Monmouthshire Merlin

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Correspondents sending letters for insertion should send alsotheir Mantes and addresses—not necessarily for publication. No notice will be taken of com- munications when this requirement is not complied with. Letters and other matters intended for pub- lication should be addressed to The Editor" not to any person connected with the office, by name. As a rule, we do not undertake to return manuscripts deemed unsuitable for publication nor can we engage to inform writers whether their communications are considered eligible for publication or not, otherwise than in our Notices to Correspondents."

THE jf K Y'YY r <t*wtt IJJoniiioutljslmc IJledtn. NEWPORT, FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876. THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD- MR. BENJAMIN DISRAELI steps out of contem- porary history, and the Earl of BEACONSFIELD takes his place. But the name of the great Commoner will endure as long as his works, and the English public will find some difficulty b y in shaping their lips to pronounce the title of honour, when they speak off the statesman whose achievements are greater than any mere honour of titles. Once in the present century 'before now has a Conservative statesman reaped successively the highest laurels of poli- ^cal fame in both Chambers of Parliament, ■e late Lord DERBY was, when in the House Of Commons, the one man who could answer O'Connell; he was called to the House of Lords in the life-time of his father, because it Was necessary to reinforce the Tory Govern- ment in that assemblage. Almost at once he acquired in his new place the same pre-emi- nence which he had long since won in the old. Mr, DISRAELI becomes one of the hereditary legisla.tors of England for a different reason, yet not for the reason which generally deter- mines, in political life, such promotion. The Conservative party are impregnably strong in the House of Lords. They have a Marquis of SALISBURY, and an Earl of CARNARNON, and they have no BROUGHAM to fear. On the other j hand, Mr. DISRAELI does not go to the House of Lords because he wants a qaiet haven or a refuge for exhausted energies. He is not in quest of repose, as was Lord CARDWELL. He is not shelved, like Lord Aberdare. He will take his seat among the Peers of England, already, by virtue of political position and gifts, the leader both of his party and of the House, the PRIME MINISTER, still equal to the highest effort of statesmanlike duty, prompt to speak and act, clear in counsel, and quick in penetration. AIr DISRAELI in fact, as Earl of BEACONS- FIELD, will be where, according to the late Sir 0 ROBERT PEEL all Prime Ministers of England ought to be. The duties of a Prime Minister who sits in the House of Commons are so complex and so onerous, are increasing so ra-I pidly in multitude and weight, that it is almost impossible for him both to discharge the special as s o his Parliamentary position, and to give + t J?eneral supervision and to continually a e that synoptical view of the whole working ? e macliine of Government which are abso- lutely necessary. True at all times, this is exceptionally true at such a time as the pre- sent, when an European crisis is imminent, when despatches are passing and re-passing between all the countries of the civilized world, and when the events of a single day may bring to the verge of a catastrophe, which the Slightest blunder must precipate, and only the -most sagacious snd most deliberate statesman- ship ,can avert. Unquestionably these consi- derations have weighed with Mr. DISEAELI, who, though his intellectual energy is daunt- less as ever, has, for some little time past, felt the physical exhaustion which follows upon the abnormally and irrationally late hours in the House of Commons too severe a tax. If Mr. DISRAELI'S peerage is thus on public and political grounds a wise step, it is one which has caused an amount of national gratification which is really surprising, because it is felt to be the just crown and the dae reward of a brilliant career. Mr. DISRAELI has been so entirely, by his genius, his intrepidity, his self-reliance, and his perseverance, the architect of his own fortunes, that the station from which he commenced his upward ascent is sometimes unduly depressed. His father was not, indeed, one of the great English squirearchy, lord of many acres, but he had a good position in English society, he had a competence, he had even a small country estate. His son, as a mere lad, found the 1latne and literary reputation of his father an entree into the most brilliant London drawing rooms, and though" DISRAELI the younger," 0 Hi his controversy with O'CONNELL, he used !{fie himself, began life in a lawyer's office Old Jewry, it was not because he needed to Slave for hjs livelihood. As it is a mistake to s^jPpose that MR. DISRAELI is at the present day otherwise than wealthy, so it is a mistake to suppose that as a young man he was ever Painfully in need of money. His father, while he lived, could afford to give him a handsome aUowance, and when he died, he left him a tery tolerable little property. At the age of J^ty-tw-o, MR. BENJAMIN DISRAELI, as author »ivian Grey," was one of the lions of Socially, he was famous before he tered Parliament, and when in 1837 he gT^Oaenced political life as member for Maid- a n('. he had already won a front place in the •Ike of literature. Six years later, in 1841, when he had exchanged Maidstone for Shrews- bury, MR. DISRAELI had made his mark in the House, and was an undoubted Parliamentary success. This was a memorable year in MR. DISRAELI'S life. He attracted the notice of LYNDHURST, and he ranged himself for the first time in hostility to PEEL For the mistake which that eminent man made in passing AIR. DISRAELI over, he was destined to pay heavily. SIR ROBERT PEEL had already misjudged the political situation, in not seeking to deepen the foundation of Toryism by rallying the lower classes, as well as the middle classes, around him. It was possibly MR. DISRAELI'S conviction that Toryism must rest in the hearts of the masses, which had caused him for a short period to appear in the light of a Radical. When, in 1841, SIR ROBERT PEEL succeeded Lord MEL- BOURNE as Prime Minister, there were two principles to which, above all others, as leader of the Conservative party, he was pledged— antagonism to Roman Catholic claims, and pro- tection to native industry. He turrendered first one and then the other. His