Monmouthshire Merlin

THE LOVER TO HIS MISTRESS. I would I were a little bird That all the summer long Sits in its woodland arbour, Trolling its merry song And when bright summer past away, And the woodland boughs were bare I would fly to thy kind bosom, And sing tny glad notes there. When my tiny heart should strangely beat Against that snow-white skin, I should dream I heard THINE whisper, Poor fluttering thing! come in." And I fancy now how glad I'd fly From e'en SUCH a place of rest, To a heart whose lore would make me More sheltered and more blest! 1838. JuvBiris.

flattie. REMINISCENCES OF A RETIRED SURGEON. IT has often been observed by our ancestors, and as often repeated by their posterity, that "to see a good rnsn struggling with diffi- culties, is a sight worthy of the gods." I cannot conceive upon what grounds this maxim is indebted for its claim to our respect, unless that its antiquity may call for our regard for that which, certainly, humanity must repudiate. So far from the sight being worthy of admiration, I know of none that awakens in my breast more painfal feelings than that of a fellow-creature, whether good or bad, struggling with diffi- culties, which are as likely to conquer him, as that he shall over. come them. A much more noble sight is, in mv opinion, that of the man who steps forward in behalf of the sufferer, and assists in rescuing him from che difficultiel and dangers of his position. To suppose that the doctrine which I advance, in direct oppo- sition o the sages of antiquity, wilt meet with general approval in this utilitarisn age, is more than can be espeeted-mltch more than I expect, although naturally of a sanguine temperament, a Utile modified, it is true, by the sober current of age. Unfortunately, the sages of antiquity receive a powerful tup. port for this, one of their favourite maxims, from the self-interest of mankind, which prompts them to leave a roan struggling with difficulties to his fate, if not to give him a posh in the wroog direction—a feeling somewhat allied to that which incites the boy to throw stones at a deserted hovae, and break the few panes of glass that previous agents of destruction have left unacathed. Philosophy, too, lends a helping hand on such occasions, and aids in appeasing the qualms of conscience which the less apathe- tic may possibly feel for the desertion of one whom they perhaps have long known, and whom it is possible they have mere than once professed to esteem, if not to love. Does the better feeling of the human breast call on them to aid their brother in distress? Interest says, No! you may lose by the transaction." Philanthrophy interferes, and replies, The loss will be little to YOIl-th. gain great to him." Pbi. losophy decides the matter, aad whispers io tbe too-wily eJU, It is a noble sight: leave him to his own resources to work out the victory by himself—the triumph will be the greater." Ah! but where is the Iriulllph ?-where, amidst the numbers that daily, hourly, sink around us, are the triumphs of those who have fought and struggled ?—In the grave Man is but a machine, and, like all other machines, is capable only of a certain amount of work. Will the careful driver over- load his horsed Willlhe experienced engineer work his steam- engiue beyond its powers ? No They know too well that the power should always be above, not below, its work. And yet nun's strength—his eodurlDce-bis powers of mind and body, are to be taxed beyood <beir all, and he is expected to triumph too This may be philosophy, but certaioly is not con- sistent with common sense—not worthy of our common nature. The brute and the senseless engine are spared the sensitive mind-Ihe enfeebled mlDd-th8 subdued spirit—are to experience no sympathy—to receive no aid. Let those who boast what they have done—what riches they have amassed—what difficulties they have overcome—what great triumphs they have acbiued-Iet tbem, I say. look back to their past career, and see if they are not indebted to some favourable incident for their suecesa, ai much as to their own ability. Was there no period of their lives when the balance rested in tbe cen- tre, and when a feather's weight might have turned it agawut, as it has done for, them 1 Some fortunate purchase—some lucky sale, which perhaps ruined others—some early intelligence— some unexpected turn in the markets—what have not theew inci- dents, or such as these, dooe tor them ? What might not others of a different character have made them? Perhaps the inmates of a workhouse, or the noisy oecupants of the mad-house. I admire pride-noble, becoming, pride—but 1 admire charity also. They may be united in rich as well as in poor-in the inhabitant of the palace, as in the occupant of the cottage. There are some who make such questions II these, a matter. of-cash affair," and strike the balance of profit and loss on "the transaction," as calmly as they would close an account ia their ledger, and who contend that locietyaaio. by this mercantile system of viewing aniurs but I am willing to enter the lists with them, and dare to prove they are much mistaken, even in a pecuniary point of view. But how sadly mistaken are they, and would they not admit it, —if they had bent—as I have done, over the bed of sickness, of death, and helped to close the eyes of departing virtue, van* qui&hed in the strife, and to heal the woonds of the weeping widow and the sorrowing orphan No, no, no !—it is not phi- losophy. The anxious days, the sleepless nights, the efforts of the body, the struggles of the mind, the wounded pride, the alternations of hope and despeir, prove at length too much; and the man of proud carriage and independent spirit sinks into the helpless inva- lid, or the deraeated imbecile, and becomes a burden to himself, his frieods, and society. In the practice of my profession I have had, al. many iD- atances of such cases, aud have attentively observed them, taking particular note of the various results that have enaued. according to the natural disposition and temperament of the individual; and I am yet unable to say whether the strong or weak-minded have been most successful in the contest. The iostances of re- trievement of fortune have been most frequent amongst the former, yet they have also been most frequently borne down by their effuits. The weak are more inclined to yield to their circum- stances, aud gradually sink into a stale of fatuity, or indifference to their fate, Irom which no effort can arouse them. The latter become the inmates of the workhouse—the former the tananta of the 10mb! Charles Forster was one of my earliest patients. When I first knew him he was io the prime of life, scarcely thirty years of age. He was of strong, athletic make, and possessed a mind of unu- sual vigour and ability. Being deatined by his parents for the mercantile life, his education and subsequent readings tended rather to increase the strength of his understanding than enervate it—an effect not unfrequently produced by a more laborious and refined course of study. The mercantile pursuits, ia which he became engaged at aa eirly period of life, added to this natural vigour of mind. Ac- customed 10 observe and judge for himself, there were few men whose mental abilities were superior to his. 00 all the questions of the day, more especially those connected with commerce, he was well nformed and no favourable opportunity was lost to him, of tendering himself fitted to discharge the duties of the state of life that had been chosen lor him—a station of the first importance and respuDsibilrly-lbat of an English merchant. It may be resaonably supposed,that under these circumstances C. F. voon became favourably known, and highly thought of in theoty. He wis frequently consulted on the first commercial questions, not only by the firm with whom be had served endstitt continued to act, but by the leading merchants of London. In a few years his abilities, his attention to business, and his general good conduct, had so far recommended him to the esteem and confidence of the firm, as to induce the partners to offer him a share, as junior in the business. This offer was accepted, and ia a few weeks Charles Forster was gazetted as partner in the firm of Brooka, Wilraot, and Forster, and became the active conductor of one of the leading .Manchester houses in the city. In a little time after, a marriage was solemnized between him and Emily Wttmot, the only child of Mr. Wilmot, the aecond in the firm and a sum of £10,000. was placed to the credit of his private account as a mau,aie portioo.. [ A period of fifieen yeara etapses during which C. F. became a laiher, wealthy, honoured by the office of sheriff for the city, and the high-mioded and independent owner of a mansion in Portman square. He had also giv«Q Up (he active management ol the partnership.] r At this period, one of those strange movements took place in the commercial world, which so fivquently and almost periodi- cally visit the community. I allude 10 ,he spacuJative mania winch affected this country in the year la2-. This first eommeofed. tf I mistake not, ia the formation of several Mexican Companies, at) of which promised stores of io- exhaustible wealth to any and every shareholder. Whatever was its commencement, it spread to all classes of the community, and merchants, tradespeople, professional men, nay, the humblest ctaasesof society, and, ia mtaytmtances, Isdiesof high rank, entered the arena of speculation crowds daily thronged the tp. proaches to the Stock Exchange; and the most abaurd scheme met with supporters on every side. Among the rest, Charles Forster embarked in one of the Mex. ican Mining Companies, and became at once a large shareholder and a director. The shares rapidly rose to a high premium, and more than 200 per cent. profit were in many instances realised. Charles Forster now considered himself worth at least £ 250,000 —io addition to his share in the firm of Brooks, Wilmot, and Forster, which could have easily commanded at lesst £100,000 more. Some of his friends, who were aware of the large sum he bad at stake in the compaoy, frequently advised him to sell out, if not the whole, at least, the principal portion of his shares, so that he might realise just as much as would protect him from any future change in their value. But his confidence in the prospect of the speculation was too g'eat, and his high sense of honour rejected a line of conduct, which, however favourable to his own private ciicumstances, would be injurious to those who, confiding in the integrity of his character, had also embarked in the scheme. For some time, the advice of his friends appeared injudicious, as the shares advanced to a higher premium, and the flattering reporta continued to be received from the agents of the company in South America. But there were parties in the city more suspicious, and less scrupulous, than Charles Forster, who had taken the precaution to send out a schooner to Mexico, with a confidential and intel- ligent agent on board, who had directions to visit the mines, and report their true position to them. The agent, soon after his arrival, discovered that the mines so loudly praised were compl ratively worthless, and that the English shareholders were the dupes of needy adventurers, and their own unprincipled agents, who forwarded the most encouraging accounts to Europe, that they might amass wealth themselves, by retaining their places, or by taking advantage of the rash speculation of the day. This treacherous conduct was not confined to the ageots of the company in Mexico; more than one half of the Loodoo directors were in the secret, and took timely advantage of their knowledge. The arrival of the private ageot was wholly unexpected in Mexico, and caused the greatest alarm amongst the company's officers. They endeavoured to deceive him, but his experienced eyes soon detected the state of the mines, and determined him in the course be should pursue. He pretended to believe their re- ports, and gave them to uuderstand, that he was about visiting other mines in the interior of the country but instead of doing so. he made his way as rapidly and as privately as possible to the coast, and returned at once to Englaod. The winds were favourable, and in five weeks from the day of bis departure, the vessel arrived safe in the port of Falmonth, Not a moment was lost-I)a instantly posted to London, where he arrived at an early hour of the morning, and conveyed to his employers the intelligence that saved them, at least, from de. struction. The shares were at the highest premium, having reached the extraordinary price of £1000 premium. The market opened- the few shareholders in the secret gradually sold out, and when the Exchange closed, had disposed of all their shares. This circumstance did not escape the notice of the brokers and others, connected with money matters in the city; but as there j had yet been no ariival reported from Mexico, and as the usual moDthly mail was not due for three days, the sales were regarded as of a speculative character, and attracted comparatively linle attention amongst the thousand similar transactions that were then of daily occurrence. But alarm soon spreads. Next morning, the arrival of the Isabella, Captain Fowler, from Mexico, was gazetted at Lloyd's. Her speedy return, she having left but thirteen weeks previously, coupled with the sales that had taken place the day before, in- creased the suspicion, and the market tell rapidly. Numbers now wished to dispose of their shares, at a heavy loss; some were fortunate enough to succeed, but the evening closed on many who could meet with no purchaseis. The next day, the mail packet arrived, and brought the usual fiatteriog reports from the deceitful agents, but also private letters to their friends, communicating the faci of the agent's arrival, and advising them to sell out as soon as possible. The public were deceived the shares agsia rose, and the un- principled directors fed the market with their shares, and escaped the impending ruin—the possessors of thousands—the wealthy speculsior-lhe fortunate merchants! One has since been raised to a baronetcy, and for some time occupied a distinguished place in the legislature, whilst the names of his victims swelled the bankruptcy list to an extent unheard of before. Bad news, it is said, files quickly. In a few days the whole secret had transpired, and the shares of this Mexican Mining Company were wholly refused on the Stock Exchange. A fearful reaction now act in. Public confidence was 108t- despair reigned triumphani-all. all rushed to dispose of their shares, but none would buy. A Panic had tUM" place !-end the frenzy of the unfortnoate speculators was only equalled by their former madness. There seemed to be no judgment—no dis- crimination—schemes good, bad, and indifferent, shared the same fate; and some parties realised fortunes by the purchase of shsres of which there could be no doubt whatever. The crisis was precipitated by the self-protective measares of the Bank of England, the directors of which, raised the rate of discount j per cent. The country took the alarm-tbe banks became crowded with applicants, and a general consternation resulted. In a few weeks, bankers, merchants, and tradespeople, gave way, and the list of bankrupts in the Gasette filled three extra .columns I Many fled to the continent—some lost their reason- others, alas equally insane, telminated at once their hopes and their despair, by suicide (To be continued.)

