Monmouthshire Merlin

kpioslon of Fite-Datlll; at Salilyglo. 3 SEVEN LIVES LOS T. jj [BY EXL'IiES^.J j We I explosion of fire-damp which occurred on Monday at the Coal Works of .Messrs. Bailey, TNantyglo, whereby seven unfyrhmate i:>dividuals w I Were killed. The circumstances attending (his b melancholy occurrence, will be found detailed in the S1 following evidence, taken at the inquest on the J bodies of the ill-fated men. I The inquest was held at the Bush Inn, Nantyglo, before Thdnias IlugUts, Esq., of Abergavenny, coroner for the district, and was commenced last j. Weejj.VThe Coroner, however, in cor, sequence of M some or the principal witnesses being, the inju- received in the pit, unable to attend, adjourned the enquiry to Wednesday last. The "I greatest interest was ielt in Naniygb., and the ncigh- bourhooii, as to the result of the investigation, in 7, consequence of some differences of opinion as to the > remote cause of the accident. To these, however, I we shall not further allude, but leave our readers to (j below. I form their own conclusions from the evidence given Thos. Bishop, Esq., solicitor, of Brecon, attended the adjourned inquest on Wednesday, and requested t permisssion from the coroner to watch the proceed- h)gs on behalf of the friends of the deceased. W. A W. Secietan Woodhouse, Esq., of Abergavenny, 5| made a similar request, oh behalf of Messrs. Bailey. J The Coroner readily assented, and these gentlemen 2 elicited many important facts in the evidence which 1, follows :— The first witness called was Jame9 Wightman, coal agent to Messrs. Bailey at Nanty- glo, who stated, that he had charge and management of the i pit in which the accident occurred. The accident happened on il tbe 6th inst., and was occasioned by an explosion ot tire damp, [ff I'here were seven men killed by the explosion tlicy were .John J fyrks, sen., John Parks, jcin-i and Daniel Parks—a lather SOIl; William James, John Morgan, Lewis Morgan, :1 and Thomas Jones, all colliers. Most of them were taken out 11 of the pit dead. There were six others severely injured; but they are still living, and likely to recover. There were several others at work at the time, who escaped without injury. He had been coal agent at Nantvglo since July last, and no acci- = dent had occurred in that pit before, since he had been there. e Soon after the accident, lie made an examination ot the pit, e and he thought the explosion took place in the heading in which < John Parks and his two sons were working. He believed it 3 must have been occasioned bv the light of one of their canities, ? He was not aware of the presence of gas in that part of tue j work but from observation on the previous trirtay, he )iau reason to think that some iniglit be soon generated tneie aiiu he therefore cautioned the men to be very particular in gomg i into the work the first thing on Monday morning. None of the I men expressed to him any apprehension ot danger, nor any dis- satisfaction with the state of the work. The state of the we rk was this there was a heading being uriven, which was about thirty yards in advance of the winùway and about twenty or thirty yards further on, there was a windway, which they were H driving, to meet that heading. It was frequently the custom >j in tliis country to carry the heading sixty yards or more in ad- ■I vance of the windways. There was no danger, therefore, to be apprehended from the state of that heading. The proprietors and managers of the Nantyglo Works had always been desirous since he had been connected with them, that he should do everything which he deemed necessary tor the safety of their > men and to the best of his power, he believed he did so. The men were always supplied with Davy lamps when they were re- quired. He had not the slightest reason to suppose that theéX- plosion took place from wilful misconduct on the part of any- body and he believed it to have been purely accidental. Upon re examination 011 the day of adjournment, this wit- ness further stated—That the trap doors of the pit where the accident happened were walled up, some with brick, and the creator pait with turf, previous to his going there; and those which he had walled up, he had done with brick. The use of trap doors and walling was to regulate the current of air in the l pit. Walling with turf was not the best way, but if rains be taken with it, it may be rendered nearly air tight. He had never seen any walled with turf in Newcastle. The eld stalls and windways were stopped up with small coal and stone. These walls should be air tight, in order 10 regulate the current f ot air. lie could not swear that they were all air tight. lie bad never seen any sign of fire damp in the old stalls when he found lire, it w::s in the new work. The old stalls were sometimes r not completely filled. He did not see any occasion to ventilate ) the old stalls at all. He had not seen any carburetted hydrogen tag for liie damp) in the old workings. The air there was the >icid gas. There was 110 over-man appointed at the Pit to go downV'fore the men, to apprize them ot the presence r 1 1 r.vrivown tras. He did not think it neces- torvtSfshould be one, because generally there was not suf- S l.mil.:ro He liad lrequently examined the wofkfnSs with a Davy-lamp, and had not found gas present toanyexcess. Before the accident occurred, there was a doo, on John Morgan's heading to throw air into Jo m 1. arks heading-andithad that effect. -John Morgan had neerre- quested me to put a door there. The door he haù descnbed as being on John Morgan's heading was put there oy J olm Park. Before that, there was a canvass door there, which was not so efficient, but which he considered answered the purpose for the time. lie never saw the door of which he had been speaking i in its proper place he liad only heard that it was there. The J canvass was not framed or nailed, but fastened to the top, and i a stone put upon the bottom. That kind of door waJ only put in places where there was little or no danger. On the Friday before the accident occurred, when he thought that the gas was [ generating in the work, he cave directions that a proper door Would be placed on John "Morgan's heading. On Tuesday morning (the day atter the accident) the door at J. Morgan's t heading, which had been temporarily put up before, was pro- ftferly put ap, and it had been since turning all the air that could be turned by it into Parks' heading, where the accident L happened; and he had tried the air there with a Davy-lamp V that morning, and he believed the gas to be as fully present then M it oislm when the accident happened. If the door had been 'SWaced there before the accident oeeaiPTWr; Tie "ul not believe at it would have prevented it. A bag which contalnedvic- Ot&s belonging to one of the. Parks' was hanging in the Tjieading where tlieaccidentoccurred, and was very little singed, and there were candles there which were but partially melted, A from which he inferred that there was very little gas there, and if tfcat if ordinary precaution had been used by the men the 3 accident might have been prevented. He considered that the I system pursued in South Wales, as contrasted with Newcastle, was the best for the district, if properly carried out. He had met John Parks and his sons on the morning of the accident, going to work, and Parks asked him to allow him (Parks) to jnix the small coal with the large, which would be an ad- vantage to him, and he gave liim permission to do so. » 'John Evans, collier, examined on the first day, stated that iVlie was in the fore part of the work when the accident occurred I _'within about 120 yards of the spot. lIe believed that the explosion arose entirely from one of the men having acciden- 1 tally set fire to the gas Thomas Phillips," collier, said he was in a heading about thirty yards from Parks' heading, where they believed the acci- dent to have occurred. The explosion took place about nine o'clock in the morning. Seven men were killed, and he was unconscious, from the effects of the explosion, for about five hours- He believed that John Parks must have set the gas on l fire; but he was a very cautious man in general; and therefore the firing must have been accidental He (witness) had worked In that pit about nine months, and there was never any danger ■tkere during that time. lie was witli John Parks on Saturday ■'■flight, when he put up the door as well as lie could, but there ,»s no framing to it, nor a wall. It was intended to have been ;.rt up properly at another time. He believed there was tfwbody to blame with reference to the accident, ihe canvass '$oor did well for the time; but the other was best, as the work '"was being carried further. ¥ Thomas Lewis, collier, after confirming some portions of the foregoing evidence, stated that he knew of no one. to blame, •Ixcept that he had heard that John Parks had asked for a door; jgnd he was not aware of any fault to be attached to any party. Be had worked in the pit for three years, and during that time \hey considered their.selues in no danger; and 011 the morning the accident he did not consider they were in any danger, j'Thomas Williams, collier, said, when the accident happened je was at work in the pit, in the heading in which the explosion fook place. When he went in, they were apprehensive of some §anger> and John Parks put down his candle ior the purpose ol jonsnming the foul air; and then came back from the spot, and rtnittined away until he thought all was safe he then returned tt his own work, and immediately after, the explosion took jlace- Witness believed that the explosion was quite accidental, |ttd"not wilful on the part of any one; but that blame was at- iched to some one. There was plenty of atr coming into the pit, fay if there had been a door placed to turn the air out of the |Bi into Parks' heading, the lives of the men might have been Mved. There had been a cam'ass sheet used as a door, but ||at bad fallen to pieces. About five or six weeks ago, he keard John Parks ask Mr. Wightman for a door, which he then jjromi9^ him. Upon a subsequent occasion, which witness Relieved to have been a short time before the last pay—(which dn# on the Saturday before the accident)—Parks reminded Mr Wightman of his promise; and that the air was beginning to get bad and that he thought there might be some fire there, jlr. Wightman upon that occasiou said that he had been to the piaster carpenter, and the door frame was not ready. Parks's UtadinGT rose in a slight ascent, and Morgan's headmg was level; Äd the door not being air tight, had tIle effect, witness thought, di allowing some of the air to turn mto Morgan s heading, 111- Jtead of into Parks'. He was the only person living who heard Parks apply to Wightman for the door. There had been Arcada ia the coal in the heading in which Parks was working. If a doorway had been placed at that spot, there would have Men no fire damp to injure anybody.. SSttobert Smith, agent at Clydacb Iron Works, Brecon, said K fijJ kee»«anHected with coal mines for the la < J where the WMtting (last Wednesday) he inspected the o p M Aldent happened, in company with Mr. W Whry Bailey; am/ ie found the general ventilat :IK,(} ffij good. He was provided with Davy's-lamps. I i.nriu,,i Hmcs' heading, and found gas at the extremity 01 it, 1 lithe Davy-lamp, and if a candle had been applied to It, It have exploded. There was a door placed there to tft current of air towards that heading the effect 01 the n \jffnld be to clear it of gas to some extent, but it mig-'t le sufficient to explode. Enough of gas might have geneiat < tie re between Saturday night and Monday morning to ha^e fiitsed die accident; but the men, with a little prerauti >n,might hfve prevented it. He never saw a colliery better ventilated. FSrwni his experience, he was of opinion that accidents ot that kind might occur where the greatest possible caie was taken. The Coroner lucidly summed up the evidence, and the jury returned the following verdict: That the men died from sullo- calion, produced by an explosionof carburetted hydrogen gas;" atd the jury expressed an opinion that Mr. Wightman was not td blame; at the same time recommending that a man tie ap- pointed to go into the work with a Davy-lamp, before the men descended of a morning, to ascertain whether there was any danger or not; upon which Mr. Henry Bailey came forward, Olid expressed the deep regret and concern which he felt at the dreadful catastrophe that had happened; and assured the (kroner and the J Ilry that their recommendation should be im- mi, 1 lately complied with. \Ve regret to learn that so strong a prejudice exists against James Wightman, the manager of the pit at which the explo- sion took place, that the men have turned out in consequence of hH being permitted to continue at the works. The effect of this untoward circumstance has been that two of the Messrs Bailey's iron furnaces have been blown out for want of coal; and still more disastrous consequences must follow if the men persist in their refusal to work. We trust, however, whatever inuression may have existed previously to the inquest, that the evidence then given, especially that of Mr. Robert Smith, 01 the Clydach iron works, as to the general state of ventilation inthe works, coupled with the verdict of the jury, will induce sufh a temperate course as will obviate the necessity for a fujrther cessation of work.

