Norfolk Annals
Chapter 64 : 7.-In consequence of continued applications for relief by the unemployed weavers, &c.,

7.-In consequence of continued applications for relief by the unemployed weavers, &c., the Norwich Court of Guardians increased the mulct for the ensuing quarter 3,000-an addition to the rates of 2s. in the pound.-On January 12th a c.r.a.pe Ball, at which the lady patronesses wore white Norwich c.r.a.pe, other ladies scarlet geranium-coloured Norwich c.r.a.pes, and gentlemen waistcoats of plain white shawl with shawl pattern border as part of their evening dress, was held at the a.s.sembly Room for the purpose of promoting a fund for the relief of the poor, and produced a clear profit of 79. The fund was formally inaugurated at a public meeting held at the Guildhall on January 16th, and upwards of 5,000 was afterwards subscribed.-The Paving Act Commissioners on January 24th decided to macadamise Ber Street in order to afford relief work, and in March the manufacturers, with the same object, commenced making bombazetts and twilled stuffs, articles that were entirely new to Norwich. On March 10th the governors of the Bank of England granted to the manufacturers the loan of 80,000 for four months at the rate of five per cent. per annum; and on May 15th application was made to the committee in London for the relief of distressed manufactures, who granted 600 to the unemployed weavers, still numbering several thousands.-The Court of Guardians on July 4th increased the mulct for the ensuing quarter to 15,000; and in August offered to obtain employment for a considerable number of distressed weavers if they would consent to a slight reduction of wages. The men declined the offer because the manufacturers refused to guarantee that they would not send work into the country. During the remaining portion of the year employment continued to be scarce.

14.*-"Mr. W. E. L. Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, has lately been presented by his tenants with a piece of plate, of the value of 500 guineas, as a testimony of their respect and esteem for his general good conduct, and especially as a mark of grat.i.tude for his disinterested generosity during the late agricultural distresses."

18.-Died at Yarmouth, John Joy, for 30 years guard of the mail coach to London. "He has left three sons, two of whom, since the death of Serres, are said to be the first marine painters in the kingdom."

26.-A great skating match at Wisbech, in which all the princ.i.p.al fen skaters took part, was won by Farrow, of Nordelph.

31.-A large number of weavers caused a riot in Norwich, and destroyed a carrier's cart which was conveying into the country materials for manufacturing purposes. On February 1st the mob stopped all country carts and seized what manufacturing articles were found upon them, broke the windows of several factories, and became so aggressive that the Scots Greys were called out to quell the disturbance. The rioting was resumed on February 13th, when many citizens were sworn in as special constables, and after the Riot Act had been read the cavalry cleared the streets.

FEBRUARY.

4.*-"Died at a rustic and old habitation on Kettlestone Common, at the age of 99, Robert Pamell, an honest husbandman, who, until he was 93, never took relief from the parish. He had frequently said he never recollected having taken physic in his life."

9.-The Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation Bill was introduced into the House of Commons and read a first time; it pa.s.sed its second reading on February 17th, and on February 27th pet.i.tions were presented against the measure from the Corporation of Yarmouth and the owners of estates, and in its favour from the inhabitants of Lowestoft and the Port Reeve and inhabitants of Beccles. On April 10th a Committee of the House proceeded to take evidence, and after a sitting of 18 days 20 votes were given for the Bill and 25 against. The result of the Parliamentary proceedings gave rise to great rejoicings at Yarmouth, where, on May 18th, a dinner was held to celebrate the defeat of the Bill.-On August 8th the Haven and Pier Commissioners received a deputation from the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation Committee, and a conference was held. Further discussion was deferred until September 5th.-On August 26th the county magistrates held a meeting at the Norwich s.h.i.+rehall, and resolved that it was desirable that Norwich be made a port through Yarmouth, and requested the Haven and Pier Commissioners to continue negociations with the Norwich Joint Stock Company.-At the adjourned meeting on September 5th the negociations fell through owing to the strong opposition manifested by the traders and merchants of Yarmouth. The Navigation Company, on September 29th, decided to revive the Lowestoft scheme, to execute the work for a sum not exceeding 100,000, and to apply for a Bill in the next Session of Parliament. On November 22nd a pet.i.tion was presented in the House of Commons for leave to bring in the Bill, and was referred to Committee.

