Yarmouth Notes Part 5

On Monday the Mayor and the Mayor Elect (J. Danby-Palmer, Esq.), accompanied by the Earl of Orford and the members of the Corporation, attended divine service at St. Nicholas' Church, by the Hon. and Rev.

Edward Pellew, after which the Rev. Thomas Baker, Chaplain to the Body Corporate, preached an excellent sermon. After service the Corporation adjourned to the Guildhall, where the Mayor-Elect was sworn into office with the customary ceremonies.

The Recorder (Mr. Sergeant Merewether) being absent, the Town Clerk, previous to presenting the patent of appointment as Lord High Steward of the Borough to the Earl of Orford, addressed his Lordship, observing that the Corporation entertained a high sense of the honour conferred upon them by his Lordship's acceptance of an office which (as const.i.tuted by one of the charters of the borough) a.s.similated with that of Lord High Steward of England, an office of great power and authority, having under the King the regulating the administration of justice, which had not since its forfeiture in the reign of Henry the Third, by its hereditary possessor, been granted to any one except upon and for particular occasions, and had only been presented to one of the n.o.bility and a Lord of Parliament. So by the Charter of King Charles, the High Steward of the borough of Yarmouth must be 'unus praeclarus vir,' the meaning of which might be gathered from the appointment of William, Earl of Yarmouth, to be the first modern High Steward, and that to the present time the office had been filled by n.o.blemen distinguished by their talents and services as statesmen, or great naval and military commanders.

Amongst them were the celebrated Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, a second Robert Earl of Orford, and George Earl of Orford, who together held that office for nearly 60 years, much to the honour and advantage of the Borough. Although their connection with that n.o.ble family had been interrupted, it had not been forgotten by the Corporation, who were happy in having the honour of renewing it in the person of his Lordship, in whom they found that 'praeclarus vir'

pointed out by the charter, and they doubted not but that his Lordship would support them in all transactions grounded in honour, honesty, and good faith, and having for their object the public good, and that he would defend and maintain their ancient rights, privileges, and immunities. The Town Clerk then presented Lord Orford with his appointment, and a.s.sured his Lordship that his presence among them would always be hailed with pleasure by the Corporation.

The Earl of Orford was then sworn, and immediately addressed the Mayor and Corporation in an eloquent speech, in which he said he claimed no merit to himself for the choice which had been made by the Corporation, but attributed it solely to the recollection of the former connection of the borough with his ancestors, which had been so handsomely alluded to by the Town Clerk, and to that firm line of conduct in political life which he had thought it his duty steadfastly to pursue, which it was his pride and pleasure to maintain, and that although the Corporation might have selected a person of more influence than himself, yet he would yield to no one in zeal, and no exertion on his part would be spared to uphold the rights, privileges, and immunities of the Corporation, which had that day been entrusted to the Mayor, and which it was to be hoped he would be permitted to resign unimpaired to his successor. He himself should always feel it his duty and pleasure to render his services available to the true interests of the borough.

The other annual officers were then sworn, and the Mayor, accompanied by the High Steward and the Corporate Body, walked to the Town Hall, where a most splendid entertainment was provided for upwards of three hundred and thirty gentlemen, among whom were the Right Hon. the Earl of Orford, the Right Hon. Viscount Nevill, the Hon. Mr. Justice Alderson, the Hon. the Rev. E. Pellew, the Hon. P. H. Abbott, Sir E.

K. Lacon, Bart., Vice-Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., Col. Petre, Col. Mason, Robert Marsham, Esq., J. Postle, Esq., Stratton Marsham, Esq., E. H. K. Lacon, Esq., W. M. Praed, Esq., Rev. C. Penrice, Rev.

J. Humfrey, Rev. - Clarke, Rev. J. Gunn, Rev. B. Winthorp, John Penrice, Esq., R. Rising, Esq., S. Palmer, Esq., W. Carpenter, Esq., Capt. Onslow, R.N., Capt. M. Kelly, R.N., Capt. Travers, R.N., Major Travers, Capt. Carew, R.N., H. Munro, Esq., B. Caldecott, Esq., &c., &c.

The healths of their Majesties-the Princess Victoria and the rest of the Royal Family-his Majesty's Ministers, and the Duke of Wellington, were drank. On the health of the Earl of Orford being given, the n.o.ble Lord, in returning thanks, alluded to the commission for investigating Corporations, declaring 'that he denounced the illegality of the commission.' His Lordship gave the health of the Mayor and Prosperity to the Town of Yarmouth, for which the Chief Magistrate expressed his acknowledgment, stating his determination to do all he could to forward the best interests of the town on every occasion.

On the health of Mr. Justice Alderson being given, the learned Judge spoke of the Const.i.tution of this country as being so framed as to allow all who had the talents and industry to arrive at the very highest dignities the King could confer, and concluded by saying that the question for the people to consider was whether they would close the avenues to those dignities. The healths of Lord Nevill, Mr.

