Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 88

13.-In the Rolls Court, Lord Langdale gave judgment in the action the Attorney-General _v._ the Corporation of Norwich. He said that, as far as regarded the _quo warrantos_, if a Corporation was not allowed to defend an election duly made, the interests of corporations would be hazarded in every case where a Mayor or other officer did not chose to be at the expense of defending his own election against a rule _nisi_. It was not a reasonable construction of the new statute that corporations had no interests whatever in the charitable trusts of boroughs. It was true that the administration of charitable estates was distinct from the administration of borough funds, and that neither a corporation as a body nor any member thereof in his corporate capacity ought to be trustees of such estates; still, a corporation, in attending to the public benefits of the inhabitants of a borough, had a due interest in the appointment of those trustees. Under all the circ.u.mstances of the case, therefore, he was of opinion that the demurrers must be allowed. At Norwich a.s.sizes on April 6th, before Mr. Justice Parke, the case Rex _v._ Brightwell was tried by a special jury. This was an information in the nature of a _quo warranto_, calling upon the defendant to show by what authority he exercised the office of Alderman. Mr. Andrews, for the defendant, contended that if he was not a good Alderman he was not a good Mayor; and if he had not been legally elected Alderman, then all the other Aldermen who had been elected in the same way were elected equally contrary to the law, and all the proceedings which had taken place respecting the police and borough rates would be bad, and the Corporation of the city entirely dissolved, and nothing could cure the defect but a fresh Act of Parliament. Mr. Kelly, for the Crown, urged that the law of England had fixed from time immemorial that corporate officers should not be elected in one batch, but that they must be proposed and voted for separately, and that all elections conducted in any other way were null and void.

The jury returned a verdict for the Crown. In the Court of King's Bench, on April 19th, application was made to move a rule to show cause why the verdict for the Crown could not be set aside, on the ground that the election was perfectly fair, and there was no pretence for saying that the wishes and intentions of the electors had not been carried into effect. A rule was granted. In the Court of Chancery, on May 6th, the case a.s.sumed another phase. An information was filed against the Corporation by Mr. Samuel Bignold, alleging that they intended to divert their funds from corporate purposes by paying the expenses incurred by the Town Clerk and other persons who had proceeded to London to support a pet.i.tion presented to the Lord Chancellor, in order to secure the return of certain persons as trustees of the charities. .h.i.therto vested in the old Corporation; and by paying the expenses arising out of the proceedings by _quo warranto_ in the cases of Mr. Springfield and Mr.

Brightwell. The further hearing was adjourned till next term. On May 22nd it was reported to the Court of King's Bench that at a meeting of the Town Council on the 19th, an order was pa.s.sed "that 1,000 be paid to the Town Clerk on account of disburs.e.m.e.nts by him relative to law proceedings," such law proceedings being the matter in which the injunction had been applied for. The Lord Chancellor, on the 24th, granted an order to restrain the payment of the amount. The appeal from the decision of the Master of the Rolls, allowing a demurrer on the information filed by Mr. Bignold, came before the Court of Chancery on May 27th. The Lord Chancellor, after adjournment, gave judgment on the demurrer against the injunction, and confirmed the decision of the Master of the Rolls, with costs. At a meeting of the Town Council on June 2nd, Mr. Bignold expressed his intention to carry the case to the House of Lords.

13.-Died at St. Gregory's, Norwich, aged 81, Mr. William Lorkin. "He was for 65 years a member of the Wesleyan Methodist body, having joined them soon after Mr. Wesley first visited Norwich." In 1825 he published a work ent.i.tled "A concise history of the establishment of Wesleyan Methodism in Norwich."

28.-The influenza epidemic at this date prevailed in city and county, and cases occurred in almost every family.

-An omnibus "upon the London plan" commenced running between Norwich and North Walsham.

-The Magnet coach, from the Swan and Rampant Horse Inns, was advertised to do the journey from Norwich to London, through Thetford and Newmarket, every night, in twelve hours. "The proprietors, in returning thanks for the very liberal patronage bestowed on them, beg most respectfully to inform their friends and the public that they have, at an additional expense, fixed a light inside this coach, which, having given such universal satisfaction, will be continued."

