1.--Died, Mrs. Browne, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, and mother
of Mrs. J. Brunton.
--A new drama, entitled "The Fortunes of Nigel, or King James the First
and his Times," founded upon Mr. Scott's novel, and written by Mr. Edward
Ball, formerly of Norwich, was produced at Norwich Theatre for the first
time.
--An action "of an entirely novel description to Norfolk" was tried in
the Sheriffs' court at Norwich, "Jonathan Wrench _v._ the men inhabiting
the Hundred of Holt in Norfolk." It was brought for the purpose of
ascertaining the amount of damage the plaintiff had sustained by having a
stack of corn destroyed by fire through the act of an incendiary. It was
enacted by 9th George I. c 22, that the owner of property so injured was
entitled to recover an amount not exceeding 200 pounds from the
inhabitants of the Hundred in which the property was situate on complying
with the requirements of the Act, namely by giving notice within two days
after the commission of the offence "to some of the inhabitants near unto
the place where any such act shall be committed, and within four days
after such notice that statement be made before a justice of the peace."
It was admitted that the requirements of the Act had been complied with,
and a verdict was given for the plaintiff--damages 143 pounds 15s.
2.--A congregation of about 120 persons, "of the sect commonly called
Ranters," were assembled for worship in a room adjoining the City of
Norwich public-house, St. Stephen's, Norwich, when the floor gave way and
the whole were precipitated into a cellar nine feet deep. Twenty-five
received material injury and were conveyed to the Norfolk and Norwich
Hospital. Four were suffering from fractured limbs, and one person had
his leg amputated.
10.--A trotting match took place between a brown mare, the property of
Mr. William Day, of St. Stephen's, and a mare owned by Mr. J. Harper,
auctioneer,--stakes 10 pounds, distance two miles. Ned Painter rode Mr.
Harper's mare and the brown had her owner up. "They started from Earlham
toll-gate, and within a short distance of the starting post Mr. Day's
mare broke into a gallop, and she had to turn back. By this circumstance
she was dead beat."
15.--Owing to the frequency with which a number of trunks, measuring 28
inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches deep, had been sent from the
Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, by the Telegraph coach to London, suspicion
was aroused at the coach office, and directions were given that the
porter bringing the next be detained and the parcel examined. This was
done on the 15th, when it was found that the package contained the dead
and naked body of an old man. The Rev. George Carter, vicar of Lakenham,
identified the body as that of a man named Brundall whom he had buried a
few days previously. Brundall's grave was examined and it was found that
only the coffin and the shroud remained. From information given by the
porter, two men named Collins and Crowe were apprehended and committed
for trial at the Quarter Sessions. On July 15th they were tried, found
guilty, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of
50 pounds.