Part 43

31.--The new Town Hall at Yarmouth was opened by the Prince of Wales. After the ceremony, at which a loyal address was read on behalf of the burgesses by the Recorder (Mr. Simms Reeve), the Mayor (Mr. C. C. Aldred) entertained his Royal Highness and a distinguished company to luncheon. On June 1st the Prince of Wales inspected the Norfolk Artillery, and left the town on June 2nd.

JUNE.

1.--A sacred and operatic concert was given at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the direction of Sir Julius Benedict, in aid of the funds of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children. The performers included Madame Blanche Cole, Miss Lucy Franklein, Madame Alice Barth, Mr. Faulkner Leigh, Mr. Aynsley Cook, &c., and the band and chorus were composed of the opera company performing at the Theatre Royal and of the members of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival Choir.

2.--At Norwich Theatre was produced Sir Julius Benedict's romantic opera, "The Lily of Killarney," under the personal direction of the composer. The performance was repeated on the 3rd.

22.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Norwich, in the grounds of Mr. A. R. Chamberlin, Ipswich Road, and was continued on the 23rd. Mr. Henry Birkbeck presided at the public luncheon.

JULY.

2.--The Right Rev. Samuel Crowther, D.D., Bishop of the Niger district of Africa, preached at St. Giles' church, Norwich, and at the Cathedral. Originally an African slave-boy, he was the first Bishop of the negro race, and at the time of his visit to Norwich was 70 years of age.

8.--It was announced that Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., had resigned the senior chairmanship of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, to which position he was elected in October, 1856. On October 19th, Mr. J. R. Bulwer, Q.C., M.P., Recorder of Cambridge, was elected to fill the vacancy.

22.--The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Yarmouth, under the respective commands of Lieut.-Colonel H. E. Buxton, Lieut.-Colonel Bulwer, and Lieut.-Colonel R. T. Gurdon, M.P.

24.--Bishop Pelham, who, on June 11th, completed the twenty-fifth year of his episcopate, received at the Palace, Norwich, a congratulatory address from the clergy of the several archdeaconries. (A portrait of his lordship, painted by Mr. W. Owles, R.A., was presented to him on October 18th, 1883.)

AUGUST.

3.--The officers of the 7th Dragoon Guards were entertained to luncheon at the Guildhall, Norwich, by the Mayor (Mr. W. Hunter), prior to the departure of the regiment for active service in Egypt. The right wing left Trowse station on the 4th, and sailed from the South West India Docks, in the Egyptian Monarch, on the 5th. The left wing proceeded from Trowse to Southampton on the 6th. On the departure of the cavalry, the Barracks were temporarily occupied by a detachment of the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, from Colchester. In September the citizens sent a petition to the Secretary of State for War, asking that the 7th Dragoons might be permitted to return to Norwich, but the authorities were unable to accede to the request.

12.--The first reference was made to the commencement of operations in Norwich by the Salvation Army, who had "secured St. Giles' Hall, formerly the Skating Rink, and converted it into suitable quarters." Frequent complaints of nuisances created by the "Army" were from time to time addressed to the magistrates. "General" Booth made his first visit to Norwich on September 9th.

23.--Mr. J. J. Henley and Dr. Airey, Local Government Board Inspectors, opened an inquiry at Norwich Workhouse into certain cases of alleged injury from vaccination reported to the Department by Mr. Ralph Lee Bliss. Eight definite cases were submitted, and in each the operation had been performed by the public vaccinator (Dr. Guy), at the vaccination station. Six of these cases were investigated. Subsequently five other cases were submitted, but only two were the subject of inquiry, the others being private cases, into which the Inspectors had no power to enquire. The inquiry concluded on September 4th. The Commissioners, in their report, dated October 21st, stated that no blame was to be attached to the public vaccinator as to the performance of his duties; "but we think," they added, "he should discontinue the use again and again of the same ivory points, and we consider it was an error of judgment on his part to continue vaccination attendance while he was daily visiting cases of erysipelas, without taking more than ordinary precautions to guard against the spread of infection."

SEPTEMBER.

1.--A three weeks' mission, in furtherance of the Blue Ribbon movement, was commenced in Norwich by its founder, Mr. Francis Murphy. The new pledges taken during the mission numbered 10,000, and upwards of 15,000 blue ribbons were distributed.

