The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian

FULL AIR EXT; i A'"Tag MA. H1;E. TO THE EDITOR. OF LLè MINI G JOURNAL. -eii up to the [,,il)licad, "cry aild it)%.elliioii wilich. I co;i,.(,iv" of' us,- (u'ne;s, 1 trust YOIJ "ii' fa\'OIJr me be nsertiuo- ia yi),ir joi;t-iiul itie p-,tt-ticu ';a- Havniff long: perceived the fallacy and inefficacy of giving free air and salubrity "mines and sh p by \"ènlif,-t;(;11, wb c'i no*, oil! requ re., great po -er to force the air in, but when su toiced, i, vei-y put lia iy admixes with ihe foul aii, so that by a fair ca'culatiou, oi eight or ten cubic feet of a; mospheric air vent ilat > d not one foot of Coni air be so incorporated the, e- with, as to be carried out, when it again escapes at tile mouth of the shait 1, therefore, have contrived a mdchiue, which with very email power, teversing the principle of ventilation for extraction, will ren- der all mines and ships pel tectl.v Jo'tlubrious and v healthy, putting au end to the calamity arising from Ihe explosion of loul air, and rendering vessels with horses and troops on board, in the worst weather, perfectly cool and healthy. Having had good reasoa to fear this invention would be pirated I determined to giCe it up for the public good, which I officially tio,icied to the Rihl Hon. the Solicitor General, and which was duly accepted by him. The calculation of the performance of my extracting machine is as follows — A machine worked by one man will extract from 1,400 to 2,000cubic ieei of foul air per minute, being equal to S,eOJ cubic feet ventilated in. A iiiiiehikie ot i wo-and-a-hatf-horse steam power. will ex ract 12.000 cubic teet of foul air per minu,e, bein^- equal to 92,i)00 cubic (eel veutila ed in. A machine of iour-hor»e ste rn power will ox'ract 24,0o0 cubic feet of foul air per minute, beinrr equal to 1921100 cubic feet vemi'ated in. These machines are very low i,, price, light and portable; and as 1 derive no advantage irom the maOIl/acturp, they will be fabricated at the lowest possible remunerating prices, and can be affixed to mines and ships without trouble or expense of any conseqnence. THORNHILL WARRINGTON. Hereford, Jan. 12.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.—EP.FJY yesterday morning: ladders were elevated to the summit of the clock-tower to expedite the survey intended to be made of ih.it part of the building- b\ Mr Montague and his assistant^ v, hicta was during the day com- pleted, and the result of which we were informed was that the-tower was safe, and is not expected at present to be demolished, The ruins are now entirely surrounded by the hoard raised within the last two days, within and without which labourers are busily employed in cleaiieg away the loose rubbish and breaking up the ice which the late severe frost has rendered exceedingly dangerous to the inspectors and pedestrians in general. In the quadrangle operations are still suspended, and will be, it is said, for some day,. to come; visitors are, however, yet allowed to view the interior scene of destruction with orders from the civic authorities, but these it appears are not so freely giveu as on former occa- sions, t-ince it has been made known that persons have purloined pieces of stone, or any removable article for the Sake of preservation as a memento of th;s national oalamity. Relics are sought foj- with avidity, and some parties have been so importunate to obtain them, that in one instance an offer of a X5 note, it is said, was made to one of the workmen employed in the ruins for a head, leg, or arm, of one of the monarchical statues which graced the interior, but as to tiie compliance with the request, thas remains untold.—:Times. The thunderbolt launched by Sir Robt-rt Peel on Tuesday, at the head of Mr Joseph Hume, left that culprit in a condition to be envied only by con. demned pirits. Should an untimely death upon the scaffold orertake the unhappy traitors PapilJeau and Mackenzie, on whose head will be their blood, we ask ? On his by whom they were "instiated and spurred into rebellion." The words are those of the arch-instigator himself. Mr Joseph Hume if we are not nnstakco^ though too stupidiy iasenaiote to feel them now, will think upon -them an hi. death bed.

FROnt THE LONDON GASSTXES London, Friday, January 12th, BAXKRUPTCY ANNULLED. Thomas Simcock and James S'ater I ittV T? t Street, St. James's, tailors. lUC R*der BANKRUPTS. goods Bloom, Brighton, dealer in fancy Bartholomew Haskell i -T wheelwright. a-for<3> ^ertiordshire, coach- Thomas avid William Linsell P;r-n -i George Dickinson, Dover, paper manufacturer. liobert Stone, Oxford, surgeon. Henry, Edmund, John, and Joseph Kendal], Dent- end. Warwickshire, and elsewhere, perfumers. Aaron Lees, Gorton and Manchester, manufacturer. London, Tuesday, January 23 DECLARATIONS OF INSOLVENCY. Southampton Street, Strand, woollen- uiaper and mercer. draper! WooIle> Ross' Herefordshire, tailor and BANKRUPTS. Thoii?ayw^ worsted manufacturer. briVk-makcr Leckhampton, Gloucestershire, William Green, Sheffield, ironmonger, whitesmith and wheelwright. ° smun, nI™?' T!ame' °*f^sluro, carpenter. » 5>nn;b, Leeds, joiner and carpenter. feamuel Edmunds, Perrivnt v .v Square, provision-agent. NorlhamPl°u Thorna^T» ^hiswell Street, ironmonger. John HP EWKLIL,ST> Manchester, print and book-seller, maker. D' piCCr Street> Spitalfields, cabinet- C'LiLries l'in,ent Smith and Robert Edwin Goulding, Tottenham Court Road, linen-drapers. ° amDtoir (-onifcby, New Barn Farm, Compton, South- amptouj cuttle-salesman.

