Norfolk is a sea coast county, in the East of England, on the shores of the North Sea, close to the Great Wash: it took its name from the East English settlers, who called their people in these parts the “North folk,” now Norfolk, and in the southern parts of their kingdom “South folk,” now Suffolk. The county is of an egg shape, the ends lying east and west; the northern half being bounded by the Wash and the North Sea, and the southern half abutting on the county of Suffolk, with a small part to the west joining Cambridgeshire. The boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk is the river Waveney, from its mouth at Yarmouth, south-westerly, to near its spring, and then by the Thet, or Little Ouse, flowing north-westerly. From Cambridgeshire, Norfolk is divided by the Nene. The greatest length is 67 miles and the greatest breadth 43. The area is 1,316,886 acres, making it the fourth shire in size, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Devonshire being larger. The population was in 1801, 273,479; in 1811, 291,947; in 1821, 344,368; in 1831, 390,654; in 1841, 412,664; in 1851 442,714; in 1861, 434,798; in 1871, 438,656; in 1881, 444,749; in 1891 468,287, of which the males were 225,652, females, 242,635. The number of houses were, inhabited, 105,966; uninhabited, 8,304; building, 521.

Norfolk seems to have been first occupied by an Iberian race, afterwards by Britons, and then by Belgi; in Caesar’s time it was held by the powerful tribe of the Iceni, who were finally subdued by the Romans; afterwards it was settled by several commonwealths of the East English, who seemed to have been of the same clans or tribes as those who settled in Middlesex and Surrey.

The duchy of Norfolk has for a long time been held by the powerful house of Howard, who descend from the several ancient princes who have inherited the earldom and duchy. The Duke of Norfolk still exercises a peculiar and permanent jurisdiction over his large domains in this county, and appoints two coroners for his liberties.

The county is very level, containing no prominent elevations, while the coast only rises into cliffs of any height at Hunstanton and Cromer. Chalk forms the foundation of nearly the whole county, but except in the west it is covered by beds of clay and sand so that it can only be reached in deep wells and borings.

On the west, the Cambridgeshire border is very low, and much of the land is fen, belonging to the Bedford Level, This part is watered by the Great Ouse and the Nene, and is drained by many fen dykes. In the parish of Hilgay, near Downham, is a pumping station and dam, constructed near Hunt’s sluice for the Feltwell and Methwold drainage commissioners and opened in 1884: from these works about 100 tons of water per minute can be pumped into the river Ouse. At Ten Mile Bank is an engine erected in 1842 for the Littleport and Downham drainage commissioners, working in connection with one nine miles distant, in the Isle of Ely: these together drain 30,000 acres; the wheel is 43ft. 1in. in diameter, and contains 50 ladles, with an average dip of 4ft. emptying the water into the River Ouse at the rate of about 130 tons a minute; and at Denver is a sluice, in connection with the Hundred Feet river; to carry off the flood waters from 800,000 acres of land; this sluice is under the joint control of the South Level commissioners and the Denver Sluice commissioners. Wisbech, the port for the extreme western portion of this county, is in Cambridgeshire, on the Nene, on the border of Norfolk; Lynn, on the Great Ouse and the navigable Nar, close to the Wash, is the great port for the western parts of the county and of all the neighbouring fen lands. The interior of the county is intersected by spreading streams, which water a wide district and flow to the sea at Yarmouth, where in former times was a great estuary, now filled up. These rivers are the Bure, the Ant, the Wensum, passing Norwich, the Yare and the Waveney; near the sea they expand into large pools, called broads or meres, forming excellent preserves for fishing and being a peculiar characteristic of this county. In the south-west the county is watered by the Thet, the Little Ouse and the Wissey, feeders of the Great Ouse. About a mile east of South Lopham, in the fen or low lands, is Lopham Gate, where there are two springs, from which flow the Little Ouse and Waveney; the former takes a course through Thetford, Brandon and Lynn, and the latter flows to Yarmouth, and both divide the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The northern shore has no rivers. Hunstanton, Burnham, Blakeney, Cley, Cromer and Wells are small ports, fishing towns or bathing places; there are also landing and shipping places at Brancaster Staith, Mundesley, and some other places for the local supply, and the shore is thickly set with fishing stations. Yarmouth is one of the chief towns in England for the herring and other fisheries, which are carried on all along the Norfolk coast. Yarmouth is a popular bathing place and the port of the manufacturing district of Norwich. Lowestoft harbour, in Suffolk, serves the south-eastern corner of the county.

The names of the Norfolk rivers the Ouse, the Nene, the Nar, the Thet, the Glaven, the Thurn, the Bure, the Yare, the Waveney, the Wensum, the Exe, the Ant-are mostly Euskardian or Iberian, while those of the towns and hamlets are English, except in the east, where they are generally Danish, the population being largely mixed with the latter race, and the dialect differing from that of the other English by the frequent adoption of Danish words, accents and pronunciation.

The Great Ouse, Nene, Wissey, Little Ouse and Nar are navigable, as are also the Yare, Bure, Ant, Thurn, Wensum and Waveney. There are no canal works of importance, except the dykes in the fens.

In the North Sea the flood tide wave enters from the Atlantic Ocean between the coast of Norway and the British Isles, and passing through various channels enters the Pentland Firth, on quitting which it divides into two branches, of which the western swells along the Scottish and English coasts, making high water in all their rivers and harbours successively until it arrives in the Thames. Near the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts the streams of tide run nearly parallel to the shore; off Wells the flood runs to the eastward till 9 o’clock, or three hours after high water on the shore; 4 miles off Cromer, and the same distance off Harborough, the flood stream runs alongshore to the southward till 10h. 15m. or 1h. 45m. before high water at Harwich, and the ebb in a contrary direction. At 2 ½ miles off Lowestoft the flood stream continues to run to the S.S. W. till 1h. 30m. before high water at Harwich, and at Orfordness till about high water at Harwich; the flood setting W.S.W. and the ebb E.N.E.

