Part 50

25.--Died, at his resident, at Sevran, in the environs of Paris, Mr. William Bateman, aged 75. He was second son of Mr. John Bateman, of Norwich, and brother of Dr. Bateman. At the age of 29 he settled in Paris as a merchant and acquired an ample fortune. During his mercantile career Mr. Bateman established extensive commercial operations in Spain, and in 1870 King; Amadeus conferred upon him the dignity of Knight of the Order of Charles III. of Spain. Mr. Bateman married the eldest daughter of Mr. William Harrison, of Yarmouth.

27.--The Premier (Lord Salisbury) visited Norwich. His lordship was received at Thorpe station by the High Sheriff (Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart.), the Mayor (Sir Harry Bullard), and Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold, the leader of the Conservative party in the city. Escorted by a cavalcade of fifty horsemen, among whom were several leading residents in the county and city, Lord Salisbury drove to Harford Lodge, the residence of Colonel Bignold. In the evening the Premier addressed a great meeting, held at the Agricultural Hall, under the presidency of Colonel Bignold, and at the conclusion of the proceedings travelled by special train to Coltishall, whence he drove to Horstead Hall as the guest of Sir Edward Birkbeck, M.P., and the Hon. Lady Birkbeck. Lord Salisbury returned to Norwich on the 28th, and after attending a luncheon given at the Guildhall by the Mayor, proceeded to the Agricultural Hall, where he received addresses presented by deputations from many Conservative associations in East Anglia. Having delivered a further address his lordship departed from Thorpe station by the 3.25 train for London.

AUGUST.

3.--The Cricket Week theatrical performances commenced at Norwich Theatre, and were continued on the 4th and 5th. The pieces produced by Sir Kenneth Kemp's company of amateurs were "The Parvenue" and "Woodcock's Little Game."

9.--Died, at 3, Belgravia Square, Edward Fellowes, first Baron de Ramsey. His lordship, who was raised to the Peerage on July 5th, was the second son of Mr. William Fellowes, of Ramsey Abbey, Huntingdonshire, by his wife, Emma, fourth daughter of Mr. Richard Benyon, of Englefield House, Berks. He was born in 1809, and entering Parliament for Huntingdonshire in 1837, sat in the House of Commons without interruption until the General Election in 1880, when his eldest son, Captain Fellowes, succeeded to the seat which had been successfully defended against Liberal assaults during forty-three years. For more than half a century Mr. Fellowes was chairman of the Commissions which had the management of the Middle Level and Ouse Outfall Works.

19.--Died, at Alfred Place, South Kensington, Mr. John Palgrave Simpson. He was the second son of Mr. William Simpson, Town Clerk of Norwich and Treasurer for the county of Norfolk, and of his wife Katherine, daughter of Mr. William Palgrave, of Coltishall. Intended for the Church, he was educated under a private tutor at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B.A., and proceeded M.A. in due course. Abandoning the idea of adopting the clerical profession, Mr. Simpson travelled on the Continent and in the East. He was in Paris when a sudden and severe reverse of fortune, consequent upon the failure of a bank, compelled him to seek means of repairing his losses. Literary occupation seemed the only course open to him, and, as he confessed, he succeeded in his efforts beyond expectation. For some years he contributed to the leading magazines--"Blackwood's," "Bentley's," "Frazer's," and others, and published three novels, "Second Love and other Tales," "Gisella," and "The Lily of Paris, or the King's Nurse." Mr. Simpson's career as a writer for the stage was mainly due to accident. He seldom visited theatres, but it chanced one night that he went to the Strand Theatre, and was so pleased with the performance of William Farren, Leigh Murray, and Mrs. Stilling that he conceived the idea of writing a play for them, and the result was the comedy drama in one act, entitled "Poor Cousin Dick," which was played with considerable success at the house on April 8th, 1850. Subsequently Mr. Simpson wrote several successful plays, the principal of which was the famous three-act comedy, "A Scrap of Paper," produced at St. James's Theatre on April 23rd, 1861.

SEPTEMBER.

