1834.

Oct. 31st.—“On Monday evening last, as Mr. Marsh, of the house of Marsh and Barnes, wine and spirit merchants, was returning in his gig from Beccles, he overtook a female on the road near Fritton, who, as Mr. M. passed, implored assistance. He pulled up, and finding the poor creature in an exhausted and high state of nervous excitement, and that she was on her way to this place, he took her up, when she stated as follows—that she had walked from Yarmouth to Heckingham House to obtain relief for a relative residing in Yarmouth, that she had obtained 3s., was returning home across the Marshes, and when near the New Cut and bridge over the dam, she saw two men, who appeared to come from a wherry, and when they met her one of them presented a pistol and threatened to shoot her, but she answering in the negative to the enquiry of “Do you know us,” one of them said, “Don’t shoot her.” Theythen searched, took from her 2s. 6d., some halfpence, and a handkerchief with some trifles, knocked her down by a blow on the face, and so left her. When she recovered she proceeded on her journey till the above gentleman humanely assisted her into the town and relieved her; but she was so weak from the fright as to stagger when she left the gig. She states that she thinks she could recognize one of the men. Might not some enquiry as to what wherry was moored in the Cut at that time lead to the detection of the perpetrators of so diabolical an act as that of distressing the distressed. We respectfully submit to the gentlemen who are the guardians for the hundred of Heckingham if some safe plan could not be devised to relieve non-resident paupers, so as to obviate the necessity of a journey by them of so many miles.”

Dec. 5th.—The winter assemblies having been discontinued for two years had been revived, and the first assembly had been held at the Town Hall, (the Mayor (J. Danby Palmer, Esq.) and Vice-Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., Stewards). It was attended by all the principal families of the town and neighbourhood.

Dec. 12th.—A fine schooner named the Fairy Queen, 150 tons register, had been launched from W. Lubbock’s yard.

Dec. 28th.—The altar piece presented to St. Peter’s Church by Col. Mason was put up on Christmas Eve.

Jan. 9th.—Samuel Tolver and Charles John Palmer, Esqs., had been appointed Perpetual Commissioners for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Jan. 16th.—News had been received that the Lion, belonging to G. D. Palmer, Esq., had arrived at Civita Vecchia on the 26th ult.

Jan. 30th.—Two schooners of about 80 tons register, named the Norwich Trader and Lowestoft Merchant, had been launched from Mr. Thomas W. Branford’s yard.

A requisition was being signed for the purpose of having the “upper” ferry established.

Feb. 6th.—Messrs. Buckle and Hogg, two of H.M. Municipal Commissioners, had arrived for the purpose of holding an Inquiry into the doings of the Corporation.

A crowded meeting had been held to petition Parliament for an abolition of Church Rates. J. Shelly, Esq., was called to the chair, and the following gentlemen took part in the proceedings:—Rev.Mr. Betts, J. B. Palmer, Esq., Rev. T. Tait, Mr. D. Chapman, Rev. H. Squire, and Rev. A. Creak.

Feb. 20th.—Capt. Manby had given “an elegant and fully attended fete” at the Barracks.

Feb. 29th.—The Municipal Commissioners were sitting at the Tolhouse.

March 6th.—The Commissioners having finished their investigation were entertained by Alderman Bath at Dinner.

April 10th.—Mr. G. Garson had been appointed Lloyd’s Surveyor.

The annual silver cup, given by Mr. Bales to the members of the “Yarmouth British Yacht Club,” was to be sailed for in May.

April 17th.—A meeting had been held to oppose certain clauses in the proposed Haven and Pier Bill then before Parliament, Mr. Alderman Barth in the chair, the following took part in the proceedings:—Messrs. J. Brightwen, J. Shelly, A. Palmer, S. Cobb, R. Ferrier, G. D. Palmer, B. Dowson, P. Stead, and William Barber.

April 24th.—The Baltic (belonging to I. Preston, Esq.) and The Venus (belonging to G. D. Palmer, Esq.) had sailed with emigrants for North America.

May 1st.—A brig called the Friends, of 190 tons register, had been launched from Mr. A. Palmer’s yard.

May 15th.—The “New Proprietary Grammar School” had been opened, John Danby Palmer, Esq., being Chairman during the proceedings.

June 5th.—The Misses Seaman had been appointed postmistresses.

June 12th.—“A remarkably fine ship of 374 tons” had been launched from the dockyard of Ambrose Palmer, Esq.

June 26th.—Contains the following notice of an “Ingenious Invention”:—“A few weeks since a young lady having lost her left leg by amputation, four inches below the knee, applied to Mr. W. B. Neslen, shoe and last maker, of this town, complaining of the inconvenience she experienced from the wooden substitute she had procured. Mr. N. immediately set about remedying this, which he eventually accomplished by the making of a leg, which for useful purposes has in a very great measure supplied the loss of the original limb. It was composed of light sycamore wood, cased with leather, with elastic springs for the foot. It was shown to several mechanics in the neighbourhood, who all gave an opinion highly favourable to the ingenuity of its construction. It weighs 3lbs. (the former substitute weighed 7lbs.) and is connectedwith the knee by springs. The lady is enabled to make very nearly the same use of the artificial as she previously had done with the real limb.”

The anniversary of the King’s accession to the Throne had been observed, the Corporation attending divine service, when the Rev. T. Baker preached “an appropriate sermon.”

July 24th.—Mr. William Mabson had been chosen a Common Councilman in the room of Mr. John Robson, deceased.

July 31st.—The annual water frolic had been held, Mr. Stephen Miller’s Water Witch taking the prize.

Aug. 14th.—Messrs. C. Davie, Samuel Palmer, Frederick Paget, Capt. Todman, R.N., and the Rev. Mark Waters had been elected Paving Commissioners.

Aug. 21st.—A dinner had been given (G. D. Palmer, Esq., in the chair) to Messrs. T. Hammond and R. B. Fenn, as a compliment for services rendered by them to the fishing interest.

Aug. 28th.—The Stratheden, 400 tons register, had been launched from Mr. F. Preston’s yard.

Sept. 2nd.—The following had been chosen Corporate officers for the ensuing year:—Isaac Preston, jun., Esq., Mayor; Mr. J. E. Laws, Chamberlain; J. Danby Palmer, and E. H. L. Preston, Esqs., Churchwardens; Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., Isaac Preston, Esq., and Messrs. R. Ferrier and William Yetts, Auditors; J. D. Palmer, Edmund Preston, Robert Cory, jun., William Barth, Esqs., and Messrs. E. H. L. Preston, S. B. Cory, C. J. Palmer, Vestry; J. Baker, Esq., and Mr. James Jay, Collectors; and Messrs. F. Preston and Samuel Jay, Muragers.

Oct. 2nd.—Contains the following report of the proceedings on the “Mayor’s Day”:—

Monday being the feast of St. Michael, the day was ushered in by ringing of Bells, flags at the New Hall, Church, &c. The Mayor-Elect (I. Preston, jun., Esq.) ordered twopenny buns to be given to the children of the different charity schools in the town, and it was really gratifying to observe the number of happy boys and girls, with cheers parading Gaol-street, the Quay, &c., with their gifts in their hands. About two o’clock in the afternoon the Mayor and Corporation attended divine service at St. Nicholas’ Church, where a sermon was delivered by the Rev. F. Baker (son of the Rector of Rollesby) from Acts, chapter 23rd, 4th and 5th verses, which in the days when passive obedience and non-resistance reigned might have been considered an excellent one. Happily, however, those days are past, and few, probably, of the rev.gentleman’s hearers accorded with him when they heard him denounce from the pulpit the great majority of those who sought Reform in the Church, and other acknowledged abuses as infidels, atheists, and anarchists, and those who aimed at the overthrow of the Church, the Altar, and the Crown. From the Church the Corporation proceeded to the Guildhall, where the Mayor-Elect (after having taken the oath of office) spoke to the following effect:—“Gentlemen, previous to assuming the chair of Chief Magistracy, which I am about to fill, you will allow me to thank you for the proof that you have given me of your confidence. Gentlemen, I sought not this office; I have accepted it only that I might endeavour to render myself useful to my fellow townsmen. Gentlemen, it is not the pageantry, the sword and mace (though even these may be of use in their way) that have allured me to this office—no; had I been capable of being actuated by such motives, I should have been indeed unworthy of taking (as I have just taken) the Holy Gospels in my hand, and to have sworn before my God, to execute to the best of my ability, the important duties of Chief Magistrate of my native town. I would now address myself to my proper brethren, I would address myself to all, high or low, rich or poor, and exhort them to do all that in their power lie to promote the decorum of social life, by cheeking vice, immorality, and debauchery. Gentlemen, I thank you very much for the patience with which you have heard me.” This address was delivered with much firmness, and at the same time with considerable emotion, and was received with great applause. After the ceremony of robing, and the other routine business had been gone through, the newly-elected Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, &c., proceeded (escorted by the town band, flags, &c.) to the New Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was served to a numerous and highly respectable assembly of the Body Corporate, and the friends of the Chief Magistrate. The dessert, which was fine and abundant, was, we understand, served by Mr. Brooks, of the Market Row.

