Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 7

Blagrove, violins; Herr Hausmann, violoncello. Mr. Benedict was conductor. The gross receipts amounted to 4,244 5s. 2d., and the gross expenses and liabilities to 4,347 14s. 7d.; deficit, 103 9s. 5d.

13.-The foundation-stone of the Norwich Free Library was laid by the Mayor (Sir Samuel Bignold). Addresses were delivered by the Duke of Wellington, the Rev. Edward Sidney, Sir Morton Peto, M.P., Sir John Boileau, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. W. J. Utten Browne, and Mr. J. H.

Tillett. (_See_ March 16th, 1857.)

16.-Mr. J. H. Gurney was elected unopposed to fill the vacancy in the representation of King's Lynn, created by the death of Lord Jocelyn.

23.*-"An attempt has been made at the Boar's Head Inn, Surrey Street, Norwich, to originate a place of entertainment of a similar kind to Evans' or Johnson's, in the Metropolis. A room capable of seating upwards of 200 visitors has been very tastefully fitted up by the proprietor, the walls being adorned by a series of Norwich views exceedingly well painted by our scenic artist for many years, Mr. Thorne, and every evening there is a vocal and instrumental concert by parties of London professionals, who are almost weekly changed, so as to secure as large an amount of novelty as possible. Another new feature in this city is the introduction of the imperial measure for wine at the old rate of 2s. 6d. per pint." This place, known as "The Shades," was managed by Mr.

Fred Phillips, and was the first music hall or variety entertainment in the city. The venture was not of a successful character.

25.-A meeting of the Norwich licensed victuallers was held at the Boar's Head Inn, to protest against the Bill for "Regulating the Sale of Beer and other Liquors on the Lord's Day," which sought to prohibit the opening of public-houses between the hours of 2. 30 and six o'clock, and after ten o'clock on Sunday. The meeting decided to pet.i.tion Parliament in opposition to the measure. At this meeting was formed a society called the Norwich Licensed Victuallers' a.s.sociation, of which Mr. Fred Phillips was elected president, Mr. Plane vice-president, Mr. Cushing treasurer, and Mr. S. Daynes secretary.

OCTOBER.

1.-Intelligence was received at Norwich of the victory of the allied armies at the Alma on September 20th. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung after service in the afternoon. A fict.i.tious message reached Norwich on the same day (Sunday), announcing the fall of Sebastopol, and the tricolour was hoisted on St. Peter's steeple. Regret was afterwards expressed that facilities existed "for circulating such hasty and erroneous despatches."

7.-Died, at Brandon Parva, aged 100, Mary Goward, widow.

17.-A remarkable discussion arose at Norwich Quarter Sessions as to certain irregularities which were said to have occurred at Heigham Hall private lunatic asylum. The minutes of the proceedings of the visiting justices at an inquiry held by them on June 22nd were read. Dr. Hull alleged that the Rev. ---, then acting as chaplain at the Asylum, had been wrongly admitted as a patient. In his evidence he stated that in June, 1852, Mr. Nichols informed him that a country clergyman, a member of a high county family, had committed a rape, that his family wished to make him out to be mad, and that, in order to save him from a criminal prosecution, they desired to get him into a mad-house. Mr. Nichols requested Dr. Hull to grant a second medical certificate. Dr. Hull refused to comply. Mr. Nichols emphatically denied that he had used the expressions attributed to him by Dr. Hull. The justices came to the conclusion: "(1) That the Rev. Mr. ---, by being placed in the asylum under the circ.u.mstances disclosed in the inquiry, was rescued from the grip of the law on a criminal charge; (2) that the order and medical certificates upon which he was admitted into the asylum were regular and in the form prescribed by the Act of Parliament; (3) that in the opinion of the visitors the Rev. Mr. --- is not a proper person to have been appointed or to continue to officiate as chaplain to the asylum." A letter from the office of the Commissioners in Lunacy was read, in which they stated they were satisfied that when the Rev. Mr. --- was admitted he was a proper person to be placed under medical care in the asylum. It was also a.s.serted that the Commissioners had recognised him as the chaplain of the asylum. Mr. Palmer, who had moved that the licence to Heigham Hall be refused, ultimately withdrew his motion, and the incident terminated. At a meeting of the city magistrates in December, a memorial was addressed to the Secretary of State, asking that a "searching investigation be made, with power to call before the Commissioners all parties who may be able to give evidence upon the various points embraced in the case." (No further action was taken.)