BIRTHS. e J,'|andouSh Castle, Glamorganshire, the lad}- ot Philip Sh ppard, Esq., of a son. Jan. 17, at Wilderness Park, the Countess of Breck- nock, of a son, which only-survived a few hours. On the 19th inst., the wife of'Mr T. Price, printer, .Meri-hyr, of a daughter. On Thursday the Ilth inst, at Caerlcon, Mrs John jua., f iv daughter. MARRIED. On thr. 15:h int., at St. Church, Swansea, by the I.ev. Jhotnas Bo -cn, Christopher Haneorne, Esq., to Miss Ann Lewis, both of S .vansea. On the 21st of December last, Capt. Colin Mackenzie, of the Hoyal Engineers, to Ann Pet^ravc sixth daughter of the late John Pendrill, Esq. of Dath, and formerly of Drumma-House, in this county, and grand- daughter of rhomas Campbell, Esq., of New Mills. Jamaica. Jan. 25th, at Llangattock Church, Breconshire, by the Rev. H. C. Morgan, the Rev. T. J. Ormerod MA eldest son of George Ormerod, Esq of Tildcsle'v L?n cas hi re, and Sedbury Park Gloucestershire, to Maria Susan, eldest daughter of Joseph Bailey, Esq., M 1> Glanusk Park. Glanusk Park. At Lantwit Church, on the 22nd inst., by the Rev. H. Po°r 5;~ios. Vi'-ar Mr Vrani, u lnc Kev- A- A.-Isaacson, sh„I;m d,„EE;„ £ rV -,0M"ili» 6 r oi 4\lr shirrem, currier, Newport. DIED. Belgrave Square, after a short illness, Pascoe Grenftll, fcq in the 77th year of his age. On Thursday last, aged 77, Mr Williaiji Wilde, for upwards of 50 years an Agent in the employ of the Penydarren Iron Company. Oh Thursday last, of scarlet fever, aged three years, Charlotte, eldest daughter of Mr John Sanford, of the Merthyr Guardian" office. On Monday last, aged 35, Mary, wife of Mr Charles Paul Patrick, of Brecon. On the 22nd instant, at Tredegar, Arthur the youngest son of Mr Homan, Superintendent of Police, aged one year and four months. ° At North Aston, Oxfordshire, in his 55th year the Earl of Clonmel. J e January 19th George Boone Russell, Esq., erne of the Masters of the Court of Chancery. Jan. 17, at his seat, Bromley-hill, Kent, the Right Hon. Cnarles Lord rarnborough, G.C.B. to Jan. 13, at his house, Henry Earle, Esq., F RS Surgeon Extraordinary to her Majesty, and one of the Senior Surgeons of bt. BartMomew's Hospital.

NOTICES IN CHURCHES.—Some misapprehension appeals to have arisen as to what notices umy now be legally Iead in churcbco and chapels belonging to the Establishment, during the time of Divine Service it may, therefore, be useful to state that the Act of last Session does not prohibit the publication at banns or notices of the celebration of divine service; neither does it restrain the Minister from declaring what bolydays or fast days arc to be observed in the ensuing week, er prevent the clergyman from publishing whp.t is prescribed by the rules of the book of Common is prescribed by the rules of the book of Common Prayer, or enjoined by the Queen, or Ordinary of the place. The reading of decrees, citations, &c. from the Ecclesiastical Courts, is prohibited, as well as the notices of vestries, courts leet, highway rates, &e. LIBHTS ON CARNARVON BAR.—A memorial which has originated in the recommendation from the Naval Officer now employed in the survey of this part of the coast to place a Floating Light near the Red Buoy; and a small ifxed Light near the bank, where the Perch naw stands, now lies (and will remain some days) at the Custoin-house, in Carnarvon, for signa- ture, "to the Muster5, Wardens, and Assistants of the Corporation of Trinity of Deptford Stands." THE WEATHER.— I'hursdav uight was one of the coldest ever remembered in 'England. III this city, the thermometer stood as low as 15, or It degrees below the freezing point; on it marked 16, though :it other places we find it registered six, and even four. The vessels in our harbour are fast locked up by the ie.e, and the float in many places is the daily resort of skaiters, whose manoeuvres cxeito much attention -Felix Farley.

.5 r- 1r''tIt n't' t# v ,¡.? "Y' 'I.1v We have much pleasure in stating that a meeting of friends to the: C'dncatiotl of the children of the poor, in connexion with the Established Church, will be holden on Tmirsday, the 1st of February, to take into.considerat ion the erection of school rooms, within the town of Newport. Sir Charles Morgan, Bart, has kimlly consented to take the CI¡;¡ir. So quiet has Tredegar Iron Works become, that for the last Tiion a no more than six cases emallating from the odences of workmen, have been brought before the magistrates; and such a thing as a fight would now bens rare as it w.,s frequent a few months "pen the eves of the inhabitants of. eitiyr ncitner tiie inconvenience thev sustain nor the example Tredegar? No-Improvements cost money.] i■ r,,BJr li.ADS' Hio quarterly meeting of the lonnia. us, aiu others connected" with the staple rut L O as c.isti let, took place last week, and the ri pot ^vt re universally of a favourable character I'/i'1 al.^° ori^s are in the course of execution, an K prices appear to have fudy recovered the temporary depression which the. lately suffered. The at couu s from other districts are of an equally healthy description. IVolvcHiampton Chronicle. "###. PETTY SESSIONS. Fiti Dt.r.A r. At a Petty Sessions for the pnrish of •iodwebty. held on tlw 2-llb instant, at the Rock Inn, befoie Edmund W i'Jinins, Joseph Davies, and S a miners Harford, Ksqrs.,— John Woodward applied for bail in behalf of his son, William Woodward, «i,d was refused. This, of course, we fully expected, as it would have been a dangerous precedent to take bail for a supposed bouse- breaker, under the circumstances that attach suspicion to this man. David Rees, of Rumney, was convicted ofbeing drunk, and fined 5s. and costs. John iforan, ol Rumney, was convicted of the same offence, in the same sum and costs. Edward Lewis, of Tredegar, was convicted and fined 18s. for an assault on Ann Maddy. No case of importance came before the magis- trates.

BREC0W) Saturday, Jan. 27, JS3S. e The policy of the present Ministers—a policy which renders them insensible to ,411 disgusts and disgraces, is, as we have had frequent o •- casion to state, in every instance that which will enable them to live over quarter day. Procras- tination is their universal instrument. It is t¡¡is that had loaded the land with Commis- sions. "When abuses are alleged against them, they uniformly shrink alike from decision and defence,—but the old trick is at hand, they send out a Commission. If the Commission lasts three months, it does well,— if six, it does better,—if it could iast for the nest fifty yeara, it would be invaluable. Thus, with the dis- affection of Canada ringing in their ears for the last seven years what was their conduct 1 They > threw out a tub to the Nviiale-they sent out a Commission this has kept off the question for two years in the English Legislature, but has ripened the disaffec- tion of Canada into rebellion. Eveu now [ he same policy is still purs tied. As a Com- mission of three has done nothing, they send out a Commission in the person of one, w.:o will, in ail probability, do much WOrse than notLi!), T,iir,)itii's kiio ii bitterness of temper, and vuig:ir affecta'ion of aristocracy, render him precisely tiie last maw on '-at th to he sent. uere (tie purpose was eiiii-r to compandor conciliate. If.; iS not in his lin ure to do one with dignity or the ottler with grace, what must the task be where lie ought to com- bine both? In addition to all this absurdity, he goes red hot from the most furious declarations of Radicalism at public meetings in England, to cool down Radicalism it) Canada. Thus he has •o choose in his r,ew Govern GPTIT betu »TII plnv- uie the hypocrite or flourishing as the accomplice. Siili the appointment of tiiis ill-tempered and equivocal negociator answers the acting principle of the Cabinet. It removes some thousand miles off a disagreeable cav tiler,an angry bargainer or his share of power, and a rising competitor for t he roar of Ra-.iica. ism. To get rid of this man for ri for a year, for halfa year,—^or till the next quarter comes round, is a lucky stroke. Of the Con- servative leaders in the House they have no fear, ald, nnhappily, have now no reason for fear. They see that those able men are either too indolent or too contemptuous to hurl them from oflice. If there ever was a period when a touch would have extinguished them, when the nation in utter disdain was longing to see them trampled by their powerful antagonists and tardy justice at length done upon a miser- able inefficiency which amounts to an official crime, the Canada question gave the opportu- nity. This they have permitted to pass by, and the Empire is suffered to remain in the hands of men, to whose mingled selfishness and stupidity no tradesman within its circumference, would entrust the conduct of his ordinary affairs.

