FIRST SERIES, 1830–40. (continued 2)

Nov. 12th.—The following gentlemen had been nominated by the Whig party as the candidates for election to the Reformed Corporation:—Gorleston Ward: William Barth, Thomas Hammond, J. S. Bell, H. Martin, P. Stead, and J. W. Dowson. Nelson Ward: George Danby Palmer, R. Palmer Kemp, S. Robinson, J. Symonds, G. W. Garson, and M. Butcher. St. George’s Ward: C. Sayers, H. V. Worship, Thomas Lettis, William Grave, George Penrice, M.D., and William Barker. Regent Ward: John Brightwen, S. Palmer, S. C. Marsh, C. Davie, B. Dowson, and J. Tomlinson. Market Ward: E. M. Clowes, William Johnson, W. Hammond, S. Cobb, E. Sewell, and B. Cobb. St. Nicholas’ Ward: Thomas Thornton, A. Sewell, Joseph Fiddes, R. Hammond, W. N. Burroughs, and C. E. Doughty. It was reported that the Tories had held “secret meetings” and were prepared to nominate Messrs. S. H. Aldred, J. E. Laws, B. Sherrington, P. Moore, E. H. L. Preston, and — Moore. Messrs. J. G. Plummer, D. Hook, and S. Sherrington had also issued a joint address in the South Ward; R. Ferrier and F. Preston had offered themselves for the St. George’s and St. Andrew’s Wards, and R. Wall for the South Ward.

Nov. 26th.—It is recorded that in the month ending October, then last, there entered “inwards” at the Custom House of this port 306 vessels, the tonnage of which amounted to 24,933 tons, and with cargoes “outwards” 120 vessels, of a tonnage of 8,560 tons. The “Old Spring,” a ship of nearly 400 tons (belonging to George Danby Palmer, Esq.), had arrived from Archangel with timber, and came up to the Quay without unlading any part of her cargo.

Dec. 10th.—The retiring Aldermen (except Mr. Barth) were entertained by their Tory friends previous to their quitting office.

Dec. 20th.—About 120 gentlemen retaliated upon this course by giving a dinner to Mr. Barth, S. Cobb, Esq., in the chair. S. Palmer, H. Worship, Thos. Hammond, George Danby Palmer, R. Palmer Kemp, H. V. Worship, C. Bell, Thomas Green, Esqs., Capt. Jeffries, and Messrs. Burroughs, W. J. Mason, B. Cobb, Grave, R. Hammond, T. Lettis, and S. Robinson took part in this entertainment.

1836.

Jan. 2nd.—The following is the account of the first election of Town Councillors under the Municipal Reform Act:—

“The election of Town Councillors took place here on Saturday last. The polling commenced at nine o’clock in the morning, and finished at four in the afternoon. The return was published on Monday by the Mayor, as follows:—

NORTH WARD.

Richard Hammond 108

William N. Burroughs 99

Abraham Sewell 94

Charles George Doughty 91

Benjamin Sherrington 90

E. H. L. Preston 89

MARKET WARD.

Simon Cobb 135

William Johnson 134

William Hammond 131

Benjamin Cobb 129

Edward N. Clowes 128

Edward Sewell 124

REGENT WARD.

John Brightwen 98

Samuel Palmer 98

S. C. Marsh 98

Joseph Tomlinson 98

C. Davie 97

Benjamin Dowson 95

ST. GEORGE’S WARD.

C. Sayers 91

W. Grave 91

George Penrice, M.D. 91

W. Barber 91

H. V. Worship 90

Thomas Lettis 89

SOUTH WARD.

G. D. Palmer 147

R. P. Kemp 137

George Garson 127

M. Butcher 124

John Symonds 122

Samuel Robinson 118

GORLESTON AND SOUTHTOWN, OR ST. ANDREW’S WARD.

J. S. Bell 115

Thomas Hammond 111

J. W. Dowson 105

William Barth 101

Hezekiah Martin 91

P. Stead 87

It is a matter of great congratulation that 34 out of the 36 Councillors are Reformers. This election was conducted with tranquility. Devoutly it is to be wished that parliamentary elections were managed in the same way. The laborious portion of our population had no inducement held out to them to lose a single hour. It is a little curious that Mr. William Prentice—that very Mr. Prentice who made so conspicuous a figure in our election parliamentary investigation, proved one of the most formidable antagonists with whom the Liberal candidates in the town had to contend.”

Jan. 7th.—The first meeting of the Reformed Corporation is reported as follows:—

“The Town Council met on Thursday last at the Tolhouse Hall, John Brightwen, Esq., in the chair, (Isaac Preston, Esq., having, we understand, ceased to exercise the functions of Mayor since his publication of the Council List), for the purpose of choosing twelve Aldermen. The choice fell on the following gentlemen:—Messrs. J. Brightwen, Benjamin Dowson, Robert Teasdel, Joseph Starling, J. B. Palmer, R. S. Lonsdale, Thomas Pitt, Captain William Larke, R.N., Benjamin Fenn, Robert Wall, Christopher Nicholls, and Captain James Jefferies. On the following day the Aldermen and Council met at the same place for the election of a Mayor and for other public business. Mr. E. H. L. Preston proposed Mr. Richard Hammond. Mr. H. thanked Mr. P. for the proposition, and said that he should still more thank his friends if they voted against him. William Barth, Esq., was then chosen Mayor, amidst loud cheering. Mr. B. was then, together with the Aldermen, sworn in. The Court was then thrown open to the public, when the front and side galleries were instantly filled by a very respectable concourse of persons, the body of the hall being appropriated to the Council. Several gentlemen were named for Magistrates to be recommended to the Crown. Accounts were ordered touching the property (and profits arising from such property) held by the late Corporation, together with accounts of the official persons employed, their salaries, &c., for the last five years. J. Tolver, Esq., was then chosen, during pleasure, as Town Clerk.”

“Our Conservatives had dined together on Thursday to celebrate the anniversary of the return of Messrs. Baring and Praed. They have been obliged to put themselves on a level with the Reformers, and be content with three shilling tickets instead of fifteen. The dinner took place at the Angel Inn, J. E. Lacon, Esq., in the chair.”

Jan. 14th contains the following report:—

“There was an unusual quantity of business transacted at the Corporation Assembly on Wednesday last. It was first proposed that a petition should be addressed to the King, praying for four Sessions of Oyer and Terminer a year. It was suggested that the Recorder should be allowed £60 a year. To this Mr. E. L. Preston objected, who moved that it should be £50. To this it was replied that the latter sum was allowed by the late Corporation when Sessions were only held twice a year. The original motion was carried unanimously, Mr. E. Sewell observing that Mr. P’s was a false economy. It was next moved by Mr. S. Cobb that the Great Seal should be called that of the Town Council, and not of St. Nicholas. He had no objection to all remaining as it was except the expensive name of St. Nicholas. This was warmly opposed by Mr. Preston. It was, however, carried unanimously. Mr. Richard Hammond read a list of persons to form the Committee of Finance. To this plan Mr. Preston warmly objected, saying he had no notion of names being got up “ready cut and dried.” It was stated in answer that the list (to which no objection was then made) was agreed to at the Watch Committee, of which Mr. P. formed one, and which he might have attended if he pleased. Mr. B. Sherrington (of the same politics as Mr. P.) was on the Committee, and was present. The Finance Committee agreed to were, the Mayor (who is appointed ex-officio on all Committees), Messrs. S. Cobb, R. S. Lonsdale, Charles Nicholls, B. Dowson, Martin, G. D. Palmer, C. Sayers, W. Johnson, and Burroughs. On the Mayor explaining the duties of the Borough Lands Committee, it was suggested and agreed to, that the tradesmen employed solely by this Committee should be only for small jobs. This being a most important business, it was determined that all the Council should form the Committee. On the Water-Bailiffs and Met Farm Office Committee, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. S. Cobb, that it be called “Committee of Port Dues”; the officer “Collector of Port Dues.” The Committee appointed were Messrs. W. Barber, G. D. Palmer, T. Pitt, R. Teasdel, Martin, J. B. Palmer, Thomas Hammond, Fenn, Butcher, and Dowson. Market and Corporation Tolls’ Committee: Messrs. Johnson, Brightwen, S. Cobb, Sayers, Nicholls, Sherrington, R. Hammond, S. Palmer, Symonds, J. B. Palmer, and Martin. Committee for Caister Causeway: Messrs. R. P. Kemp, S. Palmer, Nicholls, Fenn, Tomlinson, R. Hammond, and Sayers. Church Trustees: Messrs. Larke, Kemp, Burroughs, J. Dowson, Starling, B. Cobb, S. Palmer, E. N. Clowes, Marsh, Tomlinson, Garson, Grave, Butcher, Barber, Robinson, Preston, Martin, Symonds, Sherrington, and G. D. Palmer. All the outstanding drawbacks arc to be referred to the Port Dues Committee. The ringers’ bill, £12 10s. for five days’ ringing, was disallowed. Admiralty Court: R. Cory, jun., returned that he had in five years received as registrar £1,483 16s. 8d., and claimed as compensation £200 per year for his natural life. Proctors: C. J. Palmer claimed £1,036 7s., C. Sayers £1,196 5s. 6d., I. Preston £692, E. R. Palmer £497. Thomas King, gaoler, petitioned for continuance of place, stated emoluments, and asked £13 7s. 4½d. compensation, as Marshall of the Court of Admiralty. Mrs. King, as matron, received £10 per year, and prayed to be continued. Alfred King, turnkey, received 14s. per. week, and prayed for continuance. The five sergeants-at-mace sent a return of their emoluments for five years, and petitioned for their continuance. B. Welsh, chapel clerk, made about £47 per year, and prayed for continuance. The Rev. Thomas Baker, as lecturer, received £120 per year. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew received from the late Corporation £40 per year and a house, for which he pays 1s. per year rent. John Seaman, parish clerk, receives no salary, but averages about £80 per annum. The Revs. J. Homfray and Mark Waters declined the statement of their proceeds, as they conceived the returns did not apply to them as Ministers of a Chapel endowed by Act of Parliament. They begged their refusal might not be considered as arising from discourtesy. Their communication was rejected. These returns were referred to a Committee of the Mayor’s assistants.”

