.]

AUGUST.

1.—The Grand English Opera Company, under the management of Mr. Henry Corri, appeared at Norwich Theatre. The principal artistes were Madame Ida Gilliers Corri, Miss Fanny Harrison, Mr. Henry Corri, and Mr. Haydn Corri.

3.—In the Court of Common Pleas a petition was filed by Mr. Gardiner C. Stevens against the return of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett, as member for Norwich. In addition to the usual allegations of bribery and undue influence at the last election, there was a special one of disqualification on account of corrupt practices at the election in 1868. On November 3rd Mr. Tillett obtained an order in the Court of Common Pleas for the striking out of this clause, but leave was given to the petitioner to move the full Court for a rule to show cause why the order should not be rescinded. On November 23rd motion was made accordingly, and the Court unanimously ordered the clause which had been struck out to be restored. (See January 5th, 1871.)

8.—Died at Great Yarmouth, in his 90th year, Mr. Edward Youell, a partner in the banking-house of Lacons, Youell, and Co. He retired from the firm in 1863, after having been in the house nearly 70 years, for 42 of which he was a partner. For several years he had been afflicted with total blindness.

13.—A half-yearly meeting of the East Norfolk Railway Company was held at Norwich. This company was formed for the purpose of constructing a railway from Norwich to North Walsham, and thence to Cromer. After commencing operations, it was unable to proceed from want of capital and other circumstances. It was reported that the estate of the contractor was in the Court of Chancery, a further survey of the proposed line was ordered, and steps were taken to ensure the resumption of the works. (See October 20th, 1874.)

30.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a proposed tramway scheme was discussed. The Wensum Valley railway scheme, for which an Act of Parliament was obtained in 1864, having been abandoned, it was considered that a tramway taking its place would prove useful for conveying produce from the several mills in the district to Norwich. The estimated cost of construction was £2,000 per mile, and the total estimated cost £14,000. The matter was referred to the Paving Committee, and no further steps were taken.

SEPTEMBER.

2.—Mr. Sothern appeared at Norwich Theatre as Lord Dundreary (“Our American Cousin”) and Hugh de Brass (“A Regular Fix”). On the 3rd he played the part of Colonel John White (“Home”), and appeared in “Dundreary Married and Settled,” and “Whitebait at Greenwich.”

3.—Mr. B. V. Winch was appointed Postmaster at Norwich, in place of Mr. S. Base, retired.

15.—A three days’ bazaar was opened at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, in aid of a fund for converting the Hospital field into an ornamental garden. The sum of £462 was realised.

27.—An explosion took place on the premises of Mr. George Coe, firework manufacturer, New Catton. Two persons were severely injured, and removed to the Hospital.

OCTOBER.

6.—Died at Landfort House, Portsmouth, Col. Edwin Wodehouse, C.B., commanding Royal Artillery in the Southern District. He was the eldest son of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Philip Wodehouse, and was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 17th, 1817. Entering the Army as lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, on December 19th, 1834, he served in the campaign of 1854–55, was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman (where his horse was killed beneath him), at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, and at the repulse and sortie of October 26th, 1854. Col. Wodehouse was three times mentioned in dispatches, and received the medal with four clasps.

10.—The first number of the “Eastern Daily Press” was published. A rival newspaper, called the “Eastern Daily Journal,” published at the price of one halfpenny, was issued this month, and had but a very brief existence.

31.—The first Diocesan Conference was held at Norwich. At the ruri-decanal meetings held in the spring of the year, the question propounded by the Bishop for consideration was, “Is it desirable that there should be held in this diocese a Diocesan Conference, in which both the clergy and laity should be fully represented, for the purpose of considering and eliciting the opinions of Churchmen upon matters affecting the Church in general, or our own diocese in particular?” A large majority of the clergy and laity were in favour of the Conference, and the Bishop, considering the large area of the diocese, decided that the meetings should take place in five different centres. The first Conference was held at St. Andrew’s Hall on this date; the second at Fakenham Corn Hall, on November 1st; the third at Ipswich Public Hall, on November 2nd; the fourth at Halesworth, on November 3rd; and the fifth at Lynn Athenæum, on November 4th. At each Conference papers were read, followed by the moving of resolutions and by discussions.

NOVEMBER.

9.—Mr. Frederick Elwin Watson was elected Mayor (for the second time), and Mr. William Butcher appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

21.—The Prince of Wales arrived at Merton Hall, on a visit to Lord and Lady Walsingham.

29.—The building known as the temporary church in the parish of St. Bartholomew, Norwich, was opened by the Bishop of the Diocese. It was intended for the accommodation of 500 persons, and was erected at the cost of £600.

DECEMBER.

14.—The Widow Steavenson, residing in St. Gregory’s parish, Norwich, completed her 101st year. “Several of the parishioners called upon her, congratulated her on the event, and supplied her with all the needful viands and wine to enable her to entertain several old friends. Her daughter, now 77 years old, is a widow, having had to mourn the loss of three husbands, but is on the point of marrying again.” (See January 2nd, 1874.)

24.—Mr. Sidney produced his “farewell pantomime” at Norwich Theatre. It was entitled, “St. George, the Dragon, and the Seven Champions of Christendom.”

31.—The Prince of Wales, on his journey from Gunton to Sandringham, lunched at the County Club, Norwich. The party travelled from Gunton to Norwich in sleighs and closed carriages, and his Royal Highness afterwards proceeded by rail from Thorpe station to Wolferton.