followers now were indignant, and Mr. DISRAELI'S was the only voice which could give expression to their indignation. The leadership of the Tory party passed into the hands of Lord GEORGE BENTINCK, but the animating and guiding spirit was Mr. DISRAELI'S- Just as five years pre- viously he had given political consistency and reality to the sentimental views of young England, so now he gave system and method to the new Conservatism which had sprung up. On the death of Lord GEORGE BENTINCK in 1848, the leadership of the Conservative party in the House of Commons was offered to the Marquis of GRANBY (the Duke of Rutland) he declined the position, and there was no one at all qualified for it but Mr. DISRAELI. Thus in less than eleven years after his entrance into the House of Commons he was the recognised chief of the party which once owed allegiance to PEEL. That party was then hopelessly shattered it is now the strongest, the most united, the most homogeneous which Parlia- ment ever knew- All this is the work of the Earl of BEACONSSMELD. It is necessary to say but little more. After the brilliance of its success, the most conspicious feature in Mr. DISRAELI'S career is its consistency. There is no break in the continuity of his intellectual and political life. The Bill of 1868, which was conceived in a spirit of confidence in the people, was the logical outcome of Mr. DISRAELI'S earliest political doctrine that the Tory party must look to and trust in the masses for recruiting its life. The latter incidents of Lord BEACONS- FIELD'S career there is no necessity to recall. Mr. DISRAELI has not merely secured Con- servative victory; he has caused Conservatism to be a growing force in the political and national life of England. O

THE BRAVO CASE. THE extraordinary case of poisoning which has been entitled the Balham Mystery, and which has exercised the minds of a jury for a period almost without precedent in Coroners' Quest Law, has at length terminated in a n verdict which can from no point of view be considered satisfactory. So far abroad has the evidence given in this ease been spread, that it as superfluous to give aught but the merest summary of the circumstances which preceded the enquiry. A young Barrister, by name MR. CHARLES BRAVO, with every opportunity of succeeding in his profession, and commanding a not illiberal income, returns home after a ride and dines with his wife and her companion. During and after dinner he has nothing to excite him save the receipt of a letter which somewhat annoys him, and that his wife consumes rather more wine than he considers to be good for her. Immediately after retiring to his room he is seized with symptoms of irritant poisoning, and despite every effort made on his behalf, succumbs to its effects. An inquest is held at the house where he resides, and an open verdict is returned; but the matter k not allowed to rest here. A fresh enquiry is instituted, and after many days poignant torture to all con- cerned, the jury find a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons un- known. This verdict, as we have said, must be considered a decidedly unsatisfactory termi- nation to a prolonged enquiry. If the case be one of murder, every particle of evidence has been carefully analysed, every inference has been carefully weighed, and it can scarcely be expected that the criminal, if there be one, can be brought to justice. But on the other hand, the verdict must be regarded as due rather to local predjudices than to accurate judgment, and it is greatly to be feared that the reversal of the former verdict was not warranted by the evidence. Without, however, entering into the actual value of the jury's opinion, the case presents many striking phases, and, in the circumstances which occa- sioned the enquiry, and the manner in which the enquiry was conducted, there are many features fully worthy of consideration. In the first place, the verdict of :the Balham jury will provoke many nupleasunt reflections among nervous people, for the fate of Mr. BRAVO is one that might be shared bv any one. When the Marchioness de BRINVILLIERS mur- ders were discovered, Paris was as greatly agitated by fear of poison as it could have been if the Seine had been found to be flowing with prussic acid. This panic was but a repetition of that which vibrated through Rome in the days of Locusta, and found a footing in England at the time of the Palmer murders. At the best, this murder of Mr. BIZAVO-it murder it be, was pitifully clumsy in execution, for antimony is the least desirable poison that the assassin can use. Perhaps the safest in- strument is digitaline, a drug brought into notice by the trial of DE LA POMMERAIS at Paris in 1864, and which produces merely the symp- toms of heart disease, without leaving any trace of the poison after death. A writer of this century has said that by revising our proverbs we may get an estimate of the truth. The adage that murder will out at least re- quires modification, for we have the word of Dr. TAYLOR, the eminent writer on medical jurisprudence, to testify that nine-tenths of poisoners escape, and that those to whom the crime is traced are generally detected ac- cidentally. The enquiry which has just been completed will furnish precedents in many inquisitions of a similar nature, and we can but protest against the manner in which it was conducted. Calm consideration of the evidence tendered will shake our faith in the infallibility of the jury, but, whether Mr. CHARLES BRAVO met with his death by foul play or by accident—whether the poison was administered to him by an assassin or whether he took it m a suicidal frenzy-whether, the case being one of murder, he was poisoned by one of the witnesses, or by some other person-there can be no excuse for the moral torture to which those who were connected with the case were subjected. The age of sentiment may have been eclipsed by the era of progress, aud the dank weeds of materialism may have choked the last gasps of chivalry, but we may yet reasonably expect that a woman in the witness-box might meet I with common courtesy. There were certain witnesses in this unhappy case who had erred deeply and bitterly, and she whose fault was the darkest in the eyes of the -world, had, so far as the evidence could show, generously repented and made what atonement she could for her false step. If the veil could be lifted from our lives, how many there are who would be found to have made one false step in their career. It is this one mistake, relevant or irrelevant to the enquiry in hand. which fur- nishes the adept at cross-examination with the shatt which places his victim in moral torture. During the progress of this case we have watched the poignant sufferings of more than one witness, have followed the brow-beating which they have experienced, have been pained by the prurient curiosity which has made a crowd fight for the coveted standing room in the Court, and have heard men of high- standing at the Bar raise pitiful bickerings over ill-chosen phrases or wanton questions. If it can place a restraint upon the over- latitude given to cross-examination, and can modify personal recriminations during a melan- choly enquiry of this nature, the BRAVO case will not have been entirely without result

