Monmouthshire Merlin

LITTLE KATE. -V* A WINKING, blinking, little thing, Full of deep-eyed witcherie Full of artless rollicking. And ever busy as a bee Making all the house to ring, She is very joy to me Waking, sleeping, early, late, My heart is full of Little Kate. She fills the house with such sweet noise, That even a sage could not rebuke To listen to her silvery voice, I'd lay aside the wisest book And when I'd have my soul rejoice, '1> Deep, deep into her eyes I look I quite forget my day and date, And lose myself in Little Kate. I hear her voice at break of day, She's waiting for me when 1 wake; — And even when I go away, She sobs as if her heart would break. My darling Kate, I cannot stay, Or gladly would I for thy sake I would the flighty hours would wait, And let me play with Little Kate Coming home I catch her tongue Ringing like a little bell, Joyous as a linnet's song, Dulcet as a woodland well At the door I listen long, Lest my entrance break the spell And what a rattling, prattling state Thy heart is in, thou Little Kate She gives my days a sunny hue, She keeps me in a world of light; She is to me a honey-due, That bathes my soul at morn and night, And keeps my life so fresh and new, 'T w i ne'er grow cold or suffer blight She's three, and I am twenty-eight, Yet feel as young as Little Kate.

THE AVANDERER'S RETURN You have come back to us, my brother, With your pale and thoughtful brow Is the joy of old about your path ? Is your life-rose' bloomiug now? You left us, dear, for a fairer clime, And a brighter sun than yours For the deep repose of forest shades, And the gold of orange bowers. We half rejoiced that you were not here When our winter's skies grew dim For we rightly deemed—' A glorious sun There shines afar for him And oh when your first dear letter came, How the gladness flashed through tears For each word of cheer and blessing fell Like a sileuce on our fears. And although you said that clime was bright, And although that land was fasr, There was no place like your own dear home To be met with anywhere You have come back to us, my brother, To your childhood's home once more To the music of the loving voice, To the warm, true hearts of yore. You have come back to is, my brother, <. With your pale and thoughtful brow And the star of Hope about your path, Is it beaming brighter now ? Does it point from earth to that fair clime Where the sunshine shineth best ? Where the wanderer's weary soul may find Both a refuge and a rest ? < We bid you welcome back, my brother, To your childhood's home once more To the music of the loving voice, To the warm, true hearts of yore

LITERATURE. Revelations of a Poor Carate. -By the Rev. W.WIckenden, B.A., the Anglo-Circassian, author of Frank Ogilby," "Adventures in Ciieassia," &c. London: Hall, Virtue, and Co. This. the most recent work from the prolific pen of the rev. author, some of whose previous literary efforts, we have favourably noticed, is written in an attractive style, and presents matter which will be eagerly read, not only bv those out of the Church of England, who take an interest in her internal discipline and management, but also by many within the pale. The Poor Curate" has unquestionably been a disappointed man," in re- gard to that establishment which he entered with high hopes and proud ambition. Under the keen effects of those causes, which led to that disappointment, he has written many bitter homethrusts, and no doubt unpay- able truths. Of this, however, the reader will judge for himself. We present some of the more pleasingly- written portions of the book—the opening scenes in the curate's experience and observe, en passant, that the charming portraiture he has given us of his Jessie Mayflower," make us hope that some future volume will be devoted wholly to her. We make an extract or two. from the Revelations," cjmmcncing with a graphic description of THE VICARAGE. "At my ordination, the Bishop gave me to understand that I must reside in my curacy likewise that there was a vicarage ready for my use. The first step I took, there- fore, was to go and see this vicarage. It as situated a short distance from the main street, and abuttecl on the churchyard. I entered through a rotten gate, which I had soiue difficulty in making revolve on its rusty, creak- in0' hinges, and found myself on a small lawn, thickly matted with long coarse grass, and besprinkled with net- tles, docks, and thistles. Up this apology for a lawn I stru^led, till I came in front of the mansion, which was long and low, with mud walls, washed by the rains into divers rents and fissures. The thatch, however, was black and rotten, and resembled very much a heap of dung piled up irregularly with pitchforks. There was no porch or arbour to the doorway, through which we entered into the interior of this repulsive-looking domicile, where I found matters not at all mended. The pavement of the kitchen was broken into pieces, approaching even to Macadamisation, the windows and shutters broken, and the winds and the rain beat in without control. On the left-hand, through a broken door-panel, we looked into a parlour boarded and papered but the paper hung from the walls in strips or fiiggets (to coin a word), and the boards were broken in holes. We now ascended a stair- case, black with age and dirt, which shook and trembled under our feet. At the top we found a long, narrow passage, lighted by small square windows, which admit- ted a small modicum of hazy light through holes cut in the thatch. The bedrooms, three in number, opened out of this passage, the floors broken, and the bare walls dripping with moisture, or stained green with unwhole- some damps. We walked to the farther end of the passage, and found ourselves in a most awkward position -for the gable was severed. from the rest of the building by a wide fissure, and only prevented from falling out- wards with us by a slender rod, fastened at one end in a thin iron plate, and at the other in a rotten beam, which absolutely cracked as we went along. Treadinf as gingerly as we could, lest our momentum should cause"the disabled gable to tumble outwards, and bury us in its ruins, we hastened back along the passage and arrived safely at the head of the staircase, which we descended pretty safely, except on one occasion, when the superior weight of Giles caused him to break through, and he capsized heels over head into toe kitchen luckily, however, without much damage. This house bean't in ticklar good repair, zir,' said the honest man, shaking his feathers people must moind how they go along, else they'll break their necks to a dead sartainty.' And yet the Bishop expects me to come into residence.' • Aa sure as sixpence, zir, you will be killed with the rheumatics the premises be as damp as a used-up coal-pit: zir, you will cotch your deatn. There was much truth in what honest Giles had said but what could I do ? I had accepted the curacy upon the condition of residing in the parish, and I could not draw back. My lot was cast in the unpromising cure, and with the people thereof, and I determined to make the best of all untoward things and first of all, I deter- mined to make the vicarage habitable. I had but ten pounds in my pocket, yet, with good management, I flat- tered mvself I should be able to effect much even with that small sum. I, first of all, had the little parlour, and the room above it, put to rights. I caused the fliggets of paper to be torn entirely away, and the walls to be whitewashed. I liail the flooring of both rooms repaired, and thoroughly washed and scrubbed. I then had fires lighted, and the apartments soon lost their damp smell, and looked cheerful and comfortable. To make those two rooms thus habitable, only cost me thirty shillings I now went over to Y a market town, about three miles distant, and purchased a small mattress, a trestle a pair of blankets, and a pair of sheets; likewise a knife and fork, a couple of plates, a table, and many other ne- cessary household articles. I then returned to my c omi- cile, and engaged the services of the wife of a neighbour- ing cowherd, bearing the euphonous name of Irypiiena, which I abridged into Trip. For sixpence a day, she en- gaged to light my fire in the morning, sweep out the rooms, get my breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper. She was a tall, thin woman, with a face red, wrinkled, like a frosted apple. This, most assuredly, was not extraordi- nary high wages. Still, Trip was content, and tripped about con innore in fact, being my servant, added, at least, an inch to her stature, and she made it her business to traverse the parish in all directions, and to proclaim, trumpet-tongued, that she was the now parson's house- kipper. The mattress I had bought at Y was as hard and rugged as brickbats, the sheets and blankets damp and coarse—so that my first night m the vicarage was but a sorry night indeed. About seven in the morning I was aroused by an outcry from Trip. Lauks, zir,' said she « what be you agwain to ha vor brekvast« why tea' to be sure.' You will be rnoin clever to ha that 'ere' without a kittle.' In fact, I had forgotten to order one. This was, however, not all—for when this difficulty was rectified by Trip borrowing one for the nonce, and the breakfast smoked upon the board, she suddenly raised another difficulty ;—' but, lauks, zir, what be you agwain to sit down upon ?' I had omitted, in my yesterday's hurry, to buy a chair. In spite of the dilemma I was placed in, I could not help laughing. The versatile genius of Trip soon rectified this difficulty, by substituting a tall, three-legged milk-stool, upon which I sat down, and ate my breakfast with as much gusto as though reclining on a silken divan. "Here, then, I am settled in my curacy at last. From the debris of the vicarage, I have rescued a sitting and bedroom, which I can call my own. Although, as yet, destitute of a tea-kettle and a chair, yet I have many use- ful articles. In Trip, likewise, I have a humble friend, who already seems to take an interest in my comforts. In fine, I have a home, however lonely—let me thank God for his mercies. There are thousands of poor wretches, houseless wanderers—nowhere to lay their heads

