Part 35

3.--A serious disturbance took place at Hethersett, on the occasion of the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechases. A large number of roughs from Norwich had planned the robbery of the tills of the person who had received the gate-money and had charge of the refreshment department. An effort was made to unhorse Hickman, Mr. Angerstein's huntsman, who was engaged in keeping the course, and in the _melee_ which ensued an officer of the Carabiniers brought up at the trot a mounted detachment on duty at the races, and speedily quelled the disturbance.

5.--The Norwich Town Council, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, decided to proceed with the work of widening London Street, from the Market Place to Castle Street, at a cost not exceeding 22,000, and appointed a committee to negotiate with owners of property and to inquire into the best mode of carrying out the improvement. The subject was discussed in detail at various meetings during the year. (_See_ April 7th, 1877.)

10.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Baron Cleasby, Henry Webster, aged 61, a labourer, was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Sarah Webster, aged 53, at Cranworth, on September 17th, 1875. Sentence of death was passed, and the culprit was executed at Norwich Castle on May 1st. Marwood was the executioner.

17.--Mr. Charles Durand's Grand English Opera Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in Rossini's comic opera, "Cinderella, or the Fairy of the Glass Slipper." Miss Florence St. John was a member of the company.

18.--At an early hour in the morning the emigrant ship Humboldt, of Hamburgh, 729 tons register, bound from Hamburgh to the Brazils, with 349 emigrants on board, ran ashore on Winterton beach. With the assistance of tugs the vessel was got off and taken to Yarmouth Roads for repair. The master, Henrisch Detlof Busch, had lost his bearings, and believed himself to be off the coast of France!

20.--The first Starr-Bowkett Building Society was established at Norwich, by Mr. Starr, one of the originators of the system.

--The nomination of candidates for the election in the Northern Division of the county, consequent upon the death of the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P., took place at Aylsham. The candidates were Lieut.-Colonel James Duff, of Westwick House, and Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., of Warlies, Waltham Abbey. The polling, which took place on the 21st, resulted as follows: Duff, 2,302; Buxton, 2,192. Colonel Duff, during the election campaign, was confined to his house by sickness.

29.--A meeting of gentlemen interested in the field sports of the county was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, to consider the advisability of accepting the offer made by Mr. Angerstein, namely, that he would give to the county his pack of staghounds and deer, on condition that the county subscribed a sufficient sum "to hunt them in a proper manner." The meeting agreed to take over the hounds if adequate funds were forthcoming.

MAY.

15.--Mdlle. Beatrice's Comedy-Drama Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The repertory included "The School for Scandal," "Mary Stuart," "Frou-frou," "Nos Intimes," "The Ticket-of-Leave Man," "John Jasper's Wife," and "East Lynne."

18.--Died at his residence, Theatre Street, Norwich, in his 82nd year, Mr. William Butcher, a well-known land surveyor and auctioneer. He was a native of Brooke, and entered the office of Mr. Robert Corby, of Kirstead, a land surveyor, who had one of the largest practices in the district, if not in the kingdom. Mr. Butcher had unusual opportunities of acquiring a practical knowledge of the business at the time when enclosures of commons in Norfolk and Suffolk were being carried out, for Mr. Corby was the surveyor employed. For nearly sixty years he carried on a most lucrative practice, which was not confined to local limits, but extended throughout the kingdom, from the remotest parts of Scotland to the Land's End. Mr. Butcher served one term as an alderman of the city, and was Sheriff of Norwich in 1870-71.

24.--The Queen's birthday was celebrated in Norwich by an entertainment given to the inmates of the Workhouse by the Sheriff (Mr. Stevenson). It was stated that the Easter Monday and Whit Monday holidays provided by the Bank Holidays Act had affected the public observance of the day, and Volunteer reviews, sham fights, and civic feasts were no longer held to commemorate the occasion.

27.*--"The early closing of our shops on Thursdays in the summer months seems now to be the universal custom in Norwich, with the solitary exception of the chemists and druggists." (_See_ March 26th, 1879.)

--*"Some days since some men at work on Feltwell Fen found a quantity of Roman silver coins, many of them distinctly bearing the names of Hadrian, Antoninus, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Divas Antoninus, Vespasian, &c. They were contained in a vessel which was broken to pieces by the plough which turned it up."

