Norfolk Annals
Chapter 167 : -An extremely high tide occurred at Lynn, owing to heavy rains and strong gales. On th

-An extremely high tide occurred at Lynn, owing to heavy rains and strong gales. On the 15th Denver Sluice was in jeopardy, and large numbers of men were employed to strengthen the banks. At Hunstanton great ma.s.ses of cliff were washed away; on the 19th railway traffic between Brandon and Ely was suspended, owing to the floods, and considerable damage was done to the line between Reedham and Haddiscoe by the overflow of water.

17.-Sir William Bagge, Bart., M.P., presided at a luncheon at Downham Market, held in celebration of the opening of the new Public Hall. The building was converted from the old Theatre by a company formed for the purpose of carrying out the project.

18.-At the adjourned Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, a report was received on the advisability of amalgamating the county prisons and of transferring the Governor of Swaffham Prison to Norwich Castle, the Governor of the latter prison, Mr. Pinson, having given notice of his resignation of office. The report recommended that Swaffham Prison be discontinued from January 13th, 1876; that the prisoners at the time under detention be removed to Norwich Castle; and that Mr. Duncan Stuart, Governor of Swaffham Prison, be appointed to succeed Mr. Pinson at Norwich. The report was adopted. Mr. Stuart took over the governors.h.i.+p of Norwich Castle in January, 1876, but resigned office in the following month, when he was succeeded by Mr. Miles Joseph Walker.

19.-A gale, the severity of which had been unequalled for many years previously, visited the coast of Norfolk. Several wrecks occurred off Yarmouth and Caister, and many lives were lost in the Wash. The Scotch fis.h.i.+ng fleet suffered terrible privations. Five bodies of the crew of the smack Beautiful Star, of St. Monance, Fifes.h.i.+re, were picked up at the entrance to Lynn Well, and at a subsequent date the bodies of other unfortunate fishermen from the North were discovered in the same locality.

20.-The Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P., F.R.G.S., was installed Grand Master of the Norfolk Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons, in place of Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, deceased.

21.-On this day (Sunday) a mad freak was perpetrated at Yarmouth by a Scotch fisherman, named Watson. Having gained admittance to the Nelson column, he climbed the figure of Britannia and clasped his arms about its neck. He then came down to the platform, and, dangling his legs over the edge of the capital, took off his shoes and proceeded to descend by the lightning conductor which runs down the outside of the column. The conductor was only seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, and placed close to the stone work, "and how he managed to get over the edge of the projecting capital was a marvel." The man, however, reached the ground in safety; but his hands were terribly lacerated, "as in several instances he had to pull the conductor from the wall to get his fingers in. He was under the influence of drink when he performed the feat."

30.-Died, in his 75th year, Mr. Francis John Blake, solicitor, for forty years treasurer of the Norfolk County Lunatic Asylum, and thirty-eight years Superintendent Registrar for the city of Norwich. Mr. Blake was for many years treasurer of the Norwich Musical Festival, and a director of several public companies.

-St. Andrew's Day was celebrated in Norwich by the members of the newly-formed St. Andrew Society dining at the Maid's Head Hotel. Mr. T.

Muir Grant, the founder and president of the society, was in the chair, and Dr. Waddell, the vice-president, officiated as croupier.

-A suit, the Archdeacon of Norwich _v._ William Delph and William Thomas Gilbert, churchwardens of St. Augustine, which came before the Consistory Court at Norwich, excited much public comment. The case was heard originally in November, 1874, when the Chancellor decreed that the respondents, who had desecrated the churchyard by throwing a portion of it into the public road, should, by placing certain stones in the pathway and wall, mark the ancient boundary of the churchyard. The respondents not having obeyed the decree of the court, application was made on October 5th by Mr. Walter Overbury, as Proctor for the Archdeacon, that they might be p.r.o.nounced contumacious. The case was adjourned until this date, and the decree not having been obeyed, the Chancellor p.r.o.nounced the respondents contumacious, and issued a certificate to her Majesty in the High Court of Justice, in order that an attachment might forthwith issue against them. This action resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Gilbert. At a meeting of the Town Council, on December 21st, Mr.

