_Lynn armed Association—termination of the American War—independence of
the United States acknowledged and confirmed—peace restored and
established among all the belligerent powers—King’s illness and
recovery_—_View of the state of this town from that period to the present
time_.
The situation of this country, engaged in a foolish, fruitless, ruinous,
and infamous war with its own colonies, at the distance of more than a
thousand leagues, and involved afterwards in a desperate struggle with
its great maritime neighbours, became very critical, and excited
considerable alarm throughout the kingdom. Great fears were entertained
of an invasion, and means of defence against such an attempt were
resorted to. The Irish, deprived of the military force that used to be
stationed in their country, armed themselves for their own protection, at
their own expense. The like was done in many parts of England; and Lynn
adopted the same measure. The Lynn Volunteers, or armed association,
amounted to about 120, {957} and were commanded in chief by _Captain
Thomas Day_, whose name we have had occasion to mention more than once in
some of the preceding pages.
This gentleman’s military knowledge and talents were generally allowed to
be superior to those of any other of our townsmen, and his unassuming
demeanor, and conciliating manners eminently fitted him for the chief
command of this corps. The officers and men, accordingly, became greatly
attached to him, and the utmost harmony subsisted among them, to the very
last. During the whole time they were imbodied, the behaviour of the
men, in the town, was very proper and commendable, and quite to the
satisfaction of the inhabitants; which redounded much to the credit of
the officers, and particularly the commandant, whose orders and example
would not fail to contribute largely to the regularity or correctness of
their deportment. This respectable and memorable little band was formed
and organized in 1779, and continued till sometime after the expiration
of the war; for it was not disbanded till 1785, when its constituents,
relinquishing the military character, mixed once more with the great mass
of unarmed citizens; conscious, it may be presumed, of having so
acquitted themselves as to merit the approbation and applause of their
contemporaries, and of posterity.—Of these patriot-soldiers some further
notice may be taken when we shall have to notice our more recent and more
numerous volunteer armaments.
Peace was restored among all the belligerent powers in 1783, when the
independence of the resisting colonies, now called the _United States_ of
America, was acknowledged and confirmed. The American war ended, as all
such unjust wars ought to end, in the disappointment and discomfiture of
the aggressors. But had our government, and our nation possessed a
proper degree of virtue, or conscience, they would certainly have
expressed both shame and remorse, after the contest was over, and when
they had time calmly to reflect upon the part they had acted in that most
unjustifiable and detestable business. Nothing however of that kind did
appear. On the contrary we sat down very demurely and composedly,
without the least apparent feeling of contrition, sorrow, or
self-reproach; like _Solomon’s adulterous woman_, who eat, and wiped her
mouth, and said, “I have done no wickedness.” {959}
The impenitent spirit which our government and nation manifested at the
close of the American war, could furnish no reason to hope that it was
the last scene of folly and iniquity in which our rulers would engage:
and if any did actually cherish such a hope, they must long ago have been
convinced that it was altogether vain and groundless. All our subsequent
wars, state policy, and maxims of government have but too plainly
indicated that we have acted ever since, almost invariably, under the
guidance of that same Evil Genius that so eggregiously misled, befooled,
and governed us, during the whole American dispute and war, and which had
before involved us in the guilt of exterminating the poor hapless
Caribbs, as well as in that of other unjustifiable and criminal deeds
previously to those events.
Some of our pretended longsighted, as well as long-headed politicians
affected to foresee and foretell a very long season of uninterrupted
tranquillity succeeding the peace of 1783. But it proved all a dream:
for we have been most of the time since at war; and such a war too as we
never experienced before. It has proved most miserably unsuccessful and
disastrous; and is now in a fair way of saddling upon us at last an
unexampled debt of _a thousand millions_! {960a}—Such an enormous sum as
the whole coinage of the universe could not discharge.—This is a
frightful prospect; but we will now turn to other objects.—But before we
quit the year 1783 we may just observe that a most atrocious robbery was
then committed on a Jew lad, about 16 years old, of the name of _Isaac
Levi_, on the road between Lynn and Westwinch, by one _Robert Fox_, whoso
ill treated the poor Jew as to leave him apparently dead; for which the
robber was sometime after, (September 7th.) hanged on Hardwick common,
near the place where the villanous and shocking deed had been
perpetrated. {960b}
In 1784 we had here another contested Election, which, however, in point
of violence was much inferior to those of 1768 and 1747. Mr. Fountaine
of Narford was now the new candidate, whose character, certainly, was no
way inferior to that of either of his opponents. But he lost his
election, though he had a respectable number of voters, and the old
members, Walpole and Molineux were again returned, than whom no two men
had perhaps less distinguished themselves in the preceding parliament, or
appeared less worthy to be re-elected. But they suited the taste and
humour of the majority of their constituents, and especially of some two
or three or few men who had the chief share or influence in their
appointment. Our parliamentary representation is a very fine thing in
theory, but in practice it is often found far otherwise.