31.--The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new building in Little Orford Street, of the Norwich Church of England Young Men's Society, was performed by the President, Mr. F. E. Watson. The building, which was designed by Mr. Edward Boardman, architect, and erected by Mr. G. E. Hawes, was formally opened on December 6th.

JUNE.

14.--The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Swaffham. Sir William ffolkes, High Sheriff of Norfolk, presided at the luncheon.

15.--Died at his residence, South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Vice-Admiral Thomas Lewis Gooch, aged 69, youngest son of Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch, Bart., of Benacre Hall. Born at Bramfield, he joined the Royal Naval College in 1820, and entering the Navy, obtained Lieutenant's rank in 1828. He was appointed to the command of H.M.S. Kite, went to the West Coast of Africa, and brought home the survivors of the first ill-fated Niger Expedition. In 1865 he attained the rank of retired Rear-Admiral, and became Vice-Admiral in 1871. In 1828 he married Anne, eldest daughter of General the Hon. William Gardner, Lieutenant-Governor of Malta.

18.--Father Ignatius announced that he would commence an eight days' mission at the Monastery, Elm Hill, Norwich. Miss Ware, a lady residing at Claydon, to whom, it was stated, the property belonged, was communicated with, and she instructed her solicitors to take the necessary steps for the ejectment of Ignatius. Mr. J. Clabburn, of Norwich, as agent to the solicitors, went to the Monastery, accompanied by three process-servers, and forcibly removed Ignatius and a brother monk as they were in the act of celebrating mass. On the 20th Ignatius summoned Mr. Clabburn and his men for assault, and, after a prolonged hearing at the Police Court, the magistrates dismissed the case. Meanwhile Ignatius held his services in the large room at the Bell Hotel, in the yard of the Rampant Horse Hotel, and at St. Andrew's Hall.

27.--Died at Ambleside, Miss Harriet Martineau, who was born in Norwich on June 13th, 1802. "Although she was not a great she was a most industrious writer, and thoroughly in earnest in whatever she undertook."

28.--The new organ erected at East Dereham church by Messrs. Hill and Son, of London, at a cost of between 700 and 800, was opened by Dr. E. T. Chipp, organist of Ely Cathedral.

30.--Died at Catton House, Norwich, Mr. Robert Chamberlin, aged 74. He thrice served the office of Mayor--in 1854-5, 1856-7, and 1871-2, and was Sheriff in 1848-9. Mr. Chamberlin was a magistrate for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and for the city of Norwich, and was a Deputy-Lieutenant of the first-named county.

JULY.

1.--The 3rd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Duff, M.P., went into camp at Hunstanton Park, and were officially inspected on the 6th by Colonel Harenc, commanding the 31st Brigade Depot at Yarmouth.

2.--Two troops of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) marched from Norwich, _en route_ to York; the headquarters left on the 8th.

19.--Died, Mr. Wace Lockett Mendham, Town Clerk of Norwich. He was in his 66th year, and was appointed to the office on the death of Mr. J. R. Staff, in 1855. A Liberal in politics, "previous to his appointment he might have been a warm partisan, but in his office of Town Clerk he most carefully concealed his political feelings, and acted with strict impartiality." Mr. Mendham married Miss Tillett, a sister of Mr. J. H. Tillett. He was succeeded as Town Clerk by Mr. Henry Blake Miller.

21.--The Norwich Central Conservative Club was formally constituted at a meeting of the party, held at the Bell Hotel.

22.--Died at Cardiff, aged 38, Mr. Henry Powel Smith, fourth son of Mr. George Smith, formerly manager of the Norwich Theatrical Circuit.

24.--In pursuance of a writ from the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice, the Sheriff of Norwich, by his Under-Sheriff (Mr. F. Fox), empanelled a jury at the Royal Hotel to inquire what lands and tenements, and their yearly value, were possessed by James Frederick Neale, of St. Andrew's Hall Plain, grocer, and what goods and chattels any person had in trust for him, as he was truly indebted to the Crown in the sum of 801 10s., "which sum was in danger of being lost unless some method more speedy than the ordinary course of procedure at law be had." These proceedings constituted another phase of the notorious Creak case. The jury found that Mr. Neale possessed property to the amount of 855, including 300 book debts, 505 stock-in-trade, and 50 paid on a life insurance policy, besides freehold property of the value of 16 a year. The jury thought they were not bound to find what was Mr. Neale's indebtedness to the Crown, or what was the yearly value of the property he held belonging to the late Margaret Creak.

