NORFOLK ANNALS. VOLUME II. 1851–1900. (continued 9)

JUNE.

5.—The Reedham Hall estate was sold by auction by Messrs. Spelman, at the Rampant Horse Hotel, Norwich, for £31,568. The purchaser was Mr. John Rose.

8.—Mr. Frank Buckland, Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, opened an inquiry at Yarmouth, at the request of the Home Secretary, into the crab, lobster, and other sea fisheries on the Norfolk coast, with the view of ascertaining the expediency of adopting regulations for the prevention of waste and the preservation of fish. Similar inquiries were held at Lynn, Wells, and Cromer.

16.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Fakenham, and was continued on the 17th. Mr. Anthony Hamond was president for the year.

19.—An important meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, for the purpose of conferring with Mr. Frank Buckland as to the possibility of extending legislative protection to the fishing in the rivers and broads of Norfolk. Mr. Buckland expressed his full concurrence in the necessity of an Act of Parliament, for placing restrictions on the fishing, and resolutions to that effect were adopted. (See January 22nd, 1876.)

21.—The centenary of the opening of the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, was celebrated by the ringers of that church.

JULY.

3.—Extracts from an article in the “Natal Mercury” of May 11th, on the life and labours of Mr. Thomas Baines, F.R.G.S., “just then deceased,” were published. Mr. Baines was a native of King’s Lynn, where he was born in 1822. At an early age he gave evidence of artistic instincts, and of his love of travel and adventure. His first experiences of the kind were in South Australia. When little more than a youth, he took part in an expedition which traversed a then unpenetrated portion of the Continent. He and his companions carried their lives in their hands, and many were the hairbreadth escapes from the perils of both sea and savages. Baines arrived in South Africa about the year 1848, and took an active part in the Kaffir wars of 1850–51–52. In 1860 he joined Dr. Livingstone’s expedition to Zanzibar, but differences arose between him and his illustrious chief. The next few years were spent in devious travel, and in 1866 he returned home and published several important works. He subsequently went to Natal as leader of a party sent out by the South African Gold Fields Exploration Company, and it was at Natal that he spent a large portion of the last few years of his life.

8.—Died at Mulbarton, Mary Ann Todd, aged 100 years.

22.—The Norfolk polled cattle and flock of pure Southdown sheep on the North Elmham estate were sold by Messrs. Thornton and Long. The total amount realised was £4,953 5s.

23.—The last detachment of the 7th Hussars left Norwich for Manchester by special train; and on the 24th the dismounted party of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), from Shorncliffe, took over the Cavalry Barracks.

AUGUST.

2.—A vessel named the Ponda Chief, intended for trading between this country and Port Natal, was launched from the shipyard of Messrs. J. Fellows, at Southtown, Yarmouth. She was 140 feet long, 26 feet beam, 14 ft. 6 in. deep, and 416 tons register. This was one of the largest vessels ever built at the port.

3.—H.M.S. Favourite, an armour-plated corvette of 2,094 tons and 490 horse-power, ran upon the south spit of Scroby Sand, when endeavouring to make the gatway. At the flood tide the vessel floated off and steamed out to sea.

9.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Mellor, William Harper Stewardson, printer, of Norwich, was charged with publishing in a newspaper called the “Herald and Dispatch,” a malicious and defamatory libel of and concerning Frederick Lawrence Phillips, editor of the “Norwich Argus.” The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the defendant was fined £20, and ordered to enter into his own recognisances of £100 to be of good behaviour for twelve months.

16.—A Royal Commission, issued in consequence of the report of Mr. Justice Lush, “that he had reason to believe corrupt practices extensively prevailed at the election which took place in Norwich on March 5th, on the elevation to the Bench of Mr. Baron Huddleston,” commenced its proceedings at the Shirehall, Norwich. The Commissioners were Mr. John Morgan Howard, Q.C., Mr. Patrick MacMahon, and Mr. Gabriel Prior Goldney, with Mr. Tyndal Atkinson as secretary. On the 43rd day, Wednesday, October 28th, the court terminated its sittings in Norwich, and the inquiry was resumed in the House of Lords on November 8th. The fiftieth day was reached on December 3rd, when a further adjournment took place. (See March 15th, 1876.)

26.—The marriage was solemnised, at Latimer, of the Earl of Leicester and the Hon. Georgiana Cavendish, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Chesham.

SEPTEMBER.

20.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced with an evening performance of “Elijah.” The morning performances were as follow: 22nd, “Hymn of Praise” and selection, “Jerusalem”; 23rd, “Stabat Mater” and “Woman of Samaria”; 24th, “The Messiah.” Miscellaneous concerts were given on the evenings of the dates named, except on the 24th, when a dress ball took place. The principal vocalists were Mdlle. Albani, Mdlle. Mathilda Enequist, Madame Lemmens Sherrington, Mdlle. Anna de Belocca, Miss Enriquez, Madame Patey, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. H. J. Minns, Mr. Henry Guy, Mr. J. L. Wadmore, and Signor Foli. Sir Julius Benedict conducted.

26.—Died at his residence, Bracondale, Norwich, Mr. Frederic Brown, aged 67. He served the office of Sheriff in 1863–64, was a magistrate of the city, and a director of the Norwich Waterworks and Corn Exchange Companies.

OCTOBER.

4.—Don Edgardo Colona, a Mexican tragedian, appeared at Norwich Theatre, and during a week’s engagement played a round of Shakesperian and classical characters.

9.—The foundation-stone of Yarmouth Aquarium was laid by Lord Suffield. The building was opened on September 5th, 1876.

16.*—“Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve the Norfolk Regiment of Artillery Militia being in future designated the Prince of Wales’ Own Norfolk Artillery Militia, and of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiment being permitted to wear, as a distinctive badge, on the collars of the tunics, the Prince of Wales’ plume and the motto, ‘Ich Dien.’”

20.—During a severe gale, the barque Young England, of Middlesbrough, 371 tons (Captain Brown), bound from the Baltic to London with deals, drifted on the Cockle Sand. The crew of twelve men and a boy took to the boat, which was capsized, and all, with the exception of the boy, were drowned.

26.—A public meeting was held at Yarmouth, to consider a project for constructing a railway from that town to Stalham, viâ Caister, Ormesby, Martham, Potter Heigham, and Catfield. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., presided, and resolutions were adopted affirming the desirability of the undertaking, which was estimated to cost £70,000. (See August 7th, 1877.)

28.—A preliminary meeting of landowners and others interested in the construction of a new line of railway from March to Wymondham, to be known as the Central Norfolk Railway, was held at the Crown Hotel, Watton, under the presidency of Mr. W. A. Tyssen-Amherst. Mr. A. F. Jerningham, C.E., described the proposed route, and it was agreed that the railway was desirable. Its cost was estimated at £450,000, or £10,000 per mile. A Bill for the promotion of the undertaking was introduced in Parliament, but was withdrawn in January, 1876.

NOVEMBER.

5.—Mr. Charles Tadman, for many years manager at Norwich Gasworks, committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver.

8.—Mr. Anthony Hamond, Master of the West Norfolk Hunt, was presented with his portrait, painted by Mr. Graves, R.A. Sir William ffolkes, Bart., made the presentation, on behalf of 400 subscribers.

9.—Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett was elected Mayor, and Mr. Henry Stevenson appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.—The first Poor-law Conference, attended by delegates from twenty-two Norfolk unions, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., “to take counsel on the important point of the more uniform administration of poor relief.”

13.—Died at St. Leonard’s, the Rev. Dr. William Brock. Dr. Brock, who was upwards of 70 years of age, was formerly minister of the Baptist congregation, in Norwich, and resigned that post about twenty-five years previously, and became minister of Bloomsbury chapel, London, then recently built. There he remained until he retired from the ministry. Dr. Brock was one of the most popular ministers in the Baptist denomination, and took an active part on the Liberal side in many of the political movements of his time.

—An extremely high tide occurred at Lynn, owing to heavy rains and strong gales. On the 15th Denver Sluice was in jeopardy, and large numbers of men were employed to strengthen the banks. At Hunstanton great masses of cliff were washed away; on the 19th railway traffic between Brandon and Ely was suspended, owing to the floods, and considerable damage was done to the line between Reedham and Haddiscoe by the overflow of water.

17.—Sir William Bagge, Bart., M.P., presided at a luncheon at Downham Market, held in celebration of the opening of the new Public Hall. The building was converted from the old Theatre by a company formed for the purpose of carrying out the project.

18.—At the adjourned Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, a report was received on the advisability of amalgamating the county prisons and of transferring the Governor of Swaffham Prison to Norwich Castle, the Governor of the latter prison, Mr. Pinson, having given notice of his resignation of office. The report recommended that Swaffham Prison be discontinued from January 13th, 1876; that the prisoners at the time under detention be removed to Norwich Castle; and that Mr. Duncan Stuart, Governor of Swaffham Prison, be appointed to succeed Mr. Pinson at Norwich. The report was adopted. Mr. Stuart took over the governorship of Norwich Castle in January, 1876, but resigned office in the following month, when he was succeeded by Mr. Miles Joseph Walker.

19.—A gale, the severity of which had been unequalled for many years previously, visited the coast of Norfolk. Several wrecks occurred off Yarmouth and Caister, and many lives were lost in the Wash. The Scotch fishing fleet suffered terrible privations. Five bodies of the crew of the smack Beautiful Star, of St. Monance, Fifeshire, were picked up at the entrance to Lynn Well, and at a subsequent date the bodies of other unfortunate fishermen from the North were discovered in the same locality.

20.—The Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P., F.R.G.S., was installed Grand Master of the Norfolk Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons, in place of Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, deceased.

21.—On this day (Sunday) a mad freak was perpetrated at Yarmouth by a Scotch fisherman, named Watson. Having gained admittance to the Nelson column, he climbed the figure of Britannia and clasped his arms about its neck. He then came down to the platform, and, dangling his legs over the edge of the capital, took off his shoes and proceeded to descend by the lightning conductor which runs down the outside of the column. The conductor was only seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, and placed close to the stone work, “and how he managed to get over the edge of the projecting capital was a marvel.” The man, however, reached the ground in safety; but his hands were terribly lacerated, “as in several instances he had to pull the conductor from the wall to get his fingers in. He was under the influence of drink when he performed the feat.”

30.—Died, in his 75th year, Mr. Francis John Blake, solicitor, for forty years treasurer of the Norfolk County Lunatic Asylum, and thirty-eight years Superintendent Registrar for the city of Norwich. Mr. Blake was for many years treasurer of the Norwich Musical Festival, and a director of several public companies.

