6.*--"The Rev. Mr. Beloe, formerly of this city, has been appointed
librarian to the British Museum."
9.--A brig was launched from Cattermoul's yard at Thorpe, near Norwich,
in the presence of many hundreds of spectators. "She went off the stocks
in very fine style, but when she was towing ashore for the company on
board to get off her, everyone endeavouring to get ashore first, the
weight of such a body of people, added to those on the rigging, overset
her. Nearly one hundred men, women, and children were plunged into the
water, and messengers were at once sent to Norwich for medical
assistance." It is somewhat remarkable that no lives were lost.
20.--The case of Mr. Cony, a ward in Chancery, came before the Court of
Chancery. He was only 17 years of age, and had married Elizabeth
Franklin, the daughter of an innkeeper at Downham Market, in which
district he possessed a large property. The marriage took place by
licence in London. The Chancellor annulled the marriage, ordering the
cessation of all further intercourse between the parties, at the same
time intimating that, if his orders were not strictly complied with, "he
should take such steps as would prevent the possibility of their
meeting."
25.--Mr. George Wyer, of Downham Market, "carried a 20 stone sack of
flour one mile, leading through the town of Watton, for a wager of 230
guineas, which he performed with great ease in 18 minutes, to the
astonishment of a vast number of spectators."
Active preparations commenced for the defence of the county in view of
possible invasion. On the 8th several officers and non-commissioned
officers of the 47th Regiment of Foot arrived in Norwich to receive the
balloted men and substitutes of the Army of Reserve, the training of whom
commenced next day in Chapel Field. A county meeting was held at the
Shirehall, Norwich, on the 10th, when resolutions were passed, assuring
his Majesty of the readiness of the county to take defensive measures. A
meeting of the inhabitants of Norwich was held at the Guildhall on the
16th, at which a subscription was opened for raising a regiment of
Volunteer Infantry. Clerks attended in the porch of the Guildhall to
enroll the names of the Volunteers, and the city flag was displayed from
the window of the Town Clerk's office. On the following day 702 men had
offered themselves, and by Saturday, the 20th, the number had increased
to 1,085, and the public subscription exceeded 3,000 pounds, of which 500
pounds was given by the Corporation. On the 26th the regiment was
formed, 800 strong, under Lieut.-Col. Harvey (commanding), Lieut.-Col.
Plumptre, and Major Sigismund Trafford. The public subscription then
amounted to 6,400 pounds. A Rifle Corps was also formed, with Mr. R. M.
Bacon as captain. At Yarmouth, 500 persons enrolled themselves, under
the command of Lieut.-Col. Wm. Gould. On the 27th, it was announced that
the number of Volunteers in the county enabled the Lord Lieutenant to
suspend the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act. The total number was
about 7,300. The Government purchased some properties in Norwich to be
converted into temporary barracks for the reception of 800 infantry.