Monmouthshire Merlin

tx trafurt. I Books and publications intended for Review may be forwarded through Mr. C. Mitchell, Red Lion-court, Fleet-street.1 The Family Friend. London Ward and Lock.—The "Family Friend" is now one of the most popular and deservedly favourite of all our domestic magazines. It has survived many of its competitors, and, so far from having been spoiled by success, it appears to be more ably conducted than ever. The volume for 1857-8 is now before us, and on examining it carefully, we have been surprised not only at the immense diversity, but also at the real utility, of the information contained in it. On everyhousehold topic, instruction and advice are given, and a profusion of interesting reading is supplied by the judicious editor. It is impossible to describe fairly in a brief notice the whole of the contents of this book. When we say that there are a varie ty of excellent tales and sketches, of mora! essays, poetical contributions, Select extracts from popular authors, and a large number of useful receipts, we have but indicated a portion of the riches amassed together in one of the cheapest of books. No better present could be made to a young wife than this volume of the" Family Friend." The Art Journal. London Virtue & Co. The num- bers of this valuable journa! for the past few months are distinguished by that excellence in every department which long ago established it as the first Art magazine in Europe. The pictures engraved from the Royal collec- tion are executed in the choicest style, while the letter- press is equally admirable in its way. The September and October parts contained a just and talented review of Mr. Ruskin's criticisms on the works of Tintoretto, and at the conclusion the writer makes the following compre- hensive remarks on THE WRITINGS OF NIR. RUSKIN. A principal object in this essay has been to put the reader on his guard against inordinate habits of praise on the part of a writer whose confident eloquence gives him for the present a far too absolute influence over large numbers of captivated hearers. We will close our obser- vations with a brief protest against that equally ill- founded censure and depreciation of some of our greatest literary men, in which he indulges in his recent volumes, singling^out, especially for opprobrium and contempt, as we shall show, one whom most just and generous men, really acquainted with his works, would be warmly de- sirous of defending. In these criticisms of Mr. Ruskin, cynicism has assnraed its most insidious and mischievous form,-tbe theological. Having, according to his own admissioD, passed most of his days in the intense contem- plations and abstractions of solitude, he has, by an almost inevitable consequence, weakened In his breast most of the ordinary social sympathies. In the tender passion (to take one large instance) lie seems to feel no interest, and very little indeed in those domestic virtues and enjoy- ments which spring from and surround it and he has got himself far too much into the way of estimating tbingg in the sour and austere spirit of some mortified anchorite insomuch that he is dissatisfied even with men whose gra- cious gift and first object it was to afford pleasant relaxa- tion, restorative amusement, remission from mental care, to their fellow-creatures—such as our great novellist and dramatist,—simply because they did not utterly spoil their work with brain-fussing, intellect-oppressing, mono- maniacal considerations of theology and ascetic morality, such as appear to have grievously narrowed and weakened his own mind. His morbid analysis of Scott, on this ascetic principle, in which he says that he kuows no poe- try so sorrowful as his,' and 'that all his thoughts were in their outcome and end less than nothing and vanity,' is one of the mistakenly dismal and nauseating passages in literature, always excepting his half patronising esti- mate of Shakespere, in which our bard of bards is looked down upon from the supremacy of that' specular mount,' Denmark Hill, as an imperfect mind, decidedly of a secondary order, IIls because not sufficiently accompanied by theology in its flights, in Mr.-Raskin's fashion. 'It was necessary,' we are told, 1 that he should deprive him- self even of his conscience, in order to be able to sympa- thise so completely with all creatares." In this respect we always thought Shakspere the most conscientious of wrIters, inasmuch its ho reports of every one with the most perfect impartiality, fulness, and fairness, nothing extenuating, and setting down nought in malice, and giving his worst of villains their title. Had Shakspere possessed a conscience, it would, we are profoundly told, have made him unjust to these latter as if injustice were a natural consequence of conscientiousness Then we are informed that it was necessary for Shakspere to be utterly without purpose that he was forbidden of heaven to have any plans. To do any good, or get any good in the com- mon sense of good, was not to be within his permitted range of work not for him the founding of institutions, the preaching of doctrines, or the repression of abuses. Neither be nor the sun did on any morning that they rose together receive charge from their Maker concerning such things.' To which it may be answered, that to teach us the human heart and character in their varieties, to show by what insidious sophisms our passions attain the mastery over us, to instruct us so that we may know ourselves and others, and enlarge our sympathies to the world's width, and regard our fellow-creatures with such palliations as justice and truth require, was purpose and plan enough, and good in the common sense of good,' such as no other man UEinspired ever accomplished. And as he effecterl this, we need not be disappoiuted that he, a poet, a lite- rary man, did not likewise found institutions, preach doc- trines, or practically attempt the represseion of abuses. The passage last quoted, in which Mr. Ruskin, with quiet decision alludes to the Creator as having views with regard to the poet in harmony with his own purblind paradoxes, is for modesty, propriety, and what is commonly called good taste, exquisite, and altogether richly characteristic. We think it may be pretty safely assumed, and stated, without presumption, that on the morning when he penned these paragraphs Mr. Ruskin had not received charge' to criticise Shakspere. So far however, all this ambitious and restless plunging after profundity, which, diving past the pearls and golden sands of the clear deep, does nothing but stir up and fetch aloft gravel and mud from beneath, speaks sufficiently for itself but, perhaps, not so his harsher and more unqualified attacks on others. If there is anything in his writings to us more painful than the rest, it is the ruthless, cold, and summary way in which he will drag forward and sacrifice the fame and character of cer- tain other departed great men, for the very small purpose of giving point to some austere ascetic sentiment, or of heightening the vivacity of a paragragh. If there is a writer whom we should in former days have conceived to be respected by him it is Shelley, since he himself ia some of his best passages resembles him even remarkably. The most poetical of his descriptions, in which the fine landscape imagery is heightened by the colourings of a brilliant fancy, are like faint echoes of the soaring skylark amongst the poets, the wondrous laureate of the clouds. And yet Shelley is the very poet now most frequently in- troduced by Mr. Ruskin in his writings to perform the mean office of foil to what he admires, to set off as a dark and impure shadow his own exceeding radiancy, and to be morally and intellectually misrepresented in unfeeling and insulting language. Thus we have, without explana- tion or further comment, 'passionate unprincipled men like Shelley,' though