—Died at Merton Hall, the Right Hon. Thomas, Lord Walsingham. He was the eldest son of Thomas, fourth Lord Walsingham, by his wife Lady Elizabeth, fourth daughter of the Hon. and Right Rev. Brownlow North, Bishop of Winchester, and was born July 5th, 1804. On the death of his father, on September 8th, 1839, he succeeded to the barony, and married, on August 6th, 1842, Augusta Louisa, eldest daughter of Sir Robert Frankland Russell, Bart. Of this marriage he had issue a son, the Hon. Thomas de Grey. Lady Walsingham died in 1844, and his lordship married, secondly, on October 25th, 1847, the Horn Emily Elizabeth Julia Thellusson, eldest daughter of John, second Lord Rendlesham, by whom he left issue three sons and three daughters. His lordship was educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. in 1824, was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1827, and in 1842 was made LL.D. of his University. Although educated for the law, he devoted himself to agriculture, the improvement of his estate, and of his cattle and sheep. He was a member of the leading agricultural societies and of the Smithfield Club, an excellent landlord, and one who carried out to the fullest extent the motto of his house, “Excitari non hebescere.” His lordship was succeeded in his title and estates by his son, the Hon. Thomas de Grey, M.P. for West Norfolk, who was born in 1843.

—*“The December of 1870 has been no less remarkable for its cold than its heat. In the opening days of the month the temperature was unusually high, and only a fortnight before winter made its appearance in stern reality the thermometer registered in Norwich 55. On the 21st there were four degrees of frost, and on the 23rd the thermometer fell as low as 8.5. On Christmas Eve the cold was so intense that the register on the following morning was as low as 5.5. Christmas Day was the coldest experienced since Christmas Day, 1860, when the cold was more intense by some two or three degrees.” There was a deep fall of snow throughout the county.

1871.

JANUARY.

5.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, a memorial was received from the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, affirming the necessity of the revision and re-adjustment of the existing mode of assessment, and of inducing the Government to contribute more largely to the rates levied under the authority of Courts of Quarter Sessions. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., moved, “That, inasmuch as many of the charges at present paid by county rates, such as police, lunatic asylums, military stores, coroners, gaols, &c., are rendered necessary not for the benefit of any particular class or locality, but of the community at large, it is both just and politic that those charges should be much more liberally supplemented from the National Exchequer, and that a petition from Quarter Sessions be presented to the House of Commons to this effect.” The resolution was seconded by Mr. Dalrymple, M.P., and agreed to.

5.—The trial of the election petition presented by Mr. Gardiner C. Stevens against the return of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett, as one of the members of Parliament for Norwich, commenced at the Shirehall, Norwich, before Mr. Justice Keating. Mr. O’Malley, Q.C., and Mr. Griffits were counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. Rodwell, Q.C., Mr. Serjeant Ballantine, and Mr. Simms Reeve for the respondent. The case for the petitioner closed on the 6th, and on the 7th Mr. Rodwell commenced his address on behalf of the respondent. On the 10th Mr. Serjeant Ballantine summed up the respondent’s case, and on the same day Mr. O’Malley replied. His lordship gave judgment on the 11th, declaring the election void, and stated that he should report to the House of Commons “the names of everyone engaged with this shameful and disgraceful bribery.” (See February 20th.)

18.—Died, in his 93rd year, at Alexandra Road, Norwich, Christopher Bunting. “He was present at the capture of the French ship Généreux, whose ensign now hangs in St. Andrew’s Hall. In his early days he was a steward in the Royal Navy, and not only saw the ensign strike to the Foudroyant, but on the quarterdeck of that vessel saw it packed and addressed to Robert Harvey, Esq., then (1800) Mayor of Norwich, little imagining that he would subsequently reside in Norwich, and for more than half a century have the opportunity of seeing the flag decorating the walls of its principal building.”

24.—Died, suddenly, at 2, Rectory Grove, Clapham, Mr. Henry Harrod, F.S.A., aged 53. Mr. Harrod was a native of Aylsham, and commenced practice as a solicitor, at Norwich, where he resided some years. He was best known for his devotion to antiquarian pursuits and by his contributions to the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society, of which he was an honorary secretary, in conjunction with Mr. R. G. P. Minty. His principal work was “Gleanings from the Castles and Convents of Norfolk.” Possessed of remarkable skill in deciphering old documents, his services in this respect were taken advantage of by the Corporations of Norwich, Lynn, and other boroughs, whose ancient records he undertook to arrange. Mr. Harrod was local secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, of which he was a Fellow, and of the Archæological Institute, and a corresponding member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

27.—A new reservoir constructed by the Norwich Waterworks Company at Lakenham, from designs by Mr. Thomas Hawkesley, C.E., of London, engineer in chief to the company, was opened. It cost between £6,000 and £7,000, and was of 1,400,000 gallons capacity.

FEBRUARY.

4.—Died at Cambridge, Mr. Robert Steward, of Yarmouth. He served the office of Mayor of Yarmouth for four consecutive years, namely, from 1858 to 1861. In addition to being a borough magistrate, he was upon the Commission of the Peace for the county of Norfolk.

6.—A new type of traction engine (Thompson’s patent) was tested in the streets of Thetford by Messrs. Burrell, of the St. Nicholas Ironworks. “The peculiarities of the engine consist of its wheels, three in number, being fitted with a length of indiarubber, six inches thick and twelve inches wide, covered with steel and kept on the wheels by endless chains. The great use of these indiarubber tyres is to give elasticity.”

8.—Mr. George William Perrepoint Bentinck, of Davies Street, Berkeley Square, London, was, at Swaffham, returned unopposed to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of West Norfolk by the elevation to the Peerage of the Hon. Thomas de Grey.

10.—A storm of great violence swept over the Eastern coast, and strewed the shores from Yarmouth to the Humber with wrecks and drifting spars. “Off Yarmouth vessel after vessel went down bodily with all hands, and left no clue as to their names or of the ports to which they belonged.” Six Lynn vessels were lost in the Deeps. On this day large flocks of wild geese and swans, with mallards and widgeon, were seen in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, and the stormy petrel was observed.

20.—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of Norwich by the unseating of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett for bribery took place at the Guildhall. Sir Charles Legard, of Ganton, Yorkshire, was the Conservative, and Mr. J. J. Colman, of Carrow House, Norwich, the Liberal candidate. The show of hands was in favour of the latter, and a poll was demanded by Sir Samuel Bignold, on behalf of the Conservative nominee. The election took place on the 21st, with the following result: Colman, 4,637; Legard, 3,389.

