Norfolk Annals
Chapter 162 : 9.-Mr. and Mrs. Rousby commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in "Twixt Axe

9.-Mr. and Mrs. Rousby commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in "Twixt Axe and Crown." On subsequent evenings, "The School for Scandal,"

"Romeo and Juliet," and "Joan of Arc," were produced.

19.-The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation commenced at Thetford. Mr. Angerstein presided at the members' luncheon.

30.-The Earl of Leicester was invested by the Queen with the Riband and Badge of the Garter. His lords.h.i.+p previously received the honour of knighthood.

JULY.

10.-Mr. J. L. Toole commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which he appeared in a round of his favourite characters.

19.-The 3rd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Heacham Park, and on the 23rd were inspected by Colonel Knox, C.B., commanding the 31st Depot.

21.-A company, under the management of Captain Disney Roebuck (late Royal Welsh Fusiliers), commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The repertory included "David Garrick," "Society," "The School for Scandal,"

"East Lynne," and the bouffe burlesque, "The Rows of Castille."

21.-Mr. David Fisher gave a dramatic reading at North Walsham. "Since the closing of the theatrical circuit under the management of the Fisher family, no member had visited it until Mr. David Fisher, now of the London theatres, and known to us first as a boy actor with his father and grandfather, came to read 'The School for Scandal.' Mr. David Fisher in London has carried out the promise of his early life, and in coming upon scenes of his boyhood finds those who tell him tales of former years, and pleasure no doubt arises on the other side from the opening up of old a.s.sociations. We have spoken of Mr. Fisher's reading-he does not read, he acts two-thirds of the whole play from memory; every character is given with perfect clearness. He visits all the towns where formerly theatres stood under the management of his family." On this tour Mr.

Fisher was accompanied by his daughter, Miss Mary Fisher, who displayed her musical abilities.

30.-The valuable collection presented to the Norfolk and Norwich Museum by Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham, was opened to the public. This collection was formed by Mr. Edward Lombe, of Great Melton, and set up by the first taxidermist of his day, the elder Leadbeater, of London.

Regret was expressed at the absence of any memoranda of dates and localities. The British birds alone numbered 551 specimens, representing 280 distinct species.

-The headquarters and six troops of the 3rd Dragoon Guards marched into Norwich, under the command of Colonel Conyers Tower, C.B.

-A new iron bridge over the River Ouze, constructed in place of the wooden structure known as the Free Bridge, near Lynn, was formally opened by Mr. E. Fellowes, M.P., chairman of the Ouze Outfall Commissioners. It was designed by Messrs. Brunlees and McKerrow.

AUGUST.

14.-An extensive fire occurred at the engineering works of Messrs. Holmes and Sons, Cattle Market, Norwich. The damage was estimated at 10,000.

Effective a.s.sistance was rendered to the fire brigade by three troops of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and by members of the Norwich Rifle Volunteers.

18.-Mr. Charles Wyndham's company appeared at Norwich Theatre in the political and satirical burlesque, "The Happy Land." The piece was interdicted by the Lord Chamberlain on its production at the Court Theatre, London, on account of its caricature of three Liberal Ministers-Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Ayrton. It was played at Norwich, it was announced, with the excised portions restored.

26.-At Norwich Brewster Sessions, the licensed victuallers of the city applied for an alteration of the hours of closing, namely, an extension of the time from 11 to 12 on week-days, and from 10 to 11 o'clock on Sunday. A memorial in favour of the alteration, signed by 7,000 persons, was presented. The Dean of Norwich handed in a memorial containing 7,925 signatures against the alteration. The magistrates declined to alter the hours of closing.

2.-The marriage took place at Holkham of Lady Winifred c.o.ke, fifth daughter of the Earl of Leicester, and Mr. Robert Clements, only son of the Hon. and Rev. Francis Nathaniel Clements, vicar of Norton, Durham, and heir to the Earldom of Leitrim.

11.-The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new Congregational chapel, built on the site of Cowper's house, at East Dereham, was performed by Mr. Henry Wright, of Kensington. The building, which was erected by Mr. Hubbard, of Dereham, from designs by Mr. Edward Boardman, architect, Norwich, at the cost of 3,500, was intended for the accommodation of 500 wors.h.i.+ppers. It was opened for public wors.h.i.+p on September 24th, 1874.

12.-Mr. Charles Durand's English Opera Company appeared at Norwich Theatre, and on the 19th produced, for the first time in the city, Meyerbeer's opera, "L'Africaine."

19.-Died at Caldecot, near Botley, Hamps.h.i.+re, Dr. Dalrymple, M.P. He was born in 1814, and was the fourth son of Mr. William Dalrymple, an eminent surgeon, of Norwich. He married a daughter of Mr. T. O. Springfield, on whose death he was placed in possession of an ample fortune. Dr.

Dalrymple then relinquished his practice in favour of his partner, Mr.

