The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

NEWTOWN. THE MARKET HALL AGAIN. The meeting of the ratepayers of Newtown and Llan- ll\Vvhaiarn was held on Monday evening, in accordance witii a resolution of the 12th December, to receive the re- port o* the committee appointed to confer with the Local Boardrespecting the providing of a public market hall for the towv?.' On the potion cf Mr W. FRANCIS, seconded by Mr W. TURNER, Mr James Nunn was voted to the chair. Mr NuKi:, in a brief but pertinent address, introduced the business .of the meeting, and solicited a fair and im- partial hearivg for those who would speak. He then galled upon Mr Cooke to read the correspondence, &c. .Mr COOKE that a joint meeting of the committee and of the Local Board was held on the 28th ult., when it was considered advisable to open a correspondence with Mr Brisco in relation to his hall, and a sub-committee was appointed for that purpose. At a meeting of the sub- committee, on the 29th ult., the following letter was prepared and adopted :— Newtown, Montgomery, 29th December, 18,0. To pastel Brisco Esq. Sir —I am instructed to forward you the folio wing resolutions in reference to the Market Hall in this town:- At a meeting of ratepayers, duly convened by notice, and lielt] in the Public Rooms, 12th December, it was resolved-mat this meeting be adjourned for a month, and that a committee of eight gentlemen be appointed to confer with the Local lioard in selecting sites and ascertaining the probable expense of erecting a building, or whether such a hall could be rented, leased, or purchased most advantageously to the ratepayers, and report, thereon at the adjourned meeting." On Wednesday, the 28th instant, a joint meeting of the committee and the Local Jioarrt was held in the Board-room, when it was resolved mat. 1 Brisco be communicated with in order to ascertain from him the exact terms on which ho will lease Ins Market Hall, and also at what price he will sell the building and the site." In ac- cordanee with tlie-e resolutions the committee r^j^tfullj solicit from vou a reply, at your earliest possible com^m-nee, informing them of the conditions on which you v.ill be picpaied to lease the hall, and also whether you are willing to sell the same with the site; if so, be pleased to name ttc t and price. I may also state that the ratepayers of town ami Jilanllwchaiarn are disposed to meet you on as fan t^rnih a. thev can consistent with their own interests. have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, >> M. looKt. In reply the following letter has been received 15 Mansfield-street, Portland-place, January 4th, l-< 1. Sir,— In answer to vour letter which has ju>t been forwarded to me in town. 1 beg to state that I shall he ready to give up the New Market Hall to the Local Board of Newtown on a lease for 99 years, at aground rent of jE75 a year, they agreeing to pay for the building and all other expenses that may have been incur- red, which I understand are about ±4,000 °"ul'l"y 'J, ? year was named as a ground rent, but Mr Sturkey think* that too high. It ought, however, to be recollected that tLeotd Bull [nil let for £ 28 a year; so in reality we don t clear t >0 a >ea There is no doubt but that the rents and tolls >c all outgoings, viz., the ground rent and interest of m >ne v *c„ and at the end of thirty-one years the Local Board the Market Hall clear of everything except the ground r the meantime the ratepayers will be put to no expi ever. —I am, sir, your very obedient servant, PASTEL The report of the committee was then read, a follows ( vnwtown and Llanllwrh- To the Ratepayers of the c Booms, this 9th aiarn in meeting assembled at the Finn ec day of .Tannary, 18/1. -T1te(i bv vou on the l?th Gentlemen,—We, the connmttee appomt«oar(,- December last, to cmifer with the> L that w0 ]lave ha(l three respectmg a Market Hall, be to n_p ]na,le the enquiries, as interviews with the Board and 1' lication Mr Brisco has authorized by you In epl.v' fic will give up the Market •furnished us with the ,}oar(i) namely, on a lease for Hall in High-street to the U :ul,i the Board to pay 99 years, at a grounc1 lent of ^mittee, having duly considered £ 4,000 foi the buildi n- expenditnre of the market, do not the p' ° >a de ( for vour acceptance but. believing it recommend the>e_teri Hill shoul(l ,H> obtained for the town is advisable that_ a M'K new M ket HaU should be obtained hereby reconiin^ml.th.ie wjn fchc same without reserve or n 'l .Tit for £ 5 000, 01- lease it at an annual rent of e-.0. GL"ATR TOHV HALL took exception to the recommendation nf the committee, considering that they were exceeding tLir duty inasmuch as they were only deputed to enquire their duty, oninion Mr Brisco was extreme in h i s r <?q u i rem e n t s", as agitable hall and site could be pur- chased for £ 4,000, and if the money was ?er csnt., the principal ™<1 thirty years, at six per cent, or £ en(] t]ie be free; whereas the committee taking of Mr Bns- « tf it would SS'tiSKte » oWter called iif Question and opprobious epithets applied to him as had been done in consequence of his opposition at a former nfeeting? if he felt that he had succeeded m destroying ramcitv and preventing an increase of taxation The let- ting of the stalls last Tuesday proved that Mr Brisco s estimate was too high, Mr ISSARD—As mover of the resolution for the purchase or rental of the hall I must say that Mr Hall has come to a hasty conclusion respecting the building of a hall for £ 4 000. The question is what is the hall under considera- tion worth ? If it is worth £5,000 we may give C5,000 for it, or rent it at J6250. Some remarks by way of explanation and reply passed between Mr Hall and Mr Issard. a Mr D. MORGAN thought it would be as well to leave it to Mr Brisco to collect the tolls if they could'nt agree upon the matter. Mr EnwD. MORGAN enquired if it would be at all rea- sonable to entertain the idea of erecting another hall, as that, it seemed to him, would be the way to make both unable to pay. Mr BEXBOW gave the following estimate of the probable income and expenditure — [NCOMI:. £ Twenty-two shops 132 Two front shops.30 Twelve centre stalls.. 48 Six side stalls.24 Two lung tables .10 Potatoes .10 Baskets of ponltry, Ac. 78 Weighing pigs 10 Weighing machine • ..10 Icfreshlllcllt roOIllS 40 392 COST. Hall-keeper, Arc.00 40 10 Rent •• •• 250 360 Profit annually £ 32. lie stated that although lie was not originally in favour of a market hall, he now considered that the ratepayers were bound in honour to make Mr Brisco some offer. Mr ROWLANDS thought the warmest thanks of the audience was due to Mr Hall for the information given and elicited by him, and now came to the conclusion that it was better to have nothing to do with the hall until the working of it was seen at present it could not be said whether it would be carried on at a profit or a loss, but he was of opinion that it would not pay, as many preferred the street to the hall. Mr JOHN HALL proposed, That in the opinion of this meeting, it is advisable to leave the working of the Market Hall in the hands of Mr Brisco for the present." This was seconded by Mr T. Rowlands, and an amend- ment was moved by Mr Benbow, and seconded by Mr Issard, "That Mr Brisco be offered an annual rental of £ 250 for his hall, Mr Brisco to keep the building in repair, the same to be subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, so as to make the market a legal one." Then followed a number of remarks from Mr Hall and others, amid cries of "Chair chair F" Mr R. LLOYD said that Mr Hall had not dealt fairly with the matter by not fully explaining the cause of the difference between him and the rest of the committee, and in a very lucid manner pointed out the many advantages which would result to the town by the Market Hall being managed by the Local Board not the least important was the securing a just weight of all goods purchased. Mr COOKE said that as the problem of profit or loss was yet unsolved in the matter, and as the calculations of in- come presented that evening were based on the supposition that all the stalls and benches would be constantly oc- enpied, they were not reliable, and he must support Mr Hall's proposition. Mr R. MORGAN considered that the meeting had gone astray, and thought that they should have affirmed the principle of the necessity of a hall, and concluded by inovin,- that, in the opinion of tins meeting, it is de- sirable to have a Market Hall." This found no seconder. The amendment of Mr Benbow was submitted to the meeting, and found fair support, but a very large majority was in favour of Mr Hall's motion. A cordial vote of thanks was given to Mr Xunn for his ability as chairman, and the meeting concluded.