28.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a report was received from a special committee appointed on January 17th to consider the question of the necessity of a School Board for the city. The committee stated that after communication with the Education Department of the Privy Council, they considered the appointment of a School Board for the corporate district to be inevitable. Mr. Tillett moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Youngs. Mr. Priest moved, and Dr. Copeman seconded, a resolution—“That, in the opinion of the Council, a School Board is not at present desirable, and that they see no sufficient reason why it should be inevitable.” Mr. Tillett’s motion was carried, by 29 votes to 5. (See April 12th.)

—The Norwich Town Council authorised the Sewerage and Irrigation Committee to borrow a further sum of £10,000 for the completion of the drainage works. On April 17th the works were used for the first time for delivering sewage upon the land at Kirby Bedon.

MARCH.

3.—The foundation-stone of the new passenger station for the Great Eastern, the Midland, and the Great Northern Railways, at King’s Lynn, was laid by the Mayor (Mr. E. E. Durrant).

8.—Died at his Norfolk seat, Melton Constable, Jacob Henry Delaval Astley, twenty-third Baron Hastings. His lordship, who was in his 49th year, succeeded his father in 1859. He married, in 1848, the Hon. Frances Diana Manners Sutton, daughter of Viscount Canterbury. He took no part in public affairs, but he was much esteemed for his amiable disposition, and deservedly popular in the county for the spirited manner in which he promoted field sports, and for his courteous bearing as a Master of Foxhounds. Having no issue, his lordship was succeeded by his brother, the Hon. and Rev. Delaval Loftus Astley, of East Barsham.

9.—At Norwich Police Court, Richard Hoskins, a clerk in the employment of the National Provincial Bank of England, was charged with feloniously stealing divers sums, amounting altogether to £1,835, the moneys of his employers. The magistrates consented to deal with the case summarily, and, on the prisoner pleading guilty, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

10.—Mr. Henry Haigh’s Opera Company, with Madame Haigh-Dyer as prima donna, opened the Easter season at Norwich Theatre with a performance of “The Grand Duchess.”

15.—Died at his residence, St. Andrew’s, Norwich, Mr. James Newbegin, aged 51. He was Chairman of the Norwich Board of Guardians, and was possessed of considerable scientific attainments. Mr. Edward Field was elected to the chairmanship of the Board on April 17th.

21.—The marriage of Princess Louise was celebrated at Norwich by the ringing of bells and by the partial decoration of the city. The Town Council, at a special meeting, adopted a congratulatory address for presentation to the Queen, and in the evening the Scottish residents in the city held a banquet at the Norfolk Hotel. “Although a number of their English friends were invited to join it, the gentlemen from North of the Tweed assembled in sufficiently preponderating numbers to give a distinctive character to the gathering, and the whole of the arrangements were carried out by a committee of Scotchmen.” The “Number Twenty-Four” Club also dined at the same hotel, and the event was similarly celebrated at Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford.

26.—Died at Morningthorpe, Mr. Edward Howes, member of Parliament for South Norfolk. Born July 7th, 1813, he was the eldest surviving son of the Rev. George Howes, rector of Spixworth, his mother being a daughter of Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Shotesham Park. From St. Paul’s School he proceeded to Cambridge, and came out high in the list of Wranglers of his year (1835); in 1836 he was elected a Fellow of his College (Trinity), and three years after was called to the Bar. In 1859 Mr. Howes was returned without opposition for the Eastern Division of the county, in conjunction with Colonel Coke, and in 1865 he was again elected, with Mr. Clare Sewell Read as his colleague. In 1868, when the county was subdivided, Mr. Howes and Mr. Read selected the Southern Division, and were again returned. Mr. Howes was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese on the death of Mr. Chancellor Evans; he was a Chairman of Norfolk Quarter Sessions, and one of her Majesty’s Ecclesiastical Commissioners. He married first, in 1842, Agnes Maria, daughter of Mr. Richard Gwyn, who died in 1843; and secondly, in 1851, his cousin, the fourth daughter of Mr. R. Fellowes, deceased, by whom he left a son and a daughter.

APRIL.

1.—Died, in his 88th year, Mr. George Samuel Kett, of Brooke House. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1820, and was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

4.—Died, suddenly, while on a visit to Norwich, Mr. G. Middleton, of Wimbledon. Mr. Middleton, who was a magistrate of the city, served the office of Mayor in 1859.

11.—The dedication-stone of a new church at Harleston was laid by Mr. Sancroft Holmes. The building was designed to accommodate 400 persons, and the contract amounted to £3,150, exclusive of fittings. Mr. Phipson was the architect, and Mr. Grimwood, of Weybread, the contractor.

—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the Southern Division of the county, occasioned by the death of Mr. Howes, took place at the Shirehall, Norwich. Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Conservative, and Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon, Liberal, were nominated. The polling took place on the 14th, and resulted in the return of the Conservative candidate. The official declaration was made at the Shirehall on the 17th, as follows: Buxton, 2,868; Gurdon, 2,547.

12.—The first School Board election took place at Norwich. “There was a total absence of excitement, and not much interest was shown.” The following candidates were elected:—Mr. J. H. Tillett, Mr. H. Morgan, Mr. H. Birkbeck, Mr. J. W. Dowson. Mr. T. R. Pinder, Mr. R. A. Cooper, the Rev. Hinds Howell, Mr. A. J. N. Chamberlin, Mr. C. J. Bunting, the Rev. E. P. Costello (Roman Catholic), the Rev. A. C. Copeman, the Rev. J. W. L. Heaviside, and Mr. J. C. Barnham. The unsuccessful candidates were Mr. John Youngs, Mr. F. Paul, the Rev. G. S. Barrett, and the Rev. A. Jessopp. On April 27th Canon Heaviside was elected Chairman, and Mr. Barnham Vice-Chairman; and on May 22nd Mr. E. P. Simpson was appointed Clerk.

15.*—“In consequence of the Purchas judgment, the clergy of Yarmouth intend to wear the surplice in future instead of the black gown when preaching. This resolution was carried into effect during Passion week, and on Easter Sunday at the various churches. At St. John’s, St. James’, and St. Andrew’s churches the black gown has long been discarded.”

