12.--Mr. George Dawson, of Birmingham, delivered an address at the
Lecture Hall, St. Andrew's, Norwich, on "Martin Luther: his private life
and character." On the 17th he lectured on "Old Books: their uses,
beauties, and peculiarities."
13.--Mrs. Fred Philips, for several years a favourite actress on the
Norwich circuit, took her final leave of the stage at Norwich Theatre.
The house was crowded, and between 300 and 400 persons were refused
admission.
22.--Hoffman's "Organophonic Band, or Human Voice Orchestra," with Mr.
Thurton, "the living Valentine Vox," gave an entertainment at St.
Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The performance was repeated on the 24th and
25th, and the company made a return visit in April.
24.--Mr. Walter Montgomery, a native of the city, commenced a six nights'
engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which he appeared as Virginius,
Macbeth, Richard the Third, &c.
--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a letter was received from
Mr. J. B. Morgan, hon. secretary to the Nelson Statue Committee, stating
that it was proposed, on the suggestion of Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A.,
Professor of Sculpture, to remove the statue from the site it had
occupied during the preceding eighteen months, in the Market Place,
opposite the entrance to Dove Street, to a new site in the Upper Close,
immediately facing the Grammar School. The statue was removed, on April
16th, to the site it now occupies.
30.--Intelligence was received in Norwich of the signing of the Treaty of
Peace. On the 31st (Monday) the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung,
and flags hoisted upon the tower. In the evening fireworks were
discharged in the Market Place, and, contrary to police regulations, a
bonfire was lighted. It was extinguished by the constables, whereupon
the mob broke many windows in the Market Place, and proceeded to the
Castle Meadow, where a squib was thrown upon a waggon loaded with straw.
When the fire brigade attempted to put out the flames, the firemen were
stoned by the rioters, some of whom were apprehended, and punished next
day by the magistrates. Peace was proclaimed on May 1st by the Mayor
(Mr. J. G. Johnson) and the Sheriff (Mr. T. Steward), who were attended
by the Town Clerk and Under-Sheriff. From an open carriage the Mayor
read her Majesty's Proclamation in the Market Place "and the other
accustomed spots for such announcements." Peace was celebrated on May
27th. The Royal Artillery paraded on Mousehold and fired a salute, and
at one o'clock dinner was provided at St. Andrew's Hall for the
non-commissioned officers and men of the Artillery stationed in the city,
for the recruiting and Militia staffs, for soldiers and sailors residing
in the city who had been engaged in the war, and for the fathers, sons,
and brothers of soldiers and sailors who had fallen in the war or who
were then on active service. Upwards of 8,000 children assembled in
Chapel Field, and walked in procession to the Market Place, where the
National Anthem was sung, and immediately afterwards proceeded to
Victoria Station, where they had tea. In the evening the Guildhall,
Ethelbert Gate, St. Andrew's Hall, the Shirehall, St. Giles' church,
Erpingham Gate, the gate at the Bishop's Palace, and the Wellington and
Nelson statues were illuminated. There were displays of fireworks in the
Market Place and on Castle Meadow, where also a bonfire was lighted. On
the 28th a ball was given at the Assembly Rooms. Similar celebrations
took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns.