547

Mr. Bliss

541

This vexatious contest, for it was vexatious, inasmuch as it was opposed to the general wish of the inhabitants, as not the slightest chance of success prevailed from the commencement, and the only object of which was to extract money from the purses of the two Members, terminated, not only in the triumphant defeat of the Boroughmongers, but by affording a lesson to the Charles Street Society in London, whose only object is to continue corruption, by the means of corruption, a proof that true independence and love of country is far beyond the purchase of the greatest wealth.  But the friends of Reform at Yarmouth have set a noble example of consistency, for they have commenced among themselves one of the modes which the Reform Bill will enforce.  They have determined to raise among themselves a sum sufficient to defray the legal expenses of the election, and to return their well-tried Members as unhurt in their finances as they are independent in principal, and by this mark of gratitude and esteem to repay the obligations which the inhabitants of Yarmouth in common with the country at large owe to the supporters of the Reform Bill—£1,750—has already been raised.  We say to the rest of the nation, “Go thou and do likewise.”

The Chairing of the Members had taken place amid the most enthusiastic cheers.

May 19th.—The thanks of the Yarmouth District Committee for saving lives from shipwreck was voted to Lieut. Harmer, R.N., on saving the crew of the schooner Fleece, which had been wrecked on the Scroby Sand on the 14th inst.

May 26th.—The men employed by Messrs. Grout, Baylis, and Co., had an excellent dinner provided for them at J. B. Bales’, Apollo Gardens.

June 9th.—The Mayor had obtained a rule for a mandamus commanding the Members of the Corporation to attend a Court for the “transaction of public business.”

June 16th.—The population had increased 3,024 since the census of 1821, the numbers being—

The remaining part of the Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militia, consisting of about 440 men, had assembled for 28 days’ training, under the command of Major Sir E. K. Lacon.

June 23rd.—“Our venerable and highly respected Recorder, Robert Alderson, Esq., had delivered in his resignation.”

June 30th.—The Bishop of Norwich consecrated St. Mary’s Church, Southtown.  His Lordship was met by the Corporation “in full robes,” the Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Rev. R. Turner, J. Kitson, Esq. (Registrar), W. Rackham, Esq. (Proctor), and the principal clergymen and gentry of the neighbourhood.

The following was the “correct statement” of the population, taken by the Overseers on 30th May and following days, and sworn by them in Petty Session:—

July 7th contains the following notice of the laying the first stone of St. Peter’s Church:—

“For some days past notices had been issued that the first stone of the new Church, to be erected in this town, was to be laid this day; and at half-past ten this morning the Mayor, Corporation, gentry, and inhabitants assembled at the Town Hall, and proceeded to St. Nicholas’ Church.  Prayers were read by the Rev. Harvey Bawtree, and after service the procession moved in the following order:—Bellman, Church Beadles, Constables, the Corporation Band, Hospital Charity Children, Inhabitants and Gentry, Officers of the Navy, Mr. J. J. Scoles, the Architect, the Clergy of Yarmouth and its vicinity, the Regalia, the Right Worshipful Edmund Preston, Esq., the Mayor, his Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County, the Hon. and Very Rev. Dr. Pellew, Dean of Norwich, and the Rev. Richard Turner, the Right Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Deputy-Mayor, the Aldermen in their scarlet gowns, the Common Councilmen, Constables.  On arriving at the ground, the procession passed once round the building to the north-east corner.

A copy of the inscription, which had been written on vellum, and placed with the coins of the present King in a bottle, hermetically sealed, was then read by the Town Clerk:—

“Great Yarmouth.—The first stone of this Church, dedicated to St. Peter, and erected by His Majesty’s Commissioners for building new Churches (under the authority of an Act of Parliament, 58th Geo. III. c. 45) on a site granted by the Corporation, and with the assistance of their donations, and the subscriptions of several of the inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, was laid on the seventh day of July, in the second year of the reign of His Most Gracious Majesty King William the Fourth, mdcccxxxi., by the Right Worshipful Edmund Preston, Esquire, Mayor; the Right Reverend Henry Bathurst, Lord Bishop of the Diocese; the Honourable and Very Reverend George Pellew, D.D., Dean of Norwich; the Honourable and Reverend Edward Pellew, M.A., Minister of the parish.  Architect, Joseph John Scoles; contractors, John Pigg, Jeremiah Wright, George Cattermole, Samuel Bligh, James Watson.”

The children sang the 100th Psalm during the operation of inserting the bottle in a cavity, and securing the stone, which had been prepared to receive it.  A silver trowel was then presented by the Architect, and after the Mayor had spread the mortar, the stone was lowered to the proper place, and the ceremony of striking it was performed by the Clergy and Corporation in succession.

The Dean offered up appropriate prayers, accompanied by an address expressly composed for this occasion.  The children then sang a collect.  The Mayor afterwards addressed the company present, on the pious work which they had assisted in commencing; amidst the general plaudits of the surrounding multitude the band struck up “God save the King,” and the company returned to the Town Hall and partook of an elegant cold collation.

“The Church, which has been so happily begun, is calculated to contain 1,800 persons, and three-fifths of the seats are to be appropriated for ever as free sittings.”

August 25th.—Contains the following notice:—“By invitation from the Mayor and Mrs. Preston, on Monday sennight, to a promenade at their beautiful garden, situate on the banks of the river Yare, were assembled almost all the fashion of the town and its vicinity.  At seven o’clock the band struck up the national air of “God Save the King,” immediately after which the younger part of the company formed themselves into quadrilles, &c., upon the grass plat, near the centre of which tables were supplied with wines of the first quality and every refreshment in season.  At eight o’clock a fire balloon ascended from the grounds in very fine style, which was visible on the grounds and town for about twenty minutes.  The