18.-The new bridge at Yarmouth was opened by the chairman and members of the Haven and Pier Commission. The contract price for the work of construction was 24,500, but the total cost, including the sums paid for property in the vicinity of the bridge, was estimated at 60,000.

19.-In an "extraordinary edition" of the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, published on this date, was given a "nominal return of the casualties among officers in the action on the River Alma." "1st Division-Scots Fusilier Guards: Captain W. G. Bulwer, wounded severely."

25.-The first detachment of the V Battery Royal Artillery arrived at Norwich; and the second detachment marched in on the 26th. "The last time artillery were stationed in this city was in 1813, and they were then commanded by General c.o.c.kburn, father of Major c.o.c.kburn, of Bracondale."

-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, a committee was appointed to carry out the objects of the Patriotic Fund, in accordance with the terms of the Royal Commission.

-Killed at Balaclava, Lieut. Henry Astley Sparke, 4th Light Dragoons, eldest son of the Rev. J. H. Sparke, of Gunthorpe Hall, and nephew of Lord Hastings.

NOVEMBER.

2.-The Wellington statue, erected in Norwich Market Place, was unveiled by the Mayor (Sir Samuel Bignold) in the presence of 20,000 spectators.

The band of the West Norfolk Militia played the National Anthem, and the Royal Artillery fired a salute on the Castle Hill. At the luncheon given at the Guildhall, speeches were delivered by the Earl of Orford, Lord Ranelagh, Sir John Boileau, Lord Royston, and Mr. H. J. S. Stracey. The statue cost about 1,000. "The hero is represented in the identical boots, cloak, and some other portions of dress actually worn by him at Waterloo, which were placed at the service of Mr. Adams, the sculptor, when he was modelling the figure. Mr. Adams has placed a copy of last Sat.u.r.day's NORFOLK CHRONICLE in a small s.p.a.ce chiselled for the purpose under the foot of the statue."

8.-Swaffham Coursing Meeting, which had greatly degenerated, was held, but owing to the small number of entries, the sport concluded early in the afternoon. "Although it does not appear that in other places coursing meetings have declined, it is clear that the glories of the Swaffham one have departed. The loss of Mr. Richard Gurney struck a blow at it almost fatal. This was followed by the withdrawal of Mr. Hamond and others, leaving the club originally consisting of all the letters of the alphabet reduced to two members. Although disappointed by the curtailment of the sports of the field, it was determined that the ladies should have the a.s.sembly as usual. It was held on Tuesday (the 7th), but it was known that none of the Club would be there to meet them as heretofore." The fortunes of the Club could only be restored, it was said, by throwing the meeting open to all England.

9.-Mr. Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. R. J. H. Harvey appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.-Mr. J. H. Tillett, it was announced on this date, had resigned his seat in the Norwich Town Council, in consequence of the Liberal candidate for the Seventh Ward "being forced upon the reluctant electors by bribery." Mr. Tillett wrote: "A due regard to that peace of mind which is essential to a man's happiness compels me to separate myself at once and for ever in the most decided and unequivocal manner possible from any a.s.sociation with those who are not prepared in public matters to adhere to a right and honest course."

18.-Died at his residence, Pedestal House, Southtown, Yarmouth in his 89th year, Captain Manby, F.R.S., the inventor of the apparatus for saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners. "His life for the last fifty years had been spent in serving his country, and his name will be revered by thousands who would have been widows and orphans but for the successful application of science which was perfected by his untiring industry and perseverance." His remains were buried at Hilgay on November 24th.

20.-Mrs. f.a.n.n.y Kemble commenced a series of Shakesperian readings at the a.s.sembly Rooms, Norwich.

DECEMBER.

8.-A writ was received at Norwich for the election of a member to supply the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Peto, M.P., "in consequence of the opinion of the law officers of the Crown that though he had consented to construct a railway in the Crimea without profit to himself, he would be liable to heavy penalties if he continued to sit in the House of Commons." (_See_ December 27th.)

9.-A description was published of the new Corn Hall at Diss, erected by a public-spirited resident, Mr. T. L. Taylor. The building was designed by Mr. George Atkins, jun. "Mr. Taylor intends vesting it in trustees for the purposes of a corn market at a nominal rental, and he further intends appropriating a s.p.a.cious apartment for a reading-room and library."

16.-Wombwell's Menagerie arrived at Norwich, and was advertised under its new t.i.tle, "Edmonds', late Wombwell's." The exhibition was removed from its usual quarters on Castle Meadow to the Market Place.

