Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 48

2.-Died at his residence, St. Giles' Street, Norwich, Sir William Foster, Bart., aged 76. For half a century he had taken a prominent position in Norwich in all matters connected with its munic.i.p.al and charitable inst.i.tutions, and, as the head of one of the oldest legal firms in the city, was greatly esteemed in his professional career. Under the old Corporation he served the office of Sheriff in 1832, and in 1838 was created a baronet. Sir William was elected Mayor of Norwich in 1844. In politics he was a warm supporter of Liberal principles, and was for many years the recognised leader of the old Whig school in Norwich. He was succeeded by Capt. William Foster, formerly in the 11th Hussars.

6.-Died at Golding Street, Heigham, Norwich, Mrs. Winifred Johnson, aged 101 years.

9.-Died at 39, Chapel Street, Marylebone Road, London, Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, F.R.S., F.S.A., of Cromer Hall, in his 94th year. Educated at Westminster and at Exeter College, Oxford, and called to the Bar in 1816, he was a Bencher of the Middle Temple, a justice of the peace and Deputy-Lieutenant for Middles.e.x and Norfolk, and Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons in the latter county. In 1846 he was returned to the House of Commons for St. Alban's, and represented Boston from 1847 to 1857. On purchasing the Cromer Hall estate, Mr. Bond Cabbell became identified with Norfolk, presented to Cromer a fully-equipped lifeboat, and contributed largely to the restoration of the parish church.

-A remarkable charge of cruelty to dogs was preferred at Norwich Police-court, against Dr. Eugene Magnan, of London, Mr. Haynes S.

Robinson, Mr. John Ballard Pitt, Mr. Richard Wentworth White, and Mr.

Horace Turner, well-known medical men residing in Norwich. It was alleged that on the occasion of the visit of the British Medical a.s.sociation to Norwich, application was made by a committee of gentlemen that a certain experiment, namely, the injection of alcohol and absinthe into the veins and bloodvessels of dogs, should be made. Dr. Magnan performed the operation, and the other defendants took part. Among the witnesses called for the prosecution was Dr. Tuffnell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, who said the experiment was cruel because unnecessary, and similar evidence was given by Sir William Fergusson, Professor William Pritchard, R.C.V.S., Professor Varnell, R.C.V.S., Mr. G. Fleming, Examining Member of the Council of Veterinary Surgeons, and one of the editors of the "Veterinarian," and others. For the defence it was denied that Dr. Magnan performed the experiment simply for the amus.e.m.e.nt of those present, and Dr. Beverley, Dr. Bateman, Dr.

Eade, Dr. Copeman, Mr. Cadge, Mr. W. P. Nichols, Mr. G. W. W. Firth, Mr.

Joseph Allen, and others were called to prove that the operation was justifiable. The magistrates dismissed the charges, but expressed the opinion that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were justified in bringing the case.

10.-Died at 7, Lowndes Street, London, Mr. Peter Frank O'Malley, Q.C., last surviving son of Mr. Charles O'Malley, of Castlebar, co. Mayo. Born in 1804, he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated M.A. in 1828, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in May, 1834.

He married, in August, 1839, Emily, second daughter of Mr. William Rodwell, of Woodlands, Suffolk, sister of Mr. B. B. Hunter Rodwell, M.P., Q.C. In 1850 he was appointed Queen's Counsel and made a Bencher of the Middle Temple. On the elevation of Mr. Serjeant Byles to the Bench, in 1858, Mr. O'Malley succeeded to the leadership of the Norfolk Circuit, and in the following year was appointed to the Recordership of Norwich.

In politics he was a Conservative, and, as an advocate, was remarkable for his eloquence, earnestness, and zeal. Mr. O'Malley was succeeded as Recorder of Norwich by Mr. W. J. Metcalfe, Q.C.

15.-The Duke of Connaught presented the prizes at Norwich Grammar School.

-Died at Bracondale, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Jarrold, in his 69th year. Mr.

Jarrold, who was head of the wall-known firm of publishers, was an ardent temperance reformer, and one of the earliest advocates of the cause in Norwich.

17.-Died at his Norfolk seat, Elmham Hall, George John Milles, fourth Baron Sondes. The deceased n.o.bleman had almost attained his 81st year.

