1802. Peace was proclaimed throughout the city on May the 4th, in due form; and the mayor and corporation went in procession from the hall through the principal streets. There was a general illumination at night. At a quarterly assembly of the council, a congratulatory address to his majesty on the restoration of peace, was voted unanimously.
On May 21st, the city address was presented to the king, at the levee at St. James’ Palace, byJeremiah Ives, Esq., Junr., the mayor, and Sir Roger Kerrison.
On May 29th, a county meeting was held, when a similar address was adopted.
October 4th to 7th. A grand musical festival was held in Norwich, under the direction of Messrs. Beckwith and Sharp of this city, and Mr. Ashley of London. Mrs. Billington, Mr. Bartleman, and Mr. Braham, were the principal performers.
October 21st. There was a severe contest for the election of an alderman in the great northern ward, in the room of Francis Colombine, Esq., resigned. The numbers were—for E. Rigby, Esq., 261; Jonathan Davey, Esq., 259.
1803. February 8th. At a full meeting held at the Guildhall, a committee was appointed to prepare a bill to be laid before a future meeting, for better paving, lighting, watching, and cleansing the city. A petition to the house of commons for leave to bring in a bill, was afterwards presented, but it was strongly opposed as not being then expedient. An act was, however, ultimately carried.
March 7th. At a special assembly of the corporation, an address of congratulation was adopted, to be presented to his majesty, on the providential discovery of the late traitorous conspiracy against his royal person and government, entered into by Colonel Despard and six other persons, who were executed on the top of the New Surrey prison, in Horsemonger Lane. The high sheriff and grand jury of Norfolk, atThetford, also voted an address of congratulation to the king, and a similar address was adopted at a county meeting held at the Shirehall.
March 21st. The portrait of Captain John Harvey, of the Norwich Light Horse volunteers, painted by Mr. Opie, at the request of the troop, was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall.
April 27th. A public dispensary was established in Norwich, and has been a great benefit to the poor people of the city.
August 16th. France having again threatened to invade this kingdom, a meeting of the inhabitants of the city was held at the Guildhall, for the purpose of forming a regiment of volunteer infantry under the regulations of the Acts for the defence of the realm, when resolutions to that effect were adopted, and upwards of £6400 subscribed, and 1400 citizens enrolled themselves under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Harvey. A rifle corps was also formed, of which R. M. Bacon, Esq., then editor of the Mercury, was appointed Captain. Both parties manifested the greatest enthusiasm, but fortunately the services of the local warriors were not required. On September 29th, a new telegraph was erected on the top of Norwich Castle, to communicate with Strumpshaw Mill, Filby Church, and Yarmouth, so as to give notice of any danger. In October, the Norfolk and Norwich volunteer regiments agreed to perform permanent duty at Yarmouth in case of invasion, and many of them were stationed in the port during the succeeding two months. The victory of the Norfolk hero, Lord Nelson, atTrafalgar in 1805, discouraged Napoleon I., and he relinquished his intention to invade this land of freedom. In July 1806, the local militia act was passed, and many of the volunteers transferred their services to that body. The volunteer corps of Norwich and Norfolk were disbanded on March 24th, 1813. The West Norfolk militia returned to Norwich from Ireland, on May 11th, 1816, and were disembodied on June 17th in that year. A long peace of 40 years ensued, but the old trade of Norwich destroyed by the war, never revived. In January, 1817, upwards of £3000 were contributed to relieve the poor, many of whom were employed in making a new road to Carrow, and in other public works, the trade of the city being in a state of stagnation.
1804. January 18th. The city of Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, 600 strong, commanded by Lieut. Col. Harvey, received their colours. The banners, given by the mayor and corporation, were first consecrated in the Market Place, by the Rev. E. S. Thurlow, prebendary of Norwich, with a suitable address and prayer, and were afterwards presented by the mayor, John Morse, Esq., to the colonel in due form. The king’s and regimental standards were then delivered to the ensigns. The Artillery, under Capt. Fyers, stationed on the Castle Hill, fired salutes; the Regiment fired three vollies; and St. Peter’s bells rang merry peals.
June 1st. The city of Norwich (or 7th) Regiment of Norfolk Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Lieut.Colonel Harvey, entered on one month’s permanent duty in Norwich. The Regiment mustered 500 strong, exclusive of officers.
June 4th. The anniversary of His Majesty’s birthday was celebrated in Norwich by the grandest military spectacle ever witnessed here. Upwards of 1700 men of the Royal Artillery, 24th Regiment of Foot, and the Norwich Volunteer Corps, assembled on the Castle Hill and fired afeu de joiewith fine effect. During this year the citizens were often entertained with military displays. June 18th, Major General Money was appointed to the staff of the eastern district; in which a force of 32,000 men was now fully completed for the reception of any invading enemy.
June 18th. The corporation granted the site of the Blackfriars, in St. Andrew’s, to the court of guardians, for 200 years at their old rent for the purpose of improving the same, and repairing the Old Workhouse for the poor, the plan of erecting a New Workhouse having been abandoned. Subsequently, large sums of money were wasted in repairing the old house, sufficient to build a new one, and ultimately it was found to be absolutely necessary to build a new house, which was done at a cost of £30,000.
