Volume Ii Part 10 (1/2)

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.