31.-At a meeting of the Conservative party at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, held under the presidency of Col. Harvey, the Marquis of Douro was asked to become a candidate for the representation of the city, in place of Lord Viscount Stormont, M.P., who had acceded to the request of the electors of his own county, Perthshire, to offer himself as their candidate on the dissolution of Parliament. The requisition to the Marquis was signed by 1,600 of the electors of Norwich; his lordship complied with the request and issued his address on February 13th. Lord Douro and the sitting member, the Hon. Robert Campbell Scarlett, commenced a personal canva.s.s of the city on June 16th, and in the evening attended a meeting of the Orange and Purple Club, at the Maid's Head Hotel, at which they were unanimously adopted Conservative candidates.

FEBRUARY.

24.-During a severe gale from the N.N.W., accompanied by heavy snow squalls, the Raby Castle, of 60 tons burden (Greensides, master), went ash.o.r.e at Salthouse, and became a total wreck. She was bound from London to Stockton, with a valuable cargo. The crew and pa.s.sengers were saved.

"When she broke up the beach was strewed with spirits, wine, oranges, nuts, teas, toys, hampers, boxes, &c. The scene beggared description.

The most outrageous and beastly conduct was exhibited. Here might be observed a group broaching a spirit cask, and letting it run into their oil-skin hats, shoes, &c. There another stood filling their pockets and handkerchiefs. Plunder, wholesale plunder, appeared to be the order of the day, in spite of contingents of coastguard men. Many who were charged to watch the property became themselves intoxicated. Many were conveyed from the beach literally dead drunk, and it is with disgust we add that many women were in the same state." The cargo of the Raby Castle was worth 5,000; about 800 worth was recovered. The vessel was sold by auction for 41.

MARCH.

3.-A fine specimen of the sea eagle was shot at Blickling. It measured from tip to tip of the extended wings 7 ft. 3 inches, and from the head to the tail 3 ft. Dowager Lady Suffield presented it to the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.

13.-The tolls arising from the Norwich provision and cattle markets, and from Tombland Fair, were, for the first time, put up to public auction and let for the term of two years. The dues and stallage accruing from the provision and vegetable markets were let to Mr. Eccleston, jun., for 985; of the cattle market on the Castle Ditches to Mr. Liddelow, for 480; and of Tombland Fair, &c., to Mr. Cooke for 250.

16.-Died at his residence, Chapel Field, Norwich, aged 48, Mr. Alfred Pettet, organist of St. Peter Mancroft and St. Stephen's. Mr. S.

Critchfield was elected his successor at St. Peter's, and Mr. Harcourt was appointed organist at St. Stephen's. A performance of "The Messiah"

was given at St. Andrew's Hall on May 26th for the benefit of the widow and family of the deceased, by the choir of the Cathedral and the members of the Choral Society, under the direction of Mr. Buck.

18.*-"From an idea that when the new Registration Act comes into operation the fees will be increased, numbers of persons have thronged Yarmouth parish church for several Sundays past, to have their children baptised, in order to avoid additional expense."

-Matters were brought before the Lord Chancellor in relation to affairs of the Norwich charities arising from the Master's report a.s.signing the several charities to certain lists of trustees, and naming the parties to execute the respective trusts. The only new point noticed was the exception taken by a cross pet.i.tion on the part of Mr. Bignold and Mr.

Rackham to the Master's report, first as to his rejecting _en ma.s.se_ every individual who was at its close, or ever had been, a member of the old Corporation; and, secondly, in not a.s.signing to the Church list the Boys' and Girls' Hospital trusts. The Chancellor decided against the cross pet.i.tion. (The leading charity of the city, the Bishopgate Street Hospital, whose revenues formed two-thirds of the whole of the trusts, was secured to a body of trustees composed exclusively of members of the Church of England.) In the House of Lords on April 24th Mr. Samuel Bignold and Mr. William Rackham appealed from the order of the Lord Chancellor referring it to the Master to approve of the trustees of the charity estates of the Corporation. Their lordships decided that they had jurisdiction to hear the appeal, and time was given for the respondents to prepare their case.

20.-Mr. Villebois' staghounds had a remarkable run. The stag was uncarted on Bradenham Green, and ran to Shipdham. It was then headed back to Saham, after which it went to Ovingon, and thence to Watton, Scoulton, Ellingham, Caston, and Rocklands. Bearing away for Attleborough and Besthorpe, it crossed the stream and went through Snetterton, Eccles, and Larlingford, to Roudham, where it was taken after a run of 35 miles. "James Lynn, the huntsman, rode his favourite horse, c.o.c.kfighter, which carried him at least eighty miles that day. What makes the run more remarkable is that the deer did not run more than 200 yards upon any roads during the whole distance."

