Chapter 58 of 70 · 3975 words · ~20 min read

Part 58

--A special vestry meeting was held at the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, under the presidency of the vicar (the Rev. W. Pelham Burn), "to read correspondence that had taken place between himself and the Hospital Board relative to the skull of Sir Thomas Browne, alleged to have been stolen from the church and now in possession of the Hospital." The Hospital authorities asked the vestry not to press for the return of the skull. The vicar dwelt upon the crime of sacrilege and maintained that it was the duty of the Hospital to make restitution of the skull. In support of his contention he adduced the doctrine of the Church as to the resurrection of the body. After much discussion it was resolved to refer the matter to Bishop Pelham. At an adjourned meeting of the vestry on the 15th the Board of Management intimated that the reference of the question to an arbitrator would not release them from their obligation to protect the property of the Hospital. Ultimately it was agreed that no further steps be taken in the matter.

14.--The Judicial Council of the House of Lords heard a petition from Mr. Coaks asking for the dismissal of the plaintiff's petition in the action, Boswell _v._ Coaks, on the ground of its being frivolous and vexatious. Mr. Coaks' petition was dismissed and the appeal ordered to proceed. (_See_ April 30th, 1894.)

18.--The extensive maltings of F. and J. Smith, Limited, at East Dereham, were seriously damaged by fire, which destroyed several hundred coombs of grain.

26.--Mr. Edward Compton's Comedy Company commenced their Christmas engagement at Norwich Theatre; and Mr. George Gilbert, a native of Norwich, began the first of his successful series of circus seasons at the Agricultural Hall.

31.--Mrs. Pelham, wife of the Bishop of Norwich, died at Sunny Hill, Thorpe. She was second daughter of Thomas William Tatton, of Withenshaw, Cheshire, was born in 1811, and married in 1845, during her husband's incumbency of Bergh Apton.

1894.

JANUARY.

1.--Severe frost set in, and continued until the 9th. The snowfall was very heavy, serious inconvenience was caused to railway and other traffic, and many casualties were reported upon the coast as the result of a north-east gale.

2.--The Duke of York made his first public visit to Lynn, and opened the new Technical School erected by the Corporation at the cost of 3,000.

10.--A furious gale which sprung up from the south-west did not subside until the 12th. Much damage was done in town and country, and many casualties were reported among the Yarmouth fishing fleet.

11.--Died at his residence, Burlingham House, the Hon. Harbord Harbord, in his 58th year. Mr. Harbord was the sixth and posthumous son of the third Lord Suffield, and was twice married; first to Constance Adelaide, third daughter of Sir H. J. Stracey, and afterwards to Barbara Sophia Harriot, daughter of Mr. Edgar Disney, of Ingatestone, and widow of Major Philip Bennet, of Rougham Hall. Having acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture under Mr. Robert Leeds he undertook the management of the estates of his friends and relatives. "In Norfolk his relationship to the landowners whom he represented gave him a status and influence with the tenantry altogether above and beyond that of the ordinary estate agent." Mr. Harbord, who was a Deputy-Lieutenant and magistrate for Norfolk, and upon the commission of the peace for Wiltshire, for many years acted as foreman of the grand jury at the Norfolk Assizes.

18.--The whole county of Norfolk, including the city of Norwich and the boroughs, was declared an infected area in consequence of the prevalence of swine fever. Major Tennant, chief inspector of the Board of Agriculture, attended a meeting of the Executive Committee at the Shirehall, Norwich, and discussed the subject of the swine fever regulations; and on October 17th an Order of the Board was published revoking restrictions upon the sale and movement of swine within the county as from October 23rd.

19.--After the lapse of many years, Blondin, "the most famous and intrepid of all rope walkers," appeared at Norwich in fulfilment of an engagement at Gilbert's Circus. On the 28th of the month he attained his 70th year.

MARCH.

6.--Father Ignatius visited Norwich and addressed a crowded audience at the Agricultural Hall.

--A special meeting of the Norwich Town Council adopted a scheme for repaving the streets of the city with wood, at the estimated cost of 38,500.

22.--A yachting and fishing exhibition was opened at St. Giles' Hall, Norwich, and was continued until the 29th.

