The Aberystwith Observer

» SAINT DA VI 0'8 CLUB. A numerously attended meeting of this club was held on Thursday evening, at the Lion Hotel. The subject for discussion at the next meeting (Thurs- day next) will be put in the form of the following resolution "That John Bright is deserving of the thanks of his country." A warm debate is antici- pated.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS." THE GOGERDDAN FOXHOUNDS WILL XBBT Tuesday, Feb. 27th Cwmrhyad Saturday, March 2nd Penwern HiU EACH DAY AT TEN THE VALE OF AYRON FOXHOUNDS (Capt. Vanghans). WILL MEBT Monday, 25th Falcondale Friday, 1st March Llanybyther EACH DAY AT TEN. THE NANTEOS HARRIERS WILL MEET Tuesday, 26th Feb. Morvabychan Friday, 1st March. Capel Sion EACII DAY AT ELEVEN. Printed and Published hy the Proprietor, DAVID JENKINS, at his General Printing-Office, Pier- street, Aberystwyth. Saturday, February 23rd, 1867.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. Wednesday, 20th February. An adjourned meeting of the above body was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday last. The mem- bers present were Richard Roberts, Esq mayor, in the chair, Aldermen John Roberts, Griffith Thomas, and Thomas O. Morgan Councillors J. B. Bal- combe, John Rees, and Philip Williams. Mr. Parry, the town clerk, and Mr. Hugh Hughes, treasurer, were also present. Mr Balcombe proposed that before the business of the meeting was proceeded with, the minutes of the former meeting be read. Mr. Parry read the minutes referred to accor- dingly. Mr Balcombe proposed that the minutes be signed. Mr. Parry said it was taking up time unneces- sarily. Mr. Balcombe called attention to the fact that their minutes on the book three years old were not signed. The mayor then signed the minutes. Mr. Parry Was glad to find Mr. Balcombe so cor- rect in all his transactions. Mr Balcombe was sorry he could not return the compliment. (Laughter.) He would never sit at a meeting of that board when the minutes were not read and signed. The matter was then allowed to drop. TOWN ARCHITECT. The original arrangement between Mr. W. H. Davies, the architect for the council, was read by Mr. Parry. Mr. Parry did not know whether the arrangement applied to renewed leases. Mr. Atwood was quite certain it applied to both. Mr. Balcombe, who had made the arrangement, was satisfied it applied to all; and was not the Cor- poration bound by this minute ? Mr. Parry Yes. Mr. Balcombe Then is that signed ? Mr. Parry No, it is not. Mr. Balcombe There is one of the difficulties we contend with. Mr. Parry; The council will not turn round. Mr. Balcombe on the occasion of that arrange- ment told Mr. Morgan that he must pay 30s. per cent to the surveyor; and he was astonished to see by the OBSERVER that Mr. Morgan denied that. Mr. Atwood: He can't deny it. He was told so, and so was Davies, in Mr. Hughes' office. Mr. T. O. Morgan was present on the occasion wben they were so informed. Morgan was now only trying it on with them. After some further discussion Mr. Balcombe pro- posed the following resolution That the arrangement made between this coun- cil and Mr. H. D. Davies, on 30th November, 1863, shall be understood to apply to leases granted for extensions as well upon building as on new ground. This resolution not to apply to the interior of buildings. Mr J ohn Rees seconded, and the resolution was Unanimously carried. Mr. Philip Williams did not see it fair that the architect should be paid by the builder. Mr. Parry: In carrying out these plans you are improving the town. Mr. Atwood: It does not apply to the interior of the houses. It only applies to the elevation. Mr. Balcombe: Just so, it merely applies to ex- ternal portions of the buildings. Mr. P. Williams thought the resolution ought to be withdrawn until they had a larger meeting. Mr. G Thomas thought that as the principal ex- pense would be laid out on the interior; and as with that Mr. Davies had nothing to do, it was not fair lie should be paid upon the whole expenditure. Mr. Morgan said that this was taken into con- sideration when the arrangement was made; and that was the reason why this nominal percentage was given. The usual charge of an architect was 5 per cent. Mr. Balcombe said that the object of the council was to improve the character of buildings in the town. If a man makes an improvement in his house without altering the elavation, the person making auch improvement is not bound to pay Mr. Davies. The Mayor: If n man have a fancy to get an architect in the town to draw plans, he would still have to pay Mr. Davies. Mr. Balcombe: Yes; because Mr. Davies must approve the plans prepared on behalf of the council. Mr. Roberts: Yes; that is quite right, for it would be very bad to have houses of different forms in the same row. There being no one to second Mr. Williams' amendment, it fell to the ground; and the chairman declared M r. Balcombe's resolution carried. Mr. Balcombe referred to the dispute with Mr. Morgan in not having erected railings in front of his houses in Terrace Road. Mr. Atwood said that Mr. Isaac Morgan was going to do so. Mr. Balcombe thought notice ought to be given to Mr. Morgan to remove that wall built by him ow Corporation property, north-west of the Town Hall, Mr. Parry undertook to give such notice. Mr. Balcombe asked what law governed the case of hawkers, such as those now opposite the Town Hall. Mr. Parry said it was a matter for the considera- tion of the Town Commissioners. Mr. Balcombe considered it very unfair towards the rate-payers of the town that itinerant auctioueers should be allowed to damage the tradespeople. He hoped that the attention of the commissioners would be called to it. After the usual conversation the meeting broke lip.

& PENNY READINGS, ABERYSTWYTH. An entertainment under the above title was given At the Temperance Hall, on Friday se'enniglu, in •id of the Aberystwyth Literary institute and Working Men's Reading Room." The Rev. E. O. Phillips presided on the occasion. Many thanks are due to the committee for the kind feeling which dictated this mode of increasing the funds of the new and praiseworthy institution; but it would have been more creditab/e to the directors of the Penny Readings" had they exercised a sounder judgment and a nicer sense of delicacy in drawing up their programme. Taking into consideration cspecially the personal character and public posi- tion of the chairman, it would have been well to have omitted certain items in that programme. We fear that the entertainment under consideration has done much damage to the hitherto spotless charac- ter of the "Peonoy Readings." Had Mr Lewis Davies organised the meeting in question, we doubt notbut the offensive portions of the programme would have been wanting, and that all would have gone well and decently 8S hitherto. It is quite clear to us now that in losing Mr Davies the "Penny Reading "in this town have lost their only able and judicious conductor; and that until the com- mittee" get some one of equal ability and judgment to replace him, any future entertainments given under the same name will be unattended by the re- spectable portion of the community. Did it not, for instance, at the last meeting look like an inten- tional affront to the chairman to have such an im- pertinent piece of buffoonery set down for reading a" The Parson and the Dumplings;" nor could many tbing" more indecent he imagined than the long about A Woman in Mauve." Our attention has been called to the fact that this performance was not set down in the printed programme, and was song by the artiste of unquestionable (want of) taste in response to a call of encore, which one night expect to be applauded in no more respec- table a region than that of the filthy taproom pur- lieu* of the east of London. Such evidences of a depraved taste were only the more difguftintsly prominent, that they were found in company with readings and musical pleeesof a very superior class; and we can best show our re"pect for the respectable and praiseworthy amongst the performers by re- fraining from mentioning their names as having taken a part in a programme where a scurrilous reading and an indecent song are to be found. The object of the P*>m>y Rpadings" is to instruct the mind and exalt the taste, and not awaken or pander to the grosser passions of the unthinking crowd. We understand that so scandalized was Mr. Wil- liams, the principal proprietor of theTemperanceHall, with the course pursued by some of the performers on the night referred to, that he has come to the conclusion of henceforth making it one ot the terms of letting the Hal), lor such entertainments, that the programme proposed be first submitted to him for approval. A very wise and necessary resolve.

ABERYSTWYTH LITERARY INSTITUTE & WORKING MENS' READING ROOM. The hon. sec. begs leave to acknowledga the re- ceipt of £2 0 8^, proceeds of the last "Penny Readings' performance at the Temperance Hall, in this town. The thanks of the committee of the insti- are hereby tendered to those who assisted on the oc- casion referred to.

+ NEW WELSH CHURCH, ABERYSTWITH. A special meeting of the New Welsh Church Committee was held on Thursday last in the Vestry Room of the parish Church, St Michael's, the Rev. E. Owen Phillips, }J .A:, Vicar of the parish, in the chair. The other members of the committee present were Messrs. FrsderickRoberts, II ugh H ugbes, David Roberts, John Roberts, sen., John Cox, Thomas Jones, Hugh Davies, John Watkins,Rowland Evans. Captain Davies (Harbour Master), and the Rev. John Jones. The chairman briefly explained that the object of the meeting was to learn the difficulties which lay in way of opening the New Church, and of endeavour- ing to devise means by which those difficulties might be overcome. Mr. Frederick Roberts then read to the meeting a a lengthy correspondence which he had had with the bishop of St. David's, with the Ecclesiastical Com- missioners, and with other almost numberless parties connected with this most vexatious proceeding. The correspondence in fact could very well be included under the head of''Roundabout Papers," had it iiny of that pleasantness which marks MrThackeray's delightful essays. After some discussion, it was arranged that Mr Phillips, who kindly consented to the arrangement, visit the Bishop of St. David's, who is now in Lon- don, and explain to his Lordship how matters at present stood. The meeting then separated.

ABERYSTWITH LITERARY INSTITUTE AND WORKING MEN'S READING ROOM. A meeting of the committee of the above Institu- ing will be held on Monday, at 7 o'clock in the even- noon, at Mr Henry Davies' warerooms in Queen street. Mr Davies has kindly offered his rooms for the accommodation of the committee. It is to be hoped that the committee will accept this invitation. Patrons will please understand that they form ex- officio members of the committee, and that their attendance will oblige. G. B. O'HALLORAN, Hon. Sec.

4 ANNE OWENS' CASE. A rumour of a most painful nature was circulating through this town and met with general belieflast week, to the effect that the unfortunate girl bad died from the effects of the injuries she had re- ceived from the four ruffians convicted at the last Llanbadarn Petty Sessions. We are happy to be able to state that the rumour was without founda- tion.

4 CAPTAIN DAVIES, OF THE EXPRESS. Steadiness and perseverance, coupled with ability, generally meet with their reward. The public are waiting to see the shareholders of the s.s. Express take the intimation in forming a committee to present the late master, Capt. Davies, with a testi- monial for his great skill in his capacity, his courtesy, and his clever and faithful services by which they have received such very handsome dividends from the commencement, and suffered so very few draw- backs. Their customers at Liverpool and Bristol will, we are sure, be glad of the opportunity afforded to shew their appreciation of the care Captain Davies took of their goods, and the promptitude of their delivery.