CARNO. PRESENTATION.—A meeting was held at the Indepen- dent Chapel, on Friday evening week, of the members of the church and congregation, for the purpose of making a present of a purse and twenty sovereigns, as a New Year's gift, to the pastor, the Rev. R. Ellis. The chair was taken by one of the deacons, who expressed to the rev. gentleman the kindly feeling of the congregation. The Rev. R. Ellis thanked them for their kindness, and the proceedings were altogether of a very pleasant character.

WREXHAM. AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION OF MINERS.—On the 5th inst. a meeting was held in the Assembly Room, Hope- street, Wrexham. Delegates were present from Cefn, lllios, Moss, Mold, &c. The meeting was convened for the purpose of receiving the deputations that had been appointed to wait upon the masters as to the circulars that had been sent in. After the reports had been given in, which were on the whole favourable, upon condition that the whole of North Wales would move at the same time. the following resolution was passed :—"That the meeting approves of the recommendation of the execu- tive committee of the Amalgamated Association of Miners, with respect to the agitating for an advance of 10 per cent. in our wages, and the offices of each district, in conjunction with Thomas Rone, the agent for North Wales, are hereby recommended to use the best means of securing the same as early as possible."

MACHYNLLETH. THE RECTOR'S VlEWS OF LAYMKN'S DUTIES.—The con- gregation at Vane Hall on Sunday evening wetk, where it is customary to hold English service, dispersed without service being held, in consequence of the absence of a clergyman. The respected rector (who, at the same time, was conducting the usual Welsh set-vice in the parish church, whither some of the congregation repaired), at the conclusion of prayers, took occasion to discourse for a short time in English upon our Lord's words—" I must work the work of Him that sent me while it is day." In the course of the reverend gentleman's observatiors, lie said The work which God has given us to do includes His work in the neighbourhood—in the locality in which we are placed, and this includes those social duties that we owe to one another. It is the duty of the rich to take care of the poor-to take compassIOn. upon them in their distress and in their wants, and to relieve them. We ought to do all we can to bear one another's burdens. This is the work which God has given us to do, brethren, and we shall be called to account hereafter as to the way in which we fulfil our duty in this respect. Moreover, there is God's work in the Church—God's work in the vineyard and I fear we, the members of the Church of England, are very ne"li"ent in this respect. It is very little indeed that the lay members of the Church do of the work of the Church. If you attend church and take part in the services—perhaps very coldly, very heartlessly—if you attend once or twice on Sunday and hear sermons and so forth, you think your work is done but you are very much mistaken. There is much to be done—as much to be done by the lay members in the Church of England as there is in any other branch of Christ's Church in fact, every member of the Church of England ought to be diligently engaged in the work of his heavenly Master. By all means be diligent in your attendance upon public ordinances of religion, and take your part in the prayers; and I wish an improvement would take place in this respect here among us. I don't hear your voice as much as I could desire in the public services, in the prayers, repeating the responses of the Church service. This shows that the heart is not in the work: it shows you are not really in earnest in offering up prayers which were intended for you as well as for the minister and the clerk in fact it never was intended that there should be in the Church of England a clerk to respond. That is the work of the whole congregation it is the work of everv one of you. The prayers written and published are intended for you and for me to take part in whenever we assemble together in the house of God, and you should look upon it as the work which your Heavenly Father has given vou to do in His house. And besides this, there is much to be done with regard to educating the young- much to be done in visiting the sick, and so forth and I do not see any reason whatever why the laymen should not hold meetings—hold services, as on this evening. It seems that one of my fellow-labourers, owing to illness, I suppose-I have not heard the particulars—has been un- able to take his part in the service that was to have been held this evening. Well, I clojnot see any reason why that service should be given up. Surely among the members of the Church there are some that could take part in the ser- vice—that could read a chapter and expound it to that edifying of the hearers. It only wants your thought, your attention, your heart to be thrown into the matter, and then we should co-operate—we should work together so as to build up the Church in our parish and in our neighbourhood. I wish very much that you should look upon yourselves as co-workers with us, the clergy. I wish very much that you should consider that you have work to do in the Church as well as in your families and in your localities.