Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 101

2.-Died at Hexham, Northumberland, aged 86, Mr. William Cooke, formerly of North Creake. "About 60 years ago, under the auspices of Mr. T. W.

c.o.ke, and upon the estate of Earl Spencer, he introduced into Norfolk the drill system for corn. He subsequently introduced into the same county the Northumberland turnip husbandry, and, in conjunction with Sir Mordaunt Martin and Dr. Letsome, established the cultivation of mangold wurzle in England. During his latter years he devoted much time and his high mathematical attainments to perfecting the plough."

4.-The first meeting for enforcing the Income-Tax was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, when Commissioners were appointed for the several Hundreds named in the Act of Parliament. Similar meetings took place at Yarmouth and Lynn.

6.-Races were held at East Dereham. The other meetings this season were at Norwich on July 12th and 13th, Downham July 22nd, and Yarmouth September 6th and 7th.

9.-The funeral of Lord Townshend, who died at Hutton Lodge, Yorkshire, on June 28th, aged 56 years, took place at Bintry church.

14.-Major Boxall, of Swaffham, was killed at the brewery of Mr. Morse, in that town, by the fall of a portion of the roof.

16.-At a meeting of the yeomanry and tenantry of both political parties, held at the Swan Inn, Norwich, it was decided to erect, by public subscription, a monument to the memory of the late Earl of Leicester.

(_See_ January 7th, 1843.)

23.-A correspondent, writing under this date to the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, complained of the danger and annoyance caused on the public roads by vehicles drawn by dogs. "If," he wrote, "Parliament deemed it necessary two years ago to pa.s.s an Act prohibiting, under a severe penalty, the use of dogs as beasts of draught or burden in London and its neighbourhood for twenty miles around, surely the same necessity, as well on the score of humanity as of personal security to the public, does exist in reference to every other portion of the kingdom."

24.-Died, aged 60, at Hunter Street, Brunswick Square, London, John Sell Cotman.

AUGUST.

1.-An acrobat, named Alleni, was descending a rope "in his chariot of fire," at the Greyhound Gardens, Ber Street, Norwich, when his apparatus failed, the rope broke, and the unfortunate performer, falling a distance of thirty feet, was seriously injured.

6.-A correspondent complained that the "unrivalled tower" of Norwich Cathedral, then undergoing restoration, was "under the care of a plasterer, to be patched and pieced in his best manner with a compound of villainous ingredients scarcely tolerable on a shop front." Mr. John Brown, the Cathedral architect, replied, on August 10th, to the effect that the substance used was not plaster, but "hydraulic cement, calcined limestone and sand, which is more durable than stone." Much newspaper controversy ensued.

20.*-"Last week a block of granite of nearly two tons weight was fixed on the south battlement of Norwich Castle, containing the following inscription:-"This Royal Castle, built by William Rufus, as Knychton testifies in his Chronicle, on the site of one much more ancient, has been used as a county gaol since the year 1345, and was finally vested in the magistrates of Norfolk for that purpose by Royal grant confirmed by Parliament in 1806. The ornamental work and facing of the exterior having fallen into a state of extreme decay, the same was ordered to be restored at the expense of the county by the Court of Quarter Sessions, in April, 1834. Its restoration was carried into effect with the most careful adherence to the details of the antient work in Bath stone, as most resembling that of Normandy, which had been originally used, under the superintendence of the visiting justices, and completed in 1839. The battlements and corbel table were designed from the best discoverable authorities, as no portion remained of the original termination of the building. Anthony Salvin, Esq., of London, architect; Mr. James Watson, of Norwich, stonemason." [The NORFOLK CHRONICLE expressed regret "at the necessity, if any such existed, for the adoption of a process which has for ever hidden from human eyes the whole exterior of this celebrated Anglo-Norman keep."]

27.-A finner whale, discovered stranded upon a shoal in Lynn Roads, was secured by a boat's crew who fastened a rope to its tail. When the tide rose the whale dragged the boat with great velocity towards the town.

After a struggle of seven hours, it was landed. It measured 50 ft. in length.

-*"Her Majesty has been pleased to grant unto William Hardy Cozens, Esq., of Letheringsett, her Royal licence to take and use the surname and arms of Hardy, in addition to his present name, in compliance with a condition contained in the will of his late uncle, William Hardy, Esq., of Letheringsett Hall."

