Rebuilt in the jubilee year of the best of kings MDCCCIX
Seen after a recent spruce-up at 19 Castle Street, Norwich - Dipple & Conway, Opticians
++++++
And quite a party they had back then – at least according to… "The Jubilee of George the Third ... An account of the celebration ... of the forty-ninth anniversary of his reign, 25th October, 1809." Published 1887 in London, by J. Bumpus.
NORWICH - The Jubilee was celebrated with great splendour and every demonstration of heartfelt joy in this city. At an early hour flags were flying from the Churches and Houses, guns were firing, and bells were ringing. At ten o'clock the Corporation went in procession, with all the pomp of the city regalia, to hear divine service at the Cathedral. Nearly 1,200 Freemen, principally of the labouring classes of the citizens, met in the Market, and attended the Mayor, Aldermen and Commons to Church. When it is considered how much this city has suffered in its trade by the war, there can scarcely be produced a more striking instance of the loyal and patriotic disposition of its inhabitants, than this voluntary congress of this class of men. The sermon was very appropriate and impressive, and the congregation was exceedingly numerous. At one o'clock, the Garrison was drawn out upon the Castle ditches, where they fired a feu de joie, royal salute, and general salute. The firing over, the troops filed off, and the Court resumed their progress to the Hall, where the Officers of the several corps went by invitation from the Mayor, to partake of some refreshments. The Corporation being assembled, Mr. Steward Alderson addressed the Mayor, in the name of the Worshipful the Aldermen and the worthy Commons, in a speech fraught with sentiments of loyalty and attachment to our aged and venerable King, the epithets by which the learned Steward distinguished the Sovereign. "It was not," he said, “even in the romance of the loyalty which all classes of Englishmen felt in common, to hope for a second occasion to commemorate such an event as that of the present day. With the record of the day would be handed down the name of the Mayor," to whose particular liberality, and general merits in the exercise of his important office the Steward paid a just eulogium, which concluded his address. Mr. Harmer, the Speaker of the Commons, as the representative of that body, in a short speech, expressed his entire coincidence in the sentiments of the Steward, to which the Mayor replied nearly in the following words: — " Mr. Steward, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen, I am very sensible of the honour you have done me, although unable to express my thanks ; and I am equally sensible that a roast beef dinner, when weighed in the scale against my deficiencies in office, will be found light in the balance. Permit me, Gentlemen, to congratulate you, for I consider that we are here assembled on no common occasion, to celebrate no comment event; but we are met to testify our joy and thankfulness that it has pleased Providence to permit a good and virtuous King to enter this day on the 50th year of his reign ; to express our attachment to the excellent form of government over which he presides, and our admiration of that glorious Constitution to which I look up as the basis of our strength in war, and our security in peace, as the rock on which all our liberties are founded ; and having stood the test for ages, I hope will be transmitted to posterity, uncorrupted by faction, unshaken by violence, and untarnished by time." At five o'clock, the company, invited by the Mayor to partake of a roast beef dinner, assembled at St. Andrew's Hall; and soon after the joyful note of preparation was given, by the drum and file playing “O, the roast beef of old England," at the head of a royal baron of beef, weighing 172 lbs. surmounted with the Union flag, which was brought in by four grenadiers, who carried it twice round, and then placed it at top of the hall. The company seated themselves at three tables, which extended the whole length of the middle aisle, which was brilliantly lighted up with chandeliers, &c.
On the baron of beef being placed under the picture of Lord Nelson, the curtains were drawn up, and the transparencies exhibited, which were placed in front of the gallery. They consisted of a likeness of our beloved Monarch, in a gold- coloured frame, one half of which was painted with oak leaves and acorns, and the other half with laurel leaves; round the frame, on a dark blue ribbon, was inscribed, in large gold letters, " The 50th year of King George III.”