29.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference opened its two days' proceedings at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich. The principal subjects discussed were the Local Government Act, 1894, and religious education in Board schools. Bishop Sheepshanks presided for the first time.

30.--The Rev. G. S. Barrett, B.A., minister of Prince's Street Congregational Church, Norwich, was invested with the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity at the University of St. Andrew's. Mr. Barrett was introduced as "the minister of one of the most influential Congregational churches in England; he had made several important contributions to theological literature, and had this year been chosen chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales."

APRIL.

9.--Died, the Rev. George Willoughby Barrett, Minor Canon and Precentor of Norwich Cathedral, aged 45. He was a native of Bristol, where his father was well known as a musician. At an early age he was a chorister at Bristol Cathedral, and after completing his school life, entered at Worcester College, Oxford, where in 1872 he graduated B.A. and in 1877 proceeded M.A. He was ordained deacon in 1873 and appointed to the curacy of Easton Royal, Wiltshire. On his admission to priest's orders he was engaged from 1875 to 1887 in ministerial work at Hampton Lucy, near Stratford-on-Avon. After his appointment as Minor Canon and Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in the latter year, Mr. Barrett did much useful work in promoting the interests of the Norfolk and Norwich Church Choral Association, and in cultivating a taste for the higher class of Church music. He was for several years in succession nominated by the Bishop and Dean chaplain of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

10.--Died in London, Mr. William Waring, formerly a tenant of Taverham Hall. A partner in the firm of Waring Brothers, contractors for public works, he had constructed railways in Belgium and India. In association with the firm of Brassy and Peto, his firm had the contract for the construction of the greater portion of what is now known as the Inner Circle of the Underground Railway in London. Mr. Waring was a magistrate for Norfolk, and a munificent supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and other local charities.

14.--Died, the Rev. John Nassau Simpkinson, rural dean of Burnham and rector of North Creake, aged 77. He was a son of Sir Francis Simpkinson, was educated at Rugby under Dr. Arnold, and afterwards won a scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1838 with a first class in the Classical Tripos and a Junior Optime in the Mathematical Tripos. After some years' service as curate at Hurstmonceux, he was appointed assistant master at Harrow, under Dr. Vaughan, his brother-in-law, and there remained from 1845 to 1855. Mr. Simpkinson was then presented to the rectory of Brington, Northants, and in 1868 to that of North Creake. He was the author of a "Life of Wagner" (1858), of "The Washingtons: a Tale of the Seventeenth century" (1860), and of many articles in the "Edinburgh Review."

30.--In the House of Lords, before Lords Selborne, Watson, McNaughton, Shand, and Morris, was heard the action, Boswell _v._ Coaks. This was an appeal from the judgment of the Lords Justices in the matter of the Harvey life interest. The case for the appellant set forth that this was an appeal from an order of the Court of Appeal, made on November 5th, 1892, in an action in the Chancery Division in which the appellant, on behalf of himself and of other unsatisfied creditors of the late Sir Robert Harvey, was plaintiff and the respondent and others defendants. The order of the Court of Appeal affirmed an order of Mr. Justice North, dated July 27th, 1892, made upon the several motions of the respondent, dismissing the action as against all the defendants, except one, on the ground that it was vexatious and oppressive. The appellant only appealed against the order of the Court of Appeal so far as it affirmed the dismissal of the action as against the respondent. The action commenced on March 11th, 1892, and the object of it was to establish that the judgment of Mr. Justice Fry in a former action, Boswell _v._ Coaks, 1881, which judgment was reversed by the Court of Appeal, but was subsequently restored by the House of Lords, was not binding on the appellant or the other unsatisfied creditors of Sir Robert Harvey, or of the firm of Harvey's and Hudson's, on the ground that it was obtained by the fraud of the respondents, and to secure for the appellant and the creditors certain consequential relief. Mr. Crackanthorpe, Q.C., and Mr. Brabant were for the appellant; and the Attorney-General (Sir John Rigby, Q.C.), Mr. H. H. Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. Lawrence for the respondent. Lord Selborne delivered judgment, and said it was not necessary to hear counsel for the respondent. The question was whether anything material to disturb the judgment of the House had been newly discovered by the appellant. That involved a double proposition--that something new had been discovered, and that that something new was material. There was a total defect both of allegation and of evidence as to that which alone could make it material. He had no hesitation in saying that in his opinion it had been dealt with most properly by the Court of Appeal, and that their lordships ought now to dismiss this action with costs, which he accordingly now moved. Their lordships concurred, and the appeal was dismissed with costs. (_See_ November 13th, 1895.)