SELECTIONS. FAT MEN.—There i« something cordial about a fat man. Everybody likes him, and 11 he likes everybody. Your Ishmaelites are, in truth, a bareboned race; a lank tribe they are, skeleton and bile. Food does a fat man good; it clings to him; it fructifics on him; he swells nobly out; and fills a generous space in life. He is a living, walking minister of gratitude to the earth, and the fulness thereof; an incarnate testimony against the vanities of care; a radiant manifestation of the wisdom of good humour. A fat man, therefore, almost in virtue of being a fat man, is, par se, a popular man, and com- monly he deserves his popularity. In a crowded vehicle, the fattest man will ever be the most ready to make room. Indeed, he seems to be half sorry for his size, lest it be in the way of others; but others would not have him less than he is, for his humanity is usually commensurate with his bulk. A fat man has abundance of rich juices. The hinges of his system are well oiled; the springs of his being are noiseless; and so he goes on his way re- joicing, in full contentment and placidity. A fat man feels his position solid in the world; he knows that his being is cognisable; he knows that he has a marked place in the universe, and that he need take no extra pains to advertise mankind that he is among them he knows that he is in no danger of being overlooked. It does really take a deal of wrong to make one really hate a fat man and if we are not always as cordial to a thin man as we should be, Christian charity should take into account the force of prejudice which we have to overcome against his thinness. A fat man is nearest to that most perfect of figures, a mathematical sphere; a thin man to that most limited of conceivable dimensions, a simple line. A fat man is a being of harmonious volume, and holds rela- tions to the material universe in every direction a thin man has nothing but length a thin man, ill fact, is but the continuation of a point.—Lectures on Henry Giles. COBIJETT ON DRINKING AFTER DINNER.—A man that cannot pass an evening without drink, merits the name of a sot. Why should there he drink for the purpose of carrying on conversation ? Women stand in need of no drink to stimulate them to converse; and I have a thou- sand times admired their patience, in sitting quietly at their work, while their husbands are engaged, in the same room, with bottles and glasses before them, thinking no- thing of the expense, and still less of the shame, which the distinction reflects upon them. We have to thank the women for many things, and particularly for their strictly sober habits. Men drive them from the table, as if they said to them, You have had enough; food is sufficient for you; but we must remain to fill ourselves with drink, and to talk in language which your ears ought not to endure." When women are getting up to retire from the table, men rise in honour of them; but they take special care not to follow their excellent ex- ample.—-Cobbctt. Bill," said Bob, Why is that tree called a weeping willow ?"—" Cause one of the sneaking plaguy things grew near our school-house, and supplied the master with switches." COURA.GE.-True bravery is sedate and inoffensive if it refuse to submit to insults, it offers none begins no dis- putes, enters into no needless quarrels is above the little troublesome ambition to be distinguished every moment it hears in silence, and replies with modesty fearing no enemy, and making none and is as much ashamed of insolence as of cowardice. ANTIQUITY. A lawyer and a doctor were discussing the antiquity of their respective professions, and each cited authority to prove his most ancient. Mine," said the disciple of Lycurgus, commenced almost with the world's era. Cain slew his brother Abel, and that was a criminal case in common law True," rejoined Esculapius, but my profession is coeval with the creation itself. Old Mother Eve was made out of a rib taken from Adam's body, and that was a. surgical operation?" The lawyer gave it up." A TAVERN DINNER AT MOSCOW.—Every dish at the table was served in the Russian stylo not less than one hundred, and all peculiar to the country. To make the matter complete, the mistress of the hotel, dressed in gold embroidery and diamonds, sat at the head of the table, with her face, neck, and arms painted like a doll. This sort of painting is a national usage, and has been so ever since Russia was in existence. Our attendants, to the number of forty, were bearded men, dressed in yellow, purple, and partly-coloured shirts, tucked up at the wrists so as to leave half of their arms naked, and without coats or waist- coats. There was a boy who played on the organ, and who, for the permission to do so, payed the master of the tavern, several hundred roubles a-year. After coffee, a group of gipsies was brought for our amusement, dressed in gold brocaded shawls, tied on one shoulder, and with ear-rings formed of various xoins."—Mi a rril;¡¡ot"s Letters from R issia. TRUE SUCCESS IN LIFE.—It is said, that amongst the middle-class of this couutry, the life of a man who leaves no property or family provision, of his own acquiring, at his death, is felt to have been a failure' There are many modes in which the life of an industrious, provident, and able man may have been far other than a failure,' even in a commercial point of view, when he leaves his family with no greater money inheritance than that with which he began the world himself. He may have preserved his family, during the years in which he has lived amongst them, in the highest point of efficiency for further pro- duction. Ho may have continued to the full extent of his income, producing but accumulating no money-capital for reproductive consumption and indirectly, but not less certainly, he may have accumulated whilst he has con- sumed, so as to enable others to consume profitably. If he have had sons. whom be has trained to manhood, bestowing upon them a liberal education, and causing them to be diligently instructed in some calling which require skill and experience, he is an accumulator. If he have had daughters, whom he had brought up in habits of order and frugality, apt for all domestic employments, instructed themselves, and capable of carrying forward the duties of instruction, he has reared those who in the honourable capacity of wife, mother, and mistress of a family, influence the industrial powers of the more direct labourers in no small degree and being the promoters of all social dignity and happiness, create a noble and virtuous nation. By the capital thus spent in enabling his children to be valuable members of society, he has accu- mulated a fund out of his consumption, which may bo productive a' a future day. He has postponed his money- contribution to the general stock, but he has not withheld it altogether. He has not been the "wicked and slothful servant.' On the other hand, many a man, whose life, according to the mere capitalist doctrine, has not been a failure,' "and who has taught his family to attach only a money-value to every object of creation, bequeaths to the world successors whose rapacity, ignorance, unskilfulness, and improvidence, will be so many charges upon the capital of the nation. He that has been weak enough, according to this middle class' doctrine, not to believe that the whole business of a man is to make a muck- hill,, may have spent existence in labours, public or private, for the benefit of his fellow creatures but his life is 'a failure The greater part of the clergy of the bar, of the medical profession, of the men of scicnee and literature, of the defenders of their country, of the resident gentry, of the aristocracy, devote their mind to high duties, and some to heroic exertions, without being inordinately anxious to guard themselves against such a failure.' It es would, perhaps, be well if some of those who believe that all virtue is to be solved into pounds sterling, were to con- sider that society demands from the money-making classes' a more than ordinary contribution, not to indis- criminate benevolence, but to those public instruments of production—educational institutions, improved sanitary arrangements-which are best calculated to diminish the interval between the very rich and the very poor.- Charles Knight's Knowledge is Power. NICHOLAS SOLD.- -During an interview which Mar- tineff, the comedian and mimic, had succeeded in obtain- in°- with the Prince [Volkhonsky, high steward,], the Emperor walked into the room unexpectedly, yet with a design as soon was made evident. lelling the actor that he had heard of his talents, and should like to see a specimen of them, he bade him mimic the old minister. This feat was performed with so much gusto, that the emperor laughed immoderately and then, to the great horror of the poor actor, desired to have himself taken off.' 'Tis physically impossible,' pleaded .Martllleff.- Nonsense,' said Nicholas I insist on its been done.' Finding himself on the horns of a dilemma, the mimic took heart of grace, and with a prompitude and presence of mind that probably saved him, buttoned his coat over his breast, and expanded his chest, threw up his head, strode across the room and back then, stopping opposite the minister, he cried, in the exact tone and manner of the Czar Yolkhonsky pay Monsieur Martineff une thousand silver roubles.' The Emperor for a moment was discon- certed but recovering himself with a faint smile, he ( ordered the money to be paid.—Harrison's Notes of a Nine Year's Residence in Russia. Row, BROTHERS, Row.'—Here is the scene of Moore's undying Canadian Boat-song, which he wrought on the fifth day of his descent of the St. Lawrence from Kings- town. Thirty-three years after he wrote that song, I had the pleasure of showing Moore the onginal manuscript, which he had entirely forgotten. He had pencilled the lines, nearly as they stand in his works, in the blank page of a book which happened to be in his canoe, from whence he transcribed them at night. The sight of the original copy of these famous lines, recalling youthful days and happy associations, produced a great effect on the poet, who alluded in a touching manner to his passage down the rapids of life.- Weld's Vacation Tour. INDISPOSED.—The following reply to that everlasting inquiry, How do you do ?" was made by an original the other day,—Rather slim, thauk'e I've got the rheu- matism in one leg, and a white swelling on t'other knee, besides havin' a leetle touch of dysentery,—and ain't very well myself neither I"

