5.--The London mail by way of Bury and Newmarket was discontinued, and
two light four-inside coaches, called the Mercury, substituted, starting
from the Angel Inn, Norwich, at 4.45 p.m., and from the Golden Cross,
Charing Cross, London, at six p.m., Sundays excepted. The proprietors of
the Expedition post coach substituted two light post coaches which ran
from the Swan Inn, Norwich, every afternoon at four o'clock, and from the
White Horse, Fetter Lane, London, at 4.30. The mail by Bury and
Newmarket had been established 33 years, and was discontinued from lack
of public support. The Norwich and London mail by Ipswich and Colchester
continued to run as before.
8.--The Eau Brink Drainage Bill was read a third time in the House of
Commons, and the Act was subsequently passed for increasing the fund for
carrying into execution the several previous Acts for improving the
drainage of the fens, and the navigation of the several Norfolk rivers
communicating with the river Ouse.
11.--Six prisoners escaped from the Norwich City Gaol by breaking through
an 18-inch brick wall, whence they entered the snuff manufactory of
Messrs. Waite and Cozens, and with their irons on made their way to the
Market Place. With one exception they were speedily recaptured.
--*"According to the returns of the Tax Office to March 25, 1817, the
Norfolk Land-tax amounted to 63,471 pounds 10s. 7d.; redeemed, 18,526
pounds 16s. 2d."
14.--The Norwich Paving Commissioners, in consequence of complaints
regarding the imperfect lighting and watching of the streets, appointed a
committee of fourteen of their members, and co-opted other persons, to
superintend the placing of the watchmen. The committee were requested to
"occasionally perambulate the city, and to observe the state of the lamps
and the conduct of the watchmen."
18.*--(Advt.) "To be fought at the White Swan Inn, Norwich, on Monday,
April 20th, 1818, and two following days, three double days play of cocks
for 10 guineas a battle, and 200 guineas the odd, between the gentlemen
of Norwich and the gentlemen of Cambridge. Feeders: Lamb for Norwich,
Thompson for Cambridge."
--*(Advt.) "The London and Norwich mail coach by Colchester and Ipswich.
The Postmaster-General having thought proper to discontinue the mail
coach by Newmarket, which had been established 33 years, from the public
not having latterly given it that support which its usefulness demanded,
the contractors for the remaining mail by Ipswich and Colchester, which
will in future be the conveyance of the Norwich letters, hope that so
useful a carriage in this commercial city and county will have such
success as to promote its future encouragement and continuance."
23.--St. George's Day was observed in Norwich as the festival of the
tutelar saint of England and as the appointed date for the celebration of
the birthday of the Prince Regent. St. Peter's bells were rung, and at
night a ball was given at Chapel Field House.
24.--A meeting, presided over by Mr. J. J. Gurney, was held at the
Lancasterian School, Norwich, to encourage the establishment of Sunday
schools.
26.--Died at Norwich, aged 47, the Rev. Augustus Beevor, M.A. "He was
educated at Bennet College, Cambridge, where he early distinguished
himself, and as a reward of his literary merits, received many college
prizes. He was rector of Berghapton, Norfolk, and of Otley, Suffolk."
27.--After the interval of 15 years the boundaries of the county of the
city of Norwich were perambulated by the Mayor (Mr. Crisp Brown),
attended by the Sheriffs, several of the aldermen, city officers, and
others on horseback, and by a great number of persons on foot. Much beer
was drunk _en route_, and at Earlham the chief personages were
entertained by Mr. J. J. Gurney, and 400 men and boys received each a
pint of beer and a piece of cake. A man swam the river at Earlham,
another crossed it at Hellesdon. "When proceeding in the direction of
Sprowston they were met on the road, leading from Norwich to Crostwick,
by Mr. James Cozens, who formally declared his intention to protest
against the establishment of the line of boundary which they were taking,
and pointed out a boundary mark nearer Norwich, which on inspection
proved to be that of St. Clement's parish."