Monmouthshire Merlin

Newport Shipping Intelligence. "3 I I Arrivals and Sailings for th3 week ending December 8. ARRIVKD. Hart racket, Bedbrook, Jersey. potatoes. Swift, I Worth, Guernsey, beatroot and parsnips. Tberese, Dejoie, Brest, baHast.—Rover, Thrower Favourite, •Thomas, Barrow, iron ore.—Robertfand Ann, Watts, I Gloucester, furniture Mary, Stephens, (jloucpsler, hay. Friendship, Gazzard, Gloucester, fh>t»r.— Bristol Packer, j'iver, Bristol, sundries. Arethusa, Wade, narrow, iron oie. John Knox, Clark, Glasgow, iron. Ann, Yeoman, Ghmce?- ter, stone.- Fanoy, Jackson, Bristol, sundries. Fanny, Hillman Gloucester, coal tar. -Lady Stewait, Cook, Sydney, ftone.—-Moderator, Syner, Bristol, sundries.—Minerva, Tiiver, Chc-pstow, pit wood. Gleaner, Thomas. Cardiff, iron.— Isa- beelia, Gibbons, Youghal, pit wood. Maria, llook, Dridg- water, potatoes. Providence, Phillips, Cardill, coke.—aer- leon, ilarwood Moderator, Williams; Mary, Williams; Neptune, Edmonds, Bristol, sundries. Blessing, Duddridge, Bridgwater, bucks. Ann, Howe; Wm. and Susan, Hu-hert, Bridawater, hay. Prince Albert, Rees.(<)oucest r,ore.—— St. Pierre, Gridlanq, Bridgwater, flour. Taunton racket, Rnssell, Bridgwater, bricks.—Nightingale, Brooks, Poithcawl, iron. Ebentzer, Worley, Padstow, iron ore iirolhers, Joces, Waterioid, sundries.—George, Dibdcn Bristol I'acket, Tiver, Bristol, sundries.—Glasgow, Cark, WaterforJ Zephea, Bovey, Cork, oats. Penacluck, llulc, Swansea, irtn. SAILED. Catherine, Thomson, Malta. 165 tons coal. —Favourite, Skin- ner, Dunkirk, 70 tons pig iron. I'egcjy, Smith, Si. Thomas. 185 tons coal.—Temperance, Iloskin, Guernsey 50 tons coal. Carshalton I'aik, Hewitt, Jamaica, (J1'2 tons coal William Thompson, Erwtn, St. Thomas, 330 tons coal.-Johanna, Hanson, Malaga, ]G5 tons coal.- Eleanoure, Moullin. Jamaica, 217 tons coals.—Olive Branch, Gregory, Troon; Anne Eliza- beth, Jones. Liverpool; Margaret, W illiams, Troon; l'nnceof Wales, Griffiths, Dublin; Two Fiienlr-, Drew, Southampton; Ellen and Sarah, Gueldart, Chester; Kate Branagan, Troon, iron. Argo, Jones, Gloucester, timber.—Penrhyn, Thomas, Belfast; Abbey, Bur ard, Bristol, iron. Star, Richards, Bridgwater, Hour. -Newport, Jackson, Gloucester 1 homey, Jones, Biiidgvvater, timber.- Two Sisteis, Evans, Drogheda Maria, Pearson, Hull Pearl, Baker. Dundee; Damsel, Jacob, Goole; Trefusis, Hitchins, Whitstaple; Hope, Davies,Card.fi'; Napoleon, Davies, Newry, iron. The market boats from Bristol with sundries and 100 vessels coastwise" ith coal.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. After an animated debate on the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, the house divided on ttw wmnrl reading, when there were, For the second reading ? Against it *F. "I. iuajoniy 1 The house went into committee upon the Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Bil]. „ The election committee, consisting of Mr. F. M anle Sir G Clerk, Sir W. HeatJttOte,' 3if 1\ leiguson, Nlr, It. ihornley, and Sir J, Y, Bullet,

TO CORRESPONDENTS. The very large extent of our communications by post last even- ing, unavoidably causes the omission of several matters— a few of which had been already in type. Places shall be given in our next to Mr. Conway, and A Canal Proprietor the former gentleman defends the Canal Com- pany against imputations publicly made and the latter enters into elaborate detail of the affairs of that important concern If Mr. David Jones will confine himself to the subject in dis- pute between him and the Surveyor, we shall insert a letter from him. A Fable" next week.

