Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 15

4.-Lord Stanley was re-elected member of Parliament for the borough of King's Lynn, on his appointment as Secretary to the Colonial Department.

On June 5th his lords.h.i.+p was again re-elected, on accepting the presidency of the Board of Control, vacated by Lord Ellenborough.

-Died at his residence, South Quay, Yarmouth, Sir Eaton Stanley Travers.

A son of Mr. John Travers, of Hethyfield Grange, co. Cork, he was born in 1782, and entered the Navy September 15th, 1798, as mids.h.i.+pman, on board the Juno. He saw much active service, and was nine times mentioned in despatches. He was nominated K.H. on February 4th, 1834, and on March 5th in the same year had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.

Sir Eaton Travers was a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk. He married in April, 1815, Anne, eldest daughter of William Steward, of Yarmouth, by whom he had issue five sons and two daughters.

6.*-"Within the last few days a stone has been placed in the churchyard at East Dereham, in memory of Jean de Narde, a French prisoner of war, who, in the year 1796 while _en route_ from Yarmouth to Norman Cross prison, was lodged in the lower chamber of the bell tower of the church, and escaped therefrom. He was pursued by the guard, and, after some search, was espied in a tree on the Scarning Road, and when summoned by a soldier to descend and surrender he did not comply. His non-compliance forfeited his life, for he was shot off it like a crow. The stone was erected by the vicar and two other gentlemen."

8.-Miss Vandenhoff, tragic actress, from Drury Lane and Haymarket Theatres, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in her play, "Woman's Heart." She also appeared in "Love's Sacrifice," "Ingomar,"

"Macbeth," and "The Stranger."

22.-In the House of Lords, Lord Sondes presented a pet.i.tion from the Town Council and certain magistrates of Yarmouth, praying for an inquiry into a recent appointment of justices for that borough. It was stated that the magistrates were constant in their attendance upon the Bench, and were sufficiently numerous. The borough contained 31,000 inhabitants, there were 31 magistrates, and 31 policemen. Upon the Bench every shade of political feeling was represented, but all the newly-appointed magistrates were of one political party. The Mayor of Yarmouth had interviewed the Lord Chancellor, and his lords.h.i.+p had intimated that it was his intention to persist in the appointment, and, moreover, he felt it his duty to appoint new magistrates of one particular party. The action of the Lord Chancellor had excited much feeling in the borough.

Lord Cranworth now informed the House that he felt bound to put the magistracy in a position in which justice should not be partially administered, and if an inquiry were inst.i.tuted it should have his entire concurrence. No further action resulted.

23.-At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a resolution was adopted expressing surprise and indignation that a covert attempt had been made to pervert the Grammar School and the Commercial School proposed to be established into exclusive inst.i.tutions, which would not only deprive a large proportion of the inhabitants of the advantage of the schools, but would condemn them in public estimation, and tend to the frustration and utter subversion of the proposed scheme. The Charity Trustees were requested to resist this proceeding, to ascertain at whose instance the suggestion was made, and to consider whether recent complaints did not imperatively demand that a searching inquiry should be inst.i.tuted into the conduct and management of the Grammar School. The Master of the Rolls, on July 17th, gave his decision upon the Grammar School case, which had long been before the Courts. It was ordered that twenty-one governors be appointed; the sum of 1,000 per annum derived from land and house property was to be appropriated to the maintenance of the Grammar School and Commercial School; the benefits of the Grammar School were to be open to all England; and all the expenses to which the Corporation and those who represented Norwich had been put were to be paid by the Charity Trustees. On December 4th the NORFOLK CHRONICLE made the following remarkable statement in relation to the treatment of boys at the Grammar School: "We have recently been informed of a circ.u.mstance connected with the Grammar School which we could scarcely have credited but for the authority upon which we have received it. It is that there exists in that school a form of punishment which ought long since to have been unknown in a civilised country, amounting very nearly to bodily torture. We have been a.s.sured that for offences of a not very serious character boys are placed for hours between shelves so constructed that they cannot stand upright, but are obliged to stoop until the head is brought nearly level with the knees." At a meeting of the Governors of the School, on December 8th, it was resolved, "That in consequence of the informant declining to come to the Governors and substantiate the charge referred to in the CHRONICLE newspaper of last Sat.u.r.day, we proceed no further in the matter; but that we intimate to Dr. Vincent that we strongly disapprove of the mode of punishment alluded to in that newspaper, and if it has been practised, we request it may be discontinued." The accusation was not denied, either by Dr. Vincent or by anyone on his behalf. On December 27th Dr. Vincent resigned his appointment as headmaster.

25.-Died at Hempnall, John Holmes, aged 104. "The deceased leaves behind him a son, Thomas, aged 87 years, and a grandson, aged 60 years, the latter himself being a great-grandfather, thus presenting the remarkable fact of a man living to witness the sixth generation, and to see his great-grandson become a grandfather."