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. —.+ The Marchioness of Waterford and son are at present staying at Troy House, Monmouth, with the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. BATTALION DIULL.-On Saturday the first administrative battalion Mon, Rifle Volunteers had a battalion drill on the Marshes, when they were inspected by 001. Drew, and everything passed off satisfactorily. c DocK FACILITIES -On Tuesday last, the lt.th instant, the hlphrnstonc, a steamer of 1 l4fi tons 22ft- ,3"i 2 bw7 tons of coal, was locked out of the Alexandra Sp tH°RN C k°Ur high water> although the tide on that day was the lowest of the prevailing oeaps, and D^4 hs.tanding the Newport Tide Table showed only 20ft. 3in, of water NEW SHIPPING COMPANY. Among oar advertisements w,ll be found a pro.pectas of th! No»- port and South Wales Shipowners' Company The object of the undertaking is clearly set forth in the prospectus, and it will be noticed that the control of the business will be in the hands of directors locally well known. We are informed that the share list already shows subscriptions for a substantial amount, and that encouraging accessions are being made to it. -See advertisement. NEWPORT DOG SHOW.—Mr. George H Da- vies, Old Masonic Hall, Newport, hon. secretary to this show, writes-1 have pleasure in informing you that the accounts of the late show have iust been audited by His Worship the Mayor, ,L. I gomfiay, Esq., J.P., and the hon. treasurer, D. Harrhy, Esq., who have passed the same as correct. The balance standing to the credit of the Society at the London and Provincial Bank, is X90 15e. 8d., which will be applied to the increase of the prize list of the next show. HORTICULTURAL SHow,-The next show of the Pontypool Horticultural Society is announced to take place on Thursday, the 31st instant. We under. stand that the preparations made eminently entitle the promoters to success. A special attraction of the occasion will be the attendance of the splendid band of the Grenadier Gi ardJ -See advertisement. INQUEST.—Mr. Brewer held au inquest on Saturday morning at the Railway Hotel, on view of the body of John Saunders, aged 53, a hawker of spectacles, who died somewhat^suddenly on Wednes- day last. Deceased's wife gave evidence, stating that her husband had not been very well lately. His death was, however, quite unexpected. A doctor had not attended him, and hence the, need of an inquest. Verdict, "Died from natural causes." FREETIIBRARY STATISTICS FOR JULY, 1876.— Days open,'26.; total number of books Ment,l'2,969,; daily'average, 4118 cards granted, 25 fhighest.num- ber of persons in the reading-room at one time, 73. Corresponding period last year Days open, 27 total,'number; of books lent, 2,940 daily average, 180 cards granted, 31 highest number of persons in the reading-room at one time, 60. MR. J. A. B. WILLIAMS.—Mr. J. A. B. Williams, of Cathedral-road, Cardiff, was on Monday elected by the Corporation of Cardiff, to the position of borough surveyor. He has been a resident of Cardiff for some years; and we learn from the particulars of his application that he was educated as a civil engineer, 'and served under articles with Mr. Alexander Bassett, C.E. Among the public works with which Mr.'Williams has been associated may be mentioned, the Alexandra Docks and Railway, at New- port. He acted as resident engineer during the con- struction of the;Alexandra;Dock,Jfrom 1868 to 1875, and is still engaged in^superintending the repairs and maintenance of the existing'works in connection with this dock. The gentlemen. from whom he produced testimonials were Mr. Alexander Bassett, C. E. Mr. James Abernethy, C.E., engineer in chief of the Alexandra (Newport) Dock Company; Mr. R. R. Tuthill, C.E., engineer of Newry Navigation Com- pany Mr. W. T. Carlisle, solicitor to Lord Tredegar; Mr. H. J. Davis, local solicitor to Lord Tredegar: and Sir George Elliott, Bart., chairman of the Alexandra Dock Company. The salary attaching to the appointment!is:£500 pefannum. BANKRUPTS.- (From:the London Gazette.)- Eliza Thorn and 'Joseph Thorn, trading as E. Thorn and Son, 6, Bridge-street, Cardiff, cabinet maker and furniture dealers. LIQUIDATIONS BY ARRANGEMENT.—C. Lance- field, Newport, Monmouthshire, coal, pitwood, and iron ore merchant.—J. Blacker, Abergavenny, Mon- mouthshire, brakesman. D. Phillips, Aberdare, grocer. A. Phillips, Swansea, professor of music.-W. Williams,Trehafod, near Pontypridd grocer. -J. Phillips, Brynmawr, innkeeper. —G. W. Robbins, Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, saddler, lately of Stroud, now of Brimscombe and Nailsworth.—R. Jones, Aberavon, grocer and draper.— E. Williams, Merthyr Tydfil, painter and greengrocer.—J. C. Jones, Swansea, hatter and outfitter. D. Lewis, Bridgend and Aberkenfig, agricultural implement maker, iron- founder, and general draper. — J. Jenkins, St. Andrew's, Glamorganshire, farmer.-F. C. Winbey, Llantrisaut, Glamorganshire, trading as the Great Western and Taft Wagon Company, waggon builder and engineer. W* Lewis, Newport, Monmouthshire, slater and plasterer. --J. W. Cha ck, N ewport, Mon mouth- shire, builder. A. Phillips, Upper Machen, Mon- mouthshire, provision merchant and shopkeeper.— W. Jones, Newport, Monmouthshire, provision merchant, formerly of Bridge shop, Abercarn, and of Blaina, grocer. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED--Pearce and Co., Bristol, bonded store and provision merchants.—E Evans and EL Lewis, Ystalyfera, grocers.