TIMES OF HIGH WATER AT NEWPORT DVYS HIQH M ATKH. DKPTH AT MOLTN. EVEN. DOCK GATES. Dec., 1847. H. M. 11. M. FT. IN. 12, Sunday 9 10 9 30 29 4 13, Monday 9 53 10 lG 28 1 14, Tuesday. 10 41 11 9 26 8 1-5, Wednesday 11 20 12 41 25 6 1G, Thursday 12 19 12 57 24 8 17, Friday 1 3i 2 0 25 1 IB, Saturday 2 42 3 IS 26 8 Momhj Rises | Sun Scls | j {*• £ 12 7 59 3 49 j 10 52 9 7 < 340 13 8 0 « 49 11 22 10 20 ?,47 14 8 1 3 49 11 52 11 36 348 15 J 8 15 3 49 0 20 m rn 3l9 14 ¡ 8 1 S 3 49 ¡ 11 52 11 36 348 15 J 8 1 3 49 0 20 m rn 3l9 16 ts 8 2 5 3 49 0 48 0 51 350 17 8 3 5 3 49 1 18 2 7 351 18 8 4 3 5) | j 1 52 3 24 352 The TREDEGAR HOUNDS will meet on Monday, December 13th at Ebbw Bridge Friday 17tli .at Lanarthon Each Duy at Eleven o'clock. The MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS will meet on Monday, December 13th at Ragland I'riday 17th. at Landcwy Court Monday. 20th at Traveller's Rest Friday, 24th at Broad Oak At Half-past Ten, each day. WEEKLY CALENDAR. December 12.—3rd Sunday in Advent. Morning Lessons—Isaiah 25. Acts 12. Evening Lessons— Isaiah 26. James 5. Moon's Age-First Quarter, Dec. 15th, 3h. 26m. morn.

THE CRIMES AND OUTRAGES (IRELAND) BILL. WE are, on principle, jealous of all coercive measures and, where their necessity is not clearly made out, are disposed to give them the strongest opposition. We must say, however, that we can- not see, in the Bill now proposed for Ireland by her Majesty's Ministers, any other objection than the probability of its not proving sufficiently stringent, to be efficacious. We are warm advocates, not only for equal justice to Ireland at all times, but for kindness to her in seasons of calamity, and for great forbearance on account of the long misgoveinment of her people; but we hold it to be an abuse of all just and right principle, to argue that extraordinary measures are not to be taken to repress the revolting proceedings which are hourly staining portions of the country with blood. Are the perpetrators of these horrid crimes the most destitute and suffering ? No In some cases, doubtless, they are among the oppressed and goaded but we deploie the apparent fact, that the majority of them are the sanguinary executioners of schemes of murder, deliberately planned and by which, by no means the most objectionable or censurable individuals are now being daily cut off from amongst the living. In the midst of these dark and atrocious deeds, however, one great and prevalent error should be guarded against, and that is an indiscriminate charge on the whole nation, for the foul crimes perpetrated in a particular district. Upon this subject the veteran and enlightened statesman, Sir Robert Peel, whose early political education was acquired in the sister isle, has observed with great truth and justice, in his speech upon Sir George Grey's motion "My firm belief is, speaking from the experience of 30 or 40 yeais, that there are certain districts in Ireland subject to all those great causes wh:ch lead to the di organisation of society, and that there are some districts, for instance in Tipperary, where crime is inveterate and almost ineradicable In 1814 I detailed cases of* organised conspiracies to murder, directed againstgentlenlén of the highest respectability, exactly similar to those which have been laid before the house by the right hen. baronet. I recollect perfectly well a case in which, on each of three different icads approaching the town of Clonmel, live as- sassins, hired by a psity, ot considerable wWnHh.were stationed in order to insure the execution of a magistrate of the highest respectability. But it is quite unfair to impute to Ireland crimes of this nature it ie, most unjust to judge of the general disposition of Ireland f.'om the iniquity of these particular districts. I declare, with respect to the great towns of Ireland —for instance, Dublin, Limerick, and Cork,—where the people are collected together in large bodies, that they seem to he al- most more submissive to the laws, more obedient to the authori- ties, than they are in this country and the same may be said of the inhabitants of Wicklow and other counties. In many districts of Ireland I think the people are more peaceable, more resigned and patient under privation, than the people of this country, and they are quite as obedient to the laws and I conceive that nothing can be more unjust than to judge of the general character of the people of Ireland from those plague spots which have been mentioned." Compare this language of wisdom with the ribald scoffing and mock thundering of "Master Walter. It is an indispensable duty of Government to give protection to all its subjects; and it is perfectly justifiable to disarm, as far as possible, the popu- lation of those districts where the blackest crimes, instead of being witnessed with horror as they are in other parts of Ireland, are sanctioned and encouraged, and their perpetrators sheltered from the hand of justice. At the same time we hope that the unhappy country will experience fair treat- ment, as well as the just infliction of the law, and that the present paternal government, which is laudably open-handed as to temporary relief, will not delay those permanent measures of improve- ment which Ireland so much needs.

DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY. THERE has been, for years past, about the time of the meeting of Parliament, an attempt to persuade the legislature that the country was in peril of being invaded, and was altogether unprepared for such a calamity. Hitherto, however, no great alarm has been excited, and the government bus not, on that ground, increased our armaments, though it has refused to effect those reductions which great numbers of the tax-payers think ought to be made. This year the alarmists have received most oppor- tune aid from something written, or supposed to be written, by the Duke of Wellington. The cir- cuitous manner in which this has come before the public is worthy of notice. Some anonymous correspondent of the government morning organ, the Chronicle, introduces a long letter upon the subject by saying There is now in circulation among a very few, and almost by stealth, a letter of indescribahle importance, addressed to Sir John Bursovne." He goes on to state that the writer is the Duke of Wellington, who, enters into every detail; names, from-personal observation, the most likely places for debarkation; proves the ease with which it might be effected; and displays the nullity of our means of defence. We have no mi I C, 1 militia very few and very distant regulars—-from 9,000 to 10,000 available at home little artillery, no arms in store." His Grace dilates upon the immense forces and implacable animosity of the French insists upon 150,000 militia men, and 10,000 to 12,000 additional regulars; and after appealing in vain to three ministers, with what the anonymous writer calls infinite pathos," says— I am now bordering on 77 years of age, passed in honor. I hope the Almighty may protect me from being a witness of the tragedy [ cannot persuade my contemporaries to avert." With such a tnxt, Mr. Anonymous cannot do less than preach a imost forcible sermon and solemnly does he dwell upon the peril to which the people are exposed; and then with a persuasiveness, which must be delightful to place-hunters, he smoothly says that all this might be guarded against by an insurance of some two or three per cent, upon the greatest accumulations of wealth ever yet heaped up by man." Now let us take a practical, common- sense view of this admittedly important subject and, in such a light, it will be found to be within a very narrow compass. That we are necessarily exposed, on all sides, to attack, is a truism. That any such attack is at all probable, we should be inclined to deny, were it not for the continued quarrelsomeness, and especial anti- british feeling of the war spirits of France. Hut, hiie in this country national prejudices are gradually softening down, and a desire for peace and amity with neighbouring countries is y m strengthening while the old blind notion of the French being our natural enemies is almost extinct, and there is no such thing as malignity towards them existing among us it is a lamentable fact, which the most unwilling are compelled to admit, that not only distorted views, but an unfounded and apparently irreconcileable hatred towards England prevails, not merely among those whose trade is war, and those Of the ignorant multitude, who have no other idea of glory than the subjuga- tion, no matter with what bloodshed, ot their fellow creatures, but among a large portion of the statesmen, publicists and literati of France. With this melancholy fact ever obtruding itself upon the notice of the observant, in combination with the French love of war, we cannot, of course, look upon an invasion from that quarter as being out of the raage of probability. As to the notion of England ever being a French province," we regard all who suppose that there is (or was during the late war,) any danger of such an event, as on a level with the old women, of whom we read, who used to tell refractory children that Boney was coming to take them. It is not that which we have to fear but it is the devastation, the loss of life and property, which might possibly be inflicted on this country, in a short time, by a retreating foe, though any attempt to remain might prove his destruction and then the protracted mischief to which such an event would lead. Admitting, then, the possibility of such an event, the question is, what preparations shall be made to avert it. Those who assert that we have no force, no arms, no ammunition, no stores, assert what is not warranted by facts. The thing to be ascertained is, whether we have a sufficiency. The Duke of Wellington is a great soldier, but he is not a man of so uni- versal a genius as some suppose and this very communication, of which so much is made, is an evidence of it. It appears that his Grace entirely confines himself to the army. True that it is his province but, when he takes upon himself to say what is essential for the defence of the country, is it not absurd that the navy should be omitted ? Common sense would appear to dictate that our wooden walls" are first to be thought of,^—and that on the simple principle that prevention is better than cure. If the British fleets at home ate insufficient, let them be augmented. Let men be attracted by better treatment, and better remunera- tion and let the immense number of idle persons, who are receiving pay for merely wearing a nominal rank, be made to work. Nothing will intimidate an enemy so much as an efficient sea force, ready to attack him ere he can land, or to cut off his retreat, should he effect a debarkation. As to the militia, its original idea—that, of every man taking a part in his country's defence—was excellent. But it has long since lost this truly national character. The numerous exemptions made it an intolerable burden upon the industrial classes, and we should advise the most general and strenuous constitutional resistance to any such scheme. Besides, misgovernment and neglect have sadly alienated the minds of great numbers ot the working classes,—and in addition to their just causes of discontent, so much of prejudice and bad feeling has been and is being inculcated by un- principled— not to say seditious—demagogues, that such a measure (as we remarked last year) would put arms into the hands of hundreds, even thousands, of most disaffected individuals. The proper way of meeting the deficiency appears to be the enrolment, of a volunteer force in the sea- side countries, both horse and foot, from which all improper persons might be excluded and which might be well trained, and efficiently, as well as economically, officered, by half-pay gentlemen, residing in each neighbourhood. Such a force, under proper regulations, and with liberty to quit on giving a certain notice, would, we are confident, become numerous. And an additional levy might be organized inland, for relieving the regulars in the inland barracks, when their services are required on the coast. With such a provision, and those veteran bands, the pensioners, in addition to a good navy, we apprehend that so highly objec- tionable a measure as an increase to the standing army might be avoided, and that enormous increase of our burdens, which the anonymous correspondent of the Morning Clwonicle flippantly calls" an increase of some two or three per cent. upon our wealth," but which the tax-payers know would chiefly fall upon the industry of the country, might be averted from the overburdened people.

PROPRIETY OF A COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL. WE regret that the Government have expressed themselves unfavourably with respect to the estab- lishment of a Court of Appeal in criminal cases; but, occupied as they are with many important subjects, it cannot be expected, in the present state of things, that they should take the initiative in a matter upon which the public mind is so little advanced. Those who advocate the measure, however, have no need to be discouraged. Looking at the progress made towards the abolition of capital punishment, there is every reason for persevering in the advocacy of a principle much more clear, and less open to objection. As enlightenment proceeds, it cannot be that that opportunity of appeal, which is given where mere property is con- cerned, should long be denied in cases affecting not only liberty and reputation, but life itself.

