2.--Mr. Henry Harmer elected Speaker of the Common Council of Norwich, in
place of his father, Mr. Samuel Harmer, who held the office upwards of 20
years.
4.--The King's Birthday was celebrated at Norwich with great
demonstrations of joy. The Corporation attended service at the
Cathedral, the Loyal Military Association and the several parochial
associations paraded in the Market Place and fired a _feu de joie_, and
the members of the Norwich Light Horse, after a like ceremony, dined at
the Maid's Head. Major Patteson's corps adjourned to Neeche's Gardens,
Capt. Blake's corps to the Rose Inn, St Augustine's, and the other corps
to different taverns. The Mayor gave a dinner to the Aldermen.
8.*--"A quartermaster of the 13th Light Dragoons rode a certain distance
up Thorpe Road in a given time, with his face to the horse's tail, and
afterwards up the sand hill near Kett's Castle in the same position, and
won both wagers."
18.--The body of William Suffolk, who was executed in March, 1797, for
the murder of Mary Beck, of North Walsham, was taken down by authority of
the magistrates and interred on the spot where the gibbet was erected.
"About ten days back a starling's nest, with young ones, was taken out of
the breast of Watson, who hangs on a gibbet on Bradenham Common, near
Swaffham, for the murder of his wife, which was witnessed by hundreds of
people as something very singular and extraordinary."
20.--The ensign of the Genereux having been presented to the city by
Capt. Sir Edward Berry, the Corporation caused it to be displayed in St.
Andrew's Hall, Norwich, with a suitable inscription.
22.--Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced and lasted until the 26th. Among
those present were the Duke of Bedford, the Duke of Manchester, and other
distinguished visitors. The new implements exhibited included a machine
for drilling turnips, invented by the Rev. T. C. Munnings. It was
described as "nothing more than a perforated tin box, affixed to and
vertical with the axis of a wheelbarrow." A thrashing machine "was much
approved of." At this meeting Mr. Coke announced his intention to give
premiums for promoting the improvement of live stock and for encouraging
experimental husbandry.
25.--A fire broke out on the roof of Norwich Cathedral, and occasioned
damage to the amount of 500 pounds. Bishop Manners Sutton personally
distributed refreshments to the soldiers and others who assisted in
extinguishing the flames. About 45 feet of the roof were destroyed. The
fire originated from the carelessness of plumbers at work upon the
building.
27.*--"At the ordinary visitation of the clergy and general confirmation
held during this month, Bishop Manners Sutton confirmed at Newmarket
1,150 persons of both sexes; at Bury St. Edmund's, 4,500; at Stowmarket,
1,150; at Ipswich, 1,300; at Woodbridge, 1,150; at Framlingham, 960; at
Beccles, 660; and at Norwich, 1,100."
29.--Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson arrived at Yarmouth in the Kite sloop,
Capt. Domett, from Copenhagen. He immediately proceeded on foot from the
jetty to the Hospital, and visited the sick and wounded seamen. After a
stay of about three hours, his lordship left Yarmouth for London, under
escort of a troop of Yeomanry Cavalry.
The price of wheat at the end of this month fell to 120s. per quarter.