Oct. 9th.—Harry Worship, Esq., had delivered a very interesting lecture on the “Philosophy of Dreams.”

Oct. 16th.—The frequency of robbery at sea had induced the fishermen to keep an unusually sharp look out.

Oct. 23rd.—Charles J. Palmer, Esq., had been elected an Alderman in the place of Dr. Bateman, deceased.

It appears from the report of the proceedings at the Revision Court that the lower ferry was then let at £30 a year only.

Oct. 30th.—The “Blues” claimed a gain of 50 on the revision of the Freeman’s list.

The fishing was reported as going on “very badly.”

Nov. 6th.—A public meeting had been held on the subject of the Port and Haven Bill, the Mayor in the chair, when Messrs. George Danby Palmer, Shelly, Brightwen, Ferrier, Barth, and Dowson took part in the proceedings.

Nov. 20th.—The Conservatives had held a meeting at Bammant’s Green, Mr. William Mabson in the chair, pledging themselves to support the Hon. W. H. Beresford and W. M. Praed.

Nov. 27th.—Col. Anson had spoken from the Committee Room in Regent Street, when Messrs. George Steward and J. Shelly took part in the proceedings.

The “Political Union” required Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold to pledge themselves to support “Corporation Reform, Triennial Parliaments, Extension of the Suffrage, and Vote by Ballot.”

Dec. 4th.—A meeting of voters in the Blue interest had been held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, when it was determined “to sink all minor differences” in order to secure the return of Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold. Mr. N. B. Palmer addressed a crowded assembly from the Committee Rooms.

Dec. 11th.—Thomas Baring, Esq., had arrived as Mr. Praed’s colleague, and both gentlemen had addressed the electors from the Newcastle Tavern, and a house on the South Quay, which they had engaged as a Committee Room.

Dec. 18th.—The contest was progressing, Col. Anson assuring his supporters “that at that moment their canvassing book stood better than he had ever known it to stand since he had known Yarmouth.”

Dec. 23rd.—There had been a “violent scuffle” between the Reds and the Blues, during which “the son of a Baronet was pulled from his horse and beaten violently.”

Jan. 8th, contains the following account of the election:—

“It is with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we announce that our late members, Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, are ousted from the representation. We said last week that nothing but the most gross and unblushing bribery could possibly unseat these gentlemen, and these means have been had recourse to, to an unprecedented extent. Messrs. Baring and Praed are returned, not by the free and independent voice of the people, but by a bought majority, bought by means most disgraceful both togiver and receiver, although we cannot help thinking that the larger portion of disgrace attaches to the former—for what can be more discreditable, what can be more contrary to the high honour which ought to distinguish the gentleman, than to take advantage of the poor freeman, and by (in this instance doubly accursed) gold to make him forfeit his solemn promises? Do our opponents ask for proofs of this? We have them in the infamous system of cooping (a system which we had hoped was confined to a neighbouring city, but which has been now imported into this till now uncorrupt borough), which has been with a bold unblushing front carried on to a large extent in certain houses in the town. We have them in the number of freemen who were to be seen on both election days coming up to the Red booth with Blue colours in their hats, and in the madness of infuriating drink, flinging them in the face of and grossly abusing a highly respected and respectable fellow townsman of ours, while at the same time they recorded their votes for Messrs. Baring and Praed. We have it in the fact that four sovereigns, with a promise of as much more, and £2 10s., with a like promise, were given to two poor freemen of the names of Boyce and Stevenson, to induce them to vote for the Reds, but who, with a truly noble spirit that cannot be too highly appreciated, brought the money into their hands to the Blue booth, and then polled for Messrs. Anson and Rumbold. But, unfortunately for the good cause, these glorious examples were not generally followed. The Red Leaders took good care for the most part of their deluded and purchased victims, by plying them with drink, keeping them in strong hold, &c., to allow them to return to the paths of rectitude. We do think that the feelings of our late members are rather to be envied by those of the present, the former having lost with honour, the latter owing their election not to the feeling of the town (that we confidently say, without fear of contradiction, is with Messrs. Anson and Rumbold), but to the exercise of the most abominable and venal means to effectuate it. If anything like the sums which we have heard mentioned have been expended in this shameful warfare of gold against principle, our opponents may truly say with one of yore, ‘another such victory will ruin us!’ The most active measures are being had recourse to (and may they be successful) either by substantiating the individual instances of bribery, which we know have to a great extent taken place to oust the members from those seats which they so unjustly obtained by bad means, manifestly against the feeling and real wishes of the town to oust Messrs. Baring and Praed from the ill-earned honours so surreptitiously procuredfor them, or at any rate to make the guilty individual perpetrators pay the penalty of such acts!”“The nomination of the candidates took place at the Guildhall, on hustings erected outside. The Town Clerk (S. Tolver, Esq.) having read the precept, the Mayor, in a loud voice, requested a patient hearing for those who might address them. Mr. Alderman Barth, in a neat speech, proposed the Hon. Col Anson as a fit and proper person to represent the borough. B. Dowson, Esq., seconded the nomination. Vice-Admiral Sir G. Parker, K.C.B., in a very manly and straightforward speech, proposed Mr. Rumbold, when Mr. Shelly presented himself as the seconder. A picked party of his opponents, evidently brought there for the purpose, attempted by every discordant noise to prevent his being heard; by dint of perseverance, however, and the powerful support of his numerous friends, Mr. S. with even more than his usual eloquence, at considerable length supported the nomination. Messrs. R. Ferrier and A. Palmer proposed and seconded Mr. Baring, and Mr. J. Penrice proposed and Mr. J. Lacon seconded the nomination of Mr. Praed. The Hon. Col. Anson spoke at great length, and with all his wonted power, in the course of a really luminous speech, he expressed the surprise he had felt on finding Mr. A. Palmer (a gentleman who had before honoured him with his support) among the ranks of his opponents. Mr. P. explained by saying it was because Col. A. had allied himself to Radicals and destructives. The Hon. Col. said he was surprised at having such a reason assigned. It was known to all that he had never succumbed to the Radicals. That deeply grateful as he was for their support, he had, and should again, unless convinced of their necessity, oppose their great measures of vote by ballot and triennial parliaments. That he was so far independent appeared in this, that with the ballot he believed the present opposition would scarcely have occurred, or if it had it would have been but a very few hours ere it would have terminated in the triumph of himself and Mr. Rumbold. (Loud cheers.) The other candidates also addressed the assembled multitude. The poll commenced the following day, and from the activity with the Pink and Purples, or Reds, or Conservatives, for in the motley assemblage of coalition of colours we scarcely know what exactly they call themselves, brought up their voters, it was feared that they would head the first day’s poll. The event proved the correctness of the prediction, for at four o’clock it was found that the Tories had a majority of 192; although the Blues rallied next morning, that majority could notbe altogether overcome. The final close of the poll left Messrs. Baring and Praed a majority of 88.

