An inquest was held at the Wherry Inn, on the 23rd day of August, before Dr. Pearson, on the body of James Gibbs, aged 12 years, who was drowned by the breaking of a hook rope on board a wherry, sailing on Oulton Broad, on Saturday, August 20th. This was but a short course, from the cradle to the grave, from suffering and from sin, for ever emancipated. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and make me keep it unto the end, and by Thy grace cause me to finish the work thou hast given me to do.” Mr. Edward Leathes, of Normanstone, was called away by death on the 11th February, 1871—the day after a great snowstorm—aged 75. Having secured the piece of ground before-mentioned, and settled all demands for the same, in which my wife concurred, and assisted, and having made and executed a will, making everything that I possessed over to her for her own use, benefit, and enjoyment, the same being duly attested by Henry Bull and his wife, matters having been thus satisfactorily arranged, I afterwards suggested to my wife, in sincere fidelity, that if she could and would supply twenty pounds, I would do the rest, and build thereon a nice cottage, and she should have the full power to do with it as to choosing her own tenants, and other matters in connection therewith, as long as she should live. My proposal was indignantly rejected, the motive was grieviously maligned and aspersed. I drove on heavily, as if my wheels were impeded. Nevertheless I borrowed £25 of a friend, and built a cottage, and let it to a tenant for a time, and the scene here changes. An inquest was held at the Wherry Inn, on the 15th August, before Dr. Pearson, deputy-coroner, on the body of George Copsey Nelson who was drowned while bathing in Oulton Broad on Sunday, August 13th. There is something very striking in connection with this inquest. One of the jurors—Horace Martin—as now investigating a case of drowning, was himself drowned in the same piece of water before 12 months had passed away. I have stated that £25 were borrowed from a friend. I never had anything to do in connection with loan societies. I remember to have heard an observation from our late County Court Judge: “I wonder,” said he, “the people can be so gulled; no sooner do you fail in paying the instalments, for which you have contracted, when down comes the office upon the sureties, and if the money is not forthcoming, your property is seized, and get out of it as you can, no matter how.” I will note down here the speedy departure of a few of my female neighbours:—Mrs. James Knights died March 6th; Mrs. William Jacobs died March 27th; Mrs. John Drake died May 24th; Mrs. John Knights died June 2; Mrs. Nursey, “Boar” Inn, died July 10th; Mrs. Stevens died July 21st, aged 56. The above were all taken from us in 1871, with many others.