—St. Andrew’s Day was celebrated in Norwich by the members of the newly-formed St. Andrew Society dining at the Maid’s Head Hotel. Mr. T. Muir Grant, the founder and president of the society, was in the chair, and Dr. Waddell, the vice-president, officiated as croupier.

—A suit, the Archdeacon of Norwich v. William Delph and William Thomas Gilbert, churchwardens of St. Augustine, which came before the Consistory Court at Norwich, excited much public comment. The case was heard originally in November, 1874, when the Chancellor decreed that the respondents, who had desecrated the churchyard by throwing a portion of it into the public road, should, by placing certain stones in the pathway and wall, mark the ancient boundary of the churchyard. The respondents not having obeyed the decree of the court, application was made on October 5th by Mr. Walter Overbury, as Proctor for the Archdeacon, that they might be pronounced contumacious. The case was adjourned until this date, and the decree not having been obeyed, the Chancellor pronounced the respondents contumacious, and issued a certificate to her Majesty in the High Court of Justice, in order that an attachment might forthwith issue against them. This action resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Gilbert. At a meeting of the Town Council, on December 21st, Mr. J. D. Smith called attention to the case, and stated that Mr. Gilbert was imprisoned for alleged contempt of court in not paying the costs of the suit. He moved a resolution expressing regret that the ecclesiastical authorities should have instituted the prosecution, and urging that the Parliamentary and Bye-Laws Committee confer immediately as to the best steps to be taken to obtain the release of the prisoner. The motion was carried by 27 votes against 1, “the Conservatives having vacated their seats, leaving only Mr. H. W. Stafford, who voted against the motion.” Mr. Gilbert was liberated on December 24th, an undertaking having been given on the part of Mr. Delph that the decree of the Consistorial Court should be carried out.

DECEMBER.

4.—A heavy gale prevailed on the coast of Norfolk, and continued until the 6th. There were many shipping casualties, and much loss of life.

7.—At the annual dinner of the Farmers’ Club, held at the Salisbury Hotel, London, Mr. Clare Sewell Read announced that he would no longer continue a member of the Government. He took office, he said, on the stipulation that he should have perfect freedom to speak upon all agricultural matters, and that if he believed the interests of agriculture were neglected by any department of the Government he should resign. “I believe,” he added, “that the interests of the stockholders of this country have been persistently ignored by the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council, and that being the case, I have to inform you that I am no longer the Secretary of the Local Government Board, and that I only hold office until my successor be appointed.” Mr. Read further said that, to a tenant-farmer whose principal income was derived from the occupation of 600 or 700 acres of land, £1,500 a year was an extremely convenient addition to his income; but he was quite sure that all present would approve of what he had done. During the Cattle Show week it was announced that some suitable recognition would be made of Mr. Read’s services to agriculture, and, at a large meeting of the agriculturists of the county—Conservative and Liberal—held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, on December 18th, a deputation was appointed to attend a meeting at the Salisbury Hotel, on the 20th, in support of the testimonial fund which was forthwith inaugurated. (See January 1st, 1876.)

13.—A dreadful tragedy occurred at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. A weaver, 42 years of age, named Robert Edwards, who resided at Marsham, had been admitted to the Hospital on an indoor recommendation obtained from the Rev. J. Gunton, rector of the parish. The physician who examined him prior to admission believed that he was suffering from some bodily ailment of a dyspeptic character. Ten or twelve weeks previously his case was regarded as one of insanity; he had been restless and violent at times, and his friends had placed him under surveillance. Early on the morning of this date, Edwards, in a fit of homicidal mania, escaped from the Catherine ward, and, finding his way to the children’s ward, seized a pair of tongs from the fireplace, and, before he could be secured, made a murderous assault upon some of the unfortunate young patients, which resulted in two being slain outright, a third died shortly afterwards, and grievous injuries were inflicted upon two others. Edwards was disarmed by Mr. Baumgartner, the house surgeon, taken into custody, and charged on the 14th, at Norwich Police Court, with feloniously killing William Martin, aged 14, of Ryburgh; John Lacey, 10, of Griffin Yard, Pockthorpe; and Joseph Colman, 11, of Barton Turf. A fourth lad, Alfred Clarke, aged 9, died on February 20th, 1876. On the 18th the magistrates committed him for trial at the Assizes, but meanwhile he was certified to be insane and incapable of pleading, and was sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. At the Coroner’s inquest, held on December 18th, a verdict of wilful murder was returned, and the jury expressed, in the strongest terms, their disapproval of the circumstances under which Edwards had been admitted to the institution, and their high opinion of the courageous conduct of Mr. Baumgartner.

22.—Died at Bombay, Bernard Edward Delaval Astley, tenth Baron Hastings, aged 20. His lordship left England early in October, for India, accompanied by Viscount Ebrington, and, after staying with Sir Philip Wodehouse, the Governor, at Parell, during the Prince of Wales’ visit there, he proceeded to Calicut, and thence to the Annamally Hills, for shooting. He there fell a victim to jungle fever. Born September 9th, 1855, his lordship was eldest son of the Rev. Delaval Loftus Astley, some time vicar of East Barsham, and afterwards ninth Lord Hastings, and grandson of Jacob Astley, Lord Hastings, better known by his former name of Sir Jacob Astley, M.P. He was educated at Eton, and succeeded to the family honours in 1872. The title passed to his next brother, the Hon. George Manners Astley, who was born in April, 1857.

26.—The Christmas pantomime produced by Mr. George H. Chaplin, at Norwich Theatre, was entitled, “Bluff King Hal the Bluffer and his Crippled Guy, or Harlequin Darnley, the Pet of the Court.”

1876.

JANUARY.

1.—At a meeting of Norfolk agriculturists, held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, it was decided to support the national movement for presenting Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., with a testimonial in recognition of his services to agriculture. Upwards of £600 was subscribed in the room, the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, heading the subscription-list with a handsome donation. The presentation was made at the Cannon Street Hotel, London, on May 2nd, at a banquet presided over by Mr. Charles Howard, of Bidenham, and attended by 160 of the leading agriculturists of the three kingdoms. The testimonial consisted of a massive silver salver weighing 115 ozs., and inscribed, “Presented, the 2nd May, 1876, to Clare Sewell Read, M.P. for Norfolk since 1865, with a cheque for £5,500, in testimony of his valuable services to Agriculture.”

19.—The first of the entertainments known as “Spelling Bees” was given at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich. It was claimed that they “served the twofold purpose of testing the orthographical and philological knowledge of the competitors and of providing amusement for the public.” The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Tillett) presided. The referees were Mr. Carlos Cooper, the Rev. A. C. Copeman, and Mr. A. Master, and their decisions were in accordance with the Imperial, Richardson’s, and Walker’s dictionaries. Mr. T. Richmond Pinder was interrogator. “Spelling Bees” enjoyed for some months the same popularity as their precursors, “Penny Readings,” and every town and village in the county took up the movement, which, however, was very short-lived.

22.—The members of the Yare Preservation Society and the riparian owners of the county adopted a memorial to the Home Secretary, praying for the legislative protection of local sea and inland fisheries. A deputation, which included the members of Parliament for the county and city, approached the Home Secretary upon the subject on February 1st, and received the assurance that “if the Government could see their way they would take the matter up at some future time.” (See February 2nd, 1877.)

29.—Died at his residence, Unthank’s Road, Norwich, Mr. Abel Towler, one of the senior magistrates of the city, aged 83. He was head of the firm of Towler, Allen, and Co. In politics Mr. Towler was “a Liberal of the old school.”

FEBRUARY.

1.—A fire occurred at the works of Messrs. Riches and Watts, agricultural engineers, Duke’s Palace, Norwich. The damage amounted to between £3,000 and £4,000.

12.—Died at his residence, the Depperhaugh, Diss, Admiral Sir John Baldwin Wake Walker, Bart., K.C.B. Born in 1803, he entered the Navy in 1812, and saw much service. In 1847 he was appointed Surveyor to the Navy; in 1861 he assumed command of the Cape of Good Hope station, and attained the rank of Admiral in 1870. He was created a baronet in 1856.

16.—Died at his residence, Drayton Lodge, near Norwich, Mr. James Winter, aged 79. He was the last member but one of the old Corporation, in which he held the important office of Speaker. Mr. Winter remained a member of the new Corporation from its formation in 1835 until a few years before his death.

19.—An outbreak of small-pox was announced to have taken place amongst the prisoners confined in Norwich Castle. There were twelve cases, two of which were serious, but no deaths occurred.

27.—Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. John Harwell, in his 78th year. His mother was a daughter of John Samuel Sedley, of Barford and Morley, a lineal descendant of Sir Charles Sedley, the wit and poet. Mr. Barwell married, in 1824, the eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, proprietor and editor of the “Norwich Mercury.” He succeeded his father in his wine merchant’s business, was for many years an alderman for the Mancroft Ward, and served the office of Sheriff in 1839–40. On the occasion of the marriage of Queen Victoria, he was one of the deputation who presented, on behalf of the city, an address of congratulation to her Majesty and the Prince Consort. Mr. Barwell engaged largely in artistic pursuits, and was an accomplished musician and vocalist. A skilful amateur artist, he painted a portrait of Miss Julia Smith, daughter of Mr. William Smith, M.P., and aunt of Florence Nightingale, which was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, South Kensington, in 1868. He did much to promote art in Norwich, and, in conjunction with Cotman, Crome, and other Norwich artists, established a drawing academy. Many years later he had the satisfaction of seeing his views carried out by the establishment of a Science and Art Department of the Government, and by the opening of Schools of Science and Art in Norwich and most of the principal towns in the kingdom. With the assistance of Mr. Burt, he established the Norwich Cricket Club, and, in co-operation with Bentley, and afterwards with Fuller Pilch, formed the Cricket Ground at Lakenham, which was one of the best in England. Mr. Barwell was a Liberal in principle, but always refrained from taking an active part in local politics.

MARCH.

6.—Mr. Craven Robertson’s “Caste” Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, and produced, for the first time there, Mr. T. W. Robertson’s latest comedy, “Play.”

14.—In the House of Commons, Mr. C. S. Read called attention to the report of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act Committee, 1873, and moved, “That, in the opinion of this House, the general orders and regulations for the stoppage of disease should cease to be varying or permissive, and should be uniform throughout Great Britain and Ireland.” On an assurance from Viscount Sandon that the Government accepted the principle of uniformity, Mr. Read said he would not be justified in asking the House to divide, and withdrew the motion.