A SAD DOG. The following rather novel document has been for- warded to us by the person upon whom it was fur- nished, with a desire that we should inform him what defence be ought to set up against the claim made. The brief document is a butcher's bill, and runs as follows :— 1867. Aberystwith feb 16 Mr J Williams To C. R s ncck of veal 4 p 1 I 8 the dog stole it Clearly, to our mind, the proper course for the butcher to pursue, would be to prosecute the dog on the charge of petty larceny. If it cannot be proved that the dog has been in the habit of stealing necks of veal, the butcher has no claim against the owner of the dog but if, on the other hand, it can be proved that the dog is a habitual thief with respect to necks of veal, the value of such stolen joint can be recovered from the person who is unlucky enough to be the possessor of a brute given to that unamiable vice, known amongst human beings as kleptomania. We are instructed by counsel learned in the law, that if a dog enters a man's premises, and bites or worries even the landlord thereof, no action lies against the owner of the dog unless it can be proved that the dog has been given to such bad habits. We opine that the law is alike in both cases. Then there is another view—a moral view—to be taken of the case. Dr Watts' (who is amongst the most frightful remembrances of the nursery) sang the very sensible rhyme- 'Tis dogs' delight To bark and bite, For 'tis their nature to and surely it may as truthfully be warblcd in the words of an impromptu poet— -— Should dogs not steal Lean necks of veal, When 'tis their nature to ? The enquiry, if further pursued, might bccome, ab- struse and metaphysical, so. as no doubt the butcher would have been glad the dog had done with the neck of veal, we,—drop it.

A PRESS-MAN'S BUSINESS. The great majority of the public believe, in- nocently, that the life of a writer on the news- paper press is one of ease and inactivity. Never was a greater mistake made, for under the sun there is no occupation more harassing to the mind, and consequently more detrimental to bodily health. To work unceasingly with the mind is a perpetual strain upon the brain, the seat of the nervous system; and the constant irritation,consequent upon such ceaseless strain, is calculated to create a chronic irritable fever. In London,of course, the labour is hghteoed,be- cause there are there many hands to do thevari- lous work but in the country, where one man has to fill up many occupatioas, the mind is ever stretched to the utmost tension, the attention ever on the qui vive. The smaller the town and district the more difficult the duties of the unfortunate press-man. He is obliged to be the scavenger of news and rumours the writer of letters to himself: the inspector of nuisances to show up; and of virtuous actions on which to expatiate. When there are no meetings of commissioners, or magistrates, or councillors; when there are no launches of life-boats, or chimneys on fire to report, the press-man is placed at his wits'-end to satisfy the eager cravings of the printer's devil. The printers, of course, are not to be blamed, because they must have copy" to "set up;" but there may be one of" brief authority" in the printing office who tends to make the prefs-man'a life even more miserable than it might have been. It is so wonder if a gentleman, who has re- ceived an education, the fruits of which he dedicates to the interests of/his employer, at last becomes sickened with jfte fantastic tricks of a numskull, and threwj^ up his occupation in disgust. l How many are the difficulties a press-man has to deal with how many are the humilia- tions to which he is subjected how fierce and furious are the wear and tear of mental anxiety he suffers, can be but imperfectly appreciated by outsiders." The public expect their paper, which it has ordered, as the great lady expects her ball dress; and the probability is that neither one nor the other reflects for a moment upon "the fingers weary and worn, the eye- lips heavy and red," that are consequent upon the production of the article. The public boasts of a vast number of astute critics amongst its members, whose high-souled plea- sure it is to pick a hole in the poor press- man's performance, never making allowance for the possibility of such mistake having oc- curred through a necessarily hasty composi- tion, or through the interference of such a party as that above referred to desiring to im- prove upon the wriler's style, by altering a j word he does not understand, or omitting a sentence or parenthesis that may be unpalatable to his prejudices. These are a few of the press-man's annoyances; and if fairly weighed against his blemishes, the scale may, perhaps, be turned in his favour.

THE FENIAN INSURRECTION. Once again in the history of Ireland have great preparations and large; promises resulted in little performances. The mountain has once more been in labour, with the proverbial result. The King of France, with twice ten thousand men, marched up the hill, and then -marched down again: and the march through Kerry was nut less ridiculous. The scene of the absurd Fenian raid, or rozzia, a gnerailla, or escadade, or whatever may be the right name, was laid in the south-west of Ireland, and the litttetown of Cahirciveen, in a wild and desolate district, was the head-quarters of this branch of the insurgents. The leader was a man of the name of O'Connor, who had gained some little warlike experience in the the Federal army. This misguided and mis- guiding man organised a ragged regiment ot some three score patriots, burning to avenge their country's wrongs. It seems they had some arms, and this fact, by the way, is scarcely creditable to the Irish Government This little army, which reminds one of that of Falstaff, proceeded towards Killarney, with no particular object perhaps but that of plunder, and the increese of their force, on their way they shot a policeman—a mean and spiteful act without a spark of heroism in it; but this was all they effected. The peasantry of the district through which they passed did nut rise as one man," nor, indeed, did one man rise to join the Fenian band; and soon the whole" army" on the mere appearance of the military; some of them were arrested there and then, and other captures have since been effected. With the Chester escapade still fresh in the memory of our readers, we may ask what hope is there of this foolish and criminal conspiracy, Fenianism. succeeding? All the bombast, all the stump oratory, all the subscriptions, all the inflamatory articles in a small section of the Irish and American press, have hitherto been thrown away. They have only served to create dupes and cat's-paws, and to show the utter futility of any Fenian rising either in Canada or Ireland. At present the ridiculous anti-climax in the cabbage garden of Ballin- garry, where poor Smith O'Brien was captured, has been outdone in absurdity by all that the Fenians have accomplished. But white Feniau- ism is an absurdity it is also a crime, and, so far at least as its leaders are concerned, it ought to be treated as such. We do not allow luna- tics to go at large, and if these Fenian insur- gents are lunatics they should be confined as lunatics; and if they are, as^they have pruved themselves to be, insurgents and rebels, they should be punished accordingly. We believe- and we say it more in sorrow than in anger— nothing but stern uncompromising justice will now be of any avail.

« THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE. The speech of the Emperor of the French at the opening of Parliament has been received with varied feelings, but on the whole .it has exercised a favourable influence on the course of public events. Count Walewski, the Presi- dent of the Legislative Body, in opening that Chamber had, as it were, to put this speech to the vote, for the etiquette which restrained the least manifestation of opinion before his Ma- jesty, did not prevent the members of the Corps Legislatif from expressing their judg- ment in the ejaculatory way which is so com- mon with popular assemblies. But the impe- rial address of Count Walewski's speech, which was of course ultra-Napoleonic, are now being judged by the people; and it is pleasing to add, in the interests of Europe, and this judg- ment, so far as we can judge, appears likely to be favourable. There are at this moment many legislative and other reforms being discussed by the French people—reforms in the Senate, in the Legislative Body, in the freedom of public meeting, and in the press—which will probably be of far more importance than appears gene- rally to be considered. Uuder ordinary cir- cumstances the Chambers would now be dis- cussing the Address on the Imperial speech, but this Address is abolished by a stroke of the Emperor's pen, and the right of interpellation is substituted. Hampered as this latter right s by certain official regulations, we neverthe- less believe that it will gradually work towards the grand desideratum of all good Govern- ment-the influence of enlightened public opinion upon Parliament. Already this new right has borne fruit, and we feel confident that it will gradually tend towards the expan- sion of popular liberties in France. But there are two. other reforms which, if carried out in the spirit which we have a right to expect from the statements of the leading French journals, will be of more importance than all the internal reforms and modifications in the proceedings of the French Chambers. We refer to reforms as to the pre^s, and as to the right of public meeting. As the law on these matters now stand, it is utterly disgrace- ful to the country, and a scandal and by-word to the nations. Not more than 20 people can meet together without 8uthority," while the press is hampered and clogged with all sorts of pains and penalties which render its free action impossible. There have been so many ru- mours as to the alleged character of these reforms that we refrain from attempting to de- cide which is the most probable. but of one thing we are certain, that the laws as to the press—which are of even greater importance than those regulating public meetings—will bo rendered less irksome; all the rumours agree thus far. Journalism, both as a profession and a trade, will be freer than it now is, and the right to the expression of opinion will be more decided that at present. This in itself will he a great boon to the French public, but if we add to this further freedom in the expression of opinion in the Chambers and in public meetings, the Freneli liberties will have re- ceived an accession indeed. And it is high time that these liberties were extended. France has waited long, if not very patiently, for them; and she may now be congratulated on her brightening prospects.