18.—The sale of the stud and foxhounds of the late Lord Hastings, at Melton Constable, attracted an enormous number of persons from all parts of England. About £4,000 was realised. On the 19th the daily cows and red and fallow deer were sold for £1,600.

21.—Died at his residence, the Crescent, Norwich, the Rev. Samuel Titlow, vicar of St. John Timberhill and rector of St. Peter Hungate, aged 78. Mr. Titlow was a native of Harleston, and was seventh Wrangler in the mathematical tripos of 1817. Ordained deacon in the same year, he was appointed curate of Broxbourne, and in 1818 received priest’s orders. He came to Norwich in 1819, as mathematical master at the Grammar School, under Dr. Valpy, and held the curacy of St. Clement. Mr. Titlow afterwards opened a school in Pottergate Street, which he carried on for several years with great success. In 1831 he was appointed to the vicarage of St. John Timberhill, and in 1839 the Lord Chancellor presented him to the rectory of St. Peter Hungate.

22.—Died at his residence, Hellesdon House, Norwich, Mr. John Norgate, a warm supporter of the benevolent and educational institutions of the city, and a good judge of the fine arts.

27.—A great meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Watson), “for the purpose of protesting against the Intoxicating Liquors (Licensing) Bill introduced into the House of Commons by the Home Secretary, Mr. Bruce.” The principal speakers were Sir Samuel Bignold, Mr. W. P. Nichols, Mr. S. Gurney Buxton, and Mr. H. Patteson. Resolutions were adopted affirming that the Bill was unjust in its character and indefensible in its confiscating the rights of property, and ought to be opposed by every constitutional means, and that it was an undue interference with the rights, liberties, and necessities of the working man, and inconsistent with the true spirit of freedom.

MAY.

7.—Died, at Great Plumstead, Robert Maidstone, in his one hundredth year. For the last twenty years of his life he was postmaster of the village, and had served for more than half a century the office of parish clerk.

13.—The census returns for Norwich were published on this date. The number of houses inhabited was 18,328; uninhabited, 1,117; building, 181; the total population was 80,382—males, 36,583; females, 43,799.

17.—Snow fell at Norwich, “and the weather was more like that of midwinter than of the merrie month of May.”

18.—The sale of the late Lord Walsingham’s Merton herd was conducted by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-six cows realised £1,906 16s., and eleven bulls, £402 3s., a respective average of £41 9s. and £36 11s. 2d. The total amount was £2,308 19s. The Southdown flock was sold by Mr. Thornton on June 29th. The highest price paid for a yearling ram was 180 guineas, and the total amount realised £5,489 15s.

21.—Died, at St. Augustine’s, Norwich, Mr. John Sultzer, in his 69th year. Since the year 1839 he had carried on an extensive manufacturing business; he was a magistrate of the city, a member of the Town Council, and chairman of the Norwich Waterworks Company, and of the Board of Management of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Mr. Sultzer was a native of Leicester, and at the age of 25 settled in Lichfield, of which city he was Mayor at the time of the Coronation of Queen Victoria. In politics he was a Liberal.

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated in the customary manner at Norwich. The Royal Horse Artillery and Volunteers were reviewed on Mousehold, and the Mayor and Sheriff, besides entertaining a large number of guests at the Drill Hall, gave a dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall to 1,200 of the aged poor.

JUNE.

7.—A rifle match between two teams of 22 men each, representing the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, took place on the Billingford range, East Dereham, and was won by Norfolk by 589 points against 562.

20.—A fine barque, classed A 1 at Lloyd’s for fourteen years, named the Oleander, was launched from the shipyard of Mr. J. H. Fellows, at Southtown, Yarmouth. The vessel was 440 tons builder’s measurement, and 386 tons register, 133 feet in length, and 27 feet beam, and was intended for the South African trade.

21.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at East Dereham, and was continued on the 22nd. It was the most successful that the society had held. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., presided at the public dinner, which took place at the Corn Hall.

JULY.

14.—Mrs. Elizabeth Watts, of Badding’s Lane, St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, attained her one hundredth year.

15.—The 2nd Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Volunteers and the 1st Administrative Battalion of Suffolk Volunteers were encamped on the North Denes, Yarmouth. Major-General F. Murray inspected the battalions on the 20th.

18.—The projected establishment of a Norfolk County School for the education of the middle classes “on similar principles to those which have been successfully carried out in other counties,” was discussed at a meeting of the West Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture held at King’s Lynn. The movement, which was initiated by the Rev. J. L. Brereton, was deemed worthy of support not only by the chamber, but by the county generally. On September 30th the announcement was made that the school was being experimentally conducted at Great Massingham. (See January 22nd, 1872.)

22.—The 1st Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Holkham Park. The North Walsham corps marched the whole distance of thirty miles; they started the day before, and were billeted for the night at Holt. Lieut.-Col. Wilkinson inspected the battalion on the 26th, and the camp was struck on the 29th.

AUGUST.

2.—The Eastern Counties Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. It remained open for two months.

5.—At a special meeting of the Governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, the Centenary Committee appointed for the purpose of suggesting a scheme for affording increased accommodation for in-patients, and for soliciting donations and subscriptions to carry out the object, reported that in consequence of conflicting opinions they had been unable to come to a decision. It was agreed by the Board that no additional building be commenced not only until the necessary funds for completing the building were provided, but until increased subscriptions for the maintenance of additional in-patients were forthcoming. (See November 20th, 1876.)

7.—The first Monday in August falling upon this date, “the banks at Norwich were closed, under the Bank Holiday Act.” At East Dereham “the first of the holidays mentioned in the new statute was officially observed by the various bank officials, for whose convenience the measure was passed into law.” A meeting of the merchants, manufacturers, traders, and others was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, on December 14th, “to determine whether the holidays mentioned in the Bank Holiday Act should be permanently adopted in this city.” Those present pledged themselves to adopt the holidays.

15.—The Yarmouth Town Council voted an address to Sir James Paget, a native of the borough, congratulating him upon the honour of a baronetcy conferred upon him by the Queen.

