1.--Died in London, aged 53, Mr. Robert Herring, of Bracondale, Norwich.
He was alderman for South Conisford Ward, served the office of Sheriff in
1791, and was Mayor in 1807. Mr. Thomas Thurtell, of Lakenham, was
elected to the vacant aldermanship on June 6th.
--A public meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, when resolutions
were moved by Mr. E. Taylor in opposition to the Corn Bill. The
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, represented that the
citizens had for twenty years suffered great privations and hardships
from the advance in price of all necessaries of life, and particularly of
"bread corn," that they viewed with alarm the measure introduced in
Parliament as calculated to raise the price of grain; and that the
proposed alterations in the Corn Laws were ill-timed, unwise, and
oppressive.--The "Bill for Regulating the Importation Duties" was
defeated in the House of Commons by a majority of ten on June 6th, and on
the arrival of the intelligence by the Newmarket mail on the 8th, the
horses were removed from the coach, which was drawn for three hours
through the streets. Persons with large loaves of bread on their heads
were on the box seat, bells were rung, and pistols fired, and at midnight
a bonfire was lighted in the Market Place, and many depredations were
committed by those who obtained the materials with which to feed the
flames.
3.--The Expedition coach arrived at Norwich with news of the definite
Treaty of Peace, which was signed in Paris on the 30th ult. Amid great
rejoicings the people dragged the coach four times round the Market
Place, and through the principal streets. On the 15th 500 freemen of the
Long Ward were entertained by Mr. S. Mitchell to a dinner of roast beef
at Harper's Gardens; on the 16th the Mayor entertained the parochial
poor, and there was a grand illumination in the evening. Peace was
formally proclaimed on the 27th by the Mayor and Corporation walking in
procession to various parts of the city. Before being admitted to the
Close the Mayor knocked thrice at the gate, and informed Mr. J. Kitson,
the Bishop's registrar, that admittance was asked by virtue of his
Majesty's writ. The proclamation was then made in the Cathedral
precincts, and on returning to the Guildhall the Corporation partook of
refreshments. Mr. Sheriff Higgins entertained the company to dinner at
his house in Pitt Street, and also feasted the poor. Thanksgiving
services were held on July 7th, and 723 charity children were entertained
in St. Andrew's Hall. On the 20th at a quarterly assembly of the
Corporation an address was voted to the Prince Regent congratulating him
on "the highly honourable and auspicious Peace concluded with France."
20.--Mr. Robert Partridge, alderman, presented to the Corporation of
Norwich "an elegant tripod in the Grecian style, to support a silver
candelabrum of three lights, surmounted with the figures of St. George
and the Dragon," given by him in 1786.
21.--Guild Day was held in the "old style" at Norwich by Mr. J. W.
Robberds on his being sworn in as Mayor. The feast at St. Andrew's Hall
was attended by upwards of 500 guests, and a ball took place in the
evening at Chapel Field House.
22.--A Musical Festival, "in celebration of the Peace," commenced at the
church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, with a performance of "Judas
Maccabaeus." The "Messiah" was given on the 23rd, and a selection of
sacred music on the 24th. On each evening a miscellaneous concert took
place in St. Andrew's Hall. The principal performers were Madame
Catalani, Miss Stephens, Miss Booth, Mr. Braham, Mr. Garbett, Mr. Turner,
and Mr. Welsh; leader of the band, Dr. Hague; organ and pianoforte, Mr.
Beckwith.