Part 4

8.--George Borrow performed an intrepid act on Yarmouth beach. "The sea raged frantically, and a ship's boat, endeavouring to land for water, was upset, and the men were engulfed in a wave some 30 feet high, and struggling with it in vain. The moment was an awful one, when George Borrow, the well-known author of 'Lavengro' and 'The Bible in Spain,' dashed into the surf and saved one life, and through his instrumentality the others were saved. We ourselves have known this brave and gifted man for years, and daring as was his deed, we have known him more than once risk his life for others."

17*.--"If the rivalry of the different railway companies in this district has been agreeable to the public it has been attended with fearful loss to the shareholders. Excursionists are not expected to object to being carried from Norwich to London for half a crown, but we should suppose that the proprietors in the Eastern Union will have a decided objection to the great increase of their working expenses to 60 per cent. by the process. The ruinous competition now going on can only be terminated by a union of interests, and it appears, from the reports of the Eastern Counties' and Eastern Union Companies, that an amalgamation is proposed."

--The kitchen floor of a house, occupied by Mr. Bunting, on St. Giles' Hill (near St. Giles' Gates?), Norwich, suddenly gave way, and Mrs. and Miss Bunting, who were in the apartment, were precipitated with the chairs, table, and other furniture, into a funnel-shaped hole 27 feet in depth. When rescued they were insensible but uninjured. "Caves were some time since cut through the hill in different directions and of considerable length, and the whole of the hill has been at various periods excavated for chalk. Some of the caves were used for wine vaults, and it appears that one of these caves passed under the back of Mr. Bunting's house. A water-pipe had been leaking for a long time, and it is supposed that the water descending through the soil caused the roof of the cave to give way, and the whole of the earth above to fall with it."

24.--A young man named E. Elson completed the task of walking from Lynn to Dereham and back, a distance of 60 miles, for six successive days.

26.--A violent hurricane of wind and rain did great damage in the county. "The injury to orchards and gardens has been immense, and the apple crop, which was an abundant one, has been reduced probably one-half." On the coast there were many shipping casualties, attended by loss of life.

OCTOBER.

10.--The hand-loom weavers in Norwich struck for a rise of wages. A memorial was presented to the manufacturers, asking for an advance of twopence per dozen on all finished fabrics.

16.--Died at Liverpool, aged 70, Admiral Bell, C.B., son of Mr. J. Barker Bell, of Gorleston, Yarmouth. He entered the Navy in 1796, and distinguished himself in many actions against the enemy. He attained to flag rank in October, 1846.

26.--A public demonstration took place at Lynn in honour of Lieut. S. Gurney Cresswell, the bearer of the despatches from Commander M'Clure, relating to the expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Lieut. Cresswell was presented with a congratulatory address at a meeting held at the Guildhall, and afterwards entertained at dinner at the Assembly Rooms. He was third son of Mr. Francis Cresswell, a partner in the banking firm of Gurney, Cresswell, and Co., King's Lynn, and a native of the borough, where he was born in 1827. Not only was he the bearer of the despatches announcing the discovery of the North-West passage, but he had taken an active and important part in the expedition.

29.--Died at his residence, Monmouth Road, Bayswater, Dr. Bexfield. He was born in Norwich on April 27th, 1824, and at seven years of age became a chorister at the Cathedral. At the age of eleven he composed an anthem in eight parts, which fully satisfied Mr. Buck that he possessed extraordinary talent. On the expiration of his articles in his 21st year, he was elected organist of Boston parish church, and in the same year graduated Mus. Bac. at Cambridge. He afterwards published his Concert Fugues for the organ, which were played during the Great Exhibition. In 1847 he composed his "Six Songs," and earned for himself the popular distinction of "the Poet-Musician." He was appointed, out of thirty-five candidates, organist at St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, London. At about this time he published a collection of pieces under the title of "Musica di Camera," and at the age of twenty-four took the degree of Mus. Doc. Dr. Bexfield was the author of a volume of "Church Anthems," which formed part of the repertoire of most English cathedrals. In 1850 he married a daughter of Mr. J. B. Millington, solicitor of Boston. The work on which his reputation mainly depended was his oratorio "Israel Restored," which on two occasions he conducted at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, viz., at its first production at the Choral Society's concert in October, 1851, and at the Musical Festival in 1852. A benefit concert was given at St. Andrew's Hall on December 16th for his widow and family. The sum of 500 pounds, including a donation of 20 guineas from the Queen, was realised.