But though this Election was conducted with decency and moderation, in
comparison with those of 1768 and 47, yet it was attended with
circumstances not a little disgraceful to the dispositions and characters
of some of the leading actors, particularly on the victorious side. The
aristocratic spirit and malignant passions were but too apparent; and not
a few of the minor or unsuccessful party were made long to feel the
resentment and vindictiveness of their powerful opponents, who were not
much disposed to suffer the infallibility of their judgment to be
questioned, or allow any with impunity to disapprove the objects of their
choice or nomination. But this intolerance, and especially resentment
and vindictiveness, must, most assuredly, be highly criminal and
iniquitous on such occasions, since every voter, even the very poorest,
has an undoubted right to give his voice freely for the candidate or
candidates whom he deems most worthy of his suffrage. Whoever deprives a
freeman of this privilege uses him worse than a highwayman.
Not only the electors of the poorer sort, who had voted for Mr.
Fountaine, and lived in the town, suffered in consequence of having
exercised their just rights on that occasion, but even the richer ones
did not entirely escape: for those of them who held lands of the
corporation were now deprived of the same, as well as of every other
privilege which lay in the power of their revengeful opponents. This was
carrying things with a high hand. After all, it may be no great wonder
that our corporation should be still tenacious of having the
representatives of their town to be men of their own nomination and
choosing, considering that no one formerly, or till within these 170
years, _except those of the Hall_, appear to have had any share or
concern in the appointment or election of those who represented this
borough in parliament. {962}
It is, indeed generally supposed that matters are now here on a much
fairer and more rational footing; but that, perhaps, will not appear very
clearly when we advert to the well known truth and fact, that out modern
members for the most part, owe their senatorial honour and elevation
solely to the will and pleasure, or power and influence of some two or
three families or individuals. Such, however, is but two often the
practical character of our boasted system of parliamentary
representation.
That of 1784 was the last contested election that has taken place here;
though some faint attempt is said to have been made for something of this
kind a few years ago, in favour of one of our military aldermen, who was
supposed not to have been very much taken with the compliment, or, at
least, did not choose to be very active in promoting his own election;
not, however, that he was at all incapable of great, and even
extraordinary electioneering feats in behalf of his friends, of which he
is understood to have given, before now, unequivocal and convincing
proof. In short, it would seem as if he were, (in cases of that kind
especially,) more ready to serve other people than himself; which, to say
the least of it, is a conduct not a little unusual in this degenerate and
selfish age: and it may serve as a proof that generosity and
disinterestedness are not yet become totally extinct among us.
From the year 1785, when our volunteers were disbanded, till 1788, we
recollect no very remarkable event that related to this town. {964} In
the last mentioned year, one of the Annual Registers of that period
relates a most singular accident which then befel a captain _Cook_,
master of one of our greenland-ships. The account is as follows—“August
1788: Friday last arrived at Lynn in Norfolk, the Archangel, from
Greenland, captain Cook, with two fish. It was with much difficulty she
got safe there, having received a deal of damage in a gale of wind, which
drove her against a field of ice. When this ship was in Greenland,
captain Cook, the surgeon, and mate, went on shore, when the captain was
seized by a monstrous bear, which immediately hugged him with his paws.
The captain called to the surgeon to fire at the creature, though at
fifty yards distance, which he did, and fortunately shot the bear through
the head, which instantly killed it, and captain Cook was by this means
saved from being torn in pieces.” {965} We cannot vouch for the absolute
correctness or authenticity of this anecdote, which certainly savours
somewhat of the marvellous. It is inserted here entirely on the
authority of the periodical work alluded to. But it is certain that
there was here a greenland captain of the name of _Cook_, about that
period.
