Yarmouth Notes Part 4

Too much praise cannot be given to Capt. Garson and Mr. Gamble for the judgment shown by them in marshalling the procession. Nor ought we to omit mentioning, in terms of high commendation, the excellent conduct of the Union on the occasion-conduct which was noticed in the evening at the King's Head, by the Chairman (Mr. T. Hammond) making a very handsome acknowledgment of their services, and giving as a toast (which was drank with three times three and very general applause) 'The Council of the Political Union.' Surely, if it had been before possible for the Conservatives (as they improperly styled themselves) to have mistaken the feeling of the town, the proceedings of Tuesday last must have entirely undeceived them, and enabled them to see the utter hopelessness of a contest with our late excellent representatives. Monday next is the day of election, when we shall see whether these hardy and obstinate men are still determined to pull down certain ruin on their party.

On Thursday night Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, addressing their numerous friends from the balcony of the Crown and Anchor, were insulted by water thrown upon, and it is reported tiles at them, from a small _red_ inn adjoining. This roused the indignation of the mult.i.tude, and the destruction of the windows was the consequence. A spirited youth resented still further indignity offered to his friends by springing from the balcony and seizing upon and destroying the enemy's blood-red standard.

Dec. 15th.-The nomination took place at the "Tol-hall," and after the Mayor had opened the proceedings, Col. Anson was nominated by William Barth, Esq., seconded by Mr. Thomas Clowes, Mr. Rumbold by John Sh.e.l.ly and John Brightwen, Esqs., and A. Colville, Esq., by John Lacon, Esq., and Mr. B. Gooch. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs. Anson and Rumbold. The poll for the first day was-

Rumbold 715 Anson 699 Colville 631

And at the close on the second day-

Rumbold 838 Anson 829 Colville 751

Dec. 20th.-A dinner had been held to celebrate the return of these gentlemen, "when William Barth, Esq., presided, C. Sayers, Esq., was his vice, and N. Palmer and John Sh.e.l.ly, Esqs., headed the tables to the right and left of him."

1833.

Jan. 3rd.-The prisoners in the Gaol and Bridewell returned thanks to the Mayor (J. Baker, Esq.) for the plentiful dinner of roast beef, plum pudding, and a quart of ale each, which he gave them on Christmas Day.

Jan. 10th.-A large alligator had been taken by a Dutch fis.h.i.+ng boat off Orford Ness.

Jan. 14th.-H.M. frigates Castor (Capt. Lord J. Hay) and Conway (Capt.

Eden), together with the French frigate Arcade, came into the Roads to victual and get a supply of water.

Jan. 17th.-A number of ladies and gentlemen visited the men-of-war; and on the following Tuesday the vessels proceeded "out of the c.o.c.kle,"

accompanied by the Royal Charlotte cutter (Lieut. Harmer), she "keeping to windward until lost to view."

Jan. 31st.-A suggestion had been made at the Corporation a.s.sembly as to reform of that body, but was not supported.

Feb. 7th.-A fine vessel of 216 tons had been launched from Mr. Preston's yard, and it was stated that "It is now allowed by merchants from all parts of the world that the finest and handsomest vessels are now built in this port."

Feb. 21st.-The Flora, a French frigate, had arrived in the Roads.

Feb. 28th.-The pet.i.tion against the return of Messrs. Windham and Keppel (M.P.'s for East Norfolk) had "excited much surprise and indignation amongst the numerous friends of these gentlemen in the town."

March 7th.-It was proposed to start a steam packet for the conveying of goods and pa.s.sengers to Hull.

A warrant from the Speaker of the House of Commons had been received, requesting the attendance of the Mayor and Town Clerk before a Committee of the House "to give an account of all matters relating to the town and Corporation; consequently J. Baker, Esq., and S. Tolver, Esq., had left Yarmouth on Monday."

A public meeting on the question of Corporation Reform had been held, Mr.

C. Sayers in the chair. Messrs. J. Sh.e.l.ly and S. Cobb spoke, and a pet.i.tion was adopted, which received 1,958 signatures.

A pet.i.tion had also been adopted by the members of the "Yarmouth Union of the Working Cla.s.ses" against "The Irish Coercion Bill."

