2.--Mr. Walter Montgomery, the well-known actor, committed suicide by
shooting himself at Shelly's Hotel, Stafford Street, London. Only on the
30th of the previous month he married, at St. George's, Hanover Square,
Miss Laleah B. Bigelow, an American lady. Mr. Montgomery, whose real
name was Richard Tomlinson, was a native of Norwich, and for some years
resided at Walsingham, where he was apprenticed to Mr. William Coker, a
grocer and draper. At an early age he showed a predilection for the
stage, and after a series of recitals in private, made his first
appearance at Norwich Theatre, and subsequently played at Yarmouth, Bath,
Bristol, and other provincial towns. He went to Birmingham in 1854, and
thence to the Theatre Royal, Manchester, where he became a great
favourite. He performed also at Drury Lane and the Haymarket, and made a
tour in Australia, where he established for himself a high reputation.
Returning to England, he sustained heavy pecuniary losses by his
connexion with the Gaiety Theatre, and had resolved to emigrate to
America. Mr. Montgomery was 44 years of age.
11.--Mdlle. Beatrice appeared at Norwich Theatre with "Frou-frou"
Company. During the engagement, "The Happy Pair" and "The
Ticket-of-Leave Man," in which Mr. Horace Wigan sustained his original
character of Hawkshaw, the Detective, were produced.
27.--The All England and Norfolk Ploughing Matches commenced at Booton,
near Reepham, and were continued on the 28th. There were seven
contests--three for implement manufacturers and four for Norfolk
ploughmen. A public dinner was held at Hackford schoolroom on the
evening of the first day, when Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., presided, and
several local members of Parliament were present.