Chapter XV: Norwich in the Eighteenth Century (2)

“Mr. Kirkpatrick’s father was a native of the village of Closeburn,
in Dumfriesshire, a fact recorded by his son in his will, and further
proved by the arms on his tomb (in St. Helen’s church) which are
those of the baronet’s family of Kirkpatrick, of Closeburn. From
Scotland he removed to Norwich, where he resided in the parish of St.
Stephen. His son John was apprenticed in that of St. Clement, and
subsequently established himself in business as a linen merchant, in
St. Andrew’s, in premises opposite Bridewell Alley. He was there in
partnership with Mr. John Custance, who was mayor in 1726, and was
the founder of the family of that name at Weston. In the year of his
partner’s mayoralty, Mr. Kirkpatrick was appointed treasurer to the
Great Hospital, in St. Helen’s, an office which his premature decease
allowed him to occupy only for two years. He married the youngest
daughter of Mr. John Harvey, great-grandfather of the late
Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, of Thorpe Lodge, where his portrait was
preserved during the lifetime of that gentleman. It has since been
engraved in the very interesting series of portraits of the more
eminent inhabitants of Norfolk, of whom no likenesses have yet
appeared, a work now in course of publication, under the
superintendence of Mr. Ewing. With such, Kirkpatrick is deservedly
associated. He died childless. Of his family, nothing more is known
than that he had a brother of the name of Thomas, who is mentioned by
Blomefield as being chamberlain of Norwich at the time he wrote. The
account books of the corporation contain several entries in reference
to both the one and the other, but not of sufficient interest to
warrant the quoting of them at length. Of the latter, they shew that
he was elected chamberlain with a salary of thirty pounds per annum,
in the room of Matthew King, in 1732; that in the same year, the
freedom of the city was conferred upon him; and that twelve years
subsequently he was removed from his office, by reason of
irregularity of his accounts. To the antiquary, their testimony is
invariably honourable; the most frequent notices being, votes of
money for the service he had rendered in adjusting the different
accounts of the city.”

Mr. Dawson Turner further states:—

“Mr. Kirkpatrick was one of the most able, laborious, learned, and
useful antiquaries whom the county has produced. He was especially
an indefatigable searcher into local antiquities, and had his life
been spared to the term allotted by the holy Psalmist to man, it were
impossible to say how much of what is now irretrievably lost to us
might have been rescued from oblivion. He had accumulated copious
materials, but his early death prevented him from digesting and
publishing them. Better far had he contented himself with amassing
less, and turning what he had got to account; a lesson hard to learn,
but most important to be borne in mind and acted upon. As it was, he
was obliged to leave the fulfilment of his task to others; taking all
possible care for the safety of his collections, and not doubting
that those who came after him, seeing what was prepared for their
hands, would cheerfully undertake the office, perhaps with a
praiseworthy zeal for communicating information, perhaps with the not
less natural desire of building their own fame upon the labours of
their predecessors. But in his expectations he was sadly mistaken,
and has but furnished an additional proof how difficult it is for any
one to enter completely into the objects and ideas of another, and
consequently how imperative it is upon all, ourselves to finish the
web we have begun, if we wish to see it come perfect and uniform from
the loom.”

Blomefield, who was a contemporary, acknowledges his great obligations to the learned Norwich antiquary, and recorded the death of his friend and his being buried in St. Helen’s Church, Norwich. The tomb, a black marble monument, by the steps of the altar, bears the following arms and inscription:—

“_Argent_, a saltier and on a chief,
_Azure_, three woolpacks of the field,
_Crest_, a hand holding a dagger proper,
_Motto_—I make sure.

“Here resteth in hope of a joyful resurrection, the body of John
Kirkpatrick of this city, Merchant, and Treasurer to this Hospital.
He was a man of sound judgment, good understanding and extensive
knowledge; industrious in his business, and indefatigable in that of
the Corporation in which he was constantly employed. He died, very
much lamented by all that knew him, on the 20th day of August, in the
year of our Lord, 1728, aged 42.”

_The Rev. F. Blomefield_.

The Rev. Francis Blomefield, rector of Fersfield, lived some time in this city, compiling his history of Norwich, which he brought down to the year 1742. He was born at Fersfield, July 23rd, 1705. He was installed rector of that parish in 1729, when he almost immediately commenced collecting materials for a history of his native county, but his work is more a topographical survey than a history. He did not live to complete it, having caught the small-pox when in London, of which he died, in the 46th year of his age, on January 15th, 1751. He began printing his great work in 1736. In 1769 it was continued (but not completed) in five folio volumes by the Rev. Charles Parker, M.A., rector of Oxburgh.

