1.--Father Gavazzi lectured at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, on "Italy,
Victor Emanuel, Garibaldi, and the Pope," and on the 2nd on "The Progress
of the Gospel in Italy."
10.--Mr. Charles Mathews appeared at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, in his
entertainment, "Personal Reminiscences, in Eight Chapters." The
entertainment was repeated on December 13th.
13.--Died at his residence, Elmsfield, Harrow, Lieut.-Col. Richard
Montague Oakes, formerly of the 1st Life Guards, and Chief Constable of
Norfolk, aged 71.
18.--A gale of great severity commenced at Yarmouth, and continued until
the 22nd. "The lifeboats were suffered to lie quiescent on the beach,
their crews (of the Young and Diamond Company) standing stolidly by,
indifferent even to the signals of distress which from time to time came
over the raging waters from vessels in great danger." There was no loss
of life. An inquiry was opened on January 6th, 1863, as to the conduct
of the lifeboat crew, and adjourned to the 12th, when a resolution was
adopted exonerating them from blame.
20.--Died at his residence, Norton Lodge, Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Graham E. Hamond, Bart., G.C.B. He was the only
son of Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, R.N., created baronet in 1783,
and was born December 30th, 1779. On the death of his father, at the
advanced age of 90, in September, 1828, he succeeded to the baronetcy.
He commenced his naval career in 1793, as midshipman in the Phaeton 38,
under the command of his cousin, Sir A. S. Douglas; he then removed to
the Queen Charlotte, 100, the flagship of Admiral Lord Howe, under whom
he shared the honour and took part in the victory of "the glorious first
of June." Joining the Britannia, 100, the flagship of Admiral Hotham, he
served in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the destruction of L'Alcide
74, taken in the action of July 13th. After constant active service on
the Lisbon and home stations, during which he assisted at the capture of
several French privateers and at the blockade of Malta and the siege of
La Valette, he was appointed to the command of the Blanche, 36, in which
ship he participated in the battle of Copenhagen. In 1804 he was
appointed to the Lively, 38, in which frigate he captured, off Cape St.
Mary, three Spanish frigates laden with treasure, and destroyed a fourth;
during a subsequent cruise off Cape St. Vincent he captured the San
Miguel, and the same day, in company with the Polyphemus, 64, took the
Santa Gertruyda, 36, laden with a valuable cargo of 11,215,000 dollars in
specie. In December, 1808, he was appointed to the command of the
Victorious, 74, in which he assisted at the reduction of Flushing in
1809. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the South African station
in September, 1834. Sir Graham was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant
for the county of Norfolk.
21.--The sea broke over the sandhills at Wells and flooded about 700
acres of the west marshes, which had been reclaimed from the ocean by the
Earl of Leicester. The damage was estimated at 10,000.
26.--The Christmas pantomime at Norwich Theatre, produced under the
management of Mr. Sidney, was entitled "Jack the Giant-Killer."
Wombwell's Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Meadow.
1863.