30.-A great rowing match took place on the Yare, at Norwich, in the presence of thousands of spectators. The match, which was open to all England, was for a subscription cup or purse of 50, and was to be rowed in four-oared 36ft. boats, by amateurs. Competing crews were entered by the Leander Club, London; King's College Club, London; the Cambridge Amateur Club, and the Norwich Amateur Club. The odds throughout were greatly in favour of the Londoners, and many heavy bets were made on Cambridge. The course, about three miles, was from stakes on Bramerton Common to a spot nearly opposite Thorpe Gardens. "The boats started two and two; the first two boats were started 100 yards apart at the same time; the winning boat of each pair had therefore to row another heat.

By the casting of lots, the Leander was pitted against King's College, and Norwich against Cambridge. The Leander had the lead of King's College, and Cambridge the lead of Norwich." King's College and Norwich won the first heat-the former in 22 minutes 30 seconds, and the latter in 21 minutes 30 seconds. In the final heat Norwich beat King's College easily. The winning crew were composed as follow:-J. Kidd, 9 st. 10 lb.; J. Wigham, 10 st. 9 lb.; W. Clabburn, 11 st. 7 lb.; T. Clabburn (stroke), 9 st. 2 lb.; F. Bolingbroke (c.o.x.), 8 st. 11 lb. Trained by Noulton.

-The Royal squadron accompanying the Queen on her voyage to Scotland pa.s.sed Yarmouth at five am. On the return of her Majesty, on the evening of September 16th, several yawls put out to sea, and the occupants were gratified with a sight of the Queen and Prince Albert on the main deck of the Trident steamer. Loud cheers were given for the Sovereign and her Consort.

SEPTEMBER.

10.-The publication of Part I. of Mr. Henry Ninham's "Picturesque Antiquities of Norwich" was announced.

13.-The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival commenced. Miscellaneous concerts were given at St. Andrew's Hall on the evenings of the 13th, 14th, and 15th. The morning performances included, on the 14th, Parts II. and III. of the "Creation"; on the 15th, Parts II. and III. of "The Fall of Babylon" (composed expressly for the Festival by Spohr); and on the 16th, "Samson." A fancy dress ball was given on the night of the 16th. The artistes engaged at the Festival were: Madame Caradori Allan, Miss Rainforth, Miss Maria B. Hawes, Miss Ba.s.sano, and Signora Pacini; Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Balfe, Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Young, Mr. Walton, and Signor Rubini. Professor Taylor conducted. The surplus amounted to 716 15s. 2d.

-A circus company, under the management of Madame Ducrow, commenced a series of performances at Norwich Theatre. "The whole of the stage, 43 ft. square, was formed into a circus ring, decorated round with appropriate devices. The circle was rendered moveable, so that dramatic representations similar to the late Astley's Amphitheatre were introduced." These included "The Spanish Bullfight, or the Muleteer,"

"Mazeppa," "The Secret Mine, or the Hindoos of the Ruby Cliffs," &c. To enable the audience to obtain a full view of the ring performances, the floor of the pit was raised.

14.-Died at Yarmouth, in his 49th year, Mr. J. B. Crome. "Besides inheriting the talents of that well-known 'Father' of the Norwich school of painting, he possessed literary attainments and theoretical knowledge which conferred both honour and advantage on his practical pursuits of Art."

24.*-"The Queen has been pleased to grant unto the Rev. James Tooke Hales, of Glazenwood, in Ess.e.x, and of Thompson, in Norfolk, her Royal license and authority to a.s.sume the surname of Tooke in addition to and after that of Hales, and to bear the arms of Tooke."

-*"Mr. C. F. Hall, of Norwich, has been appointed second leader of the orchestra of Drury Lane Theatre, after a contest of skill. He is the composer of two ballads, 'I have dream'd of hopes defeated' and 'The Inconstant.'"

OCTOBER.

8.*-"At a late sitting of the magistrates at Litcham to hear appeals against a.s.sessed taxes, Mr. Lynes, one of the appellants, accused the Surveyor of Taxes of partial conduct. He alleged that Mr. F. Beck, of Mileham, owned greyhounds for which he was not charged duty. Mr. Beck jumped up and got hold of Mr. Lynes' nose, which he held for some time.