COUNTY ELECTION. PETITION AGAINST LORD G. SOMKRSET. On Tuesday night, or rather early on Wednesday morning-being the latest moment allowed by the standing orders—a petition was presented to the House of Commons, complaining of the return of Lord Granville Somerset for this county. The do- cument, as we understand, alleges various grounds of objection to votes given in his lordship's favour, and also accuses him of having procured his election by means of bribery and treating. This proceeding —which we believe is without precedent in the history of county elections—is, indeed, evidence of the de- termined and haughty spirit by which the campaign against the free representation of Monmouthshire is dictated and the names attached to the petition— Messrs. John Rolls. Greenfield, Crawshay Bailey, and Knapp—afford an additional proof, if any were wanting, whose continued hostility the county has to thank for this persevering attack on their old and I valued representative—for no one will suppose that these four respectable gentlemen intend to pay the expense of a county-scrutiny out of their own pockets while, to make the matter still plainer, the parties who have given the required securities for prosecuting the petition, are, Mr. Watkins, the Duke of Bean- fort's London solicitor, and Mr. Gratrex, his Grace's correspondent and organ at Monmouth. Our readers may, however, be quite assured, that how annoying soever this interruption to the harmony of Christmas may be, there is no reason to apprehend the loss of the laurels which the spirited and independent electors of Monmouthshire won on the 10th and 11th of August, if the same energy, the same high-toned love of freedom and justice, which gained the victory, be exerted to preserve it. We have authority for stating, that shortly after the election, on the first rumour of an intended petition, the poll books under- went a careful examination by Lord Granville's com. mittee, and the result was, that no valid ground ex- isted on which the majority of 4;; could be success- fully impugned, in the event of a scrutiny. The allegations of bribery, &c., are mere fudge the real hope of the authors of the petition being, that the independent spirit of the men of Monmouthshire has been exhausted by the exertions they have already made, and that funds will not be forthcoming to meet the numerous and heavy expenses of a protracted scrutiny. In this hope, we can tell them they will be disappointed. Already the requisite preparations have been commenced, for defending Lord Granville Somerset's return again the central and local com- mittees, who conducted the late contest to a glorious termination, will give their best energies to the cause and when they shall appeal to the people of this county to help them ia raising the funds required and we think all classes ought to help them they will not appeal in vain.

MONEY AND COMMHUCIAI' NF.WSs. We have no new failures to announce to-day; and commer- cial matters look brighter. In the Funds to-day there has been some good business clone. Consols for Account opened at 8(5, and advanced to bo; and for Money the price was 8-31 [a sale of £ 100,000. Consols has just been made' for money], hxehequer Bills have been quoted at 4s., and 7s. premium, and Bank Stock at IB8}. le Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents, have fluctuated from H-JJ to Sd", In the Foreign Bonds the variations have been sligtit. The Railway Share Market is very quiet. On "Wednesday, a most shocking affair was discovered. A poor woman, the wife of a journeyman brewer, nacl cut tier throat, and the throats of her four children. All were quite dead when found; and the discovery took place inconsequence of the neighbours hearing the cries of the pigs, wlucn reminded them that none of the family had been seen for the day. i he husband has been absent at his work since Saturday, when he left his mother with his family, his wile having been tor some time in a desponding state of mind.

VJCAL INTELLIGENCE. THE CURRENCY. We have been enabled, from a report in the Morning Pest, and from Mr. Blewitt's notes transmitted to us at our request, to give what we believe to be a very correct version of his speech in the House of Commons on Thursday, the 2nd inst; We hear from very good authority, that Mr. Blewitt's speech was considered one of the best delivered on the question of the Banking Act of 1844 and it is a remarkable fact, that Sir Robert Peel, though he successfully availed himself of all the weak points of other speakers, could not lind a single loophole for reply to Mr. Uleuitt. Thus Sir Robert Peel directly evaded the challenge thrown out to him by Mr. Blewitt, to explain why in 1844 he had brought in a bill to limit the cir- culation at all times, and under all circumstances, to a certain circumscribed amount, when in 1819 he had said that no such limitations ought to be assigned; as the same amount of issues that would be sllfiicient in a period of prosperity, would be altogether insufficient in a time of despondency. In. his speech on Friday, the 3..d of December, Sir Robert Peel still claimed credit, by his bill of 1819, for a restriction of the gold standard, as an ancient standard of value; whereas Mr. Blewitt, on the night before, clearly proved, that up to 17/4, silver was the standard— that from 1774 to 17.57, when the bank stopped payment, payments could still be made to the extent of £ 28. in silver; and that it was not until after the resumption of cash payments in 1819, that gold became the onlyiegal tender, beyond 40s. Mr. Blewitt, in his speech, shows distinctly, thot the act of 1844 was the cause of the late commercial distress; for if, as Mr. Blewitt says justly, the loss of the potatoe crop of 1S45 and 184G—the sums taken from floating circulation to be paid in railways—the failure of the large commercial houses—the thirty-three millions ex- ported for corn—were the causes of the distress the restora- tion of the poiatoe crops—the sutliciency of the railway capi- tal—the renovation of the