1.--Died at Booton rectory, the Rev. Whitwell Elwin. He was born in
Norfolk on February 25th, 1816, and entering Caius College, Cambridge,
graduated B.A. in 1839. After his marriage with his cousin, Miss Frances
Elvin, in that year, he was ordained, and became curate of Hemington with
Hardington, in Somersetshire. In 1849 he was presented to the family
living of Booton, where he resided until his death. During his
incumbency he undertook the great work of re-building his parish church
in the Early Decorated style upon the old ground plan. Elwin was best
known as editor of the "Quarterly Review," the personal friend of
Thackeray and Bulwer Lytton, of Dickens and Forster, and of many other
famous people in the literary world. It was in 1843 that he wrote for
the "Quarterly Review" his first article--on the "Histoire du Chien" of
Elzear Blaze. When Lockhart's illness made it necessary for him to go
abroad in 1853 he asked Elwin to do the work of editing the "Quarterly
Review." Lockhart died in 1854, and Elwin then succeeded him in the post
of editor. He lived at home in Norfolk and went up to London for the
publication of each number. Thackeray gave to him the gold pen with
which he had written most of "Vanity Fair," and has left a pleasant
sketch of him in his "Roundabout Paper" on "Screens in Dining Rooms."
Elwin wrote the review of "The Newcomes" in the "Quarterly" for
September, 1855.
2.--The formal presentation of gifts subscribed by the residents of
Norfolk and the citizens of Norwich for the men of the Norfolk Regiment
took place at Aldershot by a deputation consisting of the High Sheriff
(Mr. Upcher), the Deputy-Mayor of Norwich (Mr. G. H. Morse), Col.
Shepherd, D.S.O., Mr. P. E. Hansell (Under-Sheriff of Norfolk), and Mr.
E. J. Caley, honorary secretary to the fund. The battalion left
Aldershot on the 4th for Southampton, and embarked on the P. and O. liner
Assaye for South Africa. The strength of the battalion was just under
1,000. On this day (January 2nd) the non-commissioned officers and men
of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars and many civilians, who had volunteered for
active service in South Africa with the Imperial Yeomanry, attended at
the Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich, for the purpose of being medically
examined and attested. About 46 members of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars and
112 civilians were accepted. On the 12th the commanding officers of the
four Volunteer battalions of the Norfolk Regiment met at Norwich and
arranged details for the clothing and equipment of men who had
volunteered for the front. Three officers were appointed to the service
company--Capt. Archdale, 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Lieut. B. H. L. Prior,
1st Volunteer Battalion, and Lieut. H. L. Willett, 4th Volunteer
Battalion. The company consisted of four sergeants, five corporals, two
buglers, and 99 rank and file--total 115. On the 25th the 3rd Battalion
Norfolk Regiment (Militia), commanded by Col. Custance, was embodied at
the Britannia Barracks, Norwich, and on the same day left for Fermoy for
garrison duty. The Yeomanry and Volunteers attended a farewell service
at Norwich Cathedral on the 26th; and in the evening the Volunteers were
entertained to dinner at the Drill Hall by public subscription. The
Yeomanry (43rd Company) were similarly entertained on the 27th by Mr.
Alfred Haldinstein, whose eldest son had volunteered for service with the
company. On the 30th the 43rd Company paraded on Tombland, and, headed
by the band of the 7th Hussars, marched to Trowse, where they entrained
with their horses for Southampton, and on the 31st embarked on the Goth.
The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 44th Company left
Norwich by special train at 4.50 on the morning of February 3rd for
London, where they were inspected at Albany Street Barracks by the Prince
of Wales. They returned to Norwich in the evening. On the 5th they were
entertained to dinner at the Assembly Room, Agricultural Hall, under the
presidency of the Deputy-Mayor. The Norfolk Volunteer Service Company
left Norwich on February 11th, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Diver,
2nd Volunteer Battalion, who had been appointed in place of Capt.
Archdale, incapacitated by illness; the same day they arrived at
Southampton and embarked on the Donne Castle. Meanwhile the 3rd
Battalion Norfolk Regiment (Militia) had volunteered for service at the
front, and the battalion on February 25th left Fermoy for Queenstown,
where they embarked on board the Orotava. Col. Custance was in command,
and there were 22 officers and 550 non-commissioned officers and men. On
March 1st news was received in Norwich of the relief of Ladysmith. A
boom was fired from the Castle, the city flags hoisted upon public
buildings, and the bells of St. Peter Mancroft rung. Bands of music
paraded the streets, and in the evening the city was illuminated.
