Norfolk Annals
Chapter 104 : -For the first time for many years, Norwich Theatre opened on Boxing Day.The programme

-For the first time for many years, Norwich Theatre opened on Boxing Day.

The programme included "The Stranger," "Cherry Bounce," and the pantomime "Harlequin Baron Munchausen." The other Christmas attractions were Batty's Equestrian Company at the Pantheon, Victoria Gardens, and Wombwell's Menagerie on the Castle Meadow.

1844.

JANUARY.

9.-A meeting was held at Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. T.

Brightwell, at which it was resolved to raise a subscription to pay the legal expenses of Mr. John Francis and of four other recusants, proceeded against in the Court of Arches for failing to make a rate for repairing the parish church of St. George Colegate. When the case was heard in the Arches Court, counsel for Mr. Francis protested that upon the face of the citation it did not appear that he had been guilty of any ecclesiastical offence cognisable by the Court, neither did it appear that the parish church was in need of repair. These arguments were overruled by the Court, whereupon Mr. Francis took the case to the Court of Queen's Bench, and on May 9th Mr. Justice Denman delivered judgment in favour of the appellant, on the ground that the citation was bad, because of there being no adequate allegation of any spiritual offence.

13.-Mr. H. J. Wallack, of Drury Lane Theatre, formerly a member of the Norwich circuit, and Mrs. Wallack, commenced an operatic engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the "Barber of Seville."

FEBRUARY.

3.-In the Court of Exchequer, before Lord Abinger and a special jury, an information was heard against three persons named Phillips, of Swanton Abbot, for the recovery of penalties for a violation of the Excise laws by means of illicit distillation. The jury returned a verdict of guilty.

It was stated that defendants had rendered themselves liable to penalties amounting to 12,000, but the Crown would be satisfied with a verdict for one penalty of 200, which, trebled, amounted to 600. Judgment was then entered for the last-named sum.

-Permission was given by the authorities of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for the formation of a hospital museum, on the understanding that there should be no alienation of the funds of the inst.i.tution. On October 19th it was reported to the Governors that the museum had been completed, and an inscription on vellum was voted to Mr. William Dalrymple, in grateful acknowledgment of his donation of his entire collection in anatomy and pathology, and to Mr. J. G. Crosse for his valuable contributions. (_See_ September 10th, 1845.)

7.-John Franklin, "known by the name of Bill Downey, the celebrated Southtown pedestrian," for a wager of 10 walked from the Duke's Head Inn, the Quay, Yarmouth, to the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, and back, in eleven and a half hours.

8.-A meeting was held at North Walsham, for the purpose of forming a Protection a.s.sociation against the attacks of the Anti-Corn Law League.

Similar a.s.sociations were formed in other parts of the county, and about fifty pet.i.tions were sent to Parliament, praying that no alteration be made in the state of the law.

10.*-"A society for insurance against damages by hail has been established in Norwich, an influential body of gentlemen having accepted the office of directors, and numerous parties have intimated their intention to take advantage of this inst.i.tution."

13.-A new historical play, ent.i.tled, "Zopyrus, the Hero of Persia," by Mr. William Cooper, barrister, of Norwich, was produced for the first time at Norwich, Theatre.

15.-A singular person, named Jemima c.o.c.k, died at Long Stratton. "She was 78 years of age, and was known for many years as a letter-carrier of the Post Office, and although no scholar, was never known to make a mistake in that department. She once travelled the country as a seller of rakes and other implements. She wore top boots, kindly given to her by gentlemen of the village, and dressed her head with a hat like Mrs.

Tw.a.n.key's in the play of the 'Ladies' Club,' and long before, and at the time of her demise was, by order of the parish, made governess of the clink. She leaves no relative or friend to mourn her loss, save one, and those placed under her kind attention in prison-like confinement, and the poor weary barefooted traveller who wandered thither for shelter (and repose) from the fury of the pelting storm."

20.-It was announced in the "London Gazette" that Sir E. L. Bulwer, Bart., in compliance with a direction contained in the will of his late mother, Elizabeth Barbara Bulwer Lytton, of Knebworth, would thereafter use the surname of Lytton in addition to and after that of Bulwer, and also bear the arms of Lytton quarterly in the first quarter with his own family arms.