A wild goose was shot, this week, near Brecon, by Mr David Jenkins. TO THE EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN e SIR,—I am dreadfully annoyed at the severe castigation I received last week from your clever contemp (t) orary of Brecon, for presuming to offer an opinion on the West India apprenticeship system, and cannot but regret that such a "lii;ht"as that now shining in the good town should be "hidden'' under such a slop-pail* as the Silurian. The members of the Anti-Slavery Associa- tion are surely hlind-1)ut God gave them wisdom that have it And those that are fools let them use their talents." Obtuse as the Editor is, he managed to comprehend my meaning, maugre the "indecent English and from the irrefragable proofs he adduces in support of an opposite opinion, I am almost tempted to subscribe to it. He absolutely quotes official documents backed by i cl his friend the British emancipator, to prove that in five cases of prosecution the Negroes were sentenced to con- finement or labour for eleven days, of which davs they had to forfeit three of their own, This is what Dogberry call-being Condemned intu everlasting redemption." Really, Sir, between the British Emancipator and the "Aneient-B'riiiiii'" Emancipator,I am '-rejularly^iwred." If you can spare five minutes, do condescend to glance over the "pail" of last week, and if you do not feel "'mortal queer" at the conclusion of the paragraph alluded to, you are no judge of the sublime. After having advised myfelIow villagers to despise the would- be-v. it-&c., &c., the writer adds Vi e should have expected that so great a C goose' would have known more about the 'feathered tribe' than about the --N'egroes but he seems to be as ignorant of Zoology as he is destitute of Humanity and innocent of Grammar." What think you of that, Sir ? certain of your Merthyr orators may now hide their diminished heads." None but himself can be his parallel," Ignorant of Zoology! destitute of flumanit" and innocent of Grammar Heavens, what a climax! and how [Tam"tic:y expressed! It needs not any great depth of zoological knowledge to enable one to pronounce the class, and order, genus, and species of the animal at the helm of the str,ei)it anser olures." I am, Sir, Your obedient serv iÜH, Newbridge, Jen. 2 j'.h, 1333, I Pray pardou the expression-it is the most appli- cable to the hght-hider I can think ùf.

-== FAIRS FOR FEBRUARY. GLA->!OitGANSiiutE.—Bridg-ond, 26tli Cow- bridge, Tuesday, 6th; Uanclaff, Fridav" 9tn New- bridge, W ednesday, 14tii. MONMOLTHSHJIIE.—Caerlcou, Monday 12th; Chep- stow. V.ond.iy 26th. BizEco,\sHinE.- IiUiltll "Iondav ]()tli Crickhowell Thursday 1st; Talgarth, Fridav 2nd. RADNORSHIRE, llowey, Saturday 10th. CARMARTHENSHIRE. — Llandilo -Fawr, Tuesday 20th hite House on l^ave, Tuesday 13th.

MERTHYR. CYmEIGYODro YR ATARCII. V Mern W|^ls^an<^l;g the unpropitious weather, the cr '11'r C '• r fy'nreigyddion Society helcf its annual meet- ^on^ny Inst. A portion of the new Market 'loll of basset apart for the occasion and. by the aid c<UlV-i« i dim a tarpauhugs, a room of considerable pherG'Sl°!1S wris secured from the external ntmos- ''mo atlC' w'len we C0|isider the shortness of the Prey a^0We(l> the occupation of the place on the iUay'°Us Saturday, and the intervening Sunday, we "tod CX'>ress our surprise that arrangements, so hastily ti^j. ',S'l0u'd have been so good. We understand Ho. ,Ue next anniversary will be held at a later ■ *0(| /vf i; DP*: 'eweek; and we think a more advanced loci f j 1 the year would be also an improvement. We eave also to suggest the appointment of stewards- saw 110 one acting in this capacity, or consulting- tin, the general convenienei and accomtuoda- it). 9'JeS.isitors, who soon gathered round the chair this. Admired disorder.We have no desire to state iJr 'or the truth's sake, and that the next anniver- 'lilVe ^'C :u^vantn £ e our complaint, and the fum an example to be avoided. We tnav 4p^ ineDtiou to the reproach of those who affect fetu °0a8e of Welsh literature, nnd a desire to per- «n their hind's language, that they did not iihio, 8 pensions put themselves to the slightest to ]e eill0,ice by their attendance. They are willing ^"re 0 *? '1urt!sen to those who are Welshmen in disp|. a°d in truth, reserving themselves for a grand w',en something more than Welsli Literature o, •er,,od- ^firip'10^ *'le s',ort period of our sojourning in the we have endeavoured to pay all possible *1| j. to its customs, manners, language, mid, above tioV "terature. 'i'lie fire that blazed on the na- bot altar might be new to us and strange; bl We felt that it was kindled by a eenthusiasm, and sustained by all ardent siu- inc.(,,f' ^'e have thrown, therefore, our modicum of t|le p e to increase the odour, and help to keep alive bojj, n,e- Without a metaphor, we have done our J>art' a"d have only to regret, on the eve of our de- CHnSere' ^'lat that best was so little worthy of the Cy^ ^e think if some portion of the funds of the tioi| 'I'^yddion Societies were applied to the publica- that Literature of which so much, and we are boast is made, it would be a far better ^'od a^ou them than for medals for indifferent P^try, and for inferior efforts in vocal 41 Was not our intention to lose ourselves in *iti H- The proceedings of the Society are and demand our attention. anniversary of the Cymrtigyddion yr Alarch \j e'^ ''I the new Market Place, in this town, on Otiday last, J. Bitucs Pityez, Esq., in the chair Tilo. Very extensive space which had been most judi- and commodiously fitted up by Mr. lid ward Io Mynwy), the secretary, was filled at an 1 ttQur by a crowded assembly of the most respcct- "b {! SGIIS of the town and neighbourhood (among -y 0111 were a large proportion of ladies), and by a J large body of the intelligent among the working 4sses. 'tbol'he,.Chairmall opened the meeting by stating that of the institution was to promote Welsh ,Utrat^e,to restore Wales to its pristine literary t|j 'to excite emulation among its inhabitants in to II\estigation of its ancient history, and to prove Ui).