TOWN-HALL—THURSDAY. Present: The Mayor, Thos. Hughes, R. F. Woollett, and Wm. Evans, Esqrs. SUMMONS FOR WAGES. Patrick AVelsh, a hobbler, was summoned by six men, employed by him in loading a vessel, for non-payment of wages, amounting to 14s. each man. Defendant ad- mitted the debt, and promised to pay on Saturday next, but said complainants had left the work before they had finished, and got drunk, and he had been obliged to em- ploy men in their stead.—Adjourned till Monday. BEERHOUSE CASES. James Wheeler was summoned for keeping open his beerhouse, the Nelson Inn, Canal-parade, at improper hours.-The policeman who preferred the charge said he was on duty near defendant's house, at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock, on the 22nd inst., and listened outside the house, when he heard some one inside ask for a quart of beer. He knocked at the door, and went in and saw some sailors there, and on a shelf, in the room, a pot three parts full of beer, which the landlady said belonged to no one, and that the sailors wore lodgers.—Defendant's wife said it was true-a man did ask for beer, but she refused to draw it, and the men found in the house were lodgers.—Ordered to pay 8s. 6d. Phillip Besent was charged with the same offence, and the wife appeared in answer to the charge.—Sergt. Williams said the defendant was landlord of the United Arms, on King's-parade, Pillgwenlly, and when on duty, on Saturday night last, he saw a man go the door of the United Arms. He went in also, and saw five men in the taproom, and a quart of beer was under the table, with the froth on it, and he found a glass under a coat on the settle. Defendant said the men in the house were lodgers, and they had the beer drawn for supper just be- fore eleven o'clock. -Cautioned, and ordered to pay 8s. 6J. expenses. Margaret Godson and Fanny Collins wore charged with disorderly conduct in the public strerts.—Godson had been twice sent to Usk, and was now committed for a month, with hard labour. Collins, after being cau- tioned, was ordered to leave the town. ASSAULT. Four men named John Hutchins, James Williams, James Davis, and AVilliam Thomas were charged with drunkenness and fighting.—William Yates, employed by Mr. Hugh Morgan, said his master sent him to kill some beasts, and about eleven o'clock Davis and another man came and lay down on some timbers, near where they were slaughtering, and began to chaff and call him names. AVilliams then struck Horrigan, and I sent him at once to fetch my master. While he was gone, the four men set about me, and while I was down they kicked me, and I was struck with a stone on the back of the neck. The men are strangers to me, and there is no throughfare that way.-Phillip Thomas Trigg, in the employ of Mr. Oliver, printer, said he saw the men lark- ing on the timbers, and, after a time, heard a cry of Murder," and went to see what was the matter. He saw the four men upon the butcher, and they were beating him most unmercifully.—As soon as they saw the police- man they ran away.—The defendants denied having beaten the complainant, and said they came from Cardiff that morning to see the Freemasons walk, and to look for work.-They were fined 5s. and costs. ROBBING AN EMPLOYER. Charles Hockey was charged with stealing four pairs of women's boots, tho property of Mr. James Horner.— Sergeant Williams said Yesterday, about half-past two o'clock, from information I received from Mr. Horner, I want to the prisoner's lodgings, in Bream-place, accom- panied by Mr. Horner. I went up stairs, and saw pri- soner and his wife, and told him he was charged with stealing two pairs of boots from his master, and pawning them with Mr. Druiff. He made no reply. We looked round the room, and Mr. Horner picked up a pair of slippers, and said These are mine." We looked in a box, and found another pair, and under some clothing we found a third pair. I asked prisoner where he kept his pawn-tickets, and his wife went to a small box, under the table, and in the presence of her husband, gave me the pawn-tickets. I found a ticket for a pair of boots, pledged with Mr. Wilde for Is. Gd., and the wife said, "They are my boots." Prisoner told me the other tickets were lost, and it was no use for me to look for them. I then took him to the station, and on the way he told me his wife had nothing to do with it-that he had never taken the boots into the house, but pledged them at once. I produce the boots, and one pair I re- ceived from Mr. Wilde yesterday evening, and two pairs of slippers, found in the prisoner's apartments. When I searched the prisoner he had 4s. 2d. on his person.- Jacob Driuif sworn, said I am a pawnbroker. On 2nd August prisoner came and pledged a pair of boots in the name of Charles Hockey, and on the 17th he pledged another pair. I had no suspicion of him them but when he pledged the second pair, he told me if I would give him 9d. more he would let me have the ticket. I refused to buy the ticket, and this circumstance excited my suspicion, and I inquired of the prisoner if they were his own property. lie said "Yes, and I am a shoe- maker." I noticed that both pairs of boots were by the same maker, and I went to Mr. Horner and asked him if Hockey was in his employ. Mr. Horner went with me to my shop, and I produced the two pairs of boots, pledged with me, which he identified as his property. Samuel AVilde sworn I am a pawnbroker, carrying on business in Llanarth-street. The prisoner came to me on the 8th of August, and pledged a pair of boots for Is. 6d., in the name of Charles Hockey. I noticed the initials on the soles, and enquired of prisoner where be had them frum. He said he worked for Mr. Horner, and had bought them of him. I gave them up to Sergt. Williams.-—-James Horner sworn The prisoner .bad been in my employ about three months-first as a jour- neyman, and lately as an assistant in the shop. Yester- day I saw Mr. Druiff, and he inquired if Hockey was working for me. I went with Mr. Druiff to his shop, and he produced to me two pairs of boots, jxow produced by Sergt. Williams. They are my property, and, to the best of my belief, they never were sold. I went with Air. Druiff to the prisoner's lodgings, where we found two pairs of slippers, also my property, and a pawn- ticket. Prisoner's landlady told me prisoner had worn one of the pairs of slippers on Saturday. I never sold him but one pair of boots, and that pair he has now on his feet.—Prisoner made no defence, and was committed for trial—the Magiitrates offering to take bail. Joshua Vaughan and James Williams were charged with disorderly conduct, in lluperra-street. They were fined 58. each. Elizabeth Morgan, Dennis Coglan, and — Lucklan wore charged with disorderly conduct, at Pill.—Sergt. AVilliams proved the case, and Coglan was charged with attempting to rescue the girl, Morgan, from the officer.- Morgan was sentenced to 14 days' hard labour; and Coglan, 5s. and coats, and Lucklan, os., including costs. Arthur Rudman was charged with keeping open his beerhouse at two o'clock in the morning.—Sergt. AVilli- ams said the defendant was the landlord of the New George Inn, Courtybella-street, Pillgwenlly, and at two o'clock on the morning of the 27th inst. he saw two men coming out of defendant's house. He followed the men, and found they had two gallons of beer in a jar. He stopped them, and tasted the beer, and then went back to the house with Franklin, and saw Rudman, who was upstairs. I inquired about the beer, and he said, Well, I'll take good care I never send any more out." The beer went to an Irish wake in Wedlake's Court. I saw it taken into the house.—Defendant attempted to get up a counter charge against the officer, of having been drinking in the street that night, which the MaglS- strates would not entertain. Defendant had been before the Bench but a fortnight before, and was now fined 10s. and costs.