MAY.

1.--Died at Sunny Hill, Thorpe, the Hon. and Right Rev. Bishop Pelham, aged 82. He was the second son of the second Earl of Chichester, Secretary of State for the Home Department in Addington's short Ministry of 1801, by Lady Mary Henrietta Juliana, daughter of the fifth Duke of Leeds. Born on June 21st, 1811, he was educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford, and took his degree in 1832. His ordination was followed by his appointment, on the presentation of the Earl of Abergavenny, to the rectory of Bergh Apton, where he remained for fifteen years, during which time he was Hon. Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and in 1847 chaplain to the Queen. Two years prior to the latter appointment Mr. Pelham married Henrietta, daughter of Mr. Thomas Tatton, of Withenshaw, Cheshire. In 1852 the living of Christ Church, Hampstead, was offered to Mr. Pelham by Mr. Gurney Hoare. On the death of Dr. Spry, in 1854, he was nominated by Lord Palmerston to the important Crown living of St. Marylebone. In 1857, on the resignation of Bishop Hinds, he accepted the bishopric of Norwich. "His administration of the diocese covered a period of 36 years, and in the matter of time, was surpassed only by three of the sixty-three bishops who had presided over the see during 800 years; and it was as wise in its broad and tolerant spirit as it was faithful in its discharge of duty." The remains of the deceased prelate were interred at Bergh Apton on May 5th.

2.--The choir of Norwich Cathedral was re-opened on the completion of the great work of reparation which had been in progress for two years. The "reporting architects" were Sir Gilbert Scott and Mr. John L. Pearson, R.A., and the work was superintended by Mr. C. J. Browne, surveyor to the Dean and Chapter. The total sum raised in aid of the undertaking amounted in the month of December, 1893, to 3,357, and the Dean and

## Chapter contributed upwards of 2,000 out of their personal income. At

the opening service the sermon was preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was afterwards presented with an address by the Mayor and Corporation. The Dean and Mrs. Lefroy entertained a distinguished company to luncheon, and the Bishop and Mrs. Sheepshanks gave a garden party at the Palace. (_See_ April 7th, 1898.)

15.--Died, the Right Rev. Sidney Linton, D.D., Bishop of Riverina. He was a son of the Rev. H. Linton, rector of St. Peter le Bailey, Oxford, and Hon. Canon of Christ Church, and was educated at Rugby and at Wadham College, Oxford, where he graduated and took second class in law and history in 1864. From 1877 to 1884 he was vicar of St. Philip, Heigham, and in the latter year, on the foundation of the see of Riverina, was appointed the first bishop. In the same year he received the honorary degree of D.D.

16.--Died at West Dereham, Mr. Hugh Aylmer, aged 77. Mr. Aylmer had a world-wide reputation as a breeder and exhibitor of stock. He commenced his career as a sheep breeder by introducing into Norfolk some of the best specimens of Cotswold sheep that he could procure, and with these, by the process of selection, he was enabled to produce annually a number of rams which, when distributed among the flocks of the county, had the effect of increasing both the quality and the quantity of wool and mutton. Mr. Aylmer was a noted shorthorn breeder, and his herd was one of the most famous in the country.

28.--Died at Mill Hill Road, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Linay, solicitor, aged 57. He was a well known practitioner in petty sessional courts throughout East Anglia, and from 1881 to 1887 represented the old Fourth Ward in the Norwich Town Council.

29.--The Mayor of Norwich (Sir Peter Eade) entertained upwards of 1,500 of the aged poor of the city to dinner at St. Andrew's Hall.

JUNE.

2.--The Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham addressed a large meeting convened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, by the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on the subject of the National Agricultural Union. A resolution affirming the desire of the Chamber to co-operate with the Union was adopted.

6.--The Mayor of Norwich formally opened an additional portion of the Gildencroft Recreation Ground, and afterwards declared open for public use the adjoining churchyard of St. Augustine, which had been converted into a public garden and resting-place through the action of the Playing Fields and Open Spaces Society.

