4.--Died, at 6, St. Augustine's Road, Camden Square, N.W., Mr. David
Fisher, who for thirty years had held a prominent position upon the
London stage as a leading comedian. Mr. Fisher was born at East Dereham,
which was one of the towns on the circuit of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Company of Comedians, under the control of the Fisher family. Like his
father, uncle, and grandfather, Mr. Fisher was highly respected in
Norfolk and the sister county, and his periodical visits to the scenes of
the former theatrical successes of his predecessors were always regarded
with pleasure by a large circle of friends and admirers. On those
occasions Mr. Fisher gave dramatic and musical recitals, in which he was
assisted by his talented daughter, Miss Mary Fisher. His career in
London commenced with Charles Kean at the Princess's Theatre, where, on
November 2nd, 1853, he appeared as Victor in "The Lancers." In 1859 Mr.
Benjamin Webster, then at the Adelphi, secured his services, and until
1863 Mr. Fisher performed at that Theatre with considerable success in
many important parts. For a short time he severed his connection with
the stage, and gave his single-handed performance, "Facts and Fancies,"
at Hanover Square Rooms and St. James's Hall. Subsequently he joined Mr.
Vining's company at the Princess's, and afterwards appeared at Drury Lane
and other leading Metropolitan theatres.
9.--Died, the Rev. Kirby Trimmer. Born in London on December 22nd, 1804,
he was the son of Joshua Kirby Trimmer, of Chiswick, eldest son of Mrs.
Sarah Trimmer, the authoress. After a short residence at Vendome, he
graduated at St. Alban's Hall, Oxford, and was ordained in February,
1829. He served the curacies of Burnham Overy, Burnham Sutton, Great
Bircham, and Stanhoe, and in 1840 became curate of St. George's Tombland,
Norwich, to which living he succeeded in 1842. In the pursuit of botany,
Mr. Trimmer attained to great distinction, and published the well-known,
standard work, the "Flora of Norfolk." His other literary efforts
embraced a series of "Conversations" on the Thirty-nine Articles, and he
interested himself greatly in the "Philological Dictionary" in course of
publication at the time of his death.
11.--The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St.
Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The vocalists included Madame Albani, Miss Liza
Lehmann, Miss Annie Marriott, Miss Hilda Wilson, Miss Lena Little, Mr.
Edward Lloyd, Mr. Charles Wade, Mr. Barton McGucken, Mr. Santley, Mr.
Alex. Marsh, Mr. Brockbank, and Mr. Barrington Foote. Mr. Alberto
Randegger was conductor. The opening performance included the "Jubilee
Ode," "The Heavens Declare," and the "Hymn of Praise." On the morning of
the 12th were produced the "Garden of Olivet" (Bottesini), a devotional
oratorio composed expressly for the Festival, and conducted by the
composer; and the "Stabat Mater." On the 13th the morning performance
comprised the oratorio, "Isaiah" (Mancinelli), composed expressly for the
Festival, and conducted by the composer; and the "Fourth Mass"
(Cherubini). The "Messiah" was given on the 14th. A miscellaneous
programme was performed on the evening of the 12th; the evening
performance on the 13th included "The Irish" (C. V. Stanford), conducted
by the composer, and the cantata, "The Golden Legend," composed and
conducted by Sir Arthur Sullivan. The concluding performance on the
evening of the 14th was the dramatic legend, "Faust." The Festival
yielded a surplus of 719 3s. 1d.
20.--The new Town Hall at Downham Market, erected at the cost of 1,230,
was opened by Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst, M.P.
21.--An extensive range of premises in St. George's Bridge Street,
Norwich, formerly the drapery establishment of Mr. Henry Snowdon, was
destroyed by fire. The damage was estimated at between 12,000 and
15,000.
25.--Died, at Queen Anne's Mansions, S.W., Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse,
G.C.S.I., K.C.B., aged 76. He was the eldest son of Mr. Edmond
Wodehouse, of Sennowe Lodge, and was for many years in the Civil Service
and in the Foreign and Colonial Offices.