Jan. 21st.—The Earl of Orford had been removed from his office of High Steward and the Earl of Lichfield elected in his place.

The following gentlemen were suggested as Magistrates:—William Barth, Esq., Sir George Parker, K.C.B., George Danby Palmer, H. V. Worship, J. Brightwen, C. Nicholls, R. Palmer Kemp, S. Cobb, and S. Palmer, Esqs., and Capt. Larke, R.N., by the Council.

Sixteen new watch and policemen, and two superintendents had been appointed.

The Mayor and Town Council had attended service at St. Nicholas’ Church, “The Mayor with no other insignia of office than the chain and the sword carried by an officer.”

Feb. 4th.—The Tories had held a dinner in the Theatre in honour of Messrs. Baring and Praed. Seven hundred persons attended.

Feb. 18th.—Has the following report of a high tide:—

“The scene of devastation on our beach, occasioned by the late high tides, exceed the powers of description. Wednesday morning, in some measure, prepared us for the event; the sea was at that time breaking over the jetty, and reached as high as the houses. It was prophesied by nautical men that if the next tide was equally high the consequences would be most disastrous, and, unfortunately, it so proved. The sea in the evening undermined the foundations of most of the dwellings, throwing down the walls of many, to the great injury of those of the inmates who had not taken the precautions to remove their property. Furniture was seen floating in all directions, in the presence of the astonished and alarmed multitude. The summer residence of the Right Hon. Lord Berners is more than half destroyed, while the house of the Misses Ansell and the Right Hon. Lord Nevill were surrounded; in fact, such a scene of general devastation never in the memory of the oldest inhabitant presented itself. The sea at one time reached some way up the Jetty Road. While a person was assisting the landlord of the Holkham Tavern to remove his beds, &c., to a back warehouse, the sea burst in and broke down the front wall. At one part of the South Denes the sea and river might be seen meeting. Part of the South Quay was flooded. It was unusually high at the bridge, and likewise some of the lower parts of the town. Amidst this wide spreading destruction, we are glad to say, no lives were lost.”

Feb. 22nd.—The Lord High Steward (the Earl of Lichfield) had been sworn in, and a dinner given in his honour. The noble lord was accompanied by the Mayor, Lord Suffield, the Hon. George Anson, Mr. Rumbold, Sir W. Ffolkes, and Mr. Adair.

March 10th.—A meeting had been held, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew presiding, to consider the establishment of a penny library for the working classes.

March 24th.—A bet had been made by Mr. Ringer, of the Elephant and Castle liquor shop in the Market Place, “that on Monday he would sell 1,000 glasses of ale and porter from six o’clock in the morning and close the same night. Mr. R. closed at 10, after selling 2,454, at one penny per glass.”

Mr. F. Preston had launched a fine ship of 370 tons from his yard.

April 2nd.—Mr. Edward H. L. Preston and Mr. Green had been tried and acquitted upon charges of bribery alleged to have been committed by them at the General Election, when Messrs. Baring and Praed were returned for the borough.

April 7th.—A poll had taken place for two Haven and Pier Commissioners, as follows:—

George Danby Palmer 375

William Barth 375

Sir E. Lacon 207

Samuel Paget 168

and Messrs. Palmer and Barth were consequently elected.

April 14th contains the following paragraph as to the recent bribery prosecution:—

“Yesterday there was a grand public dinner at the Angel Inn, to celebrate what the Tories call ‘the defeat of the Attorney-General and the Yarmouth Radicals;’ but what we should say was a fortunate escape of the accused parties, arising from the glorious uncertainty of the law. John Lacon, Esq., was in the chair. Richard Ferrier, Esq., presided at the left hand table. The two vice-presidents were Mr. Aldred and Mr. John Clarke. A very handsome silver teapot and ewer were presented to Mr. William Green, by John Penrice, Esq., in an appropriate speech, for his exertions at the last election. We were not present, but had these particulars from a Tory friend, who also said ‘he thought ’twas hard poor Prentice hadn’t something, as he did as much as Green, and more too.’ There were about 70 persons present.”

Twenty gentlemen, all of Reform principles, had been elected select Vestrymen.

Five hundred merchants and others had attended a public meeting to protest against the proposal of the Eastern Counties’ Railway Company to construct a line to Harwich.

April 28th.—The seamen had “struck” for an increase of wages.

Several persons had been fined for keeping disorderly houses.

Seven vessels had been cleared with emigrants for America, carrying 850 adults and 600 children, and several other vessels were fitting out for the same voyage.

May 5th.—The town was suffering from a number of dogs prowling about, one of which had severely bitten a young lady.

May 19th.—Mr. William Ferrier had been elected Coroner by the Council, which body had voted, by a majority of one, to retain the Market Cross.

June 9th—Mr. Jefferies Barth had been elected Clerk of the Peace.

June 17th.—Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., had been appointed Recorder.

June 23rd.—A fine new schooner (The Clipper) had been launched for William Hurry Palmer, Esq., and was expected to be the fastest sailing vessel out of the port.

June 30th.—The Cross was ordered to be pulled down.

July 14th.—It was stated that “Yarmouth is very full of strangers, who flock here from all parts of the country to enjoy the cool sea breezes. We believe there is not any other place that affords so excellent a view of shipping in motion as Yarmouth Roads, it being the great thoroughfare for all vessels trading to the North. The Bath Room is one of the principal attractions to visitors, as it is a most agreeable lounge during the heat of the day, and frequent undress balls enliven the youthful part of the company. The Bath Room has been well attended this year, and we are happy to say the list of subscribers gives promise of a good season.”

The destruction of the Cross is thus noticed:—

“On Friday last the Market Cross was sold by public tender for £55 6s., and on Monday morning workmen commenced pulling it down. It has now entirely disappeared, to the gratification of the residents in the Market Place, to whom it had long been a great annoyance, in consequence of its having become a rendezvous for idle and dissolute persons. The Tories lament the loss of it, and call the Corporation destructives for having removed a public nuisance! We know not what claim it had upon their sympathies, except in being a fit emblem of the late Body Corporate, for like that it perhaps was of service at some bygone period of time, but having long ceased to be useful, it had fallen to abuse and rottenness, and to complete the resemblance it has, after some struggles, been swept away by the current of public opinion.”

August 9th.—The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew had been presented with plate of the value of £100 by the parishioners.

August 25th.—The Races had been held, the Stewards being the Earl of Orford, Lord Henniker, and T. Baring, Esq., M.P. About 160 ladies and gentlemen attended the Race Ball, and 2,000 persons patronized the Vauxhall Gardens.