22.—The D Battery, B Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, marched from Norwich for Aldershot, and were accompanied to the city boundary by the bands of the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers.

26.—Died, Mr. James De Carle Sowerby, aged 84. He belonged to a Norwich family of naturalists, and was chiefly employed in drawing, engraving, and colouring. “There were few departments of natural history in which his attainments were not considerable, and he published many papers on shells and other subjects in the Transactions of the Geological and other societies.”

SEPTEMBER.

2.—Mr. Walter Montgomery, the well-known actor, committed suicide by shooting himself at Shelly’s Hotel, Stafford Street, London. Only on the 30th of the previous month he married, at St. George’s, Hanover Square, Miss Laleah B. Bigelow, an American lady. Mr. Montgomery, whose real name was Richard Tomlinson, was a native of Norwich, and for some years resided at Walsingham, where he was apprenticed to Mr. William Coker, a grocer and draper. At an early age he showed a predilection for the stage, and after a series of recitals in private, made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre, and subsequently played at Yarmouth, Bath, Bristol, and other provincial towns. He went to Birmingham in 1854, and thence to the Theatre Royal, Manchester, where he became a great favourite. He performed also at Drury Lane and the Haymarket, and made a tour in Australia, where he established for himself a high reputation. Returning to England, he sustained heavy pecuniary losses by his connexion with the Gaiety Theatre, and had resolved to emigrate to America. Mr. Montgomery was 44 years of age.

11.—Mdlle. Beatrice appeared at Norwich Theatre with “Frou-frou” Company. During the engagement, “The Happy Pair” and “The Ticket-of-Leave Man,” in which Mr. Horace Wigan sustained his original character of Hawkshaw, the Detective, were produced.

27.—The All England and Norfolk Ploughing Matches commenced at Booton, near Reepham, and were continued on the 28th. There were seven contests—three for implement manufacturers and four for Norfolk ploughmen. A public dinner was held at Hackford schoolroom on the evening of the first day, when Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., presided, and several local members of Parliament were present.

OCTOBER.

4.—The headquarters of the 7th Dragoon Guards arrived at Norwich, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Peyton. The Cavalry Barracks being under repair, the officers took up their quarters at the Royal Hotel.

6.—Great excitement was caused at Diss by the closing of the doors of Messrs. Fincham and Co.’s Bank. In a circular issued shortly afterwards, Mr. Simpson stated that he was compelled to adopt this course owing to the continued strain upon his resources. On the 7th it was announced that arrangements were being made by which it was hoped the business of the Bank would be carried on; and on the same day Messrs. Gurneys intimated that they would afford banking facilities to the customers of Messrs. Fincham and Simpson during the temporary suspension of business. A meeting of the creditors was held on the 10th, and a committee appointed; and representatives of the London and Provincial Bank carried out negotiations which resulted in the Bank being re-opened on the 11th. Another meeting was held on November 2nd, for the purpose of proving debts and of realising the estate. Payment to the creditors of 10s. in the pound was arranged, it being understood that further dividends would be paid as the estate was realised. The liabilities were reported to be £87,305 5s. 6d., and the assets £54,491 18s. 2d.

13.—Sir Samuel Bignold, on the completion of his 80th year, was presented by the clerks at the Union Offices with a silver inkstand and an illuminated address. Several of the Conservative Ward Associations adopted congratulatory addresses, and, on the 17th, a resolution was passed by the Town Council expressive of the congratulations of that body. On January 9th, 1872, the proprietors of the Norwich Union Fire Office presented Sir Samuel with a service of plate and his portrait, painted by Ventnor.

15.—Died at his residence, Buckingham Palace Road, London, Mr. Richard Young, who, on the 13th inst., had been re-elected by the Livery of the Corporation Sheriff of London and Middlesex. Mr. Young, who was a merchant and shipowner, and a director of the Great Eastern Railway and other companies, was born at Scarning, in 1809, and was a self-made man.

16.—Died at the house of her nephew, Mr. H. Wilkin, West Pottergate Street, Norwich, Sarah Nolbrow, aged 100 years.

17.—The Norwich Town Council accepted a portrait of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett, painted by Sandys, to be placed in St. Andrew’s Hall.

—The Sanitary Committee reported to the Norwich Town Council that the number of outbreaks of small-pox in the city was such as to occasion considerable alarm. It was stated that the necessary precautions had been taken, and, in case of death, burial within forty-eight hours had, as far as possible, been enforced, and arrangements made to prevent the bodies of children being carried to the Cemetery in cabs. Dr. Eade, at a meeting of the Town Council on November 28th, referred to the alarming spread of the disease, and urged the necessity of enforcing vaccination. During this and the succeeding month several persons were prosecuted for neglect of precautionary measures. On December 19th it was reported to the Town Council that the Marchioness of Lothian had munificently given to the city a small-pox hospital. (See March 23rd, 1872.)

18.—A new Corn Hall, erected through the enterprise of Mr. J. W. Davey, was opened at Yarmouth. It was designed by Mr. J. B. Pearce, and built by Mr. J. W. Lacey, at the cost of £3,800. “For many years past the corn merchants had met in all weathers in front of the Duke’s Head Hotel, without the slightest shelter, and transacted their affairs at great inconvenience to themselves and to the annoyance of the general public.”

26.—At Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder, Mr. O’Malley, Q.C., Henry Brown Woolsey (36), formerly a clerk at Carrow Works, pleaded guilty to feloniously embezzling £558, the monies of his employers, Mr. J. J. Colman and others, and was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude, although recommended to mercy by the prosecutors. Considerable comment was made upon the disparity of the sentences in this and in the Hoskins case (q.v. page 210).

NOVEMBER.

