8.--The first harvest thanksgiving festival held in the county took place
at Brooke. It was the result of an attempt made by the vicar, the Rev.
Dr. Beal, "to put a stop to the disgraceful scenes which too often
characterise the close of harvest, and to the system of _largess_, which
gives rise to cases of the grossest description." After service at the
church, men, women, and children had dinner on the vicarage lawn. "The
Times" observed: "The attempt to put an end to the system of public-house
harvest feasts, in which neither wives nor children can join, appears in
this instance to have been eminently successful." Many other villages in
Norfolk, after the harvest of 1855, followed the example set by Brooke.
10.--The great west window at Norwich Cathedral, designed as a memorial
to Bishop Stanley, was submitted to public inspection. It cost 1,500
pounds, and was designed and executed by Mr. George Hedgeland, of London.
11.--At the Norwich Police Court, the Rev. Henry Herring, formerly curate
of North Pickenham, was charged with begging, under peculiar
circumstances, on the previous day (Sunday), in the Cathedral Close. The
prisoner, "with his gown on his back," stationed himself in front of the
great west door and exhibited a placard bearing the following
inscription: "The law ordained that they which preach the Gospel should
live by the Gospel. The Church of England withholds from me the justice
of that tribunal which the civil law grants to the common murderer. Such
is the spirit of that Church which professedly invites even a prodigal to
repentance; I have spent 1,800 pounds in her service, and have been
driven to pass three nights in the streets of Norwich, and six nights in
a lock-up (a hole where there is only straw to lie upon on a stone
floor), solely for the want of better and proper accommodation. The
Mayor and magistrates have encouraged me to apply to everyone that has a
heart to feel for the miseries of a fellow-creature. I earnestly solicit
the sympathy and charity of an enlightened public to enable me to live
day by day and to defend myself by law from the tyranny and persecution
of the Bishop of Norwich.--Henry Herring, late curate of North Pickenham,
Norfolk. Norwich Streets, September 9th." Superintendent English stated
that he had offered to send the defendant to a situation in Yorkshire, or
to Australia, where his brothers resided; but he had declined to avail
himself of either. Mr. Herring promised not to repeat his behaviour, and
was discharged.
12.--The opening concert of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical
Festival took place at St. Andrew's Hall. The programme included
Rossini's "Stabat Mater," a selection of sacred music, and (for the first
time) "The Ninety-First Psalm." In the evening there was a miscellaneous
concert, including parts 1 and 2 of "Acis and Galatea." On Wednesday
morning (13th) Beethoven's "Service in C" and "The Creation" were
performed; at the miscellaneous concert in the evening selections from
the works of Weber and Spohr were rendered. At Thursday morning's
concert (14th) "Elijah" was given, and at the evening concert
miscellaneous items and selections from the works of Mozart. "The
Messiah" was performed on Friday morning (15th), and in the evening a
grand dress ball was given at the Assembly Rooms, with music by
Weippert's Royal Quadrille Band. The Festival _artistes_ were Madame
Angiolina Bosio, Madame Clara Novello, Madame Anaido Castellan, Madame
Weiss, Miss Dolby, Signor Gardoni, Herr Reichardt, Mr. Sims Reeves,
Signor Bolletti, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Lablache. The instrumental solo
performers were Mons. Sainton, violinist to her Majesty, and Mr. H.
Blagrove, violins; Herr Hausmann, violoncello. Mr. Benedict was
conductor. The gross receipts amounted to 4,244 pounds 5s. 2d., and the
gross expenses and liabilities to 4,347 pounds 14s. 7d.; deficit, 103
pounds 9s. 5d.
13.--The foundation-stone of the Norwich Free Library was laid by the
Mayor (Sir Samuel Bignold). Addresses were delivered by the Duke of
Wellington, the Rev. Edward Sidney, Sir Morton Peto, M.P., Sir John
Boileau, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. W. J. Utten Browne, and Mr. J. H.
Tillett. (_See_ March 16th, 1857.)
16.--Mr. J. H. Gurney was elected unopposed to fill the vacancy in the
representation of King's Lynn, created by the death of Lord Jocelyn.
23.*--"An attempt has been made at the Boar's Head Inn, Surrey Street,
Norwich, to originate a place of entertainment of a similar kind to
Evans' or Johnson's, in the Metropolis. A room capable of seating
upwards of 200 visitors has been very tastefully fitted up by the
proprietor, the walls being adorned by a series of Norwich views
exceedingly well painted by our scenic artist for many years, Mr. Thorne,
and every evening there is a vocal and instrumental concert by parties of
London professionals, who are almost weekly changed, so as to secure as
large an amount of novelty as possible. Another new feature in this city
is the introduction of the imperial measure for wine at the old rate of
2s. 6d. per pint." This place, known as "The Shades," was managed by Mr.
Fred Phillips, and was the first music hall or variety entertainment in
the city. The venture was not of a successful character.
25.--A meeting of the Norwich licensed victuallers was held at the Boar's
Head Inn, to protest against the Bill for "Regulating the Sale of Beer
and other Liquors on the Lord's Day," which sought to prohibit the
opening of public-houses between the hours of 2. 30 and six o'clock, and
after ten o'clock on Sunday. The meeting decided to petition Parliament
in opposition to the measure. At this meeting was formed a society
called the Norwich Licensed Victuallers' Association, of which Mr. Fred
Phillips was elected president, Mr. Plane vice-president, Mr. Cushing
treasurer, and Mr. S. Daynes secretary.