4.--Hales, the Norfolk giant, was exhibited at Tombland Fair. He was 8
ft. in height, and weighed 33 stones.
8.--Mrs. Yates and Mr. O. Smith appeared at Norwich Theatre in the
"Christmas Carol," produced under the superintendence of its adaptor, Mr.
Edward Stirling, stage manager of the Adelphi Theatre. Mrs. Yates was a
granddaughter of Mr. Brunton, many years manager of the Norwich circuit.
11.--The Norwich Town Council completed the arrangements respecting the
purchase by the Corporation of the Foundry Bridge tolls, and empowered
the City Committee to negotiate for the borrowing of 8,000 pounds for the
purpose. The new iron bridge which replaced the old wooden structure was
opened for traffic on June 29th. It was erected by Messrs. Bradley and
Co., of Wakefield, from designs by Mr. C. D. Atkinson, of the same town,
at the cost of 800 pounds.
12.--Major-General Pasley, Government Inspector, accompanied by the Lord
Bishop of Norwich, and several of the directors, proceeded in "a train of
carriages" from the Norwich terminus to Yarmouth by the new Yarmouth and
Norwich Railway. This was the first train that ran out of the city, and
its departure was witnessed by thousands of the inhabitants. (_See_
April 30.)
20.--The Scots Greys, during the week ending this date, marched from the
Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, _en route_ to Edinburgh.
20.*--"The parish clerk of St. Peter's, Terrington, has caused his coffin
and gravestone to be prepared, although in excellent health. The former
he keeps in his sleeping room, and uses as a wardrobe, and the latter
stands in the church, ready to be put down when required. The stone
contains the following:--
"This aged clerk, long ere he died,
His coffin had and placed by his bedside;
His neighbours all well know the truth is spoke--
'Twas made of Mr. John Perry's best oak;
His old friend Death just touch'd him with his spear
And in pure kindness laid him quietly here.
"The upper part of the stone contains the name, with blanks for cutting
age, &c., when the time of his dissolution shall take place."
24.--Died at Boyland Hall, aged 66, the Hon. Frederick Paul Irby, C.B.,
Rear-Admiral of the White. He was born April 18th, 1779, and was second
son of the second Baron Boston. He entered the Navy in 1791, was present
in Lord Howe's action on June 1st, 1793, at Camperdown under Lord Duncan,
and afterwards saw much active service. He was severely wounded in an
action fought with a French frigate off the Isle of Los, on the coast of
Guinea.
--Died in Julian Place, Norwich, aged 38, Mr. Thomas Wiggins. "He had
been proprietor of and a celebrated whip on the Phenomena coach from
Norwich to London for several years, and was much respected by all for
his skill as a coachman."
30.--The Yarmouth and Norwich Railway was formally opened on this date.
The county was indebted to Mr. R. Stephenson, the celebrated engineer and
"father of railways," for the introduction of the line. He and his
friends, supported to a limited extent only by residents in Norwich and
Yarmouth, contemplated it as the commencement of a grand line from the
east to the west of England, in connection with other systems extending
north and south. The prospectus was issued on January 15th, 1842; the
Act of Parliament obtained June 18th, 1842; and the first meeting of
proprietors held at the Victoria Hotel, Yarmouth, on August 5th, 1842.
The total cost of the undertaking was estimated at 200,000 pounds. The
first half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held at the Royal Hotel,
Norwich, on February 26th, 1843. Messrs. Grissell and Peto constructed
the line, at the cost of 10,000 pounds per mile. The rolling stock of
the company consisted of five locomotives and a number of passenger
carriages, supplied by Mr. Wright, of London. "The third class are
six-wheeled carriages, open, and at present without seats. We trust they
will not long continue so; the inconvenience of standing, especially to
females, during a journey in cold weather, will be very great."
Thousands of persons assembled at Thorpe Station to witness the departure
of the first train at 10.30, hundreds thronged the line at various
points, and a great crowd gathered at Yarmouth to see the arrival.
Howlett's brass band occupied a third-class carriage next the engine, and
the other carriages were reserved for 200 guests, specially invited by
the directors. The train started amid loud cheers, and accomplished the
journey in 50.5 minutes; the return trip was done in 44 minutes. At four
o'clock a dinner was held at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, under the
presidency of Mr. S. M. Peto, supported right and left by the Mayors of
Norwich and Yarmouth. The railway was opened for public traffic on May
1st, when 1,015 passengers were booked.