THE LONDON EISTEDDFOD. SIR,—I have been blamed, and I am still blamed, pub- licly and privately, for refusing to take any part in the London Eisteddfod. I have been accused of obstinacy, a want of patriotism, and I know not what besides. Therefore, I trust that you will be good enough to allow me to plead my justification. It is true that I reluctantly joined the movement when it was first started. I say reluctantly, because I knew full well at that time, as well as I do now, that the aristocracy and gentry of AVales have a prejudice against these meetings, on ac- count of the egregious follies we perpetrate at them, and that in consequence of this feeling it would be a most difficult thing to raise a sufficient sum of money to carry out an Eisteddfod in London on sound and rational prin- ciples, which would be beneficial to the people of Wales, and redound to our credit as a nation. Would this have been impossible with earnest men ? I think not. Had a committee been formed at first of respectable, wealthy, intellectual Welshmen,—men of influence and position, who might have commanded the support of the gentry and the people of Wales, by proving to both the one and the other that their earnest object was to benefit AVales and Welshmen, by promoting industrial, scientific, and intellectual pursuits, the affair would have succeeded. a this done ? No, decidedly not. From the very first, one person, namely, Dr. Roberts, was bent upon having his own way, and if any one ventured to remon- strate with him, he was sure to be snubbed or insulted. Thus matters went on week after week, and month after month, and as I clearly foresaw that the affair was hope- less, I quietly withdrew from the movement four or five months ago. You may ask me here why I did not ap- prize my countrymen of what was going on ? Had I done so, it would have been set down to pique, malice, or disappointment, or an invidious wish to de- stroy the prospects of the Eisteddfod. I, therefore, preferred biding my time. Thus matters went on until a short time before the Eisteddfod, when the finan- cial sky became cloudy, the doctor wrote what I deem to be ridiculous rhodomontades to his "fellow-countrymen," in the my Christian brethren" style of Exeter Hall, or other ex cathedra enunciations. At length the great day came. I attended, of course, as a silent spectator. I Judge of my surprise and sorrow to see a thinly scat- tered audience of three hundred and fifty, in a room that would contain two thousand. Judge of my feelings when I beheld Sir Benjamin Hall taking the chair, supported by Lady Hall and half-a-dozen ladies, two M.P.'s, and the officials, backed by a beggarly account of empty benches." Was it fair towards Lady Hall, whose enthusiasm and nationality are well known, and whose meetings at Venni are crammed by the people, where spirited patriotism rules the day—to place her in this position? I dare not depict the disappointment that beamed from her counte- nance. Was it fair towards Sir Benjamin Hall, a gentle- man of wealth, position, and intellect-a man of great abilities, eminent talent, and an honourable member of the government: was it fair to entrap him to preside over such a meeting ? And above all, was it fair to ob- tain the patronage of our gracious Queen, which, (I have no hesitation in saying it), must have been got by some deceptive trickery ? Well then, will any rational man condemn me because I refused to take part in the proceedings ? I regret to say that Mr. Whalley, the chairman of the evening meeting, treated me with unkindness. if not un- fairness, by calling upon me in a manner that was diffi- cult to resist, to address the audience, after I had told him distinctly in the morning that no power on earth would induce me to take part in such an Eisteddfod. I do not dispute lit. lvhalley's earnestness and enthusiasm. I give him credit for both, but I say again, that it was unkind to place me in a position that the moment my bardic name was mentioned, it was received with cheers, and when I respectfully refused to act, I was greeted with a storm of hisses. However, in my then state of temper, applauding and hissing had about the same effect upon me as they would have on a prize bull. The upshot of the matter is this. As Dr. Roberts was determined to grasp at the whole glory of the Eisteddfod, let him be saddled with its disgraceful failure, for he, alone, is responsible for the lamentable exhibition. Why should he be permitted to make Wales a stalking horse to suit his own purposes ? Why should he be permitted to ride roughshod over better and wiser men than himself ? Why should he consider himself the only depositor of the hopes, feelings, and aspirations of the Welsh people in the metropolis ? And above all, why should he be permitted to bring shame, discredit, and disgrace upon our name, fame, and national patriotism ? When humbug assumes the place of patriotism, it is high time that somebody should lay the lash on, and whip oil the false plumage. You may call this personal. But how can any one expose himself, to benefit his coun- trymen, without being personal ? TALHAIARN. [Mr. Hugh AVilliams has also written ably and empha- tically, and condemnatorily, on the subject of the London Eisteddfod Our columns are open to any explanation that Dr. Roberts may deem right to make.—ED. M. M.]