15.—The Norwich Election Commissioners issued their report. They found that corrupt practices extensively prevailed in Norwich at the election in March, 1875, and in February, 1874. The number of persons scheduled was as follows: Schedule I., persons guilty of bribery at the election of 1874 or 1875, 72; Schedule II., persons bribed at the election of 1874 or 1875, 31; Schedule III., guilty of personation, 1; Schedule IV., persons guilty of procuring personation, 2. In the House of Commons, on May 29th, the Attorney-General announced that the scheduled voters were to be disfranchised, and the writ for the vacant seat suspended during the then Parliament. At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, on February 26th, 1878, the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty’s Treasury requested payment by the city of £3,943 19s. 2d., the cost of the Commission. This charge was equal to a rate of 5d. in the pound.

APRIL.

1.—Died at Dean Street, Park Lane, London, the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P. He was third son of Horatio, third Earl of Orford, by Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. W. Fawkner, and was born September 18th, 1822. In 1837 he entered the Royal Navy, became Lieutenant in 1845, and retired from the service in 1864, as Commander. He served in the first China War, in India, and in the campaign on the Danube. Mr. Walpole unsuccessfully contested King’s Lynn at the General Election in November, 1865, when Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton and Lord Stanley (afterwards Earl of Derby) were returned. At the General Election in November, 1868, he was elected one of the members for the Northern Division of Norfolk, and at the next General Election was returned unopposed. Mr. Walpole was the author of “Five Years in the Pacific,” “The Ansayrii, or Further East,” and a novel, “May and December.” He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries and of the Geological Society. Mr. Walpole also served in the West Norfolk Militia, of which he was Major, and shortly before his death received the honorary rank of Lieut.-Colonel. He married, on February 12th, 1852, his cousin, Laura Sophia Frances, only daughter of Mr. Francis Walpole, by whom he left issue two sons and a daughter. Amy Rachael, who married the Hon. Henry Charles Manners Sutton, eldest son of Viscount Canterbury. One of the last acts of Mr. Walpole’s Parliamentary career was the introduction of the Bill for the protection of the crab and lobster fisheries on the Norfolk coast.

3.—A serious disturbance took place at Hethersett, on the occasion of the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechases. A large number of roughs from Norwich had planned the robbery of the tills of the person who had received the gate-money and had charge of the refreshment department. An effort was made to unhorse Hickman, Mr. Angerstein’s huntsman, who was engaged in keeping the course, and in the mêlée which ensued an officer of the Carabiniers brought up at the trot a mounted detachment on duty at the races, and speedily quelled the disturbance.

5.—The Norwich Town Council, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, decided to proceed with the work of widening London Street, from the Market Place to Castle Street, at a cost not exceeding £22,000, and appointed a committee to negotiate with owners of property and to inquire into the best mode of carrying out the improvement. The subject was discussed in detail at various meetings during the year. (See April 7th, 1877.)

10.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Baron Cleasby, Henry Webster, aged 61, a labourer, was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Sarah Webster, aged 53, at Cranworth, on September 17th, 1875. Sentence of death was passed, and the culprit was executed at Norwich Castle on May 1st. Marwood was the executioner.

17.—Mr. Charles Durand’s Grand English Opera Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in Rossini’s comic opera, “Cinderella, or the Fairy of the Glass Slipper.” Miss Florence St. John was a member of the company.

18.—At an early hour in the morning the emigrant ship Humboldt, of Hamburgh, 729 tons register, bound from Hamburgh to the Brazils, with 349 emigrants on board, ran ashore on Winterton beach. With the assistance of tugs the vessel was got off and taken to Yarmouth Roads for repair. The master, Henrisch Detlof Busch, had lost his bearings, and believed himself to be off the coast of France!

20.—The first Starr-Bowkett Building Society was established at Norwich, by Mr. Starr, one of the originators of the system.

—The nomination of candidates for the election in the Northern Division of the county, consequent upon the death of the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P., took place at Aylsham. The candidates were Lieut.-Colonel James Duff, of Westwick House, and Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., of Warlies, Waltham Abbey. The polling, which took place on the 21st, resulted as follows: Duff, 2,302; Buxton, 2,192. Colonel Duff, during the election campaign, was confined to his house by sickness.

29.—A meeting of gentlemen interested in the field sports of the county was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, to consider the advisability of accepting the offer made by Mr. Angerstein, namely, that he would give to the county his pack of staghounds and deer, on condition that the county subscribed a sufficient sum “to hunt them in a proper manner.” The meeting agreed to take over the hounds if adequate funds were forthcoming.

MAY.

15.—Mdlle. Beatrice’s Comedy-Drama Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The repertory included “The School for Scandal,” “Mary Stuart,” “Frou-frou,” “Nos Intimes,” “The Ticket-of-Leave Man,” “John Jasper’s Wife,” and “East Lynne.”

18.—Died at his residence, Theatre Street, Norwich, in his 82nd year, Mr. William Butcher, a well-known land surveyor and auctioneer. He was a native of Brooke, and entered the office of Mr. Robert Corby, of Kirstead, a land surveyor, who had one of the largest practices in the district, if not in the kingdom. Mr. Butcher had unusual opportunities of acquiring a practical knowledge of the business at the time when enclosures of commons in Norfolk and Suffolk were being carried out, for Mr. Corby was the surveyor employed. For nearly sixty years he carried on a most lucrative practice, which was not confined to local limits, but extended throughout the kingdom, from the remotest parts of Scotland to the Land’s End. Mr. Butcher served one term as an alderman of the city, and was Sheriff of Norwich in 1870–71.

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated in Norwich by an entertainment given to the inmates of the Workhouse by the Sheriff (Mr. Stevenson). It was stated that the Easter Monday and Whit Monday holidays provided by the Bank Holidays Act had affected the public observance of the day, and Volunteer reviews, sham fights, and civic feasts were no longer held to commemorate the occasion.

27.*—“The early closing of our shops on Thursdays in the summer months seems now to be the universal custom in Norwich, with the solitary exception of the chemists and druggists.” (See March 26th, 1879.)

—*“Some days since some men at work on Feltwell Fen found a quantity of Roman silver coins, many of them distinctly bearing the names of Hadrian, Antoninus, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Divas Antoninus, Vespasian, &c. They were contained in a vessel which was broken to pieces by the plough which turned it up.”

31.—The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new building in Little Orford Street, of the Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society, was performed by the President, Mr. F. E. Watson. The building, which was designed by Mr. Edward Boardman, architect, and erected by Mr. G. E. Hawes, was formally opened on December 6th.

JUNE.

14.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Swaffham. Sir William ffolkes, High Sheriff of Norfolk, presided at the luncheon.

15.—Died at his residence, South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Vice-Admiral Thomas Lewis Gooch, aged 69, youngest son of Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch, Bart., of Benacre Hall. Born at Bramfield, he joined the Royal Naval College in 1820, and entering the Navy, obtained Lieutenant’s rank in 1828. He was appointed to the command of H.M.S. Kite, went to the West Coast of Africa, and brought home the survivors of the first ill-fated Niger Expedition. In 1865 he attained the rank of retired Rear-Admiral, and became Vice-Admiral in 1871. In 1828 he married Anne, eldest daughter of General the Hon. William Gardner, Lieutenant-Governor of Malta.

18.—Father Ignatius announced that he would commence an eight days’ mission at the Monastery, Elm Hill, Norwich. Miss Ware, a lady residing at Claydon, to whom, it was stated, the property belonged, was communicated with, and she instructed her solicitors to take the necessary steps for the ejectment of Ignatius. Mr. J. Clabburn, of Norwich, as agent to the solicitors, went to the Monastery, accompanied by three process-servers, and forcibly removed Ignatius and a brother monk as they were in the act of celebrating mass. On the 20th Ignatius summoned Mr. Clabburn and his men for assault, and, after a prolonged hearing at the Police Court, the magistrates dismissed the case. Meanwhile Ignatius held his services in the large room at the Bell Hotel, in the yard of the Rampant Horse Hotel, and at St. Andrew’s Hall.

27.—Died at Ambleside, Miss Harriet Martineau, who was born in Norwich on June 13th, 1802. “Although she was not a great she was a most industrious writer, and thoroughly in earnest in whatever she undertook.”

28.—The new organ erected at East Dereham church by Messrs. Hill and Son, of London, at a cost of between £700 and £800, was opened by Dr. E. T. Chipp, organist of Ely Cathedral.

30.—Died at Catton House, Norwich, Mr. Robert Chamberlin, aged 74. He thrice served the office of Mayor—in 1854–5, 1856–7, and 1871–2, and was Sheriff in 1848–9. Mr. Chamberlin was a magistrate for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and for the city of Norwich, and was a Deputy-Lieutenant of the first-named county.

JULY.

1.—The 3rd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Duff, M.P., went into camp at Hunstanton Park, and were officially inspected on the 6th by Colonel Harenc, commanding the 31st Brigade Depôt at Yarmouth.

2.—Two troops of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) marched from Norwich, en route to York; the headquarters left on the 8th.

19.—Died, Mr. Wace Lockett Mendham, Town Clerk of Norwich. He was in his 66th year, and was appointed to the office on the death of Mr. J. R. Staff, in 1855. A Liberal in politics, “previous to his appointment he might have been a warm partisan, but in his office of Town Clerk he most carefully concealed his political feelings, and acted with strict impartiality.” Mr. Mendham married Miss Tillett, a sister of Mr. J. H. Tillett. He was succeeded as Town Clerk by Mr. Henry Blake Miller.

21.—The Norwich Central Conservative Club was formally constituted at a meeting of the party, held at the Bell Hotel.

22.—Died at Cardiff, aged 38, Mr. Henry Powel Smith, fourth son of Mr. George Smith, formerly manager of the Norwich Theatrical Circuit.

24.—In pursuance of a writ from the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice, the Sheriff of Norwich, by his Under-Sheriff (Mr. F. Fox), empanelled a jury at the Royal Hotel to inquire what lands and tenements, and their yearly value, were possessed by James Frederick Neale, of St. Andrew’s Hall Plain, grocer, and what goods and chattels any person had in trust for him, as he was truly indebted to the Crown in the sum of £801 10s., “which sum was in danger of being lost unless some method more speedy than the ordinary course of procedure at law be had.” These proceedings constituted another phase of the notorious Creak case. The jury found that Mr. Neale possessed property to the amount of £855, including £300 book debts, £505 stock-in-trade, and £50 paid on a life insurance policy, besides freehold property of the value of £16 a year. The jury thought they were not bound to find what was Mr. Neale’s indebtedness to the Crown, or what was the yearly value of the property he held belonging to the late Margaret Creak.

29.—The 1st Dragoons (Royal)—five troops with headquarters—arrived at Norwich, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Graham.

