Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 6

8.-At a meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. Bignold), and held at the Guildhall, Norwich, pet.i.tions to both Houses of Parliament were adopted in favour of an Act "for the legal prohibition of the sale of intoxicating drink during the whole of Sunday (except to _bona fide_ travellers)." A committee was appointed to make arrangements for forming a Sunday Closing a.s.sociation.

10.-A troop of the Carabineers marched from Norwich Barracks, to join the headquarters at Ipswich. The remaining troop left on May 1st.

-In the Rolls Court, before the Master of the Rolls, was heard the case, the Attorney-General _v._ Hudson, in _re_ the Grammar School and Hospital at Norwich. This was an information filed by the Attorney-General, at the relation of certain inhabitants of the city, against the trustees appointed under the Corporation Act, of two charities called the Free Grammar School and the Great Hospital. The object of the information was to show that the Grammar School had not received a fair amount of the funds of the charity, and that undue preference had been given to the Hospital in their distribution. A decree was made, directing a scheme to be settled in Chambers. On December 18th it was stated in the Rolls Court that when the case was in Chambers a deed of covenant, contemporaneous with the letters patent of King Edward VI., and to which the Corporation were parties, had been found, by which the whole surplus, after the stipulated payments, was to be applied to the sustentation of the poor. The question then before the Court was how far this varied the case. It was contended that the Hospital and the poor were ent.i.tled to the entire surplus. The Master of the Rolls was of opinion that the deed did not control the letters patent, that no predominance or priority was given to one part of the charity over the other, and that the surplus rents should be equally divided, and in such a way as would be most consistent with the intentions of the founder. The case was taken before the Chief Clerk to the Master of the Rolls on February 6th, 1855. "The result is that upwards of 1,000 per annum in addition to the property comprised in the charter will be secured for the general benefit of the charity, including, of course, the School. The matter now stands over, in order that a scheme may be prepared for the general administration of the charity under the sanction of the Attorney-General." On April 7th, 1855, it was announced that the following proposal had been made on the part of the "promoters of the new Grammar School" as to the future division of the funds "hitherto belonging to the Great Hospital": "That the present salary of the chaplain of the said Hospital be increased 100 per annum, he having at present 200 per annum besides his residence; that one moiety of the net income of the charity be annually applied for the benefit of the School and the objects thereof, and that the other moiety be applied for the benefit of the poor in the Hospital; and that no further election of inmates shall be allowed to take place until the number shall by death or other causes be reduced to 100, and that until the numbers shall be so reduced, the expenses occasioned thereby shall be provided for out of the savings of the trust and now invested in the sum of 11,500 Consols, or out of any other monies in the hands of the defendants." Another meeting was held in Chambers on May 9th, 1855, when the trustees strongly opposed the heads of the scheme; thereupon it was proposed that the Chief Clerk should proceed to Norwich and hold an inquiry. The trustees claimed the right to appeal against his decision, if necessary, and the Chief Clerk then declined to accede to the proposal. The trustees were invited to carry in the counter claim, but refused to do so. (_See_ June 16th, 1857.)

13.-Henry Russell gave his entertainments, "The Far West," and "Negro Life," in the presence of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons, at St.

Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

16.-A meeting of the citizens was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. S. Bignold), at which it was agreed "that the wives and children of the Army of England called at this time on the service of their country to the seat of war, claim the sympathy of the British public, and that a subscription be forthwith commenced to relieve all such women and children as may be left in dest.i.tution and want."

Similar funds were raised in other parts of the county.

23.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Lord Chief Baron Parke, William Thompson, aged 21, was charged with the murder of Lorenzi Beha, at t.i.ttleshall, on November 18th, 1853. Mr. Evans prosecuted, and Mr.

Carlos Cooper defended. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April 8th. "The criminal's struggles continued five minutes." The lowest and most degraded cla.s.ses in the city and county a.s.sembled on the Hill, "and more scenes of drunkenness and immorality were exhibited than had been seen for a long time previously in Norwich."

25.*-"At the Walsingham Quarter Sessions, the Grand Jury, in making their presentment, called the attention of the Court to the prevailing nuisance occasioned by carts drawn by dogs, and to the facilities thus afforded for the commission of felonies. They recommended that some decisive steps be taken to procure an extension of the Act providing against this evil in and around London." The provisions of the Act in force in the Metropolitan district were extended to the United Kingdom, and came into force on January 1st, 1855.

31.-Died at Haddiscoe, Edward Constance, aged 68, "well known for his sporting tastes, and for a considerable period a pedestrian follower of the hounds of the late Lord Berners, distinguished for his industrious habits and his ardent love of the chase."

APRIL.