THE BLAENAVON IRON AND COAL COMPANY. Six,No doubt your correspondent, Mr. Harry Scrivenor, writes well, and always to the point; I cannot, however, agree with him in the latter part of his answer to "Delta," I am quite sure it is a wise maxim for directors to exercise a jealous care in strengthening their proprietary; at the same time they will never allow an invasion toineet their own particular views, but religiously observe the covenants of the Deed of Settlement. Mr. Harry Scrivenor's groom's case is an extreme one, and not to the point, as decided by the directors. The allegation is, Mr. Crawshay has, through his broker, be- come a large purchaser of shares in this concern for purposes of his own, whose views being detrimental to the general interests of the company. I know nothing of Mr. Crawshay or his designs—other cases I know, where men of business, whoso position is superior to any of our directors, and their shares are placed in the same category. AVhat analogy this bears to Mr. Scrivenor's case this deponent knoweth not. I do know the directors hold only a small share in the Blaenavon Company—some just sufficient to qualify for their position (25 shares), and some of those purchased even lower than the present quotatiou. Mr. Harry Scrivenor has even gone further he has put forth a plea in defence of the reserve of the present directors to the charges of the shareholders' committee s report, and very delicately hints (as far as his knowledge goes) they are honourable men." Let us see what the report states, now two months old, and uncontradicted, except that the directors state it to be a pamphlet, and its facts ex parte. I should now state that, at the meeting held on May 24, not one of the shareholders knew of the disgraceful charges made against the directors. The fact only is sufficient to justify the shareholders in erring-in ignorance, and upon which Mr. II. Scrivenor relies with so much stress. He is welcome to it for what it is worth. This company, it should be observed, has always been short of ready money; and tne following charges will show how readily, and with what caution, the directors sought to increase its resources Charge 1 In April, 1853, by a vote of shareholders, the maximum sum of £800 per annum was fixed and, by some contrivance, this vote was made to take effect from January, 1852, ond they actually received it. Charge 2: A director, on February 23, 18.54, sold to an insolvent house 500 tons of iron, value £ 4374. This director obtained the warrants from a young clerk in the company's office, during the absence of the other directors, and in direct opposition to the practice of the company- hence an entire loss of the sum stated. In the following April, the directors conscientiously recommended him as a fitand proper person to protect the shareholders' interests observe, not allowing the meeting at which be was so re-elected to know a word of his past misconduct. Charge 3: Another director lets his children, from January 31, 1853, to April 26, 1855, manage to owe this concern above £11,000 and under £12,000, although the first renewals of bills took place in September, 1853. Charge 4 Two directors, without either the sanction ofshareholders or brother directors' knowledge, subscribe for 600 shares of f 2.5 each share, in the Hereford and Abergavenny Railway. This subscription was made in 1851, and there is no minute of them in the company's books till 1854. In the balance sheet of 1855 they are stated to be worth X4032 2s. 3d. whilst they represent a bona fide market value of about £ 2000—hence a loss of J62000. Other directorial improprieties I omit-all of them very grave offences. These are the charges on which Mr. Harry Scrivenor counsels the directors to silence—perhaps wisely so. To the shareholders he is equally liberal, for he says" it cannot bo to the shareholders' advantage in general to mar the act of the directors." I would say, what confidence have the proprietors that the Blaenavon directors have their interest in view, seing that toeir past misconduct has nearly ruined the affair by keeping the shareholders in the dark respecting all the transactions above enumerated ? I wish Mr. Harry Scrivenor would inform me what injury the property can receive through the shareholders giving publicity to their position ?-a position, bear in mind, not produced by bad minerals, but by bad and incapable directors their characters may snffer. The shareholders' course will be to be firm in pur- pose, and every day brings us nearer to what every honest man desires. The remainder, let the directors imagine. 83, Fleet-street, Aug. 21. JAMES BAxKs.