AUGUST.

11.—A fire, involving damage to the amount of about £10,000, occurred at Messrs. Boulton and Paul’s Ironworks, Rose Lane, Norwich.

12.—Died at his residence, Unthank’s Road, Norwich, Mr. Josiah Fletcher, aged 70. He was born at Henley-on-Thames, and in 1822 was apprenticed to Mr. Simon Wilkin, printer, &c., of the Haymarket, Norwich, with whom, on the completion of his term, he entered into partnership. Mr. Fletcher, in 1834, succeeded to the business, which was subsequently removed to the Market Place, and was there carried on by him until 1871, when, in consequence of his failing health, he retired, and was succeeded by his only son, who erected the extensive premises at Davey Place Steps. “Mr. Fletcher may be said to have been the originator of the ‘Norfolk News,’ of which journal he was for some time the editor and chief manager.”

18.—Died at Ingoldisthorpe Hall, in his 88th year, Captain John Davy, R.N. He entered the Navy in 1803, was midshipman of the Barfleur in Sir Robert Calder’s action in 1805, saw much gunboat service in 1807 and 1808 in the Faro off Messina, and was present at the reduction of the islands of Ischia and Procida.

29.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was decided to purchase the Oxford Hotel for a sum not exceeding £2,000, for the purpose of converting it into municipal offices. A special meeting was held on September 19th, at which it was reported that immediately after the decision of the Council a Norwich solicitor had offered £2,250 for the building. Mr. J. D. Smith, on behalf of the Corporation, offered £2,275, at which price it became city property. Considerable indignation was expressed at the action of the solicitor in question, which, it was pointed out, involved an increase in the rates of one farthing in the pound.

SEPTEMBER.

1.—Mr. and Mrs. German Reed appeared at Norwich Theatre, and were assisted in their entertainment by Mr. Corney Grain, Miss Fanny Holland, and Mr. A. E. Bishop.

4.—Madame Blanche Cole’s Crystal Palace Opera Company began a six nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre.

6.—In compliance with a requisition signed by persons of both political parties, the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. J. H. Tillett) convened a Common Hall, “for the purpose of giving expression to the views entertained by the requisitionists on the atrocities committed in Bulgaria.” The Mayor presided, and the Lord Bishop and many other leading citizens were present. Resolutions were adopted expressing indignation and horror at the atrocities perpetrated by troops in the service of the Turkish Government. Meetings of a similar character were held in many of the towns and villages of the county, sermons were preached in churches and chapels, and relief funds organized.

9.—Mr. R. T. Gurdon was presented with his portrait (painted by Mr. Sidley, of London), in recognition of his political services to the county. The presentation was made by Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., at the Liberal Club, Norwich.

10.—Swaffham church was re-opened for public worship. It had undergone extensive restoration, under the superintendence of Mr. W. O. Milne, architect, of London.

11.—Mr. H. Loraine and Miss Edith Kingsley opened Norwich Theatre for a short season with a performance of “Othello.” Among the other plays produced were “The Gamester,” “Hamlet,” and “Richelieu.”

12.—An explosion occurred on board the Alexandra steamer, which had been chartered for the conveyance of the workpeople of Pockthorpe Brewery, Norwich, on a river excursion. A case of fireworks placed in the bar exploded, and filled the cabin with fumes by which many of the party were seriously affected. Four deaths resulted. At the subsequent inquest, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed their strong opinion “that in future no fireworks or combustibles be taken on board steamers without being declared as such and placed under proper charge.”

13.—A disastrous gas explosion occurred at the church of St. John Maddermarket, Norwich. The Rev. H. L. Rumsey and several members of the choir were at practice when an escape of gas was noticed. Mr. Rumsey, with a lighted taper in his hand, was in the act of turning off the gas at one of the standards when a brilliant flame shot across the north side of the nave, followed by a terrible explosion, which completely wrecked the interior of the church. The choir escaped without injury, but Mr. Rumsey was hurled a distance of several yards, and severely shaken and bruised. The damage was estimated at £1,000.

19.—A skating rink, built at the cost of £9,000, including fittings, &c., was opened at St. Giles’ Street, Norwich. It was 103 feet in length, 55 feet in width, with promenade gallery, smoking rooms, &c. An outer rink, abutting upon Bethel Street, covered an area of 80 feet by 40 feet. For some months roller skating proved a very popular amusement, and weekly returns were published of the number of persons who visited the establishment. This popularity was, however, of short duration, for on May 26th, 1877, it was announced: “The passion for rinking having fallen to zero, the managers have introduced additional attractions in the shape of a couple of clever bicyclists and a troupe of performing dogs.” A theatrical licence was subsequently obtained, and the rink was opened, on September 10th, 1877, as “The Vaudeville Theatre of Varieties,” under the management of Mr. Hugh J. Didcott, with Mr. B. Isaacson as musical director. The originator of the skating rink was Mr. Warner Wright, a local solicitor.

24.—A brilliant meteor “fell about half-past six o’clock directly over the planet Saturn, which was then shining in a cloudless sky.” It was observed throughout the Eastern and Southern Counties, and upon the Continent.

25.—Messrs. H. M. Pitt and H. Hamilton’s Company commenced a three weeks’ dramatic season at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The pieces produced included “False Shame,” “Partners for Life,” “Old Sailors,” “Two Roses,” “Forgiven,” “Queen Mab,” “Still Waters Run Deep,” “New Men and Old Acres,” “Money,” “London Assurance,” &c. In the company were Miss Fanny Addison, Miss Alma Murray, Miss Dora Santon, Mr. and Mrs. George Canninge, Mr. John Burton, Mr. J. Watkins, Mr. Sidney Weatherilt, Mr. Edward Fowler, Mr. E. D. Ward, Mr. A. Walters, and Mr. Barry. Mr. H. Cecil Beryl (Mr. W. H. Sparrow, of Norwich) was the acting manager.

27.—Died at Great Yarmouth, Commander Horatio Nelson Atkinson, “named after his god-father, the hero of Trafalgar.” He was the eldest son of Thomas Atkinson, master attendant on Nelson’s flagships, and entered the Navy in January, 1817. When mate of the Seringapatam, in 1825, he received three severe gunshot wounds. He attained the rank of Lieutenant on November 27th, 1827, and served from February 23rd, 1831, until July, 1834, in the Alfred on the Mediterranean station, where he witnessed the establishment of King Otho on the throne of Greece, and was presented, when off Alexandria, with a sword by Mehemet Ali. From March 31st, 1836, until his retirement he was employed in the Coastguard, owing to his inability to procure further occupation afloat. Commander Atkinson was in his 74th year.

OCTOBER.

14.—A new County Cricket Club was formed at a meeting held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich. Lord Suffield was elected president.

30.—The Boileau drinking-fountain, erected at the junction of the Newmarket and Ipswich Roads, Norwich, was inaugurated. Sir John Boileau, Bart., had bequeathed the sum of £1,000 to defray the cost of the work, which was designed by Mr. T. Jeckyll, St. George’s Terrace, Queen’s Gate, London. The statuary was designed and executed in bronze by Mr. J. E. Boehm, the well-known sculptor, and the structure was built by Mr. Hubbard, of East Dereham. Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., performed the ceremony of asking the city to accept the fountain, and was thanked by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Tillett), in the name of the citizens.

30.—Norwich Theatre was opened for the winter season by Mrs. W. Sidney, with an excellent production of Dion Boucicault’s Irish drama, “The Shaughraun.”

NOVEMBER.

9.—Mr. Richard Coller was elected Mayor, and Mr. William Cadge appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

13.—The Prince of Wales arrived at Morton Hall, on a visit to Lord Walsingham.

20.—The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Norwich, with the object of furthering an important scheme promoted by the governing body of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for enlarging the institution. Their Royal Highnesses, who travelled by special train from Wolferton, were received at Thorpe Station by the Mayor, Sheriff, and Deputy-Mayor, and presented with an illuminated address, after which they drove to St. Andrew’s Hall, where a distinguished audience had assembled, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county. The High Sheriff (Sir William ffolkes, Bart.) moved, “That the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital fully deserves the confidence and support of the county of Norfolk and city of Norwich, on account of its services, extended over a hundred years, to the sick and suffering poor.” The Lord Bishop seconded the motion, which was adopted. His Royal Highness then moved, “That it is desirable, both for the accommodation of the patients and the improvement of the sanitary condition of the Hospital, that the proposed alterations and additions be carried out, and that for this purpose an application be made to the county and city to raise the sum of £35,000 for a building and sustentation fund.” Votes of thanks were accorded to their Royal Highnesses for attending the meeting, and to Lord Leicester for presiding. Lord Leicester, who had previously offered to subscribe £5,000, on condition that the remaining £30,000 of the £35,000 required were raised within a stipulated time, now announced that he would give £13,000 to be invested for the future sustentation of the Hospital. At the conclusion of the proceedings the Prince and Princess were entertained at luncheon at the Bishop’s Palace, where a distinguished company had been invited to meet them; and in the afternoon his Royal Highness attended a Masonic gathering at the Drill Hall, and installed Lord Suffield as Provincial Grand Master. Later their Royal Highnesses proceeded by rail to Gunton, to spend a few days with Lord and Lady Suffield; and in the evening a concert was given at St. Andrew’s Hall, at which Madame Albani was the principal performer. (See February 3rd, 1877.)

—A man named William Nelson was severely injured in St. Peter Mancroft Church Alley, by the explosion of a gaspipe charged with gunpowder. He was removed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he died on the following day. At the Coroner’s inquest, on the 22nd, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against some person or persons unknown. A reward was offered by the Mayor for the discovery of the perpetrator of the outrage, but no information was forthcoming.

DECEMBER.

18.—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester, who, on the 21st, gave a grand ball in honour of the event.

23.—Died at Norwich, Mr. William Cooke Stafford, aged 83. Mr. Stafford was one of the oldest journalists in the kingdom. After a visit to America, he commenced his professional career in London, in 1818, as a contributor to the “Anti-Jacobean Review,” the “White Dwarf,” &c., for which he wrote leading articles. He afterwards became editor of the “Leeds Intelligencer,” and proceeded to York to edit the “Yorkshire Gazette.” Leaving York, he established the “Doncaster Chronicle,” and had subsequent engagements on the “Hull Packet” and the Norfolk Chronicle. His later years were spent in London, where he did a considerable amount of literary work as “publisher’s editor,” by writing a history of the Crimean War, and part of “The World as It Is,” for Mr. Peter Jackson. Mr. Stafford also re-edited Hume and Smollett’s History, and did much work of a similar character.

