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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1840.
TOWN CLOCK Every person resident in Aberyst- with, whether permanently or for a limited period, must have had frequent occasion to regret the entire absence of a Public Clock: the uncertainty of the hour, there being no general standard by which to regulate the private time-pieces of individuals, having been the continual source of vexation in the non- observance of appointments, by which the general ar- rangements of the man of business are, as a matter of course, sadly infringed upon. This inconvenience, we are happy to say, after having for years been dis- cussed, with a view to its remedy, by the authorities of the place, has in some measure been removed by an individual; but we regret that the situation, in which necessity has compelled him to place his dials, is not sufficiently central to admit of their being more generally useful to the inhabitants. Mr. John Evans, a schoolmaster, residing in that part of the town called Chalybeate Terrace, has caused an eight- day clock to be fixed in the upper part of his house, with a dial facing the bridge by the Gas-works. It shews the minutes but does not strike the hour. The mean time of the Clock is regulated by astron- omical observations, and the use of a sun dial adapted to the place which shews the apparent time, and by a table of the equation of time, both of which are fixed in the wall of the house at a short space from the dial of the Clock. By adding to, or deducting from, the apparent time as declared by the sun-dial, the minutes shewn on the equation table, the mean time is found. The algebraic characters plus X and minus Hare fixed on the top of the equation table, which charac- ters being movable, indicate whether the minutes pointed to by the hand on the table are to be added to, or deducted from, the apparent time of the sun-dial. Mr. Evans is a very ingenious and respectable man, and we think that his invention is one calculated to be of great service to the Town. We believe that a Town Clock, with an illumina- ted dial, would have been decided upon some time ago, but for the difficulty which appeared in the way as to where it should be placed. The Town Hall is in a very eligible situation, but from its inconvenience as a Court house, a new building having been in con- templation, it was not deemed prudent to add a clock tower to the present small and incommodious building. So seriously, however, is the inconveni- ence felt by all classes from the want of a public clock in a conspicuous situation, that we feel confi- dent if a subscription were once started, there would be but little difficulty in raising sufficient funds to enable the inhabitants of Aberystwith to add to the numerous and important improvements effected in the Town of late years, a clock worthy of the growing importance of the place.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1840.
THE ABERYSTWITH INFIRMARY AND CARDIGANSHIRE GENERAL HOSPITAL. Perhaps one of the most unexceptionable modes of public charity is the gratuitous relief of the sick poor, when dispensed in a judicious and effective manner. While the number of the sick is diminish- ed, and their sufierings alleviated, disease is arrested in its progress, and the object instead of being ren- dered, by affliction, a burden on the community, is enabled to resume his daily labours. The Aberyst- with Dispensary has been in existence since the year 1821, and for which it is mainly indebted to the un- wearied zeal and exertions of Dr. Richard Williams. From 1821 to 1837, the Dispensary carried on its benevolent and active exertions without intermission. During that period upwards of three thousand four hundred patients were admitted, many surgical oper- ations successfully performed, and more than eighty cases of fractures and dislocations reduced and cured. In November, 1837, however, a meeting of the friends and supporters of the Dispensary took place, at which it was determined to convert the Aberystwith Dispensary into an Infirmary for the relief of the sick poor, by the name of "the Aberystwith Infirmary and Cardiganshire General Hospital." A Committee of gentlemen was formed for the pur- pose of carrying the resolution into effect; and in January, 1838, the laws and regulations were framed and adopted the following Governors and Officers being at that time appointed—Patron, Colonel Po- well, Lord Lieutenant, and M.P. for the County of Cardigan: Trustees, Matthew Davies, Esq., Rev. John Hughes: Treasurer, Mr. John Williams Phy- sician, Dr. Richard Williams Consulting Surgeon Sir Astley Cooper, Bart., F.R.S.: Surgeon, Mr. John Philipps Chaplain, Rev. John Hughes, Vicar: Se- cretary, Mr. Humphreys, Chemist Dispensers, Mr Humphreys and Mr Cole, alternately Matron, Mrs. Owens. By the laws of the institution, the supreme government of the Society is vested in the Patron and Governors an annual subscriber of one guinea con- stituting a Governor, and a donation of ten guineas at one payment a Life Governor. The Treasurer and Medical and Surgical Officers are also Governors, and members of all committees. The increased scope for the diffusion of its benefits which the new institu- tion has attained, has been productive of the most gladdening and beneficial effects. A suitable house having been taken, numbers of patients from all parts, have been received into the Infirmary, where, in ad- dition to the benefit of Sea bathing, they have re- ceived the best medical advice as well as support. It is a very important feature of this Institution, and peculiar, indeed, to the