Sept. 1st.—The Regatta had been held, and the Theatre had been well filled on the Stewards’ bespeak, when an attempt to get up a cry of “Baring and Rumbold” proved a failure.

Sept. 22nd.—172 persons holding Corporation leaseholds had intimated their desire to purchase the freehold of their properties, at prices amounting to £6,911.

Oct. 6th.—The price of herrings was £23 to £24 per last.

Oct. 13th.—The compensation awarded to the Town Clerk for loss of his offices of Magistrates’ Clerk and Clerk of the Peace had been settled at £222 per annum.

Nov. 3rd.—The result of the Municipal Election is reported as follows:—

“Our Municipal Election took place on Tuesday last. The contest in the St. Nicholas’ Ward was a severe one. It was neck and neck between Mr. Nuthall and E. H. L. Preston all day. At length the election was carried by a worthy, who, after promising constantly to vote for Nuthall and Sherrington, was suddenly not to be found; but about five minutes before the close of the poll he was brought out of the Saracen’s Head, a low public-house, in a state of intoxication, his voting paper having been changed or altered to Preston and Fiddes. This decided the thing in Mr. Preston’s favour, as before that time the numbers for him and Mr. Nuthall were 102 each. Such a mode of gaining an election is quite in keeping with Tory practices, and needs no comment. The validity of the election is, however, disputed on the grounds of a bad vote on the Tory side, and an informality in the appointment of an Alderman to preside in the absence of the Aldermen of the Ward. The following is a list of Councillors returned:—St. Nicholas’ Ward: Mr. Sherrington and Mr. Preston. Market: Mr. E. N. Clowes and Mr. Sewell. Regent: Mr. Cufaude Davie and Mr. John Fish. St. George’s: Mr. Worship and Mr. Lettis. Nelson: Mr. Robinson and Mr. Symonds. St. Andrew’s: Mr. Martin and Mr. Frederick Preston.”

Nov. 10th.—A dinner, attended by 200 gentlemen, had been given to William Barth, Esq. (the Mayor.)

Nov. 24th.—The old Bridge had been sold in one lot for £96.

Dec. 22nd.—Mr. F. Preston had launched a beautiful brig called the “Catherine,” of 212 tons register.

Dec. 29th.—Heavy weather prevailed, with so much snow that the coaches were obliged to cease running.

1837.

Jan. 5th.—The “Isis,” of this port, and a sloop belonging to Wells, had been towed off the beach into the harbour.

Jan. 12th.—Eleven vessels still remained on the beach, and the jetty had been damaged by the Henry, of North Shields, having run into it.

Improvements were being effected at the Bath Rooms.

A floating-light was to be placed at St. Nicholas’ Gat.

Jan. 19th.—The increase in the Customs for the year ended 5th January, 1837, was £7,000.

Feb. 2nd.—The Town debt was stated to have been left by the late Corporation at £11,000, with 19s. 6d. in hand to meet that demand.

Feb. 16th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of moving for the abolition of Church Rates.

Feb. 23rd.—Mr. Kay, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, had been down with a view to bringing the Town under the Poor Law Amendment Act.

March 23rd.—The “Export Merchants” had given a dinner to their friends at the Star Hotel, when George Danby Palmer, Esq., presided.

March 30th.—At the Vestry meeting the parishioners claimed and exercised the right of electing both Churchwardens.

April 6th.—The nomination for the first Board of Guardians (N. Palmer, Esq., acting as Returning Officer) had been sent in. The following gentlemen were elected:—Messrs. John Brightwen, H. V. Worship, S. V. Moore, S. Miller, jun., E. N. Clowes, W. Chambers, J. Fish, G. Harley, S. Cobb, R. P. Kemp, S. Palmer, and W. Grave.

April 20th.—The following officers were elected by the Board:—R. P. Kemp, Chairman; S. Cobb, Vice-Chairman; J. L. Cufaude, Clerk; D. Turner, Treasurer; B. L. Love, Auditor; Harry Worship and Joseph Bayly, Registrars; Charles Bell and Henry Palmer, Joint Superintendent Registrars; and — Kemp, Governor of the Workhouse.

May 4th.—The Guardians had fixed the site for the new Workhouse on the North Denes.

May 11th.—Mr. Harry Worship and Mr. J. Bayly had been elected parish surgeons.

May 18th.—Mackerel were selling at £2 14s. per hundred.

May 25th.—The inhabitants had voted an address to the Princess Victoria.

June 22nd.—The paper appears in mourning for the King. It contained a notice that “The proclamation of Her Majesty the Queen was to be made to-morrow” (i.e., on 21st June.)

June 29th.—Mr. Baring had given £25 to the Methodist Chapel.

The Queen had been proclaimed by the Mayor “in front of the Hall” and at other places in the town.

Kerrison Kerrison, Esq., son of M. Kerrison, Esq., of Ranworth, had been drowned while bathing from the beach.

July 13th.—S. Palmer, Esq., had called a meeting at his own house to consider the question of selecting candidates for the representation of the Borough, when Mr. Rumbold and Mr. Wiltshire were introduced to the electors.

July 29th.—The election is reported, when Mr. Baring was proposed and seconded by Messrs. Ambrose Palmer and Richard Ferrier; Mr. Rumbold by Sir George Parker and Mr. Brightwen; Mr. Gambier by Mr. J. Penrice and Mr. J. E. Lacon; and Mr. Wilshere by Mr. Robert Palmer Kemp and Mr. B. U. Dowson.

The poll closed—

Rumbold 790

Wilshere 779

Baring 699

Gambier 685

August 24th.—The Races had been held, Mr. Wilshere, M.P., staying with Mr. S. Palmer, while Mr. Rumbold, M.P., was at the Mayor’s house.

Sept. 7th.—First meeting of the “Reform” Magistrates for the purpose of granting licences; present—The Mayor, Dr. Penrice, G. Danby Palmer, S. Cobb, Charles Nicholls, and William Hammond, Esqs., and “the first step taken towards breaking up the monopoly which had hitherto been enjoyed by brewers and spirit merchants.”

Sept. 14th.—The “Foxhound” (Captain Betts), belonging to G. Danby Palmer, Esq., had sailed with 1,250 barrels of herrings for Venice.

The schooner “Wilshere” had been launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard for Messrs. Barker and Stone, who entertained their friends on the occasion at the Star Hotel.

Sept. 21st.—£21 had been voted for pulling down the Pudding Gates.

Sept. 28th.—The Lord Bishop had held a confirmation, and received an address from the Corporation at the Guild Hall.

Oct. 5th.—The Reformers claimed a gain of 56 at the Revision Court.

The “Parroch Hall,” a fine ship of 450 tons, had been launched from Mr. I. Preston’s yard.

Oct. 26th.—Joseph Bonaparte, ex-King of Spain, had visited the town.

The “Tantivy,” schooner had been launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.

Nov. 2nd.—The Liberal candidates had been re-elected in all the Wards without opposition.

Nov. 9th.—Dr. Penrice was elected Mayor, after a ballot, by 20 votes, as against 14 votes given for Mr. S. Cobb; Samuel Jay, Esq., was elected an Alderman in the place of Mr. Wall.

Nov. 23rd.—Mr. Joseph Fiddes, James N. Sherrington, and James Raven had been elected Commissioners of the Borough Court of Requests.

The “Harlequin,” 350 tons burthen, had been launched from Mr. L Preston’s yard.

Dec. 7th.—The Tories had petitioned against the return of the sitting members, but had suggested a compromise, which had been “rejected with the ridicule it deserved.”

Mr. Joseph Bayly had been elected a Councillor for St. George’s Ward.

Dec. 21st.—Mr. William Danby Palmer had been elected a Councillor for St. Andrew’s Ward, in the place of Mr. Dowson, deceased.

Dee. 28th.—A Temperance sermon had been preached by the Rev. T. Clowes from i. Cor., viii., 8, 13.

The weather had been remarkably mild, warmer than it was often in May and June.

1838.

April 19th.—Winter had come again, and the frost had blocked up several pumps. The nights were extremely dark, and great complaints had been made by inhabitants of the total absence of lights in the streets.

Coaches had been engaged to take up the Tory witnesses for the hearing of the election petition, while the Whigs were going to London by the “Ailsa Craig” steam packet.

April 26th.—The following Committee had been struck for the hearing of such petition:—The Hon. E. Grimshaw, Charles Rushout, H. Thomas, E. Baker, W. C. Brodie, J. C. Holmes, and J. Bailey (Tories), and J. E. Vivian, R. W. Hunt Lord M. Hill, and the Hon. George Byng (Whigs).

