Yarmouth Notes Part 3

May 10th.-The southern bastion of the fort had fallen "with an immense crash."

The "first fruits of the fishing season" had been landed by a boat, (No.

3), belonging to Mr. George Giles. The night's haul had produced 48 mackerel, which sold at 1s. 6d. each.

The following vessels had been launched:-The brig Sarah, 190 tons (from Messrs. Tuck's yard), and the brig Sarepta, 160 tons (from Mr. Lubbock's yard.)

May 17th.-The news that the Duke of Wellington had "given in and that Lord Grey was then at the palace" was received with joy, and the bells had been rung.

May 24th.-The Rattlesnake (180 tons) had been launched from Mr. F.

Preston's yard.

The mackerel fishery was going on badly, and there was great distress in the town, as thousands depended on that industry for a living.

May 31st.-There had been a great fire at Messrs. Grout and Co's. Factory, the loss estimated at 12,000, the premises were uninsured.

Two female factory hands, aged respectively 16 and 17, had "fought it out" on the Denes, the prize, a "young tar," when the "shorter combatant"

proved victorious.

June 7th.-The King's birthday had been celebrated with a great display of flags, the firing of the Church bells, salutes from the Forts, batteries, etc.

June 14th.-The following notice appears as to the Reform Act:-

REFORM.

For some days previous to the pa.s.sing of the new Magna Charta of our liberties, the Reform Bill, the friends of that great and really Conservative measure had met at the Ship Tavern, for the purpose of considering the best method of celebrating the antic.i.p.ated triumph.

At their first meeting it was determined to open a subscription, leaving the precise manner in which the proceeds should be expended as a matter for future consideration. District Committees were forthwith appointed to manage the collections. The subscription, which is not yet closed, is expected to amount to something very handsome. It was first intended to give the freemen a dinner, but on sounding the latter it was found that they (without any exception) preferred receiving a pecuniary present; it was therefore at a subsequent meeting resolved, that each of those persons should receive a donation in money, and that the friends of Reform should dine together at a time and place hereafter to be appointed. The news of the pa.s.sing of the unmutilated Bill was received here with every demonstration of joy. The vessels at the Quay displayed a profusion of flags, as did also the princ.i.p.al taverns and inns in the town-indeed everything seemed to show a universal gladness of heart.

On Friday last, however, when information arrived of the Royal sanction having been given to the Bill, the fullness of joy exhibited on the occasion knew no bounds. Expectant of the event, a large party of our townsmen (of every grade and condition in life) had proceeded along the Southtown Road on the forenoon of the day, accompanied by a band, flags with appropriate mottoes, &c., to meet the Telegraph. Singular enough, however, the guard of that coach refused to take up the colours, and in answer to repeated enquiries declared "there was no news," although it was afterwards ascertained that he had read from a newspaper in his possession an account of the Royal signature to the inhabitants of Gorleston while pa.s.sing through that village. The Reformers of Yarmouth, to show their indignant sense of such conduct, refused to wait at night for the Morning Star (that coach being under the same proprietory as the Telegraph), but instantly sent a courier to Lowestoft to announce their intention of meeting, in procession, the Old Blue. Ultimately, that coach, surrounded by a profusion of elegant and appropriate flags, bands playing, &c., paraded the town. It was really a most animating and exhilarating spectacle; numbers of elegant and beautiful females a.s.sembled at the windows to witness the heart-cheering sight of a countless mult.i.tude of persons, composed of all ranks in life, alike animated by one feeling, that of exultation and delight. Surely after this our enemies will no longer prate of a reaction! At any rate, such a flagrant attempt at delusion would be scouted by our patriotic townsmen, as one of the basest of libels on old Yarmouth *

* * * The public dinner, rejoicings, &c., will, we have just heard, not take place till after the pa.s.sing of the Scotch and Irish Bills.

The dinner, will, we believe, be held at the Town Hall, there being no reason to doubt that the Mayor, with his accustomed gentlemanly feeling, will grant the building for that purpose. Wm. Barth, Esq., is expected to preside.

During the Spring eight vessels had sailed from Yarmouth to different parts of the Canadas, carrying 916 pa.s.sengers.

June 21st.-The Haven and Pier Commissioners had attended for the purpose of examining the Harbour Works, and it was hoped that extensive improvements would be made therein.

The Conservatives had not announced any candidates, and it was considered probable that Messrs. Anson and Rumbold would be re-elected.

The Rev. Mr. Griffith, junr., had delivered a very impressive sermon on board the Cyrus under the Bethel Flag.