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_William Anderson_, _F.R.S._, came to Norwich as an excise officer, and his great talents introduced him to the most scientific characters of this city. He obtained the situation of clerk to the New Mills, in Heigham, and was a considerable contributor to Mr. Baker’s works on the Microscope. Many of his papers on Natural History are published in the transactions of the Royal Society. He died in 1767, and was buried in Heigham churchyard.

_Anna Letitia Barbauld_, sister of Dr. Aikin, of Yarmouth, resided at Norwich. She was the authoress of “Evenings at Home,” and other valuable works for children, and died in 1825.

_Peter Barlow_, the celebrated mathematician, and author of many of the articles in Rees’ Encyclopædia, and the Encyclopædia Metropolitana, was the son of a warper of this city. He was born October, 1766, in the parish of St. Simon and Jude.

_Sir William Beechey_, the eminent painter, resided in this city in the early part of his life, and executed several of the paintings in St. Andrew’s Hall, particularly the celebrated portrait of Lord Nelson. He was knighted by George III., and appointed portrait painter to his majesty.

_Hancock Blythe_, schoolmaster, mathematician, and teacher of languages, resided in Timberhill, and was the author of several small works on astronomy. He died in 1795, aged 73 years.

_John Brand_, _B.A._, was a native of this city. His father was a saddler in London Lane. Young Brand, having a turn for study, went for some years to the continent, where he acquired the languages and customs of the people so strongly, that on his return to England he received the soubriquêt of Abbè Brand. In 1744 he was reader at St. Peter’s Mancroft. He was the author of several articles in the _British Critic_. He was rector of St. George’s, Southwark, and of Wickham Skeith, in Suffolk. He died in February, 1809.

_Henry Cooper_, barrister at law, was born in the parish of St. Peter’s Mancroft. He was sent to sea in the early part of his life, but was afterwards called to the bar, and was made attorney general of the Bermudas. After a brilliant career, in which he rapidly became one of the leaders of the Norfolk circuit, he died, after being twelve years at the bar, in 1825.

_Mr. Reuben Deave_ was a large manufacturer in this city, who, in December, 1769, became the fortunate possessor of a prize in a lottery worth £20,000. The number was 42,903. It came into his possession in the following singular manner. His foreman, who was in a confidential position, had bought two tickets in a lottery, and after some time thought he had speculated too far, and told his employer that he feared he had done a very foolish thing. Mr. Deave, being informed of the circumstance, thought so too, but offered to buy one of the tickets. His foreman took them out of his pocket and gave Mr. Deave his choice. Mr. Deave, however, said he would make no choice, and bought the one offered to him. Shortly afterwards the lottery was drawn, and this ticket proved to be a fortunate number for £20,000, while the other was a blank. Mr. Deave, who had paid for the ticket, gave his foreman a cheque for £500, but the poor man was so vexed at losing the prize that he hung himself on the next day. Mr. Deave was much grieved at this, and often said afterwards that the prize never did him any good, for he gave a power of attorney to a man to draw the money in London, and that man bolted with it, and was never heard of afterwards.

_William Enfield_, _LL.D._ an eminent literary character, was for many years the minister at the Octagon Chapel here. He was much beloved by his congregation, and died November 2nd, 1797, aged 57, and was buried in the chapel, where there is a monument to his memory.

_Sir John Fenn_, the editor of the “Paston Letters,” was born here in 1739; on presenting the first two volumes of these letters to George III. in 1787, he was knighted. He died October 14th, 1796.

_John Fransham_, the Norwich Polytheist, a very eccentric character, was born in St. George’s Colegate. He was an excellent mathematician, and was a great admirer of the ancient writers on this science. He frequently took rapid solitary walks, with a broad brimmed hat slouched over his eyes, and a plaid on his shoulders, and was supposed to sleep often on Mousehold Heath. He died on February 1st, 1810. His biography was written by his pupil, Mr. Saint.