1805. January 17th. At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, it was resolved to establish an hospital and school for the indigent blind, in Norwich and Norfolk. Towards the foundation of this admirable institution, Thomas Tawell, Esq., contributed a house and three and-a-half acres of land in Magdalen Street,valued at £1050. Mr. Tawell, who was unfortunately blind, introduced his humane proposal in an able speech, appealing for subscriptions. A large sum was at once subscribed. The hospital was opened on the 14th October following.
February 2nd. Dr. Charles Manners Sutton, bishop of Norwich, was nominated by the king, and chosen, February 12th, archbishop of Canterbury. On the 13th, His Grace arrived at the palace, Norwich, from London. On the 15th, the mayor and court of aldermen proceeded in state from the Guildhall to the Bishop’s Palace, where the recorder, Mr. Harvey, delivered an address of congratulation to the archbishop on his translation, to which His Grace returned a dignified answer. Next day, the clergy of Norwich waited on His Grace, when the Rev. Dr. Pretyman, prebendary, addressed the archbishop in an appropriate speech, to which His Grace made an impressive reply. On the 17th His Grace preached his farewell sermon in the Cathedral.
February 24th. The clergy of Norwich having intimated an intention of applying to Parliament for an increase of their incomes, then very small, by assessment, the council, at a quarterly assembly, resolved to oppose the application; the citizens, in vestry meetings, being unanimous against the measure, which was never carried out.
March 18th. Dr. Henry Bathurst (one of the prebendaries of Durham) was elected bishop of Norwich by the dean and chapter. He soon made himself universally beloved by the clergy and thecitizens. Professor Taylor gave the following account of the late and also of the newly appointed bishop:—
“In 1805, Dr. Bathurst succeeded Dr. Sutton as bishop of Norwich. The latter, who had been translated to the See of Canterbury, was a man of polished manners, extravagant habits, and courtier-like address. He was too polite to quarrel with anybody and too prudent to provoke controversy. He neither felt nor affected to feel any horror of Unitarians. He invited them to his table, and at the request of the mayor, he preached a charity sermon at St. George’s Colegate, knowing that my father had been asked and had consented to write the hymns.”“Dr. Bathurst removed from Durham to Norwich, and as he was a stranger in his new residence, never having taken any prominent part as a public man, little expectation was excited as to his future conduct. He was known to owe his elevation to his relation, Lord Bathurst; and it was generally taken for granted that his views on public affairs were similar to those of the administration of which that noble lord was a member. Curiosity led me to the Cathedral to hear the new bishop’s primary charge, and I soon found the spirit it breathed to resemble the benevolence that beamed from his countenance.”“What the bishop preached he also practised. He never shrunk from appearing to be what he really was, nor while he received a dissenter in his study with politeness would he pass him unnoticed in the street. He was to be seen walking arm-in-arm with persons, of all persuasions, whom he respected, in the streets of Norwich. He was not afraid of shaking ‘brother Madge,’ as he called him, by the hand, nor of welcoming Unitarians to his table. What he was as a member of the house of peers, on all occasions in which thegreat principles of religious liberty were concerned, is well known. I have only here to speak of his conduct as a resident in Norwich.”
“In 1805, Dr. Bathurst succeeded Dr. Sutton as bishop of Norwich. The latter, who had been translated to the See of Canterbury, was a man of polished manners, extravagant habits, and courtier-like address. He was too polite to quarrel with anybody and too prudent to provoke controversy. He neither felt nor affected to feel any horror of Unitarians. He invited them to his table, and at the request of the mayor, he preached a charity sermon at St. George’s Colegate, knowing that my father had been asked and had consented to write the hymns.”
“Dr. Bathurst removed from Durham to Norwich, and as he was a stranger in his new residence, never having taken any prominent part as a public man, little expectation was excited as to his future conduct. He was known to owe his elevation to his relation, Lord Bathurst; and it was generally taken for granted that his views on public affairs were similar to those of the administration of which that noble lord was a member. Curiosity led me to the Cathedral to hear the new bishop’s primary charge, and I soon found the spirit it breathed to resemble the benevolence that beamed from his countenance.”
“What the bishop preached he also practised. He never shrunk from appearing to be what he really was, nor while he received a dissenter in his study with politeness would he pass him unnoticed in the street. He was to be seen walking arm-in-arm with persons, of all persuasions, whom he respected, in the streets of Norwich. He was not afraid of shaking ‘brother Madge,’ as he called him, by the hand, nor of welcoming Unitarians to his table. What he was as a member of the house of peers, on all occasions in which thegreat principles of religious liberty were concerned, is well known. I have only here to speak of his conduct as a resident in Norwich.”
Sept 3rd. The committee of the court of guardians appointed to examine the poor rates of the city and hamlets, for the purpose of obtaining a more equal assessment, made their report, in which they stated that an increase of £16,000 stock and £1800 rent, calculating on the half rental only, might be made, and recommended a general survey and new valuation to be taken, in consequence of the great alteration which had taken place in property since 1786, when the previous survey was taken.