--The express service from the Eastern Counties to Doncaster was opened by the Great Eastern Railway Company, over their own and the Great Northern joint line.

5.--The coming of age of Mr. Russell J. Colman, eldest son of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., was celebrated by a dinner given in the grounds of Carrow House, to between 3,000 and 4,000 of the _employes_ at Carrow Works.

9.--The death was recorded of Mr. John Laffan Hanly, proprietor and editor of the "Levant Times," at Constantinople, at the age of 48. Mr. Hanly was for some time chief reporter on the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, and subsequently editor of the "Lincolnshire Chronicle."

13.--The French fishing lugger, La Reine des Anges, deeply laden with herring, was wrecked on the Middle Cross Sand off Yarmouth, and of her crew of eighteen, ten were drowned.

17.--Special thanksgivings were offered in the churches in Norwich "for the glorious success achieved by our arms at Tel-el-Kebir, with the consequent collapse of the rebellion of Arabi and the prospect of the restoration of peace in Egypt."

24.--Died at Yarmouth, Mr. Charles John Palmer, F.S.A. He was Mayor of the borough in 1835, 1854, and 1855, and was very zealous in promoting various local undertakings, among which was the restoration of the parish church. Mr. Palmer was the author of several antiquarian works, the best known of which is his "Perlustration of Great Yarmouth."

27.--The coming of age of Mr. Edward Evans Lombe, eldest son of the Rev. Henry Evans Lombe, was celebrated at Bylaugh Park.

OCTOBER.

21.--Died at East Dereham, Mr. George Alfred Carthew, F.S.A., M.A., aged 75. Mr. Carthew, who was known throughout the kingdom as an able archaeologist, contributed many valuable papers to the journals of learned societies. He was the author of "A History of the Hundred of Launditch," and of a similar work, passing through the press at the time of his death, on the topography, archaeology, genealogy, and biography of East and West Bradenham, Necton, and Holme Hale. He had vast stores of curious information, acquired in the course of a life-long study of matters illustrating the history of the county in ancient times. He was a descendant of the old Cornish family of Carthew, a member of which, Thomas Carthew, of Canalidgy, married, in the year 1685, Mary Colby, of Banham. Mr. Carthew helped to found the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, and to establish its position among the learned societies of the kingdom.

24.--An inquiry, directed by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, under the Endowed Schools Act, 1869, was opened at the Guildhall, Norwich, by Mr. C. H. Stanton, into the matter of the endowments commonly known as the Grammar School of the foundation of King Edward VI., the Commercial School of the same foundation, the Boys' Hospital, the Girls' Hospital, and Norman's Charity. Many prominent citizens made statements before the Commissioner, who closed his inquiry on the 25th. (_See_ August 11th, 1883.)

26.--A remarkable case of somnambulism occurred on this date. A girl of seventeen, employed as general servant by a shopkeeper at Felthorpe, after retiring to rest at nine o'clock, got out of bed, and, having put on a dress and a pair of boots, climbed out of the bed-room window, and, without waking, reached the ground by groping along the roof of a lean-to shed. She then walked to Cawston, a distance of five miles, and was found about four o'clock in the morning sitting fast asleep on the doorstep of her father's house. She was stiff, cold, and speechless, and on being restored to warmth and consciousness, stated that she had no recollection whatever of having left her bed.

28.--A severe gale, accompanied by wrecks and loss of life, occurred on the Norfolk coast.

--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Lindley, James Charles Edwards, 37, solicitor's clerk, pleaded guilty to forging certain documents. The prisoner read a written statement, in which he said, "A love for pictures was my ruin, a craving desire and mania to possess myself of something better than my neighbours gradually developed, until at last it became a madness with me." He was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.

NOVEMBER.

2.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich. The sittings concluded on the 3rd.

9.--Mr. Charles Rackham Gilman was elected Mayor, and Mr. Samuel Newman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

16.--The new Agricultural Hall at Norwich was opened by the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of the first exhibition held within the building by the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show Association. Among the distinguished company who received his Royal Highness were the Earl of Leicester, the Marquis of Hamilton, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Walsingham, Lord Hastings, Lord Claud Hamilton, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Norwich and Mrs. Gilman, &c. The Prince of Wales, having declared the hall open, made a tour of the show, and subsequently attended a meeting in the Farmers' Room, at which the recently-formed Prisoners' Aid Society was inaugurated. [The Christmas Show has since been held annually at the hall in the month of November.]

