The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

MRS. BALFOUR'S LECTURES. Mrs. Balfour has his week visited Merthyr, and delivered two of her celebrated lectures at the Temperance-hall. That on Tuesday evening was on The Moral and intellectual influence of Woman on Society." The chair was taken by the Rev. Thomas Davies, who stated that they were not to estimate the importance of any truth to be enunciated by the numbers who came to- gether to hear it illustrated and enforced. The subject they were that evening about to listen to from the very talented lady, Mrs. Balfour, was one of very great importance to society at large. The proper education of woman had been sadly overlooked and neglected. Her proper sphere was not that of a drudge or plaything for man, but that of an adviser, a companion, and a friend of man. He had known the audience many years, and he was sure they would listen to Mrs. Balfour's interesting address with the greatest courtesy and respect. Mrs. Balfour, on rising, was greeted with consi- derable applause. She commenced by stating that the moral and intellectual influence of wo- man upon society was very great, either for good or for evil. It was a truth which the most superficial observer must admit; and that the importance of her being educated in order that that influence might be properly directed, was an impression which was becoming general, was quite apparent from the many articles that had been written upon the subject during the last 10 or 15 years. But, however, unanimous people were as to the great importance that existed that woman should receive a proper edu- cation, there were great differences of opinion with respect to her mental and intellectual capa- bilities, and the nature of the education which ought to be bestowed upon her. For instance, while some were of opinion that woman had capacities to grasp the mightiest subjects equally well as the men, and, therefore, that her educa- tion ought to be of the highest order; there were others who avowed that if her mental powers and intellectual acquirements were attended to equally to those of the opposite sex, she would become vain, arrogant, and supercilious. Now, she would ask, in answer to these things, were they a sign of great learning in men P on the contrary were not vanity, arrogance, and supercility, looked upon among them as the result of igno- rance-the absence of a proper education, and not of knowledge? Why, then, should they suppose that the same kinds of training would produce quite opposite results in the two sexes- surely they had no grounds for it either in philosophy or common sense. Again, it was ob- jected by some that intellectual pursuits would opperate as an obstacle to the due performance of woman's domestic duties, and here she would again ask if high intellectual and mental attain- ments unfitted the trader, the merchant, the manufacturer, for the performance of his every day duties. Nay, rather did not these acquire- ments fit him for the better discharge of the same, as well as affording him much pleasure and delight during his leisure hours. And as woman had often a vast amount of leisure time on her hands, was it not reasonable to suppose that she would be more contented', cheerful, and happy, if possessing a well-stored mind, than if that mind had nothing but the gossip of the neighbourhood, or the troubles, cares, and vexa- tions of life to dwell upon. And did they not also at the same time know that the more happy and contented woman was in her home, the more cheerful, happy, and comfortable she rendered home to those who dwelt beneath her roof. She then held, that in order that there mightt be com- fortable and well-regulated homes for the sterner sex, the woman must be educated. But with egard to education— the word education was often used very much out of its place and in em- ploying the term, so applied it as though it were eonfined to a certain period of age, and to a cer- tain place called the school-room. Now, tho term education, according to its proper significa- tion, meant, to educe,:draw out, or develope; and, therefore, when she spoke of education, she did not mean that a certain number of years should be devoted to governesses and tutors, but that the intellectual and mental faculties should be drawn out and developed-that the mind should be well stored with all that was useful and beautiful in the wor.d in which we lived. Tho,' • who looked upon education simply with regard to the attainments of certain graceful accomplish- ments, grasped at mere tinsel and adornment, and cast aside as worthless the pure gold. In ta- king view of woman as