26.—The pantomime of “Beauty and the Beast, or Harlequin Prince Azor and the Good Fairy of the Wedding Ring,” produced under the direction of Mrs. Sidney, at Norwich Theatre, was one of the best and most successful pieces of the kind in the annals of the house. Stoodley and Harmston’s Circus and Edmunds’ Menagerie were exhibited on Castle Meadow; and Madame Rose Hersée, supported by an excellent concert party, appeared before a meagre audience at Noverre’s Rooms.

27.—Died at the Grove, Chapel Field Road, Norwich, Mr. Joshua Swann, aged 71. He was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Willett, Nephew, and Co., and an alderman of the city. Mr. Swann’s literary and scientific tastes rendered him a valued and most active member of the committees of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum and Literary Institution, and he was a warm supporter of the School of Art and the East Anglian Art Society, formed shortly before his death. He left a collection rich in portraits of local celebrities and etchings by Norwich artists.

30.—Died at Catton, Mr. George Gedge, aged 78. For many years Mr. Gedge carried on an extensive business as a dyer, by which he realised a fortune. He was a Conservative in politics, and long served the city as a member of the Town Council and of the old Court of Guardians. He directed his attention especially to the advocacy of a system of national rating, in the furtherance of which he spent both time and money. It was to Mr. Gedge’s enterprise that the city was indebted for the first visit of Jenny Lind, the precursor of so much benefit to local charitable institutions, and of the founding of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children.

1877.

JANUARY.

1.—A deputation of the clergy and tenantry on the Royal estate waited upon the Prince of Wales at Sandringham, and presented him with a silver casket and an address, congratulating his Royal Highness upon his safe return from India.

4.—Castleacre church was re-opened for public worship after its restoration, at the cost of about £3,000, almost entirely subscribed by the parishioners. The chancel was renovated through the munificence of the Earl of Leicester, lord of the manor, and holder of the impropriate tithes.

—Died at Ashwicken Rectory, the Rev. John Freeman, aged 61. He was the author of a life of Kirby, the entomologist, published in 1852.

5.—The trial of a petition filed by Mr. J. D. Smith against the return of Mr. Philip Back and Mr. Josiah Harrison Ladyman, as members for the Fourth Ward, at the Norwich Municipal Election, in November, 1876, commenced in the Sessions Court at the Guildhall, before Mr. Thomas William Saunders, barrister, and Recorder of Bath, the Commissioner appointed for the purpose. This was the first municipal inquiry of the kind that had been held in the city, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings. The petitioner, who alleged bribery, treating, and other corrupt practices, was represented by Mr. Merewether, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. Blofeld; and the respondents by Mr. Grantham, M.P., and the Hon. John de Grey. The inquiry lasted eight days, and on the 13th the Commissioner delivered judgment, declaring the respondents to be duly elected. The scene which ensued in the court was one of the wildest enthusiasm, which was increased by the announcement that costs followed the event. In the evening the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, and a band paraded the streets of the city.

18.—The first annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Bicycle Club was held at the Grapes Hotel, Norwich. The first road race of the club took place on April 30th. Six competitors entered for the run, which was from the Grapes Hotel by way of Unthank’s Road to Wymondham, Wicklewood, &c., and thence to Carleton Forehoe, through Colney and Earlham, to the top of Belvoir Street, Earlham Road—distance about 24 miles. The winner was J. Campling; F. D. Wheeler second. The club uniform consisted of “a cloth helmet with a metallic monogram in front, a smart dark gray tunic, and knickerbockers.” The first sports organized by the club were held, by permission of the Corporation, in Chapel Field, on October 18th.

19.—Died at Bracondale, Miss Fanny Anne Martineau, only daughter of Mr. Philip M. Martineau, aged 64. She was a cousin of Harriet Martineau, the authoress, and, like other members of the family, possessed intellectual gifts of a high order.

—Died at Nice, Lord George William Loftus, third son of John, second Marquis of Ely, by Maria, daughter of Sir H. W. Dashwood, Bart. He was born in May, 1813, and in June, 1846, married Martha, eldest daughter of Mr. J. Fuller, of Norwich.

27.—A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. R. Coller), at which it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. C. S. Read, seconded by Mr. George Forrester, “That it is desirable to hold a Christmas show for the county of Norfolk and city of Norwich, of fat stock and other produce of the farm and garden.” A second meeting was held on February 10th, when the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show Association was established, with the Prince of Wales as patron. The first show commenced on Thursday, November 22nd, and closed on Saturday, the 24th. The general exhibits were displayed in the Volunteer Drill Hall, and the live stock shown in an annexe erected in Chapel Field.

30.—A severe gale occurred at Yarmouth. The sea rose to a great height, broke over the Marine Parade, and did considerable damage, and many houses on the North Quay were flooded. Several fishing vessels were lost in the storm. The Lords of the Admiralty sent the Valorous and Seamew, Government vessels, in search of the missing boats, but they returned to the Roads on February 24th and 25th, and reported that no intelligence had been gained. Of the Yarmouth, men alone 112 perished, leaving 46 widows, 11 aged parents, and 101 children. A fund was raised for their relief, and £5,255 collected, including £2,715 from the Mansion House.

FEBRUARY.

2.—A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor, for the purpose of considering a Bill proposed to be introduced in Parliament for the preservation of fish in the rivers Wensum, Yare, and Waveney. Mr. Frank Buckland and Mr. Spencer Walpole, inspectors of fisheries, attended the meeting, and resolutions were adopted in favour of legislation. The Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Bill passed the Select Committee of the House of Commons on May 8th, and was reported to the House, and before the end of the year became law.

3.—Died at her residence, High Street, Lowestoft, Dame Pleasance Smith, widow of Sir James Edward Smith, of Norwich, formerly president of the Linnæan Society. This venerable lady, who was 103 years of age, had received from Queen Victoria a copy of “Our Life in the Highlands,” containing the inscription, in her Majesty’s own handwriting, “To Lady Smith, on her one hundredth birthday, from her friend, Victoria R., May 11th, 1873.”

—The Earl of Leicester presided at a meeting held at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, “for the purpose of turning to the best account the large sum of money offered to the Hospital by the public.” It was stated that £24,000 had been subscribed, and that £35,000 was the maximum sum required. The Sheriff (Mr. Cadge) moved, “That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient that a new hospital should be erected, in lieu of any plan for improving the old building.” Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., seconded the motion, which was adopted. (See June 17th, 1879.)

5.—Mr. C. J. Palmer, author of “The Perlustration of Great Yarmouth,” was presented with a silver epergne and gold watch by the inhabitants of the borough, in recognition of his labours in antiquarian work and literature.

9.—Died at Norwich, aged 59, Mr. James Frederick Hill, for twenty-five years chorus master of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival.

15.—A resolution having been passed by the owners and ratepayers, declaring the expediency of the parish of East Dereham being constituted a local government district, Mr. Arnold Taylor, the inspector appointed for the purpose, held an inquiry at the Assembly Rooms, and received evidence on the subject. The first Local Improvement Board was elected on August 1st.

19.—At Norwich Theatre, Mr. W. H. Pennington, “the celebrated tragic actor, one of the Six Hundred, formerly of the 11th Hussars, and one of the few wounded survivors of the world-famed light cavalry charge at Balaclava, on October 25th, 1854,” made his first appearance, in the character of Hamlet, and was supported by Miss Viola Dacre as Ophelia. On subsequent evenings Mr. Pennington appeared as Macbeth, Richard the Third, &c., and on the 23rd recited, in the uniform of his old regiment, “The Charge of the Light Brigade.”

MARCH.

5.—Died at Great Yarmouth, Major-General Francis Montague Ommanney, R.A., aged 50 years. He was the youngest son of Mr. E. S. Ommanney, formerly of Yarmouth, by Henrietta, daughter of Sir Edmund Lacon, Bart. With the Royal Artillery he served in the West Indies, and saw much service in the Indian Mutiny, when he commanded a siege train under Sir Hugh Rose, afterwards Lord Strathnairn. He married Harriet Ellen, youngest daughter of Mr. John Mortlock Lacon.

6.—Died at Scratby, Benjamin Daniels, “the last of the giants of East Anglia.” His age was 54; height, 6 ft. 6 in.; weight, 24 stones; width, from shoulder to shoulder across the back, 24 inches. He possessed great strength, and frequently loaded has own waggon by carrying four bushels of wheat under both arms at one time. “When in great haste to have his farm work done, the horses being much engaged, he has harnessed himself to one of his harrows and cultivated the land.” Daniels was buried at Ormesby St. Margaret, on March 12th.

10.—An unprecedented incident occurred in the ring at Messrs. Stoodley and Harmston’s Circus, at Norwich, during the performance of “Dick Turpin’s Ride to York.” After the “ride,” which results in the death of Black Bess, the mare is removed from the scene on hurdles. On this occasion, when the grooms, at the conclusion of the performance, attempted to raise the animal, it was found that life was really extinct—Black Bess had sustained an internal rupture in leaping the “turnpike” gate. The animal was the property of a French-woman named Gaertner, and, as a trick horse, was valued at several hundred pounds.

15.—The Norfolk Staghounds had an extraordinary run. The meet was at Hempnall House, and fifty horsemen were present. The stag ran to Shelton and Alburgh, and then made to the right for Redenhall, through Stanton, Pulham St. Mary, and Pulham Market, crossing the turnpike by Carpenter’s Walk, on through Wacton and Moulton, to Tivetshall station, where the first check of two minutes occurred—time, 1 hour 3 minutes; distance, 14 miles. The hounds again upon the line, went through Gissing to Dickleburgh, Burston, and Diss, made for the right to Shelfanger, when another slight check occurred. The field by this time had dwindled down to twelve. On again through Winfarthing to Kenninghall, to the left to Bridgham and East Harling, and back to Kenninghall, where the deer was recaptured and placed in a stable belonging to Messrs. Murton and Turner. The distance was supposed to be 45 miles, and the run occupied 3 hours 5 minutes. “Among those who rode straightest to the end of this wonderful run were Hickman, the huntsman, who went like a bird, and handled his horse well; Mr. E. Fellowes, Mr. T. N. Ward, Mr. James Limmer, Mr. Cross, and two officers of the Royal Dragoons, from Norwich.”

23.—A petition having been sent to the Local Government Board by the Corporation of Norwich, asking them to issue a provisional order confirming an improvement scheme made under the Artisans’ and Labourers’ Dwellings Improvement Act, 1875, with reference to an area in the parish of St. Paul which had been declared by the Medical-Officer of Health as unhealthy and unfit for habitation, Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby Cox, R.E., one of the inspectors of the Local Government Board, held an inquiry at the Guildhall, for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of the official representation. The inspector commended the scheme, and stated that it was of a most satisfactory character.

