An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY My own lecture a day or two after to the inmates of the Old Man's Hospital on the history of their buildings took, I am glad to say, much less than half that time. Charles Mackie, the sub-editor of the " Norfolk Chronicle," a most genial and industrious man with an immense taste for local antiquities, came down with me to the cottage for a farewell visit the same week-end as. his appointment to a vastly better berth up north, and we had a most enjoyable "crack." He had compiled from the files of the "Chronicle" a record of remarkable events of Norfolk from 1801-50 and from 1851-1900, which was. a glorified continuation of the "Norfolk and Norwich Remembrancer," printed by Stevenson and Matchett, which covered the period 1701-1800. The "Remem– brancer," however, only ran to 208 pages unindexed,% whereas Mr. Mackie's work took up 515 + 541 or ro46 pp., and being well indexed forms an absolutely indispensable volume of reference for future local historians. Mr. Mackie also began "Norfolk and Norwich Notes. and Queries," which appeared weekly in the "Chronicle'' from 1896 to 25th February, 1905, and was repeated from 6me to time, and he reprinted it in 966 pp., including index,. and 120 pp. unindexed. He was a most enthusiastic Scot, and practically ran the Anniversary Dinner at the " Maid's Head," appearing in kilt and sporran, to which dinner he never forgot to take me as his guest. I rather fancy that the subsequently great Harry Lauder appeared at one of these gatherings. The haggis and pipers certainly did, and I must own I can't think which of the two I liked the less. At Easter D.M.R. and the boys came to the cottage· and I went over to Dereham, and so on to see the· Fakenham Steeplechases, which I thought much less interesting than the mildest athletic sports. Having heard a rumour that a very old parchment book was at Tillett's, a ham and beef shop in Rupert Street, I went over to see it, and found it was the long lost Custom Book of Norwich, the loss of which had been so much lamented. I warned him it was city property, and at once reported my find to Mr. Tingey, the Hon. Archivist, who recovered it for £5 5s. It is now among * I have indexed it in MS. This index will go to the Public Library with my other books, &c., when I die. • L