_Thomas Hall_, _Esq._, a merchant, lived in the early part of this period. He founded a monthly sacramental lecture, left several legacies to the charities, and £100 for a gold chain to be worn by the Mayor of Norwich, and which is now worn by the Deputy Mayor. He died on December 17th, 1715, and was buried with great funeral pomp at St. George’s Colegate. A portrait of this pious and liberal benefactor was presented by John and Edward Taylor, Esqs., to the corporation, and placed in the council chamber, May, 1821.

_John Hobart_, Earl of Buckinghamshire, sat as member of parliament for this city from 1747 to 1756, when he succeeded to the peerage. He was a liberal benefactor to the city. He was born August 17th, 1723, and died September 3rd, 1793.

_James Hooke_, a celebrated musician, author of more than 2400 songs, 140 complete works or operas, one oratorio, and many odes, anthems, &c., was born in this city. At the early age of four years he was capable of playing many pieces, and at six he performed in public. He died in 1813, leaving two sons by his first wife. One of them was Dr. James Hooke, Dean of Worcester, who died in 1828. The other was the celebrated author of “Sayings and Doings.”

_David Kinnebrook_, an eminent mathematician, was born here. He was master of one of the charity schools for forty years, and never absented himself a single day until his last illness. He died March 23rd, 1810, aged 72.

_John Lens_, _Esq._, _M.A._, ancient sergeant at law, is believed to have been born in the parish of St. Andrew’s, and was educated here. In 1781, he was called to the bar. He first practised in the Courts of King’s Bench, but being made a sergeant, confined himself chiefly to the common pleas. He was afterwards made King’s and next King’s Ancient Sergeant. On more than one occasion he declined the offer of the bench. He died August 6th, 1825, in his 69th year.

_Richard Lubbock_, _M.D._, was born here in 1759, and was educated at the Free Grammar School. He obtained his degree at Edinburgh in 1784. On his return to Norwich he practised with great success. He died September 1st, 1808, and was buried at Earlham church.

The _Right Rev. Jacob Mountain_, _D.D._, was the first protestant bishop in the Canadas. He was born in the parish of St. Andrew. He presided over the church in the two Canadas for thirty-two years, and died June 16th, 1825, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

_Samuel Parr_, _LL.D._, was master of the Free Grammar School from 1778 to 1792, when he resigned on being presented to the rectory of Buckden, in Lincolnshire.

_Edward Rigby_, _M.D._, was born at Chawbent, in Lancashire, December 9th, 1749. He was under the tuition of Dr. Priestley until he was fourteen, when he was apprenticed to Mr. David Martineau of this city. In 1805 he was elected mayor, and died Oct. 27th, 1822. In August, 1818, the corporation voted him and his lady a piece of plate of the value of twenty-five guineas, as a memento of the memorable birth of their four children at one time, and the event was recorded in the city books. Two of the children lived to be nearly twelve weeks old, and the other two not quite seven weeks.

_William Saint_, one of the mathematical masters of the Royal Military Academy, at Woolwich, was a native of St. Mary’s Coslany. He wrote the “Life of Fransham,” and was a contributor to the “Lady’s Diary.” He died July 9th, 1819.

_George Sandby_, _D.D._, chancellor of the diocese of Norwich, personally presided in the consistorial court of the Lord Bishop of Norwich for nearly thirty years, during the whole of which time no decree of his was reversed by a superior court. He died March 17th, 1807, aged ninety-one.

_William Say_, an eminent mezzotinto engraver, was born at Lakenham in 1768.

_Frank Sayers_, _M.D._, an eminent physician and literary character, who for many years resided in this city, was born in London, March 3rd, 1763. He was the author of “Dramatic Sketches of the Ancient Northern Mythology,” “Poems,” “Disquisitious, Metaphysical and Literary,” “Nugæ Poeticæ,” and “Miscellanies, Antiquarian and Historical.” He died August 16th, 1817, and a mural monument is erected to his memory in the Cathedral, with a Latin inscription by the Rev. F. Howes. His works were collected and edited by the late William Taylor of this city.

_Sir James Edward Smith_, _M.D._, _F.R.S._, president of the Linnæan Society, London, and of the Norwich Museum, and member of several foreign academies, was born in St. Peter’s Mancroft, December 2nd, 1759. He received his education here, and graduated as a physician at Leyden, in 1786. He assisted materially in the establishment of the Linnæan Society, in 1788, of which he was the first president, and he continued to preside over the society until his death, March 15th, 1828. He was the author of several admirable botanical works.