24.—Captain Tyler, inspector of railways, made an official inspection of the newly-constructed railway between Gunton and Cromer, and consented to its being opened for traffic on the 26th.

—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Baron Bramwell, Ann Farrow, a widow living at Nordelph, brought an action against John Robert Childs, stonemason, of Norwich, to recover damages for breach of promise of marriage. After a trial which lasted two days, and in which the plaintiff made some remarkable allegations, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

APRIL.

5.—A new organ, erected at Swaffham church, by Messrs. Bishop and Son, of London, was opened.

7.—At the adjourned Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder (Mr. W. J. Metcalfe, Q.C.), a special jury was empanelled to assess the value of certain property in London Street, which the Corporation proposed to take under the compulsory provisions of their Act of Parliament for the purpose of widening the thoroughfare. At a meeting of the Town Council on May 8th, it was agreed that the owners be offered sums amounting to £9,818.

9.—Lieut.-Colonel Bignold was elected president of the Norwich Central Conservative Club, a position which conferred upon him the leadership of the Conservative party in Norwich.

9.—The Norwich Corporation farms at Whitlingham and Kirby Bedon having entailed a loss to the city of £4,000 in five years, the Town Council accepted the tender of Mr. Garrett Taylor, of Easton, to hire them at the annual rent of £1,710.

12.—At a meeting held at the King’s Arms Hotel, North Walsham, nearly £300 was subscribed to start a pack of harriers in North Norfolk, and an offer by Lord Suffield to keep the pack in his kennels at Gunton was unanimously accepted.

13.—Mr. Samuel Brandram, M.A., gave a dramatic recital at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, in aid of the building fund of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. It was the first appearance in Norwich of this accomplished elocutionist, who was regarded as the legitimate successor of the great Bellew.

18.—The 5th Royal Irish Lancers, commanded by Colonel Dunham Massy, of Redan fame, marched into Norwich from Aldershot, to relieve the 1st Dragoons (Royal).

30.—At Norwich Theatre, H. J. Byron’s comedy, “Our Boys,” was presented for the first time by Mr. Duck’s company. The part of Perkyn Middlewick was played by Mr. F. Marshall.

—Died at Norwich, aged 36, Mr. Robert Edward Gibson, surgeon. He was the son of a solicitor, a former Mayor of Plymouth, and a nephew of Mr. C. M. Gibson, his predecessor in the office of medical superintendent of the Norwich Bethel. For some years he was surgeon to the Jenny Lind Infirmary, and held the appointments of surgeon to the City Police, the Post Office staff, and the Workhouse. Mr. Gibson married a daughter of Mr. I. O. Taylor.

MAY.

19.—Died at his residence at Catton, Mr. Osborn Springfield, in his 65th year. He was a son of Mr. T. O. Springfield, and served the office of Mayor of Norwich in 1863–4. For many years he was a member of the Town Council and a magistrate for the city, and was reputed to be one of the largest owners of cottage property in Norwich. Mr. Springfield was a Liberal in politics.

26.—The Norwich Town Council accepted the resignation of Mr. C. Thwaites, City Engineer, on his appointment to a similar post in the borough of Sunderland. Mr. Peter Paul Marshall, of Stone, near Dartford, was elected to fill the vacancy.

JUNE.

7.—A grand military tournament, the first of its kind in Norwich, was given on the Lakenham Cricket Ground by the officers and men of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, in aid of a fund for the widow and orphans of Mr. A. Frayling, late bandmaster of the regiment.

14.—The veteran actor, Mr. Charles Mathews, commenced a three nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Adonis Evergreen, in the comedy of “My Awful Dad.”

20.—The two days’ show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened in the grounds of Walcot Hall, Diss. Sir Edward C. Kerrison, Bart., presided at the luncheon.

24.—Died at 12, Queensbury Place, London, Sir John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton, third Viscount Canterbury and Baron Bottesford. His lordship was the younger and only surviving son of the first Viscount Canterbury, better known as Sir Charles Manners Sutton, for seventeen years Speaker of the House of Commons. Educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge, he sat in Parliament in 1839–40 as member for Cambridge. He was again elected in 1841, on his appointment as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department under Sir Robert Peel’s second Administration. From 1854 to 1861 he was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and from 1864 to 1866 Governor of Trinidad. In the latter year he was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Victoria. On his lordship’s return to England in 1873, he resided chiefly on his estate in Norfolk. He married, July 5th, 1838, Georgiana, youngest daughter of Mr. Charles Tompson, of Witchingham Hall, by whom he had, with other issue, the Hon. Henry Charles Manners Sutton, who married Amyée Rachael, only daughter of the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P.

JULY.

5.—Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., gave evidence before the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to consider what further legislation might be necessary for the repression of cattle disease, and for the regulation of the importation of foreign cattle. Mr. Read insisted upon the necessity of slaughtering foreign fat beasts at the port of debarkation, and of a period of quarantine for store stock, which he would only allow to be landed at certain ports.

7.—At the Norwich Police Court, John L’Estrange, of Union Place, “the well-known archæological authority, who has published one or two highly important and valuable works on the archæology of Norfolk,” was charged with forging the name of Francis Gostling Foster, distributor of stamps, with intent to defraud, and with stealing stamps to the amount of £1,400. The prisoner had been in the office for twenty years, and had charge of the stamp department. He was committed for trial on the 13th, and at the ensuing Assizes, on August 4th, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced by Sir James Fitzjames Stephen to seven years’ penal servitude. L’Estrange died in Millbank Prison, from fistula, on October 15th.

14.—The Norfolk team won the China Cup at the Wimbledon meeting. Exceedingly good shooting was made by Norfolk Volunteers, and upwards of £150 was brought to the county.

21.—Died at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, the Rev. John Nathaniel Micklethwait, of Taverham, aged 65. He was the eldest surviving son of Mr. Nathaniel Micklethwait, who was High Sheriff in 1810. In 1849 he married Emily Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Mills, of Hillingdon Court, Middlesex, and succeeded to the family estates on the death of his brother, in July, 1856. Mr. Micklethwait had no family, and was succeeded by his next brother, Henry Nathaniel, born in 1814. He was a warm supporter of the Conservative party, took a great interest in agriculture, and, in his later years, turned his attention to the breeding of shorthorns, of which he had formed a fine herd.

21.—Died at Portman Square, London, Mr. William Earle Lytton Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, the chief representative of the old Norman family of Bulwer, which has held a leading position in Norfolk since the time of the Conquest. Mr. Bulwer was born April 29th, 1799, and was the eldest son of General William Earle Bulwer, who married Elizabeth, daughter and sole heiress of Mr. Richard Warburton Lytton, of Knebworth Park, Herts., and whose other sons were the celebrated novelist and statesman, Lord Lytton, and the well-known diplomatist, Baron Dalling and Bulwer. Mr. Bulwer succeeded to the estates of his father in 1807, and married, in 1827, Emily, youngest daughter of General Gascoyne, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. He married subsequently, in 1841, Elizabeth, daughter of William Green, of Forty Hill, Enfield. He was succeeded by his eldest son, William Earle Gascoyne Lytton, formerly of the Scots Fusilier Guards, who married, in 1855, Marion Dering, daughter and heiress of Mr. W. Lee Warner, of Quebec House, East Dereham. Mr. Bulwer was a Liberal in politics, and took a leading part in all political movements in North Norfolk, where he was popular as a landlord, and had considerable influence.

—The 3rd and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Colonel Duff, M.P., and Lieut.-Colonel Gurdon, went into camp at Yarmouth, and on the 26th were inspected by Colonel Harenc.

25.—The two principal stones of the nave of St. James’ church, Yarmouth, were laid by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Steward). The sum of £2,300 had been collected for the erection of the nave. The architect was Mr. J. P. Seddon, and the contractor Mr. W. E. Martin, of Hereford. The work was completed at the cost of about £3,250, and the new building was opened on May 1st, 1878, when the sermon was preached by Dean Goulburn.

AUGUST.

7.—The first section of the Yarmouth and Stalham Railway—the portion extending from the first-mentioned town to Ormesby—was inspected by Major-General Hutchinson, R.E., and the first train was run on the 8th. (See July 15th, 1878.)

20.—The Norwich Rifle Volunteers were, for the first time, officially inspected in their new scarlet uniform. The inspecting officer was Colonel Harenc.

21.—By the death, on this date, at Duntrune, Forfarshire, of Miss Clementine Stirling Grahame, in her 96th year, Mr. J. Edmund Lacon, of Yarmouth, succeeded to the estate of Duntrune, and to the relics and papers of the great Viscount Dundee.

22.—The first stone of the Hunstanton Convalescent Home was laid by the Countess of Leicester. The building was erected as a memorial of the convalescence of the Prince of Wales.

24.—Died at Denton Rectory, near Harleston, the Ven. William Arundell Bouverie, B.D., Hon. Canon of Norwich, and formerly Archdeacon of Norfolk, in his 80th year. He was appointed to the living of Denton in 1839, accepted the archdeaconry in 1850, and resigned it in 1869, in consequence of ill-health.

SEPTEMBER.

17.—Died, Mr. William Cooper, barrister, and Recorder of Ipswich. He was the eldest son of Mr. W. Cooper, barrister, of Norwich, and brother of Mr. Carlos Cooper. Called to the Bar in 1831, he practised in Norwich and on the Norfolk circuit for some years, but ultimately settled in London, and devoted his attention to the Central Criminal Court, where he enjoyed a large practice. He was the author of several dramatic pieces, the principal of which, “Mokanna, or the Veiled Prophet of Khorassan,” a play in blank verse, was produced at Norwich Theatre, with great success, on April 21st, 1843. Mr. Cooper was succeeded in the Recordership of Ipswich by Mr. Thomas Calthorpe Blofeld.

22.—Norwich Theatre was re-opened for the winter season, under the management of Mr. G. H. Chaplin. The house had undergone partial and much-needed cleansing and decoration.

24.—The newly-formed Diocesan Bell Ringers’ Association held its first annual meeting in Norwich. The society was established by the Rev. G. H. Harris, Mr. Gervas Holmes, and other gentlemen interested in bells and bell ringing.

OCTOBER.

16.—A remarkable case of fraud was tried at the Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder (Mr. J. W. Metcalfe, Q.C.). The prisoner, one William Dowman, was charged with defrauding accident insurance companies. He insured under various names with different companies, and by a peculiar formation of his joints was enabled to assume the appearance of having been injured. By this means he obtained medical certificates, and made successful claims upon the offices. He was sentenced to fifteen calendar months’ imprisonment.

