Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 29

April 4th, Good Friday morning. Explosion on board the Norwich and Yarmouth steamer-ten persons killed and five injured-just as she was leaving the Foundry Bridge, Norwich. She had 22 men, women, and children on board. 350 raised for relief. These steamboats were first employed on Aug. 10th, 1813.

June 5th. The celebrated Mr. Betty performed at the Theatre in the _Iron Chest_, as "Sir Edward Mortimer;" and as "Frislam Fickle," in _The Weather c.o.c.k_.

June 11th. Mr. Matthews appeared at the Theatre as "Goldfinch," in the _Road to Ruin_; and as "Somno," in the _Sleep Walker_. On 12th, as "Sir David Dundee," in _Ways and Means_, "Chip," in _A Chip of the Old Block_, and "Buskin," in _Killing no Murder_. On the 16th, as "Rover," in _Wild Oats_; and in the _Adventures of a Mail Coach_.

June 23rd. Munden appeared at the Theatre as "Sir Abel Handy," in _Speed the Plough_, and as "Crack," in the _Turnpike Gate_. On the 25th, as "Old Rapid," in a _Cure for the Heartache_, and as "Dozey," in _Past Ten o'clock_. On the 26th, as "Sir Anthony Absolute," in the _Rivals_, and as "Sam Dabbs," in _Who's Who?_ On the 28th, as "Bonus," in _Laugh When You Can_, as "Nipperkin," in the _Rival Soldier_, and "Lazarillo," in _Two Strings to Your Bow_.

Aug. 15th. First stone of Nelson Monument laid by Col. Wodehouse. The column is 144 ft. high, ascended by a flight of 217 steps. The architect was Mr. Wm. Wilkin, R.A., a Norfolk man. There was a grand civic, military, and masonic procession from the Town Hall. After the ceremony, the Mayor, (Isaac Preston, Esq.) gave a dinner to the company; and in the evening he gave a grand ball to 350 of the _elite_, at the Town Hall.

The Rev. Fisher Watson, M.A., elected minister of St. George's Chapel, on the death of the Rev. S. L. Cooper in June. On Aug. 9th, 1821, the Rev.

John Homfray, and April 16th, 1833, the Rev. Mark Waters, were appointed at salaries of 100 per annum.

Aug. 20th. The great Edward Kean appeared at Theatre Royal in _Richard the Third_, when nothing but full prices were taken-Lower Boxes, 5s.; Green, 4s.; Pit, 3s.; Gallery, 1s.-and part of the Pit taken into the Boxes, and part of the Gallery railed off for the use of the Pit. Free list suspended during the engagement. On the 21st, Mr. Kean took the character of "Sir Giles Overreach," in _New Way to Pay Old Debts_. On the 22nd, in _Oth.e.l.lo_. On Sept. 5th, "Shylock," in the _Merchant of Venice_. On Sept. 6th (Mr. Kean's benefit) he appeared as "Octavia," in the _Mountaineers_, and as "Paul," in _Paul and Virginia_.

Nov. 19th. The remains of Princess Charlotte interred at Windsor. The bells tolled, the shops closed all the day, and the day solemnly observed.

Dec. 3rd. The Corporation voted addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent and Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg on the death of Princess Charlotte.

Dec. 31st. At the Concert Room, Mr. Matthews, the celebrated Irish comedian, appeared in the entertainment of the _Union_, of the English, Irish, and Scotch characters.

1818.

Jan. 19th. 6,000 subscribed for aiding a plan to extend the navigation of the River Waveney from Bungay to Diss by the inhabitants of Yarmouth at a meeting at the New Hall.

March 4th. Several ships driven ash.o.r.e in a heavy gale from the south-east.

June 1st. Miss Bryne sustained the part of "Adela," at the Theatre Royal, in the _Haunted Tower_. On the 2nd, in _Love in a Village_ as "Rosella," and in _No Song No Supper_ the part of "Margaretta." On the 4th, "Rosina," in _Rosina_, and "Leonora," in the _Padlock_. On the 6th, "Lilla," in _Siege of Belgrade_, and "Virginia," in _Paul and Virginia_.

June 8th. Mr. Bartley appeared at the Theatre Royal as "Sir John Falstaff," in _Henry IV._ On the 9th, as "Solas," in _Every One has His Fault_, and "Michael," in the _Adopted Child_. On the 11th, "Sir John Falstaff," in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_. On the 13th, as "Governor Heartall," in the _Soldier's Daughter_.

June 19th. Hon. T. W. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., returned to Parliament. It was a three days' poll, and one of the severest contests ever known in the Borough. Anson polled 780; Rumbold, 760; E. K. Lacon, Esq., 651; General Loftus, 612.