June 28th.-The Corporation had voted an address to the King upon his escape from the late "atrocious" attack upon him.

A vessel was lying off the Pier Head with the Yellow Flag (cholera) flying.

July 5th.-A public dinner was to be held to celebrate the pa.s.sing of the Reform Bill, and Mr. Windham, the Liberal candidate for E. Norfolk, was to meet his friends, Major Keppel being unable to accompany him.

July 12th.-The Dreadnought lugger (having on board a large cargo of smuggled goods) had been captured.

The Sylvan (belonging to J. H. Palmer, Esq.,) had arrived at Quebec with emigrants.

July 26th.-The annual water frolic is thus noticed: "Monday last was our annual water frolic. The heavens, which appeared inauspiciously to lour during the early part of the day, cleared about noon, and a cloudless and sun-lit sky enabled the admirers of boating excursions to enjoy with high zest the pleasures afforded them by the recurrence of this aquatic treat.

The beautiful bosom of Breydon was literally covered with craft of every description, from the stately barge and elegant pleasure boat, down to the humble punt. Three boats, the Coriander, b.a.l.l.s; the Emerald, of Lowestoft, Col. Jones; and the Hornet, of Beccles (the two latter latteeners), were the compet.i.tors for the cup. The former had the start, and kept the lead during the three heats, and eventually won by 400 yards. About five o'clock p.m. the boats drew up for dinner. The _toute ensemble_ was at this time picturesque in the extreme, the river, as we have said, studded with boats of various descriptions; the rond (which at this time was more than usually dry and firm) crowded with well-dressed persons of both s.e.xes, whose joyous countenances showed that they looked gratifyingly on the sight; the beautiful ruins of Burgh Castle (the Garianonum of the ancients) in the distance, gilded with the gloomy brightness of a western sun-the declivity of the hill bedecked with many tea-drinking parties, all presented a scene which must have given delight to every true lover of his species. On the following day a cup (the gift of the spirited landlord of the Berney Arms) was sailed for by five 14 feet boats, which was won by the Sultan, George Alexander, who beat her antagonists hollow. We are happy to say that the general feeling of pleasure was not alloyed by the occurrence of a single accident."

The Theatre had opened with _Guy Mannering_ and _Damp Beds_. There was a very poor house.

The brig Ida (188 tons) had been launched from Mr. F. Preston's yard.

August 23rd.-The following estimate of the number of electors under the Reform Act had been made:-Freemen 1,063; 10 householders in Yarmouth, 492; and in Gorleston, 144; total, 1,699.

The Summer Fishing had commenced; 300 lasts of herring had already been brought in.

August 30th.-Messrs. Windham and Keppel (the Liberal candidates for East Norfolk) had dined with about 50 electors at the King's Head (B. Dowson, Esq., in the chair.)

The following Corporate officers had been elected:-

Mayor-Elect-John Baker, Esq.

Chamberlain-Mr. R. Ferrier.

Churchwardens-John Preston and Charles Symonds, Esqs.

Auditors-I. Preston, John Danby-Palmer, T. F. Garwood, and Charles J.

Palmer, Esqs.

Collectors-John Danby-Palmer, Esq., and Mr. Henry Costerton.

Sept. 6th.-The Races had been held and proved very successful.

Sept 13th.-Mr. C. E. Rumbold (Col. Anson being detained in Derbyshire by illness) made a public entry into this town, when the carriage containing the Hon. Member and N. B. Palmer, Esq., had supported on its roof a most elegant silk flag bearing the words "Gorleston and Southtown Voters" upon it.

Sept. 20th.-A public dinner had been given by the Gorleston voters to Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, when 52 gentlemen attended, and W. Barth, Esq., occupied the chair.

Oct. 4th.-The inaugural dinner to the Mayor was held at the Town Hall, and was attended by "nearly 500 guests, among whom were a large number of the n.o.bility and gentry residing in or near Yarmouth."

Oct. 11th.-The herring fishing had been very unsuccessful. This was attributed to warm weather.

