3.--At the Norwich Theatre was produced for the first time "an entirely
new comedy, written by a gentleman of the city, called 'Come of Age, or
the Happy Return.'" The critic of the NORFOLK CHRONICLE described it as
"a play without a plot, and a comedy without comicality."
4.--Mr. Clifford, who had been for thirty-six years a member of the
Norwich Company, took his farewell benefit at the Theatre. Mr. G. V.
Brooke appeared in the character of Virginius. Clifford died on June
8th, aged 68. "During the 36 years that he filled the office of
prompter, he discharged his arduous duties in a way that ensured him the
attachment of every member of the company. A man of highly-cultivated
intellect, Mr. Clifford was not less distinguished for his goodness of
heart, manliness of disposition, and integrity of principle."
11.--Mr. Gepps, of the White Lion Inn, Beccles, for a wager of 200
pounds, drove his "celebrated bay pony" one hundred miles in twelve
hours. He started from the Swan Inn, Harleston, at 4 a.m., drove to the
Ram Inn, Newmarket, and returned to the Round House at Denton, midway
between Harleston and Bungay. The journey was performed 35 minutes
within the time stipulated. "The pony received no punishment from the
whip, yet the wantonness of the act is much to be regretted."
19.--Died at Kempstone, Lieut.-General the Hon. William FitzRoy. He was
the seventh son of Charles, first Lord Southampton, and had served in the
campaigns in Holland and Egypt. Upon retiring from the Army, he applied
himself to agricultural pursuits.
20.--Two prisoners, named Smith and Middleton, escaped from the Norwich
City Gaol. "One lowered himself by a rope of blankets from the cell, and
the other leaped down a depth of 25 ft., by which he sprained his ankle,
so that they got no further than Dereham, where they were both retaken on
the 22nd."
24.--At Norwich Theatre was produced, for the benefit of Mr. Smith, "an
entirely new drama written for the occasion by T. Dibden, called 'The
Factory.'" The performance concluded with a new drama, also acted for
the first time, entitled, "Margaret of Ragensburg," written by Mr. G.
Smith. The plot of "The Factory" had a local setting, and the scenery,
painted by Thorne, "consisted of accurate views of the Yarn Factories at
Lakenham and St. Edmund's, and the interior of St. Andrew's Hall at the
late commemoration of Bishop Blaize."
24.--The attainment by her Royal Highness the Princess Victoria of her
legal majority on her eighteenth birthday was celebrated with much
enthusiasm. The Corporation of Norwich held a special meeting, at which,
on the motion of Mr. Bignold, seconded by Mr. Barwell, an address was
voted to her Royal Highness. The members then proceeded in state to the
Cathedral, where a special service was held and the sermon preached by
Prebendary Wodehouse. Upon returning to the Guildhall, refreshments were
provided by the Mayor, who, in the evening, gave a dinner at the Swan
Inn. At Yarmouth a Royal salute was fired in the Roads by his Majesty's
revenue cutters; and at East Dereham the West Norfolk Conservatives
celebrated the event by dining at the Assembly Rooms, under the
presidency of Mr. Charles Loftus. The day was also observed in other
towns and villages.
25.--At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of
the Mayor, a movement was inaugurated for the erection of a monument in
the Cathedral to the memory of Bishop Bathurst.
29.--The birthday of William IV. falling this year on Sunday, was
celebrated, for the last time, on the following day (the 29th), the
anniversary of the Restoration of Charles II.