December 17th. There was a grand entertainment at the Assembly Rooms, in honour of Lord Nelson’s glorious victory off Cape Trafalgar; more than 450 ladies and gentlemen of the city and county were present. The rooms were decorated with transparencies and brilliantly illuminated for a grand ball and supper. The victory so celebrated, and which had been won on October 21st, was dearly purchased by the death of Viscount Nelson. The last order given before the action began, was by the newly-invented telegraph:—“England expects every man to do his duty.”
1806. January 9th. This day the great bells of the several churches in the city were tolled from twelve till two o’clock, it being the day on which the remains of the immortal Lord Nelson were interred under the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The body, after lying in state in the hall of Greenwich Hospital, was broughtthence on January 8th by water to Whitehall stairs, and carried on a bier to the Admiralty Office, and deposited in the Captain’s room for the night. Next day the corpse was removed on a funeral car, drawn by six horses, to St. Paul’s. The Duke of York headed the procession, the grandest ever witnessed; 500 persons of distinction attended at the funeral.
February 24th. At a quarterly assembly of the corporation, a loyal address was unanimously adopted, to be presented to His Majesty, “expressive of their gratitude for the paternal affection which he has shown to his subjects, by waiving every consideration, but the public good, in the appointment of men of the first abilities in the country to the high offices of state!”
1807. March 4th. A committee of the House of Commons declared Mr. Windham and Mr. Coke not duly elected, and another election took place for two members for the county. Sir J. H. Astley, Bart., and Edward Coke, Esq., (of Derby) were returned without opposition. Mr. Windham afterwards took his seat for New Romney, and Mr. Coke was returned for Derbyvicehis brother, who had previously accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
May 14th. The anniversary of the birthday of that illustrious statesman, the Right Hon. Wm. Windham, was celebrated at the Angel Inn (now Royal Hotel) by a large party of his numerous friends. William Smith, Esq., M.P., presided.
June 16th. Robert Herring, Esq., was sworn intothe office of mayor of Norwich; and he afterwards gave a dinner to 150 gentlemen at Chapel-field house.
October 6th. The first meeting was held of the revived Norfolk Club at the Angel Inn, Norwich. Sir John Lombe, Bart., was in the chair. The Hon. Colonel Fitzroy, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Windham were also present.
1808. January. By the telegraph, orders from the Admiralty Office were received at Yarmouth, in 17 minutes. The chain of communication was by Strumpshaw, Thorpe Hills, Honingham, Carlton, and Harling, and from thence proceeded between Thetford and Bury, over Newmarket Heath to London.
Captain Manby’s invention for rescuing persons stranded on a lee shore, was approved by the Lords of the Admiralty. Parliament rewarded Captain Manby at different times with grants amounting to £6000, and adopted his apparatus at many parts of the coast.
July 29th. At a special assembly of the corporation of Norwich, an address to his majesty was agreed to unanimously, on the subject of the noble struggle of the patriots of Spain and Portugal against the Ruler of France, and of the generous aid given to their endeavours by the government.
1809. January. In consequence of Colonel Robert Harvey not being joined by a sufficient number of the Volunteers under his command to become a local Militia Battalion, he resigned the command of theNorwich Volunteer Regiment, and was succeeded by Colonel De Hague.
May 9th. The six Regiments of Norfolk Local Militia first assembled to perform 28 days’ exercise. They were stationed at Norwich, Yarmouth, Swaffham, and Lynn.
October 15th. The Norwich corn merchants demanded of the farmers a month’s credit, instead of paying ready money for their corn as heretofore, but it was resisted by the growers, and ultimately abandoned by the merchants.
November 2nd. After an interval of seven years, there was a grand musical festival here, combining oratorios at St. Peter’s Church, and concerts at the Theatre, under the direction of Mr. Beckwith, eldest son of the late Dr. Beckwith. Professor Hague, of Cambridge, led the band.
1810. January 20th. The disputes between the corn growers and buyers in the city and county, having been amicably adjusted, a reconciliation dinner took place at the Maid’s Head Inn. Amongst the toasts was, “Fair Play—ready money on both sides, or ready money on neither.”
February 4th. Died at Gunton, in his 77th year, the Rt. Hon. Harbord Lord Suffield. He represented Norwich from 1756 to 1786. He was much respected by his constituents.
April 26th. The first stone of the new bridge at Carrow was laid by the mayor, T. Back, Esq., in due form.
August 6th. The first stone of the Norwich Foundry Bridge was laid by Alderman Jonathan Davey, the projector of the undertaking.
September 27th. A contest took place for the office of alderman of the great Northern ward, in the room of John Herring, Esq., who died on the 23rd, aged 61. The poll closed as follows—for William Hankes, Esq., 258; N. Bolingbroke, Esq., 229. The former was declared duly elected.