Aug. 3rd. At the Theatre Royal, Mr. Blanchard, of Covent Garden, appeared in the _Soldier's Daughter_, as "Governor Heartall," and "Crack," in _Turnpike Gate_. On the 5th, as "Dr. Ollapod," in the _Poor Gentleman_; and "Abnego," in the _Jew and Doctor_. On the 6th, as "Tobby Allspice," in _The Way to get Married_, and "Caleb Quotem," in the _Wags of Windsor_. On the 8th, "Dr. Panglos," in the _Heir at Law_, and "Davy," in _Bon Ton_.

Sept. 4th. Miss O'Neil appeared at the Theatre as "Belvidere," in _Venice Preserved_. On the 5th, as "Juliet," in _Romeo and Juliet_. On the 7th, as "Mrs. Haller."

Sept. 30th. Lord Viscount Anson died in London, aged 57; and the newly-elected Member of Parliament succeeded to the t.i.tle.

Oct. 3rd. Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., of Great Yarmouth; Thomas Hare, Esq., of Stow Hall; and Edward Stracey, Esq., of Rackheath Hall, created Baronets.

Dec. 2nd. The day of interment of her late Majesty Queen Charlotte at Windsor, observed with great solemnity. Addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent on the death of her late Majesty were voted by the Corporation of Yarmouth on the 7th.

John Bennie, Esq., engineer to the Haven Commissioners, drew up a report for improving the Bar and Haven. On 4th of Oct., 1821, he died in London, aged 64.

The Yarmouth Savings Bank established. The deposits in 1843 amounted to 80,246 19s. 7d., belonging to 2,550 depositors and 67 charities and friendly societies.

Nearly 100 vessels building at one time in our shipyards.

The gun-brig "Havoc" built in Mr. Stone's yard.

Borough Gaol enlarged and House of Correction added; it was strengthened in 1835. The original built 609 years previously.

1819.

Feb. 15th. The Hon. George Anson unanimously elected Member of Parliament for the Borough (there being no other candidate), in the room of his brother, Lord Viscount Anson.

April. Velocipedes or Pedestrian Hobby-horses used this year. A person could walk from eight to ten miles an hour on them. Like the Kaleidoscope, they proved only "a nine-days' wonder," till 1872, when velocipedes again came into general use.

June 1st. Mr. Thomas Sutton (as surveyor) died on the top of the Nelson Monument, while giving directions. Aged 66 years.

June 14th. Mr. Edmund Kean again appeared at the Theatre as "Brutus," in _Brutus_; and on the 15th as "Mortimer," in the _Iron Chest_.

July 18th. Mr. N. B. Palmer presented with a piece of plate (an epergne), value 100 guineas, for his exertions in the election and firm support of his principles, which seated the Hon. G. Anson and C. E.

Rumbold, Esq., as Members for the Borough.

Sept. 6th to 9th. The celebrated Young appeared at the Theatre in _Hamlet_, _Revenge_, _Macbeth_, _King Lear_.

Duty on coals, 6s. 6d. per chaldron.

Paxton's "Picture of Great Yarmouth" published, ill.u.s.trated with engravings of public buildings.

1820.

Jan. 29th. Death of George III., in the 82nd year of his age and 60th of his reign. On Feb. 1st George IV. was proclaimed at Yarmouth with much ceremony and rejoicing.

Feb. 28th. Parliament dissolved; and on the 10th of March, after four days' sharp contest, the Hon. George Anson and C. E. Rumbold Esq., were returned to Parliament for the Borough. The Hon. G. Anson polled 754; C.

E. Rumbold, Esq., 752; Lieut.-General John Mich.e.l.l, 612; and J. H.

Stracey, Esq., 612 votes.

March 1st. A number of vessels stranded along the Beach. A high flood and tremendous storm, the like not known since Jan. 1st, 1779. On Nov.

4th there was another great gale.

April 19th. Frigate "Boreas," 28 guns, launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance's yard.

July 19th. Coronation day of George IV. at Westminster Abbey, which auspicious event was celebrated at Yarmouth by a public dinner at the Town Hall; bonfires, bullock roasting, fireworks, and other rejoicings also marked the occasion.

Aug. 15th. A grand Musical Festival at the Town Hall. The next morning, selections from the _Messiah_ were performed at St. Nicholas' Church; on Wednesday at the Town Hall; and again on the Thursday following the entire first part of the _Creation_ was executed at the Church, with two miscellaneous acts selected from the _Requiem_, _Mount of Olives_, _Judas Maccabeus_, _Israel in Egypt_, and other esteemed compositions. The Church presented a very brilliant appearance, from the number of lamps and candles with which the orchestra (expressly built for the occasion) and the other parts of the edifice were dedicated. Among the eminent professors who aided in the festival was Lindley, the celebrated violoncello performer; Mr. Eager, and his princ.i.p.al second Mr. Cooper, conducted the instrumental band, and Mr. Buck presided at the organ.

Aug. 20th. Mrs. Bartley recited _Collins' Ode to the Pa.s.sions_, at the Theatre Royal.