The 5th. of November 1788 was observed at Lynn, in commemoration of the
landing of king William, and of the glorious revolution that ensued, by a
party of the friends of civil and religious liberty, among whom were the
late reverend and worthy _William Warner_, and the writer of the present
work. The party spent the evening at one of the Inns, where they supped
together, and passed the time in the most perfect harmony and
conviviality, and no way unworthy of the occasion, or of the great,
glorious, and interesting event which they were then commemorating.
_Holkham_, the princely mansion of Mr. Coke, was the only other place in
West Norfolk, as far as the present writer has ever understood, where the
centenary of the revolution was thought worth celebrating. That great
event was there celebrated by a grand fête, ball and supper, display of
fireworks, &c. All in a manner worthy of the patriotic character,
revolution principles, and noble munificence of the renowned master of
the mansion.
In the latter part of the autumn and the winter of 1788, the good people
of Lynn shared with the rest of their fellow subjects in the general
solicitude, perplexity, and dismay occasioned by the sovereign’s alarming
illness. His majesty’s health had been for sometime gradually declining;
which was then ascribed to overmuch exercise, too severe a regimen, too
rigid abstemiousness, and too short intervals of rest, rather than to the
freedom of indulgence and the softness of luxury. As a remedy for the
symptoms that discovered themselves, the king determined to visit the
medical waters of Cheltenham, and accordingly set out for that place
immediately after the prorogation of parliament, where he arrived in the
afternoon of the 13th. of July, being the next day after he had left
Windsor. He was accompanied by the queen, the princess royal, princess
Augusta, and princess Elizabeth: and in every town through which he
passed, he was received by vast crowds of people, with every
demonstration of affection and loyalty. While at Cheltenham, he resided
at lord Fauconberg’s lodge, on an eminence, a quarter of a mile from the
town, and about 300 yards from the Spa. {966}
His majesty’s stay at Cheltenham was about five weeks. He returned to
the metropolis on the 18th of August. But no benefit answerable to the
expectations that had been formed, resulted from this excursion. His
health was still in a precarious state, and on the 22nd of October,
symptoms {967} were observed by one of the royal physicians, of that
alienation of mind which was afterwards the occasion of so many important
and interesting transactions. For some time it was thought proper to
observe as much secrecy as possible respecting the nature of the king’s
indisposition. His retreat at Windsor was favourable to this purpose;
and for several days an opinion was entertained by the people in general,
that his indisposition was a fever, and that it had risen to so alarming
a height as to threaten a speedy dissolution. The real nature of the
case however could not long be suppressed. By the structure and practice
of the English constitution, almost every species of public business is
in some manner implicated with the royal prerogatives. The
administration of political government was by the present event virtually
suspended from its functions; and, notwithstanding the critical situation
of Europe, and the very active share we had lately taken in its concerns,
it was now deemed impracticable to return any sort of answer to the
dispatches of foreign courts, or of our own ambassadors. In this
situation the most natural expedient was to suffer the two houses of
parliament, which stood prorogued to the 20th of November, to meet at
that time, and either adjourn for a short interval, or immediately
proceed to discuss the measures it would be proper to adopt at the
present crisis. Circular letters were accordingly addressed to the
members of the legislature on the 14th, signifying to them, that the
indisposition of the sovereign rendered it doubtful whether there would
be a possibility of receiving his commands for the further prorogation of
parliament. In that case the two houses must of necessity assemble, and
the attendance of the different members was earnestly requested. {968a}
Such was the outset of that memorable affair, which caused so much
anxiety and agitation, at that time, in this town and throughout the
kingdom. The right of the heir apparent to assume the executive power,
during the incapacity of the sovereign, was denied by the minister,
{968b} and by a large majority of both houses of the English parliament.
Nevertheless they appointed him to exercise that power, under such
restrictions as would secure to the ministers the possession of their
places. The prince reluctantly acceded to the appointment, and consented
to act under those restrictions. _Ireland_ being then a separate
kingdom, its parliament took a very different course, admitting the
prince’s right, and resolving to offer him the regency without
restrictions. Having so done, a deputation was appointed to wait on the
prince, and give their resolutions their full effect. This deputation
actually arrived in London; but before they had accomplished the end of
their mission, symptoms began to appear indicative of the sovereign’s
speedy recovery; and on the 12th of February 1789 he was declared by his
physicians to be in a state of progressive amendment.