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE CHESTER CUP. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3. The TRADESMEN'S PLATE of 200 sovs., in specie, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 2.5 sovs. each, 15 ft., and 5 only if declared. Winners after publication of the weights of the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes or a 500 sovs. handicap, 101b.; the second for either, or the win- ner of a 200 sovs. handicap, 51b. extra, both including the winner's own stake. Cup Course, about two miles and a quarter.—124 subs. Mr W. D. Foster's Spectre, by Oatneclrai, Jyrs Mr R. Sterling's Cap-a-pie, G yrs Mr T. Parr's Ecce, 3 yrs Mr V. St. John's Lord Stanley, 3 yrs Mr J. Gilby's Phantom, 6 yrs Mr Hodgman na Strathnaiin, 4 yrs Mr Hughes' Sunny, 3 yrs Mr W. Day's Our Mary Ann, 6 yrs Mr E. Brayley's Nero, 5 yrs Mr Fov na Mornington, 3 yrs Mr H. Wright's Ventnor, 5 yrs Mr T. Lawley na Islam, 5 yrs Mr W. H. Scott's Glenlivat, by Dundee, 4 yrs Mr J. Parker's Ware Hare, 4 yrs Mr T. Hughes's Lopez, 5 yrs Mr Barber's Disturbance, 4 yrs Mr J. Hope's Enterprise, 4 yrs Mr Moreton's Fancy Boy, 4 yrs Mr J. Robinson na f. by Newminster-Hepatica, 3 vrs Mr J. Scott's Triton, 3 yrs Lord Howth na Billy Pitt. 4 yrs Mr Johnstone's Good Hope, 5 yrs Mr Johnstone's Stanley, 4 yrs Mr Johnstone's Lord Hawke, 3 yrs Air T. Dawson's Painkiller, 4 yrs Mr Beadman na Mat, 3 yrs Mr Dicas na Wiffey Waifey, 3 yrs Mr P. J. Jackson's Dr Temple, 3 yrs Mr C Rich na. Lumley, 5 yrs Mrs S. Merry na Hawkhead, 4 yrs Mr W. Nichols na Cyclone, 3 yrs Mr A. S. Briggs's Kingmoor, 3 yrs Mr Kennington's Lady Henriette, 6 yrs Mr R. Johnson na Nona, 3 yrs Mr J. Whittaker's The Boy, 4 yrs Mr W. Saunders's Indian Ocean, 4 yrs Mr Dawson's Miss Theo, 5 yrs Lord Calthrope na Starter, 5 yrs Lord Stamford na Prosper, 3 yrs Sir R. W. Bulkeley na Wbinyard, 5 yrs Sir W. W. Wynn na May Fly, 4 yrs (h.b.) *Mr G. Angell's Vestminster, 5 yrs Mr G. Armstrong na Viper, 3 yrs Mr Bradfield na Myosotis, 5 yrs Mr C. Brook's na Bill of Fare, 3 yrs M r G. Crook na Tjucretia, 4 yrs *Mr M. Dawson's Coutts, 4 yrs Mr Godding na Westley, 4 yrs Mr R. Herbert na Viscount, 6 yrs Mr G. Lambert na Bishopthorpe, 3 yrs Mr Rigbv na Vintner, 4 yrs Mr W. F. Thornton na Dumbarney, 3 yrs Mr J. Warrington na Redcap, aged Mr Jos. Wood na Blandford, 4 yrs Mr R. B. Wright na Infidel, 3 yrs Mr J. Sheldon na Miss Banks, 5 yrs Mr John Martin's Moscow, 5 yrs Mr T. E. Case's Anton, 3 yrs Mr Merry's Lady of Lyons, 4 yrs Mr Merry's Queen of the Gipsies, 3 yrs w Mr Merry's m by Costa—Morgan la Faye, 5 yrs Mr H. May's Jersey, 4 yrs Mr H. May's Maid, 3 yrs Mr H. May's c by I)io"I)bantus-Melbournia, 3 yrs Mr H. May's Wanderer, 3 yrs Mr Bowes' Nobleman, 4 yrs Mr Josiah Johnson's Aeronaut, 4 yrs Air Pryor's Cardinal York, 5 yrs Mr Pryor's Revenge, 4 yrs Mr Graham na Sabinus, 4 yrs Mr J. A. Dyson na Orleans, 4 yrs Count Renard's Flibustier, 4 yrs Count Renard's Adonis, byGrimston, 4 yrs Mr Bruton's Lady Superior, by Caterer, 4 yrs Sir J. Hawley's Rosicrucian, 0 yrs Sir J. Hawley's Lictor, (j yrs Mr C. Rupert's Free-trade, 4 yrs Mr C. Rupert's King Ivor, 3 yrs Mr T. S. Dawson na Highthorn, 3 yrs Mr S. Myers's Not-out, 4 yrs Mr Thomas na Our Emily, 3 yrs Mr W. S. Craufurd's Annie Wood, 4 yrs Mr P. Merton's Ouragan II., G yrs Captain Machell's Bonny Swell, 4 yrs Captain Machell's Martyrdom, 5 yrs Mr C. Rayner, jun.'s, Mr Feeder, 3 yrs Mr Naylor's Sarsfield, 4 yrs Mr Naylor's Isola Bella, 3 yrs Mr T. Lombard's Mortemer, 6 yrs Mr Jennings na Nelusko, 6 yrs Mr T. P. Wickham's Phosphorus, 3 yrs Mr John Barnard's Temple, 4 yrs Lord Wilton's Seesaw, 6 yrs Lord Wilton's Muster, 4 yrs Lord Wilton's c by Gltdiateiir-Lady Evelyn, 3 yrs Colonel Forester's Bumble Bee, 3 yrs Mr H. Goatcr na Worthy, 3 yrs Lord Poulett's Glenfalloch, 5 yrs Mr Payne's Jester, 3 yrs Mr Payne's Flurry, 3 yrs Mr Gr. Herring na Granville, 3 yrs Mr F. Swindell na Cherie, 5 yrs Mr E. Etches' Cecil, G yrs Gen. Peel's Far Away, 5 yrs Mr H. Morris's Bicycle, 3 yrs Mr W. Gregory's Olive, 3 yrs Air D. Lawrence's c by Claret-Stitekød-tlp3 yrs Mr C. T. Perry na Captivator, 5 yrs Mr J. Day na Knightley, 3 yrs Mr W. Day's Precision, 3 yrs Mr W. Day's Good Morning, 4 yrs Lord Rivers's Pax, 4 yrs Lord Rivers's Pitchfork, 3 yrs Mr York's Kennington, 4 yrs Air J os. Dawson's Camel, 4 yrs Sir F. Johnstone's Judge. 5 yrs Sir F. Johnstone's Tim Weaver, 4 yrs Mr W. Costyn's Goldhanger, 4 vrs Mr W. Costyn's Colere, by Fitz-Gladiator—Cauli- flower, 6 yrs Mr J. Radcliffe's Punch Bowl, 3 yrs Sir L. Newman na Chevreuse, 4 yrs Mr J. B. Morris na Eurotas (bread in France)—Silis- trie, 3 yrs Mr W. P. Warner na Lady Salisbury, 3 yrs Captain Atkins na Hubbub, 4 yrs The horses marked thus (*) having been entered with- out the knowledge of their owners, will be struck out at the time prescribed unless specially ordered to the con- trary.