THE BLAENAVON IRON AND COAL COMPANY. SIR,—Mr. Harry Scrivenor has done me the honour to notice some remarks in my last letter to you on the Blaenavon Company's affairs, and in defence of his now friends, but former enemies, the London Board, urges, that defending themselves against the serious charges contained in the report of the committee of enquiry would jeopardise the new lease—ergo, they are wise to be silent. How Mr. H. Scrivenor can reconcile this with facts, or a common-sense argument, I am at loss to conceive. I am, as a large shareholder, most anxious that this lease should be obtained, and would be th. last to do anything to jeopardise it; and so unanimous are the shareholders on this point, that I know of but one gentle- man opposed to it. Mr. Harry Scrivenor is much in error if he supposes this lease is granted solely on the responsibility or respectability of our directors; it is granted to the Blaenavon Company, of which our directors hold or represent a very trifling number of shares; in fact, six out of seven of our directors do not, I believe, hold altogether 200 shares. I am, therefore, right in stating that a reply to the committees' report could not, and would not, have affected the new lease, but might have placed the directers themselves in a more favourable light before the public; for what individual is there who, sensible of his right and innocence, would remain silent a day under the serious charges hanging over our directors ? In my first letter I did not condemn our directors, I reviewed the report, and hoped a satisfactory explanation would be given; none having been, I am not unreasonable in the strictures made against them in my last. Directors, as well as individuals, must regard public opinion, con- veyed through our excellent press; if not, they must not be surprised at the severely expressed opinions of any man. Does Mr. Harry Scrivenor suppose the committee's report has not been read by the Earl of Abcrgavcnny and his agents ? and does he suppose that report, so long unanswered, raises our directors in the estimation of his lordship, or his advisers ? I can assure him and the directors, that it has not done so, but very much lowered them. With regard to the transfer of shares, I know little or nothing, than the fact as stated in the committees' report; and it is there stated that after the committee had re- quested the directors not to allo w the transfer of shares, two of the directors, of which the chairman was one, sold some 700 shares, and received money for them, but refused to register, to prevent voting. If the party purchasing should turn out to be not a groom," but a respectable and responsible party, and that the directors withhold the registration because they have reason to suppose these shares would be used in opposition to them- selves, with the view of placing proper men at the helm of affairs, will Mr. Scrivenor then justify such a course by our directors ? Can he argue that the Deed of Settle- ment, from which he quotes, ever anticipated, or was framed to meet, such a case as directors deserting their trust, by selling their shares, when their misdeeds were being enquired into, receiving the money, and then re- fusing to register the very shares they had themselves sold ? Can Mr. Scrivenor say that the Deed of Settlement ever anticipated that directors would or could be found to act thus ? We do not want child's play or shuffling conduct any longer in the Blaenavon Company; we want straight- forward, honest, and energetic management—no party, and no bye play, the present directors replaced by proper men, and this fine property may yet be saved. Monmouthshire, Aug. 22. AN EXPOSER OF ABUSES.