22.-A fire occurred at Rollesby Workhouse, which completely destroyed one half of the building. "The clause of the Poor Law Bill, by which men are separated from their wives, being carried into effect, caused a great disturbance," and it was supposed that the fire resulted from motives of revenge.

27.-Mr. G. V. Brooke appeared at Lynn Theatre in the character of Romeo.

30.-At a meeting held at the King's Head Inn, Diss, the Rev. William Manning, rector of the parish, made a voluntary commutation of the t.i.thes.

APRIL.

5.-Died at his house in Hereford Street, London, the Right Rev. Henry Bathurst, Lord Bishop of Norwich. His lordship was in the 94th year of his age, and had been Bishop of the diocese for 32 years. He was appointed in 1805 when Bishop Manners Sutton was translated to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. The funeral took place on the 14th at Malvern Church, Worcestershire, and a memorial service was held on the same day at Norwich Cathedral. A funeral sermon was preached on the 16th by the Dean of Norwich. The sale of the late Bishop's effects, by Mr.

William Spelman, commenced at the Palace on June 26th, and concluded on July 5th. The stock of wine consisted of 2,650 bottles, and the library of 2,000 volumes.

6.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Justice Coltman, John Smith, George Timms, and John Varnham, were indicted for the murder of Hannah Manfield (or Saddler), on the night of the 2nd, or morning of the 3rd of January.

The trial commenced at 10.20 in the morning, and concluded at fifteen minutes past midnight, when the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoners were sentenced to death. The sentence on Varnham was commuted on an ample confession by the other prisoners. Large numbers of persons arrived at Norwich on April 22nd, to witness the execution, which, however, had been ordered for the 29th. A full descriptive account of the supposed execution, and of the behaviour of the men on the gallows, with a copy of their confessions and their "last dying words,"

was hawked about the streets of the city. The capital sentence was duly carried out on the 29th. The procession issued from the castle doors at noon, headed by a number of javelin men of the High Sheriff's posse.

Smith, who was in the last stage of a rapid decline, was a.s.sisted to the scaffold. "After the bolt was drawn and the bodies swung round, a piercing cry of horror rose from the dense ma.s.s of people of both s.e.xes.

After hanging the usual s.p.a.ce of time the bodies were taken down and carried into the interior of the gaol, when all the prisoners were brought forward to view them in the place where they lay."

7.-North Walsham Steeplechases took place over a four mile course on the estate of Mr. Bidwell, at Swafield. The heavy weight race was won by Lord Suffield's Metternich (Capt. Lawrenson, 17th Lancers), second Mr.

Thompson's Mungo (owner); and the light weight race by Mr. Sandiford's Gulnoire (Mr. Brown); Mr. Hornor's O'Connell (owner) second. Lord Suffield presided at the race dinner, afterwards held at the King's Arms Inn, and presented the silver tankard, given and won by himself in the heavy weight race, to Capt. Lawrenson. A large coloured plate, ill.u.s.trating the start of the eleven horses for the heavy weight race, "with a distant view of the country, from sketches made on the spot by George Fenn, animal portrait painter, Beccles," was subsequently advertised.

11.-James Greenacre, who on this day was found guilty, at the Central Criminal Court, of the murder of Hannah Brown, in the Edgeware Road, was a Norfolk man, and was born in 1785, at North Runcton, near Lynn. His victim, whose maiden name was Gay, was a Norfolk woman, and was in the service of Lord Wodehouse, at Kimberley Hall, where she remained four years. Greenacre (who was executed on May 2nd) was concerned in the Cato Street Conspiracy.

14.-Sir James Flower closed his hunting season by entertaining his sporting friend's at the Swan Inn, East Harling. The dinner was of the most sumptuous character, and "a band of fourteen men in scarlet played numerous airs and concerted pieces."

19.-Mr. G. V. Brooke (then under twenty years of age) made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre as Romeo. "His performance was of that superior kind, exhibiting all the fervour and enthusiasm of youth attempered by that discriminating judgment and illumined by those nice and acute perceptions which belong to the faculties of much maturer years." He afterwards appeared as Ion, Oth.e.l.lo, Rolla, Richard the Third, William Tell, Hamlet, Rosenberg ("Ella Rosenberg"), Macbeth, and Teddy ("Teddy the Tiler"), and concluded his engagement on May 20th.

