Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 94

15.-By the fall of a floor at Taverham paper-mills, a man and a woman were killed.

25.*-"A tomb of novel construction has lately been erected in Diss churchyard. It is constructed entirely of cast-iron, and for neatness, security, and durability excels anything of the kind we have ever noticed."

27.-The Norfolk and Norwich Literary Inst.i.tution closed its rooms at the a.s.sembly House, Norwich. The library was opened at the new rooms adjoining the Museum in St. Andrew's Street, on July 8th.

-The Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry mustered on Thornage Green and marched to Holt for six days' permanent duty, under the command of Major Loftus.

JUNE.

1.*-"A respectable young man a few days since, at Norwich, undertook for a wager that he would take the sum of five s.h.i.+llings in one hour by travelling the city with a basket containing threads, tapes, cottons, &c., which he accomplished, and proceeded on the second hour, when he took 4s. 6d. more."

5.-The Norwich Tonnage Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons. This measure was intended to provide a new mode of application of the tolls and dues, first to defray the expenses of obtaining the Act; secondly, to pay interest on all sums borrowed under the powers of the Act, and to promote an acc.u.mulative fund for the purpose of paying off all the princ.i.p.al monies; and thirdly to keep in repair bridges, &c., to free Carrow Bridge, Duke's Palace Bridge, and Foundry Bridge, to keep in repair St. Andrew's Hall and the Guildhall, and to pay for any permanent improvement, such as widening streets, &c.

7.-Died at Shadwell Lodge, in his 86th year, Sir Robert John Buxton, Bart. He had successively represented in Parliament for several years the borough of Thetford, and the borough of Bedwin, Wilts.

11.-A prize-fight for 25 a side was fought at Pulham, between Bra.s.sey and Bailey, of Norwich. In 1 hour 8 minutes 72 rounds were contested, "during which time Bailey never had a chance." Bra.s.sey was seconded by John Stanfield and Charles Utting, and Bailey by Jem Perowne and Bounce Brown. "On Sunday, the 9th inst., no less than five of these disgraceful scenes took place in the parish of Earlham."

15.*-"A full length portrait of the rector, the Rev. William Manning, by Mr. Thomas Ronds, of London, formerly of Diss, has been placed in the committee room of the Diss Hospital, the result of a subscription set on foot by the inhabitants."

22.*-"'The Tour,' a poem written anonymously, published by Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., and printed by Gowing, of Swaffham, is, independent of its literary merits, highly creditable to the West Norfolk press. The frontispiece, Lake Lucerne, is drawn by Wright, of Swaffham."

26.-A fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Bush, cabinet maker, Roach's Court, Fisher's Lane, Norwich, and was one of the most destructive that had taken place in the city for many years. The factory was destroyed, and with it the adjoining house, occupied by a silk weaver, who lost his stock of silk and machinery. "The fire engines were not in a state for such an emergency, and many of the leather pipes had to be tied up with handkerchiefs."

JULY.

6.*-"Mr. Smith, who has managed the Norwich Theatre for the last 25 years, has retired altogether from the concern, which is now in the hands of his son, Mr. George Smith."

13.-A person of eccentric character, named John Coe, of Chapel Street, Crook's Place, Norwich, died on this date. "For 34 years he was a trunk maker in St. Lawrence'. Deceased had made his own coffin five years ago, of old soap chests and tea chests, and had polished it up so that it looked like mahogany. It was composed of 165 pieces, and on the lid was a black plate, bearing a quotation from the Burial Service. The deceased had also made a coffin for his wife, who survives him, but this had to be disposed of to inter the remains of a poor woman whose friends could not find the money to purchase one."

15.-A prize-fight took place on Mousehold Heath, Norwich, between Brundell and Thetford, who were seconded respectively by Perowne and Cricknell. Fifty-two rounds were fought, in 1 hour 15 minutes. Both men were severely punished. Brundell was the winner.

-Died at his house, Chester Square, London, Mr. Praed, M.P. for Aylesbury. The deceased, who was in his 37th year, was Deputy High Steward of Cambridge University, and formerly Conservative member for Great Yarmouth.

16.-The "London Gazette" of this date contained the announcement: "The Queen has been pleased to grant unto Henry le Strange Styleman, of Hunstanton Hall, Esquire, her Royal licence and authority that he and his issue may, out of respect for the memory of his great grandmother, Armine Styleman, eldest of the two daughters of Sir Nicholas le Strange, take and use the name of le Strange in addition to and after that of Styleman."

17.-Two musical artistes who afterwards achieved much local celebrity, Madame de Belleville Oury (pianist to H.R.H. Princess Frederick of Prussia) and Mr. Oury (princ.i.p.al violinist at the Italian Opera in Paris), made their first appearance in Norwich at a _matinee musicale_, given at the house of Madame Oury Crook, Chapel Field, Norwich.

20.*-"A fine specimen of that rare and exquisitely beautiful fish, the Opah, or _Zeus Imperialis_ was taken alive at Hunstanton. It measured 3 ft. 3 ins. in length, 1 ft. 10 ins. across, and 7 ins. thick. It was purchased for Wisbech Museum."

25.-Died, aged 66, Mr. William Snow, many years master of the Black Bull Coffee House, in Norwich Market Place. "He was a man of superior ability in his profession as a cook and purveyor for festive parties."

29.-Mr. George Smith commenced the first season of his management at Norwich Theatre by engaging Madame Vestris and Mr. Charles Mathews. The pieces produced during the visit of these eminent performers were "The Welsh Girl," "Patter _versus_ Clatter," and "Loan of a Lover."

AUGUST.