- Wor'd that tLioy were descended, not from ^'fced ancestors, but from predecessors who 9 'Va^°d letters when surrounding countries were in *ss ° coraPar;itive barbarism. He was happy to ^Uir'6 *c 'earnt"d among the nations of t4,itl,P6, and especially iinonf, the French and Ger .e" harf of late years paid considerable attention to III tent Welsh history, as the mems of elucidating IJV abstruse points in the history of Europe. Such had already been crowned with great and -it would be a serious reflection on our °* national enterprise if we allowed foreigners to Us in the knowledge of our o.vn country. He such institutions from the charge which °'>ieetorR had made to them of fomenting a betw8tlon. and -keeping alivo an unsocial distinction th&mselves'and their SaXoii brethren. It It^j^^t'ved, by persons of the best understanding and Co,^8^ attainments, that they-would have quite the Sidir^y stated that he was himself re- lti 3 va!lpy. whici) contained so many primitive /)|,a.l,ls ajuiient British piety, that it was called or "lfi ^a'(> Worship. He de- it,-(i these venerablfr structures from having been ei with the blood of human s;tcrifice,i raali- 41t eatuililly f.tljeir Pagan enemies,—they were I'oly Vvhich had been raised by the l5ruids for the of t| ''UrPose of converting the heathen to the worship "reat Father of all," and undoubtedly pre- *«|it,. Way for the easier reception of tiie Christian *!tI»idl>n' wit'1- which the doctrines of Druidism were "'e r/ uncl imperceptibly blended.. Me stated, that t)rUj,ru'd on his right (Ab lolo), he believed the only "ow existence, would explain in their native the ancient usages of these literary meetings, a retrospective view of the various Bardic olI(I in Wales. He would detain them no -8k- ^r°'n f''s address, which he was certain would »UCfl en hi its most interesting form by the worthy f'r 0a highly gifted father. (Great applause.) th(!, then caine forward to explain the origin of that were borne by the iiards and placed e the President. There were two clmir Bards A1, n,cW"cumstance very unusual at any meeting, V ,b Iol». stood on the right of the chairman, and Cawrdaf, on his left, each bearing his chair- firjj « fs the testimonial of his supremacy. The bort) v^&t cxplanation was the Golden Axe,* to j, b.V the chair Bards, a symbol appertaining only \v°nS vr')0 'iavo obtained the higlutst distinction I'bg r c!lsl1 Compositions, —the grade of Peucerdd. ^fouj °"°wing are the authorities quoted by Ab lolo ancient Bards, in illustration of this symbol:- Llawdden ar FVVVALL iddaw, Ni ad wydd deunydd lie daw. HUTTO Y GLVNN. liivyali gerdd pann ballai gant, fiytb naddai beth ni wyddant. LEWVS MoN. Adwaen byth, end iawn baham, o btll 61 bwjiull Wilia-m. IOAN PHILIP. WeSi-well, tra to hwycll byd, Coeliikf fydd pob celfvddyd. "tild T MEURIG DAFYDD, ^eUlu y Farm, sef cyndeidiau J. Bruce Pryce, Yswain y Llywydd. A bwyalt aur y mab Lhvyd iJyJedog ei dal ydwyd. Ni welir mwy 61 bvrjall Klodau Saer ar gerddgaer gall. Ruvs (JOEII EIIYRI. nu bwyall brenn Bardd anghyminen naddu can i Wenllian. EJJLJO Kavs GOON AP RHICCEIIT, J u 1 o gvndeidiau W. Williams, Yswain, o Aberpergwin. a ddug, hynafo ddau Bwyll cla bii/jiall y dehau, A bwyall aur, bu wr llonn, ^lorgauwg, muriau gwynnion. IoitwuiMH FVNGLWVD. Yinlien catterwen teiriaith, Ile i rii,)i i;awytill :ir wititli. Gui ro'II GLYNV. I Eifivyclil %vt.lln a fu hr gadwynfyr goed iawn fath. JR OWAIN AP GWILYM. Adwaen waith da iawn yn ol, -Hwyall Brwnog, bwyll breiniol, ,)a iiiti(iii (.f 't'ifwyall, enaid, cerdd, dyrnod call, IOAM TIIDLR. K*1 tlie'^p0 1,e*t explainecfthc bardic colour, painted V •j^syllwydd, borne by the Bards, viz., sky Can c°lour being the highest that the human "Ppr0)ti r('ae'i" signifies that those who bear it, have to the highest grade of knowledge fiaj'dism. The staffs were uni-colour- an impression received by the Welsh Bards, ie" t"110 immemorial, that perfection in every tted of no variety, henco it could only be » — Unj1* held at Carmarthen, in the year tj/stor 0C/ t'le presidency of Gruffadd ap Nicholas, the tv)S synib i Present Love! Dyi.evor, Llawddon, bore Pfirr^j The arcana of Bardism and Druidism will -lfr^S' Th' a PuhHc explanation of this I*ri all its b ar- ^^thue ^xe home by the chief Bard was of pure wej| se Uspd on the present occasion were gilded. It fr<ictl- PerPfituate ancient customs, that indicate so for K 'r flr^:Q't'v(1 erigin, and to continue such in- f 4 teQ, -v s"eh associations ancient usages are held titsiji Cl0us grasp, which bids defiance to the assaults represented by one colour, and that colour, as Ab lolo had already observed, was sky blue. These staffs were a cubit loiio, (gwrhyd) or the height of man, six feet being generally considered the greatest height of human stature. Green, painted on the half cubit staffs represented the mental energy of those who aspire to knowledge, the height being short of the former, implies deficiency of acquirements, and the colour denotes the state of pupilage. The balls of gold and silver, placed on each side of the chair, express the regal authority of the President. Welsh History fully sustains this usage; such balls were placed on the round table before Arthur of mighty memory. The orh among the English Regalia is undoubtedly derived from this symbol, it implies perfect government; the orb encircling the whole compass of the body represented; the circle admitting of no interruption. The silver ball placed somewhat below the golden, implies VICE-ROYALTY, the King deputing his authority to another. Hence, the silver bails were placed next the chair, the acting power. Ab lolo then produced the ROLL of his fat.ieras an illustration of the manner in which Welsh writers kept the record of their compositions. The word RJIOL is frequently found amongst the iin,t ancient Welsh writings. Whether obtained from the Romans, or that both nations were indebted for it to a still more ancient but common source, may admit of some doubt. This manner of writing will naturally remind the modern reader of the Rolls found in the ruins of Pompeii and Hereulaneuin, the unrolling of which called forth the scientific exertions of Sir Humphrey Davy, and others. But these I? ol Is wei-c not the original mode of keeping the records among the ancient Britons. Tiiey succeeded the COELBITEN, when parchment became known to them. Inscribed billets were pi-eviotisly in use. Ab lolo observed that this subject would engage furt!>er discussion from the cir- cumstance that Mr Williams, of Aberpergwin, had offered a prize of Ten Guineas for the best Treatise on the COISLBHEN, to be decided at the next Abergavenny meeting.* These interesting explanations, by Ah lolo, were listened to with profound attention, and when con- cluded received the most marked applause. At the conclusion, Morfudd Glnn Tar delighted her hearers with a Welsh air, which she sang witli a taste and intonation worthy of a professional singer. The Llywydd (Chairman) then proceeded to announce the adjudication of the prizes. The Judge on this occasion was Cawrdaf. 1. For the best Awdl (Ode) In praise of William W illiams, of Aberpergwm, Esq., for his ardent nation- ality in promoting the Language and Literature of Wales.The Chair medal, worth ±3 3s. and a pre- miuin of L2 2s. SUBSCRIBERS. Lewis Roberts, Esq. Aberdare £ 1 1 Miss Roberts. 1 1 Mr Walter Morgan, Ship Brewery 1 1 tnel, ( Mr W. James, draper "t 1 1 Mr Rowland Hopkins, brewer 1 1 This was awarded to William Jones, (Gwilym IIid.) The Chairman, in presenting this prize, "observed that if Gwilym Hid continued to carry off medals in this way, he must have a new body on which to sus- pend them. (Applause.) 