THE AMERICAN FRIGATE LADEN WITH PRO- VISIONS, &c., FOR THE RELIEF OF IRELAND. [The United Statea ahip of war, Jamestown," under the eommind of Captain Forbes, laden with bread stuffs, and pro- visions for the relief of the distressed Irish, left Boston on the 28th ult., and, after a splendid voyage of 16 days, arrived at Cork, on her mission of mercy. She brought 8000 barrels of flour. This is a free contribution from the States.] The Alps in their heaven-crown'd might are sublime, And gloriously throbs the proud breast of the sea, Whose waves should be links to unite clime to clime, Enfolding all mankind as men ought to be And the fair, fearless barque, though a creature of art, Sublime must appear to all true men and free. Which wafts the life-blood to the market and mart, And whose mission is hallow'd from seaboard to lea. And surely God's smile must descend on the sails Most brightly, which forego the terrors of war, L, To succour the land where dire famine prevails, With the bounty of friends and of regions afar. When the decks are not arm'd for the fratricide strife, But freighted with plenty by brotherly love; When Death must recede from the blessings of life, And the vulture of Moloch from Charity's dove. Ay glorious the path of that barque o'er the wave Columbia forgets not the old father-land Her citizens stretch forth the strong hand to save, And the heart of old friendship is puls'd in the hand. From the senate to cottage, the cry of distress, The death cry of Erin with anguish was heard And the God of all goodness that people must bless, Who so nobly have follow'd his merciful word. Albeit most welcome the life-saving boon, Yet not here alone shall its influence dwell It will cherish the seeds of kind feeling, which soon To a friendship eternal may gloriously swell. Though a different flag may stream forth from the mast, The blood, tongue, and souls of the lands are the same And their children will smile at the feuds of the past, In pity, and strive for life's genuine fame— The fame which the olive of peace may enwreathe, I he fame never sullied by widowhood's tear, Tin? "i?urf renowi1 which for ages will breathe, When the clay that enshrined it is mouldering here. This, this, is the trOphy, the triumph, whose car Leads the spirits of men in the holiest chains • It beams on their souls like the Bethlehem star When Peace swell'd the anthem of angelic strains. Then bless'd be the sails of the life-freighted barque And happy the homesteads of those who can feel For the land wherein famine and pestilence stark Might make o'en to rocks a successful appeal. The death-clouds are passing Hope's morning will dawn And plenty may speedily smile on the plain; But men will remember, till life is withdrawn, Columbia's brave barque with her freight o'er the main. Illustrated London News. L.

ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS. The return moved for by Mr. E. Buller, of the number and nature of accidents and injuries to life and limb which have occurred during the six months, ending December 31, 1846, now just printed, exhibts the following results :-40 lines make a return of an aggregate of 144 accidents, involving loss of life to 81, and injuries to 154. The lines on which the larger number of aeri<Unl« hiua iu*i*nrr»f) a re 11..0 n Killed Injd. Eastern Counties 4 34 Manchesterand Leeds 10 14 Midland Counties 8. 3 North Western (Lundon and Liverpool) 10 It London and Brighton, and South Western 4 29 Edinburgh and Glasgow 2. 4 Great Western 3 0 Morth Union 5 n Stockton and Dailington 4 4 Bristol and Birmingham. 2. 4 Manchester and Lincolnshire 3. 2 As regalds tbe class of accidents in which passengers are most in- tereated-viz., collisions, the return shows 16 such cases, causing injuries to 70 peisons, and death to 3. The return, which spe- cifies the nature of each particular accident, likewise shows that the majority of the entire cases arise from the carelessness of the sufferers themselves and of this class 40, mostly fatal, are from the single cause of crossing and walking on the lines in front of an advancing engine. BLAENAVON IRON AND COAL COMPANY. The annual meeting of this company was held at the officese Bucklers bury, on the 23rd inst. R. W. Kennard, Esq., in the chair. There was a report read, which appeared to be, on ths whole, very salisfactory-the net profit on the year's operation- having been £ 23,269. 17s. 10d.; and, by a resolution of a pre- vious meeting, all the losses of former years, with the prel imi nary expenses and the dead accounts, had been expunged. A dividend of XI. per share had been paid in February, and It appeared to be the opinion of the shareholders, that the directors would be justified in paying another in the autumn; but the subject was left to their discretion.—The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks was pasted to Mr. Johnson (the manager), also to Mr. Hill and to Mr. West (members of the local com- mittee in Wales).—A vote of tbaaks was also passed unani- mously to the chairman and directors of the company, when the meeting adjourned.