“The nomination of the candidates took place at the Guildhall, on hustings erected outside. The Town Clerk (S. Tolver, Esq.) having read the precept, the Mayor, in a loud voice, requested a patient hearing for those who might address them. Mr. Alderman Barth, in a neat speech, proposed the Hon. Col Anson as a fit and proper person to represent the borough. B. Dowson, Esq., seconded the nomination. Vice-Admiral Sir G. Parker, K.C.B., in a very manly and straightforward speech, proposed Mr. Rumbold, when Mr. Shelly presented himself as the seconder. A picked party of his opponents, evidently brought there for the purpose, attempted by every discordant noise to prevent his being heard; by dint of perseverance, however, and the powerful support of his numerous friends, Mr. S. with even more than his usual eloquence, at considerable length supported the nomination. Messrs. R. Ferrier and A. Palmer proposed and seconded Mr. Baring, and Mr. J. Penrice proposed and Mr. J. Lacon seconded the nomination of Mr. Praed. The Hon. Col. Anson spoke at great length, and with all his wonted power, in the course of a really luminous speech, he expressed the surprise he had felt on finding Mr. A. Palmer (a gentleman who had before honoured him with his support) among the ranks of his opponents. Mr. P. explained by saying it was because Col. A. had allied himself to Radicals and destructives. The Hon. Col. said he was surprised at having such a reason assigned. It was known to all that he had never succumbed to the Radicals. That deeply grateful as he was for their support, he had, and should again, unless convinced of their necessity, oppose their great measures of vote by ballot and triennial parliaments. That he was so far independent appeared in this, that with the ballot he believed the present opposition would scarcely have occurred, or if it had it would have been but a very few hours ere it would have terminated in the triumph of himself and Mr. Rumbold. (Loud cheers.) The other candidates also addressed the assembled multitude. The poll commenced the following day, and from the activity with the Pink and Purples, or Reds, or Conservatives, for in the motley assemblage of coalition of colours we scarcely know what exactly they call themselves, brought up their voters, it was feared that they would head the first day’s poll. The event proved the correctness of the prediction, for at four o’clock it was found that the Tories had a majority of 192; although the Blues rallied next morning, that majority could notbe altogether overcome. The final close of the poll left Messrs. Baring and Praed a majority of 88.

Anson

680

Rumbold

675

Baring

772

Praed

768

“Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold addressed an immense concourse of persons, by whom they were repeatedly and loudly cheered, from the King’s Head windows. They were preceded by Mr. Alderman Barth, Col. Anson’s very deep emotion not enabling him immediately to come forward. When he did come forward he said no language which he could use could sufficiently express his sorrow at the dissolution of the connection so long subsisting between them; their present members would find their task a comparatively easy one; they would find that such attention had been paid to the town that the path would be plain before them, and that little indeed would remain to be done. (Loud cheers.) They had been defeated by means most flagitious. Let not the present members, however, be too certain of their seats, for if by any means these foul proceedings could be sifted to the bottom, measures would be taken to remove them from their ill-acquired honours. With him and Mr. Rumbold, he was happy to say, still remained the real voice of the people. (Cheers.) He was proud of this, and would in conclusion assure them that whether in or out of Parliament their interests would ever have a prominent place in his regards. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Rumbold spoke under the influence of great agitation, and in the course of a very luminous speech adverted to the disgraceful fact of having in his pocket a proof that, in a room in this town a bribe was offered in the presence and with the cognizance of a Magistrate. (Cries of ‘Shame, shame.’) He should carry into retirement with him the deepest sense of their uniform kindness, and a determination ever to forward the interests of any of his former constituents, who might apply to him, to the best of his ability. The chairing of to-day was hailed by numbers with demonstrations which must have been the very reverse to the members; indeed, we are sure that if the Blues had shown in full strength their exasperated feelings (and they did not do this alone in compliance with the advice of their leaders), there could have been no chairing. A dinner of our late members’ friends is now about taking place at the Masonic Hall, very numerously attended. A subscription for the purchase of a piece of plate for them is commenced, and will include the smallest amount. This will confirm us in our conviction that the sense of the town is with the Blues.”

Jan. 15th.—About 100 supporters of Messrs. Anson and Rumbold dined at the Masonic Hall, when both those gentlemen were present.

Jan. 22nd.—The polling for East Norfolk showed a majority of 149 in the town for Windham and Gurney. Mr. Hume, M.P., Mr. Windham, and Mr. Palmer had addressed the electors.

Feb. 12th contains the following account of a sailing match from Yarmouth to Venice:—

“The Lion, Punchard, having some time been considered the fastest ship out of this port, a brig was built, and launched in the middle of September, called the Vivid (Captain M. Butcher, jun.) and matched against the Lion, for Venice, which vessel sailed at 3 p.m. on the 2nd of December, and the Vivid sailed at 6 p.m. on the following day, being 27 hours difference in favour of the former vessel; since which period letters have been received from Venice from each Captain, stating that the Vivid passed the Gut of Gibraltar on the 22nd of December and the Lion on the 29th. They also state that the Vivid arrived at Venice on the 17th ult, and the Lion on the 24th ult.”

A meeting of the subscribers to the plate to be presented to the late M.P.’s (Messrs. Anson and Rumbold) had been held, when it appeared that 3,685 persons had contributed £370 0s. 8d.

March 2nd.—Mr. C. Aldred had given a lecture on the “Philosophy of Sleep.”

There had been “a most tremendous hurricane,” and it was stated that “the oldest seaman does not recollect so much damage occurring on this coast with an off-shore wind.”

March 16th.—£100 had been deposited by three gentlemen “as the issue of a voyage to be performed by the Vivid, Lion, and Rapid, from these Roads to the Naze of Norway and back.”

March 26th.—The ladies of Yarmouth were about to present two very elegant silver mugs to Miss Anson and Miss Emily Anson, the daughters of the late M.P. for the borough.

April 16th.—Mr. W. Davie, Trinity Agent, had been appointed a Sub-Commissioner of Pilotage in the room of John Fisher, Esq., on the recommendation of John Danby Palmer, Esq., and W. J. Hurry, Esq., the other Commissioners.

Mr. F. Preston had launched a very fine vessel of 464 tons called the Mary Anne.

A Society for promoting the Purity of Election had been formed.

April 23rd.—The members (Messrs. Baring and Praed) attended adinner to which they had been invited by their constituents, at the Town Hall. Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., presided. John Penrice, Esq., sat at the head of the right hand table, and Ambrose Palmer, Esq., at the head of the left. Mr. Paget was vice-president. Among the company were Lord Walpole, M.P., E. Wodehouse, Esq., M.P., Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart., Sir Jacob Preston, Bart.,— Lawson, Esq., M.P., the Mayor of Yarmouth, John Danby Palmer, Esq., Captains Onslow, Gunthorpe, Manby, and Grint; M. Lacon, J. M. Lacon, W. Fisher, I. Preston, J. Preston, R. Ferrier, J. G. Fisher, E. Leathes, G. E. Francis, R. Cory, W. Yetts, F. Preston, and Chas. J. Palmer, Esqs.; the Revs. T. Baker, C. Penrice, W. Lucas, — Green, and about 250 electors.

May 14th.—The smuggler “Nancy, of London,” was brought in by the Badger, cutter, having on board 150 tubs of brandy, a few bags of tea, and some dry goods.

June 18th.—A meeting of Reformers had been held at the Star Hotel, when G. Danby Palmer, Esq., moved that a petition should be presented in favour of the Corporation Reform Bill.

June 25th.—Another meeting on the same subject had been held at the Mechanics’ Hall. Messrs. William Barth, R. Wall, Thomas Hammond, E. Sewell, S. Cobb, and J. Shelly taking part in the proceedings.

July 2nd.—Mr. Praed had presented a petition against the Corporation Reform Bill from the town.

