The Aberystwith Observer

ENGLAND'S ATTITUDE DURING THE PRESENT CRISIS. AMIDST the clang of arms on the Continent, when nation is warring against nation, the must natural question which is everywhere asked is, "How will it affect us?" The inquiry involves the supposition that we are not active parties in the war. And so it is. The war is entered on despite all our efforts at mediation. It is not a war of our seeking; nay, we have had a grow- ing conviction, since the crowning- victory of Waterloo, that we have nothing to gain by war-that everything we have at stake depends t s upon the maintenance of peace. But nations are now so closely linked by commercial ties, that it is impossible for two or three countries to wage a coitHict without seriously injuring other members of the great European family. We all suffer when one member is affected, To believe that England can long remain intact in the European contest is to shut our eyes to facts and 10 the teachings of history. The very moment that the telegraph flashes the news that negotiations are giving place to hostile declarations, our Stock Exchange, sen- sitive as a thermometer, shows how seriously *'le w&i'-thunder, be it ever so dislamp^gcts the atmosphere of our own country. As the first peal of war-thunder is distinctly heard, our trade and commerce at once receive a shock which they very slowly recover, and even civilisation is retarded in her onward progress. The war which now threatens, if it be not checked, to become a desolating war, second in devastation to none that has preceded it, has been, it is to be feared, commenced on all sides with the most reckless disregard of national rights. We have ca. efully perused the several documents which seek to offer an apology for letting siip the hell-hounds of Continental war- fare, but we fail to find any one good reason for the course which any of the combatants has adopted. Sardinia is probably lured onward by the lust of power and aggrandisement. She has, perhaps, an eye to the Lombardo-Venetian territory and the plains of Tuscany, and sees in the contending factions by which Italy is torn an opportunity for acquiring dominion on ac- count ot her appealing constitutionally at once to the hearts of the people rather than to the sympathies of rulers. Austria is in a false position naturally and politically. She holds an enforced control over Italians who detest her very name; the rule of Austria in that part of the Peninsula, which, with a suggestive anomaly, is called Austrian Italy, has ever been a rule of crushing, grinding tyranny and official espionage for the worst purposes, and any war that would rid Italy of this intolerable burden would be in so far a blessing to the world. France, it is to be feared, also seeks employment for her vast hordes of military who have been to a certain extent first raised as a repressive power in the case of internal re- volution. The conduct of France in the present war is without excuse. She has sworn to be our ally, and frequently, when doubts have been thrown out about this alliance, the Emperor has taken occasion to proclaim to the nations, that above all he valued the alliance WJ England, the best guarantee for the peace or Europe and the world. And now, on the shadowy pretext of assisting Piedmont, there is reason to fear that sin* would scatter this alliance to the winds. The Emperor of the French knows full well that the chances of our merely looking on as disinterested spectators while Italy is the theatre of revolution and Sardinia is desolated by contending armies, are infinitesimal indeed. France, indeed, like the other combatants, has been reckless at the outset of the war, and an equal recklessness of consequences is to be apprehended. And all for an accursed lust of power-a national auri sacra fames which is as fatal to the peace of nations as it is to the happiness of families. Itis England's duty, however, to be specially careful. She necessarily treads on treacherous ground; pitfalls are everywhere laid for her; but she has, strictly speaking, no more to do with the present war than she has with a fight between two tribes of Red Indians. Neutrality is her only path of safety -terribly difficult, there is no doubt, but stili her only safe path. May the God of nations give her strength to keep therein, but if, despite her peaceful efforts, she be drawn into the struggle, may God defend the right! -—'———

Hocal information. COMMISSIONERS' MEETING —The Commissioners held their monthly meetingon Tuesday last: present —John UeiTklns, Esq., in the chair; Messrs. C. Hackney, E. W. Jones, T. Jones, P. Williams, R. Morris, D. Williams, and J. Miller. Several bills were passed and ordered to be paid. Dr. Bell imving again offered to take charge of the grass plot in front of the Marine Terrace for the ensuintr year, the Commissioners availed themselves of the orfer, and authorised him to make such arrangements as he might think proper, at his own expense, for its improvement, and to prevent its beinn trespassed upon. Ordered that the water rent he enforced. Ordered also that a public drain be made from Chalybeate Terrace Court, through Moor Street, and to empty itself into the drain in Mary Street; the work to be proceeded with immediately. Plans for the bridge across the milldam were pro- duced but the consideration as to which to adopt was adjourned to a future meeting. SERIOUS )^CIDENT.—We regret to have to state that on Wediltesday last, James Davies, Esq Ffos- rliydgaled, was^hrown off his horse, whereby he sustained a dislocation of the arm in two places but we learn that, unTWthe able treatment of Dr. Roberts, he is progres favourably.