GENERAL NEWS. 1 Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by a numerous suite, honoured tbe performance of Elijah" with their presence at Exeter Hall. The hall was crowded in every part, and the royal visitors were greeted most enthusiastically. Mendelssohn conducted. Her Majesty has recently sebscribed £ 200.in aid of the Gaelic schools, under the superintendence of the Free Church. This gift was presented through tbe Duchess of Gordon, and was accompanied by an expression of favour towards the church to which her Grace belongs. A Berlin letter of tbe 16ih assures us that M. Hossauer, the king's goldsmith, was to leave on the following day lor London, with the magnificent shield, of which his Majesty has made a present to his godson, the Prince of Wales. The completion of the extensive improvements of Windsor Castle, projected by George IV., and SirJ. Wyatlville, has been commenced, by the demolition of the old houses, erected by James I. for five additional poor knights. A quantity of furniture has been made at Birmingham for the Queen of Spain. The material is papier mach6, inlaid with gilding and mother-o'-pearl, and the piincipal articles are the largest ever made of that substance. They consist of a sofa covered with velvet, chairs, a sofa-table, work and chess-ta- bles, &c. The Bishop of Sodor and Man died on Wednesday week. The Admiralty intend having a company of marine arldlery at each of the marine divisions. Copper Ore smelting was unknown in the United States pre. vious to 1842. Several ladies of New York, United States, have been for some time past occupied in the manufacture of a bonnet of a peculiar and cosily description, intended as a present to her Ma- jesty Quean Victoria. The Government have given permission at Florence, for the publication of an English and a French paper, to be confined to local matters, and keep clear of politics. There is in the United States sufficient food to feed the whole of Europe for tbe next twelve months. The crop of 1846 has not yet been touched, notwithstanding the large supplies we have already received from the Atlantic ports. Tbe wbitea of Mercer coumy, Obio, says the New York Anti- Slavtry Standard, will not permit the coloured people to have grain ground at their mills. A thief, with a wooden leg, got on board a ship at Sunderland, and was plundering it, when the leg snapped in two, and pre- vented his escape. Miss Burdett CouttS will heneH lay the foundation stone of the new church in Westminster to which ahe has so munificeotly contributed. An interesting discovery has been made on the line of the Asbburton and South Devon Railway, about a quaiter of a mile from that town—that of a cement rock, specimens of which huve been sent to London, and it is stated to be of a superior quality. At the Preotoo sessions, Mr. Marshall wound up his summary to the jury with these lemarks :—" You cannot have any doubt 81 10 the prisoner's guilt; his very countenance would ha7lg him." An American woman at Fall River, fifteen years old, was deli- vered of twins (boys) lately. The father is seventeen years old. They are all doing well. A beautiful white lark was lately observed pouring forth its melodious notes, in a field belongingto Mr. E. Grundy, surgeon, Heap. During the last half-century, Bristol has proved a sort of semi- nary for artists, where not a few have acquired an eminence which, in some instances, have placed them on an equality with the most distinguished men of tbeir profession, and even at the head of it. The Sybille, a frigate of spacious capacity, to carry 36 guns, was launched at Pembroke Dock-yard, on Thursdsy evening about six o'clock. She went off in grand style. The Pharmaceutical Times recommends a subscriber, who de- scribes tbe torture to which he and his family have been subjected by a legion of fleas, to cover himself and family with coal tar. John Smith, a poor emigrant, was last week cheated in London by a sharper out of £35., his whole capital. He is now left a beggar and an outcast. The French Chamber of Peers have rejected by a majority of 107 to 7, the project of establishing a line of steam- ships between Havre and New York. In Ireland there baa been an enormous increase in the prices of all kinds of provisions. No good beef can be obtained under nioepence half-penny or teopence a pound; vegetables are scarce and dear, and the average rise on the more costly articles of consumption is from 25 to 35 per cent. aa contrasted with the year 1845. Messrs. Sclineida and Co., of Creuzot, perhaps the most fa- mous ironmasters in France, particularly for the manufacture of steam-engines, are likely to obtain the concession of the mines of iron ore in the department of the Allier. Mr. W. Scott has sold Sir Tatton Sykes to Mr. Isaac Day, of Nortbleach the amount of the purchase money has not trans- pired. Damaged Indian corn, to feed cattle and poultry, is sold in Cork at £5. per ton. The Louisiana, from New Orleans, manned by negroes, and laden with corn, has arrived at Cork. Numerous daring street robberies in open day have lately taken place in Glasgow. Ladies have been knocked down and robbed of their purses. Copper Ores afford very extensive and profitable employment for British shipping to the extent of about 60,000 tons annually, in its conveyance from Chili and other countries. Omnibusses are running from Battersea to Hoxton, a distance of nine miles, for sixpence and steam-boats from London- bridge to the West-end for a halfpenny. It is said that efforts are being made to secure another fusion of tbe Conservative party under Sir Robert Peel as leader. There were added last year to the library of the British Mu- seum 31,848 printed books. Ellter i. a favourite time for tbe baptism of infants in Man- chester and, on Easter Sunday, not fewer than 129 infants re- ceived baptism at the collegiate church. The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for trade, with the sanction of the Committee of Lloyd's Register of British and Foieign Shipping, have been pleased to appoint Mr. James Wood, surveyor to Lloyd's, for Bristol, to be surveyor of the hulls of steam-vessels at Bristol, under the 14th section of the Act 9tb and 10th Vic. c. 100. A correspondent of the Gardener's Chronicle is of opinion that the potato disease may be attributed to the influence of the planet UranuII Aa exportation of cattle to Sweden has recently taken place at Leith. Four large packet-ships, upwards of 1,000 tons burden, are now building in New York for the Liverpool trade. At the Westminster County Court, Mr. F. B. Jarvis, a gen- tleman, for refusing to pay a small debt, was committed to the House of Correction for ten days. It is generally believed that about 700,000 sovereigns will leave this country, for America, this week. The Italian aeronaut, Orlandi, who has made 420 ascents with success, is said to have completed a machine which will enable him to controul the balloon in the air, and to guide its direction with certainty. A busbel, or half bushel, of common quick lime thrown into a foul well, not only dispels the carbonaceous gas engendered, but purifies the water Irom all animal or vegetable decomposition. It is reported that the epaulettes of die Dragoon Guards and Heavy Dragoons are to be discontinued* and that they are to be replaced, in marching order and on dismounted parades, by scales similar to those worn on the old blue r'Sgimental frock coat. At reviews and in ball-rooms the aiguillette is to be substituted. The Liverpool Dispensaries are no w relieving about 800 new eases weekly, and have given medicines and medical aid to up- wards of 10,000 patients since the commencement of the present year. The new street from Buckingham. Palace to the Houses 01 Parliament haa just been commenced.. The Middlesex magistrates have resolved to abolish the use of the tread-wheel io the case of female prisonera. A psper-msker, at Maidstone, who was in the habit of daily taking opium, to allay pains in his limbs, has killed himself by taking an over dose. Richard Filse, aged 67, died on Tuesday at Guy's Hospital having cut his own throat to escape from dropsy and disease of the heart. The Rothschilds for some day. past have been receiving a quantity of sovereigns from France, to the amount, ad stated, of between three and four hundred pounds. The poet laureate to the Empeior of Delhi is writing a-, poetical history of England in the Persian language, on the basis of the' works of Hume and Smollett. Many of the Irish peasants hava been seriously, siwnetimes mortally, injured by the bursting of tbe cheap and trashy guns which they lately purchased with so much avidity. Tbe noble ship, the Great Britain, is now in a favourable condition for being got off. On Saturday week, as soon as the water was about three-quarters up, she rose with it tilf high water, when she appeared from the shore to be nearly level— this is a very encouraging and promisiog circumstance. We understand that Messrs. Winstanley and Son, are to self her stores by auction in the course of a few days at Liverpool. John Jobnes, Esq., M.A., of Brasenose College, and bar- rister-at-law, Inner Temple, has been appointed a judge under the Small Debts Act for Sooth. West l^ales. There is every reason to believe that his Royal Highntiss Prince Albert will honour Oxford with his presence at the mee"- ing of the British Association, to be bolden in that city in June next. There is at present in bond in Leith upwards of 69,000 gal- tons of malt, and about 33,000 gallons of grain whisky. Mr. Robinson, of London, has discovered that the effects of ether are completely removed by a few inhalations of oxygen. Sixteen vealell, from foreign and channel ports, arrived in the Shannon one day last week, with full cargoes of bread stuffs, for Limerick market. The American Consul at Cove expects, within a few days' 150 American vessels, with grain, at Cove of Cork. The Times, of Wednesday, published a double supplement, containing, with the paper, 1,747 advertisements. The Duke of Buckingham has lately loimed a most efficient Fire Brigade, consisting of ten excellent engines, and 17 firemen in receipt of regular wages from his Grace. William Howitt has headed anew Charist movement called the National Alliance." The Reform Bill is scoffed at. The CArt of Arches have signed the sentence of divorce be- tween the Earl and CountesaDytatt. A beneficed clergyman in this diocese has relinquished his clerical duties in order 10 devote his whole time to editorial writing in the "leading Journal of Europe."—Salisbury Paper. A few days since a yoath named Drury, absconded from Liver- pool, with .ftM. in bank notes in his possession. ( A person lately deceased in Bradford, bequeathed £500. to his widow, on condition that she marries before six months after his decease. A bitch, of the shepherd dog breed, at Whitley Abbey, has adopted seven lamba in place of its whelps, which werediowned. The electric telegTaph, when conveyed to Liverpool, is to be carried into the Exchange News Room, where the earliest news will be deciphered and posted up for the benefit of the sub. scribers. Theelectrie telegiaph is to be conveyed to Bristol; and when the South Wales Line is complete, the telegraph will communi- cate with all Wales, through Newport. The eminent Russian navigator Admiral Lutke, and the Grand Duke Conataniioe, are expected in this country in a short | time. The sum of.C2.000. has been voted for the completion of the Nelsoo monum.t. It is said that there are in raris four hundred acres of burying ground for less than one million of inhabitants, whiie in Londou there are but one hundred for two millions. One day last week, at Hotfield, a poor wetch of a fellow, to show his contempt for the Bible, roasted it before the lire as he would « joint of meat, and basted it with beer. In the evening of the same he was diowned,—whether by accident or not we do not know, but it is believed he committed suicide. The price of whisky fell one shilling per gallon at Cork last week. The distillery price is now 7s. 6d, The Pope's head has been pronouncd corroborative of the truth of craniologv, the organs of casualtly and benevolence being very fullv developed. Potatoes are regularly sold in Nottingham at a halfpenny each, by master stocking-makers to their workpeople. The St. Lawrence, a frigate of 50 guns, which has been on the stocks since 1827, wa-t launched at Portsmouth, Virginia, on the 29th March.—Little go-a headedness in this. Twenty years to build one frioate One reason, says an American paper, which induces us to support the ten hours bill is, that the factory girls will then have time to garter their stockings in a morning, instead of having so frequently to draw them up in the public streets. The money General Tom Thumb made in England has been estimated at about one hundred and seventy-eight times own weight in gold It is proposed 'o establish a Ragged School in Exeter. The State of Vermont. U.S., has decided, by a majority of 6 500, that no license shall be granted for thuale of intoxicating drinks, except for medicinal purposes. A dentist advertises in the New York papers that he inserts teeth on the atmospheric pressure principle. The following notice has appeared in some Irish papers: N.B. A main of cocks to be fought during the Enniskillen race-meeting, and all horses to qualify on oath, if required Measures are now in progress for blending the Irish medical staff with the English. The Chamber of Commerce of Lyona has voted the sum of 5,000f. towards the necessary studies as to the best mode of cut- ting through the Isthmus of Suez. An excellent and secure harbour for squaie-rigged vessels has been discovered at the head of Spencer's Gulf, South Australia, CANINE SAGACITY.—F. B. Etvy, Esq., of Bowbill, sent one of his greyhounds, per rail, to a gentleman at the west end of the metropolis, about a fortnight since after tbe absence of a week the faithful animal was found again at Bow Hill, in anexhausted state. The remarkable feature of this circumstance was, that the dog w..s conveyed to the London terminus in a close carriage, and then taken to the west end in a closed up vehicle, and that vet the animaF should find its way back, not having a previous knowledge of the way he was taken.—Kent Paper. On Tuesday last a sight was witnessed in the Mersey which is rarely to be seen. In one tide no less than 128 vessels, ol which 45 were coasters, and the remaindei bound to foreign ports, went out to sea—a few towed beyond the rock point, but the bulk with all canvass ret, anda splendid wind. The scene was one of lively interest, indeed, of great beauty. Many of the vessels were American, and others of large class.—Liverpool Standard. POTATOES.—The vessel Mountaineer, arrived in the river Thames from Hamburgh, his brought the very large quantity of 180 tons weight of potatoes, the production oftha Hanseatic district named. The quantity of potatoes biought by this ship far exceeds anything of the kind which has before taken place from that port, and, therefore, the arrival assumes a considerable degree of interest and importance. The vessel also brought from Hamburgh forty head of horned cattle, thirteen of which had, according to the official report of the vessel's cargo, from some cause, been thrown overboard during the voyage. DUTCH CATTI.E.—A vessel arrived in the river from Nieu Dieppe, Holland, has brought, besides 6,719 cbesse, 96 bags of of potatoes, 272 bags of beans, several casks of vegetables, 341 sheep, one horse, and 44 cows, the very large number of 60 calves, the production of that country. We do not recollect so large a number of this paiticular, and important description of young stock to have before been imported from a foreign country on any single occasion. IRELAND.—A correspondent in Clare, King's County, thus reports of the condition of the crops in his neighbourhood :— "The late rains have improved this county much. Considerable able apprehension was felt relative to the wheat, but it is now going on well, and the farms have a very good appearance In- deed, being generally well tilled and cropped, except the poor holders of some two or three acres, some of whom not having seed, I fear their patches of ground will go to wdste; but in a great many instances these people have been supplied with seed by their landlords. There are great hopes here for the potatoes considerable quantities have been planted, and the tubers are throwing out tine strong healthy buds." An old farmer, residing neai Lancaster, states, that very early last Saturday morning, as he was going to Lancaster market, he met a man, clothed in an antique garb, riding on a white horse, who told him that both corn and potatoes would be destroyed this year in consequence of the national sin. Having thus spoken, the oracle and his steed both vanished. This old farmer, Young England," and Tancred, lead us to suspect that we have fallen on the days long ago foretold, when Your old men shall see visions, and your young men shall dream dreams." On Saturday last deputations from the city of Cork and some public bodies proceeded to Cove, to present addresses to Capt. Forbes, of the United States sloop of war, Jamestown, which has brought a relief cargo, valued at £14,00°: Captain Forbes, in his leply, expressed the necessity of "raising the moral standard of the people." In his reply to the city of Cork addresses he iays You know, gentleman, that in America we have no 'lower orders,'in a moral point ot view, unless they be im- ported, and that they are not long permitted to live as they were woot to do at home they are obliged, by the social cutoms and the civil laws, to do their share of the common weal." It was determined, at a meeting in Cork on Saturday, at which Lord Bernard, M.P., presided, bat the cargo of the Jamestown should be distl ibuted amongst the ten unions 01 the county, according to the extent of the population and the prevalence of distress in each. STATE or THK CROPS,—Bath, April 24.—Tbe young wheats in the neighbourhood of Hath have improved in the last fortnight, and although not quite so forward as at this time last year, are as much so as in the average of seasons. Some few pieces are thin, but these are tillering out well, and look strong and healthy in colour. The spring corn and pulse, which were this year got in in admirable condition and somewhat earlier than usual, have come up regular, and are looking wet) and as far as can be judged from present appearances, the crops of all kinds of grain promise abundantly. About one thiid of the usual quantity of potatoes will be planted this spring the seed has kept throughout the winter better ihan was expected, and is now making strong and healthy shoots. The grass in the pastures is rooie backtvaid than usual at this advanced period, and the hay harvest will be later than last year. A SPANISH Tn-u-M. Mon, the late Spanish minister of finance, who was made a Count at the late royal marriage, has not yet taken up his title, as it is said that the Queen in signing his patent, added the letter o to his name, which turns plain Mon into Mono—monkey—an animal which he resembles. A few days since, a surgeon, residing at Iltlifax, whose hand was affected with a slight eruption, made a post mortem exami- nation of the body of a man who had died suddeoly. The animal poison arising from the putrefaction of the corpse, was absorbed where the skin of the surgeon's hand was broken, and caused his death within a few days.

