Part 2

30.--Mrs. Fanny Kemble gave a reading of "King John," at the Assembly Room, Norwich, and on the 31st read "Much Ado about Nothing."

NOVEMBER.

4.--A lecture on the "Bloomer costume" was delivered at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by a Mrs. Knights. "The large audience was composed for the most part of the male sex, shop assistants, and milliners' apprentices. The amount of money taken must have been considerable, and we regret that there should have been so many persons found in this city ready to be taken in with such nonsense. Mrs. Knights was attired in Bloomer costume, an essentially ugly and unfeminine dress. She was greeted with derisive laughter, applause, and hisses, and she left the orchestra amid a storm of groans and disapprobation."

5.--A sculling match from Surlingham to the New Cut at Thorpe took place between Lett, of London, and R. Buttle, of Norwich, for 25 pounds a side. Lett's boat was overturned soon after the start, and Buttle rowed over the course. A second match, for 10 pounds a side, was rowed on the 10th, between Bramerton Wood's End and the New Cut, and was won easily by the Norwich man.

8.*--"Before the Lords Justices of Appeal was heard the case of the Attorney-General _v._ the Corporation of Norwich. It arose on the question whether the Corporation have authority to apply the borough fund in soliciting a Bill in Parliament to enable them to improve the navigation of the River Wensum. The information was filed at the relation of two of the ratepayers, and it prayed that the Corporation might be restrained from promoting and prosecuting a Bill in Parliament for this purpose and at their expense. The appeal was dismissed, with costs."

10.--Mr. Charles Winter was elected Mayor, and Mr. Robert Wiffin Blake appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.--Mr. S. C. Marsh and Capt. Pearson (the retiring Mayor) were nominated for the Mayoralty of Yarmouth. The voting being equal, Capt. Pearson gave the casting-vote in his own favour, and declared himself duly elected.

18.--Winter set in with great severity; snow fell to the depth of two or three feet, and a severe frost commenced.

DECEMBER.

6.--The Eastern Counties Association for obtaining Agricultural Relief held its first public meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. Its principal objects were to obtain the repeal of the Malt-tax, a re-adjustment of the tithe system, security for tenants in making improvements, a reform in the management of county expenditure, and the abolition of the Game Laws.

11.--A coarse urn was turned up by a plough at Easton. The vessel contained about 4,000 small brass coins of the Lower Empire. The earliest amongst them were of the period of Gallienus, and there were about 2,500 of the Constantines; nearly 600 had the wolf and twins, and about 800 bore the victory with spear and shield. Mr. Goddard Johnson made a descriptive list of the coins.

26.--Died, in his 38th year, at Malvern, Worcestershire, Mr. J. B. Wigham, son of Mr. Robert Wigham, of Norwich. "He was a Fellow of the Royal Geological Society, and was well known as having personally collected one of the best cabinets of tertiary fossils in the kingdom."

--Macarte's Circus Company performed in a temporary building erected on the Castle Meadow, Norwich.

1852.

JANUARY.

5.--Died at Letheringsett, Johnson Jex, originally a blacksmith and afterwards a manufacturer of watches. He was born at Billingford in or about the year 1778. After the death of his mother, in about 1830, he led a life of complete solitude, and became a scientific anchorite. "The first watch ever constructed by Jex was made after he had settled at Letheringsett, for his friend the Rev. T. Munnings, of Gorgate Hall, near East Dereham. Every part of this watch, including the silver face, and every tool employed in its construction, was of Jex's own making."

10.*--"Dr. Woolley is resigning the head mastership of King Edward VI. Grammar School (Norwich), on his appointment as principal of the University College and professor of classical literature in the University of Sydney." He was succeeded by Dr. Vincent.

10.--Mr. Justice Patteson retired from the Bench. With the exception of Barons Parke and Alderson, he was, in point of official service, the oldest judge on the Bench.

19.--After many delays, the statue of Lord Nelson, executed by Mr. Milnes, of London, arrived in Norwich, and was placed in St. Andrew's Hall for public inspection. The estimated cost of the statue was 700 pounds. A public subscription was opened in Norwich in 1847; by 1848 175 pounds had been contributed; in October, 1849, the fund reached 268 pounds, and in October, 1851, 300 pounds. "At present (1852) the whole amount subscribed, which is scarcely 400 pounds, will not repay the sculptor for the purchase of the block and his out-of-pocket expenses." (_See_ March 24th, 1856.)

