Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 112

30.-Chloroform was, for the first time, used in a surgical operation at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. "A young woman had her leg amputated after having inhaled the fumes from a convenient apparatus. She became perfectly insensible to pain, and continued so throughout the operation.

Her sensations were apparently of a very happy description, as she partly amused herself by singing psalms in a very clear and distinct voice, and partly by holding lively conversations with imaginary persons during the performance of this painful operation. The state of unconsciousness appeared to be more rapidly induced by the use of chloroform than is usually effected by spirits of ether. Its exhalation also was more easy and agreeable, and the duration of its influence longer."

1848.

JANUARY.

1.-Methwold church was re-opened after restoration. "The centre of the nave has been given to the poor, and the outside aisles appropriated to the rich."

3.-Mr. Aldridge, "the African Roscius," appeared at Norwich Theatre in the character of Oth.e.l.lo, and afterwards as Zanga ("The Revenge"), Fabian ("The Black Doctor"), and Bertram. He was a native of Africa, and was described as a very intelligent actor.

5.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, at Norwich, George Thurtell (47), horticulturist, "who appeared like a dying man," pleaded guilty to stealing various articles from the house of Mr. Farrer, of Sporle, where he had been entertained as a guest while engaged as a landscape gardener in laying out the grounds. The prisoner, who was a son of Mr. Alderman Thurtell, of Norwich, and brother of the notorious John Thurtell, the murderer of Mr. Wear, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. He died before the completion of his sentence (July 26th).

13.-The elephant belonging to Wombwell's Menagerie died whilst being exhibited at Norwich. The animal was said to be 85 years old.

19.-Mrs. Butler, "once so celebrated as f.a.n.n.y Kemble," commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Mrs. Beverley. She appeared also as Julia ("The Hunchback") and Pauline.

28.-The Yarmouth Haven and Pier Commissioners determined to oppose at every stage the Norwich and Yarmouth Navigation Bill, by which it was sought to obtain powers for improving the navigation of the river Yare by straightening, widening, and deepening the channel, so as to admit of the pa.s.sage of seaborne ships from Yarmouth to Norwich. Application was made in the Court of Chancery for an injunction to restrain the Corporation of Norwich from raising funds by means of the borough rate to forward the Bill, which went before a Committee of the House of Commons on May 2nd.

Counsel for the promoters intimated on May 5th that they did not intend to offer further evidence in its support, whereupon the Bill was withdrawn.

FEBRUARY.

4.-The driver of the Brandon, Fakenham, and Wells coach, benumbed with cold, fell from the box seat unknown to the pa.s.sengers, and was severely injured. The accident occurred at Toftrees. "The horses proceeded at their usual pace, turning all corners, crossing Hempton Common, up the narrow street into Fakenham, and pa.s.sing several carts and other vehicles on the way. They pulled up at the Crown Inn, as usual, and waited for the porters and ostlers. The coach stops on alternate nights at the Crown and Lion Inns, and this was the proper night for it to stop at the Crown."

7.-The Yarmouth election pet.i.tion against the return of Lord Arthur Lennox and Mr. Octavius E. Coope, on the ground of corrupt practices, came before the Committee of the House of Commons. On the 14th the Committee found that "gross, systematic, and extensive bribery prevailed amongst the freemen at the last and previous elections, and considered it their duty to express to the House their unanimous opinion that the freemen should be disfranchised, and that no writ should be issued for the borough until legislative measures had been taken for the purpose of such disfranchis.e.m.e.nt." The members were unseated. The Disfranchis.e.m.e.nt Bill received the Royal a.s.sent on June 30th, and the names of 1,106 voters were struck off the list, leaving the const.i.tuency at 876. On the same day the writ was issued for the election. Mr. C. E. Rumbold, Mr.

Joseph Sandars, and Mr. Bagshaw were nominated candidates on July 7th; a poll was demanded, and the result was declared on the 8th, as follows:-Sandars, 416; Rumbold, 386; Bagshaw, 300.

27.-Died at Hill's Farm, Attleborough, Mr. Theophilus Smith, aged 68.