* By the rise of the tide is meant its vertical rise about the mean low-water mark level of spring tides.

The climate of Norfolk is on the average decidedly dry. Observations of the amount of rainfall are taken at over 50 stations in the county, many of which belong to the Key. J. M. Du Port. The average rainfall may be taken at 23 ½ inches yearly, i.e. 2,350 tons of rain-water on every acre in the county in the course of an ordinary year. The average rainfall for the whole of England is about 36 inches yearly. In 1878, however, the rainfall at Norwich was 31 ½ inches, or 35 per cent, above the average. The cold, dry easterly winds which blow in winter and spring form a marked feature in the meterology of Norfolk. They owe their nature to the great extent of land-the plains of North Germany and Russia-which these winds have passed over before coming to this country, their brief passage over the North Sea not having been sufficient to mitigate their piercing character. There can be no doubt but that the extensive planting of trees, which has been a marked feature in the cultivation of Norfolk during the last decade, will exercise a favourable influence on the climate, both in increasing the rainfall and diminishing the evil effects of cold winds.

The soil of Norfolk is of a very varied character; that of the north and west may be said to be sandy, while loams and clays predominate in the centre and east. If left in a natural condition, much of the ground would be poor and light; but the Norfolk farmers have long been famous for their skill in agriculture, and by mixing the soils, by digging clays and marls, and adding these to the sandy soils, together with a liberal use of manure, they have rendered this county among the most fertile and fruitful in England. The Norfolk system of husbandry is the four-course, i.e. wheat, then root crop, then barley, then clover or mixed seed ley: on the heavy land the crop of barley every eighth year is followed by beans or peas, then wheat, and so on, so that the hay crop comes once in eight years.

The produce of Norfolk consists of chalk, building chalk, lime, cement, stone, bricks, marl, sand for glass making, peat; wheat and other cereals, fruit and cider, turnips, mangold-wurtzel, flax, seeds; horses, oxen, sheep, pigs, rabbits, turkeys, game and butter. The fisheries are of vast importance: mackerel, cod, soles, turbot, lobsters and crabs are caught, but the herring fishery is that for which this county is famous, Yarmouth being the head quarters, having a large fleet of smacks engaged, the number of boats registered at Lynn and Yarmouth in 1895 being 737 with an aggregate tonnage of 23,414 tons and employing 3,546 hands, and the produce is about one-fifth of the entire take in the kingdom, the numbers being reckoned by “lasts,” each “last” comprising 13,000 herrings, the season for which is from September to end of November; many persons are employed on shore in the curing of this fish for the supply of distant markets. The manufactures are bombazine, silk crape, silk, woollen and linen frabrics, gloves, boots and shoes (principally at Norwich), coarse pottery and tobacco pipes. The exports of most of these are large. There is also some shipbuilding.

Railways.-The Great Eastern railway serves the larger portion of the county, its main line from Ely, entering the county a little south of Brandon, passes by Thetford, Koudham Junction, where there is a branch line to Walton, Swaffham & Lynn, Wymondham, with a branch to East Dereham, Fakenham & Wells & on to Norwich (Thorpe station), thence there is a line to Reedham, where it branches to Yarmouth to the north-east & Lowestoft to the south-east; but a new branch from Brundall on this line gives a more direct access to Yarmouth. Besides the main line already mentioned 3 other branches enter from the south, viz., from Bury St. Edmunds to Thetford, Ipswich via Haughley direct to Norwich, and Ipswich via Beccles to Yarmouth, and these two latter lines are connected by that from Tivetshall junction to Lowestoft, and the main line is connected with that from Haughley by a short branch from Wymondham to Forncett. From the Norwich terminus a line goes north to Cromer, throwing off a branch at Wroxham through Aylsham to the Wells line; a line from East Dereham to Swaffham connects the Wymondham and Roudham branch lines and another line from Ely entering the county at Hilgay, and having a branch from Denver to Stoke Ferry, passes through Lynn and Hunstanton to Wells, where it connects with the East Dereham and Fakeham, line, having previously connected with Wisbech at Magdalen road.

The Midland and Great Northern joint railway (late the Eastern and Midlands railway) has its terminus at the Beach station, Yarmouth: this railway company was originally formed by the amalgamation of the Lynn and Fakerham, Yarmouth and North Norfolk, Midland and Eastern, Peterborough, Wisbech and Sutton and Yarmouth Union Companies; the lines run from Walpole St. Andrews on the west border (with a branch to Lynn from South Lynn station) through Hillington, Fakenham, Melton, Constable, Alsham, North Walsham and Hemsby to Yarmouth, and include the line from Norwich to Cromer, via Foulsham and Melton Constable, affording a direct communication to London and the Midland and Northern counties, via Peterborough. The celebrated Norfolk Broads are easily accessible by this railway.

Norfolk is in the South Eastern circuit; the county and assize town is Norwich; quarter sessions are holden at Norwich, and by adjournment also at Swaffham. Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn and Thetford have separate courts of quarter sessions, and the county is divided into 25 petty sessional divisions.