Shelley's mora l principles are certainly conspicuous enough throughout his works, and at least as gentle, disinterested, loving, pure, and near the true Christian morality in several of the most essential points as those of any of the other poets of his day whilst amongst them none equalled him in the courage, and few in the perfect sincerity, with which they were put forth. Secondly, we read with no small access of illumination that Keats has no more real sympathy with Nature than he has with a bottle of claret; and Shelley is nearly the same, but with even more troublesome selfishness.' The ardent philanthropist (whether or not mistaken in some points does not affect the question of selfishness), and cor- dial, helpful, generous friend, is not very sagaciously or temperately denoted by these words, troublesome selfish- nesss.' And, by-and-bye, we have Shelley shown up on Mr. Ruskin's oratorical platform again, to be as briefly stigmatised as impious, though few men have ever felt a more habitual love and tender reverence for most good and noble things, except (as we take leave to lament no whit less than Mr. Kuskin) the doctrinal part of that reli- gion which his unhappy scepticism—something palliated, surely, by the circumstances of his early life—estranged him from. Surely it does not evince much delicacy of moral perception, much justice or charity, to apply to so noble and gentle a sufferer the hard, unmiti- gated, untender term impious.' Finally—but this is amusing- we find him exhibited in the decretals sent forth from our temporary Vatican of criticism as an example of a morbid temperament, looked down upon as from a serene superior height, as a mind of the weaker class. Truly, he was so, in some sort, and very pitiably. But the author of the Ode to the Skylark,' and the Prome- theus Unbound,' and the Cenci,' should have been de- signated as such, not frigidly or haughtily, but with the gentleness and tenderness of a deep fellow-feeling by one more so-by one of so morbid a temperament as to give forth all this thoroughly unhealthy inflammation about Tintoretto—by one so weak that he rarely has the power of describing anything without almost spoiling his descrip- tion by some touch of exaggeration proceeding from the excitability of his fancy, or nauseating his readers with some hard and austere assumption of a religious tone, in which the elements indispensable to religious writing of any value, such as modesty, truth, justice, and candour, are habitually wanting. It is a religion this with which the fancy seems to be incessantly on fire, but the heart the while appears to remain cold and untouched indeed, the main tendency of his writings in this respect (like so much of the other religious writing with which our press teems now-a-days) seems to us to be rather to weaken reli gion in our human hearts, its healthy, active, and bappj seat, and to make it restlessly, painfully, consumiogly burn in the mere dreaming faculty-the intellect and imagination. Mr. Ruskin is indignant with Blackwood for having recommended Keats to return to his gallipots. But is it not better to depreciate even to that extent the literary productions of living men, than thus to cast rude and coarse opprobrium, as he has done, on the moral as well as intellectual character of the voiceless, unreplying dead ?" ———— The Home Circle. London W. S. Johnson.—The re- issue of this periodical is progressing with spirit. Lover's droll story, Handy Andy," is now being published in it, illustrated by Phiz. The entire magazine is com- posed of a good miscellany of pleasant reading and interesting knowledge. The Bristol Magazine. December. Bristol: E. Mardon. -We have no doubt this number of the Bristol Maga- zine is equal to the first, but we must protest against the custom of sending occasional parts with seve- ral continued" articles in them. It is impossible to form a fair opinion of an author's production by read- ing only isolated portions of it, and the writers in the Bristol Magazine clearly labour under a disadvantage by having their pieces submitted in an abrupt and discon- nected form to a reviewer. We cannot conceive, for instance, what the Stayed Hand" is about-to us the story is as incomprehensible as the title, and were we to express an opinion founded on this portion of it alone, it would probibly be of an adverse and disparaging nature. The book is not so dear but ihat it might be sent regularly, or altogether withheld. The commence- ment of a new story, called" My First Romance," is published in the present part, and also an interesting article on Cup Draining." 0 The Clwmistry oj the World. London Johnson. Part 2.—This publication is forwarded to us under the same circumstances as the last. Part two commences in the middle of a chapter, the first portion of which was given in Part one, which we have not seen. We are not, therefore, in a position to say what the merits of the work are. ———— The Englishwoman's Domestic and Boy's Magazines. London S. O. Beeton. Both these magazines are deserving of very extended support. In the latter, a genial and agreeable paper on Christmas sports is contributed by Thomas Miller and boys who v.ish to learn some new recreation for their approaching holidays, will find twopence weil laid out in the magazine devoted to them. The Rural Almanack. By Christopher Idle, Esq. London The Field Office. For country gentlemen and farmers this is one of the best Almanacks published. In addition to the informa- tion contained in it, several full pages illustrations by H. K. Brown, "Phiz," Mr. Haswell, and other artists are given. Instructions concerning field sports, the management of gardens, &c., will also be found. Casscll's Art Treasures Exhibition. London Kent & Co The December part is very well got up, and engraving from the works of Dutch and German artists are presented in it. — Oassell's Illustrated Family Paper, No. I. This new magazine is printed in the style of the c, London Journal," and commences with a tale by the popular author of Dick Tarleton," and other works. A capital panoramic map of India is given with the number.

THE COMMERCIAL CRISIS.—The following failures have occurred since our last—Messrs. H. Hoffmann and Co., merchants, chiefly in the Continental and Australian trades. The liou^e has never stood high, but it is thought that the liabilities will reach about £ 100,000. Messrs. Herman, Cox and Co., of London and Liverpool, a respectable and ■well-known house, chiefly engaged in the cotton trade. Messrs. BischotF, Beer, an i Co mer- chants, connected with the East India and continental trade, with labilities for about 30,000. Messrs. Mendes Ua Costa and Co., an old-established firm in the West India trade. Their liabilities are estimated at £ 350,000. Messrs. I>'eser and Co., a German mercantile house, with liabilities for about £ 50,000. Messrs. Berber, Kosenauer and Co., German merchants. The amount of their liabilities has not transpired. Messrs. Hirsch, Srother, and Co., also a German firm, with liabilities, it is believed, of moderate amount. Messrs. F. and A. Bovet, an old-established farm in the trade with China, with moderate liabilities. Messrs. liadland and Co., a very old firm in the Manchester trade, with liabilities for about 240,000, and Mr. W. B. Filler, merchant of 1, Lime-street. The liabilities are stated to be about E140,000. Messrs. C. A. Jonas and Co., general mer- c)).ints, who have been brought down by the recent failures in the north of Europe. Their I'abilJ iesare supposed to amount to about £ 100,000. Messrs. oe\ e ■. and Neck, add old and respectable house engaged in tne trade with Norway. Their liabilities are estimated at about £ 500,000. Messrs. Krell and Cohn, a German firm, with moderate liabilities. Messrs. Albert Pelly and Co., a firm extensively connected with the Nor- wegian trade. Their engagements amount to 170,000.

