1.--The Norfolk coast, in common with the whole of England, was visited
by a gale of unusual violence. It resulted not only in great destruction
of property, but in the loss of many lives. At Yarmouth the waters
overflowed the banks of the river, inundated all the low-lying lands from
the harbour's mouth to Reedham, and, flooding the neighbouring railways,
stopped the traffic. Several vessels were driven ashore and their crews
lost. On December 2nd the lifeboat Rescuer was entering the harbour with
the shipwrecked crew of the ship George Kendall, from Liverpool to Hull,
on board, when she fouled with a fishing-boat and was capsized. Of the
shipwrecked crew of twenty-three only four were saved, and of the
lifeboat crew six were drowned. Many widows and children were left
destitute, owing to the large number of lives lost during the gale.
--The parish church of Little Ellingham was destroyed by fire. The
building had recently undergone extensive restoration, and the damage,
due to the overheating of a new warming apparatus, amounted to upwards of
1,000. Efforts were made by the Hingham fire brigade to preserve the
chancel, and were in part successful, but the nave was wholly demolished.
Under the supervision of Messrs. T. H. and F. Healey, architects, of
Bradford, the nave was rebuilt and the chancel repaired by the
contractor, Mr. Clarke, of Hingham; and the church was re-opened for
public worship on Ascension Day, 1869.
24.--A common hall was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the
presidency of the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Colman), at which the citizens
expressed their "detestation of the late Fenian outrage at Clerkenwell,
their sympathy with the sufferers, and their loyal attachment to the
Queen and the Constitution."
26.--The Christmas pantomime produced by Mr. Sidney at Norwich Theatre
was entitled, "Hush-a-Bye Baby on the Tree Top, or Harlequin Fortunio,
Clown King Frog of Frog Island, and the Fairy Queen of the Golden
Flowers." At Mander's Menagerie, stationed on the Castle Meadow, "the
electric light was exhibited in the interior during Maccomo's performance
with the lions, tigers, and elephants." On the 30th was produced at
Henry and Adams' Circus an "equestrian pantomime," entitled, "O'Donaghue
of the Lakes, or Harlequin Dermot Astore and the White Horse of
Killarney."
30.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to
the Earl and Countess of Leicester, and returned to Sandringham on
January 4th, 1868. Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar was of the party.
1868.