Norfolk includes the county of the city of Norwich, and contains 680 civil parishes and parts of 3 others and 750 ecclesiastical parishes and parts of 6 others, and is in the province of Canterbury, diocese of Norwich, except the parish of Emneth, which is in Ely, divided into the archdeaconries of Lynn, Norfolk and Norwich. Lynn archdeaconry is sub-divided into the rural deaneries of Brisley, Burnham, Cranwich, Fincham, Hitcham, Lynn (Marshland) Lynn (Norfolk), Thetford, Toftrees and Walsingham. Norfolk archdeaconry is sub-divided into the rural deaneries of Breccles Brooke, (Eastern & Western divisions), Depwade Hinghain (Forehoe and Milford divisions), Humbleyard, Redenhall and Rockland. Norwich archdeaconry is subdivided into the rural deaneries of Blofield, Flegg, Holt, Ingworth, Norwich, Repps, Sparham, Taverham and Waxham.

This county is remarkable for the number of churches that have entirely disappeared or are in more or less ruinous condition; of these we herewith give a list of 72:-Alprington, Anthingham, Ashby near Yarmouth, Attleborough, Babingley, Barwick, Barton Bendish, Bawsey, Bayfield, East Beckham, Beeston St. Andrew, Billockby, Bowthorpe, Buckenham Tofts, Burgh near Yarmouth, Burnham Sutton, Caldecote, East Carleton, Cley-next-Sea, Colveston, Little Gressingham, Eccles-by-Sea, Egmere, Flitcham, Foulden, Garboldisham, Gasthorpe, Gillingham, Glandford, Hackford-next-Reepham, Hargham, Hautbois, Hindolveston, Holverstone, Irmingland, Keswick, Letton, Leziatte, Lynford, Lynn (North), Mannington, Markshall, Mintlyn, Oby near Yarmouth, Ormesby, Overstrand, Pattesley, Pensthorpe, Pudding Norton, Quarles, Raynham West, Ringstead Parva Rockland St. Margaret, Roudham, Roxham, Ryburgh (Little), Saxlingham Thorpe, Shotesham, Somerton East, Stiffkey, Sturston, Testerton, Thorpe Parva, Tunstall, Wallington, Waxham, Weeting, Whittingham, Wolterton, Wretham West.

Other towns are Aylsham, pop. 2,533; East Dereham, 5,524; Diss, 3,763; Downham, 3,006; Fakenham, 2,900; Swaffham, 3,636; North Walsham, 3,612; Wells-next-Sea 2,556; Wymondham, 4,764.

The registration districts are:—

Norwich City and County of the City;-All Saints, Earlham St. Martin, Eaton St. Andrew, Heigham, Hellesdon (part of), Lakenham, Pockthorpe, St. Andrew, St. Augustine, St. Benedict, St. Clement, St. Edmund, St. Etheldred, St. George Colegate, St. George Tombland, St. Giles, St. Gregory, St. Helen, St. James, St. John Maddermarket, St. John Sepulchre, St. John Timberhill, St. Julian, St. Lawrence, St. Margaret, St. Martin-at-Oak, St. Martin-at-Palace, St Mary-at-Coslany, St. Mary-in-the-Marsh, St. Michael-at-Coslany, St. Michael-at-Plea, St. Michael-at-Thorn, St. Paul, St. Peter Hungate, St. Peter Mancroft, St. Peter-per-Mountergate, St. Peter Southgate, St. Saviour, St. Simon and St. Jude, St. Stephen, St. Swithin, Thorpe, Town Close, Trowse Milgate, Carrow and Bracondale.

Borough of Kings Lynn:-All Saint’s, South Lynu, Kings Lynn St. Margaret.

Borough of Thetford:-Thetford St. Cuthbert, Thetford St. Mary, Thetford St. Peter.

Borough of Great Yarmouth:-Great Yarmouth.

The Norfolk County Lunatic Asylum is at Thorpe, near Norwich, and was erected in 1814; it consists of two principal ranges of buildings: the main asylum, in white brick, has undergone extensive structural alterations to adapt it for modern requirements; it contains about 15 wards for the reception and treatment of the various forms of mental disease, 520 beds in all: the auxiliary asylum, in red brick, was opened in 1880, and contains 4 large wards with 280 beds, chiefly for chronic cases; there are thus 800 beds in the whole asylum: the asylum being a county establishment is managed by the asylum committee of the Norfolk County Council, of which John Pipe esq. is the chairman and Peter Hansell esq. the clerk; the committee meets at the asylum on the first Thursday in each month. The asylum staff consists of the medical superintendent, David George Thomson M.D., C.M.; senior assistant medical officer, John Spencer Law M.B., C.M.; junior assistant medical officer, Samuel James Giliillan M.A., M.B.; chaplain, Rev. Edward Rain; steward, Mr. John B. Pountney; matron. Miss Mary Hamer; head attendant, Charles E. Fox.

The Naval Lunatic Asylum at Great Yarmouth is situated at the southern extremity of the town; the inmates consist of 59 officers and 128 seamen and marines; John Wilson M.A., M.D., R.N. fleet surgeon in charge; George T. Broatch R.N. surgeon; Rev. Hugh Bellamy M.A. chaplain; Charles William Horne, clerk.

The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Norwich, founded in 1770, was rebuilt in part on the old site in 1882, the first stone being laid by H.R.H, the Prince of Wales, 17 June, 1879; the building is of red brick with white stone dressings, in a modified form of the Queen Anne style, and was erected at a total cost, including furnishing, of about £57,116: it is on the pavilion system, the plan following the form of the letter H, the administrative block being in the centre, facing St. Stephen’s road: in the rear is a chapel in the Gothic style: the building was opened by T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 20 Aug. 1883: Sir Peter Eade M.D. and Sir Frederic Bateman M.D. consulting physicians; Samuel J. Barton M.D., M.Ch. and Fred W. Burton-Fanning M.B. physicians; William Cadge F.R.C.S.Eng. consulting surgeon; Charles Williams F.R.C.S.Edin. Michael Beverley M.D. and Haynes Sparrow Robinson, surgeons; S. H. Burton M.B. and Donald D. Day M.B., B.S. assistant surgeons; Richard Wentworth White M.R.C.S. and L.D.S.Eng. dental surgeon; Sydney H. Long, house physician; Sydney B. Hulke, house surgeon; Rev. W. Pelham Burn M.A. chaplain; Poole Gabbett, sec.; H. P. Mallett, dispenser and analyst.