Similar rejoicings took place throughout the county. On the 3rd, at two
a.m., the 44th Company, Imperial Yeomanry, paraded on Tombland, and
headed by torch bearers and the band of the Artillery Volunteers marched
to Thorpe Station, whence they proceeded to London, and on the same day
embarked on the Cornwall at the Albert Docks. News of the relief of
Mafeking reached Norwich on May 18th at 10 p.m., and was received with
great enthusiasm. On the 19th the city was decorated, and Sir Harry
Bullard, M.P., on visiting the corn market, was loudly cheered by the
farmers and merchants and compelled to make a speech. In the evening the
Volunteers paraded the streets, which were illuminated, and a great
gathering was held at the Conservative Club, under the presidency of Sir
Harry Bullard. Thanksgiving services were held on the 20th in all places
of worship in the city and county. The occupation of Pretoria, the
crowning point in the success of British arms, was made known in Norwich
on June 5th, and on the 6th a great demonstration took place in
celebration of the event. A procession, in which the naval and military
forces were represented, marched round the city, and afterwards a dense
crowd witnessed a cinematographic exhibition in the Market Place. On
December 15th a meeting was held under the presidency of Viscount Coke,
at the Shirehall, Norwich, at which was inaugurated a movement for the
erection of a memorial to Norfolk men who had died whilst on active
service in South Africa.
8.--A meeting was held at Costessey, under the presidency of Mr. Stafford
H. Jerningham, for the purpose of discussing the projected construction
of a light railway between Norwich and Dereham. The line, which was to
be constructed under the Light Railways Act, was to be fifteen miles in
length, and a capital of 85,000 was required. The suggested route was
from East Dereham, between North Tuddenham and Mattishall, on to
Hockering and East Tuddenham, thence to Honingham, and by Easton and
Costessey to Hellesdon, where the Eastern and Midlands line to Norwich
would be joined. Meetings were held at other places along the suggested
route. On July 26th an inquiry was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by
Mr. Gerald A. Fitzgerald and Col. Boughey, C.S.I., Light Railway
Commissioners, into an application made for a provisional order for
authorising the construction of the railway. After hearing evidence the
commissioners stated that they could not see any prospect of a return of
capital such as would lead the public to become investors, and,
therefore, they did not feel justified in recommending the Board of Trade
to grant the order.
11.--Died at his residence, Gordon Square, W.C., Dr. James Martineau,
aged 95 years. A son of Thomas Martineau, a manufacturer of bombazines
and camlets, he was born at Norwich on April 21st, 1805. His sister was
the famous Harriet Martineau. From his tenth to his fourteenth year he
was educated at Norwich Grammar School, and on leaving school studied
medicine, but as the work was not congenial to him he gave it up, with
the view of becoming a minister of the denomination to which his family
belonged. They were Unitarians, and thenceforward he was prominently
identified with that body. He was the author of several theological
works, and had conferred upon him by Harvard College, Mass., the honorary
degree of LL.D.
31.--Information was received at Norwich that an outbreak of foot and
mouth disease had occurred at Fritton. All sales necessitating the
movement of cattle were prohibited, and public markets in the district
closed. On February 7th a deputation of farmers, cattle salesmen,
butchers, and others from the county waited upon Mr. Walter Long,
President of the Board of Agriculture, for the purpose of asking him to
relax in some degree the stringent restrictions placed upon the movement
of cattle. Shortly afterwards an amended order was issued, and on March
31st Norwich Cattle Market was re-opened. At Loddon Petty Sessions on
May 19th three farmers were summoned for contravention of an order of the
Board of Agriculture by the wrongful removal of cattle and sheep. It was
urged by the defendants that "it was a case either of removal or
starvation," and the magistrates inflicted nominal penalties. Mr. George
Holmes, one of the justices, protested against the false position in
which they were placed by the orders of the Board of Agriculture, which
could not possibly be obeyed by many owners of stock in the district.
During the sitting of the court a memorial was signed by the magistrates
and others and sent to Mr. Long, praying for a modification of the
restrictions in the Loddon and Clavering Union.
--Died at the Close, Norwich, the Rev. Edward Bulmer, M.A., minor canon
of Norwich Cathedral, aged 67. His father was vicar-choral and custos of
Hereford Cathedral, and rector of Morton-on-Lugg, and his grandfather on
his mother's side the famous organist, Dr. Clarke Whitfield, composer of
the well-known anthem, "In Jewry is God known." In addition to writing
the libretto to Dr. Bunnett's "Rhine Maiden," Canon Bulmer for some years
contributed to "The Argosy," and other magazines, articles end poems,
which were characterised by versatility and graceful diction.