1851. The Great Exhibition of 1851, which was opened in May, attracted thousands of the citizens to London, where many of them spent weeks in viewing the wonders at the Crystal Palace. Norwich manufacturers sent many specimens of their shawls and textile fabrics. Amongst the exhibitors were Messrs C. and F. Bolingbroke and Jones; Messrs. Middleton and Answorth; Messrs. Towler, Rowling, and Allen; Messrs. Willett and Nephew; Messrs. Clabburn, Sons, and Crisp; and Messrs. Grout and Co.; all of whose productions were much admired and commended. A very large number of our operatives were conveyed by special train free to London to see the Exhibition, where they had an opportunity of inspecting the best productions of art of the whole world. This wonderful exhibition was supposed to be the harbinger of universal peace, but it was soon followed by the Russian war, which greatly depressed the trade of the city and of the whole country. It cost about a hundred millions of money, destroyed thousands of brave soldiers, and spread a general gloom over the minds of men. It ended in the fall of Sebastopol, and the triumph of the allied armies. Russian aggression was stopped for a time; but was the rotten Turkish empire worth the waste of men and money? The census, which was taken in this year, showed that the population of Norwich had increased to 68,713 persons who were in a comparatively prosperous condition, for trade was good and provisions were cheap. * * * * * 1853. On November 1st, S. Bignold, Esq., was elected mayor of Norwich for the third time, and he filled the office with great approbation throughout the year. He lent the money required in the first instance for the new building erected for the Free Library and the School of Art, and which afforded additional accommodation for the Museum and Literary Institution. * * * * * 1854. At a meeting of the corporation held on May 4th, the mayor, S. Bignold, Esq., in the chair, he announced that Her Majesty had been graciously pleased on the previous day to confer the honour of knighthood upon him, on the occasion of his presenting the addresses, voted by the council on the 20th of April last, pledging their loyalty to the Queen when Her Majesty declared war against Russia. It was thereupon resolved unanimously, on the motion of A. A. H. Beckwith, Esq. “That this council beg to offer their hearty congratulations to Sir S. Bignold, the mayor of Norwich, on his accession to the dignity which Her Majesty has graciously bestowed upon him, and wish him many years to enjoy the honour so worthily conferred.” * * * * *