6.--Died at his house in the Lower Close, Norwich, aged 55, Mr. Frank
Sayers, M.D., author of "Poems, including Sketches of the Northern
Mythology," and "Disquisitions, Metaphysical and Literary, Antiquarian
and Historical." A monument, with a Latin inscription by the Rev. F.
Howes, was erected in the Cathedral to the memory of the deceased.
7.--Died at Hoveton St. John, Mr. Thomas Blofeld, D.L., for many years
one of the chairmen of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions.
11.--Sports were held at Reedham under the patronage of Mr. Layton, of
Reedham Hall. The principal event was a wrestling match, taken part in
"by twenty-four as fine athletic young fellows as England can produce."
12.--A cocking match, "fought in silver," between the gentlemen of
Norwich and the gentlemen of Yarmouth, commenced at the Feathers Inn,
Yarmouth, and concluded on the 14th. Feeders: Lamb for Norwich, Nash for
Yarmouth.
15.--The first stone of the Nelson Monument on the South Denes, Yarmouth,
was laid by the Hon. Col. Wodehouse (chairman of the sub-committee), in
the presence of the Mayors and Corporations of Yarmouth and Norwich. A
civic dinner was given, and in the evening a ball, attended by 350
persons, took place at the Town Hall.
--Mrs. Rigby, wife of Dr. Rigby, gave birth, at Framingham, to three boys
and a girl. One lived 18 days, and the other three from eight to ten
weeks. At a quarterly meeting of the Norwich Corporation on September
12th, the Court of Aldermen resolved that a piece of plate be presented
to Alderman and Mrs. Rigby in commemoration of the birth, to which the
Commons "cordially acquiesced on the understanding that if the same event
should happen in their own body they should put in a claim for a similar
complimentary memento." A violent personal dispute ensued between two
members of the Common Council, "which so alarmed eight of the members for
the Ward beyond the Water that they left the room without leave of the
Speaker, the consequence being that the whole proceedings proved
abortive." Another meeting was held on the 27th, when the presentation
was amicably agreed to, and on December 24th Dr. and Mrs. Rigby were
given a silver bread basket, "with the names of the children and the arms
of the family richly emblazoned thereon."
16.--The thirteenth annual exhibition of the Norwich Society of Artists
was opened in Sir Benjamin Wrenche's Court. Mr. W. M. Sharp was
president, Mr. J. Freeman vice-president, and Mr. P. Barnes, secretary.
The Norfolk and Norwich Original Society of Artists advertised their
thirteenth exhibition to be held at the New Room, Theatre Plain--Mr. R.
Ladbrook, president; Mr. J. Sillett, vice-president; Mr. J. Thirtle,
secretary. Both exhibitions were honoured by the presence of the Mayor
and Corporation.
--Died at his house, Chapel Field, Norwich, Mr. John Ninham, aged 63,
artist and engraver.
23.--Mr. Keen performed at Norwich Theatre in the character of Richard
III. On succeeding nights he appeared as Othello, Bertram, Sir Giles
Overreach, Sir Edward Mortimer, Selim ("Barbarossa"), Shylock, Octavian
("The Mountaineers"), and Paul ("Paul and Virginia"). He afterwards
fulfilled an engagement at Yarmouth Theatre.
26.--A contested election took place at Norwich for the office of
freemens' Sheriff. Mr. John Lovick was returned with 807 votes as
against 718 polled by his opponent, Mr. George Harvey.