PRIMITIVE ROCKS, MINERALS, &c. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sin,— Geology, as a science, appeais to have become some- what tardy in its progress and no wonder, since philosophy takes its stand upon undefined principles, and, when lost in a labyrinth of confusion and doubt, borrows all the aid infidelity can afford it. As one that has spent a consideiable portion of time out of fifty years, within the bowels of the earth, I have been oftimes led to ponder over those secrets io nature by which I have been surrounded and thought how remote that period when stratified rocks and mineral beds witnessed thespringtide of their birth and if then sown in disorder, and blended toge- ther by chance, nothing short of the miraculous power and su- preme agency of the great Creator could have brought them to maturity, and organised their various parts, qualified them for such useful purposes, and tendered their production so beneficial to the use of man and have never yet been able to arrive al any other conclusion than the following- that when the founda. tion of the earth was laid, and its surface adorned with herbs for the use of man, and the tree sprang up, whose seed was in itself the sun, ordained with the fertilising shower, to pieserve their freshness and keep them from decay. At the self-same time, the stratified portions of the earth were perfected, and natural laws prescribed by which they were to be preserved; and as things under the earth, water and seclusion from air, have been neces. sary to their support aLd preservation. Draw off the water from a seam of coal for any considerable time, and vou extract its vital principle expose it to the atmosphere, and it loses its vir- tue, and minerals their weight and measure the stratified rocks, &c. which overlay and underlay the mineral beds, more or less produce water, and are productive of other fluids which animate mineral life; hence the term used by miners, dead and live ground. The limestone rock, from its singular formation, be. comes a purifier follow it to the deep or rise of the strata, it is generally found to discharge the superabundant water and I believe the limestone rocks to be as primitive "s (hose of granite or syenite. We know it is the opinion of geologists, that strati. fied limestone is part of a second formation, occupying the place of diminished floods; or where, in olden times, the mighty ocean rolled its waves, and was mechanically formed by a simi- lar process to that of the coral insect. Be that as it may, I have never yet known any solid reason advanced, or satisfactory opi- nion given, why there are so many subterraneous channels and shapeless apertures discovered in the limestone locks generally. The Blawrenge, translated by Payne, and very appropriately, the gray or blue ridge, as it is seen to bare its marble front to the east, as though exhibiting its primeval grandeur, is doubtless subterraneous, though it may not have been explored by any one in the present or preceding ages. A little further west. betwixt Cumllanwenarth aad Cumclydach, where the Blaenavon Iron- works are supplied with limestone, I have, in company with others, entered eome of those gloomy paiacts of nature, the daik and dreary abodes of silence and solitude, and explored wonders on which the light of day and the eye of man had never rested. The aperture by which we entered was from one of the quarries which is now filled up, and would requite a considerable amount of labour to reopen it but there rest, in solemn gran- deur, some of the greatest, though most obscure, phenomena of nature—the valuable dome, the salekmite pillar, the deep recess, forming cataracts, o'er which the tumbling torrent foams unseen] and has been secretly flowing since the fountains of the great deep were broken up and will continue to flow, so long as the necessities of man on earth will need to be supplied. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A SOUTH WALES COLLIER. Blaenavon, April 26, 1847.