29.--The 1st Dragoons (Royal)--five troops with headquarters--arrived at Norwich, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Graham.

AUGUST.

11.--A fire, involving damage to the amount of about 10,000, occurred at Messrs. Boulton and Paul's Ironworks, Rose Lane, Norwich.

12.--Died at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. Josiah Fletcher, aged 70. He was born at Henley-on-Thames, and in 1822 was apprenticed to Mr. Simon Wilkin, printer, &c., of the Haymarket, Norwich, with whom, on the completion of his term, he entered into partnership. Mr. Fletcher, in 1834, succeeded to the business, which was subsequently removed to the Market Place, and was there carried on by him until 1871, when, in consequence of his failing health, he retired, and was succeeded by his only son, who erected the extensive premises at Davey Place Steps. "Mr. Fletcher may be said to have been the originator of the 'Norfolk News,' of which journal he was for some time the editor and chief manager."

18.--Died at Ingoldisthorpe Hall, in his 88th year, Captain John Davy, R.N. He entered the Navy in 1803, was midshipman of the Barfleur in Sir Robert Calder's action in 1805, saw much gunboat service in 1807 and 1808 in the Faro off Messina, and was present at the reduction of the islands of Ischia and Procida.

29.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was decided to purchase the Oxford Hotel for a sum not exceeding 2,000, for the purpose of converting it into municipal offices. A special meeting was held on September 19th, at which it was reported that immediately after the decision of the Council a Norwich solicitor had offered 2,250 for the building. Mr. J. D. Smith, on behalf of the Corporation, offered 2,275, at which price it became city property. Considerable indignation was expressed at the action of the solicitor in question, which, it was pointed out, involved an increase in the rates of one farthing in the pound.

SEPTEMBER.

1.--Mr. and Mrs. German Reed appeared at Norwich Theatre, and were assisted in their entertainment by Mr. Corney Grain, Miss Fanny Holland, and Mr. A. E. Bishop.

4.--Madame Blanche Cole's Crystal Palace Opera Company began a six nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre.

6.--In compliance with a requisition signed by persons of both political

## parties, the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. J. H. Tillett) convened a Common Hall,

"for the purpose of giving expression to the views entertained by the requisitionists on the atrocities committed in Bulgaria." The Mayor presided, and the Lord Bishop and many other leading citizens were present. Resolutions were adopted expressing indignation and horror at the atrocities perpetrated by troops in the service of the Turkish Government. Meetings of a similar character were held in many of the towns and villages of the county, sermons were preached in churches and chapels, and relief funds organized.

9.--Mr. R. T. Gurdon was presented with his portrait (painted by Mr. Sidley, of London), in recognition of his political services to the county. The presentation was made by Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., at the Liberal Club, Norwich.

10.--Swaffham church was re-opened for public worship. It had undergone extensive restoration, under the superintendence of Mr. W. O. Milne, architect, of London.

11.--Mr. H. Loraine and Miss Edith Kingsley opened Norwich Theatre for a short season with a performance of "Othello." Among the other plays produced were "The Gamester," "Hamlet," and "Richelieu."

12.--An explosion occurred on board the Alexandra steamer, which had been chartered for the conveyance of the workpeople of Pockthorpe Brewery, Norwich, on a river excursion. A case of fireworks placed in the bar exploded, and filled the cabin with fumes by which many of the party were seriously affected. Four deaths resulted. At the subsequent inquest, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed their strong opinion "that in future no fireworks or combustibles be taken on board steamers without being declared as such and placed under proper charge."

13.--A disastrous gas explosion occurred at the church of St. John Maddermarket, Norwich. The Rev. H. L. Rumsey and several members of the choir were at practice when an escape of gas was noticed. Mr. Rumsey, with a lighted taper in his hand, was in the act of turning off the gas at one of the standards when a brilliant flame shot across the north side of the nave, followed by a terrible explosion, which completely wrecked the interior of the church. The choir escaped without injury, but Mr. Rumsey was hurled a distance of several yards, and severely shaken and bruised. The damage was estimated at 1,000.

