2.*--"It was Mr. George Borrow, formerly of this city, who was arrested
in Spain for publishing the Testament in Spanish and the translation of
the Gospel of St. Luke into the gipsy language, but was liberated at Sir
George Villiers' request. Count Ofalia declared that Mr. Borrow had been
discharged from his confinement with unspotted honour and reputation.
He, moreover, ordered the policeman on whose evidence he had been
arrested to be punished, and promised the expenses should be paid by the
Government."
17.--Upwell church was opened after restoration. The Bishop of Norwich,
who preached the sermon, referred to "the boundless munificence of the
Rev. W. Gale Townley, through whose exertions and mainly at his expense
had been produced one of the most richly ornamented edifices in the
kingdom."
19.--Pockthorpe Guild was held at Norwich. "The annual amusements took
place, and the 'Mayor,' upon taking office, delivered an address on the
green at Patteson's Cellar House, to the effect that he would endeavour
to remove the duty off tea and sugar, which was received with great
cheering. The evening terminated with the accustomed sports, as climbing
the greasy pole, grinning through collars, and a variety of other
entertainments. The celebration of the anniversary of Pockthorpe Guild
can be traced as far back as the year 1772."
28.--The Coronation of Queen Victoria was celebrated in Norwich with
great rejoicings. At half-past ten the Mayor and members of the
Corporation assembled at the Free School, and proceeded thence to the
Cathedral, where the sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Stone, the
Mayor's chaplain, from the text, "And who knoweth whether thou art come
to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther iv. 14.) The
"Hallelujah Chorus" was rendered. At noon a troop of the 4th Dragoon
Guards, under Major Makepeace, formed up in the Market Place "and fired a
_feu de joie_ with their pistols, and afterwards gave three cheers,
flourishing their drawn swords above their heads in honour of the Queen."
The officers then retired to the Guildhall, where the Mayor, in the
presence of a large company, proposed the Queen's health. The
parishioners of St. Peter Mancroft entertained, at the Corn Exchange, 750
poor persons, and similar feasts were given to the poor of other
parishes. One thousand workpeople employed at the Yarn Factory dined in
ten parties at ten public-houses, and formed afterwards an imposing
procession, with Mr. Bignold at their head. In the evening the city was
illuminated, and there was a grand display of fireworks in the Market
Place. The Mayor entertained 160 guests at dinner at Chapel Field House,
and the members of the Orange and Purple Club dined at the Theatre,
"which, by throwing a flooring of boards from the stage over the pit, was
converted into a commodious banqueting room. In the background was a
drop scene, giving a view of St. Andrew's Hall on a banqueting day." Mr.
W. J. Utten Browne presided, and many ladies who graced the gathering by
their attendance were provided with seats in the dress circle. Similar
celebrations took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the county.
Every village commemorated the event, "and everywhere it was a joyous
day, for
The squire's wide hall
And the cottage small
Were full of good English cheer."
On the 29th the Corporation of Norwich held a special meeting, and voted
an address to the Queen, "after a long and angry debate, in consequence
of the address containing sentiments in which the Conservative party
could not concur." The result was the framing of another address, signed
by 5,000 freemen, freeholders, and citizens, praying her Majesty "to
preserve inviolate the Union between Church and State."
28.--The Norwich Race Meeting, called on this occasion the "Coronation
Races," took place on Mousehold Heath, and was attended by 30,000
spectators.