17.--The Rev. W. L. Blackley, rector of North Waltham, Hampshire, author of "Essays on the Prevention of Pauperism," delivered an address at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, on his scheme of "national insurance or compulsory providence." On the 18th Mr. Blackley addressed a second meeting, held at Noverre's Rooms, under the presidency of Lord Walsingham.

21.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Merton Hall, on a visit to Lord and Lady Walsingham.

DECEMBER.

2.--The opening of the Norwich extension of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway, completed on November 21st, was celebrated by a _dejeuner_ given at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by the contractors, Messrs. Wilkinson and Jarvis. Sir William ffolkes, Bart., presided over the large and representative gathering.

7.--The action, Boswell _v._ Coaks, came before Mr. Justice Pearson. His lordship stated that he was intimately acquainted with one of the defendants, and suggested that the action be taken elsewhere. All

## parties agreed, and the trial was consequently deferred. (_See_ February

26th, 1883.)

18.--A large portion of Gunton Hall, the seat of Lord Suffield, was destroyed by fire.

--An important public meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. C. R. Gilman) was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which resolutions were adopted in favour of the entire prohibition of the use of drag-nets in the Yare and Wensum.

26.--Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Bruce's Company appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the farcical comedy, "The Guv'nor."

28.--A meeting of the clergy and laity of the diocese was held at the Clerical Rooms, Norwich, at which Dean Goulburn moved, "That the proposed memorial to Dr. Pusey, embodying as it does a scheme for the purchase of his library and the appointment of clergy of the Church of England as librarians, who shall devote themselves to theological research and instruction, and to the help and counsel of junior members of the University, deserves the cordial and earnest support of all Churchmen." The motion was adopted, and a committee appointed to obtain funds towards the establishment and maintenance of the proposed memorial.

29.--Woodbastwick Hall, the seat of Mr. Albemarle Cator, was destroyed by fire, involving the loss of about 40,000.

1883.

JANUARY.

6.--Died at Norwich, Mr. William Henry Daly, solicitor, aged 30. Mr. Daly was nephew of Mr. Frederick Lawrence Phillips, editor of the "Norwich Argus." Upon the death of Mr. Phillips, he assumed for a short time the editorial control of the "Argus." Mr. Daly, who was a man of brilliant attainments, and had before him a very promising career, had been a member of the Norwich Town Council, and was solicitor to the Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers' Association.

12.--Professor Huxley, F.R.S., Inspector of Fisheries, held a public inquiry at Cromer, as to the desirability or otherwise of granting an order under the provisions of the Fisheries (Oyster, Crab, and Lobster) Act, to continue or vary the existing Order, dated February 2nd, 1880. A similar inquiry was held at Sheringham. As the result of the evidence, the Order was renewed and made more stringent.

16.--The Norwich Tramways Bill, promoted by the Hallidie Patent Cable Tramways Corporation, Limited, was reported upon by the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee of the Norwich Town Council, who recommended "that, in consequence of the nuisance and discomfort caused by their construction and working," a petition be presented against the Bill in its entirety. The discussion was adjourned until the 22nd, when an amendment, "That the Bill be opposed only so far as to protect the interests of the citizens," was negatived by 25 votes to 18. The recommendation of the Committee was thereupon adopted, and the company ultimately abandoned the scheme. (_See_ November 16th, 1886.)

22.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was reported that the wood-paving scheme had been completed. An area of 75,638 yards had been laid, at the total cost of 24,036 17s. 10.5d. The scheme was subsequently extended to districts in which special application was made by the ratepayers.

29.--The first of the touring pantomime companies appeared at Norwich Theatre--Messrs. Sheridan and Watkin's Company, in "Little Red Riding Hood," originally produced at Yarmouth Theatre.

30.--The centenary anniversary of the Norwich Public Library was celebrated by a _conversazione_, given by the President (Mr. C. E. Noverre), the Vice-President (Mr. T. Muir Grant), and the ex-President (Mr. Bosworth Harcourt).