—Atkins and Davies, Newport, Monmouthshire, grocers and merchants. RAILWAY ENTERPRISE IN THE FOREST OF DEAN- -The Mltcheldean-road and Whimsey Railway, iu the Cinderford Valley, is so far progressing that it is expected the line will be complete by the month of December next, when it is proposed to open it. This railway will give an outlet to the Hereford and Ross line, and is intended to carry passenger as well as mineral traffic. BRISTOL MINING SCHOOL—Whitworih Scholar- ships. -The first place on the list of these scholars for the present year has been won by Mr. Henry Selby Shaw, who has been a student for the past three years at the evening classes of this school. The maximum value of these scholarships is £8UO, and if Mr. Shaw can retain his place during the three years the scholarship is held, this is the sum he will receive. It may be questioued whether a more valu- able academical prize than this exists. SINGULAR ACCIDENT AT A VOLUNTEER REVIEW. -00 Monday last the Blaenavon, Pontypool (Han- bury), Monmouth, Newport, Usk, and Abergavenny Rifle Volunteers assembled at the Marshes, Newport, and underwent battalion drill and inspection by Col. Drew. The battalion was under the command of Col. Greenhow-Relph and Majors Hair and Burton, and Col. Drew complimented Col. Greenhow-Relph on the num- ber and efficiency of all present. A singular accident occurred in the ranks of the Pontypool Corps, which was under the command of Captain J. F. Williams and Sub Lieutenant Bevan. During the drill Private Sanders (living in Mile-road, Pontypool), in the front rank, was affected by the intense heat. He called to his next comrade to hold him, and the com- rade, not knowing what was the matter, whispered to him not to talk in the ranks. The next moment Sanders fell backwards senseless, and rigid as a corpse. Asjhe fell his bayonet caught the cheek of Lance- Corporal J. L. Morgan, who was standing in the rear rank, and tore open the side of his face in a shocking manner. Battalion-surgeon O. D. Thomas, who was on the field, promptly attended to both men, and bound up Morgan's wound. Sanders recovered suffi- ciently to return home with the rest of the Corps at evening, but he did Dot resume part in the exercises. The folJowing is the field state of those present on parade at the drill- n Rank and c £ rps Officers Sergts. Band File Total, cii! Biaenavon 2 5 17 52 76 fi^~S>ntypo°1 2 6 5 60 73 Sth-Monmouth 1 4 — 52 57 He,wp°rt 7 12 20 125 164 9uT~Y? 2 i 1 61 70 ytli—Abergavenny 1 5 1 53 60 Battalion Staff 10 T„ 1. .510 V Mon- Corps every one of the officers, sergeants, and corporals were present, and one of the officers came over from Ireland in order that he might be present at the inspection. Besides the field officers mentioned above Adjutant Phipps was present. On l^ttali^ ° WaS C01' Bynk'' hon' coloQ«l of the THE MONMOUTHSHIRE WELL CASE. Some considerable time ago, the Rev. Thomas Evans rector of Goitre, closed a well claimed to be public property, and great dissatisfaction arising therefrom Mr. Evans caused another to be made in a spot nearer the road, which well was objected to on the ground lS *upvly ras not sood; the water was lwble to become stagnant, &e. The matter came hö..f. .I.. í't Assize uourc, and it was referred to J. M. Herbert. Esq., County Court Judge, to pronounce upon His Honour has now given his written opinion, in which he says that the well is an excellent well, the construction and masonry good, and the situation most convenient. He goes on, however, to say that at the time of his visit (during the present period of rntense heat) he found no water coming into the well from the supply pipe. That the outflow pipe was 18 inches above the water that he found in the well, and which wass about 6 inches deep, stagnant,! semi-trans- parent, brackish, and infested with animalcules. The folk aggrieved renewed the clamour about the original well. The rector then went to considerable expense in order to procure a good supply from a third weIL known as the Black Beech Well. This does not, however, give satisfaction. The rector allege3 that some persons have done exactly what was imputed to him when the first well was closed-namely, polluted the springs by the introduction of filthy and noxious matters. When the first well was forcibly re-opened by the public, it is a fact that most disgusting pollu- tion was revealed, but the rector disclaims that he took any part in such pollution. The rector has off,-red a reward of £5 for the discovery of the parties who put poisonous ingredients into the Black Beech Well FASHIONABLE BALL AT MONMOUTH.-On Wed- nesday evening a ball was given by Mr. Charles H. Crompton Roberts, of Drybridge House, Monmouth. About 150 of the ■elite of the town and county at- tended. Among these present were :-His Grace the Duke of Beaufort (who wore the Star of his Order) and the Buchess of Beaufort, the Marchioness of Waterford, Lady Westmoreland, Lord Raglan, Lord Henry and Lady Henry Somerset, and other members of the Beaufort family; Mr. John Allan Rolls and party, from the Hendre; Mrs. Rolls, Llangattock; Colouel and Mrs. Lloyd; Major G. G. Tyler and Mrs. Tyler, of Callow Hill; Mrs. and Miss Curre, of Itton Court, Chepstow; Mr. Thomas Oakley and party, Lydart; Mr. R. Oakley, Cwmearvon Rev. James and Mrs. Oakley, Llanishen Rev. W. Oakley, Newland Rev. Mr. Phillips, vicar of Moumouth Miss Brick- dale and party, Newland Major Davies, The Garth Captain and Mrs. Hickman, Gibraltar, Monmouth Mr. W. C. A. Williams and Mrs. Williams, the Hill, Monmouth; Mr. Francis, the Misses Francis and party, Staunton Mr. J. T. Price and Mra. Price, the Tump; Rev. J. T. Watherstone, Monmouth; Dr. Willis, Dr. Watson, Dr. Norman and Mrs Norman, Dr. Mayon and Mrs. Mayou, all of Monmotth; Rev. Mr. Roberts, Master Monmouth Grammar School; Rev. G. Davis, vicar of Dixton, and the Rev. — Griffiths; Master Power, The Hill, near Ross, aud others. A W TIALE AT PtiTiiRSTOXE.—On Friday last a whale came up the Bristol Channel on the morning's I tide, and got fast in the mud at the lisheiy, Peter- stone. The struggles of the enormous fish caused it to get deeply imbedded in th^ mud, an l the fisher- man, to whom by acquatic rules it belonged, con- sidered it safe, and appears to have taken no means to kill his gigantic take," which lay all day beneath the intense heat of the sun, bellowing and flapping its huge tail. The next tide failed to free it, but on Saturday morning's tide there was an unexpected fresh," and the prize got away. The weight of this strange visitor was estimated by those who saw it at 30 hundreds weight. THE IMPROVEMENT BILL.-The Mayor has called a special meeting of the Council for next Tues- day in addition to the ordinary meeting, to receive a further report of the Parliamentary Committee.