Cadge. In 1862 he made a tour through Egypt and Palestine, and on his return published a work on "The Climate of Egypt." On the invitation of the Liberal electors of Bath, he, in 1868, contested the representation of that city, and was returned. His chief Parliamentary labours were most conspicuous in connection with his well-known Habitual Drunkards Bill, a measure which, while not in accordance with the spirit of English legislation, evinced that devotion to philanthropic objects which was the characteristic of Dr. Dalrymple's life. He served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 186061, was a director of the Norwich Union Fire Office, chairman of the Governors of King Edward VI. School, and at various times had taken part in the management of the local charitable and scientific inst.i.tutions. Dr. Dalrymple was a magistrate and Deputy-lieutenant of the county.

21.-Died at Ipswich, Mr. Henry Bright, the well-known artist. He was born at Saxmundham, in June, 1814, and, after serving his apprentices.h.i.+p to a chemist and druggist at Woodbridge, removed to Norwich, where he acted as dispenser to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. An acquaintance with Crome, Cotman, the elder Ladbrooke, Stark, Vincent, and others of the Norwich School of Artists, stimulated him to work with his pencil.

Proceeding to London, he devoted himself entirely to art, and, by teaching drawing and painting, realised nearly 2,000 a year from that branch of his profession. For splendid sky effects Bright is second only to Turner, and his crayon drawings are almost unequalled.

OCTOBER.

1.-Miss E. Farren and Mr. Lionel Brough, supported by the London Gaiety Company, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The productions included, "A Nice Girl," "The Rough Diamond," "Good for Nothing," "Stage Struck," "Betty Martin," "Lischen and Fritzchen," &c. The company made a return visit on November 25th.

1.-The Social Science Congress commenced its proceedings at Norwich, under the presidency of the Right Hon. Lord Houghton, D.C.L., F.R.S. The meetings terminated on the 8th.

13.-The eighty-second birthday of Sir Samuel Bignold, Mayor of Norwich, was celebrated. The Cathedral choristers, under Dr. Buck, a.s.sembled in the garden of Sir Samuel's residence in Surrey Street, at eight a.m., and sang "Lift up thine eyes" (Handel), "The Old English Gentleman," and the _Nunc Dimittis_. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, the boys of the Grammar and Commercial Schools were granted a holiday, the inmates of the Boys' Home and the Girls' Home were entertained at St. Andrew's Hall, and a feast was given to the paupers in the Workhouse.

20.-Died at the Charterhouse, London, Mr. James S. Garthon, aged 74, formerly a surgeon in Norwich. He was the son of a farmer at Costessey, and was himself originally in business as a corn dealer. It was not until he was well advanced in life that he entered the medical profession. In addition to his private practice, he undertook the duties of surgeon to the Norwich police force. Mr. Garthon was a Liberal in politics.

23.-The Sheriff of Norwich (Dr. Bateman) delivered a lecture to the members of the Churchman's Club, on "Darwinism tested by Scientific Researches in Language." The Dean presided.

NOVEMBER.

3.-The Prince of Wales pa.s.sed through Thetford, on his way to Elveden Hall, to visit the Maharajah Duleep Singh.

10.-Mr. Samuel Gurney Buxton was elected Mayor, and Mr. Alexander Robert Chamberlin appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

-The Prince of Wales arrived at Merton Hall, on a visit to Lord Walsingham, and left on the 15th.

18.-Died at Bournemouth, Mr. Thomas Baring, member of Parliament for Huntingdon. Mr. Baring, who was 73 years of age, was second son of Sir Thomas Baring, second baronet, nephew of the first Lord Ashburton, and brother of the first Lord Northbrooke. At the General Election in 1835 he successfully contested Great Yarmouth in the Conservative interest, but in 1837, 1838, and 1841 he was defeated. Elected for Huntingdon in 1844, without opposition, he held undisputed possession of the seat for nearly thirty years. Mr. Baring was head of the great house of Baring Brothers and Co. He twice refused the Chancellors.h.i.+p of the Exchequer, and twice declined the offer of a peerage.

DECEMBER.

2.-A meeting of the creditors of the Crown Bank was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir Samuel Bignold, to receive an account of the receipts and payments of the trustee in bankruptcy to November 15th, and to consider the question of the remuneration of the Committee of Inspection. It was reported that the estate, under judicious management, had produced 11s. 6d. in the pound. The solicitors' law costs amounted to upwards of 10,000, and it was decided that 8,000 be paid as remuneration.

15.-The death took place, at Yarmouth, of Samuel Brock, aged 69, who, on October 6th, 1835, performed the remarkable feat of swimming fourteen miles after the wreck of the Young Company's yawl Increase, of which he was one of the crew (_q.v._ Vol. I., p. 344).

23.-The first annual meeting of the Norwich Hospital Sunday Fund was held at the Guildhall, under the presidency of the Sheriff (Mr. A. R.

Chamberlin). It was reported that the Sunday collection amounted to 670 8s. 11d., and the Sat.u.r.day collection to 188 16s. 3d.

26.-The pantomime of "The Babes in the Wood, or Harlequin Robin Hood and the Fairies of the Forest," written by Mr. F. Robson, was produced at Norwich Theatre by Mr. Richard Younge's company. "Jack the Giant Killer"

was the Christmas attraction at Batty's Circus.

1874.

JANUARY.