Volume I Part 38 (1/2)
DECEMBER.
7.-The Duke of Gloucester concluded his visit to Holkham. On the last day his Royal Highness proposed the toast, ”Prosperity to those Whig principles which placed the House of Hanover on the Throne of Britain.”
14.*-”Died lately, regretted by all who knew him, in the 65th year of his age, Charles Boyles, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and a few years since Colonel of the Royal Marines. This distinguished officer commanded the Windsor Castle man-of-war in the action off Ferrol, between the English fleet, under Sir Richard Calder, and the combined fleets of France and Spain. During this engagement it fell to the lot of but few s.h.i.+ps to be advantageously opposed to the enemy. The return to Portsmouth of the crippled Windsor Castle with two Spanish 74's was a triumph exultingly spoken of by Nelson as being princ.i.p.ally the achievement of a Norfolk man. Admiral Boyles was a native of Wells in this county, and eldest son of Charles Boyles, Esq., many years collector of the customs at that port. He commenced his naval career with Lord Nelson in the Raisonnable, when commanded by Capt. Suckling.”
21.-Wombwell's ”Royal Menagerie of foreign beasts and birds” was exhibited on the Castle Ditches, Norwich.
31.-A prize fight took place at Wickhampton between Samuel Smith and James Rushmer. One hundred and eleven rounds were fought in two hours five minutes, when the ring was broken into, and owing to the confusion it was impossible to renew the fight, which was declared drawn.
1817.
JANUARY.
1.-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, a subscription was opened for the relief of the labouring and manufacturing poor. Upwards of 3,050 was contributed, and several works were commenced for the improvement of the city. At Yarmouth over 1,000 was subscribed, and 460 men were employed in forming roads to the bath-house, jetty, &c.
4.-Several coach advertis.e.m.e.nts were published this month. On the 4th it was announced that the Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, and London Accommodation coach (J. Noller and Co.) set out every Monday, Wednesday, and Sat.u.r.day from the Coach and Horses, Bethel Street, Norwich. The proprietors of the Expedition coach announced that a ”single body coach upon a now construction” would start from the White Swan, St. Peter's, Norwich, every afternoon at three o'clock, and travel by Thetford and Newmarket, to London, where it arrived on the following morning at eight o'clock. ”For the better accommodation of outside pa.s.sengers the coach has a car attached to it with an awning and sliding curtain.”
4.*-”Died lately, at an advanced age, Mr. Christopher Jarvis, many years a miller at Wendling, and was wounded at the memorable battle of Minden.”
20.-Mr. Mathews, of Covent Garden Theatre, appeared at Norwich Theatre as Goldfinch (”The Road to Ruin”), Somno (”The Sleep Walker”), and in his sketch ent.i.tled ”The Humours of the Playhouse.”
-On the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were rung 5,016 changes of Norwich Court Bob Maximus in four hours two minutes, the first length of that intricate peal ever rung in England on twelve bells. It was conducted by Mr. R. Chesnut.
25.*-”Messrs. Squire, Son, and Hills, of St. Faith's Lane, Norwich, in addition to the rectifying and vinegar departments have erected extensive works for the purpose of making flour of mustard.”
26.-Died at Grosvenor Place, London, Caroline, Dowager Countess of Buckinghams.h.i.+re, widow of John, Earl of Buckingham, of Blickling, and mother of Viscountess Castlereagh. ”She requested in her will that none of her family should wear mourning for her.” The funeral was at Blickling.
-The church of St. Michael Coslany, Norwich, was opened for Sunday evening lectures, in addition to those of St. Andrew and St. Stephen.
27.-Miss Kelly appeared at Norwich Theatre as Peggy (”The Country Girl”), and Annette (”The Maid and the Magpie”).
FEBRUARY.
1.*-”Died lately, aged 87 years, John Hoy, of Hackford, near Reepham. He was a soldier in the 48th Regiment of Foot under General Wolfe, and saw him fall on the plains of Abram, in North America. When on saying his n.o.ble commander was slain he was knocked down by a Lieut. Clarke with the b.u.t.t end of a musket. Hoy was a soldier 18 years, 17 of which he pa.s.sed without once reposing on a bed.”
4.-A loyal address was voted by the Corporation of Great Yarmouth congratulating the Prince Regent upon his escape from the attack made upon him on his return from the opening of Parliament on January 28th.
The Corporation of Norwich adopted a similar address on the 24th.
6.-The complete peal of 5,040 changes of Grandsire Triples was rung by the ringers of Wells-next-the-Sea on eight bells in three hours seven minutes.
13.-The new silver coinage of crowns, half-crowns, s.h.i.+llings, and sixpences was exchanged for the old at the Guildhall, Norwich, and at the Town Hall, Yarmouth. The bankers to whom the new coins were sent were:-Gurneys and Co., Norwich, Halesworth, Fakenham, Holt, Harleston, Lynn, Wells, and Yarmouth; Bagge and Bacon, Lynn; Day and Co., Swaffham; Willett and Son, Thetford; Payne, Tuffnell, and Co., Wells; Kett and Back, Norwich; Harvey and Co., Norwich; and Day and Sons, Norwich.
14.-Died, aged 70, at his house in the Close, Norwich, Mr. Robert Partridge, alderman for the Conisford Ward. He was Sheriff in 1780 and Mayor in 1781.
15.-Mrs. C. Kemble appeared at King's Lynn Theatre in the character of Mrs. Oakley (”The Jealous Wife”). The proceeds of the performance were in aid of a fund for the relief of the poor.