“THE ROBES OF OFFICE.”
The Committee as to the Wearing of Robes of Office reported that Mr.
C. J. Palmer, had liberally presented to the Council a scarlet silk
gown, and a black gown formerly worn by the Mayors as their Robes of
Office; and the said were accepted by the Committee, and the thanks
of the Committee were voted to Mr. Palmer for the _handsome_
donation. The Committee had resolved that the Mayor should wear the
black gown as a Robe of Office on all “Ordinary” occasions and the
scarlet gown on all “extraordinary” occasions.
The “Robes” or “Gown” movement, which was so much spoken of six
months ago, has at length—through the exertions of the Committee to
whom it was referred—come to maturity, and the Mayor now has a second
hand best gown for “extraordinary” occasions, and a second-hand
second best gown for “ordinary” occasions. The old people about Gaol
Street, who caught a sight of the Mayor in his gown on Tuesday last,
look upon the revived _costume_ as a “degenerate resurrection;” for,
instead of there being completeness and congruity in the “fit out,”
there is a burlesque mixture of the ancient and modern. The gown
which erst harmonised with the glorious cocked hat, short tights, and
silver buckled shoes, appears decidedly “at sea” in company with the
modern hat (or “4s. and 9d.”) and “peg-top” trousers. Art critics
would object to so close a mixture of the mediæval and the modern, on
the ground of the same not being “in keeping.” Perhaps, however,
when we see the style of dress on one of the “extraordinary”
occasions so judiciously and so elaborately provided for by the
Council, we may have something presented to notice which will not
cause every Councillor to grin on beholding it, and to talk, as an
old writer says, “most consumedly” about it afterwards. Dressed as
he was on Tuesday, the Mayor of Yarmouth might, without difficulty,
have been mistaken (had he been away from home) for Shylock, for one
of the Japanese Embassy, or for an Arch Druid, so remarkably unusual
was his appearance. Experience may, it is true, tone down the
angularities of the affair; but at the onset the revival of the use
of robes does not carry with it either the appearance of gravity or
wisdom. On entering the Council Room on Tuesday, the Mayor was
preceded by four officials wearing, in addition to the ordinary
attire of various colours, gowns, and carrying the sword and two
maces as usual, with, on this occasion, the very handsome oar—a part
of the regalia which had, for some very “extraordinary” reason no
doubt, been disused. Following the officers were the Mayor, who wore
in addition to his every day clothing a black robe, of somewhat
fierce cut, having a sort of fur or bear skin epulet at each
shoulder, ornamented with a description of rough filagree; and over
this finery his worship wore (we believe for the first time) the gold
chain of office. After the Mayor, entered the Town Clerk in a black
robe of a more modest character. For some little time there was much
winking and smiling amongst the Aldermen and Councillors. The
business then proceeded, and, as will be seen from our report of the
meeting, arrangements were made (in spite of Mr. Richard Ferrier’s
“chaffing”) for the order of processions. It was also decided to
give the Town Hall and the inhabitants the benefit of a public clock,
of which the Corporation are owners. It was also jocularly suggested
that the Gas Company would be most willing gratuitously to illuminate
the dial, and through it the inhabitants.
May 21st.—There had been an “Uproarious Vestry Meeting,” held for the
object of passing a vote of censure on the Vestry Clerk; Mr. S. C Marsh
presided, and in the result, the meeting being in favour of the Vestry
Clerk, a poll was demanded.
May 29th.—This poll had, after a protest by Mr. J. Clowes as to the
regularity of the proceedings, been taken by Mr. C. Diver (acting as
Assessor). It closed on the first day—
For the Vestry Clerk 143
Against him 61
Majority 82
And next morning Mr. Marsh attended and declared the poll closed.
May 28th.—Five vessels of war (part of the Channel fleet) were in the
Roads.
May 31st.—The following ships were anchored abreast of the
Jetty:—“Trafalgar” (86), Captain Dickson; the “Revenge” (91), Captain
Fellowes; the “Emerald” (51), Captain Caning; the “Chanticleer” (17),
Captain Sterling; and the “Porpoise” (tender to the “Revenge.”)