she was found in various countries of the earth, Mrs. Balfour stated that I in proportion as civilization and virtue predomi- nated, so did mental and intellectual culture among women—that in the most savage and barbarous nations she was most degraded, whilst in the most civilized she was most exalted. But it was not to civilization, but that which was the forerunner and the cause of civilization that she owed her proper position—to the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesut. Christ. It was here that she found that ia whatever other respects she might be deemed subordinate to man, spiritually she was his equal, and that she had not only a creed to believe, but also that she had a life to live, not only in this world, but throughout eternity. And in this respect woman had been true to her- self, and that which concerned her best interests, as well in a worldly as in a spiritual sense. On the first introduction of Christianity, woman was eminently successful in spreading a knowledge of the great and glorious truth, embracing it her- self with a fervour, warmth, sincerity, devotion, enthusiasm if they would, that was rarely to be met with in man, and from the earliest days even to the present time, the Church had always found in woman a nursing mother. (Applause.) To woman was confided the tender care of the childhood of man. She was his trainer—or teacher, and she had the directing the bias of his will, either in a greater or lesser degree, which should form the basis of his future character, for it was well known the lessons most early taught were remembered by us through every succeed- ing stage of life. She had the directing of his mind for good, and she regretted to say, too frequently for evil too. Here the fair lecturer gave numerous instances of the most eminent men whose deeds are recorded in the pages of our country's history, who had received their first impressions which led them to take the course of life they did, from their mother's teachings. We regret that in our necessarily brief notice of this interesting lecture, that we cannot stop to notice them, but pass on to her remarks in reference to the observations of those who sneeringly affirmed that woman was inferior to man, in intellectual and mental capabilities, and who, as a proof of the truthfulness of their assertions, pointed to the writings of Shakespeare and Milton, and in reply to which, she would appeal to the law and to the testimony." And if they examined the sacred page what did they there find respecting woman -that she was man's inferior? No, but in the very chapter in which it was recorded that God formed man of the dust of the earth, it was re corded that he gave him woman to be a help meet for him." Much had been said in modern times of man's superiority to woman, but where if they appealed to the law and testimony would they find a man who ever ruled over a nation as Deborah ruled over Israel for forty years, of cne who possessed the disinterested friendship of Ruth to her near kinsman, to one who possessed the patriotism of Esther, or to one who manifested that fervent devotion which was exhibited in Hannah. And if they came down to the New Testament Scriptures they found that when Christ's disciples forsook him and fled, woman still remained true even at the death, and was the first in the morning of his resurrection at the sepulchre, and since that period how numerous were the instances of women of our own country displaying the most ardent devotion, the most sincere attachment, the most undaunted heroism, and those other mental and intellectual qualities which have astonished mankind and seemed almost incredulous. But there were two phrases which were always uppermost with those who sarcastically spoke of the intellectual and mental endowments of women, and these were, "woman's province," and "woman's sphere." But without stopping to argue the point she would again have recourse to that authority she had already referred to, to seek for an explanation of what woman's province and woman's sphere ac- tually were, ana here she found St. Paul in one of his epistles giving the correct rendering which was "that she should guide the house." Now those who would take the trouble to consider this must surely agree, that this was no unimportant province, that this was no limited sphere, for here lay the grand secret of that which constituted a nation's wealth; for what was it which constituted a nation's wealth, not its gold, nor merchandise, nor trade, but in its number of happy and virtuous homes. (Great cheering.) Votes of thanks having been awarded the meet- ing separated. [A report of