Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 47

17.-Lord and Lady Castlereagh, accompanied by the Marquis of Ancram, arrived in Norwich on their way to visit Lord Suffield at Gunton. Whilst the horses were being changed at the Angel, a mob hooted and hissed the visitors, and one of the ringleaders was seized by Mr. Crisp Brown.

18.-Died in London, aged 92, Mrs. Linley, widow of Mr. Linley, formerly proprietor of Drury Lane Theatre, who was father of the first Mrs.

Sheridan, and of the Rev. O. T. Linley, of Norwich.

20.-The Duke of Wellington pa.s.sed through Norwich on his way to Gunton.

His grace returned to the city on the 27th on his journey back to town.

21.-Died, John Nash, of Hempnall. He was clerk of the parish 56 years, keeper of the Swan Inn 35 years, and at the age of 40 weighed 24 stone.

23.-Died at Ludham, aged 79, Thomas Smith, shoemaker. "By his particular request he was carried to the grave by six men of his own trade, each with his leather ap.r.o.n tied round him, and stirrups with hand leathers attached slung across their shoulders."

24.-Fox's birthday was commemorated by a dinner at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, at which 460 n.o.blemen and gentlemen were present. The company included H.R.H. the Duke of Suss.e.x, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Albemarle (who presided), Mr. T. W. c.o.ke, M.P., &c.

25.-Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of H.R.H. the Duke of Kent.

27.-The Castle Corporation at Norwich celebrated their 55th anniversary.

29.-Mr. Harley, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The performances were interrupted by the intelligence of the death of George III., and were resumed on February 17th. His characters included Marplot ("The Busybody"), Tristran Fickle ("The Weatherc.o.c.k"), Popolino ("The Sleeping Draught"), Risk ("Love Laughs at Locksmiths"), Caleb Quotem ("The Wags of Windsor"), Peter Fidget ("The Boarding House"), Phantom ("Frightened to Death"), and Somno ("The Sleep Walker").

30.-A messenger from London brought to Lord and Lady Castlereagh, who were staying at Gunton Hall, intelligence of the death of George III., which was announced in Norwich on the morning of the 31st. Most of the shops were immediately closed, and the bells of the parish churches were tolled for three hours.

FEBRUARY.

2.-The accession of George IV. was proclaimed on the Castle Hill, Norwich, by Sir William Windham Dalling, Bart., High Sheriff of the county of Norfolk, who was accompanied by Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P., and other gentlemen, who gave three cheers for his Majesty. In accordance with a writ addressed to the Mayor and Sheriffs of Norwich on the 1st inst., the proclamation was made in the city with due formality on the 2nd. The Corporation a.s.sembled at the Guildhall, and the 14th Light Dragoons paraded in the Market Place. From the leads of the Guildhall, after a flourish of trumpets, the Town Clerk (Mr. Elisha de Hague) read the proclamation amid loud cheers. A procession was afterwards formed and pa.s.sed through the city, the proclamation being read at various points. "At the upper gate of the Close the Under Chamberlain advanced and demanded the gates to be opened in pursuance of the King's writ. Mr.

J. Kitson, the Chapter clerk, then answered from within, 'In obedience to his Majesty's commands the gates shall be opened.'" After the proclamation had been made in the Close the procession returned to the Guildhall, where refreshments were served. The proclamation was made in similar form at Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford.

16.-This being the day of the funeral of the late King, all the shops in Norwich were closed, and almost every person appeared in deep mourning.

The Mayor, members, and officials of the Corporation, wearing black scarfs over their robes, went in solemn procession to the Cathedral, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Prebendary Thurlow. At the different churches and chapels throughout the city proper Psalms and lessons were read, and in the evening m.u.f.fled peals were rung.

21.-Died in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Thomas Back, aged 52. He served the office of Sheriff in 1802, was elected alderman of the Great Ward of Mancroft in 1808, and Mayor in 1809; and shortly before his death was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the county of Norfolk.

24.-Mr. Young appeared at Norwich Theatre as Oth.e.l.lo. On subsequent evenings he sustained the characters of Brutus, The Stranger, Sir Edward Mortimer ("The Iron Chest"), King John, Petruchio, and Coriola.n.u.s.

MARCH.

1.-A severe storm and high flood occurred in the Lynn district. A large number of vessels were stranded on the Norfolk coast.

2.-Died at Norwich, aged 85, Mr. Starling Day, who served the office of Sheriff in 1775, was elected alderman in 1777, and Mayor in 1782-1812.

6.-Miss Brunton appeared at Norwich Theatre as Rosalind. She also played the parts of Lady Contest ("The Wedding Day"), and Lady Teazle (to the Charles Surface of Mr. Brunton). In a piece, ent.i.tled "An Actress of all Work," she sustained seven different characters.