REFORMATION.—We are happy to state that there was no business this week to occupy the attention of the borough magistrates in Petty Sessions. HUNT CLUB DINNER.—The Gogerddan and Vale of Ayron Hunt Club dinner will be held at the Lion Hotel, Aberystwyth, on the 6th March next.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY. At a meeting of the Ordinary and Preference Shareholders in the Cambrian Railway, held at the offices of Messrs EarlefcSon, Oxford, and Earle. 44, Brown-street, Manchester, on Thursday, the 7th of February Mr Henry Rawson in the chair. The meeting was numerously attended it was resolved —"That the gentlemen now present resolve them- selves into a committee to take rharge of the interests of the Cambrian shareholders proper, ordinary and preference, and to take such steps as they may think proper by supporting the present, or a modifipd Board, in Cambrian interests proper, in maintaining the control of the affairs of the company any expenses incurred by such committee being provided by shareholders in proportion to their holdings." At a meeting of the committee, held at the con- clusion of the previous meeting, it was resolved— "That the following gentlemen be appointed a sub- committee:—The Chairman (ex-ojjicio), Messrs John Todd, Samuel Moscroft, Nathaniel Shelmer- dine, Archibald Burns, F. A. Fynney. Joseph Lamb, Herbert Hardie. John Allen, Robert M'Ewen, Joseph Pope, Thomas Baristow, Robert Clough, Prince Smith, William Smith, and Prince Smith, junior." At a meeting of the sub-committee held on the 11th instant, the issuing of the accompanying circular was determined upon :— "We beg respectfully to inform you that a large and influential meeting of ordinary and preference shareholders of the Cambrian Railways Company, held in Manchester on the 7th inst., it was deemed urgently necessary that a committee should be formed for the purpose of protecting the company against the recent injurious proceedings of a com- bination of shareholders in London, connected with certain parties officially appointed to promote interests obviously adverse to the interests of the Cambrian Company, and that such committee was accordingly formed. The audacious attempt made to force this com- pany intoau amalgamation with a number of lines now in the hands of contractors, liquidators, and cnancial companies, has for the present been frus- trated by the prompt and decided action of the Board—supported by a large number of the pro- prietors. The object which the parties had in view was to procure a value to their worthless undertak- ings, at the expense of the Cambrian Company, which has already suffered sufficiently from an alliance most improperly formed with the Coast' lines. The manner in which the voting power obtained by that alliance has been used, shows unmistakably that the parties hOld nu regard for the interests of the Cambrian Company, nor even for the permanent in- terests of the Coast lines. Their only object was to obtain for the interests they are appointed to pro- mote an immediate advantage, regardless altogether of the permanent welfare either of the Cambrian Company or the Coast lines. Under these circumstances, the committee con- sider it their imperative duty to support the Board of Directors, whose declared policy at the present time is to avoid all amalgamations with lines of contractors and liquidators—to develope the resour- ces of their own hIle-to work harmoniously with all surrounding companies—to economise, as far as is consistent with efficiency, the working expenses of the company—and for this purpose to reconstruct the staff arrangements. This course of policy will at once relieve the Board of the embarrassment caused by the reckless conduct of the parties who have been obstructing their proceedings and damaging the credit of the company by monthly adjournments of meetings held in London, calling away from their duties the officials, and wasting the funds of the company. On these grounds the committee confidently ask you to support the Board at the next half-yearly meeting, and for this purpose earnestly recommend you to siirn the enclosed proxy, and to return it to M r Howell, of Welshpool, not later than the 16th instant. I have the honour to be, on behalf of the com- mittee, HENRY RAWSON, Chairman." [The names mentioned in the proxy enclosed are those of the chairman, Captain Pryce, and Mr Gartside.] On the other hand, Mr Savin's Inspectors have issued the following letter :— "Sir,—The creditors of Mr Thomas Savin being very largely interested in the shares and securities of the Cumbrian Railways Company, we, as his In- spectors, have sent to such creditors a circular dated the 9th instant (copy of which we now enclose), re- questing such of them as cannot attend the forth- coming half-yearly meeting, to forward their proxies to Mr Quilter, in order that their interests, which to Mr Quilter, in order that their interests, which are identical with those of yourself and the other holders of Cambrian Railways securities, may be protected. If you think proper to entrust us (through Mr Quilter) with your proxy, you may rest assured that it shall only be used in furtherance of the true interests of the Cambrian Railways Company. We enclose you a form of proxy which should be signed and returned to Mr Quilter, on or before the 15th instant. "Weare your obedient servants, William Smith. Swinton Boult. Joseph Suche. "London, 11th February, 1867. (Copy of Circular.y "Sir,—You will no doubt have received from the solicitor of the Cambrian Railway Companys a cir- cular soliciting your proxy for the ensuing half- yearly meeiing, to be held on the 21st instant, in favour, not of the chairman and deputy-chairman of the company, but of the chairman and two other members of the Board. '"From our position as inspectors of the estate of Mr. Savin, we have had the means of becoming ac- quainted with various matters connected with the internal organization of the Board, which clearly shew (what indeed the circumstance above referred to sufficiently indicates) that there is a want of har- mony in the Board itself, and as a necessary conse- quence, an unfortunate amount of weakness in the administration of the company's affairs. You are aware, that immediately after our ap- pointment, we took energetic measures to obtain the requisite funds to complete the railways, and in or- der to protect those who advanced that money, and the creditors generally on Mr Savin's estate, we stipulated for three seats at the Board, which were agreed to be given, but two only are actually held. By the operation, we presume, of some order of ro- tation, it happens, singularly enough, that hoth our nominees, and no other members of the direction, are declared to be the outgoing directors on the present occasion. "The irregularities in the accounts for the last half-year which appeared at the last half-yearly meeting (and which have caused succussive adjourn- ments, some at the instance of the directors them- selves) must convince you of the necessity of main- taining that influence in the management to which the large and prcpondering intertSis of the creditors of Mr Savin gave them an undoubted claim. "It is necessary that the little knot of a com- mittee within the Board itself should be broken up, and that your nominees and every other director should have the opportunity of becoming acquainted with. and exercising a proper watchfulness over the company' concerns. Were that done, the inaccuracy in the accounts might have been avoided, the dir-pme with the company's engineer, and the consequent at- tachment of the banker's balance might have been prevented, the sequestration might never have been issued, the finished but unopened portions of your lines might be now productive of revenue, and the aspect of the entire undertaking might be materially improved. Therefore we venture to hope that you will con- tinue to us your confidence, and manifest it by re- turning to Mr Quilter, on or before the 15th instant, the accompanying form of proxy, duly signed, in case you should not be able to attend personally at the meeting, we would respectfully but urgently prets upon you to do. "If you have already sent a proxy to Mr Howell, we must also ask you to write at once to the com- pany's secretary, Mr George Lewis, of Oswestry revoking such proxy "We do not specially represent 'Coast,' 'Cambrian Proper,' or any other particular description of stock. The subscribers to the fund for the completion of the lines are interested in 'Coast' stock to the extent of about JM40 00, and in Cambrian proper' stock to the amount of about £380,000, and there are other creditors of Mr Savin who hold about £35U, UUO 'Coust,' and about £470,UOO Cambrian proper,' so that Mr Savin's creditors are interested in both descriptions of stock to the extent of upwards of one million and a half, being more than three-fifths of the entire share capital. WILLIAM SMITH, 1 SWINTON BOULT, [■ Inspectors of Mr Savin's estate. JOSEPH SUCHE, I P.S.—All communications on the subjeci of this circular may be addressed to William Quilter, Esq., No. 3, Moorgate-street, London." The following letter has been addressed to Mr Howell by Mr Whalley:— Plas Madoc, 16th February, 1867. Dear Sir,—In reply to your circular requesting my proxy for the Cambrian meeting on the 21st.. I am not sufficiently informed upon the questions in difference to take p:trt on the one side or the other. It does not appear from tlie printed letters I have received which of the parties is best prepared to re- turn to the original policy of the Cambrian Railways, namely, to maintain in the interest of the share- holders and the public an independent and efficient communication between North Wales and Lanca- shire; or, in other words, which of them is the most opposed to that complicity with the designs of the great companies that have brought ruin to the proper- ty in Welsh Railways, and discredit and injury to the Principality. For the reasons I have publicly stated, it is my conviction that these railways may even now be re- stored to their former value if the policy which origi. nated them, and was successfully maintained up to 1864-, were again earnestly adopted. All other questions and differences will merely plunge them into deeper difficulties, and thus pro- mote the policy of t reason why I decline t 6 laiiniufy, G. H. WHALLEY. # A. Howell, Esq. —