2.--A gale, which prevailed throughout England, was severely felt on the Norfolk coast. A large number of vessels ran into Yarmouth Roads for shelter, among them H.M.S. Narcissus and her escorts Valorous and Echo. A fine vessel, the Falls of Bruar, 1,742 tons register, the property of the Glasgow Shipping Company, was wrecked, and only five hands out of the crew of twenty-nine were saved.

21.--The Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. F. Oddin Taylor) gave a _soiree musicale_ at Blackfriars' Hall, at which the principal performers were M. Leopold Godowsky, Miss Alexes Leighton, Senor A. Gimenez Manjon, Signor Bottesini, and Mr. Odell.

26.--The first of many protracted discussions took place at a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, upon a report furnished by the City Engineer (Mr. P. P. Marshall) upon the state of the sewerage system of the city. The old sewers were said to be in a defective state, and it was proposed to abandon the low-level system, and to adopt the separate system with a new rising main, at an estimated cost of 78,000.

29.--The church of St. Michael-at-Plea, Norwich, which for many years had been in a dilapidated state, was opened after restoration at the cost of 3,000.

--At the annual dinner of the North Walsham and Aylsham Agricultural Association, held at North Walsham, cigarettes, made from tobacco grown in Norfolk by Sir Edward Birkbeck, M.P., were handed to the guests. The President (Lord Suffield) described the tobacco as "very good," and said that Sir Edward, who had taken considerable interest in the experiment, "believed that its growth was really going to do something for the benefit of Norfolk farmers."

OCTOBER.

4.--Died, at 6, St. Augustine's Road, Camden Square, N.W., Mr. David Fisher, who for thirty years had held a prominent position upon the London stage as a leading comedian. Mr. Fisher was born at East Dereham, which was one of the towns on the circuit of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, under the control of the Fisher family. Like his father, uncle, and grandfather, Mr. Fisher was highly respected in Norfolk and the sister county, and his periodical visits to the scenes of the former theatrical successes of his predecessors were always regarded with pleasure by a large circle of friends and admirers. On those occasions Mr. Fisher gave dramatic and musical recitals, in which he was assisted by his talented daughter, Miss Mary Fisher. His career in London commenced with Charles Kean at the Princess's Theatre, where, on November 2nd, 1853, he appeared as Victor in "The Lancers." In 1859 Mr. Benjamin Webster, then at the Adelphi, secured his services, and until 1863 Mr. Fisher performed at that Theatre with considerable success in many important parts. For a short time he severed his connection with the stage, and gave his single-handed performance, "Facts and Fancies," at Hanover Square Rooms and St. James's Hall. Subsequently he joined Mr. Vining's company at the Princess's, and afterwards appeared at Drury Lane and other leading Metropolitan theatres.

9.--Died, the Rev. Kirby Trimmer. Born in London on December 22nd, 1804, he was the son of Joshua Kirby Trimmer, of Chiswick, eldest son of Mrs. Sarah Trimmer, the authoress. After a short residence at Vendome, he graduated at St. Alban's Hall, Oxford, and was ordained in February, 1829. He served the curacies of Burnham Overy, Burnham Sutton, Great Bircham, and Stanhoe, and in 1840 became curate of St. George's Tombland, Norwich, to which living he succeeded in 1842. In the pursuit of botany, Mr. Trimmer attained to great distinction, and published the well-known, standard work, the "Flora of Norfolk." His other literary efforts embraced a series of "Conversations" on the Thirty-nine Articles, and he interested himself greatly in the "Philological Dictionary" in course of publication at the time of his death.

11.--The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The vocalists included Madame Albani, Miss Liza Lehmann, Miss Annie Marriott, Miss Hilda Wilson, Miss Lena Little, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Charles Wade, Mr. Barton McGucken, Mr. Santley, Mr. Alex. Marsh, Mr. Brockbank, and Mr. Barrington Foote. Mr. Alberto Randegger was conductor. The opening performance included the "Jubilee Ode," "The Heavens Declare," and the "Hymn of Praise." On the morning of the 12th were produced the "Garden of Olivet" (Bottesini), a devotional oratorio composed expressly for the Festival, and conducted by the composer; and the "Stabat Mater." On the 13th the morning performance comprised the oratorio, "Isaiah" (Mancinelli), composed expressly for the Festival, and conducted by the composer; and the "Fourth Mass" (Cherubini). The "Messiah" was given on the 14th. A miscellaneous programme was performed on the evening of the 12th; the evening performance on the 13th included "The Irish" (C. V. Stanford), conducted by the composer, and the cantata, "The Golden Legend," composed and conducted by Sir Arthur Sullivan. The concluding performance on the evening of the 14th was the dramatic legend, "Faust." The Festival yielded a surplus of 719 3s. 1d.