_William Stevenson_, _F.S.A._, who was for many years proprietor of the “Norfolk Chronicle,” and who edited a new edition of “Bentham’s History of Ely Cathedral,” was born at East Retford, in 1750, and died at his house in Surrey Street in this city, May 13th, 1821, aged seventy-one. He was, in the early part of his life, an artist of no mean pretension; and was esteemed an antiquarian and numismatist of considerable knowledge and research.

_John Taylor_, _D.D._, was a native of Lancaster. He came to Norwich in 1733, and was a minister to the Presbyterian dissenters in 1757. He was the author of several theological works, and died at Warrington, March 5th, 1761, aged sixty-six.

_William Taylor_, a celebrated German scholar, and a very eccentric character, author of an “Historical Survey of German Poetry,” and a translator of several German works, was born in this city, and resided for many years in Upper King Street. He died in 1836, aged sixty-nine.

_Edward Baron Thurlow_ was born at Bracon Ash, in this county. He received the rudiments of his education at the Free Grammar School here. He rose successively to be appointed solicitor general, attorney general, master of the rolls, and lord high chancellor of Great Britain, and was created Lord Thurlow in 1778. In 1793 he resigned the seals. He died at Brighton, September 12th, 1806.

_William Wilkins_, _sen._, architect, was born in the parish of St. Benedict, about the year 1744 or 1747. He received but a limited education, but possessed an admirable taste for design, and his plans and drawings were very beautiful. He was the author of a clever essay in Vol. xii. of the “Archæologia,” on the Venta Icenorum.

_William Wilkins_, _M.A._, son of the above, was born in St. Giles’ parish. He was educated at the Free Grammar School here. He was employed in the erection of several public buildings in London, and numerous private mansions. His literary labours were confined to the subject of architecture, and his “Magna Græcia” is considered to be an excellent work.

_William Windham_. This eminent statesman represented the city in several parliaments. He was born in London in 1750, and first sat for Norwich in 1780. In 1783 he was appointed secretary to the lord lieutenant of Ireland, and made his first speech in parliament in 1785. He died in 1806.

_Sir Benjamin Wrench_, an eminent physician, who practised here for sixty years, lived in St. Andrew’s. His house occupied the site of the present Corn Exchange. He was lord of the manor of Little Melton in Blomefield’s time.

NORWICH IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

We have now arrived at the present age of political progress, and material prosperity; the age of inventions, railways, newspapers, and telegraphs; the age of expansion and general intelligence. George III., George IV., and William IV., have reigned in this century, and have been succeeded by our beloved Queen Victoria. Under her benign sway the old semi-barbarous state of society has passed away like a dream, and we live in a new social era, the result of the progress of education, of the march of improvement, and of the spread of true religion.

As it has been often stated by local historians that Norwich formerly contained a very large population, and as this statement is very generally believed, we may here correct the mistake by giving the returns, which show a very gradual, and very slow increase from the earliest period to the present time. The parochial returns show that in 1693 the population was only 28,881; in 1752 it had increased to 36,169; and in 1786 to 40,051. This was the greatest number up to the end of the last century. In 1801 it was 36,832, not including 6,000 recruits for the army, navy, and militia; making the total number 42,832. This indicates a very slow increase of population. The following are the returns for the present century: 1801, 36,832; 1811, 37,256; 1821, 50,288; 1831, 61,116; 1841, 62,294; 1851, 68,713; 1861, 74,414, being an increase of about 500 yearly. Norwich in 1752 contained only 7131 houses, and in 1801 8763, of which 1747 were returned as empty. In 1831 the number was 14,201, of which 13,132 were inhabited. Now the number is over 21,000, and the rateable value is £178,882.

We must now leave the stately march of history for a more broken and interrupted step. There is some difficulty in detailing the events of this period, for every reader is more or less acquainted with it, and has viewed it in relation to his own interests and prejudices. The records of facts are so voluminous, that every reader may think that there is something omitted, or misrepresented, or exaggerated. It is impossible, however, to mention every local occurrence which some one may think important, every accident, or fire, or crime, or every grand concert or entertainment. We have to deal with events more connected with general history; and we shall first state the more remarkable occurrences of a civil or municipal character, reserving political matters for a subsequent chapter. But in order to render our narrative of local events, and especially local elections, more intelligible, it will be necessary to give a brief account of the old corporation, whose proceedings occupy so large a part of our records.