On each side was an allegorical transparency in chiara scuro — the one of Britannia seated on a rock, with a lion at her feet, and with ships at a distance pointing to the portrait of our beloved Monarch, and exhibiting a scroll with this inscription, '* The effusions of a Nation's love" and on the other side was Neptune, seated in his car, and pointing to the inscription round his Majesty's portrait ; upon the whole, the effect was good, and did credit to the different artists who painted them. The moment this interesting design burst upon the sight, the excellent band of the Wiltshire Militia, stationed in the gallery, struck up " God save the King," Amongst the Nobility and Gentry who were thus hospitably entertained by the Chief Magistrate of the city (to the number of 341) were — Lord Bishop of Norwich, Viscount Primrose, Lord Bayning, Hon. George Herbert, Sir Thomas Beevor, Sir Thomas Durant, Sir Edward Berry, the Dean of Norwich, &c., &c. The cloth drawn, and the desert served, the Mayor gave "The King," which was received with such applause as would proceed from a settled, principled, and proved attachment to the august Head of our venerable Constitution. A Gentleman sang “God save the King," with additional stanzas, and the company rose and gave the hearty English three times three cheers. The Mayor then proceeded to give the following toasts, the band playing appropriate airs between each: — The Prince of Wales — The Queen and Royal Family — the great Rock of Strength, the British Constitution — may the affections of Englishmen increase with the years of the King— the Army of the Empire— the Navy of the Empire, and success to the wooden walls of old England— the Lieutenant of the County— the Sheriff of the County— the Lord Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese — the Mayor of Norwich, by the Bishop — the Members for the County — the Members for the City — the immortal memory of the Eight Hon. William Pitt, &c.
The harmony and conviviality of the party were now, like the occasion, fixed and established. Of the previous arrangement, and general conduct of this happy day, it is impossible to speak in terms exceeding its merit, but that merit must be given to the person who entirely deserved it, namely Thomas Back, Jun., Esq., the Mayor of Norwich. When the Court, by indecision, division, or difference of opinion, declined to take any efficient step for the promotion of that object, which the event has shown was common to all; the Mayor, by his munificence, hospitality, decided conduct, and judicious arrangement, gave that time to the Jubilee rejoicing which will attract to him, as a public character, the thanks and the regard of every man who loves the establishment of his country. So general, indeed, was the wish to verify the worthy Steward's assertion, "To hand down his name and office, together with the records of the Commemoration," that before the company separated, the following proposals were unanimously agreed to :— "Resolved, That as a testimony of respect for the worthy Chief Magistrate, Thomas Back, Jun., Esq., and particularly for his conduct on this glorious day of the Jubilee— We, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do request that he will sit for his Picture, to any Artist he may think proper, and permit it to be placed in this Hall. Dated St. Andrew's Hall, Oct. 25th, 1809." The names were those of the most respectable personages in the city of Norwich. Let it not be imagined that the higher ranks were alone regaled on this propitious day, a just tribute must be paid to the many, who by their bounty and exertions, made the cottages of industry, and the huts of poverty, the abodes of plenty and mirth. Subscriptions were made throughout the city, to enable the lower classes of the community to take partake in the enjoyment of the festival. The sums collected at the various places of divine worship allowed of bread, meat, ale, soup, or money, to be distributed as the directors chose, to every poor person who was in need, throughout the numerous and respectable parishes, in addition to which the Freemen in the Orange and Purple Interest received 2s. 6d., and two quarts of beer each. The Volunteers of the city had each of them handsome donations from their Officers. The poor women in the Hospital, in the Rose Lane, had a liberal supply of beef, bread, pudding, and beer. The people in the Workhouse had beef and plum-pudding for dinner, the children a three-penny plum cake each, from St. Peter's Mancroft, and every person had six-pence given by the Mayor. The poor of the parish of Thorpe were amply regaled by means of a subscription amongst the other inhabitants, two of whom added a sheep to their liberal share. The prisoners in Bridewell had a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, and a quart of beer each, given by the Mayor. The debtors and felons in the Castle had from the High Sheriff a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, and one pint of ale each. One Crown Debtor was discharged from the County Gaol, and one from Ipswich, free of all fees. Thus ended in the loyal city of Norwich a day of rejoicing for thousands.