2. For the best Awdl In Memory of the late Samuel Homfray, Esq., of Pen-y-Darran Iron Works.-A sil- ver medal, worth .£2 2s., given by Win. Thomas, Esq. Court House, and Miss Thomas. No composition had been sent in for this prize. 3. For the best translation into Welsh of the Rev. Walter Davies s lieatise. on "The comparative advan- tages of the Bardic Institutions of Caerinarthen and Glamorgan."—A silver medal, worth £2 2s., by the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion Society. This was awarded to David Lewis, of Blaenau G went. 4. For the best Treatise "01 Hope."— £ 2 2s., by Mr J. Howell, and ulr r. Davies, engineer, Pen-y- Darren. Adjudged to Thomas Watkins, (JCiddil Ifor.) 5. For the best twelve Englynion On the Industry of the Aiit.El Is. Given by Mr William Howel, of the Patriot, Merthyr Tydfil. William, 1orgall, (Gwilym Geliideg) was the sue- cessful candidate. 6. For the best Treatise On the most effectual means of teaching Welsh children to read and write their na- tive language. —A silver medal, worth £1 Is. By Mr Thomas Bevan, (Caradawc), Llanwenarth. This prize was awarded to Thomas Watkins, (Eiddil Ifor.) 7. For the best Song On the beauty of Cvnon Vale,Tune, Llwya OEin.fl 1. By Mr Richard Williams, (Dry.v Bach.) The composition sent in for this prize not h-iving been written by a member of the society, could not be received. The Chairman, howeve^; understanding that it was good, said lie would give the guinea himself. The writer was David Williams, of Aberdare. 8. For the best Treatise "On the social duty of not speaking ill of persons in their abitence.El Is. By Mr J T. Jones printer, Merthyr Tydtil. This prize was a warded] to fi Sioti Penfrych," Jenkin Edwards, of Blaenau Gwent. 9. For the best Treatise On the Government of the Tongue."—. £ 1 Is. By t'r Rhys Davis, Merthyr Post Office. Adjudged to Yr Unig," Jenkin Edwards, of Blaenau Gwent. 10. For the best Song, six stanzas, On the Mineral, and Agricultural, Wealth of I Ii Tune, Merch Megan." By .Mr Thomas Edmunds, grocer, Merthyr Tydlil. No composition had been sent in. 11. For the best Oywvdd, "In Memory of Lewis Honkins, the dwarf son of the late Bard, Lewis Hopkins." -.£1 Is. By Mr Thomas Edwards, saddler, and a Friend. The only composition sent in was not deemed of sufficient merit. 12. For the best twelve Englynion On the Steam Engine.El Is. By Mr John John, and Mr nees Evans. Tiiis prize was awarded to Richard Jones, of Mer- thyr, (Uydderch Gwynedd.) 13. For the best twelve Englynion In praise of Mr Thomas Bevan (Caradawc), Secretary of the Aberga- vennl, Is. By Mr W. Williams, ironmonger, Merthyr Tydfil, and Mr Hitchman, grocer, Aberdare. Tile successful candidate was" Cymro," William Richard Evan, Twyn-yr-odvii. 14. For the best six Englynion "To the Welsh Harp." -10s. 6d. By Miss Bevan, Llanwenarth, (Meillionen Glan Wysg.) This prize was adjudged to Cerddor," William Morgan, Geliideg, 15. For the best Lyric Ode, adapted, in its various stanzas, to not less than six Welsh tunes, usually played on the harp,—" On the benefits derived from the un- compromising conduct of John B. Brucc, Esq., during the long period he presided, gratuitously, as a Magis- trate, at Merthyr and Aberdare but particularly for his upright conduct, as a Stipendiary Magistrate, for a pe- riod of seven years, recently expired."—A silver medal worth £ 3 3s. By Mr David Davies, shop.keeper, George Town, Merthyr Tydfil Awarded to Richard Jones, (Ryddereii Gwvtiedd), who was invested with the medal by Mrs Taliesin Williams. 16. For the best four Englynion to "NoaVs Ark "— Ten Shillings. Bv a Friend". Awarded to "Japheth,"1 of New York, in the United States. 17. For the two be-U Vocalist/ (Male and Female,) who shall sing the "Welsh Lyric Dimlo ue between two Lovers," composed by the late Bard, the Rev. Edward Evans, of Tonn Coeh, Aberdare.—iOs. By Wr Thomas Llewelyn and a Friend. The prize was awarded to W. Morgan and Mrs Phillips (Morfudd Glan Taf). This was admirably executed, and deservedly applauded. lil. For the best Vocalist who shall sing with the harp, any Stanzas in the 24 Welsh Metres.— £ 1 Is. By Mr Thomas Jenkins and Mr John Jones, vocalists, Dowlais. This, after a spirited competition, was given to Thomas Jenkins, of Pwllybwyaid. 19. For the best Male Singer with the Harp, In the manner of Gwent and Glamorgan.-A silver medal, worth XI Is. for the second best, 15s. for the third, 12s. for the fourth, 8s. j and for the fifth, 53. By the Society. There were twenty,two competitors. The singing upon the whole, was excellent. The prizes were given (Mr Richard J ones, organist, Mr James Davies, and Mr David Jones, sen., being judges) to the fol- lowing:- J. Richard Williams, (Bardd y Gwagedd), whose time was admirably kept; 2 William Morgan, Merthyr; 3. John Jones, Dowlais; 4. R. Williams, (Dryw Rach); 5. John Lewis, saddler, of Merthyr. 20. For the best Account, in Welsh, of the two Festi- vals-" Nos-wyl Ystwyll," and "-Nos Galangauaf.A set of Wordsworth's Poems, worth about £ 2 10s. Given by Joseph Snow, Esq. This prize. for which there were two competitors only, was adjudged to "Numa," MrTaliesin Williams, (Ab 1010.) 21. For the best Welsh Song—Tune,Haste to the Wedding," on the Accession of her Most Gracious Ma- jest v, Queen Victoria, to the Throne of Great Bri-ain.- A silver medal. By a few of her most faithful subjects. Awarded to "Carwr Dikioiii "-Diiiiel James, (Daniel ab lago.) He was invested with the medal by Mrs W. Davies, of Garth Cottage. The account of the successive Chairs given by Ab 1010 will appear jij our next paper, I 22 For the best twelve Englynion on the Marriage, of -Villiam Williams, Esq. of Aberpergwm, (Gwilym Glynn Ncdd) to Miss Smith, of Castellau.—A premium of £ l. By a few thorough Welshmen, and Ten shil- lings' worth of Books, by Ab Tolo. Awarded to Sion B'acn-y cWIl1"-Richard Wil- liams, (Dryw Bach,) of Aberdare. These Englynion were excellent,— we shall give them next week." 23. For the bei, twelve Englynion On the Death of our late Most Excellent Monarch William the Fourth." —A silver merhl. Subscribers—Mr Talicsin Williams, Mr Edward Williams, Mr Rhys Davis, Mr Daniel Thomas, Mr Evan^, Mr William Williams, (Dowlais), Mr Thomas, (Bristol) and Mr John Jenkins. Adjudged to John Miles, of Merthyr, William Richard Evan, whose composition was declared to be the best, being excluded by a rule of the Society which limited the prize to one who was not a mem- ber of any other Welsh Society than that of Cym- reig-yddion yr Alarch." 24. For the best Female Singer with the Harp, in the manner of Gwent and Glamorgan.