The Welshman

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WORCESTER TOWN COUNCIL ON THE WORCESTER RAIL- WAY SCHEMES. On Tuesday a special meetiug of the town council of Worcester was held, at the Guildhall, for the pur- pose of sending in answers to the several notices referring to new railways proposed to come into the city. I WELSH MIDLAND. The Town Clerk (J. Hill, Esq.), producing several notices which he had received from this company, ob- served that they proposed to bring their line across Foregate-strcet, which would spoil one of the best streets, to annihilate the new cattle market, which had been constructed within the last six years, at an enor- mous expense, and to cut up Sansome Walk (a favourite public promenade), by a cutting nine feet in depth. Mr. Harrow-smith said the line would also annihilate all the literary institutions of the city—viz., the Natural History Society, the City and County Library, and the Literary and Scientific Institution. Mr. J. W. Lea, vice chairman of the Severn com- mission, thought these were sufficient grounds for giving a dissent to the scheme, even if no other could be advanced. But there were other objections to this scheme. He would at once move that the town clerk be instructed to dissent to the Welsh Midland Railway. Mr Algie, sheriff of Worcester, seconded the motion for dissent, which was carried unanimously. WORCESTER. AND SOUTH WALES JUNCTION. I This scheme was more strongly-objectcd to than the Welsh Midland, and the dissent of the council was at once placed against the scheme.

Martha Browning, the W estminster murderess, and Samuel Quennell, were executed on Monday morning, one at Newgate, and the other at Horsemonger lane. WELSH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—The Welsh Midland Plans are reported to have been in very bad order, and their opponents were cook-a-hoop at the prospect of upsetting them. We are informed that the managers of the Welsh Midland have since thought it wise to re- deposit their plans is an amended forin.-liailicay Herald. CAUTION TO HIGHWAY SURVEYORS,—By the Gth Wm. IV., c. 50, sec. 24, surveyors are directed to cause stoues or posts to be erected where two or more ways meet, with inscriptions thereon in large legible letters, not less than an inch in height, containing the name of the next market town, village, or other place to which the highway leads, as well as boundary stones or posts, containing the name of the parishes in which situate. By another section of the same act the sur- veyor is liable to a penalty of jE-5 for neglect of duty. As, however, very few officers have complied with the statute in the above respects, it may be necessary to caution them that persons are on the look out to sue for penalties, and therefore the sooner they look after their duties the better. SUDDEN I)E.ILTIL.-IVe have the painful task to an- nounce the decease of Mr. James Cruse, traveller for Messrs. Wm. and John Cousins, of this city. He started on Monday last, with his wife and child, in his phaeton for Warminster, on a visit to his father, when about ten miles from Bristol he alighted to relieve his horse up a hill, and whilst walking by the side fell and instantly expired. He had for some time complained of an affection of the heart, but left home that morning in apparent health and good spirits. Deceased was universally beloved and respected by a large circle of acquances.—Bristol Mercury. A KonLE SONNET.— In the course of his correspon- dence with Coleridge, the Rev. Bianco White produced a sonnet which the poet pronounces the finest and most grandly-conceived sonnet in our language at least it is only in Milton's and Wordsworth's sonnets that I recollect any rival." We, therefore, cannot do less than present it to our readers:- Mysterious night! when our first parent knew Thee, from report divine, and heard thy name, Did he not tremble for this lovely frame, This glorious canopy of light nnù blue ? Yet, 'neatli a curtain of translucent dew, Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame, Hesperus with the host of heaven came, And lo creation widen'd in man's view, Who could have thought such darkness lay conceal'd Within thy beams, 0 Sun ? or who could find Whilst fly, and leaf, and in sed stood revealed, That to such countless orbs thou madest us blind ? Why do we then, shun Death with anxious strife? If Light, can t.,iusdc-cei-ze, where'ne not life In consequence of the extensive alterations in the Mails throughout South Wales, we are compelled TO GO TO PRESS AT A MUCII EARLIER HOUR than usual it will therefore be requisite that all Communications in- tended for the Welshman should read: the Office on THURSDAY EVENING at the Latest. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of his good faith. ERRATUM.—In our report, last week, of the alteration of the Mail at Aberystwith, it was stated leaves a little before ten in the evening", it should have been morning.

We are" a nation of shopkeepers." We do not regard it as a reproach, but make it our boast and glory. We owe everything to trade, our greatness was built on barter. Ussentially commercial, our habits of thought as a people are constantly running on in a current of calculation. Involuntarily and unconsciously almost all our political views largely partake of profit and loss. The ideal goes to the wall; the imaginative process by which heroes are worshipped, demi-gods made, and aristocracies revered, is not seldom subordinated to a sort of sum in arithmetic, a dry dot-and-go-one balance of debtor and creditor. This national feature was never more conspicuous than it is now. The public mind is at the present mo- ment entirely occupied by a question of £ s. d. The all absorbing question, in the minds of millions, is merely whether we shall buy our loaf of foreigners who can supply us with it something cheaper, or get it of our own countryme British farmers, to whom we must pay perhaps afjPlny or three halfpence more for it. We do not say that the protection penny compre- hends the whole question (it would be ridiculous so to represent it) but what we do say is, that millions of men in this nation of shopkeepers carry their views of the corn laws very little farther, and that the public mind is at this moment in a perfect ferment about the matter. The whole country is up and doing, and Eng- land exhibits to the world the spectacle of a country agitated to its centre by a question of economies only, simply by some statistical things, by, indeed a mere affair of figures—it may be said. But on looking below the surface we see other elements, mighty elements, the marks of a movement more momentous than commonly falls to the lot of a man to witness twice in his life. The absorbing influences to which we have referred deepen daily as the time appoaches for the re-assembly of the Legislature; and the meeting of Parliament, always an event of public interest, is now looked for- ward to with intense anxiety. Scarcely a fortnight and the brighest hopes of the abolitionists may be realized, or the gloomiest forebodings of the protectionists suc- ceeded by the congratulatory wcll-thank-God-it-is-not worse," sent round the agricultural circle with calm and even sunny resignation