THREE YOUNG GENTLEMEN DROWNED. On Monday, a most lamentable accident occurred at Southerndown, a small watering place near Bridgend, Glamorganshire, by which three young men were drowned, two of them belonging to Newport, being sons of Mr. A. O. Watkins, architect of this town, while the third victim was a young man named Veal, a brother-in-law of Captain Tozer, Southern- down. It appears that the young men, all of whom are said to have been expert swimmers, went to bathe in the sea, and swam out some distance from the shore, when they were overpowered by the current and drowned, it being impossible to render them any help. It is said that the current is very treacherous, and the event proves that it is exceedingly dangerous at this spot for even the strongest swimmers to venture far off shore. Mr. Lycott, of Bristol, who visits Southern- down every year, was a spectator of the sad scene This gentleman has recently presented a life-buoy and tackle for use at the place but, owing to the suddenness of the catastrophe, it was out of human power to help the young men. The elder of the two brothers was in partnership with his father, and his age was 21, while the younger, who was intended for the medical profession, was 19 years of age. It is almost superfluous to say that Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, and other relatives and friends of the deceased, have the deepest sympathy of all in this most crushing affliction. Every effort was made to recover the bodies and on Tuesday morning that of the elder brother was found. At the time of writing the other bodies have not been recovered. It is at the same time a most sad and singular coincidence that some 25 years ago two young ladies, the daughters of the late Mr G. Gething, of Newport, were drowned at the same spot.

CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. Abergavenny and vicinity have been chosen this year as the scene of the investigations of the above Society. The first public meeting was held on Monday evening', when there were present on the platform—Professors Babington and Westwood, Oxford Mr. E. A. Freeman, D.C.L. (the historian) the Rev. E. L. Barnwell, Melksham; the Rev. Chancellor Allen, the Rev. D. R Thomas, M.A., Cefn Rectory, St. Asaph; the Rev. Prebendary Davies, Mr. G- E. Robinson, Cardiff M-. Lloyd, Wrexham Mr. Banks, together with Mr. G. Grant Francis, Swansea Mr. J. H. Barker, Mr. M. Moggridge, Swansea Dr. M'Cullough, Larchfield; the Rev. T. Evans, Goitrey, &c., &c. The outgoing President, the Bishop of St. David's, was not present to take his farewell, and Professor Babington introduced Mr. Fieeman, the new President, to the chair. Mr. Robinson, the secretary, read the report of the 31st annnal meeting, which stated that the muster roll of subscribers is larger than at any previous period. The Committee impressed upon the members the necessity for their individual and collective action in the preservation of ancient monuments, and went on to draw attention to the works on archaeological lore which were being issued by members of the Association. Allusion was also made in the report to losses by death which the Association had sustained during the year. The report was adopted. The President then delivered the annual address. He touched on the importance of the history of Wales as part of the general history of Great Britain, and asserted that there was no really good history of Wales. He once read a book that went to prove that Englishmen were Welshmen; and, further, that Welshmen were Jews. In a very masterly way he reviewed the question of races. and said from one point of view the history and ethnology of Wales put on a wide and European interest. The existence of thit stubborn British tongue which has survived two conquests." the fact that, in spite of the coming of Claudius and the coming of Hengist, an appreci- able part of Britain still speaks the tongue of Caradoc and Boadicea, is a fact which has no real parallel in Western Europe. After drawing a contrast between the Basques and the Welsh in this respect, he said the his- tory of Wales was a subject worthy of a historian of the highest order. The man to do it must be a Welshman, but not a mere Welshman; he must be a man who is a Welshman and something more. He must be a man who can rise above pseudo-national prejudices, understand evidence, and distinguish truth from falsehood and history from legend. A vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his address. On Tuesday morning a party of about 83 left the Angel Hotel in carriages for au excursion. They visited Llandeilo Pertholey church, which was described by Mr. Parker. They then proceeded through a picturesque country to Lianthoney Abbey, where the President gave a careful sketch of the history of the ancient bnilding, which he said could not have been built, till the very last years of the 12th or the first years of the 13th century. The parish church was also visited, and a discussion on some technicalities took place between the President and Mr. Parker. The party arrived in Abergavenny at about half-past five, after a most enjoyable excursion. In the evening there was a meeting, at which Mr. Parker re- counted the proceedings of the day, and Professor West- wooa maae some remaiKS on inscriDea stones. Mr. tiees spoke on the same subject, and was followed by tne Rev. Thomas Williams, of Rotherfield, whose theme was Abergavenny Castle, in which he said he regarded the history of the castle as dating from about 1070. A notable man connected with the castle was Brian Fitzcount, who entertained Richard Fitzgiibert for a night or two, in 1136. It is stated that Fitzcount died in 1157. Milo Fitzwalter appears to have succeeded him, and he wa.s said to have been killed in the Forest of Dean. In 1176 a remarkable man, William de Brios became con- nected with the castle. The Welsh people determined to win the .castle, aua tney aia win it. in lias Archbishop Baldwin preached on behalf of the Crusade, and several came forward to join in that venture. William quar- relled with King Jchn and fledet;o Ireland, but died in Paris. A second de Brios followed, and then there were others to the Nevilles who still held it. The rev. gentleman spoke extempore, and the Presi- dent, at the conclusion of his remarks, compliwented him on the way in which he had brought forward names and dates, without referring to paper. On Wednesday morning a similar number to that of the previous day left the Angel Hotel, and