A LABOURER ON THE EDUCATION QUESTION. (Jtii an Irregular Correspondent.) Not long ago I had the good fortune to meet with an old man of more than average intelligence who had passed most of his life as an agricultural labourer. He was anxious to know the news of the day, and soon betrayed an earnest desire to hear that the French had been knocked "all to smithereens." There was an account in the morn- ing's paper of a disastrous French defeat, and as I was not in a hurry I read out to him those telegrams which were not more than usually mysterious and contradictory. After he had enjoyed the truly "glorious" news that 2,000 men had been killed or wounded, and that 10,000 more had been taken prisoners, he asked me how the "hedica- tion queshton" was going on. I told him it was going on fine," and that the parsons of all sorts were fighting like bricks either for or against School Boards. He leaned on his spade, and said he was glad in his heart" they had found something to talk about; they do go in bitter, don't they," and he looked at me as though he were watch- ing a dog fight. "Yes," I replied, "it looks as if they liked a bit of a row, doesn't it ?" Oh, ay, parsons are rtim'ti n i to fight with their tongues, and they'd use their fisses too, only they've been high learned." "Nay, nay," I said, not quite so bad as that, surely," and I told him of several instances where clergymen had joined together quite amicably on this and other questions. He shook his head doubtfully and went on to say, that if the working men, such as lie was, could be educated how to live on ten or eleven shillings a week and always have enough to eat, even of very coarse food, there would be some sense in it; that was the great problem he had been trying to solve all his life, ard lie was as far from a solution now, nay further, than ever he was. He assured me that the great difficulty he had had to contend with was not ignorance, because he could read and write, but to keep starvation away from the door, and he had not always been able to keep it away. He had been years and never had any clothes but those he worked in, and when harder times than usual befel him, owing to sickness, bad weather, scarcity of work, or other causes, he had been compelled to go into debt, when people would let him, and when they wouldn't he had to "make it out in other ways." Education was nothing and re- ligion was nothing to the likes of hiin it was all hard "scratching" for a bit of food." "Gentlemen," be said, "knew no more about working men's way of living than his spade their dogs and cats lived a great deal better than his children and himself, and there was at any rate this consolation to the ignorant men, of whom he knew hundreds, that they never thought it possible that any other state of higher existence could have been theirs by any chance. It was all very well to talk about compulsory education he believed education was a grand thing, and he was glad it was going to be compulsory, though he and others who had "bits of lads in the fields" would have to suffer for it; he knew they would—they always had to suffer any loss that came through their children not being ,e able to work. Wages might rise, he said, as they had risen, and yet it was impossible to be lodged and fed as well as some people's pigs were lodged and fed. He thought edu- cation might perhaps alter that state of things some time, but not in his day, and when a fellow was half his time as hungry as a wolf" he could hardly be expected to clap his hands and shout hurrah when even a good law was passed if it would reduce by sixpence or a shilling a week what came into the house. Working men were so ignorant both in the towns and country, and were so much en- grossed in their struggle for bare life that as yet they neither knew nor cared anything about the Education Act or its compulsory powers, but when it came into operation it might be different. It was possible that this might be the straw that would break the camel's back, and then either the agricultural labourer's position would have to be improved, or the comoulsory part of the Act would have to be repealed. For himself he expected the labourers would take the compulsion as they took any other misfortune —patiently; those who were able would emigrate, and those who were not would hunger it out as best they might. Of course in some families it would come very hard, and there the weak ones—mostly little children—would die, and a good job for them, too they ought never to have been born. He said lie expected that one result of compulsory education would be that labourers would find out what fools they were to marry and bring into the world children who could never have a chance of being anything but poor and miserable as long as they lived. The Act itself, by making children less profitable, and consequently more of an encumbrance, would tend to decrease marriage—and, probably, increase immorality. He believed if men must be wretchedly poor, and at the same time work rather longer and harder than horses, the less they knew the better for them. Knowledge would make them unhappy by teaching them to think and draw comparisons, and if they were still forced to remain as they were things would not be made much pleasanter by the change. I told him I thought he must be wrong about the extreme poverty of labourers, as they always seemed to have money to drink. He admitted there was a good deal of drink consumed bv labourers, but he had an easy way of accounting for it. He asked me if I thought Mr whose estate was mortgaged for £ 20.000, would devote a ten pound note, if he happened fo find one, to paying off that amount of the mortgage. "Well," he said, a labourer was something like a gentleman in that respect. He had threepence or sixpence given to him for extra work, or he begged it, or he found' it, and he no more thought of saving that threepence towards buving better furniture or clothes than the gentleman would think of saving the ten pound notes he found towards paying off £ 20,000." Still, I said, he need not drink it he might take any extra money he got to his wife and children. "You must see that a fellow who will spend even three- pence in drink while his family are as poor as you picture must be a brute." "Call him by what name you like, that's what he does, and that's why he does it. Why, a man who was not selfish, in poverty such as ours, and who could see in threepence accidentally obtained the founda- tion of future comfort, and had strength to act on what he saw, would have no need of education such as any ordinary schools could give him. He would himself be fit for taking a position as master in a school for developing the greatest virtues possible to mankind. It is because men are miserably poor, and improvident, and thoughtless, that compulsory education is wanted all I say is that when the children are made go to school, the men will still be the same, and their families will be worse off by the amount the children used to earn." I suggested that wages would rise. We'll see;" he said. those who make such a row abcut education never had to live on ten shillings a week, and don't know what it is to pull through a winter with a large family. There are other things besides what the children earn which make it hard for a labouring man to send them to school. Suppose a man has four children, the eldest a lad of nine under the new law he must go to school instead of minding the younger children while the mother goes out to work and sometimes there is no mother, and a lad of nine or ten has to do all that is done in the way of getting meals and minding children while the father is at work. It is all very well to say there are other ways of doing, but who is going to teach ignorant grown-up men how to fall into new ways of life. I know that it is bad for the children to be left in that wav. and it ought to be altered all I am saying is that there is another side to the question, and that the blessings of education' will be purchased by much suffering on the part of numbers who now know nothing of what is in store for them. Nobody likes to think how intense the poverty is among the agricultural poor, and if the new law about education is going to remove it, every care ought to be taken to make this slow cure as little like the disease as possible." It may turn out better than you think." I said, not knowing what else to say. We'll see, we'll see at least somebody will good day." "Good day," I replied, and went on my irregular way.