The West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital, near the London road, Lynn, first established in Dec. 1834, now occupies a spacious building of white brick, erected at a cost of more than £3,000, and in 1847 two wings were added, and a separate ward for contagious cases was erected in 1877 as a memorial of the late Rev. John Freeman, the biographer of Kirby the entomologist. The hospital will now hold 57 patients, and is supported by voluntary contributions. The Earl of Leicester K.G. president; G. F. A. Cresswell esq. treasurer; S. M. W. Wilson and Charles Bagge Playright L.R.C.P. Edin. consulting surgeons; Fred A. Barrington and Charles Jackson, medical officers; Henry Calthrop Allinsonand George R. Chadwick, surgeons; Reginald Smith M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.Lond., house surgeon and secretary; Rev. Henry Harkness Streeteu M.A. chaplain; Miss Mary Dailey, matron.

Her Majesty’s Prison, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, was erected in 1887, when the prisoners were transferred from Norwich Castle. Capt. Frederick H. Bell, governor; Rev. Henry Morton Thomson M.A. chaplain: Haynes Sparrow Robinson, surgeon; A. Douglas, steward; Miss Whyte, matron; Robert Broom, chief warder.

The Buxton Norfolk Industrial School stands in the parish of Marsham, but adjoining the parish of Buxton: it was founded in 1853 by John Wright esq. Sir Edward North Buxtou bart. M.P. and George Kett and John Henry Gurney esqrs. for the voluntary reformation of boys or young men who had been confined in Norwich Castle: it was taken over by Government and certified for criminals in 1855, but since June, 1894, has been carried on as an Industrial School and certified to receive 80 boys, present number being 78, of whom 60 are sent by the London School Board; the school and land is the property of P. E. Sewell esq. of Norwich, who is also manager. The building is of red brick, and includes apartments for the governor and schoolmaster and rooms for the officers; attached is a large courtyard and in the centre is a large playground, besides which there is also a covered-in playground: the boys are taught shoe-making, tailoring, farming and agricultural duties, 50 acres being for this purpose under cultivation by spade and horses: the boys attend the parish church: Thomas Samuel Babington, governor; Mrs. Elizabeth Annie Babington, matron; John G. Chester, schoolmaster.

Parliamentary Representation of Norfolk.

Norfolk formerly returned six members in three divisions, but under the provisions of the “Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885,” it now sends six members from six divisions.

No. 1, the North Western Division, consists of the sessional division of Freebridge Lynn, Freebridge Marshland, Gallow & Smithdon & Brothercross & the municipal borough of Kings Lynn.

No. 2, the South Western Division, comprises the sessional divisions of Clackclose, Grimshoe, South Greenhoe & Wayland & so much of the municipal borough of Thetford as is situate in the county of Norfolk.

No. 3, the Northern Division, comprises the sessional divisions of Eynsford, Holt, North Erpingham, North Greenhoe & South Erpingham, except so much as is comprised in Division No. 4.

No. 4, the Eastern Division, comprises the sessional divisions of Blofield & Walsham, East & West Flegg, Taverham & Tunstead & Happing, so much of the municipal borough of Great Yarmouth as is in the county of Norfolk, & the parishes of Belaugh, Coltishall, Great Hautbois, Lammas with Little Hautbois, Scotton & Swanton Abbot in South Erpingham sessional division.

No. 5, the Mid Division, comprises the sessional divisions of Forehoe, Guiltcrosa & Shropham & Milford & Launditch.

No. 6, the Southern Division, comprises the sessional divisions of Depwade, Diss, Earsham, Loddon & Clavering & Swainsthorpe.

Under the provisions of the above-mentioned Act, Kings Lynn lost one member & Yarmouth was created a borough, to return one member.

Military.

Norwich is the depot of the Regimental district No. 9, which is composed of the 1st, & 2nd battalions of the Norfolk Regiment (9h foot) & the 3rd battalion (1st Norfolk Militia) & 4th battalion (2nd Norfolk Militia).

Royal Artillery-Eastern Division

No. 2 Depot Garrison Company: head quarters. South Denes. Yarmouth; Lieut.-Col. W. V. Gregory, commanding; J. de W. Lardner Clarke, major; Capt. J. P. Du Cane, adjutant; Capt. T. L. Coxhead D.S.O.; Lieut. T. Y. Osmond D.O.

Militia Artillery

Prince of Wales’ Own Norfolk Artillery Militia (2nd Brigade); head quarters, South Denes, Yarmouth; Lieut.-Col. T. VV. Coke, commanding; Hon. Lieut.-Col. F. D’A. W. C. Newcome, major; Lieut. E. H. Evans-Lombe, instructor of artillery; Capt. J. P. Du Cane R.A. adjutant; Hon. Capt. H. Russell R.A. quartermaster.

Yeomanry

The Loyal Suffolk Hussars (head quarters. Bury St. Edmunds) have their D Squadron at East Dereham, Capt. Sir Ralph Hare bart.

Volunteers

Norfolk (1st) Eastern Division Royal Artillery (comprising 3 batteries and 7 companies).-Staff:-Earl of Stadbroke, lieut.-col. commandant.

The Norfolk Volunteer Infantry Brigade

Headquarters, East Dereham.

Place of Assembly, Thetford.

1st Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

2nd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment.-Staff:-Lieut.-Col. H. Hartcup (hon. col.).

3rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment.-Staff:-Hon. Col. H. E. Hyde, lieut.-col.

4th Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, Staff Lieut.-Col. H. T. S. Patteson (hon. col.)

Cadet Battalion Norfolk Regiment, Col. Sir Charles Harvey, commanding.

Chamber of Agriculture.

Norfolk, J. Sancroft Holmes, esq., Gawdy hall, Harleston, president; James Brown Forrester, sec. 1 Upper King street, Norwich.

Fairs & Markets

Attleborough, fairs occasionally; market day Thursday.

Alysham, fairs, March 23, last Tuesday in September.

Binham, fair, July 26.

Briston, fair, May 26 & a wake on the day after Old Michaelmas day.

New Buckenham, fairs, last Thursday in May & November 22, for cattle.

Burnham Westgate, fairs for pleasure, Monday & Tuesday in Easter week & August 1 & 2; market day, every alternate Monday.

Castle Acre, fairs, May 1 & August 15, for toys.

Cawston, fairs, February 1 & last Wednesday in April & August, the latter a large sheep fair.

Cromer, a pleasure fair on Whit Monday.

East Dereham, fairs, Thursday before July 6, & September 29; market day, Friday.

Diss, market day, Friday.

Downham Market, fairs, March 3 & for three following days, for horses & cattle, first Friday in May & the second Friday in November & for hiring servants, on the Saturday fortnight before & the Saturday after Old Michaelmas day; market day, Friday.

Fakenham, fairs, Whit Tuesday, first week in September & November 22, principally for cattle; market day for corn & cattle, Thursday.

Feltwell, fair, November 20.

Foulsham, fair for cattle & pleasure, first Tuesday in May.

East Harling, fairs. May 4, first Tuesday after September 12, & October 24 & sheep sales first Thursday in July, principally for lambs; market day, Tuesday.

Headlam, fairs, June 20 & 21.

Hempton, fairs, Whit Tuesday & November 22, for cattle & the first Wednesday in September, principally for sheep.

Hilgay, fair. May 1.

Hingham, fairs for cattle & pleasure, March 7 & October 2; market day, Tuesday.

Hockwold, fair, July 5.

Holt, fairs, chiefly for stock, April 25, November 25 & the following days; and a statute fair at Michaelmas; market day for corn, Wednesday.

Ingham, fair for cattle & stock on Trinity Monday.

Kenninghall, fairs for sheep & cattle, July 18 & September 30; market for cattle every Monday.

Loddon, fairs for stock on Easter Monday & the first Monday after November 22; market day, tues, for corn.

Lynn, a pleasure fair commencing on St. Valentine’s day & lasting for a fortnight & cattle fairs on the second Monday in April & November, the former principally for sheep, market day, Tuesday & Saturday.

Methwold, fair for cattle, April 23; market for cattle & corn, Monday.

Northwold, fair, November 30 & following day.

Norwich, fairs for horses & cattle on the day before Good Friday & for pleasure at Easter & Christmas; market days Wednesday & Saturday, the latter for corn & cattle; also a skin market on Wednesday.

Oxborough, a pleasure fair on Easter Tuesday.

Sbouldham fairs for cattle held September 19 & October 11.

Southrepps, cattle fair, on the Tuesday fortnight after Whit Sunday.

Stoke Ferry, fairs for horses & cattles, December 6, & for hiring servants on the Thursday before Old Michaelmas day.

Stow Bardolph, fair for cattle on the Sat. after Whitsuntide.

Swaffham, fairs, second Wednesday in May, third Wednesday in July & the first Wednesday in November for cattle & sheep, market day, Saturday.

Thetford, market day, Saturday Upwell, fairs, June 29 & 30.

North Walsham, market day, Thursday, chiefly for corn.

Walsingham, fairs, second Monday after Whit Monday & statute fairs on the Friday before & after Michaelmas day.

Watton, market day, Wednesday.

Wells-next-the-Sea, fair on Shrove Tuesday.

Worstead, fairs for cattle on May 12 & 13.

Wymondham, fairs, February 14, May 17, for cattle & October 12, for pleasure; market day, Friday.

Yarmouth, fairs on Shrove Monday & Tuesday & Friday & Saturday after Easter; market days, Wednesday & sat.

Norfolk County Council

Local Government Act 1838, 51 & 52 Vict. c. 41.

Under the above Act, Norfolk, after the 1st April, 1889, for the purposes of the Act, except certain boroughs, for which see below (a), became a separate and distinct administrative county (sect. 46-1-b), governed by a County Council, consisting of chairman, aldermen and councillors elected in manner prescribed by the Act (sec. 2).

The chairman, by virtue of his office, is a justice of the peace for the county, without qualification (sec. 46).

The police for the county is under the control of a standing joint committee of the Quarter Sessions and the County Council, appointed as therein mentioned (sec. 9).

The coroners for the county are elected by the County Council, and the clerk of the peace appointed by such joint committee, and may be removed by them (sec. 83—2). The clerk of the peace for the county is the clerk of the Conncy Council (sec. 83—1).

The administrative business of the county (which would, if this Act had not been passed, have been transacted by the justices) is transacted by the County Council.

(a) The following large boroughs are for the purposes of this Act administrative counties in themselves, called County boroughs (sec. 30), of which the municipal authority has the power of a County Council (sec. 31)-Norwich and Yarmouth.

Meet at Norwich, 1st Saturday in Jan. April, July & Oct.

The following Table shows the acreage under each kind of crop, and the number of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs in the county of Norfolk, as taken from the Agricultural returns, 1894: —

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BOUNDARIES, SITUATION, AND EXTENT

The county of Norfolk, from its maritime situation, the fertility of its soil, and the picturesque scenery which some parts of it exhibit, forms no inconsiderable subject of topographical investigation. This noble county is bounded on the north and east by the German or Northern Ocean, on the south by Suffolk, and on the west by the Lincolnshire Washes, and by part of that county and of Cambridgeshire. Its form is elliptical, and so surrounded by water, that, except a small meadow near Lopham, it is an island of itself.