NEWPORT WATCH COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF HEALTH. The fortnightly meeting of the Corporation of this town was held on Tuesday morning, at the Town Hall, when the following members were present:—The Mayor, Wm. Williams, Esq., (in the chair); Aldermen Homfray, Evans, Latch, Mullock, and Burton; Councillors Hynd- man, Sheppard, Lyne, Townsend, John Lewis, L. Edwards, Jones, Morgan, Graham, Brown, Campbell, and, during a portion of the sitting, Mr. Llewellin. WATCH COMMITTEE. The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read, The attention of the meeting was called to the large amount now owing by the overseers of the parish, L238 18s. lOd. Some conversation took place upon this subject, and subsequently Mr. Powell appeared before the Board, and explained that the reason more money had not been paid in was that his time had been occupied in making out a new rate book. The Monmouthshire Rail. way and Canal Company had also said they couldn't pay him at the last meeting of their committee: Mr. Mullock: The Monmouthshire Railway Company not able to pay ? How are us poor people to do so then ? Mr. Lyne: Us poor people" don't pay. (Laughter.) Mr. Powell said he should be able to pay a great por- tion of the sum in the course of a fortnight. He had L300 to pay to the Board of Guardians, and from the Monmouthshire Railway Company alone he had to re- ceive L39, and he expected L90 from the South Wales R iilway. He was surprised that it had not been paid to him before. Mr. Evans made an observation with reference to allowing so much time to large companies, while indivi- duals were called upon for immediate payment. He added that the previous day the collector bad called upon him for rates, and refused to go away till he got the money. Mr. Powell said Sir Charles Morgan had recommended him to summon the company unless they paid. The matter then dropped, upon the understanding that the whole or the greater part of the money should be paid by Mr. Powell before the expiration of a fortnight. MR. HUXTABLE'S SALARY. The Town Clerk said that at the last meeting he had been instructed to write to the Superintendents of various towns, requesting information relative to the salaries of the Superintendent. of Police. He had done so, and had also procured additional returns at the request of Mr. Huxtable. The Chairman then read the list over, as follows :— Towns. Population. £ £ Swansea 31,461 36 £ 143 Cardiff 30.000 33 150 Havorfordwest. 7,201 4 84 Hereford 12,242 28 100 Plymouth 52,000 52 150 Sunderland 80,000 76 120 Southampton 46.000 40 150 Carmarthen. 10,530 12 120 Worcester 27,000 26 91 In these cases the Superintendent of Police at Swansea has the care of the engines, and no perquisites beyond his salary; the Superintendent at Cardiff, in addition to the X150 a-year mentioned in the returns, receives, it was stated, X50 for the care of-the fire-engines, and j630 perquisites beyond his salary, making a total of X230 a-year. The Haverfordwest Superintendent has £10 extra a-year for acting as Inspector of Nuisances; the Hereford, a residence, including coals, candles, &c.; and the Sunderland Superintendent, £ 2 extra, and £ 10 re- ceived toS Superintendent of River Police. The following statistics, which embrace the number of charges brought before the magistrates by the police, were also read :— Number Salary Charges brolt Towns. Population of of by the Police Police. Supt. in year. Northampton. 26,657 32 £ 150 560 York 36,303 36 170 1001 Blackburn 46,530 29 150 1375 Cambridge 27,815 33 130 537 Wakefield 25,000 20 150 800 Carlisle 30,000 28 119 200 Gateshead 25,770 21 135 695 Huddersfield. 25,000 29 100 900 Newport 28,000 29 120 2222 In. addition to these salaries, many superintendents were stated to have houses rent-iree, and coals and gas sup- plied. Mr. Sheppard expressed some doubt with regard to the correctness of the statistics of the population of Newport. He believed that the population had rather decreased, and he had formed that opinion from information given him by Mr. William Downing Evans. Mr. Latch observed that there seemed to be gene- rally a very vague idea of the population of this town. Mr. IIomfray remarked that they must remember that a very large population was springing up close outside the town, although there might be a comparative de- crease in it. Mr. Btown complained of the length of time consumed at the last two or three meetings of the Board. He con- sidered the Superintendent of Police ought to have sup- plied the returns read, to each of the members before they came. Mr. Townsend asked whether £ 120 a year was the gross sum received by Mr. Huxtable? Air- Huxtable replied that it was. Mr. Evans Is Mr. Huxtable's merely an applica- tion for increase of salary, without specifying any parti- cular amount ? The Chairman: Yes. Mr. Graham Is there any superannuation fund in the town ? The Town Clerk There is not. Mr. Homfray thought the returns must be wrong in reference to Cardiff. The town could not pay JEoO a year for taking care of the fire-engine. After one or two severe remarks, Mr. Lyne said: I made a motion at the Harbour Commis- sioners' meeting on the subject now before us, and I pro- pose makinganother one now. I propose that Mr. Huxtable be allowed an increase of salary, considering the duties he has to perform, and especially considering the manner in which they are performed. As Ex-Mayor of this town, I know that his duties are onerous, and that they are well performed. I am not an advocate for over-paying men, but according to this statement which Mr. Edwards has kindly lent me (referring to the returns), he is underpaid. At the Harbour Commissioners' meeting, I proposed that an increase of £10 a year be allowed him, provided that the Council vote an increase of not less than i.20, and I think the latter sum is ample for this Board to concede. (Hear, hear.) I therefore move that the increase of X20 be given from the 1st of January next. Mr. Evans I rise to second the proposition Mr. Lyne his moved. It is unnecessary for me to add anything in corroboration of what Mr. Lyne has stated, but as one of the magistrates who administer the law in this town, I mny be allowed to say that the Superintendent discharges his duties most efficiently. That, I am aware, is the opinion, not (iDly of the magistrates, but also of this Board, and asllr. Iluxable's duties have greatly enlarged, I think it is only fair that his salary should be propor- tionately increased. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Mullock I don't know what the opinion of the Board generally is, but I personally think this is not a time to increase expenditure, but rather to retrench it. We are individually obliged to do so, and why not act in the same manner for the public? I have no objection to offer against Mr. Huxtable, but 1 do contend that this is not a fitting period to increase salaries. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Townsend I quite agree with what has fallen from Mr. Mullock. I believe the Superintendent carries through his duties efficiently, but in the present crisis, it is unwise of Lim to ask for an increase of salary, and it would be more unwise for us to waste a penny when he already has enough. We must all come down in onr expenses or else go to rack a:id ruin. If I am spared long enough, I mean to move for a revision of the salaries and pay of our police and other members of our staff, for I believe we are paying more in proportion for our public officers than any place in Great Britain. There is only one instance in the returns of any town coming up to us in pay. I ask the Town Clerk whether these are impartial returns? He has gone beyond what he ought to have done, and forked out others for his own purposes. I like fair play, and will fight for it while I am able. We can't go on without retrenching the ex- penditure-I would tell the Legislature so from the highest to the lowest-we must comedown, or break the ass's back- ii-hicli bears the burthen. I shall therefore oppose the application before us. The Town Clerk explained that he procured additional returns simply for the purpose of affording complete in- formation on the subject. Mr. iiullock I shall not move an amendment, but I think if the members of the Board will look at the mat- ter carefully, they will see that this is not a time for ad- vancing salaries. The Superintendent may be entitled to it at a future time, but I think it would be unwise, I think it would be ungenerous, I think it would be un- just to the ratepayers to spend one shilling more now than there is absolute necessity for. Some gentlemen here may not feel the pressure, but I am persuaded that our sympathies will be called into action in many ways before the month of January is over. After one or two other remarks across the table, the original motion was put and carried by a majority, Mr. Mullock and Mr. Townsend being the only members who held up their hands against it. THE MAGISTRATES' CLERK.—APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE. Mr. Brown said that as the trial in this case was to come on in the course of five weeks, and the object he had in view being the removal of Mr. Fox from his present po- sition, he should propose that a committee he formed to carry on the necessary proceedings, such committee to consist of Mr. Llewellin, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Latch. Mr. Sheppard thought that either Mr. Townsend or himself ought to be placed on the committee. Jfhey had taken a deal of trouble in the matter from the first, and had signed affidavits, and it seemed a want of courtesy to pass them by now without notice. Mr. Townsend said he had had to wade through a sea of opposition from the first; he was not like some who came to that Board and went away without caring any- thing for the business. He had done all he could to assist in bringing the matter to a solution, and unless he knew what was transacted at the committee proposed by Mr. Brown, he should certainly feel a little jealousy and doubt. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Morgan moved as an amendment that Mr. Town- send form one of the committee. Mr. Evans: The costs of the action will have to come out of the rates, will they not ? Mr. Mullock: Oh, no. Out of the pockets of the committee, of course. (Laughter.) Mr. Sheppard: I should not be frightened by that, Mr. Mullock, Mr. Brown said that he did not aee the use of large committees, and rather than agree to the alteration pro- posed, he would withdraw his resolution. Mr. Sheppard: 1 think, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Morgan's amendment is very fair, and indicates the direct course I will ask any of you gentlemen, if you had been mixed np with this matter from the first, would you like to be thrown overboard at the eleventh hour? We (Mr. Shep- pard and Mr. Townsend) have taken the responsibility upon ourselves throughout, and now we are to be passed by. I say it is a monstrous proceeding, and no man at the Board would stand it. Mr. Campbell: It seems a pity to have the thing upset by a difference of opinion, and I think that Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Townsend had better withdraw, and let the committee proposed by Mr. Brown act. Mr. Sheppard (indignantly): I am astonished at the assurance of any man who would propose such a thing. Your being a stranger to the Board is the only thing which excuses you for suggesting it. 0 Mr. Edwards: What Mr. Campbell has said must have been done through ignorance. (Laughter.) It would be most improper to leave these two gentlemen out of the committee and, Mr. Campbell, if you had been here a year or two, you would not have said a word. (Laughter.) Mr. Homfray I think we had better leave the matter where it is. Mr. Brown If you don't appoint a committee, I think you had better withdraw the entire proceedings against Mr. Fox to-day. Mr. Mullock: I have all through disapproved of the proceedings, but if the presence of any two gentlemen is desirable at a committee for carrying them on, they are Mr. Townsend and Mr. Sheppard. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Campbell: I rise to defend myself from the attack made upon me by Mr. Edwards. He says I spoke through ignorance," but I have read the papers, and know what has been done in the matter up to this time. I shall now move that Mr. Townsend be added to the committee. [Mr. Morgan, it will be seen, had previously moved this.] Mr. Townsend: I shall not allow my name to appear without Mr. Sheppard's. Mr. Campbell (reading the resolution) I propose that a committee be formed to sit upon the quo warranto against the Magistrates' Clerk. Mr. Brown: I shall be happy to act with Mr. Townsend. Mr. Morgan seconded Mr. Campbell's (originally his own) motion. Mr. Hyndman moved as an amendment that Mr. Sheppard be added to the committee. Mr. Brown The fact is I can't act with Mr. Sheppard. Mr. Sheppard rose, and with some warmth said Mr. Chairman, I think it is high time that I should be put in a proper position-it is due to myself and to the Board, and to those I serve, that I should demand an explanation why Mr. Brown cannot serve with me. Mr. Evans: I think it is wrong to introduce these personal matters at business meetings. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman The matter is one for settlement privately, and I cannot allow it to be discussed while I sit here. Mr. Mullock considered that the subject of the legsl proceedings ought to remain in the hands of the whole Council, and not be consigned to a few on one side. He was opposed to the steps taken, and at present he had an opportunity of speaking now and then, which he should be deprived of were a committee to be formed. Mr. Hyndman I was not aware that there was any- thing unpleasant between Mr. Brown and Mr. Sheppard, or I would not have moved my amendment. Mr. Brown Other members can swear to the truth of matters as well as Mr. Sheppard, when fresh affidavits are requisite. Mr. Sheppard Rather than be the means of causing any interruption to the proceedings against the magistrates' clerk, I will waive my claims, although I have been most grossly and deeply wounded and insulted here to-day. The resolution appointing a committee of Messrs. Latch, Brown, Llewellin, and Townsend, was then unanimously carried. CONVEYANCE OF PRISONERS. The Chairman read a letter from the Clerk of the Peace, intimating that in future only railway fares would be allowed for the conveyance of prisoners where railway transit is available, instead of mileage as heretofore. NEW RATE. The Town Clerk requested the Board to give prepara- tory instructions for levying a new rate of 6d. in the pound. February was the usual time for making it; but as two months were generally consumed before the pa- rish of St. Woolos could be prepared to meet it, in conse- quence of their being obliged to make a separate rate for the purpose, he considered that it would be advis- able to allow more time." Upon the motion of Mr. W. Graham, it was resolved that the necessary instructions be given. BOARD OF HEALTH. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. FINANCES. The Chairman stated that the collectors had paid in J6178, making a total of fl388, and leaving a balance of L1232. On account of the drainage, Y,50 had been paid, making .£405, and leaving a balance of .£395. THE TOWING PATH. The committee appointed to inquire into this subject intimated that the matter was still under consideration, and no report was therefore presented. II THE SURVEYOR'S REPORT was then read it was follows Gentlemen,—At the request of the Public Works Committee, I accompanied the Mayor to Gloucester, with the view of inquiring into the desirability of using tar with broken stones, as metalling for the streets, in. the same way as it is used in Gloucester. After obtaining very full information, through the City Surveyor, the Mayor and myself were of opinion that it would be desira- ble to make an experimeut with black rock stones and tar at Newport; and I accordingly recommend that the expe- riment be made. The extrorcost of using the tar (at its present price here) will, including the labour, be about one-third for every too of stones. Mr. Moore has completed the pavement in Saint Woolos churchyard, which is a great improvement. Messrs. Jones Brothers have put up a door to swing outwards on the footway, at their new buildings, near eastern entrance to the Cattle Market, at back of Mon- mouthshire Railway and Canal Company's office. In accordance with the directions of the Public Works Committee, I beg to lay before you drawings and specifi- cation for the proposed improvements at Cross-lane, Stow- hill, in future to be called Havelock-street." It is con- sillered better to defer laying down a pavement in the new street until the houses are built. Also drawings and specification for widening the pavements in front of six or more houses on western side of Commercial-street, with my estimate, and the tenders for the work. I also lay before you a map, showing the public and private streets, &c., within the borough, with a different colour for the roads belonging to each of the principal pro- prietors. There are some doubtful streets, upon which further information must be obtained. Myself and assist- ants are proceeding with the measurements, &c., necessary for preparing the returns to accompany the plan. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, "ALFRED WILLIAMS." STATE OF THE STREETS. The first matter of discussion which arose out of this report was in reference to the suggestion for using coal tar in the construction of roads, Mr. Sheppard moving that a portion of it be tried immediately. Mr. Townsend considered that coal pitch would be found more serviceable than coal tar. The Surveyor said that the price of coal tar in New- port was 32s. a ton. He gave no information concerning the price of oal pitch. It was resolved to try both coal tar and pitch in Com- mercial-street, near the Town- hall. The following tenders for paving 177 feet of the west side of Commercial-street were then opened by the Chair- man Jonah Francis, X47 10.; Davis and Knapp, £48 14s. 4d.; William James, £ 52; Moore and Griffiths, S,53 2s. Upon the motion of Mr. Latch, seconded by Mr. Evans, the tender of Mr. Jonah Francis, being the lowest, was accepted. The Surveyor stated that Mr. H. J. Davis had expressed a wish to have an estimate made of the cost of erecting a wall up Stow-hill. Mr. Sheppard thought it was very desirable to have Stow-hill protected in some way, but he considered the owners of the houses ought to pay part of it. Mr. Morgan thought they ought to pay all. No other remark was made upon the subject. A letter received from Mr. Thomas F. Lewis, calling attention to the state of the streets, was referred to the public works committee. Mr. Evans said he never saw the streets in such a state as they were on the preceding day. He had been told that children were swimming boats across the principal streets of Newport. A letter was read from Mr. Lawrence B. Moore, requesting the Board to call upon the owners of property on a certain portion of Stow-hill to pave opposite their houses. No order was made thereon. Mr. Graham then moved a resolution requesting the Tredegar Wharf Company and others to name what —- ^a——mej Streets they would be willing to dedicate to the public. With a slight alteration the motion was agreed to. Mr. Phillips, the drainage contractor, entered the room and a complaint was made by Mr. Homfray, that his workmen in relaying the roads, heaped the ballasting and metalling indiscriminately, leaving the clay at the top. Mr. Phillips denied this, but promised attention to the subjcct, and he remarked that he was losing money by the contract. f250 was voted to him on account. THE T0"WX CLERK'S DUTIES. The discussion on this subject was resumed by the committee appointed to inquire into it bringing up their report. It simply stated that Mr. Cross would be wil- ling to accept the office of Clerk to the Treasurer, at a salary of JE40 a year. Mr. Evans said he considered it would be a great ab- surdity to separate the duties from the office of Town Clerk. He did not receive accounts as Treasurer, but in his capacity as Town Clerk, and he could not understand how he was liable to any penalties. He was no more the treasurer of the corporation than the collector of rates and taxes was. He was like the secretary of a society, who receives money and hands it over to a trea- surer, and if Mr. Woollet's purpose in coming forward in this matter was to gain an advance of salary, it was a pity that he did not at once say that he was underpaid. He (Mr. Evans) should have been prepared to go into that subject, but he would stoutly oppose any division of the offices. Mr. Toivn.?end said the duties had been done together for years, and the books ought not to go from the office to be kept by Mr. Cross. He hoped that if Mr. Crosa was appointed, his salary would be deducted