19.--A skating rink, built at the cost of 9,000, including fittings, &c., was opened at St. Giles' Street, Norwich. It was 103 feet in length, 55 feet in width, with promenade gallery, smoking rooms, &c. An outer rink, abutting upon Bethel Street, covered an area of 80 feet by 40 feet. For some months roller skating proved a very popular amusement, and weekly returns were published of the number of persons who visited the establishment. This popularity was, however, of short duration, for on May 26th, 1877, it was announced: "The passion for rinking having fallen to zero, the managers have introduced additional attractions in the shape of a couple of clever bicyclists and a troupe of performing dogs." A theatrical licence was subsequently obtained, and the rink was opened, on September 10th, 1877, as "The Vaudeville Theatre of Varieties," under the management of Mr. Hugh J. Didcott, with Mr. B. Isaacson as musical director. The originator of the skating rink was Mr. Warner Wright, a local solicitor.

24.--A brilliant meteor "fell about half-past six o'clock directly over the planet Saturn, which was then shining in a cloudless sky." It was observed throughout the Eastern and Southern Counties, and upon the Continent.

25.--Messrs. H. M. Pitt and H. Hamilton's Company commenced a three weeks' dramatic season at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The pieces produced included "False Shame," "Partners for Life," "Old Sailors," "Two Roses," "Forgiven," "Queen Mab," "Still Waters Run Deep," "New Men and Old Acres," "Money," "London Assurance," &c. In the company were Miss Fanny Addison, Miss Alma Murray, Miss Dora Santon, Mr. and Mrs. George Canninge, Mr. John Burton, Mr. J. Watkins, Mr. Sidney Weatherilt, Mr. Edward Fowler, Mr. E. D. Ward, Mr. A. Walters, and Mr. Barry. Mr. H. Cecil Beryl (Mr. W. H. Sparrow, of Norwich) was the acting manager.

27.--Died at Great Yarmouth, Commander Horatio Nelson Atkinson, "named after his god-father, the hero of Trafalgar." He was the eldest son of Thomas Atkinson, master attendant on Nelson's flagships, and entered the Navy in January, 1817. When mate of the Seringapatam, in 1825, he received three severe gunshot wounds. He attained the rank of Lieutenant on November 27th, 1827, and served from February 23rd, 1831, until July, 1834, in the Alfred on the Mediterranean station, where he witnessed the establishment of King Otho on the throne of Greece, and was presented, when off Alexandria, with a sword by Mehemet Ali. From March 31st, 1836, until his retirement he was employed in the Coastguard, owing to his inability to procure further occupation afloat. Commander Atkinson was in his 74th year.

OCTOBER.

14.--A new County Cricket Club was formed at a meeting held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich. Lord Suffield was elected president.

30.--The Boileau drinking-fountain, erected at the junction of the Newmarket and Ipswich Roads, Norwich, was inaugurated. Sir John Boileau, Bart., had bequeathed the sum of 1,000 to defray the cost of the work, which was designed by Mr. T. Jeckyll, St. George's Terrace, Queen's Gate, London. The statuary was designed and executed in bronze by Mr. J. E. Boehm, the well-known sculptor, and the structure was built by Mr. Hubbard, of East Dereham. Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., performed the ceremony of asking the city to accept the fountain, and was thanked by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Tillett), in the name of the citizens.

30.--Norwich Theatre was opened for the winter season by Mrs. W. Sidney, with an excellent production of Dion Boucicault's Irish drama, "The Shaughraun."

NOVEMBER.

9.--Mr. Richard Coller was elected Mayor, and Mr. William Cadge appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

13.--The Prince of Wales arrived at Morton Hall, on a visit to Lord Walsingham.