15.--Mr. Ben Greet's company of "Woodland Players" gave pastoral representations at Bracondale Woods, Norwich, of "As You Like It" and of scenes from "The Tempest," in aid of the funds of the Jenny Lind Infirmary.

23.--Intelligence was received in Norwich of the birth of the first child to the Duke and Duchess of York. Congratulatory telegrams were sent to their Royal Highnesses, to the Queen, and to the Prince and Princess of Wales, by the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens.

JULY.

4.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Yarmouth under the presidency of Lord Suffield, and was continued on the 5th.

12.--A three days' military tournament, in which the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, the depot of the Norfolk Regiment, and the Norwich Artillery Volunteers took part, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, in aid of the clothing fund of the Cadet Corps. Exhibition boxing was given by Frank Slavin and Jim Young.

--Mr. A. Morley, M.P., Postmaster-General, addressed a Liberal meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

17.--The Norwich School of Music was established at a meeting held at the Guildhall.

--Mr. A. E. Collins, M.I.C.E., of Reading, was appointed by the Norwich Town Council, city engineer and architect in place of Mr. Buchan, resigned.

25.--Mr. Joseph Arch, M.P., at a meeting held at New Buckenham, delivered to the agricultural labourers his famous address which was quoted throughout the country for some time afterwards. "You poor, craven milk-and-water fools," said the hon. member for North-west Norfolk, "why, you button up your pockets at the thought of paying 2.25d. a week when you are told by a lot of lying scampery and scandalism that I have run away with your money. . . . Professor Rogers once said when speaking of the tenant farmers, that their heads were as soft as the mangolds they grew. I think some of the labourers' heads are as soft as the mangolds they hoe."

28.--The Norfolk Volunteer Brigade camp commenced at Yarmouth. The four battalions numbered 1,923 of all ranks. Brigadier-General Bulwer was in command.

AUGUST.

1.--Gunton church, erected in the park on the site of the ancient parish church by Sir William Harbord, Bart., in 1769, was re-opened after restoration.

4.--The old buildings of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum were closed prior to the removal of the specimens, &c., to the new museum at Norwich Castle. (_See_ October 23rd.)

17.--The West Dereham Cotswolds, bred by Mr. Hugh Aylmer, deceased, were sold by Mr. John Thornton and Messrs. Salter and Simpson. Averages: 156 shearlings, 52s. 3d.; 64 two-shear, 51s. 2d.; 128 full-mouthed, 46s.; 100 ram lambs, 31s.; 20 old sheep, 7; 79 shearling rams, 7 5s.; 100 ewe lambs, 7 1s. Total proceeds of the sale, 2,601 18s. 6d.

22.--The sixth annual conference of the Institute of Journalists was opened at Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P. Mr. P. W. Clayden, general editor of the "Daily News," delivered the inaugural address on the 23rd, and the business proceedings concluded on the 24th. A garden party was given at Carrow Abbey by Mr. Colman, the Mayor and Mayoress held a reception at St. Andrew's Hall, and the conference dinner took place at Yarmouth Aquarium. Cambridge was visited on the 27th.

28.--Died, William Coutts, seventh Earl of Albemarle. He was born in 1832, and succeeded to the title on the death of his father in 1891. Lord Beaconsfield, recognising the services he had rendered to the Conservative party, elevated him to the House of Peers in 1876 as Baron Ashford. In 1857, as Lord Bury, he, with Mr. Schneider, contested Norwich in the Liberal interest and achieved a victory over Sir Samuel Bignold. At the election which took place two years afterwards the same two candidates were returned. Lord Bury then had the honour to be appointed Treasurer of her Majesty's Household, and this rendered it necessary for him to again contest the constituency. Sir Samuel Bignold again unsuccessfully opposed him; but a petition was presented against Lord Bury's return, and the election was declared void. In 1860 Sir William Russell and Mr. E. Warner became members for the city. From 1860 to 1865 Lord Bury represented Wick, and from 1868 to 1874 Berwick. On the Liberal disruption he changed sides and contested Stroud in the Conservative cause in 1875, but he was unsuccessful. In early life his lordship did military service in the Scots Guards, and served in India as _aide-de-camp_ to General Lord FitzClarence. For a time he acted as secretary to Earl Russell, and was created a Privy Councillor in 1860 and K.C.M.G. in 1870. In 1855 he married Sophia, daughter of Sir Allan McNab, Prime Minister of Canada.