"He was a man of considerable talent and mechanical skill. In 1841 he had, through the kindness of the Earl of Albemarle, an introduction to Prince Albert at Windsor Castle, when a variety of ingenious models invented by Mr. Smith for improving the construction of the plough were submitted to and obtained the approbation of his Royal Highness, and a patent was subsequently taken out for what has become well known to agriculturists as 'Smith's Patent Albert Plough.' Mr. Smith presented two poems to Prince Albert, addressed, 'To the Queen' and 'To the Prince of Wales,' and shortly after a beautiful family Bible, elegantly bound and emblazoned with the Royal Arms, was transmitted from Windsor Castle to Mr. Smith, with an inscription intimating that it was presented 'by command of her Majesty.' The Royal autograph and that of Prince Albert were, at Mr. Smith's request, inserted."

MARCH.

4.*-"Freehold building land is now freely selling on what is called Diss Common, for building purposes, at the rate of 700 per acre, which before the railway was barely worth the tillage."

13.-The 16th Lancers arrived at Norwich, from Brighton. Men and horses came by special trains, and were under the command of Lieut.-Col. Smyth, C.B. The regiment had just returned from India, "where it had shared in the glorious battles of Aliwal and Sobraon."

18.-Intelligence was received at Norwich that the Queen had given birth to a Princess (Princess Louise Caroline Alberta). The Corporation sent a congratulatory address.

22.-Died at Thetford, aged 107, Mrs. Catherine Brand. "She was a pious Roman Catholic, and her first marriage was on the day of the Coronation of George III., to Mr. Main, by whose name, in her second widowhood, she preferred to be called."

23.-Died at his residence in Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. Edward Temple Booth, aged 84. In 1820 he was appointed Sheriff, in 1821 Alderman, and in 1826 Mayor. He was president of the Norwich Union Fire and Life Insurance Societies.

30.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Baron Pollock and a special jury was tried the action Jermy _v._ Rush. The plaintiff, who was Recorder of Norwich, sought to recover damages from the defendant for a breach of covenants in respect of the lease of a farm at Ketteringham. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff on all issues-damages 420.

APRIL.

11.-Madame Anna Thillon made her appearance at Norwich Theatre as La Catarina in Auber's opera, "Crown Diamonds." She also took the part of Roxalana ("The Sultana").

13.-Died at Cromer Hall, aged 73, Mr. Henry Baring.

14.-Mr. Sims Reeves made his first appearance in Norwich at a concert given by Jullien at St. Andrew's Hall, under the management of Mr.

William Howlett.

MAY.

10.-Mr. G. V. Brooke, after an absence of several years, appeared at Norwich Theatre for one night, in the character of Oth.e.l.lo.

15.-Mr. Webster, of the Haymarket Theatre, commenced a three nights'

engagement at Norwich Theatre as Stanislaus ("The Roused Lion") and Michael Bradshaw ("Old Honesty").

22.-Mr. Henry Russell, the favourite vocalist, gave his entertainment at Norwich Theatre.

23.-The enforcement of the regulation of the Poor Law Commissioners for the separation of married men from their wives in workhouses, gave rise to a serious disturbance among the inmates of Norwich Workhouse. The rioting was resumed on June 16th. A policeman named William Callow, while engaged in removing the refractory paupers from the Workhouse to the Police-station, was struck by a stone and received fatal injuries. A verdict of wilful murder against some person unknown was returned by the Coroner's jury.

27.-The Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry a.s.sembled at Fakenham for their annual training-the last in the history of the regiment. (_See_ May 19th, 1849.)

28.-Died at Castleacre, Ann Stanford, widow, in her 104th year.

30.-A military race-meeting was held by the 16th Lancers, on land near the Heart's Ease Inn, Plumstead Road, Norwich. The "Citizens' Races"

took place over the same course on the 31st.

JUNE.

26.-A masquerade and fancy dress ball took place at Norwich Theatre. The pit was converted into a ball-room. "The attendance was moderate and not very select."

-The foundation-stone of the Jewish synagogue in St. Faith's Lane, Norwich, was laid by Mr. Joel Fox. The building was consecrated by the Rev. Dr. N. M. Adler, Chief Rabbi, on Sept. 6th, 1849.

JULY.

13.-The Rev. C. Turner was elected perpetual curate of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich.

28.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Baron Parke, a libel action, Quarles _v._ Bacon and another, was tried. The plaintiff, a solicitor at Fakenham, claimed damages against the defendants, proprietors of the "Norwich Mercury," for stating in that journal he was guilty of such conduct as to warrant his being struck off the rolls. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff-damages 40s.