20.--The new Town Hall at Downham Market, erected at the cost of 1,230, was opened by Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst, M.P.

21.--An extensive range of premises in St. George's Bridge Street, Norwich, formerly the drapery establishment of Mr. Henry Snowdon, was destroyed by fire. The damage was estimated at between 12,000 and 15,000.

25.--Died, at Queen Anne's Mansions, S.W., Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse, G.C.S.I., K.C.B., aged 76. He was the eldest son of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, of Sennowe Lodge, and was for many years in the Civil Service and in the Foreign and Colonial Offices.

NOVEMBER.

7.--The honorary freedom of the city of Norwich was conferred upon the Mayor (Sir Harry Bullard), and to Lady Bullard was presented a diamond crescent brooch and a hair spray of coralline pearls. In the evening a complimentary dinner was given, at the Bell Hotel, to the Mayor and to the Sheriff (Mr. F. Oddin Taylor) by the members of the Board of Guardians.

9.--Mr. Frederick William Harmer was elected Mayor and Mr. Robert George Bagshaw appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.--Died, at Belsfield, Windermere, Mr. Henry William Schneider, aged 70, formerly Member of Parliament for Norwich.

12.--The old colours of the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, presented to the Prince of Wales by Colonel Massy and the officers, were "laid up" in Sandringham church in the presence of his Royal Highness.

14.--Wintry weather was experienced in Norfolk. "As many as 13 degrees of frost were registered in some places."

21.--The foolhardy feat of entering a cage containing five Barbary lions and two wolves, at Wombwell's Menagerie, was performed at Norwich by a druggist named Woodcock. He went into the van under the protection of a coloured girl, who acted as "trainer" to the establishment.

24.--The High Sheriff of Norfolk (Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart.) gave a grand county ball at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

29.--Died, at Brighton, Mr. George Henry Christie, of Framingham, aged 76. Mr. Christie was formerly head of the eminent firm of art auctioneers established by James Christie in Old Pall Mall about the year 1762. His grandfather was the friend of Sheridan and Garrick, and Gainsborough painted a fine portrait of him. Like his father and grandfather, Mr. Christie was educated at Eton. He continued head of the firm until 1860, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. James Henry Brooke Christie.

DECEMBER.

5.--At a large meeting held at Blackfriars' Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold, Mr. Edward Wild was presented by the Conservative party of the city with an illuminated address expressing to him their sympathy "in the unjustifiable attack made on him in the Town Council," and congratulating him "on his complete and triumphant refutation of the charges." The address further stated: "They desire also to express not only as a party but as citizens their appreciation of Alderman Wild's honourable character, and of the debt the city owes him for his long, faithful, and able services."

13.--A military tournament, given by the 19th (Princess of Wales' Own) Hussars, in aid of the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 17th.

--Died, at Morton Hall, Mr. George Duckett Berney, in his 75th year. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Trench Berney, by his wife, Mary, daughter of Mr. Thomas Penrice, of Great Yarmouth and of Witton House, and married Catherine Mary, daughter of the Rev. Henry Lombe, of Bylaugh Hall. Mr. Berney was a justice of the peace and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the county of Norfolk, and in 1881 served the office of High Sheriff. He took a practical interest in pisciculture.

1888.

JANUARY.

2.--Mr. Edward Compton's company appeared at Norwich Theatre in Mr. W. G. Wills' play, "Jane Shore," with Miss Isabel Bateman in the title _role_.

