The festivities and sports which were to have taken place on Thursday
last in honour of the Coronation were interrupted by a heavy fall of
rain, which commenced at the hour fixed for the fun to begin, and
continued nearly, ‘sans’ intermission, until night. This untoward
state of the elements prevented any very great assembly of multitude
taking place; nevertheless there were some two or three thousand
determined holiday-makers congregated on the South Denes, and the
horse and pony races came off in spite of the unfavourable state of
the weather. The race for hacks was well contested and won by
Highflyer, beating Whiscumsnivet, the Ambassador, and Sir William.
The pony race was also a good one; we could not learn the name of the
winner. Four boats started for the silver cup—value £7—viz., the
Coriander (Balls), Leviathian (Preston), Louisa (Fiddis), and Neptune
(Green). The wind was light at starting, and towards the end of the
match there was so little as scarcely to fill the sails; the
Coriander won by about half a length. The remainder of the sports
were postponed until Friday afternoon. At four o’clock upwards of
100 gentlemen sat down to dinner in a marquee erected on the Denes,
the Mayor (Dr. Penrice) in the chair. After dinner the health of the
Queen was drunk with long, loud, and hearty cheers, and the usual
loyal and patriotic toasts were given; several excellent songs were
sung, and about half-past ten the company returned to the town
preceded by a band of music. The children at the various charity
schools and the inmates of the Fishermen’s Hospital were handsomely
entertained. The Temperance people had a tea meeting, and all, as
far as the weather would permit, appeared to enjoy themselves in
their own way.
On Friday afternoon, at three o’clock, the sports were re-commenced,
the weather being most propitious and the sun shining with surpassing
brilliancy. Yarmouth poured out thousands upon thousands of its
working population, and great numbers of all classes were present to
witness the fun and partake of the amusement of the day. The
performances, if so they may be called, took place on a stage
immediately opposite the stand, which was filled with spectators,
under the superintendence and direction of a gentleman, to whose good
humoured exertions too much praise cannot be given, and who was ably
assisted by others in providing and bringing out such entertainments
for the humbler classes as seemed best adapted to their taste and
habits. First came two chimney sweeps in _full costume_; they dived
in a tub of meal for pieces of money, which they picked out with
their mouths. Numberless sneezings and many collisions of sooty
heads, now, however, converted into floury nobs, took place during
this match, to the great merriment of the assembled crowds; at length
the money was all abstracted, and the performers, well washed, made
their bows and retired from the stage. Next came bobbing for oranges
in tubs of water, by boys with their hands tied behind them. Then a
singing match by boys, which was won by an urchin of the name of John
Hutchin, who sung two comic songs with inimitable humour and effect.
A horn pipe match followed, in which the best dancers made up by
agility for what was wanting in grace and elegance. Grinning through
horse collars succeeded, and here one Billy Derry out-uglied the
ugliest—O! for grinning through a horse collar, commend me to Billy
Derry. Then we had six old women, drinking scalding hot tea for a
prize of one sovereign; the efforts of these poor old creatures to
gulp down the almost boiling fluid, were at once both pitiable and
ludicrous, but they appeared to enjoy the parts they were acting
almost as much as the spectators did, who gave way to the most
uproarious laughter we ever remember to have heard, they were all
well rewarded for their exhibition. There were also donkey races,
climbing soaped poles, gingling matches, running wheelbarrows
blindfold, a rowing match, and races after pigs with their tails
soaped, and twenty-four barrels of ale were given away to the
populace on the ground. At half-past ten at night the Market Place
was literally crammed with people to witness the display of
fireworks, which was splendid and worthy of the occasion, and
concluded the Coronation amusements. Immediately after the fireworks
had ceased the crowd dispersed, and by twelve o’clock the streets
were as quiet as upon ordinary occasions.
July 14th.—The Corporation had voted an address to the Queen, of which
the following is the notice:—
“At an assembly of the Corporation, held on Wednesday, the Mayor read
a congratulatory address to Her Majesty the Queen, upon the
Coronation, which was unanimously adopted by the Council, and Mr.
Barth, Mr. Robert Palmer Kemp and Mr. Samuel Palmer, were appointed a
deputation to carry up and present the same; it being left to the
option of any other gentlemen of the Council to join the deputation.”