May 3rd.—This Committee had come to the resolution—That C. E. Rumbold and W. Wilshere, Esqs., are duly elected, but that the petition was not frivolous or vexatious.

May 10th.—This decision appears to have been the result of an arrangement made by a few gentlemen of the Whig and Tory parties, that one of the members (it is believed Mr. Wilshere) would accept the Chiltern Hundreds at the end of the present Session of Parliament. It was believed in that event Mr. Baring would be opposed. It is stated that “of late our members have not reposed on a bed of roses.”

May 17th.—The schooner “Stamboul” had been launched from Messrs. A. Palmer and Son’s yard.

May 24th.—A suggestion appears to found a Dispensary in Yarmouth and that the Council fund should be applied towards this end. This fund then consisted of £2,500, and was formed by the contributions of each Alderman of £10 and each Common Councilman £5 on his election.

May 31st.—The “Pantaloon,” a fine, large, round-sterned brig of 180 tons, had been launched by her owners, Messrs. A. and G. Steward; and the “Victoria,” 350 tons, by Mr. J. Preston.

A meeting had been held at the Town Hall to consider the propriety of establishing a small Hospital for Great Yarmouth and the East and West Fleggs and Mutford and Lothingland Hundreds. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew presided, and amongst those present were all the resident clergy and medical gentlemen of the town, with Messrs. G. D. Palmer, Brightwen, W. Steward, B. Dowson, Worship, &c.

June 7th and 14th.—Col. Thompson had been suggested as a candidate for the Borough, and Mr. Northhouse had addressed a meeting on his behalf. Mr. George Steward was taking an active part in this affair.

June 21st.—Suggestions were being made for the celebration of the Queen’s Coronation.

Messrs. Henry Emms and William Simms had been appointed Relieving Officers.

The donations for the proposed Hospital were £200 and the annual subscriptions £280.

June 28th.—This issue contains the following account of how, after a futile effort had been made by the Vicar, which appears not to have been a success, H.M. Coronation was celebrated. At an “adjourned meeting of the subscribers to the fund for celebrating her Majesty’s Coronation, by giving a dinner to the poor children of the town on that day, held at the New Hall, on Thursday evening last, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew in the chair, those gentlemen who had undertaken to collect subscriptions reported that they had scarcely any further funds to add to those already collected. Under these circumstances the chairman submitted to the meeting that the proposed plan of feasting the children was a failure from the want of funds. Considerable discussion then ensued as to the propriety of taking steps towards celebrating the Coronation day in any other way, upon which there were many conflicting opinions. At length Mr. Samuel Palmer, after recapitulating all that had been done, and regretting that up to that time nothing had been realized, moved—‘That a subscription be now entered into, to provide such amusements for the poor of the town on the day of the Coronation as may seem fit to the subscribers, and that a committee be appointed to carry the same into effect.’ Mr. Samuel Barber moved, as an amendment, ‘that all the poor of the town be regaled with roast beef and plum pudding’; but it appearing to the meeting that as money enough could not be raised to regale the children, it would be impossible to raise a sufficient sum to feast all the poor. The amendment was negatived, and Mr. Palmer’s motion was unanimously carried. The Chairman then left the chair, and Mr. George Danby Palmer was called on to preside, when thanks were voted to the late Chairman; a spirited subscription was begun in the room; a committee was appointed to carry Mr. Palmer’s motion into effect, and the meeting separated.”

“Since that time the gentlemen composing the committee have collected money to the amount of about £200, and a bill of fare has been issued sports and entertainments to take place on the South Denes, amongst which are horse, pony, and donkey races, jumping in sacks, climbing matches, and running after pigs with soaped tails. There will also be sailing matches on the river. A dinner will take place in a marquee erected on the ground, the Mayor in the chair. A stand and several booths have also been built for the accommodation of the public. The amusements will conclude with a superb display of fireworks, under the direction of an artist from London.”

July 7th contains the following record of the result of such action:—

The festivities and sports which were to have taken place on Thursday last in honour of the Coronation were interrupted by a heavy fall of rain, which commenced at the hour fixed for the fun to begin, and continued nearly, ‘sans’ intermission, until night. This untoward state of the elements prevented any very great assembly of multitude taking place; nevertheless there were some two or three thousand determined holiday-makers congregated on the South Denes, and the horse and pony races came off in spite of the unfavourable state of the weather. The race for hacks was well contested and won by Highflyer, beating Whiscumsnivet, the Ambassador, and Sir William. The pony race was also a good one; we could not learn the name of the winner. Four boats started for the silver cup—value £7—viz., the Coriander (Balls), Leviathian (Preston), Louisa (Fiddis), and Neptune (Green). The wind was light at starting, and towards the end of the match there was so little as scarcely to fill the sails; the Coriander won by about half a length. The remainder of the sports were postponed until Friday afternoon. At four o’clock upwards of 100 gentlemen sat down to dinner in a marquee erected on the Denes, the Mayor (Dr. Penrice) in the chair. After dinner the health of the Queen was drunk with long, loud, and hearty cheers, and the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given; several excellent songs were sung, and about half-past ten the company returned to the town preceded by a band of music. The children at the various charity schools and the inmates of the Fishermen’s Hospital were handsomely entertained. The Temperance people had a tea meeting, and all, as far as the weather would permit, appeared to enjoy themselves in their own way.

On Friday afternoon, at three o’clock, the sports were re-commenced, the weather being most propitious and the sun shining with surpassing brilliancy. Yarmouth poured out thousands upon thousands of its working population, and great numbers of all classes were present to witness the fun and partake of the amusement of the day. The performances, if so they may be called, took place on a stage immediately opposite the stand, which was filled with spectators, under the superintendence and direction of a gentleman, to whose good humoured exertions too much praise cannot be given, and who was ably assisted by others in providing and bringing out such entertainments for the humbler classes as seemed best adapted to their taste and habits. First came two chimney sweeps in full costume; they dived in a tub of meal for pieces of money, which they picked out with their mouths. Numberless sneezings and many collisions of sooty heads, now, however, converted into floury nobs, took place during this match, to the great merriment of the assembled crowds; at length the money was all abstracted, and the performers, well washed, made their bows and retired from the stage. Next came bobbing for oranges in tubs of water, by boys with their hands tied behind them. Then a singing match by boys, which was won by an urchin of the name of John Hutchin, who sung two comic songs with inimitable humour and effect. A horn pipe match followed, in which the best dancers made up by agility for what was wanting in grace and elegance. Grinning through horse collars succeeded, and here one Billy Derry out-uglied the ugliest—O! for grinning through a horse collar, commend me to Billy Derry. Then we had six old women, drinking scalding hot tea for a prize of one sovereign; the efforts of these poor old creatures to gulp down the almost boiling fluid, were at once both pitiable and ludicrous, but they appeared to enjoy the parts they were acting almost as much as the spectators did, who gave way to the most uproarious laughter we ever remember to have heard, they were all well rewarded for their exhibition. There were also donkey races, climbing soaped poles, gingling matches, running wheelbarrows blindfold, a rowing match, and races after pigs with their tails soaped, and twenty-four barrels of ale were given away to the populace on the ground. At half-past ten at night the Market Place was literally crammed with people to witness the display of fireworks, which was splendid and worthy of the occasion, and concluded the Coronation amusements. Immediately after the fireworks had ceased the crowd dispersed, and by twelve o’clock the streets were as quiet as upon ordinary occasions.

July 14th.—The Corporation had voted an address to the Queen, of which the following is the notice:—

“At an assembly of the Corporation, held on Wednesday, the Mayor read a congratulatory address to Her Majesty the Queen, upon the Coronation, which was unanimously adopted by the Council, and Mr. Barth, Mr. Robert Palmer Kemp and Mr. Samuel Palmer, were appointed a deputation to carry up and present the same; it being left to the option of any other gentlemen of the Council to join the deputation.”

The Mayor, preceded by the Regalia, had walked to church, “unaccompanied by a single member of the Town Council.”

July 5th.—Col. Thompson had declined to come forward.

Mr. J. Symonds had given a silver cup, value £5 5s., to be bowled for in honour of the Coronation. There were 34 competitors, and it was won by Mr. John Porrett, “the veteran bowler.”