31.--The Great Yarmouth Golf Club was formed, at a public meeting held in that town. The game had for some months previously been played on the Denes.

FEBRUARY.

6.--M. Guilmant, the celebrated French organist, gave organ recitals at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. He revisited the city on December 18th.

9.--A meeting under the auspices of the Marriage Law Defence Union was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. H. S. Patteson. Earl Percy, Earl Beauchamp, the Right Hon. A. J. R. Beresford Hope, M.P., and the Rev. Dr. Badenoch were announced to speak. The proceedings were very disorderly, and ultimately the promoters of the meeting were compelled to vacate the platform. The opposing party thereupon proposed and adopted resolutions in favour of legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister.

14.--At the Guildhall Police Court, Norwich, Mr. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, was charged, on the information of Edward Burgess, described as a printer and publisher, with assaulting him. The defendant, it was alleged, met the complainant in London Street, and, producing a riding-whip from beneath his coat, struck him several blows across the face. The assault was admitted, and defendant pleaded, in mitigation, that he horsewhipped the complainant in consequence of certain statements published by him in a paper called "Daylight." The Bench inflicted a fine of one shilling, and declined to make an order as to costs. This was the first of a remarkable series of cases arising directly or indirectly from the publication of the print above referred to. At Norwich County Court, on February 21st, before the Judge (Mr. E. P. Price, Q.C.) and a jury, William Hammond, "otherwise E. Field and Co.," brought an action against Edward Burgees and J. A. Burgis, the proprietors of "Daylight," for an alleged libel. The action was originally entered for trial in the High Court of Justice, the plaintiff laying his damages at 1,000, but it was remitted to the County Court, on the application of the defendants, on the plaintiff failing to give security for costs. Mr. Horace Brown was for the plaintiff (who did not appear), and Mr. Montague Williams for the defendants. The case was

## partly heard when Mr. Brown said that, having regard to what had

transpired, he did not think it right to ask the jury for damages. A verdict was therefore entered for the defendants. On February 24th, Arthur Ventnor, artist, of Bridewell Alley, was charged at the Police Court with wilfully breaking the plate-glass windows at the office of "Daylight," and doing damage to the amount of 20. The defendant was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, held on April 3rd, before the Recorder (Mr. W. J. Metcalfe, Q.C.). It was urged on behalf of the defendant that he had broken the windows owing to a caricature of himself being exhibited therein. The Grand Jury made the following presentment: "We consider that considerable provocation was given to Mr. Ventnor by the exhibition of the caricature before he broke the windows." The Recorder, who deplored the publication of such a paper, addressing the defendant, said, "The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for three hours, which means that you have been in the dock a great deal too long already, and that you now be discharged. Who is to pay the costs of this prosecution? Not the public, certainly, but the people who provoke other people to smash their windows." The verdict was received with great applause by a crowded court. At the Police Court on April 23rd, Messrs. Burgess and Burgis appeared in answer to an information laid by Lewin Samuel, clothier, of St. Giles' Street, for publishing in "Daylight" a defamatory libel of and concerning him. This was a criminal prosecution, on the fiat of the Public Prosecutor. The defendants alleged in their paper that the complainant and his brother were "Jew money-lenders, who sold up the homes of hard-working men and the beds from under women and children, and extorted 150 per cent. and more, interests for small loans." The case was sent for trial at the Assizes. The defendants appeared before Mr. Justice Day, on August 9th. After the case had been part heard, Mr. Horace Brown, counsel for the prosecution, asked leave to withdraw. His lordship granted the request, and remarked that Mr. Brown's client "had attained his object in having the character of his business thoroughly exposed to the public." The defendants were then discharged.

26.--The trial of the action. Boswell _v._ Coaks, commenced before Mr. Justice Fry. On the fifth day of the trial, March 12th, his lordship gave judgment. In his opinion, he said, the plaintiff's case had failed, and he dismissed the action, with costs. Later in the day the judge remarked that there was a certain point in the case which he had not appreciated, and ordered the action to be restored to the paper as part heard. At the further hearing, on March 19th, his lordship said he adhered to the view which he previously expressed, and pronounced judgment unreservedly in favour of the defendants, who were entirely acquitted of the charge against them. On June 19th an appeal was entered against the decision of Mr. Justice Fry. (_See_ May 19th, 1884.)