commercial houses—and the return of the thirty-three millions exported for corn, would be the natural and obvious remedies whereas, the suspension of the act ot 18 h; was all that was necessary to produce an immediate improv ement and this was the sure proof of cause and effect. A more prosy and disagreeable subject than that of the cur. rency, accompanied by the heavy details of figures and sta- tistics which most honourable members of the House of Com- mons arc apt to indulge in, we do not know. Mr. Blewitt's speech, while pregnant with facts and intimate knowledge of the subject, displayed throughout a vein of wit and pleasantry which ensured him an amused and attentive audience, even at the late hour of twelve o'clock. We have long wished that Mr.Blewitt had entered parliament unfettered and undisturbed by other engagements. If his talents and acquirements could have fair play, by a little experience in public speaking, we feel confident he would soon be one of the most distinguished members of the House of Commons. GOOD CAUSE OF COMPLAINT. —The Father of a Fami-y" writing to us this week" thus describes the effects of the nu- merous beeihouse-s which have sprung up in Newpoit so rapidly. He says:—"I have several young children, and a young servant of the age of only thirteen. She is occasion- ally sent out in the evenings on errands, and so delays her coming back, that, despite her plausible stories, my wife had reason to doubt her truth. A night or two since the girl had occasion, she said, to go to her mother's; she went out at seven o'clock, and not returning at ten, we sent to her mo- ther s to enquire the reason, when we found she had not been there. Her mother and father—two honest and industrious old people—went in search of her and I suppose knowing something of the truant's disposition, went to a beerhouse near Cross street, in Commercial street, where they found the artless child of thirteen yaare old, merrily engaged in dancin"; among a very questionable gang of younger nad older boys and girls,—and this at about the hour of eleven at night! This°is the sort of character of too many of the servants to whose morality and carefulness we entrust our children and these are the sort of haunts permitted by law for the iuveif lin" of innocent youth into the paths of immorality and oriinc.— Have the police no power to empty such beeihouses ? THE GALES. During the past few days numerous accounts of wrecks have reached us from all parts of the coast, among which, however, we do not perceive mention of any vessels connected with this place reported as lost, although several are disabled, &c. ° VV'INTF.II.—ON Wednesday morning, the heights of old Twm Barlwm and the high range of mountain land extending there- from were observed from Newport to be covered with snow. Winter there/cre, which oi late years Las not exactly been regulated by the months of the year, may now be said to have fairly set in in this neighbourhood. A 8INGI-I.AU CHARACTER.—On Monday last, a man named Thomas Davies, who had lived near the Salutation Inn, in this town died at an advanced age. The deceased was an extraordinary person. Fifteen years sgo, he made his own coffin, and used it as his cupboard, in which he kept his bread and cheese, &c.; and besides this singular whim, he also boughtapiece of ground in the burial place attached to tho Baptist Chapel, Chailes street, for which he paid, and at the head of which he placed a stone, inscribed with Ins name, with blanks for his age, and the time at which hemight die. On his death-bed he also strictly enjoined his daughter that he should be laid out nowhere but in the Baptist Temple, on the Pill-road, previously to his interment, and from that place would he carried in "his own coffin to "his own grave." All these injunctions were fulfilledfto the letter, on Wednesday afternoon. We are pleased to be able to add that he was truly a good man," who read his Bible and prayed daily to his God. May eternal rest be his reward.—A Cones- paudan t. SiiKKiiSTEALiNG.—Oil Thursday night week, a sheep was stolen from the Marshes, belonging to Messrs. Clement and Marrhy and while Sergeant lluxtabie was searching a vessel in this port, with a view to discover some clue to the thieves, he saw the carcass of a sheep floating down the river. He took a boat at once, and brought the prize ashore, when he found a rope about its neck, and its throat cut in a very bungling manner. The carcase was supposed to have floated down from Caerleon. in the neighbourhood of which place, Mr. Joseph Jones, has recently had three sheep stolen from his fields No trace of the sheep stealers in the first case mentioned iias been discovered. FATAL ACCIDENT.—An inquest was held on last Saturday on the body of Thomas Edwards, a hobbler, who had been engaged on board the barque Eldon, in ntiloadin^her cargo of timber in the Dock. It appears that the deceased and five others were engaged at the winch, lifting a heavy piece of timber, four being at one handle of the winch, and two at the other; and while so employed, some accident occurred, of a trifling nature, which induced the four men on one side to let go the handle, the consequence of which was, that the winch ilew round with frightful velocity, and the handle on the. side where the two men where engaged, caught up de- ceased, and flung him around three or four times, inflicting such injury in his bowels that he died in consequence. The jury assembled at the Devonshire Arms, Pillgwenlly, when the a' ovc facts being stated, a verdict of "Accidental Death," wasreturncd. A trait of benevolencc on the part of the jury deserves especial mention. On their ascertaining that de- ceased had lelt a widow and five children, they immediately subscribed the sum of twelve or thirteen shillings paid them for their services, towards the poor bereaved creature, a donation which was gratefully received. ARUCULTUNAL MACHINERY,—The collection of Agricul- tural Implements of ingenious construction and piactieal utility, brought forward at the late show, were confessedly the best ever exhibited at our side of the Severn and this department is an additional proof, (if such were wanting) of the importance of such meetings. Here the occupiers of different soils have not only an opportunity of comparing their various results, but by what means and what implements sneli results have been accomniished whilst the attentive aitizan has a lull opportunity of obtaining valualuctiints for the improvement of his machinery. Messrs. Hodges and W right, of Brecon, merit the highest commendation for their pains, spirit, and enterprise in this way. Their admirable collection of implements at the Show Yard, on Tuesday, de- servedly engaged the close attention and commendation of the leading agriculturists present. SrATE OF EDUCATION IN WALLS AND MONMOUTHSHIRE.