out of the Town Clerk's. Mr. Evans: Do you mean seriously to assert, Mr. Woollett, that you act as treasurer ? The Town Clerk I m'an to say that I wish to be re- leased from the duties of that office. Mr. Lyne Do you consider that you keep any ac- counts at all ? The Town Clerk: None at all-I'll answer you plainly. Mr. Townsend Then how absurd it would be to pay anything beyond what we are now doing. If you wish to be reiieved of part of your duties, you ought not to object to be relieved of part of your salary. I think it would be far better for you to resign. Mr. Brown considered it would be a misfortune if the Town Clerk di.1 resign. He had served the Corporation faithfully fifteen years, and he merely asked now to be secured against certain penalties to which he was liable. He was always willing to give any information to mem- bers of the Board, either at his private office or at their meetings. As an example of this disposition he men- tioned that he had spent three or four hours successivelv with Mr. Graham, for the purpose of affording him information. Mr. Sheppard agreed with previous speakers who had alluded to the inconvenience which would accrue from the removal of the account-books from the Town Clerk's office. Mr. W. Graham said it was true be had occupied three or four hours of the Town Clerk's time, in acquiring in- formation concerning the duties of members of the Board. He had gone through 11 cases, which the Town Clerk bad collected relative to the duties of Town Clerks, and they were not there to decide on Acts of Parliament or the construction of them, but in the letters received by Mr. Woollett from other Town Clerks, it did not ap- pear that he endangered himself by any business he at present transacted. He had kept the books upwards of ten years, and never till now had they heard a word about the dlmger of the practice. Mr. Graham also pointed out the objections to removing the books from the office, and gave it as his uuqualified opinion that he was not liable to any penalties whatever for fulfilling his present duties. Mr. Llewellin said, nothing had transpired which would lead the Board to suppose that the removal of the books was at all necessary. They might still be kept in the building. Mr. Graham moved, as an amendment to the commit- tee's report, a resolution expressing the opinion of the meeting that the Town Clerk wss liable to no penalties or fines by the transaction of his business. Mr. Llewellin pointed out the fact that the report had suggested no course to be adopted, therefore the remarks of iNIr. Graham were premature. He could not help feel- ing strongly that the Town Clerk did perform duties which trenched on the office of Treasurer, thus laying himself open to fines. With the exception of Cardiff, accounts were kept distinct from the Town Clerk in every town. Mr. Llewellin then eulogised the manner in which the Town Clerk had served the corporation, and said that his professional advice alone was of more value th-in the salary he received. He was sure that if he accepted the office for nothing his fees would amount to not less than 4200 a year. Mr. Townsend thought that if the Town Clerk was dissatisfied with his post, it would be far better for him to resign, and let some else come in. Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Lyne, and others expressed opinions similar to those of Mr. Evans, viz., that the Town Clerk was not filling the office of Treasurer at all. After some discursive conversation, the matter dropped without any decision being arrived at on either side. The Board then adjourned for a fortnight.

TOWN-HALL, NEWPORT.—1THUIISDAY. [Before the Mayor and W. Evans, Esq.] John Bressemor was charged with being drunk and disorderly in a train upon the South Wales station. It appeared that defendant got into the train near Newport, and in crossing over from one compartment to the other, he put his foot into a passenger's face, and on being re- monstrated with became so violent and insulting, that when the train arrived, the passengers gave him in charge of P.C. Wilcox.—Fined 40s. STEALING A SOVFREIGIT.-Elizabeth Mapps was charged as above. Mr. Champ appeared for the defend- ant.-Emily Gollidge, residing in Jones-street, Stow Hill, said that on Saturday evening, about ton o'clock, she went home from her sister's, and when she left she had ten shillings in silver and a half-sovereign. On arriving home she found prisoner there she then had her purse in her frock pocket. Prisoner said Ehe had no where to go, and aked to be allowed to remain. Wit- ness's mother said she could, and witness took off her frock, which shi hung up and went to bed. In the morning prisoner left at about ten o'clock, and five mi- nutes afterwards prosecutrix missed the money.—The mother of the prosecutrix stated that on Sunday morn. ing the prisoner placed her hand in her daughter's pocket, and when asked what she was ùQing, she leplied that she was looking for a towel. It did not strike her that prisoner would steal the money. P.C. Tidbrow said he apprehended the prisoner, who had a purse, not identified, and 4s. in silver in her pocket.—Mr. Champ contended that the evidence was inconclusive.- Com- mitted for trial. STEALING JCNIC.—Michael McGuire, a boy, 12 years of age, was charged by Harbour Police-constable Smith, with stealing old rope, the property of Mr. Richards, sailmaker. Smith observed prisoner, with another lad, coming from the prosecutor's sail-loft, with a bundle of canvass and rope. When he saw the constable he ran away, but Smith followed and caught him. The boy said he gave his companion twopence for the rope.—Mr. Benjamin Richards believed the rope was his, though he could not swear to it.—As this was the first offence, the Bench admonished the boy and discharged him. Peter James and James James were charged with re- sisting the police.—Detective Curtis proved that at about nine o'clock on Sunday evening he went to the Waterloo beerhouse, Cardiff-road, kept by James James, to appre- hend a girl on a charge of stealing a handkerchef. He was asked whether he had the girl in his house, and he said he had not. After some further words Curtis was going upstairs when defendant James said None of the b constables should go up his stairs." After that a little girl brought down the stolen handkerchief, and when Curtis asked her who gave it to her, James James would not allow her to tell. Subsequently the girl her- self came down, and Peter James said Cheese it, (go out) Curtis, the girl shall not go out of this house." Curtis got the girl away soon after.—Defendants denied the charge, and called a witness, named Miles, who, how- ever, corroborated Curtis's evidence.—The Bench dis- charged James James, but fined Peter 10s. and costs, and, in default 14 days. Henry Miles and John Watkins were charged with stealing some deal planks.