OUR OMNIBUS. ——«— Religion is the best armour, but the worst cloak. Philosophical happiness is to went little and to enjoy much; vulgar happiness is to want much and enjoy little. A celebrated organist once imitated a thunderstorm so well, that for miles round all the milk turned sour. A Coquette is said to be a perfect incarnation of Cupid, as she keeps her beau in a quiver. Why is the newly discovered remedy of sulphuric ether like Mendelssohn 1 Because it is the greatest composer of modern times. The following address of a general to his soldiers is a fine specimen of the laconic If I advance, follow me if 1 fall avenge me if I flinch, kill me." A written paper may be seen in a window ia Belvoir street, Scholes, with the following announcement:—"Luddgingea for asengel mon and his woive." WHERE THIEVES OUGHT TO STFAL.-Out of the country. AN OLD SAW NEW SET.—Truth is not to be told at all- Times. A REPENTANT HUSBAND!—I loved my wife as much as any body did love a wife. For the first two months, I actually wanted to eat her up and ever since that time I've been sorry I didn't. A HARD HEAD.—The following appeared in an advertisement in a provincial newspaper Lost, a silk umbrella, belonging to a gentleman with a curiously carved ivory head." SMART REPLY.—"I cannot imagine," said a portly alder- man, why my whiskers should turn grey so much sooner than tbe hair of my head." Nothing easier to discover," observed a wag. You have worked more with your jaws than your brains." A VALUABLE TESTIMONY.—Dr. Johnson, when in the fulness of years and knowledge, said, "I never take up a newspaper without finding something I should have deemed it a loss not to have seen never, without deriving from it instruction and amusement." DESCRIPTIVE.—A runaway apprentice is thus advertised in an American newspaper:—" He is thick set, usually wears a glazed hat five feet high, and iron shod shoes with cross eyes MAKiMo UP ONE'S MIND.—" Isn't it time to think about getting upl" said the wife as she rattled at the door. Yes, my dear," replied the husband, I have been thinking about it an hour and a half." WELL SAID.—A wealthy farmer in Kentucky says, I would rather be taxed for the education of the boy, than the ignorance of the man. For one or the other I am compelled to be."— Border Watch. A DISTINCTION AND A DIFFERENCE.— The question was put to a gentleman, Have you not a brother in the Navy 1" No, sir," was the reply, but I have two in the Fleet." APPROPRIATE RETORT.—A would-be youog blood, dining at a fashionable hotel in New York, a few weeks since, was re- quested by a gentleman to pass some artic e of food that was near him. "Do you mistake me for a waller 1 said the exquisite. No, sir, I mistook you for a gentleman," was the prompt reply. VICTORIES OF THE PRESS.—Much already has been accom- plished-more than people ale aWare-BO gradual and silent has L been the advance. How noiseless is the growth of corn Watch it night and day for a week, and you will never see it growing but leturn after two months, and you will find it all whitening for the hatvest. Such, and so imperceptible in the stages of their motion, are tne victories of the press. A PROPHECY FULFILLED.—A large open common sewer ex- isted at the end of Sutton's Row, which was most offensive, and it was predicted by the medical gentlemen of the town, that should this fearful scourge (the cholera) visit Retford, that this ill drained, ill ventilated, and densely populated place, would prove its advent. At length the fearful reality appeared. On the 19th of July, 1832, a labourer residina in this locality was attacked and died. During its five or six weeks' continuance in the town, there were 51 cases reported, of whom 13 died and 38 recovered. With one or two exceptions, the malady was alloge- gether confined to Sutton's Row Dr. J. C. Hall. VICTORIA IS OUR QuEEN.— t'he following curious and interest- ing puzzle may be re.d in more than 250 different ways, by- com. mencing al the letter V in the centre and, taken in any *ig-zag direction, the result will be as above :— NEEUQRUOSISOURQUEEN EEUQRUOSIAISOIJRQuee EUQRUO SIAIAISOURQUE UQRU O S 1 A 1 11 I A I SOURQU QRUOSI A I R 0 R 1 A t SOURQ RUOSIAIROTORIAI s OUR II O S I A I R O T C T O R I A 1 SOU 0 SIA I R 0 T C I C T 0 R I A 1 s 0 S IAJROTCIVICTORJ A 1 S OS IAI ROTCI CTOR I A I SO UOSIA IROTCTORI A I SOU RUOSI AI ROT ORIA I SOUR Q R I O 8 I A I R O R I A S OURQ U Q R U o S IAIR IAISO URQU U Q R U O S 1 A I A 1 SO U R Q U E EE UQRUO SIA I SOU R Q UEE NEE UQRU OS 1 S O U K. Q U E E N

TO MARY. What anxious, lonely bee was it I That sought the fittest, fairest feat, Its cell to sweeten, tireless did fly, Each flower to try .— 'Twas I. What beauteous, blushing rose was that, Tho' flung its fragrance like a net, Artless did give th' alluring clue? 'Twas you! ♦-——

LINES ON THE GRAVE OF A SOT. jjere nes friend John, who drooped his head At sight of a comrade sober, And prayed each night on going to bed, That every month were October. CAUTION TO THF. PUBLIC,—No sooner is a medicine well established in public favour, than a host of imitators spring up, who, for the sake of profit, not only wrong the Proprietor of the Genuine Medicine, but inflict a serious injury on the unwary purchaser of their base counterfeit trash. These remarks apply to the remedy which is so well known as Abernethy's Pile Oint- ment. atSB FRAMPTON'S PILL or HEALTH—for Bilious or Sick Head-ache, Indigestion, and for the whole train of symptoms arising from a weak stomach, or vitiated bilious secretion, are pre-eminently successful. For costiveness, either habitual or temporary, they are admirable, and for elderly persons will prove the most agree- able medicine that can be taken. They are used with the greatest advantage by either sex, and will therefore prove an excellent family pill; for, in any case where an aperient medicine is required, they need only be tried to be universally adopted. Sold by all medicine venders. SPRING.-Tha spring has been always remarked as a period when disease, if it be lurking in the system, is sure to show itself. The coldness of winter renders torpid the acrimonious fluids of the body, and in this state of inactivity their evil to ihe system is not perceived, but at the spring these are roused, and if not checked, mix up and circulate with the blood, and thus the whole system is contaminated. Parr's Life Pills will effectually regulate the whole system, and speedily produce a delightful flow of spirits and permanent good health. HOLLOWAY'S OISTMENT.-Cure of a shocking Skin Disease.- Mr. Hitching, a gentleman residing in Arbour-square, Commer- cial Road, who has been several years in India, where, about seven years ago, he was almost suddenly covered with a dreadful ,kin disease resembling lepra since his return to Europe he had beeo to the most celebrated waters in Germany, besides trying (without benefit) all other sorts of remedies both at home and abroad; at last he used Holloway's Ointment and Pills, which quickly effected a perfect cure. Any pimples, blotches, or eruptions on the skin, even if of sevetal years' duration, might be eradicated by these fine medicines.

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,- Y our willingness to communicate to the public, acts of kindoess and goodwill towards ti,e poor, is known throughout the Principality. I beg to inform you of an instance which has come under my notice. A townsman of yours, well known in Newport, is the subject of my letter. I was last week in the neighbourhood of Newbridge, Glamorganshire, and was not only informed of the good accommodation I might get at the Bridg. water Arms Hotel, but was informed that the present tenant was really an example to all good faimers. As a follower of that calling, I walked through his fields, and found one of the best smull cultivated farms I ever beheld which must not only have cost a considerable outlay, but proves him to be, as I had pre. viously been informed, a most industrious man. I found persons planting potatoes; and on asking the usual questions as to blight, &c., found the farmer, every year, gave land out to the poor-he ploughing, opening the land, and hauling the manure for them at Is. per peck. But one of them, in bis own way said, the farmer was a good man, for last year, although he losr all his crop-JDd his seed cost £10. or fl2. the year before- he did not charge us for our land, but gave it us free so we be come again this year to bring him the manure. So he was a good man.—Considering such instances rare, and as I think it is a good example, to go and do so likewise, I think the public and his ftiends in Newport should know of it. 1 likewise hope, whoever his landlord may be, it may come to his ears and meet its reward. This individual is Mr: Purnell, who opened the the Crown and Albert HOlel, in Newport, some five or six years since—now occupying the Bridgwater Arras Hotel, New- biidge, Glamorganshire. I am, Sir, yours, An Admirer of Good Farnrsing and Kindness to the Poor, AN OCCUPIER OF 500 ACRES.