7.-Parliament having been dissolved by proclamation on February 28th, consequent upon the death of the late King, the Norwich election was fixed for this date. The sitting representatives, Mr. William Smith and Mr. R. H. Gurney, were returned without opposition. The circ.u.mstance of a Norwich election pa.s.sing off without a contest had not occurred since 1774, when Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart., and Mr. Edward Bacon were elected.

10.-Yarmouth election, which began on the 7th, concluded on this date.

The result was declared as follows:-The Hon. George Anson, 753; Mr. E. E.

Rumbold, 750; Lieut.-General Michel, 612; Mr. Josias H. Stracey, 612.

The two first-named were elected.

13.-Mr. T. W. c.o.ke and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse were re-elected without opposition to represent Norfolk. Among the other local elections which took place were the following:-Thetford, Lord C. Fitzroy and Mr. N. W. R.

Colbourne, returned unopposed; Castle Rising, the Earl of Rocksavage and Col. F. G. Howard, unopposed.

15.-Died in St. Andrew's, Norwich, aged 64, Mr. John Lovick, common councilman for the Great Ward of Wymer. He served the office of Sheriff in 1817.

16.-At a special a.s.sembly of the Corporation of Norwich an address of condolence on the death of his late Majesty and of the Duke of Kent was unanimously pa.s.sed, and afterwards presented to the King by the members for the city.

20.-At the Lent a.s.sizes held at Thetford, the Grand Jury made a presentment to the effect that Norwich Castle was inefficient, as then constructed, for the purposes of a county prison.

24.-Died at Catton, aged 66, Mr. Jeremiah Ives, an acting magistrate for the county, and alderman for the Great Wymer Ward. He was Sheriff in 1782, and Mayor in 1786-1801.

25.*-"Cleansing week, at Norwich, has resulted in the restoration of the ascendancy of the 'Purple and Orange' party in the Corporation of the city."

APRIL.

3.-A prize fight took place in a field at West Burlingham between Rushmore, a blacksmith, of Limpenhoe, and Layden, the Cantley carpenter.

The match was for 100, subscribed by the fathers of the combatants.

Rushmore was attended by Ned Painter, and Layden by Potter, of Yarmouth.

"There were 44 rounds of hard milling without science or skill, and Rushmore won."

-Mr. Kean appeared at Lynn Theatre for a short season as King Richard III., Oth.e.l.lo, Shylock, &c.

6.-A prize fight took place at St. Faith's between c.o.x, the blacksmith, of Norwich, and Teasdale, "the noted prize fighter from London, who had been brought to Norwich and pa.s.sed off as a countryman under the feigned name of Johnson." More than 5,000 persons were present. Ned Painter and Purcell attended on Teasdale, and Warkley and Hurry on c.o.x. The battle lasted one hour thirteen minutes, and 65 desperate rounds were fought.

"c.o.x faced his man and fought with great resolution, and drove his adversary over the ropes eleven times. In the end, however, superior science prevailed, and in the 65th round c.o.x received several violent blows on the left eye, which had been cut on one of the stakes in a fall in the second round, and victory was declared in favour of Teasdale.

After the battle the imposition was discovered, and a hand bill circulated, declaring all bets void. The friends of Teasdale denied any deception, and said his name was really Johnson."-Another battle took place for a subscription purse of 5 on the same ground, between Dan, a stonemason, of Norwich, and Sparks, a blacksmith, of Norton. Dan won after 25 rounds had been fought.

13.-Mr. Edward Ball's new melodrama, "Giraldi" (founded on Mrs. Opie's popular tale, "The Russian Boy"), was performed for the first time at Norwich Theatre, and received with great applause.

15.-A county meeting was held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, the High Sheriff (Mr. G. S. Kett) presiding, at which an address of condolence on the death of the late King was adopted, and afterwards presented to his Majesty by the High Sheriff.

24.-This day was appointed for the celebration of his Majesty's birthday.

At Norwich the Union flag was hoisted on the steeple of St. Peter Mancroft, and the bells were rung. The 14th Light Dragoons fired a _feu de joie_ in the barrack square, and the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers a salute on the Castle Meadow. The several troops of Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry paraded in review order.

28.-A grand _fete_ was given in Heydon Park in celebration of the majority of Mr. William Earle Lytton Bulwer. The inhabitants of Heydon and of the neighbouring villages went in procession to the park, where dinner was served at 155 tables. A performance was given by a troupe of equestrians, and "28 barrels of strong ale were placed in different positions in the park."

MAY.

1.-A contested election for the office of Mayor of Norwich commenced this day and ended on the 2nd, when the result was declared as follows:-Alderman Burt, 1,173; Alderman Marsh, 1,077; Alderman Thurtell, 1,018. Mr. Burt was afterwards chosen Mayor by the aldermen.

2.-Died, in his 89th year, Mr. William Calthorpe, the oldest inhabitant of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. "He generally commenced his morning walk about four o'clock during the summer season, and gradually later as the days became shorter. He almost constantly attended daily prayers at St.

Peter's Church."

3.-At a quarterly a.s.sembly of the Norwich Corporation, Mr. A. A. H.