THE ELECTION PETITIONS. The subject of the petitions is one of which now engrosses cosiderable attention at the clubs. Their consideration will, of course, be postponed until after the recess. An annlysis of the list of petitions which has already been published into the classes of Liberals, Ptelites, and Protectionists, may not be un- interesting. The Liberals petitioned against are, Mr. Reynolds (Dublin), '.he Hon. G. Berkeley (Gloucester West), Mr. Abdy (Lyme Regis), Mr. Sadleir (Carlow), Mr. Gregson (Lancaster), Mr. Somors (Sligo), Sir .T. VValmsley and Mr. Gardner (Leicester), Mr. McT^vish (Dundalk), Sir. Win. Somerville (Droglieda), Mr. J. B/Lennard (Maiden), the Right Hon. E Strutt and the Hon. E. J. Gower (Derby). Mr. Lacy (Bodmin), Mr. Dixon ( Carlisle), Mr. O'Connor (Nottingham), Mr. Jarvis (Harsham) I Mr. Seely (Lincoln), Mr, Harcasile (Colchester), Mr. Jackson (iSewcaslle-under-Lyne). JMr. E. B. Littleton, ( Walsall), and Mr. Foley (Longford). The petitions against the returns of the Ucn.G. Berkeley, Mr. Sadleir, Mr. Sotners, Mr. McTavish, Sir W. Somerville, and Mr. O'Conner, emanate from members of the Liberal party. The Peelites against whom petitions stand for consideration are, Lord A.Lennox and Mr. Coope (Yarmouth), Mr. Heald (Stockport), Mr. Keogh (Athlone), Sir F. Thesiger (Abingdon), Mr. W y Id (Bodmin), Lord Brack ley (North Staffordshire.), Mr. Atuvood (Harwich), Mr. Cubitt (Andover), and Lord Gran- ville Somerset (county of Monmouth). The Protectionist members petitioned against are, Sir II, Jones (Cheltenham), Mr. T. Williams and Col. Knox (Great Mar- low), Mr. Guinness (Kinsale), Mr. Mackenzie (Peebleshire), Mr. Hodgson (Carlisle), Mr. Boiling (Bolton), Mr. Deering (Aylesbury), Mr. Ireland ( Bewdley), Mr. Adderly (North Staf- fordshire), Mr. Coles (Andover), Sir. J. Tyrrell and Major Be- resford (North Essex), Urquhart (Stafford), Sir G. H. Smyth, (Colchester), Mr. Cockburn, Q.C., the newly elected member for Southampton, will not, as a Member of the House of Commous, have the pnvilege of appearing before the commitees as a par- liamentary advocate, in which he on all occasions appeared so powerful. 11 will be recollected that Sir F. Thesiger, previous to his elction for Woodstock, was a leading member of the same department of the legal profession.

Newport Shipping Isitclligciice. 0 6 Arrivals and Sailings for the week ending December 15. -ARRIVED. Medora, Lowe, Jersey, potatoes.—Celeste, Mul- chady, Kichibucto Jessie, Kelley, Victoria, Mitchell, Quebec, ti!nber -Alertianeii, Pundt, Douglas, Isle of Man, ballast. Whim, Lewis, Chester, barley. Fame, Nichols, Gioucester, salt.—Brothers, Quuiton, Ulo ster, flour.-I).- lil Cocks, Port Cawl, iron.-Nancy, Keiley, Wa- terford, cattle.Friendship, Gazzard, Gloucester, flour.—Mary, Hopgood, Bridgwater, straw.^Robert, Jones, Cardiff, iron.— Mary, Towells, Bridgwater, hay.—Blessing, Duddridge, Bris- tol Packet, Duddridge, Unanimity, Mitchell, Bridgwater, flour Eari of Erro', Ptbles, Glasgow, iron. Ellen, Dingley, Nelly, Davidge, Perseverance, Davis, Bridgwater, sundries.— Charles Howe, Cardiff, coke.—Good Hope, Washbourn, Happy Return,' Woodman, Gloucester, flour.-Swift, Hiscox, Chops- tow, ftonr.-Ccrcs,lnman, Gloucester, carrots. Sally, Knight, Gloucester, mall. William and Susan, Herbert, Bridgwater, apples.—William, Hancock, Gloucester, timber. Axonions, Adams, Gloucester, tar. St. Pierre, Cridland, Bridgwater, Bee, Rymer, Gloucester, flour. The market boats from Bristol with sundries. SAILED. Charite, Periettie, Brest, 112 tons coals.-Sisters, Croft, Havre, 120 tous pig iron, 10 tons coals.-Solon, Moody, Saint Thomas, 342 tons coals.—Pillgweully, iewiq, Malta, 190 tons coals.-Dart Packet, Bedbrook, Jersey, 50 tons coal.- Balti- more, Meyer, Malta, 585 tons coals.—John Scott, Nosworthy, Cevlon, 295 tons coals.Gem, Peters, St. Thomas, 240 tons coals.—James, Pearce, llfracombe, timber. Ganges, Jones, Belfast.—Ada, Downe, Rye Jane, Lord, Alborough Robert, Jones, Cardiff; Rover, Thrower. Mary, Davis, Chester; Lady Stewart, Crook, l'oftlicawl Alarm, Furze, Whits table; Rose, Tullock, Rye; Brothers, Thomas, Runcorn; Comet, Jones, Liverpool Maria and Ann, Jones, Dublin Queen Charlotte, Woodman, Lidney; lluby, Butler, London; Princc Albert, Price, Gloucester; Pencanelick, Rule, Hayle; Greyhound, Wesselby, Liverpool; Red Rovel, Potter, Addrossen; Cathe- rine, Davis, Belfast; Fowler, Clark, Perth; Albion, Kvans, SHinda'k; Mermaid, Connor, W'extord; London, Cornish, London; Maid of Mostyn, Porter, Chester, New Valliant, Griffiths, Belfast; Wiudomeer, Davies Chepstow; Harmony, McCann, Troon; Taunton Packet, Russell, London; Mary Jane, Rendall, Perth Gomer, Thomas, Liverpool, iron and tin plates. The market boats from Bristol with sundries and 100 vessels coastwise with coal.