NOVEMBER.

6.--Died at St. Leonard's-on-Sea, the Right Hon. Lord Charles Vere Ferrars Townshend, of Rainham Hall and Tamworth Castle. He was born in 1783, and in 1812 married his cousin, the eldest daughter of General William Loftus. The funeral took place at Rainham on November 24th. He was succeeded in his estates by his nephew, Capt. John Townshend, R.N., member for Tamworth, who also became heir to the marquisate.

9.--Mr. J. R. Gough, of America, delivered a temperance oration at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. He also addressed meetings on the 10th and 11th.

--Mr. Samuel Bignold was elected Mayor, and Mr. Henry Birkbeck appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.--A new church was opened at Wootton. It was built on the site of the old church at the sole expense of the Hon. Mrs. Howard. It cost nearly 6000 pounds.

13.--The announcement was published that Mr. David Fisher, the actor, who was so well known and highly respected in Norwich and Norfolk, had made a successful _debut_ at the Princess's Theatre, London.

DECEMBER.

1.--In the Vice-Chancellor's Court application was made in the suit Jermy _v._ Jermy for the administration of the estate of the late Mr. Jermy, of Stanfield Hall. The only question that arose was about certain timber growing on the estate and fines of copyholds. But a difficulty of a novel character had occurred. Since the murder the mansion had been untenanted. Although many persons were willing to take it they could not procure servants who would live in the house, so great was the superstitious feeling which existed. It was stated that the parties were willing to allow the house to be occupied for two years for nothing, in order to overcome the prejudice. The Vice-Chancellor said that Mrs. Jermy Jermy was entitled to a third of the timber and fines, and he expressed surprise that such prejudices existed against the house.

3.--Died, at her residence on the Castle Meadow, Norwich, in her 85th year, Amelia Opie, widow of John Opie, R.A., and only daughter of Dr. James Alderson. After her marriage with Opie in 1798 her numerous literary productions gained her considerable reputation, and as a novelist she moved in the highest literary circles. Her works included "Father and Daughter," "Simple Tales," 4 vols. (1806); "New Tales," 4 vols. (1818); "Temper, or Domestic Scenes," 3 vols.; "Tales of the Heart," 4 vols.; "Detraction Displayed" (moral treatise); "Illustrations of Lying," "Lays of the Dead," and other poems. Mrs. Opie was a member of the Society of Friends, and her remains were interred in the Quakers' Burial Ground, Gildencroft, on December 9th.

17.--The provision of a time-ball connected by electric telegraph with Greenwich Observatory, and exhibited in a prominent position in Norwich Market Place, was, in consequence of the irregularities of the public clocks, advocated in the NORFOLK CHRONICLE on this date.

20.--A meeting of the landowners, farmers, and tradesmen of Harleston and the district was held at the Corn Hall in that town, to consider the desirability of promoting the construction of a railway from Tivetshall station on the Eastern Union line. In 1851 an Act of Incorporation was obtained for making a railway from Tivetshall to Bungay, but from various causes, chiefly from the depression in the railway world, no further steps were at that time taken.

22.--Died, at the house of his son-in-law at Cambridge, aged 69, Mr. Seth William Stevenson, F.S.A., one of the proprietors of the NORFOLK CHRONICLE. He was elected Sheriff of Norwich in 1828, he became alderman in the same year, and in 1832 served the office of Mayor. Literary pursuits, especially of an antiquarian character, engrossed his leisure. In early life Mr. Stevenson made several Continental tours. The year after the battle of Waterloo, he, in company with Capt. Money, visited the scene of the struggle, and afterwards published "A Journal of a Tour through part of France, Flanders and Holland, including a Visit to Paris and a Walk over the Field of Waterloo in the Summer of 1816." The work was dedicated to the Norwich United Friars Society, of which literary body he was almost the last surviving member. In 1828 appeared the account of a second tour in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The book to which he devoted no inconsiderable portion of the last ten years of his life was the complete "Dictionary of Roman Coins."

