For Col. Anson 903
Mr. Rumbold 903
Mr. Colville 547
Mr. Bliss 541
This vexatious contest, for it was vexatious, inasmuch as it was
opposed to the general wish of the inhabitants, as not the slightest
chance of success prevailed from the commencement, and the only
object of which was to extract money from the purses of the two
Members, terminated, not only in the triumphant defeat of the
Boroughmongers, but by affording a lesson to the Charles Street
Society in London, whose only object is to continue corruption, by
the means of corruption, a proof that true independence and love of
country is far beyond the purchase of the greatest wealth. But the
friends of Reform at Yarmouth have set a noble example of
consistency, for they have commenced among themselves one of the
modes which the Reform Bill will enforce. They have determined to
raise among themselves a sum sufficient to defray the legal expenses
of the election, and to return their well-tried Members as unhurt in
their finances as they are independent in principal, and by this mark
of gratitude and esteem to repay the obligations which the
inhabitants of Yarmouth in common with the country at large owe to
the supporters of the Reform Bill—£1,750—has already been raised. We
say to the rest of the nation, “Go thou and do likewise.”
The Chairing of the Members had taken place amid the most
enthusiastic cheers.
May 19th.—The thanks of the Yarmouth District Committee for saving lives
from shipwreck was voted to Lieut. Harmer, R.N., on saving the crew of
the schooner Fleece, which had been wrecked on the Scroby Sand on the
14th inst.
May 26th.—The men employed by Messrs. Grout, Baylis, and Co., had an
excellent dinner provided for them at J. B. Bales’, Apollo Gardens.
June 9th.—The Mayor had obtained a rule for a mandamus commanding the
Members of the Corporation to attend a Court for the “transaction of
public business.”
June 16th.—The population had increased 3,024 since the census of 1821,
the numbers being—
1831. 22,028 including 913 sailors.
1821. 19,004.
3,024 increase.
The remaining part of the Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militia, consisting
of about 440 men, had assembled for 28 days’ training, under the command
of Major Sir E. K. Lacon.
June 23rd.—“Our venerable and highly respected Recorder, Robert Alderson,
Esq., had delivered in his resignation.”
June 30th.—The Bishop of Norwich consecrated St. Mary’s Church,
Southtown. His Lordship was met by the Corporation “in full robes,” the
Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Rev. R. Turner, J. Kitson, Esq.
(Registrar), W. Rackham, Esq. (Proctor), and the principal clergymen and
gentry of the neighbourhood.
The following was the “correct statement” of the population, taken by the
Overseers on 30th May and following days, and sworn by them in Petty
Session:—
Males 8,980
Females 12,135
21,115
Sailors 913
22,028
Inhabited houses 4,570
Number of families 4,869
Houses building 23
Houses uninhabited 191
July 7th contains the following notice of the laying the first stone of
St. Peter’s Church:—
“For some days past notices had been issued that the first stone of the
new Church, to be erected in this town, was to be laid this day; and at
half-past ten this morning the Mayor, Corporation, gentry, and
inhabitants assembled at the Town Hall, and proceeded to St. Nicholas’
Church. Prayers were read by the Rev. Harvey Bawtree, and after service
the procession moved in the following order:—Bellman, Church Beadles,
Constables, the Corporation Band, Hospital Charity Children, Inhabitants
and Gentry, Officers of the Navy, Mr. J. J. Scoles, the Architect, the
Clergy of Yarmouth and its vicinity, the Regalia, the Right Worshipful
Edmund Preston, Esq., the Mayor, his Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County,
the Hon. and Very Rev. Dr. Pellew, Dean of Norwich, and the Rev. Richard
Turner, the Right Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Deputy-Mayor, the
Aldermen in their scarlet gowns, the Common Councilmen, Constables. On
arriving at the ground, the procession passed once round the building to
the north-east corner.
A copy of the inscription, which had been written on vellum, and placed
with the coins of the present King in a bottle, hermetically sealed, was
then read by the Town Clerk:—
“Great Yarmouth.—The first stone of this Church, dedicated to St.
Peter, and erected by His Majesty’s Commissioners for building new
Churches (under the authority of an Act of Parliament, 58th Geo. III.
c. 45) on a site granted by the Corporation, and with the assistance
of their donations, and the subscriptions of several of the
inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, was laid on the seventh day
of July, in the second year of the reign of His Most Gracious Majesty
King William the Fourth, MDCCCXXXI., by the Right Worshipful Edmund
Preston, Esquire, Mayor; the Right Reverend Henry Bathurst, Lord
Bishop of the Diocese; the Honourable and Very Reverend George
Pellew, D.D., Dean of Norwich; the Honourable and Reverend Edward
Pellew, M.A., Minister of the parish. Architect, Joseph John Scoles;
contractors, John Pigg, Jeremiah Wright, George Cattermole, Samuel
Bligh, James Watson.”
The children sang the 100th Psalm during the operation of inserting the
bottle in a cavity, and securing the stone, which had been prepared to
receive it. A silver trowel was then presented by the Architect, and
after the Mayor had spread the mortar, the stone was lowered to the
proper place, and the ceremony of striking it was performed by the Clergy
and Corporation in succession.
The Dean offered up appropriate prayers, accompanied by an address
expressly composed for this occasion. The children then sang a collect.
The Mayor afterwards addressed the company present, on the pious work
which they had assisted in commencing; amidst the general plaudits of the
surrounding multitude the band struck up “God save the King,” and the
company returned to the Town Hall and partook of an elegant cold
collation.
“The Church, which has been so happily begun, is calculated to contain
1,800 persons, and three-fifths of the seats are to be appropriated for
ever as free sittings.”
August 25th.—Contains the following notice:—“By invitation from the Mayor
and Mrs. Preston, on Monday sennight, to a promenade at their beautiful
garden, situate on the banks of the river Yare, were assembled almost all
the fashion of the town and its vicinity. At seven o’clock the band
struck up the national air of “God Save the King,” immediately after
which the younger part of the company formed themselves into quadrilles,
&c., upon the grass plat, near the centre of which tables were supplied
with wines of the first quality and every refreshment in season. At
eight o’clock a fire balloon ascended from the grounds in very fine
style, which was visible on the grounds and town for about twenty
minutes. The amusements concluded with a brilliant display of fireworks.
The extreme serenity of the evening, aided by the wild light of the moon
and the more refulgent illumination of the garden with variegated lamps,
rendered this a scene which for good humour and pleasantness has rarely
or ever been equalled in this town.”
Sept. 1st.—Mr. Shelly attended the Corporation meeting and insisted on
reading a protest in respect of the non-attendance of that body to their
“ordinance.” The following officers were then elected:—
Mayor-Elect—John Preston, Esq.
Chamberlain—Mr. E. Youell.
Churchwardens—S. Paget, Esq., and Mr. T. E. Laws.
Auditors—R. Cory, jun., Esq., E. Preston, Esq., G. Danby-Palmer, Esq.,
and Mr. J. M. Bell.
Sept. 8th.—The Coronation Day was observed as a holiday.