1.--At Holkham Sheep Shearing, which commenced on this date, improved
horse hoes were shown by Mr. Blaikie, Mr. Coke's farm manager.
10.--George Wilson, the pedestrian, undertook to walk 50 miles in 12
hours at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich. He commenced at eight o'clock and
finished the first mile in 11 minutes 35 seconds. His pace was
afterwards a mile in from 12.5 to 13 minutes. He completed the distance
at 7.45 p.m. with 15 minutes to spare. On the 22nd a man named Skipper,
an ostler at the Barley Mow public-house, Norwich, backed himself to walk
over the same course in the same time, and completed his task in 11 hours
10 minutes. On August 27th Wilson commenced a walk of 50 miles per day
of 13 hours for five successive days on the bowling-green of the Crown
public-house at South Lynn, and accomplished the task. "What is very
remarkable he never perspired. On the third day he lost his great toe
nail off the left foot, which he pulled out by the roots in the presence
of numerous spectators."
17.--At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions four labourers were indicted for
having riotously assembled with 100 other persons at Hockham, on May
19th, and destroyed a thrashing machine, the property of Mr. William
Burlingham. Two of the prisoners were sentenced to twelve months', and
two to three months' imprisonment, and all were required to find sureties
for their future behaviour. (This was the first machine breaking case
recorded in the county.)
18.--After a week's continuous rain, which greatly impeded the hay
harvest, a severe thunderstorm occurred. On the 31st the crops were
beaten down by heavy rains, acres of turnips were washed away, and in
several villages the lanes were full of water. On August 12th there was
another heavy rain, and on August 31st a hurricane blew, wrecking many
colliers between Blakeney and Mundesley. The rains continued to the
month of October, when, in consequence of the low lying lands being under
water, all hopes were abandoned for the favourable termination of the
harvest. Such wet weather had not been experienced since 1799, in which
year there were only 166 fair days.
20.--A public announcement on this date stated that the following coaches
started from the Angel Inn, Norwich:--The London Royal Mail, by way of
Newmarket, every afternoon at 3.45; the London Royal Mail, _via_ Ipswich
and Colchester, ditto; the Wells Prince of Orange Post coach (William
Sizeland and T. S. Coldwell), Wednesday and Friday at 12.45 p.m., Sunday
at 8.15 a.m.; Holt Duke of Wellington Post coach (T. Coldwell and J.
Love), _via_ Aylsham, every afternoon at 3.45. From the Rampant Horse
Inn: The London Day coach (in 14 hours) every morning at six. From the
Norfolk Hotel: The Telegraph London coach (in 13 hours) every morning at
seven o'clock, _via_ Newmarket. The last two were opposition coaches.
The proprietors of the Day coach announced that, although the Telegraph
had been started in opposition, they would "not risk the lives of their
passengers by racing against time," but would continue to perform the
journey "with steadiness and regularity."
29.--One of the new steam packets plying between Norwich and Yarmouth got
aground on Breydon. Mrs. Clifford and other members of the Norwich
Company of Comedians were on board. "By their detention the performance
at the theatre could not take place, and the expectant audience had their
money returned."
30.--A two days cocking match commenced at Yarmouth, "in the large room
adjoining the Feathers Inn," between the gentlemen of Norwich and the
gentlemen of Yarmouth.