17.--Mr. Andrew Johnston, Assistant Commissioner under the Boundary Commission appointed to make inquiries as to the delimitation of counties and Poor Law Unions, in view of impending legislation in the form of a new Local Government Bill, attended a meeting of the County Rate Basis Committee, held at Lynn under the presidency of Mr. R. T. Gurdon, and heard various statements made by the county magistrates. A Committee appointed to confer with the Commissioners reported at the County Sessions on April 5th that they considered it undesirable to alter the boundaries of the county. On April 10th a deputation appointed by the Norwich Town Council waited upon Mr. Ritchie to ask for the inclusion of Norwich in Schedule 4 of the Local Government Bill, in order that the city might be constituted a county in itself, and not be included in the county of Norfolk as was proposed. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on May 5th, passed resolutions in favour "of an alteration in the proposed electoral divisions so as to give a fair representation to the agricultural interest; of an extension of the term of office of the elective councillors; of one electoral register for all purposes; and of the postponement of the question of District Councils until next year." The Chamber further agreed to petition Parliament in favour of the wheel tax.

--A report was submitted to the Norwich Town Council on the completion of the new Foundry Bridge. The original estimate for the work was 13,000; the actual cost, including all charges, was 12,032 11s. 4d. The width of the bridge is 50 feet--five feet more than was originally intended. The Great Eastern Railway Company contributed 1,200 towards the cost of the undertaking.

20.--Died, at Shadwell Court, Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart. The son of Sir John Jacob Buxton, Bart., by the eldest daughter of Sir Montagu Cholmeley, he succeeded to the title in 1842 as the third, and, in default of male issue, the last baronet. Sir Robert was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and married, in 1865, Mary Augusta Harriet, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, by whom he left two daughters, Maud Isabel and Sybil Mary. He was a Deputy-Lieutenant for Norfolk, and sat in Parliament for the Southern Division of the county from 1871 to 1885. In 1870 he served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, and was a justice of the peace for both Norfolk and Suffolk. Sir Robert was at one time an officer in the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry, and afterwards identified himself with the Volunteer movement by accepting, in 1860, a captaincy in the 20th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers.

21.--At the annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. F. W. Harmer) presented to Mr. Arthur Waters Preston a handsome black marble clock of classical design, subscribed for by members and friends of the society in recognition of his services as hon. secretary from 1881 to 1888. Accompanying the testimonial was a cheque for 50 and an illuminated address.

23.--The action, Stanley _v._ the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, arising out of the claim of the freemen to the Town Close Estate, came before Mr. Justice Kekewich in the Royal Court of Judicature. Mr. Walter Rye, Mr. Stanley's agent, asked that it might be referred to Mr. Blofeld, Recorder of Ipswich and Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, to enquire and report who were the persons entitled as freemen to participate in the rents and profits of the estate, and what persons were entitled to be admitted as freemen under the inquiry directed by the judgment given in March, 1887. His lordship made the order asked for, and directed that the inquiry be held at the Guildhall, Norwich, or at such other place as the referee might from time to time direct. Mr. Blofeld opened the inquiry on March 19th, and continued the proceedings on the 20th, when a large number of freemen attended for the purpose of proving their right to have their names placed upon the roll. On the same day (the 20th) it was reported to the Town Council that the cost of the Town Close Estate litigation amounted to 4,500, and a resolution was adopted for leave to borrow the amount on mortgage of the estate. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, on July 7th, a point was raised as to the jurisdiction of the court to affirm a declaration of the Attorney-General creating the Town Close Estate a charity. Mr. Justice Kekewich, on July 14th, sustained the objection taken by the respondents to the Attorney-General's application, and held that before issuing a summons the Attorney-General must establish by independent proceedings an information that there was a charity in existence to be regulated. The summons had been so drawn as to assume the existence of a charity, and this was just what his lordship thought could not be assumed. On December 14th, in the Supreme Court, before Lords Justices Cotton, Lindley, and Bowen, the Attorney-General appealed from Mr. Justice Kekewich's decision. Their lordships, after hearing arguments, held that Mr. Justice Kekewich had determined by his judgment that the Town Close Estate was a charitable trust. On December 20th, however, their lordships reconsidered their decision, directed the order of Mr. Justice Kekewich to be discharged, and ordered the summons to be set down for further argument, and to decide whether there was or was not a charity. (_See_ January 21st, 1889.)