9.—Mr. Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. Frederick Grimmer appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

23.—A telegram was received at Norwich announcing that the Prince of Wales was suffering from an attack of typhoid fever at Sandringham. “There are,” it was added, “no unfavourable symptoms.” Later bulletins were of a most alarming character, and the inhabitants of county and city soon realised that his Royal Highness was in a critical condition. The Queen arrived from Windsor on the 29th, and was met at Wolferton station by the Duke of Edinburgh, who escorted her to Sandringham. This was her Majesty’s first visit to Sandringham, and her second to Norfolk. [As Princess Victoria, she, with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, visited Mr. Coke at Holkham, in 1835.] Her Majesty returned to Windsor on December 1st. On the 8th his Royal Highness had a very serious relapse, and his Royal mother, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Louise, hurried back to Sandringham. On December 10th a special form of prayer was used in all churches, and supplications were made at Nonconformist places of worship. Public suspense continued until the 14th, when a turn for the better took place, and on the 19th her Majesty returned to Windsor. On the same day a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held, at which, on the motion of Sir William Foster, seconded by Sir Samuel Bignold, a resolution was adopted expressing to her Majesty and the Princess of Wales the deep sympathy felt by the citizens during the dangerous and painful illness of his Royal Highness. Throughout this trying period the newspaper offices in Norwich were besieged by anxious crowds, eager to receive intelligence. (See January 4th, 1872.)

30.—A severe gale burst over the East coast, and was productive of the most terrible disasters to shipping and the fishing fleet.

DECEMBER.

26.—The pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre, by Miss May Holt, was entitled, “The Fair One with the Golden Locks, or Harlequin Zephyr and the Peris’ Paradise on the Jewelled Island.” At Charles Adams’ Circus was produced the equestrian pantomime, “Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross, or Harlequin Mother Goose.”

1872.

JANUARY.

4.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, the Earl of Kimberley moved an address to the Queen, conveying to her Majesty the assurance that the magistracy and all her loyal subjects in the county had felt the sincerest sympathy with her during the alarming illness of the Prince of Wales; and Lord Sondes moved a congratulatory address to his Royal Highness and the Princess of Wales. The clergy of the diocese, at a meeting held at the Palace on the 27th, adopted similar addresses. “Thanksgiving Day” was observed throughout the county on February 27th. At Norwich the principal business establishments were closed, and services held at the Cathedral, the parish churches, and other places of worship.

11.—The centenary of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was celebrated by an entertainment given at the institution.

22.—The Norwich, Costessey, and Taverham Tramway Scheme was considered by the Board of Trade, to whose satisfaction the promoters proved that the preliminary steps required under the Tramways Act, 1870, had been complied with.

—The Norfolk County School Association held its first meeting at the temporary school at Great Massingham, under the presidency of Sir Willoughby Jones. The Rev. J. L. Brereton reported that the Prince of Wales had become a patron of the school, and the sum of £5,920 had been subscribed by about seventy shareholders. At a meeting held at the Earl of Leicester’s, house in Grosvenor Square, London, on April 24th, it was decided to erect the school on Bintry Hill, near North Elmham. (See April 14th, 1873.)

24.—The Norwich Waterworks Company opened a second covered reservoir at Lakenham, and, in celebration of the event, luncheon was served within the works, under the presidency of the chairman of the company, Mr. H. S. Patteson. The reservoir was 128 feet in length and 120 feet in width.

FEBRUARY.

7.—Died at his residence, Notting Hill, London, the Right Rev. Samuel Hinds, D.D., formerly Bishop of Norwich. Born at Barbadoes in 1793, he came at an early age to England, and was educated at a private school at Ridland, near Bristol. He entered Balliol College, Oxford, but migrated to Queen’s, where he took Second Class Honours in Classics and the University Latin Essay. After ordination by the Bishop of London, he returned to Barbadoes as the first missionary to the negro population. Soon afterwards the headmastership of Codrington College fell vacant, and Dr. Hinds was appointed thereto by Bishop’ Howley. On returning to England, he held a small living in Hertfordshire, and the rectory of Castle Knock, near Dublin; in 1848 was appointed Dean of Carlisle, and in 1849, on the death of Bishop Stanley, he became Bishop of Norwich. On account of ill-health he resigned the See in 1857. Bishop Hinds was the author of “A Treatise on Logic,” “A History of the Rise and Early Progress of Christianity,” “An Inquiry into the Nature and Extent of Inspiration,” and “Sonnets and Sacred Poems.” “His beautiful hymn, to which Dr. Buck set such appropriate music, is familiar to every attendant at our Cathedral services.”

MARCH.

1.—Died at Gateley, Mr. Money Griggs, in his one hundredth year.

9.*—“Under the provisions of Mr. Cardwell’s Army Organization Bill, Yarmouth has been selected as the headquarters of the depôt of the 9th East Norfolk Regiment of Foot.”

11.—Died, at 21, Taviton Street, Gordon Square, London, Emily Taylor, daughter of Mr. Samuel Taylor, of New Buckenham. She was born April 8th, 1795, and for nearly fifty years resided in Norfolk. At the age of five her singing was said to be wonderful; before seven years of age she had read the Iliad of Homer and made herself acquainted with many books of history. Among her writings were “Tales of the Saxons,” “Tales of the English,” “The Ball I live on,” “Poetical Illustrations,” &c. Her last work was “Contemporary Poets,” issued in 1868. Miss Taylor, who was a native of Banham, removed to London in 1858, and established the West Central Collegiate School, Southampton Road, Russell Square. Her remains were interred in Highgate Cemetery, on March 14th, near the resting-place of Miss Martineau.

14.—Died at his residence in Duke Street, Norwich, very suddenly, aged 51, Mr. Henry Rudd, chorus master of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival. Mr. Rudd was originally a sawyer, but his taste for music was observed by Mr. Taylor, organist of St. John’s Roman Catholic chapel, from whom he received his musical education. For many years he was a member of the Choral Society and of other musical associations, held the situation of music master at the Diocesan Training Institution, and was instrumental in forming the Norwich Gatehouse Choir. On the resignation of Mr. J. F. Hill, he obtained the post of director of the Festival Choral Society. Mr. Rudd was succeeded as chorus master by Mr. James Harcourt.

20.—Died at Northrepps Hall, aged 88, Hannah, widow of the first Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, whom she survived twenty-seven years. Lady Buxton was sister of the well-known philanthropist, Elizabeth Fry, and of Mr. John Joseph Gurney.

