Chapter II: Preface (2)

“Monday last being the day appointed for our annual water frolic, an
immense quantity of boats (from the splendid pleasure barge to the
humble punt) started from our Bridge at eleven o’clock a.m. with a
favourable and somewhat stiff breeze from the N.E. At two o’clock
the various crafts laid-to in the Narrows to witness the sailing
match. The competitors were the Venus (cutter-rigged boat), Last;
Algerine (latteener), Craske; Emerald, (latteener) Col. Jones; and
the Hornet, Everett. The prize (an elegant silver cup) was won by
the Venus. At starting the Hornet had the lead for a short distance,
when she was passed by the Venus, and on rounding the upper cross
stake the latter boat and the Emerald were close together, and
remained so, till they got within the Narrows, when the Colonel
succeeded in passing her, winning the first by about half a minute.
In two minutes after the Venus recovered her lost ground and passed
her opponent, and succeeded in rounding the stake one minute before
the Emerald, who, however, neared so fast that had not the Venus
rounded the flag very closely she must have lost the match, the
Colonel being to windward. The oldest boater never remembers so
closely contested a run. After sailing, the various crafts (which
absolutely studded the river) got under weigh, and proceeded towards
the ancient Garianonum, opposite to which they dined. At seven
o’clock p.m. the boats started for home, where they arrived in about
an hour, all safe, nothing having occurred to damp the pleasures of
the day, which was an extremely fine one. At Burgh, Chase, the
spirited proprietor of the Neptune Gardens, was completely at home,
while on the adjacent hills, opposite the cage, various groups of
happy faces were to be seen enjoying tea, &c. This, together with
the immense crowd of company that congregated on the road, presented
a scene that must have been witnessed to have been fully appreciated.
Among the company were our worthy Mayor and a large party of
fashionables in the handsome barge belonging to W. Fisher, Esq., S.
T. Berney, and J. Penrice, Esqs., in the former’s fast-sailing boat
Meteor, Mr. Alderman Barth in the admiral’s (Green’s) boat, &c., &c.
This, together with the countless multitudes that crowded the decks
of the tug, Royal Sovereign and Emperor steamers, made the river
appear a sort of floating fair. On the next day a number of boats,
barges, &c., sailed to the Berney Arms to witness a rowing match (for
a silver cup, given by Mr. Barnett, the landlord of the house) by
four-oared gigs, which was won by the Wasp, a Norwich boat, belonging
to William Gallant, jun. Nearer home we observed an unusually large
number of stalls, &c., at our bridge foot. On the whole, there
seemed nothing wanting to make this annual festival worthy of
brighter days, but the presence of the Corporation barge, without
which (although no brawlers against innovation) we cannot but think
the Regatta is shorn of much of its glory.”

July 18th.—A fight had taken place on the Factory Denes, for one Sovereign, between Thomas Purdy, of Caister, commonly known as “The Caister Champion,” and George Elliott, of Ingham. At the 133rd round (the battle lasted 1 h. 50 min.) Elliott was declared the victor.

Two men (Seager and Hanson) had quarrelled in the Bear Tap, when Nathaniel Lacey, in trying to part them, was knocked down and his leg broken.