July 30th.—The following notice appears of the death of J. Shelly, Esq.:—

“It is with feelings of more than ordinary regret that we this week announce the sudden death of John Shelly, Esq. This estimable gentleman had concluded his examination on Tuesday forenoon last before the Parliamentary Committee, and after being highly complimented by the noble Chairman (Lord F. Egerton) for his ability (feeling himself somewhat unwell), had retired to his inn, where he directed the waiter to call him in half-an-hour. The servant went upstairs at the time appointed, about two in the afternoon, and found Mr. S. sitting in a chair, nearly dead. We repeat that we feel more than ordinary regret at having this announcement to make. As a leader and representative (if we may so say) of a party his death will create a void that it will be long indeed ere it be filled. His was a master mind—once embarked in a subject (whatever might be its magnitude) it was sure to be treated powerfully and ably by Mr. Shelly, the whole energies of whose mind were directed toits elucidation for the benefit of his fellow townsmen. There might, indeed, be those who excelled this really gifted man in some particular department, but for general knowledge, facility, power, ease, and even elegance of expression, our lamented friend, we should say, has not left his equal in this, his native town. That he was a warm partizan, no one can deny, but that he was directed in his every movement of a public nature by sincerity and conscience is equally clear to every one who had the happiness of knowing him. The great majority of the shops kept by those in the Liberal interest are shaded, to show the sense which is entertained of the irreparable nature of the public loss sustained. But it is not alone in public that the work of Mr. S. was known. As a father, husband, friend, and Christian, his conduct was alike exemplary. We will venture to say that, warm as was his political partizanship, he never made himself one personal enemy. Mr. Shelly has left an amiable wife and eleven children to deplore his loss.”

August 8th.—The Regatta had been held, when the cup was won by Sir Jacob Preston’s “Maria”; on this occasion Edmund Preston, Esq., entertained “about 200 of the fashionables of the town.”

August 13th.—The petition in favour of Corporation Reform had been signed by 2,500 persons.

August 20th.—The following notice appears:—

“On Friday night, Mr. Prentice, of whose contumacy before a Committee of the House of Commons our readers have heard so much, arrived here, having been recently released from Newgate. The day previous handbills made their appearance, inviting the friends of Messrs. Baring and Praed to accompany Prentice into town. About seven o’clock on the first-mentioned evening a party of from twenty to thirty left the house of a publican in Chapel Street, preceded with band, colours, and banners down Regent Street, over the bridge, and so on to Hopton. On the arrival of the “Morning Star” coach Prentice was taken out and placed in an open landau, in which he stood upright, bowing, as he went along, to the assemblage, which by this time had become very large, induced thereto by the novelty of the scene. The procession with much mock gravity moved on to the bridge, by torch light, went round the town, and thence proceeded to the Bowling Green, where the lion of the night spoke from a window. He described the present as the proudest, the happiest day of his life—said that although the Reform Bill had given him a vote, yet he hated it,—he hated also the Corporation Reform Bill, and hoped that the Lords would so mutilate it that Lord JohnRussell might not know his own child again.”

October 8th contains the following paragraph:—

“Some admirers of the Corporation met on Tuesday sen’night to celebrate Michaelmas Day at the Angel Inn, Mr. F. Paget in the chair. We understand that some of the leading members of the expiring body were present.”

October 18th contains a notice of Brock’s miraculous escape from drowning.

Oct. 22nd.—The first Oddfellows’ funeral in this town is thus recorded:—

“On Thursday afternoon last the novel ceremonial of an Oddfellows’ funeral took place in processional order. The deceased, Nathaniel Spilman, had been for many years a member of the two lodges in this town, and, it having been his request, he was interred with the usual honours appertaining to the Order. Accordingly, the brethren of the two lodges proceeded in the following order to the house of the deceased:—officer of the lodge with his drawn sword, secretary bearing the scroll, two officers with their wands, two of the head officers of each lodge, two officers with wands, two of the second officers of the lodges, a large concourse of the brethren adorned with their numerous silver medals, aprons, &c., two of the wardens carrying their badges. On their arrival at the house they proceeded to the churchyard in the above order, with the addition of the Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew preceding the body, which was carried by six of the brethren of the lodge, with six others as pall-holders, wearing their different medals and aprons. When at the grave the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew read the burial service, and at the conclusion the scroll was thrown in, each of the brethren throwing in sprigs of rosemary. The secretary to both lodges read the funeral obsequies over the grave. They then returned to the house of the deceased’s relatives, and after leaving the family (who had attended the remains to the grave) proceeded in the same order to the lodge-room, where they soon after separated. Certainly nothing could have been more solemn and impressive than was the whole of this ceremonial. At a meeting of the brethren on the Monday following, it was unanimously resolved, that the secretary should issue a circular to the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, thanking him for the great condescension and kindness evinced by him in attending the funeral of their late departed brother.”

Nov. 5th.—A meeting to consider the question of constructing a railway had been held. Admiral Sir G. Parker, William Barth, Esq.,Ambrose Palmer, Esq. (who prognosticated that by means of a railway the fisheries would become so immense as to be the astonishment of all), R. S. Lonsdale, Esq., R. Ferrier, Esq., R. Palmer Kemp, Esq., and others took part in the proceedings.

Nov. 12th.—The following gentlemen had been nominated by the Whig party as the candidates for election to the Reformed Corporation:—Gorleston Ward: William Barth, Thomas Hammond, J. S. Bell, H. Martin, P. Stead, and J. W. Dowson.Nelson Ward: George Danby Palmer, R. Palmer Kemp, S. Robinson, J. Symonds, G. W. Garson, and M. Butcher.St. George’s Ward: C. Sayers, H. V. Worship, Thomas Lettis, William Grave, George Penrice, M.D., and William Barker.Regent Ward: John Brightwen, S. Palmer, S. C. Marsh, C. Davie, B. Dowson, and J. Tomlinson.Market Ward: E. M. Clowes, William Johnson, W. Hammond, S. Cobb, E. Sewell, and B. Cobb.St. Nicholas’ Ward: Thomas Thornton, A. Sewell, Joseph Fiddes, R. Hammond, W. N. Burroughs, and C. E. Doughty. It was reported that the Tories had held “secret meetings” and were prepared to nominate Messrs. S. H. Aldred, J. E. Laws, B. Sherrington, P. Moore, E. H. L. Preston, and — Moore. Messrs. J. G. Plummer, D. Hook, and S. Sherrington had also issued a joint address in the South Ward; R. Ferrier and F. Preston had offered themselves for the St. George’s and St. Andrew’s Wards, and R. Wall for the South Ward.

Nov. 26th.—It is recorded that in the month ending October, then last, there entered “inwards” at the Custom House of this port 306 vessels, the tonnage of which amounted to 24,933 tons, and with cargoes “outwards” 120 vessels, of a tonnage of 8,560 tons. The “Old Spring,” a ship of nearly 400 tons (belonging to George Danby Palmer, Esq.), had arrived from Archangel with timber, and came up to the Quay without unlading any part of her cargo.

Dec. 10th.—The retiring Aldermen (except Mr. Barth) were entertained by their Tory friends previous to their quitting office.

Dec. 20th.—About 120 gentlemen retaliated upon this course by giving a dinner to Mr. Barth, S. Cobb, Esq., in the chair. S. Palmer, H. Worship, Thos. Hammond, George Danby Palmer, R. Palmer Kemp, H. V. Worship, C. Bell, Thomas Green, Esqs., Capt. Jeffries, and Messrs. Burroughs, W. J. Mason, B. Cobb, Grave, R. Hammond, T. Lettis, and S. Robinson took part in this entertainment.

Jan. 2nd.—The following is the account of the first election of Town Councillors under the Municipal Reform Act:—

“The election of Town Councillors took place here on Saturday last. The polling commenced at nine o’clock in the morning, and finished at four in the afternoon. The return was published on Monday by the Mayor, as follows:—

NORTH WARD.

Richard Hammond

108

William N. Burroughs

Abraham Sewell

Charles George Doughty

Benjamin Sherrington

E. H. L. Preston

MARKET WARD.

Simon Cobb

135

William Johnson

134

William Hammond

131

Benjamin Cobb

129

Edward N. Clowes

128

Edward Sewell

124

REGENT WARD.