22.—Died at Burlingham Hall, Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes, aged 81. He succeeded to the family estates at an early age, and in 1815 served the office of High Sheriff. In 1837, in conjunction with Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, he successfully contested the representation of East Norfolk against Mr. W. H. Windham and Mr. R. H. Gurney, and he continued to represent the division until 1857, having meanwhile stood a second contest, in 1841, with Sir William ffolkes, and been twice re-elected, in 1847 and 1852, without opposition. In 1857, however, he and his colleague, Sir Henry Stracey, who had been elected in 1855, in the room of Mr. Wodehouse, declined to come forward again, the then popularity of their chief opponent, Major-General Windham, who had just returned triumphant from the Crimea, rendering success doubtful. Mr. Burroughes had taken an active part in the public business of the county.

23.—In the week ending this date there was a marked decline in the mortality from small-pox in Norwich. The largest number of deaths in any week was 37, and for several weeks the number was reported as 30.

30.—Died at Coltishall, in his 80th year, Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, of the Inner Temple, barrister-at-law. By his death the Recordership of Yarmouth and the Judgeship of the Norwich Court of Record became vacant. The first-named office was filled by the appointment of Mr. Simms Reeve, and the latter by the election of Mr. Carlos Cooper. Mr. Palmer was one of the oldest of the Norwich magistrates, and for many years occupied a leading position in the Liberal party. Born in 1792, he was the son of Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, Government contractor for the Navy and distributor of stamps, and was articled to Mr. Worship, solicitor, of Yarmouth, in which borough he practised as an attorney, with considerable success. In 1827 he was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple. He married Rachael, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Hitchin, of Norwich, by whom he had five children. One of his sons was Mr. T. H. Palmer, registrar of the Norwich County Court.

APRIL.

1.—Mr. Henry Leslie’s Opera Bouffe Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in “Princess of Trebizonde.”

13.—The agricultural labourers’ agitation began in Norfolk with a meeting held at Old Buckenham. The movement was shortly afterwards taken up in earnest in many parts of the county. The principal object of its supporters was to obtain an increase in the rate of wages. (See February 20th, 1873.)

22.—Died at Norwich, aged 50, Mr. Frederick Simpson, for many years City Treasurer. Mr. T. Hancock, a member of the Town Council, resigned his seat, and on May 3rd was elected to the vacant office.

MAY.

1.—The arbitration case, Coaks v. Tillett, was opened at the Shirehall, Norwich, before Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart. The inquiry had reference to a claim made by Mr. I. B. Coaks against Mr. J. H. Tillett, arising out of the winding-up of the affairs of the East of England Bank. An action was originally brought in the Court of Queen’s Bench, and was intended to have been heard at the previous Norwich Assizes, but by consent of both parties the matter in dispute was referred to the arbitration of Sir Willoughby Jones. Mr. Merewether appeared for Mr. Coaks, and Mr. Tillett conducted his own case. The amount claimed was £2,160, and the arbitrator, after an exhaustive inquiry was due consideration, awarded £1,881 4s. 5d.

8.—In the Court of Queen’s Bench, the Attorney-General moved for a rule nisi calling upon the Town Council of Norwich to show cause why a mandamus should not issue directing them to build a new asylum for pauper lunatics. The question had been in abeyance since 1863, and various reasons were urged why the asylum should not be erected. The Court granted the rule nisi. On the 17th it was resolved, at a meeting of the Town Council, to write to the Secretary of State, pointing out that on April 17th a resolution was passed in the House of Commons affirming that occupiers in counties and boroughs should be relieved either in whole or in part of charges imposed for lunatics, the expenditure for such purpose being almost entirely independent of local control. The Home Secretary was asked whether he felt it imcumbent by compulsory measures to force upon the local rates of Norwich an expenditure estimated at between £40,000 and £50,000. On the 21st the Town Council sent a memorial to the House of Commons, asking them “to intervene for the protection of this municipality, or at least obtain a postponement of the threatened proceedings until Parliament shall have definitely settled by whom the cost of maintaining lunatics shall be permanently borne.” The Court of Queen’s Bench, on June 10th, made the rule absolute against the Corporation, and on June 18th the Corporation decided, by 33 votes to 7, to offer continued resistance to the mandamus. (See January 15th, 1873.)

14.—A meeting, presided over by Colonel Hugh FitzRoy, was held at the Town Hall, Aylsham, to discuss the feasibility of constructing a narrow gauge railway between Norwich and Aylsham, and thence to Aldborough and Beeston. Mr. Minshull, engineer, estimated the cost of construction at £5,000 per mile. The meeting was in favour of the scheme, and appointed a committee to consider details.

16.—The first stone of Christ church, Eaton, was laid by the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. R. Chamberlin). The church was opened on November 4th, 1873, by the Bishop of Norwich. Mr. H. Bolingbroke gave the site; the architects were Mr. J. H. Brown and Mr. J. B. Pearce, and the contractors Mr. W. Wright and Mr. J. W. Lacey. “It is said that the bell fixed in the turret was formerly the sanctus bell at the Cathedral.”

20.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated at Norwich on this day (Whit-Monday). “It was a demonstration of regard towards the person of her Majesty and of joy that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had recovered from his illness.” The streets of the city were decorated, a military review took place on Mousehold, civic entertainments were given, and the festivities terminated with a display of fireworks on the Castle Meadow.

21.—Captain Bates, the Kentucky Giant, and Chrissie-Millie, better known as the “Two-headed Nightingale,” appeared at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew’s, Norwich. Of this mulatto girl it was said, “Chrissie and Millie are fairly educated, and sing either solos or duets with ease and effect.”

23.—Died at Naples, the Right Hon. Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer, Baron Dalling and Bulwer. Born in 1804, his lordship was the second son of General William Bulwer, of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, by Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, sole heiress and last descendant of the Lyttons of Knebworth in Hertfordshire. His career as a diplomatist is familiar to every student of history. His lordship was the author of “Historical Characters,” which appeared in two volumes in the winter of 1867, and rapidly ran into a sixth edition; and of a “Life of Lord Palmerston,” published in 1871. The remains of the deceased nobleman were interred at Heydon on June 25th.