1.*-"An order has been received from the Home Secretary, calling upon the churchwardens of every parish in Norwich to discontinue forthwith the burials in the inside of their respective churches, and to discontinue those in the churchyards from and after February 1st, 1855. Burial Boards are about to be formed for the purpose of providing a suitable ground for interment in the vicinity."

8.-Mr. G. V. Brooke concluded a week's engagement at Lynn Theatre. He appeared in the parts of Oth.e.l.lo, Master Walter ("The Hunchback"), Sir Giles Overreach, Claude Melnot, and Hamlet.

11.-A public meeting, held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, with the view of promoting the abolition of capital punishment, resolved to pet.i.tion the House of Commons in favour of such abolition.

19.-An address to the Queen was adopted at a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a.s.suring her Majesty "that she had their unqualified support in the prosecution of the war."

22.-That remarkable character, Philip Coots, better known as "Philip the Pieman," and the "Drum-boy," died at Norwich, aged 49.

-Died at Yarmouth, Eleanor Warrant, aged 102.

25.-The West Norfolk Militia, 1,000 strong, a.s.sembled at Norwich for a month's training. The East Norfolk Militia and the Norfolk Artillery Militia commenced their training at Yarmouth on the same date. The East Norfolk Regiment was, on May 16th, presented with colours by the Lord Lieutenant.

26.-This date was observed as a day of humiliation. In Norwich shops were closed, all business suspended, and the Mayor and Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, where "the Almighty's blessing was implored upon the war." The day was similarly observed at Lynn and Yarmouth.

27.-Died at Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Lieut.-Col.

Nelthorpe, of the West Norfolk Militia, in his 83rd year. He was succeeded in the lieutenant-colonelcy by Major Custance.

MAY.

3.-At her Majesty's Levee, Mr. Samuel Bignold, Mayor of Norwich, was presented and received the honour of knighthood. On the 17th the portrait of Sir Samuel was placed in St. Andrew's Hall. It was painted by J. P. Knight, R.A., in 1850, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851, and afterwards engraved by Jackson.

21.-Died at Bethel Street, Norwich, aged 70, Robert Forster, formerly bandmaster of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's Own) Regiment. "At Waterloo he received a ball in his knee, which had never been extracted. He was a native of Norwich, and the only survivor of the band of the regiment, the whole having fallen by his side at Waterloo."

JUNE.

30.-The Eastern Counties (Amalgamation of Railways) Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons and pa.s.sed. One of the clauses was to the following effect: "That it shall not be lawful for the company to close or discontinue the Victoria Station at Norwich, now belonging to the Eastern Union Railway Company."

JULY.

3.-Foot-racing was revived on the Old Cricket Ground at Norwich, by Mr.

Thomas Sapey, a local sportsman. A one mile handicap, open to all England, brought twenty-four compet.i.tors, among whom were Thomas Horspool, of Sheffield (holder of the one mile champion belt); C. Welton, of Gateshead; William Newman, of London; Robert Bunn, John Brighton ("The Milk Boy"), Richard Fromow, Jim Mace (pugilist), William ("c.o.c.k") Blyth, &c. The meeting was continued on the 4th.

7.-The first meeting of the Norwich Photographic Society (established on June 23rd) was held at Mr. W. Freeman's, London Street. The objects of the society were the reading of original papers, the discussion of different photographic processes, the collection of pictures, and the formation of a photographic library.

20.-A dinner was held at the Town Hall, Yarmouth, to celebrate the inauguration of Lord Sondes as High Steward of that borough.

22.-Norwich Theatre was opened for the a.s.size week, under the management of Messrs. C. Gill and William Sidney, lessees of the Theatres Royal, Leicester, Portsmouth, Leamington, and Jersey. They also had the management of Yarmouth Theatre. The winter season commenced on November 11th. The new managers endeavoured to restore at Norwich the old style and prices of the entertainments. "On each Friday night the prices will be as they were a few years since, and on these occasions the pieces selected will consist of standard plays and comedies, concluding with a really funny farce." The company was a good one, and "the starring system, which sacrifices every supposed subordinate character to two or three leading ones," was "studiously ignored." Mr. Gill (who was afterwards for several years manager of Lynn Theatre) withdrew from the partnership in 1855, and on December 10th in that year the winter season commenced under the sole management of Mr. Sidney.

AUGUST.

12.-Died at the residence of Lord Palmerston, in Carlton Gardens, London, Viscount Jocelyn, M.P. His lordship contracted Asiatic cholera while performing military duty at the Tower of London as Colonel of the Ess.e.x Rifles. The eldest son of the Earl of Roden, he was born on February 20th, 1816, and served on the staff of Lord Saltoun in the China Expedition in 1842. He was the author of a work ent.i.tled, "Six Months in China." In February, 1842, on the appointment of Sir Stratford Canning as Amba.s.sador at Constantinople, a new writ was issued for King's Lynn, when Lord Jocelyn was returned for that borough as a Liberal-Conservative, and continued to represent it until his death.