July 12th.—A meeting of freemen to oppose Mr. Baring’s return at the ensuing election had been held at the Masonic Hall, Mr. Joseph Bayly (Chairman). Capt. Love, Mr. John Clowes, jun., Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Charles Marsh took part in the proceedings, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to carry the resolutions passed at the meeting into effect:—Messrs. Joseph Bayly, John Clowes, jun., S. Cobb, E. R. Palmer, Henry Pickard, Charles Marsh, Thomas Thompson, jun., and Capt. Love.

The Corporation address to Her Majesty had been presented by Messrs. Barth, R. P. Kemp, and S. Palmer.

July 26th.—The Water Frolic had been held, when the “Leviathian” (Bessey) beat the “Union” (Barber), the Mayor and Corporation attended the sports in a barge.

Dr. Penrice (the Mayor) and Dr. Cox has been elected physicians, and Messrs. Charles Costerton, George Bateman, John Prichard, and John C. Smith, surgeons to the Hospital.

August 9th.—The Queen had signified her intention of becoming a patron of the Hospital.

August 16th.—The freemen had determined to re-elect Mr. Wilshere free of expense, Messrs. Simon Cobb and George Steward speaking on the subject; and a committee had been formed to further this object, of which Mr. Cobb was chairman, Mr. J. Bayly, secretary, and Mr. J. Clowes, treasurer.

August 16th.—The new Writ had been moved for, and the blue flag with the inscription of “Wilshere, the Reformer,” had been displayed at the Committee Room in Regent Street.

August 25th.—Mr. Baring, and Mr. G. Steward (for Mr. Wilshere) had been canvassing the electors. At the nomination the former gentleman was proposed and seconded by Mr. J. Lacon and Mr. E. H. L. Preston, and the latter by Mr. John Clowes, jun., and Mr. Joseph Bayly; Mr. George Steward representing Mr. Wilshere. Mr. Baring then addressed the electors. The result of the poll was declared to be—

For Wilshere 735

Baring 702

A very painful occurrence had happened. A poor fellow “who took some part in the election” declared that if Mr. Baring lost the election he would hang himself. The poll closed at 4, and he had effectually hung himself and was cut down before 5 o’clock.

August 30th.—The friends of Mr. Wilshere had dined together at the “Star.”

Mr. G. Steward had been chaired for Mr. Wilshere. Mr. S. Palmer had received a letter from Mr. Wilshere, expressing in the warmest terms his sense of the high honour thus conferred upon him.

Sept. 6th.—Mr. Wilshere had arrived in Yarmouth and addressed the electors.

C. F. Burton, Esq., had died from the effects of a fall from his horse on the Southtown Road.

Sept 17th.—A public dinner of the supporters of Mr. Wilshere had been held at the Town Hall. Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., presided, and amongst those present were Messrs. George Steward, S. Cobb, the Mayor, T. O. Springfield, Capt. Pearson, Capt. Harmer, J. Fowler, H. Munro, Rev. T. Fowler, R. Hammond, H. Worship, C. Bell, S. Palmer, N. Palmer, C. Marsh, E. R. Palmer, J. L. Cufaude, Clowes, &c.

Sept. 20th.—At the Roads Regatta the “Brilliant” was first, the “Red Rover” second, and the “Algerine” third, in the match for the silver cup, weighing 17oz. The “Coastguard” had been practising, under the direction of Capt. Harmer and Lieut. Kisbee.

Sept. 27th.—In consequence of the long continuance of calm weather the millers had not been able to grind any corn for three weeks.

Oct. 4th.—The Revision Court had been held, Messrs. W. Worship and J. L. Cufaude appearing for the Reformers, and Messrs. Waters and E. H. L. Preston for the Tories. The Whigs claimed a majority, on the result of 51.

Oct. 11th.—Lord Tavistock and C. B. Greville (acting as referees) with regard to the recent contest had stated “that if requested by Mr. Baring, Mr. Wilshere is bound to resign his seat for Yarmouth (for which he was elected without his knowledge or consent), and that in the event of Mr. Baring offering himself again as a candidate for the representation of that borough, Mr. Wilshere is not at liberty to oppose him.”

Mr. William Nolloth, jun., had been elected organist of St. George’s Chapel.

Oct. 18th.—There had been a strong wind from the w.n.w., and from 150 to 200 vessels had sustained damage. It is contemplated that there were between 2,000 and 3,000 ships at anchor within sight of the Jetty.

The “Reis Effendi,” schooner, had been launched from Messrs. A. Palmer and Son’s yard.

Mr. Wilshere was staying with Mr. Palmer, who had entertained most of the principal inhabitants, including the Mayor, Sir George Parker, and W. Danby Palmer, John Carr, George Steward, Esq., and others.

In case Mr. Wilshere was asked to resign his seat by Mr. Baring, Mr. Robert Palmer Kemp had been selected as the candidate in the Blue interest.

Oct. 25th.—The Tories had commenced their “Municipal campaign.”

Nov. 1st.—There had been from 1,500 to 2,000 vessels windbound and at anchor in the Roads, these had got under sail on Sunday, and were immediately followed by about 1,000 vessels from beyond Lowestoft, and it was contemplated that more than 3,000 vessels had passed through the Roads in five hours, in so close procession that the sea could not be discerned beyond them.

With regard to the Municipal Election, only one Tory was on the 1st November “found in the field,” viz., Mr. J. G. Plummer, who opposed Mr. Marsh in the Regent Ward. At the close of the poll the numbers were—

Tomlinson 89

Marsh 73

Plummer 72

The following was the general return for the town:—St. Nicholas’ Ward: Messrs. R. Hammond and W. N. Burroughs. Market Ward: Messrs. S. Cobb and W. Johnson. Regent Ward: Messrs. J. Tomlinson and C. Marsh. St. George’s Ward: Dr. Penrice and Mr. A. Clarke. Nelson Ward: Messrs. G. Danby Palmer and R. Palmer Kemp, all of whom were of the Liberal party.

A meeting of the members of the “Operative Conservative Club” had been held, Mr. Thomas Paul, printer, in the chair.

Nov. 25th.—Messrs. Thomas Hammond and Samuel Crowe had been elected Councillors for the South Ward.

The fishing-boats “Mary,” “Reward,” and “Walter and Ann” had been lost with all hands.

Mr. F. Preston had launched a brig of 250 tons named the “Undaunted.”

Nov. 15th.—Mr. Simon Cobb had been elected Mayor. He was the first Dissenter who had been elected to that office since the time of Charles II. On Sunday he had given a lunch, when amongst those present were the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, Dr. Penrice, Dr. Cox, the Rev. W. Squire, and Messrs. S. Tolver, Nichols, Hammond, Palmer, Pullyn, Marsh, B. Cobb, E. H. L. Preston, &c.

Mr. Thomas Lettis, jun., had been elected a Councillor for the St. George’s Ward, in the place of Dr. Penrice, who had been made an Alderman.

Mr. Samuel Costerton, ballast lessee, had been fined 40s. and costs for contravention of the Harbour Act.

It was contemplated to hold a meeting in favour of the repeal of the Corn Laws.

The annual Savings’ Bank meeting had been held, when it appeared that 2,004 accounts totalling £60,065 11s. 1d. were deposited in this institution.

The “Reindeer,” yawl, had been launched for the Young Company. She was 75 feet long and could carry 500 yards of canvas. Eighty-two persons were launched in her.

The “Columbine,” brig, built for Messrs. G. and A. Steward, had been launched.

Dec. 27th.—Mr. W. Saunders had been elected a Councillor for the St. George’s Ward, in the place of Mr. Grave, deceased.

The Teetotal Society had a procession, headed by a boy on horseback, which was “set upon” by the rabble, and several of its banners destroyed.

1839.