SIR R. PEEL and those of his colleagues who are in the official secret must be amused at the mass of con- tradictory statements served up daily on the subject of his intentions with reference to the Corn laws. All sorts of rumours are set afloat, but no sooner are they launched than down they go, and then up comes another flotilla from the dock-yard of journalism, only however to share the same watery grave. The oracle is silent, the secret is well kept, and the consequence is that those sailors who act as public interpreters and plough the ocean of speculation about the expedition of the man at the helm, are driven on quicksands and shoals which shatter all the precious stuff they are freighted with into atoms. We are now within a fort- night of the meeting of Parliament, and nobody knows anything of the manner in which the Corn laws will be dealt with. Without, however, for our part, affecting to dive into the inmost recesses of state secrets, or of being a bit better informed on the subject than others, we may observe that is at least highly probable that the Premier will adopt the course that we have on former occasions in this journal indicated as likely to be pur seed by ■government. The royal speech will, of course, allude with more or less of distinctness to the existing regulations affecting the import of corn into this coun- try, and the ministerial measure we think it most probable will have for object the total but not the im- mediate repeal of the Corn laws. An amendment, in this case, of course, would be moved and lost, but the support of the mover with his minority must, then, be given to the original motion, which will no doubt be carried in the House of Commons.

Amongst the many pious frauds of the Liberal press at present in vigorous operation, is the loud and positive reiteration of a statement to the effect, that the Liberals are united—united to a man against the continuance of the Corn laws, in any shape while the greatest dis- union prevails on the same subject in the Conservative camp. The fact can hardly be as stated. Evidence indeed completely negativing it, stares us in the face at every turn, and to cite instances would be to report the speeches made at all the agricultural and other public meetings lately held—including that at Hertford, where LORD DACRE, a Whig, so far from adopting LORD J. RUSSELL'S free trade principles, protested against the injustice of withdrawing protection. His lordship showed the alleged injustice by reference to the pe- culiar burthens on land," such as County rates, Poor rates, Highway rates, the Malt tax, and Tithes. But certainly if we can count on the existence of the asserted fact, to even any considerable extent, the hands of SIR R. Peel evidently must be strengthened in a ratio proportioned to that extent. The weakness of the Liberal party has been always notoriously in the differ- ence of opinion which prevailed amongst them, and the strength of the Conservatives has hitherto chiefly con- sisted in their union, and the consequently compact body they have been able to present to their political antagonists, either for the purposes of attack or de- fence. It were therefore something new to see our Conservative SAMPSONS shorn of their wonted strength, and reduced by disunion to the hard necessity of first having been forced to wear the exterior symbols of the somnolent Whigs whom they caught napping," and, then soon after, subjected to the humiliation of changing places with them. Was the like of this ever seen ? Is there any parallel to such a reverse in the vicissitudes of party power ? The ups and down of political life we know are numerous enough, but the spectacle of power passing rapidly away from a party so long in possession, and the enjoyment of the official usufruct would be no everyday occurrence. The sun, however, has ceased to shine on any monopoly, and no one can tell what the result will be.

At not one of the many agricultural, or protective meet- ings that have been lately held in various parts of the country has anything but the strongest dissatisfaction been expressed with the understood intention of govern- vernment to abolish, or even diminish never so little, the amount of advantage conceded to the home growers h. k'. 1 Th in their own market over continental competition. The most determined hostility is declared by the Dukes and their day-labourers, and indeed by the whole bucolic body of Lords and Commons, against the heavy blow and the great discouragement meditated by the Minister. This display of temper, when it is fancied that the sen- sitive department termed the pocket is going to be touched, is very natural if not very wise. But better a stern look of offended justice than the beggar's suppli- cation for charity. Give me my own date obnlnm to DAN and such as he" we may imagine some sturdy sons of the soil to have sulkily said when pecuniary compensation has been mentioned to them as a possible contingency to be offered by the Government. At all events, the demand of the Protectionists, in terms at least, has been for justice only we have not met with any speaker at their meetings even so much as mention- ing a money Compensation. They ask for a free-trade in all things if in any things, in every thing if in corn and the removal also of the peculiar burdens on land." We shall not stop to inquire whether there is anything to justify the notion that free-trade in everything would ever be resisted by those who represent the popular mind of England, nor shall we ask why the agriculturists have always set their faces against an investigation into the alleged unequal taxation with which the British landowner is burdened but we at once allow because we are bound in candour to do so, that a large amount of capital has been invested in the culture of the soil on the faith of parliamentary protection. A vested interest has grown up, it has been created, so to speak, by the Legislature, and, so far only as a mere mercantile spirit is concerned, apart from the higher and prouder promptings of aristocratical pretensions, we see no very unanswerable reason why they should not claim com- pensation-or rather why the Legislature should not offer it to them. There are several precedents, though not exactly analogous cases, for such a course, which might serve the purpose well enough and that of the West Indian slave-owners who received, if we reeollect rightly, twenty millions, has all the advantage of being at hand and quite fresh in the public remem- brance. For our part, we think it would be but fair that the peculiar burdens" part of the business should be settled as soon as parliament meets, so that our friends the Cincinnati of the British soil may have a fair start, and that, then, the amount of compensation they are entitled to on the score of vested interests" and for the unexpected term of the lease they took in 1815 be ascertained and put in course of payment. Such a mode of procedure has its disadvantages-what measure has not ?-but we can answer, we think, for a generous public" that if the agricultural interest will pocket the affront, they may pocket the money too. The nation won't grudge the money. To be exempt from a tax estimated by the Quarterly at something like a pound sterling on every quarter of British wheat is worth something handsome.