August 22nd.—“As early as nine o’clock on Friday morning an immense concourse of genteely-dressed persons had congregated before St. Peter’s Church, anxious not to miss the opportunity of witnessing the solemn and imposing ceremonial about to take place. At ten o’clock the principal door was thrown open, and this large assemblage entered. The greatest order and decorum prevailed, owing certainly to the excellent arrangement of C. Symonds, Esq., one of the Churchwardens for the year, who, to prevent confusion, had issued tickets, which were left at the houses of the respectable housekeepers, without the least distinction, as also at the various lodging houses for the use of the visitors. About eleven o’clock the Mayor (John Baker, Esq.), with the customary regalia, attended by several other members of the Corporate body entered the church, and were shown to the pews appropriated for their reception. The Bishop of Winchester soon arrived with his Chaplain and Registrar and proceeded up the middle aisle to the altar, where the service began by the latter gentleman presenting the petition to the Bishop, who redelivered it to the Registrar, when it was by him read aloud. The Right Rev. Prelate then pronounced the following words, in a solemn, appropriate, and sonorous tone of voice—“I am now ready to give my full consent to that which you have desired, and may Almighty God bless the good work in which we are about engaging.” His Lordship then, with his officers and clergy, walked to the west end of the church and back again to the altar, repeating alternate versicles of the 42nd Psalm. The Bishop having seated himself at the table, the Deed of Consecration was read by the surrogate (the Very Rev. the Dean of Norwich), after which his Lordship read the exhortation, prayers, &c., appointed for the occasion. The usual morning prayers were read from the desk by the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, with the exception of those parts especially appropriated to the occasion, which were read by the Bishop. The reading Psalms most judiciously selected for the occasion were the 84th, 122nd, and 132nd; the lessons, parts of the 8th chapter of 1st Kings, and of the 10th chapter of Hebrews. After the prayers, verses 6, 7, and 8 of 26th, with Gloria Patri, was performed by a very full orchestra of instrumentalists and vocalists. The common service was performed by the Bishop, with the exception of the Epistle and the Nicene Creed, which were read by his Lordship’s Chaplain, the Rev. Alexander Dallas. The 100th Psalm (Tate and Brady’s version) was then sung by the whole choir. The sermon, a striking, apposite, and eloquent one, was preached by the Rev. Mr. Clark, the appointed minister of the Church, from Genesis, chapter 28th, verses 16 and 17—“And Jacob awaketh out of his sleep, &c.” [832 young persons were confirmed by the Bishop of Winchester.]”

August 29th.—The Races had been held, and on “Tuesday and Wednesday the great annual main of cocks had been fought at the Bush Tavern, South Quay, between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Yarmouth for £5 a battle and £50 the odds, which was won by Norwich, who were six battles a head.”

Sept. 15th.—The smack Endeavour, of London, had been seized with 65 casks and 16 bales (2,800 lbs. in weight) of tobacco on board her.

The following Corporate officers had been chosen:—John Danby-Palmer, Esq., Mayor; Mr. James Jay, Chamberlain; F. R. Reynolds, Esq., and J. M. Bell, Esq., Churchwardens.

The late gales had caused an immense quantity of sand and shingle to be washed into the Harbour, so as to form a point opposite the South Pier.

Oct. 3rd.—The following is the report of the Yarmouth Guild Day:—

On Monday the Mayor and the Mayor Elect (J. Danby-Palmer, Esq.),
accompanied by the Earl of Orford and the members of the Corporation,
attended divine service at St. Nicholas’ Church, by the Hon. and Rev.
Edward Pellew, after which the Rev. Thomas Baker, Chaplain to the
Body Corporate, preached an excellent sermon. After service the
Corporation adjourned to the Guildhall, where the Mayor-Elect was
sworn into office with the customary ceremonies.

The Recorder (Mr. Sergeant Merewether) being absent, the Town Clerk,
previous to presenting the patent of appointment as Lord High Steward
of the Borough to the Earl of Orford, addressed his Lordship,
observing that the Corporation entertained a high sense of the honour
conferred upon them by his Lordship’s acceptance of an office which
(as constituted by one of the charters of the borough) assimilated
with that of Lord High Steward of England, an office of great power
and authority, having under the King the regulating the
administration of justice, which had not since its forfeiture in the
reign of Henry the Third, by its hereditary possessor, been granted
to any one except upon and for particular occasions, and had only
been presented to one of the Nobility and a Lord of Parliament. So
by the Charter of King Charles, the High Steward of the borough of
Yarmouth must be ‘unus praeclarus vir,’ the meaning of which might be
gathered from the appointment of William, Earl of Yarmouth, to be the
first modern High Steward, and that to the present time the office
had been filled by noblemen distinguished by their talents and
services as statesmen, or great naval and military commanders.
Amongst them were the celebrated Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford,
a second Robert Earl of Orford, and George Earl of Orford, who
together held that office for nearly 60 years, much to the honour and
advantage of the Borough. Although their connection with that noble
family had been interrupted, it had not been forgotten by the
Corporation, who were happy in having the honour of renewing it in
the person of his Lordship, in whom they found that ‘praeclarus vir’
pointed out by the charter, and they doubted not but that his
Lordship would support them in all transactions grounded in honour,
honesty, and good faith, and having for their object the public good,
and that he would defend and maintain their ancient rights,
privileges, and immunities. The Town Clerk then presented Lord
Orford with his appointment, and assured his Lordship that his
presence among them would always be hailed with pleasure by the
Corporation.