Brooke was re-engaged for two nights' performances, commencing on August 1st, when he played the part of Walter Tyrrel, in a new drama of that t.i.tle, and of Frederick Bury ("The Youthful Queen").

20.-A meeting, presided over by Col. Harvey, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, when, on the motion of Mr. J. J. Gurney, it was decided to form a District Provident Society, for the promotion of frugal and provident habits among the industrial poor.

-The ship Anne, of 400 tons burden (Captain John Long), sailed from Lynn with 171 emigrants, for Quebec.

22.-The announcement was made on this date: "The Eastern Counties Railway has been commenced in good earnest."

24.-A curious wager was decided at the Angel Gardens, New Catton, Norwich. "Joseph Turtle, aged 60, engaged to pick up 100 eggs laid at a yard distance from each other, in a shorter time than David Lambert, aged 20, should pick up 100 stones at the same distance, which was won by Lambert only by half a minute."

29.-Announcement was made of the appointment of the Rev. Edward Stanley, rector of Alderley, Cheshire, to the Bishopric of Norwich. Agreeable to the _conge d'elire_, the Dean and Chapter elected him Bishop on April 29th; by Royal command the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him on May 10th, and on May 11th he arrived at Norwich, accompanied by Mrs. Stanley and his daughters. On June 29th his lordship was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and on the same day did homage to Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace. The enthronement took place at Norwich Cathedral on August 17th, when all the usual ceremonies were observed, and the sermon was preached by his lordship. "The interior of the Cathedral presented a most magnificent _coup d'il_. A gallery had been erected from the foot of the railing before the altar up to the centre of the east window, and occupied the entire breadth of the east end. It afforded accommodation for 1,150 children of the city. All the side galleries and closets were filled with ladies elegantly dressed, and even the walks above were crowded with spectators." At five o'clock the Bishop attended a dinner, presided over by the High Sheriff (Mr. J.

Petre) at the Norfolk Hotel. On the 18th the Mayor, Sheriff, and several members of the Corporation waited upon his lordship at the Palace, and presented him with a congratulatory address.

MAY.

3.-At the Norwich Theatre was produced for the first time "an entirely new comedy, written by a gentleman of the city, called 'Come of Age, or the Happy Return.'" The critic of the NORFOLK CHRONICLE described it as "a play without a plot, and a comedy without comicality."

4.-Mr. Clifford, who had been for thirty-six years a member of the Norwich Company, took his farewell benefit at the Theatre. Mr. G. V.

Brooke appeared in the character of Virginius. Clifford died on June 8th, aged 68. "During the 36 years that he filled the office of prompter, he discharged his arduous duties in a way that ensured him the attachment of every member of the company. A man of highly-cultivated intellect, Mr. Clifford was not less distinguished for his goodness of heart, manliness of disposition, and integrity of principle."

11.-Mr. Gepps, of the White Lion Inn, Beccles, for a wager of 200, drove his "celebrated bay pony" one hundred miles in twelve hours. He started from the Swan Inn, Harleston, at 4 a.m., drove to the Ram Inn, Newmarket, and returned to the Round House at Denton, midway between Harleston and Bungay. The journey was performed 35 minutes within the time stipulated.

"The pony received no punishment from the whip, yet the wantonness of the act is much to be regretted."

19.-Died at Kempstone, Lieut.-General the Hon. William FitzRoy. He was the seventh son of Charles, first Lord Southampton, and had served in the campaigns in Holland and Egypt. Upon retiring from the Army, he applied himself to agricultural pursuits.

20.-Two prisoners, named Smith and Middleton, escaped from the Norwich City Gaol. "One lowered himself by a rope of blankets from the cell, and the other leaped down a depth of 25 ft., by which he sprained his ankle, so that they got no further than Dereham, where they were both retaken on the 22nd."

24.-At Norwich Theatre was produced, for the benefit of Mr. Smith, "an entirely new drama written for the occasion by T. Dibden, called 'The Factory.'" The performance concluded with a new drama, also acted for the first time, ent.i.tled, "Margaret of Ragensburg," written by Mr. G.

Smith. The plot of "The Factory" had a local setting, and the scenery, painted by Thorne, "consisted of accurate views of the Yarn Factories at Lakenham and St. Edmund's, and the interior of St. Andrew's Hall at the late commemoration of Bishop Blaize."