Norfolk Annals
Chapter 169 : 11.-Mr. H. Loraine and Miss Edith Kingsley opened Norwich Theatre for a short season w

11.-Mr. H. Loraine and Miss Edith Kingsley opened Norwich Theatre for a short season with a performance of "Oth.e.l.lo." Among the other plays produced were "The Gamester," "Hamlet," and "Richelieu."

12.-An explosion occurred on board the Alexandra steamer, which had been chartered for the conveyance of the workpeople of Pockthorpe Brewery, Norwich, on a river excursion. A case of fireworks placed in the bar exploded, and filled the cabin with fumes by which many of the party were seriously affected. Four deaths resulted. At the subsequent inquest, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed their strong opinion "that in future no fireworks or combustibles be taken on board steamers without being declared as such and placed under proper charge."

13.-A disastrous gas explosion occurred at the church of St. John Maddermarket, Norwich. The Rev. H. L. Rumsey and several members of the choir were at practice when an escape of gas was noticed. Mr. Rumsey, with a lighted taper in his hand, was in the act of turning off the gas at one of the standards when a brilliant flame shot across the north side of the nave, followed by a terrible explosion, which completely wrecked the interior of the church. The choir escaped without injury, but Mr.

Rumsey was hurled a distance of several yards, and severely shaken and bruised. The damage was estimated at 1,000.

19.-A skating rink, built at the cost of 9,000, including fittings, &c., was opened at St. Giles' Street, Norwich. It was 103 feet in length, 55 feet in width, with promenade gallery, smoking rooms, &c. An outer rink, ab.u.t.ting upon Bethel Street, covered an area of 80 feet by 40 feet. For some months roller skating proved a very popular amus.e.m.e.nt, and weekly returns were published of the number of persons who visited the establishment. This popularity was, however, of short duration, for on May 26th, 1877, it was announced: "The pa.s.sion for rinking having fallen to zero, the managers have introduced additional attractions in the shape of a couple of clever bicyclists and a troupe of performing dogs." A theatrical licence was subsequently obtained, and the rink was opened, on September 10th, 1877, as "The Vaudeville Theatre of Varieties," under the management of Mr. Hugh J. Didcott, with Mr. B. Isaacson as musical director. The originator of the skating rink was Mr. Warner Wright, a local solicitor.

24.-A brilliant meteor "fell about half-past six o'clock directly over the planet Saturn, which was then s.h.i.+ning in a cloudless sky." It was observed throughout the Eastern and Southern Counties, and upon the Continent.

25.-Messrs. H. M. Pitt and H. Hamilton's Company commenced a three weeks'

dramatic season at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The pieces produced included "False Shame," "Partners for Life," "Old Sailors," "Two Roses,"

"Forgiven," "Queen Mab," "Still Waters Run Deep," "New Men and Old Acres," "Money," "London a.s.surance," &c. In the company were Miss f.a.n.n.y Addison, Miss Alma Murray, Miss Dora Santon, Mr. and Mrs. George Canninge, Mr. John Burton, Mr. J. Watkins, Mr. Sidney Weatherilt, Mr.

Edward Fowler, Mr. E. D. Ward, Mr. A. Walters, and Mr. Barry. Mr. H.

Cecil Beryl (Mr. W. H. Sparrow, of Norwich) was the acting manager.

27.-Died at Great Yarmouth, Commander Horatio Nelson Atkinson, "named after his G.o.d-father, the hero of Trafalgar." He was the eldest son of Thomas Atkinson, master attendant on Nelson's flags.h.i.+ps, and entered the Navy in January, 1817. When mate of the Seringapatam, in 1825, he received three severe gunshot wounds. He attained the rank of Lieutenant on November 27th, 1827, and served from February 23rd, 1831, until July, 1834, in the Alfred on the Mediterranean station, where he witnessed the establishment of King Otho on the throne of Greece, and was presented, when off Alexandria, with a sword by Mehemet Ali. From March 31st, 1836, until his retirement he was employed in the Coastguard, owing to his inability to procure further occupation afloat. Commander Atkinson was in his 74th year.

OCTOBER.

14.-A new County Cricket Club was formed at a meeting held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich. Lord Suffield was elected president.

30.-The Boileau drinking-fountain, erected at the junction of the Newmarket and Ipswich Roads, Norwich, was inaugurated. Sir John Boileau, Bart., had bequeathed the sum of 1,000 to defray the cost of the work, which was designed by Mr. T. Jeckyll, St. George's Terrace, Queen's Gate, London. The statuary was designed and executed in bronze by Mr. J. E.

Boehm, the well-known sculptor, and the structure was built by Mr.

Hubbard, of East Dereham. Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., performed the ceremony of asking the city to accept the fountain, and was thanked by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Tillett), in the name of the citizens.

30.-Norwich Theatre was opened for the winter season by Mrs. W. Sidney, with an excellent production of Dion Boucicault's Irish drama, "The Shaughraun."

NOVEMBER.

