6.--The Norfolk Court of Quarter Sessions made renewed efforts to procure
the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. The Norwich
Court of Mayoralty, on the 14th, addressed a memorial to the Lord
Chancellor on the same subject; and it was officially announced on March
3rd that the Assizes would be adjourned from Thetford to Norwich, as in
the previous year. On March 8th the Corporation conferred the honorary
freedom of the city upon Mr. John Stracey, of Sprowston, "in testimony of
the sense they entertain of that gentleman's most valuable services in
bringing under the notice of the Lord Chancellor the question of the
removal of the Lent Assizes to this city." In the House of Commons, on
the 15th, Mr. Grant gave notice of his intention to bring in the Norwich
Assize Bill, and on April 3rd the Bill was read a first time. The second
reading was carried by 44 to 13 on May 23rd; and on June 4th, in the face
of strong opposition, it was read a third time and passed. The Bill was
read a first time in the House of Lords on the 5th, a second time on the
14th, and a third time on the 18th. The Royal assent was given to the
measure on the 22nd, and on the 23rd the intelligence was received in
Norwich with the ringing of St. Peter's bells. "It is worthy of remark
that the Lent Assizes for this county, jointly with those of Suffolk,
were held at Thetford so early as the reign of Henry II., and that the
first application for their removal to Norwich was made as far back as
the year 1649. Applications have been frequently and unsuccessfully
repeated at intervals until the present year."
17.--A Bill for extending the time for completing the works undertaken by
the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation Company was read a second time in
the House of Commons. It afterwards passed through all its stages in
both Houses. On June 4th juries were empanelled for the purpose of
hearing and determining claims in the purchase of some of the land
required by the company in making the cut for connecting the rivers Yare
and Waveney. The directors, on July 7th, accepted the tender of Mr.
Thomas Townshend, of Birmingham, to make the cut and to complete it by
December 1st.
18.--Died at the age of 102, Mrs. Twiddy, of Snailwell, near Newmarket,
mother of Mr. James Twiddy, formerly parish clerk of St. Peter Mancroft,
Norwich. She was a native of Attleborough. Within a short time of her
death she frequently walked six miles a day.
23.--Norwich Theatre was re-opened for the season. Mr. Power commenced a
short engagement, during which he appeared in a round of Irish
characters.
28.*--[Advt.] "A great main of cocks will be fought at the Black Boys
Inn, Aylsham, on February 14th and 15th, between the gentlemen of Norwich
and Norfolk, for 5 pounds a battle and 100 pounds the odd. On Tuesday
evening a turn-out for 10 pounds; and on Thursday a grand Welch main by
16 subscribers for a silver tankard. All to be fought in silver spurs.
Feeders: Steward for Norwich; Overton for Norfolk."
31.--Mr. Dowton, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced a four nights'
engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Sir John Falstaff. His other
characters included Dr. Cantwell ("The Hypocrite"), Adam Brock ("Charles
the Twelfth"), Sir Anthony Absolute, and Abednego ("The Jew and the
Doctor"). He afterwards performed at Lynn Theatre.