Thetford.  “Day confessed to having committed four burglaries previous to that for which he suffered, and to having deserted thirteen times from different regiments.”

—In consequence of objections being made to the elections of Messrs. Staff and Proctor in the Wymer Ward, and of Messrs. Brittan and Scott in the Northern Ward, Norwich, on the ground of their being ineligible under the Corporation Act, having omitted to receive the Sacrament within a year previous to the election of Common Council, the Mayor did not make the returns till several days after the usual time.  At a Court held on this day, the Recorder (Mr. Harvey), after the objections had been fully argued by counsel, declared that the persons objected to, who had the majority of votes, having omitted to come into Court according to summons, were not duly elected; but, as no regular notice had been given previous to the election, the candidates in the minority could not be returned.  On May 2nd a rule was moved for in the Court of King’s Bench, to show cause why a mandamus should not be directed to the Mayor of Norwich to admit Mr. George Wymer into the office of Common Councilman of the city.  Similar motions were made on behalf of Messrs. Bacon, Cooke, Fiske, and Webster, the other defeated candidates.  “Lord Kenyon desired counsel to take rule to show cause, and to serve the rule not only on the Mayor, but also on those persons who were elected in fact, but not de jure.”  On May 13th, Lord Kenyon confirmed the decision of the Recorder that “neither the candidates who had the majority of votes, from their not having taken the Sacrament, nor those in the minority were duly elected.”  Another election for the wards took place on May 25th and 26th.

11.*—(Advt.)  “To be seen alive in a genteel room at Mr. Peck’s Coffee-house, Church Stile, Market-place, Norwich, the largest Rattlesnake ever seen in England, 42 years old, near nine feet long, in full health and vigour.  He is well secured, so that Ladies and Gentlemen may view him without the least danger.  He has not taken any sustenance for the last 11 months.  Admittance, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1s.; working people and children, 6d.”

14.—Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the destruction of the Danish fleet in Copenhagen Bay, by the British fleet, under the

immediate command of Lord Nelson, on April 2nd, after a battle of four hours.  Seventeen sail of the Danish navy were taken or destroyed.  The news was conveyed to Norwich by the coach, which entered the city with colours flying; the Volunteer corps paraded in the Market Place and fired a feu de joie, and the bells of St. Peter Mancroft and of other churches were rung.

18.*—“By the latest returns of the Secret Committee the County of Norfolk is reported amongst the most loyal counties in the kingdom.”

20.—A performance took place at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, “towards raising a fund for the benefit of those who through age or infirmity are obliged to retire from the Stage.”

23.—Died at Norwich, Mr. John Bonsell, aged 75 years, “an eminent leather cutter, who for upwards of 20 years lived an abstemious life, refraining from animal food and fermented liquors.  He rendered himself very conspicuous in the religious world, as he professed opinions, in a great measure peculiar to himself, which bordered upon fanaticism.  He wrote several religious controversial pamphlets, as ‘The Ram’s Horn,’ &c.”

25.—Comparative returns of the population of Norwich, “as taken in 1801, 1786, 1752, and 1693,” were published.  In 1801, the population was 36,832; in 1786, 40,051; in 1752, 36,169; in 1693, 28,881.  “The decrease of the population of this city since 1786 is 3,219, but it is to be observed that 1786 was a year of peace, and that in the returns of 1801 those serving in the Navy, Army, and Militia are not included.  Norwich, during the present war, has furnished at least 4,000 recruits for the Army and Navy, and these will account for the decrease, and also for the great excess of females, which appears by the returns to be above one-fourth.  Of the present population, 408 are chiefly employed in agriculture, and 12,267 in trade, manufactures, and handicrafts.”

MAY.

1.—“There being again this year no alderman below the chair who had served the office of Sheriff, the following aldermen were put in nomination for the office of Mayor:—James Crowe, Sir Roger Kerrison, John Morse, and Jeremiah Ives, jun.  At the close the numbers were Ives, 668; Crowe, 638; Kerrison, 375; Morse, 37.”  At a court of Mayoralty, held on Sunday, May 3rd, it was ruled that Mr. Crowe was ineligible, in consequence of having served the office three years previously to the date of the election.  Sir Roger Kerrison, who stood next on the poll, retired in favour of Mr. Ives, who was thereupon declared elected, and was duly sworn on June 16th.

9.—Died, at Easton House, Sir Lambert Blackwell, Bart., aged 69.  The title (conferred on his grandfather in 1718) became extinct.  He bequeathed all his estates, with his valuable paintings, books, coins, &c., to Mr. William Foster, jun., of Norwich, subject to certain annuities.

16.—A reduction of from 15s. to 20s. per quarter in the price of bread corn was announced.  There was also a decrease in the price

of live cattle of all kinds.  “A sixpenny standard wheaten loaf, which about six weeks ago weighed only 1 lb. 4 ozs. 6 drs., now weighs 2 lbs. 10 ozs. 6 drs.”

23.*—“Another capital prize in the lottery has come down to Norwich.  The whole ticket, number 24,350, a prize of £15,000 in the July Irish Lottery, is the sole property of Charles Weston, Esq., banker and brewer of this city.  The ticket was purchased twelve months ago, and not being registered, the fortunate holder remained unconscious of his wealth until last week, when, on examining the public lists, he discovered that his ticket was a prize of the amount above stated.”

JUNE.

2.—Mr. Henry Harmer elected Speaker of the Common Council of Norwich, in place of his father, Mr. Samuel Harmer, who held the office upwards of 20 years.

4.—The King’s Birthday was celebrated at Norwich with great demonstrations of joy.  The Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, the Loyal Military Association and the several parochial associations paraded in the Market Place and fired a feu de joie, and the members of the Norwich Light Horse, after a like ceremony, dined at the Maid’s Head.  Major Patteson’s corps adjourned to Neeche’s Gardens, Capt. Blake’s corps to the Rose Inn, St Augustine’s, and the other corps to different taverns.  The Mayor gave a dinner to the Aldermen.

8.*—“A quartermaster of the 13th Light Dragoons rode a certain distance up Thorpe Road in a given time, with his face to the horse’s tail, and afterwards up the sand hill near Kett’s Castle in the same position, and won both wagers.”

18.—The body of William Suffolk, who was executed in March, 1797, for the murder of Mary Beck, of North Walsham, was taken down by authority of the magistrates and interred on the spot where the gibbet was erected.  “About ten days back a starling’s nest, with young ones, was taken out of the breast of Watson, who hangs on a gibbet on Bradenham Common, near Swaffham, for the murder of his wife, which was witnessed by hundreds of people as something very singular and extraordinary.”

20.—The ensign of the Généreux having been presented to the city by Capt. Sir Edward Berry, the Corporation caused it to be displayed in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with a suitable inscription.

22.—Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced and lasted until the 26th.  Among those present were the Duke of Bedford, the Duke