13.--A serious gas explosion took place at Gurney's Bank, Norwich. A
clerk, named Utting, who detected an escape of gas, entered with a
lighted candle the office of Mr. Mottram. A tremendous explosion
followed. The walls were rent, the windows blown out, and the ceiling
raised so that the gas escaped to the rooms above.
--Died at his residence, Redwell Street, Norwich, Dr. Robert Hull, in his
62nd year. He was for many years upon the Commission of the Peace for
the city, and was one of the physicians of the Norfolk and Norwich
Hospital, a post which he resigned a short time before his death.
23.--Miss Cushman, the celebrated actress, appeared at Norwich Theatre as
Meg Merrilies. On the 25th she performed the part of Romeo, to the
Juliet of Mrs. Sidney.
25.--The coming of age of Mr. William Amherst Tyssen Amhurst was
celebrated at Didlington Park. Lord Berners formerly owned the estate,
and in 1849 sold it to Lord William Powlett, from whom it passed by
purchase to Mr. George Tyssen Amhurst, who effected many improvements
upon the property. The celebration was carried out upon a scale of great
liberality. A fine bullock, weighing 80 stones, was killed on the 21st,
steamed on the 23rd, and roasted whole on the 25th in a temporary kitchen
specially erected by Mr. Plowright, of Swaffham. A sheep of six stones
weight was also roasted whole, and the total weight of the plum-puddings
was 700 lbs. Immense quantities of beef, mutton, and pork were cooked in
joints. Three tents, each 130 ft. in length, were provided for the
accommodation of the guests, who numbered upwards of 550. The toast of
"Miss Mitford, the future Mrs. Amhurst," was drunk with great enthusiasm,
and a series of athletic sports concluded the festivities. [_Note_: The
spelling of the names in the original paragraph is adhered to. William
G. T. Daniel Tyssen by licence exchanged the name of Daniel Tyssen for
Tyssen-Amhurst: his son, by a second licence, altered it to William
Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst.]