Norcome's madrigal, in five parts, ‘With angel's face and brightness,’ was published in Morley's ‘Triumphs of Oriana,’ 1601.
[Fétis's Biographie Universelle des Musiciens, vi. 328; Treasurers' Rolls of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, by the courtesy of Canon Dalton and W. H. St. John Hope, esq., F.S.A.]
NORCOTT, WILLIAM (1770?–1820?), Irish satirist, was born about 1770, and having entered Trinity College, Dublin, graduated B.A. in 1795, LL.B. in 1801, and LL.D. in 1806. He was called to the Irish bar in 1797, and practised with some success for a time, but preferred social enjoyment to his legal duties. During the viceroyalty of the Duke of Richmond he was very popular at Dublin Castle, and was generally a favourite in the best society of the city, partly on account of his excellent mimetic talent. With his friend, John Wilson Croker [q. v.], he was largely concerned in the production of the many poetical satires which appeared in Dublin after the passing of the union. The following pieces may be attributed to him with confidence: 1. ‘The Metropolis,’ an attack on various Dublin institutions, dedicated to John Wilson Croker, 12mo, 1805; 2nd ed. 12mo, 1805. 2. ‘The Metropolis,’ pt. ii., dedicated to Thomas Moore, 12mo, 1806; 2nd ed., 12mo, 1806. 3. ‘The Seven Thieves: a Satire, by the author of “The Metropolis,”’ dedicated to Henry Grattan, 12mo, 1807; 2nd ed., 12mo, 1807. 4. ‘The Law Scrutiny; or the Attornie's Guide,’ a satire, dedicated to George Ponsonby, lord chancellor of Ireland, 12mo, 1807. These effusions were published by Barlow of Bolton Street, the publisher of Croker's ‘Familiar Epistles,’ and caused considerable stir in Dublin. Besides Norcott, Croker and Grady were each suspected of their authorship, and Richard Frizelle was also credited with ‘The Metropolis.’ A writer in the ‘Dublin University Magazine’ (lviii. 725) unhesitatingly names Norcott as the author, and Barrington and Sheil both acknowledged his responsibility. Norcott, a reckless gambler and generally dissipated, soon fell into debt and disgrace; but, through the influence of Croker, obtained about 1815 an excellent appointment in Malta. He failed to hold it long, and fled from Malta entirely discredited. After much wandering he reached Smyrna, where he was reduced to selling opium and rhubarb in the streets, thence to the Morea, and ultimately to Constantinople. There he lived in destitution for some time, becoming a Mohammedan, and writing ‘most heartrending’ letters to his friends. In the end he recanted his Mohammedanism, and attempted to escape from Constantinople, but was pursued and captured. After being decapitated, his body was thrown into the sea. This took place about 1820. The story is told at some length in Sheil's ‘Sketches of the Irish Bar,’ and, with some modifications, in Barrington's ‘Personal Sketches.’ He is described by the latter as ‘a fat, full-faced, portly-looking person.’
[Haliday Pamphlets, Royal Irish Academy, 1805–7; Todd's Dublin Graduates; Watson's Dublin Directories, 1800–15; Barrington's Personal Sketches, i. 445–51; Notes and Queries, 8th ser.; O'Donoghue's Poets of Ireland, pp. 177–8; authorities cited in text.]
NORDEN, FREDERICK LEWIS (1708–1742), traveller and artist, born on 22 Oct. 1708 at Glückstadt in Holstein, was one of the five sons of George Norden, a Danish lieutenant-colonel of artillery (d. 1728), by his wife, Catharine Henrichsen of Rendsburg. He was intended for the sea, and in 1722 entered the corps of cadets for instruction in mathematics, shipbuilding, and drawing. He made progress, especially in drawing, and attracted the attention of De Lerche, grand master of the ceremonies, who employed him in retouching and repairing a collection of charts and plans belonging to Christian VI, king of Denmark. In 1732 De Lerche presented him to the king, who made him second lieutenant, and gave him an allowance that he might study abroad the art of shipbuilding, especially the construction of the galleys and rowing vessels of the Mediterranean. Norden first visited Holland, where he was instructed in engraving by John De Ryter, and left in 1734 for Marseilles. At Leghorn he made models of rowing vessels, which were afterwards preserved in the chamber of models at the Old Holm, Copenhagen. He spent nearly three years in Italy, and studied art. He was made an associate of the Academy of Drawing of Florence, and in that city became acquainted with Baron de Stosch, with whom he afterwards corresponded on Egyptian antiquities.
While at Florence in 1737 he was commanded by Christian VI to make a journey of exploration in Egypt. He reached Alexandria in June 1737, but was detained by illness at Cairo. Starting on 17 Nov., he went up the Nile to Girgeh and Assouan (Syene). He attempted to reach the second cataract, but was unable to proceed beyond Derr. He met with many difficulties on the journey, partly through his ignorance of the native language. He again reached Cairo on 21 Feb. 1738. Norden kept a journal of his travels, and made sketches and plans on the spot. In 1741 he issued in London a folio volume