26.-An information was laid before the Docking magistrates by Robert Bullock, a common informer, against Mr. William Shearman, of Burnham, under 52 Geo. III., cap. 93, for having, on November 17th, 1843, "a.s.sisted Mr. Charles Edward Overman and 20 other persons in the taking of a hare by means of two greyhounds, the said act of a.s.sisting not being done in the company or presence and for the use of any person who had then duly obtained a certificate in his own right and who then and there used his own dogs for the taking of the said hare," whereby he rendered himself liable to a penalty of 20. Evidence was adduced showing that the dogs which ran at the West Burnham Coursing Meeting, where the alleged offence took place, belonged to qualified persons. The Bench recorded a conviction, against which the defendant appealed, at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at Norwich on March 13th. The Court quashed the conviction. Twenty other cases depended upon the result of this appeal.

-Died in London, aged 73, Mr. John Wright. He was a native of Norwich, and going early in life to the Metropolis, where he had the superintendence of Hookham's Reading Rooms, in Old Bond Street, he became acquainted with many of the leading political and literary characters of the day, by whose support he entered into business as a publisher, in Piccadilly. He was the particular friend of Gifford, the poet, and the _rencontre_ between that individual and Peter Pindar took place at Wright's house. He was afterwards connected with Cobbett in the publication of the "Weekly Register," but this terminated in a lawsuit, in which the latter gained little credit. Literary pursuits of various kinds occupied Mr. Wright's attention for the remainder of his life, and his a.s.sistance was much sought after by publishers and others, in affording which and in attendance at the House of Commons he generally spent his time. He was supposed to have had the superintendence and correction of "Hansard's Debates."

28.-Died at Ingolville, near Havre, Mr. John Morse, formerly of Sprowston. He was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant of the county, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1807. His remains were interred at Sprowston, on March 12th.

MARCH.

5.-The Norwich Court of Guardians pa.s.sed a series of resolutions on the new Poor Law Amendment Bill, expressing regret that the measure contained a clause extending the powers of the Poor Law Commissioners to places. .h.i.therto governed by local Acts of Parliament, and thereby to a considerable extent repealed those Acts.

9.*-"A very fine specimen of the osprey or sea eagle, in full plumage, measuring 7 ft. 5 in. from tip to tip of the wings, was lately shot at Westwick by one of the gamekeepers of Mr. J. Petre."

16.*-"Ministers connected with the party which seceded last May from the Scotch Church have visited Norwich this week, for the purpose of detailing their version of the differences between them and the Presbyterian Establishment and of raising 'siller' to enable them to carry on their system."

25.-Lord Chief Baron Abinger and Mr. Justice Patteson, Judges of a.s.size, arrived at Norwich. Lord Abinger, on the 30th, received a deputation of the princ.i.p.al merchants of the city, who represented to him the unfairness and expense attending the mode of conducting bankruptcy proceedings. On April 1st his lords.h.i.+p was taken suddenly ill at Bury St. Edmund's, the next town on the a.s.size circuit, and on April 7th he died. His lords.h.i.+p's political connection with Norwich commenced in 1832. As Sir James Scarlett he was returned with Lord Stormont in 1833 a member for the city, and on December 15th received the honorary freedom.

When Sir Robert Peel was unexpectedly called upon to form a Conservative ministry, the office of Chief Baron was conferred upon Sir James Scarlett, who was called to the House of Lords by the t.i.tle of Baron Abinger, of Abinger, in the county of Surrey, and of the city of Norwich.

30.-Died, aged 81, at Wymondham, Mr. John Cullyer. "He was an excellent arithmetician, and the author of a scientific work ent.i.tled, 'The Gentleman's and Farmer's a.s.sistant,' containing tables for the measurement of land, &c."

APRIL.

4.-Hales, the Norfolk giant, was exhibited at Tombland Fair. He was 8 ft. in height, and weighed 33 stones.

8.-Mrs. Yates and Mr. O. Smith appeared at Norwich Theatre in the "Christmas Carol," produced under the superintendence of its adaptor, Mr.

Edward Stirling, stage manager of the Adelphi Theatre. Mrs. Yates was a granddaughter of Mr. Brunton, many years manager of the Norwich circuit.

