5.--Norwich Theatre was opened for the season with the engagement of the
Boleno family, who appeared in a pantomime-ballet, followed by tableaux,
&c.
7.--At a general meeting of the shareholders of the Norfolk and Norwich
Museum, it was resolved "that the property lately used as a public
library be purchased, and the building committee authorised to make such
alterations and additions thereto as may be requisite for affording
accommodation to the Museum, the Literary Institution, the Norfolk and
Norwich United Medical Book Society, and any other institution of a
literary or scientific nature who may wish to take rooms under the same
roof as the Museum, the money to be raised by voluntary donations and
shares of 5 pounds each, bearing interest at three per cent. per annum."
9.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. Bignold moved the
appointment of a committee to draw up a petition to both Houses of
Parliament in favour of the adoption of the penny postage. The petition
was adopted on February 22nd.
16.--Died, aged 83, Mr. Edmund Manning, of London Street, Norwich, "the
oldest and wealthiest retired tradesman in St. Peter Mancroft." He was a
brazier by trade. "Some property which his father left him with what he
had himself industriously acquired, was so parsimoniously hoarded during
his long-protracted life it accumulated the immense sum of 70,000 pounds,
of which between 50,000 and 60,000 pounds were in the Funds. His annual
income at the time of his death was upwards of 2,100 pounds a year, and
his expenses were probably not 20s. a week. The great bulk of his
property was left to distant relations for whom he affected to have no
regard, whilst those whose expectations he had raised (even on the day
before his death) had reason to be dissatisfied. He gave to Mr. T. S.
Norgate 29,000 pounds, and to the Rev. T. S. Buckle 14,500 pounds, and to
Mr. Manning, of London, 14,500 pounds. The remainder he has bequeathed,
in various sums, from 1 to 300 pounds, to friends and acquaintances and
to certain charitable institutions. He also bequeathed 4,000 pounds
three per cent. Consols to the trustees of the charity schools, the
dividends to be applied annually to apprenticing poor boys."
19.--A prize-fight took place at Bedingham, between Cricknell and Balls,
of Norwich. "After a contest of 53 minutes, Balls was obliged to give
in."
24.*--"Died lately, in the Workhouse at Downham Market, at the advanced
age of 100 years, Samuel Simpson. He retained his faculties to the last,
and was able to walk with astonishing alacrity."
--*"We cannot but lament the loss which science sustains in the death of
Mr. Samuel Woodward. He was an excellent geologist, particularly as
regards his native county. His principal works were 'The Outline of the
Geology of Norfolk' and 'Synopsis of British Organic Remains.' He was a
skilful and unwearied antiquary, and through his means were recorded many
valuable notices of Norfolk antiquities."
--The ship Benwell, Captain Moody, 300 tons burden, bound from Newcastle
to London, with a cargo valued at 20,000 pounds, was lost on Sheringham
Shoals. "The crew of eleven hands, two male and five female passengers,
were landed on Burnham beach almost in a state of nudity."