Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 10

19.-Mr. Henry Russell appeared at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, in his entertainment, ent.i.tled, "The Far West, or life in America," ill.u.s.trated by a series of views "showing the different scenes of a transit from Liverpool to the American Continent."

23.*-"At the present time there are about forty manufacturers in Norwich, ten of them being producers of textile fabrics of various kinds.

Altogether they now employ several thousand operatives in spinning yarns or in the production of immense quant.i.ties of goods composed of materials of that description."

27.-The Lord Bishop of the Diocese consecrated the new Cemetery at Norwich. Thirty-five acres of land were purchased by the Board of Health of Mr. John Cater, but only twenty-three acres were at first utilised.

The buildings were erected by Messrs. Ling and b.a.l.l.s, from designs by Mr.

Benest, city surveyor, for 1,990.

MARCH.

12.-Mr. George Dawson, of Birmingham, delivered an address at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew's, Norwich, on "Martin Luther: his private life and character." On the 17th he lectured on "Old Books: their uses, beauties, and peculiarities."

13.-Mrs. Fred Philips, for several years a favourite actress on the Norwich circuit, took her final leave of the stage at Norwich Theatre.

The house was crowded, and between 300 and 400 persons were refused admission.

22.-Hoffman's "Organophonic Band, or Human Voice Orchestra," with Mr.

Thurton, "the living Valentine Vox," gave an entertainment at St.

Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The performance was repeated on the 24th and 25th, and the company made a return visit in April.

24.-Mr. Walter Montgomery, a native of the city, commenced a six nights'

engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which he appeared as Virginius, Macbeth, Richard the Third, &c.

-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a letter was received from Mr.

J. B. Morgan, hon. secretary to the Nelson Statue Committee, stating that it was proposed, on the suggestion of Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A., Professor of Sculpture, to remove the statue from the site it had occupied during the preceding eighteen months, in the Market Place, opposite the entrance to Dove Street, to a new site in the Upper Close, immediately facing the Grammar School. The statue was removed, on April 16th, to the site it now occupies.

30.-Intelligence was received in Norwich of the signing of the Treaty of Peace. On the 31st (Monday) the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, and flags hoisted upon the tower. In the evening fireworks were discharged in the Market Place, and, contrary to police regulations, a bonfire was lighted. It was extinguished by the constables, whereupon the mob broke many windows in the Market Place, and proceeded to the Castle Meadow, where a squib was thrown upon a waggon loaded with straw.

When the fire brigade attempted to put out the flames, the firemen were stoned by the rioters, some of whom were apprehended, and punished next day by the magistrates. Peace was proclaimed on May 1st by the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Johnson) and the Sheriff (Mr. T. Steward), who were attended by the Town Clerk and Under-Sheriff. From an open carriage the Mayor read her Majesty's Proclamation in the Market Place "and the other accustomed spots for such announcements." Peace was celebrated on May 27th. The Royal Artillery paraded on Mousehold and fired a salute, and at one o'clock dinner was provided at St. Andrew's Hall for the non-commissioned officers and men of the Artillery stationed in the city, for the recruiting and Militia staffs, for soldiers and sailors residing in the city who had been engaged in the war, and for the fathers, sons, and brothers of soldiers and sailors who had fallen in the war or who were then on active service. Upwards of 8,000 children a.s.sembled in Chapel Field, and walked in procession to the Market Place, where the National Anthem was sung, and immediately afterwards proceeded to Victoria Station, where they had tea. In the evening the Guildhall, Ethelbert Gate, St. Andrew's Hall, the s.h.i.+rehall, St. Giles' church, Erpingham Gate, the gate at the Bishop's Palace, and the Wellington and Nelson statues were illuminated. There were displays of fireworks in the Market Place and on Castle Meadow, where also a bonfire was lighted. On the 28th a ball was given at the a.s.sembly Rooms. Similar celebrations took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns.

APRIL.

13.-A serious gas explosion took place at Gurney's Bank, Norwich. A clerk, named Utting, who detected an escape of gas, entered with a lighted candle the office of Mr. Mottram. A tremendous explosion followed. The walls were rent, the windows blown out, and the ceiling raised so that the gas escaped to the rooms above.

-Died at his residence, Redwell Street, Norwich, Dr. Robert Hull, in his 62nd year. He was for many years upon the Commission of the Peace for the city, and was one of the physicians of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, a post which he resigned a short time before his death.

23.-Miss Cushman, the celebrated actress, appeared at Norwich Theatre as Meg Merrilies. On the 25th she performed the part of Romeo, to the Juliet of Mrs. Sidney.