According to modern survey, its extent in length is 66 miles, and its breadth 40, and comprises the space of 1,710 square miles. Considering the contiguity of this county to the ocean, and its being much exposed to north and north-easterly winds, the climate is more serene and mild than might be expected. The inhabitants near the coast are sometimes afflicted with the ague; with the exception of this disease (which is not so prevalent in the interior part of the county) the air of Norfolk is peculiarly salubrious and pleasant. The soil is uncommonly excellent. The inhabitants of this county have long been celebrated for their convalescence, an incontrovertible argument in support of the salubrity of its climate, and which tends to refute some misrepresentations which have been given of the state of the atmosphere in Norfolk.

NAME, AND ANCIENT HISTORY

This county derives its name from the Saxons, it forming the northern district of East Anglia, from which circumstance it received its present name: the residence of the Northern Folk. In the time of the Romans it formed a part of that warlike kingdom of the ancient Britons, “The Iceni.” The Romans found in the aboriginal inhabitants of this county a race of heroes who spurned at the idea of captivity, and with the illustrious Queen Boadicea at their head defeated their proud invaders, and made a horrible carnage of their troops. The unfortunate sequel is too well known to need narrating. The contiguity of Norfolk to Denmark laid its coast open to the barbarous incursions of the Danes, and Sweyn, king of Denmark, in consequence of the treacherous murder of the Danes by Etheldred the Second, landed on the coast, and marching his troops into the interior, burnt the cities of Norwich and Theiford.

In the reign of Edward VI. at the æra of the Reformation, a dangerous and alarming insurrection broke out in Norfolk, which was conducted by Kett, a tanner of Norwich. The pretext for this rebellion was the dissolution of the monasteries, and the alienation of the church lands. Kett acted as supreme administrator of affairs, and being seated under a stately oak in the vicinity of Norwich, since called the oak of reformation, he issued his decrees with all the authority of a sovereign dictator. John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, marched against the rebels with a small army, at the same time offering a pardon to all excepting the ringleaders. Robert Kett, the chief insurgent, was hung in chains on the walls of Norwich Castle, and William Kett, his brother, upon the high steeple of Wymondham.

CLIMATE AND SOIL

There are several points of the compass from which the north and north-east winds blow more directly on this county than on any other in the kingdom. These winds are also severely felt in Suffolk; but Norfolk is still more exposed to them, and the climate is consequently colder and more backward in the spring. Another circumstance affecting this county, is the situation of the fens and marshes of Lincolnshire along the whole western boundary, to the amount of 500,000 acres; though this is more likely to affect the human body than the products of the earth. The county to the north and west of Thetford, forming the greater part of Norfolk, consisting of a sandy or gravelly soil, is peculiarly salubrious and pleasant. Other portions consist of “various loams, good sand, light sand, rich loam and peats, clay, &c.;” hut the soil in general is more adapted to the growth of barley than of wheat, though the hundreds of Blofield and Flegg, on the east side of the county, and some few other districts, yield an excellent sample of the latter.

ROADS

During the long period in which Norfolk was content with the reputation given to her roads by the observation of Charles the Second, “that Norfolk should or ought to be cut into roads for all the rest of England,” her ways were bad enough, though not so bad as those in heavier soils. Since then, having made application to parliament, she has made considerable exertions. Turnpike gates are erected in all the principal communications; these are kept in good repair, and the roads in general are equal to those of the most improved counties. In the line from Dereham, 30 miles to Harleston, Mr. Arthur Young observes, the direction is diagonally across all the Norwich roads, yet I found this road as good as a turnpike.

RIVERS AND CANALS

Very little has been effected in Norfolk by means of canals, merely artificial; but some rivers have been rendered navigable which add considerably to the communications of the county. The Little Ouse is navigable to Thetford; the Yare to Norwich; the Waveney to Bungay; the Bure to Aylshara; and a small branch of the Great Ouse to Narborough. A canal however has been formed from Wisbech, in Cambridgeshire, to Outwell Creek and Salter’s Load, in Norfolk, extending about six miles. In the year 1791 a plan was brought before parliament, in which it was projected to cut a canal from the Lesser Ouse, at Brandon, to pass by Newmarket and Saffron Walden to the metropolis. This was a judicious and public-spirited design, but it failed for want of due patronage: it is not every county can boast a Duke of Bridgewater. Another plan of great utility was also formed; namely, a canal which was to have formed a communication with the sea at Lynn, in Norfolk, and at Harwich, in Essex. In 1795, an act of parliament was obtained for cutting a navigable canal from the Eau brink to Lynn Regis; and in 1805, another act was passed for amending the former one. Proposals have also been made for cutting a navigable canal from Norwich to the Ouse, by Wymondham, Kingham, and Watton, leaving Attleburgh to the left and Shipdham to the right.

In 1817, a bill was introduced into parliament for making a navigable cut from Diss to Bungay in Suffolk, to communicate with Yarmouth, by deepening and widening the Waveney; and also for making a collateral cut from Eye, to join the Bungay canal. It was lost, however, from the powerful opposition brought against it.

Norfolk possesses many fine rivers, as the Waveney, intended to be made navigable from Diss, the Yare, the greater and smaller Ouse, the Bure, the Wensum and the Nar. The Waveney rises at Lopham in the southern part of the county, and joining the Yare, afterwards falls into the sea at Yarmouth. The Yare rises near Attleburgh, and becomes navigable at Haghara, and continues its course to Yarmouth, where it falls into the sea.