The conjecture which we hazarded last week respecting SIR ROBERT PEEL'S intentions in reference to the Corn-laws has been since countenanced in the columns of a Ministerial Contemporary. IVe guessed, it will be remembered, that gradual extinction" not instan- taneously sudden, as well as total repeal, coupled with a kind of compensation" which we explained the nature of, would form the leading feature of the PREMIER'S pro- position. The Standard now says much the same as will be seen by the following paragraph which appeared in our contemporary after the publication of our article "It is said that ministers will propose the reduction of the duty upon imported corn to something merely nomi- nal, or little more than nominal, after a certain period, say five or seven years. The reduction to be arrived at by an annual diminution during the proposed period, beginning with a fixed duty, somewhere between 15s. and 20s. and striking off 2s. each year, as thus :—sup- pose the maximum fixed duty of 1846-1847, 18s. 1847- 1818, 16s and so on until it would come down to four shillings at the end of the period. On the other part, it is surmised that as a concurrent measure of compen- sation to the agriculturists, the burthen of the poor's rates and county-rates may be assigned to the con- solidated fund; the increased charge upon that fund being met by a considerable augmentation of the pro- perty-tax. Such is the plan which we find most generally received as probable."

Whatever difference of opinion may exist on the sub- ject of either direct, or indirect compensation to the agriculturists interest for subjecting them to foreign competition, there can be none whatever in the minds of the just and dispassionate respecting the necessity of effecting so great a change with as little shock as pos- sible to the thousands who will be, at first, sufferers from it. For our part, we protest, in the names of all the landlords, farmers, and labourers in the kingdom, and in the names also, of that not small class of traders and artificers who are dependent on the custom of the agri- culturists for their 11 d-aily-bre.,d"-for their "daily bread" wejrepeat, careless of the imputation of that ~twj £ ng of^ij^ocrisv without which no exhibition of sordid pretence would be complete-we protest in the names of one and all of these classes against precipitate legislation. The happy medium may not be met by reversing as the late LORD ELDON avowedly always did, the sat belle, si sat cito, but we must not forget that farmers and their families have feelings, landlords their embarrassments, monopolists their mortgages, and labourers their living to get. The sentiment however is so well expressed by a contemporary that we cannot do better than give it from the Spectator as we find it in the columns of that paper. "If the suddenness of so great a change should lead to panic amongst the farmers and this panic should throw great numbers of labourers out of employment, and vastly increase the poor-rate, why, it will serve the monopolists right,' say some of the League, for their opposition to'free trade.' If to one of these you propose that in order to avert a mischievous panic the repeal shall be gradual though complete, his anger interrupts you when vou would have added—" but, though gradual, still so rapid as to put a sudden end to the agitation of the subject.' He insists on no delay,' no compromise, I no letting new leases, and is perhaps more annoyed at the suggestion of conciliating the agricultural party by a gentle mode of repeal, than if you talked of maintaining the Corn-laws in spite of his teeth. He scorns to facilitate, he will only force, the accomplishment of his own pur- pose. In this pursuit such Free Traders wholly overlook a difficulty in the way of Corn Law repeal, which it may be in the power of the Government to mitigate. The rural clergy of England and Scotland, though they have for the most part abstained from defending the Corn Laws, are generally impressed with a belief that the poorest class of their parishioners will, at least for a time, suffer grievously from the admission of foreign grain free of duty. The notion is, that whether from a real inability to compete with the foreign grower, or from unfounded alarm and confusion of mind, the British far- mer will greatly diminish his investment of capital-that is, employ much fewer labourers—whenever the foreign corn trade shall be set free. The fear is that a considerable ,,be reduced to faiiiine and portion of the peasantry may be reduced to famine and pestilence. We need not stop to examine whether such dread has a real foundation it exists; and if we speak of it only as a groundless panic, still the ill-effect is the same —namely, a strong dislike on the part of the parochial clergy to a measure from which they expect results so disastrous to the class who arc their especial care, and whose misery (if there were no better motive) is a source of pain to themselves. Hence, and not we really believe, on account of their own tithes, (for generally they do not want sense to perceive that cheap everything will be better for them than dear everything) a most influential body is opposed to free trade."