Thomas Millard, of Newport Pagnel, died, a few days sioce- from having wounded his hand while engaged in skinning a glan, dered horse. The following are the names proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to compose the committee to inquire into the causes of the recent commercial distress :-fhe Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir G. Bentinck, Mr. Harries, Mr. Goulburn, Alderman Thompson, Mr. Labouchete, Sir James Graham, Mr. Francis Bfirinp, Mr. Thomns Baring, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Spooner, Mr. William Beckett, Mr* Cay ley, Mr. Card well, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hump, Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Glyn, Sir William Clay, Mr. Diiraeli, Mr. Thornley, Air. James Wilson, Mr. H.Drummond, and Mr. Tennant. Th government have announced their intention not to prolong the suspension of the corn and navigation laws beyond the 1st of March, 1847. The Medical Gazette distinctly denies the reports of case: of cholera in the metropolis. Last Friday, Mr. Cobden took his farewell of the constituency of Stockport, having determined to take his seat for the West Riding of Yorkshire. The entire iucotpcration of the kingdom of Poland wiih the „RU«S<BO empire IS decidtWupoti, tnhK January 1, 1848. The Health of Towns Association is vigorously prosecutiug its excellent objects in the metropolis. There appears to be a general intention in the country at this period, to abolish Christmas gratuities. There were forty funerals in Perth last week, and thirty-nine the week previous, which far exceeds the amount of mortality in any two weeksprevious in the records of the city. Acts of piracy have become so frequent on ths western coast of Ireland, that government have determined to strengthen the Coast Guard force in that quarter, which has been reinforced already by three revenue cruisers. Several destructive fires have taken place in the metropolis during the past few days. Mr. Charles Cowan, it is said, will shortly be re-elected for the city of Edinburgh. Considerable improvement has taken place in the state of the manufactuies in Lancashire. The paupers in Alarylebone worl-hotise have been knocking up a riot in the house, and extensively injuring the property. J..ne Cough, a young woman, has been tha-ged at the Wor- ship street office with the murder of her infant child. At the Liverpool Winter Assizes on Monday last, there were for tiial no less than nine prisoners for murder, twelve with stab- bing, and nine for manslaughter, in addition to a large nun.berof robberies and crimes. M:. Cobden has given up business, the dissolution of the firm, of whit h he was a partner, having just been announced. The name of Lord Byron's eelebt ai e(l,favou rite, the Countess Guiccioli, appears in the Paris papers as about once more to euler iUlo the bonds af matrimony. Dr. Wahh havieg declined, in consequence of advanced age, the office of Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, the Pope has bestowed the mitre on Dr. Wiseman.

FROM FRIDAY'S LONDON GAZETTE, Dtc. 10. KANKnllPTS. Gravcsend and Milton Cemetery ConiDanv. J. Johanning, Newman street, Oxford-street, commission- agent. T. Burnell and W. S. Fitzwilliam, King William-street, mer- chants. (J Clarke, Dunstable, common-bitwer. W. Tiley Reading, common-brewer. B. Claussen, Newman street, Oxfoid street, manufacturer. J. Tanner, Minories, carpenter. J. W. Gordon, Cullum-street, Fenehurch-street, and Church- row, Lirnuhouse, wine-murchant. It. Brown, Sulilcrlal,J-terrace, Cole-haibous-road, Brixton, victualler. T. T. Cattlcy, Cousin-lane, Upper Thames-sUoet, and Vimiera, Wandsworlh-iuad, colour-merchant. \V. llankine, Grosham-stieet. boot inakei. G. ind!e, J udd-sticet, Brunswick-square, haberdasher. S" Carr, Newcastle court, Strand, and Little Pulteney-street, Soho, licensed victualler. 'J'. Tuiner, Notthampion br,ot manufacturer. J. Tcrrett, S'iiisbuiy-iane, Bennondsey, victualler. ( I N I III", COil N'l B. Davies Pjiiminptiam, druggist. G. Stedman, Castle Church, Staffordshire, cunier. J. Robinson, lluddcrslield, merchant. n. Bradford, Bridpoit. baker. K. Rossiter, jun., 'Torquay, builder. T. \V. Cowhurst. Bristol, grocer. W. Wadm.in, Bristol, urass foullder. J. Birch, Liverpool, giocer. H. Gaithwaite, Miificid, Yorkshire, manufacturer of fancy goods. T. Redpeth, Leeds, auctioneer. J. Ha!ll£den. Halifax, woollen-draper. G. Fox, Charleston, near Glossop, Derbyshire, paper manu- faciuier. F. Smith, Manchester, innkeeper. F. Beestou, Stoekpoit, carpenter. DIVIDEND. J. Jtidd, Brynmawr, Breconshire, shopkeeper. CEIITUICATE. T. and (;, f!,ulipll, Bris Iol masons. rissoimioN OF PAHTNKIISHIP. J. Lind«cy and M. Rodway, Aberdare, Glamorganshire com- mon brewers. FROM TUF.SDAY'S LONDON GAZETTE, PEC. 14. BANK I! V PTS. J. Williams, New Inn Hotel, Westminster-bridge-road, li- censed victualler. T. Burton, Commercial road, Lambeth, builder. J Wade, Lisson grove, draper. 1< Rose, late of D2anshanger Northamptonshire, licensed victualler, but now of Roade, in the same county, out of business. W. Silcock, jun., Crawley-street, Oakley-square,St Pancras, victualler. G. Clarke, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, carpet manu- ^"callaw and M« Teversham, jun Cornhill and Finch-lane, stockbrokers.. R. Chaplin, Weatherfield, straw plait dealer. [IN THE COUNTRY.] D. T. Perrott, Bristol, grocer. J. Stelfox, Manchester, commission-agent. W. J. Davies, Manchester and Lccles, plumber. L. Hepworth, Manchester, shopkeeper. G. Lupton. St. Helen's, tailor. N. Barnsdall, Nottingham, timber merchant. E. Spooner, llanley, Staftordshire, butchcr. J. A Clarke, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, china manu- facturer. J. Barrett, Guiseley, Yorkshire, tanner. W, Spink, Featherstone, Yorshire, builder. DIVIDENDS. T. Robinson, Swansea, grocer. G. Rogers, Gloucester, ironmonger. D. R. Thomas, Carmarthen, draper. F. F, Phillips, Bristol, coachmaker. (