21.--Died in London, Lieut.-Col. John Smith, of Ellingham Hall, "a generous supporter of the trade and interests of the district." He served several years in India, in the 2nd Madras Light Cavalry, and resigned his commission shortly after succeeding to the Ellingham estate. The funeral took place at Ellingham, on February 27th.

MARCH.

2.--A requisition, signed by one thousand persons, was presented to Mr. T. O. Springfield, soliciting him to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of Norwich. Mr. Springfield declined the request, on the ground that Parliamentary duties would tend to the shortening of his life.

6.*--"Died, lately, on the West Coast of Africa, in the 19th year of his age, Charles, youngest son of Mr. Wood, of Morston. He was a midshipman on board H.M.S. Sampson, and was put in charge, under Lieut. Gilbert Elliott, with twelve of the best seamen and one carpenter, in October last, of a slave felucca captured by the Sampson, and was last seen off the island of St. Thomas on the 31st, and departed on that day for Badajoz, a distance of five or six days' sail; but although anxiously expected, and notwithstanding several ships of war having since passed over her track, she has never been heard of since. Some heavy tornados are said to have occurred about the time she was missed."

12.--A special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held, "to take into consideration the recent gross insult to the citizens of Norwich in the person of their Chief Magistrate." The Conservative members, with one or two exceptions, abstained from attending. It was resolved, "That the Mayor of Norwich for the time being is, by prescription and charter, the first citizen of Norwich, and by custom and courtesy has been always so esteemed in public and private; that the Council learn with regret that a gross insult has been offered to the Mayor in a place of public amusement, and it is the opinion of the Council that the conduct of the individual who offered the insult is derogatory to him as a magistrate and a citizen." The resolution was adopted, and it was further agreed "That a copy of the resolution with respect to the insult offered to the Mayor by Capt. Ives, with the seal of the Council affixed, be transmitted to the Secretary of State, to the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and to the Mayor." (No details were published.)

19.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Serjeant Adams (sitting as Commissioner in place of Mr. Justice Crompton), Hannah Neale was indicted for the wilful murder of William Neale, her husband, by poisoning him, at Outwell, in July, 1851. The jury acquitted the prisoner.

24.--Died at Woolwich, Col. Courtenay Cruttenden, R.A. He served in the Army 48 years, and was present at the capture of Guadeloupe, in 1815. For several years he was inspector of drills in the garrison at Woolwich.

27.*--"The late Edward Lombe, Esq., of Melton Hall, Wymondham, recently deceased at Florence, has left his personal property, subject to a life interest to his wife, to University College Hospital. The property is estimated at more than 25,000 pounds."

APRIL.

10.--A statement was published as to the proposed disposal of the sum of 1,263 pounds 4s. 5d. realised by the two concerts given by Jenny Lind in 1849. It was her wish "that the money should be employed in founding and supporting some new charity, and, if possible, a lasting one, for the poor of Norwich." The committee, "feeling that no charity could be permanent which was not in a great measure self-supporting," resolved to devote the money to establishing public baths and wash-houses. A large malthouse in St. Stephen's, formerly the property of Mr. Crawshay, was to be purchased for 700 pounds, and plans and specifications for converting the building into baths had been prepared by a London architect, "but unfortunately the lowest tenders exceed by a very large amount the sum at the disposal of the committee. They find that unless they can raise 1,000 pounds in addition to their present fund, they must entirely give up the undertaking." The Mayor was requested to convene a public meeting, which was held at the Guildhall on April 21st, when Mr. Samuel Bignold moved a resolution in favour of the adoption of the baths scheme. Mr. Henry Browne strongly protested against the proposed misappropriation of the money, and the question was adjourned for a month. Meanwhile several local charities made claims for assistance, and on May 27th a further adjournment was decided upon. The matter was in abeyance until February 7th, 1853, when Dr. W. H. Ranking, in a letter to the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, advocated "the endowment of an additional ward or wards in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, to be appropriated to the treatment of diseases of children." On May 30th, 1853, a public meeting was held at the Guildhall, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop, "for the purpose of promoting the establishment of an institution for sick children." It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. G. Johnson, seconded by the Mayor (Mr. Coaks), "That an infirmary for the treatment of the diseases of sick children be established in Norwich, to be called the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children." The first meeting of the supporters of the new institution was held under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Samuel Bignold), "in the house in Pottergate Street taken for the Charity," on December 16th, 1853.