Oct. 18th.-The following notice as to the Wandering Piper appears:-"The Wandering Piper, who has attracted so much notoriety, is expected to visit Yarmouth in the course of a very few days. He is of a rank in life which few suspect who are not acquainted with his private history. He was for a considerable time an officer in the Army, served under Sir John Moore and the Duke of Wellington, and sold his commission after the battle of Waterloo. His opponent is Count Bender, a French n.o.bleman, but educated in Scotland at the same school with the piper, and betwixt him a great friendship subsisted. They met in London in 1825, when a dispute arose between them concerning the hospitality of different nations, which ended in both parties finally agreeing, for the sum of 5,000, to travel in disguise, the one as a fiddler in France and Belgium, and the other (our hero) as a piper in Britain and Ireland, to subsist upon what the public might be pleased to give them unsolicited, and whoever should have most money in the end was to gain the prize. They both commenced their wanderings in the summer of 1825, but an uncle of the piper's, who then held a high official situation, having got notice of the freak, put a stop to the proceedings before the end of three months; this gentleman, however, died in 1827, which left both parties free from restraint, in consequence of which they started in August, 1828, the one from Stonehaven, in Scotland, and the other from Calais, in France. This important campaign was only intended to last three years, and would have been finished before now had not the piper received a severe hurt from the upsetting of a stage coach in Ireland, which confined him for fifteen months-during which time there was a secession of hostilities on both sides. The piper during his illness lay at the house of Sir Thomas Butler, Bart., Ballintemple, county Carlow, where he met with the greatest kindness; indeed, the Irish, high and low, seem to have completely entered into the spirit of the undertaking. He was never allowed in any one instance to pay anything at the hotels where he put up, waiter, chambermaid, boots, and porter all refused to accept of any remuneration for their services, nay, the very beggar wished his 'honour good luck and a safe journey,' without laying him under further contribution. He says that he has been charged in all instances to the very utmost extent in England; we could have wished it had been otherwise, for the honour of our national character. During his rambles, it is said he had given 550 to different charities, that receipts for which are lodged for safety with John Stuart, Esq., of 19, Cleveland Row, Finsbury Square, London."

Oct. 25th.-The wandering piper had begun his rounds and had lunched with the Mayor.

Nov. 8th-Electioneering partizanship was displaying itself. A "True Red Committee (composed of the lowest order of beer-loving Burgesses) had been formed" and Andrew Colville, Esq., had been requested to stand for the Borough in that interest.

Nov. 15th.-Mr. Colville had arrived in the Borough and addressed the electors from the "Star" balcony.

Dec. 6th.-Contains the following article:-

Tuesday last was a proud day for the friends of Reform, comprising as they do a vast majority of all ranks of our town's-people. It having been announced by hand-bill the day previous that Col. Anson and Mr.

Rumbold would arrive the following day, as early as the hour at noon, the Southtown Road was crowded with pedestrians and equestrians of all cla.s.ses. Between twelve and one o'clock the entire body of the Political Union (full 400 strong) a.s.sembled at the Guardian Angel, with blue ribbons and their badges round their necks. The worthy candidates having arrived at the above inn, the procession began to move in the following order:-Two trumpeters on horseback; banner-Yarmouth Union of the Working Cla.s.ses; flags-Union Jack, Royal Standard of England; 'Universal Suffrage and Vote by Ballot'; 'Short Parliaments and Liberty of the Press'; 'The love of our Country leads us'; 'Close Corporations abolished'; 'Equal Laws and Equal Rights'; 'United we stand, divided we fall'; banners of the King and Reform.

Flags-'Gorleston and Southtown Voters'; 'Anson and Rumbold'; 'Friends.' Flags-'The People's Cause'; 'The Poor Man's Rights'; 'Reduction of Taxation'; 'Close Corporations Opened'; 'Abolition of Slavery'; 'Cheap Government and Equal Rights'; 'The Liberty of the Press'; 'Knowledge is Power'; 'Civil and Religious Liberty'; 'Freedom of Election.' The procession, on entering the town by the Bridge, was welcomed by the exultant shouts of an innumerable concourse of expectant individuals, who had by this time lined the new Hall Quay, eager to witness the imposing spectacle. The blue pennons of numerous ships, 'floating in the breeze,' added not a little to the joyousness of the occasion. The procession moved on, adding to its numbers as it advanced along the Quay, up South Street, along King Street, down our beautiful Market Place, and back to the Committee Rooms, from the windows of which the a.s.sembled mult.i.tude (consisting certainly of not less than 5,000 persons) were addressed by Mr.

Alderman Barth, Col. Anson, Mr. Rumbold, and J. Sh.e.l.ly, Esq. The weather was till towards noon rather showery; fortunately it then cleared up. Such, however, appeared to us the general enthusiasm, that it seemed as if no weather could have damped the universal feeling of delight, nor have abated the desire to witness the proceedings of this memorable day. Numbers of well-dressed females from the windows of the houses, as the procession pa.s.sed along, were to be seen, with approving smiles, shaking blue flags, elegant banners, &c., &c., thus demonstrating their hearty partic.i.p.ation in the high feeling of satisfaction which displayed itself all around.