6.-A correspondent, in a letter of this date, called attention in the NORFOLK CHRONICLE to the use of dogs as animals of draught. "I saw," he wrote, "in a big, overloaded baker's cart this week a disproportioned dog, willing but quite unable to pull his cruel load up Market Place Hill. Let the inhabitants of Norwich withdraw their custom from any baker who is guilty of this barbarism."

14.-The Fakenham coach, on its journey to Norwich, was descending Guist Hill, when one of the leaders fell, the pole broke, and the coach was overturned. The only person seriously injured was a Mrs. Flowers, of London, who sustained a broken thigh and received a severe wound in the neck.

28.-The Cley estate, the property of Mr. John William Tomlinson, was sold by auction in London by Mr. W. W. Simpson, for 32,000.

SEPTEMBER.

2.-Died at Annesley Place, Cambridge, aged 61, Mr. W. Wilkins, M.A., R.A.

He was the architect of Downing College and of the new buildings at King's, Trinity, and Corpus Christi Colleges; the University College, London, and the National Gallery were erected from his designs, as were also the s.h.i.+rehall and the Theatre Royal at Norwich. Mr. Wilkins graduated as a member of Caius College, of which he was afterwards Fellow. He was the author of "Magna Graecia" and other works on architecture. With his father, Mr. William Wilkins, F.S.A., he resided some years in Norwich.

15.-A cuckoo, in fine plumage, was shot in the garden of Messrs. Howes, Red Lion Street, Norwich.

17.-At the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival, which began on this date, the programme included "Israel in Egypt," the new oratorio "Calvary," produced on the 19th and conducted in person by the composer, Spohr; selections from the "Redemption," and the "Messiah." A miscellaneous concert took place each evening, and the Festival concluded with a fancy dress ball. The princ.i.p.al artistes were Signora Persiani, Signora Placci, Miss Birch, Miss Hawes, Madame Stockhausen, Mr. Hobbs, Mr. H. Phillips, Mr. Balfe, Mr. Young, Mr. Francis, Signor Tamburini; Mr.

F. Cramer was leader of the band, and Professor Taylor conducted. The gross receipts were 5,639 0s. 5d., and the gross expenses 4,343 4s. 2d.

-A two days' race meeting commenced on Mousehold Heath, Norwich, and was attended by 30,000 persons.

23.-The foundation-stone of Yarmouth Hospital was laid by Mr. Simon Cobb, Mayor of the borough.

25.-Mr. Hampton made a balloon ascent from the Gas Works, Bishop Bridge, Norwich, at 4.30 p.m., and descended prematurely in a field at Rackheath.

A parachute containing a monkey was detached from the car as the balloon pa.s.sed over Mousehold Heath.

OCTOBER.

2.-A great demonstration took place at Norwich, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the "Teetotalist" Society. A procession, headed by a band of music, started from Castle Meadow, paraded the princ.i.p.al streets of the city, and arrived at St. Andrew's Hall at five o'clock.

After tea the Bishop addressed the meeting, and "declared in the most positive manner his deep conviction of the value of the society." Mr.

Samuel Wiseman and Mr. James Jarrold were presented with silver medals by the temperance workers in the city.

8.-The Norwich Paving Commissioners adopted ground plans and elevations for the widening and improvement of Briggs Street, and it was agreed that the cost be met proportionately by the trustees of D'Oyley's fund, the Paving Commissioners, and the Tonnage Commissioners. At a meeting of the Paving Commissioners, on December 10th, it was decided to carry out the contemplated improvements on the east side of the street, and that conjointly with the Tonnage Commissioners, they should spend a sum not exceeding 2,000.

9.-Mr. Hampton made a second balloon ascent at Norwich. The balloon was filled at the Gas Works, and floated thence by means of guide ropes to the yard of the Cavalry Barracks. Among the persons who availed themselves of the opportunity of ascending in the balloon while in its captive state was Col. Harvey, who, on September 7th, 1825, made an ascent from Richmond Hill Gardens with Mrs. Graham (_q.v._). Mr. Hampton was accompanied by Mr. William Shalders, jun., and the balloon descended on the estate of the Rev. T. Mack, of Tunstead, ten miles distant from Norwich. On October 16th Mr. Green, the celebrated aeronaut, then on a visit to Mr. R. Crawshay, of Honingham, ascended in his "Coronation"

balloon, from Norwich Gas Works. "A parachute with a cat in the basket was thrown out, and descended at Catton." The balloon descended at Trunch, after a journey of twenty-five minutes' duration.

16.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, William Wales was indicted for maliciously shooting cattle, the property of Mr. Robert Mack, jun., at Hainford, on August 18th. It was proved that the prisoner had shot several valuable beasts. He had already served seven years'

transportation, and, on being found guilty, was sentenced to transportation for the term of his natural life.

-Died in London, Mr. Charles M. Curtis, aged 44, an artist of considerable merit. He was a native of Norwich, a brother of the accomplished author of "British Entomology," and for several years devoted his talents to drawing objects of natural history and to the ill.u.s.tration of scientific works.

25.-The centenary of Wesleyanism was commemorated at Norwich. On the 28th 1,000 members of the body had tea at St. Andrew's Hall, which was also attended by 1,200 children from the Wesleyan Sunday schools in the city.

30.-St. Mary's Baptist chapel, Norwich, which had been closed for four months, for the purpose of enlargement, was re-opened for public wors.h.i.+p.

The preachers were the Rev. Dr. Andrew Reed, of London, and the Rev.

Eustace Giles, of Leeds. "The chapel, which is now one of the most elegant in this part of the kingdom, and is capable of seating more than one thousand persons, was densely crowded by a congregation amounting to nearly 1,600 persons."