4.--Miss Fortescue, supported by her London company, commenced a three
nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre in "Moths" and "The School for
Scandal."
--A special vestry meeting was held at the church of St. Peter Mancroft,
Norwich, under the presidency of the vicar (the Rev. W. Pelham Burn), "to
read correspondence that had taken place between himself and the Hospital
Board relative to the skull of Sir Thomas Browne, alleged to have been
stolen from the church and now in possession of the Hospital." The
Hospital authorities asked the vestry not to press for the return of the
skull. The vicar dwelt upon the crime of sacrilege and maintained that
it was the duty of the Hospital to make restitution of the skull. In
support of his contention he adduced the doctrine of the Church as to the
resurrection of the body. After much discussion it was resolved to refer
the matter to Bishop Pelham. At an adjourned meeting of the vestry on
the 15th the Board of Management intimated that the reference of the
question to an arbitrator would not release them from their obligation to
protect the property of the Hospital. Ultimately it was agreed that no
further steps be taken in the matter.
14.--The Judicial Council of the House of Lords heard a petition from Mr.
Coaks asking for the dismissal of the plaintiff's petition in the action,
Boswell _v._ Coaks, on the ground of its being frivolous and vexatious.
Mr. Coaks' petition was dismissed and the appeal ordered to proceed.
(_See_ April 30th, 1894.)
18.--The extensive maltings of F. and J. Smith, Limited, at East Dereham,
were seriously damaged by fire, which destroyed several hundred coombs of
grain.
26.--Mr. Edward Compton's Comedy Company commenced their Christmas
engagement at Norwich Theatre; and Mr. George Gilbert, a native of
Norwich, began the first of his successful series of circus seasons at
the Agricultural Hall.
31.--Mrs. Pelham, wife of the Bishop of Norwich, died at Sunny Hill,
Thorpe. She was second daughter of Thomas William Tatton, of Withenshaw,
Cheshire, was born in 1811, and married in 1845, during her husband's
incumbency of Bergh Apton.
1894.