The Earl of Orford was then sworn, and immediately addressed the
Mayor and Corporation in an eloquent speech, in which he said he
claimed no merit to himself for the choice which had been made by the
Corporation, but attributed it solely to the recollection of the
former connection of the borough with his ancestors, which had been
so handsomely alluded to by the Town Clerk, and to that firm line of
conduct in political life which he had thought it his duty
steadfastly to pursue, which it was his pride and pleasure to
maintain, and that although the Corporation might have selected a
person of more influence than himself, yet he would yield to no one
in zeal, and no exertion on his part would be spared to uphold the
rights, privileges, and immunities of the Corporation, which had that
day been entrusted to the Mayor, and which it was to be hoped he
would be permitted to resign unimpaired to his successor. He himself
should always feel it his duty and pleasure to render his services
available to the true interests of the borough.

The other annual officers were then sworn, and the Mayor, accompanied
by the High Steward and the Corporate Body, walked to the Town Hall,
where a most splendid entertainment was provided for upwards of three
hundred and thirty gentlemen, among whom were the Right Hon. the Earl
of Orford, the Right Hon. Viscount Nevill, the Hon. Mr. Justice
Alderson, the Hon. the Rev. E. Pellew, the Hon. P. H. Abbott, Sir E.
K. Lacon, Bart., Vice-Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., Col. Petre,
Col. Mason, Robert Marsham, Esq., J. Postle, Esq., Stratton Marsham,
Esq., E. H. K. Lacon, Esq., W. M. Praed, Esq., Rev. C. Penrice, Rev.
J. Humfrey, Rev. — Clarke, Rev. J. Gunn, Rev. B. Winthorp, John
Penrice, Esq., R. Rising, Esq., S. Palmer, Esq., W. Carpenter, Esq.,
Capt. Onslow, R.N., Capt. M. Kelly, R.N., Capt. Travers, R.N., Major
Travers, Capt. Carew, R.N., H. Munro, Esq., B. Caldecott, Esq., &c.,
&c.

The healths of their Majesties—the Princess Victoria and the rest of
the Royal Family—his Majesty’s Ministers, and the Duke of Wellington,
were drank. On the health of the Earl of Orford being given, the
noble Lord, in returning thanks, alluded to the commission for
investigating Corporations, declaring ‘that he denounced the
illegality of the commission.’ His Lordship gave the health of the
Mayor and Prosperity to the Town of Yarmouth, for which the Chief
Magistrate expressed his acknowledgment, stating his determination to
do all he could to forward the best interests of the town on every
occasion.

On the health of Mr. Justice Alderson being given, the learned Judge
spoke of the Constitution of this country as being so framed as to
allow all who had the talents and industry to arrive at the very
highest dignities the King could confer, and concluded by saying that
the question for the people to consider was whether they would close
the avenues to those dignities. The healths of Lord Nevill, Mr.
Charles Palmer (the son of the Mayor), Sir E. K. Lacon, Lord Walpole
and the House of Wolterton, Lord Wodehouse and the House of
Kimberley, and a variety of other toasts were given; after which the
Mayor and a large party adjourned to the Ball at the Bath Rooms,
where dancing continued till a late hour.

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.” They then 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.

1834.

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 connected with 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.”

1835.

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 to giver 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 procured for 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 not be 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 a dinner 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 to its
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 John Russell 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.

1836.

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 99 Abraham Sewell 94 Charles George Doughty 91 Benjamin Sherrington 90 E. H. L. Preston 89 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 98 Samuel Palmer 98 S. C. Marsh 98 Joseph Tomlinson 98 C. Davie 97 Benjamin Dowson 95 ST. GEORGE’S WARD. C. Sayers 91 W. Grave 91 George Penrice, M.D. 91 W. Barber 91 H. V. Worship 90 Thomas Lettis 89 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 91 P. Stead 87

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.”

Jan. 14th contains the following report:—