"SPRING" tidps have set in. Our sea-wall has had during the last week to bear the cannonading of some very heavy seas. The tides were so high at times that they were completely over the shore end of the promenade pier. FURIOUS DRIVING.— Notwithstanding the numer- ous remonstrances which have been made here and elsewhere, the 'bus drivers continue to urge their horses through the streets at headlong speed. It is a providential mercy that no lives have yet been lost by them. The authorities, if it were in their power, would be not only justified, but worthy of public gratitude, in whipping those "crackwhips" at the tails of their own 'busses. ABERYSTWYTH LODGE OF FREEMASONS.—The regular monthly meeting of the Aberystwyth Lodge of the Ancient Brotherhood took place on Thursday evening week, in the lodge-room, at the Belle Vue Royal Hotel, under the presidency of theW.M., Mr. G. T. Smith, when one of the brethren was raised to the third, or master-mason's degree, and another advanced to the second degree. There was a very numerous attendance of the members of the lodge, as well as several visiting brethren from different parts of the kingdom The next monthly meeting is fixed for the first Thursday in March.

THE IRON, COAL, AND TINPLATE TRADES OF SOUTH WALES. There is a better feeling in the iron trade than for some weeks past, and buyers show a disposition to enter into transactions more freely. Several large American contracts are in the market, ar.d the nego- tiations now in progress lead to the hope that the greater part of them will be secured for South Wales. Before the new tariff comes into operation large shipments are expected to be made to the States. There is an average inquiry from the con- tinental markets, Russia and Italy being the princi- pal customers. Home business continues dull, but there are signs of a better demand as the year advances. Three or four of the leading railway companies will require considerable supplies, pro- vided they can raise the necessary capital- Pigs are selling slowly. In the tinplate trade there is no material change to note, makers being fairly off for oraers. Charcoals I.C. are quoted 28s to 29s at the works- Steam coal proprietors are doing a brisk inland trade, and quotations are well maintained. In export account the demand has slightly fallen off.

♦ ACCOUCHEMENT OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES. The following bulletins announcing the birth of a Princess were issued yesterday MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, FEB. 20, 1867. (830. A.M.) Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was safely delivered of a Princess at 6.39 this morning. The confinement was most favourable, and The confinement was most favourable, and was in no way affected by the rheumatism from which the Princess is suffering. Her Royal Highness and the infant Princess are going on quite well. ARTHUR FARRE, M. D. WILLIAM j KNNER, M D. EDWARD H. SIEVEKING, M. D. MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, Feb. 20, (2 P.M.) Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales has had some refreshing sleep. The infant Princess is quite well. ARTHUR FABRK, M. D. WILLIAM JUNKER, M. D. E. H. SIKVFKIMG, M. D. [From a Supplement to The London Gazette."] MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, Feb. 20, 1687. L This morning, at half-past six o'clock, her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was safety delivered of a Princess. The confinement, which was most favour- able, Was not in any way affected by the rheu- matism, from which the Princess is suffering. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was present. The Secretary of State for the Home Department arrived at Marlborugh House shortly after. 0 This happy event was made known by the firing of the Park and Tower guus. The auspicious event was announced to the citizens of London in the subjoined official communication addressed to the Lord Mayor by the Secretary of State Whitehall, Feb. 20. "My Lord-I have the satisfaction to inform your Lordship that her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was safely delivered of a Princess at half-past six o'cluck this morning. "The confinement, which was most favour- able, was not in any way affected by the rheu- matism, from which the Princess is suffering. "Her Royal Highness and the infant Princess are going on quite well.— I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient servant, "S. H. WALPOLE. The Ri;rht Hon. the Lord Mayor" A copy of this communication, immediately on its receipt yesterday morning, was posted in tront ot the Mansion House-

