19.--Major Loftus, commanding Prince Albert's Own Norfolk Yeomanry
Cavalry, announced to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates, that the Earl of Leicester, as Lord Lieutenant, had advised the
authorities that, in consequence of local circumstances, it was expedient
to disband the regiment. Major Loftus complained that the Lord
Lieutenant would assign "no cause for this unceremonious dismissal." He
added: "My duty is now to give you my last word of command, which is to
obey the orders of her Majesty's Secretary of State and to desire that
you deliver up all your arms, clothing, and accoutrements to the
respective captains of troops, who are hereby directed to forward the
arms and sword belts to Cornet William Freeman, at my store-room at
Billingford. And I have to request that your clothing, saddlery, &c., be
conveyed to Holkham Hall, when his lordship will have the opportunity of
disposing of them as he and Sir George Grey may think proper, for I shall
give myself no further trouble in the matter after the ungracious manner
in which I have been treated."
20.--A telegram was received at Norwich, announcing that the Queen had
been fired at on the previous (Saturday) evening, by an Irishman named
John Hamilton. The National Anthem was played at the Cathedral and at
most of the parish churches.
24.--The Queen's birthday was celebrated with much rejoicing in Norwich.
The Sheriff gave a dinner at St. Andrew's Hall to the inmates of the
Workhouse and Infirmary. The 16th Lancers paraded in the Market Place,
and the Corps of Pensioners, under Capt. Cockburn, fired a _feu de joie_.
The Mayor entertained a large party at luncheon at the Guildhall, and in
the evening gave a dinner at the Assembly Rooms.
26.--Died at Montreal, Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Commander of her Majesty's
forces in British North America. He saw much active service during the
Peninsula War, and in 1829 became Colonel of the 51st Foot. He was a
native of Norfolk, and related to the D'Urban Blythes of Massingham.
26.*--"One day last week a fine sturgeon, weighing 3 st. 11 lbs., and
measuring 5 ft. 9 in. in length, was caught in the river at Northwold,
twenty-eight miles from the sea."