11.-The Norwich Town Council completed the arrangements respecting the purchase by the Corporation of the Foundry Bridge tolls, and empowered the City Committee to negotiate for the borrowing of 8,000 for the purpose. The new iron bridge which replaced the old wooden structure was opened for traffic on June 29th. It was erected by Messrs. Bradley and Co., of Wakefield, from designs by Mr. C. D. Atkinson, of the same town, at the cost of 800.

12.-Major-General Pasley, Government Inspector, accompanied by the Lord Bishop of Norwich, and several of the directors, proceeded in "a train of carriages" from the Norwich terminus to Yarmouth by the new Yarmouth and Norwich Railway. This was the first train that ran out of the city, and its departure was witnessed by thousands of the inhabitants. (_See_ April 30.)

20.-The Scots Greys, during the week ending this date, marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, _en route_ to Edinburgh.

20.*-"The parish clerk of St. Peter's, Terrington, has caused his coffin and gravestone to be prepared, although in excellent health. The former he keeps in his sleeping room, and uses as a wardrobe, and the latter stands in the church, ready to be put down when required. The stone contains the following:-

"This aged clerk, long ere he died, His coffin had and placed by his bedside; His neighbours all well know the truth is spoke- 'Twas made of Mr. John Perry's best oak; His old friend Death just touch'd him with his spear And in pure kindness laid him quietly here.

"The upper part of the stone contains the name, with blanks for cutting age, &c., when the time of his dissolution shall take place."

24.-Died at Boyland Hall, aged 66, the Hon. Frederick Paul Irby, C.B., Rear-Admiral of the White. He was born April 18th, 1779, and was second son of the second Baron Boston. He entered the Navy in 1791, was present in Lord Howe's action on June 1st, 1793, at Camperdown under Lord Duncan, and afterwards saw much active service. He was severely wounded in an action fought with a French frigate off the Isle of Los, on the coast of Guinea.

-Died in Julian Place, Norwich, aged 38, Mr. Thomas Wiggins. "He had been proprietor of and a celebrated whip on the Phenomena coach from Norwich to London for several years, and was much respected by all for his skill as a coachman."

30.-The Yarmouth and Norwich Railway was formally opened on this date.

The county was indebted to Mr. R. Stephenson, the celebrated engineer and "father of railways," for the introduction of the line. He and his friends, supported to a limited extent only by residents in Norwich and Yarmouth, contemplated it as the commencement of a grand line from the east to the west of England, in connection with other systems extending north and south. The prospectus was issued on January 15th, 1842; the Act of Parliament obtained June 18th, 1842; and the first meeting of proprietors held at the Victoria Hotel, Yarmouth, on August 5th, 1842.

The total cost of the undertaking was estimated at 200,000. The first half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, on February 26th, 1843. Messrs. Grissell and Peto constructed the line, at the cost of 10,000 per mile. The rolling stock of the company consisted of five locomotives and a number of pa.s.senger carriages, supplied by Mr. Wright, of London. "The third cla.s.s are six-wheeled carriages, open, and at present without seats. We trust they will not long continue so; the inconvenience of standing, especially to females, during a journey in cold weather, will be very great." Thousands of persons a.s.sembled at Thorpe Station to witness the departure of the first train at 10.30, hundreds thronged the line at various points, and a great crowd gathered at Yarmouth to see the arrival. Howlett's bra.s.s band occupied a third-cla.s.s carriage next the engine, and the other carriages were reserved for 200 guests, specially invited by the directors. The train started amid loud cheers, and accomplished the journey in 50 minutes; the return trip was done in 44 minutes. At four o'clock a dinner was held at the a.s.sembly Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. S. M. Peto, supported right and left by the Mayors of Norwich and Yarmouth. The railway was opened for public traffic on May 1st, when 1,015 pa.s.sengers were booked.

MAY.

4.*-"Last week 100 stand of arms were received at our barracks for the Norwich Enrolled Pensioners. The dress consists of a peaked, glazed cap, with scarlet band and star in front, a blue frock coat, similar to those worn by the French infantry, with scarlet epaulettes edged with bra.s.s, and dark mixture trousers with broad red stripes. Sergeants will be each armed with a light carbine and cutla.s.s. The whole will be called out occasionally for exercise and drill."

6.-A troop of the 4th Light Dragoons arrived at Norwich.

-The Bishop of Norwich confirmed 1,277 persons at the Cathedral.

18.-The Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry commenced eight days' permanent duty at Holt.