J. D. Smith called attention to the case, and stated that Mr. Gilbert was imprisoned for alleged contempt of court in not paying the costs of the suit. He moved a resolution expressing regret that the ecclesiastical authorities should have inst.i.tuted the prosecution, and urging that the Parliamentary and Bye-Laws Committee confer immediately as to the best steps to be taken to obtain the release of the prisoner. The motion was carried by 27 votes against 1, "the Conservatives having vacated their seats, leaving only Mr. H. W. Stafford, who voted against the motion."

Mr. Gilbert was liberated on December 24th, an undertaking having been given on the part of Mr. Delph that the decree of the Consistorial Court should be carried out.

DECEMBER.

4.-A heavy gale prevailed on the coast of Norfolk, and continued until the 6th. There were many s.h.i.+pping casualties, and much loss of life.

7.-At the annual dinner of the Farmers' Club, held at the Salisbury Hotel, London, Mr. Clare Sewell Read announced that he would no longer continue a member of the Government. He took office, he said, on the stipulation that he should have perfect freedom to speak upon all agricultural matters, and that if he believed the interests of agriculture were neglected by any department of the Government he should resign. "I believe," he added, "that the interests of the stockholders of this country have been persistently ignored by the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council, and that being the case, I have to inform you that I am no longer the Secretary of the Local Government Board, and that I only hold office until my successor be appointed." Mr.

Read further said that, to a tenant-farmer whose princ.i.p.al income was derived from the occupation of 600 or 700 acres of land, 1,500 a year was an extremely convenient addition to his income; but he was quite sure that all present would approve of what he had done. During the Cattle Show week it was announced that some suitable recognition would be made of Mr. Read's services to agriculture, and, at a large meeting of the agriculturists of the county-Conservative and Liberal-held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, on December 18th, a deputation was appointed to attend a meeting at the Salisbury Hotel, on the 20th, in support of the testimonial fund which was forthwith inaugurated. (_See_ January 1st, 1876.)

13.-A dreadful tragedy occurred at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. A weaver, 42 years of age, named Robert Edwards, who resided at Marsham, had been admitted to the Hospital on an indoor recommendation obtained from the Rev. J. Gunton, rector of the parish. The physician who examined him prior to admission believed that he was suffering from some bodily ailment of a dyspeptic character. Ten or twelve weeks previously his case was regarded as one of insanity; he had been restless and violent at times, and his friends had placed him under surveillance.

Early on the morning of this date, Edwards, in a fit of homicidal mania, escaped from the Catherine ward, and, finding his way to the children's ward, seized a pair of tongs from the fireplace, and, before he could be secured, made a murderous a.s.sault upon some of the unfortunate young patients, which resulted in two being slain outright, a third died shortly afterwards, and grievous injuries were inflicted upon two others.

Edwards was disarmed by Mr. Baumgartner, the house surgeon, taken into custody, and charged on the 14th, at Norwich Police Court, with feloniously killing William Martin, aged 14, of Ryburgh; John Lacey, 10, of Griffin Yard, Pockthorpe; and Joseph Colman, 11, of Barton Turf. A fourth lad, Alfred Clarke, aged 9, died on February 20th, 1876. On the 18th the magistrates committed him for trial at the a.s.sizes, but meanwhile he was certified to be insane and incapable of pleading, and was sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. At the Coroner's inquest, held on December 18th, a verdict of wilful murder was returned, and the jury expressed, in the strongest terms, their disapproval of the circ.u.mstances under which Edwards had been admitted to the inst.i.tution, and their high opinion of the courageous conduct of Mr. Baumgartner.

22.-Died at Bombay, Bernard Edward Delaval Astley, tenth Baron Hastings, aged 20. His lords.h.i.+p left England early in October, for India, accompanied by Viscount Ebrington, and, after staying with Sir Philip Wodehouse, the Governor, at Parell, during the Prince of Wales' visit there, he proceeded to Calicut, and thence to the Annamally Hills, for shooting. He there fell a victim to jungle fever. Born September 9th, 1855, his lords.h.i.+p was eldest son of the Rev. Delaval Loftus Astley, some time vicar of East Barsham, and afterwards ninth Lord Hastings, and grandson of Jacob Astley, Lord Hastings, better known by his former name of Sir Jacob Astley, M.P. He was educated at Eton, and succeeded to the family honours in 1872. The t.i.tle pa.s.sed to his next brother, the Hon.

George Manners Astley, who was born in April, 1857.