Political consistency will always command the suf- frages of the majority of mankind: it always has a res- pectable appearance, in the eyes of the world. The real value, however, of this quality of mind must be determined by other considerations than the mere fact of a man never having changed his opinion. We lay out of the question motives, obviously chief elements in any such estimate since the honesty or dishonesty of the roan, either in changing, or in never having changed, his opinion must remain the only matter to be determined—we set aside at present the very soul or essence for the sake of space, and only ask—Why a politician should be required to remain wholly unchanged when every thing about him has changed and is momentarily changing ? Above and below there is a mighty change and is he to remain as much unchanged as stock or stone ? New combinations have been created in the progress of events, and ought he to close his eyes to those combinations ? Is it his duty to turn away from them as from a book that Con- sistency commands him never to look at ? No. If the circumstances of the country have changed, if the times have changed, if every thing is changed, and probably much for the better, we really see no sufficient reason why the statesman, amid the general melioration and mutability, should alone stand unlearned, unimproved, unchanged. The fact is, political consistency is often times, at best, but a cheap virtue. A politician may posibly find it easier as well as more profitable to be consistent in professed opinions than to avow any modi- fication of them and to be consistent in wrong is just as much a matter of fact blame, as to be consistent in right is praiseworthy and noble. We have been involuntarily led into this not very recondite course of remark by the unmeasured abuse so constantly and unmercifully flung at SiR ROBERT PEEL. Now, of course it is not for us to vindicate the character of the right hon. bart. from the inconsistency with which he stands charged chiefly by his own supporters—al- though that task would he infinitely easier them to clear his character from the diplomatic insincerities, disho- nesties and ambiguities which are not without some reason ascribed to his parliamentary course. Nor would we resort to the tu quoque weapon in any case where dishonest inconsistency had been established, it is only bare justice to say that if the leader of the Conservatives have changed his opinions respecting the corn-laws, so also has the leader of the Liberals. Let the reader only recollect the noble lord's last letter to his London con- stituents and then turn to his Lordship's Essay on the History of the English Government and Constitu- tion" (2nd edition, 1823). Speaking of the national debt, LORD JOHN RUSSELL says— Since the approach of peace, this country has been visited at two periods by severe distress. The first began in 1813, when speculators in foreign corn brought grain —raised, perhaps, for 20s., some say for 12s., a quarter in Poland—to cope in the English market with the English farmer, whose taxes and outgoings made it ne- cessary for him to secure 80s. a quarter. The English farmer, of course, was brought to the brink of ruin and had not the Legislature interfered, and forbidden all im- portation till the price rose to SOs. agriculture must have been nearly abandoned in this country. The mischief was not perceived by the Government in time and years of severe distress, which affected the manufacturers as well as agriculture, ensued."