ABERGAVENNY. THE AVEATHER AND THE ORops.-For the last week past the weather has been very unsettled, especially the last few days, not with heavy, but drizzling rain, which has retarded the progress of the harvest. In many in- stances, we hear of the wheat having been beaten down to some extent, but not anywise materially injured and should we be favoured with a fortnight's fine weather, the greater part of the hane 3t will be got in. The crops are generally good; but we are sorry to say that every week shows more and more of the potatoe disease, but nothing as yet to cause any alarm. Since writing the above, this day (Tuesday) has proved a truly harvest day. TUESDAY'S MARKET.—The market of this day was well supplied in every department with stock, sheep, pigs, vegetables, poultry, and fruit. In the early part of the morning, a quantity of vegetables were brought in, which were readily disposed of. Potatoes, I Os. to lis. per sack, or 5d. the quartern; cabbages, cucumbers, s' onions, carrots, &c., at reasonable prices. In the beast market we noticed more fat beasts than have been wit- nessed for some weeks past; but the sale was dull. This was to be attributed to the high figure asked-G1. per lb.; fat sheep were worth 6| 1. per lb.; pigs were in little 2 demand, consequently little business was transacted. Poultry Geese, 4s. 6d. to 5s. each; ducks, 4s. 6d. to 5s., and fowls, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per couple; eggs, 7 for 6d., and fresh butter from Is. to is. 2d. per lb. Meat, prime pieces, 7d. to Sd. per lb. The quotation of wheat this week is 79s. llid. per imperial quarter. ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS.—On Thursday, the 6th inst., an election will take place in the Town-hall; the four retiring commissioners arc, Messrs. Joseph Meredith, grocer, W. J. Vaughan, C. Denton, and Philip Morgan.

MAGISTRATES' OFFICE—WEDNESDAY. (Before the Revds. Goo. Gabb, and J. Farquhar.) There were to-day only two eases worth noticing. The one was a charge of robbery, which occupied the bench nearly two hours whereas the subject might have been been disposed of in one quarter the time. The party accused was one John Watkins, charged with stealing a box, containing a watch, six silver spoons, a gold ring, and six X-3 notes.—The prisoner was committed for trial at the next Monmouth assizes. The other was a case of assault, in which Eliza Powell charged Esther llcese with assaulting her on the 27th inst. In the course of the examination, it appeared that the quarrel arose through the children disagreeing and in the course of the evidence it was proved that the complainant had made use of the most foul and disgust- ing language, which is not fit for publication.—The case was dismissed.

BLAINA. GEOLOGY.—On Tuesday, AVednesday, and Thursday evenings, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of August, the Rev. S. Lucas delivered a series of three lectures on Geology, at the English Wesleyan chapel, Blaina, to highly re- spectable audiences; but it is to be regretted that they were rather thinly attended. Mr. Gould presided at each lecture. The first and second lectures were devoted to the scientific explanations of the formation of the various strata composing the earth's crust; giving a very graphic and general description of the fossils of each successive formation; a very fiuo and rare collection of which the lecturer had very artistically spread out before him upon a table, consisting of the fossil remains of shells, fish, plants, &c., which, in a great measure conduced to en- lighten the minds, and excite the curiosity of the au- diences. The whole of the last lecture was devoted to reconcile the discoveries of geology with the Book of Genesis which the lecturer perfectly succeeded in doing, to the entire satisfaction of all present. The lecturer handled his subject throughout in a masterly manner, evincing a thorough acquaintance with the matter, both theoretically and practically. At the close of the last lecture, a vote of thanks was unanimously adopted to the Rev. S. Lucas, for his elaborate, edifying, and in- structive course of lectures; and likewise to Mr. Gould, for presiding; which terminated the proceedings.

BLAENAVON. SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.—On Friday last, the Church Sunday School celebrated the 14th anniversary. Accord- ing to usual custom, the scholars and teachers met at the school-room, between three and f,Hlr o'clock. At hak- pnst. four, tho procession marched from the school-room, headed by the church choir. They then passed through a portion of tho AVorks, across the Avonllwrd, and as- cended the brow of the hill on the other side, which en- abled the numerous spectators to have a full view of the procession, and which, accompanied by a variety of co- loured banners, presented a very pleasing appearance. It was als) gratifying to hear the melodious voic :s of the choir, pouring forth their praises to God. The merry peals of bells also added to the festivity. The procession descended the hills, and marched back to the school-room, where the children were regaled with tea and plum-cake. During the evening, several appropriate pieces were sung by the choir, Miss Isabella Johnson presiding at the pianoforte. At the close of the meeting, cheers were given for the Queen and the Royal Family—also for the Rev. J. Jones and Richard Johnson, Esq.; after which a vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies and gentlemen who took an active part in the proceedings of the day. The National Anthem was then sung by the choir, and the happy company separated.

