18.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to
the Earl and Countess of Leicester, who, on the 21st, gave a grand ball
in honour of the event.
23.--Died at Norwich, Mr. William Cooke Stafford, aged 83. Mr. Stafford
was one of the oldest journalists in the kingdom. After a visit to
America, he commenced his professional career in London, in 1818, as a
contributor to the "Anti-Jacobean Review," the "White Dwarf," &c., for
which he wrote leading articles. He afterwards became editor of the
"Leeds Intelligencer," and proceeded to York to edit the "Yorkshire
Gazette." Leaving York, he established the "Doncaster Chronicle," and
had subsequent engagements on the "Hull Packet" and the NORFOLK
CHRONICLE. His later years were spent in London, where he did a
considerable amount of literary work as "publisher's editor," by writing
a history of the Crimean War, and part of "The World as It Is," for Mr.
Peter Jackson. Mr. Stafford also re-edited Hume and Smollett's History,
and did much work of a similar character.
26.--The pantomime of "Beauty and the Beast, or Harlequin Prince Azor and
the Good Fairy of the Wedding Ring," produced under the direction of Mrs.
Sidney, at Norwich Theatre, was one of the best and most successful
pieces of the kind in the annals of the house. Stoodley and Harmston's
Circus and Edmunds' Menagerie were exhibited on Castle Meadow; and Madame
Rose Hersee, supported by an excellent concert party, appeared before a
meagre audience at Noverre's Rooms.
27.--Died at the Grove, Chapel Field Road, Norwich, Mr. Joshua Swann,
aged 71. He was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Willett, Nephew, and
Co., and an alderman of the city. Mr. Swann's literary and scientific
tastes rendered him a valued and most active member of the committees of
the Norfolk and Norwich Museum and Literary Institution, and he was a
warm supporter of the School of Art and the East Anglian Art Society,
formed shortly before his death. He left a collection rich in portraits
of local celebrities and etchings by Norwich artists.
30.--Died at Catton, Mr. George Gedge, aged 78. For many years Mr. Gedge
carried on an extensive business as a dyer, by which he realised a
fortune. He was a Conservative in politics, and long served the city as
a member of the Town Council and of the old Court of Guardians. He
directed his attention especially to the advocacy of a system of national
rating, in the furtherance of which he spent both time and money. It was
to Mr. Gedge's enterprise that the city was indebted for the first visit
of Jenny Lind, the precursor of so much benefit to local charitable
institutions, and of the founding of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick
Children.
1877.