25.—The sale of the Taverham Hall herd of pure-bred shorthorns and whole-coloured Jerseys was conducted by Mr. John Thornton. The total amount realised was £3,041 1s. 6d.

NOVEMBER.

1.—The restored chancel and newly-erected organ of Diss church were opened. The instrument was built by Messrs. J. Rayson and Sons, of Ipswich, at the cost of £360.

—At Ipswich Assizes (where Norfolk prisoners were, on this occasion, tried), before Mr. Justice Hawkins, Henry March (59), blacksmith, was indicted for the wilful murder of Henry Bidewell, blacksmith, and Thomas Moys, shoeing-smith and farmer, at Wymondham, on October 20th. The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on November 20th. Marwood was the executioner.

3.—Died at Camperdown Place, Great Yarmouth, Mr. William Thurtell, in his 83rd year. Mr. Thurtell, who was a staunch supporter of Conservative principles, was appointed a magistrate for the borough in 1846. His father was Mayor of Norwich in 1828.

6.—In the House of Lords, before the Lord Chancellor, Lord Penzance, Lord Blackburn, and Lord Gordon, the action, Read v. Bailey, was heard, on an appeal from a decision by the Lords Justices. On an inspection of the books of the Bank on the failure of the firm of Harveys and Hudsons, in 1870, it was discovered that Sir Robert Harvey had abstracted large sums of money from the coffers of the Bank, and had sought to cover the deficiency by the opening of fictitious accounts, and by crediting forged bills to his private account. In consequence, the trustee under the bankruptcy of the firm preferred a claim against the separate estate of Sir Robert Harvey, amounting to the sum of £600,000, for the moneys so abstracted by Sir Robert Harvey in his lifetime. This claim was, in 1876, supported by a great mass of evidence before the Master of the Rolls, who decided in favour of the claim, and gave the trustee of Harveys and Hudsons the right to rank as a creditor against the private or separate estate of Sir Robert Harvey, in competition with the stockbrokers and other private creditors. The importance of the decision of the Master of the Rolls, as affecting the interests of the stockbrokers, was great. But for this claim of £600,000 they would have received 20s. in the pound on their debts, whereas the allowance of the claim to rank in competition with their debts prevented Sir Robert Harvey’s private estate paying more than 6s. 8d. in the pound. The stockbrokers accordingly appealed to the Lords Justices against the decision of the Master of the Rolls, and their lordships upheld the claim of £600,000, and dismissed the stockbrokers’ appeal, with costs. The stockbrokers now appealed to the House of Lords, who confirmed the judgments of the Lords Justices and the Master of the Rolls, and dismissed the appeal, with costs; in other words, admitting the trustee’s claim for £600,000. (See December 3rd, 1880.)

9.—Mr. Joseph De Carle Smith was elected Mayor, and Mr. Harry Bullard appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.—It was announced that Mr. Francis Edmund Gladstone, Mus. Bac., Cantab., had been appointed organist of Norwich Cathedral, in the room of Dr. Buck, who resigned the appointment in the month of June. Regret was expressed that Dr. Bunnett’s claims for the post should have been “so strangely and perversely ignored.” Much adverse feeling was manifested, and on November 28th a complimentary concert was given to Dr. Bunnett, under the patronage of the leading inhabitants of the county and city.

11.—During a heavy gale at Yarmouth, six vessels were driven ashore, and many other shipping casualties were reported.

21.—A meeting of the promoters of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway was held at Fakenham, and the necessary steps taken in furtherance of the scheme. (See May 21st, 1880.)

24.—Died, suddenly, at Norwich, in his 65th year, Mr. Thomas Jarrold, the last survivor of the three brothers who comprised the well-known firm of Jarrold and Sons. Mr. Jarrold took especial interest in the education of the poor, in acknowledgment of which his friends, shortly before his death, presented him with his portrait.

26.—The new Middle Level Sluice, at Wiggenhall St. Mary, near King’s Lynn, was opened by Mr. E. Fellowes, M.P., chairman of the Middle Level Commission. This sluice replaced the one designed by Mr. J. Walker and constructed by Brogden, of Manchester, at the cost of £30,000, in 1842, which gave way on May 4th, 1862, with the widespread and disastrous consequences known as the Middle Level inundation. After many unsuccessful attempts to construct a dam across the drain, Sir John Hawkshaw, C.E., was called in, and he eventually succeeded in that object, and under his advice sixteen large iron syphons, with the necessary engine and apparatus for exhausting air from them, were constructed upon the dam, so as to secure an outlet of the drainage without admitting sea water from the Ouze. These syphons answered very well for years, but were not equal to the task. The Commissioners went to Parliament in 1874, and obtained powers to raise money to construct a new sluice, from designs by Sir J. Hawkshaw, at an estimated cost of between £50,000 and £60,000, and the work was commenced by the contractor, Mr. Webster, in September, 1874.

DECEMBER.

3.—Died at Hindringham, in his 93rd year, Mr. William Freeman, formerly resident in Norwich. He was appointed Sheriff in 1842, and elected Mayor in 1843.

7.—Mr. Harry Bullard, Sheriff of Norwich, was presented by the clerks and heads of departments at the Anchor Brewery with his portrait, painted in oil by Mr. Ventnor.

19.—Died at Birmingham, in his 79th year, Mr. George Smith, for many years manager of the Norwich Theatrical Circuit. “If unsuccessful in his managerial speculations, he was much esteemed for his kindly disposition, and had in Norwich at one time hosts of friends.”

26.—The pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre, by Mr. G. H. Chaplin, was entitled, “Sinbad the Sailor.” At the Skating Rink, then known as the Vaudeville Theatre, was performed the extravaganza, “Turko the Terrible; or Prince Amabel and the Fairy Roses.” Messrs. Stoodley and Hamilton’s Circus was opened on the Castle Meadow.

1878.

JANUARY.

3.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum at Thorpe made certain recommendations as to the best means of raising the sum of £35,000 for the erection of new buildings and for enlarging the Asylum chapel, as decided upon at a previous sessions. Thirty-five acres of land had been purchased on which to erect the new buildings, which were intended to accommodate 250 additional patients.

5.—Died at Unthank’s Road, Norwich, in his 96th year, Mr. Stephen Wilde, for many years Governor of the City Gaol. “He was paymaster-sergeant and last surviving member of Mr. J. Patteson’s Volunteer Corps raised in the year 1798.”

7.—Died at Starston Rectory, the Ven. Augustus Macdonald Hopper, Archdeacon of Norwich, and thirty-two years rector of Starston, aged 61. He graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, as Senior Optime, and first class in the Classical Tripos in 1839. Subsequently he obtained by competition a Fellowship at St. John’s College, and in 1845 was appointed to his living. After holding the offices of Rural Dean and Proctor for the Diocese in Convocation, Mr. Hopper became Archdeacon of Norwich in 1868. He was succeeded as Archdeacon by the Rev. T. T. Perowne.

8.—Died at Cassell Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, the residence of her son, Mr. Vivian Crome, artist, grandson of Old Crome, Mary Ann Crome, widow of William Henry Crome, aged 75. “She was an amateur pupil of that worthy master, and for many years, while yet Miss Steel, was governess in several Norfolk county families.”

—Died at Middle Market Road, Great Yarmouth, Mrs. Gunn, aged 74. “She was a poet of no inconsiderable merit. Many of her poems have reference to local events, but the greater number are quite imaginative. Mrs. Gunn’s writings were printed and published, and found such acceptance that a further edition was necessary.”

25.—Severe weather prevailed at Yarmouth. Great damage was done to vessels at sea, and several lives were lost.

26.—A special meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Lieut.-Colonel FitzRoy, at which it was decided to hold a spring show of cart horses. The first show took place at Norwich, on March 9th.

FEBRUARY.

2.—A telegram from Shanghai announced the death of Mr. Charles Wyncliffe Goodwin, assistant judge at that place. Mr. Goodwin, who was 60 years of age, was a scholar of considerable eminence, and the author of several learned works, including the article on the “Mosaic Cosmogony,” in “Essays and Reviews.” He was a son of Mr. C. Goodwin, solicitor, of King’s Lynn, and elder brother of the Bishop of Carlisle.

8.—The Lynn Town Council unanimously resolved to take steps to abolish “the annual collection of rubbish and roguery which passes under the title of the Cheese Fair.” The fair, which for many years had been held in King Street, was abolished by an order issued by the Home Secretary in the month of April.

18.—The Amateur Dramatic Club of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers commenced a series of performances at Norwich Theatre, with the production of “Ingomar.” On succeeding evenings, “The Lady of Lyons,” “Black-eyed Susan,” and other pieces were performed. The proceeds were in aid of the new uniform fund of the Norwich Rifle Volunteers, and of the Soldiers’ Monument on Norwich Cemetery.

21.—Interesting experiments were made with the telephone in the counting-house of Messrs. J. and J. Colman, Carrow Works, under the direction of Mr. H. Sack, superintendent of the Great Eastern Railway telegraph department. Telephones were attached to Messrs. Colman’s private wire to London, viâ Ipswich, and to the railway company’s wire viâ Cambridge to Liverpool Street Station, a distance of about 120 miles. “Parties of ladies and gentlemen at both ends were able to converse freely with each other, the words being clearly understood and distinctly heard. This was considered to be a very successful experiment, although it does not appear that at present the telephone can be adapted to public use.”

22.—Died at Heckingham, in her 100th year, Kezia, widow of Richard Haywood.

MARCH.

7.—Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., addressed a meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in furtherance of the Permissive Bill.

9.*—“The rules approved by the Secretary of State for the regulation of prisons in England and Wales under the Act of Parliament (the Prisons Act) passed last year have been issued. From these it appears that upon an order being directed for the discontinuance of Norwich Gaol and Wymondham Bridewell, the prisoners therein will be transferred to the County Gaol, Norwich Castle.” The prisoners were transferred from the Gaol to the Castle in the early part of May.

11.—Mr. H. M. Pitt’s Comedy-Drama Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The company re-appeared at the Theatre on November 25th, for a season of eighteen nights—its farewell visit.

15.—Died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, from cancer on the tongue, Mr. John Joseph Cotman, aged 63. “As an artist he would have rivalled his father, John Sell Cotman, but unhappily his unquestionably great genius was marred by an eccentricity which at times verged on insanity, and ruined a career which should have been one of honour and renown to himself and of profit to his family.”

