6.--At the county magistrates' meeting, at Norwich, a resolution was
adopted for the erection of a new Shirehall at Swaffham, and at the
meeting on October 9th a committee was appointed to further the scheme,
which was estimated to cost 1,750 pounds. On January 4th, 1839, the
justices ordered the carrying out of plans prepared by Mr. Browne, the
cost not to exceed 2,141 pounds.
7.*--"A handsome boat, completely fitted out as a phaeton, has been built
by Mr. Philip Neale, of St. Giles's Gates, and is now exhibited to the
public. It is built for a sporting gentleman, and is capable of
containing bedding and luggage, the fore part being enclosed by hatches,
and altogether of a novel description."
11.--A meeting of Norwich camlet weavers was held at the Green Hill
Gardens, for the purpose of hearing a report from the deputation sent to
Yorkshire by the union to enquire into the truth of the statement of the
employers with reference to the cause of the reduction of wages, namely,
the great quantity of camlets manufactured in and exported from
Yorkshire. It was resolved, after hearing the deputation, "that the
proposed reduction was perfectly unnecessary, and that they were
determined to support a strike by all legal means in their power." The
business of Mr. Robberds was obstructed by persons being prevented from
taking work at reduced prices. On August 27th a number of weavers
complained to the magistrates that they had been subjected to
intimidation on proceeding to work at Mr. Robberds', and on the 29th they
were escorted to the factory by a large force of police. The military
were held in readiness in case of disturbance. In consequence of work
having been cut from the looms, the houses of all the weavers were
strongly guarded.
19.--Mr. Owen, of New Lanark, expounded "his visionary projects for the
new organization and classification of society," in a series of lectures
which commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, on this date.
23.--A remarkable case of body-stealing came before the Norwich
magistrates. Mary Maxey, the widow of John Maxey, complained that Mr.
George Perowne, a veterinary surgeon, practising in the parish of All
Saints, had gone to her house during her absence and removed the body of
her husband, who died on July 8th. On the 12th she saw the body at Mr.
Perowne's, where the deceased had formerly worked; and on the 14th she
saw it again, but the heart had been taken out and the corpse otherwise
"cut and hackled." On the 15th, accompanied by the mourners, she went to
take the body away for burial, but Mr. Perowne drove them out of the yard
with a gun, alleging that the corpse was his property, and that he had
paid for it sixteen years previously. It was afterwards taken to the
steeple of All Saints' church, where it remained without a shroud. Mr.
Perowne was too drunk to appear at court on that day, but he was
apprehended, and on the 24th taken before the magistrates, to whom he
stated that he had purchased the body of the deceased during his
lifetime, and contended that it was his property. He had "cut it up" in
the interests of science. The magistrates reminded Mr. Perowne that his
practice did not require a knowledge of the anatomy of the human body,
and that his premises were not licensed for anatomical studies. Mr.
Perowne replied that he was a member of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The
Bench committed him for trial at the Assizes, which were held on August
6th, before Mr. Justice Littledale, who said he understood that no bill
would be presented in the case. The accused was called upon and formally
discharged.
30.--Mr. Farren, of Drury Lane and Covent Garden, commenced a six nights'
engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Lord Ogleby ("The Clandestine
Marriage"). His other characters were Uncle Foozle, Sir Peter Teazle,
Pierre Galliard ("The Soldier of 102"), Admiral Kingston ("Naval
Engagements"), Robert Bramble ("The Poor Gentleman"), Odbody ("Advice
Gratis"), Sir Abel Hardy ("Speed the Plough"), &c. Mr. Farren afterwards
performed at Yarmouth Theatre.
--Violent hailstorms, accompanied by thunder and lightning, occurred in
many parts of the county. At Cockley Cley great damage was done.
"Pieces of ice as big as walnuts were found lying under the hedges next
morning, and the turnips were out into shreds."