proceeded to Llanvetherine Church, about three miles from Aberga- venny. It is situate in a pretty spot, near the highway. There are the remains of an old cross in the ehurchyard, and there is also also a monument to Saint Vetturinus, which was described by Professor Westwood. The party then pursued their way to White Castle, and thence to Skenfrith, where they examined the parish church and the remains of a castle. From Skenfrith the party proceeded to Grosmont, where the President dilated on the peculiar characteristics of the remarkably fine parish church, which, he said, was different, not only from what they saw in Monmouthshire, but in any part of the island. From the church they went to the castle, where it is said John of Gaunt once resided. The party did not arrive in Abergavenny till half-past eight. On Thursday morning a business meeting was held. In the afternoon the members and their friends visited Aber- gavenny Castle, and other places of interest. A number partook of luncheon at Sir Joseph Bailey's, Glan Usk Park. A museum, containing many valuable antiquities, has been organised in connection with the meeting.

w O O S X A M — £ V A X S Ou Wednesday morning last Miss Kate, third daughter of William Evaus, Esq., J.P., of The l1 :e!ds, Newport, was married to Mr! Bowen Pottinger, eldest son of Richard Woosnam, Esq., of Glandwr, Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire. For some days pre- vious the approaching weddieg had been a topic of conversation, And it was rumoured that the event was to be celebrated on a large and imposing scale. The result; was thit on Wednesday morning the church of St. Mark's, Gold Tops. in which the cere- mony was performed, was literally besieged by an eager crowd of well, and in many instances, fashion. ably-dressed ladies and gentlemen, the former of course largely predominating. Other evidences were not wanting that some event of unusual interest was about to transpire. Flags were hoisted on the towers of St. Woolos and St. Mark's, and at the Town Hall, in which building the bride's father has so long and so worthily discharged the functions of a magistrate. Through the trees might also be obtained glimpses of the rich and heavy folds of the large banners which surmounted Mr. Evans' residence, while from the north side of the church, stretching across the road- WrJV, were several strings of bunting of various colours and devices. An arch had been erected at the west gate of the church grounds, composed of evergreens, flowers, &c., and bearing the motto in white letters on a red ground, Health and Prosperity." Over the west entrance in bold blue capitals on a white ground, were the words God Bless the Happy Pair." Rich carpeting, supplied by Mr. Benjamin Evans, of the London House, had been laid down from the gate to the altar rails. The carpeting had a very pretty ap- pearance, being a scroll pattern in red and black. On the communion table was a beautiful collection of cut flowers. Disposed in the chancel and nave were ban- ners, lent for the occasion by the St. Woolos Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry, the banners representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the four Evangelists. The interior of this handsome church altogether presented a most brilliant and attractive appearance when the wedding party had arrived. Eleven o'clock was the hour appointed for the ceremony, and by this time every available part of the church from which a view could be obtained, was occupied. Shortly after the appointed time the wedding party arrived in fifteen well-appointed carriages. As the bride, leaning on the arm of her father, proceeded up the nave her appearance attracted general admiration. She was elegantly aud tastefully attired in a white silk dress, trimmed with orange flowers, with an embroidered tulle veil, and a wreath of orange flowers and was accompanied by six charming bridesmaids, who wore ecru muslin dresses trimmed with ruby colour, and Madame Angot caps trimmed to match. The brides- maids were Miss Evans, sister of the bride, Miss Caroline Woosnam and Miss Mary Alice j Woosnam, sisters of the bridegroom Miss Eleanor Batchelor and Miss Gertrude Evans and Miss Hilda Brewer, nieces of the bride. Mr. R. Burgess W oosnam, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man and the other groomsmen were Mr. Charles Woosnam, brother of the bridegroom; James Woosnam (son of General Woosnam); Mr. Arthur EvaDs, brother of the bride and Mr. Allan Batchelor. The bridal party also comprised Air. and Mrs. Ev-ins, parents of the bride Mr. and Mrs. Woosnam, parents of the bridegroom Mr. and Mrs. tl. Evans, M iss Woosnam—Mr. and Mrs. Lan- caster Owen and Master Owen, Rev. J. W. Lanoe and Mrs. Lance, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Ward, Alderman and Mrs. T. F. Lewis, Miss Rogers, Mrs. Claridge Brewer. Mr. and Mrs. E. Lewis (Mundee Hall), &e. As the party entered the church Mr. Tittle, who pre- sided at the American organ, performed Elvey's festal march. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. William Williams, rector of Maesmynis and Llanyis, assisted by the Rev. T. LI. Lister, incumbent of St. Mark's, Newport. The choir of St. Mark's were stationed in the chancel, and gave the responses, and also the 12Sth Psalm and the 213th hymn (Hymns "Ancient and Modern.") At the conclusion of the ceremony Mendelssohn's Wedding March" was played, and the marriage register signed in the vestry. The party then proceeded to "The Fields," at the entrance to the grounds being a fine arch bearing the mottoes "Success to the Bride and Bridegroom," and Long Life and Happiness." A magnificent wedding breakfast for thirty-five had been propared by Mr. G. F. Gritton, of the King's Head Hotel. The table was laid out with a taste and richness which it would be difficult to excel. We may also mention that the carriages, &c., were supplied by Mr. Gritton, and the whole of the appointments were of a very superior class. The bride's presents were numerous and costly, one principal feature being a splendid silver table service, which had belonged to the late Charles Thos. W oobiiam, Esq., of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, who at the time of his death was the head of the Woos- nam family. Iu the course of the afternoon All-. and Mis. Bowen Woosnam were driven to Caerleon station, where they took train en route for Ireland. We are sure they carry with them the best wishes of all for their future happiness.

