March 31st. The freedom of the city having been voted at the quarterly assembly of the corporation on the 24th ult., to be presented to Captain William Edward Parry of the Royal Navy; that gallant officer attended in full uniform, and was sworn in at a full court of mayoralty. The parchment containing the freedom of the city was presented to him in a box formed of a piece of oak, part of the ship Hecla, with an appropriate inscription. April 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th. Cleansing Week ward elections took place. Conisford ward no opposition, Messrs. J. Kitton, J. Angel, and J. P. Cocksedge (nominees); Mancroft ward no opposition, Messrs. P. Chamberlin, J. Bennett, and J. Goodwin, (nominees); Wymer ward, Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith 432, Mr. J. Culley, 432, Mr. J. Reynolds 423 (nominees), Mr. J. Parkinson 254, Mr. Newin 249, Mr. R. Purland 236, Mr. S. Mitchell 45; Northern ward, Mr. T. Barnard 418, Mr. T. O. Springfield 416, Mr. S. S. Beare 416, (nominees), Mr. G. Morse 231, Mr. Troughton 230, Mr. T. Grimmer 231. May 1st. The election for mayor came on. At the close of the poll the numbers were for Alderman Rackham 986, Alderman Hawkes 950, Alderman Marsh 630, Alderman Yallop 631. The former two were returned to the court of aldermen, who elected William Rackham, Esq., to serve the office of chief magistrate. June 18th. This being Guild day, William Rackham, Esq., was sworn in mayor, on which occasion he gave a sumptuous dinner to about 650 ladies and gentlemen in St. Andrews Hall, the hall having previously undergone various alterations and improvements. July 27th. The coronation of George IV. was celebrated here in a very splendid manner, and gave occasion for a display of the exuberant loyalty of the citizens. This king, called “the finest gentleman in Europe,” had governed the realm for nearly ten years, and visited the city in 1812. His reign was peaceful and prosperous, and he was a great promoter of the arts and sciences. The most important event of his reign was the passing of the act for Roman Catholic emancipation, by which Roman Catholics became entitled to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the rest of the community, a measure strongly supported here by the liberal party. During this reign the citizens of Norwich took a very active part in all the great movements of the age—the Roman Catholic Emancipation movement, the Anti-Slavery movement, and the Reform agitation. Strong contests at elections took place on all these questions. Bribery, corruption, treating, cooping, and intimidation, were resorted to by both parties on every occasion, as will appear in a subsequent chapter, on our political history. Party spirit never ran higher in any town than in Norwich. * * * * * 1822. January 24th. The anniversary of the birthday of the Rt. Hon. C. J. Fox was commemorated by a public dinner of the liberal party at the Assembly Rooms.