THE MONMOUTHSHIRE CANAL COMPANY AND THE FREIGHTERS. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. TELL TRUTH, and shame the Devil SIK,—My letter of last week upon this subject having been delayed, and you having offered some explanation of your leader to which it referred, I think I had better suppress that letter altogether, and adapt the observations it contained to the altered circumstances of the case. The main complaint contained in my letter was, that you had accused the Canal Company of being desirous of throwing the evil consequences of their "mistakes ENTIRELY UPON THE PUBLIC; white the dividends if these committed them, REMAIN UNTOUCHED. I will not, however, pursue the argument further at present, but I will go on to prove to your readers that the «< Opinion;" of these said some persons" is cxactly the opposite of truth. The income of the canal company, (taken from their pub- lished reports), during the last half-year, was £;)U,800, the ex- penditure i,i)OO, leaving a balance, divisible amongst the proprietors, of nearly £12 per share. But what did the proprietors uo ? lhey did not leave their diridends U1/- touched" according to the slanderous "opinions" of" sorne persons," to which you have given currcncy, but they divided £ 7 per share only, and earned the balance of £ 12,000 to repair the "mistake," besides a balance reserved for the same pUlpnse from the preceding year. Now, I ask, is it not monstrously unjust to put the canal company under the imputation of such a delinquency, upon the opinion of some persons," when, at the same time, instead of keeping the dividends untouched," they had absolutely reduced them from £10 to £7, and that, too, when they had ample iunds in hand to have divided £12, If this be leaving their ''dividends untouched, and throwing the evil consequences ot their mistuke ENTIRELY UPON THE punLic," 1 must confess that I am quite incompetent to dis- criminate the distinction that there must necessarily be be- tween truth and error. I am afraid, sir, that the some per- sons," who thus get you to be sponsor for their opinion," had a design to bamboozle both you and your readers. I make no apology for using so expressive a word, low as it may be- aeemed by those of high rank, and jarringly as its sounds may fall upon over-sensitive ears. But, sir, some persons and some parties appear to be somewhat flourishing characters in your columns upon this occasion. You talk of some parties'" who, had they been at the "head of affairs," would have done better. Somebody and nobody arc exceedingly useful personages, and, with their notable business, habits, frequently play very conspicgous parts in human affairs. I presume, however, that you have in- habited this globe of ours sufficiently long to know, that most men fancy that they can manage their neighbours affairs very well indeed though, unfortunately, these said "some parties', have very seldom talent enough to conduct their owu affairs aright. The capital of the canal company is no despicable sron, and I can, therefore, well believe, that there is a numerous &r>st sf some parties who would be exceedingly glad to be at the head of affairs,' so as to have the handling of it. As to Mr. Brown's carrying certain portions—some tit bits of the trade, there can be no question of his willingness to so: it would be worse than absurd to doubt it. The Ebb\v Vale and Cwm Celyn traffic are among the furthest upon the lines. Surely, then, there can be no risk whatever incurred in carrying that traffic, alone. Indeed, if there be not a very large profit to be realised upon that portion of the carrying depart- ment, what is to compensate for the short distances ? I admire, I must confess, Mr. Brown's "business habits," in thus making so wise a choice; but I am inclined to think that the plum and the pudding must both go together, and the same mouth must eat both! I can well fancy the sly humour which must have suffused Mr. Brown's good-humoured face when he thus gravely offered to eat the kernel himself, and'generously allow the Canal Company to munch the shell! What reasonable expectation there can be of coming to any "satisfactory arrangement," where we are thus unjustly and ungenerously accused of grasping greediness, and that, too, without a shadow of a foundation for it, is, I must confess, difficult to divine. You seem to think that the Canal Com- pany ought to persevere in their efforts to obtain this end. Will you point out the way ? Twice have they appeared before the freighters, and twice have they been met with a most em- phatic, unequivocal, and decided, "No!" to every considera- tion they have offered. If they meet a dozen times again, would the result be different ? I am afraid not, and particularly so, so long as such currency is given to the "opinion" of some persons" who so grossly misrepresent and mis-state the facts of the case. There is one thing in the present proceedings of some of the freighters which is greatly to be admired, and which, perhaps, would repay the researches of a philosopher to trace to its origin for it is not a little puzzling, I will just by it before your readers. The western vallies of this county have, for a series of years, enjoyed a communication by land with the ship- ping port, whilst the Pontypool district has been restricted to a water carriage, and that, too, encumbered with a large series of locks. The Pontypool freighters have complained, and very justly, of the advantages thus afforded to the weslerndistrict over the eastern, and hence the Pontypool road. A Pontypool road is in progress, but the company find themselves crippled as to time and means for accomplishing their purposes; they make their difficulties known, and what is the result ? They want to afford the eastern district a land communication with the port, as well as the western. No," say the western men, we will give you no indulgence, but we will compel you to fulfil every tittle of what is written in the bond we will be a Shylock to you, and nothing else." All this is very under- standable—but what say the Pontypool folks ? The legislature has put (or will put) the company in a position to keep the Pontypool people to their old water communication, with its interruptions by winter frosts and droughts, and its three weeks' annual stoppage for repairs, for another three years and what do they say to this ? Why, nothing! of themselves; but they join the western party in their cry of onslaught, and vociferate ditto to all they say The Pontypool people have- notKng to say of and for themselves, but they goodnaturedly Jet the western people say what they please for them! They join the westerns to compel the company not only to give the said west- erns a road, but also to give them waggons and locomotives to boot, whilst they themselves are submissively content to stand still, and drowsily creep down their old canal! Is not this rather marvellous ? These worthy Pontypool people really appear to me, to use a suitable expression of the late Lord Cas- tlereagh's, to turn their backs upon themselves,"—they join the Western ranks to fight against themselves! But this will appear rather stranger still, if we pursue the matter a little further. During the last two year's and a half we have spent on the canals (including of course the Grumlin line to the. Western and upon the rbads (ahnTOt-exchb. 'Tatcly spent more than Nve times as much money in improving the communications in the western district as m the eastern. Now, the western district men tell us, You may embrace the legislative power given you to keep the eastern district in statu quo for another three years, if you please, but tee will have at once all that is written in the bond;" and to this Shylock de- mand the docile Pontypoolians join chorus—and the ayes have it!" How very disinterested these "wise men of the East" must be—such generous self-sacrifice of their own inte rests o promote the interests of their opponents, is, really, very refreshing to contemplate in this Mammonish age. It is a puzzler, however, and as such I lay it before your readers. Where, in the moral scale, to classify these generous men, I hardly know. Mankind have been popularly divided, however, into two great classes—those who follow their own noses, and those who are led by the nose. They must, I presume, fall into the one or the other of these divisions. I trust, sir, that I have said nothing that the case will not justify—and if I have used a. little more raillery than is usual in such cases, in discussing the part taken by you and some other parties, that I have done so good humouredly, and with- out being offensive. I give you credit for having said some good things in-the leader alluded to—I place the good entirely to your account; and the bad, (and they are really very bad), to the account of some persons," whose opinion" you were good natured enough to give a better expression to, I doubt not, than they could give to it themselves. But a good head, my dear sir, is too valuable an instrument to be entrusted to unskilled hands and, if you will take the advice of a friend, for the future you will have your brains in your own keeping, and not let them out to those who have none of their own, and, who, were it not for this generous kindness of yours, in lending them your cast-off mental cloathes, could never have dressed up the nakedness of their nonsense with sufficient decent ap- parel to enable it to appear before the public. Have nothing more to do with these nonsense-mongers—give your own opi- nions in your leaders, or give none. You have opinions, and courage and capacity enough to express them honestly, and to state them forcibly—aye, and talent enough to defend them dexterously, should they'require it. Use your own sterling gold, then, and let it not to those who will inevi- tably damage your capital by fiyinsr their paper kites at your expense. Such an "infernal machine" of paper credit would do this district far more damage than has yet been done in it by the infernal machine" of 1844. Farewell—though we differ, I trust we shall not quarrel. b C. CONWAY. iontnewydd. have taken leave to suppress a personal passage here, wherein Mr. Conway, with his usual ability, takes us to task tor the opinions of others assuming our mere recital of an impression existing in some quarters, in refeience to the dif- ference between the Canal Company and the freighters, as adopted by u", and influencing our editorial remarks. We cannot help thinking, that our kfnd intentions in this important matter, have been but poorly requited. The canal fleet, by untoward circumstances, having got into an unsafe offing, we, with a sincere disposition ,to°do good, launched our little galley," and pushed out to give advice as to a safe course but instead of being kindly hailed for our endeavours, however humble, we have absolutely been fired at by the Proprietor," and the heavy metal of the Conway, 4S. So that it is a mercy we have not been sUlik.]

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin, SIR,- I send you the following statistical account, transcribed from the most authentic sources, for insertion in your paper. I am, Sir, yours truly,• SCRUTATOR. Uak, Dec. 14th, 1847. It has been frequently asserted, and as often disputed, that the different sections of the dissenting body, who conscien- tiously separate from the forms and worship of the church established by law, are more numerous than the church- going "part of the community. The inference is then obvious, and the conclusion is drawn from a right premises, that the voluntary principle, with all its disadvantages, is more power- ful and extensively beneficial than the compulsory principles of a state church, with a revenue of from six to nine millions ster- ling a year, derived from glebe lands, tithes, church rates, easter offerings, Queen's letters, and surplus fetus- From the Clergy List of 1845, we find the number of churches and chapels of the Established Church in England and ales, for the preceding year, to be 12,100_- Allowing lor subsequent increase 400, the amount will be 12,500. From the authorised publications of the independents, Bap- tists, Wesleyans, and Wcsleyan Associations, Unitarians, Friends, &c., &c., the total number of their chapels amounts to 10,394. Chapels in Wales 2,310, making a total of 12,734; leaving 2,340 chapels belonging to the different bodies of Non- conformists more than the aggregate number of churches and chapels belonging to the Established Church. The Established Church of Scotland is 1 resbyterian, and it numbers churches and chapels in its community, 1,160. The different branches of Dissenters in the whole were 1,983. The Nonconformist chapels exceed the churches by 823. In Ireland the Established Church has only one-ninth of the population attached to it; the other eight-ninths are Dissenters or Roman Catholics. The following is the report of the Commissioners appointed in 1834 to inquire into religious and other instruction in Ireland Members of the Established Church 8o^064 Dissenters and Catholics '>091,8/6 Leaving a majority of Dissenters, amounting to 6,239,812 Established Clergy in Ireland amount in number, to 1,560 Ministers of Dissenters and Catholics, Vol- The computed numbers who attend the Established Church In England Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Islands of the British Seas, are 10,817.417. Those who attend Jvon-confor- mist chapels, 16,008,672. The proportion agamst the Estab- lishment is about three to one. The Kinsrilnm of Christ is not of this Morld, and facts prove if rulers were wise, and would leave religion and educa- tion to the Ki?ng of Zion and his devoted subjects, it would re- quire none of their subsidiary aid and minutes of council. craftily constructed to beguile the uuwzkry,

A FEW PLAIN POOR-RATE QUESTIONS. To the Editor if the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—I wish to ask the Guardians of the Newport Union a few plain questions:— Is it legal to make a new rate, before the previous rate is all coUected ? Is the March poor-rate all collected ? Is there not a large amount still due thereon ? Why was a new rate for September made, when the March rate was not all collected,—it being illegal to make such Sep tember rate ? —. What need was there for an eighteen-penny rate: Was not the odd sixpence levied to make up the deficiency of the pre- vious March rate ? ■ Is it true there has been a defalcation of £ 400. discovered m the March rate ? If so, is it just to call upon those who did pay the March rate, to pay the deficiencies by an extra six- pence in the September rate? Were there not securities for the due payment of the late collector's accounts ? If so, why are they not called upon, I instead of the burdened rate-payers ? Shall we not call a public meeting of rate-payers to examine into the alleged defalcation.-the untrustworthincss of secu- rities,—additional sixpences, before we are called upon to Pciv another ei<Thtecnpenn}rrate inthe couiseof a montlior two ? P y ONE WHO HAS PAID ALL IIIS RATES. Newport, Dec. 14th, 1847.. [Scvenl other letters, on the same subject, have reached us, the writers of which will, perhaps, be satisfied with the above correspondent as their spokesman.]

To the Editor lif tlle Mnnmoutlishire Merlin. openis from a letter in the last MERLIN, signed Rate Payer that somebody has got £400. of our money. What lias the District Auditor been about ? He gets £ 320. a vear for looking after our money, and gomes to look at the "t coutts in hour or two once, in every six months. The rate- payers of Newport must bestir themselves." They must not allow beef steaks and brown stout at the Bull public-house, to decide who is to be the collector of their, money. Our rural Guardians appoint us a collector, because the intelligent town of Newport docs not know how to appoint one for themselves, good cheer at the Lull is the channel through which the appointment takes place. O tcmpora O mores! 1 Yours truly, ANOTHER RATE-PAYER.