GRIFFITHS-WIGGINS. Twelve months ago the Rev. T. D. Griffiths, M.A was appointed curate iu charge of St. Luke's', New' port, and in the period that has since elapsed he has gained golden opinions from all with whom he hae been brought in contact, not only by the efficient dis- charge of the duties of his sacred office, but also by his genial personal qualities. His friends in Newport will be glad to hear that on Tuesday last the rev. gentleman, who is the only son of the late vicar of Glyntaff, Glamorganshire, was married to Miss S. A. Wiggms, the only daughter of W. H. Wiggins, Esq., of Stanley House, Wootton Bassett, Wilts, and doubt- less on his return Mr. Griffiths, as well as his bride, will receive a hearty welcome and many congratula- tions. The ceremony took place at the Abbey church, Bath, and was performed by the Rev. E. Phillips, vicar of Abersychaa, assisted by the Rev. Edward Jenkins, M.A., vicar of Malpas. The bride was given away by W. H. Wiggins, Esq., her father, and the wedding party also consisted of Miss Griffiths, sister of the bridegroom Mr., Mrs. and Miss Helps, Bath Mr. W. C. Penn, Pontypridd Mr. F. M. Cooke, solicitor, Pontypridd; Mr. and Mrs. Willis Rabson, Wilts Misses Bathe, Wootton Bassett Dr. Cartwright, Wootton Bassett Mr. W. Hunter, Clifton Miss R. D. Hunter, Clifton Mr. H. Temple', Clifton Mrs. S. T. Hunter, Bath Mrs. Gardener' Clifton Mr. and Mrs. E. Coleman, Clifton, &c. The bride was elegantly attired, wearing a. dove-coloured silk dress, with fall of Brussels lace, orange blossoms &c. At the conclusion of the ceremony a large party sat down to breakfast at the Lion Hotel. Among the presents, which were numerous and valuable, was a handsome silver biscuit-box, given by the teachers and children of the Wootton Bassett Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths left by express train the same day for London and Brighton. The bells of St. Woolos, Newport, rang out a merry peal in honour of the occasion.

aild [Announcements of Births and Man •iages are charged is.eatand prepayment is desired.— When not pre- /'«<{•. t'ic charge is Is. 8d. each] BIRTH. FARQB HAR.—On the 7tb inst., at Raglan, the wife of the Rev. John Henry Farquhar, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. LArrox—SHERRINGTON-.—On the 8th inst., at St. Paul's Tavistock-street, London, George Moffatt Rhys Lay tOll, sou of the late James Layton, Esq., J. P., of Baldock, Herts, to Eva, youngest daughtar of the late James Sherrington, Esq., of Newport, Monmouthshire. GRTFFITHS-WIGGINs.-On the 15th inst., at the Abbey Church, Bath, by the Rev. E. Phillips, vicar of Aber- sychan, assisted by the Rev. Edward Jenkins, M.A. vicar of Malpas Mon., the Rev. Thomas D. GrIffiths, ouly son of the late vicar of Glyntaff, Pontypridd t,> Miss S. A. Wiggins, only daughter of W. H. Wiggins Esq., of Stanley House. Wootton Bassett, Wilts WOOSNAM—EVANS.—On the 16th inst., at St Mark's. N3W[»ort, by the Rev. William William*. M A' TPCW of Maesmynis and Llanynis, assisted by' the Ihomas Llewellyn Lister, M.A., vicar of St Mark'I' Bowen Pottinger, eldest son of Richard Woosnam Evi .1 Ulapdwg Llanidloes, Moutg„»crvsSHid of lynygaig, Breconshire, to Kat«, tliinl rUi trM^r mSSIR8' 0F 11,6 f {NY addition to the ordinary particular,s of an o-dmry notice renders it liable to a charge of Is. if "i'lpaid or of Is. 6d., if not prepaid.\ R A1 DEATHS. V ii.r» iU8t-) at Redland-road, Bristol, c harlotte keene, widow of Richard Keene, formally of i ueuham, Gloucestershire, aged 64 years.