CARMARTHENSHIRE. I A special general meeting of the Church Union So- ciety of the Diocese of St. David's, was held on Tuesday last, at the Bishop's Palace, which was attended by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, President of the Society the Dean of St. David's, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Archdeacon Bevan, the Rev. S. Davies, R. D. Rev. J. Evans, R. D. Rev. E. Morris, R. D. and the Rev. D. A. Williams, R. D. The meeting was convened for the purpose of allocating the unappropriated grants to schoolmasters, and for taking the steps necessary to establish a Diocesan Training School for Masters at Carmarthen. The unappropriated grants of the society were voted to the following parishes:—Lanbister and Longtown, in the Archdeaconry of Brecon; Porth and Trefilan, in the Archdeaconry of Cardigan and Llall- boidy and Merthyr, in the Archdeaconry of Carmarthen. It was also determined to guarantee a salary of £80 a year to the Master of the Training School to be estab- lished at Carmarthen, and that a knowledge of the Welsh language be an essential qualification for the office. A Committee, consisting of the Dean of St. David's, Archdeacon Bevan, the Rev. J. Evans, Rev. E. Melville, and the Rev. D. A. Williams was appointed, under the Presidency of the Bishop, with full powers to take the measures necessary to carry this object into effect. The funds of the society are thus pledged by the exhibitions to divinity students, grants in aid of parochial schoolmasters, the salary of the master of the training school, and the incidental expenses of the society, to the amount of JElSO a year, or very nearly the whole of the annual income derived from public contri- butions. After the proceedings of the society termi- nated, the Committee had the honour of dining with the Bishop. This society promises to become an im- portant instrument for promoting Church of England education among the poorer classes in this Diocese but we cannot help reminding the lay friends of the church, that much of its efficiency must depend upon the degree of support which they accord to it, and upon the manner in which they co-operate with the clergy. The interests ofe ducation cannot be in better hands than in those of the clergy, but they have a right to expect the cordial co-operation of all who profess to cherish a love for the Church of England—her faith and formularies—in their laudable and pious efforts by a sound elementary educa- tion to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Looking at the subscription list of the society, and the vast numerical preponderance of clerical over lay subscribers, we have no hesitation in saying that the laity of the Diocese are very laggard in their contributions, and that in all beneficial societies dependent on public subscriptions an undue share of the lucrative is thrown on those who on account of the limited character of their incomes are least able to bear it. With these remarks, we heartily commend this use- ful society to the support of Churchmen, and of all the friends of educating the poor in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation." PAVING AND LIGHTING COMMISSIONERS. The-usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, the mayor in the chair. It was very numerously and respectably attended. The mayor read a letter from Mr. D. Evans, the surveyor, stating that his duties as surveyor to the County Roads Board precluded him from devoting that time to the interests of the town which he ought to, he being of opinion that four days a week would not be too little. The mayor then said that Mr. Collard had been a candidate on a former occasion, and was a very compe- tent person. Mr. Goode was anxious that a surveyor should be advertised for. Mr. Lewis Morris said that if Collard undertook the duties he was of that firm tem- per that he would do them manfully. Mr. Morse having proposed that Mr. Collard be appointed provisionally, until such time as a special meeting could be called to appoint him legally, the motion was seconded by Mr. Clark, and carried almost unanimously. Several bills were then passed, after which the Clerk laid before the meeting the estimate for the ensuing year. This amounted in the whole to £ 2254 13s. 3d, but included a number of very useful though expensive improvements, such as flagging Priory Street, re-pitching Dame Street, flagging Union Street. improving the gutters in Blue Street, Bull Lane, King Street, and Peutrepoth, &c., &c. After much discussion, a rate of Is. 6d. in the pound was ordered to meet the expenses of the current year. The question of widening Upper Market St., which Mr. Geo. Davies introduced, terminated in a resolutiou being proposed by Mr. J. J. Stacey and carried una- nimously, that D. Morris Esq., M.P., be requested to apply to the Exchequer Loan Commissioners for the Stilli of ;CIOOO, of which f600 could be appropriated towards paying off the old debt of the Commissioners, and the remaining C400 towards pulling down Mr. Croden's house, preparatory to taking down the mass of building behind the Town Hall. The meeting then adjourned. Our Carmarthen readers will learn with a lively degree of satisfaction, that W. Davies, Esq., of Trawsmawr, has arrived in safety at Liverpool, and will shortly visit Carmarthen. CARMARTHEN MECHANIC'S INSTITUTION.—A Lec- ture on "Ballads" with illustrations, was delivered in j the Town Hall, on Tuesday last, by Mr. E. W. Shackell, before a numerous and highly respectable audience. The frequent plaudits of the assembly amply testified the pleasure experienced by those present. The next lecture will be delivered, we understand, by J. Longmore, Esq., the subject being the Pyramids of Egypt." MILDNESS OF THE SEASON.—So extremely genial has the atmosphere been for the last six weeks, that winter is passing away without any symptoms of a hard frost. On Tuesday, a large bunch of strawberries was plucked at Kidwelly, and Mr. E. W. Shackell, of Car- marthen, has now in his possession a live butterfly of the Purple Emperor breed. This beautiful insect appears to suffer no inconvenience whatever from the weather. COMMITMENTS.—On Monday last, Hannah bavies, was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, by T. Jones, Esq., M.D., on a charge of having stolen several articles of wearing apparel, the property of David Evans, of Caegarw, in the parish of Llangendeirne. ilary Davies, was committed to gaol for three months with hard labour, for refusing to maintain her two illegitimate children. 0 CUTTING TREES.—On Saturday last, before J. E, Saunders, J. G. Philipps, D. Davies, and T. Jones" M.D., Esquires, Mr. George Goode, agent for Geo. Bowen, Esq., of Llwyngwair, preferred a complaint against Morris Price, of Park Cwmmin, of the parish of Eglwyscwmmin, for cutting down timber on his farm, he being a tenant of Mr. Bowen's. The defendant admitted that he cut the timber and promised never to commit the offence again. Mr. Goode regretted that it was out of his power to say a word in the defendant's favour,since the crime was rapidly increasing in frequency and Mr. Bowen thought that as defendant was his tenant, he ought rather to have protected than injured his property. The magistrates deciding upon inflicting a fine of f4, with Is. for the damage, or two month's imprisonment. The fine and damage with lis. 6d. costs was at once paid. D. A. S, Davies, Esq., M.P., has munificently given the sum of four sovereigns to the poor debtors, and others confined in the County Gaol. This considerate kindness needs no comment. R. G. Thomas, Esq., generously caused £5 worth of bread to be distributed among the poor of the parish of Llanon, on New Year's day, and It. G. Thomas, Esq.. jun., presented them with E5 worth of warm clothing on his coming of age. W. Chambers, Esq., has given 30s. to the debtors in the county gaol. LIBERALITY OF THE BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S.—The poor people and school children of Abergwili have not been forgotten at this season of festivities, but were to the number of 100 regaled at the national schoolroom with plenty of roast-beef, plum-pudding, and ale, on New Year's Day, through the liberality of our respected Bishop. T. S. Thirlwall, Esq., presided at the table and was indefatigable in his exertions to see that all were well attended to. Also Mrs. Hughes, Miss Gunn, the Misses Phillips, of Cwmgwili, Miss Lewis, and Mr. John Thirlwall, were all very attentive in supplying the wants of the juvenile guests. After the cloth was removed a very suitable address was delivered by the Rev. J. Hughes (vicar), when all separated highly gra- tified with the proceedings of the day. His Lordship has also caused to be distributed among the poor a con- siderable quantity of blankets and coals, which was a very seasonable benefaction. Indeed his Lordship's continual liberality to the poor is worthy of imitation and calls forth our warmest approbation. NEW YEARS GIFT.—The annual gift ofjElO, from D Morris, Esq., M.P., to the poor of Llanelly, was dis- tributed on ew Year's Day, in blankets, quilts, flan- nel, and various other articles of clothing. The poor of this place confidently believe that the reform so much spoken of and sought after, has actually come to pass since the time our excellent representative has found his way to parliament. WORTHY OF IMITATION.—D. Morris, Esq., M. P., has placed LIO in the hand of the Rev. D. Rees, of Llanelly, one of the secretaries of the Brecon Normal School, and very liberally entered his name as an annual subscriber to that excellent institution, which shortly will be the chief glory of Wales. M. P.'s for the principality and other wealthy gentlemen will most probably go and do likewise" when properly applied to.