LONDON MARKETS—(WEDNESDAY.) CO FIN EXCHANGE. Since Saturday the arrivals of English wheat coastwise have been on the increase, having consited 01 3,090 yet all most ol that supply was disposed of on Monday, the show of samples of that grain here to-day was very small. Fine dry qualities were in good request at fully the laie advance in the quotations and the value of other kinds was well supported. The best foreign wheat was held at a trifle more money. In the interior parcels veiy little business was transacted. Matting barley was in ood request at late rates. Grinding i' and distilling sorts were quite as detusT was a slow sale, but not cheapen. Scarcely any oats were on offer. All kinds were firm, and reajly fiat: coin was tht: turn hitl er. Beans and peas were very dull; but Indian corn and meal commanded lalher more attention. Fiour was in improved request, and he'd at more money. AHUIVALS.—English: v, heat 3,090, barley 2,410, oats 220 qrs. Irish oats 2,500 qrs. Foreign wheat 070, oats 3,3o0 qrs. Flour 1,410 sacks. Malt 2,090 qrs. Will rECH!iPEL We.had a very steady general demand here to-day. 1'iime beef and mutton ::f>ht at an advance ot quite d, per Blhs., and the vatHc of other kinds ot meat was well supported- Beet Irom 2,. IOd. to -5s. '2d., mutton 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d., veal 3s 8d. lo ,1>. Bu., and pork 3s. IUJ. to 5s. 2d. per 81bs by the carcase.

A tlagrat t instance of the operation of the cnlllillaw l'li re- cently transpired. About twenty years ago a brother proprietor, whose rental per ünnum, bi came bankrupt,.signed a trust deed, left the couniiy, and has not since returned. lieing entaile; the creditors could 1101 touch tlie esta e, and Lave nevel received a farthing. The esute itself is crying to ruin, as-the nominal proprietor do uo'.hinu fur it.— Uaiiv jWrrs.

HOUSE OF LORDS. TUESDAY, Dr C: SIBI.R f4. The Duke of Richmond inquired when the medals would be distributed 10 the othoers and soldiers who had served in geneial actions in the Peninsular war, and if it were intended to extend the grant of n.edais to other oflicers, soldiers, inannes, and sailors who served in the laie war? FLarl Grey ah¡ the medals >u-re in progress, though they had been delayed by an accident which befel tbe artist. The claims were being decided os rapidly as possible, but there were many yet to be considered. It was found that commanders of the navy ba^ not icctived medals in ftirproporhon with commanders of regiments, and some extension to the navy would therefore be made. The Marquess of Lansdowne gave notice that he would on Wednesday move the second reading, pro iortna, of the Crime and Outrage (Ireland) lidl, and propose the committee on Thuisday, when be would state its principles and provisions, and when the discussion would be taken. Lord Stanley agreed to the arrangement, which he thought uould be generally convenient to their lordships. To questions put by Lord Beaumont, The Marquess of Lansdowne stated, that as there were no longer two cOD!eilding parses iu Switzerland, the contemplated mediation of the five powers was at an end. But Sir S. Can- ning was inducted, on passing through Switzerland, 10 place himself in eopupuiycation with the authoiities, and offer any advice in his poiser, but in no other way to interfere in the domestic aff.iits of Switzerland. The.raiiways bill was brought up and read a first time, and their lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY, DECEMBER U. A Dew writ was ordered to be issued for Sunderland, in the room of Mr. IJ. Barclay, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. Lord George Bentinck presented petitions from the planters of Trinidad, Dominica, and other W estllldiail Islands, com- plaining of great distress, and of breach of faith on the part of slave-grown sugar t&K> Ureal Britain miglHDe discontinued. In reply to Major Blackall, Sir William Sommerville said that it was not the intention of the government to resume the system of public works in Ire- land. The Railways Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. Wakley brought under consideration the petition of the electors of the Wrest Division of Gloucester, complaining of the late interference of Earl Fitzhardinge in the late election, and moved for a select commiuee to inquire into the charges made against the noble earl. The Attorney General opposed the motion, on the ground that if the charges were well founded, the ordinary courts of law were the proper Even were the charges substantiated, the house would have no power to deal with Lord Fitzi ardinge. Captain Berkeley read a statement written by the Earl Fuz hardinge, denying the charges as trumped up falsehoods. Mr. Graniley Berkeley said he was prepared to prove that several of his troop of yeomanry had left m consequence of the COHClPn of the noble earl their landlord. Sir G. Grey moved the adjournment of the debate, in order to give time 'o consider if there were peculiar circumstances in this case of which the law courts could not take cognisance. Sir R. Peel coincided in this course, and the debate was con- sequently adjourned to Friday. Mr. Horsman called attention to the Act 6th and 7th Wm. IV., c. 77, providing for the enlargement of the incomes of the smaller bishoprics out of the surplus of the larger and wealthier sees. Having leferied to the reports of the Ecclesiastical Com- missioners, presented in 1846, he proceeded to contend that the funds of the church had been squandered, and that the pio- visions of the Act had not been complied with. The hon. member moved three resolutions, of which the principal was to the following effect; Ihat from the reports, furnished by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners themselves, it appears to this house that the provisions of the Act 6th and 7th Wm. IV., cap. 77, so far as relate to episcopal incomes, have not been carried out according to the intention of parliament. After a debate, the house divided-for the resolution, G5 against it, 130 majority qainst the resolution, 8i. The three resolutions were thus, in fact. negatived. Mr. Haillie postponed his motion relative to our squadron on the coast of Africa, tor the suppression of the slave trade. Mr. Packe obtained leave to bring in a bill to alter the time for holding the Epiphany Quarter Sessions. The other oiders were disposed of,and they adjourned ateleven o'clock. WEDNESDAY. The h ouse met at twelve o'clock.. Mr. J. Williams presented a petition from several masters, clerks, and other officers connected with workhouses, praying for a measure granting superanuation allowance to such otnceis. Mr. F. Baring presented a petition from ) olbmoudl in favour of the removal of Jewish disabiliti s. Mr. Green presented a petition against the removal or those disabilities. T Mr. Soymer presented a pennon from Lyme Keg-s in favour of the removal of Jewish disabilities. Mr. Hutt presented a petition in favour ot a f-upu-anuation allowance to poor Jaw officers in workhouse- Captain Ilarns presented a petiLion against '.he Catholic Re- lief Bill. Sir R. Inglis presented a petiiion, ptaying for a mo.asuie to bring to punishment clergymen who denounce persons from the altnr. Mr. C. Anstey presented a petition from Castlobar, in the county of Mayo, complaining of the present state of the rela- tions bet.wcen landlord anù tenant in l eland, a:id prllYlng tor Ihe establishment 01 a moie just and equitable relation be\lveen those parties. fib. Lilackall gave notice that on Friday he would move that the house un not adjourn without considering ttJ. distress w!,ic!. prevails in Ireland, and taking me^siues for its immediate relief. Colonel So!way gave notice that he would to-morrow ask the government if tliey had any intention of introducing a measure to relieve Dissenters from the payment of cliuich rates. Mr. Ilenies said he had an important notice on the for the 21st, and as the house was to adjuurn on Monday next, he was obliged to postrone it. lie hoped, th¡;rdore, that the govern- ment would enable him to bring itfoiwaid on an early day alter: the re-assemUing oi parliament. The Chancellor 01 the Exchequer could not make any ar- rangement of that nature in the absence of the Firsi Lord of the Tieasury. Mr. Hume presented a petition from Yarmouth in favour of the removal of Jewish disabilities. l'l'lil.IC WOUKS (IHELANO) nil L. On the question that the order of the day be read, Mr. French hoped that the house would allow this bill to be read a third time, as it was very desirable for the inteiests of Ireland that it should be sent up to the other house with as little delay as possible. The Lari ot Lincoln was desirous to know if the measure had the sanction ot the government, as it was introduced by two piivate members. He wished to know if il was formed accord ing to the precedent 01 the former measures. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that a deputation of Irish gentleman waited on him, with a view of suggesting the expediency of proceeding with the public works which had been commenced and left unfimshed in Ireland. He stated to them that the govemmeut weie not prepared to borrow money to ad- vance it for that purpose; and he was then asked if the govern- ment would consent to the introduction of a measure to enable the Irish counties to raise on their own account money for that j purpose and he consented to that proposition. As a reat deal had been said about Ireland having claimed so much money for the relief of distress, he was desirious that when Irish gen- tlemen came forward to raised funds themselves for the relief < of distress, they should have the credit of and therefore he thought it better to have the bill brought forward by private mem- ) hers; but the bill was framed with the sanction of the Secretaiy < of Ireland, and under the advice and direction of the law oflicers < of the Crown in Ireland. Mr. Blackall thought, as the government had done so. much i to spoil the roads in l.eland, t ey ought to proceed with the ( works now, in order to prevent the communications from being f destroyed durinc tho winter. The bill was read a thiid time and passed, with some verbal amendments. • ..i Mr. A. Eliot Fuller presented a petition agimst the admission ot the Jews to parliament.

