2.--Died, aged 106, Thomas Scrape. "He was the father of Mrs. Lovell, of
the Lobster Inn, St. John Maddermerket, Norwich, and was born at Stalham
in 1722, in the 9th year of the reign of George I. He had been often
heard to speak of remembering as a child the illuminations on the
occasion of the accession of George II. At the age of 105 this
extraordinary old man presided at a large convivial party at his
residence. His pipe was his constant companion, and he was often to be
seen smoking and enjoying it at his daughter's house, where his latter
days were rendered comfortable."
3.--Tombland Fair, Norwich, was ushered in by a severe snowstorm. "The
Banisters, the Samwells, the Chipperfields, the Adamses, and a host of
other ornaments of the vagrant stage for daylight gauds and the practical
wit of buffoons displayed themselves in imposing array." The only
"rational" exhibition at the fair was Atkins' Menagerie.
5.--A vessel, named the Lord William Bentinck, was launched from the
shipyard of Mr. Frederick Preston, at Yarmouth. She was nearly 500 tons
burden, and the largest ship, with one exception, ever built at the port.
7.--Ching Lau Lauro, "the celebrated posture master and buffo from Drury
Lane," appeared at Norwich Theatre. On the 10th he performed in a
harlequinade, entitled, "The Man in the Moon." "No viler tissue of
nonsensical stuff could be foisted on the patience of an insulted
audience. It had more revolting coarseness, and infinitely less
ingenuity than ever characterised the worst puppet shows' clumsiest
performers. 'Harlequin in the Shades' descended to the lowest vault of
the Capulets, amidst universal hisses which such execrable trash
deservedly called forth, in spite of Ching Lau Lauro swallowing his own
head."
19.--The Norfolk County Cricket Club announced the completion of a new
cricket ground at East Dereham, described as one of the best in the
provinces.
25.--A remarkable whirlwind occurred at Gresham. "It came suddenly as in
a moment from the south-west, accompanied by a roar like thunder, and
taking a north-easterly direction towards Cromer, spent itself at sea.
The extreme force of the whirlwind lasted scarcely three minutes, but in
that time it completely ruined one William Watts, by rending the sails
and stocks from his mill, lifting the whole fabric from off the post, and
crushing the beams and inside works to pieces, together with the roof and
walls of the round-house."
27.--Died at his house, Vauxhall, Lambeth, Mr. Thomas H. Hull, aged 74,
"a gentleman well-known in Norwich and Norfolk for a great number of
years, and where many of his beautifully-executed pictures remain as
specimens of his superior talent in the miniature department of portrait
painting."