March 14th.-The Inquiry as to the administration of Corporate affairs was proceeding in London, when the following gentlemen were there upon that business on behalf of the Corporation:-The Mayor, the Town Clerk, and the Water Bailiff, while Messrs. Wors.h.i.+p, Barth, Sh.e.l.ly, and Barrett represented the Town Committee.

March 21st.-The works at St. Peter's Church were "at a stand" for the want of funds, 600 being required.

April 4th.-The Haven Commission were indebted 25,000.

The Sessions were held with the "light calendar of 15 prisoners."

April 18th.-Lord Orford had accepted the office of Lord High Steward of the Borough, rendered vacant through the death of Lord Exmouth.

The Rev. Mark Waters had been appointed one of the ministers of St.

George's Chapel.

April 24th.-The Rev. Mr. Clarke of Norwich, had accepted the ministry of St. Peter's, the ladies proposed to present the communion plate to this Church.

May 23rd.-The mackerel fis.h.i.+ng had been very unsuccessful.

A meeting had been held to approve of the proposed Rules for the intended Proprietary Grammar School.

May 30th.-A Commission had been appointed to inquire into Corporate affairs "on the spot."

Sir F. Palgrave had obtained from H.M. Commissioners of Records the presentation of some valuable publications to the Library.

June 13th.-Lord Exmouth had arrived in his yacht, and subsequently sailed with his brother, the Vicar (the Hon. E. Pellew), for St. Petersburgh.

June 20th.-Vice-Admiral Parker had been appointed a K.C.B.

July 11th.-The following is the account of the Burgh Water Frolic:-

"Monday last being the day appointed for our annual water frolic, an immense quant.i.ty of boats (from the splendid pleasure barge to the humble punt) started from our Bridge at eleven o'clock a.m. with a favourable and somewhat stiff breeze from the N.E. At two o'clock the various crafts laid-to in the Narrows to witness the sailing match. The compet.i.tors were the Venus (cutter-rigged boat), Last; Algerine (latteener), Craske; Emerald, (latteener) Col. Jones; and the Hornet, Everett. The prize (an elegant silver cup) was won by the Venus. At starting the Hornet had the lead for a short distance, when she was pa.s.sed by the Venus, and on rounding the upper cross stake the latter boat and the Emerald were close together, and remained so, till they got within the Narrows, when the Colonel succeeded in pa.s.sing her, winning the first by about half a minute.

In two minutes after the Venus recovered her lost ground and pa.s.sed her opponent, and succeeded in rounding the stake one minute before the Emerald, who, however, neared so fast that had not the Venus rounded the flag very closely she must have lost the match, the Colonel being to windward. The oldest boater never remembers so closely contested a run. After sailing, the various crafts (which absolutely studded the river) got under weigh, and proceeded towards the ancient Garianonum, opposite to which they dined. At seven o'clock p.m. the boats started for home, where they arrived in about an hour, all safe, nothing having occurred to damp the pleasures of the day, which was an extremely fine one. At Burgh, Chase, the spirited proprietor of the Neptune Gardens, was completely at home, while on the adjacent hills, opposite the cage, various groups of happy faces were to be seen enjoying tea, &c. This, together with the immense crowd of company that congregated on the road, presented a scene that must have been witnessed to have been fully appreciated.

Among the company were our worthy Mayor and a large party of fas.h.i.+onables in the handsome barge belonging to W. Fisher, Esq., S.

T. Berney, and J. Penrice, Esqs., in the former's fast-sailing boat Meteor, Mr. Alderman Barth in the admiral's (Green's) boat, &c., &c.

This, together with the countless mult.i.tudes that crowded the decks of the tug, Royal Sovereign and Emperor steamers, made the river appear a sort of floating fair. On the next day a number of boats, barges, &c., sailed to the Berney Arms to witness a rowing match (for a silver cup, given by Mr. Barnett, the landlord of the house) by four-oared gigs, which was won by the Wasp, a Norwich boat, belonging to William Gallant, jun. Nearer home we observed an unusually large number of stalls, &c., at our bridge foot. On the whole, there seemed nothing wanting to make this annual festival worthy of brighter days, but the presence of the Corporation barge, without which (although no brawlers against innovation) we cannot but think the Regatta is shorn of much of its glory."