John Brightwen

Samuel Palmer

S. C. Marsh

Joseph Tomlinson

C. Davie

Benjamin Dowson

ST. GEORGE’S WARD.

C. Sayers

W. Grave

George Penrice, M.D.

W. Barber

H. V. Worship

Thomas Lettis

SOUTH WARD.

G. D. Palmer

147

R. P. Kemp

137

George Garson

127

M. Butcher

124

John Symonds

122

Samuel Robinson

118

GORLESTON AND SOUTHTOWN, OR ST. ANDREW’S WARD.

J. S. Bell

115

Thomas Hammond

111

J. W. Dowson

105

William Barth

101

Hezekiah Martin

P. Stead

It is a matter of great congratulation that 34 out of the 36 Councillors are Reformers. This election was conducted with tranquility. Devoutly it is to be wished that parliamentary elections were managed in the same way. The laborious portion of our population had no inducement held out to them to lose a single hour. It is a little curious that Mr. William Prentice—that very Mr. Prentice who made so conspicuous a figure in our election parliamentary investigation, proved one of the most formidable antagonists with whom the Liberal candidates in the town had to contend.”

Jan. 7th.—The first meeting of the Reformed Corporation is reported as follows:—

“The Town Council met on Thursday last at the Tolhouse Hall, John Brightwen, Esq., in the chair, (Isaac Preston, Esq., having, we understand, ceased to exercise the functions of Mayor since his publication of the Council List), for the purpose of choosing twelve Aldermen. The choice fell on the following gentlemen:—Messrs. J. Brightwen, Benjamin Dowson, Robert Teasdel, Joseph Starling, J. B. Palmer, R. S. Lonsdale, Thomas Pitt, Captain William Larke, R.N., Benjamin Fenn, Robert Wall, Christopher Nicholls, and Captain James Jefferies. On the following day the Aldermen and Council met at the same place for the election of a Mayor and for other public business. Mr. E. H. L. Preston proposed Mr. Richard Hammond. Mr. H. thanked Mr. P. for the proposition, and said that he should still more thank his friends if they voted against him. William Barth, Esq., was then chosen Mayor, amidst loud cheering. Mr. B. was then, together with the Aldermen, sworn in. The Court was then thrown open to the public, when the front and side galleries were instantly filled by a very respectable concourse of persons, the body of the hall being appropriated to the Council. Several gentlemen were named for Magistrates to be recommended to the Crown. Accounts were ordered touching the property (and profits arising from such property) held by the late Corporation, together with accounts of the official persons employed, their salaries, &c., for the last five years. J. Tolver, Esq., was then chosen, during pleasure, as Town Clerk.”“Our Conservatives had dined together on Thursday to celebrate the anniversary of the return of Messrs. Baring and Praed. They have been obliged to put themselves on a level with the Reformers, and be content with three shilling tickets instead of fifteen. The dinner took place at the Angel Inn, J. E. Lacon, Esq., in the chair.”

“Our Conservatives had dined together on Thursday to celebrate the anniversary of the return of Messrs. Baring and Praed. They have been obliged to put themselves on a level with the Reformers, and be content with three shilling tickets instead of fifteen. The dinner took place at the Angel Inn, J. E. Lacon, Esq., in the chair.”

Jan. 14th contains the following report:—

“There was an unusual quantity of business transacted at the Corporation Assembly on Wednesday last. It was first proposed that a petition should be addressed to the King, praying for four Sessions of Oyer and Terminer a year. It was suggested that the Recorder should be allowed £60 a year. To this Mr. E. L. Preston objected, who moved that it should be £50. To this it was replied that the latter sum was allowed by the late Corporation when Sessions were only held twice a year. The original motion was carried unanimously, Mr. E. Sewellobserving that Mr. P’s was a false economy. It was next moved by Mr. S. Cobb that the Great Seal should be called that of the Town Council, and not of St. Nicholas. He had no objection to all remaining as it was except the expensive name of St. Nicholas. This was warmly opposed by Mr. Preston. It was, however, carried unanimously. Mr. Richard Hammond read a list of persons to form the Committee of Finance. To this plan Mr. Preston warmly objected, saying he had no notion of names being got up “ready cut and dried.” It was stated in answer that the list (to which no objection was then made) was agreed to at the Watch Committee, of which Mr. P. formed one, and which he might have attended if he pleased. Mr. B. Sherrington (of the same politics as Mr. P.) was on the Committee, and was present. The Finance Committee agreed to were, the Mayor (who is appointedex-officioon all Committees), Messrs. S. Cobb, R. S. Lonsdale, Charles Nicholls, B. Dowson, Martin, G. D. Palmer, C. Sayers, W. Johnson, and Burroughs. On the Mayor explaining the duties of the Borough Lands Committee, it was suggested and agreed to, that the tradesmen employed solely by this Committee should be only for small jobs. This being a most important business, it was determined that all the Council should form the Committee. On the Water-Bailiffs and Met Farm Office Committee, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. S. Cobb, that it be called “Committee of Port Dues”; the officer “Collector of Port Dues.” The Committee appointed were Messrs. W. Barber, G. D. Palmer, T. Pitt, R. Teasdel, Martin, J. B. Palmer, Thomas Hammond, Fenn, Butcher, and Dowson. Market and Corporation Tolls’ Committee: Messrs. Johnson, Brightwen, S. Cobb, Sayers, Nicholls, Sherrington, R. Hammond, S. Palmer, Symonds, J. B. Palmer, and Martin. Committee for Caister Causeway: Messrs. R. P. Kemp, S. Palmer, Nicholls, Fenn, Tomlinson, R. Hammond, and Sayers. Church Trustees: Messrs. Larke, Kemp, Burroughs, J. Dowson, Starling, B. Cobb, S. Palmer, E. N. Clowes, Marsh, Tomlinson, Garson, Grave, Butcher, Barber, Robinson, Preston, Martin, Symonds, Sherrington, and G. D. Palmer. All the outstanding drawbacks arc to be referred to the Port Dues Committee. The ringers’ bill, £12 10s. for five days’ ringing, was disallowed. Admiralty Court: R. Cory, jun., returned that he had in five years received as registrar £1,483 16s. 8d., and claimed as compensation £200 per year for his natural life. Proctors: C. J. Palmer claimed £1,036 7s., C. Sayers £1,196 5s. 6d., I. Preston £692, E. R. Palmer £497. Thomas King, gaoler, petitioned for continuance of place, stated emoluments, and asked£13 7s. 4½d. compensation, as Marshall of the Court of Admiralty. Mrs. King, as matron, received £10 per year, and prayed to be continued. Alfred King, turnkey, received 14s. per. week, and prayed for continuance. The five sergeants-at-mace sent a return of their emoluments for five years, and petitioned for their continuance. B. Welsh, chapel clerk, made about £47 per year, and prayed for continuance. The Rev. Thomas Baker, as lecturer, received £120 per year. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew received from the late Corporation £40 per year and a house, for which he pays 1s. per year rent. John Seaman, parish clerk, receives no salary, but averages about £80 per annum. The Revs. J. Homfray and Mark Waters declined the statement of their proceeds, as they conceived the returns did not apply to them as Ministers of a Chapel endowed by Act of Parliament. They begged their refusal might not be considered as arising from discourtesy. Their communication was rejected. These returns were referred to a Committee of the Mayor’s assistants.”

Jan. 21st.—The Earl of Orford had been removed from his office of High Steward and the Earl of Lichfield elected in his place.

The following gentlemen were suggested as Magistrates:—William Barth, Esq., Sir George Parker, K.C.B., George Danby Palmer, H. V. Worship, J. Brightwen, C. Nicholls, R. Palmer Kemp, S. Cobb, and S. Palmer, Esqs., and Capt. Larke, R.N., by the Council.

Sixteen new watch and policemen, and two superintendents had been appointed.

The Mayor and Town Council had attended service at St. Nicholas’ Church, “The Mayor with no other insignia of office than the chain and the sword carried by an officer.”