25.-The coming of age of Mr. William Amherst Tyssen Amhurst was celebrated at Didlington Park. Lord Berners formerly owned the estate, and in 1849 sold it to Lord William Powlett, from whom it pa.s.sed by purchase to Mr. George Tyssen Amhurst, who effected many improvements upon the property. The celebration was carried out upon a scale of great liberality. A fine bullock, weighing 80 stones, was killed on the 21st, steamed on the 23rd, and roasted whole on the 25th in a temporary kitchen specially erected by Mr. Plowright, of Swaffham. A sheep of six stones weight was also roasted whole, and the total weight of the plum-puddings was 700 lbs. Immense quant.i.ties of beef, mutton, and pork were cooked in joints. Three tents, each 130 ft. in length, were provided for the accommodation of the guests, who numbered upwards of 550. The toast of "Miss Mitford, the future Mrs. Amhurst," was drunk with great enthusiasm, and a series of athletic sports concluded the festivities. [_Note_: The spelling of the names in the original paragraph is adhered to. William G. T. Daniel Tyssen by licence exchanged the name of Daniel Tyssen for Tyssen-Amhurst: his son, by a second licence, altered it to William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst.]

MAY.

5.-The close of the season at Norwich Theatre was marked by the public presentation to Mr. William Sidney of a handsome silver salver and vase, "in recognition of his judicious management as lessee." It was one of the most successful seasons that had been recorded for many years.

7.-Died at her house in Green Park Buildings, Bath, aged 76, Lady Betty, widow of Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Berry, Bart., K.C.B., and eldest daughter of Dr. Forster, formerly headmaster of the Norwich Free Grammar School.

11.-The centenary of the opening of the Octagon Chapel, Norwich, was celebrated. A dinner was held at the Royal Hotel on the 13th, under the presidency of Mr. John Taylor, F.R.S.

31.-A fire took place on the premises of Mr. Ineson, rag and bone merchant, St. Andrew's, Norwich. In addition to the total destruction of Mr. Ineson's property, the workshops of Mr. Fisher, builder, and the paint shop of Mr. Turner were burnt down.

-In the Rolls Courts Sir John Romilly gave judgment in the case of the Norwich Yarn Company, which came before the Court upon appeal from the Master's certificate. The question was whether the directors of the company were ent.i.tled to levy contributions upon shareholders, in order to pay certain sums advanced or borrowed by them for carrying on the business of the company, which had become insolvent. Originally projected in 1833, with the view of relieving the distress which at that time affected the poor of Norwich, the company struggled on with increasing difficulties for sixteen years, until in 1850 it was wound up by order of the Court. His lords.h.i.+p now discharged altogether a question of fraud on the part of the directors. He was of opinion that the directors were ent.i.tled to be allowed all sums advanced by them, with simple interest at five per cent., and to be repaid that amount as far as the sum in Court would extend, with payment of the costs, and afterwards by a surplus raised by a call from the contributors in proportion to the number of shares held by them respectively, and that the cost of the proceedings must be borne by the estate of the company.

JUNE.

3.-The Rev. J. Alexander was presented with a purse containing 500, and a clock, on the occasion of his entering the fortieth year of his ministry at Prince's Street Independent chapel, Norwich. The Rev. S.

t.i.tlow and other clergymen of the Church of England were present.

7.-A male specimen of Savi's warbler, the rarest of British marsh warblers, was shot near Brundall. "This is the only bird of the species obtained in the county since 1842, when a pair were killed at South Walsham, which, with one in the Norwich Museum, are all that are known to have occurred in Norfolk. The one in the Museum was obtained by the Rev.

James Brown, at Limpenhoe, in the early part of the century."

21.-At a meeting held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, it was decided to establish a pack of foxhounds in Norfolk, and to invite Lord Suffield to become master. The first meet of the pack took place at Melton Constable Park, on November 25th.

23.-A panorama, with the present form of variety entertainment, was exhibited for the first time at the a.s.sembly Rooms, Norwich, by Mr. J.

Batchelder. The views were ill.u.s.trative of a tour in Southern Africa.

25.-The left wing of the West Norfolk Militia arrived at Norwich from Fermoy, co. Cork; the right wing reached the city on the 26th. An influential deputation of the inhabitants of Fermoy, prior to the departure of the regiment, presented to the colonel a farewell address, in which they congratulated him upon having the command of "so highly respectable and well disciplined a corps."

JULY.

5.-A fine brig of 200 tons was launched from Mr. J. S. Southgate's s.h.i.+pyard at Wells-next-the-Sea. She was christened the Rambler, by Miss Ellen Rump. From Mr. Henry Tyrrell's yard at Wells, on September 3rd, was launched a new schooner, called the Gem.