— In our last page, we resume extracts from the blue book, just published, on this subject. The Commissioner's observations on the National Schools in this town, appears to us as written in somewhat a captious spirit. Withreferencetothcmaster, Mr. Stock, we believe, that, considering the elements on which it is his duty to act, there are few men who could achiPlie more., Is consequence of the Cattle Show taking place on Tues- day, the 7th infant, very little stock appeared at Market on Wednesday, the greater part of the butchers of Newport, and the surrounding neighbourhood, having made their purchases on the exhibtion day. DEPUTATION.—A deputation from the iron trade of Mon- mouthshire, consisting of Mr. Thomas Brown, Ebbw vale Iron Works; Mr. llouth. New British Iron Works; and Mr. James Drown; a deptltation from the coal tradcofMonmouth- shire, consisting of A1 r. W. S. Cartwright and Mr. Martin Morrison; Mr. W. Secretan YVoodhouse, solicitor to the above; and Mr. Coates, agent, had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt, on Monday, at the office oi' the Commissioners of Railways in the Board of Trade. CAERLEOX. SUREE STEALING AGAIN.—On the night of Wednesday the 1st. instant, two more sheep were stolen from the field of air. Joseph Jones, Cold-hath, Caerleon, and one from a field ad-' joining, belonging to Mr. Button, of Cwmbrane traces of the blood were, found o;i the lidd, and the foot mark's of three persons were apparent for a considerable distance. On Fri- day evening, the men belonging to the Caerleon boat, when coming up the river, observed opposite to Saint Julian's Inn, the skins of two sheep which had been thrown illto tbe river and left on the bank by the tide unfortunately on the con- stable proceeding there, they had either been taken off by some accomplice, or else again washed away by the tide. Several houses have been searched, and strict watch kept on all suspected parties, but as yet without any result. Rut as the proceedings of this week's Petty Sessions will shew that ajstep has been taken, we trust, before long. to find the rogues in-custody, as more robberies have been committed of late in this neighbourhood than within our present memory. A WHOLESALE I'ox. On Friday night some thieves carried oil the whole oi the poultry from the farm of Mr. Joseph Harris, Common Cefu ilwyd, A rnw evenings since some miscreant let off the water at one ol the Irosnant Locks, (an overflow of the canal was the conscquence ) when several cottagcs inhabited by poor persons, w io could i afford the inconvenicnce of such wanton pranks, were inundated with the watery element. A reward of Tr.° C'vr c au^orities for the detection of the offenders. hese^ VV aterfordoman affairs are rather too frequent, we would leicfore, wain the depredators to be aware in time of the eye ot our Superintendent and his equally vigilant subalterns.

TAFF YALE RAILWAY TRAFFIC, For the week endinor Dec. 4. 1847. no £ .s. a. Passengers 226 2 8 General Merchandise* 211 3 1 W. Coffin and Co.i!!i.i 11 H (Llancaiach Branch.,17f> 16 'J t 0 Jhos. 1 owclU Aberdare Ditto 151) 17 0; 3/7 lb ( Llantwitt. ditto 41 2 6) Duncan and Co. Il l 4 10 DowiaisCo 311 n 2 J. Edmunds Insole and Son V'" 3 John Williams and Co Gadlys Iron Co 35 16 1 Ditto Coal Co Booker and Co n\ 0 D.Davis 20 1G 2 Crawshay Bailey" l:i G Miles and Evans W.Thomas »»•••• 8 L1709 77

PONTYPOOL In our last impression we intimated our intention to give an outline of the principal features of the Newport andPonty- pool railway,in this vicinity,in the present number of the METI- LIN. We now present our readers with the following, which has been gleaned from authentic sources of information. The general impression in this locality is, that the completion of this railway will be a great advantage to the district, and that-the traffic cannot fail to be extensive: consequently a good dividend will doubtless be realised. We commence our remarks with contract No. 6, which has I een taken by Mr. Benjamin Farmer, contractor, of Bristol, under whose experienced and judicious management the various portions of the work are rapidly progressing, and quite to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. The con- tract No. 6 extends from the corner of the Tabernacle, in Ciane-street, Pontypool, to the viaduct at Pontymoile, beino- a distance of two thirds of a mile. The line will have a fall of 60lt. in the distance we have mentioned. The station, it is contemplated, will be neai the Globe Inn, and will be situated in a pleasant position but a few yards from Crane-street and the Blue Boar Field. Several buildings will be taken down, inclusive of the house occupied by Mr. Sullivan, some cottages opposite, and the stabling belonging to the Bridge End Inn. A substantial bridge with three arches will be erected acroso Crane street each arch will have a span of 15ft., and be 16ft. high the design is plain, yet neat and pleasing. The line next crosses a part of the canal opposite to Gilbert's square (where a temporary bridge will be erected), and proceeds^ a south-western direction through the field adjacent to the Town School room. The depth of the cutting heieaboutis in some places trifling, and no important feature occurs, excepting the beautiful