The Mayor, preceded by the Regalia, had walked to church, “unaccompanied
by a single member of the Town Council.”
July 5th.—Col. Thompson had declined to come forward.
Mr. J. Symonds had given a silver cup, value £5 5s., to be bowled for in
honour of the Coronation. There were 34 competitors, and it was won by
Mr. John Porrett, “the veteran bowler.”
July 12th.—A meeting of freemen to oppose Mr. Baring’s return at the
ensuing election had been held at the Masonic Hall, Mr. Joseph Bayly
(Chairman). Capt. Love, Mr. John Clowes, jun., Mr. Lawrence, and Mr.
Charles Marsh took part in the proceedings, and the following gentlemen
were appointed a committee to carry the resolutions passed at the meeting
into effect:—Messrs. Joseph Bayly, John Clowes, jun., S. Cobb, E. R.
Palmer, Henry Pickard, Charles Marsh, Thomas Thompson, jun., and Capt.
Love.
The Corporation address to Her Majesty had been presented by Messrs.
Barth, R. P. Kemp, and S. Palmer.
July 26th.—The Water Frolic had been held, when the “Leviathian” (Bessey)
beat the “Union” (Barber), the Mayor and Corporation attended the sports
in a barge.
Dr. Penrice (the Mayor) and Dr. Cox has been elected physicians, and
Messrs. Charles Costerton, George Bateman, John Prichard, and John C.
Smith, surgeons to the Hospital.
August 9th.—The Queen had signified her intention of becoming a patron of
the Hospital.
August 16th.—The freemen had determined to re-elect Mr. Wilshere free of
expense, Messrs. Simon Cobb and George Steward speaking on the subject;
and a committee had been formed to further this object, of which Mr. Cobb
was chairman, Mr. J. Bayly, secretary, and Mr. J. Clowes, treasurer.
August 16th.—The new Writ had been moved for, and the blue flag with the
inscription of “Wilshere, the Reformer,” had been displayed at the
Committee Room in Regent Street.
August 25th.—Mr. Baring, and Mr. G. Steward (for Mr. Wilshere) had been
canvassing the electors. At the nomination the former gentleman was
proposed and seconded by Mr. J. Lacon and Mr. E. H. L. Preston, and the
latter by Mr. John Clowes, jun., and Mr. Joseph Bayly; Mr. George Steward
representing Mr. Wilshere. Mr. Baring then addressed the electors. The
result of the poll was declared to be—
For Wilshere 735
Baring 702
A very painful occurrence had happened. A poor fellow “who took some
part in the election” declared that if Mr. Baring lost the election he
would hang himself. The poll closed at 4, and he had effectually hung
himself and was cut down before 5 o’clock.
August 30th.—The friends of Mr. Wilshere had dined together at the
“Star.”
Mr. G. Steward had been chaired for Mr. Wilshere. Mr. S. Palmer had
received a letter from Mr. Wilshere, expressing in the warmest terms his
sense of the high honour thus conferred upon him.
Sept. 6th.—Mr. Wilshere had arrived in Yarmouth and addressed the
electors.
C. F. Burton, Esq., had died from the effects of a fall from his horse on
the Southtown Road.
Sept 17th.—A public dinner of the supporters of Mr. Wilshere had been
held at the Town Hall. Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B., presided, and
amongst those present were Messrs. George Steward, S. Cobb, the Mayor, T.
O. Springfield, Capt. Pearson, Capt. Harmer, J. Fowler, H. Munro, Rev. T.
Fowler, R. Hammond, H. Worship, C. Bell, S. Palmer, N. Palmer, C. Marsh,
E. R. Palmer, J. L. Cufaude, Clowes, &c.
Sept. 20th.—At the Roads Regatta the “Brilliant” was first, the “Red
Rover” second, and the “Algerine” third, in the match for the silver cup,
weighing 17oz. The “Coastguard” had been practising, under the direction
of Capt. Harmer and Lieut. Kisbee.
Sept. 27th.—In consequence of the long continuance of calm weather the
millers had not been able to grind any corn for three weeks.
Oct. 4th.—The Revision Court had been held, Messrs. W. Worship and J. L.
Cufaude appearing for the Reformers, and Messrs. Waters and E. H. L.