17.*--"The premises of the old Waterworks Company have been purchased of the Corporation by the new company, who have liberally offered to give up their interest in Chapel Field to the Corporation on condition that the latter shall undertake to lay out the Field as a park and pleasure-ground, so as to render it an ornament to the city. The Corporation will have a considerable surplus fund in hand when the company have paid the purchase-money for the Waterworks. By a plan submitted by Mr. Lynore, engineer of the Waterworks, the Field will be enclosed by a dwarf wall and railings, with handsome entrance-gates at the Theatre Street, Crescent, and St. Giles' corners, and a porter's lodge at the latter. The interior is to be laid out in the style of the London parks, the reservoir to be retained, but altered in shape, and the present tower to be ornamented and furnished with waiting-rooms, it is also proposed to place the Nelson statue on an elegant fountain pedestal in the centre of the reservoir."

18.--Died, Mr. George Bennett, comedian, aged 76.

MAY.

1.--A detachment of the 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks, to relieve the Queen's Bays, who had marched for Manchester.

--*"We have now had ten weeks' drought, the last wet day being the 18th of February."

2.--Died, in his 49th year, at his residence, Grosvenor Street, London, Mr. John Dalrymple, F.R.S. He was the eldest son of Mr. William Dalrymple, the distinguished Norwich surgeon. After studying under his father and at Edinburgh University, Mr. Dalrymple passed his examination before the College of Surgeons in 1827, and commenced practice in Norwich. In 1832 he was elected an assistant surgeon to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, of which institution he became, in 1843, full surgeon. In 1847 he was appointed consulting surgeon to the North London Infirmary, and in 1851 became a member of the Council of the College of Surgeons. Mr. Dalrymple was one of the founders of the Royal College of Chemistry.

7.--In the Court of Queen's Bench an important decision was given in the case of the Queen _v._ Robert Wiffin Blake, who had been required to show by what authority he had exercised the office of town councillor at Norwich. At the previous municipal election Mr. Blake, who was then one of the six aldermen of the city, became a candidate for the office of councillor of the Fourth Ward. Mr. Cundall, a Conservative, was his opponent. Mr. Blake having a majority of five votes, the presiding alderman and assessor returned him as duly elected, notwithstanding that notice had been given of his ineligibility. The Court decided that Mr. Blake could not be elected a councillor while holding the office of alderman. The defendant filed a disclaimer of the office of town councillor, and therefore allowed judgment of ouster to pass against him, with costs. (_See_ November 23rd.)

8.--Died at Nice, in his 85th year, General Auguste De Bardelin. For many years the deceased was a highly respected resident in Norwich. A native of Aix, in Provence, and born of a noble family, he was appointed one of the _garde du corps_ of Louis XVI., and was on duty at Versailles on October 6th, 1789, when the Royal palace was assailed by the insurrectionary mob of Paris, and the King and Queen were defended from assassination through the heroic sacrifice of life by many gentlemen of their bodyguard. M. De Bardelin accompanied the French princes in their exile, and afterwards came to England and settled in Norwich. There he remained about twenty-two years, supporting himself by teaching the French and Italian languages. In 1814 he accompanied Louis XVIII. to Paris, and the Government of the Restoration being established, he resumed his military occupation. After Bonaparte's second abdication, he returned with has lawful Sovereign. For ten years from that time M. De Bardelin continued to reside at the Royal chateau at St. Germains, in which a handsome suite of apartments was appropriated to his use, where he always delighted in welcoming the visits of his Norwich friends. In 1830 he was promoted to be General Marechal de Camp. In 1815 or 1816 the Chevalier married Miss Sutton, a lady well-known to Roman Catholic families of distinction in Norfolk and Suffolk. Madame De Bardelin died in 1826. In 1830 General De Bardelin resigned has command and resided in Paris till 1848, when the Republic being proclaimed, he went to his native province, and in the winter of 1851 sojourned at Nice. "He always referred to his residence at Norwich as the best period of his life. His pupils at Thurgar's school were enquired after with affectionate interest; he remembered the hospitalities at Crown Point, where General Money gave him a second home, and he never could forget the day when he quitted Norwich by the mail coach from the Angel Inn, on the restoration of the Bourbons;--passengers, horses, and all were decorated with white cockades, and a host of friends assembled to cheer and bid him farewell in true old English style." The daughter of General De Bardelin became the Baroness de Fabry.