—Died at Lewes, Sussex, Mr. George P. Bacon, in his 71st year. He was the second son of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, proprietor and editor of the “Norwich Mercury.” In 1843 he became proprietor of the “Sussex Advertiser,” which he conducted in a very spirited manner. Mr. Bacon joined his brother in forming the “Norwich Mercury” Company. He was also well-known as secretary to the Association for the Repeal of the Hop Duty.

16.—A silver inkstand and a purse of 200 gs. were presented to Mr. H. J. Martin, in recognition of his services as honorary secretary of the Norwich Central Conservative Club.

17.—Died at the Cathedral Close, Norwich, Mr. Henry Hansell, proctor, solicitor and notary public, and registrar of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, aged 71. Mr. Hansell was a warm supporter of the local charities, and was for several years honorary secretary of the Jenny Lind Infirmary. His knowledge of ecclesiastical law and of the rules and practices of the courts was most profound. He was succeeded in his registrarship and other appointments by his son, Mr. Thomas William Hansell.

25.—The celebrated Vokes Family commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in “Belles of the Kitchen,” “The Wrong Man in the Right Place,” &c.

28.—The 5th Royal Irish Lancers gave a mounted and dismounted assault-at-arms at the Circus building, Castle Meadow, Norwich, in aid of the local charities and other objects. The performance was repeated on the 30th. The regiment received from the Town Council the thanks of the city for its valuable services.

APRIL.

13.*—“The death is announced of Mr. Thomas Hoseason, of Lynn, at the age of 68. It is said that he was the last representative of one of the famous Dutch families who came over to England with William III., and took a foremost part in the settlement and cultivation of the country of Marshland, so much resembling their native land. The Hoseasons were for many years large landed proprietors, but their estates have changed hands, and the deceased had gradually fallen into a state of utter destitution, and for a long time past had been dependent upon the aid of friends, and lived in a secluded lodging in a back street in the town.”

17.—A public meeting was held at Yarmouth, in opposition to the proposal of the Corporation to erect a new town hall, with courts and public offices, at the cost of £24,000. A resolution condemning the scheme, and asserting that the outlay would be £36,000, and would involve an addition to the rates of 3d. in the pound for the next fifty years, was adopted. The Town Council, on July 15th, approved the plans of Mr. J. B. Pearce, architect, Norwich. (See May 31st, 1882.)

22.—Died at the Wilderness, Bracondale, the Rev. Joseph Crompton, rector of St. Lawrence’, Norwich, in his 65th year. Mr. Crompton began his career in Norwich as a Nonconformist minister, in about 1848. For many years he was minister at the Octagon chapel; but his views underwent such a change that he relinquished the pastorate and established what was known as the Free Christian Church, which assembled at the Dutch church, Elm Hill. After a ministry of several years, Mr. Crompton, whose views had approximated to those of the Broad Church party, began to show strong sympathy with that section of the Establishment. He avowed himself “a Dissenter against his will,” and stated that the Athanasian Creed was the last stumbling-block in his way to joining the Church of England. At his own request the Bishop shortly afterwards admitted him to Holy Orders, and he officiated as curate to the Rev. Charles Morse, both at St. Mary’s and St. Michael-at-Plea. On the Rev. E. A. Hillyard leaving St. Lawrence’, Mr. Crompton was appointed rector of the parish. He took great interest in scientific pursuits, and his name was associated with the Norfolk and Norwich Museum as a lecturer with Professors Lindley and Sedgwick, Thomas Brightwell, and the Rev. R. Lubbock. Mr. Crompton was a zealous supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, of which he was President in the first two years of its existence. In politics he was a decided Liberal. A window erected to his memory by public subscription was unveiled at St. Lawrence’ church by Mr. Harry Bullard, Mayor of Norwich, on November 6th, 1879.

22.—The farcical comedy, “Pink Dominoes,” was produced at Norwich Theatre by a company under the management of Mr. S. Genese. “It is a class of piece which we are sorry to see introduced on the English stage. Originating in France, it had better be kept in an atmosphere for which it may be specially adapted.”

26.—Mr. Frank Buckland and Mr. Spencer Walpole, fishery commissioners, held a public inquiry at Lynn into the use of trawl and seine nets, and into the alleged destruction of the fry and spawn of sea fish. A similar inquiry was held at Yarmouth.

MAY.

9.—At a meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, a branch of the Church of England Temperance Society was established. The Lord Bishop presided, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Canon Ellison, the Rev. Canon Wilberforce, Mr. Cadge, and Dr. Eade.

12.—A fire occurred on premises on the South Denes Road and Exmouth Road, Yarmouth, by which damage was done to the amount of £3,000.

15.—Died at Norwich, Mr. Edward Press, in his 77th year. He was a son of the Rev. Edward Press, B.A., and was born at Barnham Broom. For many years he practised as a solicitor at Hingham, and held several local appointments of a public character. He was, however, more widely known as County Coroner, the duties of which office he discharged with marked ability for fifty years. In politics Mr. Press was a Liberal. He was succeeded as County Coroner by Mr. Robert Thomas Culley, who was elected unopposed on June 6th.

23.—The 5th Royal Irish Lancers’ Christy Minstrel Troupe gave performances at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in aid of the local charities.

JUNE.

1.—Died at his residence, Theatre Square, Norwich, Mr. Frank Noverre, aged 71. Mr. Noverre was descended from a French family long associated with Norwich. His father was one of the original directors of the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, and he was himself for many years a director of the same institution. At one time he was honorary treasurer of the Norwich Choral Society, honorary secretary of the Norwich Philharmonic Society, and a member of the sub-committee of management of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival.

10.—The celebration of the coming of age of Lord Hastings, on April 4th, commenced on this date, at Melton Constable. The festivities lasted five days.

19.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at North Walsham, and was continued on the 20th. Lord Suffield presided at the luncheon.

—At a meeting of the Governors of the Norwich Dispensary, it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. John Gurney, to adopt the provident system in the working of the institution.

24.—Colonel Massy and the officers of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, on the occasion of the departure of the first detachment of the regiment from Norwich, were entertained at a civic luncheon, given at the Guildhall, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Smith). The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens, presented to the officers a massive silver-gilt cup, “in appreciation of the exemplary conduct of the regiment during its stay among them, and in grateful remembrance of the many benefits conferred by it upon the city and its institutions.” The remainder of the regiment marched on the 25th. The Town Council, on July 1st, passed a special resolution, recording its high estimation of the regiment, and ordering the entry in the minutes of the fact that “no complaint has been made nor any collision taken place between the military and the citizens during the time the regiment has been quartered in the city.” The Lancers were relieved by the 21st Hussars, commanded by Colonel Wake.

29.—Died at Constantinople, aged 32, Mr. Robert Pulvertoft Master, Commissioner of the Turkish Compassionate Fund. He was the second son of Mr. Alfred Master, of Norwich, and rendered great services in the cause of humanity during the Russo-Turkish War. Mr. Master was educated at Norwich Grammar School, and, after spending a year in Germany, and a like period in a commercial house in London, proceeded to Ceylon, where he became manager of a coffee estate, and married Amelia, second daughter of Sir Edward Creasy, Chief Justice of the island.

JULY.

4.—Died at Pottergate Street, Norwich, Mr. William Smith, veterinary surgeon, aged 61. Mr. Smith attained to considerable eminence in his profession. During the time of the Cattle Plague, he did good service to the county in his official capacity as inspector to the Central Committee, and at the meeting of the British Association at Norwich read an able paper on the disease, its origin and treatment.

9.—Winterton church was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich. It had been restored at the cost of £3,000.

13.—The 3rd and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Yarmouth, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Duff, M.P., and Lieut.-Colonel Gurdon.

15.—The Hemsby to Martham extension of the Yarmouth and Stalham Railway was opened on this date. Powers having been obtained for carrying the line to North Walsham, it was thereafter known as the North Norfolk Railway. (See June 8th, 1881.)

20.—Died at Norwich, in his 93rd year, Commander Crane, R.N. He was the son of Mr. Edward Crane, Coroner of Norwich, and entered the Royal Navy as midshipman on board the Repulse, in 1798. During the summer of 1805 he accompanied Nelson in his pursuit to the West Indies of the combined French and Spanish fleets. After continuous service he joined the Reynard, 18 guns, as Acting Commander in the advance on Riga, and was the first to bring to the Admiral of the station lying off Carlscrona news of the great defeat of Napoleon at Moscow. He was in May, 1813, while in charge of a prize, driven by a gale into Frederickstadt, in Norway, where he was detained a prisoner for some months. In 1843 he received the rank of commander, and since 1848 had resided in Norwich.

AUGUST.

3.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Justice Thesiger, Mr. W. G. Loftus, of Bracon Lodge, brought an action against the Rev. T. T. Berney, rector of Braconash, for trespass. The defendant claimed the right, as lord of the manor, of shooting over thirty-four acres’ of land around Bracon Lodge. This land was principally garden ground. The plaintiff objected to defendant sporting in his kitchen garden, and wished to put an end to the nuisance. In the course of argument between Mr. Day, Q.C., for the plaintiff, and Sir Patrick Colquhoun, Q.C., for the defendant, reference was made to several “musty deeds” produced by Mr. Berney. The jury found for the plaintiff, damages 40s.

5.—A singular claim to the Stanfield Hall estate was made at the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Justice Thesiger. The action was brought by George Taylor, a railway guard, against Mr. Reginald Gwyn and the Rev. Henry H. H. Lubbock, the owners of the estate, who pleaded that they had a possessory title, and that plaintiff’s title and right of action were barred by the Statute of Limitations. The estate was originally in the possession of William Jermy, of Bayfield, who died in 1752, and plaintiff alleged that, as a lineal descendant of Robert Jermy, who died in 1758, he was heir-at-law. Mr. Bulwer, Q.C., after opening the case for the plaintiff, said he was not justified in occupying the time of the court and putting the parties to further trouble in the matter, when he knew perfectly well that he must be beaten in the end. The jury returned a verdict for the defendants, for whom his lordship gave judgment.

18.—Died at Whitwell Hall, Mr. Robert Leamon, aged 56. Mr. Leamon, who was described as “a good specimen of the old Norfolk yeoman,” broke down the Whig monopoly in East Norfolk, “and became the political godfather of Mr. C. S. Read, for whom he entertained the warmest personal regard.” Mr. Leamon was born in 1822, and inherited from his father a fine property and extensive business. He married, in 1848, a daughter of Mr. John Brooke Gill, of Wood Norton.

22.—Died at Runton, aged 76, Favell Lee, widow of the Rev. Thomas Mortimer. She was the authoress of “The Peep of Day,” and other works of a similar character.