FEBRUARY—The petitions against Catholic Emancipation, got up by the Brunswick Club, received about 6,000 signatures in this county. On the presentation of the petition in the House of Lords, Lord Lyttelton characterised the manner in which it was got up as “anomalous and irregular.” FEBRUARY 9—The WORCESTER LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION established at a public meeting held at the Guildhall, presided over by Mr. Daukes of Diglis House. It was for some years warmly supported by Lord Lyttelton and most of the literati of the county. FEBRUARY 17—An alarming fire in the outbuildings of Mr. Joseph Ross of Sneachill, White Lady Aston, consuming altogether about four thousand pounds’ worth of property, and wholly uninsured. Three hundred guineas were offered as a reward for the discovery of the incendiary, no doubt being entertained that it was wilful. MARCH 24—Meeting of the clergy of the diocese, with Archdeacon Onslow in the chair, to petition against the Catholic Relief Bill. The tone of the proceedings and petition was very moderate. The Hon. H. B. Lygon was the only member for this county who voted against the Bill. MAY 29—Presentation of plate (a massive silver vase) to Archdeacon Onslow, having been Vicar of Kidderminster for twenty-eight years, by general subscription of the inhabitants there. JUNE 17—The Duc de Chartres visited Worcester, with its manufactories and Cathedral. JUNE 22—Ombersley Church consecrated by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. This very elegant little church is built of white stone from the Ombersley quarries, in the decorated English style. Its extreme length is 117 feet, and the spire is 154 feet high; and the church will accommodate about 1,000 persons. The Marchioness of Downshire gave the stone, the additional land to extend the churchyard, the organ, and the stained windows, &c. JULY 16—The new Catholic Chapel, Sansome Street, Worcester, opened. The Rev. Dr. Walsh, Bishop of the Midland District, officiated; and the Very Rev. Dr. Weedall, President of St. Mary’s College, Oscot, preached. The chapel is capable of containing about 800 persons. The collection at the door on this occasion amounted to about £48. AUGUST 26—Silver Street Chapel (Baptist), Worcester, reopened, after enlargement, on which occasion a sermon was preached by the celebrated Robert Hall of Bristol. DECEMBER 10—The Marquis of Anglesey visited Worcester, and was entertained by the Corporation in great style; the freedom of the city being presented to him in common hall by Lord Deerhurst. 1830.