1.--Mr. Charles Kemble made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre in
the character of Julian St. Pierre ("The Wife"). During the remaining
nights of his engagement he performed the parts of Benedict, Mercutio,
Colonel Freelove ("The Day after the Wedding"), Octavian ("The
Mountaineers"), Petruchio, and Charles Surface. He afterwards visited
Yarmouth.
6.--Evidence was given before the House of Lords in opposition to the
Municipal Reform Bill by Mr. E. T. Booth, Col. Harvey, Mr. Isaac Preston
(Recorder), and Mr. E. Newton, of Norwich. A petition, adopted at a
meeting of the freemen on July 11th, and signed by 1,600 persons of both
parties, had already been presented, praying their lordships "to preserve
to Norwich the privileges granted by the charters of 700 years ago." The
Bill was passed on September 9th, and on October 3rd the NORFOLK
CHRONICLE stated: "St. Michael 'shone no festive holiday' either at
Norwich, Lynn, or Yarmouth. For many centuries until this _annus
mirabilis_ of _Liberalism_ the Sheriffs of Norwich (from 1403), the
Mayors of Lynn (from 1268) and of Yarmouth (from 1684), were sworn into
office on new Michaelmas day. . . . Under the new Act the present Mayors
and Sheriffs are to continue to hold their respective offices until
January 1st next, and their immediate successors--_one_ Sheriff until the
first, and the Mayors until the 9th of November, on which days the
elections of Sheriffs and Mayors of boroughs will in future take place."
7.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Bolland, Frances Billing,
aged 46, and Catherine Frarey, aged 40, were found guilty of the murder
of Mary Taylor, of Burnham Westgate, by administering arsenic to her.
They were also convicted of the murder of Robert Frarey, husband of the
last-named prisoner. The execution took place on the Castle Hill,
Norwich, on August 10th. Frarey was dressed in deep mourning for her
husband, and wore a widow's cap. They held each other by the hand when
upon the scaffold. "The silence which had hitherto pervaded the immense
concourse who stood intently gazing on this dreadful exhibition was
broken by a piercing shriek when the drop fell; then all was still
again." Mrs. Billing had had eleven children, eight of whom were living
at the time of the execution. Both women had been in the habit of
consulting reputed witches at Burnham and Sall (_See_ April 1st, 1836.)
14.--Died, aged 79, Mr. William Mason, of Necton. "He was accomplished
in literature, and was one of the favourite scholars of the late Dr.
Parr."
22.--Died, aged 78, the Hon. George Walpole, second son of Horatio, first
Earl of Orford and fourth Lord Walpole of Walpole. He commanded the
troops employed in suppressing the rebellion of the Maroons in Jamaica.
On his retirement from the Army he went into Parliament, and was
Under-Secretary of State during the Fox Administration in 1806.
23.--Died, aged 65, Mr. Francis Stone, architect, Norwich, and for nearly
30 years Surveyor of the County of Norfolk.
25.--The last election for the office of freemen's Sheriff took place at
Norwich. Mr. Paul Squire was returned, with 829 votes. Mr. Edward
Willett, his opponent, polled 437.