1.--Mr. Henry Francis was elected Mayor of Norwich.
5.--Died at an advanced age, Mrs. Windham, widow of the Right Hon.
William Windham, of Felbrigg.
6.--The second anniversary dinner of the Swaffham Rat Society was held at
the George Inn, in that town. The report stated: "From the time the
ferrets re-commenced their operations in October, 1823, assisted by the
terriers, the total number of rats killed up to May 6th was 1,140, which
added to last year's return makes 2,947 rats exterminated in the course
of twelve months."
8.*--"The King has granted William Lukin, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White
Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, to take, use, and bear the arms of
Windham, in memory of his uncle, the Right Hon. William Windham, of
Felbrigg Hall." (By the death of Mrs. Windham Admiral Windham came into
possession of the estates of his late uncle.)
--*"We understand that there are at this time persons stationed upon the
road between Norwich and London for the purpose of giving information
against the proprietors of coaches carrying more than the number of
passengers allowed by Act of Parliament, or any waggon or van carrying
passengers without being duly licensed."
10.--A prize fight took place near Arminghall between Nicholls and
Thompson, of Norwich. "The battle lasted upwards of two hours, and both
men displayed better bottom than science."
--For the benefit of the manager of Norwich Theatre (Mr. Smith), his
younger son, Mr. J. Smith, appeared as Selico in "The Africans."
15.*--"A gentleman from Lynn for a wager shot 20 dozen rooks with an air
gun, which he loaded himself, in the course of a day. He commenced
shooting at half-past six in the morning, and finished his task in a
masterly manner at four o'clock in the afternoon, in the rookery
belonging to Mr. John Lloyd, of Pentney."
--*(Advt.) "Cocking. To be fought at the White Swan Inn, Norwich, on
May 31st and two following days, three double days' play of cocks for 5
pounds a battle and 100 pounds the odd, between the gentlemen of Norwich
and the gentlemen of Yarmouth. Feeders: Stafford for Norwich, Anson for
Yarmouth."
--The Magnet coach from London to Norwich had just crossed the bridge at
Chesterford, Essex, when, owing to the swollen state of the river, the
arch burst with a tremendous crash. Another coach was approaching, and
received a lantern warning from the guard of the Magnet. The up Magnet
coach from Norwich crossed the bridge shortly before its demolition but
got off the road into a swamp. The passengers had to climb out upon the
roof and remained there while the water flowed through the windows. The
coach was dragged out by a strong team of cart horses. A public
subscription was started in Norwich to reward the guard of the Magnet.
22.--Townshend, the pedestrian, commenced a walk of 64 miles per day of
sixteen hours for six successive days. He started from Swaffham at 4.30
a.m., passed through Watton at 6.30, through Dereham at 8.30, and arrived
at Swaffham at noon, and completed the same journey in the afternoon.
(No further record.)
27.--Died, Mrs. M. Jones, of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, in her 61st
year, "after long and patient suffering under one of the most tormenting
of human disorders." She was a daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Gerard,
rector of Waxham and vicar of Palling, and of Whepstead Rectory, Suffolk.
28.--Six officers of the 8th Hussars rowed in Capt. Cartwright's
six-oared boat from Norwich to Yarmouth in four hours against the tide,
and returned in four and a half hours with a strong stream against them.
29.--The Ottawa, 320 tons, intended as a passage vessel from London to
Quebec, was launched from the yard of Messrs. John and Thomas Douglas, at
Yarmouth.
31.--The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. J. S. Patteson), with the Sheriffs,
magistrates, and aldermen went in procession from the Guildhall to the
site of the new gaol outside St. Giles' Gates, and laid the
foundation-stone. Several gold, silver, and copper coins were deposited
in the stone, "and the whole was cemented with mortar and fastened with
lead poured in boiling hot." The proceedings were witnessed by hundreds
of spectators, one of whom, "a person of respectability, had his pocket
picked of a gold watch, chain, and seals."