Mr. Lynes retaliated by striking Mr. Beck several blows on the head and face, and a battle ensued. The police interfered, and Capt. Fitzroy ordered the parties into custody. It was stated that there had previously been a quarrel between Mr. King, the magistrates' clerk, Mr.

Beck, and Mr. Lynes, and Mr. King had challenged the latter to fight a duel. Mr. King acknowledged that he had sent a challenge. For the fight in the magistrates' room Mr. Beck and Mr. Lynes were bound over to keep the peace for twelve months. Mr. King was also bound over in sureties to keep the peace towards Mr. Lynes for twelve months." At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, on April 3rd, 1843, the action Lynes _v._ Beck, for a.s.sault, was tried before Lord Chief Justice Tindal, and judgment was given for the plaintiff, damages one shilling. The Judge remarked that the a.s.sault was of a very degrading and contumacious character.

11.-Died at his house on Scoles' Green, Norwich, Mr. Robert Ladbrooke, artist, in his 73rd year.

13.-Died at Tunbridge Wells, aged 55, Sir John Jacob Buxton, Bart., of Shadwell Park, Norfolk, and of Tockenham House, Wilts. He served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk in 18412.

19.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, Johnson Hemnell was sentenced to fifteen years' transportation for stealing promissory notes, gold, and silver, to the amount of 150, the property of Mr. Harrison Wells, of Dilham. On the night after his conviction the convict accompanied two of the prison warders to Seething, where he showed them a garden bank in which 108 of the stolen money was found concealed.

NOVEMBER.

7.-An inquest was held at the Hare Arms, Stow Bardolph, on the body of John Vare, who died under singular circ.u.mstances. On October 24th, at the Swan Inn, Downham, "he recited with considerable spirit to a party of tradesmen a piece out of 'Oth.e.l.lo,' and at the finish, where Oth.e.l.lo dies, deceased, as in the character, fell with considerable violence on the hearthrug at full length with his face down wards. He complained of considerable pain, went home, and died."

9.-Mr. Alderman Mitch.e.l.l was elected Mayor, and Mr. William Freeman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

18.-Died at Rawal Pindi, Lieut. Richard Edward Frere, 13th Light Infantry, aged 25. He had been in every action throughout the war in Afghanistan, was repeatedly wounded, and was mentioned with distinction in dispatches.

19.*-"Messrs. Wells and Gardner, of Birmingham, have entered into an arrangement with T. T. Berney, Esq., of Morton Hall, Norfolk, for the manufacture of his patent cartridges so much approved by gentlemen and sportsmen generally, and have appointed local agents."

26.*-"Sir Robert Peel has recommended her Majesty to grant an annual pension of 100 to Mr. John Curtis, the eminent naturalist and author of the great work, 'British Entomology.'" Curtis was a native of Norwich.

DECEMBER.

24.-A singular story of a supposed murder was published. A human skeleton was recovered from the bed of the river at Costessey Mills by a "didling" boat owned by Messrs. Culley. The circ.u.mstance was recalled that a Jew pedlar, known as "Old Abraham," had mysteriously disappeared eight years previously. It was also remembered that one Robert Page, sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing at Drayton, on March 27th, 1834, had told the prison warders that if he were taken to Costessey he could show them, beneath a willow tree, "something that would make their hair stand on end." By a curious coincidence, the skeleton was found beneath a willow which overhung the river. It was stated that the body had been staked down in the bed of the stream.

31.*-"During last week the coaches and vans were laden with turkeys and game for London. From the Magnet Office alone upwards of 1,600 packages were consigned, containing at least 2,400 turkeys, besides geese and game. The other coaches have had their share. One manufacturing firm in the city sent 1,000 lbs. weight."

1843.

JANUARY.

2.-Norwich Theatre opened for the season at reduced prices of admission, namely, boxes, single ticket, 4s., half price 2s., family tickets to admit six 1; upper boxes 2s., half price 1s.; pit 1s. (no half price); gallery 6d. The entire house had been redecorated by Mr. Thorne. Mr.