Mrs. Balfour's second lecture will appear in our next.] THE CYMMER COLLIERY EXPLOSION Bail acceptedfor Mr. Jabez Thomas and others. THE QUEEN V. THOMAS AND OTHEBS. At the Judges' Chambers, Serjeants' Inn, on Friday last, before Mr. Baron Bramwell, an application was made to admit Jabez Thomas, and the four other defendants, against whom a verdict of manslaughter had been returned respecting the late explosion at the Cymmer Colliery, by which 114 persons were killed, to bail until the next Assizes at Glamorgan. On a former day a writ of certiorari had been issued to remove the depo- sitions taken before the coroner and jury into the Court of Queen's Bench, and the present applica- tion was supported by an affidavit of Jabez Thomas, in which he denied that the accident had been occasioned by carelessness on his part. The other defendants, named Rowland Rowland. Morgan Rowlands, David Jones, and William Thomas, were workmen at the Colliery, which belonged to Mr. Henry Harvey Insole. The deponent, Thomas, attributes the explosion to the conduct of two boys, named Thomas, who at- tempted to go into a stall, to which a signal had been placed, of the indication of gas, the manager of which stall, at the time of the lamentable occurrence, was at the seaside for the benefit of his health. The manager added, in his affidavit on which the application was made, I consider myself free from any imputation in respect to mismanagement of the colliery, and ready to attend any indictment, and ask to put in baiL" A gentleman from the office of Messrs. Gregory and Sons, of Clement's Inn, attended to support the application; and Mr. Medina, an attorney, appeared for the relatives of the unfortunate men who had lost their lives by the explosion. It appeared that the defendants had been com- mitted on the charge of manslaughter, and were anxious to put in bail in the first instance to save a commitment to prison. Mr. Medina said he had no objection to the application. All he required on the part of the friends of the unfortunate men was that substan- tial bail be offered for the defendants to appear for trial. i .j Mr. Baron Bramwell asked the sum required P There was no doubt the men would appear. Mr. Medina thought that if Mr. Thomas, the manager, entered into recognizances for £150, and found two sureties for £ 50, it would be sufficient. On the part of the defendants it was urged that the sum was too large. With the Exception of the manager, they were all working men engaged at the colliery.. n Mr. Medina thought that bail should be given for each. and two sureties of £50. Mr. Baron Bramwell: But some of them are working men. Mr. Medina was willing to leave the amount to his Lordship. It was quite clear that the appli- cation was made by the owner of the colliery. The clerk of Messrs. Gregory had no objection to leave the amount in the hands of his Lordship. No doubt bail could be found for the men. He believed the sum asked was larger than was generally required. After some further discussion it was arranged that each defendant should enter into a recogni- zance for £100, aud find two sureties in j650 to appear at the next assizes, on the charge of man- slaughter. It was also directed that bail be taken in the county. In accordance with the above decision, Mr. Jabez Thomas, & the other accused, surrendered themselves on Monday last at Pontypridd, before W.Thomas, Esq., when their tender of bail in each case was accepted, and they were consequently released. The indictment will be tried at Swansea, at the Assizes which will be holden in March next. ABERDARE. BOARD OF HEALTH ELECTION.—The following is the result of the poll for the election of four members to sit at the Board of Health in the room of the four members going out of office Thomas Wayne, Glandare, iron master, 806; Rees H. Rhys, Llwydcoed, mineral agent, 747; Griffith Davies, Oak Cottage, gentleman, 686; Evan Lewis, Tydraw, coal proprietor, 443;- Thomas Joseph, Mill-street, coal proprietor, 105; Rees Williams, Cefn Pennar, gentleman, 68; John Jones, Mountpleasant, schoolmaster, 228; David Evan Williams, Hirwaun, grocer, 343; Reverend William Edwards, Heol Felin, 155; The four first named gentlemen were declared elected. Messrs. Thomas Joseph and Rees Williams withdrew their names before the election came off, or they would undoubtedly have received a much larger number of votes. Mr. Jones was self nominated, and the other gentlemen were put forward to oppose the pro- ceedings of the present Board upon various questions of local interest. Generally speaking, however, the Board has given satisfaction to the majority of the rate-payers, and hence the re- election, of the old members with the additioa of Mr. Lewis. CONVIVIAL SOCIETY.