24*.--"We have received from Mr. Garthon, one of the district surgeons of Norwich, a return in a tabular form showing the extraordinary number of 96 cases of small-pox in Heigham and St. Benedict's, during the last three months. These arose from the strong prejudice still existing amongst ignorant and poor people against the only preventive--vaccination."

--The funeral of the Marchioness of Wellesley took place at Costessey Hall, whither the remains had been removed from Hampton Court. "In accordance with the good old charitable practice a dole of bread was given to the poor of Costessey on the occasion of the funeral."

26.--Mr. Joseph Clarence produced at Norwich Theatre his grand Christmas pantomime, entitled, "Harlequin Prince Bluecap and the King of the Silver Waters, or the Three Kingdoms, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral."

1854.

JANUARY.

1.--Died at his residence, Thickthorn, near Norwich, in his 71st year, Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney. He was the son of Mr. Richard Gurney, of Keswick, and in early life was a member of the Society of Friends. In 1818 Mr. Gurney was elected member for Norwich in conjunction with Mr. W. Smith; he was re-elected in 1820, in 1830, and in 1831. At the General Election in 1832 he and the other Liberal candidate, Mr. Ker, were, after a very severe contest, defeated by Lord Viscount Stormont and Sir James Scarlett. Mr. Gurney was a patron of the Turf and a genuine lover of old English sports, but he was never known to bet. His remains were interred, on January 9th, at the Rosary Burial-ground, Norwich.

3.--A heavy snowstorm, accompanied by a severe gale from the north, passed over the Eastern district. The snow was deeper than had been known for many years previously; all the roads were blocked, and railway communication between Yarmouth and London was stopped. The telegraph poles were blown down, and the wires broken. A train which left Fakenham at 6 a.m. did not reach Norwich till 5.15 p.m. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, at Norwich, on the 4th, it was found impossible to form a grand jury, in consequence of the non-attendance of those who had been summoned. All travelling by road was suspended for some days; the port of Lynn was frozen up, and several ships were driven ashore at Yarmouth.

5.--A serious collision occurred on the line near Thetford. A train conveying sixty navvies, who were employed to clear away the snowdrifts, ran into the down train from London. "The engines rose up into the air, and two men on them were instantly killed; two others in the train from Norwich were also killed by the tender being driven through the carriage in which they were seated." The Rev. Joseph Bell, of Barningham, a passenger in the London train, died on the 8th from the injuries he received, and Mr. Thomas Ellison, of Dove Street, Norwich, another passenger, succumbed on the 14th. The Coroner's jury, after repeated adjournments, returned, on February 6th, a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. Peter Ashcroft, superintendent of the permanent way, and Mr. John Latham, locomotive superintendent, who, it was alleged, had acted contrary to the orders of Mr. King, station-master at Harling Road. At the Norfolk Assizes, on March 24th, before Lord Chief Baron Pollock, the jury, without hearing the defence, acquitted the defendants.

15.--Died at Heigham Hall (private lunatic asylum), Norwich, aged 84, Mr. Cockle, "the original proprietor of the antibilious pill which goes by his name, and who some years ago sold the recipe for several thousand pounds."

21.*--"An invention calculated to prove of great national benefit has been recently patented by Mr. Samuel Rainbird, carpenter, of Norwich. It is described in the specifications as an apparatus for grappling and raising sunken vessels and other submerged bodies."

--A meeting of the Deputy Lieutenants of the county decided, by 25 votes to three, that Yarmouth was the most suitable place in the district at which to centre the three regiments of Norfolk Militia. At another meeting, held on February 25th, the former resolution was rescinded, and it was agreed "that the present Committee be empowered to receive estimates and tenders for building barracks for one regiment of Militia at Norwich, and for one regiment of Militia and one regiment of artillery at Yarmouth, on such plans as they may think best suited for the purpose."