LONDON MARKETS. CORN EXCHANGE, MARK-LANE, MONDAV, APRIL 26. The arrivals of English wheat are small, and the trade has been quiet to-day, but a fair business has been done in both English and foreign, at about the currency of last market day, which is Is. per qr. over the prices of this day week. Flour sells more freely, at Is. per barrel and sack advance. The trade is fit in for barley, and prices are fully maintained. Beans are Is. per qr. dearer, and peas maintain the prices of last week. The ariivals of foreign oats are large, but the demand has been good, and the prices of this day week are rather exceeded. .n CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. vv H KAI .i'^ssex oc ivcnt, new red /o 87 White. 80 84 Old, red 7d 88 Ditto 78 84 RvE,old. 54 60 New.50 58 BARLEY,grinding,4044malting 50 54 Chevalier..66 — Irish — — Bere — MALT, Suffolk and Norfolk 70 72 Brown .74 76 Kingstone and Ware.. 72 78 Chevalier ..80 — OATS, Yorksh 6c Lincolnsh, feed 31 i6 Potato .39 il Voughall & Cork, black. 25 21 Cork, wlnte.30 32 Dublin. 27 3U Westport..32 — Waterford,white. 26 30 Black .26 27 Newry. 32 34 Galway 23 25 Scotch, feed 30 35 Potato .50 58 Clonmel 34 38 Limerick 36 38 Londondeiry 37 38 Sligo. 44 47 BEANS,Tick, new 45 46 Old, small.36 42 PEAS, Grey 50 54 Maple .53 65 White 54 58 Boilers .56 60 FLOUR, Town-made.63 68 Suffolk 56 per sack ot'2801ba Stockton & Norfolk 56 — Irish — FOREICJN GRAIN AND FLOUR IN BOND. WHEAT, Dantzic 76 80 fine 80 86 Hamburg 74 79 Rostock 82 82 < BAnnY. 50 58 OATS, Brew 32 38 Feed.28 34 BEANS 38 46 FLOUR, American, per barrel.. 38 42 Ba!tic.— —- SEED MARKET. The operations in cloverseed were on a very restricted scale this morning, but holders were by no means disposed to accept less money, and the few speculative purchases made were at folly the terms of this day se'nnight. In othsr sorts of seeds there the terms of this day se'nnight. In othsr sorts of seeds there was hardly anything passing, and, in the absence of business, quotations remained nominally unaltered. ^EED, Rape £ 31- £ 33. Irish £ — per last Ditto, new.£25. £ —. per last. Linseed, Baltic..48 50 Odessa 47 50 LINSEED, Baltic and Russia, 31 40, finer sorts, 43 45 per qr. Mustard, white 8 10 brown 9 10 per bush. Linseed Cakes, English ..— £ 13. Os. to £ 13. 10s. per 1000 Linseed, English, sowing 50 60 crushing 44 48 per qr. Carraway. 41 43 new. 42 44 percwt. BRITISH WOOL MARKETS. LEEDS, April 23—We have not any change to notice in this market, as to the amount of sales or quotations of prices. There is a steady demand for the immediate supply of the manufac- torers, and prices remain firm in consequence of the light stock in the hand* of the staplers, and the impossibility of obtaining further supplies from the farmers to meet the present rates of the markets. WAKEFIELD, April 22.—We have no new features to ieport on the trade this week; the demand remains languid, without any change in prices for either combing or short wool. LONDON. MONDAY, APRIL 26. The arrivals last week from Ireland were — firkins butter. and 360 bales bacon, and from foreign ports 9,010 casks of butter. We experienced a steady demand for Irish butter during the past week, and prices generally advanced about 2s. per cwt. Foreign continues in good supply. and the consumption quite equal to it. la the bacon market there was a fair amount of business transacted the quantity of choice meat offering for sale being very limited, for such an advance of Is. to 2s. per cwt. was obtained. In lard no change to notice. Stocks and deliveries for the week endintr A Dril 24:- BUTTER. BACON. Stock. Delivery. Stock. Delivery 1845 1,280 1,370 22,800 4,500 1846 8,300 3,700 I 9,430 4.470 1847 2,640 2,590 7;930 1,380 BUTTER, BACON, CHEESE, AND HAMS. IRISH BUTTEU (new)# s. CHEESE, pei cwt. s. s. per cwt. nominal — — Double Gloucester 60 68 Carlow, new, on brd 94 — Single ditto 52 62 Sligo 80 — Cheshire 56 84 Cork, 1st 90 — HAMS. ENGLISH BUTTER. Irish 80 — Dorset, per firkin 54 — Westmoreland 86 — FOREIGN. York 90 100 ENGLISH BUTTER. Irish 80 — Dorset, per firkin 54 — Westmoreland 86 — FOREIGN. York 90 100 Prim, Friesland, ct. JØ2 —' BACON, new 66 74 UItto, Kiel 102 —) Middles — — SMlTHHELD CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY, APRIL 26.1 The beef trade, owing to the large attendance of town and country buyers, was brisk, at an advance in the currency ob- tained on this day se'nnight, of quite 4d. per 8lbs. The primest Scots freely produced 4s. 6d. per Bibs., and at which a good clearance was effected. For the time of year the number of sheep was small, though of lull average quality. All breeds, especially the primest old Downs, commanded a ready sale, at an improvement on last week's prices of fully 4d. per BIbs. Previous to the close of the market nearly the whole of the supply was cleared off. In lambs the business passing was trifling; yet previous rates were mostly supported. The veal trade was firm, at an improvement in value of from 2d. to 4d. per 8lbs. Pigs were in moderate supply and steady demand, at very full prices. Per Blbs., to sink the offal. s. d. s. d. s. d. I. d. Coarse and Inferior Prime coarse wool- Beasts 3 2 3 4 led Sheep 4 10 5 0 Second quality do.3 6 3 8 Prime South Downs Prime large Oxen.3 10 4 2 ditto 5 2 5 8 Prime Scots, &c..4 446 Large coarse Calves4 2 4 8 Coarse and Inferior I Prime small ditto..4 10 5 4 Sheep 3 10 4 2 Large Hogs 3 8 4 4 Second quality do.4 4 4 8 Neat small Porken.4 6 5 0. Suckling Calves, 18s. to 29s.; and quarter-old Store Pigs, 16, to 19s. each. Beasts, 3,843; Sheep, 19,040; Calves, 140; Pigs, 413. LATKSl CURRENT PRICES OF METALS. LONDON, APRIL 23, 1847. J. s. d. IRON-Bara Wates.rpM 915 0 London 10 0 0 Nail rods 10 10 0 Hoops (Staf.) 12 0 O Sheet „ 13 0 0 Kars „ 11 10 0 Rails 9 10 0 Welsh cold blast foundry pig 55 0 Scotelipigb Clyde 3126 Russian cCCND 0 0 0 PS1 0 0 0 Gourieff 0 0 0 Archangel. IS 10 0 Swedish d, for arriv 00 0 on the spot 11 15 0 Steel, fagt 16 10 0 kegse. 15 5 0 CoppRit-Tile f 97 0 0 Tougb cake 98 0 0 Best selected 101 0 0 Ordinary sheets lb. O O il bottoms. 0 0 12 YELLOW METAL SHEATHING 009A TIN—Com. blocks g .cwt. 4150 bars 4 16 6 Refined 4 18 0 Straitsh 412 0 ttanca. 4 18 0 TIN PI.ATF.S-Ch., IC.i .box 111 0 IX 1 17 0 Coke, IC 1 7 0 IX 1 13 0 LEAD—Sheet ft: 19 10 0 Pig, lefined 2010 0 common 18 15 0 Spanish. in bd 18 0 0 c American 0 0 0 SPELTER (Cake) 1 21 5 0 AINC—-(Sheet) m export 28 0 0 QUICKSILVER lb. 0 4 6^ REFINED METAL ton 0 0 Q u Discount 21 per cent. b Net cash. c Discount 24 percent, d Ditto. e In kegs J and f-inch. f Discount 0 percent, g Ditto 2J per cent. h Net cash, in bond, i Wis- count 3 per cent, k Ditto 21 per cent, I Net cash. bona j« Discount 1 £ per cent, n discount 11 per cent. lor home use it is £ 32. per ton. REMAHKS. IRON of all soita may be quoted a little easier, owing to the state of the money market, &c., and orders have been taken below last quotations. COPPER is firm, and in fair demand. I IN, TIN PLATE*, and LEAD are as last reported. SPELTER has improved 2s. 6d. to 5s. per ton, in consequence of large tiansactions here, aud at Hambro', and is likely to main, tain its position for some time. PRESENT PRICE OF TIN PLATEh. NEWPORT, MAY 1. £ s. d. £ t d No. IG. per box 1 II 0 Wasters.0 2 0 les No. IX. per box 1 17 0 „ 0 3 0,, No. IX. per box 117 0 „ 030" No.IXX. per box. 2 3 0 0 3 f >■ BRISTOL HAY MARKET, APRIL 27. Hay pei ton Old 2 0 0 to 3 7 6 Straw per Dozen 0 1 6 to 0 1 7 _—————————— ————_ Newport, Saturday, May 1, 1847; Plinted and Published for the Propnetor, EDWARD 1)0 W LING, of Sto-iv Hill, in the Parish of St. Woolos, in the MERLIN Geneitl Printing Office, situate in Curn.street. i n the Borough of Newport.by WILLIAM CHRISTOPHERS, of No. 1, Chailes-street.in thesaid Borough. London Agents:—Messrs. Newton and Co., Warwick-square. Mr. R. Barker, 33, Fleet-street; Mr. G. Reynell, 43, Chan- cery-lane, Mr. S. Deacon, Coffee-house, No. 3 Walbfoot near the Mansion House, where this paper is regularly Atad.