Preston for the Tories. The Whigs claimed a majority, on the result of
51.
Oct. 11th.—Lord Tavistock and C. B. Greville (acting as referees) with
regard to the recent contest had stated “that if requested by Mr. Baring,
Mr. Wilshere is bound to resign his seat for Yarmouth (for which he was
elected without his knowledge or consent), and that in the event of Mr.
Baring offering himself again as a candidate for the representation of
that borough, Mr. Wilshere is not at liberty to oppose him.”
Mr. William Nolloth, jun., had been elected organist of St. George’s
Chapel.
Oct. 18th.—There had been a strong wind from the W.N.W., and from 150 to
200 vessels had sustained damage. It is contemplated that there were
between 2,000 and 3,000 ships at anchor within sight of the Jetty.
The “Reis Effendi,” schooner, had been launched from Messrs. A. Palmer
and Son’s yard.
Mr. Wilshere was staying with Mr. Palmer, who had entertained most of the
principal inhabitants, including the Mayor, Sir George Parker, and W.
Danby Palmer, John Carr, George Steward, Esq., and others.
In case Mr. Wilshere was asked to resign his seat by Mr. Baring, Mr.
Robert Palmer Kemp had been selected as the candidate in the Blue
interest.
Oct. 25th.—The Tories had commenced their “Municipal campaign.”
Nov. 1st.—There had been from 1,500 to 2,000 vessels windbound and at
anchor in the Roads, these had got under sail on Sunday, and were
immediately followed by about 1,000 vessels from beyond Lowestoft, and it
was contemplated that more than 3,000 vessels had passed through the
Roads in five hours, in so close procession that the sea could not be
discerned beyond them.
With regard to the Municipal Election, only one Tory was on the 1st
November “found in the field,” viz., Mr. J. G. Plummer, who opposed Mr.
Marsh in the Regent Ward. At the close of the poll the numbers were—
Tomlinson 89
Marsh 73
Plummer 72
The following was the general return for the town:—_St. Nicholas’ Ward_:
Messrs. R. Hammond and W. N. Burroughs. _Market Ward_: Messrs. S. Cobb
and W. Johnson. _Regent Ward_: Messrs. J. Tomlinson and C. Marsh. _St.
George’s Ward_: Dr. Penrice and Mr. A. Clarke. _Nelson Ward_: Messrs. G.
Danby Palmer and R. Palmer Kemp, all of whom were of the Liberal party.
A meeting of the members of the “Operative Conservative Club” had been
held, Mr. Thomas Paul, printer, in the chair.
Nov. 25th.—Messrs. Thomas Hammond and Samuel Crowe had been elected
Councillors for the South Ward.
The fishing-boats “Mary,” “Reward,” and “Walter and Ann” had been lost
with all hands.
Mr. F. Preston had launched a brig of 250 tons named the “Undaunted.”
Nov. 15th.—Mr. Simon Cobb had been elected Mayor. He was the first
Dissenter who had been elected to that office since the time of Charles
II. On Sunday he had given a lunch, when amongst those present were the
Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, Dr. Penrice, Dr. Cox, the Rev. W. Squire, and
Messrs. S. Tolver, Nichols, Hammond, Palmer, Pullyn, Marsh, B. Cobb, E.
H. L. Preston, &c.
Mr. Thomas Lettis, jun., had been elected a Councillor for the St.
George’s Ward, in the place of Dr. Penrice, who had been made an
Alderman.
Mr. Samuel Costerton, ballast lessee, had been fined 40s. and costs for
contravention of the Harbour Act.
It was contemplated to hold a meeting in favour of the repeal of the Corn
Laws.
The annual Savings’ Bank meeting had been held, when it appeared that
2,004 accounts totalling £60,065 11s. 1d. were deposited in this
institution.
The “Reindeer,” yawl, had been launched for the Young Company. She was
75 feet long and could carry 500 yards of canvas. Eighty-two persons
were launched in her.
The “Columbine,” brig, built for Messrs. G. and A. Steward, had been
launched.
Dec. 27th.—Mr. W. Saunders had been elected a Councillor for the St.
George’s Ward, in the place of Mr. Grave, deceased.
The Teetotal Society had a procession, headed by a boy on horseback,
which was “set upon” by the rabble, and several of its banners destroyed.