This put an end, of course, to all further proceeding in the regency
business, on the part of either the English or Irish parliament, and
filled all ranks of people with the utmost joy and exultation. Nothing
could exceed the gladness which was then every where expressed; and
Norfolk came not a whit behind its most distinguished sister counties in
the demonstration of its joy, and display of its loyalty. Nor was there
any place in the county where this was more manifest than at Lynn. The
18th of March, if we are not mistaken, was the time when this was most
strikingly and splendidly demonstrated. We had then here a general
illumination, and other public rejoicings, with such other corresponding
exhibitions and grand doings as exceeded every thing that had been known
among us within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. In short we had, in
miniature at least, something of almost every thing that the greatest
cities, or even the metropolis itself could then boast of.
Had the regency then taken place it is impossible to ascertain whether it
would have proved a blessing to the nation, or otherwise. The people
seemed much in fear of the intended regent, on the score of expensiveness
and running in debt; but there is no reason to suppose that his
government would have been more expensive, or more productive of
additional taxes than that which has existed in this country ever since.
On the contrary it is highly probable that it would have been much less
so, as it may be presumed that the prince would not have been quite so
fond of war as the ministers and party that have been predominant for the
last twenty years. As the 18th of March was observed here as a day of
_rejoicing_ for the king’s recovery, so was the 23rd. of April observed
as a day of _thanksgiving_ on the same occasion, both here and throughout
the kingdom. Many years have been since added to the sovereign’s life,
and his reign has proved far longer than that of any one of his
predecessors, who was not an infant or minor at the time of his
accession. He has also lived to witness greater changes in the state of
Europe than had taken place within the last thousand years:—and changes
too which the measures of the British cabinet had a principal share in
producing. But we will now dismiss these subjects.
From the time of the king’s recovery to the commencement of the memorable
coalition and grand crusade against revolutionary France, nothing very
remarkable occurred here, except the dispute between this corporation and
that of London, about the right of those who are free of the latter to an
exemption from the payment of tolls in this port; which terminated in the
full establishment of that right, and the disannulment of the objections
which this corporation had set up against it. The persons on whose
account this dispute originated, were the _Dentons_, two of our merchants
of that period, who obtained the freedom of London, after having long
solicited that of Lynn in vain, and offered any sum for it which our
gentlemen would choose to demand. Being still required to pay toll, as
before, they made their complaint to the corporation of London, which
brought on a lawsuit between the two corporations. The cause was first
tried in the court of common pleas, where it was given against Lynn, and
if we mistake not, with considerable damages; to escape which it was
afterwards removed by writ of error to the court of king’s bench: of the
result the following account is given in one of the periodical
publications of that time.—
“Jan. 28. 1791, The case of the city of London against the
corporation of Lynn, came on to be argued in the court of king’s
bench. It was a writ of error from the court of common pleas where a
trial at bar was had on a _de essendo quietum de theolonio_ (of being
quit of toll) brought by the city of London, to assert the right of
their citizens being exempted from a toll on corn, demanded by the
corporation of Lynn. A verdict had been given for the city, and the
errors were assigned on the informality of the declaration. After
much argument by serjeant Le Blanc, for Lynn, and sergeant Adair, for
London, the court reversed the judgment, on the ground that the
declaration did not state that the city of London had received such
an injury on which an action could be maintained, the corporation of
Lynn having demanded, but not having received, or distrained for the
tolls in question.” {972}
Though our corporation, by this last decision, seem to have been relieved
from the payment of the heavy damages that would have resulted from the
first verdict, yet the whole affair must have been attended with no light
expence, which certain plans of economy subsequently adopted, and other
attendant appearances pretty clearly evinced. How much wiser had it been
to grant those two gentlemen their freedom at once, to which they were so
clearly entitled by the great benefit which the town derived from their
extensive mercantile exertions. Indeed the refusal of it was a piece of
flagrant injustice, as persons who contributed so much as they did to the
increase of our trade ought to have received in the town every possible
encouragement. The treatment they met with here, proves the
defectiveness of our corporation laws and borough charters, and how ill
adapted they are to the present state of society in this country.
Sheffield, Manchester, and Birmingham, where things are on a different
footing, sufficiently evince the inutility and folly of our borough laws
and establishments, and that they are, in fact, grievances and nuisances
rather than national benefits. Their abolition seems therefore an object
or event to be wished rather than deprecated.