CAERLEON. PETTY SESSIONS—TUESDAY. (Before John Jenkins, Esq., and AA". A. Williams, Esq. Edwin Edwards, was charged by Ann Morgan with stealing three eggs, from her shop in Caerleon; she said the defendant was her nephew, and had a wife and family, and she declined to offer any evidence against him, 'and he was therefore discharged by paying fees of 5s. 8d. Timothy Sexton, was charged by Michael Sullivan with assaulting him, on Monday week last, in Caerleon. The parties applied to the bench to be allowed to make peace out of court, and after hearing the nature of the assault, which was but trivial, they were allowed to do so, by paying costs, 6s. 6d. Hannah Legg, was charged with stealing coal at Caer Icon, the property of John Lawrence, Esqr. Committed for 14 days. Henry Hill, AVilliam Thomas, George Williams and Henry Bateman, were charged by Edward Clark, with stealing apples from his orchard, at Malpas. Mr. Clark said they had nearly taken half a sack of apples, and very much damaged the trees. Bateman was in the orchard, and the other three was on the railway, where they had been working together, that day, pointing the bridges, and each had his frail basket full of apples. Bateman was fined zC2, and XI 4s. 6d. costs, which was paid, the others were discharged. AVilliam Nicholas was also charged by Mr. Clark, with stealing his apples on Sunday week last. Fined 10s. and 12s. costs. This being the general annual licence day for the division, the Inn-keepers came and renewed their licen- ces. Only one new licence was applied for, and which was granted to William Jones, who is building a house for that purpose, and will be ready to open in about three weeks. The premises are close to the Pontnewydd station, and are to be called the Pontnewydd Inn.

GARNVACH. On Saturday last, the members of the Aberystruth Friendly Society, numbering 186, met at the King AVm. the Fourth Inn, to celebrate their anniversary. The ser- vices of the Blaina Philharmonic brass Band had been engaged for the occasion. They attended Divine service at Salem Baptist chapel, Blaina, and the Rev. Theophilu3 Jones very suitably addressed them on the occasion. On their return, they were sumptuously entertained with an excellent dinner, which had been prepared for their re- ception, under the superintendence of Mrs. Jones, the worthy hostess. The usual festivities of the evening having been gone through, the company separated highly gratified with the day's treat. AVe may add that the funds of the society are in a very prosperous condition.

MACHEN. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—On Sunday last, some conster- nation and considerable amusement were occasioned by a young fellow, named Goulding, attempting to hang him- self in the wood, because his sweetheart would have no more to say to him. The poor fellow, it appears, enjoyed the fond hope of getting married on Sunday, to his Dul- cinea; but, although he was punctual and faithful, she was not; and, on his searching for her, he found her playing and romping with a lot of boys." Thereupon he ran off, shouting that he would finish it in the wood; and there, sure enough, he tried to hang himself. He failed, however, and was walked off to prison, at New- port, to be charged with attempting to "do what he liked with his own" life—a thing that is not permitted in this country. EXPLOSION OF FIRE DAMP.—AVe regret to state that on Monday morning, at nine o'clock, a fearful explosion of fire damp took place in the New Colliery, at this place, by which five men were dreadfully burnt. It is supposed that the ignition took place through one of the men having secured the gauze of his lamp too loosely. Three of the unfortunate men are Mormons; and rumours are rife of the cures which the Mormon oil, adminis- tered by the Eiders," will produce in this lamentable case. The men were all much injured.

PONTYPOOL. On Monday last, the following Commissiotiers sat for hearing appeals against the assessed taxes: -The Rev. W. D. Horwood, and C. H. AVilliams and A. Edwards, Esq., when 180 cases were heard and disposed of.

USK. COMMITMENTS TO USK PRISON.—John Baker, and Thomas Lewis. By G. Wm. Gabb, clerk. Committed for attempting to take trout in a certain part of the river Usk, at Abergavesny, the private property of Henry Wilson. One month hard labour, or pay 51s. 6d. each. -Thomas Lewis. By William Evans and George Geth- ing. Committed for behaving in a riotous and disorderly manner, in a certain public street, at Newport. One month imprisonment, or pay 20s.—James Poyntz. By William Evans and George Gething Esqrs. Charged with stealing one silk dress, one shawl, and other articles, the property of Margaret Charles, at Newport.—Samuel Baiton and James Mayberry. By William CE. Seys, Committed for unlawfully leaving the employ of their master, Henry Hughes, wire manfacturer, of Chapel Hill. 14 days hard labour, each.—John William Scott. By Samuel Homfray and George Gething, Esqrs. Char- ged with stealing one leg bone of beef, the property of Edward White, at Newport.—Mary Mahoney. By Samuel Homfray and George Gething, Esqrs. Committed for using profane, indecent and obscene language in Fothergill-street, Newport. 14 days imprisonment, or pay os.—Joanna M'c Grath. By Samuel Homfray and George Gething, Esqrs. Convicted (being a common prostitute) of wandering in Cross-street, Newport, and being in a riotous and indecent manner. One month hard labour.—Mary Ann Lewis. By Samuel Homfray and George Gething, Esqrs. A common prostitute, and wandering in Cross-street, and being in a riotous and indecent manner, 21 days hard labour.—Edmund Rees. By Samuel Homfray and George Gething, Esqrs. Con- victed for that he being an apprentice, under indenture, < to William Tombs, anchor smith, Newport, did misbe- have himself, in his said service, and did refuse and neglect to work for his said master. One months' hard labour.—Hannah Legg. By William A. AVilliams and John Jenkins, Esqrs. Convicted of stealing lOlbs of coal, the property of John Lawrence, at Llantarnam. 14 days hard labour. (The first summarily dealt with under the new act.