1839.
Jan. 3rd.—The first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers
to the Hospital had been held, and is reported as follows:—
“On Friday the first half-yearly meeting of the governors and
subscribers to the Hospital was held at the Town Hall, the Hon. and
Rev. Edward Pellew in the chair. Mr. A. Drew was unanimously elected
resident Dispenser, at a salary of £60 per annum. Some alterations
of the rules were agreed upon. Mr. S. S. Barber then moved that the
votes for officers to the institution should be taken by ballot, and
not by voting papers, as at the first meeting, which was lost by a
majority of 17 to 13. It is intended to bring the question forward
again at the next meeting. The Rev. J. North, honorary secretary to
the institution, stated that at the last yearly meeting of the old
Dispensary, in October, it was resolved that an application be made
to the subscribers to the Hospital for a grant from their funds to
discharge the additional bills. At Lady-day last they had moved into
the house at present used for the Hospital. They soon felt they
could not maintain the increased expenditure with the same funds, and
a meeting was called of the subscribers, when the proposition was
first started for the Hospital, and in the end the Hospital was
established. At the close of the year, owing to circumstances over
which he could not say who had the control, it was found that the
managers of the Dispensary could not pay their liabilities by £33.
They had furniture which was valued at £7 10s., leaving them minus
£25 10s. 0¼d. He now asked whether they would make a grant of that
amount from the funds of the Hospital. B. Dowson, Esq., proposed
that a transfer be made of that sum to defray the deficiency, the new
institution having been established on the old one. C. Nichols,
Esq., seconded it on the further ground that the old institution had
deferred several applications for assistance for the benefit of the
Hospital, such as sermons at church, &c. Mr. North said all their
funds had been merged into those of the Hospital. John Lacon, Esq.,
thought it would be better to raise the sum among themselves, which
proposition, after a great deal of discussion, was ultimately
carried, and 13 sovereigns were subscribed in the room. The decision
was extremely satisfactory to all the new subscribers to the
Hospital.”
A very handsome vessel named the “Jenny Jones” had been launched from Mr.
F. Preston’s yard.
Jan. 10.—Edward Woodrow, baker, had been committed for trial on the
prosecution of the Guardians, for selling them short weight bread for the
paupers.
Jan. 17th.—The Poor Law Commissioners having complained of the Board of
Guardians because they had presented a Christmas dinner to the paupers,
the Guardians justified such proceedings.
Jan. 24th.—A subscription had been entered upon for the purpose of
relieving the families of those seamen who had been lost in the recent
gales. £115 was collected in the room.
Jan. 31st.—An Anti-Corn Law meeting had been held at the Town Hall.
Feb. 7th.—Meetings of the freemen had been held as to the question of
whether Mr. Wilshere should be called on to resign his seat.
At the Quarter Sessions, Mr. Edward Woodrow was convicted for selling
“short weight” bread to the Guardians, and sentenced to pay a fine of
£50, which he paid, but “not until the Recorder (N. Palmer, Esq.) had
twice threatened to commit him for contempt of Court.”
Feb. 14th.—The Town Council adopted a petition for the abolition of the
Corn Laws with only two dissentients.
Feb. 21st.—Mr. John Owles had been elected a Councillor in the place of
Mr. Cobb, who had been raised to the Aldermanic Bench.
Mr. Wilshere had presented the town petition against the Corn Laws; it
was signed by 2,355 persons.
Mr. Owen had delivered a lecture on “Socialism.”
March 7th.—The use of the Town Hall had been refused to Mr. Hallock, a
“Socialist” lecturer.
March 14th.—Mr. Rumbold had presented the Corporation’s petition for the
repeal of the Corn Laws.
A meeting of the Chartists had been held at the Masonic Hall, Mr. Fleet
in the chair, and was addressed by Messrs. Gill and Deegan, delegates.
March 21st.—The Rev. W. Squire had lectured at the Masonic Hall in reply
to Mr. Owen. More than 1,200 persons were present.
March 28th.—The sixteen Liberal candidates had been elected Guardians.
April 4th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of forming a local
branch of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, S. Cobb, Esq. (Mayor) in the
chair. Sir George Parker and Messrs. James H. Palmer, Matthew Butcher,
and George Danby Palmer took part in the proceedings.