At a public meeting at Yarmouth on November 28th, it was resolved to exercise every influence to bring about the defeat of the measure.-The Bill was read a first time in the House of Commons on November 29th.

12.-Died at his house in St. Giles', the Rev. Charles John Chapman, B.D., upper minister of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. He was educated at the Norwich Free Grammar School, under the Rev. Dr. Parr, and at the University of Cambridge, and was some time fellow of Corpus Christi College.

13.-Capt. Parry, R.N., was presented with the freedom of Lynn "in testimony of his meritorious and enterprising conduct in his several voyages of discovery." On the 15th the Corporation gave a dinner in his honour at the Town Hall.

14.-Died, Mrs. Mary Seaman, of Norwich, aged 100.

23.-The Scots Greys marched from Norwich for Liverpool.

MARCH.

3.-The 1st Dragoon Guards marched into Norwich.

9.-At a meeting of the county magistrates, held at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, a letter from the Secretary of State was read on the subject of the removal of the Lent a.s.sizes from Thetford to Norwich. It was agreed to answer the various objections it contained, and to strongly urge the removal of the a.s.sizes.-The Grand Jury at Norwich a.s.sizes on July 22nd made a presentment of the grievance from which the city suffered in the absence of a second gaol delivery in the course of the year.

18.*-"Died lately in London, aged 62, Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, who for 29 years held the situation of solicitor to the East India Dock Company, and clerk of the Drapers' Company. Mr. Smith some time ago represented the borough of Colne in Parliament."

25.-Between 60 and 70 friends of Mr. Cobbett dined at the Bowling Green Inn, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir Thomas Beevor. Mr. Cobbett was present, and replied to the toast of "Our Guest," proposed by Sir Thomas.

27.-The new Theatre at Norwich was opened with the performance of "The School for Scandal" and of the farce "Youth, Love, and Folly." The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem by the whole of the company, after which the leading actor, Mr. Osbaldiston, delivered an address, "written by a young lady of this city for the occasion." On the previous Sat.u.r.day evening (March 25th) the patentee, Mr. Wilkins, entertained a party of 150 ladies and gentlemen in the green room of the Theatre. The High Sheriff (Col. Harvey) proposed "Success to the new Theatre," "which the guests readily pledged in gla.s.ses of sparkling champagne," and the evening concluded with a dance upon the stage.

APRIL.

11.-Died at her house, Rue Neuve du Luxembourg, Paris, Madame De Bardelin, wife of Monsieur le Chevalier Laget De Bardelin, Officier Superieur, Lieutenant des Gardes du Corps du Roy. "Madame De Bardelin was well known and highly respected by many distinguished families in Norwich and Norfolk, where, when she was Miss Sutton, she resided for a considerable time."

14.-A squadron of 1st King's Dragoon Guards left Norwich for Leeds, and on the same day the depot of the 40th (2nd Somersets.h.i.+re) Regiment of Foot arrived in the city and occupied the Cavalry Barracks.

20.-Mr. Osbaldiston took leave of the Norwich stage in the part of Virginius, and proceeded to the Haymarket Theatre, London.

30.-The large east window of Norwich Cathedral was exposed to view after restoration. "The central light formerly comprised the Transfiguration, after Raphael, painted by the lady of the late Dean Lloyd, with varnished colours, but these not having been burnt in were after a time entirely dissipated. The same subject has now been re-executed in vitrified colours from the picture by Julio Romano, in the possession of Mr. W.

Wilkins. To that ingenious artist, Mr. Zobel (in the employment of Mr.

Yarrington, of Norwich), we offer our congratulations on the success of his undertaking."

MAY.

1.-Mr. Barton, from the Bristol Theatre, who succeeded Mr. Osbaldiston as the tragedian of the Norwich Company, made his first appearance in the part of Hamlet. "The thanks of the pure lovers of the stage are due to Mr. Chippendale for not playing the grave-digger in the traditionary number of waistcoats."

