9.--Mr. Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. Frederick Grimmer
appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
23.--A telegram was received at Norwich announcing that the Prince of
Wales was suffering from an attack of typhoid fever at Sandringham.
"There are," it was added, "no unfavourable symptoms." Later bulletins
were of a most alarming character, and the inhabitants of county and city
soon realised that his Royal Highness was in a critical condition. The
Queen arrived from Windsor on the 29th, and was met at Wolferton station
by the Duke of Edinburgh, who escorted her to Sandringham. This was her
Majesty's first visit to Sandringham, and her second to Norfolk. [As
Princess Victoria, she, with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, visited Mr.
Coke at Holkham, in 1835.] Her Majesty returned to Windsor on December
1st. On the 8th his Royal Highness had a very serious relapse, and his
Royal mother, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Louise,
hurried back to Sandringham. On December 10th a special form of prayer
was used in all churches, and supplications were made at Nonconformist
places of worship. Public suspense continued until the 14th, when a turn
for the better took place, and on the 19th her Majesty returned to
Windsor. On the same day a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council
was held, at which, on the motion of Sir William Foster, seconded by Sir
Samuel Bignold, a resolution was adopted expressing to her Majesty and
the Princess of Wales the deep sympathy felt by the citizens during the
dangerous and painful illness of his Royal Highness. Throughout this
trying period the newspaper offices in Norwich were besieged by anxious
crowds, eager to receive intelligence. (_See_ January 4th, 1872.)
30.--A severe gale burst over the East coast, and was productive of the
most terrible disasters to shipping and the fishing fleet.