—We beg to call the atten- tion of our friends to an advertisement in another column announcing that the first quarterly supper of the Aberdare Convivial Society, will be held at the Freemasons' tavern, Wind-street, on Wed- nesday evening, the 10th inst. Professor Parfitt will preside at the pianoforte, and the programme contains several new and popular pieces. The name of Mr. Jenkins, the worthy host, is a suf- ficient guarrantee that no trouble nor expense will be spared to promote the comfort of his guests. EMIGRATION.—A large number of persons- tradesmen, agents, and workmen have during the past week left Aberdare for the United States of America. CHURCH M uSIc.-The members of the English Baptist chapel have ordered a new organ for their chapel, and the English Independents con- template the purchase of an organ for their new chapel as soon as erected. Both congregations possess excellent choirs. COOKE'S CIRCUS.—For some time the public of this locality have been expecting a visit from this well-known equestrian company, and on Saturday last, Mr. Cooke fulfilled his promise, accompanied (we believe) by the best troupe of artists, and stud of horses, that have ever visited this neighbourhood. The feats of horsemanship, &c. were exceedingly good, and appeared to be highly appreciated, by the numerous spectators, which, at the evening performance, could not have numbered less than 2000. The extraordinary performance of the elephants, rather astonished the natives of Aberdare, and appears to be scarcely credited by those who did not actually witness it for themselves, having been able only to secure outside" places. On the whole, the entertain- ment passed off very satisfactorily, which in some measure, compensated the public for the dis- appointments experienced in witnessing the per- formances of the trashy sets which have recently visited this neighbourhood. ABERAMAN PHILANTHROPIC ORDER.—A lodge of this order has been opened at the house of Mr. Edward Jeremiah, General Picton Inn, by P.G. Edwin Gwillym, of Tredegar, who delivered a most entertaining address on the occasion. The name of the lodge is General Sir William Williams, of Kars." The number of members initiated was 65, and this is the first lodge of the above order opened in the place. Mr. Richard William presided, and Mr. Crawshay Bailey's band was in attendance on the occasion, whose well-executed strains greatly enlivened the pro- ceedings. BRYNlAWE. HEARTLESS CONDUCT.-On Monday evening last, a valuable dog belonging to Mr. Weeks, Glamorgan-street, was found to have been poisoned. In addition to which, a cat and some fowls, were also discovered to have paid the same penalty, and it is to be feared that the poison was placed by some vindictive and malicious individual for that purpose. As more calamitous and dire- ful results results might arise from so wicked and dangerous a practice, it is matter of hope that the offender may soon be discovered, and meet with that punishment which he so much deserves for his heinous offence. BEAUFORT. BENEFIT SOCIETy.-On Monday last the Con- fidential Brothers' Benefit Society, held at the liners Arms Inn, sat down to an excellent dinner, which was served up in a highly credi- table manner by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The cloth having been removed, the secretary read the annual report, which showed that £ 28 2s. was gamed this year, making the total value of the ciub £ 538 9s. 8d. During the evening several of the members spoke at some length, on the ad- vantages and utility of Benefit Societies but the principal speaker of the evening was Mr. Henry Salway, who said his head was so full of geology, astrology, philosophy, politics, peace, war, and many other things, that he scarcely knew where to begin, and when he did begin he wondered when he should end. Mr. Salway directed his discourse chiefly to the late war, and often com- plimented and eulogized Corporal Robert Shields, of the 23rd Welsh Fusileers, who sat at the head of the table, and had suspended from his breast the Crimean medal, and also the Order of Legion of Honour, which had been presented to him by the Emperor of the French, for his gallant conduct and acts of bravery at the Redan. This young hero, who has passed through the whole of the late campaign is, we are happy to say, enjoying good health. The people of Beau- fort are busily engaged in getting him up a tes- timonial, and we believe it will prove something handsome. Mr. Salway, who, at the close of his speech, was loudly cheered, gave the following toast, which was drunk in a bumper-" Our lovely Queen and the British Heroes." A NARROW ESCAPE.