9.-Mr. Richard Coller was elected Mayor, and Mr. William Cadge appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

13.-The Prince of Wales arrived at Morton Hall, on a visit to Lord Walsingham.

20.-The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Norwich, with the object of furthering an important scheme promoted by the governing body of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for enlarging the inst.i.tution. Their Royal Highnesses, who travelled by special train from Wolferton, were received at Thorpe Station by the Mayor, Sheriff, and Deputy-Mayor, and presented with an illuminated address, after which they drove to St. Andrew's Hall, where a distinguished audience had a.s.sembled, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county. The High Sheriff (Sir William ffolkes, Bart.) moved, "That the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital fully deserves the confidence and support of the county of Norfolk and city of Norwich, on account of its services, extended over a hundred years, to the sick and suffering poor." The Lord Bishop seconded the motion, which was adopted. His Royal Highness then moved, "That it is desirable, both for the accommodation of the patients and the improvement of the sanitary condition of the Hospital, that the proposed alterations and additions be carried out, and that for this purpose an application be made to the county and city to raise the sum of 35,000 for a building and sustentation fund." Votes of thanks were accorded to their Royal Highnesses for attending the meeting, and to Lord Leicester for presiding. Lord Leicester, who had previously offered to subscribe 5,000, on condition that the remaining 30,000 of the 35,000 required were raised within a stipulated time, now announced that he would give 13,000 to be invested for the future sustentation of the Hospital. At the conclusion of the proceedings the Prince and Princess were entertained at luncheon at the Bishop's Palace, where a distinguished company had been invited to meet them; and in the afternoon his Royal Highness attended a Masonic gathering at the Drill Hall, and installed Lord Suffield as Provincial Grand Master. Later their Royal Highnesses proceeded by rail to Gunton, to spend a few days with Lord and Lady Suffield; and in the evening a concert was given at St. Andrew's Hall, at which Madame Albani was the princ.i.p.al performer. (_See_ February 3rd, 1877.)

-A man named William Nelson was severely injured in St. Peter Mancroft Church Alley, by the explosion of a gaspipe charged with gunpowder. He was removed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he died on the following day. At the Coroner's inquest, on the 22nd, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against some person or persons unknown. A reward was offered by the Mayor for the discovery of the perpetrator of the outrage, but no information was forthcoming.

DECEMBER.

18.-The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester, who, on the 21st, gave a grand ball in honour of the event.

23.-Died at Norwich, Mr. William Cooke Stafford, aged 83. Mr. Stafford was one of the oldest journalists in the kingdom. After a visit to America, he commenced his professional career in London, in 1818, as a contributor to the "Anti-Jacobean Review," the "White Dwarf," &c., for which he wrote leading articles. He afterwards became editor of the "Leeds Intelligencer," and proceeded to York to edit the "Yorks.h.i.+re Gazette." Leaving York, he established the "Doncaster Chronicle," and had subsequent engagements on the "Hull Packet" and the NORFOLK CHRONICLE. His later years were spent in London, where he did a considerable amount of literary work as "publisher's editor," by writing a history of the Crimean War, and part of "The World as It Is," for Mr.

Peter Jackson. Mr. Stafford also re-edited Hume and Smollett's History, and did much work of a similar character.

26.-The pantomime of "Beauty and the Beast, or Harlequin Prince Azor and the Good Fairy of the Wedding Ring," produced under the direction of Mrs.

Sidney, at Norwich Theatre, was one of the best and most successful pieces of the kind in the annals of the house. Stoodley and Harmston's Circus and Edmunds' Menagerie were exhibited on Castle Meadow; and Madame Rose Hersee, supported by an excellent concert party, appeared before a meagre audience at Noverre's Rooms.

27.-Died at the Grove, Chapel Field Road, Norwich, Mr. Joshua Swann, aged 71. He was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Willett, Nephew, and Co., and an alderman of the city. Mr. Swann's literary and scientific tastes rendered him a valued and most active member of the committees of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum and Literary Inst.i.tution, and he was a warm supporter of the School of Art and the East Anglian Art Society, formed shortly before his death. He left a collection rich in portraits of local celebrities and etchings by Norwich artists.

30.-Died at Catton, Mr. George Gedge, aged 78. For many years Mr. Gedge carried on an extensive business as a dyer, by which he realised a fortune. He was a Conservative in politics, and long served the city as a member of the Town Council and of the old Court of Guardians. He directed his attention especially to the advocacy of a system of national rating, in the furtherance of which he spent both time and money. It was to Mr. Gedge's enterprise that the city was indebted for the first visit of Jenny Lind, the precursor of so much benefit to local charitable inst.i.tutions, and of the founding of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children.

1877.

JANUARY.

1.-A deputation of the clergy and tenantry on the Royal estate waited upon the Prince of Wales at Sandringham, and presented him with a silver casket and an address, congratulating his Royal Highness upon his safe return from India.

