Frederick Danby Palmer

“ The novelty, the continued arrivals, the firing of cannon, the banners floating at the Town Hall, and in various parts of the town, the gay appearance of the ships in the harbour, most of which were decorated with pennons, as were several vessels in the Roads—all aided in keeping alive the expectation, so that in the evening the Quay, around the hall, was crowded with persons anxious to see the company—so anxious, indeed, that the carriage windows were assailed by men and women jumping up to get a peep at the interior. ”

“ In every street are to be seen one or more bodies extended on biers, returning to that home from which but short minutes before they had passed in health and life. The consternation—the agony of the town is not to be described—it is as if some dread punishment was felt to have fallen upon its inhabitants—every face is horror-stricken—every eye is dim. ”

“ May the work prosper, and from the foundation about to be laid, may structures arise ornamental to the town, beneficial to its inhabitants, and advantageous to the builders. May the promoters of these buildings live to see their great and spirited design carried out, and when it shall please the Grand Leveller of human greatness to call them from hence, may they arrive at the point or centre where the World’s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever. ”

“ Betting, if that may be considered a piece of electioneering business, is decidedly in favour of the Conservative candidates. Each party attributes motives of the most improper kind to the other, and it will be seen that Mr. Watkin fears that his opponents may indulge in “corruption.” On the other hand, Sir E. Lacon says voters had told him they dare not support him, as they should be inclined to do, in consequence of persons on the Liberal side having put the “screw” upon them. Tradesmen generally will be glad when the contest is over, as it is daily creating much personal animosity. ”

“ Mr. J. Clowes said there were many men in the town who, from age and other causes, would be unable to serve in a rifle corps, but who would be very desirous of taking part in the defence of our shores—men who were too old to sleep all night in the marsh ditches, or under hedges. (Laughter.) For that class of men, he thought there should be an Artillery Corps, as many of them, though not fit to take the field, would be ready to man a gun or work a battery.
The Mayor said it was out of the scope of the present meeting to discuss an Artillery Corps. ”

“ Remarks such as “That is he!” with comments upon the Prince’s personal appearance, were loud and frequent; and much surprise appeared to be felt that the “Duke of York” should go abroad in the ordinary unassuming attire of a midshipman. Some faint attempts at cheering were assayed, but the clamour of the “hunt” which was got up, overpowered everything but the dust. The Prince took all this good humouredly, and with his two protectors walked sharply on to Kimberley Terrace, pursued all the way up the drive by an immense crowd. ”

“ George’s Ward, on Friday night, not one of the Councillors attended, and the result was that Mr. George Playford being called to the chair, a resolution was come to, to return Messrs. Ferrier and Benjamin Jay if they could. An effort was made, a poll was demanded, even the partizans of the Blue candidates themselves forgot, for once, the distinction of party. Our friends at least will have the pleasure of knowing that if they have two opponents, they, at least have two honourable gentlemen, whose intimate acquaintance with business will qualify them for the office. ”

“ I would now address myself to my proper brethren, I would address myself to all, high or low, rich or poor, and exhort them to do all that in their power lie to promote the decorum of social life, by cheeking vice, immorality, and debauchery. ”

“ It would give great satisfaction to the inhabitants of this town, if, in their annual cruises, the Channel Squadron would occasionally drop in here, for we are sure that their present visit, besides being advantageous to the town, will obtain many seamen; for who would wander about in a rotten and miserable old collier when he might lead a worthy and a jolly life amongst excellent fellows, on board a floating tower and mansion equal to the most convenient and best regulated establishments ashore? ”

“ Our Municipal Election took place on Tuesday last. The contest in the St. Nicholas’ Ward was a severe one. It was neck and neck between Mr. Nuthall and E. H. L. Preston all day. At length the election was carried by a worthy, who, after promising constantly to vote for Nuthall and Sherrington, was suddenly not to be found; but about five p. 53minutes before the close of the poll he was brought out of the Saracen’s Head, a low public-house, in a state of intoxication, his voting paper having been changed or altered to Preston and Fiddes. ”

“ The Reformers of Yarmouth, to show their indignant sense of such conduct, refused to wait at night for the Morning Star (that coach being under the same proprietory as the Telegraph) , but instantly sent a courier to Lowestoft to announce their intention of meeting, in procession, the Old Blue. Ultimately, that coach, surrounded by a profusion of elegant and appropriate flags, bands playing, &c., paraded the town. It was really a most animating and exhilarating spectacle ”

“ Steward was one of the first to associate himself with the Volunteer movement, and was ever ready with his purse to aid the cause. It was the occasion of his fifth election to the Mayoralty that his fellow-townsmen determined to present him with a testimonial in recognition of his public services, and so heartily was the appeal responded to, that a sum was soon raised sufficient for the purchase of a handsome service of plate, which was publicly presented at the Town Hall. ”

“ The Red Leaders took good care for the most part of their deluded and purchased victims, by plying them with drink, keeping them in strong hold, &c., to allow them to return to the paths of rectitude. We do think that the feelings of our late members are rather to be envied by those of the present, the former having lost with honour, the latter owing their election not to the feeling of the town (that we confidently say, without fear of contradiction, is with Messrs. Anson and Rumbold) , but to the exercise of the most abominable and venal means to effectuate it. ”

“ It could hardly have been supposed that any friends of order could have been found ready to cast any blame upon the Authorities for the wise precautions they took, but we regret to say that some persons who, instead of coming forward to assist in preserving the public peace, kept, to their shame, in their own houses, and who, entirely ignorant of the organisation which was on foot, presume to censure those whom they should have been the first to support. ”