14.--St. Martin-at-Palace church, Norwich, was re-opened, after being restored and in great part rebuilt. In August, 1851, while the church was undergoing repair, a portion of the roof fell in and brought down with it the eastern end of the north aisle.

23.--A serious fire took place at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. The roof was entirely consumed, and a number of rooms destroyed. The Watch Committee, on May 21st, held an inquiry into certain allegations regarding a deficiency in the water supply, and the inefficiency of the fire-engines.

31.--Kensington Gardens, Lakenham, were opened to the public, who "found amusement in the collections of animals and birds." During the Assize week "there was a pyrotechnic and scenic exhibition on the meadow side of the river, called, 'The Storming of San Sebastian,' being an imitation of the pyrotechnic display at Cremorne."

JUNE.

5.--Election proceedings commenced in Norwich with the arrival of the Marquis of Douro and Lieut.-Col. Dickson, who had been adopted Conservative candidates. The Whig-Radical candidates, Messrs. Peto and Warner, arrived at Wymondham on the 9th, and proceeded thence by road to Norwich. At Mile End a procession was formed, headed by men carrying large and small loaves, labelled respectively "Free Trade" and "Protection." In the evening the candidates addressed a great meeting at St. Andrew's Hall. (_See_ July 7th.)

--*"Through the exertions of several persons interested, the city and county magistrates have taken steps to put a stop to spring netting in the Wensum and Yare, and a fund is being raised to defray the expenses of protecting the rivers and prosecuting offenders."

15.--A cricket match, between 22 of Lynn and 11 of All England, commenced at Lynn, and concluded on the 16th. Lynn, 63--58; All England, 41--66.

19.--The Witton estate was purchased by Mr. John Penrice for 18,900 pounds. "The Cromer Hall estate, the property of the Countess of Listowel, including the Gothic mansion, several farm-houses, and upwards of 1,200 acres of land, with several manors, has been purchased by private contract for 60,000 pounds, by Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, M.P. for Boston."

JULY.

2.--At the Norfolk Sessions the county justices received the resignation of Col. Richard Montague Oakes, Chief Constable. Capt. Black was elected in his place on October 22nd. Col. Oakes was presented, on October 23rd, with a silver vase, subscribed for by the superintendents and constables of the Norfolk constabulary.

7.--The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs. Peto and Warner, and a poll was demanded on behalf of the Marquis of Douro and Col. Dickson. The polling-booths were opened at eight o'clock on the morning of the 8th, and closed at four o'clock in the afternoon, and the result was officially declared at one o'clock on the 9th: Peto, 2,190; Warner, 2,145; Douro, 1,592; Dickson, 1,465. The issues on which the election was fought were Free Trade and Protection.

--Mr. C. E. Rumbold and Sir E. Lacon, "Moderate Conservatives," and Mr. W. T. M'Cullagh and Sir C. Napier, Whig-Radicals, were nominated Parliamentary candidates for Yarmouth. The polling took place on the 8th: Lacon, 611; Rumbold; 547; M'Cullagh, 521; Napier, 486.

8.--Lynn election: Lord Jocelyn, 627; Lord Stanley, 551; Mr. Robert Pashley, Q.C., 383. The two first-named were returned.

9.--The Hon. Francis Baring and the Earl of Euston were returned unopposed for the borough of Thetford.

12.--Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes were returned unopposed as members for East Norfolk.