27.--Died near Holston River, in Knox County, East Tennessee, North America, Mr. William Forster, of Earlham Road, Norwich, in his 70th year. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a brother-in-law of Mr. Fowell Buxton. He went out in the autumn of 1853 to carry petitions to the slave States of the Union, on behalf of the oppressed Africans.

MARCH.

8.--At a meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. Bignold), and held at the Guildhall, Norwich, petitions to both Houses of Parliament were adopted in favour of an Act "for the legal prohibition of the sale of intoxicating drink during the whole of Sunday (except to _bona fide_ travellers)." A committee was appointed to make arrangements for forming a Sunday Closing Association.

10.--A troop of the Carabineers marched from Norwich Barracks, to join the headquarters at Ipswich. The remaining troop left on May 1st.

--In the Rolls Court, before the Master of the Rolls, was heard the case, the Attorney-General _v._ Hudson, in _re_ the Grammar School and Hospital at Norwich. This was an information filed by the Attorney-General, at the relation of certain inhabitants of the city, against the trustees appointed under the Corporation Act, of two charities called the Free Grammar School and the Great Hospital. The object of the information was to show that the Grammar School had not received a fair amount of the funds of the charity, and that undue preference had been given to the Hospital in their distribution. A decree was made, directing a scheme to be settled in Chambers. On December 18th it was stated in the Rolls Court that when the case was in Chambers a deed of covenant, contemporaneous with the letters patent of King Edward VI., and to which the Corporation were parties, had been found, by which the whole surplus, after the stipulated payments, was to be applied to the sustentation of the poor. The question then before the Court was how far this varied the case. It was contended that the Hospital and the poor were entitled to the entire surplus. The Master of the Rolls was of opinion that the deed did not control the letters patent, that no predominance or priority was given to one part of the charity over the other, and that the surplus rents should be equally divided, and in such a way as would be most consistent with the intentions of the founder. The case was taken before the Chief Clerk to the Master of the Rolls on February 6th, 1855. "The result is that upwards of 1,000 pounds per annum in addition to the property comprised in the charter will be secured for the general benefit of the charity, including, of course, the School. The matter now stands over, in order that a scheme may be prepared for the general administration of the charity under the sanction of the Attorney-General." On April 7th, 1855, it was announced that the following proposal had been made on the part of the "promoters of the new Grammar School" as to the future division of the funds "hitherto belonging to the Great Hospital": "That the present salary of the chaplain of the said Hospital be increased 100 pounds per annum, he having at present 200 pounds per annum besides his residence; that one moiety of the net income of the charity be annually applied for the benefit of the School and the objects thereof, and that the other moiety be applied for the benefit of the poor in the Hospital; and that no further election of inmates shall be allowed to take place until the number shall by death or other causes be reduced to 100, and that until the numbers shall be so reduced, the expenses occasioned thereby shall be provided for out of the savings of the trust and now invested in the sum of 11,500 pounds Consols, or out of any other monies in the hands of the defendants." Another meeting was held in Chambers on May 9th, 1855, when the trustees strongly opposed the heads of the scheme; thereupon it was proposed that the Chief Clerk should proceed to Norwich and hold an inquiry. The trustees claimed the right to appeal against his decision, if necessary, and the Chief Clerk then declined to accede to the proposal. The trustees were invited to carry in the counter claim, but refused to do so. (_See_ June 16th, 1857.)

13.--Henry Russell gave his entertainments, "The Far West," and "Negro Life," in the presence of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

16.--A meeting of the citizens was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. S. Bignold), at which it was agreed "that the wives and children of the Army of England called at this time on the service of their country to the seat of war, claim the sympathy of the British public, and that a subscription be forthwith commenced to relieve all such women and children as may be left in destitution and want." Similar funds were raised in other parts of the county.