Jan. 3rd.—The first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers to the Hospital had been held, and is reported as follows:—

“On Friday the first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers to the Hospital was held at the Town Hall, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew in the chair. Mr. A. Drew was unanimously elected resident Dispenser, at a salary of £60 per annum. Some alterations of the rules were agreed upon. Mr. S. S. Barber then moved that the votes for officers to the institution should be taken by ballot, and not by voting papers, as at the first meeting, which was lost by a majority of 17 to 13. It is intended to bring the question forward again at the next meeting. The Rev. J. North, honorary secretary to the institution, stated that at the last yearly meeting of the old Dispensary, in October, it was resolved that an application be made to the subscribers to the Hospital for a grant from their funds to discharge the additional bills. At Lady-day last they had moved into the house at present used for the Hospital. They soon felt they could not maintain the increased expenditure with the same funds, and a meeting was called of the subscribers, when the proposition was first started for the Hospital, and in the end the Hospital was established. At the close of the year, owing to circumstances over which he could not say who had the control, it was found that the managers of the Dispensary could not pay their liabilities by £33. They had furniture which was valued at £7 10s., leaving them minus £25 10s. 0¼d. He now asked whether they would make a grant of that amount from the funds of the Hospital. B. Dowson, Esq., proposed that a transfer be made of that sum to defray the deficiency, the new institution having been established on the old one. C. Nichols, Esq., seconded it on the further ground that the old institution had deferred several applications for assistance for the benefit of the Hospital, such as sermons at church, &c. Mr. North said all their funds had been merged into those of the Hospital. John Lacon, Esq., thought it would be better to raise the sum among themselves, which proposition, after a great deal of discussion, was ultimately carried, and 13 sovereigns were subscribed in the room. The decision was extremely satisfactory to all the new subscribers to the Hospital.”

A very handsome vessel named the “Jenny Jones” had been launched from Mr. F. Preston’s yard.

Jan. 10.—Edward Woodrow, baker, had been committed for trial on the prosecution of the Guardians, for selling them short weight bread for the paupers.

Jan. 17th.—The Poor Law Commissioners having complained of the Board of Guardians because they had presented a Christmas dinner to the paupers, the Guardians justified such proceedings.

Jan. 24th.—A subscription had been entered upon for the purpose of relieving the families of those seamen who had been lost in the recent gales. £115 was collected in the room.

Jan. 31st.—An Anti-Corn Law meeting had been held at the Town Hall.

Feb. 7th.—Meetings of the freemen had been held as to the question of whether Mr. Wilshere should be called on to resign his seat.

At the Quarter Sessions, Mr. Edward Woodrow was convicted for selling “short weight” bread to the Guardians, and sentenced to pay a fine of £50, which he paid, but “not until the Recorder (N. Palmer, Esq.) had twice threatened to commit him for contempt of Court.”

Feb. 14th.—The Town Council adopted a petition for the abolition of the Corn Laws with only two dissentients.

Feb. 21st.—Mr. John Owles had been elected a Councillor in the place of Mr. Cobb, who had been raised to the Aldermanic Bench.

Mr. Wilshere had presented the town petition against the Corn Laws; it was signed by 2,355 persons.

Mr. Owen had delivered a lecture on “Socialism.”

March 7th.—The use of the Town Hall had been refused to Mr. Hallock, a “Socialist” lecturer.

March 14th.—Mr. Rumbold had presented the Corporation’s petition for the repeal of the Corn Laws.

A meeting of the Chartists had been held at the Masonic Hall, Mr. Fleet in the chair, and was addressed by Messrs. Gill and Deegan, delegates.

March 21st.—The Rev. W. Squire had lectured at the Masonic Hall in reply to Mr. Owen. More than 1,200 persons were present.

March 28th.—The sixteen Liberal candidates had been elected Guardians.

April 4th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, S. Cobb, Esq. (Mayor) in the chair. Sir George Parker and Messrs. James H. Palmer, Matthew Butcher, and George Danby Palmer took part in the proceedings.

April 11th.—The election of Haven Commissioners had resulted as follows:—

For George Danby Palmer 511

W. Barth 473

E. H. L. Preston 380

C. J. Palmer 277

April 18th.—A petition had been adopted in favour of a penny postage.

May 2nd.—Mr. Pickard (a Guardian) had complained to the Mayor that he was continually being insulted by Mr. E. Woodrow since that person had been convicted at the Sessions.

May 9th.—An endeavour was being made to revive the “Dutch Fair,” in order to which such vessels were to be exempted from dues from the 17th to 30th September.

There were 23 prisoners for trial at the Sessions.

May 23rd.—An address had been voted to the Queen to congratulate her upon the issue of the “Bed Chamber” plot. The Mayor was in the chair and G. Penrice, R. Palmer Kemp, William Danby Palmer, W. Johnson, George Steward, and E. H. L. Preston, Esqs., took part in the proceedings.

May 30th.—Sixty gentlemen dined at the King’s Head to commemorate the Queen’s Birthday. The Mayor presided, and the following toasts were given:—“The Queen,” “The Duchess of Kent,” “Capt. Harmer and the Navy,” “The Army,” “The Mayor,” “The Borough Members,” “George Danby Palmer, Esq.,” “Mr. George Steward,” “Lord Durham,” “Mr. William Johnson,” “The Vice-Chairman,” “The Mayoress and Ladies of Yarmouth,” and a number of other toasts. The meeting separated “at a late hour.”

June 13th.—A large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen had witnessed a Jewish wedding at the Town Hall, performed by Rabbi Sternbergh; it was publicly performed.

The Races were not likely to be held, owing to a want of funds.

June 20th.—The Rev. George Anguish, of Somerleyton Hall, had given £50 towards the Hospital fund.

July 4th contains the following as to the Yarmouth Hospital and Dispensary:—

The first annual meeting of this Institution was held at the Town Hall on Friday last, on which occasion the Worshipful the Mayor was in the chair. He felt gratified by the honour that meeting had done him in calling him to the chair. In looking over the programme of the meeting, he found the accounts were to be audited—they were requested to pay their subscriptions, to elect annual officers, and to take into consideration the erection or purchase of a building for a new Hospital.

William Steward, Esq., read abstracts from the secretary and treasurer’s books, by which it appeared that the benefactions amounted to £292 9s. 6d., subscriptions to £435 19s., and interest at the bankers £8 15s. 2d., and that there had been expended for fitting up and furniture, £141 8s. 10d.; for housekeeping, salaries, and wages, £94 15s. 9d.; chemists’ bills, drugs, &c., £90 15s.; books, stationery, and printing, £35 14s. 9d.; rent and incidentals, £33 3s. 1d.; leaving a balance in treasurer’s hands of £341 6s. 3d. Mr. Steward stated that the accounts had been made out with great care, and examined by two auditors. The total number of patients that had been admitted from October 1st, 1838, to June 1st, 1839, was 532, being 35 in and 439 out-patients, of whom 5 in and 9 out remained on the books.

J. Tidswell, Esq., moved that the report now read be received, that it be ordered to be printed, and a copy placed in the hands of each of the subscribers, which was seconded by the Rev. W. F. Clarke, and carried unanimously.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of such officers as retire annually, when all the old officers were unanimously elected, with one alteration. The Rev. M. Waters, who had been on the Committee, having accepted the office of honorary secretary, vice Rev. J. North, who had left the town, J. Tidswell, Esq., was chosen in his room.

The Chairman said the next business was of considerable importance. It was to consider the propriety of erecting or purchasing a building for the use of the Institution.

William Steward, Esq., would submit to the meeting a proposal he held in his hand, which was to raise a building fund of £1,000, in shares of £10 each, on which interest at £3 per cent. per annum is to be paid till the fund will enable them to liquidate it; and in the interim every shareholder to have the right of recommending one out-patient for each share annually. One object in raising the fund now was, that they had £151 in hand from the benefactions, and Mr. Anguish had sent them £50 towards the building fund. The interest would not amount to what they now paid for rent. They hoped the Corporation would grant them an eligible site for the intended new building.

The Rev. M. Waters was sure there would be no difficulty in raising the required fund, as they would soon have £300 paid in donations, which would prevent any risk to the shareholders.

The Chairman suggested that it would be better first to resolve that it would be expedient to erect or purchase a building, and then to submit the means for raising the money, in which opinion J. Brightwen, Esq., fully concurred, when

Mr. S. S. Barber proposed, that it is the opinion of this meeting that it is expedient that an Hospital should be built, which was seconded by Mr. E. H. L. Preston.

Mr. W. S. Lacon thought it premature to build at present; the Hospital had only been in operation a few months, and at the last meeting, when certain resolutions were proposed, certain gentlemen, who did not like those resolutions, said they would withdraw. He would propose that the consideration of the question be postponed to that day twelve months, which was seconded by Dr. Sabine.

J. G. Fisher, Esq., thought the building of an Hospital would promote the object they had in view, and could not agree with Mr. Lacon, in which he was supported by the Rev. M. Waters.

The amendment being put, only six voted for it, and the original motion was carried.

Mr. E H. L. Preston then proposed that the plan for raising a fund, as proposed by Mr. Steward, be adopted, and that a paper be laid on the table to receive the names of persons willing to take shares, which was seconded by Mr. Barber.