CORN, C-c. LIVERPOOL CORN MARKET.—TUESDAY. There was a fair attendance of miller". and rPll American wheat was in fair demand, PRICES EXCEEDING ¡,AST FRIDAY by One Penny per cental, while white realised the extreme currency of that day or Two-pence per cental over the rates of this day week. Flour six-pence per barrel cheaper, and in f tir request. Beans and pevs one shilling per quarter higher. Indian corn in improved demand. at a reduction of three- pence per quarter on the week, being on a recovery from the depression at the close of last week. LONDON, MOVD\Y.—With a good supply of barrel flonr bd week, the min arrivals were moderate. Exports: 1,2'0 qrs. wheat, 1,626 qrs. oats. English wheat 3,424 qrs., foreign 23,705 qrs. With It moderate show from the near counties this morning, and the condition deteriorated by the change of weather, sales were exceedingly difficult at fully Is. per qr. reduction. The de- mand for foreign also was very restricted, and it was quite as much cheaper to sell, even on a retail scale. Country flour 22,991 sacks foreign 33,81 barrels. The trade has lest the buovancy of last week, and it was difficult to make sales of Norfolks at former prices. The rise of Friday on barrels, in consequence of a foreign demand was also lost, but some holders maintained the then value. M;iize 0,130 qrs. Thi- graÍ!! has been in moderate inquiry, at about former prices British barley 1,570 qrs., foreign 2.770 qrs. With less malting barley offered prices were firm, but grinding sorts were only in limited request. The malt trade remained dull, but without chanpe in value. English oats 307 qrs., 15t qrs. Scotch, 15,181 qrs. foreign. Notwithstanding the small supplies, the thaw affected the market, which was rather in favour of buyer?. Native beans 625 qrs., foreign 1,430 qrs. New sorts were raiher lower. English peas 521 qvs., no foreign. Fine boilers scarcely maintained former rates. CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANE. rihiliiuys qr. Wheat. new, Essex and Kent (white), 54 to 57 Ditto ditto red 49 55 Wheat, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) .49 55 Barloy 41 Beans 38 41 T7r,rrl,-=t. feoH 27 31 Flour, per sack of 2801b, Town Households 41s. to 47s. NEWCASTLE, SATURDAY.—A large supply from farmers, and a slow sale, owing to generally inferior quality. Prices were Is. to 2s. below last week. Oats scarce, and prices firm. Barley an average supply, with no change. Peas and beans scarce, and prices firm. The trafle with merchants for English and foreign wheat was quiet, at la. below last week's prices. Flour met with ready sale, at 6d. per sack cheaper. LEICESTER, SATURDAY.—Our corn market was moderately supplied with wheat, which sold at the extreme prices of last week. Very little doing for barley, which changed hands at high rates. Oats and beans came slowly to hand, and obtained late rates. NOTTINGHAM, SATURDAY.—To-day's market was moderately T supplied with wheat, the demand for which was fair, at rather more money. Very little doing for barley, which sold at high rates. Oats firmdr in price. Beans were scarce and very dear. GLOUCESTER, SATURDAY.—The supply of English wheat "was very good, and, except f >r best descriptions, sales were made at a decline of a shilling a quarter; foreign in retail demand at similar reduction. In consequence of the change in the weather, oa.ts, maize, and barley extremely dull. WARWICK, SATURDAY.—There was a further decrease in wheat at this market business steady, and a fair attendance. OXFORD, SATURDAY.-At thigr market. to-day, there was a short supply of English wheat, which sold pretty freely, at a decline of Is. per quarter. Oats rather ch aper. Be ins and pens fully as dear. Ialtin barley in le-s supply, with 3, better demand for fine quality, at fully previous rates; secondary parcels sell more freely. SHREWSBURY, SATURDAY.—White wheat at from 8s. Od. to 8s. 4d. per 751b; red, 7s. G.1. to 7s. 9d.; new, Os. to Os. Ol. oats, per Use. 101b. 18-6dto 19s. 6d.; peas. per llsc. 101b, 18s. 0J. to 18s. 6d.; beans, per 12sc., 21s. 01. to 21s. 6 1.; barley (malting), per 38 quarts, 5s. Od. to 5s. 6d.; grinding, per 13 scare 101bs. OOs. Od. to 00s. BRIDGNORTH, SATURDAY.—Best samples of white wheat, 7s. lid. to 58, per bushel of 721b; red wheat. 7s. 4d. to 7s. 81, per b-ishel of 721b; malting barley. Es. 4d. to 5s. 83. per bushel of 38 quarts; grinding barley, 14s. 10d. to 15s. Od. per bag 10 scrs. New beans, 17s. to 17s. 6d. per bag of 10 scores old beans, 18s. lOd. to 19s. Od. per bag of 10 scores. Peas, 18s. lOd. to 19s. Od. per bag of 11 scores. Oats, 13s. Od. to 15s. 01. per bag of 8 scores; Indian corn, 17s. Od to 17s. 6d. per sack of 12 scores. Winter vetches, from 10s. 6d. to lis. per imperial bushel. WELSHPOOL, MOMDAY.—Quotations:—Wheat (per 80Ibs.) 8*. 6d. to 9s. 0.1.; Barley, 5s. 0d. to 5s. 6J.; Oats, (per bag), 18s. to 22^ E; id to 12 for Is.; Butter, Is. 5d. to Is. 71. per lb.; Fowls, 3 s. 0.1. to 4s. 61. per couple: Ducks, 4s. 61. to 5s. 61.; Turkeys. 5?. Od. to 10s. Od. each Geese, 5s. 6d. to 12s. OJ. each; Potatoes, 3s. Od. to 3s. 6d. per bushel.

CATTLE. METROPOLITAN MONDAY.—The total imports of foreign stock into London last week amounted to 1,332 head. In the corresponding week in 1870 we received 6,648 in 18(19, 3.864; in 1868, 6,312: and in 181,7, 7,309 head. The cattle trade has been characterised by quietness to-day, notwithstanding the short- ness of the supplies, and less money has been accepted. The show of beasts has been short, owing to the absence of foreign receipts, nevertheless there has been a want of animation in the enquiry, and some difficulty has been experienced in realising 5s. 10d. to ûs. per 8lbs. for the best Scots and crosses. From Nor- folk, Suffdlk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire we received about 1,750 Scots and crosses; from Lincolnshire, &c., about 500 shorthorns; from Scotland, 250 Scots and crosses, and from Ireland 51 oxen. The market has been scantily supplied with sheep. Sales have progressed slowly, at 2d. per 81bs. less money. The best Downs and half-breds have been disposed of at 6s. to 6s. 2d. per 8!bs., the latter quotation being extreme. Calves have been dull at nominal currencies. Pigs have been depressed, and the top quotation has not exceeded 5B. per 8lbs. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—The supply of cattle and sheep, at the Liverpool cattle market to-day, was less than last Monday. The demand was good f.>r each at the extreme prices of last Monday. Prime cattle and sheep very scarce—Beef 61. to 81d. per lb.; mutton, 7d. to 9 £ d. per lb. There was at market 2,005 cattle, and 7,645 sheep. NOTTINGHAM, SATURDAY.- There was a fair show of beef oa offer, which changed hands at prices ranging from 6Ad. to 7id. per lb. Mutton in slow request, and fully as dear. Pork and veal a slow sale, and very dear,