December 8th. The Rev. Edward Valpy, B.D., was elected by the aldermen, master of the Free Grammar School, Norwich, in the room of the Rev. Dr. S. Forster, resigned. Under Mr. Valpy, the school attained great celebrity, and here Rajah Brooke and other eminent men were educated.
1811. January 15th. Mr. Thomas Roope was convicted at the sessions of having sent a challenge to Mr. Robert Alderson, Steward of the Corporation, to provoke him to fight a duel; and was sentenced to pay a fine of 40/- to the king, and to be imprisoned for one month.
June 29th. Mr. Thomas Roope was sentenced in the Court of King’s Bench, to be committed to the custody of the marshal for three months, and to find sureties afterwards, for a libel on Thomas Back, Esq., late mayor of Norwich.
August 6th. A portrait of Thomas Back, Esq., was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall. It was painted by Mr. Clover, a native of the city.
September 11th. A numerous meeting was held inSt. Andrew’s Hall, with the mayor, J. H. Cole, Esq., in the chair, when the Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was instituted. The Bishop of Norwich (who was present) was appointed president, and the three secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society also attended. Annual meetings have been held ever since.
1812. June 16th. Starling Day, Esq., was sworn in Mayor of Norwich for the second time; but in consequence of his advanced age and infirmities, there was no dinner in St. Andrew’s Hall, on the guild-day. Mr. Alderman Davey (who was one of the unsuccessful candidates for the office of mayor on May 1st and 2nd) gave a dinner under the trees adjoining his house at Eaton, to about 500 freemen of the liberal interest. Strange as it may seem now, contests often took place for the office of mayor, during the old corporation.
July 17th. At a meeting of noblemen, gentry, and clergy, held at the Shirehall, (Lord Viscount Primrose in the chair,) the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the education of the poor in the principles of the Church of England, was established. Upwards of £3000 was subscribed for the object. The Lord Bishop of Norwich was elected patron, and Lord Suffield, president.
1813. May 1st. A contested election for the office of Mayor of Norwich came on, and was not finished till next morning, when Alderman Davey and J. Harvey were returned as the two highest; but on May 3rd, an objection was made to Alderman J. Harvey,as being ineligible, from his not being a resident inhabitant of the city, as required by charter. Counsel’s opinion was obtained in favour of that objection, and another election took place on June 7th, when another contest ensued, and after a spirited poll the numbers were—for Alderman Leman, 797; Alderman Davey, 801. The Court of Aldermen elected the former gentleman.
July 4th. Great rejoicings took place here on the arrival of the news of the great victory obtained by the British army commanded by the Marquis of Wellington, over the French army, under Joseph Buonaparte, at Vittoria in Spain, on June 21st, when the enemy lost 151 pieces of cannon, 415 waggons, all his baggage, and many prisoners. The Marquis of Wellington was promoted to be a Field-Marshal. A form of prayer and thanksgiving for this victory was used in all the churches on August 1st.
1814. May 1st. An election took place for the office of Mayor of Norwich, and the contest lasted two days. Aldermen Back and Robberds being the highest on the poll, a scrutiny was demanded on behalf of Alderman Davey. The scrutiny commenced on the 12th, and continued till the 19th, when Alderman Davey declined proceeding further. Aldermen Robberds and Back were then returned to the Court of Aldermen, who elected J. W. Robberds, Esq., to serve the office of Mayor.
June 3rd. The Expedition coach being the first to arrive in Norwich with the news of the definitivetreaty of peace, (signed at Paris on the 30th ult.,) was drawn by the people four times round the Market Place, and through the principal streets.
June 8th. The Newmarket mail arrived in Norwich with news of the Corn Importation Bill having been thrown out of the House of Commons by a majority of 10, and was dragged by the excited people for hours through the streets. At night a great bonfire was made.
June 27th. Peace with France was proclaimed. The mayor and corporation went in a procession of carriages from the Guildhall through the principal streets, preceded by trumpets, and accompanied by thousands of people.
July 7th. The thanksgiving day for the happy restoration of peace. The mayor and corporation attended divine service at the Cathedral. About 700 children from the church schools went in procession to St. Andrew’s Hall, where a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum pudding was provided for them by the treasurers of the charity schools. The poor in their several parishes participated in the general joy, and were regaled with plentiful dinners, paid for by subscriptions.
1815. March 4th. The late Professor Taylor stood a contest, for the third time, for nominee of St. Peter’s Mancroft ward. Of course he was beaten, this being an orange-and-purple ward, but he polled 107 votes. However, he was soon afterwards elected a common councilman, without difficulty, in the Northern ward,where the blue-and-whites had always a large majority. This was on March 16th, and on May 3rd he was elected a member of the court of guardians. He took a very active part in local politics, and was the first man who ever reported and published the proceedings of the common council.
June 23rd. The glorious news was received in Norwich, with triumphant rejoicings, of the ever memorable victory obtained by the Duke of Wellington over the French army, commanded by Buonaparte in person, at Waterloo, near Brussels, on the 18th. Buonaparte fled to Paris, leaving upwards of 200 pieces of cannon in the hands of the allied armies.