30.-The first annual dinner of the Norfolk and Norwich Anglers' Society was held at the Bell Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. R. N.

Bacon.

APRIL.

3.-Mr. R. Rising, of Costessey, rode his horse for a wager over nine consecutive single hurdles set up in the centre of a field. "This was performed in excellent style, coming back also over the same ground, and not refusing one. The spectators were rather astonished to see Mr.

Rising repeat the feat with cap in hand. The judge of the bet, one of the first riders in the Norfolk Hunt, asked permission to ride the horse himself, saying he had ridden many good horses, but never one that would take a single hurdle. Upon Mr. Rising consenting, he rode the same round, thus making the animal in all leap 54 single hurdles."

11.-Died, in his 82nd year, Mr. John Venning, of Surrey House, Norwich.

A native of Totnos, Devons.h.i.+re, he spent several years in Russia, as the representative of a firm of merchants. He became a member of the church at which the Rev. R. Knill officiated in St. Petersburg, and devoted his time and means to improving the wretched condition of the neglected and depraved populace of the Russian metropolis. He founded a school on the Lancasterian system for poor Russian children, a free school for the children of foreigners, a refuge for the reception and care of the helpless and dest.i.tute, a lunatic asylum in which the best modes of treatment were introduced, the Litofsky prison, constructed to admit of the cla.s.sification and separation of prisoners; and he remodelled the great hospital for the reception of invalids. Mr. Venning gained the esteem of the Emperors Alexander and Nicholas, and the hearty co-operation of the Empress Dowager, as well as of other members of the Imperial family. Through his instrumentality all exiles starting for Siberia were furnished with copies of the Scriptures. When the destructive inundation of November, 1824, overwhelmed the city with the waters of the Neva, the Grand Duke Michael sent General Politica with 20,000 roubles to Mr. Venning to distribute among the suffering populace.

"Throughout his long life Mr. Venning was a conscientious Dissenter-an Independent-but he saw without regret his nearest and dearest relations staunch members of the Church of England." He married a daughter of Mr.

Meybohm, of St. Petersburg, by whom he was survived.

22.-St. John's church, Yarmouth, erected at the estimated cost of 1,700, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

24.-Died, in his 77th year, Mr. Thomas...o...b..rn Springfield, one of the magistrates of Norwich, and head of the firm of Springfield, Son, and Nephew, of St. Mary's, Norwich, and Coleman Street, London. Born in a comparatively humble sphere, he rose from the position of a small tradesman to a large silk merchant, "and during his career won and lost several fortunes, in consequence of the fluctuations of the silk markets." His business career ended prosperously. He took an active part in all local matters, from the election of a parish beadle to that of a member of Parliament, ranging himself on the side called Radical.

As he himself avowed, whenever he engaged in a contest he went in to win, and many of his victories were, doubtless, most costly. In 1827 he was elected one of the Sheriffs, and in 1829 Mayor of the city. After the pa.s.sing of the Munic.i.p.al Reform Act, he was, in 1836, selected to be the first Chief Magistrate under the new order of things. With a majority of one only of elected councillors, the Liberals were able to add sixteen aldermen to their number. This power they then exercised to the fullest extent, selecting men of their own party only, a one-sided system which was pursued without a break to the day of Mr. Springfield's death. In 1852 he was solicited by requisition to become a candidate for the representation of the city, and if he had been inclined to accede there is little doubt that he would have secured his election. In private life Mr. Springfield exhibited many good traits; he was never unamiable nor ungenerous, and there were not a few persons in the city who could trace their first advancement in life to his a.s.sistance.

MAY.

5.-The action in relation to the East Dereham Corn Exchange came before the Vice-Chancellor's Court. An order was made upon the Corn Exchange Company to pay the costs of the suit, except so far as they were incurred by the inquiries raised as to the user of the site occupied by the Corn Exchange, for the purpose of fairs and markets, and that they also pay the costs of the proceedings by way of indictment on the several counts upon which a verdict had been found for the Crown. The case was then ordered to stand over until after the Trinity term, for the consideration of the Attorney-General as to what further decree or order, if any, he might think right to apply for. The Vice-Chancellor declined to order the building to be pulled down as asked for by the relators, because it was a great public improvement. On June 26th the final decision was announced, namely, that upon payment by the proprietors of the new Corn Exchange of the costs awarded by the Court of Chancery and of 100 to the East Dereham Corn Market Company, the suit would be withdrawn, and in case of any indictment laid a _nolle prosequi_ be entered. "These proceedings are, therefore, terminated. The hall is to remain, and the payment for admission will continue as heretofore." (_See_ February 16th, 1866.)

