1.--Mr. Sheridan Knowles and Miss Elphinstone made their first appearance
in a four nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Master Walter and
Julia, in his play "The Hunchback." They also appeared on ensuing
evenings as St. Pierre and Mariana ("The Wife"), Pierre and Velerdera
("Venice Preserved"), William Tell and Emma ("William Tell"), and as
Petruchio and Catherine.
7.--Died, aged 71, Mr. Richard Langton, many years librarian at the
Public Library, Norwich.
17.--The north segment of North Walsham steeple was blown down. The
bells fell in a mass of ruins.
17.--During a heavy gale at Yarmouth the tide overflowed many parts of
the Quay, and inundated the houses. The foundations of several buildings
fronting the beach were undermined by the water, and the sands presented
a scene of devastation and ruin.
20.--A facing of brickwork by which the south side of the Guildhall had
been disfigured for more than a century was removed and replaced by a
beautiful specimen of flint work and masonry, from designs by Mr. J.
Stannard, architect.
21.--Died at Ipswich, aged 64, Mrs. Cockle, daughter of Mr. Charles
Roope, of Pulham Market. "She was well-known as the author of some
valuable works on female education, and of literary and poetical
productions."
25.--The Northern and Eastern Railway Bill, for making a line from London
to Cambridge, and thence to Norwich and Yarmouth, as planned by Mr. James
Walker, was read a first time in the House of Commons. It passed the
remaining stages, and was read a third time in the House of Lords on July
27th. On February 25th also the Commons Committee on the Eastern
Counties Railway Bill determined that the standing orders had been
complied with. This Bill was read a first time on March 10th. During
that month a deputation from the London directors met the friends and
supporters of the line at Norwich, Lynn, and Yarmouth; and on April 14th
petitions in favour of the railway were presented in the House of Commons
from Norwich by Lord Stormont, and from Yarmouth by Mr. Praed. The
second reading was carried by a majority of 74. Mr. Gladstone remarked,
in the course of the debate, that the petition from Norwich "had been got
up by the foulest means--by means of eating and drinking. Every person
who went in and put his name to the petition got a good lunch." On May
2nd and 3rd Norwich and Norfolk witnesses gave evidence in favour of the
Bill, which was read a third time on June 1st. It was announced on July
2nd that the Bill had passed through all stages in both Houses of
Parliament.