A NO-POPXHY SCARECROW.—Mr. Watson's measure for the removal of certain pains and penalties to which Roman Catholics are still liable, has been lost. The chief honour of this victory of intolerance rests with Sir Robert Inglis, Mr. Plumptre, Mr. Spooner. and Mr. Newdegate; and the lion's share of the glory pertains to the honourable baronet—if we may compare him to so noble an animal as the lion. It is admitted, on all baoda, that the penaltiea ia question will never be enforced the ques- tion, therefore, naturally arisen, What can be the use of the law which imposes them? To free, in some measure, Sir Robert login and his party from the reproach of perpetuating a mere tncumbrsnce to the statute book, we propose to them to bring a bill into parliament, to be entitled An act for tnrniag the penal laws againstpopefy to some account." The means to be adopted for this purpose, we recommend, shall consist in having the sta. tutes in queslioo painied on large boaids to be stationed in those places where Catholicism is most rife, in the manner of notices or cautioos to tieapassers. The boa:d might be affixed to a post, °r,o otL*°U'(* co.me.'0 *he same tning, be placed in the hands of Sir Robert Inglis himself, in effigy. The figuie of Sir Robert would thus form a barmleas scarecrow to frighten away Papists from the vicinity and woald correspond admirably to the cha. racter and position of the aliginal-Punch. t

THE WITCHEUV OF THE VOICE. — A voice which, though somewhat low, was of that organ that at once arrests attention a voice that comes alike from the brain and from the heart, and seems made to convey both profound thought and deep emotion. There is no index of character so sure as the voice. There are tones, tones brilliant and gushing, which impatt a quick and pathetic sensibility there are others that, deep, and yet calm, seem the just interpreters of a serene and exalted intellect. But the rarest and most ptecious of all voices is that which combines passion and repose; and those rich and restrained tones exercise, perhaps, on the human frame, a stronger spell than even the fascination of the eye, or that bewitching influence of the hand, which is the privilege of the higher races of Asia.—D'h- raeli's Tancred. Al this moment in London, how many are the denaturalised hags whose daily bread is purchased by the destroyed innocence of the young and beautiful of their own sex How many a Lon- don Sycorax dtvoats the poor, ignorant country gIrl-the young creature, lured to the metropolis, who, in due time, as Polly sings, like the "fair flower" at Covent Garden, There fades, and shrinks, and grows past all enduring Hots, stinks, and dies, and is trod under feet!" Now. surely, a law might reach these muideresses of body and soul! Sufely, Ihe leglllalure-If the noblemen and gentlcmfn who make the laws, would go earnestly to the work—has power to punish these atrocious instruments of high life; these child- stealers—they are so—for the brutalised appetites of the supe- rior classes." Steal > man s snuff box, and, it the second crime —ihere are seven years at the hulks. Steal a man's child, and, if the goods be young and beautiful, the "deep damnation" of the deed is paid for with hard cash. London is the mart of luxury; and innocence and purity may be purchased bv any monied scoundiel who can pay the piice.—Jerrold's Weekly Newspaper. GLORIOUS. The following thrilling and soul-inspiring effu- sion of liberty and glory is said to have been delivered by the commandant of a barefoot company in the Hoosier State, shortly alter receiving the false report that Mexico had declared war against the United States. The report may not be exactly ver- batim, though it is evident the spiiit is there :—" Men of blood and friends of Washington, and the old boss General Jackson I want your attention. Lightnin' has bast upon us, and Jupi- ter has poured the ile of bis wrath down the greasy shanks of the Mexican. Thunder has broke loose and slipped its cable, and the mighty valley of the Messip rever berates the thousaod-tongued hissing of Santa Anna, and the smaller ignorant jatius that revolves round the benighted and wooden-legged popgun of the Montezumas. Citizens and sires, on the bloody ground on which your forefathers catawampously poured out their claret, free as ile, to enrich the soil over which we hover, and watch with hienna eyes. Let the catamount of the luner varmint loose, and prepaie the chessyest of vengeance, for the long looked for day has arrived The crocodile of the Messip has gone into his hole, aad the sun that lit King David and his host across the Atlantic Ocean looks down upon the scene, and drops a tear to its me. mory. Hosses, I am with you! And while the stars of Uncle Sam and the stripes of his country triumphantly wave in the bre-eze-whar-whar--wbllr, is tbe craven, low-lived, chicken. bred. toad-hoppin', red-mouthed mother's son of ye who will not raise the beacon light of triumph, mount thecitade) of the agre*K«r, and press onwaids to liberty and glorj Whoop! Hurrah Whar's the inemy ? THE VALE or THE WUITE HORSE.— But the White Horse which gives its name to the range, IS, after all, the wonder, and the rambler should not be in taiiogdon without going to see it. It is an extraordinary animal, standing some four hundred hands high, and visible (to those who can see so far) fifteen miles off. Judges say that it is necessary to be at least a mile distant to see its points to perfection. But it must be looked at from the right tHation, or, like an old picture, it will not be distinguish- able at all. The leader, I suppose, knows that the White Horse is the rude figure of a horse cut out of the side of a chalk hill. It has beeo supposed tomaik the site of a victory over the Danes; but Mr. Thorns, in a paper published in the recent vol. (xxxi.) of the" Archæologia," suggests that it had probahly; religious origin-in fact, was a representation of the Sacred Horse of the Cells. Once in three years the peasantry assemble and carefully remove any of the turf that has encroached on the figure or, as they say, rub down the horse." On those oc< a- sioas, there is a fair held on the bill top, at which there is com- monly horse racing, jumping in sacks, and even more than the mual amount of rustic merriment. Uffington Casile is on the hill above the White Horse. Theie is a barrow near the base of it, and the Blowing Stone is little more than a mile distant;— they are all about four miles from Faringdon, except Wayland Smith's Cave, which is nearly six nules. The Vale of the White Horse is one of the most fertile tracts in England.

A WISH. Oh for a rural walk at eve, When noise and strife are sinking, Where quiet can my cares relieve, Where flo«ers ate dew drops drinking, While thought's still, sudden, solemn inarih Bungs beauieoui things before me, And high as is the welkin's arch. Hang God and Natuie o <ir me —Hogg's Weekly Initructvr.