JUNE.

2.-Mountjoy the pedestrian, then in his 58th year, started from Lynn to Wisbech for his task of walking sixty-seven miles a day for four successive days. On August 16th he began a walk from Norwich to Dereham and back twice every day, but on the 17th was stopped on his way to Norwich, by order of the magistrates, because of the obstruction caused by the number of persons who a.s.sembled on the roads in the vicinity of the city. Mountjoy was apprehended in Norwich on September 11th, for leaving his wife and family chargeable to the funds of the St. Pancras Union; and on the same night attempted to commit suicide in his cell at the Guildhall by strangling himself with a pockethandkerchief.

11.-Died at Colne House, Cromer, aged 46, Sir Edward North Buxton, Bart., M.P. He was son of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, first baronet, by the fifth daughter of Mr. John Gurney, of Earlham Hall, where he was born in 1812, and married in 1836 the second daughter of Mr. Samuel Gurney, of Ham House, Ess.e.x. He succeeded to the t.i.tle on the death of his father, in 1845. From 1847 to 1852 he represented South Ess.e.x in Parliament, and in 1857 was returned unopposed with General Windham as member for East Norfolk. He was succeeded in the t.i.tle by his son, Thomas Fowell, born in 1837.

13.-The Bishop of Oxford preached at Norwich Cathedral and at St. Peter Mancroft, on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.

His lords.h.i.+p, with Sir James Brooke, K.C.B., attended the annual meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, on the 14th.

15.-A dinner of the Valpeian Club was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak. The guest of the evening was Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., the conqueror of Delhi. General Wilson, who was an old boy of Norwich Grammar School, was presented with a dress sword, "in commemoration of his distinguished services in India, 18578, and as a memento of old friends.h.i.+ps."

20.-Died at Lee Cottage, Old Brompton, Mr. Dawson Turner, F.R.S., F.S.A., formerly of Great Yarmouth. He was in his 83rd year.

21.-The London Grand Opera Company appeared at Norwich Theatre. It included Miss f.a.n.n.y Reeves, Miss Ethel Thirlwall, Miss Raymond, Mr. Henry Corri, Mr. J. B. Bowler, Mr. O. Summers, and Mr. Elliot Galer. Among the productions were "La Somnambula," "Maritana," "The Bohemian Girl," and "Il Trovatore."

26.-The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the representation of East Norfolk caused by the death of Sir E. N. Buxton took place at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich. Sir Henry Josias Stracey was nominated by the Conservatives, and Major c.o.ke by the Liberals. The polling took place on the 29th,-the first time in twenty years,-and on July 1st the result was officially declared as follows: c.o.ke, 2,933; Stracey, 2,720.

JULY.

5.-A largely advertised "monstre _fete_ and fancy fair," under the management of Mr. J. W. Hoffman, was held on the old Cricket Ground, Norwich, under the patronage of the Mayor and Sheriff, the officers of the 15th Hussars, &c. Hoffman, who had already visited Norwich as the manager of an "organophonic" band, announced himself as the representative of "the Society for the Promotion of Public Amus.e.m.e.nts"-an entirely fict.i.tious organization. Business was suspended in Norwich, the railway companies ran excursion trains, and the streets were thronged by many thousands of persons anxious to witness the "grand Middle-age pageant." This consisted of a procession of between thirty and forty persons on foot and one horseman. It was everywhere received with groans and hisses. Ten thousand persons were present on the Cricket Ground to witness the "Old English Sports"; every item in the programme resulted in failure, and a _bal champetre_ was described as "a disgraceful affair, which ended in indiscriminate fighting among the blackguards on the ground." For many years afterwards this "_fete_" was popularly known in Norwich as "Hoffman's Humbug."

7.-The headquarters of the 15th Hussars marched from Norwich, and were replaced, on Sept. 11th, by a detachment of Royal Horse Artillery, under the command of Major Brandling, C.B.

30.-A cricket match, Norfolk and Norwich _v._ Oxford and Cambridge Universities, was played on the Norwich ground. Norfolk and Norwich, 148-79; Oxford and Cambridge (1st innings), 122. The return match was played at Gunton Park on August 9th. Universities, 96-45; Norfolk and Norwich (first innings), 138.

AUGUST.

3.-The Mayor and Corporation of Lynn claimed, under the privileges extended by ancient charter, their right to a sturgeon weighing twelve stones, captured on the previous day by a fisherman named Norris. The man compounded with the Mayor by payment of the nominal sum of one penny.

5.-The residence of the Rev. Sir George Stracey, Bart., deceased, with eleven acres of land, at Thorpe, was sold by Messrs. Spelman, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for 6,035.