The year 1792 has been rendered memorable by the _royal proclamation_,
issued on the 21st. of May, “for preventing of tumultuous meetings and
seditious writings;” and by the formation of _Reeve’s Association_, on
the 20th. of November, at the Crown and Anchor, “for preserving Liberty
and Property, against Republicans and Levellers.” These sapient measures
had the desired effect, and operated mightily every where, as well as in
this town. Treasury or ministerial agents were appointed in every town
and district, and Lynn was not forgotten. Those agents were to observe
what publications were in circulation, and to apprize the Treasury board
of such as they were pleased to deem of dangerous tendency. Not only the
drift or scope of political publications were objects of their
observation and watchfulness, but also the carriage, or conduct and
conversation, and even the social and convivial intercourse of all such
individuals as happened to disapprove of the politics of the court, or of
the accession of this country to the grand confederacy and crusade
against France.
A system of espionage was artfully formed and established, and the whole
country being filled with spies and informers, exhibited a miserable
scene of hypocrisy and dissimulation, instead of the blunt sincerity, and
the boasted uprightness and downrightness of other and better times.
This new order of things was admirably calculated to bear down and
overwhelm the minister’s opponents. Some of the most eminent and
respectable men in the nation were accordingly marked out as disaffected
or suspicious characters, merely because they entertained different views
from the minister and his associates, and endeavoured to prevent this
country from joining the continental crusade, and even wished to see the
blessings of liberty extend all over the world.
Most of the mobility as well as the nobility of the realm, and a large
majority of both houses of parliament, being decidedly in favour of the
minister, he carried every thing before him with a high hand, ruled for
years with a rod of iron, and his little finger became heavier than the
loins of any of his predecessors since the revolution. A spirit was then
by him awakened and set to work, which had lain fast asleep ever since
the days of the Stuarts, and Lynn partook of it in no small measure. The
friends of peace and constitutional freedom, were here looked upon and
treated as ill-disposed persons, and unworthy characters, scarcely
entitled to the common rights of citizens, or the lowest offices of
humanity. Such were some of the rare blessings we derived from the
administration of the last Pitt, who was at the same time hailed by
multitudes as a heaven born minister, the saviour of his country, and the
wisest and greatest of statesmen. Nothing more clearly evinces the utter
dissimilarity between his character and that of his renowned father, than
the insatiate vindictiveness of his disposition towards those who opposed
his measures; {974} of which there have been many very glaring, and
numerous instances.
His reign terror was long and grievous. It lasted during nearly the
whole length of the late war. His successor, Addington held the reins
with a gentler hand, whatever may be said of his ministerial talents or
capacity. He also restored to us the inestimable blessing of peace,
which Pitt seemed incapable of effecting. That peace however, proved of
but short duration, which yet might not be the fault of the minister. We
were not, it seems, sufficiently humbled, or really tired of the horrid
game of war, bloodshed and devastation: and so, without taking time to
breathe, we rushed headlong into a new war, which has already lasted
eight or nine years, and is likely to prove the longest and most
disastrous of any we have been engaged in for many ages. God only knows
when or how it will terminate.
Great complaints having for sometime been made of the sad state of
fen-drainage in the parts above Lynn, much stir was made on that account
about the year 1794, and a Cut from Eaubrink to Lynn-harbour was then
proposed as a remedy for that growing evil. The expediency of the
measure being agreed upon, an act of parliament was obtained in 1795 for
its accomplishment. And though above fifteen years have since elapsed,
during most of which time a heavy tax has been levied on the lands there,
yet the projected cut, that was to produce such vast benefits, is not yet
begun: nor is it at all certain, or even very probable at present, that
it ever will, notwithstanding the vast sums that have been collected, and
are still collecting for that purpose, from the respective land-owners.
{976} The act of parliament that was obtained, if not already renewed,
must, it seems, be so soon, because of this excessive procrastination.
How many such renewals must hereafter be resorted to before the work will
commence, it is impossible to say. The promoters of this measure appear
to have engaged in it before they were sufficiently aware of the
magnitude and arduousness of the undertaking. Their giving it up at last
would therefore be no great wonder.