Charles Palmer (the son of the Mayor), Sir E. K. Lacon, Lord Walpole and the House of Wolterton, Lord Wodehouse and the House of Kimberley, and a variety of other toasts were given; after which the Mayor and a large party adjourned to the Ball at the Bath Rooms, where dancing continued till a late hour.

Oct. 31st.-"On Monday evening last, as Mr. Marsh, of the house of Marsh and Barnes, wine and spirit merchants, was returning in his gig from Beccles, he overtook a female on the road near Fritton, who, as Mr. M.

pa.s.sed, implored a.s.sistance. He pulled up, and finding the poor creature in an exhausted and high state of nervous excitement, and that she was on her way to this place, he took her up, when she stated as follows-that she had walked from Yarmouth to Heckingham House to obtain relief for a relative residing in Yarmouth, that she had obtained 3s., was returning home across the Marshes, and when near the New Cut and bridge over the dam, she saw two men, who appeared to come from a wherry, and when they met her one of them presented a pistol and threatened to shoot her, but she answering in the negative to the enquiry of "Do you know us," one of them said, "Don't shoot her." They then searched, took from her 2s. 6d., some halfpence, and a handkerchief with some trifles, knocked her down by a blow on the face, and so left her. When she recovered she proceeded on her journey till the above gentleman humanely a.s.sisted her into the town and relieved her; but she was so weak from the fright as to stagger when she left the gig. She states that she thinks she could recognize one of the men. Might not some enquiry as to what wherry was moored in the Cut at that time lead to the detection of the perpetrators of so diabolical an act as that of distressing the distressed. We respectfully submit to the gentlemen who are the guardians for the hundred of Heckingham if some safe plan could not be devised to relieve non-resident paupers, so as to obviate the necessity of a journey by them of so many miles."

Dec. 5th.-The winter a.s.semblies having been discontinued for two years had been revived, and the first a.s.sembly had been held at the Town Hall, (the Mayor (J. Danby Palmer, Esq.) and Vice-Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., Stewards). It was attended by all the princ.i.p.al families of the town and neighbourhood.

Dec. 12th.-A fine schooner named the Fairy Queen, 150 tons register, had been launched from W. Lubbock's yard.

Dec. 28th.-The altar piece presented to St. Peter's Church by Col. Mason was put up on Christmas Eve.

1834.

Jan. 9th.-Samuel Tolver and Charles John Palmer, Esqs., had been appointed Perpetual Commissioners for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Jan. 16th.-News had been received that the Lion, belonging to G. D.

Palmer, Esq., had arrived at Civita Vecchia on the 26th ult.

Jan. 30th.-Two schooners of about 80 tons register, named the Norwich Trader and Lowestoft Merchant, had been launched from Mr. Thomas W.

Branford's yard.

A requisition was being signed for the purpose of having the "upper"

ferry established.

Feb. 6th.-Messrs. Buckle and Hogg, two of H.M. Munic.i.p.al Commissioners, had arrived for the purpose of holding an Inquiry into the doings of the Corporation.

A crowded meeting had been held to pet.i.tion Parliament for an abolition of Church Rates. J. Sh.e.l.ly, Esq., was called to the chair, and the following gentlemen took part in the proceedings:-Rev. Mr. Betts, J. B.

Palmer, Esq., Rev. T. Tait, Mr. D. Chapman, Rev. H. Squire, and Rev. A.

Creak.

Feb. 20th.-Capt. Manby had given "an elegant and fully attended fete" at the Barracks.

Feb. 29th.-The Munic.i.p.al Commissioners were sitting at the Tolhouse.

March 6th.-The Commissioners having finished their investigation were entertained by Alderman Bath at Dinner.

April 10th.-Mr. G. Garson had been appointed Lloyd's Surveyor.

The annual silver cup, given by Mr. Bales to the members of the "Yarmouth British Yacht Club," was to be sailed for in May.

April 17th.-A meeting had been held to oppose certain clauses in the proposed Haven and Pier Bill then before Parliament, Mr. Alderman Barth in the chair, the following took part in the proceedings:-Messrs. J.

Brightwen, J. Sh.e.l.ly, A. Palmer, S. Cobb, R. Ferrier, G. D. Palmer, B.

Dowson, P. Stead, and William Barber.

April 24th.-The Baltic (belonging to I. Preston, Esq.) and The Venus (belonging to G. D. Palmer, Esq.) had sailed with emigrants for North America.

May 1st.-A brig called the Friends, of 190 tons register, had been launched from Mr. A. Palmer's yard.

May 15th.-The "New Proprietary Grammar School" had been opened, John Danby Palmer, Esq., being Chairman during the proceedings.

June 5th.-The Misses Seaman had been appointed postmistresses.

June 12th.-"A remarkably fine ship of 374 tons" had been launched from the dockyard of Ambrose Palmer, Esq.