29.--The Roman Catholic church, erected on the site of the old City Gaol at Norwich, at the sole cost of the Duke of Norfolk, was opened. The building, which was only partially completed, was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, and is dedicated to St. John Baptist. The sermon at the opening ceremony was preached by the Rev. Dr. Headley, Bishop of Newport and Menevia.

SEPTEMBER.

3.--The Trades Union Congress was opened at Norwich under the presidency of Mr. John Burns, M.P. The delegates, 400 in number, were entertained at Cromer by Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., and at Carrow Abbey by Mr. Colman, M.P. The proceedings closed on the 8th with a "trades procession" through the streets of the city.

4.--A new lifeboat, the gift of Mrs. Upcher, was launched at Sheringham. The vessel, which was "christened" by the donor the Henry Ramey Upcher, replaced a lifeboat named the Augusta given by the squire fifty years previously.

10.--Died at Moseley, Birmingham, Mr. John Hawkes, aged 100 years. For many years he was a clerk in Messrs. Gurney's Bank at Norwich, and was pensioned by the firm in 1865.

--Died at Lees Court, Faversham, Earl Sondes. His lordship was born in 1824, and was formerly a captain in the Royal Horse Guards and lieutenant-colonel of the East Kent Mounted Rifles. From 1868 to 1874 he was Conservative member for East Kent. In 1859 he married a daughter of Sir H. J. Stracey, of Rackheath.

24.--The Mayoress of Norwich (Lady Eade) unveiled at the Jenny Lind Infirmary a medallion terra-cotta bust of Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt, presented to the institution by her husband, Mr. Otto Goldschmidt. Madame Albani, who was on a professional visit to the city, attended the proceedings.

25.--A concert was given at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, at which the principal performers were Madame Albani, Mdlle. Antoinette Trebelli, Madame A. Gomez, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Charles Santley, Mr. Braxton Smith, Mr. Norman Salmond, the Meister Glee Singers. M. Emile Sauret (violin), Mr. B. Patterson Parker (violoncello), Mr. John Thomas (harpist to the Queen), and the Swiss Ladies' Orchestra. Performances were also given on the 26th, 27th, and 28th.

29.--Died at West Rudham Hall, Mr. John Morton, aged 55. He was a great authority on all agricultural matters, an eminent breeder of horses and cattle, and a frequent judge at shows in England and on the Continent.

OCTOBER.

3.--Mr. Jerome K. Jerome, the well-known author of "Three Men in a Boat" and "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow," gave a lecture at the Assembly Room, Agricultural Hall, Norwich, on "Humour, Old and New."

12.--At the Norwich Consistorial Court application was made to Mr. Chancellor Blofeld by the vicar and churchwardens of St. John Timberhill for a faculty to confirm the erection of a rood or crucifix, and its accompanying figures, on a rood loft in the church. The application was supported by Sir Walter Phillimore. The Chancellor delivered judgment on November 10th. A faculty to confirm the erection of the rood loft and of the figures then on the rood beam and to authorise the placing of other figures there was refused. A faculty to confirm the erection of a screen without a rood loft, and to authorise the placing of gates in an existing screen, the erection of proposed side screens with gates in them, and the erection of choir stalls with a screen behind them, was granted.

15.--A great meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, presided over by the Hon. Ailwyn Fellowes, M.P., to protest against the proposed disestablishment of the Church in Wales. The principal speaker was the Rev. Thomas Moore, author of "The Englishman's Brief on behalf of his National Church."

17.--At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, before Mr. J. B. R. Bulwer, Q.C., George Chapman, William Chapman, Robert Howard, John Howard, and William Furness were indicted for "unlawfully and riotously assembling with other persons to the number of 200 and more to disturb the public peace," at Horsham St. Faith's, on August 10th. The disturbance arose in consequence of a local farmer, Mr. W. W. Cook, employing imported labour because he was unable to arrange terms with the St. Faith's men. The prisoners, with the exception of Furness, pleaded guilty. The jury were unable to find a verdict in the case of Furness. Another jury were empanelled, and a verdict of guilty returned. Furness was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, and the other prisoners were bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, George Chapman to pay in addition a fine of 5.