TOWN HALL.—TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 & 15. [Before bit Honour, J. M. Herbert, Esq.] IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. At the opening of the court this morning, his Honour de- livered judgment in the case of Ann Roberts v. Robert Williams, heard at the last court. His Honour said This is a case upon an interpleader summons./which was issued at the request of the high bailiff, to try whether the plaintiff or the defendant is entitled to the proceeds arising from the sale of goods of Do- minico Bordessa, that have been seized under an execution from this court. It appears that the levy was made upon the 11th of October, at the suit of Robert Williams, who had obtained a judgment of this court against Bordessa. On tbe 12th Cctober thebigh bailiff received a notice from Mrs. Roberts, that Bor- dessa was indebted to her for rent in the sum of £ 20. He was at this time in possession of the goods. Mrs. Roberts having omitted to set forth in her notice, the terms under which the tenement was held, and the rent payable for the same, the high bailiff disregarded the notice, and at the expiration of the five days after the seizure, proceeded to sell. On the 11th of November, which was long after the goods had been converted, Mrs. Roberts served the high bailiff with a second notice (which was in conformity with the 107th section of the act). The high bailiff, having the money arising from the sale still in his pos- session, now seeks the judgment of the Court, as to whether this money is to be paid over to the landlady or the execution creditor. It was conceded at the hearing, by the attorney for t'1? creditor, that the landlady would have been en- titled to priority, had she given a proper notice—and I think nghtly so; although I am aware, some of the judges of the county courts have formed a different opinion of this section of the act; but it was contended that the first notice was of no effect, as not complying with the provisions of the act, and that u *Sfv° n°t1pe being too late, was also null, and therefore that the execution creditor was entitled to the proceeds of the levy, as if no notice had been given. I felt very little doubt at I s the hearing, that this was so; but inasmuch as it involved, an important point, I took time to consider my judgment. In the case of an execution issuing from the superior courts, it appears from the authority of Arnett v. Garnett, 3 Bann: Aid: 440, that the landlord must be satisfied, if the sheriff has notice at any time before he has parted with the proceeds of the levv. It must, however, be borne in mind, that under the statute of Anne, which gives the landlord this priority, no particular form of notice is required; and that if the sheriff has notice, no matter how, of rent being due, he is obliged to satisfy the land- lord, if there be sufficient goods; and if there be not sufficient, to withdraw from possession. Under the County Courts Act however, there is a wide difference. The 107th section enacts that the statute of Aiine shall not be deemed to apply to exe- cution under this act; but in substitution thereof, it enacts that the landlord should be entitled by any writing under his hand, or under the hand of his awt to be delivered to the bailid, or officer making the lery-i-which writing should state the terms of the holding, and the rent payable for the same-to claionjgiy rent hvattear then due to him, not exceeding," &c.; and in case of such c.aim bemg made, tlie bailiff making the levy shall distrain, as well for the amount of rent so claimed, and the ooeto of such additional distress, as for the amount of money and costs for which the warrant of execution issued." Sow, I take it to be quite clear £ r-o-u>- these words, taken in con- nection with the previous section, that it was the intent of the act, that both distresses should be made at the same time, or at ail events, that the second distress should be levied before the expiration of the five days after the seizure under the first distress. The notice must therefore, I think, be given before tlie execution. Such I say, appears to me to be a fair interpre- tation of the words of these sections; and when I take into consideration the inconvenience and liardship which might arise to execution creditors from a different construction, I have no doubt I ought to hold, that if the landlord lies by until the goods shall have been converted into money, he is too late. Were it otherwise, he might, by lying by, defeat the execution creditor of his remedy, for had he given notice to the bailiff in proper time, there might have bee*sufiicicnt goods on the pre- mises to satisfy both claims. But the bailiff having levied and taken away sutficient goods only to satisfy the execution, the other goods might be removed by the debtor and so the exe- cution creditor would, without any laches on his part, lose his remedy, if the landlord be permitted at auy time, however late, to come in and claim the goods, or the proceeds thereof. For these reasons, I think the execution creditor entitled to my judgment. Air. Phillpotts, for Mr. Williams, the execution creditor, said lie wa.,3 happy to find his Honour concurred in the opinions he (Air. I hdfpotts) had expressed on the hearing. Mr. Birch, solicitor for plaintiff, coming into court at this moment, his Honour informed him that judgrnent had just been given against his client; and if it was any satisfaction, his Honour stated to Mr. K-rch that he had consulted some of his learned brethren, who fully concurred in his judgment p His Honour then proceeded to adjudicate in the foUowi«g Ebenezer Rogers v. James Leonard.—Claim for £ 4 10s No appearance of parties; struck out. Stephens.—This was a claim for £ 3. for fifteen sacks held by the defendant, who having aereed to return the sacks, and pay the costs, the plaint was nowwith- drawn. Thomas Phillips v. Thomas Walters.—Claim for £2. Is- lid. This was the thud time the case had been before the court the chief point in it appearing to be a disputed amount charged for diseased sheep sold by plaintiff to defendant, and the nonper- formance of a certain promise by the former to haul a load of hay and a load of coal for the latter.—Judgment for the plaintiff ,r? Payahle on the 17th January. Last day's costs of plaintiffs witnesses allowed. Defendant said Rhillips owed him 40s., which he would sue for next court, to cover the costs and amount of this case. Jacob Cradock v. Edmund James.-Claim for E3. 15s.-To pay 10s. a month. Mary Griffiths, a widow, v. Thomas Williams.—This was a claim for £10, lis., alleged to be due from a benefit society at Risca, of which defendant is steward. Mr. Phillpotts, for the plaintiff, produced ample proof of the validity of her claim, and his Honour thereupon ordered payment forthwith. Costs allowed. Elizabeth Prosser v. Thomas Harrold.-Claim for work and labour for 12s. 6d.—To be paid by two equal instalments. Thomas Evans v. Samuel Gainey.—Claim for 15s. for goods and money.—Ordered to pay on ]7th January. George Pinchin and Co. v. Ephraim Davies, for -24s. 3d.—To pay 5s. a month. Thomas Davies v. William George, for £ 3. 17s. 9d.—To pay lOa. a month. Mary Spratt, .widow, v. Stephen Williams, for a promissory note of £ 14.12.—Mr. Hall for plaintiff, and Mj. Phillpotts for dcTetidant.—To pajHJn 17th Tanuary. cxeculion to oel^aj'ed till after next court. William Baker v. William James for E3., rent.—To pay 5s. a month. Henry Gwyther v. Williams, for 18s., work and materials.— To pay on 17th January. Robert Wilkinson v- Herbert Williams, for 25s., goods and work.—Mr. Phillpotts, defendant's solicitor, admitted the debt. —To pay on 17th January. John Clarke v. Edward Macey, for £ 15. ]6s. lid., grocery goods.—His Honour enquired if defendant (who did not appear) was in a situation to pay.- Plaintiff and his attorney, Mr.Phill- potts, said defendant had lately been a grocer in this town, and was now landlord of a well-established publichouse in Cardiff. —Ordered to pay forthwith. IMPORTANT CASE. Robert Tytherley, cheese factor, v. Henry Roper, grocer.— Mr. Webb conducted the action for Mr. Harwood, absent; and Mr. Llewellin defended for Mr. Birch.—This was an action for the recovery of X16. 5s., claimed as due from defendant for 5 cwt. 3 qr6. and odd pounds of cheese, alleged to haye been bought by him of plaintiff in December, J847. The plaintiff on oath stated that last December he induced defendant to inspect a quantity of cheese in a store room at the Tredegar Arms, the whole of which he described to defendant as thick and thin Gloucesters, and offered at 00s. per cwt. Defendant took his bore, and bored and tasted eight or ten cheese, and turned over a lot of them after which he ofiered plaintiff 56s. per cwt. for a lot, which, at that time, was refused. In two or three davs, however, he agreed with defendant at 56s., who thereupon sent his horse and cart and two men to remove them from the store to his shop. When the whole were pitched, and 200 cwt. were weighed, defendant took out his bore and tasted a cheese upon which he said, Oh, these are not so good as the other's—I'll have no more of them." He declined to have anv and nlatntitf thereupon left the shop. Had sold a similar quality to Mr S Smith, Bristol, at 66s. per cwt., and might have sold the lot to' Newport dealers at GOs. at three mouths' credit, but defendant offering cash, he accepted o6s. ueienaant Mr. Llewellin, before lie cross-examined u i. S £ nZroZT «««*»«• °f &«« b'j I "fmSSt was not proved. was thereby proved delivered; and tne acceptance J\lr. Llewellin proceened to cros-examinp plaintiff: Had told tplliiKT 1 •<C c ^SC uere not best quality; did not recollect f.im I1-"1 1 .was first-quality cheese. He bored and tasted the miiself. Sold a piece of cheese at the Crown—not the astmg cheese not aware of such roguery in business. I ouei ed the cheese at other shops, but don't remember to whom -N-Ot- one told ine, after tasting them, they were not the quality I represented. No one tasted them but defendant. Someone did offer 3Ss. per cwt. No, no one offered it. Yes, Mr. Spritt offered me that. No, he offered me COs. one (lid offer me 38s.