Norfolk Annals
Chapter 187 : 16.-Sir J. W. Lubbock, M.P., and Mr. H. L. Courtney, M.P., at the Agricultural Hall, N

16.-Sir J. W. Lubbock, M.P., and Mr. H. L. Courtney, M.P., at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, propounded the principles advocated by the Proportional Representation Society.

MARCH.

5.-A "service of humiliation" was held in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, "with prayers for our nation in general and specially for our soldiers and sailors in Egypt."

-A salmon trout, weighing 4 lbs., was captured at Pull's Ferry, Norwich.

7.-At the Norfolk Adjourned Quarter Sessions, held at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, Mr. T. H. B. Heslop of Thames Ditton, Surrey, was appointed County Surveyor, in place of Mr. R. M. Phipson, deceased.

APRIL.

6.-An English Opera Company, including Mr. Faulkner Leigh, Madame Cave-Ashton, Madame Campobello, and Mr. William Parkinson, commenced a season at Norwich Theatre in the operas of "La Sonnambula," "The Waterman," "Il Trovatore," "Pygmalion and Galatea," "Maritana," &c. Sir Julius Benedict was announced as conductor, but in consequence of his serious illness his name was withdrawn.

-The annual conference of the National Union of Elementary Teachers opened at the Lecture Hall, Prince's Street, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.

19.-Died, at his residence, Heigham, Norwich, aged 84, the Rev. Frederick Field, LL.D. He graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained the Tyrwhitt Hebrew Scholars.h.i.+p, and took his Bachelor's degree as tenth wrangler and Chancellor's medallist. He was afterwards elected to a Fellows.h.i.+p, and in 1843 was inst.i.tuted to the rectory of Reepham, which he held till 1863. In 1875 he was created an honorary LL.D. of Cambridge University. Dr. Field was a member of the Old Testament Revision Committee, and the editor of "Barrow's Treatise on the Pope's Supremacy," and of several learned works published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Clarendon Press, Oxford, and the Cambridge University Press.

21.-Died, at Hill House, Dersingham, Captain William D'Urban Blyth, late 14th Hussars, aged 59. He was a member of an old Norfolk family, and joined his regiment, then the 14th Light Dragoons, in India in 1847. He served through the Punjaub Campaign of 1848 and 1849; and with the Central India Field Force, under Sir Hugh Rose, during the Mutiny.

Captain Blyth for some time held the post of riding master in his regiment, and in addition superintended the training of 1,200 remounts for cavalry during the Crimean War. He took part in thirty-six separate engagements, and was never once wounded. On retiring from the Army he settled at Weasenham Hall, his birthplace, and subsequently at Dersingham, where he became a warm supporter of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, and a justice of the peace.

MAY.

1.-A "habitation" of the Primrose League was inaugurated at Holt at a meeting held under the presidency of Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart. This is the first record of the formation of a branch of the organization in Norfolk. The preliminary meeting was followed by a great gathering held in the same town on May 12th. Other "habitations" were quickly formed in various parts of the county.

9.-The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture discussed the question of inaugurating a series of agricultural experiments. The committee to whom the matter had been referred reported in favour of the proposal, which had the warm support of the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Leicester.

The report was adopted, and it was decided to commence experiments in the autumn. An address on the subject was delivered by Sir Thomas Acland, M.P.

20.-The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 21st inspected the Norfolk Artillery, in which Prince Albert Victor was serving at the time. On the 22nd the Prince of Wales was to have visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, but the parade was abandoned in consequence of the heavy rain. A ball given at Yarmouth Town Hall in the evening by the officers of the Eastern District Brigade, was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The Prince of Wales left for Sandringham on the 23rd.

21.-Died, aged 78, Mr. Jeremiah Colman, of Carshalton Park, senior partner in the firm of Messrs. J. and J. Colman. He was one of the twelve sons of Mr. Robert Colman, and a member of the cricket team of eleven brothers.

JUNE.

3.-The Derby Stakes were won at Epsom by Lord Hastings' Norfolk-bred horse, Melton, which beat Mr. Brodrick-Cloete's Paradox and Mr.

Childwick's Royal Hampton. On September 16th Melton won the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster by six lengths.

4.-A festival of the Choir Benevolent Fund took place at Norwich Cathedral.

13.-The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the honour of knighthood upon Dr. Eade, of Norwich. The Norwich Town Council on the 16th pa.s.sed a vote of congratulation to Sir Peter Eade, who on August 1st was presented to her Majesty at Osborne.

17.-The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation was opened at Watton, and was continued on the 18th. Lord Walsingham was president.

JULY.

4.-Captain Smith, East Surrey Regiment, son of Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, was enthusiastically welcomed on his return after active service in Afghanistan and the Soudan. Captain Smith entered the Army in 1878, and went immediately to the front. He served in the Afghan War under Sir Donald Stewart, and in the Soudan under General Graham, and took part in the operations at Hasheen and Tamai. While at Suakim he contracted fever and was invalided home.

9.-The Merton flock of pure-bred Southdown sheep, the property of Lord Walsingham, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. The 541 lots revised 3,254 12s. 6d.

-Died, at Catton, aged 82, Mr. William Jary Cubitt, who served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 186566.

10.-Died, at Thorpland Hall, Fakenham, aged 83, the Rev. Henry James Lee Warner. He was born at Stanton St. Quintin, Wilts.h.i.+re, where his father was then curate. Soon afterwards his grandfather succeeded to the Walsingham Abbey estates, and in 1807 his father accepted the charge of the adjoining parishes of Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. Having attended Aylsham Grammar School he proceeded to Rugby, and thence to St.