June 26th.-Contains the following notice of an "Ingenious Invention":-"A few weeks since a young lady having lost her left leg by amputation, four inches below the knee, applied to Mr. W. B. Neslen, shoe and last maker, of this town, complaining of the inconvenience she experienced from the wooden subst.i.tute she had procured. Mr. N. immediately set about remedying this, which he eventually accomplished by the making of a leg, which for useful purposes has in a very great measure supplied the loss of the original limb. It was composed of light sycamore wood, cased with leather, with elastic springs for the foot. It was shown to several mechanics in the neighbourhood, who all gave an opinion highly favourable to the ingenuity of its construction. It weighs 3lbs. (the former subst.i.tute weighed 7lbs.) and is connected with the knee by springs. The lady is enabled to make very nearly the same use of the artificial as she previously had done with the real limb."

The anniversary of the King's accession to the Throne had been observed, the Corporation attending divine service, when the Rev. T. Baker preached "an appropriate sermon."

July 24th.-Mr. William Mabson had been chosen a Common Councilman in the room of Mr. John Robson, deceased.

July 31st.-The annual water frolic had been held, Mr. Stephen Miller's Water Witch taking the prize.

Aug. 14th.-Messrs. C. Davie, Samuel Palmer, Frederick Paget, Capt.

Todman, R.N., and the Rev. Mark Waters had been elected Paving Commissioners.

Aug. 21st.-A dinner had been given (G. D. Palmer, Esq., in the chair) to Messrs. T. Hammond and R. B. Fenn, as a compliment for services rendered by them to the fishing interest.

Aug. 28th.-The Stratheden, 400 tons register, had been launched from Mr.

F. Preston's yard.

Sept. 2nd.-The following had been chosen Corporate officers for the ensuing year:-Isaac Preston, jun., Esq., Mayor; Mr. J. E. Laws, Chamberlain; J. Danby Palmer, and E. H. L. Preston, Esqs., Churchwardens; Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., Isaac Preston, Esq., and Messrs. R. Ferrier and William Yetts, Auditors; J. D. Palmer, Edmund Preston, Robert Cory, jun., William Barth, Esqs., and Messrs. E. H. L. Preston, S. B. Cory, C. J.

Palmer, Vestry; J. Baker, Esq., and Mr. James Jay, Collectors; and Messrs. F. Preston and Samuel Jay, Muragers.

Oct. 2nd.-Contains the following report of the proceedings on the "Mayor's Day":-

Monday being the feast of St. Michael, the day was ushered in by ringing of Bells, flags at the New Hall, Church, &c. The Mayor-Elect (I. Preston, jun., Esq.) ordered twopenny buns to be given to the children of the different charity schools in the town, and it was really gratifying to observe the number of happy boys and girls, with cheers parading Gaol-street, the Quay, &c., with their gifts in their hands. About two o'clock in the afternoon the Mayor and Corporation attended divine service at St. Nicholas' Church, where a sermon was delivered by the Rev. F. Baker (son of the Rector of Rollesby) from Acts, chapter 23rd, 4th and 5th verses, which in the days when pa.s.sive obedience and non-resistance reigned might have been considered an excellent one. Happily, however, those days are past, and few, probably, of the rev. gentleman's hearers accorded with him when they heard him denounce from the pulpit the great majority of those who sought Reform in the Church, and other acknowledged abuses as infidels, atheists, and anarchists, and those who aimed at the overthrow of the Church, the Altar, and the Crown. From the Church the Corporation proceeded to the Guildhall, where the Mayor-Elect (after having taken the oath of office) spoke to the following effect:-"Gentlemen, previous to a.s.suming the chair of Chief Magistracy, which I am about to fill, you will allow me to thank you for the proof that you have given me of your confidence. Gentlemen, I sought not this office; I have accepted it only that I might endeavour to render myself useful to my fellow townsmen. Gentlemen, it is not the pageantry, the sword and mace (though even these may be of use in their way) that have allured me to this office-no; had I been capable of being actuated by such motives, I should have been indeed unworthy of taking (as I have just taken) the Holy Gospels in my hand, and to have sworn before my G.o.d, to execute to the best of my ability, the important duties of Chief Magistrate of my native town. I would now address myself to my proper brethren, I would address myself to all, high or low, rich or poor, and exhort them to do all that in their power lie to promote the decorum of social life, by cheeking vice, immorality, and debauchery. Gentlemen, I thank you very much for the patience with which you have heard me." This address was delivered with much firmness, and at the same time with considerable emotion, and was received with great applause. After the ceremony of robing, and the other routine business had been gone through, the newly-elected Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, &c., proceeded (escorted by the town band, flags, &c.) to the New Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was served to a numerous and highly respectable a.s.sembly of the Body Corporate, and the friends of the Chief Magistrate. The dessert, which was fine and abundant, was, we understand, served by Mr. Brooks, of the Market Row.

Oct. 9th.-Harry Worship, Esq., had delivered a very interesting lecture on the "Philosophy of Dreams."

Oct. 16th.-The frequency of robbery at sea had induced the fishermen to keep an unusually sharp look out.