7.--A flood occurred at Norwich, after twenty-four hours' rain. It was
the sixth that had taken place since October 5th. "The waters were as
high if not higher than on any former inundation of our marshes."
23.--The Phenomena coach, with its Christmas load, started from Norwich,
drawn by a team of six greys, "which were all managed by Mr. Thomas
Wiggins, in a style which would have done credit to a first-rate whip,
and which was never before attempted by any coachman on the road."
24.*--"We have lately had exhibited in Norwich a new system of skaiting
on the saloon in the Ranelagh Gardens and at the Corn Exchange. It is
called Tachypos, and is a kind of skait each running on two iron wheels
about six inches in diameter, and fastens on to the foot in a similar way
to the common skait, with protection to the legs up to the knees. With
these persons may travel at the rate of nine miles an hour upon the
common road. The Tachypos is invented by Mr. J. Ayton, of this city, and
differs considerably from the Tachypos lately exhibited at the principal
theatres in London. There are at this moment boys exhibiting upon them,
and are cutting round the corners and corn-stands with all imaginable
ease and rapidity."
--Wombwell's Menagerie arrived at Norwich, and was exhibited on the
Castle Hill. The collection included a pair of giraffes, one of which
was killed by an accidental fall. "The elephant is a magnificent animal,
but we think the walking exercise which Van Amburgh's elephant is obliged
to take, instead of being drawn from place to place by some twelve
horses, conduces to a clearer complexion and a better state of health."
For the first time, Wombwell advertised that he had a keeper "who goes
into the den of the trained lions and tigers."
1842.