—I remember now. The person who offered didn't taste the cheese, nor look at them, yet he offered 38s, when I asked 60s. The last sum is a fair price for the quality offered- it was second cow sort. Had not told Mr. Alien, Tredegar Arms, not to take in the cheese sent back by defendant. Had instructed attorney to take legal proceedings against the de- fendant. Mr. Llewellin called Mr. Roper, who, being sworn, said The plaintiff offered his cheese as the best-made and richest. On examining them at the store, I told plaintiff they were late- made. Plaintiff was the person who br.red the cheese, and gave me a sample to taste. I did not bore a single cheese myself; nor were there more than one or two L,red-r"'t eia,,ht o .r text. He said tiry were rich and best cheese; and I said if they were such as he represented, I would give him 56s. per cwt. I sent the cheese back, on finding they were not so good as stated by him. I leeeived an invoice about three weeks afterwards. We e found the lot weighed S41.bs. less than was charged. The cheese was afterwards sold under a judge's order, in the Newport maiket, when they realised £ 8. Ss. 7.}d., or 35s. the cwt. A notice was served on plaintiffs attorney of the sale and the proceeds. r, Benjamin Edmonds, shopman at defendant's, corroborated the evidence of defendant, so far as he was concerned in the trans- action. The apprentice John Gwyther also gave certain coroborative testimony. John Davies, jun., grocer, sworn Mr. Tytherley offered me cheese for sale in December last. He said they were the het cheese. He and another man brought two cheese, which I tasted, and offered 38s. per cwt. for. We did not deal. Mr. Roper afterwards bought the lot. and subsequently I bought the same lot in the market. 0 By Mr. Webb The cheese had been deteriorated in value by being kept so long. By Mr. Llewellin: Ihe best cheese improve by age. The second-class cheese rather decrease in value by being kept long. Mr. Llewellin called his Honour's attention to a case similar to the present, reported in the Law Journal. Ilis Honour reserved judgment till the next morning. -T,OVING A DROI'. John Davies v. Daniel Portal.—This case had been adjourned from the last court. It was a claim for 30s., money lent, which plaintiff's wife—for she was the lawyer in the case—said she had lent defendant to procure a beer license. Defendant's wife -who also conducted her case—said Mrs Davies and her daughter had drunk out the amount, "unbeknown to the old gentleman whereat the old lady lifted up her eyes and hands in pious horror, and vowed she" never didn't do not such a thing in her life." The old dame persisted in her claim, which f/L H S W • Persisted in denying while there was no lack of hard swearing," as it is generally termed.—His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff, and wished he could find out who had committed perjury in the case, as there was gross swearinc °n other—Pity 'tis, 'tis true, £ at this is the four oi fifth time his Honour has had occasion to condemn ^tfrc^r? Vhe Sacrcd °bl^ticns of an oath.exSfed ff n r • .feuch shameless conduct will procure for the for defenda^ttleS & m0St unenviable notoriety.—Mr. Dawson _MrChp^iMullock v- Benjamin Francis, for 21s., hire of horse, a month f°r defcndant' acimitted the debt.—To pay 5s. Henry Gregory and another v. Rees Hughes, for 99. Gs.— Mr. Owen for defendant.-To pay f2. a month. Richard Poole v. Leonard Kendall, tor I6s soom. lent.—To pay 4s. a month. j Henry Edwards and another v. Clearge Duckham.-This wa s a claim for £ 9. 9s. <d., money lent and money p.,M c mission. Mr. Phillpotts for plaintiffs, and Mr. Lie'weilin^fur defendanL—The case was adjourned for two months. John Barr and others v. William Brown, for f"}> "rrr^.ic pay 20s. a month. ■, fcoou..—, o Thomas Peters v. Henry Pell, for 24s.—To pay in two instai- ments. Costs of two witnesses allowed. Luke Horner v. William Benning, for 10s. od.—To be paid in two instalments. Same v. John Phillips, for 7e. 8d.—To pay 5s a month. Same v. John Harvey, for (Hs. 7d.—To pay 10s. a month. Same v. Thomas Coles, for 15s.-To pay 4s. a month. Same T. three other parties-two withdrawn, and "one no service. John Lewis v. Thomas Hare, for £3. rent.—To pay IOs. a month. Joseph Davies v. William Moon, for £ 17. Is. 3d.—To nay 15s a month. i J W. H. Yv ihiams v. George Ducarrow, for £6. Gs. Gd.—Mr. -r^v. ttS for "e'endant.—To pay il. a month. Thomas Latch and Cope v. William Wain, for f4. 12s.-Ad. mitted. To pay. Janmirj^0 V° V" Jo^n ^aldicott, for 5s. G^d.—To pay on 17th month6 V' J°hn 1>aImer' for 18i- 4d.—Admitted. To pay 5s. a James Horner v. Robert Williams, for 16s.-Mr. Dawson for plaintiff, and Mr. Phillpotts for defendant. To pay 2s. Sd., the order extended for pajroent till after next court. George Pmchin and another v. John Parsons, for £ 3.14s. Gd. -To pay I Os. a month. Daniel Morgan v. William Williams, for 9s -To pay 17th of January. 1 3 J. J. Innes v. John Palmer, for lis. 6d.~Admitted. To pay Is. a month. 1 J Same v. David Towelh for 7s 3d.-To pay in two instalments Eliza Evans and D. M. Lewis v. John Flower, fS 17s lOd -,ft. a month. Thomas Woollett v. George James, for £ 10 4s ">1 To mv £ 1. a month. # 11 Thomas Lanigan v. Patrick Cosgrove, for X2. Is.-To pay 3s. a month. Same v. William Allen, for £ 1. 19s. Gd.—To pay 4s. a month. Same v. Abraham Davis, for JE2. 15s. I I d.-To pay 18s. a month. John Sheridan v. George Lapham, for 23s. 7d.—To pay Gs. a month. Richard Foster v. Rowland Rowlands, summons after judg- ment, forfl. 19s. 71d.-Committed to prison for forty days for default. Henry Gregory v. Thomas, judgment for iCl. 15s. 5d.-With- drawn. Owen O'Hagan v. Richard Williams, judgment for L2. 7s 3d. —To pay 5s. a month. Luke Horner v. Edward James, judgment for £1. Its. £ d.—■ ed for 30 days, in default of appearance. as Edwards v. ThomasYoung, judgment for LIG. 6s. Gd. —No order. Edward Edwards and another v. Edward James, judgment for £ 23. 18s. 8d.—Adjourned to next court. John Brewer Richard Godwin, judgment for £ 2. lls. lid; —To pay 4fc- a month. Thomas Latch ttad another v. Jobs-Williams, judgment for £ 21. 15s. 8d.-Stand over to rieaclcourt. Same v. Roger IPrancis, judgment for jels. los. 2d.-Com- mitted for forty days for default. WEDNESDAY. Tytherlej" v. Roper.—This morning his Honour gave judg- ment in fhis case {reserved from yesterday) for the defendant, with tfosts of his attorney and witnesses. Isaac Matthews v. William Adams.-Goods, work, &c., 16s. -Ordered to pay in two instalments. Edmund Rowlands v. Thomas Elias.-Proniissory note, fM. -Paid forthwith.-Mr. Llewellin, attorney for the plaintiff. Robert P. Jones v. Thomas Thomas.—Goods, £ U. 7s. lOd. —Judgment for £ 8. 7s. 10d.-To pay £ 1. a month. Jacob J. Nicholas, Jun. v. William Joiies.-LTusatisfied judg- 9s' J0d.—Ordered to pay 20s. a month.—Mr. Lle- wellin, attorney for plaintiff. a Hcin,ry GraZ, v- G-eor&e Williams.—Goods, £ 7. 8s. Gd.—Or- dered to Pav20s.a month._Mr. Llewellin, attorney for plaintiff. Same v. Thomas Jones—Goods, £ 3. Is 6d.-Ordered to pay lOte. a month. y 1 Same y. William Bigham.-Goods, æl1. 58. 6d.-Withdrawn. Same v. H. B. Hanunett.-Goods, 12s. -Withdrawn. Same v. David James.—Goods, 10s. Gd.—Ordered to pay oTx the 17th January. Same v. Richard Orphan.—Goods, C7. 7s.—Withdrawn. Same v B. Warren.—Goods, L 12. 16s. 6d.—Withdrawn. Benjamin Lewis v. Ann Evans —Goods, f5. 10.—Ordered to pay 8s. a month. Robert Wilkinson Y. Henry Day.—Work, 8s. 3d.—With- drawri. Michael Horrigan Y. Edmund Harrhy.—Rent and money. lent, f I is. 6d.—Withdrawn. Robert P. Jones v. W. James.-Money lent, £ 15.—Ordered to pay by the 15th January, IS48. James Smart v. R. WiUiams.-Goods and money lent, f4. 9s. 2d I Ordered to pay 5s. month.—Mr. Llewellin attor- ney for plaintiff. Henry Gray, v. Caroline Davis.—Goods, L9. 13s. 9d.—Or- dered to pay IOs. a month. Same v. Joseph Giles.—Goods, JE12. 6s. 3d.—Withdrawn. Benjamin Lewis v. J. F. Bippert.—Goods, 17s. nd.-Onlered to pay by the 17th January. Samuel H. Loag v. W. Edwards.—Goods, E2. 7s. 8d.-Or- dered to pay 10s. a month. Henry, igregory v. John Powell.—Judgment of this court, E9. 2s. IOd.—Committed for 40 days in default.—Mr. Phill- potts, attorney for plaintiff. Same v. Lewis Thomas.—Judgment of this court, E9. 1 Ss. 6d. —Committed for 40 days -in -def&V.-M Phillpotts, attorney for plaintiff. James Harris v. John Bland.-=-Negligence, 19s. Gd.-Non- suit. There were several cases struck out, from the non-appearance suit. of the parties; and many were withdrawn.