out LETTER BOX. EDUCATION. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—Duncombe's amendment has been lost by 325 majority out of 372. and Sir William Clay's by )36 out of 201 and the views of ultra-dissent were represented in parliament by only two persons—Bright andDuncombe! Abuse, verbal critticism, and logic, are a pretty heavy load for one small shoulder to bear and 1. G. Charles Conway," and" T. L. Bright," will afford an abundance of work for a single scribe to answer. But nil desperandum; buoyed up by a firm conviction of the goodness of my cause, I will face the whole three, and half a dozen more intothe bargain. So "come one, come all, this rock shall fly from its firm base as soon as I." I shall not, however, attempt to notice their puerilities, nor "chronicle small beer," by replying to their inanities. The readers of the MERLIN are a discerning people, and on many of the topics treated of, I intend saying no more; but leave the case in their hands. In dealing with these gentlemen I propose in humble imitation of a great original to seize only on the really material points, and Leave in my path whatever seems too mean, To raise the subject or adorn the scene Give, as each line improves upon the sight, Not smoke from brightness, but ftom darkness—light." Among the things to be left on the road side are the crudities of Mr. Charles Conway; but should this "most intelligent gentleman" at any future time be delivered of anything a shade above mediocri'y, I shall be happy to notice the fact, and, I trust, be able conscientiously to state that he is doing as well as can be expected" after the great exertion he will have made. L G." is the only one who has attacked me with any apparent effect, in staling that I had dishonestly palmed Mr. Kenrick's tacts as those of Mr. Singer. Had this been really done, the charge of dishonesty would have had some foundation in truth. This, however, was not the case. As oiigioally written, there followed after the mention of Mr. Singer's name, this sentence —"When his report is published, we shall be able to judge what voluntary exertions have done for education during the last few years." This was struck out at the MERLIN office, without either my knowledge or eon ent, and also the commencement of the succeeding sentence altered. This is my answer, and I doubt not the Editor of the MULlN will confirm the truth of my statement, and give a satisfactory reason for his conduct. As regards the statistics, they were not as correct as they ought to have been. Here follow more accurate facts and figures :—io 1831. the population of Merthvr was 22.083; in 1841, it was 34,977. This is a total of 58.4 per cent, increase, or an annual increase of 4,762 per cent. Calculating the increase for the succeeding six years at the same late, the population in 1847 would appear to be 48,437. In 1841, the number of children were 7,061 between five and fifteen, or 1 in 4.95 of the popula- tion. Dividing 48,437 by 4.95, will give us the number of children in 1847 at 9.785. If we inelude Celn, with a popula- tion in 1847 of 3,149, there will be a total of children of an age to visit the schoolmaster of 10,421. I should have proved the inefficiency of voluntary exertions to educate these children, were there only 6,500 receiving no daily instiuction I did prove it when the number was stated to be 8687; and I nowestab- lish it by showing that there aie 8,921 who receive no daily instruction whatever. If it be replied th-it many of these chil- dren are sent to woik when they are eleven or twelve years of age, it must then be evident that if they had not received any education until they are eleven or twelve years old, a large number would receive no education at all. But to place the matter in the fairest possible light. Let it be assumed that no children are sent to school befoie they are five yea s of age. nnd that all above ten are sent to work, we shall still have 6,054 of a teachable age. Of these 1,500 are now in daily schools, snd as a necessary consequence, 4,554 children, between theagesof five and ten, who, underpresent circumstances, receive no day school instruction. Of these 4,554 the Na. tional Society proposes to teach 300, and Dissenters 10 educate 300 more there will, therefore, remain 3.954 lelt to educate themselves. The doctrines I have laid down are, that the number of children is too great to be educated by voluntary exertion and that, consequently, state aid is necessary. An error of a bundred or two either way does not materially affect the question, and I submit, with the most perfect confidence, that where, in a wealthy community, out of 9,785 between five and fifteen years of age, 7,685=(9,785—1.500+600) are untaught, and where, under 10 years of age, 3,954 out of 6.054 children remain not only untaught, but without any one having courage enough to think of teaching them,—voluntary exertions will fall short, and government assistance will be required to effect the desired object. We thus perceive that the whole population has increased Between 1831 and 1841, 10 years ..58.4 percent. 1841 and 1847, 6 years ..31.25 Or in round numbers, 58 and 31 per cent. During the latter period, Ihe children of the stated age have increased, according to the above estimate, more than 38 per cent. in Merthyr and Dowlais. Let us now enquire how far education has progressed in this interval of six years. In 1841, Mr. Kenrick estimated the number of children at 6867, who weie between the ages of three and twelve; and in the parliamentary return those between five and fifteen are reckoned at 7,061. We will follow the census. Of 7,061, there were, according to Mr. Kenrick, 1,313 in daily schools. These form 1 in 5.38. In the beginning of the present year, the hev. Benjamin Owens, Independent minister, by the direction of a Cambiian Educational Society, made enquiiies relative to the number of children in our daily school. In the large meeting held at Zoar Chapel, he declared the number to be tessthan 1500. These compared wiih 9,785, will be 1 in 6.52. And thus, while the children between five and fifteen have in- creased at the rate of 38 per cent., the number of those sent to school has only been augmented at the rate of fourteen per cent., showing an educational retrogression equivalent to four per cent. In 1841, there were, out of 100 children, twenty going to daily schools; in 1847, there are but sixteen school.taught children, out of every 100 living; and consequently education, in 1847, is in a worse state than in 1841. 1 have taken some pain. to work out these figures, Bnd when any other person shows me that they are, to any great extent, erroneous, it will give me pleasure to acknowlege myself" no adept at figures for, though a sense of truth compels me to reveal the actual state ot education in this locality, it would give me much pleasure to record it otherwise. As we are out in propria persona, I would suggest the pro- priety of" I. G.'s" giviog the public his trtie local habition and a name. And now for the ablest man of the lot. 1st. The inspectors are to be appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury." This popular prejudice, Mr. Bright took under his fostering wing. This I denied; and now Mr. Bright ad- mits it wa* a mistake. MERLIN .score one lor me. 2nd. Government places all religions on an equality." I say, so it ought—Mr. Bright coincides; but states, in continuation, il has a tendency to confound truth with error. It is difficult to find out a recognised standard of truth. We seldom quarrel about mathematical truth, that two and two make lour, is ad- mitted all the world over. This is not the case with religious truth. Ask Thomas Bright which is the true religion ? and he will answer, mine." Ask Thomas Stephens, who thinks dif ferently, and he will quite as readily answer, "mine." Thomas Bright will say," That alone is truth which I believe to be so." Thomas Stephens will probably say, that" my belief alone is the true one." Each statement rests upon the assumption of personal infallibility. In my last, my opponents were called upon for a standard of religious truth. Mr. Conway sneers, and Air. Bright evades but 1 yet wait for an answer. Truth, to be en- titled to the attributes with which the name is associated, must have a much sounder basis than our individual and varying con- ceptions. If Mr. Bright means that the varied conceptions of religious tiuth will be deprived of their supposed infallibility, he has neither clearly expressed his meaning, nor made out a good case; but if he means to state that error will be confounded with the truth which is said to be absolute, and eternal, he has added one more to the catalogue of bad inferences. His argument is a fallacy of irrelevant conclusion. In Church of Euglanditm, Baptism, Calvinism, Indepen- dence, Wesleyanism, and Umtarianism, we have six distinct, and as I am told, essentially different tiuths—cnnsequently there are no less than six diffeient and distinct errors. Now, if Mr. Blight will tell me, and give good reasons in support of the statement, what the precise nature of the changes to be effected by the measure will be, I shall feel greatly obliged. If he logically proves that Episcopacy will become Unitarian- ism that the Independents will swallow thethirty-nine articles; that the Baptists will no longer cling tenaciously to tanks of .:old water; that Calvinists will loosen their hold on predes. tination; or that the Wesleyans will abandon "good works;" or tint any other change of this nature will take place, I shall be happy to acknowledge myself greally instructed. Until then, the statement will have no other authority than his ipse dixit, and will be as destitute of support as the assertion that the moonts made of green cheese. Define your terms, gentlemen. In the large towns, Mr. Bright admits, the measure will not operate prejudicially but only in rural districts. This is a con. cession worth writing two letters, and an excellent reward for all the hard names with which I have been pelted. 1 do not look upon the matter quite so despondingly as Mr. Bright; the disad- vantages of ruial districts will be nothing like so great a8 he supposes. By the by, there is S laptus linguæ here. He states tha the children of dissenters, in such localities, will be compelled, either to attend the national schools, or receive no instructionr and continues, All children attending these schools, whetbel dissen eis, or otherwise, will becotipelled byauthoiity ofcounci- to become indoctrinated in the catechism and tenets of Ihe estabe lished church." Dreadful bard case indeed but what a pity Iht STATEMENT is NOT TRUE. The minutes do not require tha the catechism shall be taught even in the church schools-they require only that the TBACHERS in the church schools shall know it. Further, Lord John Russell, in his speech on Monday, the 19th, promises to make special provision for such localities, and to abolish the disabilities under which they might labour. Having thus cleared the ground, I have ODe or Iwo mo: e remarks to mllke. Mind will assert its power under circumstances the most adverse. The names, of which my countrymen have most reason 10 be proud, were brought up in the bosom of the church, when Epis. copacy ruled, instead of being ruled by, opinion—when its thunder was louder, and its vengeance more effective than at present. Our early reformers were all brought up in the chuich. Our Howell Harris, Williams, Panty Celyn, and Charles of Bala, were all churchmen yet the catechism did not bow down their minds! and it is to lie hoped the age of original minds is not yet past. Long letters are seldom read so I will write no more this week but in your next will devote a special letter to Mr. Brighi's views about the relation or non-reianon of igourance and crime, when the subjects of Sunday schools will also be con- sidered. In the meantime, permit me to return my thanks to Mr. Bright for the courteous tone which pervades his letter, and to assure him lhat he shall neither be misquoted nor misrepresented. Header My opponents and myself have, upon this important question, strong feelings, and possibly strong prejudices. Guard against following us inio our excesseti and use as guides only as far as reflection shews that we may be trusted; but above all things judge for yourself, and never mistake for argument an ebullition of the odium theologicnm, or forget that you ought upon this matter to have an opinion of your own. Youis respectfully, Merthyr, April 27th, 1847. THOMAS STEPHENS. [The omission of the sentence to which our correspondent refers, was purely accidental; of *alteration vve have no knowledge whatever; 3nd as the e tisfcd up" matter, we cannot refer to the litera ccripta, but from the truthful character of Mr. Stephens, we give credence to his as- fteition.]

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR, Experience has convinced me that public exposure ia Ihe best mode of redressing public wion^s and abating public nuisances; it is to be hoped that it may prove so in th" present case. I now beg a small spnce in your valuable journal, whose columns are always employed in luitheriog reformation and effecting the general good. 1 claim the attemion of the officers of the parish of Dantar. nam, in this county. The scenes about the canal, and in the adjoining fields, on the Lord's day, are truly lamentable. Where are our officers, and what are they doing 1 Also, we are over. stocked at present, according to my humble opinion, with the canine race, which is now become the public nuisance of this place. Sheep and lambs often fall victims to their voracity; houses are plundered gardens, newly set and planted, are trodden and scratched up by these mischievous curs. Is the tax imposed on these favouiites duly paid to her Majesty ? Where is our worthy functionary? I trust that the above hints will suffice, and that the griev- ances complained of will be immediately removed. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Llantarnam, April 26, 1847. RATEPAYER.