June 27th. Rejoicings were renewed here on the news being received of the second abdication of Buonaparte, the immediate consequence of the grand victory of La Belle Alliance.
1816. January 18th. This day was appointed a thanksgiving day for the restoration of peace, and it was solemnly observed. The mayor and corporation of Norwich attended divine service at the Cathedral. Sermons were preached at the different places of worship, and collections were made for the poor.
January 25th. At the 51st anniversary of the Castle corporation, Thomas Back, Esq., alderman, presented two medals to be worn by the recorder and steward of the society. Each medal bore a good likeness of Mr. Pitt, on a beautiful cameo; the motto round which wasNon Sibi sed Patriæ Vixit. On the reverse were the words, “Presented by Thomas Back,Junior, Esq., to the Castle Corporation, Norwich, in commemoration of the great victory of Waterloo, obtained on the 18th June, 1815, by the Allied Armies under the command of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington;” and around this was the motto, “In memory of the Right Hon. William Pitt; died the 23rd January, 1806, aged 47.”
January 29th. Died, aged 86, Robert Harvey, Esq., called the Father of the City of Norwich, for his great benevolence and liberality and promotion of trade.
February 20th. A numerous meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, with the mayor, J. H. Yallop, Esq., in the chair, when resolutions against the property tax, and a petition founded thereon, were passed unanimously. Similar petitions were sent from Lynn, Yarmouth, and other towns. County meetings were also held to petition against the tax.
March 29th. At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, with the mayor in the chair, it was resolved to establish a bank for savings, where servants and others might deposit a portion of their earnings. It was opened on April 29th, and has continued to be very prosperous.
April 3rd. A meeting of merchants, manufacturers, and others, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, John Harvey, Esq., presiding, when resolutions were passed to instruct the city members to watch and oppose the intended measure for allowing the exportation of wool free of all restrictions. This measure was for the time relinquished.
April 4th. At a public meeting held under thepresidency of the mayor, a petition to parliament was adopted for the repeal of the Insolvent Debtors’ act as being injurious to trade and commerce. It was not repealed for a long time.
May 11th. The West Norfolk militia returned to Norwich from Ireland, and were disembodied on the 17th of June.
May 16th. A number of riotous persons, chiefly youths, broke into the New Mills, in Norwich, threw some of the flour into the mill pool, and committed several outrages on persons and dwellings before they dispersed. The pretext for the disturbance was the want of employment. They assembled again on the next evening, but were dispersed by the magistrates and military, and several of the rioters were taken into custody. Similar proceedings took place at Downham and other places in Norfolk.
June 17th. At a quarterly assembly of the corporation, an address of congratulation to the Prince Regent was voted, to be presented to his Royal Highness, on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg. The address was presented by the city members. The marriage took place on May 2nd.
June 18th. This day being the anniversary of the glorious victory of Waterloo, the non-commissioned officers and privates of the First Royal Dragoons, and other soldiers quartered in Norwich, were treated with a handsome dinner in the cavalry riding school, several gentlemen having entered into a subscription for that purpose, the corporation adding the sum of £10.Robert Hawkes, Esq., first suggested the entertainment.
July 10th. An address of congratulation was voted by the court of mayoralty of Norwich, to be presented to the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold on their marriage.
October 14th. A public meeting was held in St. Andrew’s Hall (Mr. Sheriff Bolingbroke in the chair), when certain resolutions, and a petition to parliament founded thereon, were agreed to. The petition was for the greatest possible retrenchment of the public expenditure, and for a Reform of the House of Commons. Thus early began the Reform movement, and it continued to extend all over the country. It became stronger and stronger, till at last it overcame all opposition.
1817. January 1st. At a public meeting in the Guildhall, with the mayor, William Hankes, Esq., presiding, a subscription was commenced to relieve the labouring poor, which amounted to £3050. The poor people were employed on works of public improvement, and were supplied with soup, &c. Upwards of £1000 was also raised at Yarmouth for the same laudable purpose, and 460 men were employed in forming roads to the Bath House, Jetty, &c. The committee in Norwich granted £270 to be expended for labour on cutting a road through Butter Hills to Carrow Bridge, which was effected in the course of the summer.
March 26th. The severest contest took place everknown for nominees of Wymer, or the Long ward, very few votes remaining unpolled. Some of the freemen came in post-chaises from Thetford to poll. The numbers were, Messrs. S. Mitchell, 306; J. Reynolds, 305; A. Thwaites, 292; Messrs. W. Foster, 297; R. Purland, 288; C. Higgen, 283. Mr. Foster was successful, having five votes above Mr. Thwaites, one of the old nominees.
April 4th. On Good Friday morning, Wright’s Norwich and Yarmouth steam packet had just started from the Foundry Bridge, when the boiler of the engine burst with a tremendous explosion, by which the vessel was blown to atoms, and of 22 persons on board, five men three women, and one child were instantly killed. Six women with fractured arms and legs were conveyed to the hospital, where one died. The remaining seven escaped without much injury. A subscription amounting to £350 was raised for the sufferers. Soon afterwards, a packet was introduced on the river, worked by four horses, as in a thrashing machine; the animals walking in a path 18 feet in diameter. The vessel was propelled from six to seven miles an hour, as wind and tide favoured. This packet did not long run, and steam packets were again introduced, which went from Norwich to Yarmouth daily.
