1.--Norwich Theatre opened for the season with the production of "The
Lady of Lyons," in which the part of Claude Melnotte was played by Mr. G.
V. Brooke. "When we see the huge amphitheatre which is now in rapid
progress towards completion on the Castle Meadow, under the sanction of
the constituted authorities, for the reception of another batch of horse
riders so soon after the visit of Ducrow's troupe, and just at the very
moment the players are come, we are constrained to observe that the jewel
of fair play does not appear likely to be awarded as it ought to be to a
class of her Majesty's servants." On February 4th Mr. J. Russell, of
Drury Lane and Covent Garden, appeared in the parts of Dominique ("The
Deserter") and Pat Murphy ("The Happy Man"). Before the end of the
season it was announced that Mr. G. V. Brooke had been added to the
permanent strength of the Norwich Company.
2.--A remarkable case of somnolence was reported at Norwich. John
Browne, master of the Yarmouth Bridge public-house, Red Lion Street, who
died on this day, aged 39, and was reputed to be the heaviest man in the
city, had been constantly afflicted with sleepiness. "He weighed at the
time of his death nearly 27 st., and had generally slept away his time.
He kept awake only a few minutes at a time, and even in conversation fell
asleep. Browne was several years turnkey at the City Gaol, and was then
by no means a man of over size, but he had been increasing in bulk for
several years, notwithstanding the rigid temperance which he observed,
living entirely upon dry toast and tea. His coffin was 3 ft. across, 6
ft. long, and 1 ft. 9 in. in height."
10.--The marriage of her Majesty the Queen was celebrated in Norwich.
The Mayor and members of the Corporation, wearing white favours, attended
service at the Cathedral, where the sermon was preached by the Rev.
Prebendary Wodehouse. After service the quarterly meeting of the Town
Council was held at the Guildhall, when congratulatory addresses to her
Majesty and Prince Albert were adopted. At one o'clock the 9th Lancers,
under the command of Capt. Arthur Williams, entered the Market Place and
fired a _feu de joie_ with their pistols; "the trumpeters played 'God
save the Queen,' and the soldiers gave three hearty cheers, flourishing
their sabres in the air." Luncheon was afterwards served in the Council
Chamber, "the principal object on the table being a large wedding-cake,
lavishly decorated." At five o'clock one hundred gentlemen dined at the
Swan Inn, under the presidency of the Mayor. At night there was a
firework display in the Market Place. On the staging at the north-east
angle of the Market Place the fireworks were prematurely exploded; a
rocket was driven through the shutters of a shop on the Walk, and another
entered the second storey window of a house in London Street. A man was
severely wounded in the face, and others were also injured. A ball took
place at the Assembly Room, "and in conformity with the wishes of the
committee of the Council, the pit and gallery of the Theatre were thrown
open gratis." The pieces performed were "The Wedding Day" and "The
Illustrious Stranger," followed by the pantomime, "The House that Jack
Built." There were many parochial celebrations. At Yarmouth the vessels
in the harbour were decorated with flags, the Revenue cutter in the Roads
fired a royal salute, and a public dinner was held at the Town Hall. At
a county meeting held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on March 21st, at which
Mr. Henry Villebois, High Sheriff, presided, congratulatory addresses
were ordered to be sent to her Majesty and Prince Albert.
12.--At the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, Mr. William Stark delivered a
lecture on "The functions of the brain phrenologically considered." It
was really a defence of the theory of phrenology, and gave rise to much
adverse comment.
15.--Died, aged 31, Mr. George Stannard, younger brother of Mr. A
Stannard, the Norwich artist. The deceased was described as "an artist
of superior talents."
19.--Died, in his 108th year, Richard Pattle, of Rudham. "He was a poor
but honest man, and had through life earned his bread by the sweat of his
brow, and was so respected by his neighbours that they some time ago
employed an artist to take his likeness, from which a print was
published, and is now in possession of most of the neighbouring gentry
and farmers."
27.--A fire occurred on the newly-erected premises of Mr. Thorrold,
engineer and ironfounder, near Foundry Bridge, Norwich, "and totally
consumed all but the bare walls."