2.--Died at Necton Hall, Colonel William Mason. He was the head of an
old county family, whose head, Paul Miller Mason, a citizen of London,
built Necton Hall in the time of Henry VII. Col. Mason served the office
of High Sheriff in 1849, was for many years a chairman of Quarter
Sessions at Swaffham, and was Lieut.-Colonel of the East Norfolk Militia.
4.--The Prince and Princess of Wales left Sandringham, on a visit to Lord
and Lady Suffield, at Gunton Park. Their Royal Highnesses travelled by
special train from Wolferton to Lynn and thence to East Dereham, where
they were received by Lord Suffield, Viscount Hamilton, and the Hon.
Harbord Harbord. A guard of honour was formed by the 15th Norfolk
Volunteer Company, under the command of Capt. Bulwer, and their Royal
Highnesses, entering a carriage drawn by four greys, proceeded along
Norwich Road and the Market Place. Three triumphal arches were erected
in the town, which was handsomely decorated, guns were fired, and the
church bells rung, and in the evening there was a display of fireworks.
After leaving Dereham, the Royal visitors proceeded by way of Swanton,
Bylaugh, and Bawdeswell to Reepham, where the Aylsham Volunteers,
commanded by Capt. Scott, provided a guard of honour. At Aylsham their
Royal Highnesses were welcomed with great enthusiasm, and at Gunton Park
gates the North Walsham corps, commanded by Major Duff, mounted a guard
of honour. On the 5th and 6th the Prince shot over the estate, and on
the evening of the last-named day a dinner and ball were given at the
hall. On the 7th his Royal Highness attended a meet of the East Norfolk
Foxhounds, and on the 8th shot on the Hanworth side of the hall. The
visit terminated on the 9th. The Prince and Princess had arranged to
honour Lord Sondes by attending luncheon at Elmham Hall, but, owing to
intelligence received of the critical condition of the King of the
Belgians, the visit was postponed. Their Royal Highnesses left Elmham
station by special train, and arrived at Sandringham the same afternoon.
7.--The Rev. J. M. Bellew gave public readings from the great poets and
other authors, with organ accompaniments, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.
He was described as "a perfect master of the elocutionary art."
20.--Died at Yarmouth, in his 71st year, Mr. Edward Cubitt, of Honing
Hall. He served in the Peninsular War with the 4th Dragoons, was at the
retreat from Burgos, and received the medal with clasps for Vittoria,
Pampeluna, and Toulouse.
26.--The Christmas pantomime at Norwich Theatre was entitled,
"Camaralzaman and Badoura, or the Little God of Love and the Good Fairy
of Lake Lovely."
1866.