I MISCELLA NEO US. LONDON PROVISION, MONDAY.— The arrivals last week from Ireland were 730 firkins butter, and 4,563 bales bacon, and fram foreign ports 2,718 packages butter. The short supplies of foreign butter caussd more inquiry for Irish, and fresh parcels brought improved rates, but little for sa'e. The bacon market remained slow, without change in value of best sizeable meat, whilst stont and heavy declined Is. to 2s. per cwt. Lard offering at 2s. decline. LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.—Only moderate supplies of potatoes are on sale at these markets. Taere has been a fair inquiry. LONDON HOP, M NDAY. -During the pa=t week conslder.ible inquiry has prevailed for coloury and medium grades of our own gro\v;h, causing both to acquire a firmer position in f.-ur market. Lower qualities are also in better demand. Foreign markets remain unchanged. Imports into this country from the 1st of September, to 31st December, 1870, amount to 1 /,831 bales. Mid and East Kent £ 1 15 £ 3 10 £ 1 0 Wealds 1 15 2 16 3 in Sussex 110 2 2. 3 G Farnham and Country 8 15 4 15 5 12 Olds. 1 0 1-15 2 1 i LONDON SEED, MONDAY.—There WAS a small quantity cf English cloverseed brought forward at this day's market fine samples commanded very high prices. American qualities to arrive were more enquired for, and again dearer. Choice whife seed was held for full rate?. The best English trefoil was in good request, and rather dearer. Both brown and white mus- tard seed were held rather firmer. Foreign tares were taken off steadily at somewhat enhanced rates. English canaryseed real- ised full currencies. Large hempseed was quite as dear. Grass seeds continue to realise good prices, with a steady demand. islKMINGHAM HIDE AND SKIN MARKET, Saturday Sides: 951b. and upwards, 4-h 1. to 01. per lb; 851b. to 41 to Od. per lb. 751b. to 841b., 4h 1. to Od. per lb. 651b. to 741b.. 41 to 0.1. per lb 561b to 1;11h, 4d. to 0.1 per lb.: 551 bs and under, 4 i to 01. per lb.: cows, 3Jil. to 4 1. per lb.: bul's. 3* I. per lb.: flawed and irregular, to 3J 1. per lh.; horse, 8s. 9d. to 15s. 9d. each Calf: 171b. and nnwards, 5. £ d. Per Ih.: 12ib. to }I¡lh.. 4 per lb; 91b. to 111b.. 8Jd. per ll> light. 7 £ d. per lb.: flawed and ir- ro.rrrlar. 5d. uer lb. Wools, A 1, 83.0d.; A, 6s. 2d.; B, 4s. 01. Fat, 3d to 8f d. LONDON WOOL, MONDAY.—A fair bu-iness has been trans- aete 1 in English wool at about the quotations recently current. Choice qualities are most in request, and full prices are. paid for eleaned parcels. In coloni il wool a quiet business has been transacted at about late rates. B. d. to FLEECES—Southdown hoggets per lb. 10' 1 L'. H;tlf-bred ditto 1 3" 1 4 Kcat fJeeces 1 2 1 3 Southd'n ewes and wethers „ 0 10^ 0 'H Leicester ditto 11" 1 SORTS—Clothing, picklock 1 4 1 4i Prime 1 2^ 1 3 Choice „ 11" 12 Super 1 0 1 01 Combing, wether mat 1 2< 1 3 Picklock 1 0| 1 1 Common 0 11" 0 111 Hog matching 1 4 1 Picklock matching „ 1 0i 11 Super ditto 0 11" 0 11A HALIFAX WOOL AND WORSTED. SATURDAY.—There is a good business doing in wool, but holders in the country are so very firm that staplers find it difficult to operate to a profit. In yarns and pieces also, business is not slack but here also work- ing to a profit, especially in yarns, is not easy. LONDON PRODUCE, SATURDAY. The continue thaw is rapidly removing the difficulties of river navigation, and the wind which has brought about the favourable change in the weather has also enabled a fleet of ,e>;sel, to get up channel, so that from a general suspension of waterside work the docks and wharves are now getting into full activity. The fresh supplies of colonial and other produce will shortly afford a larger assortment and better choice of many of the primary articles, and as both home trade and export, orders of fair extent are coming to hand, an extension of transactions in these mar- kets is likely to ensue. SUGAR.—The market is very firm, although with less activity. Common sold at stiffer prices, chiefly Madras jaggery, of which about 6.1)00 Inrrs are reported sold at 19s. 6d. to 20s. C IFFEE.—There is an increased enquiry for common grades of plantation Ceylon, for which very full rates are pnil. RICE.-Business is doing, but the particulars do not transpire. SALTPETRE is very firm, at the recent advance. JUTE.—There has been a good enquiry, but owing to the stiff rates demanded no business has transpired. HEMP.—Rus-ian is firm, at E35 10J. for clean St. Petersburg. COTTON is dnll, and prices barely sustained. tin market is very firm, and for arrival 10 tons Straits afloat sold at X133 ex steamer. Copper quiet, but firm. Spelter no change. OILS.—Linseed firmer, at 30s. 3d. London 29s. 9d. Hull spot; and 30s. one month, with business in both position s. Rape oil is steady. English brown, 4¡s. on the snot and first four months. Palm and cocoa nut oils quiet, at hte rites. TALLOW.—The market is a shade firmer. Y.C. on the spot, 45s. 3d. buyers: January to March, 45s. 31.; Jane, 45s. 6d. to 45s. 9d.; last three months, 46s. Cd. to 46s. 9 1.

THE WAR. SIEGE OF PARIS. The bombardment of the forts on the east, north, and south of Paris has been continued with such effect that several of the strongholds have been silenced, though perhaps not permanently. Forts Issy and Vanvres, which cover the south-west corner of the city, have ceased to re- turn the German fire, but until we hear of their evacua- tion it may be fairly assumed that they are still useful for purposes of defence. A Special Correspondent with the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia, writing on the nth of the bom- bardment of the Paris forts, says that both sides stood to their guns like men. The French seemed to answer shell for shell, and something more. They perhaps fired too fast, the correspondent adds, but sent many shells whizzing beyond the batteries, and had apparently resolved to make up for shortcomings of aim by rapidity of fire. The Ger- mans were more deliberate, and may have produced a greater effect. Nearly all the German shells burst with due exactness, but it was noteworthy that the French shells did the same in much greater proportion than at the begin- ning of the operations. In the proclamation which has just been issued by the French Government in Paris. the inhabitants are informed that the measures which have been taken with the view to a more energetic resistance will demand the co-operation of the entire population. From one of our (Daihi News) Special Correspondents in Paris, we have received letters to the 3rd instant. The announcement that Mont Avron had been evacuated had produced a very depressing effect, and a strong under- current of feeling was setting in against General Trochu, whose strategy was considered to be in fault. It was thought that lie would not again act on the offensive. un- less under great pressure from the public. This was likely to be exercised. The Parisians, meanwhile, showed no disposition to surrender. Owing to want of fuel there had been some unruly beliaviour-the people forestalling the action of the Government bv making free with the palings and trees about the city—but there had been no serious disturbances. The cold had been intense, and the death- rate from this cause was becoming terribly high. During i the week ending December 31st, the total number of deaths was 3,280, an increase of 550 over the two previous weeks. The population was about two millions, so that the mor- tality was at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum. Versailles, Monday Night.—During last night an in- creased fire was kept up by our batteries to the south of Paris. The buildings at Montrouge continued burning until morning. To-day our flre was slower owing to the dense fog. The enemy replied weakly, and only from certain points. Our columns, which are marching from jVendome to-wards Le Mans, continued their advance yesterday as far as St. Calais without any serious resis- tance.