NENEPORT TOWN ITAT-T-MONDA.Y, DEC. 13. Magistrates present-William Jenkins, mayor, and Thomas Hughes, Esqrs. Ann Trice, who was once a pretty and virtuous girl, was this morning charged with stealing a purse containing 14s., the praperi? J>| Elijah Evans. The man who, indiscretion, had placed the unfortunate creature in the position of a reputed thief, was now no doubt ashamed of his own posi- tion, and did not come forward to prosecute the charge.—The outcast was therefore flung out upon the world once more. Thomas Probyn was charged with being drunk and incapable' of taking care of himself and two horses, with a cart load of coals in Commercial-street.—It appeared that the driver had less reason than the brutes he drove, and got drunk to prove it. He was now fined 5s. for his folly. Robert Clark, a hungry-looking elf, was charged with steal- ing a loaf of bread from the shop of Walter Constable, Pill.— Although a constable," the prosecutor took compassion upon the man, and declined to prosecute. He was therefore cau- tioned and discharged. Mary Ann Cass was charged with being disorderly and fight- ting in the street.—Discharged with a caution.

THURSDAY. Magistrates present-W. Jenkins, mayor, T. Hughes, and T. Hawkins, Eqrs. Patrick Hurley, who looked the prince of tipplers, was this morning charged with being drunk and incapable.—Discharged with a caution. John M'Kinney was charged with drunkenness, and beino- found on the premises of Capt. Lewis.—Fined 5s., and 7s. costs: for drunkenness. Arthur Jones and Robert Osmond were charged with being disorderly and fighting in George-street.-Fined each 5s., and 0S. costs. Larry Christophers was charged with being drunk and inca- pable.—Discharged with a caution. <:> Mary Ann Jones, one of those unfortunate creatures who take shelter in doorways these miserable nights—heaven help them! and fly to the greatest vices in their desperation-was charged to-day with having uSed obscene language in the street. —She was committed to prison for a month. William Protliero, an old offender, and Edwin Creed, appren- tice on board the Charleston Park, were charged with stealing r stores and wearing apparel, from on board that vessel.—Pro- thero was sent to prison for three months hard labour; and Creed was discharged. Captain Henry Mitchell, of the Vittoria, was summoned for non-payment of £ 13. 10s., wages claImed by John Brown, and was ordered to pay E 12. 13s. 9d., and costs. Same for non-payment of X12 18s to William Reed.—To pay £, 12 4s 9d, and costs. Same for non-payment of £ 12. 18s. to John Lewis.—To pay fl. 13s. 9d., and costs. Same for non-payment of Cll. 12s. to John Sweeny.—To pay £10. 13s. 9d., with costs. Same for non payment of £ 10. 8s. to Richard Giles,—Case dismissed. Ellen Hart was fined 10s. and costs, or two months' imprison- ment, for assaulting Elizabeth Thomas. Robert Bastin was ordered to pay L2. 3s. 4d., wages, due to James Brown. Captain Mullchy was summoned for ;CIO., wages, by James Savagc.-1 he captain happened to be in port from whose vessel Savage deserted at Miramichi; and he therefore lost his claim, and will perhaps find himself in the wrong box," with regard to his former ship. 0 A case of smuggling tobacco, and another of wages, were adjourned to Monday.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. BIRTHS. On the 11th instant, at Risca, Mrs. Edward Robathan, of a daughter. At Pontypool, on Saturday last, the wife of Mr. Smith, fell- monger, of a daughter. At Chepstow, on the 7th instant, the lady of Thomas Evans, Esq., of a daughter. At Much Birch, near Ross, on Dec. 13th, the lady of Edwd. Murrell, Esq., of a daughter. MARRIAGES. On Monday last, at Bassalleg, by the Rev. Hugh Williams, Mr. Wm. S. Clark, corn merchant, to Sarah Maria, second daughter of John Williams, Esq. accountant, both of New- port. On Tuesday last, at St. Paul's Church, Newport, Mr. Davies, of Iler Majesty's Customs, Newport, to Sarah, only daughter of the late Mr. T. Davies. On Tuesday last, at the Tabernacle Chapel, Newport, Mr. Wm. Lloyd to Miss Lydia Purnell. Office, Newport, Mr. On the 15th instant, at the Register Office, Newport, Mr. Percival Dowdall, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, both of cvport. December 7th, at the Baptist Chapel, Coleford, Mr. James Herbert, draper, to Miss Hester Trotter, bot l o n. December 9th at St. George's, Hoover-square, b} the Rev. Gilbert Frankland Lewis, the Hon. Hcnry Llliott second son of the Earl of Minto, to Anne, second daughter of Sir Edmund ADecembe?a4th, at St. Mary's.Church, ^econ,by the Rev of the Caslle Brccon. DEATHS. On Thursday, the 9th instant, m the Bristol Infirmary, after a protracted and painful illness, Thomas son of the late Mr. Thomas Evans, bell.hDge, &c., of this town, aged 19. Tho deceased was interred in Saint James s Church-yard. deceased was tfae Blaenavon, Ann, the infant daughter of Mr. William A. On the 7th instant, at Ban well, Somersetshire, deeply regret- ted, Catherine, the beloved wife of Mr. Richard Trickey, and youngest dughter of Mr. I ho mas Morris, of the above place. On the 12th instant, after a few days illness, William Powell a puddler at the New British Iron Company's Works. Aber- sychan. He was a man much respected by all who knew him, and an old workman of the company. December 10th, at Tewkesbury, Thomas Caddick. Esq., aged 85.

j THE SEE OF HEREFORD WniTEiiAi.t, DrcEMBEit 11.—The Queen has been pleased to order a cong6 d'elire to pass the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britein and Ireland, empowering the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral church of Hereford to elect a bishop of that see, the same being void by the translation of the Most Reverend Father in God Doctor Thomas Musgrave, late Bishop thereof, to the see of York; and her Majesty has also been pleased to recommend the Hev. Renn Dickson Hamp- den, Doctor in Divinity, to be elected by the said Dean and Chapter Bisiiol) of the said see of Hereford.

regret to state that the shipwrecks along the coast, du* riig the late gales, have reached a frightful extent; hut we do ntftfind many vessels from or toi Newport among the list.— 0. the 14th, however, the t-ortitude from this port to Cork, drqve on an anchor in Hulbcrstone Pill, Milford, and gunk. /) Y

CAitDM \J-,j, j'r Mr. Daniel Siiansisy, who ia much displeased with the etitire Bench of Magistrates and their subordinates, has written us & very strong letter against their worships, which, having the fear of the Attorney-General before our eyes, we, with all hit", mility, decline publishing.

MERTHYR. The new church recently opened at this place narrowly es- caped being burnt down on last Sunday. It appears that a stove, which is employed in ventilating and drying the build- ing, became, in some way, overheated, and, in consequence, the woodwork in a part of the vestry or aisle became charred, and would very likely have soon ignited. Some person who has the care of the building, in going in on Sunday evening, previous to the service, found it full of smoke, and, upon ex- amination, discovered the cause. The fire was speedily extin- guished but there was considerable alarm amongst the inha- bitants in consequence, and the services for the evening were necessarily postponed. INFLUENZA.—This epidemic, which is now so prevalent, and, in some places fatal, has net passed this town without a visit, though we believe the inhabitants to be less affected than in many places. Vre have not heard of any fatal cases though some have been seriously unwell. Mr. Mayon, an artist of considerable abilities, has been in this place for some time past, and has given great satisfaction by taking the likenesses of several persons, among which is a very good one of William Thomas, Esq., of the Court, our wor- thy magistrate, and popular townsman. JVir. Mayon's studio exhibits several good likenesses; amongst which, known to the town, but unknown to fame, may be mentioned these of John Trot, the crier, and John Farnon, the postman. The person upon whom suspicion had fallen as having caused the accident on the Tail Vale Railway, was fully committed on Saturday last, to take his trial. The evidence, which was very voluminous, and, of course, wholly circumstantial, was deemed, after a very lengthened investigation, sufficient to warrant this comse. CHLOIIOFOKM.'—The application of this new element in sur- gery, was satisfactorily tried by John James, Esq., surgeon, of this town, in the amputation of a man's leg, near the Pandy. The patient exhibited no signs of suffering during the operation, and is, we understand, gelling on remaikably well. e