2.--Earl Moira and the Countess of Loudon arrived at Cromer for the
bathing season, and on the following day witnessed a demonstration of the
capabilities of Capt. Manby's life-saving apparatus.
3.--At a special meeting of the Norwich Corporation it was resolved
"that, having taken into consideration a paper called 'Roope's Weekly
Letters,' No. 9, and being of opinion that it contains gross libellous
matter against Thomas Back, Esq., late Chief Magistrate, this assembly
direct a prosecution." On August 18th a meeting of freemen was held to
take such measures "as will best ensure the election of Mr. Roope as
Sheriff for the ensuing year." It was announced on August 25th that Mr.
Mills, of Thetford, had been "persuaded" to discontinue printing the
"Weekly Letters." At the election of Sheriff on August 28th, Roope was
put in nomination in opposition to Mr. Troughton. The latter was
returned with 625 votes to the former's 313. Roope afterwards challenged
the City Steward, Mr. Alderson, to fight a duel, in consequence of his
having called him a rascal as he was leaving the court after the
election. An information was laid against Roope for endeavouring to
incite Alderson to commit a breach of the peace; and at the Quarter
Sessions on October 2nd, application was made that his recognisances of
100 pounds in respect of the libel case be estreated on the ground of his
having committed a fresh breach of the peace by public comments on Mr.
Alderson's conduct. He was ordered to enter into fresh recognisances,
himself in 200 pounds and to find two sureties of 100 pounds each, and to
keep the peace towards Mr. Alderson and the public generally. At the
Quarter Sessions on January 15th, 1811, the defendant, for inciting Mr.
Alderson to fight a duel, was fined 40s. and sentenced to one month's
imprisonment. On June 29th Roope appeared before the Court of King's
Bench for the libel on Mr. Back, and was committed to the custody of the
Marshal for three months, and ordered to find sureties for his good
behaviour. Roope died, in his 37th year, on July 4th, 1812. "He
sustained a lingering illness of nearly four months with a resignation
and fortitude highly exemplary, and met the approach of his last moments
with the utmost composure, leaving a widow and five young children."
--A trotting match took place between the celebrated horse Shales, the
property of Mr. John Chamberlain, of Magdalene, and Driver, owned by Mr.
Reuben West, of Gaywood. They started from the South Gates, Lynn, at six
o'clock, and trotted to the ninth milestone on the Swaffham road and
back. At the expiration of an hour Shales had trotted 17 miles, beating
the other by about 1.5 miles, "with the greatest of ease, notwithstanding
that he was the smaller horse and carried two stone more weight than the
other." The stakes amounted to 200 pounds.
6.--At Wroxham Water Frolic about one hundred sail of boats were present.
22.--Mr. Chalmers, a comedian of considerable merit, and formerly a
member of the Norwich Company, was found speechless upon the doorstep of
a house in Worcester. He was removed to the infirmary, where he died.
27.--A cricket match was played on Hardingham Common between the
gentlemen of Norwich and Swaffham. Norwich, 32-72; Swaffham, 143.
29.--Died at Lynn, aged 85, Mrs. Middleton, "who resided 83 years in the
house in which she died."
30.--The Norwich Cricket Club played a match against the Wiltshire
Regiment. Norwich, 88-93; Wiltshire Regiment, 73-92.