in the pound distributed, exclusive of interest, payment of which is postponed.” 23.—Died at the Palace Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London, Admiral Bertie Cornelius Cator, younger brother of Mr. John Cator, of Beckenham, Kent, and of Woodbastwick. He entered the Navy in 1800, under his uncle, Captain Albemarle Bertie, and was actively employed early in his professional career in the capture of privateers in the Mediterranean. In 1810 he assisted at the taking of the Isle of France; commanded the Actæon on the coast of America in the attack on the enemy’s barracks in Lynn Haven Bay in 1813, and participated in various other services. After gaining post rank, he was not employed afloat. He accepted retirement in 1846. 29.—Merton Park was the scene of great rejoicing, on the coming of age of the Hon. Thomas de Grey. Seven hundred cottagers and labourers were entertained at dinner, and Lord and Lady Walsingham received a large number of personal friends in a pavilion erected near the famous Merton oak. At luncheon Lord Ashburton proposed the health of Mr. de Grey, which was drunk with great enthusiasm. The day’s festivities concluded with a display of fireworks. On the 30th Lord and Lady Walsingham gave a ball to 150 tenants on the Merton estate, and on the 31st the celebration ended with a servants’ ball. AUGUST. 26.—Two troops of the 16th Lancers arrived at Norwich Barracks. 28.—St. George’s Brewery, Norwich, and 40 public-houses were offered for sale by Messrs. Spelman. Messrs. Youngs, Crawshay, and Youngs were the purchasers, at the sum of £15,300. SEPTEMBER. 11.—Died at Norwich, aged 81, Henry Drane, for thirty-six years proprietor of the Telegraph coach. 19.—A prize-fight for £5 took place near Lynn, between Pooley Mace and Grey. Mace was declared the victor, after a contest which lasted 35 minutes. OCTOBER. 4.—The Yarmouth Town Council, by a majority of 25 to 11, adopted the Public House Closing Act, 1864. 8.—The first sod of the West Norfolk Junction Railway was turned by Miss Ellen Simpson, daughter of Mr. Lightly Simpson, the chairman of the company. Many persons travelled to Heacham to take part in the proceedings. (_See_ January 8th, 1866.) 11.—Died, Captain Becher, “the well-known sportsman and father of steeplechase riders, whose deeds in the pigskin some 30 years back have immortalised him in the annals of that sport.” Captain Becher was born in Norfolk, and was the son of a farmer, “who was very conspicuous as a horseman and the last of the leather breeches school.”