—A silver medal, value it Is. for the second best, 10s. By the Society. These prizes, after being well contested, were given as follows: I. Mrs Phillips (Morfudd Gian Taf); 2. Martha Johns, (Bronfraith Glan Taf.) Among the harpers who enlivened the meeting with their first rate performances, were Mr Thomas Davies, Merthyr, and Mr David Davies, Gellygaer. Our little friend, Margaret Davies, wlw ohtnirwd a valuable prize at Abergavenny, and of whose performances so much has been justly said, was, by some mismanage- ment, of which we have already complained, entirely- overlooked, to the great disappointment of many of the visitors. In addition to this disappointment, her harp was broken. The fact is tiiat there was too much to be done in the short space allotted for its performance. It is not for the purpose of finding fault that we have named these things, but that ad- vantage- may be taken of such occurrences at- the next meeting of the Society. We omitted to state that the successful candidates were invested with the medals by ladies who were present, among whom we observed—Mrs D. Mevrick, Mrs and the Misses Morgans, of George-Town; Mrs Price, of Grawen, &c. The Chairman then ad the meeting, and the principal part of the male audience dined at the Swan, where they were accommodated in three rooms. About 170 sat down to an excellent dinner. After dinner the Society returned to their temporary room, at the Market Place, (when the space immedi- ately about the Chairman was again crowded to excess) and resumed proceedings, of which the Harp and the Song formed the principal part. The confusion that prevailed will, we think, induce the Society i*ither to abandon these post prandial gather- ings altogether, or to select a longer day for the cele- bration of their Anniversary. The principal feature of this evening meeting was a prize oration, in Welsh, on a subject given Irom the Chair—" Industry"-on which Daniel James, (Daniel ab lago,) immediately rose, and applied the subject to the purpose of the meeting; observing that, although rather a young man himself, he well remembered the time when no such meeting existed in the district. That about twenty years ago a few Welshmen, who from their reading. wereacquainted with ancient usages, under- took, with almost a forlorn hope, to renew meetings similar to those held centuries previously. In the course of a few years after the establishment of the first society, two otuers sprung up in opposition to much prejudice, all ofNvhieh societies were illdebted !o the" industry" of persons who persevered in their attempts. The appearance of this day justified those attempts, and proved how much couid be done by ap- plying resolutely the principle that constituted his present theme INDUSTRY. The speaker suc- ceeded most happily in illustrating his subject by at the same time giving a history of Welsh Societies. It is but common justice to Daniel ab lago to say his oratory was of the first description; his voice, manner, gesture-all were good, and the impression produced on the audience was that of very gratifying astonishment at the powers he displayed. Enthusiastic cheers were given by the crowded meeting in the course of the evening for their national favourites, but these demonstrations were strictly confined to the patronsof Welsh Literature. Amonast many to whom this compliment was paid, were—Mrs Hall, of Hanover, (Gwenynen Gwent;) the Chairman Taliesin Williams; Nlr Willi-iiiiis, of Aberpergwm; Mr Summers Harford; Caradawc; &(, &,t-. The meeting separated about 10 o'clock. Among the prizes for the Cymreigyddion yr Alarch," for the ensuing year, are the following :— Five Guineas from the Welsh society, at Aber- gavenny, for a subject to be proposed by thein. A Two Guinea medal, by W. Williams, Esq., of Aber- pergwm, for an Essay on the best means of cultivat- ing orchards ;n AVales," H A Throe Guinea irceal by J. Bruce Pryce, Esq., for "the best Ode in honour of Daniel Jones, Esq, of Beaupre, for his munificence in building the Infirmary, at Cardilf. A Three Guinea and a Two Guinea medal, by Wm. Mcyrick, Esq., for subjects to be proposed by the Society. A Three Guinea medal by Summers Harford, Esq., for a subject to be proposed. And a Thrge Guinea medal by Win. Thomas, Esq., for an Ode in praise of tllG late Samuel Homfray, of Penydarren, sq,¡nor particularly, in Jus charac- ter of Master of iron-works." We cannot close our account of this IIJcding without a tribute of respect to the Chairman, who presided with an ability, a zeal, and a courtesy worthy of his otiice and of the occasion. His intro- dudofv arldress was admirable during ihe progress of the proceedings iie exhibited no undue prominence, but whatever required his attention was done in a manner at once natural—easy—graceful. The ac- complishments of the scholar, and the feelillg's alld manners of the gentleman, were manifest throughout, and showed that the choice of a President by the Society wasa wise OITP. II is reception at Merthyr must have been very gratifying; and we are persuaded from occurrences that fell within our own observation, that the name of no man was ever uiorc firmly registered where it is most honourable to be remembered-the hearts and blessings of tiie poor, than .Mr Bruce Pryce — a name of which Welshmen may be proud, and which the Principality should q delight to honour." ,##1' ",1"" The Chief Constable for Merthyr we perceive has fixed Wednesday next for a meeting of the. inhabi- tants, to take into consideration the appointment of a Stipendiary Magistrate, who is also to preside at a Court of Requests, the establishment of which Court forms part of the subject matter of a Rill, which is already in the hands of the Chief Constable cut and dried," and was prepared, as, we understand, by a Merthyr tradesman and his brother, who is a Barris- ter. -011 the appointment of the Stipendiary Magis- trate, we have said enoug-h-of the necessity for such appointment, there can be no reasonable doubt; the only question is, by whom lie shall be appointed, by whom his salary shall be paid. With respect to a local court for the recovery of small debts, there are a great many weighty objections. As abstract ques- tions of morals, we readily concede that every nun ought to pay his debts, great or small, and that every facility ought to be afforded the tradesman for f.ic recovery of the sums that may be due to him, from those who are unwilling to p iv. — But, we also think that facility of obtaining credit is the parent of f icti- tious wants, that tie who draws his wages weekly does not want credit, if ho intends honestly, and that by ready money payments alone can the workman be honestly dealt with. To entice a poor creature into debt that an inferior article may be afterwards foisted upon him at a superior price, under theteirorof a Court of Requests, would be a monstrous enargo to Jaring against the supporters of the Bill appointing such a Court, but