1.--Methwold church was re-opened after restoration. "The centre of the
nave has been given to the poor, and the outside aisles appropriated to
the rich."
3.--Mr. Aldridge, "the African Roscius," appeared at Norwich Theatre in
the character of Othello, and afterwards as Zanga ("The Revenge"), Fabian
("The Black Doctor"), and Bertram. He was a native of Africa, and was
described as a very intelligent actor.
5.--At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, at Norwich, George Thurtell (47),
horticulturist, "who appeared like a dying man," pleaded guilty to
stealing various articles from the house of Mr. Farrer, of Sporle, where
he had been entertained as a guest while engaged as a landscape gardener
in laying out the grounds. The prisoner, who was a son of Mr. Alderman
Thurtell, of Norwich, and brother of the notorious John Thurtell, the
murderer of Mr. Wear, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. He
died before the completion of his sentence (July 26th).
13.--The elephant belonging to Wombwell's Menagerie died whilst being
exhibited at Norwich. The animal was said to be 85 years old.
19.--Mrs. Butler, "once so celebrated as Fanny Kemble," commenced an
engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Mrs. Beverley. She
appeared also as Julia ("The Hunchback") and Pauline.
28.--The Yarmouth Haven and Pier Commissioners determined to oppose at
every stage the Norwich and Yarmouth Navigation Bill, by which it was
sought to obtain powers for improving the navigation of the river Yare by
straightening, widening, and deepening the channel, so as to admit of the
passage of seaborne ships from Yarmouth to Norwich. Application was made
in the Court of Chancery for an injunction to restrain the Corporation of
Norwich from raising funds by means of the borough rate to forward the
Bill, which went before a Committee of the House of Commons on May 2nd.
Counsel for the promoters intimated on May 5th that they did not intend
to offer further evidence in its support, whereupon the Bill was
withdrawn.