27.--Hengler's Grand Circus, the first exhibition of the kind given in a permanent building in the city, was opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

--At a meeting held at the Globe Hotel, Lynn, under the presidency of Sir William ffolkes. M.P., Mr. A. C. Fountaine, of Narford Hall, was selected master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, in place of Mr. Anthony Hamond, who had hunted the hounds for eighteen years. At the suggestion of the Prince of Wales, a fund was inaugurated for the purpose of presenting Mr. Hamond with a testimonial upon his retirement. The presentation took place at Sandringham, on December 1st, when a large number of the subscribers were entertained to breakfast by his Royal Highness, who handed to Mr. Hamond "his portrait in oil, mounted upon his favourite hunter, with the huntsman, Bob Claydon, and the whips, H. Browne and F. Clayden, in attendance." The picture was painted by Mr. Samuel Carter, who was born upon the Westacre estate.

--The new railway from Acle to Yarmouth was inspected by Major-General Hutchinson, and shortly afterwards opened for traffic.

MARCH.

6.--A strong gale and high tide occurred at Yarmouth. Many of the houses on the Marine Parade were in danger of being flooded. Many thousands of fish were killed in the Yare by the ingress of salt water.

--The Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Gilman) attended the launch, at Hull, of a new steamer, the Norwich, built by Messrs. Earle's Shipbuilding Company, for the Great Eastern Railway Company's service between Harwich and Antwerp. The Mayoress performed the ceremony of naming the vessel.

10.*--"Lieutenant M. W. M. Edwards, 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, son of Mr. H. W. B. Edwards, of Hardingham, has been presented by the Queen with the Victoria Cross, for conspicuous bravery, displayed by him at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir."

11.--A remarkably high tide took place at Lynn. The waters overflowed not only the quays, but the high banks of the river, a circumstance unprecedented for at least half a century. The lands reclaimed by the Norfolk Estuary Company from the bed of the old river were flooded to the extent of 400 acres. The low-lying streets of the town were inundated by the overflow from the river and "flats," and by sewage driven up through the gullies. At Wells the waters overflowed the quay and entered the adjacent houses.

17.--It was announced that the Privy Council had granted licences for the sale of store sheep at Tombland Fair, on March 2nd. Norwich Cattle Market was opened for the sale of fat and store stock on April 7th, under certain conditions. (_See_ January 5th, 1884.)

22.--The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held on the Old Cricket Ground, Lakenham.

24.--A public subscription was inaugurated to enable the city of Norwich to purchase a site for the erection of brigade depot barracks for the Norfolk Regiment. The War Office, it was announced, had agreed to retain the Cavalry Barracks on condition that the city provided a site for the infantry depot. On July 24th the War Office intimated their acceptance of the site on Plumstead Road, which was purchased at the cost of 1,600.

26.--The accomplished young tragedienne, Miss Alleyn, made her first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Juliet, with a company under the management of Mr. Charles Bernard. Among her other impersonations during the engagement were Marguerite Gauthier ("Woman's Love"), Lady Teazle, Adrienne Lecouvreur, Rosalind, Pauline, Iolanthe ("King Rene's Daughter"), and Portia. Miss Alleyn was described as "incomparably the best actress seen on the Norwich stage within the last thirty years."

30.--Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone passed through Lynn railway-station, on their way to Sandringham, to visit the Prince and Princess of Wales. "Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone travelled in a first-class carriage, and on the arrival of the train they were apparently asleep. Mr. Gladstone, however, soon woke up, and immediately one of his admirers, in the form of a 'working-man,' proceeded to the carriage window and introduced himself as one of his supporters, and thereupon shook hands with the Premier. On Sunday morning (April 1st), some prominent members of the Liberal party in Lynn received fictitious invitations to lunch with Mr. Gladstone at Sandringham, the envelopes in which the notes were enclosed bearing the postmark of that village." The visit terminated on April 2nd.

APRIL.

11.--Mr. Melton Prior, special artist of the "Illustrated London News," delivered at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, a pictorial lecture on the Egyptian War.