that such circumstances luve oc- curred," and that it is the natural tendency of the Bill to encourage such a system in a place like Merthyr, is a self-evident proposition. Let a trades- man use the most ordinary precaution, a Court of Requests will be unnecessary; and it is not for the protection of the careless and incautious that such a protection should be provided. Since tiie foregoing observations were written, we see by a letter addressed by Lord John Russell, in answer to an application from some of the parishes in London, for a Court of Requests, that a measure was at present under the consideration of her Ma- jesty's Government for the establishment throughout England of local courts for facilitating the recovery of small debts." Tnis announcement we think is a sufficient reason why the discussion of that part of the Bill to which we have ventured to raise an ob- jection should be waved, and the attention of the meeting confined to the appointment of a Stipen- diary Magistrate. We refer our readers to an excellent letter on these subjects, in this day's paper. "r- The plague and pestilence of small pox and scarlet fever, are committing dreadful ravages in Merthyr and its neighbourhood. Many hundreds of cuihlren within the last three months have fallen victims to one or the other of these diseases, and in some instances, whole families have been swept away. An inquest was held by W. Davies, Esq., coroner, on Saturday last, on the body of a child, tiie son of David Evans, a miner, of t yfarthfa. who was burnt to death on the previous dav. It appeared that the child had been left in the pottage, and, probably, through the severity of the weather, had approached too near the grate, when some part of his dress caught fire, and he was so dreadfully burnt that he survived the accident only a few hourf, • We see hv an advertisement that our old acquain- tance, Ramo Samee, purposes to astonish the good people of Ilertliyr, by his extraordinary performances. We remember to have seen him, on his first arrival in this country; and, disdaining to praise what is un- worthy of commendation, we can assure our readers that they will find the promise of Ramo Samee more. than realised. The second annual report of the Dowlais Benevo- lent Society has been published. The objects of the Institution arc the relief of sudden accidents and rare infirmities. Two hundred and forty four cases have been relieved within the year. Of these, eighteen have been briefly described, and if they formed the full amount of human misery alleviated, and human suffering lessened-the society would de- serve well of every charitable mind.—The amount of subscriptions for the year is less than £80; two- thirds of which has been contributed by the Dowlais Iron Company, or by persons connected with the proprietors of that Establishment. Why is there not a similnr Society at ,Nlci-tlivr ? Why? because MAMMON* hatii eaten out the bowels of compassion of its inhabitants, "Their gold and silver is cankered ;ind the rust of them shall lie a witness and eat their esh as it were fire." The words of scripture have flpoken it. .#"# HEIGHT OF WATER ON SWANSEA B ',R AS ASCERTAINED BY THE TIDE GUAGE. For December, 1837. Where blanks are left, some accident occurred to the Instrument. It has been thought better to leave the heights and hours out altogether than give an ap- proximation. A. M. P. M. Moon's A. M. I I'. M. 1837. Time of Hoicth in Time of Hgigth in passing | General Remarks. Date. Hig.Wa. Ft. & In. Hig.Wa. Ft. & In. Meridian Wind. H. M. IT. IN. H. M. FT. IN. H. M. Wednesday. 13 6 58 17 10 13 37 E NNW A AT even curve, irregular at high water, & much billow. I Thursday.. 14 7 14 18 3 7 49 17 7 14 29 SSE SE -v Friday 15 8 0 18 1 8 19 17 0 15 18 SE SE fAMall even curves. P M irregular, and muck oil- Saturday • » 16 8 36 17 4 8 54 15 8 16 3 SE SW low at birh water. Sunday. 17 9 16 16 9 31 15 11 16 45 8 SW > Monday 18 9 46 15 9 10 12 13 6 17 26 WSW N Air Tuesday 19 10 40 13 2 11 3 13 1 18 5 SE SK low tide, and irreeular from 7 P OT. Wednesday. 20 11 28 15 2 11 29 10 10 18 45 III WSW A M and P M very irregular at curves. Thursday.. 21 0 10 11 5 1.9 26 E S 1 at cilrveg. Friday 22 0 47 11 5 1 18 12 6 20 10 SW SW Very irregular from flood. from flood. Saturday 23 1 58 12 8 2 18 13 11 20 59 W W Sunday' 24 2 57 14 3 3 18 14 11 21 53 W W) moll day 25 3 54 16 0 4 18 15 9 22 52 W W ( 1 very uneven ciirn,es. P lH 1 Tuesday 26 4 39 17 2 5 0 18 0 23 56 SSE SSE A M very uneven curves. P M regular. Wednesday. 27 5 22 18 7 5 45 18 4 New SE S E ) I Thursday 28 6 30 19 10 1 0 SE SE Friday, Dec. 2U 2 3 SE SE 7 Saturday 30 8 9 19 8 3 1 SE SE J-Even, but mr.cli billow. Sunday. 31 8 35 19 10 8 58 18 2 3 55 SE SE) TO THE EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN. SIP., -Observing a hand-bill on the walls of this place, calling a PuVilic Meeting,for the 31st instant, to consider the appointment of a Stipendiary Magxs'rate, and for establishing a Court far the Recovery of Debts, the salary to be paid out of the rates of Merthyr, Aber- dare, Gelligaer and Vaynor, &c., I beg to point out, through the medium of your columns, the hardship that such a tax would be on the parish of Aberdare, in which there are three or four Resident Magistrates, able and willing, to transact" gratis every duty attached to their office, and whtfte inhabitants would be dragged five miles over a steep mountain to pay for justice, which they could get quite as pure, and for nothing, at their own doors. With rpp c'ctto the Debts Cotli-t, the greatcrtlie facility of recovering a debt the greater the encouragement to give credit; and, I conscientiously believe, that such a court will be as injurious to the workmen as it will be unjust to the great body of Rate-payers, who will derive no sort of benefit, from it. Lord John Russell having publicly declared that a measure was now in contemplation for the Recovery of small debts, throughout England and Vales, it would moreover be most unwise and impolitic to incur expence in an appointment which might be so soon su- perseded by a general enactment. Hoping that the Rate-payers, who have already avast and expensive Workhouse, Register Office, &c., &c., &c to build, will pause before they saddle themselves with so heavy an additional burthen, I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, A RATE PAYER OF ABEHDARE. Merthyr, 25th January. ## TQ THE EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN. SIR,—In reply to your correspondent's query relative to the white stoat or ermine" being found in this country, I beg leave to state the following circumstance. On Friday, the 19th instant, returning with a friend from shooting, our attention was arrested by the flitting of a small white animal through the trees of the shrub- bery at the ba-jk of Woo.Hands