July 18th.-A fight had taken place on the Factory Denes, for one Sovereign, between Thomas Purdy, of Caister, commonly known as "The Caister Champion," and George Elliott, of Ingham. At the 133rd round (the battle lasted 1 h. 50 min.) Elliott was declared the victor.

Two men (Seager and Hanson) had quarrelled in the Bear Tap, when Nathaniel Lacey, in trying to part them, was knocked down and his leg broken.

August 22nd.-"As early as nine o'clock on Friday morning an immense concourse of genteely-dressed persons had congregated before St. Peter's Church, anxious not to miss the opportunity of witnessing the solemn and imposing ceremonial about to take place. At ten o'clock the princ.i.p.al door was thrown open, and this large a.s.semblage entered. The greatest order and decorum prevailed, owing certainly to the excellent arrangement of C. Symonds, Esq., one of the Churchwardens for the year, who, to prevent confusion, had issued tickets, which were left at the houses of the respectable housekeepers, without the least distinction, as also at the various lodging houses for the use of the visitors. About eleven o'clock the Mayor (John Baker, Esq.), with the customary regalia, attended by several other members of the Corporate body entered the church, and were shown to the pews appropriated for their reception. The Bishop of Winchester soon arrived with his Chaplain and Registrar and proceeded up the middle aisle to the altar, where the service began by the latter gentleman presenting the pet.i.tion to the Bishop, who redelivered it to the Registrar, when it was by him read aloud. The Right Rev. Prelate then p.r.o.nounced the following words, in a solemn, appropriate, and sonorous tone of voice-"I am now ready to give my full consent to that which you have desired, and may Almighty G.o.d bless the good work in which we are about engaging." His Lords.h.i.+p then, with his officers and clergy, walked to the west end of the church and back again to the altar, repeating alternate versicles of the 42nd Psalm. The Bishop having seated himself at the table, the Deed of Consecration was read by the surrogate (the Very Rev. the Dean of Norwich), after which his Lords.h.i.+p read the exhortation, prayers, &c., appointed for the occasion. The usual morning prayers were read from the desk by the Hon.

and Rev. E. Pellew, with the exception of those parts especially appropriated to the occasion, which were read by the Bishop. The reading Psalms most judiciously selected for the occasion were the 84th, 122nd, and 132nd; the lessons, parts of the 8th chapter of 1st Kings, and of the 10th chapter of Hebrews. After the prayers, verses 6, 7, and 8 of 26th, with Gloria Patri, was performed by a very full orchestra of instrumentalists and vocalists. The common service was performed by the Bishop, with the exception of the Epistle and the Nicene Creed, which were read by his Lords.h.i.+p's Chaplain, the Rev. Alexander Dallas. The 100th Psalm (Tate and Brady's version) was then sung by the whole choir.

The sermon, a striking, apposite, and eloquent one, was preached by the Rev. Mr. Clark, the appointed minister of the Church, from Genesis, chapter 28th, verses 16 and 17-"And Jacob awaketh out of his sleep, &c."

[832 young persons were confirmed by the Bishop of Winchester.]"

August 29th.-The Races had been held, and on "Tuesday and Wednesday the great annual main of c.o.c.ks had been fought at the Bush Tavern, South Quay, between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Yarmouth for 5 a battle and 50 the odds, which was won by Norwich, who were six battles a head."

Sept. 15th.-The smack Endeavour, of London, had been seized with 65 casks and 16 bales (2,800 lbs. in weight) of tobacco on board her.

The following Corporate officers had been chosen:-John Danby-Palmer, Esq., Mayor; Mr. James Jay, Chamberlain; F. R. Reynolds, Esq., and J. M.

Bell, Esq., Churchwardens.

The late gales had caused an immense quant.i.ty of sand and s.h.i.+ngle to be washed into the Harbour, so as to form a point opposite the South Pier.

Oct. 3rd.-The following is the report of the Yarmouth Guild Day:-