7.--The adaptation of steam power to ploughing was exhibited in a field
belonging to Mr. Craske Roper, of Croxton Park, near Thetford. Two
engines, fitted with an "endless railway," were built by Mr. Burrell, of
Thetford, and both were shown at work. "The new engine is like a railway
locomotive, but with the addition of an apparatus, which answers the
purpose of a railway, attached to the wheels. The endless railway
consists of a series of flat boards, six in number, plated with iron on
both sides of each wheel, equal in length to the radius of the wheel, and
from 10 to 16 inches in width, loosely attached to the felloe of the
wheel in such a manner that they are carried round with it as it
revolves. Each in succession is laid flat on the ground in front of the
wheel, and lifted up in its rear as soon as passed over. On the surface
of the boards next the periphery of the wheel an iron rail is fixed, on
which the wheel runs, the boards thus corresponding to the sleepers of an
ordinary railway, so that the wheels carry their own rails and sleepers
with them, laying down a literally endless railway whenever they are set
in motion."
11.--A meeting was held in the old Library Room, St. Andrew's Hall,
Norwich, "to take into consideration the expediency of forming a society
to prevent persons from taking and destroying fish by illegal practices."
It was resolved, "That an anglers' society be established in Norwich,
with the view of aiding the authorities in preventing illegal fishing,
and also for promoting the rational recreation of the members." The
society was called "The Norwich and Norfolk Anglers' Society," and Mr.
Skippon was appointed honorary secretary.
13.--Mr. Thackeray gave the first of two lectures at St. Andrew's Hall,
Norwich. The subject was, "George the Third." The second lecture was
delivered on the 15th, and was entitled, "George the Fourth." "A very
general feeling of disappointment is expressed at the style and manner of
the lecturer, and at the very high prices charged (4s. and 2s. 6d.). We
have reason to believe that in some instances those who paid for tickets
for the second evening intentionally absented themselves." Letters were
published in the NORFOLK CHRONICLE expressing strong disapproval of
Thackeray's strictures upon the personal characters of the Georges.
18.--The polling for the election of a Coroner for the Lynn district, to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. George Sayle, commenced
at Lynn. The candidates were Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Wilkin. "An
extraordinary degree of energy was displayed in bringing up the voters in
all parts of the district, and the expenses incurred in paying railway
and coach fares, breakfasts, and dinners for the voters and hangers on
(to say nothing of the sum of money lavished in other ways to obtain
their suffrages, added to the usual outlay upon a contested election),
must have amounted to something enormous, considering the pecuniary value
of the office at stake, probably at the best averaging 25 or 30 pounds a
year." The poll closed on the 19th, when Mr. Wilkin was declared
elected.
18.--Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dillon commenced a three nights' engagement at
Norwich Theatre in "Othello," "Belphegor," and "Faint Heart Never Won
Fair Lady."
--A meeting was held at the Lecture Hall, Norwich, at which resolutions
were passed condemning the Law of Settlement, and advocating the
introduction of a national rate. Another meeting was held at St.
Andrew's Hall on the 20th, at which similar resolutions were agreed to.
19.--A sculling match, for 40 pounds, was rowed on the Yare, from
Surlingham to Whitlingham (3.5 miles), between Stephen Wright, of
Norwich, aged 22, and J. H. Clasper, of Newcastle, aged 18. The former
was trained by John Britcher, and the latter by his father. Clasper's
boat was the lighter by several pounds, and in length exceeded the
Norwich man's craft by about four feet. Wright had the better of the
start, but in ten strokes Clasper led by a quarter of a length. At
Bramerton, however, Wright obtained a clear lead, and at Wood's End led
by four lengths. Clasper made a desperate spurt, and got nearly abreast
of his antagonist, who won by a length, in 23.5 minutes. The Newcastle
man suffered severely from exhaustion, and was lifted from his boat in a
helpless condition. The return match was rowed on the Tyne, on July
24th, when Wright again won.
24.--The yacht Zoe, 170 tons, belonging to the Earl of Yarborough, struck
at midnight on the Lemon Sand, off Happisburgh, while on a voyage from
the Isle of Wight to Grimsby. Lord Yarborough, with the captain and
crew, took to the boats, and landed at Happisburgh Hill House.
26.--Mr. George Dawson lectured at the Assembly Room, Norwich, on "Daniel
Defoe."
30.*--"Lord Orford has addressed the following letter to the editor of
the 'Morning Post':--'Sir, I enclose you a paragraph which appeared in
your paper of the 21st inst., to the truth of which I desire you to give
the most emphatic denial. It is a _rechauffe_ of the lie circulated some
thirty years since in a London journal as a hoax, I presume, on the
editor. At the time I did not think it worthy of contradiction, nor at
my age should I deem it worthy of any such contradiction now, but am
solely induced to do so for the satisfaction of those most justly dear to
me.--Yours, &c., ORFORD. May 26th, 1857.'" (The paragraph here alluded
to is the much-quoted reply purported to have been sent by the noble lord
to the secretary of the Norwich Bible Society. It originally appeared in
the "Freemen's Journal," Dublin.)
31.--Died at his residence, Brighton, Mr. Charles Edmund Rumbold, of
Preston Candover, Hants., aged 69. He represented for more than 37 years
the borough of Great Yarmouth, for which he was first returned in 1818.