17.--The nomination of candidates for West Norfolk took place at Swaffham. Mr. William Bagge and Mr. George Pierrepont Bentinck were the Conservative nominees, and Mr. Anthony Hamond the Liberal candidate. "Mr. Hamond was formerly a Protectionist, and opposed Mr. Cobden at the Free Trade meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, only a week before Sir Robert Peel proposed to repeal the Corn Laws. Mr. Hamond now avows himself a Free Trader." He was nominated at the last moment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the retirement of the Hon. E. K. Coke. The poll was opened on the 20th and 21st, and on the 23rd the result was declared as follows: Bagge, 3,421; Bentinck, 3,143; Hamond, 1,973.

AUGUST.

14.--A general meeting of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Act 15 and 16 Vic., for raising a force not exceeding 80,000 men, of which number 50,000 were to be raised in 1852, and 30,000 in 1855. The Earl of Orford moved, and it was resolved, that the Lord Lieutenant be requested to apply to the Secretary of State to obtain her Majesty's Order in Council for the subdivision districts to be made coterminous with the Superintendent Registrar's districts; and to be furnished with a list of the number of men liable to serve in each subdivision and parish. On September 18th measures were adopted for the enlistment of two regiments of Militia--612 men to serve in the Western Regiment, and a like number in the Eastern Regiment. Sufficient numbers of men were forthcoming without having recourse to the Ballot Act. (_See_ April 19th, 1853.)

21.--Bylaugh Hall, the stately home of the Lombe family, was completed at about this date. The mansion was erected under the provisions of the will of Sir John Lombe, Bart., who died in 1817. The will directed "that so long as the house remained uncommenced the money should be invested and allowed to accumulate at compound interest." The new mansion was begun in 1849, under the supervision and control of the trustees in whom the building fund was vested. It was erected from the designs of Messrs. Banks and Barry, of London, by Messrs. Piper, of Bishopsgate Street, whose contract amounted to 29,389 pounds. The interior was decorated by Mr. Sang "and his German artists." (_See_ July 4th, 1857.)

SEPTEMBER.

14.--Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death of the Duke of Wellington. The muffled bells of the city churches were tolled for several hours. On November 18th, the day of the funeral, the principal shops were closed, and the Mayor and Corporation and the military forces stationed in the city attended a special service at the Cathedral.

17.--Mr. S. Chambers, R.N., made a balloon ascent from the Vauxhall Gardens, Yarmouth, and descended on Mautby marshes.

18.--Died at Saham Toney, John Thurston, labourer, in the 105th year of his age.

21.--The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The opening concert included selections from the works of classical composers, and a reading by Mrs. Fanny Kemble from the "Midsummer Night's Dream," with incidental music. "Israel Restored" was performed at the morning concert on the 22nd, and selections by popular composers were given in the evening. On the morning of the 23rd, "Jerusalem" (H. H. Pierson) was performed for the first time, and a miscellaneous concert took place in the evening. "The Messiah" was rendered on the morning of the 24th, and a dress ball was held in the evening. The principal vocalists were Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Fiorentini, Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Dolby, Miss Alleyne, Signor Gardoni, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Lockey, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, and Herr Formes. Mr. Benedict conducted. The gross receipts were 4,665 pounds 7s. 2d.; gross expenses, 4,171 pounds 17s. 1d.; surplus, 493 pounds 10s. 1d.

30.--Died, Rear-Admiral William Fisher, captain superintendent of Sheerness dockyard, and author of two naval novels, "The Petrel" and "The Albatross." He was the second son of Mr. John Fisher, of Yarmouth, and was born November 18th, 1780. Admiral Fisher entered the Navy in 1795, and was engaged in many important services. He married, in 1810, Elizabeth, sister of Sir James Rivett Carnac, Bart., Governor of Bombay.

OCTOBER.

5.--A prize-fight took place on St. Andrew's Green, near Bungay, between James Perowne, of Norwich, and James High, of Ellingham. "The former was seconded by a man named Mace," and the other by Smith, of Ditchingham. The police endeavoured to take possession of the ring, but were put to flight by the mob; and the men fighting to a finish, High was declared the victor. Principals and seconds, with the exception of Mace, were subsequently committed for trial, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions, on October 18th, were bound over to keep the peace. Jim Mace was apprehended at Litcham, on November 2nd, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions on January 3rd, 1853, was ordered to enter into his own recognisances to be of good behaviour.