—Sergeant Williams said that in consequence of what he learnt from Mr. William Harrhy, he went into High-street last evening about seven o'cleck, where he saw the two prisoners. He charged them with stealing a number of deal planks, the property of Mr. Harrhy. Miles denied having stolen them, and he'd make it right. Watkins said I did not steal them; I've only been holding the candle for him." On searching prisoners he found some nails, which Miles admitted to belong to the prosecutor, and Waikins said he had of Miles. After that Ser- geant Williams went to the house of Mr. Horngan, butcher, and he found there two' hinges, a bolt, and a quantity of timber, produced.—Mr. Horrigan proved having agreed with the prisoner Miles to make a door for him, and he brought the timber produced to make it. Miles did the work, and Watkins was holding the candle for him. He paid Miles Is. 61. to buy hinges.—Thomas Matham, in the employ of Mr. Harrhy, spoke to Miles having worked for his master. On Wednesday evening Miles went to the shop and said he came to cut up some stuff for a seat. He cut up the deal board produced, and took .it away The witness weut down with prisoner to carry their tls.Miles said he did not intend to steal the timber, but he took Mr. Horrigan's matter in hand because his master was not in the way.—The Bench dis- charged both prisoners. Mrs. Beatrice Jones, landlady of the Griffin, North- street, was fined £1 and costs for allowing four men and two women to be in her house at two o'clock on Sunday morning last. THE EMBEZZLEMENT CASE.—Walter Grimstone Bond, who was remanded on the charge of embezzling the monevs of his employer, Mr. Clements, was brought** he having recovered his health, and was formally1 manded until Monday.—Mr. Cathcart appeared to prÎ p4 cute, and Mr. Champ for the defence.—The adjournw took place at the request of Mr. Champ, who desirw have time to go through his accounts. 11 JOE MILLER AGAIN !—Joseph Miller was arraign^! ?! a charge of breaking into the residences of the Priesti r Hereford and Abergavenny, on Sunday three weeks, n also a fortnight ago; and prisoner was remanded Monday. 0,

—— a OPENING OF LLANTHEWY-VACfl 1 CHURCH..j t The old church of the parish of Llanthewy- 11 near Pontnewydd, has, through the energy of tM 11 cumbent, the Rev. H. P. Edwards, aided by m f from the Diocesan and Incorporated Church Bg ing Societies, been replaced by a neatly-hand church, erected upon the previous site, which, sitj as it is in a retired and beautiful spot on the sufl of a gentle, wood-covered eminence, forms a plcaj 1: type of a village church, several fine yew trees a to its picturesque appearance. The style of the buil S is perpendicular, and the detail is bold and good. It from a battered spur base, and consists of a nave %,vi ] western stone bell-urret, holding two bells, a sg porch, and a chancel. It is very substantially et¥j with sexternal freestone dressing. The whole of,I gables are coped with stone, with crosses, and the rOn covered with stone tiles, and is formed by moulded Ft cipals, with curved braces, of Memel. The furnittfH ] also of Memel, including open loose benches for thei I gregation, pulpit stalls for the officiating clergy, lerf) 1 altar -rail and altar-table upon a footpace. A new A church plate has also been provided. The cost has:^ 1 defrayed by public subscription. The nave is lighted) square-headed, foliated lights, of a kind common 1 churches of this county, and the chancel has a m light traceried east window, and two-light, sq 1 headed south windows. The chancel was rebuilt b/J Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford, who are the less ] the tithes. The entire expense of the work has j| estimated at a little abote £400. The work waQ exe by Mr. Thomas Williams, of Croes-y-ceiliog, froOl design and under the superintendenee of Messrs. Pri and Seddon, the diocesan architects. Amongst the clergy and gentry present at the were the Lord Bishop Olivant, Mrs. Olivant, Ven. deacon Crawley, Chancellor Williams, and the Hawkins and W. Fectham, of Newport; Evans and. (gaol chaplain) Usk; G.Fielding, F. Adams WilD Llangibby; Rovs. W. Powell, S. T Clarke, — CJ (Maipas), J. Blower, J. Jones, and W. A. Wil^ Esq., Chas. Prothero, Esq., Mrs. and Miss Miss Fuller, Mrs. Bretv, — Williams, Esq. (Bass*|! J. P. Seddon, Esq., C. Fielding, Esq., T. P. Cooke, Rev. J. R. Jones and Mrs. Jones, Rev. H. P. Ed and Mrs. Edwards, Rev. J. S. Ellis, W. Watkins, churchwarden, &c., &c. After the appointed service had been read, the B preached the opening sermon. J His Lordship took for his text, the third chapter"^ Paul's epistle to the Thesaloniass, and the eleven^! two following verses—" Now God himself and our and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto Yo And the Lord make you to increase and abound iO one toward another, and toward all men, even as toward you to the end that He may stablish your unblameable in holiness before God, even our FatWj the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all Hissa^ His Lordship observed that the prayers which were in the epistles of St. Paul are filled with spiritual i tion, and place before us the doctrine and charaCI" the christian as an example, which we, as cbris should endeavour tj follow. But they were ratb^ subject of the apostle's revelation, than formal exposir in which we are enabled to discover the defects 0* character. In the passages which preceeded the test. apostle expressed his sympathy with his Thesslo converts, and bis earnest desire to see them tl1 might impart unto them additional spiritual gifts. conscious, however, that no language would be adeq to represent his good wishes, he gave vent to a petition to the Almighty, that He would direct their' and make them to increase and abound in love another. These words were full of spiritual instru"j incidentally, rather than designedly so, for by open the secrets of his own heart the apostle exhiDl character which in itself said, Be ye followers o' J even a3 I am of Christ." He should not atteB>p!( systematic arrangement of his thoughts, but wofly^ deavour to illustrate the doctrine and character J religion, with such observations as might not be tl able to the occasion, and to the circumstances whicjf | brought them together. St. Paul made use expression, God himself and our Father" direct way. Now, it would scarcely be necessary to efilt J he did not intend that to denote separate deities, but he considered God stood in both relations to us, I Lord accepted religious worship vhila -oa ««rtb, Sjf would be easy to show that it was the constant pt" to honour the Son even as they honoured the Father E the beginning of all the apostle's epistles, save oø" invoked aid from God in the character of a Fatbet, thus we learn that if God the Father was I the proper object of prayer by St. Paul, it n doubted that God was worthy of our religioi^ U fi The second lesson to be derived from St. Pa. was one of the great power of God, to which L were indifferent, and were willing to listen to sugSe" „ and doubts, and to their own imaginations, rathertboll t a truthful belief in Him who cannot lie, Nest, ot were brought to the character