In 1794 serious apprehensions of a French invasion began to be pretty
generally entertained in this kingdom; and in the summer of that year a
new body of volunteers was formed at Lynn, under the command of alderman
Edward Everard, junior. This was more numerous than that which was
formed here some years before, and it continued embodied till the summer
of 1802. The present writer being most of that time out of town, cannot
say much from his own knowledge of the character of this corps, but he
believes it was very fair, and no way discommendable, or discreditable to
its worthy commandant: and this seems strongly corroborated by a
paragraph which appeared in the _Lynn Packet_ at the time when the corps
was disbanded; {977} which also records the very day when that event took
place.—Before we dismiss 1794, we may just hint that we had here then a
violent thunderstorm, when a young girl was killed by the lightening.
(See Norfolk Remembrancer, p. 29.)
The year 1796 is rendered very memorable here by the fatal disaster which
happened then at the ferry in the mart time. On the 23rd of February,
about 6 o’clock in the evening, many people, to the number of forty or
more, got into the ferry-boat; and though the boat-men remonstrated with
them, as being too many to be taken over at once, yet so anxious were
they to get over without further delay that none of them could be
persuaded to get out and wait for the return of the boat, it was a calm
evening, but the tide was coming in very strong. The boat however
proceeded safely till it had almost reached the opposite shore, when
passing across some ropes belonging to a vessel lying there, it received
a violent concussion which laid it pretty much on one side: at that
moment the passengers, instead of keeping their places, rushed headlong
to the lower side, and thereby overset the boat in an instant. Eleven of
them lost their lives; among whom was a man and his wife and daughter;
also two young persons on the point of marriage, who were afterwards
found clasped in each others arms. It is rather wonderful that so many
of them were saved; but it was said to be owing to several boats being
then very near the spot, which came almost instantly to their assistance,
and succeeded in picking up and saving most of them. Although the Lynn
ferry be but an awkward kind of passage, yet this seems to have been the
only very serious accident that has occurred there for a very great
length of time. Our ferry-men in general are somewhat more civil and
decent than their brethren in other parts, who have often been classed
among the most rude and brutish of all our countrymen.
In 1797 a whale measuring 44 feet, (according to the Norfolk
Remembrancer,) was caught in Lynn channel. In the course of the same
year our farmers are said to have discovered cleansing seed-wheat _by
water only_, (fresh water we suppose,) to be the best and most certain
preservative against the smut or brand. If it be really so, many have
been at a great deal of needless trouble and expense in preparing their
seed-wheat. But such an imputation is by no means peculiar to our wheat
growers. It is commonly the case in a progress of investigation and
experiment. Many a highly and generally esteemed practice or usage,
beside those that have obtained in the preparation of seed-corn, have
been afterwards found far from deserving the high estimation they had
acquired, and in which they had been long held. {979}
In the course of the year 1798, the fear of an invasion from France
became very strong and general in this part of the kingdom; which
occasioned our armed associations to be considerably multiplied. Among
the new armed companies which sprung up, or were formed that year in this
country, we read of the Holkham Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by T. W. Coke
Esq. and E. Rolfe Esq. The Freebridge Smithdon Yeomanry Cavalry,
commanded by H. Styleman Esq. The Freebridge Lynn Yeomanry Cavalry,
commanded by Joseph Taylor Esq. and the Swaffham ditto, commanded by J.
Micklethwaite Esq. &c. &c. The very _clergy_ discovered a readiness and
strong desire to learn the use of arms, and one of them appears actually
to have become commandant of one of these new raised corps; for among the
military officers then enumerated the name of the _revd. T. Lloyd_
appeared as captain of the _North Walsham Volunteer company_. This
clerical ardour for taking up arms was said to be sometime after checked
by episcopal authority, otherwise we might have had before now a very
great number of _reverend_ captains, and majors, and colonels. The
Freebridge Lynn Yeomanry Cavalry remain still undisbanded under the
orders of their original leader.—An Act passed this year for draining &c.
the lands and fen grounds in Outwell, Stow Bardolph, Wimbotsham, and
Downham; which it is to be hoped has answered much better than the
_Feltwell_ new drainage act, which we have already noticed.—On the 29th.
of December this same year, at 11 P.M. the thermometer was said to be at
3 below 0: a degree of cold never before noticed in this island—if we may
rely on the authority of the _Norfolk Remembrancer_.
The year 1799 was rendered somewhat remarkable here by an attempt to
establish a Newspaper, under the name of the _Lynn and Wisbech Packet_;
but it did not finally succeed, though persevered in for several years.