September 26th. A meeting was held in St. Andrew’s Hall, when an auxiliary association to the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews was established. The Lord Bishop of Norwich was appointed president. Annual meetingshave been held ever since to promote the objects of the society.
December 3rd. At a special meeting of the corporation, two addresses of condolence, one to the Prince Regent, and the other to Prince Leopold, of Saxe Coburg, were voted, expressive of the grief of the citizens on the death of the Princess Charlotte.
1818. January 5th. The court of guardians having determined to proceed in the valuation of the property in the city and hamlets, Messrs. Rook, Athow, and Stannard were appointed to make such valuation. They were to be paid £850 for their trouble.
A repository was established in Norwich for the sale of articles of ingenuity, to increase the funds of the society for relieving the sick poor in Norwich. The first exhibition took place on Tombland fair day, at Mr. Noverre’s room.
March 11th. This year, the several wards in Norwich (except the Northern ward) were strongly contested, particularly the Wymer ward. After a spirited poll for nominees of the common council, the numbers were for Mr. Foster, 361; Mr. Higgen, 357; Mr. Purland, 355; Mr. Mitchell, 345; Mr. Culley, 340; Mr. Beckwith, 322. The liberal party at last obtained the ascendancy, but had to pay for it. The expenditure at this local contest was estimated at some thousands. From £15 to £40 were given for votes, and the freemen were brought in carriages from the country.
May 16th. This being Guild-day, Barnabas Leman,Esq., was sworn in mayor of Norwich for the second time. The corporation went in procession to the Cathedral, preceded by the Blue and White Clubs, the freemen wearing those colours in their hats, which was considered improper and ill-timed. Mr. William Smith, before the procession started, after recommending his friends to abstain from this display of party feeling on such a day, pulled his colours from his hat and put them in his pocket. It being quite a matter of taste, his example was not followed.
1819. This year some important meetings were held, and a good deal of political excitement prevailed in the city. Mr. E. Taylor was elected sheriff after a contest with Mr. T. S. Day. The former was evidently the popular candidate, the numbers being for Taylor 807, for Day 530. In acknowledging the honour which had been conferred upon him he said,—
“There are times, gentlemen, when the post of honour is the post of duty—times when it is the duty of every man to stand forward to maintain and uphold the laws of his country, and prevent them from being outraged. Such, gentlemen, are the present. Scenes have recently been exhibited in a distant part of this country which I blush to mention. The laws have there been outraged and trodden under foot, not by the people, but by the magistrates, whose duty it was to protect them. At Manchester we have seen a merciless soldiery, or rather, I should say, persons wearing red coats, and pretending to be soldiers, let loose to butcher men, women, and children in cold blood who were peaceably and legally met to discharge a duty which they owed to theircountry. The right of petitioning is a right which, till lately, we have enjoyed uninterruptedly, none daring to make us afraid; and where is the man who will tell me that these people did not legally and constitutionally meet? But, gentlemen, they have been treated in a manner so brutal and inhuman, that our history furnishes no parallel.”
“There are times, gentlemen, when the post of honour is the post of duty—times when it is the duty of every man to stand forward to maintain and uphold the laws of his country, and prevent them from being outraged. Such, gentlemen, are the present. Scenes have recently been exhibited in a distant part of this country which I blush to mention. The laws have there been outraged and trodden under foot, not by the people, but by the magistrates, whose duty it was to protect them. At Manchester we have seen a merciless soldiery, or rather, I should say, persons wearing red coats, and pretending to be soldiers, let loose to butcher men, women, and children in cold blood who were peaceably and legally met to discharge a duty which they owed to theircountry. The right of petitioning is a right which, till lately, we have enjoyed uninterruptedly, none daring to make us afraid; and where is the man who will tell me that these people did not legally and constitutionally meet? But, gentlemen, they have been treated in a manner so brutal and inhuman, that our history furnishes no parallel.”
He alluded to the “Peterloo Massacre” as it was then called, and which excited universal indignation throughout the country.
January 25th. The birthday of Mr. Fox was commemorated, by nearly 250 gentlemen, at the Assembly rooms. The earl of Albemarle presided, supported by Mr. Coke and Viscount Bury. The high sheriff was at the head of the right hand table, and Mr. Wm. Smith of the left. After dinner, speeches were delivered, setting forth the views of the Liberal party.
April 15th. A public meeting was held in St. Andrew’s Hall, when a petition to the House of Commons against the duty on coals (6s. 6d. per chaldron) was adopted by acclamation. R. H. Gurney, Esq., M.P., assured the meeting that he should support the prayer of the petition, and do everything in his power towards alleviating the burdens of his fellow-citizens. The tax was ultimately abolished.