which the christian S p strive to attain. The prayer put up on behalf 0 Thessalonians, was, that God would make them to iO^jjl1 in love. If there was one characteristic more indieS of the true Christian than another, it was that of hiS for God and for his fellow men, and it was by the cise of this grace of charity or love that we becomeV unto Him. The object of the Divine law is to the glory of the Lord by the inculcation of his 9 the character, but love was the complete fulfillue, His law. Beloved," said St. John, if God SO us, we ought also to love one another," and wb implores an increase of brotherly love, he petitioo. the first of blessings. The charity of the true Cbrl kne.v no limit of time or space; it would drop dew of heaven upon the place beneath it soared the petty feelings which so often separated one maJJ e another, and endeavoured, as time and opportunity mitted, to do them good. If the apostle had not thOt that He alone could secure that most precious gift human heart, why should he have prayed that the lipians should abound in it still more and more. the knowledge that every Christian grace is the 91 God did not justify us in imagining that its being o vented the exercise of our own exertions, for 1 shown that the Thessalonians had already recei^ abundant measure of the gift when St. Paul's$e J was offered up, and from this we ought to irffer th9^ advancement depended upon ourselves, and ouf J was to diligently search for and maintain the 'j without idly seeking for tbe limits where man's ceasc, and God's influence begins. The last p^'i which, in connection with the text, he would TD5e|.jl was that suggested by the concluding verse—a to which the church service drew attention at this j of the year the coming of Christ. His first advef one of humility, but his second advent would be 0 sublimity, and it was for that great day apostle prayed that his converts might be accepts''N day when wonderful blessings should crown his c° j when he should have judgment without mercy ^b^ shown none, but also a day in which mercy wO'J'1f joice against judgment. His lordship said be i spoken of the divine majesty of our blessed Redee of the all-providing and never-failing Providence 0\J of love aa the grand distinction of tho true C character, and of the advent and its glorious and he would now very briefly allude to the circums^j which had occasioned that assemblage. A kindly who for m iny years had been set over them in the ^]ji and who had been sent by that Providence to acco^f the work they were then celebrating, had been re^ Q to another sphere of labour where let them hofe^ would direct his steps, and that his place would be. plied by one who would feed them with the Gosf that the Lord would make them to increase and jk in love to all men, to the end that their hearts be established in holiness." A small sum was rell for the payment of the work, but he would not allude to that, for he hoped that every man according to his ability, joyfully contribute to | the debt. J The collection which followed amounted to tlg >

ABERGAVENNY. IMPHOVEMBXT COMMISSIONERS.—A meeting of t body was held last week, at the Town-hall, at which following gentlemen were present:—E. Y. Steele, chairman, and Messrs. Isaac Isaacs, Joseph jj Wm. Watkins, Thos. Evans, J. H. Conway, and ° A Morgan.—The Clerk read tho minutes of the meeting, after which the report of the Street was read as follows :—" The committee recommend )11 the paving and pitching of the footpath helotf t Steele's house, on that side of Frogmore-street, t repaired when repairs are required, and as soon J weather will permit. The committee recommend J coating of limestone be laid oa Lewis's-lane and Mar*J House-lane. The'committee direct that notice be ser»1 on Mr. Rutherford to have the trees near the bridge, the bottom of Monk-street, properly shrouded also U Mr. Butt, to have the trees shrouded in Mertbyr-ro: between Victoria-street and tbe turnpike; also U notice be sent to Mr. Havard, requiring him to chains in front of his houses in Market Honse-lane. The report of the Finance Committee was also read agreed to.—Mr. Isaacs called the attention of the pL to the state of that part of the Monmouth-road 1' the limits where the gas proprietor had been layingy new mains to supply the station with gas, withouy HL -j. r

e- THE SONG OF THE WELSH MINE GIRL. [AFTEB "HOOD'S SONG OF THE SHIET."] WITH hands benumbed and cold, With hands that shiver and shake, A woman stood in unwomanly rags Plying her hammer and rake Till- fill—fill 'Tis sad to see her pine, And with a hoarse and tremulous voice' She sang The song of the Mine." Fill-fill- fill Though ankle deep in mud, And fill-fill -fill! Though fingers are shooting blood Why talk of the Negro girl And the drudging wife of the Turk ? 'Tia better there, or with any elluri, Than with this horrible work. Fill—fill—fill! Though very small the gain, Fill-flll-fill Though very great the pain; Dram, and basket, and rake, Rake, and basket, and drain The gaffer drives from morn to night, And frosts my vitals clamm. Oh ye that run at ease Along the rails of the land, r Think, that the iron of each rail May have pierce-I my bleeding hand. Fill-tin-fill In vain for rest I crave, 'Midst snow and rubbish I search for mine, And find-an early grave But why talk I of the grave ? Though lonely, sad, and cold Before I am thirty, if I live, I shall be rheumatic and old The grave would be a release- Am I fitted for servant or wife ? Oh say not then that iron is cheap, When it costs my comfort and life. Fill—fill—fill! Do you beat the furnace roar ? Oft on the Sunday too I must flll, t For it calls for more and more Covered with mud and dust, I list to the bells of the church, At night when I wash (without any bath) I blush when I think of my lurch. Fill-Mi-fill ? And yet it is never full Fill- fill-fill! That the snorting steam horse may pull; Rake, and basket, and dram, Dram, and basket, and rake, The piercing winds make my tears to roll, And my back is ready to break. Pick—pick—pick! ■■■'■ Though I feel so wearied and ill Pick-pick-pick Though the snow drift over the hill; Amidst the drifting snow My very soul will tire, And each coltllump I take in my hand Is more painful far than fire Spring and summer and all Is just the same to me, Those barren crags, like my own mine floor, Have neither a flower or bee; Enveloped in wreaths of smoke, And sludge the feet beneath, I cannot go, if I had the time, To admire the purple heath." Midst tips, and cinders, and shales, I spend my weary days, And never a bird comes near my home To carol its woodland lays; The booming sound of blast Drowns every moan and sigh, While it smelts the ore that makes some rich, And makes me willing to die. With hands benumbed and cold, With limbs that shiver and shake, A woman stood in unwomanly rages, Plying the hammer and rake Fill-fiil-fill Tis sad to see her pine, And with a hoarse and tremulous voice (Oh for this work make a fitter choice) She sang The song of the Mine." J. E. J. L"< r' t