22.-Died at his residence in Berkeley Square, Mr. William Howe Windham, of Felbrigg Hall. He was one of the representatives of the Eastern Division of Norfolk in 1832, when he was returned with the Hon. George Keppel, their opponents being Lord Henry Cholmondeley and Mr. Nathaniel Peach. In 1835 he came forward with Mr. R. H. Gurney, in opposition to Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Lord Walpole, when the two last named were returned. In 1837 another election occurred, when Lord Walpole having retired, Mr. H. N. Burroughes was brought forward in conjunction with Mr.

Wodehouse. Mr. Windham and Mr. Gurney, who opposed them, were again unsuccessful. Mr. Windham, who was a staunch Whig, was the oldest son of Vice-Admiral Windham (formerly Lukin), who took the name and arms in pursuance of the will of his uncle, the Right Hon. William Windham, in 1824, on succeeding to the estate on the death of Mrs. Windham. On the decease of his father, the Admiral, Mr. Windham succeeded to the Felbrigg property. He married, in 1835, Lady Sophia Hervey, daughter of the Marquis of Bristol, by whom he had one son, then in his fourteenth year.

Mr. Windham died at the age of 53.

26.-Mr. J. F. Young, who for many years afterwards was a favourite actor in Norwich, made his first appearance at the Theatre Royal, in the character of Sir Edward Mortimer ("The Iron Chest"). The play was followed by a pantomime, ent.i.tled, "Harlequin St. George, or the Geni Czarnickholdofallhecan and the Fairy of Contentment."

27.-The West Norfolk Militia a.s.sembled at Norwich for the annual training. The East Norfolk Militia were embodied on the same day, at Yarmouth.

-Sir Samuel Bignold and Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre, were nominated candidates at the election at Norwich rendered necessary by the retirement of Mr. Peto. A poll, demanded on behalf of Mr. Hamond, took place on the 28th, and the result was officially declared on the 29th, as follows: Bignold, 1,901; Hamond, 1,635. After this election were published, for the first time, the expenses of the respective candidates.

In Mr. Hamond's accounts, under the heading, "hire of horses and carriages," was the item, "W. Slaughter, Sedan chair, 15s."

-Died, the Rev. Sir George Stracey, Bart., rector of Rackheath. "It is rather a singular circ.u.mstance that there has been but one presentation to the living of Rackheath during a period of 115 years. The late rector held the living from 1796, and his predecessor was presented to it in 1739."

30.-A serious railway accident occurred between Thetford and Brandon.

The up mail from Norwich, which left Thetford soon after 11 p.m., was detained two and a half miles beyond the station by a breakdown of the engine. Twenty-three minutes later a cattle train, travelling at full speed, dashed into the rear of the mail train. The engine-driver of the mail, John Burton, who was at work beneath his engine, was killed instantly, and three pa.s.sengers in the rear carriage seriously injured.

One, Mr. Meagher, a London undertaker, who had been attending the funeral of Mr. Windham, afterwards died. At the inquest, on January 15th, 1855, the jury found that the accident resulted from the inefficiency of the railway company's rules in allowing a heavily-laden cattle train to follow a mail train at unlimited speed without telegraphic communication from the preceding station.

1855.

JANUARY.

1.-The railways from Reedham to Yarmouth and Lowestoft were flooded, owing to the high tides in the rivers. The metals were displaced, and on the 2nd traffic was stopped. At Yarmouth the water rose above the quayhead.

9.-Lynn Corn Exchange was opened for business. It was built from designs by Mr. Maberley, at the cost of 2,450.

-A "farewell festival" was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, "as a mark of respect and sympathy" to the Right Rev. Dr. Colenso, prior to his return to the diocese of Natal. Dr. Colenso, who was present had spent the greater part of the previous year in organizing means for carrying on his work in South Africa.

20.-Died in Victoria Street, Norwich, aged 67, William Laws, one of the proprietors of the Norwich Telegraph coach, which he had driven for upwards of twenty years.

23.-The Norfolk Artillery Militia were embodied at Yarmouth. The corps, on March 7th, proceeded to Eastbourne, for garrison duty, and returned to Yarmouth on April 25th. In the following month it was determined to increase the strength from 200 to 400 men and to appoint a lieutenant-colonel.

29.-Father Gavazzi, the popular Italian preacher and reformer, gave the first of a series of "Protestant orations" at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

FEBRUARY.