11.-The Testerton estate, near Fakenham, comprising a residence and 676a.

3r. 6p. of arable and pasture land, let on lease to Mr. Thomas Henry Case, at a rental of 1,105 per annum, was sold at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by Mr. Butcher, for 34,500, exclusive of timber. The purchasers were the trustees of Mr. John Morse, deceased.

16.-Building sites in London Street, Norwich, were offered for sale by Mr. F. Clowes. "The highest price made was at the rate of 9s. 0d. per square foot, or 20,000 per acre."

-The new cemetery at Yarmouth was consecrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Spencer, acting for the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

21.-An inquiry was opened at Yarmouth by Mr. W. D. Boase, one of her Majesty's Charity Commissioners, "into the present circ.u.mstances and administration of the various endowed charities existing in the borough, with the view of hearing any complaints that might be made, and to suggest improvements in the disposition of the funds." The inquiry concluded on the 24th.

23.-A performance of Costa's "Eli" was given by the Norwich Choral Society, at St. Andrew's Hall. The princ.i.p.al vocalists were Madame Rudersdorff, Miss Dolby, Mr. George Perren, Mr. A. Mann, Mr. Weiss, and Mr. Thomas. A performance of the same oratorio, under the personal direction of the composer, had already been advertised by Mr. Gedge, of Heigham Grove. The Mayor (Mr. J. G. Johnson) had given permission for the use of the hall, and his action was sharply criticised at the meetings of the Town Council and in letters to the newspapers. The following announcement was published on July 19th: "'Eli,' for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, under the direction of Mr.

Costa. Postponed. Mr. Gedge respectfully informs the public of the county and city that, as the Town Council has thought fit to set aside the Mayor's prerogative and fixing a day for the performance in opposition to the one he announced under the early sanction and promise of the Mayor for the a.s.size week, in St. Andrew's Hall, and as the Council thought fit, at their last meeting, to determine on other restrictive demands, of which he received a legal notice this day, he has resolved to postpone 'Eli,' under Mr. Costa's direction, until a future opportunity, when he trusts he shall be able to benefit the charities and at the same time to gratify the public."

26.-On this date was published a report of the action, Beaven _v._ Lord Hastings, heard before the Vice-Chancellor, Sir W. P. Wood. This was a bill by a bond creditor of Edward Astley, deceased, praying an account of the sum due for princ.i.p.al and interest upon his bond, and a decree for payment against the defendant, Lord Hastings, on the ground that he had made himself personally liable to pay the debt without regard to a sufficiency of the a.s.sets of the late Edward Astley. The bill also brought the declaration that the defendant had const.i.tuted himself executor _de son tort_ of the intestate Edward Astley, and was accountable on that footing to the plaintiff as the rightful administrator of the intestate. Mr. Astley, who resided at Eneilles, in Belgium, having borrowed 1040 from the plaintiff, gave his bond, dated July 3rd, 1845, by which he became bound to the plaintiff in the penal sum of 2,080, with the condition for defeasance upon payment on July 3rd, 1847, of 1,040 with interest at 5 per cent. A warrant of attorney at even date was executed by Edward Astley, but no judgment was ever actually entered up under the warrant. In April, 1846, the dead body of Edward Astley was found, with marks of violence upon it, in the River Ourthe in Belgium. Lord Hastings and his mother, Dame Hester Astley, his sole next-of-kin, proceeded to Eneilles with his solicitor, and applied to the Juges de Paix to remove the seals and give him possession of his brother's property. A _proces verbal_ having been signed, possession of the property, "without description or inventory," was delivered to Lord Hastings, who, by thus taking possession _pur et simple_ became personally liable, according to the Belgian law, to pay the debts of the intestate, without reference to the value of a.s.sets. The Vice-Chancellor dismissed the bill, on the ground that the defendant, who had legally received the property in Belgium, could not be sued in England as executor _de son tort_.

AUGUST.

1.-General Windham was received in Norwich with a great demonstration of welcome, on his return to his native county. The hero of the Redan travelled from London by the Eastern Union line, and was presented with congratulatory addresses at various stations along the route. At Victoria Station he was met by the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Hastings, Lord Bury, &c., and escorted by the Royal Artillery, proceeded to the Guildhall, where he was presented with an address. A banquet, attended by officers of the Army and Navy connected with Norfolk and Norwich who had served in the Crimea, was given in honour of the General, at St. Andrew's Hall. The Earl of Albemarle presided, and on behalf of the subscribers to the Windham Testimonial Fund, presented the General with a service sword and a dress sword.