4.-Castleacre church was re-opened for public wors.h.i.+p after its restoration, at the cost of about 3,000, almost entirely subscribed by the paris.h.i.+oners. The chancel was renovated through the munificence of the Earl of Leicester, lord of the manor, and holder of the impropriate t.i.thes.

-Died at Ashwicken Rectory, the Rev. John Freeman, aged 61. He was the author of a life of Kirby, the entomologist, published in 1852.

5.-The trial of a pet.i.tion filed by Mr. J. D. Smith against the return of Mr. Philip Back and Mr. Josiah Harrison Ladyman, as members for the Fourth Ward, at the Norwich Munic.i.p.al Election, in November, 1876, commenced in the Sessions Court at the Guildhall, before Mr. Thomas William Saunders, barrister, and Recorder of Bath, the Commissioner appointed for the purpose. This was the first munic.i.p.al inquiry of the kind that had been held in the city, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings. The pet.i.tioner, who alleged bribery, treating, and other corrupt practices, was represented by Mr. Merewether, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. Blofeld; and the respondents by Mr. Grantham, M.P., and the Hon.

John de Grey. The inquiry lasted eight days, and on the 13th the Commissioner delivered judgment, declaring the respondents to be duly elected. The scene which ensued in the court was one of the wildest enthusiasm, which was increased by the announcement that costs followed the event. In the evening the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, and a band paraded the streets of the city.

18.-The first annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Bicycle Club was held at the Grapes Hotel, Norwich. The first road race of the club took place on April 30th. Six compet.i.tors entered for the run, which was from the Grapes Hotel by way of Unthank's Road to Wymondham, Wicklewood, &c., and thence to Carleton Forehoe, through Colney and Earlham, to the top of Belvoir Street, Earlham Road-distance about 24 miles. The winner was J.

Campling; F. D. Wheeler second. The club uniform consisted of "a cloth helmet with a metallic monogram in front, a smart dark gray tunic, and knickerbockers." The first sports organized by the club were held, by permission of the Corporation, in Chapel Field, on October 18th.

19.-Died at Bracondale, Miss f.a.n.n.y Anne Martineau, only daughter of Mr.

Philip M. Martineau, aged 64. She was a cousin of Harriet Martineau, the auth.o.r.ess, and, like other members of the family, possessed intellectual gifts of a high order.

-Died at Nice, Lord George William Loftus, third son of John, second Marquis of Ely, by Maria, daughter of Sir H. W. Dashwood, Bart. He was born in May, 1813, and in June, 1846, married Martha, eldest daughter of Mr. J. Fuller, of Norwich.

27.-A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. R. Coller), at which it was resolved, on the motion of Mr.

C. S. Read, seconded by Mr. George Forrester, "That it is desirable to hold a Christmas show for the county of Norfolk and city of Norwich, of fat stock and other produce of the farm and garden." A second meeting was held on February 10th, when the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show a.s.sociation was established, with the Prince of Wales as patron. The first show commenced on Thursday, November 22nd, and closed on Sat.u.r.day, the 24th. The general exhibits were displayed in the Volunteer Drill Hall, and the live stock shown in an annexe erected in Chapel Field.

30.-A severe gale occurred at Yarmouth. The sea rose to a great height, broke over the Marine Parade, and did considerable damage, and many houses on the North Quay were flooded. Several fis.h.i.+ng vessels were lost in the storm. The Lords of the Admiralty sent the Valorous and Seamew, Government vessels, in search of the missing boats, but they returned to the Roads on February 24th and 25th, and reported that no intelligence had been gained. Of the Yarmouth, men alone 112 perished, leaving 46 widows, 11 aged parents, and 101 children. A fund was raised for their relief, and 5,255 collected, including 2,715 from the Mansion House.

FEBRUARY.

2.-A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor, for the purpose of considering a Bill proposed to be introduced in Parliament for the preservation of fish in the rivers Wensum, Yare, and Waveney. Mr. Frank Buckland and Mr. Spencer Walpole, inspectors of fisheries, attended the meeting, and resolutions were adopted in favour of legislation. The Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Bill pa.s.sed the Select Committee of the House of Commons on May 8th, and was reported to the House, and before the end of the year became law.

3.-Died at her residence, High Street, Lowestoft, Dame Pleasance Smith, widow of Sir James Edward Smith, of Norwich, formerly president of the Linnaean Society. This venerable lady, who was 103 years of age, had received from Queen Victoria a copy of "Our Life in the Highlands,"

containing the inscription, in her Majesty's own handwriting, "To Lady Smith, on her one hundredth birthday, from her friend, Victoria R., May 11th, 1873."

-The Earl of Leicester presided at a meeting held at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, "for the purpose of turning to the best account the large sum of money offered to the Hospital by the public." It was stated that 24,000 had been subscribed, and that 35,000 was the maximum sum required. The Sheriff (Mr. Cadge) moved, "That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient that a new hospital should be erected, in lieu of any plan for improving the old building." Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., seconded the motion, which was adopted. (_See_ June 17th, 1879.)