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. A RAILWAY CONTRACTOR IN TROUBLE. The following: (Recurs in the parliamentary reports of the London journals. In the Hottseof Lords Lord KedesUal«*,>aid that since he referred to the matters in dispute between hiingelt and Mr France he had received a letter from tbai gentleman. It was dated the ICitb instant, but as he did not receive it until that (veMerday) morning, it was clear that it could not have been po«ted until after six o'clock on Monday evening. That letter did not contain any apology, and he "as therefore under Ihe neces- sity of moving that Mr France should be called and examined at their lordships' bar. Mr France was then called in, and. having takpn his pl-ce at the bar, he was examined by the Lord Charireilor and Lord Redesdate. He slated, in answer to their qupstions, that he was the author of the pamphlet emii!ed, Lord Rede^dale and the New Railways that he had brought with him ihf letters that had passed between himself and his lordship; that he had began the letter dated the 16th instant on Saturday la«t, although he only completed and po-tcd it on Monday; and that, he had printed and circulated that document, amongst members of Parliament, hut. not. unli1 It copy had heen sent to his lordship. He added that he bad not at present, a copy ill hi* possession, as he had only a draft, which was tarnished to the printer. Mr France was ordered to procure a copy of this Ipltpr, and add it to tile ot her correspondence which he put in, and he was then duected to withdraw. Lord Uedesdale then movpd that a Select com- mittee shoul" be appointed to inquire into the charge brought against the Chairman of Commit- tees, of hnviiig improperly introduced a clause into ihe Muld and Denbigh Railway Bill.

LONGITUDE BY THE ATLANTIC CABLE.—The difference of longitude between England and America has, hitherto, rested upon the chronometric expeditions instituted by the Coast Survey during the years of 1849-51 and 18;)5. Fifty chronometers were transported three times in each direction across the Atlantic. The probable error of the result of these expeditions was 19 100th of a second. The value thus obtained, though for all practical purposes sufficiently precise, is not so for the mecessities of astronomical science in its present refined state. When, therefore, the success of the cable provided telegraphic Transatlantic connection with Knghmd, parties of the Coast Survey Were formed, under the direction of Dr. B. A. Gould, to take advantage of this means of obtaining a value more precise than that furnished by the chrono- metric expeditions, allusion to which has been made. The peculiarities in the methods and apparatus employed in working the cable render the process of determining the longitude by its means in many respects from that by the land telegraphic lines. New obstacles, which made success exceedingly doubtful, were to be surmounted, and new sources of error eliminated; but,, thanks to the genius, ex- perience, and perseverance of Dr. Gould, these have been overcome, and results of remarkable precision elicited. The probable error of the resulting longi- tude is about four-hundredths of a second. Perhaps it will give the reader a clearer idea of the nicety implied in this by stating that a distance of about 1,900 miles has been measured, and that the measure is not probably more than 40 feet from the truth. The time required for a signal to pass through the cable has been discovered with still greater pre- cision to be 31.100th of a second, which is probably not in error by one-hundredth of a second. This is equivalent to a velocity of 6.020 miles a second, and is notably less th in the velocity of the electric ffiid J upon land lines, which numerous observations have shown to average 1(5,0U0 miles a second.—Boston I'unscript. As illustrations of the extraordinary influence of a covering of anow in protecting vegetation, even trifles are worth recording. In a flower bed in a garden on the side of one of the Surrey hills, the plants of a crimson flowering verbena were found, after the thaw of Sunday, to be perfectly uninjured by the bitter frost, though a keen east wind bad been blowing over the snow that covered them for many hours. On Friday night a thermometer hanging about four feet from the ground, hard by the flower bed in question, registered 3i deg. below zero, so that the change to a rapid thaw was one of the most sudden on record.—Pall Mall Gazette.