NORWICH CORPORATION.

This body claims a prescriptive origin. Certain privileges were granted to the city by the charters of different sovereigns, the first being that of Henry I., which was annulled and again renewed by Stephen. The particular privileges conceded by it cannot now be ascertained. The next charter is that of the 5th Henry II., but this is only confirmatory of former grants, and the original is still preserved in the Guildhall. One granted by Richard I. contains some estimable clauses. The most prominent are, that no citizen shall be forced to answer any plea or action in any but the city courts, except for those concerning possessions out of the city; that the citizens should have _acquittance_ of _murder_, which is equivalent to granting them a coroner; that they should not be forced to _duel_, that is, should be exempt from the general law which was then in force, of deciding causes by single combat; that they should be free from toll throughout all England; and that they should have other liberties, all highly important, and no doubt justly appreciated by the citizens of that period. King John’s charter is similar to the preceding, and that of Henry II., with the addition that all persons living in the city, and participating in the liberties of the citizens, shall be talliated or taxed, and pay as the aforesaid citizens of Norwich do, when tollages and aid shall be laid upon them. It is probable that the principal authority was invested in bailiffs, instead of a provost, in 1223, as there is no evidence of the existence of such officers before that time.

Two deeds of Henry III., and several of succeeding kings, all either confirmed or enlarged the privileges granted to the city; but our attention is most attracted by the concessions of Henry IV., which established the constitution of a mayor, sheriffs, &c. The original charter is lost, but those of his son and more modern princes have sufficiently preserved the spirit of it. The charter of Henry V. made the extensive territory within the corporation limits a county of itself, excepting only the castle, which belonged to Norfolk. This territory was, by the boundary act, included for the purposes of representation. Twenty-five charters, the latest by James II., are known to have been granted, and probably others existed and have been lost. When the innovations, made in old establishments during the Commonwealth, were gradually reformed, the citizens petitioned for a renewal of their rights. The charter of 15th Charles II. was obtained, and under it the city was governed till the passing of the Municipal Reform Act. Most of the old charters were granted in consideration for sums of money given or lent to kings to enable them to carry on wars. Many of the charters were more injurious than beneficial to the city, as they created monopolies of one kind or other, or gave powers to the old corporation which were frequently abused. Those who wish to study those old documents more minutely may find them in Blomefield’s history.

The old corporation was more ornamental than useful to the city for 400 years. Under it the sanitary state of the city was so bad, the drainage of the city so defective, and the supply of water so insufficient, that plagues and pestilences, which carried off thousands of the citizens, were of frequent occurrence. Ward elections were so often contested, that bribery, treating, and intimidation, were quite common, and the corruption of the freemen and lower classes was universal. Physically and morally the city was for centuries in the worst possible condition. The ward elections were carried on with a spirit which was surpassed in no other place. They were considered as trials of strength between different parties; and if they happened at a period when a general election was anticipated, an enormous sum of money was spent in treating and bribery. Indeed, it has been asserted on good authority that no less a sum than £16,000 was wasted in the contest for a single ward in 1818! The city was divided into four great wards, each of which was subdivided into three small wards. The mayor was elected by the freemen on May 1st, and sworn into his office on the Guild day, which was always the Tuesday before Midsummer day. He was chosen from the aldermen, and afterwards he was a magistrate for life. One of the sheriffs was chosen by the court of aldermen, the other by the freemen on the last Tuesday in August. The twenty-four aldermen were chosen for the twelve smaller wards, two for each ward, whose office was to keep the peace in their several divisions. When anyone of them died, the freemen of that great ward in which the lesser ward was included, for which he was to serve, elected another in his place within five days. The common councilmen were elected by the freemen dwelling in each of the four great wards separately; for Conisford great ward on the Monday; Mancroft on the Tuesday; Wymer on the Wednesday; and the Northern ward on the Thursday in Passion week, thence called “cleansing” week. They chose a speaker yearly, who was called speaker of the commons. The old freemen therefore formed the whole of the local constituency for municipal purposes.