20.--The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Norwich, with the object of furthering an important scheme promoted by the governing body of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for enlarging the institution. Their Royal Highnesses, who travelled by special train from Wolferton, were received at Thorpe Station by the Mayor, Sheriff, and Deputy-Mayor, and presented with an illuminated address, after which they drove to St. Andrew's Hall, where a distinguished audience had assembled, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county. The High Sheriff (Sir William ffolkes, Bart.) moved, "That the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital fully deserves the confidence and support of the county of Norfolk and city of Norwich, on account of its services, extended over a hundred years, to the sick and suffering poor." The Lord Bishop seconded the motion, which was adopted. His Royal Highness then moved, "That it is desirable, both for the accommodation of the patients and the improvement of the sanitary condition of the Hospital, that the proposed alterations and additions be carried out, and that for this purpose an application be made to the county and city to raise the sum of 35,000 for a building and sustentation fund." Votes of thanks were accorded to their Royal Highnesses for attending the meeting, and to Lord Leicester for presiding. Lord Leicester, who had previously offered to subscribe 5,000, on condition that the remaining 30,000 of the 35,000 required were raised within a stipulated time, now announced that he would give 13,000 to be invested for the future sustentation of the Hospital. At the conclusion of the proceedings the Prince and Princess were entertained at luncheon at the Bishop's Palace, where a distinguished company had been invited to meet them; and in the afternoon his Royal Highness attended a Masonic gathering at the Drill Hall, and installed Lord Suffield as Provincial Grand Master. Later their Royal Highnesses proceeded by rail to Gunton, to spend a few days with Lord and Lady Suffield; and in the evening a concert was given at St. Andrew's Hall, at which Madame Albani was the principal performer. (_See_ February 3rd, 1877.)

--A man named William Nelson was severely injured in St. Peter Mancroft Church Alley, by the explosion of a gaspipe charged with gunpowder. He was removed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he died on the following day. At the Coroner's inquest, on the 22nd, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against some person or persons unknown. A reward was offered by the Mayor for the discovery of the perpetrator of the outrage, but no information was forthcoming.

DECEMBER.

18.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester, who, on the 21st, gave a grand ball in honour of the event.

23.--Died at Norwich, Mr. William Cooke Stafford, aged 83. Mr. Stafford was one of the oldest journalists in the kingdom. After a visit to America, he commenced his professional career in London, in 1818, as a contributor to the "Anti-Jacobean Review," the "White Dwarf," &c., for which he wrote leading articles. He afterwards became editor of the "Leeds Intelligencer," and proceeded to York to edit the "Yorkshire Gazette." Leaving York, he established the "Doncaster Chronicle," and had subsequent engagements on the "Hull Packet" and the NORFOLK CHRONICLE. His later years were spent in London, where he did a considerable amount of literary work as "publisher's editor," by writing a history of the Crimean War, and part of "The World as It Is," for Mr. Peter Jackson. Mr. Stafford also re-edited Hume and Smollett's History, and did much work of a similar character.

26.--The pantomime of "Beauty and the Beast, or Harlequin Prince Azor and the Good Fairy of the Wedding Ring," produced under the direction of Mrs. Sidney, at Norwich Theatre, was one of the best and most successful pieces of the kind in the annals of the house. Stoodley and Harmston's Circus and Edmunds' Menagerie were exhibited on Castle Meadow; and Madame Rose Hersee, supported by an excellent concert party, appeared before a meagre audience at Noverre's Rooms.

27.--Died at the Grove, Chapel Field Road, Norwich, Mr. Joshua Swann, aged 71. He was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Willett, Nephew, and Co., and an alderman of the city. Mr. Swann's literary and scientific tastes rendered him a valued and most active member of the committees of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum and Literary Institution, and he was a warm supporter of the School of Art and the East Anglian Art Society, formed shortly before his death. He left a collection rich in portraits of local celebrities and etchings by Norwich artists.

30.--Died at Catton, Mr. George Gedge, aged 78. For many years Mr. Gedge carried on an extensive business as a dyer, by which he realised a fortune. He was a Conservative in politics, and long served the city as a member of the Town Council and of the old Court of Guardians. He directed his attention especially to the advocacy of a system of national rating, in the furtherance of which he spent both time and money. It was to Mr. Gedge's enterprise that the city was indebted for the first visit of Jenny Lind, the precursor of so much benefit to local charitable institutions, and of the founding of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children.

1877.

JANUARY.

1.--A deputation of the clergy and tenantry on the Royal estate waited upon the Prince of Wales at Sandringham, and presented him with a silver casket and an address, congratulating his Royal Highness upon his safe return from India.

4.--Castleacre church was re-opened for public worship after its restoration, at the cost of about 3,000, almost entirely subscribed by the parishioners. The chancel was renovated through the munificence of the Earl of Leicester, lord of the manor, and holder of the impropriate tithes.

--Died at Ashwicken Rectory, the Rev. John Freeman, aged 61. He was the author of a life of Kirby, the entomologist, published in 1852.