THE BESIEGED RESIDENT. The Besieged Resident," who contributes such in- teresting letters to the D,(ili News, writing on the (itli instant, says I have just returned from Pont-du- Jour, where I went in order to see myself what truth theJe was in the announcement that we were being bom- barded. Pont-du-Jour is the point where the Seine issues from Paris. The circular railroad passes over the river on a high brick viaduct, which forms a species of fortification. The hills outside the city form here a sort of amphitheatre, in which are situated the towns of Revres and Meudon. To the right of the river is Mont Valerien and the batteries in the Bois de Boulogne to the left the Fort of Issy. The noise of the cannonade was very loud but very little could be seen, owing to the sun shining on the hills outside. Speculators, however, with telescopes, were offering to show the Prussian artillerymen for one sou. When I got within about half-a-mile of the ram- parts I began to hear the whistling of the shells. Here the sightseers were not so numerous. Whenever a shell was heard, there was a rush behind walls and houses. Some people threw themselves down, others seemed to imagine that the smallest tree would protect them, and congregated behind the thinnest saplings. Boys were running about picking up pieces of shells, and offering them for sale. Women were standing at their doors, and peeping their heads out "Brigands, bandits, they dare to bombard us wait till to-morrow, we will make them rue it." This, and expressions of a similar nature, was the tone of the small talk. My own impression is, that the Prussians were firing at the ramparts, and that, as often occurs, their projectiles overshot the mark. I did not see anyone either killed or wounded, and it seems to me that the most astonishing in a bombardment is the little damage it does to life and limb. A bit of iron cut away a branch from one of the trees, one shell I saw burst on the road by the river, and in fifteen minutes I counted eleven shells whizzing through the air. The newspaper which I have just bought, I see, says that two shells have fallen close to the Invalides, and that they have been coming in pretty thickly all along the zone near the southern ramparts. This may or may not be the case. Like Herodotus in Egypt, I make a distinction between what I am told and what I see, and onlyjguarantee the authenticity of the latter. The only house which I could perceive had been struck was a small one. A chimney ::tack had been knocked over an old lady who inhabited it pointed this out to me. She seemed to be under the impression that this was the result of design, and plain- impression that this was the result of design, and plain- tively asked me what she had done to William and to I Bismarck that they should knock over her chimney. On the ramparts no damage seemed to have been done. The National Guard cn duty were in the cast mates. Ihe noise here was tremendous. Issv, Valerien, the guns of the bastions and those of the cannon-boats were firing as hard as they could, and the Prussian batteries were re- I turning their fire with a will. After the sun went down the dark hills opposite were lit up with the flashes of light which issued every second from the batteries."

A MARVELOUS ESCAPE. The following is from a letter from a French soldier From time to time was heard on the right or loft a c followed by groans it was a comrade struck by a ball. At first it chilled me to the very bones, but soon I heard and saw nothing more but the balls whizzing about my ears and before me the dark Prussian uniform. The in- toxicftion of fire and powder had seized me that moment is one in which a man is no long-er a man. He only thirsts for destruction gradually, and by creeping, we had come closer to the enemy. Suddenly the cannon thundered. the enemy had brought forth their artillery a shower of shells came down upon us the position became untenable; we must retire or charge. The command to charge was given. We started; the scene cannot be described. It sr was while crossing the space separating us from the enemy that a violent blow in the chest sent me reeling to the ground my rifle escaped from my grasp. For a few seconds I remained quite stunned. On recovering my senses, I felt myself all over, discovered that my cartridge- box was torn, my woollen shirt pierced, and my white isliirt stained with blood. Passing my hand through my clothes, I found a ball. Fortunately mv cartridge-box had stopped it and turned it off; it had glided over the rihs« and only the flesh was slightly torn and bruised, the ball remaining in my shirt. I keep it as a remembrancer.

GARIBALDI ON THE WAR. The following appears in the Echo :— My dear Editor,—The situation of France is very far from being so bad as certain interested pessimists wish to make people understand. The permanent future of the Republic is beyond a doubt, and the reasons which lead me to that conclusion are as follows :—The French army is dailyincreasing in numbers and in confidence. The Prus- sian army is doing just the opposite. For mv second con- clusion I will put to you the following question :—Do you bcl t -e that in Fi an'-e there is a sin le man who would be capable of proposing a degrading peace ? Did such a man exist, he would be torn to pieces within 24 hours. So much for France. As for my humble self. I feel truly happy at the end of my career to be able still to do service to the holy cause of the people, and assuredlv I shall do this with all the devotion of which I am capable.-Yours sincerely, G. GARIBALDI."