Aberystwith Infirmary, that the relief afforded by this Charity is not confined to Cardiganshire, but is extended to all parts of England so that subscribers residing at any distance have the privilege of sending and recommending the Poor of their own neighbourhood to Aberystwith for the benefit of advice, medicine, and sea-bathing. The limited state of the funds, which arise wholly from voluntary contributions, unhappily will not allow of all the available sources of the Institution being bronght into full operation, a fact which must be sincerely regretted. Surely, on a know- ledge of this fact being communicated more generally, so valuable an Institution will not be per- mitted to languish for want of the necessary funds. We hope on the next publication of the report of this inestimable Society to see a great addition to the list of annual subscribers, to so valuable an Institution. Amongst the many delightful rides and drives in the neighbourhood of Aberystwith, that by Nanteos to Crosswood, &c. is extremely picturesque. The well-cultivated and rich valleys, overhung by thriving plantations and bold hills, present to the tourist and the traveller a tout ensemble of scenery at once splen- did and magnificent. The Proprietors of Nanteos and of Crosswood, Col. Powell and The Earl of Lisburne, certainly set a splendid example to their tenantry of the manner in which land should be man- aged. The classic elegance of their Mansions indeed is scarcely more to be admired than the well-concei- ved detail of the whole of the appointments connected with their beautiful estates. The Mansion House of the Earl of Lisburne has during the last twelve months received some very important additions, and we believe that the new Library at Crosswood is not surpassed if equalled, by any in the principality. The dimensions of this room are about fifty three feet by twenty seven; and its beautifully carved ceiling supported by fluted marble columns of the Corinthian order with their enriched capitals of the Acanthus leaf, and its unusually splendid Chimney piece of white marble, add materially to the elegance as well as comfort of the Mansion. We believe his Lordship employed during the last winter, upwards of forty artisans in the enlargement and decoration of Cross- wood. On Thursday a Dinner will take place at the Belle-Vue Royal Hotel, in compliment to the new proprietor and occupier of this far-famed Family Es- tablishment and from the well-known ability of the gentleman who, it is expected, will preside on the occasion, as well as the high estimation in which he is universally held by all who have had an opportu- nity of appreciating his worth, we expect to see him surrounded by an unusual display of the wealth and influence of the neighbourhood, as well as of the inhabitants of Aberystwith, to testify their good wishes towards Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. REVISING BARRISTERS' COURT The revising Bar- risters, Messrs. Powell and Clive, completed their, revision of the County List of Voters at Aberystwith, on Saturday last. We understand Mr. Powell was one of the passengers by the Mail which was upset near Llandovery, last week, an account of which ap- pears in another column, but who fortunately escaped with some slight bruises. Municipal Election of the Burgesses of Aberyst- with.—On Wednesday, the 14th instant, a Court was held at the Town Hall, for the purpose of revising the list of Burgesses of the Borough for the ensuing year. John Hughes, Esq. the Mayor, presided, as- sisted by the Assessors Messrs. John Cole, and Henry Humphreys. The Theatre .The Aberystwith Theatre closed for the season last night, on which occasion the per- formances were bespoke by the Worshipful the May- or and the Council of the Borough. This patronage we hold to be of far greater importance to Mr. Bass, and calculated, we should say, to be infinitely more serviceable to him than any of the numerous and highly flattering bespeaks with which he has during the past season been honoured. Not that we would be understood as at all desirous of under-rating the value of any one of such bespeaks, far, very far from this, for we know that but for such patronage of No- bility and Gentry, the very great outlay incurred by the Proprietor of the Establishment in securing a de- gree of talent worthy of any provincial Theatre could not have been remunerated. It must be very gratifying to Mr. Bass that on the last night of a threa months' campaign he is supported and patronized by a bespealt from the Mayor, Magistrates, and Council of Aberystwith, a body of gentlemen who, by virtue of their office, are guardians of all the interests of the Borough: shewing in the most substantial way their hearty approbation of the manner in which Mr. Bass has throughout the season contributed to the amusements and attractions of Aberystwith, and evincing their satisfaction at the means he has so judiciously employed to ensure the respect and good feeling of his patrons. We need scarcely say that on Friday night the influence of the worthy Chief ma- gistrate and his colleagues caused an overflowing au- dience of the fashionables of the town and neighbour- hood to visit the Theatre, who appeared highly delighted with the strenuous exertions made by every member of this talented company to give effect to the parts assigned to them. The performances consisted of Goldsmith's celebrated Comedy She stoops to Conquer," and the very amusing farce of "The Critic." We have heard that Mr. Bass purposes visiting Lam- peter, on his route to Cardigan, and we would suggest to our Lampeter friends that on a visit to the The-