and picturesque scenery of Pontypool Park, which may be seen on the left. A plain wooden bridge will be thrown over the Far Lane-thus connecting the ad. joining field with that called Cwm-nis-coy, In the latter the cuttings will be in one place 24ft., gradually working out to a level toward the canteen, in the short space of 40 yards. The strata in the deepest part arc as follow :—limestone 2ft.; limestone gravel, 0ft. The Crumlin road will be lowered 4ft. near the canteen. A commodious and ornamental bridge will be placed under the road, the span of which will be 25>t. and the height 16ft. The girders will be of cast iron, sup- • ported by ornamental risers, while balustrades of pleasing design will form the coup tie grace. Much engineering skill is manifested in this department, inasmuch as it is one beset with difficulties these, however, happily are now surmounted and the whole reflects great credit on the engineer. The line will next be carried across a somewhat deep vale between Cwm nis-coy and the Cwm fields. The length to be filled up more or less, is 100yds., and the depth 50ft. About the centre of the valley will be. erected a neat stone bridge with two arches; this structure is of substantial design, and evinces much ingenuity and mechanical skill. We next proceed through the Cwm fields. Here the cutting in one place will be 27ft. The stratification is as follows:—mould, 2ft.; lime stone, 1ft.; limestone gravel, 9ft.; limestone, 15ft. While sauntering along this delightful spot, we were delighted with the magnificent and luxurious scenery by which it is sur- rounded. On the left stand the princely domains of the Lord Lieutenant of the county to the right are the wild, rugged, and romantic Race mountains before is the beautiful vale leading to Newport; while behind aré the towering, smoking, hills of Blaenavon. Standing enchanted, as ,it were, on the spot, we certainly indulged a transient wish that locomotion had not been invented, or, at all events, that it had not been suffered to disturb this sylvan retreat. Many a traveller will wander with his wishes hack to days of yore, when our fore- fathers travelled three miles an hour in stage waggons, and in their slow progress could view with delight and gratitude the stupendous works of a Benign Creator. Proceeding along the field, some distance, we come to the Blaenavon load, over which a substantial structure of wood will be erected, and but a short distance beyond, the contract No. 6 terminates. We must end here for the present, having gone over Mr. Farmer'* contract, and will, at a future period, re. sume the details of other contracts. We feel it right to state that in our perambulations, persons employed on the line gave us every required information with readiness and accuracy. The contract, exclusive of extras, we hear, is about £10,000. MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.—The second general meeting of this excellent institution took place on the evening of Monday last, in the reading-room of the society,—Mr. Thos. Evans in the chair. The attendance was not so large as might have been desired,—several other meetings having intervened —at a late period of the evening, however, a goodly assemblage was in attendance. The report was given by the hon. secre- tary, Mr. John Peirce, which interesting document set forth in detail the operations of the society, and from which it appear 'd that the financial account stands somewhat as follows:- Receipts from members, and lectures, £ 19. 15s. 6d.: net pro- ceeds from soiree, £ 15 disbursements, £:H. 15s. 4d.: leaving a balance in the treasurer's hands of £ 10, in favour of the society. Such a state of things, in this day of monetary diffi- culty, certainly augurs well for the stability of the institution. The committee has been at much expense in fitting up the room, and other incidental matters, which will not, of course, occur again we therefore hope that at the next general meet- ing we may be enabled to report a yet more flourishing state- ment. On Monday evening six of the committee retired by rotation, viz., Messrs. Smith, Garmson, Chappel, Llewellyn, F. Morgan, and F. Phillips. Messrs. Smith, Morgan, Garm- son, and Llewellyn were re-elected. Five new members of the committee were elected, viz.:—Messrs. Lewis, Conway Price Wood, and Joshua. The committee is consequently composed of the following persons, viz. Messrs. J. A. Williams Garm- son, J.F.Williams, Jenkins, Morgan, Smith, Llewellyn'Lewis Conway, Price, Wood, and Joshua; seven of whom'form a quorum It is impossible to estimate the advantages likely to accrue to our teeming population from such an institution as the one under notice; it has already done great things, yet much more remains to be accomplished. We hear that lectures are about to be delivered, by Mr. Eliliu Birrritt, and Mr. George Dawson. A working member of the institute has also engaged to deliver a lecture on the British Constitution. THE GAS QUESTION.A meeting of the gas consumers took place on the evening of Monday last, at the White Lion, when it was resolved that the price of gas should henceforth be 8s. per thousand feet; also that meters should be generally sup- plied by the proprietor, Mr. J. P. Price, by the 24th Feb., 1848. The general impression is that the change will be much to the advantage of the gas proprietor,—for the extravagant waste ú. gas in some of our public buildings certainly calls for some emeacious remedy. We hear that it is contemplated to light the streets of the town with gas,—this will be a desideratum indeed. THE Rev. George Thomas's lecture on Tuesday evening was not so fully attended as the previous ones had been. The in- clemency of the weather doubtless operated as a discourage- ment. Mr. Thomas is a gentleman acknowledged to be of high classical and refined attainments, and the rhetorical and deeply argumentative style of the lecture, as a composition, fully jus- tified the general opinion that had been previously entertained of the talents and acquirements of the lecturer.