MISCELLANEOUS. There has been some more heavy fighting on the Loire, but the reports arc, as usual, conflicting. A French ac- count states that on Friday the Germans attacked French positions near Vendome, and after a partial success, retired towards endorae, leaving behind many wounded and prisoners. The Germans, on the other hand, report that after a severe engagement the French were repulsed and their positions occupied. Count Bismarck has replied to the complaint about the sinking of the English vessels in the Seine. He expresses deep regret that the exigiences of the German position re- quired the'sinking of the vessels, but promises prompt indemnity, and strict inquiry as to any ill-treatment of the crews. Brussels, Tuesday.—The Echo du Parlenw-nt of to-day says:—"In consequence of military events on the frontier, orders have been given for calling out three classes of militia." Carlsrliiie, Tuesday.—General Glumer reports from Vesoul that on the Gth inst. a reconnoiteriug engagement took place at Echenoy-le-Sec and Leonec. Three officers and 207 men were captured. Bordeaux, Tuesday.—An official despatch from Rouge- mont states that the battle of yesterday in the Dombs lasted till seven in the evening, and night only prevented the completeness of the French victory being appreciated. All positions allotted to the army yesterday are now occu- pied by it. Bordeaux, Tuesday.—On Sundav the Prussians attacked the French positions at Chateau Renalt on the line from Fault to Authon. The French preserved all their posi- tions except the village of Authon. A despatch from Alencon, on Monday, states that the Prussians attacked the French advanced guard at Tobay, on the Nogent road, but were repulsed and pursued. On Saturday a Prussian reconnaisance of 500 men was repulsed at Sevignv, near Semur, and retreated on the Montbard road, with con- siderable loss. It is stated Riceiotti Garibaldi commanded. Havre, Tuesday Evening.—This morning 500 German infantry and cavalry attacked the French advanced out- posts and were repulsed in the direction of St. Romain; their infantry retreated in carriages. A telegram from Amiens announces that Peronne capi- tulated on Tuesday, the garrison, 3,000 strong, surrender- ing as prisoners of war. A telegram from Versailles announces that. General C'hanzy was driven back to within a mile of Le Mans on Tuesday. The Germans captured one gun, three mitrail- leuses, and more than 2,000 prisoners. From Versailles we also learn that General Werder had a victorious engagement on Monday year Vesoul with the troops of General Bourbaki, and captured 800 prisoners. Despatches from the Government in Paris to the Go- vernment at Bordeaux up to the 10th have reached Bordeaux by balloon. Many balls of large size from the Prussian guns have fallen into Paris in the neighbourhood of the Pantheon, and killed several persons and done some damage to property. The population is as deter- mined as ever to resist to the last. A Special Correspondent with the head-quarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia mentions a rumour that damage has been caused by the German shells in Grenelle. one of the suburbs of Paris. The German soldiers were so anxious to make the city feel the terrors of the siege that any symptom of a cannonade of the place would be hailed with joy by them. From Paris itself we learn by balloon that much damage has been caused in the city by the German fire. According to the latent intelligence, the bombardment actively continues, and the barracks in Fort I ssy are now reported burnt down. New German batteries have been opened nearer the city, and it appears certain that, if the garrison still resist, the city will be shelled in earnest. The Prussians continue to besiege Givet. "Eighty cannon and a numerous staff have arrived at Longuy. Berlin letters state that if the bombardment leads to the capitulation of Paris, the London Conference may possibly take into consideration the question of peace. It is also said that Earl Granville has proposed an adjourn- ment of the Conference. We learn from Schwerin that a telegram has been re- ceived from the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, dated the 11th, from Connerre. a village on L'Huine river, about'ten miles east of Le Mans, announcing that on that day his troops had crossed L'Huine and fought a hotlv-contested battle at Lombrom and La Chapelle. capturing nearly 10,000 prisoners, with small loss to the Germans. He also announces his intention to advance on Le Mans on the morrow. Great as this victory appears to be, it is not 1likely that it will have any important result. Even the capture of Le Mans, in the present temper of the French, would be of little moment. The great centre of interest is and must be Paris, for it is hoped with good reason that when that city surrenders—and the crisis is rapidly drawing nigh—the way will be found to a settlement. A Special Correspondent with the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Saxony, says that General Manteuffel has gone to Versailles prior to assuming a new command, viz., that of the Fifth Army. General Manteuffel is to support Von Werder, and press on to the occupation of Lyons. He leaves Von Goeben to keep General Faidherbe in check and the north of France in order, and is confident that Von Goeben is quite strong enough for these duties.

DEATH OF THE DEAN OF CANTERBURY. We announce with great regret the death of the Very Rev. Henry Alford, Dean of Canterbury. He had not enjoyed good health for some time past, but as lately as Monday, Jan. 0th, he presided at a meeting of clergy and gentry of the city, with the object of organizing a fund for the relief of the poor. Some time afterwards he com- plained of feeling unwell, and on Tuesday he was confined to his room by a severe attack of influenza. Mr Hallowes, a surgeon of Canterbury, was called in, but congestion of the lungs supervened, under which the Dean rapidly sank, and expired shortly before two o'clock on Thursday afternoon.

DREADFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS. Early on Wednesday morning a dreadful explosion of gas took place at Messrs Wells's colliery, Eckington, near Chesterfield, by which no less than twenty-^even men and boys were killed, and nine or ten others seriously in- jured. The men went to work for the night shift, in number, fortunately, only about forty, the day shift being between 300 and 400 in number. About midnight, or shortly after, a terrific explosion occurred, it is believed, I through the firing of a shot, and was heard for some dis- tance. Directly afterwards a column of smoke came up the downcast shaft. Volunteers were soon found to go down, and after a short time the few uninjured men were ,g<9t up to the surface, followed, after a considerable period, by those who were slightly hurt. The more i seriously injured were next got up, and after some time the gangs of volunteers forced their way to the scene of the explosion, and began to get at the dead. The air was so bad, that it was only by the most determined efforts they could be got out, and up to three o'cloek in the afternoon one body still remained in the pit. Twenty- four men and two boys were sent up and placed in rows in the stable adjoining the works. All the bodies were dreadfully disfigured by the explosion. The most intense excitement prevailed, the pit bank being crowded by hundreds of relatives and friends of the dead men. This explosion is the worst known in Derbyshire for several years. An incident which occurred in No. 2 pit of the colliery is worthy of record. The first to enter this pit on the ex- plosion being known was a youth named Miles Hardwick, son of Mr Samuel Hardwick, the underground steward', and a man named Joseph Evans. Mr Hardwick's house is very near the pit mouth, and therefore the explosion could be easily heard by the inmates. Without waiting to think about tlie state of the ventilation, and whether it was safe to go down, young Hardwick and Evans got themsehes lowered into the pit and at once commenced to explore. othing could be heard of them by those above, and, were suffocated, a mepseneer was des?arf!l lr Hardwick> ^"ho was amongst the fxg i°; 1 soon as was aware of what had happened he hastened to No. 2, was let down the lib,1- tllou,sh the ventilation was exceedingly bad, lie nuiried up the roadway in search of his son. He was not long in doubt as to what bad become of him, for he found him lying in the road perfectly insensible, and apparently dead. Quick as thought the father knelt down y his side, forced open his mouth, and endeavoured to induce respiration by breathing into his mouth. His efforts to save his son were at length successful, for the youth became conscious, and the explorers removed him to the pit mouth. In saving his son Mr Hardwick him- self almost lost his life, for he was nearly overcome by the after damp, and on Wednesday he was so ill that he was confined to his bed. Young Hardwick was also very ill. On Thursday morning, there occurred a fearful catas- trophe at the colliery of the Crewe Coal and Iron Company, at Leycett, near Newcastle-under-Lyme. A shot was fired in the ten-feet seam contrary to orders, and the result was an explosion of gas, which spread death and suffering amongst nearly 200 workmen who were at work in the pit at the time. Four poor fellows were killed on the spot, one died shortly after, and fifteen others were more or less seriously injured. Four of the killed were married, and have left children. There was a sorrowful and exciting scene on the snow covered pit bank, hundreds gathering there soon after the explosion, and many in the utmost anxiety to know the fate of relatives or friends. The deceased men were terribly disfigured, one body having to be carried home in a bag. The man'who is said to have improperly fired the shot is amongst the injured. ■—

The death is aunounced of Mr Alexander Munro, the sculptor. He had been in such bad health for some time c that his recovery was generally regarded as hopeless. He died at Cannes on the 1st iDst.