9.--The Norwich police appeared in a new uniform. "The principal
alteration in the clothing consists in the substitution of a frock-coat
for the unsightly long-tailed coat, which is certainly a most becoming
uniform for a civil force."
21.--This day was observed as one of solemn fasting and humiliation, in
accordance with Royal Proclamation. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich
attended service at the Cathedral, and there were numerous congregations
at other places of worship.
22.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Pollock and a
special jury, was tried the libel action, Waldron, clerk, _v._ Bates,
clerk. The Rev. Frederick William Waldron was a clergyman of the Church
of England, and had been chaplain on board H.M. frigate Amazon, lying off
the East India and China stations. On his return to England he became
curate to the Rev. William Bates, rector of Burnham. After two years'
service, plaintiff gave the defendant three months' notice of
resignation. Mr. Bates supplied plaintiff with testimonials, by which he
obtained the appointment of headmaster of a public school at Wymondham,
in Leicestershire. In subsequent correspondence with the trustees of the
school, the defendant stated he had "irrefragable proofs of the exceeding
wickedness" of the plaintiff's character, and, he added, "I call upon
you, in the name of all that is holy and good, to dismiss him instantly
from his employment." After a trial extending over two days, the jury
gave a verdict for the defendant.
26.--The battery of Royal Artillery marched from Norwich Barracks for
Woolwich, whence they proceeded to the Crimea for active service. They
were replaced, on April 4th, by the D battery, from Chatham, commanded by
Capt. Mountain.
29.--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Wightman, Mary Ann
Fisher, aged 28, was indicted for the wilful murder of her husband,
George Wright, at Norwich, on November 28th, by poisoning him. The jury
acquitted the prisoner.
--Died at Cambridge, James Rattee, who was born at Fundenhall in 1820.
After serving his apprenticeship with Mr. Ollett, carver, of Norwich, he
commenced business for himself at Cambridge, at the age of 22. He was
associated with Mr. Pugin in restoring the choir of Jesus College Chapel.
Most of the designs were made by Rattee himself, and submitted to Pugin
before execution. He carried out Mr. G. G. Scott's designs for the
carvings in Ely Cathedral, and by the advice of that gentleman spent part
of the year 1852 on the Continent, where he studied the carved woodwork
and artistic wrought ironwork and sculptured stone of Quintin Matsy and
the other master spirits of Louvain and neighbouring cities. Returning
to England, he constructed at Ely the reredos composed of choice stone
and alabaster, highly enriched with delicate carving and inlaid with gold
and gems, forming the most glorious piece of art workmanship executed
since the Reformation. His work is to be found in churches in every
county in England.
31.--Capt. Wodehouse was backed to run one mile in six minutes, on the
Earlham Road, Norwich. In the presence of a large number of spectators,
he ran the first half mile in less than three minutes, and accomplished
the second half in 2 minutes 56 seconds. He was attended by Jim Mace.
On the 31st Capt. Wodehouse performed the feat of walking one mile in 8
mins. 16 sees.