CARMARTHEN MUNICIPAL ELECTION. I The election of three Councillors for each ward for this Borough, under the authority of the writ of man- damuSf took place on Friday last. The poll was kept open till the latest hour allowed by iaw, after which the Mayor announced that the poll would be declared on Monday. Accordingly at 1 o'clock, on Monday, the Mayor attended at the Town-hall, which was considerably crowded, and declared the following gentlemen duly elected; (the numbers polled by each being set op- posite their respective names)- Eastern Ward. Mr. S. Tardrcw 127 Mr. W. Simons 110 Mr. C. Brigstocke 110 j Western Ward. r Mr. John Lewis, T.M. 1.51 Mr. D. Evaus. 93 Mr. Ben. Jones. 82 Mr. S. Tardrew begged to return his best thanks for the honour that had been paid him, by his being placed at the head of the poll for the third time. He had always endeavoured to do his duty in the council, and would fearlessly pursue the same line of conduct in future. He would encourage by all means in his power whatever might be productive of improvement to the town. The more prosperous the town was the greater benefits would accrue to all, and if improvements were made, there would then be an additional source of employment for labourers, and an inducement to strangers to come and reside amongst them. (Cheers.) Mr. Simons next rose to thank the electors. His position on the poll was doubly gratifying to him since he had not solicited the vote of a single individual. It proved that the good sense of the people of Carmarthen did not require the canditates to bore them with re- iterated solicitations, which could only be a source of annoyance. While in the council hitherto, he had endeavoured to do his duty to his own satisfaction, and if he had been led into error occasionally, as all men arc liable to be, he craved pardon and indulgence for his failings. He should go into the council an independent man, having no pledge to fetter his opinions, and would always pursue such subjects as had for their aim the benefitting of the town. With these few observations he would sit down, thanking them for having elected him, and trusting that the confidence they had reposed in him would never be violated. Mr. C. Brigstocke returned thanks to the electors for having re-elected him. During the three years in which he had been their representative, he had en- deavoured to discharge his duty honestly and fairly. He knew that he had offended many persons by bringing under the notice of the council a number of abuses; but for that he cared very little, as he would fearlessly pursue the same course again. Mr. Ben. Jones was sincerely grateful for the honour done him in electing him. He had been solicited by several respectable and influential individuals belonging to the corporation, to allow himself to be put in nomina- tion, and since they had elected him he would endeavour properly to fulfil the duties reposed in him. He would, above all things, carefully guard over the due ex- pentiture of the public money. Although lowest on the poll he had yet the satisfaction of knowing that he had received the support of a number of gentlemen of the highest respectability. He much regretted that the electors of his ward had rejected one of the oldest in- habitants of the town—a man well qualified for the office of councilman, while his private character was far beyond reproach, and had returned a man, who, although a good honest sort of a fellow, was no more fit to be a councillor than a Lord Chancellor. Mr. D. Evans returned his sincere thanks to his supporters, and pledged himself that whenever he could do anything for the welfare of the borough he should always be ready to lend a hand. Mr. Morse then rose to return thanks as he said, to the electors for turning him out. In the next place he wanted to know who was to pay the expenses of his for- mer election. If practicable he was determined to ascertain it. He was at the last election considered a fit and proper person to serve the town in Council, and polled the same number as Mr. Tardrew. Now there was a difference, and he should like to know the reason. He knew that the grossest, tyranny had been used to induce persons to abstain from voting for him, and Mr. Henry Williams, the coachmaker, had been told that if he voted for him he should lose all the work from the Ivy Bush Hotel. Now Mr. G. Davies, the late mayor, who committed the blunder, ought at least not to have interfered with the election, but instead of that he had driven his nephew about and used threats of all descrip- tions to the voters. Why, he was at a loss to know, unless it was that when Mr. Davies was proposed as Mayor, he (Mr. M.) had said that he would disgrace the situation. He (Mr. M.) might have been elected but for his own apathy, and should take care to present him- self before them at another period. His rejection, however, strengthened his claim for compensation, and if a jury would give it him he would not fail to get reparation. Parties had even been at the trouble of writing to the Board of Stamps to ascertain if he was eligible to serve as a Councillor, but they had got their answer, and he should like to hear what it was. He would learn who had written, and would punish the individual. After some further observations, Mr. Morse reiterated his determination to seek for compensation, and pledged himself to come forward as a candidate for municipal honours at a future period. After some explanations between Mr. Simons and Mr. Morse with respect to the mandamus, the meeting separated.

CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL. At the meeting on Tuesday, there were present The Mayor, Aldermen J. G. Philipps, J. Jenkins, T. T. Webb, Councillors Geo. Davies, E. H. Stacey, Job Jones, H. Norton, John Adams, E. B. Warren, S. Tar- drew, C. Brigstocke, Ben. Jones, W. Simons, John Lewis, and D. Evans; the six last-mentioned gentlemen made and signed the usual declaration for qualifying themselves as Councillors. The Mayor read the following correspondence on the subject of the South Wales Railway notices:- (COPY.) I SOUTH WALES RAILWAY AMENDMENT ACT. I Uarniartlien, Lice. 3u, to-ka. Gentlemen,—At a meeting of the Town Council held this day, your notices were taken into consideration, and some apprehension being expressed lest in the new line, through the parish of Llaiulefilog, the navigation of the river might be interfered with, I was requested to write to you to ascertain whether under the terms of description River Towy and the beds and shores thereof," it is proposed to take any, and what portion of the river, or whether the words are merely used as a necessary form, and the Council would also be glad to have an understanding from yourselves or Mr. Brunei, that the navigation of the river shall in no way whatever be obstructed or impeded. The Council have made a special adjournment till Tuesday, the 6th Jan., for the purpose of being made acquainted with your reply, by which time (or a day or two sooner if practicable) I shall hope to hear from you with the proposed undertaking, so that there may be no difficulty in the way of the Council signifying their assent. I remain, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant, T. CHARLES MORRIS, Mayor.

SOUTH WALES RAILWAY, I 10, Whitehall, 2d. Jan., 181; Sn,-In reference to your letter of the 30th ult., we arc instructed on behalf of the company, to state that although the proposed line will in some places skirt the shores of the river Towy, and therefore the river and beds and shores thereof have been, as is usual, inserted in the notice, it is not intended under any circumstances to interfere with, or impede the navigation of the river. We trust this will be satisfactory to the tow.n council, and that we may have the pleasure of recording their assent to the proposed deviation. We are, Sir, Yours faithfully, W. O. and W. HUNT. "T. Charles Morris, Esq., Carmarthen." The answer of Messrs. Hunt was deemed so satisfac- tory that the Council at once assented to the notice. The Mayor announced that in consequence for consi- derable legal difficulties the proposed motion of the con- solidation of the County and Borough Gaols would not be brought forward at the County Quarter Sessions at present. It was supposed that a public Act of Parlia- ment might be obtained for the purpose without any expense to the Borough. The consideration of the notice of the Welsh Midland Railway, which claimed "all the Quay and half the river Towy" was postponed until further information as to the intentions of the Company with regard to the Quay, could be obtained. Mr. Reynold's letter, claiming payment for surveys in the neighbourhood of Carmarthen, in 1836, in order to obtain an increased supply of water, was again read by the mayor, upon which a discussion ensued, and eventually it was explained that a person from Brecon had been employed and paid by the Council, and that Mr. Reynolds had been employed by Mr. Hugh Wil- liams. His claim was therefore disallowed. On the motion of Mr. C. Brigstocke, seconded by Mr. H. Norton, the Treasurer was ordered to send in his account, now more than four months overdue, in order that it might be printed. After some other business of trifling importance, the Council was adjourned.

INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Tuesday last, before Wm. Bonville, Esq., coroner, at Pantgwynne, in the parish of Llangendeirne, on the body of Mr. D. James, farmer, of that place, who was accidentally killed from a fall into a coal-yard, near Llanelly Furnace turn- pike gate. It appeared in evidence, that the deceased, in company with his son, a lad, had been to Llanelly on Wednesday the 31st ult., with a cart-load of barley to sell having sold it, the deceased sent his son home with the horse and cart, intending to follow him as soon as he got his account settled. The night was very dark and rainy when he started for home on foot..When he came near the old Furnace W oiks he had occasion to tie one of his shoes, and attempted to sit on the wall (which is in a very bad state) between the coal-yard and the turnpike road. He got upon a broken part of the wall, and fell backwards into the coal-yard, the depth of about 18 feet. A person living near, some time after heard his groans, and went to his assistance, when he was immediately removed. The deceased had sustained such serious internal inj uries that he died on the follow- ing Saturday. Verdict accordingly. The deceased who was a sober and industrious farmer and much respected, has left a wife and six children to deplore Iiis Ivsi.

BOROUGH QUARTER SESSIONS. On Saturday last, the January Quarter Ses?o for this Borough, were held before John Wilson, E?'' Recorder. Cl A somewhat ludicrous scene took place in consequen of the non-attendance of some of the Grand j?°'' After the Court had waited for a considerable lengt If time, bailiffs were dispatched in all directions to r0*^ summon those who were missing, but without effc and eventually the Learned Recorder, having illflicted fine of £ 1 on each juror who had not made his appear, ance, proceeded to fill the Grand Jury box by compel1_1?*? our reporter, an attorney's clerk who chanced to be in attendance, and a worthy victualler who was r-iirnrnoned from his house for that purpose, to serve in lieu of the absentees. The Grand Jury was thus composed of the fa nowi persons :—Messrs. William Evans, (Foreman) W, Jones, R. Evans, D. Charles, Lawford Evans, D8. Jones, T. Howells, Isaac Davies, Ben. James, J' Griffiths, E. W. Shackell, John Davies, and ?' Williams. The following individuals were fbed £ 1 e?ch ? non-attendance :—Messrs. James Evans, Guildh Square, John Williams, Currier, King Street, Phf'P Dunn, Furnace House, D. Brigstocke, William Norton William Carver, W. Morgan, and T. G. Lewis. d The Learned Recorder briefly addressed the Grand Jury, and informed them that there were no prisoners for trial and, as he understood, but one indictment to be preferred before them, which was against some-per- sons who were the owners of a house which was in atl extremely dangerous state, and was indicted as a nui- sance. If the house had been left in so bad a state 0 repair that it was perilous to passers by, it was 1 nuisance and a true bill must be found against it. The Grand Jury in a short time brought in a true bill against George Rowe, John Drinkwater, and others, the proprietors of a half ruined house near th' Fish Market, for a nuisance. The trial of the case wa* postponed, and the business of the Sessions then terminated