Rebuilt in the jubilee year of the best of kings MDCCCIX
Seen after a recent spruce-up at 19 Castle Street, Norwich - Dipple & Conway, Opticians
++++++
And quite a party they had back then – at least according to… "The Jubilee of George the Third ... An account of the celebration ... of the forty-ninth anniversary of his reign, 25th October, 1809." Published 1887 in London, by J. Bumpus.
NORWICH - The Jubilee was celebrated with great splendour and every demonstration of heartfelt joy in this city. At an early hour flags were flying from the Churches and Houses, guns were firing, and bells were ringing. At ten o'clock the Corporation went in procession, with all the pomp of the city regalia, to hear divine service at the Cathedral. Nearly 1,200 Freemen, principally of the labouring classes of the citizens, met in the Market, and attended the Mayor, Aldermen and Commons to Church. When it is considered how much this city has suffered in its trade by the war, there can scarcely be produced a more striking instance of the loyal and patriotic disposition of its inhabitants, than this voluntary congress of this class of men. The sermon was very appropriate and impressive, and the congregation was exceedingly numerous. At one o'clock, the Garrison was drawn out upon the Castle ditches, where they fired a feu de joie, royal salute, and general salute. The firing over, the troops filed off, and the Court resumed their progress to the Hall, where the Officers of the several corps went by invitation from the Mayor, to partake of some refreshments. The Corporation being assembled, Mr. Steward Alderson addressed the Mayor, in the name of the Worshipful the Aldermen and the worthy Commons, in a speech fraught with sentiments of loyalty and attachment to our aged and venerable King, the epithets by which the learned Steward distinguished the Sovereign. "It was not," he said, “even in the romance of the loyalty which all classes of Englishmen felt in common, to hope for a second occasion to commemorate such an event as that of the present day. With the record of the day would be handed down the name of the Mayor," to whose particular liberality, and general merits in the exercise of his important office the Steward paid a just eulogium, which concluded his address. Mr. Harmer, the Speaker of the Commons, as the representative of that body, in a short speech, expressed his entire coincidence in the sentiments of the Steward, to which the Mayor replied nearly in the following words: — " Mr. Steward, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen, I am very sensible of the honour you have done me, although unable to express my thanks ; and I am equally sensible that a roast beef dinner, when weighed in the scale against my deficiencies in office, will be found light in the balance. Permit me, Gentlemen, to congratulate you, for I consider that we are here assembled on no common occasion, to celebrate no comment event; but we are met to testify our joy and thankfulness that it has pleased Providence to permit a good and virtuous King to enter this day on the 50th year of his reign ; to express our attachment to the excellent form of government over which he presides, and our admiration of that glorious Constitution to which I look up as the basis of our strength in war, and our security in peace, as the rock on which all our liberties are founded ; and having stood the test for ages, I hope will be transmitted to posterity, uncorrupted by faction, unshaken by violence, and untarnished by time." At five o'clock, the company, invited by the Mayor to partake of a roast beef dinner, assembled at St. Andrew's Hall; and soon after the joyful note of preparation was given, by the drum and file playing “O, the roast beef of old England," at the head of a royal baron of beef, weighing 172 lbs. surmounted with the Union flag, which was brought in by four grenadiers, who carried it twice round, and then placed it at top of the hall. The company seated themselves at three tables, which extended the whole length of the middle aisle, which was brilliantly lighted up with chandeliers, &c.
On the baron of beef being placed under the picture of Lord Nelson, the curtains were drawn up, and the transparencies exhibited, which were placed in front of the gallery. They consisted of a likeness of our beloved Monarch, in a gold- coloured frame, one half of which was painted with oak leaves and acorns, and the other half with laurel leaves; round the frame, on a dark blue ribbon, was inscribed, in large gold letters, " The 50th year of King George III.”
