2.--The frost, which, during the preceding week, had been very severe,
suddenly broke up, and, under the influence of a south-west wind, a rapid
thaw set in.
--Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Sir Samuel Bignold. He
was the third son of Mr. Thomas Bignold, of Westerham, Kent, who came to
Norwich towards the close of the eighteenth century, and established the
Norfolk and Norwich General Assurance, "for the insurance of houses,
stock, and merchandise from fire." The office was in the Market Place,
where Mr. Bignold also carried on the business of a wine and spirit
merchant until the end of 1807. Mr. Samuel Bignold was elected
Corporation Sheriff on August 9th, 1830, and in 1831 succeeded Mr. John
Patteson as Alderman of the Great Mancroft Ward. In 1832 he was
instrumental in introducing to the city Lord Stormont and Sir James
Scarlett, as candidates for its representation in Parliament. During his
Mayoralty in 1833 he wrote a letter to the Governor of the Court of
Guardians, suggesting the establishment of a joint stock company for
spinning yarn, in order to give employment to the poor. The result was
the formation of the Norwich Yarn Company, and the first stone of their
factory was laid by Mr. Bignold on December 1st, 1836. This undertaking
was commenced with every indication of success, but it finally succumbed
to the powerful competition of the North. In 1848 Mr. Bignold was a
second time elected Mayor, and was chosen a third time for the office in
1853. On May 3rd, 1854, having been requested by the Corporation to
present to the Queen an address pledging its loyal support to her Majesty
in the prosecution of the Crimean War, he received the honour of
knighthood, and his portrait was painted by public subscription, by J. P.
Knight, R.A., and placed in St. Andrew's Hall. In the same year Sir
Samuel was returned as member of Parliament for the city, in opposition
to Mr. Anthony Hamond, the Liberal candidate. On seeking re-election, in
1857, he was defeated by Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider, and again in April,
1859, by the same gentlemen; but that election was declared void. In
June, 1859, when Lord Bury sought re-election, having vacated his seat by
accepting the appointment of Comptroller of her Majesty's household, Sir
Samuel was again defeated, and Lord Bury was a second time unseated on
petition. In all subsequent elections, although not a candidate himself,
Sir Samuel Bignold continued to take an active part. He was associated
with many public companies and charitable and other institutions. After
the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, he was elected a Councillor for
the Fifth Ward, which he continued to represent until his death. He was
placed on the Commission of the Peace for the County in 1835, and became
a Deputy-Lieutenant, and was appointed a city magistrate in 1841.
4.--The Norwich Choral Society, founded by Professor Taylor, in 1824, for
the performance of choral and orchestral music, was voluntarily dissolved
by the few remaining members.
--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the
Earl of Leicester.
20.--Died at her residence, Thorpe St. Andrew, in her 69th year, Miss
Mary Ann Bacon, third daughter of Mr. R. M. Bacon, of Costessey. She
possessed varied accomplishments and poetical talent. Early in life she
assisted her father by translating and writing several valuable articles
for the "Musical Review"; and she was associated with Mr. Owen Jones in
the production of some volumes of combined art and poetry which attracted
much attention at the time of their appearance. Miss Bacon was
particularly happy in her metrical translations of German, French, and
Italian songs, and the books of the Norwich Festivals for many years
attested her ready talent in giving the spirit of those languages when
combined with music. She contributed many fugitive verses and serial
tales in prose to the "People's Journal" and other periodicals and
magazines.