April 22nd. The duke of Sussex arrived in Norwich and lodged at the house of William Foster, Esq., in Queen Street, where his royal highness was waited upon by the mayor and corporation. Mr. Steward Alderson, in an address of congratulation on his arrival, informed his royal highness that the whole body corporate had voted to him the freedom of thecity, which the royal duke was pleased to accept, at the same time returning a dignified answer. On the next day a grand meeting of the Masonic brethren, 320 in number, was held in Chapel-field house. The large Assembly room was decorated in the most splendid style. At 10.30 a.m., the duke of Sussex (as grand master of England) installed Thomas Wm. Coke, Esq., M.P., as provincial grand master, with the accustomed Masonic ceremonies. His royal highness delivered an impressive charge, on investing Mr. Coke with the jewel, apron, and gloves. After this ceremony a procession was formed, every officer and member of the assembled lodges wearing his full masonic costume and jewels, and the banners were carried in the procession to the Cathedral. In the evening, there was a sumptuous banquet in St. Andrew’s Hall, at which the royal duke presided, supported by Mr. Coke and I. Ives, Esq., the deputy provincial grand master. About 254 persons dined, and many ladies were present to witness the festive scene. Toasts were proposed in right royal style, and duly responded to. Next day His Royal Highness was admitted to the honorary freedom of the city at the Guildhall, where he took the customary oaths. After visiting the exhibition of the Artists’ Society, the royal duke left Norwich about noon and proceeded to Holkham, paying a visit to Sir George Jerningham, at Cossey Hall, on his way thither.
May 28th. The anniversary of the birthday of the Rt. Hon. Wm. Pitt was commemorated at the Assembly rooms, Norwich, by a very numerous company of noblemen, gentlemen, and citizens.
June 4th. The anniversary of the birthday of the long afflicted sovereign, George III., who had entered on the eighty-second year of his age, was celebrated for the last time in Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns, with the accustomed demonstration of loyalty and attachment.
July 15th. Meetings were held in Norwich, and resolutions were passed, and petitions to parliament adopted, against the proposed additional duties on malt and on foreign wool. Petitions were also presented to parliament praying for an alteration in the corn laws, in consequence of the depressed state of agriculture.
September 16th. A public meeting was held in St. Andrew’s Hall, in order to take into consideration the late disastrous transactions at Manchester, on August 16th. The mayor, R. Bolingbroke, Esq., presided, when resolutions were adopted asserting the right of the subject to petition the king, and the legality of the late meeting at Manchester, censuring the conduct of the magistrates and yeomanry, and recommending a subscription for the relief of the sufferers. An address to the prince regent was agreed to for the removal of ministers from his presence and councils for ever. The address was afterwards presented by the city members.
October 18th. A public meeting was held by adjournment at the Guildhall to take into consideration the propriety of erecting a bridge over the river, near the Duke’s Palace, to connect Pitt Street with the Market Place. A proposition to that effect wasnegatived, but a bill for erecting the bridge was introduced into parliament and ultimately passed. Nearly £9,000 were proposed to be raised, by shares of £25 each, to complete the same. The bridge was built in course of time, and toll had to be paid for many years. By the exertions and influence of the late T. O. Springfield, Esq., the bridge was made a free thoroughfare, greatly to the convenience of the citizens.
1820. January 5th. At a special meeting of the Diocesan Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, held in Norwich, (the Lord Bishop presiding) resolutions were adopted to counteract the evil effects of infidel and blasphemous publications, by issuing tracts of the Parent Society at very reduced prices, and a subscription was entered into for that purpose.
January 24th. The anniversary of the birthday of the Right Hon. C. J. Fox was commemorated by a grand public dinner in St. Andrew’s Hall by 460 noblemen and gentlemen, amongst whom were the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Albemarle (who presided), Viscount Bury, Lord Molyneux, and many other leading gentlemen of the liberal party. The hall was handsomely decorated, and the names ofFoxandAlbemarleappeared in variegated lamps, and in a semi-circular transparency was that ofSussex, in letters of gold upon a ground of purple silk.
January 30th. A messenger from London brought to Lord and Lady Castlereagh (who were at GuntonHall) the melancholy tidings of the death of King George III., which became known in Norwich on the following morning, when nearly all the shops were closed, and the bells of the churches were tolled for three hours. The king died on January 29th, in the 82nd year of his age, and the 60th of his troubled reign, during which long wars desolated Europe, doubled our national debt, and impoverished the country. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, (who was appointed regent on February 6th, 1811,) immediately ascended the throne. King George IV. was soon afterwards seriously indisposed with inflammation in the lungs, but happily recovered from the attack in the course of a week.
February 1st. King George IV. was proclaimed on the Castle Hill by the High Sheriff, Sir William Windham Dalling, Bart., amid the cheers of those assembled. On the same day His Majesty was proclaimed in the city in full form and with great rejoicings.