The second son of Lewis Thomas Watson, second Lord Sondes, by Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Milles, of North Elmham, he succeeded to the t.i.tle on the death of his brother, in 1836. He was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, and entered the Royal Horse Guards, in which regiment he served in the Peninsular War, and was present at the battle of Waterloo. In 1823 he married Eleanor, fifth daughter of Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart., and in 1824, on succeeding to the Elmham estate, a.s.sumed the name of Milles in lieu of that of Watson. After his retirement from military service, he took great interest in agricultural pursuits, and was very successful in his efforts to improve the breeds of cattle and sheep. The Elmham herd of red polled cattle and flock of Southdowns attained universal reputation. His lordship was High Steward of Great Yarmouth, to which office he was elected in 1854.

26.-The pantomime at Norwich Theatre was "d.i.c.k Whittington and his Wonderful Cat." At the Prince Arthur Royal Circus, on Castle Meadow, the pantomime, "King Bombast, or Harlequin Reckless Ralph and his Lilliputian Army," was produced.

1875.

JANUARY.

2.-The frost, which, during the preceding week, had been very severe, suddenly broke up, and, under the influence of a south-west wind, a rapid thaw set in.

-Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Sir Samuel Bignold. He was the third son of Mr. Thomas Bignold, of Westerham, Kent, who came to Norwich towards the close of the eighteenth century, and established the Norfolk and Norwich General a.s.surance, "for the insurance of houses, stock, and merchandise from fire." The office was in the Market Place, where Mr. Bignold also carried on the business of a wine and spirit merchant until the end of 1807. Mr. Samuel Bignold was elected Corporation Sheriff on August 9th, 1830, and in 1831 succeeded Mr. John Patteson as Alderman of the Great Mancroft Ward. In 1832 he was instrumental in introducing to the city Lord Stormont and Sir James Scarlett, as candidates for its representation in Parliament. During his Mayoralty in 1833 he wrote a letter to the Governor of the Court of Guardians, suggesting the establishment of a joint stock company for spinning yarn, in order to give employment to the poor. The result was the formation of the Norwich Yarn Company, and the first stone of their factory was laid by Mr. Bignold on December 1st, 1836. This undertaking was commenced with every indication of success, but it finally succ.u.mbed to the powerful compet.i.tion of the North. In 1848 Mr. Bignold was a second time elected Mayor, and was chosen a third time for the office in 1853. On May 3rd, 1854, having been requested by the Corporation to present to the Queen an address pledging its loyal support to her Majesty in the prosecution of the Crimean War, he received the honour of knighthood, and his portrait was painted by public subscription, by J. P.

Knight, R.A., and placed in St. Andrew's Hall. In the same year Sir Samuel was returned as member of Parliament for the city, in opposition to Mr. Anthony Hamond, the Liberal candidate. On seeking re-election, in 1857, he was defeated by Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider, and again in April, 1859, by the same gentlemen; but that election was declared void. In June, 1859, when Lord Bury sought re-election, having vacated his seat by accepting the appointment of Comptroller of her Majesty's household, Sir Samuel was again defeated, and Lord Bury was a second time unseated on pet.i.tion. In all subsequent elections, although not a candidate himself, Sir Samuel Bignold continued to take an active part. He was a.s.sociated with many public companies and charitable and other inst.i.tutions. After the pa.s.sing of the Munic.i.p.al Reform Act, he was elected a Councillor for the Fifth Ward, which he continued to represent until his death. He was placed on the Commission of the Peace for the County in 1835, and became a Deputy-Lieutenant, and was appointed a city magistrate in 1841.

4.-The Norwich Choral Society, founded by Professor Taylor, in 1824, for the performance of choral and orchestral music, was voluntarily dissolved by the few remaining members.

-The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl of Leicester.

20.-Died at her residence, Thorpe St. Andrew, in her 69th year, Miss Mary Ann Bacon, third daughter of Mr. R. M. Bacon, of Costessey. She possessed varied accomplishments and poetical talent. Early in life she a.s.sisted her father by translating and writing several valuable articles for the "Musical Review"; and she was a.s.sociated with Mr. Owen Jones in the production of some volumes of combined art and poetry which attracted much attention at the time of their appearance. Miss Bacon was particularly happy in her metrical translations of German, French, and Italian songs, and the books of the Norwich Festivals for many years attested her ready talent in giving the spirit of those languages when combined with music. She contributed many fugitive verses and serial tales in prose to the "People's Journal" and other periodicals and magazines.