A fish rarely found in any other river of this county is common in the Yare, called a Buffe or Pope. It delights in sandy places like the Perch, and is of nearly the same size. It is deemed very nutritious.

The Greater Ouse rises near Brackley, in Northamptonshire, and, after passing through many counties, it divides Cambridge from Norfolk, and falls into the sea at Lynn Regis.

The Lesser Ouse, or, as it has been denominated, Brandon River, rises near Lopham, divides Suffolk from Norfolk, and disembogues itself into the Greater Ouse.

The Bure rises at Hindolveston, and running by Saxthorpe and Blickling, becomes navigable at Aylsham, and joins the Yare.

The Wensum has its source near West Rudham; it environs the city of Norwich, and falls into the Yare.

The Nar has its source at Nitcham; it is navigable as far as Narborough, and falls into the Greater Ouse. Most of these rivers are plentifully supplied with fish and water-fowl.

The Eau Brink drainage extends over some hundred thousands of acres, and was completed in July 1821. The Eau Brink cut is about 2 ¾ miles in length. The drawbridge across it admits ships to pass and repass to St. German’s; its length is about 820 feet, and it is constructed of timber. The versed sine, or spring of the arch, is about 3 feet 11,76 inches, forming a segment of a circle, whose diameter is eight miles. Nearly half a million sterling has been expended on this great work.

RENT, AND SIZE OF FARMS

Estates are of all sizes in Norfolk, from nearly the largest scale to the little freehold. When the larger properties are deducted, the remainder of the county will be found divided into moderate estates, which have been pretty currently sold at 30 years purchase. Some of the houses belonging to the proprietors of large estates in this county have long been famous as objects of attention to travellers; but here the well cultured domain is of much more consequence than the well decorated palace. The Norfolkfarmers are famous for their great improvements, the excellency of their management, and the hospitable manner in which they live and receive their friends and strangers.

On the rent of farms it has been observed, that when a man is told that a sandy soil produces six or seven quarters an acre of beans the fact does not convey any knowledge; but if it be added that the rent is 30s. an acre, it becomes easy to guess what the soil is. “The minutes of rent, however, are not numerous; on many occasions it is an inquiry prudently shunned.“

It has lately become the practice in the light hilly parts of Norfolk for the farmers to plough their lands across, instead of up and down; by this means all the rain is stopped by the ridges, instead of running to the bottom, and frequently carrying the seeds, soil, and manure with it. —1821.

Among the obstacles to agricultural improvements the following have been noticed by Mr. Johnson of Thurning; —1st. The number of insects in the lands, owing to the loss of rooks, by felling so many rookeries, and not taking care of what are left. 2d. The increase of mice; “I have,” says he, “at different times, had five mice killed to every coomb of corn moved off the stacks in the summer season, and sometimes double that quantity; some are driven into the barns and stacks in wet seasons, but when wheat stands long on the shock, we are sure to have most mice in our barns and stacks, except where they are driven away by some other vermin: in my memory there were 20 grey owls, where there are now one, and though the country was in a rougher state, we had not so many mice; the owls prey very much on them, and in wet weather they are more exposed to the owl than to any other vermin. The grey owl is destroyed by the game-keepers, and by felling the pollards.

I have seen a young hare in their nests, but never saw a young pheasant or partridge: —the white or church owls are not so destructive of game, and were there places within side the top end of every barn, like a box, for them to pass through as they came into the barn, they would make their nests there, and becoming numerous, be of great service.“

TITHES

So much has been written on this great national question and their commutation, that any general observations on those of Norfolk have been thought unnecessary. The composition, however, has varied in different parts from 3s. to 7s. per acre.

LEASES

The great improvements which for more than 80 years past have rendered Norfolk famous for its husbandry, are said to have been effected by 21 years leases; a circumstance which fortunately took place on the first attempt to break up the heaths and warrens in the north-west part of the county. These leases established themselves gradually, and were powerfully operative in effecting those ameliorations of wastes, which converted that part of the county into a garden. Some landlords have been complained of for giving no leases, and others for not extending them beyond seven or nine years. Mr. Coke, however, has steadily adhered to the means which improved his noble property, never giving a shorter time than 21 years to his leases.

COTTAGES AND BARNS

Mr. Robinson, at Carbrook, built a double cotege of flint work; the walls 18 inches thick. The rough cast within is all of clay, whitewashed, which answers very well; the whole is well finished with Gothic windows. These cottages have good gardens, which are very well cultivated.

To let cottages on a lease of lives is rather a new practice in West Norfolk. One of Mr. Coke’s barns at Holkham is built in a superior style, 120 feet long, 30 broad, and 30 high, and surrounded with sheds for 60 head of cattle; it is capitally executed with white brick, and covered with fine blue slate. This gentleman has another enormous barn at Syderstone, with stables, cattle, sheds, hogsties, shepherd’s and bailiff’s houses, surrounding a large quadrangular yard, in a style of expence rarely to be met with. The farmers in general are not only advocates for barns, but for great barns. In all Mr. Coke’s new bams, and other offices, he has substituted milled lead for ridge tiles to the roofs, which is far more lasting, and is the means of escaping the common accidents in raising a heavy ladder against tiling, for the purposes of repairs, &c.

Mr. Coke has, at Holkham, a brick manufactory, where bricks in all sorts of forms are made, so that in raising an edifice, there is never any necessity for breaking a whole brick, to have a smaller of a very imperfect shape, which takes time, and occasions waste: on the contrary, cornice, round column, arch-bricks, &c. are made in great perfection.