March 6th. A spirited contest took place for the gown, vacant by the death of Starling Day, Esq., alderman of Wymer ward. At the close of the poll the numbers were for Henry Francis, Esq., 413; John Lovick, Esq., 372; majority for Mr. Francis 41, who was declared duly elected. In this month Messrs. Mitchell, Beckwith, and Culley were elected nominees for the long ward without opposition. The other three wards were contested. After the elections for Wymer and the Northern wards, processions took place at night to celebrate the triumph of the two contending parties.
August 2nd. A common hall was held for the purpose of getting up an address to be presented to Queen Caroline. Mr. Alderman Leman presided, and Mr. Sheriff Taylor introduced the subject, declaring that their duty was not merely to vote an address to Her Majesty on her accession, but to protest against the proceedings adopted by His Majesty’s ministers, against her “whom we ought to honour as our Queen, and esteem as a woman.” He denied the imputation that this meeting was held for factious and seditious purposes. He reviewed the various charges which had been brought against Her Majesty, and mentioned several instances of noble conduct on her part. He regarded the erasure of her name from the liturgy as a gross insult, and spoke of the firmness, and sagacity, and judgment which characterised her determination to return to England. He reminded his hearers of the enthusiasm which attended her entry into London. But no sooner was she arrived than a large green bag was laid on the table. Now he had an instinctive horror of a green bag, as he had once the honour of occupying a small corner of one. He then challenged the ministers, through Mr. Coke, to prove any one of the charges brought against him in the green bag; and he received an answer that it was all a mistake, and that Norwich should not have been inserted. The resolutions were carried by acclamation, and he afterwards presented an address to the Queen at Brandenburgh house.
There was but one opinion here as to the character of George IV., and with respect to the Queen, all theworld agreed that she was much to be pitied. Men’s passions were so strongly excited, that whichever side they took, whether for her or against her, her conduct was viewed through a false medium. Nothing showed this more strongly than the behaviour of the two parties upon her death. The blue-and-whites, many of whom had never put on black for a royal personage before, were to be seen dressed in black and white, while on the other hand the orange-and-purples, not content with appearing in their ordinary attire, flaunted about in the gayest colours.
December 12th. In consequence of the numerous robberies committed in the city and county, public meetings were held, and resolutions passed to grant high rewards to watchmen who might apprehend offenders. More burglaries had been committed in that year than in the preceding twenty years. Increased poverty had produced crime, and the “Old Charlies” were of little use.
1821. March 7th. E. T. Booth, Esq., (sheriff) was elected an alderman of Great Wymer ward in the room of the late William Foster, Esq., who had died on March 3rd. There was an opposition; at the close of the poll the numbers were, for Mr. Booth 444, Mr. R. Shaw 433.
March 31st. The freedom of the city having been voted at the quarterly assembly of the corporation on the 24th ult., to be presented to Captain William Edward Parry of the Royal Navy; that gallant officer attended in full uniform, and was sworn in ata full court of mayoralty. The parchment containing the freedom of the city was presented to him in a box formed of a piece of oak, part of the ship Hecla, with an appropriate inscription.
April 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th. Cleansing Week ward elections took place. Conisford ward no opposition, Messrs. J. Kitton, J. Angel, and J. P. Cocksedge (nominees); Mancroft ward no opposition, Messrs. P. Chamberlin, J. Bennett, and J. Goodwin, (nominees); Wymer ward, Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith 432, Mr. J. Culley, 432, Mr. J. Reynolds 423 (nominees), Mr. J. Parkinson 254, Mr. Newin 249, Mr. R. Purland 236, Mr. S. Mitchell 45; Northern ward, Mr. T. Barnard 418, Mr. T. O. Springfield 416, Mr. S. S. Beare 416, (nominees), Mr. G. Morse 231, Mr. Troughton 230, Mr. T. Grimmer 231.
May 1st. The election for mayor came on. At the close of the poll the numbers were for Alderman Rackham 986, Alderman Hawkes 950, Alderman Marsh 630, Alderman Yallop 631. The former two were returned to the court of aldermen, who elected William Rackham, Esq., to serve the office of chief magistrate.
June 18th. This being Guild day, William Rackham, Esq., was sworn in mayor, on which occasion he gave a sumptuous dinner to about 650 ladies and gentlemen in St. Andrews Hall, the hall having previously undergone various alterations and improvements.
July 27th. The coronation of George IV. was celebrated here in a very splendid manner, andgave occasion for a display of the exuberant loyalty of the citizens. This king, called “the finest gentleman in Europe,” had governed the realm for nearly ten years, and visited the city in 1812. His reign was peaceful and prosperous, and he was a great promoter of the arts and sciences. The most important event of his reign was the passing of the act for Roman Catholic emancipation, by which Roman Catholics became entitled to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the rest of the community, a measure strongly supported here by the liberal party. During this reign the citizens of Norwich took a very active part in all the great movements of the age—the Roman Catholic Emancipation movement, the Anti-Slavery movement, and the Reform agitation. Strong contests at elections took place on all these questions. Bribery, corruption, treating, cooping, and intimidation, were resorted to by both parties on every occasion, as will appear in a subsequent chapter, on our political history. Party spirit never ran higher in any town than in Norwich.