FEBRUARY.

3.-A special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held for the purpose of considering and pa.s.sing resolutions authorising the Council to pet.i.tion Parliament against the Norwich Gas Bill, by which the British Gaslight Company sought to acquire additional lands and to raise further capital. It was decided to oppose the Bill, and the action of the Council was confirmed at a common hall held on the 4th.

-Died at 26, Highbury Place, London, the Rev. Luke Hoult Wiseman, aged 53. He was a son of Mr. Samuel Wiseman of Norwich, so well known for his long and devoted services to the British and Foreign Bible Society. He became private secretary to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, and afterwards entered as a candidate for the Wesleyan Methodist ministry. A popular and powerful preacher, he was appointed, in 1868, one of the general secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. In 1871 he was elected secretary to the Conference, and in 1872 was appointed its president.

Mr. Wiseman wrote much for the Press, and all his writings bore the impress of a clear and vigorous intellect. His best known works were "Christ's Temptation in the Wilderness" and "Men of Faith."

4.-A fire, which resulted in the destruction of the treadmill-house and of a small storage building, occurred at the City Gaol, Norwich. An alarming rumour of an attempted escape of the prisoners was circulated, and a detachment of the 7th Hussars was summoned from the Cavalry Barracks. The prisoners, however, were safely removed from the south to the north side of the gaol, the fire was extinguished by the city police, and the cavalry were ordered back to quarters.

5.-The Norwich Town Council discussed the question of the proposed site for the new pauper lunatic asylum, and decided to erect the building at h.e.l.lesdon.

23.-The Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. J. Youngs) and the Under-Sheriff (Mr. F.

Foster) opened a court at the Shirehall for the a.s.sessment of damages in the claims brought against the Great Eastern Railway Company by the relatives of certain persons who had been killed or injured in the Thorpe collision. At Norwich a.s.sizes, on April 6th, before Mr. Justice Blackburn, Alfred Cooper, formerly night inspector, and John Robson, formerly telegraph clerk at Thorpe railway station, were indicted for feloniously killing and slaying George Robert Womack, on September 10th.

Mr. Womack was one of the victims of the collision. The jury acquitted Robson, and returned a verdict of guilty against Cooper, who was sentenced to eight calendar months' imprisonment. At the same a.s.sizes, a special jury tried the civil action, Morse _v._ the Great Eastern Railway Company, in which the Rev. Charles Morse sued the company for compensation for injuries sustained in the collision. The jury awarded plaintiff 2,050 damages. On April 17th it was announced: "It is now expected that the amount of compensation claims will not exceed 40,000.

About 10,000 has been paid in the amicable adjustment of minor claims, and juries have awarded some 15,000 more." At the Summer a.s.sizes, on August 6th, before Mr. Baron Bramwell, a special jury awarded Mr. C. R.

Gilman the sum of 6,497 3s. 8d. for damages, medical attendance, and extra expenses consequent upon injuries received by him in the collision.

MARCH.

1.-Mr. Craven Robertson's company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. "Caste," "School," "Ours," and "M.P." were produced.

5.-An election to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of Norwich by the elevation to the judicial bench of Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., took place. The candidates were Mr. J. H. Tillett and Colonel Josiah Wilkinson, Southampton Lodge, Highgate. The result was declared as follows: Tillett, 5,877; Wilkinson, 5,079. On April 2nd a pet.i.tion against the return of Mr. Tillett, M.P., was filed in the Court of Common Pleas, by Frank Ames, a workman at Messrs. Barnard and Bishop's Ironworks. (_See_ May 6th.)

7.-Died at Brighton, Mr. Edward Warner, of Hingham Hall, Woodford, Ess.e.x, formerly member of Parliament for Norwich. He was first returned in 1852, in conjunction with Sir Morton Peto, and in opposition to the Marquis of Douro and Lieut.-Colonel d.i.c.kson; and sat in the House of Commons until the dissolution in 1857, but did not present himself for re-election. In 1860 he again came forward, with Sir William Russell, with whom he was returned, defeating the Conservative candidates, Mr. W.