During the last two years of Sir Robert Peel's Administration he held office as Secretary to the India Board.

15.-A whale of the "beak" species, measuring 29 feet in length and 21 feet in girth, and weighing nearly nine tons, was captured on Snetttisham beach. "When boiled, although the operation was unskilful, it produced 120 gallons of oil."

16.-Lynn Athenaeum, erected at the cost of 4,150, was inaugurated by addresses delivered by the President (Mr. H. Edwards) and Lord Stanley.

The architects were Messrs. Cruso and Maberly and the contractors Messrs.

J. and W. Purdy.

20.-A portion of a building at Lynn, originally a chapel-of-ease to St.

Margaret's church, and utilised as a workhouse, fell, killing a clockmaker named Andrews, and John Cana, a pauper. Fissures had been observed in the walls of the building, and measures had been taken to remove the inmates to another part of the premises, otherwise the loss of life would have been appalling. The first stone of the new Workhouse was laid on July 16th, 1855, by the Rev. J. Bransley, chairman of the Board of Guardians.

24.-A shocking accident occurred on the River Yare, near the Alder Car at Trowse Hythe, Thorpe. Mrs. Palmer (wife of Mr. T. H. Palmer, chief clerk at the Norwich County Court), her son, about six years old; Matilda Hubbard, a nursemaid; and William Plow, a lad, were drowned by the overturning of a pleasure-boat which had gone foul of a wherry.

SEPTEMBER.

8.-The first harvest thanksgiving festival held in the county took place at Brooke. It was the result of an attempt made by the vicar, the Rev.

Dr. Beal, "to put a stop to the disgraceful scenes which too often characterise the close of harvest, and to the system of _largess_, which gives rise to cases of the grossest description." After service at the church, men, women, and children had dinner on the vicarage lawn. "The Times" observed: "The attempt to put an end to the system of public-house harvest feasts, in which neither wives nor children can join, appears in this instance to have been eminently successful." Many other villages in Norfolk, after the harvest of 1855, followed the example set by Brooke.

10.-The great west window at Norwich Cathedral, designed as a memorial to Bishop Stanley, was submitted to public inspection. It cost 1,500, and was designed and executed by Mr. George Hedgeland, of London.

11.-At the Norwich Police Court, the Rev. Henry Herring, formerly curate of North Pickenham, was charged with begging, under peculiar circ.u.mstances, on the previous day (Sunday), in the Cathedral Close. The prisoner, "with his gown on his back," stationed himself in front of the great west door and exhibited a placard bearing the following inscription: "The law ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel. The Church of England withholds from me the justice of that tribunal which the civil law grants to the common murderer. Such is the spirit of that Church which professedly invites even a prodigal to repentance; I have spent 1,800 in her service, and have been driven to pa.s.s three nights in the streets of Norwich, and six nights in a lock-up (a hole where there is only straw to lie upon on a stone floor), solely for the want of better and proper accommodation. The Mayor and magistrates have encouraged me to apply to everyone that has a heart to feel for the miseries of a fellow-creature. I earnestly solicit the sympathy and charity of an enlightened public to enable me to live day by day and to defend myself by law from the tyranny and persecution of the Bishop of Norwich.-Henry Herring, late curate of North Pickenham, Norfolk. Norwich Streets, September 9th." Superintendent English stated that he had offered to send the defendant to a situation in Yorkshire, or to Australia, where his brothers resided; but he had declined to avail himself of either. Mr. Herring promised not to repeat his behaviour, and was discharged.

12.-The opening concert of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival took place at St. Andrew's Hall. The programme included Rossini's "Stabat Mater," a selection of sacred music, and (for the first time) "The Ninety-First Psalm." In the evening there was a miscellaneous concert, including parts 1 and 2 of "Acis and Galatea." On Wednesday morning (13th) Beethoven's "Service in C" and "The Creation" were performed; at the miscellaneous concert in the evening selections from the works of Weber and Spohr were rendered. At Thursday morning's concert (14th) "Elijah" was given, and at the evening concert miscellaneous items and selections from the works of Mozart. "The Messiah" was performed on Friday morning (15th), and in the evening a grand dress ball was given at the a.s.sembly Rooms, with music by Weippert's Royal Quadrille Band. The Festival _artistes_ were Madame Angiolina Bosio, Madame Clara Novello, Madame Anaido Castellan, Madame Weiss, Miss Dolby, Signor Gardoni, Herr Reichardt, Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Bolletti, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Lablache. The instrumental solo performers were Mons. Sainton, violinist to her Majesty, and Mr. H.