Feb. 4th.—The Tories had held a dinner in the Theatre in honour of Messrs. Baring and Praed. Seven hundred persons attended.

Feb. 18th.—Has the following report of a high tide:—

“The scene of devastation on our beach, occasioned by the late high tides, exceed the powers of description. Wednesday morning, in some measure, prepared us for the event; the sea was at that time breaking over the jetty, and reached as high as the houses. It was prophesied by nautical men that if the next tide was equally high the consequences would be most disastrous, and, unfortunately, it so proved. The sea in the evening undermined the foundations of most of the dwellings, throwing down the walls of many, to the great injury of those of the inmates who had not taken the precautions to remove their property. Furniture was seen floating in all directions, in the presence of the astonished andalarmed multitude. The summer residence of the Right Hon. Lord Berners is more than half destroyed, while the house of the Misses Ansell and the Right Hon. Lord Nevill were surrounded; in fact, such a scene of general devastation never in the memory of the oldest inhabitant presented itself. The sea at one time reached some way up the Jetty Road. While a person was assisting the landlord of the Holkham Tavern to remove his beds, &c., to a back warehouse, the sea burst in and broke down the front wall. At one part of the South Denes the sea and river might be seen meeting. Part of the South Quay was flooded. It was unusually high at the bridge, and likewise some of the lower parts of the town. Amidst this wide spreading destruction, we are glad to say, no lives were lost.”

Feb. 22nd.—The Lord High Steward (the Earl of Lichfield) had been sworn in, and a dinner given in his honour. The noble lord was accompanied by the Mayor, Lord Suffield, the Hon. George Anson, Mr. Rumbold, Sir W. Ffolkes, and Mr. Adair.

March 10th.—A meeting had been held, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew presiding, to consider the establishment of a penny library for the working classes.

March 24th.—A bet had been made by Mr. Ringer, of the Elephant and Castle liquor shop in the Market Place, “that on Monday he would sell 1,000 glasses of ale and porter from six o’clock in the morning and close the same night. Mr. R. closed at 10, after selling 2,454, at one penny per glass.”

Mr. F. Preston had launched a fine ship of 370 tons from his yard.

April 2nd.—Mr. Edward H. L. Preston and Mr. Green had been tried and acquitted upon charges of bribery alleged to have been committed by them at the General Election, when Messrs. Baring and Praed were returned for the borough.

April 7th.—A poll had taken place for two Haven and Pier Commissioners, as follows:—

George Danby Palmer

375

William Barth

375

Sir E. Lacon

207

Samuel Paget

168

and Messrs. Palmer and Barth were consequently elected.

April 14th contains the following paragraph as to the recent bribery prosecution:—

“Yesterday there was a grand public dinner at the Angel Inn, tocelebrate what the Tories call ‘the defeat of the Attorney-General and the Yarmouth Radicals;’ but what we should say was a fortunate escape of the accused parties, arising from the glorious uncertainty of the law. John Lacon, Esq., was in the chair. Richard Ferrier, Esq., presided at the left hand table. The two vice-presidents were Mr. Aldred and Mr. John Clarke. A very handsome silver teapot and ewer were presented to Mr. William Green, by John Penrice, Esq., in an appropriate speech, for his exertions at the last election. We were not present, but had these particulars from a Tory friend, who also said ‘he thought ’twas hard poor Prentice hadn’t something, as he did as much as Green, and more too.’ There were about 70 persons present.”

Twenty gentlemen, all of Reform principles, had been elected select Vestrymen.

Five hundred merchants and others had attended a public meeting to protest against the proposal of the Eastern Counties’ Railway Company to construct a line to Harwich.

April 28th.—The seamen had “struck” for an increase of wages.

Several persons had been fined for keeping disorderly houses.

Seven vessels had been cleared with emigrants for America, carrying 850 adults and 600 children, and several other vessels were fitting out for the same voyage.

May 5th.—The town was suffering from a number of dogs prowling about, one of which had severely bitten a young lady.

May 19th.—Mr. William Ferrier had been elected Coroner by the Council, which body had voted, by a majority of one, to retain the Market Cross.

June 9th—Mr. Jefferies Barth had been elected Clerk of the Peace.

June 17th.—Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., had been appointed Recorder.

June 23rd.—A fine new schooner (The Clipper) had been launched for William Hurry Palmer, Esq., and was expected to be the fastest sailing vessel out of the port.

June 30th.—The Cross was ordered to be pulled down.

July 14th.—It was stated that “Yarmouth is very full of strangers, who flock here from all parts of the country to enjoy the cool sea breezes. We believe there is not any other place that affords so excellent a view of shipping in motion as Yarmouth Roads, it being the great thoroughfare for all vessels trading to the North. The Bath Room is one of the principal attractions to visitors, as it is a most agreeable lounge during the heat of the day, and frequent undress balls enliven the youthful partof the company. The Bath Room has been well attended this year, and we are happy to say the list of subscribers gives promise of a good season.”

The destruction of the Cross is thus noticed:—

“On Friday last the Market Cross was sold by public tender for £55 6s., and on Monday morning workmen commenced pulling it down. It has now entirely disappeared, to the gratification of the residents in the Market Place, to whom it had long been a great annoyance, in consequence of its having become a rendezvous for idle and dissolute persons. The Tories lament the loss of it, and call the Corporation destructives for having removed a public nuisance! We know not what claim it had upon their sympathies, except in being a fit emblem of the late Body Corporate, for like that it perhaps was of service at some bygone period of time, but having long ceased to be useful, it had fallen to abuse and rottenness, and to complete the resemblance it has, after some struggles, been swept away by the current of public opinion.”

August 9th.—The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew had been presented with plate of the value of £100 by the parishioners.

August 25th.—The Races had been held, the Stewards being the Earl of Orford, Lord Henniker, and T. Baring, Esq., M.P. About 160 ladies and gentlemen attended the Race Ball, and 2,000 persons patronized the Vauxhall Gardens.

Sept. 1st.—The Regatta had been held, and the Theatre had been well filled on the Stewards’ bespeak, when an attempt to get up a cry of “Baring and Rumbold” proved a failure.

Sept. 22nd.—172 persons holding Corporation leaseholds had intimated their desire to purchase the freehold of their properties, at prices amounting to £6,911.

Oct. 6th.—The price of herrings was £23 to £24 per last.

Oct. 13th.—The compensation awarded to the Town Clerk for loss of his offices of Magistrates’ Clerk and Clerk of the Peace had been settled at £222 per annum.

Nov. 3rd.—The result of the Municipal Election is reported as follows:—

“Our Municipal Election took place on Tuesday last. The contest in the St. Nicholas’ Ward was a severe one. It was neck and neck between Mr. Nuthall and E. H. L. Preston all day. At length the election was carried by aworthy, who, after promising constantly to vote for Nuthall and Sherrington, was suddenly not to be found; but about fiveminutes before the close of the poll he was brought out of the Saracen’s Head, a low public-house, in a state of intoxication, his voting paper having been changed or altered to Preston and Fiddes. This decided the thing in Mr. Preston’s favour, as before that time the numbers for him and Mr. Nuthall were 102 each. Such a mode of gaining an election is quite in keeping with Tory practices, and needs no comment. The validity of the election is, however, disputed on the grounds of a bad vote on the Tory side, and an informality in the appointment of an Alderman to preside in the absence of the Aldermen of the Ward. The following is a list of Councillors returned:—St. Nicholas’ Ward: Mr. Sherrington and Mr. Preston.Market: Mr. E. N. Clowes and Mr. Sewell.Regent: Mr. Cufaude Davie and Mr. John Fish.St. George’s: Mr. Worship and Mr. Lettis.Nelson: Mr. Robinson and Mr. Symonds.St. Andrew’s: Mr. Martin and Mr. Frederick Preston.”

Nov. 10th.—A dinner, attended by 200 gentlemen, had been given to William Barth, Esq. (the Mayor.)

Nov. 24th.—The old Bridge had been sold in one lot for £96.