IMPLEMENTS

The common Norfolk wheel plough is generally used, and its lightness, when the work is easy, is a merit. Wheel ploughs and swing ploughs are also used. Harrows have been improved in Norfolk, by Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hill of Waterden, &c. Mr. Coke has the most powerful roller for grass lands that has ever been seen; the drill roller, and the drill machine, are much in use; and highly approved scufflers, threshing mills, rakes, &c. arc in great perfection.

CARRIAGES

Mr. Overman, of Burnham, has made an improvement in his carts, of beautiful simplicity; instead of the toe-stick, as in the common ones, drawing out to let the back tilt out, and deliver the load, it turns in the centre on a pivot, and the hooks which confine it at the ends, being each in a position the reverse of each other, the least motion literally frees it, and permits the back to rise. A thought of no small value is also that of chaining the tail-board to the cart. Elsewhere it is not uncommon to see the carter, in unloading, leave his board, which being often mislaid, is the cause of much loss of time.

CATTLE

The predominant breed in Norfolk are Scotch, bought in every year from the drovers of North Britain. Cattle of other sorts here do not offer much that is interesting; though here is a native breed, with no qualities sufficient to make it an object of particular attention.

Norfolk and Suffolk have for ages been in possession of a breed of sheep, of which the fanners are extremely proud; they are horned; bear clothing-wool, the third in the kingdom for fineness, though of a bad shape, and a disposition very wild and roving. Their mutton, which yields an uncommon quantity of gravy, is equal to any in the world in cold weather. The breed of hogs here do not require any particular notice, though they are good breeders.

FENCES

In several Norfolk enclosures, the fences consist of a ditch, four feet wide, and three deep, the quick laid into the bank, and a dead bush hedge at the top. In making new fences, it has been remarked, that in Norfolk a southerly aspect in strong land will be a fence four years sooner than a northerly one. On light sandy land, a northerly aspect is preferred. Mr. Coke has moveable gates and posts to place in rows of hurdles; these may be set down expeditiously, and moved with great ease.

ENCLOSURES AND WASTES

The number of parliamentary enclosures that have taken place of late years in Norfolk, and the remarkable improvements which were known to have resulted from them, made it an object of considerable importance to ascertain the result. With this view many of them have been visited by Mr. Arthur Young, and others. Nothing has caused more surprise in the minds of strangers visiting Norfolk, than their finding, upon entering the county by Brandon, or Thetford, a long stage of 18 miles to Swaffham, through a tract which deserves to be called a desert; a region of warren or sheep walk, scattered with a scanty cultivation, yet highly improvable. This disgraceful management has been the result of an absurd prejudice in favour of these old heaths for sheep. The best of these have been let for 3s. 6d. an acre, but something has been done to introduce better ideas, since which the improvement of the wastes in this county has been very great.

Regaining land from the sea, a most laudable and praiseworthy practice, has also been acted upon with great success. At Titchwell three hundred acres were embanked in 1786, and Count Bentinck, in Marshland, recovered a vast tract of land; but in the prosecution of his plan lost his life. The count’s embankments extend four miles. The active exertions of the spirit of well-regulated enterprise and agricultural industry is eminently exemplified in the multitude of enclosures in the county, of which we may form an estimate from the following list:

To this list, made by Mr. Arthur Young, the following names may be added.

LITERATURE AND LEARNED MEN

Norfolk is prolific in persons who have been eminent in this line. J. Baconthorpe was a learned Monk; Ralph de Diceto, was eminent as a Dean of St. Paul’s in the time of Henry the Second; Walter of Diss was also a learned friar; Sir Andrew Fountaine of Narborough was an antiquary, as was likewise Edward King. Thomas Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury, was a native of Norfolk, as was the late Professor Porson, the eminent critic and Greek scholar; to these may be added, Dr. Samuel Clarke, Sir Roger L’Estrange, Sir Henry Spelman, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, the late Right Hon. William Wyndham, Sir William Neve, antiquary Herald, Cowper the poet, &c. &c.

There are two weekly newspapers published at Norwich on Saturdays, viz. —The Norwich Mercury, established in 1730; and the Norfolk Chronicle, in 1761.

QUARTER SESSIONS

The Assizes for the county of Norfolk are held at Norwich, and at Thetford; viz. the Lent Assizes at the latter, and the Summer Assizes at the former mentioned place; and by adjournment at Swaffham.

CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL DIVISIONS

Norfolk is divided into thirty-three hundreds; viz. Smithdon, Brothercross, North Greenhoe, Holt, North Erpingham, Freebridge Lynn, Freebridge Marshland, Gallow, Laundish, Eynesford, South Erpingham, Tunstead, Happing, Clackclose, South Greenhoe, Wayland, Mitford, Forehoe, Taverham, West Flegg, East Flegg, Grimshoe, Shropham, Guiitcross, Depwade, Hiss, Humbleyard, Henstead, Blofield, Loddon, Clavering, and Earsham. It is in the province of Canterbury, and diocese of Norwich, and pays twenty parts of the land tax.

TITLES CONFERRED BY THE COUNTY

The Howards, Dukes of Norfolk, are hereditary Earls Marshal of England, and the first peers of the realm next the blood-royal. Brandon gives the title of Duke to the Hamiltons, Dukes of Hamilton in Scotland; Thetford confers the title of Viscount on the Fitzroys; Lynn Regis gives the title of Baron to the Townshends; Walsingham the same to the De Greys. The family of Seymour Conway are Earls of Yarmouth. The Nelsons are Barons of Burnham. The Howards the same of Castle Rising. The Walpoles the same of Wolterton. The Townshends are Marquises and Viscounts of Rainham: the Hobarts of Blickling. The Calthorpes are Barons of Calthorpe; the Walpoles of Houghton and Walpole; the Harbords of Suffield, and the Wodehouses of Kimberley.