On each side was an allegorical transparency in chiara scuro — the one of Britannia seated on a rock, with a lion at her feet, and with ships at a distance pointing to the portrait of our beloved Monarch, and exhibiting a scroll with this inscription, '* The effusions of a Nation's love" and on the other side was Neptune, seated in his car, and pointing to the inscription round his Majesty's portrait ; upon the whole, the effect was good, and did credit to the different artists who painted them. The moment this interesting design burst upon the sight, the excellent band of the Wiltshire Militia, stationed in the gallery, struck up " God save the King," Amongst the Nobility and Gentry who were thus hospitably entertained by the Chief Magistrate of the city (to the number of 341) were — Lord Bishop of Norwich, Viscount Primrose, Lord Bayning, Hon. George Herbert, Sir Thomas Beevor, Sir Thomas Durant, Sir Edward Berry, the Dean of Norwich, &c., &c. The cloth drawn, and the desert served, the Mayor gave "The King," which was received with such applause as would proceed from a settled, principled, and proved attachment to the august Head of our venerable Constitution. A Gentleman sang “God save the King," with additional stanzas, and the company rose and gave the hearty English three times three cheers. The Mayor then proceeded to give the following toasts, the band playing appropriate airs between each: — The Prince of Wales — The Queen and Royal Family — the great Rock of Strength, the British Constitution — may the affections of Englishmen increase with the years of the King— the Army of the Empire— the Navy of the Empire, and success to the wooden walls of old England— the Lieutenant of the County— the Sheriff of the County— the Lord Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese — the Mayor of Norwich, by the Bishop — the Members for the County — the Members for the City — the immortal memory of the Eight Hon. William Pitt, &c.
The harmony and conviviality of the party were now, like the occasion, fixed and established. Of the previous arrangement, and general conduct of this happy day, it is impossible to speak in terms exceeding its merit, but that merit must be given to the person who entirely deserved it, namely Thomas Back, Jun., Esq., the Mayor of Norwich. When the Court, by indecision, division, or difference of opinion, declined to take any efficient step for the promotion of that object, which the event has shown was common to all; the Mayor, by his munificence, hospitality, decided conduct, and judicious arrangement, gave that time to the Jubilee rejoicing which will attract to him, as a public character, the thanks and the regard of every man who loves the establishment of his country. So general, indeed, was the wish to verify the worthy Steward's assertion, "To hand down his name and office, together with the records of the Commemoration," that before the company separated, the following proposals were unanimously agreed to :— "Resolved, That as a testimony of respect for the worthy Chief Magistrate, Thomas Back, Jun., Esq., and particularly for his conduct on this glorious day of the Jubilee— We, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do request that he will sit for his Picture, to any Artist he may think proper, and permit it to be placed in this Hall. Dated St. Andrew's Hall, Oct. 25th, 1809." The names were those of the most respectable personages in the city of Norwich. Let it not be imagined that the higher ranks were alone regaled on this propitious day, a just tribute must be paid to the many, who by their bounty and exertions, made the cottages of industry, and the huts of poverty, the abodes of plenty and mirth. Subscriptions were made throughout the city, to enable the lower classes of the community to take partake in the enjoyment of the festival. The sums collected at the various places of divine worship allowed of bread, meat, ale, soup, or money, to be distributed as the directors chose, to every poor person who was in need, throughout the numerous and respectable parishes, in addition to which the Freemen in the Orange and Purple Interest received 2s. 6d., and two quarts of beer each. The Volunteers of the city had each of them handsome donations from their Officers. The poor women in the Hospital, in the Rose Lane, had a liberal supply of beef, bread, pudding, and beer. The people in the Workhouse had beef and plum-pudding for dinner, the children a three-penny plum cake each, from St. Peter's Mancroft, and every person had six-pence given by the Mayor. The poor of the parish of Thorpe were amply regaled by means of a subscription amongst the other inhabitants, two of whom added a sheep to their liberal share. The prisoners in Bridewell had a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, and a quart of beer each, given by the Mayor. The debtors and felons in the Castle had from the High Sheriff a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, and one pint of ale each. One Crown Debtor was discharged from the County Gaol, and one from Ipswich, free of all fees. Thus ended in the loyal city of Norwich a day of rejoicing for thousands.