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HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

CHAP.

I’ll.

Norwich-

Norwich was the capital of a large and fruitful province.It was the residence of a Bishop and of a chapter. It was thechief seat of the chief manufacture of the realm. Some mendistinguished by learning and science had recently dweltthere; and no place in the kingdom, except the capital andthe Universities, had more attractions for the curious. Thelibrary, the museum, the aviary, and the botanical garden ofSir Thomas Browne, were thought by Fellows of the RoyalSociety well worthy of a long pilgrimage. Norwich had also acourt in miniature. In the heart of the city stood an old palaceof the Dukes of Norfolk, said to be the largest town house inthe kingdom out of London. In this mansion, to which wereannexed a tennis court, a bowling green, and a wilderness,stretching along the banks of the Wansum, the noble familyof Howard frequently resided, and kept a state resemblingthat of petty sovereigns. Drink was served to guests in gobletsof pure gold. The very tongs and shovels were of silver.Pictures by Italian masters adorned the walls. The cabinetswere filled with a fine collection of gems purchased by thatEarl of Arundel whose marbles are now among the ornamentsof Oxford. Here, in the year 1671, Charles and his courtwere sumptuously entertained. Here, too, all comers wereannually welcomed, from Christmas to Twelfth Night. Aleflowed in oceans for the populace. Three coaches, one ofwhich had been built at a cost of five hundred pounds to con-tain fourteen persons, were sent every afternoon round thecity to bring ladies to the festivities; and the dances werealways followed by a luxurious banquet. When the Duke ofNorfolk came to Norwich, he was greeted like a King return-ing to his capital. The bells of the Cathedral and of SaintPeter Mancroft were rung: the guns of the Castle were fired;and the Mayor and Aldermen waited on their illustriousfellow citizen with complimentary addresses. In the year1693 the population of Norwich was found, by actual enume-