J. G. Fisher, Esq., proposed the thanks of the meeting to the Mayor for his conduct in the chair, which was carried by acclamation.

The Mayor, in returning thanks, expressed his determination to do all in his power to procure them an eligible spot on which to erect the new edifice. Those present having paid their subscriptions, the meeting separated.

A band of music had been engaged to perform near the Jetty on Wednesday and Saturday evenings during the summer.

July 11th.—A vessel named the “Cadmus” had been launched from Teasdell’s Wharf.

An inquest had been held at Shrublands, Gorleston, the residence of William Danby Palmer, Esq., upon the body of a boy who had been killed by a fall from a stack. Verdict, “Accidental death.”

July 18th.—The “Galatea” (schooner) had been launched from Mr. A. Palmer’s, jun., yard.

Aug. 1st.—Another meeting in connection with the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society had been held. Sir George Parker, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, George Danby Palmer, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Sidney took part in the proceedings.

Pleasure yachts were allowed to enter the Harbour free of dues.

August 10th.—The Races had been held for the following stakes:—Gold, cup, £10 each, and £20 added; the Members’ Plate of £50; the Vauxhall Coronation Cup, £25; and the Innkeepers’ and Tradesmen’s Silver Cup, £50. The following local gentlemen entered or named horses at this meeting:—Mr. Wilshere, Mr. Rumbold, Mr. Webber, Mr. Wodehouse, Mr. Burroughes, Mr. R. P. Kemp, Mr. Samuel Palmer, Mr. A. Tompson, Mr. John Kerrison, and Mr. William Danby Palmer.

Madame Vestris and Mr. Charles Matthews were filling the Theatre nightly.

At the Regatta, “The Widgeon,” a London yacht, had carried off the prize.

The Dissenters, not approving of these sports (the Regatta and Races), had had a meeting of their own in the shape of a choral festival.

August 15th.—Sir Jacob Preston, John Penrice, and Charles Steward, Esqs., were announced as Stewards of next year’s Races.

August 22nd contains the following:—“We hear from the most undoubted authority that Mr. John E. Lacon, with a munificence almost unparallelled, has equally divided the large property left to him by his father between himself and his brother, the present Sir Edmund H. K. Lacon, Bart.”

Sept. 5th.—Mr. Preston had launched the “George Lord,” of 205 tons register.

Oct. 3rd.—The Revision Court had been held, and the Liberals claimed a gain of 58 on the return.

Oct. 17th.—At a Liberal meeting held at the “Crown and Anchor,” G. D. Palmer, Esq., had proposed the health of Samuel Jay, Esq., as “Mayor-Elect.”

There were “nightly depredations” taking place at Gorleston.

Oct. 31st.—Fortunatus Robert Townshend Crisp was indicted for publishing on the 13th October a certain filthy and libellous paper called the “Paul Pry,” containing a slanderous and malicious libel on Henry Holmes Baker. The Jury were locked up two hours before returning a verdict of guilty, on which Crisp was fined £5.

Nov. 7th.—The Earl of Lichfield had given £30 to the Hospital Fund.

The old members of the Council had been re-elected, except in St. Andrew’s Ward, where William Hurry Palmer, Esq., was returned. The only Ward contested was the Regent, with the following result:—C. Davie, 81; J. Fish, 76; J. G. Plummer, 71; S. Miller, 62. A meeting of Liberals was afterwards held, and Mr. Jay’s health (as Mayor-Elect) drunk with three times three.

Nov. 14th.—At the Council on the 9th, Mr. G. D. Palmer proposed Mr. Jay as Mayor for the ensuing year, and he was elected to that office.

Dec. 5th.—Capt. Pearson had been elected an Alderman in the place of John B. Palmer, Esq., deceased.

An anti-poor law meeting had been held; only 52 persons present.

Dec. 19th.—The Mayor (S. Jay, Esq.) had commenced a round of Civic entertainments of a most “recherchê” character.

The Yarmouth Savings’ Bank had 2,137 accounts and £63,513 13s. 7d. on deposit.

Dec. 26th.—The Mayor and Corporation had attended St. Nicholas’ Church, after which his Worship entertained a large party of friends at lunch.

The “Blue” freemen had held a meeting to receive a very handsome blue banner, inscribed “Presented to the freemen in commemoration of their victory over the attempt to enslave them, and ‘United we stand, divided we fall. Wilshere’s majority 38.’”

1840.

Jan. 2nd contains the following as to “Yarmouth Hospital”:—

The half-yearly meeting of the governors of this institution was held at the Town Hall on Saturday. William Steward, Esq., took the chair, and stated that the building was expected to be completed for the reception of patients by Lady-day. The cost of the building, including furniture and the tower (a very ornamental building, to be used as a look-out), with other incidental charges, would amount to £1,600. (Expressions of surprise, and “What! no more?”) He believed that £1,600 would cover the whole expense, to meet which they had already received by benefaction (including £200 from the Norwich Musical Festival) upwards of £600, while upwards of £1,000 had been raised among the shareholders. It would be highly desirable to pay off the shareholders as the funds would allow, and to keep up the annual subscriptions. At present they were adequate to the annual expenditure, but he trusted the inhabitants would do their utmost to increase the annual income. This was the only charitable institution founded on the day of her Majesty’s Coronation, and he was induced to hope that an application to Her Majesty’s advisers would obtain a benefaction from her privy purse. He was sanguine in his anticipation that in a short time the shares would be reduced to one for each shareholder, which it was thought desirable should remain.

F. R. Reynolds, Esq., thought the reduction would be made in less than seven years.

The Rev. M. Waters said that, allowing them to remain in their present position, the new institution would not be more rent than the present Hospital in Queen Street.

Mr. Steward then submitted a resolution, that all monies arising from benefactions or otherwise, except from annual subscriptions, be applied in paying the shareholders till such shareholders should have but one share each; and that the annual subscriptions should be kept as a distinct fund.

This resolution was moved by H. V. Worship, Esq., and seconded by C. J. Palmer, Esq., and carried unanimously.

The Secretary observed that the balance of subscriptions would be less at the end of the present year than it was at the end of the preceding one, and this he mentioned that the public might know it would depend on themselves whether so excellent an institution should continue as efficient as it had hitherto been.

It was stated that the number of out-patients had never been less than 100 throughout the past half-year.

Jan. 16th.—The first subscription Ball had been held at the Town Hall, when about 70 or 80 of the elite were present. Howlett’s band had been engaged for the occasion.

Jan. 23rd.—A “dreadful storm” had visited the town, and considerable damage had been done to the roofs of houses, while a schooner in making for the Harbour had been caught in the squall and sunk, with the loss of four lives.

George Danby Palmer, Esq., had entertained a large party of the members of the “Yarmouth Fishing Clubs” and others in the new room at Bird’s Royal Hotel, when the Mayor, Sir George Parker, Capt. Pearson, R.N., Capt. Harmer, R.N., George Penrice, M.D., W. Barth, R. P. Kemp, S. Palmer, W. H. Palmer, W. S. Ferrier, R. S. Lonsdale, S. P. Edwards, W. Yetts, G. Steward, T. Hammond, R. Hammond, S. C Marsh, Esqs., and most of the influential gentlemen and merchants of the town were present.

Feb. 13th—The Queen’s Marriage had been celebrated as a general holiday, with the usual demonstrations of loyalty, and 150 gentlemen had dined together at the Town Hall, when the Mayor presided.

Feb. 20th.—Ambrose Palmer, Esq., had complained to the Magistrates of the late delivery of the mails, which it appeared often did not arrive until after 12 o’clock in the day.

March 5th.—Samuel Jay, Esq., and William Barth, Esq., had proceeded to London to present an address to Her Majesty from the Town Council upon her marriage.

Messrs. Fellows had launched the “Lucy,” a schooner of 100 tons register.

March 12th.—The Mayor (S. Jay, Esq.) had been presented at Court by William Wilshere, Esq., M.P., on the occasion of taking up the Corporation address.

Capt. Love had been elected Inspector of Police by thirteen votes to one vote. There were twelve candidates for the office.

March 26th.—Mr. Joseph Fiddes had been elected an Alderman in the place of Mr. William Barber, deceased.

April 2nd.—The Hospital having been completed, was opened for public inspection, and had been visited by nearly 1,000 inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. Eight hundred patients had been relieved by this Charity since the previous August.

April 9th.—Sixteen Whigs had been elected Guardians by very large majorities.