MONMOUTII. FIRE—On Tuesday morning last between four and five o'clock, a. fire broke out at Monte Video, Monmouth, the resi- dence of Mr. Thomas Gosling, auctioneer. It appears that about that time, a female servant rose to her work, and upon attempting to enter a kitchen, which, with some rooms over it, wa., attached to the north end of the house, she perceived that that portion of the house was on fire. She immediately alarmed her master, who, upon descending to the spot and attempting to open the door, found that the interior was in flames. He instantly repaired to Monmouth for the engines and assistance, and gave an alarm hundreds of persons were soon .at the scene, which presented a fearful appearance. Even by the time the first number of persons arrived at the house, the roof of the ignited building had fallen in. The cornice round the dwelling-house had also caught in several places, and the destruction of the entire edifice appfftHd inevi- table. Most providentially, the wind, which wa^P^ high at the time blew in the direction opposite the house, which, from this fortunate circumstance alone, was saved. The engines were soon brought into play, and there being a. full pond of water close to the house, a continuous stream was poured on the litter, as well as upon the ruins, and further damage was prevented It Is supposed that ignited soot, or sparks, had blown from the chimney into the upper room of the building which was a store room, and, therefore, seldom used, and that the fire was thereby occasioned. A considerable quantity of clothes was entirely destroyed, besides other property, and the inside of the building was consumed. Owing to the dark- ness of the morning several persons received a ducking from falling into the pond. It has been remarked as an astonishing incident, that shortly before the fire occurred, the wind shifted to the point which really saved the dwelling-house, by blowing the flames from it, and soon after the fire was subdued, it again veered to the very opposite direction, which, had it prevailed earlier, would have mocked all human efforts to save any por- tion of the premises. Mr Gosling had but very lately insured his property. The Mayor of Monmouth has acceded to a memorial which was presented to him aunng the week, requesting that the mar- ket,day III the Chnstmas week shall be on the WEDNESDAY instead of the Saturday. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING. On Monday last, a meeting of the Town Council took plaee. which was attended by all the members excepting Messrs. ilios. Powell, W. Williams, and John Tyler. The first busi- ness which was introduced, was the subject of an increase of wages to Policeman Trusted, which was proposed by Mr. Owen, and seconded by Mr. Whiting. Mr. Vaughan moved as an amendment that Trusted should receive half of the £5 paid to Sergeant Fuller, as inspector of nuisances the town to be divided into two wards, and the duty likewise divided. Ultimately Mr. Owen withdrew his proposition, and Mr. Vaughan's amendment, which was seconded by Mr. WTatkins, was unanimously carried. The Sanitary Committee, through the Mayor, as their chair- man, presented their report. It appeared that the committee had minutely inspected the condition of the town they drew up detailed statements of such objectionable matters as they witnessed, which were more numerous and much grosser than would have been supposed to have existed. Mr.Powles proposed and Mr.John Powell seconded resolu- tions to the effect that the report should be received and adopted = that the cominittce becontinuedin the performance of its functions, and be instructed to invite the co-operation of the gentlemen of the medical profession; aDd that the owners o the several properties which aie mentioned in the report ot the committee, be immediately applied to, on the subject, by the! own Clerk. The Mayor reported that he had ascertained that Messrs. Daiteyaud ompany, bankers, were willing to make advances f'' collnci',upon which it was unanimously agreed to borrow .f).A) to provide the means for discharging the debts due from the council to tradesmen and others. A discussion ensued, on a recommendation of the Finance Committee, that no orders for goods, work, &c., should be given, except by a meeting of the council," which was adopted with a proviso that trilling emergencies may be met by the mayor. A book was also ordered to be procured for the entry of all such orders. The Uuihiing Committee was instructed to examine a part of a house in St. Mary.street, which was out of repair, and to report thereon to an adjourned meeting of the council.-The council then broke up.

NANTYGLO. KxPLOSION OF FirtE DAMP.—An accident, attended with a serious loss oi iife. took place at these works, on Monday last, by an explosion of fire damp. It appears that there were a great number of workmen at work in one of the coal pits be- longing to Messrs. Dailey, and from some cause not yet known the damp exploded, killing eight men and severely wounding three others. We understand they met their deaths from what is called, by some colliers, the after damp—by others, the choke damp-but known more scientifically as the carbonic acid damp, that is, the atmosphere of the pit after the explo^ sion has spent itself out. We have not heard the names of the whole of the men killed, but we Jtind amongst them a man of the name ol John Parks and his two sons natives of Mertbyr,