Forlonge and Mr. W. D. Lewis. In 1865 he and Sir William Russell were unsuccessfully opposed by Mr. A. Goldsmid and Mr. R. E. Chester Waters.

After the pa.s.sing of the new Reform Act, the advanced Liberals selected Mr. J. H. Tillett as their candidate, and the Whigs adhered to Sir William Russell. In 1870 Mr. Warner took the field in opposition to Mr.

Tillett, but, after consulting the electors, he decided to retire from the contest. Thereafter he lived in comparative retirement.

11.-A severe gale raged on the East Coast. The schooner Elizabeth, belonging to Messrs. Bessey and Palmer, of Yarmouth, struck on the Barber Sand, and the crew of four hands were drowned. Several other casualties occurred.

25.-Application was made in the Court of Common Pleas, on behalf of Josiah b.u.t.tifant, charged with the building society frauds at Norwich, for an order that a writ of _certiorari_ might issue to remove the indictments into the Court of Queen's Bench. The order was granted, and the case came for trial before Mr. Justice Archibald, on May 6th, when it was stated that the prisoner's defalcations amounted to 20,000.

b.u.t.tifant pleaded not guilty to the charge of forging certain doc.u.ments, but guilty to embezzling various sums. A jury was sworn to try the charge of forgery, and returned a verdict of guilty. The prisoner was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude.

31.-St. Margaret's church, Lynn, which had been restored at the cost of 7,000, as an act of thanksgiving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales from his severe illness, was re-opened for Divine worship. The sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop, and a distinguished company a.s.sembled for luncheon at the Town Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. E.

E. Durrant). The Prince and Princess of Wales attended afternoon service at the church on Sunday, April 18th, and were received by the Mayor and Corporation. The work of restoration was carried out under the direction of Mr. Ewan Christian and Sir E. Gilbert Scott.

-A new organ, erected at North Walsham church, by Messrs. Hill and Son, of London, at the cost of 487, was opened by Mr. James Turle, organist of Westminster Abbey, at a special service, at which the sermon was preached by the Dean of Norwich.

APRIL.

1.-The Yarmouth and Gorleston tramway was formally opened by the Mayor of Yarmouth (Mr. R. D. Barber).

5.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Justice Grove, William Sillis, 25, labourer, was found guilty of feloniously a.s.saulting Miss Ann Elizabeth Blyth, at Great Ma.s.singham, on October 12th, 1874, and was sentenced to eighteen years' penal servitude and twenty lashes of the "cat." The whipping was inflicted at Norwich Castle on April 20th. "The prisoner's back having been bared, he was securely fastened by the hands and feet to the whipping-post and the flagellation duly administered by Mr. Pinson, the Governor, with a 'cat' having nine tails of braided whipcord. When the third lash had been given the prisoner turned his head round and implored, 'For G.o.d's sake, don't hit twice in the same place,' and, howling and wincing, threatened to break down at the eighth lash; but the whipping proceeded until the punishment was completed. When released from the post he appeared faint, and required a.s.sistance to get on his shirt. 'A poor devil had better be hanged than punished like that,' he said."

9.-At a military tournament given by the 7th Hussars at Norwich, the "cavalry ride," now known as the "musical ride," was performed for the first time. It was introduced by the bandmaster, Van Der Huevil, who was afterwards transferred to the Household Cavalry, and under his direction the display became one of the most prominent features of the Royal Military Tournament.

17.-Died at her residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Miss Cecilia Lucy Brightwell, eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Brightwell. For nearly forty years she was the devoted and inseparable companion of her father. Miss Brightwell was a voluminous writer, and more than twenty works of hers had issued from the press, the first of which was a biography, the only one extant, of her old friend, Amelia Opie, whose diary and correspondence she had access to through her father, Mrs. Opie's executor. Amongst her other works was a "Life of Linnaeus," "Early Lives and Doings of Great Lawyers," "Annals of Curious and Romantic Lives,"

"Palissy, the Huguenot Potter," "Footsteps of the Reformers," "Heroes of the Workshop," "Men of Mark," "Annals of Industry and Genius," &c.