John's College, Cambridge, where, in 1825, he took double honours in cla.s.sics and mathematics, being fourth Senior Optime and in the second cla.s.s of the Cla.s.sical Tripos. After residing at the Temple and reading for the Bar, he travelled for some time on the Continent, and on returning to England read for Holy Orders, and was ordained at Norwich by Bishop Bathurst. Mr. Lee Warner first held a curacy at Canterbury, and in 1834 succeeded his father in the parishes of Great and Little Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. From conscientious motives he resigned his plurality of livings and thenceforth devoted himself to the more populous parish of Little Walsingham on a stipend of 100 per annum.

Mr. Lee Warner largely identified himself with Church work in the diocese, and in 1863 was appointed an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. He was a well-known archaeologist. "A man of singular modesty, of simple faith and self-denying habits, he was not only a strong teetotaller by conviction, but also in many ways opposed to what he considered excessive luxury."

10.-The North Elmham herd of red polled cattle, purchased and bred since 1875 by Mr. Thomas Fulcher, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-six cows and heifers realised a total of 1,077 guineas, and nine bulls 165 guineas.

21.-A terrible disaster occurred at Caister. At about midnight a vessel was observed in distress near the Barber Sand, and the yawl Zephyr, manned by a crew of fifteen hands, was launched. The yawl had not proceeded far when she struck a sunken wreck, and her side being ripped away, she sank rapidly, and eight of her crew were drowned.

22.-Died, at Yarmouth, Alfred George Stannard, artist, aged 57. He was the eldest son of Alfred Stannard, of Norwich, a nephew of "Joe" Stannard and brother of Miss Stannard, the painter of fruit and flowers.

25.-The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Yarmouth.

AUGUST.

1.-The Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation decided to merge with the Royal Agricultural Society in 1886 and to hold no county show that year.

6.-In the House of Commons, Mr. J. A. Picton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was a fact that, as reported in the London papers, the Rev. c.o.ker Adams, rector of Saham Toney, had on Sunday, July 26th, p.r.o.nounced in his parish church sentence of excommunication against Joseph Payne, a paris.h.i.+oner, aged 82, because of his persistent neglect of the Church's ordinances and refusal of her ministrations, and enquired whether notice would be taken of his illegal action? Sir Richard Cross replied that he saw this account with extreme surprise and regret, and he thought it right the sentence should be sent to the Bishop, who, he had no doubt, would make enquiry into the matter.

7.-Died, at Rackheath Park, Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart. A prominent member of a well-known county family, Sir Henry for many years occupied a distinguished position. Born in 1802, he was educated at Eton, and afterwards served for several years in the 1st Dragoons, and on succeeding to the baronetcy, on the death of his father in 1855, he entered with considerable ardour into politics. Just previously he had been returned without opposition as one of the representatives of East Norfolk on the retirement of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. On the dissolution of Parliament in 1857 Major-General Windham, in the flush of the fame he had gained in the Crimea, was brought forward for East Norfolk with Sir E. N.

Buxton, and there being divided opinions in the Conservative camp, Mr.

Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey declined to contest the seat. On the death of Sir E. N. Buxton in June, 1858, Sir Henry was again nominated, and was defeated by the Hon. Wenman c.o.ke. In the following year he was returned with Sir Edmund Lacon for Yarmouth, defeating Mr. (afterwards Sir E. W.) Watkin and Mr. Young, and sat for that borough until 1865. In 1868 he stood for Norwich in opposition to Sir W. Russell and Mr.

Tillett, and was returned at the head of the poll, but was unseated on pet.i.tion. In 1874 he again came forward, in conjunction with Mr.

Huddleston, was unsuccessful, and thereafter took no share in polities.

Sir Henry married, in 1835, Charlotte, only daughter and heiress of Mr.

George Denne, of the Paddock, Canterbury. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1871, and was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk.

18.-Died, at Hingham, Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., aged 61. He married, on December 19th, 1850, Sophia Jane, daughter of the Rev. Clement Chevallier, rector of Badington and Cransford, Suffolk, and widow of Mr.

Isaac Jermy Jermy, who, with his father, Mr. Isaac Jermy, fell a victim to the murderer, James Blomfield Rush. "The Beevor family, which, with their connections, are very numerous, are descended from the Rev. William Beevor, rector of South Walsham and Rockland in 1659 (the eldest son of Abraham Beevor, of Heckmondwike, Yorks.h.i.+re), whose grandson, Sir Thomas, eldest son of Thomas Beevor, of Norwich, and Hester, daughter of John Sharpe, of Norwich, was created a baronet in 1784." The subject of this notice was educated for the Bar, but in his latter years devoted himself to the supervision of the business of the Norwich Union Life a.s.surance Society, of which he was chairman of the directors, and was at the same time a director of the Norwich Union Fire Office. His eldest son, Thomas Edward, died to 1879, and the second son, Hugh Reeve, succeeded to the baronetcy.

24.-Norwich Theatre was opened under the management of Mr. Fred Morgan.

The inaugural performance, "In Chancery," was given by Mr. Edward Terry's company. On succeeding evenings "Weak Woman" and "The Rocket" were produced, and Mr. Terry also appeared in the character of James Blodder in an adaptation of Thackeray's "Jeames's Diary." Several improvements had been effected in the Theatre, which had undergone much-needed redecoration.

SEPTEMBER.

4.-The 4th Queen's Own Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry Barracks, _en route_ to Edinburgh and Glasgow.