23.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Parke, William Thompson, aged 21, was charged with the murder of Lorenzi Beha, at Tittleshall, on November 18th, 1853. Mr. Evans prosecuted, and Mr. Carlos Cooper defended. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April 8th. "The criminal's struggles continued five minutes." The lowest and most degraded classes in the city and county assembled on the Hill, "and more scenes of drunkenness and immorality were exhibited than had been seen for a long time previously in Norwich."

25.*--"At the Walsingham Quarter Sessions, the Grand Jury, in making their presentment, called the attention of the Court to the prevailing nuisance occasioned by carts drawn by dogs, and to the facilities thus afforded for the commission of felonies. They recommended that some decisive steps be taken to procure an extension of the Act providing against this evil in and around London." The provisions of the Act in force in the Metropolitan district were extended to the United Kingdom, and came into force on January 1st, 1855.

31.--Died at Haddiscoe, Edward Constance, aged 68, "well known for his sporting tastes, and for a considerable period a pedestrian follower of the hounds of the late Lord Berners, distinguished for his industrious habits and his ardent love of the chase."

APRIL.

1.*--"An order has been received from the Home Secretary, calling upon the churchwardens of every parish in Norwich to discontinue forthwith the burials in the inside of their respective churches, and to discontinue those in the churchyards from and after February 1st, 1855. Burial Boards are about to be formed for the purpose of providing a suitable ground for interment in the vicinity."

8.--Mr. G. V. Brooke concluded a week's engagement at Lynn Theatre. He appeared in the parts of Othello, Master Walter ("The Hunchback"), Sir Giles Overreach, Claude Melnot, and Hamlet.

11.--A public meeting, held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, with the view of promoting the abolition of capital punishment, resolved to petition the House of Commons in favour of such abolition.

19.--An address to the Queen was adopted at a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, assuring her Majesty "that she had their unqualified support in the prosecution of the war."

22.--That remarkable character, Philip Coots, better known as "Philip the Pieman," and the "Drum-boy," died at Norwich, aged 49.

--Died at Yarmouth, Eleanor Warrant, aged 102.

25.--The West Norfolk Militia, 1,000 strong, assembled at Norwich for a month's training. The East Norfolk Militia and the Norfolk Artillery Militia commenced their training at Yarmouth on the same date. The East Norfolk Regiment was, on May 16th, presented with colours by the Lord Lieutenant.

26.--This date was observed as a day of humiliation. In Norwich shops were closed, all business suspended, and the Mayor and Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, where "the Almighty's blessing was implored upon the war." The day was similarly observed at Lynn and Yarmouth.

27.--Died at Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Lieut.-Col. Nelthorpe, of the West Norfolk Militia, in his 83rd year. He was succeeded in the lieutenant-colonelcy by Major Custance.

MAY.

3.--At her Majesty's Levee, Mr. Samuel Bignold, Mayor of Norwich, was presented and received the honour of knighthood. On the 17th the portrait of Sir Samuel was placed in St. Andrew's Hall. It was painted by J. P. Knight, R.A., in 1850, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851, and afterwards engraved by Jackson.

21.--Died at Bethel Street, Norwich, aged 70, Robert Forster, formerly bandmaster of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's Own) Regiment. "At Waterloo he received a ball in his knee, which had never been extracted. He was a native of Norwich, and the only survivor of the band of the regiment, the whole having fallen by his side at Waterloo."

JUNE.

30.--The Eastern Counties (Amalgamation of Railways) Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons and passed. One of the clauses was to the following effect: "That it shall not be lawful for the company to close or discontinue the Victoria Station at Norwich, now belonging to the Eastern Union Railway Company."

JULY.

3.--Foot-racing was revived on the Old Cricket Ground at Norwich, by Mr. Thomas Sapey, a local sportsman. A one mile handicap, open to all England, brought twenty-four competitors, among whom were Thomas Horspool, of Sheffield (holder of the one mile champion belt); C. Welton, of Gateshead; William Newman, of London; Robert Bunn, John Brighton ("The Milk Boy"), Richard Fromow, Jim Mace (pugilist), William ("Cock") Blyth, &c. The meeting was continued on the 4th.