2.—Died, aged 106, Thomas Scrape. “He was the father of Mrs. Lovell, of the Lobster Inn, St. John Maddermerket, Norwich, and was born at Stalham in 1722, in the 9th year of the reign of George I. He had been often heard to speak of remembering as a child the illuminations on the occasion of the accession of George II. At the age of 105 this extraordinary old man presided at a large convivial party at his residence. His pipe was his constant companion, and he was often to be seen smoking and enjoying it at his daughter’s house, where his latter days were rendered comfortable.” 3.—Tombland Fair, Norwich, was ushered in by a severe snowstorm. “The Banisters, the Samwells, the Chipperfields, the Adamses, and a host of other ornaments of the vagrant stage for daylight gauds and the practical wit of buffoons displayed themselves in imposing array.” The only “rational” exhibition at the fair was Atkins’ Menagerie. 5.—A vessel, named the Lord William Bentinck, was launched from the shipyard of Mr. Frederick Preston, at Yarmouth. She was nearly 500 tons burden, and the largest ship, with one exception, ever built at the port. 7.—Ching Lau Lauro, “the celebrated posture master and buffo from Drury Lane,” appeared at Norwich Theatre. On the 10th he performed in a harlequinade, entitled, “The Man in the Moon.” “No viler tissue of nonsensical stuff could be foisted on the patience of an insulted audience. It had more revolting coarseness, and infinitely less ingenuity than ever characterised the worst puppet shows’ clumsiest performers. ‘Harlequin in the Shades’ descended to the lowest vault of the Capulets, amidst universal hisses which such execrable trash deservedly called forth, in spite of Ching Lau Lauro swallowing his own head.” 19.—The Norfolk County Cricket Club announced the completion of a new cricket ground at East Dereham, described as one of the best in the provinces. 25.—A remarkable whirlwind occurred at Gresham. “It came suddenly as in a moment from the south-west, accompanied by a roar like thunder, and taking a north-easterly direction towards Cromer, spent itself at sea. The extreme force of the whirlwind lasted scarcely three minutes, but in that time it completely ruined one William Watts, by rending the sails and stocks from his mill, lifting the whole fabric from off the post, and crushing the beams and inside works to pieces, together with the roof and walls of the round-house.” 27.—Died at his house, Vauxhall, Lambeth, Mr. Thomas H. Hull, aged 74, “a gentleman well-known in Norwich and Norfolk for a great number of years, and where many of his beautifully-executed pictures remain as specimens of his superior talent in the miniature department of portrait painting.” MAY.