An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1 75 r\ and --?/ 3 , or 131 in all, besides getting the three best golds, although the umpire only allowed me one prize only (which was immoral!) and most golds (five).* Later on I went to the opening of the new Port and Haven Offices at Yarmouth, where I think I may say I mastered my nervousness and made a fairly good speech. At Michaelmas R.H., Miss F., and Mr. D. were at the cottage, and just about then, it having been decided that King Edward VII. was going to pay a visit to Norwich– the first time a King had been there since 1671 (238 years) -I was natu:rally very busy with the Reception Committee. All this upset me_ considerably, and I had to call the doctor in on the 20th. On the 23rd we had a "dress rehearsal" at St. Andrew's Hall, and my two sons and their wives came down. On the Sunday we had a motor ride round Woodbastwick, Horning Ferry, to the Lammas Cottage, and the King came down by motor on Monday, the 25th. The Sheriff and I met him at the Cloister Gate, and were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, but as I specially arranged with him he made the presentations privately on behalf of the city, and not in the capacity he held in the county. As an antiquary I was naturally jealous of the rights of the city. The review on Mousehold was extremely well attended, and we then brought the King back to the Drill Hall in Chapel Field to lunch, where I sat just opposite to him. I was struck by the kind way he tried to oblige everybody, including the photographers, and think and hope he was satisfied with his reception. After opening the Hospital he went away, and the Sheriff and I had the privilege of giving the fat Lord Haldane a lift to the Station, impressing on him en route that it would be only honest to return to the subscribers or the city the fine site on Mousehold, which they had presented to the nation for a barracks, but which he had decided not to use. This he cheerfully promised should be done at once, and I dou't suppose he has ever given a second thought to the subject. In the evening the Sheriff and I gave a dinner to the officials and prominent members of the Council in honour * Next year I did even better, ~: and 1 \ 7 3 = &.