Memoirs are often the best sources of information respecting public matters, as they let us behind the scenes and show us what the actors really thought and did. A good memoir of the late Professor Taylor, which appeared in the _Norfolk News_, of March 28th and April 4th, 1863, contained the following, “So far back as 1808 we find Mr. Taylor recording that he was ‘elected a common councilman for the fourth time.’” He also states that the contest for nominees in the Long ward was “the severest ever remembered.” Few people now-a-days could realize the import of those few words. Few understand how much was implied by the once common phrase “a battle for the Long ward.” The combatants would have scorned such mealy-mouthed appellations, as “conservative” and “liberal,” or indeed any name but that of the colors under which they fought. They were “blue-and-whites,” or “orange-and-purples;” the former being what would now be called the “liberal,” and the latter the “conservative,” party. To be a blue-and-white or an orange-and-purple, was to be an angel or a devil, as the case might be; the angels being of course those of your own side, to whichever you belonged. Great was the potency of colors: though not supposed to be worn at municipal elections, they were a rallying cry, and they were always at hand to be flouted, like a red rag at a turkey, in the face of the enemy. Even housemaids and children concealed them about their persons, in readiness to show them slyly from some window, both to encourage their friends and exasperate their enemies, whenever a procession passed. Great were the preparations for the contest. A sort of civic press-gang prowled the streets by night for the purpose of “cooping chickens,” which, being done into English, means carrying men off by force, and keeping them drunk and in confinement, so that if they could not be got to vote “for” it would be impossible for them to vote “against.” If they could not be safely secured in the city, they were “cribbed, cabined, and confined” in wherries on the river, or the broads, or even taken to Yarmouth and carried out to sea. When the day of battle came, great was the shouting, the drinking, the betting, the bribing, and the fighting, till the longest purse contrived to win the day. Of course, the dirty work was done by dirty men. But leading men on both sides were so used to see this sort of thing, that they considered it only as a necessary part and parcel of an election. It was regarded rather as a limb which could not be safely severed from the body, than as a shabby coat which disgraced the wearer. Besides, palliating rhetoric was not absent. Better do a little evil than surrender a cause essential to the welfare of the state! “What we did,” we honest orange-and-purples, or we pure blue-and-whites, “was done in mere self-defence.”

LEADING EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

1801. January 1st, 1801, being the first day of the nineteenth century, and the day on which the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took place, the 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons dismounted, and the Militia fired a _feu de joie_ in the Market Place.

January 3rd. The old Theatre (built in 1757) was re-opened after extensive improvements. The alterations were executed after the designs of William Wilkins, Esq., the patentee. This theatre was formerly a good school for young actors, and many promising performers have first appeared on these boards. Of late, operatic performances appear to be most in favour with the gentry.

February 24th. Charles Harvey, Esq., the steward, was unanimously elected Recorder of Norwich, vice Henry Partridge, Esq., resigned.

April 4th. Mrs. Lloyd, widow of the Rev. Dean Lloyd, died at Cambridge, aged 79. This lady painted the Transfiguration, and other figures in the eastern windows of the Cathedral.

In April, the ward elections were the causes of great contention. In consequence of objections being made to the elections of two nominees of the Wymer ward, and three of the Northern ward, on the ground of their being ineligible under the corporation act, having omitted to receive the sacrament within a year previous to the election of the common council, the mayor did not make the returns till several days after the usual time. At a court held April 4th, after the objections had been fully heard by counsel, the recorder (Mr. Harvey) declared that the persons objected to who had the majority of votes, having omitted to come into court according to summons, were not duly elected, but as no regular notice had been given previous to the election, the candidates in the minority could not be returned. A new election for the above wards accordingly took place on May 25th and 26th.

June 16th. Jeremiah Ives, Esq., of Catton, was elected mayor a second time. There was no guild feast this year at St. Andrew’s Hall.

June 25th. An awful fire, which lasted two hours, broke out on the roof of the Cathedral, and in less than an hour, 45 feet of the leaded roof, towards the western end of the nave, were consumed. Some plumbers had been at work repairing the roof, and set fire to it either accidentally or intentionally. The damage was about £500. The Lord Bishop (Dr. Sutton) was present, and distributed refreshment to the soldiers and people who assisted in arresting the progress of the conflagration.

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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, by Jeremiah 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.

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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, at Thetford, 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, at Trafalgar 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.

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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 a _feu de joie_ with 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.

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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 the citizens. 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 the great 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.”

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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 brought thence 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!”

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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 Derby _vice_ his 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 into the 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.

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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.

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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 the Norwich 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.

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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.

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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 in St. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 definitive treaty 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.

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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.

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