26.-The Christmas pantomime produced by Mr. George H. Chaplin, at Norwich Theatre, was ent.i.tled, "Bluff King Hal the Bluffer and his Crippled Guy, or Harlequin Darnley, the Pet of the Court."

1876.

JANUARY.

1.-At a meeting of Norfolk agriculturists, held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, it was decided to support the national movement for presenting Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., with a testimonial in recognition of his services to agriculture. Upwards of 600 was subscribed in the room, the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, heading the subscription-list with a handsome donation. The presentation was made at the Cannon Street Hotel, London, on May 2nd, at a banquet presided over by Mr. Charles Howard, of Bidenham, and attended by 160 of the leading agriculturists of the three kingdoms. The testimonial consisted of a ma.s.sive silver salver weighing 115 ozs., and inscribed, "Presented, the 2nd May, 1876, to Clare Sewell Read, M.P. for Norfolk since 1865, with a cheque for 5,500, in testimony of his valuable services to Agriculture."

19.-The first of the entertainments known as "Spelling Bees" was given at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich. It was claimed that they "served the twofold purpose of testing the orthographical and philological knowledge of the compet.i.tors and of providing amus.e.m.e.nt for the public." The Mayor (Mr.

J. H. Tillett) presided. The referees were Mr. Carlos Cooper, the Rev.

A. C. Copeman, and Mr. A. Master, and their decisions were in accordance with the Imperial, Richardson's, and Walker's dictionaries. Mr. T.

Richmond Pinder was interrogator. "Spelling Bees" enjoyed for some months the same popularity as their precursors, "Penny Readings," and every town and village in the county took up the movement, which, however, was very short-lived.

22.-The members of the Yare Preservation Society and the riparian owners of the county adopted a memorial to the Home Secretary, praying for the legislative protection of local sea and inland fisheries. A deputation, which included the members of Parliament for the county and city, approached the Home Secretary upon the subject on February 1st, and received the a.s.surance that "if the Government could see their way they would take the matter up at some future time." (_See_ February 2nd, 1877.)

29.-Died at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. Abel Towler, one of the senior magistrates of the city, aged 83. He was head of the firm of Towler, Allen, and Co. In politics Mr. Towler was "a Liberal of the old school."

FEBRUARY.

1.-A fire occurred at the works of Messrs. Riches and Watts, agricultural engineers, Duke's Palace, Norwich. The damage amounted to between 3,000 and 4,000.

12.-Died at his residence, the Depperhaugh, Diss, Admiral Sir John Baldwin Wake Walker, Bart., K.C.B. Born in 1803, he entered the Navy in 1812, and saw much service. In 1847 he was appointed Surveyor to the Navy; in 1861 he a.s.sumed command of the Cape of Good Hope station, and attained the rank of Admiral in 1870. He was created a baronet in 1856.

16.-Died at his residence, Drayton Lodge, near Norwich, Mr. James Winter, aged 79. He was the last member but one of the old Corporation, in which he held the important office of Speaker. Mr. Winter remained a member of the new Corporation from its formation in 1835 until a few years before his death.

19.-An outbreak of small-pox was announced to have taken place amongst the prisoners confined in Norwich Castle. There were twelve cases, two of which were serious, but no deaths occurred.

27.-Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. John Harwell, in his 78th year. His mother was a daughter of John Samuel Sedley, of Barford and Morley, a lineal descendant of Sir Charles Sedley, the wit and poet. Mr. Barwell married, in 1824, the eldest daughter of Mr.

Richard Mackenzie Bacon, proprietor and editor of the "Norwich Mercury."

He succeeded his father in his wine merchant's business, was for many years an alderman for the Mancroft Ward, and served the office of Sheriff in 183940. On the occasion of the marriage of Queen Victoria, he was one of the deputation who presented, on behalf of the city, an address of congratulation to her Majesty and the Prince Consort. Mr. Barwell engaged largely in artistic pursuits, and was an accomplished musician and vocalist. A skilful amateur artist, he painted a portrait of Miss Julia Smith, daughter of Mr. William Smith, M.P., and aunt of Florence Nightingale, which was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, South Kensington, in 1868. He did much to promote art in Norwich, and, in conjunction with Cotman, Crome, and other Norwich artists, established a drawing academy. Many years later he had the satisfaction of seeing his views carried out by the establishment of a Science and Art Department of the Government, and by the opening of Schools of Science and Art in Norwich and most of the princ.i.p.al towns in the kingdom. With the a.s.sistance of Mr. Burt, he established the Norwich Cricket Club, and, in co-operation with Bentley, and afterwards with Fuller Pilch, formed the Cricket Ground at Lakenham, which was one of the best in England. Mr.