THE ELECTION OF CAPT. PRYSE FOR THE CARDIGANSHIRE BOROUGHS. IT being known in Cardigan and neighbour- hood that Capt. Pryse was expected there on Thursday, the 28th ult., a large body of the Electors and Friends of the ancient House of Gogerddan met the carriage about half-a-mile on the Aberystwith road, when the horses were immediately taken out of the carriage, and the Capt. was drawn into the Borough by a truly united body of volunteers of all shades of poli- ticians. And on Friday morning he was ac- companied by a large body of Supporters to the County Hall; when, after the usual preli- minaries having been gone through, he was proposed, in an elegant address, by Thomas Jones, Esq., J. P. and D. L., and seconded by the Rev. Griffith Thomas, the respected Vicar of Cardigan. No other candidate coming for- ward, Capt. Pryse was declared duly elected; and after immense cheering, he said,— Gentlemen,-In thanking you, as I do sincerely, for the high honour which you have to-day for the second time conferred upon me, it is not my inten- tion to trouble you by any long statement; for I consider that each and all of you are as capable as myself of forming an opinion of the events passing around you, both foreign and domestic. Unless therefore I could throw some new light on the scene to guide you to the most correct conclusions, it would I feel be not only a waste of time, but pre- sumption in me to detain you at any length. But though I take brevity as my motto, it may perhaps lie considered not altogether out of place if on this cession I glance for a moment at the cause of my being before you to-day. You are aware that in the division that was the immediate cause of this dissolution, I voted for Lord John Russell's amendment to the second reading of the Government Reform Bill, because it appeared to me that though this so-called Reform Bill (con- tained as it undoubtedly did) some good element, still the two blots which Lord John Russell had hit, advocated principles so contrary to the progress of civil freedom as regards the franchise, that I could not. vote for the second reading. Now it is all very well to say, we should have allowed it to go to a second reading, and then altered it in committee. 1 totally deny that such was the proper course, for this plain reason, that the principles at. stake were of "weh vital and vast importance, that it was ab- solutely necessary that the House of Commons should immediately and at once mark its displeasure of the violation of them in the proposed Bill. For in committee, I musl tell you, the alterations which are made in a Bill are merely those of detail, and not one entire change of principle, as was here necessary; it is in the second reading that the principles on which a Bill is drawn are affirmed. Now let us enquire for a moment what these defects in the proposed measure were. The first then was, the rendering the 40s. treeholder in Counties incapable of exercising that franchise if he lived in a Borough and voted as 8.£10 householder; and this may he called ilie disenflrauchising clause. Now some people may, and, I believe, do think that we are not now called upon to enlarge the franchise that the time has not arrived for that; and that we can go on very well HS we are. This may fairly be a matter of argument; but I must confess that he would appear to me a very bold man who, when an elective franchise is proposed by a considerable number of his brother countrymen, says to them I propose at once and for ever to deprive you of thut right; I am ready to own that you have always exercised that, right in a becoming and independent manner; I have no fault to find; but still I shall take this right from you. Now (monstrous as it may appear) this is the very thing which the lately proposed Bill was to do, and why? for this plain reason, which must have struck you all forcibly. The 40s. freeholder is, as Sir Rd. Bethell justly said, the hberal section of the County constituency (they must say, this ministry) be swept away from the face of the scene, to make up for one great sacrifice in lowering the franchise from £ oQ to JE10. So much for the first. Their second was, that the Bill said, We will not lower our Borough franchise. What! Gentlemen, has education both moral and civil been so dead and unprofitable that we are no further advanced than we were in the year 1832, the time of the last Reform Bill? have our Mechanics' Institutes and other institutions of a like class been so barren of I results as to leave the population of our towns at the same standard of knowledge and morality as they were near 30 years ago ? Gentlemen, I say plainly, I do not think so, and that the proposition to allow the Borough franchise to remain at the same high rate of £ 10, was an insult to the worth and intelli- gence of this mighty empire. Gentlemen, I 11 have now freely, and I trust satis- factorily explained to you my reasons for the vote I lately gave. I thank you for the attention you have paid, and most heartily for the high honour again conferred upon me by this Election, and with every kind wish I hill you adieu. As soon as Capt. Pryse concluded his speech, Mr. Thomas Davies, an extensive ship owner, asked the member a question with regard to the disabilities which the shipping interest at present labours under. This was answered by Capt. Pryse in a most satisfactory manner, stating that he sympathised with the grievances under which this interest laboured, and would support any measures brought forward for its relief. A vote of thanks was then proposed to the MaJor,