April 23rd.—Messrs. C. Davie, William Johnson, and S. V. Moore had been nominated at the Vestry meeting as Churchwardens, and a poll demanded.

The Conservatives had dined together at the Angel Hotel, Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., in the chair, when a magnificent silver waiter, weighing 221 ozs., was presented to Mr. Edward H. L. Preston. Upon it was the following inscription: “Presented to Edward Harbord Lushington Preston by the Conservatives of Great Yarmouth, as a testimonial of their esteem and high approval of his firm and active support of those principals which constitute the best bulwark of the Throne, and the surest safeguard of the people.” Messrs. Aldred and Son supplied it.

The Mayor (S. Jay, Esq.) had received the Sacrament at St. Nicholas’ Church, and afterwards entertained the Town Council and a party of friends with a sumptuous cold collation.

April 30th.—Messrs. Davie and Johnson had been elected Churchwardens, three votes only having been polled for Mr. Moore.

Not a single case of theft or disorderly conduct had been reported at the Fair, “a circumstance unparallelled in the history of Yarmouth.”

May 14th.—A petition for the repeal of the Corn Laws had been signed by 1,400 persons.

May 21st.—Mr. and Mrs. Bird’s “opening dinner” had been held at the Royal Hotel. The Mayor occupied the chair, and was supported by the Rev. Richard Gooch, G. Danby Palmer, W. Barth, T. Brown (Thrigby), R. Ferrier, W. Ferrier, T. Fowler, C. Marsh, G. Steward, A. Tompson, W. Carpenter, and F. Lloyd, Esqs., Captain Nelson, Messrs. Paul, Christmas, Primrose, Smith, E. Browne, Hart, Middleton, and upwards of 100 gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood.

May 28th.—Complaints had been made of the “screaming” and “bell-ringing” of the steamboats, which the editor thought should be “reformed altogether.”

The London letters had not been received on Saturday last, owing to those intended for Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, having been forwarded to this town, while “our mails” were sent on to Edinburgh.

June 6th.—The carcase of a grampus had been towed on to the Beach.

June 11th.—The Mayor (S. Jay, Esq.) had again entertained his friends at luncheon after Divine Service.

The “Eleanor Palmer,” schooner, had been launched from Mr. A. Palmer, junr.’s, yard, for W. H. Palmer, Esq., who, in the evening, entertained a large party of friends at the Royal Hotel.

June 19th.—The Council had voted addresses of congratulation to H.M. the Queen, Prince Albert, and the Duke of Kent, on the “escape of Her Majesty from assassination.” This was moved by Mr. E. Sewell, and seconded by G. D. Palmer, Esq.

July 2nd.—The new police had made “their maiden turn out” under Capt. Love. Mr. J. Nolloth had supplied the uniforms.

The annual Hospital meeting had been held at the Board Boom of that institution.

July 9th.—The Mayor had attended the Annual Water Frolic, accompanied by some 30 gentlemen, including the Deputy-Mayor, G. D. Palmer, Esq., Capt. Harmer, Capt. Pearson, S. P. Edwards, Esq., and several members of the Council.

Three young men were capsized and two of them, Mr. John Rivett and Mr. Walter Feek, drowned.

“A fellow named Cullingford had cut down the doorstalls of Mr. Wm. Sayer’s house in which he was engaged nearly two hours without being detected by any of the new police.”

July 16th.—The Council resolved that “the old tower on the Chapel Mount be levelled with that of the Hospital, and that the wall to the east thereof be faced with white brick and coped with cement.”

Mr. Guthrie (son of Capt. Guthrie) had saved a boy from being drowned at the Jetty.

The “Maid of Athens” had been launched from Mr. I. Preston’s yard.

July 25th.—The Races had been held. The Town and County Plate of £50 was won by the Hon. I. Sandiland’s “Luther,” which was “claimed” by Mr. S. Palmer for £150 (his horse “Diana” running second in the race.)

As Stewards for next year, Henry Stracey, Alexander Shafto Adair, and Samuel Palmer, Esqs., were chosen.

At the Regatta, Lord A. Paget’s “Sabrina” won the £25 cup.

When a hearse, with mourning coach and friends of the deceased arrived at the Cemetery, it was found that “no orders had been given to dig a grave,” and the funeral had to be postponed.

Aug. 16th.—Youell’s gardens were “most attractive;” there were 3,000 pairs of carnations and picotees in bloom.

Samuel Jay, Esq., had been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Borough.

Aug. 20th.—A great improvement had been made by lighting the town with gas; the Gas Company having laid down a large main, and reduced the price of gas 25 per cent.

Mr. A. Thrower had been elected a Councillor in the place of Mr. F. Preston.

Sept. 3rd.—A meeting had been held at the Town Hall, Wm. Steward, Esq., in the chair, for promoting the erection of a better class of houses on the Beach to the south of the Royal Hotel (the Victoria Building Company.)

Mr. John Clowes had been thrown from his gig on the Quay.

Sept. 17th.—Lord and Lady Wodehouse were staying at the Royal Hotel; his Lordship had consented to patronise the New Building Company.

Sept. 24th.—Madame Persiani, and Signors Nigri, Rubini, and Puzzi, had given a grand concert at the Town Hall.

A meeting of the provisional Committee of the Victoria Building Company had been held, and £8,000 had been subscribed for the objects of the Company.

Oct. 8th.—The prospectus of the Victoria Building Company appears in this issue, the Directors being William Steward, William Baynes, Benjamin Dowson, Richard Ferrier, William Johnson, Robert Palmer Kemp, John E. Lacon, George Danby Palmer, Thomas Fowler Steward, and Charles Symonds, Esqs.

A letter had been received at the Post-office, directed “Mr. Thompson, Row next my grandmother’s, Yarmouth.”

Nov. 5th.—The following was the result of the Municipal election:—

NORTH WARD.

J. N. Sherrington 119 J. C. Smith 98

C. G. Doughty 116 J. F. Costerton 68

NELSON WARD.

M. Butcher and J. G. Connell (no opposition.)

ST. ANDREW’S WARD.

Wm. Barth 100 John G. Rivett 77

Wm. Danby Palmer 88 Henry Teasdell 56

ST. GEORGE’S WARD.

Joseph Bayly 89 John Algar 89

John L. Cufaude 89 Charles Cory 83

And the Alderman gave his casting vote in favour of Messrs Bayly and Cufaude

REGENT WARD.

Samuel Palmer and John Barker (no opposition.)

MARKET WARD.

D. A. Gourlay and Charles Miller (no opposition.)

A deputation had waited on Mr. Samuel Palmer and presented a requisition to him, to be put in nomination for the office of Mayor. Mr. W. Johnson presented this, signed by 40 members of the Council.

The “Hamlet,” 400 tons, had been launched from Mr. A. Palmer’s, jun., yard.

Nov. 12th.—Mr. Samuel Palmer had been elected Mayor.

Nov. 26th.—Richard Ferrier and Charles Cory, Esqs., refused to pay the Poor’s Rate, and a distress warrant was issued, under which a clock, a silver cup, and a hat stand had been seized. The object of these gentlemen appeared to be to dispute the validity of a Rate of 1s. 3d. in the £.

Dec. 3rd.—The Council had voted the usual loyal addresses on the birth of the Princess Royal.

Dec. 10th.—A public meeting had been held for the like purpose when the address to Her Majesty was moved by the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, and seconded by Wm. Steward, Esq.

That to Prince Albert, by Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and George Danby Palmer, Esq.

And that to the Duke of Kent by Sir George Parker, K.C.B., and J. G. Fisher, Esq., S. Palmer, Esq., Sir E. H. K. Lacon, and Sir George Parker, were deputed to present such addresses.

Dec. 17th.—A meeting of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society had been held. The local committee then consisted of Messrs. G. W. Manby, Isaac Preston, W. J. Hurry, G. D. Palmer, J. W. Shelly, Costerton, Capt. Harmer, J. G. Fisher, D. Turner, Gunthorpe, Ambrose Palmer, W. Barth, John Penrice, M. Butcher, and Capt. Pearson.

Dec. 24th.—An anti-slavery meeting had been held (the Mayor in the chair.)

Dec. 31st.—The teetotallers had had a procession. Among their flags a new one by the workmen of Mr. Brand (tailor) on which was painted a lifeboat, with the motto “Total Abstinence, the Drunkard’s Lifeboat.”

Samuel Jay, Charles Pearson, William Johnson and J. W. Shelly, qualified as Magistrates at the Quarter Sessions.