An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY of,the occasion, but it was not a great success, for some of the more loquacious of them introduced much speechifying and toast-making, which was not on our programme, and which unduly prolonged the function. As I had been at work since 6 a.m. I was dog-tired and glad to get away. At dinner I was told by one of the guests that he too had been an athlete, and had run in the champion– ship against Elborough. I fear, however, that his memory must have failed him, for immediate and prompt enquiry of old athletes, including Elborough himself, produced no corroboration of the tale, nor any record of his athletic performances. Next day I had to attend the opening of the Assizes by Mr. Justice Lawrence the "Long," and on the 9th November was unfeignedly glad to withdraw from the irksomrness of office, and to induct Dr. E. E. Blyth, my successor, in the robes of office, which I found a much easier job than my predecessor found to insert my bulky form into them. During my year of office I may say that I was approached to make application that the title of "Lord Mayor" should be granted to the city, but that I declined to do on the ground that the old plain Mayoralty of Norwich was more honourable than a later-given Lord Mayorship. Next year, however, it was granted, so I have the satisfaction of thinking that I was the last " Mayor" of Norwich. Knowing my distaste for the possibility of a civic knighthood, which it was rumoured might be conferred, several medical men of the city jumped to the conclusion that history would repeat itself, and that the Mayor of 1908-9 would follow the precedent of the Mayor of 1671, and '' earnestly request" that the honour he declined should be conferred on some prominent local doctor, but by the kind offices of some one with the ear of the inner powers nothing of the sort was offered or done. At a medical dinner I suggested that any possible claim which might accrue to me should be the subject of sealed tenders. I did press for the confirmation of the right of the city to use supporters, but the unknown tin god who sits in a cave at the Home Office to settle other people's petitions struck out the clause asking for it (I consider most improperly and unconstitutionally) from my address to the King.