—A few days ago, an aged woman, named Elizabeth Hemer, was walking down the new incline plain, while the carriages were in motion. The foolish woman was walking down the road on which was coming just behind her a truck heavily loaded, and she walked on until the truck struck her on the shoulder, and most miraculously knocked her off the road with- out any serious injury to her person. We hope this will be a caution to the many who wantonly walk upon this road while the trucks are in motion. motion. DOWLAIS CRICKET MATCH.—The match between the drapers' and grocers' assistants came off on Wed- nesday, the 27th ult. The drapers went in first, and scored 26 runs, and in the second innings 46, making a total of 72 runs. The grocers on the other hand scored in the first innings 15 runs, second innings 15, making a total of 30 runs, the drapers beating by 42 runs. A return match will take place soon, the grocers feeling very confident of being the successful parties. PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION.—The second anniversary of the "Love and Justice" lodge was held on the 1st inst., at the Pantyscallog Inn; and after the members had assembled in their room, and settled some necessary business, they proceeded to Bryn Sion Chapel, Dowlais, where the Rev. D. Roberts favoured them with an excellent sermon, from the 13th chapter of Hebrews and the first verse,—"Let brotherly love continue." After which the members pro- ceeded to their lodge-room, headed by the Rev. D. Roberts, to partake of the repast which the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had prepared for them. In the evening a meet- ing was held for the purpose of advocating the principles of the order. The chair was taken by Mr. Rees Roberts, of Dowlais and Mr. James Evans, of Pantyscallog, delivered a short ad. dress on the progress of the institution; and Mr. William Powell, correspondent secretary, spoke on Unity and brotherhood," which gave great satisfaction. Mr. William Williams, Panfc- cerddenan, next sung "Defyrwch gwir Harlech." The worthy chairman then addressed them, in a neat.epeech, on the benefit of such institutions in c-jsja (>i and A 1.>1 Cll.1ct.. LL-' even- iag Wa3 pa8S8d iü h.:aru¡2. &.u.< liVo.SCo Ú.1 Veinalts subjects connected with the institution, and iu singing with the harp, &o. This lodge is rapidly augmenting its numbers in this neighbourhood. HIRWAIN. THE BIBLE DRIVING AWAY GHOSTS.-While Mr. Rowlands, colporteur to the British and Foreign Bible Society, was employed at Harwain a few weeks since, the Hirwain society engaged Mr. Jenkin Jenkins to assist him a few days in going round amongst the rural population; upon calling at the house of a respectable farmer at Ystrafellte, the farmer's wife asked Mr. Jenkins some questions as to what the Bible was about. She stated that she remembered having once seen a copy at her grandfather's house, but that she had not seen one since, but that being informed by them it was a very excellent thing to keep in the house to drive away ghosts, she had often thought she would like to buy one. On being asked if her house was infested with ghosts, she replied that it had hitherto been middling free of them, still she thought it would be well to have the book to prevent them coming having fixed her mind upon one that was bound in roan and gilt, and being assured that it was quite complete, she tried exceedingly hard to lower its price from tenpence to eightpence, but finding that the col- porteur would make no abatement, she paid the full amount. MONSTER BLAST AT PENDERYN LIMESTONE QcrARRlEs.—Some two years since a monster blast was fired at the quarry of William Crawshay, Esq., the powder chamber containing It tons of powder, with the intention of opening the deep side of the quarry, and in the presence of many spectators, a great fall was produced. Many falls since have taken place, of 3000 and 4000 tons each, but the crowning fall was (as predicted from the day of the first blast) to come, and on Wednesday it came with good effect and profit to the owner. The old chamber, which had much broken and driven the bottom beds of the super- incumbent strata, 147 feet high, was cleared out to a length of ten yards, and the small quantity of 10 cwt. of powder exploded. The match was fired, and in eleven minutes from the time, the bottom of the quarry, a mass ten feet thick, for 20 yards square, was literally ejected, and the superincumbent mass of 120 feet high came rol- ling down like a flood, and filling the quarry with its torrent of stone to the amount of 12,000 tons certain,—many compute it at 15,000 tons, but the more cautious say 12,000 tons. The fall at pre- sent is untouched, and will remain so for a time, as new roads are required to be put in to clear the mass. There were stones from 150 to 250 tons each thrown down quite distinct & separate. ACCIDENT.