7.*-"The date of the present harvest will be remembered as the year in which reaping machines were fully established in Norfolk. It was only last year that they were introduced, for although there had been one or two in the county previously, they were not of the right sort, and it was not until M'Cormick's reaper, as now made by Burgess and Key, that their number increased or their merits were appreciated by Norfolk farmers.

The fact that the chief part of the Hussey machines, with their back delivery, have been returned or laid aside, and that on most large farms there was _one_ of Burgess and Key's last year there are two this harvest, will at once point out which machine is best adapted to Norfolk agriculture."

16.-Died at Oulton Hall, Suffolk, Ann Borrow, widow of Captain Thomas Borrow, aged 87.

18.-Violent thunderstorms occurred in various parts of the county. The barn and other buildings at Newfoundland Farm, Cringleford, occupied by Mr. Drane, were destroyed by fire, with the loss of 340 coombs of barley, &c. A house was burnt down at Kenninghall, and horses were killed by lightning at Holt.

20.-Died at Woodbridge, Mr. David Fisher, aged 70. "He was a highly talented and respectable public character, and had resided at Woodbridge since his retirement from the stage twenty years previously. He belonged to a cla.s.s much more numerous half a century since than at the present day. He was not only an actor, as nine-tenths of those who now strut their hour upon the stage are, by _profession_, but by intuition. Mr.

Fisher was blessed with very rare histrionic and musical attainments.

When he appeared at Drury Lane, as the contemporary and rival of Edmund Kean, it was felt to be the nearest approximation then or since seen to the overtowering abilities of that great dramatic luminary. Mr. Fisher, his father and family, made greater efforts than any other family ever did to establish and cultivate in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk a taste for the drama, at a time when this amus.e.m.e.nt was more calculated to serve the highest office of the stage than in the present degenerate days. Mr. Fisher built himself theatres at Bungay, Beccles, Halesworth, Wells, North Walsham, Dereham, Lowestoft, Eye, and other towns, entirely at his own cost. He generally used to feel his way by sending a company in advance for a few seasons, who located themselves in such buildings as were available for their temporary purposes, and then, having whetted the appet.i.tes of the dwellers in rural districts for one of the most intellectual of all amus.e.m.e.nts, he summoned up courage to build a theatre, generally one of the best structures in the town. For very many years these speculations proved remunerative, even though the season did not last more than two or three months, and at intervals generally of two years. It is rarely that a good actor makes a good manager, but Mr.

Fisher was an honourable exception to this rule-indeed, it was difficult to say what department this distinguished gentleman could not fill, and fill well, too. He was a first-rate musician, and for a considerable time was leader at our choral concerts, and occupied a good position at our first and early Festivals. So versatile was his genius that he has been known to play in the overture, then to appear in almost every act of the tragedy of 'Hamlet,' and subsequently re-appear as Dr. O'Toole in the farce of 'The Irish Tutor.' He was also an admirable scene painter.

During the latter years of his management he was much a.s.sisted by his two brothers, Charles and George. Finding that the palmy days of the drama were fast fading away, Mr. Fisher retired from public life when about 50 years of age, and before all the little reserve fund he had acc.u.mulated was too much wasted to enjoy the evening of life in a quiet and unostentatious privacy. He was very much esteemed where he lived and died."

24.-The Thorpe Grove estate, formerly the property of Mr. George Harvey, deceased, was sold for 11,390, about 2,000 in excess of the valuation sent in previous to the auction.

25.-Died at his residence, Crown Point, Norwich, Lieut.-General Money, C.B., K.C., Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons. He entered the Army in 1794, was promoted Lieutenant the same year, and Captain in May, 1800; Major, December, 1809; Lieut.-Colonel, June 4th, 1814; Colonel, January 10th, 1837; Major-General, Nov. 9th, 1846; and Lieut.-General, June 20th, 1854. He served twenty-five years in the 11th Dragoons, and was in Flanders and Holland in 179495, and in the latter year saw service in Germany. He took part in the attack on the French lines, was present at their defeats on the heights of Cateau and near Tournay, and was at the battles of Roubaix, Launey, and other engagements. Under Sir Ralph Abercromby, he commanded a detachment of his regiment at Leghorn, Minorca, at the expedition to Cadiz in 1800, in Egypt in 1801, and was at the capture of Grand Cairo and Alexandria. In the Peninsula campaigns of 1811 and 1812 he was present at the siege of Badajoz, the battle of Salamanca, and the affair of cavalry near the Tormes on the following day, when three French battalions were taken. He was at the cavalry affairs of Callada Camino and Fenta de Poso. He served also in the campaign of 1815, and was at the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo; towards the close of the latter the command of the 11th Dragoons devolved upon him. General Money married, in 1841, Lady Annetta Laura Maria Waldegrave, daughter of the sixth Earl of Waldegrave. She died in 1856, leaving two daughters.