The hall continued open as an exchange only one year, and it was open every day in the week except Saturdays and Sundays, which proves that a considerable mercantile trade must have been carried on in the city at that time. Soon afterwards was begun the impolitic system of local taxation in trade, which has almost ruined Lynn and Yarmouth, and which greatly retarded the prosperity of Norwich. In 1725 the corporation obtained an act, which came into operation on May 1st, 1726, for levying tolls upon all goods or merchandise brought up the river higher than Thorpe Hall. The dues were to be applied towards rebuilding the walls and bridges, &c., but this was done to a very small extent. On February 24th, 1726, in consequence of the proceedings of the Pretender, Charles Stuart, who endeavoured to secure the crown of England, a loyal address of the corporation was presented to King George I. by the city members. That monarch died at the palace of the Bishop of Osnaburgh, on his way to Hanover, on June 11th, 1727. George II. and his Queen Caroline were crowned on October 11th, 1727, and there was a grand illumination and bonfire here in honour of the event. In 1729 an act was passed for the better regulating the city elections, and for preserving the peace, good order, and government of the city; and at an assembly on the Guild eve, the mayor and aldermen of Norwich first sat in the council chamber, and the common council in their own room; for by that act a majority of each body was required to a corporate order, whilst, before it passed, the two bodies sat, debated, and voted together. In 1730, under this act, three nominees for each of the four great wards were first elected, who returned the remaining number of common councilmen, sixty in the whole. In 1730, the _Norwich Mercury_ was first issued by William Chase. It was afterwards published for many years by the late Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon and Mr. Kinnebrook. Mr. R. M. Bacon was the editor, and one of the most talented men who ever appeared in this city as a political writer and critic. He was the author of “The Elements of Vocal Science,” and other works.