Dec. 22nd.—Mr. F. Preston had launched a beautiful brig called the “Catherine,” of 212 tons register.

Dec. 29th.—Heavy weather prevailed, with so much snow that the coaches were obliged to cease running.

Jan. 5th.—The “Isis,” of this port, and a sloop belonging to Wells, had been towed off the beach into the harbour.

Jan. 12th.—Eleven vessels still remained on the beach, and the jetty had been damaged by the Henry, of North Shields, having run into it.

Improvements were being effected at the Bath Rooms.

A floating-light was to be placed at St. Nicholas’ Gat.

Jan. 19th.—The increase in the Customs for the year ended 5th January, 1837, was £7,000.

Feb. 2nd.—The Town debt was stated to have been left by the late Corporation at £11,000, with 19s. 6d. in hand to meet that demand.

Feb. 16th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of moving for the abolition of Church Rates.

Feb. 23rd.—Mr. Kay, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, had been down with a view to bringing the Town under the Poor Law Amendment Act.

March 23rd.—The “Export Merchants” had given a dinner to their friends at the Star Hotel, when George Danby Palmer, Esq., presided.

March 30th.—At the Vestry meeting the parishioners claimed and exercised the right of electing both Churchwardens.

April 6th.—The nomination for the first Board of Guardians (N. Palmer, Esq., acting as Returning Officer) had been sent in. The following gentlemen were elected:—Messrs. John Brightwen, H. V. Worship, S. V. Moore, S. Miller, jun., E. N. Clowes, W. Chambers, J. Fish, G. Harley, S. Cobb, R. P. Kemp, S. Palmer, and W. Grave.

April 20th.—The following officers were elected by the Board:—R. P. Kemp, Chairman; S. Cobb, Vice-Chairman; J. L. Cufaude, Clerk; D. Turner, Treasurer; B. L. Love, Auditor; Harry Worship and Joseph Bayly, Registrars; Charles Bell and Henry Palmer, Joint Superintendent Registrars; and — Kemp, Governor of the Workhouse.

May 4th.—The Guardians had fixed the site for the new Workhouse on the North Denes.

May 11th.—Mr. Harry Worship and Mr. J. Bayly had been elected parish surgeons.

May 18th.—Mackerel were selling at £2 14s. per hundred.

May 25th.—The inhabitants had voted an address to the Princess Victoria.

June 22nd.—The paper appears in mourning for the King. It contained a notice that “The proclamation of Her Majesty the Queen was to be made to-morrow” (i.e., on 21st June.)

June 29th.—Mr. Baring had given £25 to the Methodist Chapel.

The Queen had been proclaimed by the Mayor “in front of the Hall” and at other places in the town.

Kerrison Kerrison, Esq., son of M. Kerrison, Esq., of Ranworth, had been drowned while bathing from the beach.

July 13th.—S. Palmer, Esq., had called a meeting at his own house to consider the question of selecting candidates for the representation of the Borough, when Mr. Rumbold and Mr. Wiltshire were introduced to the electors.

July 29th.—The election is reported, when Mr. Baring was proposed and seconded by Messrs. Ambrose Palmer and Richard Ferrier; Mr. Rumbold by Sir George Parker and Mr. Brightwen; Mr. Gambier by Mr. J. Penrice and Mr. J. E. Lacon; and Mr. Wilshere by Mr. Robert Palmer Kemp and Mr. B. U. Dowson.

The poll closed—

Rumbold

790

Wilshere

779

Baring

699

Gambier

685

August 24th.—The Races had been held, Mr. Wilshere, M.P., staying with Mr. S. Palmer, while Mr. Rumbold, M.P., was at the Mayor’s house.

Sept. 7th.—First meeting of the “Reform” Magistrates for the purpose of granting licences; present—The Mayor, Dr. Penrice, G. Danby Palmer, S. Cobb, Charles Nicholls, and William Hammond, Esqs., and “the first step taken towards breaking up the monopoly which had hitherto been enjoyed by brewers and spirit merchants.”

Sept. 14th.—The “Foxhound” (Captain Betts), belonging to G. Danby Palmer, Esq., had sailed with 1,250 barrels of herrings for Venice.

The schooner “Wilshere” had been launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard for Messrs. Barker and Stone, who entertained their friends on the occasion at the Star Hotel.

Sept. 21st.—£21 had been voted for pulling down the Pudding Gates.

Sept. 28th.—The Lord Bishop had held a confirmation, and received an address from the Corporation at the Guild Hall.

Oct. 5th.—The Reformers claimed a gain of 56 at the Revision Court.

The “Parroch Hall,” a fine ship of 450 tons, had been launched from Mr. I. Preston’s yard.

Oct. 26th.—Joseph Bonaparte, ex-King of Spain, had visited the town.

The “Tantivy,” schooner had been launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.

Nov. 2nd.—The Liberal candidates had been re-elected in all the Wards without opposition.

Nov. 9th.—Dr. Penrice was elected Mayor, after a ballot, by 20 votes, as against 14 votes given for Mr. S. Cobb; Samuel Jay, Esq., was elected an Alderman in the place of Mr. Wall.

Nov. 23rd.—Mr. Joseph Fiddes, James N. Sherrington, and James Raven had been elected Commissioners of the Borough Court of Requests.

The “Harlequin,” 350 tons burthen, had been launched from Mr. L Preston’s yard.

Dec. 7th.—The Tories had petitioned against the return of the sitting members, but had suggested a compromise, which had been “rejected with the ridicule it deserved.”

Mr. Joseph Bayly had been elected a Councillor for St. George’s Ward.

Dec. 21st.—Mr. William Danby Palmer had been elected a Councillor for St. Andrew’s Ward, in the place of Mr. Dowson, deceased.

Dee. 28th.—A Temperance sermon had been preached by the Rev. T. Clowes fromi.Cor., viii., 8, 13.

The weather had been remarkably mild, warmer than it was often in May and June.

April 19th.—Winter had come again, and the frost had blocked up several pumps. The nights were extremely dark, and great complaints had been made by inhabitants of the total absence of lights in the streets.

Coaches had been engaged to take up the Tory witnesses for the hearing of the election petition, while the Whigs were going to London by the “Ailsa Craig” steam packet.

April 26th.—The following Committee had been struck for the hearing of such petition:—The Hon. E. Grimshaw, Charles Rushout, H. Thomas, E. Baker, W. C. Brodie, J. C. Holmes, and J. Bailey (Tories), and J. E. Vivian, R. W. Hunt Lord M. Hill, and the Hon. George Byng (Whigs).

May 3rd.—This Committee had come to the resolution—That C. E. Rumbold and W. Wilshere, Esqs., are duly elected, but that the petition was not frivolous or vexatious.

May 10th.—This decision appears to have been the result of an arrangement made by a few gentlemen of the Whig and Tory parties, that one of the members (it is believed Mr. Wilshere) would accept the Chiltern Hundreds at the end of the present Session of Parliament. It was believed in that event Mr. Baring would be opposed. It is stated that “of late our members have not reposed on a bed of roses.”

May 17th.—The schooner “Stamboul” had been launched from Messrs. A. Palmer and Son’s yard.

May 24th.—A suggestion appears to found a Dispensary in Yarmouth and that the Council fund should be applied towards this end.This fund then consisted of £2,500, and was formed by the contributions of each Alderman of £10 and each Common Councilman £5 on his election.

May 31st.—The “Pantaloon,” a fine, large, round-sterned brig of 180 tons, had been launched by her owners, Messrs. A. and G. Steward; and the “Victoria,” 350 tons, by Mr. J. Preston.

A meeting had been held at the Town Hall to consider the propriety of establishing a small Hospital for Great Yarmouth and the East and West Fleggs and Mutford and Lothingland Hundreds. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew presided, and amongst those present were all the resident clergy and medical gentlemen of the town, with Messrs. G. D. Palmer, Brightwen, W. Steward, B. Dowson, Worship, &c.

June 7th and 14th.—Col. Thompson had been suggested as a candidate for the Borough, and Mr. Northhouse had addressed a meeting on his behalf. Mr. George Steward was taking an active part in this affair.