Ckstle and on stopping to observe its gambols, we discovered it to be the animal in question. It was of a delicate white, with a black tail, as we notic in the foreign ermine. Vlc V,tlu:IlrC its movements undiscovered for ;,111 half a minute, when the act of raising my gun in order to try and secure a closer examination of this elegant little quadruped, be- trayedoui-i-etrop,t.iii(i hedarted through a large holly bush to some place of security, as he did not re-appear while we remained. That this animal could not have been a stranger to the place, may, I think, be inferred from the fact that Captain Wheatley's servant was in the act of feeding his hounds, which were making a great noise within two hundred yrd5 of the spot, and of which it did not take the slightest notice. I remain, Sir, Yours obediently, PHILOZOOS. Swansea, Jan. 23, 1833. TO TH E EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN. SIR,-PerhaPs "loan Pen Gwyn," or either of your scientific correspondents will explain why a ball, or other solid body, dropped from a balloon at a high elevation will meet the earth in a perpendicular line from the balloon at the period of separation from it. Suppose the rotatory motion of the surface of the earth is 1,000 miles per hour, or about 16-2 miles per minute; the balloon bejng elevated 3,000 feet, and the ball in its descent travels at the rate of 1,200 feet per minute, it would come in contact with the earth in 2k minutes, the surface of the earth having moved in that time 40 miles eastward. 4 thrown across the deck of a ship will cross at right angles if thrown by a person standing on board but otherwise, if thrown from the adjoining land. W by it should follow the earth if dropped from a balloon stationary (or, at least, apparently so) in the Heavens, I hope will be explained by some of your readers. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, D. TO THE EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN. Will any of your readers inform me at what time the words Gictjn ei fyd, (Blessed); Coelbren, (Lot); and Pencerdd, (Chief Singer); were first made use of in the Welsh Translation of the Bible. These expressions are clearly Druidical were not Bishop Morgan, and other learned Welshmen, who assisted in the translation, themselves Druids? Yours, MAENLLWYD. .61,1" TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE GAZETTE & GUARDIAN. o SIR, In answer to Sirius's" question -,is to 'u-,Iiat is the cause of the phosphorescence of the sea, and u-he- ther it could be caused by animalculce; if so, what the ■source of their it identical u-ith that of the y-oit-worin? I beg to oCcr the few following observa- tions, well knowing that his question will be answered by a more skilful and able hand than I can pretend to. As to the cause of the phosphorescence, I believe it to be partly caused by the decomposed fbrillae of dead mollusca which abound in the bosom of the waters. Humbolt proved this by passing some of the luminous water through cloth, when some of the fibrillce were separated, and appeared in the form of luminous points. the same author seems to think that the phospho- rescence is caused by a gelatinous fluid produced by the decomposition of dead bodies, which imparts to sea- water its nauseous taste. But the most prevalent opinion is, that it arises from crustaceom or molhncous animalcules, among, which so wish to :place the cancer fitly ens, as the chief cause of thij beautiful phe- nomenon. But it seems to me to be very improbable that any species of crab could be so abundant as to bestar with splendour the vast surface of ocean. The opinions of Le Centil and Forster, on this sub- ject, are quite inadmisible the ascertained facts appear to be the following. There are sevefal luminous mol- luscae, which have the faculty of emitting, at pleasure, a feeble phosphorescent light, and three of these have been particularized (Nereis noctinca—Medusa pel,igica- Monoph.-wa noctiluca); the. latter was discovered by M. Bory de St. Vincent, in Baudin's expedition. Besides these, a number of microscopic animalcules, of species still undetermined, were found swimming, in innumera- ble multitudes, near the Cape of Good Hope, at the time that the phosphorescence was most brilliant, and they have by some been confidently asserted to be the cause of the phenomenon. This may perhaps be, in some instances, partly the cause yet, in the greater number of experiments tried, no animalcules whatever could be discovered in the luminous water, even bv the aid of the best glasses. This was the decision come to by Hum- bolt, and recent o11sen"ations, taken at Havre de Grace tend to confirm this. One thing seems evident that salt is necessary; for, a3 M. Bory de St. Vincent justly remarks, the waters of our lakes and marshes are never luminous, though they abound with polypi, both living and dead. It has been proved that water may be ren- dered luminous by throwing into it a quantity of her- ring-brine. -Al. Pfaff is of opinion that the appearance is due to the presence of microscopic animals, and prin- cipally infusoria, and, in support of his opinion, he quotes the careful observations of Dr Michaelis, who has already determined many species. M. Pfaff ob- serves, that if an electric current be passed through a tube filled with sea-water recently taken up, there is immediately seen in it an infinity of brilliant points con- tinually in motion, which remain visible only for a few moments In general these microscopic animals exhibit their light when acted upon by stimulants, such as am- monia, acids, ether, and alcohol. As to the source of their light, I consider it to be identical with that of the glow-worm (lampyris Hocliluca) and those more splendid insects elator nociilucut and flilgora lantemaric, which light, says Forskal proceeds from the same source as that from phosphorus when held in the dark. Many instances might be adduced, of substances which, after having been exposed to the sun, appear luminous in the dark the shells of marine animals in particular. But the effect of the phosphorescence seems to depend on a degree of slow combustion not yet well explained. Such substances (says Fourcroy) emit light, either on the principle of common shining combustion or from previous absorption. According to this last opinion the shining of phosphori depends upon the absorption and emission of the matter of light. Of all marine ani- mals the Apyrosoma tlaniicum is the most luminous, in length from three to seven inches, and, when at some depth appear like red hz!t cannon balls. t During my travels through the Morea, I have often wished to know whethei\Herodotus's liistorv of the an- cient Pela.gic walls, &c. can be depended on. Will Sirius" be good enough to explain it for me ? Yours, &c. IOAN PEN GWIX, Llantwit Major, Jan, 14.