EIGHTEEN PER CENT. ON DEPOSITS. THAT the world knows nothing of its greatest men" has been once agaiu conclusively demonstrated by the trial of RICHARD BANNER OAKLEY, manager and proprietor of the Co-operative Credit Bank, who was sentenced at the London Central Criminal Court to five years penal servitude for obtaining money by false and fraudulent representations. It is true that with the assistance of the RECORDER, certain members of the bar, a host of witnesses, and a British jury, we have obtained some insight into that method of fiuance which scorns small per-centages, and have had an opportunity of admiring Mr. OAKLEY'S talents but it is nevertheless greatly to be regretted that this opportunity was not vouchsafed many months ago, and it is-probable that had this been the case many confiding capitalists would not have had reason to abhor the name of their some-time pet financier. Mr. R. B. OAKLEY, a gentleman whose life has not been uuchequered by financial difficulties, and who, indeed, was at the commencement of our history an undis- charged bankrupt, conceived the idea that the advan- tages offered by the London Banks to their depositors were monstrously inadequate to the money-making principles of the present day. To meet the require- ments of the age, he therefore issued the prospectus of the Co-operative Credit Bank, procured the services of an accountant, rented large and imposing offices, retained in his pay a staff of lecturers to set forth the peculiar advantages of his establishment, started branches throughout the kingdom, and left no stone unturned which seemed to cover treasure. The pro- mises and allurements held out by Mr. OAKLEY and his lecturers to the public do not appear to have been complicated, nor does there seem to have been any large amount of Co-operation proper in the scheme. Depositors were, speaking metaphorically, to pour their gold into Mr. OAKLEY'S hands, and he, like a financial coffee-griuding machine, was to turn it out with eighteen per cent. per annum added to it. Over and above this eighteen per cent. for depositors, at least seven per cent. was to be earned, and was to be utilised for paying expenses and remunerating the enterprising manager, who well deserved a larger share of the profits. So far the scheme flourished, money poured in at the main offices and at the branches, depositors introduced friends—indeed we find that the Rev. Dr. GOOD, who heard strange rumours that the Bank was insolvent, promised to induce a brother clergyman to invest his money with Mr. OAKLEY, on the understanding that the deposit was to be employed in liquidating his claim on the Bank-and. then for a time all went merry as a marriage bell." But fickle Fortune slowly withdrew her smiles—the Bank ceased to be regular in its monetary settlements, a cheque for jEl was dis- honoured, because no money was forthcoming, creditors and depositors alike grew indignant, and the last scene of all was consummated in the Central Criminal Court To sum up the story in the words of the Receiver in Liquidation, "the Bank started with nothing, and was never solvent." Undoubtedly a swindler has met with a well- deserved punishment, and outraged justice is avenged; but it is palpable that bubbles of this nature are the mere excrescences of an age of money making. The financial depression which now hangs over the whole of the land, and is glutting the Banks with enormous deposits, is the natural result of a period of the wildest speculation. There were upwards of 30U depositors in this Co-operative Credit Bank, duped by the hollow drapery of Mr. OAKLEY'S promises. The semblance of extreme piety which he was wont to assume, and his naturally fine talent for lying, induced many to trust him, but nine-tenths of those who joined him required no persuasion other than the mention of eighteen per cent. Old ladies who fully understood the difference between £100 and jMOO per annum half-pay officers, who saw a prospect of regained luxuries; mechanics who, having saved a few pounds, were anxious to reap too large a reward of their economy—these were the dupes of the Co-operative Credit Bank. For the manager and proprietor no word of extenuation can be used. He must have seen the future clearly before him when he embarked on his precarious enterprise, and he has been the cause of ruin to many hard-work- ing and needy, though foolish persons. Meanwhile it is to be hoped that the failure of his schemes may prevent investors from too hurriedly grasping at eighteen per cent., and that his sentence may deter speculators from crossing the line that divides their usual avocation from a scarcely more disreputable fraud.

BARNETT'S "RAISING OF LAZARUS."—A great pleasure is in store for the musical public at the ap- proaching Festival, in Mr. J. F. Barnett's oratorio, "The Raising of Lazarus," which (together with Gounod's tine" St. Cecilia's" service), is set down for performance on Thursday, September 14th, at Hereford Cathedral. It has been once previously performed, at the fourth New Philharmonic Concert in 1874, when the purity of the airs, the tenderness of the concerted pieces, the brilliancy of the instrumentation, and the powerful dramatic feeling, restricted as it is within the severest bounds, commended it to a most hearty welcome. An intimate acquaintance with the score leads us to regard it unhesitatingly as containing the finest oratorio writing produced since Mendelssohn. For loftiness of conception, true dramatic insight and direct simplicity of appeal, joined to richness of colouring, nothing like it has been done since the great masters. No doubt, strictly speaking, the sub- ject is an episode, and, as such, too short for the pur- poses of oratorio. And on this account the action is at times delayed by interpolated airs, choruses, and concerted pieces which, in spite of their individual excellence, weaken the general effect. But the action itself is so magnificently dramatic in its musical treat- ment as to carry all the flowers with which Mr. Barnett has decked Lazarus's bier. Both the veteran conductor, Mr. George Towushend Smith, and the Committee are to be complimented upon their refined judgment in selecting this truly great work for per- formance. They could not have chosen another modern work calculated to give such rich enjoyment to every sincere lover of oratorio. It should be added that, on the former performance of Lazarus" at the New Philharmonic, all the severest of the musical re- views were unanimous in testifying their admiration of Mr. Barnett's work .—Hereford Journal, August 12, 1876.

TRAFFIC RETURNS. GREAT WESTERN. Week ending August 13, 1S76 143,607 0 0 Corresponding week, 1875 £ 145,383 0 0 BRECON AND MERTHYR. Week ending August 13, 1876 £ 1370 16 7 Corresponding week, 1875 £ 1417 19 3 TAFF VALE. Week ending August 12, 1876 £ 9130 0 0 Corresponding week, 1875 jE9379 0 0 PENARTB HARBOUR, DOCK, & RAILWAY Week ending August 12, 1S76 £ 1845 0 0 Corresponding week, 1875 £ 1662 0 0 RHYMNEY. Week ending August 12, 1876 £ 2857 13 10 Corresponding week, 1875 £ 2706 10 a