Lynn seems not favourably situated for the success of such an
undertaking, placed as it is in a corner of the country, and the adjacent
parts well supplied with provincial papers of established repute and
extensive circulation. It was therefore, perhaps, a rash and hopeless
attempt, so that its relinquishment at last need not to excite any great
surprise. The projector hoped, when he resolved to try this experiment,
that it would prove a source of much gain, but he found in the end that
what he gained by it was only a pretty heavy loss, which placed him in
the list of unfortunate adventurers. {982}
But what rendered this year still more remarkable and memorable, both
here and throughout the kingdom, was the origination, introduction, and
operation of the _income tax_, which now took place and will not be soon
forgotten. In former times this odious tax would have been very
unwelcome in this country, and probably deemed intolerable by the whole
nation. The people would have thought themselves degraded to the lowest
degree, in being obliged to appear before certain of their own
neighbours, in the character of commissioners, and there disclose upon
oath the amount of their property and means of subsistence, in order to
empower the tax-gatherers to take from them a tenth part of their yearly
income, for the purpose of supporting and pursuing measures which many of
them utterly disapproved. This vile impost was indeed doubly detestable,
as it not only sunk the subjects below the rank of freemen, but also laid
before them a strong incitement to falshood and perjury, and was, in all
probability, the means of greatly increasing our national guilt and
depravity. But these were considerations that weighed but little with
the minister and his associates. An increasing revenue was with them of
infinitely greater importance.—On the 2nd. of June this year, a pleasure
boat going off from _Heacham_ to a vessel lying in Lynn channel overset,
and out of fourteen persons, who were on board, men women and children,
twelve unfortunately perished.—This year also, from continued rains, the
harvest was not got in, in some parts of Norfolk till the beginning of
November; and in some parts of the kingdom some corn lay rotting in the
fields at the beginning of December: a like instance had not occurred
before for 40 or 50 years.
[Picture: East Gate Lynn: taken down in 1800]
One of the most memorable of the Lynn occurrences in 1800, was the taking
down the _East-gates_, which had stood many centuries, and made a
somewhat venerable appearance. They had been for sometime a subject of
complaint on account of the difficulty of entrance for highloaded
waggons, by reason of the lowness of the arch. This act of dilapidation
therefore was a case of necessity, and the removal of a nuisance, and it
rendered that entrance into the town much pleasanter than before.—But an
occurrence of this year which far more affected the public mind, in this
town, as well as throughout the kingdom, was the regicide attempt of the
maniac Hadfield on the evening of the 15th. of May, at Drury Lane
theatre. The poor insane wretch fired a horse-pistol towards the king’s
box just as his majesty entered it, but fortunately missed him, owing it
seems to a person near him, with great presence of mind, raising his arm
when in the act of firing, and so directing the contents of the pistol to
the roof of the house. This shocking deed occasioned no small
consternation in the house; but it soon subsided, and the play went on to
the entire satisfaction and amusement of the whole company, the royal
family not excepted.
The news of this horrid attempt upon the king’s life, and of his happy
escape, deeply affected the minds of his Lynn subjects, from whom no less
than two addresses were soon after presented to his majesty on the
occasion; one from the mayor and _corporation_, and the other from the
mayor and the _inhabitants_. {984} Both of them were penned in a
language perfectly dutiful and loyal, which, without doubt, was expressed
with the utmost truth and sincerity. The same may also be said of all
the numerous addresses which then reached the throne, from all quarters;
which proves the sovereign’s great popularity, and how high he stood in
the estimation of his addressing subjects. His successor it is to be
hoped will prove himself no less deserving of his people’s attachment.
Since the year 1800, and the commencement of the present century, nothing
more remarkable is known to have occurred here than what has been
produced by the operation of new taxes and new laws—especially our _poor_
and _paving_ laws. {985} These certainly have borne and are still
bearing hard upon a large portion of the industrious inhabitants. Of
these matters some notice has been taken already, and they will probably
be further noticed when we come to give a view of the _present state_ of
the town. Such remarkable occurrences as the author may be able to
recollect, or any one else may put him in mind of, as having been
overlooked in the preceding pages, shall be carefully inserted in a
_Chronological Table_ at the end of the work.—Having now brought this
history down to _the present time_, we shall here close this section.