31.--Died, at Southwell Lodge, Norwich, Mr. John Willis, aged 54. Mr. Willis was a member of the firm of Willis and Southall, an alderman, and a justice of the peace for the city. A native of Gloucestershire, he had resided in Norwich for a quarter of a century. It was through his advocacy that the Artisans' Dwellings Act was put into force in Norwich, and the rookeries in St. Paul's were demolished. He also interested himself in the matter of the gas supply, and vigorously protested against what he conceived to be the unjust treatment of the citizens by the Gas Company. He married, in 1870, the only daughter of Mr. Colmam, of Stoke Holy Cross, and sister of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.

FEBRUARY.

3.--In pursuance of requisition a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held for the purpose of considering a notice for rescinding a resolution passed on January 17th in relation to Anguish's Charity, namely, "That this Council gives its cordial support to a proposal of the Charity Commissioners to utilise the funds of the Norwich Charities for the purposes of technical education." Colonel Bignold moved, "That no application of the funds of Anguish's and the allied charities can be satisfactory to this Council which is not strictly in accordance with the will of Thomas Anguish confirmed and settled by Royal Charter in 1629, namely, for the sustentation, relief, and maintenance, as well as the teaching, of all very poor children born and brought up in the city of Norwich." This resolution was adopted at an adjourned meeting on the 7th, and a committee appointed "to consider the present position of the trust, and, if necessary, to confer with the Charity Trustees, and still further, if necessary, to communicate with the Commissioners." On the 28th the Special Committee submitted the following suggestions to the Council for approval:--"(1) That in any scheme which may be submitted by the Charity Trustees to the Commissioners a sum not exceeding 200 per annum be set aside for the purposes of technical education out of the Boys' Hospital. (2) That the residue of the fund be devoted to the sustentation, relief, maintenance, and elementary education of as many boys as the money will provide for. (3.) That if considered within the meaning of the trust this committee would be willing to accept a scheme of maintenance other than that provided for by the Home." Meanwhile the Trustees submitted amended proposals, but on March 20th the Council adopted those drawn up by the Special Committee. (_See_ January 21st, 1896).

7.--The members of the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club having vacated their former premises on the Walk for larger and more convenient quarters in St. Giles' Street, held a meeting, at which an inaugural address was delivered by Mr. S. Hoare, M.P. The newly-acquired premises formed originally a portion of the Norfolk' Hotel, and adjoining was a large and handsome banqueting room, which for several years afterwards was used for Conservative gatherings and other purposes.

9.--The first of a series of "Science Lectures for the People," delivered under the auspices of the Norwich Corporation through the instrumentality of the Gilchrist Educational Trust, was given at St. Andrew's Hall by Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Astronomer Royal of Ireland, on "The Wonders of the Midnight Sky." The second lecture, entitled "A Bank Holiday in the Country," was delivered on February 21st by the Rev. W. Tuckwell, M.A., rector of Stockton, and late Fellow of New College, Oxford. (_See_ January 14th, 1889.)

11.--A notorious poacher, named Robert Large, undergoing three months' hard labour for an assault on a police-constable, effected his escape from the New Prison at Norwich, in company with another prisoner named Annison. The latter was arrested at Martham on the 16th, and on the following day Large was re-taken.

24.--A heavy fall of snow occurred, and on the 25th the ground was covered to the depth of several inches.

MARCH.

1.--Jim Mace, "retired champion of the world," appeared at Norwich Theatre in a series of exhibition sparring contests with Wolf Bendoff, Pooley Mace, and Mike Jennett. The entertainment was repeated on the 2nd and 3rd.

3.--Lord Harris, Under-Secretary for War and chairman of the Grand Council, addressed a Primrose League meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

6.--Hengler's Grand Cirque opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

8.--Died, at his residence, St. Giles' Street, Norwich, Mr. Charles Suckling Gilman, in his 81st year. Mr. Gilman for many years spent an

## active and busy life in the city. He initiated the Norwich Law Students'