4.-Major Jonathan Peel, son of Sir Robert Peel, and brother of the Right Hon. Robert Peel, Secretary of State for the Home Department, issued his address as candidate for Norwich in the "Purple and Orange" interest.

17.-Mr. William Smith issued his address as candidate for Norwich in the "Blue and White" interest. "I regret," he wrote, "that practices exist against which I have frequently and earnestly remonstrated; not only in private, but before thousands of you a.s.sembled I have openly protested against the right of any man to call for a reform in Parliament who accepted any reward for his own vote."

18.-Died at his lodging at Yarmouth, aged 86, Mr. Roger Hays, of Norwich, formerly captain in the 11th Light Dragoons, and many years adjutant of the 3rd or East Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry. He entered the Army in 1760, and was on duty with the Household troops at the coronation of George III.

19.-The several troops of the 3rd Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Harvey, completed 28 days' permanent duty at Norwich, and were inspected at Mile End by Major Rutledge, 6th Carabineers.

JUNE.

9.-Mr. William Smith, the former member, and Major Peel were returned unopposed for Norwich. A Mr. Morrison had been invited to contest the seat as a third candidate, but excused himself on the ground that he was already nominated for Great Marlow. It was by the extreme section of the "Blue and White" party that Mr. Morrison's services were sought. Failing in this they nominated Mr. R. H. Gurney, but it being represented to the Sheriff that he would not consent, the nomination was withdrawn.

-Yarmouth Election: the Hon. George Anson, 645; Mr. C. E. Rumbold, 649; Sir E. K. Lacon, 250.

10.-Lynn Election: The Hon. John Walpole, 199; Lord William Bentinck, 174; Sir W. B. ffolkes, 104.

-*"Died a few days since at Hampstead, in Berks.h.i.+re, Mrs. Brunton, widow of the late Mr. John Brunton, of Norwich."

12.-Lord Charles Fitz Roy and Mr. William Bingham Baring were returned unopposed for Thetford.

-Lord H. Cholmondeley and Col. the Hon. F. G. Howard were returned unopposed for Castle Rising.

-The portrait of Mr. J. S. Patteson, by Beechey, and of Mr. William Simpson, Chamberlain of the city and Treasurer of the county, by Phillips, R.A., were hung in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

14.-The Wesleyan Methodists of Norwich presented to the Rev. William Gilpin, superintendent of the Norwich circuit, a pair of silver cups as a token of grat.i.tude and esteem. The inscriptions were surmounted by engraved representations of Calvert Street and St. Peter's Chapels, both of which were erected under Mr. Gilpin's superintendence, the former in 1819 and the latter in 1824.

-The first laden wherries proceeded along the North Walsham and Dilham Ca.n.a.l from Wayford Bridge to Mr. Cubitt's mill at North Walsham, with music playing and flags flying. "Thousands of spectators a.s.sembled to witness this interesting scene, and the day finished with a plentiful treat to the workmen of Mr. Sharpe's strong ale and Barclay's brown stout."

19.-Mr. T. W. c.o.ke and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse were returned unopposed for Norfolk. "At Mr. Walter's house on the Gentleman's Walk, Lady Anne c.o.ke, with her two lovely children, presented herself at the windows, and was greeted with loud acclaims by Mr. c.o.ke's friends. When the hon. member himself pa.s.sed the spot our venerable Lord Bishop was holding the young heir of Holkham in his arms, and each time that his father was triumphantly thrown up in his chair the plaudits were renewed with an enthusiasm which must have been truly grateful to his parental feelings."

20.-Guild Day at Norwich was observed with the customary formalities.

Mr. Ed. Temple Booth having been sworn in as Mayor, the Right Hon.

Robert Peel, Secretary of State for the Home Department, and his brother, Major Peel, M.P., took the oath as freemen of the city. The Guild feast, given at St. Andrew's Hall, was attended by 650 guests, and the ball at Chapel Field House by 300.

21.-Messrs. Charles and George Green ascended in their balloon from the gasworks at Lynn in the presence of 15,000 spectators, and descended at Southery, near Downham Market.