-On Friday last, a collier named Daniel Powell, aged 2.2, while working in the 'Scybor Wen pit, belonging to Messrs. Thomas and Lewis, had his skull fractured by a fall of earth from the pit. He died almost instantly after the accident had occurred. An inquest was held on the body on Saturday, before J. Morgan, Esq.. deputy coroner, at the Stag Inn, Mill-street, when a verdict of Accidental death" was re- turned. A MOUNTAIN ASH. APPREHENDED RIOT AMONGST COLLIERS.—On Tuesday morning last a body of men and lads, numbering between 200 and 300 made a descent on the Forest Colliery, Llanwonno, the property of Mr. Simons, solicitor, for the purpose of frightening or intimidating the men engaged at the pit. The fraternizing multitude carried a black flag, or what was intended to represent such, and indulged in the most discordant yells it were possible for men to make. After "vowing vengeance" to the men at the pit the party left. but returned in greater force and number in the evening, and conducted themselves, if possible, still more disorderly. Mr. Simons applied at the Merthyr police court during the day for sum- monses against the principal ringleaders of the gang," which were granted, and during the night a number of them were apprehended. The cause of this threatened outbreak would appear to be that a number of men, between fifty and sixty, had been discharged about three weeks ago, on their own notices, and were not well disposed to- wards any workmen taking their situations at the colliery. RHYMNEY. ACCIDENT. — Whilst Samuel Richards, a lad about 15 years of age, was engaged cutting coal in the Dyffryn pit, on Wednesday last, the top fell in, crushing him dreadfully with coal and rubbish. From the quantity which fell it is very mysterious that he was not instantaneously killed, but we are happy to add that he is pro- gressing favourably. CRICKET. —An attempt was made by the Rhym- ney and Tredegar clubs to play a match on Thusday week, but the weather was of that unpropitious state, which compelled them to postpone the engagement until the 4th inst. FATAL ACCIDENT. An inquest was held before Brewer, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, to enquire into ,the cause of the death of Phillip Jones, collier, aged 15, who was acci-. dentally and instantaneously killed by a fall of coal, in the Cwm Pit, on Thursday, 19th August. After a minute and patient investiga- tion into the circumstances of the case, the jury returned a verdict of Accidental death." As the deceased was the oldest of six children, and the main stay" and support of his mother and family, (his father having been killed a few weeks before by a similar accident), his death thereby becomes doubly calamitous. FEMALES' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.—On Thursday afternoon last the members of this society, meeting at the Castle Inn, held their anniversary, when in the absence of procession dinner, or ex- ternal shew or adornment, they engaged in a friendly tete-a-tete over a cup of the China ex- portation, which some believed was not genuine as .imported," but had been "sophisticated" by the numerous appliances which the present day affords for that purpose. The sisterhood spent an agreeable evening together, and settled many little doubtful and problematical bits o' news" to the satisfaction of all present TREDEGAR. ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.—A court in connection with the above order was dulv opened at the house of Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Britannia Inn, Market-street, on Monday last, when 71 members were initiated. The officers that were present and took part in the ceremony of inaugu- ration were Messrs. C. R. Michael'Fox; C. R. John Wayne P. C. R. John Wheal; P. C. R. Owen Fox; S. C. R. David Jarman S. C. R: David Davies, who performed their duties satis- factorily. There is every prospect of this court; becoming a very numerous and Influential body, and the order is rapidly extending its branches over the hills. Addresses on the benefits of the society in general were delivered on the occasion by several members, and the company broke up at a late hour, highly pleased with the evening's entertainment. Brother Millwood delivered a talented address, which w e regret exceedingly we cannot insert from its g.-eat length.