PEMBROKESHIRE. HAVERFORDWEST ASSEMBLY.—The usual monthly assembly was held at the Ball-room, on Friday lastr which was attended by a goodly number of the gentry of the town and neighbourhood, dancing being kept up with great vigour until a late hour on the following morning. MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—On Monday last, a court was held at the Shirehall, Haverfordwest, before (J LI- Millard, Esq., Mayor, Thomas Madocks, and Thomafr Williams, gentlemen, assessors, for the election of a councillor to supply the vacancy occasioned by the decease of Mr. Henry Tasker. George Parry, ESQT being the only candidate, very little interest was shewD on the occasion. After a small number of votes had been polled, and an hour had elapsed without any other votes being tendered, the mayor declared Mr. Parry duly elected. WELSH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—In consequence of some inaccuracies in the former plans of this railway deposited with the clerk of the peace for the county of Pembroke, amended plans, &c., were deposited at his office on the 31st ult. MISSIONARY TEA MEETING.—The anniversary let meeting in aid of the funds of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, was held in the School-room, adjoining the chapel, Haverfordwest, on Thursday the 1st inst. It was numerously attended, and the arrangements reflect- ed great credit on the ladies who conducted it; instead of the confusion which is too often observable on similar occasions, everything was conducted with the greatest re- gularity & order. After tea the company adjourned to the chapel, when Capt. John Lewis was called upon to pre- side who, with several other gentlemen addressed the meeting in interesting speeches. MILFORD HAVEN MISSION.The Sailors Missionary society have recently determined upon adopting Milford Haven as a missionary station, and have engaged the services of Capt. John Lewis of Haverfordwest, who commenced his duties with the new year. The want of such an agency has long been felt, and we are convinced a more efficient person than Capt. Lewis could not have been appointed to carry out the intentions of the society. We heartily wish him success. PEMBROKE.—On New Year's Eve, a farmers' and tradesmen's ball was held at the Green Dragon Hotel, under the stewardship of Messrs. W. Ormond and R. Llewhelin. The weather during the day proved unfor- tunately very wet, but Who wonld not from life's dreary waste Snatch, when he could, with eager haste An interval of joy ?" and notwithstanding the rain fell until a late hour, a very large number of the fair daughters and manly yeomen of Castlemartin attended. The room was filled almost to overflowing, (there being 107 in attendance) and presented an appearance brilliant and captivating in the extreme. Youth, grace, and beauty, lent their aids, and every countenance beamed with an expression of animation and delight. But Gentlemen welcome ladies that have their toes Unplngued with corns, will have a bout with you:- Ah, ha, my mistresses which of you all Will now deny to dance ?" at nine o'clock the ball was opened by Mr. W. Ormond and Mrs. It. Llewhelin, and the mazy dance was plied by all with great vigour—the lively country dance-the graceful quadrille-the charming polka, and the fasci- nating waltz, were all duly patronized, and executed in a style which afforded strong evidence of the advanced taste of the neighbourhood. At two o'clock supper was announced, and the company speedily repaired to the room appropriated, the exertions of dancing having ap- parently produced a good appetite for the good things of this life; and sure we are, there could be nothing wanting to gratify the most fastidious on this occasion. The spread" was such as we have never seen excelled every luxury necessary for a sumptuous repast was liberally provided, and praise of the arrangements of our host were heard on all sides. Indeed, Mr. and Mrs. Jones were never more successful in producing satis- faction. After supper, dancing was again commenced, and kept up with great spirit until Faint streaks of radiance tinged the skies." when all parted highly delighted with their enjoyment. Mr. B. George and Mr. P. Llewhelin were appointed stewards for the ensuing year, when it is to be hoped there will be again such an assemblage as graced the room on this occasion—an amusement so calculated to improve the taste, and to promote social intercourse—a recreation at once so innocent and elevating, should re- ceive from all hands the greatest encouragement, and we sincerely wish them every success. PEMBROKE, JAN. I.-The annual open ploughing match came off this day, in a field belonging to Mr. R. Price, at Yerbeston. There were upwards of 50 com- petitors, and the majority of them performed the work in very masterly style. The first prize was awarded to T. Griffiths, ploughman to Mr. Ormond, of William- ston, the second, to Mr. B. George's, and the third, to Mr. John Butler's ploughman.

PEMBROKESHIRE EPIPHANY QUARTER SESSIONS. The General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county of Pembroke, were holden at the Shirehall, Ha- verfordwest, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 6th and 7th of January instant, before Henry Leach, fcjsq., chairman Right Hon. Earl Cawdor Viscount Emlyn, M.P.; J. H. Phillipps, Esq., Williamston G. Rowe, Esq., Haverfordwest; Nicholas Roch, Esq., Paskeston J. T. W. James, Esq., Pantsaison; J. LI. Morgan, Esq., M.D., Haverfordwest; E. T. Massey, Esq., Cot- tesmoor; James Propert, Esq., Haverfordwest; R. D. Ackland, Esq., Boulston; James Griffiths, Esq., Ha- verfordwest; J. H. Peel. Esq, Dennant X. Peel, Esq., Dennant; James Higgon, Esq., Scolton James Bowen, Esq., Newport; Owen Owen, Esq., Cwmgloyne; George Lort Phillips, Esq., Ashdale; George Baugh Allen, Esq., Kilrhue; Wellington Peel, Esq., Dennant; Rev. S. W. Saunders; Rev. W. W. Harries; Rev. J. W. James. The following gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jury:—Messrs. W. P. Currie, Great Vaynor, foreman Charles Clare, Landshipping Henry Evans, Narberth John Llewellin, Narberth; Simon Thomas, Talybont; David Evans, Narberth; John Gibbon, Roger's Hook; Thomas Gibbon, Broadway, Richard Hood, Knowles; Daniel John, Kilrath; John Lewis, Porter's Slade Thomas John, Landshipping Benjamin Morris, Crun- wear G. Parcell, Lawrenny Newton; and W. Skyrme, Langum Ferry. Edward Gwillym and John Smith, were charged with having stolen certain articles of wearing apparel, the property of George Tasker, of the parish of Lamphey. Mr. Byers opened the case, and called for the pro- secution. George Tasker, who deposed :—I live at Lamphey. On Saturday, Dec. 27th last, I missed a pair of small- clothes, leggings, and a waistcoat. From information received, I went in search of prisoners, and traced them to Narberth, where I found the articles in their posses- ion in the lock-up house there. The articles now pro- duced are my property, and the same as found in the possession of prisoners. Elizabeth Tasker, wife of the prosecutor, stated that the clothes were brushed on the morning of the 27th, and put away in a box. Did not miss them till that night. She saw prisoners that day about 11 o'clock, going in the direction of her house. Thomas Collins I reside in the parish of Lamphey. On the 27th of December last, I saw the prisoners in a field, about sixty yards from the prosecutor's house one of them was putting on something under his trousers, but I cannot say what. It was the prisoner John Smith. I am certain that the prisoners at the bar are the men. John Meyrick: I am superintendent constable of the Narberth district. On Sunday, the 28th of December last, in consequence of information received, I went in search of prisoners. I found them in the Lockup- house at Narberth, and the articles as identified by the prosecutor were found on the bed on which they were lying. In answer to my question as to who brought those articles there, the prisoner Smith said, "Both of us." Verdict-Guilty. Sentence-Six months to hard labour; and two weeks during that time to be kept in solitary confinement. Attorney for prosecution—Mr. H. 0 Martin Advo- cate—Mr. Dyers, Pembroke. Margaret Davies, charged with having stolen a Pig, the property of James Luke, of the parish of Blether- stone, St. Issells, pleaded guilty. Sentence-one week imprisonment. Attorney for the prosecution—Mr. W. Rees Adv, pate—Mr. 11. M. James.