“ Notwithstanding the excitement engendered by the contest, the election was conducted throughout with great good humour. During the day the streets and approaches to the polling places were thronged by persons who amused themselves by cheering and shouting in favour of their respective candidates, but there was, during the afternoon, an entire absence of the drunkenness and violence that characterised previous borough elections. If the numbers polled be examined, it will be found that in the county (excluding Yarmouth) Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Gurdon are in a slight majority. ”

“ The polling from eight to nine o’clock was very rapid, both parties striving their utmost to bring up men so as to head the poll. The popular feeling, which manifested itself unmistakeably in favour of the Liberal cause, was sadly damped between the hours of nine and ten o’clock by the appearance of a placard bearing the state of the poll, and showing that the Conservatives, notwithstanding the activity displayed by the other side, had stolen a march upon them, and meant winning. ”

“ But there is one circumstance which did not altogether develop itself at the meeting, that we feel compelled to notice. Society, from experience, knows that the prude is the loudest and severest advocate of virtue ”

“ Steward was a Justice of the Peace for the Borough, and also for the County of Suffolk. As a public man his loss will be much felt, for though occasionally overbearing and impetuous, his faults were overlooked in the thorough earnestness with which he applied himself to the promotion of those measures which he considered for the general good. Out of respect the flags on the Town Hall and shipping have been hoisted half-mast. ”

“ On Friday the first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers to the Hospital was held at the Town Hall, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew in the chair. Mr. A. Drew was unanimously elected resident Dispenser, at a salary of £60 per annum. Some alterations of the rules were agreed upon. Mr. S. S. Barber then moved that the votes for officers to the institution should be taken by ballot, and not by voting papers, as at the first meeting, which was lost by a majority of 17 to 13. It is intended to bring the question forward again at the next meeting. ”

“ At eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, a salute of eleven guns was fired from the Admiral’s ship, in acknowledgment of the salute by the Volunteers the previous evening. During the whole of Wednesday the fleet was inspected by large numbers of visitors, who left the Britannia Pier in steamers plying to and from the squadron at reasonable fares, while the pier itself was the resort of many interested in watching the constant arrival and departure of men-of-war boats, freighted with provisions and stores, or in bringing officers on shore on leave. ”

“ A steamtug was therefore ordered to convey him to his vessel, and on its arriving opposite the Town Hall at half-past two o’clock, the Magistrates agreed, before taking any other steps, to try whether the police were not sufficient to protect the men on board, notwithstanding the evident determination of a large body of sailors to prevent him. The Superintendent of Police, therefore, arranged the whole force, and with Graystone in the centre, surrounded by the Mayor and Magistrates, the escort left the station-house, distant not more than one hundred yards from the steamtug. ”

“ Surely after this our enemies will no longer prate of a reaction! At any rate, such a flagrant attempt at delusion would be scouted by our patriotic townsmen, as one of the basest of libels on old Yarmouth * * * * The public dinner, rejoicings, &c., will, we have just heard, not take place till after the passing of the Scotch and Irish Bills. The dinner, will, we believe, be held at the Town Hall, there being no reason to doubt that the Mayor, with his accustomed gentlemanly feeling, will grant the building for that purpose. ”

“ Officers and men were at nearly all parts of the ship, and cordially invited the excursionists to go on board, an offer which the steamer declined, out of regard to the safety of the passengers. Small pleasure boats from the beach, however, were running to the fleet in large numbers, cutting and plunging through the sea that might have made some persons timid. The steamers disembarked their freight at the Britannia Pier (which found Sunday the most prosperous day of its existence) and continued throughout the day to run to and from that Pier without intermission. ”

“ The sea at one time reached some way up the Jetty Road. While a person was assisting the landlord of the Holkham Tavern to remove his beds, &c., to a back warehouse, the sea burst in and broke down the front wall. At one part of the South Denes the sea and river might be seen meeting. Part of the South Quay was flooded. It was unusually high at the bridge, and likewise some of the lower parts of the town. Amidst this wide spreading destruction, we are glad to say, no lives were lost.”
Feb. 22nd.—The Lord High Steward (the Earl of Lichfield) had been sworn in, and a dinner given in his honour. ”

“ Sunday morning, as had been anticipated by the Yarmouth innkeepers and others, brought an immense number of people into the town, the p. 259trains from Norwich being very lengthy. The weather was fine, and as the fleet still remained in the Roads, there was every prospect of enjoyment. As the excursionists came into the town they proceeded, after refreshing the inner man at the earliest opportunity, either to the beach or on board the three steamers of Fill and Co. (Chesapeake, Volunteer and Florence Nightingale) , which were ready, as soon as filled, to start for a journey round the fleet. ”

“ But generally we have yet to learn that political zeal is not inconsistent with the courtesies of society, and that ill-tempered advocacy is worse than useless. Let us hope, however, that the moderate men of both political opinions, who must, we are sure, see the error of this course, will for the future guard against indiscretions, which are as inherently wrong as they are manifestly prejudicial to any cause that stands upon Principle and is supported by its own Truth. ”

“ Monday next is the day of election, when we shall see whether these hardy and obstinate men are still determined to pull down certain ruin on their party.
On Thursday night Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, addressing their numerous friends from the balcony of the Crown and Anchor, were insulted by water thrown upon, and it is reported tiles at them, from a small red inn adjoining. This roused the indignation of the multitude, and the destruction of the windows was the consequence. ”