THE ARDIGANSHIRE COUNTY I ELECTION. THE no nation of a Member to serve in Par- liament f r this County took place at the Town Hall, Carnigan, on Monday last. As was an- ticipated, here were two gentlemen proposed, namely, (fcl. Powell and A. H. S. Davies, Esq., of PentrelCarmarthenshire. The former was proposed y John Inglis Jones, Esq., and seconded James Davies, Esq.; the latter by Col. Vaugfen, of Llangoedmore, and seconded by David fones, Esq., of Llancyck. Col. Powell wafsupported by John Lloyd Davies, Esq., who &>oke at some length on his behalf. Both candidates also spoke. After which a show of hanq$was asked; which was in favour of Mr. Davife. Whereupon Mr. J. 1. Jones demanded a%oll on behalf of Col. Powell; which was grated, and appointed to come off on Thursday l&st. As far as political principles were concerned, both parties rewesented themselves to be of the same opinion; Jbut it was believed that of the two Col. Powel^jwas the most liberal; and that Mr. Davies wa| supported by the Carlton Club. I The polling fqp this town was arranged at the Town Hall irt;¡ three booths, presided over by John Hughes; Esq., T. 0. Morgan, Esq., and Robert Edward, Esq., on behalf of the Sheriff. About t o'clock Col, Powell had advanced to about|,400 majority; and it was then felt pretty certain that he would be the successful Candidate, especially as intelligence had arrived from Tregaron of his being 140 in advance at that plac| at 12 o'clock, and only 11 in the rear at Lampeter, when the Carmarthen Mail passed. Popu||r feeling ran very high and was entirely in f^rour of the Col. The poll closed at § o'clock. The result of which was declared fey John Parry, Esq., to the crowd in front of the Hall. It had been arrangef1 that deputies from the different polling districts should meet at Aber- ayron, to add up the result. T. O. Morgaa, Esq., was despatched ftpm this place. About £ past 8 o'clock large fbonfires were seen at Aberayron from the Castle by hundreds, who were anxiously waiting for the signal. From that time all were confident who the successful candidate was; and th4 popular enthusiasm became extreme. t The official result of the poll arrived at the Talbot Hotel about 12 o'clock, by Mr. Mor- gan returning,—which was as follows:- Powell, Davies. I Aberystwith 607 169 I Cardigan 105 528 I Tregaron 198 55 U Lampeter 160 176 I 928 I

Majority for Col. Powell 142. Such a large majority was never anticipated even by the most sanguiue of Col. Powell's friends, when the influence of the chief Conservative families in the county was concentrated against him. However, being once in, we hope that, like his father, he may continue to represent this county until his death and that his anta- gonists, warned by their present unexpected defeat, will never more advice any gentleman to come forward to oppose one who has had such unequivocal signs of his being the man of the people. During the whole of yesterday, the Llanba- darn bells rang a merry peal, and the flag-staff in Laura Place, as well as the ships in port had their colours flying, as unmistakeable tokens of the joy felt at the complete victory obtained over the Col. 's opponents. TRWY Sir Aberteifi llawenydd y sydd, Eiu POWELL, wr mwynlan, ennillodd y dydd; 1 r Senedd ar fyrder, 'rwy'n gwybod, yr &; 'Does raid i ni ofni-mae pob peth yri dda: Yn nydd yr Etholiad mwyafrif ga'dd e' 0 Ethol-wyr doethion yn lion yn mhob lie. Bu'i Dad yn y Senedd flynyddau tra hir, Yn dadleu yn wrol dros lesiant y Sir; Wei, pwy yn fwy addas, Ger'digion mwyn fri, Na'i anwyl fab WILLIAM i'r Senedd gaem ni?' Un yw sy'n 'nabyddus i bawb yn mhob man Un yw sy'n cyd-deimlo a'r truan a'r gwan; Un yw wnaiff gyfiawnder mean llye ac mewn llan. Er troi o'r gwyr mawrion i'w erbyn yn llu, 'Roedd digon o ffryndiau gan POWELL o'i du; Fe gafodd y goncwest,—fe gariodd y dydd; Pa ryfedd fod Saunders a'i ganvas yn brud'd • Er g waetha'r gelynion a'u dichell di-drai Hwre! gyda POWELL cyd-waeddwn bob rhai.

FORGET-ME-NOT. ORIGINAL. SILENT o'er the fountain gleaming, For the silvery moonlight hour, Bright and beauteous in its seeming, Waves a friendly fragile flower. Never let it be mistaken; Blue-as heaven's own blessed eye, By no envious clouds o'ertaken When it laughs through all the sky. Flower of heaven's divinest hue Sym bols of affection true Whisper to the poor heart-broken Consolation-heaven spoken. Loved one !-like the star of morning Are thine eyes-so mild and fair, Innocence and light adorning Their pure radiance everywhere; Maiden mine attend my lay; Be this flow'ret ne'er forgot- Whispering through the far-away, Oh! forget—"forget-me-not." Duty stern may bid us sever, Tears bedew our parted lot; Yet this flower shall murmur'ever Ah I forget-" forget-me-not," List, beloved, what it sayeth, List each blossom's whispered sound, As its lowly head it layeth, On the dew-besprinkled ground. Bethink e<tch dew-drop is a tear, That brims its dark blue eye, Remember when you wander near, "Forget-me-not," it sighs. S. K., PIBIl STRBST.

ABERYSTWITH MARKET PRICES, Monday last. CORN. Wheat per bushe), 5s. 9d. to 6s. I Barley „ 3s. to 3s. 3d. I Oats 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. I Rye-grass Seed „ Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. I

Utrtt). On the 3rd inst., the wife of Mr. Charles Painter, Portland Street, in this town, of a son. fHarriage. On the 6th instant, at Llanbadam-fawr, by the Rev. John Pugh, Curate, Mr. Richard James, Shoemaker, to Miss Ann Jones, both of this town. 8MtfJ. On the 1st instant, aged 89 years, 3fr, Lewis, late of Cobourg House, Marta« fewwfce, in this town.