Volume I Part 13 (1/2)
9.-Vice-Admiral Russell, accompanied by several officers of the North Sea Fleet, stationed at Yarmouth, visited Norwich.
10.-A rowing match took place between the Lion and the Dove. The course, five miles, was between Carrow and Whitlingham, and the Lion won by 100 yards in 34 minutes.
18.-Wrestling matches were contested on Panxworth Green in the presence of a large number of spectators. ”Green, of Beighton, was champion of the green, and came off victorious from all his engagements.” He was eighteen years old.
19.-Norwich Guild day. In consequence of the Cathedral undergoing reparation, the Mayor and Corporation attended service at the church of St. Peter Mancroft. The Mayor, Mr. Thomas Allday Kerrison, entertained 500 guests at dinner at St. Andrew's Hall; the ball was held at Chapel Field House.
23.-At Holkham Sheep Shearing, Mr. John Herring, jun., of Norwich, exhibited three shawls, manufactured by Messrs. John Herring and Sons entirely from the fleece of Mr. c.o.ke's Southdowns.
24.-Lord Waldegrave, in command of a detachment of the 7th Light Dragoons, stationed at Norwich, commenced a series of three cricket matches, ”with a select number of the men under his command against a party of gentlemen of this city and neighbourhood.” The soldiers won two out of the three games. In the following month Lord Waldegrave came of age, and succeeded to a property amounting to 30,000 a year.
28.-Mr. Incledon appeared at Norwich Theatre in his entertainment, consisting of songs and recitations, ”Hospitality, or the Harvest Home.”
He reappeared on the 30th.
JULY.
5.-Died, at his house in George Street, Portman Square, London, Arthur Richard Dillon, Archbishop and Duke of Narbonne, Primate of the Gauls, President of the States of Languedoc, and Commander of the Order of the Holy Ghost. ”This venerable prelate was uncle to Lady Jerningham, of Costessey.”
-The Primary Visitation of the Bishop of Norwich (which commenced at Thetford on May 22nd) terminated at St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. ”Six hundred and ninety-nine young persons from the adjacent parishes, and on the following day nearly 600 persons from the several parishes and hamlets of the city were confirmed. The total number of persons who had been confirmed throughout the diocese in the course of this visitation is computed at nearly 17,000.”
10.-This day ”the thermometer stood at 82, exposed to the north.” On the 19th of the previous month the heat was so great that many post horses died.
12.-The Royal a.s.sent was given to an Act to enable his Majesty ”to grant the Castle of Norwich, with the county gaol, Castle Hill, and certain land adjacent thereto, in Norfolk, and for vesting the same in the justices of the peace for the said county, with the use thereof.”
13.-A remarkable suicide took place at Yarmouth. ”Two servant women tied themselves together with ribbon, walked into the sea, and were drowned.”
They were the wives of privates in the Shrops.h.i.+re Militia. ”Their husbands had come to see them the previous day, and, refusing to permit them to return with them, they committed the rash act.”
14.-A large concourse a.s.sembled to witness a camping match on Crostwick Common between the Hundreds of Taverham and of Blofield.
Conditions:-”Play 40 minutes; candidates to be young men under 25 and unmarried. Prize, a hat of the value of 10s. 6d. for each of the successful combatants.” The affair ended in a walk over, owing to the absence of the Blofield men. ”It is now 20 years since a regular camp was played at Crostwick, and that one was patronised by one of his Majesty's present ministers, who is not more celebrated for his political talents, and the accomplishments of a liberal and enlightened mind, than for his attachment to the ancient sports and amus.e.m.e.nts of his country.”
(Reference is here made to William Windham.)
17.-The annual water frolic and aquatic procession took place at Norwich, ”led by Admiral Clarke in full uniform in the Apollo.”
21.-The Corporation of Norwich again granted the use of St. Andrew's Hall to the corn merchants, as a place of exchange, at the annual rent of 50 guineas. ”A letter from Mr. Opie was read, in which that celebrated artist stated that, if due care was taken to prevent persons from touching the paintings in the hall, they would sustain no injury if the hall was opened ten times a week.”
26.-Arrived, at Yarmouth, the Blanche frigate, Capt. Lavie, with La Guerriere, French frigate of 50 guns, Capt. Hubert, captured on the 18th, after a desperate action of 45 minutes. La Guerriere had taken eight Greenlandmen and one Yarmouth vessel, all of which she had destroyed.
28.-The Volunteer corps agreed to continue their services under new regulations and at reduced pay. The regulations were made in accordance with a new Act of Parliament, which provided for the military training of the population by the calling out of 200,000 men in each year.
31.-The Duke's Palace estate in Norwich, belonging to the Duke of Norfolk, was sold in lots for 5,055, exclusive of the Public Library and house adjoining.
AUGUST.
9.*-(Advt.) ”To be seen alive (from Mr. Kendrick's menagerie, 42, Piccadilly), in a commodious room at Mr. Peck's, the Church Stile, in the Market Place, Norwich, a most surprising crocodile from the Nile ever seen in this kingdom. He is so remarkably tame that any lady or gentleman may touch him with safety.”