Barwell was a Liberal in principle, but always refrained from taking an active part in local politics.

MARCH.

6.-Mr. Craven Robertson's "Caste" Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, and produced, for the first time there, Mr. T. W.

Robertson's latest comedy, "Play."

14.-In the House of Commons, Mr. C. S. Read called attention to the report of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act Committee, 1873, and moved, "That, in the opinion of this House, the general orders and regulations for the stoppage of disease should cease to be varying or permissive, and should be uniform throughout Great Britain and Ireland."

On an a.s.surance from Viscount Sandon that the Government accepted the principle of uniformity, Mr. Read said he would not be justified in asking the House to divide, and withdrew the motion.

15.-The Norwich Election Commissioners issued their report. They found that corrupt practices extensively prevailed in Norwich at the election in March, 1875, and in February, 1874. The number of persons scheduled was as follows: Schedule I., persons guilty of bribery at the election of 1874 or 1875, 72; Schedule II., persons bribed at the election of 1874 or 1875, 31; Schedule III., guilty of personation, 1; Schedule IV., persons guilty of procuring personation, 2. In the House of Commons, on May 29th, the Attorney-General announced that the scheduled voters were to be disfranchised, and the writ for the vacant seat suspended during the then Parliament. At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, on February 26th, 1878, the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury requested payment by the city of 3,943 19s. 2d., the cost of the Commission. This charge was equal to a rate of 5d. in the pound.

APRIL.

1.-Died at Dean Street, Park Lane, London, the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P. He was third son of Horatio, third Earl of Orford, by Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. W. Fawkner, and was born September 18th, 1822. In 1837 he entered the Royal Navy, became Lieutenant in 1845, and retired from the service in 1864, as Commander. He served in the first China War, in India, and in the campaign on the Danube. Mr. Walpole unsuccessfully contested King's Lynn at the General Election in November, 1865, when Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton and Lord Stanley (afterwards Earl of Derby) were returned. At the General Election in November, 1868, he was elected one of the members for the Northern Division of Norfolk, and at the next General Election was returned unopposed. Mr. Walpole was the author of "Five Years in the Pacific," "The Ansayrii, or Further East," and a novel, "May and December." He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries and of the Geological Society. Mr. Walpole also served in the West Norfolk Militia, of which he was Major, and shortly before his death received the honorary rank of Lieut.-Colonel. He married, on February 12th, 1852, his cousin, Laura Sophia Frances, only daughter of Mr. Francis Walpole, by whom he left issue two sons and a daughter. Amy Rachael, who married the Hon. Henry Charles Manners Sutton, eldest son of Viscount Canterbury. One of the last acts of Mr. Walpole's Parliamentary career was the introduction of the Bill for the protection of the crab and lobster fisheries on the Norfolk coast.

3.-A serious disturbance took place at Hethersett, on the occasion of the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechases. A large number of roughs from Norwich had planned the robbery of the tills of the person who had received the gate-money and had charge of the refreshment department. An effort was made to unhorse Hickman, Mr. Angerstein's huntsman, who was engaged in keeping the course, and in the _melee_ which ensued an officer of the Carabiniers brought up at the trot a mounted detachment on duty at the races, and speedily quelled the disturbance.

5.-The Norwich Town Council, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, decided to proceed with the work of widening London Street, from the Market Place to Castle Street, at a cost not exceeding 22,000, and appointed a committee to negotiate with owners of property and to inquire into the best mode of carrying out the improvement. The subject was discussed in detail at various meetings during the year. (_See_ April 7th, 1877.)

10.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Baron Cleasby, Henry Webster, aged 61, a labourer, was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Sarah Webster, aged 53, at Cranworth, on September 17th, 1875. Sentence of death was pa.s.sed, and the culprit was executed at Norwich Castle on May 1st. Marwood was the executioner.

17.-Mr. Charles Durand's Grand English Opera Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in Rossini's comic opera, "Cinderella, or the Fairy of the Gla.s.s Slipper." Miss Florence St. John was a member of the company.