27.—A one hundred yards’ race took place on the West Winch Road, Lynn, between Thomas Akers and a horse belonging to Mr. W. L. Proctor. “Akers led off, the horse not starting directly the signal was given, but he had not proceeded far when he was overtaken by the animal and beaten by about ten yards.”

29.—The tower of the church of Beeston-next-Mileham was struck by lightning. “The Litcham fire-engine was taken into the church, but the molten lead and burning timber fell so rapidly that nothing could be done, and the tower was entirely destroyed.”

—A remarkable mirage was witnessed at Yarmouth. “The weather was exceedingly sultry, with heavy banks of clouds towards the east and south-east, just opposite Yarmouth, and extending from the Scroby to the Corton Sands there appeared a sharply-defined and magnificent outline of Gorleston and Corton cliff, with the entrance to the harbour and even the white sands. A stranger visiting the locality for the first time would have supposed that Yarmouth was embayed by a narrow peninsula.”

JUNE.

3.—Mr. G. B. Loveday’s Gaiety Operetta Company, under the direction of Mr. John Hollingshead, appeared at Norwich Theatre.

6.—The Prince of Wales visited Yarmouth for the first time. His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Earl of Leicester, arrived at Southtown station, and was received by the Mayor (Mr. E. H. L. Preston), the members of the Corporation, and the Recorder (Mr. Simms Reeve), who read an address of welcome. The Militia Artillery and the Rifle Volunteers formed guards of honour, and the Royal carriage was escorted from the station to the Town Hall, by the 7th Dragoon Guards from Norwich, under the command of Colonel Peyton. After luncheon at the Town Hall, his Royal Highness proceeded to the newly-erected Grammar School, at the junction of Trafalgar Road and Apsley Road, and declared the buildings open; in the evening he dined at the Artillery mess and attended a performance in which Mr. Toole appeared, at the Regent Hall. On the 7th the Prince was present at a review of the Artillery Militia, of which he was honorary colonel, and on the 8th returned by special train to London.

10.—Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss E. Farren appeared at Norwich Theatre on this and the succeeding evening in “Dearer than Life,” “The Steeplechase,” “The Weavers,” scenes from “Paul Pry,” and “Ici on parle Français.”

19.—The show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association, of which the Prince of Wales was this year President, commenced at King’s Lynn, and was attended by his Royal Highness, who was accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The Prince presided at the luncheon, which, for the first time, took place in a marquee erected in the showground, and was attended by upwards of 900 guests. In addition to the Prince of Wales, the speakers at the gathering included the Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Norwich, Lord Sondes, Lord Suffield, Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, the Hon. R. Bourke, M.P., Sir W. Bagge, M.P., Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., Mr. G. W. P. Bentinck, M.P., &c.

JULY.

2.—Died at the Roman Catholic Presbytery, Willow Lane, Norwich, the Rev. Edmund Costello, S.J., aged 44. Father Costello had been in ill-health, and his death was accelerated by his devoted ministrations among the poor when the small-pox epidemic was at its height. He was a son of Mr. James Costello, of Eyre Square, Galway, was educated at the Irish College, Paris, at Maynooth, and at Stonyhurst, and entered upon the Norwich Roman Catholic Mission in 1868.

27.—The 3rd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers (formerly the 1st Administrative Battalion), commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Duff, went into camp at Ketteringham Park. The North Walsham corps marched from that town to the camp, a distance of twenty-two miles. The 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel R. T. Gurdon, was brigaded with the 3rd Battalion. The camp was struck on August 2nd.

29.—The sale of Crown Point and Whitlingham estate took place at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by order of the Court of Chancery. Messrs. J. and J. Colman were the purchasers, at £55,700.

30.—Sir Henry Stracey was presented, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by the Conservatives of the city, with a valuable piece of plate, as “a mark of their appreciation of his political conduct during the recent contests, and their admiration of his example as a straightforward English gentleman.” Lady Stracey received from the ladies of Norwich a diamond bracelet, and silver bouquet-holders were presented by working-men to the Misses Stracey.

AUGUST.

5.—The High Sheriff (Mr. Angerstein) was fined £50 by the Judge of Assize at Norwich. (Mr. Justice Keating), for non-attendance with his carriage at the Judge’s lodgings. His lordship had driven to the court in a cab, which he considered to be “a way not fitting her Majesty’s Judges.” The High Sheriff subsequently explained that a mistake had been made as to the time fixed for the sitting of the court, and having tendered an apology, the fine was remitted by his lordship.

5.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Byles, James Johnson, of North Walsham, sought to recover from Mr. W. H. Cooke, Q.C., Judge of the Norfolk County Court, damages for false imprisonment and assault. It was alleged that the defendant wrongfully imprisoned the plaintiff for thirty days; when the plaintiff left Norwich Castle he personally served the Judge, as he was leaving the court, with a notice of action for false imprisonment, and his Honour, mistaking the man’s intention, seized him by the collar, and a second time ordered his arrest. For the defendant it was alleged that he had acted within his jurisdiction. After two days’ trial the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages one farthing.

8.—An alarming flood occurred at Walsingham. Owing to heavy rains, the stream in the vicinity overflowed its banks, and the low-lying part of the town was submerged. Forty women and children were rescued from the upper rooms of the cottages by means of ladders, and conveyed in boats to a place of safety. On the 9th a temporary dam was erected, which had the effect of diverting the flow of water. The village of East Barsham was also flooded, and the high road at West Barsham was under water.

10.—At a meeting of the Norfolk Central Committee, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, it was reported that foot-and-mouth disease had spread to an alarming extent among cattle and sheep. On the motion of Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., it was ordered that markets for fat stock be held under the same restrictions that were in force during the time of the cattle plague, and that similar regulations should govern the movements of store stock as were then in force. In Norfolk alone during the previous five weeks the loss to stockowners from foot-and-mouth disease was estimated at £22,500, in respect of 10,000 cattle and 5,000 sheep. The committee sent a memorial to the Privy Council to prohibit the opening of all fairs and markets for the period of six weeks.