June 21st.—Suggestions were being made for the celebration of the Queen’s Coronation.

Messrs. Henry Emms and William Simms had been appointed Relieving Officers.

The donations for the proposed Hospital were £200 and the annual subscriptions £280.

June 28th.—This issue contains the following account of how, after a futile effort had been made by the Vicar, which appears not to have been a success, H.M. Coronation was celebrated. At an “adjourned meeting of the subscribers to the fund for celebrating her Majesty’s Coronation, by giving a dinner to the poor children of the town on that day, held at the New Hall, on Thursday evening last, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew in the chair, those gentlemen who had undertaken to collect subscriptions reported that they had scarcely any further funds to add to those already collected. Under these circumstances the chairman submitted to the meeting that the proposed plan of feasting the children was a failure from the want of funds. Considerable discussion then ensued as to the propriety of taking steps towards celebrating the Coronation day in any other way, upon which there were many conflicting opinions. At length Mr. Samuel Palmer, after recapitulating all that had been done, and regretting that up to that time nothing had been realized, moved—‘That a subscription be now entered into, to provide such amusements for the poor of the town on the day of the Coronation as may seem fit to the subscribers, and that a committee be appointed tocarry the same into effect.’ Mr. Samuel Barber moved, as an amendment, ‘that all the poor of the town be regaled with roast beef and plum pudding’; but it appearing to the meeting that as money enough could not be raised to regale the children, it would be impossible to raise a sufficient sum to feast all the poor. The amendment was negatived, and Mr. Palmer’s motion was unanimously carried. The Chairman then left the chair, and Mr. George Danby Palmer was called on to preside, when thanks were voted to the late Chairman; a spirited subscription was begun in the room; a committee was appointed to carry Mr. Palmer’s motion into effect, and the meeting separated.”

“Since that time the gentlemen composing the committee have collected money to the amount of about £200, and a bill of fare has been issued sports and entertainments to take place on the South Denes, amongst which are horse, pony, and donkey races, jumping in sacks, climbing matches, and running after pigs with soaped tails. There will also be sailing matches on the river. A dinner will take place in a marquee erected on the ground, the Mayor in the chair. A stand and several booths have also been built for the accommodation of the public. The amusements will conclude with a superb display of fireworks, under the direction of an artist from London.”

July 7th contains the following record of the result of such action:—

The festivities and sports which were to have taken place on Thursday last in honour of the Coronation were interrupted by a heavy fall of rain, which commenced at the hour fixed for the fun to begin, and continued nearly, ‘sans’ intermission, until night. This untoward state of the elements prevented any very great assembly of multitude taking place; nevertheless there were some two or three thousand determined holiday-makers congregated on the South Denes, and the horse and pony races came off in spite of the unfavourable state of the weather. The race for hacks was well contested and won by Highflyer, beating Whiscumsnivet, the Ambassador, and Sir William. The pony race was also a good one; we could not learn the name of the winner. Four boats started for the silver cup—value £7—viz., the Coriander (Balls), Leviathian (Preston), Louisa (Fiddis), and Neptune (Green). The wind was light at starting, and towards the end of the match there was so little as scarcely to fill the sails; the Coriander won by about half a length. The remainder of the sports were postponed until Friday afternoon. At four o’clock upwards of 100 gentlemen sat down to dinner in a marquee erectedon the Denes, the Mayor (Dr. Penrice) in the chair. After dinner the health of the Queen was drunk with long, loud, and hearty cheers, and the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given; several excellent songs were sung, and about half-past ten the company returned to the town preceded by a band of music. The children at the various charity schools and the inmates of the Fishermen’s Hospital were handsomely entertained. The Temperance people had a tea meeting, and all, as far as the weather would permit, appeared to enjoy themselves in their own way.On Friday afternoon, at three o’clock, the sports were re-commenced, the weather being most propitious and the sun shining with surpassing brilliancy. Yarmouth poured out thousands upon thousands of its working population, and great numbers of all classes were present to witness the fun and partake of the amusement of the day. The performances, if so they may be called, took place on a stage immediately opposite the stand, which was filled with spectators, under the superintendence and direction of a gentleman, to whose good humoured exertions too much praise cannot be given, and who was ably assisted by others in providing and bringing out such entertainments for the humbler classes as seemed best adapted to their taste and habits. First came two chimney sweeps infull costume; they dived in a tub of meal for pieces of money, which they picked out with their mouths. Numberless sneezings and many collisions of sooty heads, now, however, converted into floury nobs, took place during this match, to the great merriment of the assembled crowds; at length the money was all abstracted, and the performers, well washed, made their bows and retired from the stage. Next came bobbing for oranges in tubs of water, by boys with their hands tied behind them. Then a singing match by boys, which was won by an urchin of the name of John Hutchin, who sung two comic songs with inimitable humour and effect. A horn pipe match followed, in which the best dancers made up by agility for what was wanting in grace and elegance. Grinning through horse collars succeeded, and here one Billy Derry out-uglied the ugliest—O! for grinning through a horse collar, commend me to Billy Derry. Then we had six old women, drinking scalding hot tea for a prize of one sovereign; the efforts of these poor old creatures to gulp down the almost boiling fluid, were at once both pitiable and ludicrous, but they appeared to enjoy the parts they were acting almost as much as the spectators did, who gave way to the most uproarious laughter we ever remember to have heard, they were all well rewarded for their exhibition.There were also donkey races, climbing soaped poles, gingling matches, running wheelbarrows blindfold, a rowing match, and races after pigs with their tails soaped, and twenty-four barrels of ale were given away to the populace on the ground. At half-past ten at night the Market Place was literally crammed with people to witness the display of fireworks, which was splendid and worthy of the occasion, and concluded the Coronation amusements. Immediately after the fireworks had ceased the crowd dispersed, and by twelve o’clock the streets were as quiet as upon ordinary occasions.

On Friday afternoon, at three o’clock, the sports were re-commenced, the weather being most propitious and the sun shining with surpassing brilliancy. Yarmouth poured out thousands upon thousands of its working population, and great numbers of all classes were present to witness the fun and partake of the amusement of the day. The performances, if so they may be called, took place on a stage immediately opposite the stand, which was filled with spectators, under the superintendence and direction of a gentleman, to whose good humoured exertions too much praise cannot be given, and who was ably assisted by others in providing and bringing out such entertainments for the humbler classes as seemed best adapted to their taste and habits. First came two chimney sweeps infull costume; they dived in a tub of meal for pieces of money, which they picked out with their mouths. Numberless sneezings and many collisions of sooty heads, now, however, converted into floury nobs, took place during this match, to the great merriment of the assembled crowds; at length the money was all abstracted, and the performers, well washed, made their bows and retired from the stage. Next came bobbing for oranges in tubs of water, by boys with their hands tied behind them. Then a singing match by boys, which was won by an urchin of the name of John Hutchin, who sung two comic songs with inimitable humour and effect. A horn pipe match followed, in which the best dancers made up by agility for what was wanting in grace and elegance. Grinning through horse collars succeeded, and here one Billy Derry out-uglied the ugliest—O! for grinning through a horse collar, commend me to Billy Derry. Then we had six old women, drinking scalding hot tea for a prize of one sovereign; the efforts of these poor old creatures to gulp down the almost boiling fluid, were at once both pitiable and ludicrous, but they appeared to enjoy the parts they were acting almost as much as the spectators did, who gave way to the most uproarious laughter we ever remember to have heard, they were all well rewarded for their exhibition.There were also donkey races, climbing soaped poles, gingling matches, running wheelbarrows blindfold, a rowing match, and races after pigs with their tails soaped, and twenty-four barrels of ale were given away to the populace on the ground. At half-past ten at night the Market Place was literally crammed with people to witness the display of fireworks, which was splendid and worthy of the occasion, and concluded the Coronation amusements. Immediately after the fireworks had ceased the crowd dispersed, and by twelve o’clock the streets were as quiet as upon ordinary occasions.

Back to Index Next