3.--Died, aged 49, John Christmas Beckwith, Mus. Doc., organist of
Norwich Cathedral and St. Peter Mancroft. On the 7th, "the remains of
this eminent musician were interred in St. Peter's Church under the
organ, agreeable to his own desire." His son, Mr. John Beckwith,
succeeded him in both appointments.
7.--Died, in his 68th year, at his house in St. Saviour, Norwich, Mr.
Thomas Watson, who served the office of Sheriff in 1789, and of Mayor in
1790.
17.--Mr. Bannister appeared at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, in his
entertainment, "Bannister's Second Budget for 1809."
18.--Miss Booth, a well-known Norwich musician, elected organist at the
Octagon Chapel, in the place of Mr. John Beckwith.
19.--Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. An improved turnip drill, made by
Mr. Coke's blacksmith (Mann), was exhibited. "By this drill the oilcake
dust and turnip seed are kept separate till they come into the funnels,
from which they combine and fall into the drills." A manure drill cart,
invented by Blyth, of Norwich, was also shown. "This implement first
ploughs the soil, deposits the manure, and sows the seed after it, and
both are instantly buried up." It was worked by two horses and three
men. Mr. Lester, of Paddington, exhibited a working model of a
newly-invented machine for separating the corn and seeds from the straw
and chaff.
20.--Guild Day at Norwich. Mr. Thomas Back was sworn in as Mayor, and
entertained 640 guests at the Guild feast in St. Andrew's Hall. At the
ball at Chapel Field House the dancing was opened by the Mayor and Mrs.
William Jerningham. The prisoners in the city gaol thanked the Mayor
"for one guinea on the Guild Day, and for a plentiful basket of meat from
the hall, which was equally divided amongst them."
26.--The Bishop of Norwich confirmed 800 persons at the Cathedral.
27.--Swaffham Races re-established with great success. Four plates were
run for on this and the next day, and several of the horses were from
Newmarket. "Public ordinaries were provided at the different inns; that
at the Crown was attended by a select party of 68 ladies and gentlemen.
At seven the former retired to their toilettes, and at about nine o'clock
proceeded to the assembly-room, where the company numbered 200 persons.
The ball was opened by Mr. P. Hamond and Miss Upcher."
Brooke House (with 170 acres of land), formerly the residence of Sir
Roger Kerrison, was this month purchased by Mr. Thomas Kett, of Seething,
for 16,010 pounds.