11.--A great snow storm. The coaches which should have arrived on Friday
did not reach Norwich until the following Tuesday and Wednesday. "The
mail guards were obliged to traverse the country with the bags on their
shoulders, sometimes on foot, up to their breasts in snow, and sometimes
on horseback, across the open fields and heaths. From the Friday till
the following Tuesday the bags for London by Newmarket were dispatched
hence in post chaises. Labourers were employed in clearing the highways,
and in some places they cut three miles through the snow." So complete
an obstruction to communication had not occurred since 1797, when the
coaches were four days performing the journey from London.
14.--Died, in London, in his 60th year, "that eccentric and truly worthy
character," the Rev. Joshua Larwood, rector of Swanton Morley, and many
years chaplain on board the Britannia. He was the author of "Erratics,"
and of several other works.
15.--The constables of Norwich destroyed many dogs which had been found
without muzzles in the public streets. Several cases of rabies and of
deaths from hydrophobia were reported at this date.
17.--Died, at the age of 83, at Norwich, Mr. Francis Columbine. He
served the office of Sheriff in 1769, and of Mayor in 1776.
Meetings were held in Norwich and throughout Norfolk this month, at which
Mr. Joseph Lancaster lectured on his improved method of education.
Lancasterian schools were established in Norwich, Lynn, and Downham in
May, 1809.