2.--Mr. Burton, comedian at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, on the occasion
of his benefit, "delivered Liston's celebrated address, riding on the
back of a real donkey."
--Died, Mr. Jeremiah Lorkin, aged 77, "well known some years since to the
then antiquaries of Norwich, an excellent classical scholar, and
conversant with the science of numismatics."
12.--A writ of mandamus was issued by the Court of King's Bench,
directing the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, in compliance with the
Act of Parliament, to elect twenty persons to be Guardians of the Poor.
The Mayor (Mr. T. O. Springfield) had absented himself from the quarterly
assembly of the Corporation on May 3rd. The transaction of public
business was, in consequence, prevented, and at a special assembly a
strong vote of censure was passed upon his worship for his conduct.
--A grey eagle was shot in Holkham Park. It weighed 9.75 lbs., measured
2.5 inches round the smallest part of the leg, 3 ft from the point of the
beak to the tip of the tail, and 7 ft. 2 in. from the tip of one wing to
the tip of the other.
22.--Guild Day was observed in Norwich. It was stated that at the
Cathedral the civic procession "passed along the rush-strewed pavement
into the choir." In consequence of the serious illness of the King, it
was doubtful whether the Guild feast would be held. Mr. Angell, the
Mayor-elect, issued 600 invitations, and until the guests actually
assembled there was every probability of the abandonment of the feast.
27.--Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of George IV. The
news came six hours in advance of the mails, by an express despatched
from the "Sun" newspaper office in London to the proprietors of the
NORFOLK CHRONICLE. The great bell of St. Peter Mancroft Church was
tolled. On the 29th the High Sheriff (the Hon. George Milles) proceeded
on horseback from the Norfolk Hotel, accompanied by a marshal and
javelin-men, and other officials, to the Shirehall, where the accession
of King William IV. to the Crown of these realms was proclaimed, and
three cheers given. The King was proclaimed by the city authorities on
the 30th, from the leads of the Guildhall. The procession round the city
was headed by the band and kettledrums of the 1st Royal Dragoons, and
five troops of the regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Somerset. "The Colonel politely declined the Mayor's invitation to
himself and his officers to take refreshments at the Guildhall after the
ceremony, and the offer on the part of the Corporation to present the
non-commissioned officers and men of the Royals with 10 guineas with
which to drink his Majesty's health was also declined, on the ground that
the troops, in attending the civil authorities, had only performed a
duty." There were similar observances at Yarmouth and Lynn.