A.DINC S. On Wednesday, nnounced. the seventh meet- ing fur the season of these excellent entertainments came off at the New Schoolrooms- E. M. Vaughan, Esq, had been announced to preside, but about three o'clock on the the afternoon of Wednesday the hon. sec. was disagreeably surprised to receive the follow- ing note from Mr Vaughan :— 9, Terrace, Wednesday, Feb. 20th. DEAR SIR,—I have just received a telegram which will oblige me to leave for England by the 5.30 train. I regret to say I shall therefore be unable to take the chair at the Popular Readings this evening. I hope you will piake every apology for me to the audience. I remain, Yours faithfully, E. M. VAITGHAN. It was impossible to give public notice of the dis- appointment, as the programmes had not only been printed, but distributed. Fortunately, Col. Pryse attended the meeting in the evening, and upon the secretary explaining to him the difficulty in which the committee was placed, he, in the kindest manner, consented to preside in the stead of Mr Vaughan. The attendance was the most numerous of the season, and the chairman explained to the meeting that Mr Vaughan's absence was caused by a family affliction. The audience received the explanation with the best possible grace and, indeed, they had no reason to complain, for a more efficient chairman than Col. Pryse it would be im- possible to find. The programme opened with an overture—this time flute and pianofore, Mr G. J. Williams perform- ing on the former instrument, and Mr. Bervon presiding at the latter. The piece was very happily selected, and very excellently played. The Rev. Thomas Morice read a selection from that charming book, Gentle Life;" and was listened to throughout with wrapt attention. Mr. Robert Barlow sang the difficult comic song, "Constanti- nople," in a style that provoked much merriment. He was loudly applauded at the close. A selection from Oliver Twist" was the next reading. Mr G. T. Smith was the reader, and the parts he selected were Mr Bumble's courtship and married life; which he dovetailed with extraordinary skill. This by a large number of the audience was considered, although lengthy, the most successful reading of the evening. Mrs Robert Barlow and Mr George Cumberland then sang the celebrated duet, What are the wild waves saying j" and considering this was the ''first appearance in public'' of either lady or gentleman, they both acquitted themselves with wonderful skill, finish and confidence. The harmonized portions of the duet went especially well, and the performance was loudly applauded. It was followed by a reading from "Pickwick," by Mr Frank Bond, who displayed great taste and discre- tion in his selection, not only because the writing of the love-letter" by Samuel Weller for his parent, is one of the best passages in a book that bristles with pointed and pungent humour, but also because it was one of the few readings of an orthodox length —the rest being all too lengthy. We heartily wel- come this promising novice in popular reading. The reading was succeeded by a pianoforte performance of Tickell's adaptation of Home, Sweet Home," by Miss Kate Rees, a similar performance to that executed last season by this young lady. Miss Rees acquitted herself to the delight of an apprecia- tive audience; her execution was perfect, and the general effect both of performance and performer was charming. Mr. David Thomas, whose fame as a Welsh reader is now thoroughly established, read Derfel's "Mae pawb yn priodi ond ni," to the gfeat amusement of even those who did not understand a word of what he said. Mrs Robert Barlow then sang Buckley's beautiful ballad, "Fleeting. Friendship," which proved to be the vocal triumph of the evening. This lady is possessed of a fine soprano voice, which in the upper register is clear, full, and ringing: this song was vociferously en- cored. Mr. J. M. Griffiths read in a well-modulated voice, and with impressive emphasis, a moral tale (we mean a tale containing a moral), from "House- hold Words," a most amusing paraphrase of which in verse, entitled "The King of Brentford," may be found in Thackeray's volume of "Poems and Ballads." Mr T. Williams and his interesting little nephew then repeated their performance of the previous meeting—a performance that threw the meeting into convulsions of laughter and reminded not a few present of poor Tiny Tim" and his fond old father. Mr. Cross read a portion of Tennyson's great poem, More d'Arthur a style of poetry exquisitely beautiful as it is in the study, but seldom proves effective on the stage. The promised duet on the violin and pianoforte came to an untimely end through the breaking of two strings of the former instrument. Before the duet commenced one string of the violin was heard to snap, notwithstand- ing which Mr Cares well managed to perform with admirable skill, until the conclusion of the introduc- tion, when another string snapped, and then Mr Careswell had no choice but to yield to the decrees of a vindictive fate. What he did play, however, was really very beautiful, and served to buoy the expectations of the audience up for what was to follow. The performance came to an untimely end, but the performers were greeted with loud and deserved applause. Let us hope that they may be enabled to give us the continuance of the beautiful composition at Ollr next meeting. The last reading of the evening was Arnold's Feast of Belshazzar," which the Rev. E. Owen Phillips rendered with a solemnity and declamatory effect worthy of a poem which contains some of the finest lines to be found n our language. At the conclusion of the poem the reader proposed a vote of thanks to the chair- man, which was most warmly received. The chair- man responded in a few well-chosen words. The National Anthem was then sung by Mrs Barlow, and the audience separated, well pleased, we trust and believe, with one of the most successful meet- ings of the Popular Readings.

THE FENIANS. Under the heading "Alleged Fenian Programme," the Freeman's Journal publishes the following letter from acorrespondeut, who signs himself" A Fenian:" — When it was discovered in New York that Stephens failed to keep his promise of commencing a tight at the close of last year, the fury of the Ame- rican Fenians knew no bounds, and if he were caught during the first stages of disappointment, he would not be now in France to give trouble to the Govern- ment. The supposition that he is now in Kerry is entirely groundless. He is in Paris, and has already sent for his wife to join him there, where he intends to apply himself to literary pursuits for the future, being somewhat in the condition of Othello,as far as Fenianism is concerned. When his defection was discovered by Colonel Kelly and others, a conven- tion of the Brotherhood was called in New York, when he was formally disposed, and General Glee- son put in his place, pro tern, until the views of John Vlitchel could be had. That gentleman was at once communicated with on the subject, and his advice was to the effect that the organisation shoucd be kept up in America, but that nothing should be fur- ther done in Ireland owing to the danger to organ- isers and people, from the extreme Watcfulnpss of the authorities. Mitchel argued that it would be madness to keep up the organisation in Ireland or attempt an insurrection, until England was at war with some of the great powers, which event he thinks cannot be long delayed. He advises the consolida- tion of the two branches in America, the accumula- tion of arms and stores at convenient points for transportation, and that orders be sent to Ireland to suspend operations until a more favourable time. These views were presented at an adjourned meeting of the convention above alluded to, and unanimously adopted Mitchel also consented to be the future chief of the Fenians on both sides of the Atlantic. This agreement was notified by the convention, and a messenger despatched immediately to Ireland with the news Fortunately, that messenger arrived in the nick of time to stop a foray contemplated by the more violent Fenians here. Orders were immedi- ately despatched to all parts of the country to pre- vent the contemplated movement, which had the effect desired. The south-west of Kerry is the only place where the order did not reach in time hence the attempt at incurrection there, and the cause of the people of other parts not joining the Kerry in- surgents. It is not tor any want of sympathy, but in obedience to orders, that the turn out' was not more serious. The order did not reach England as soon as Ireland; hence Chester. Nor need the Chester people imagine that it was the extraordinary display of vigour by the authorities that prevented the sack of Chester Castle, but be thankful that the order of John Mitchel reached the leader, just in time to prevent it. This being so, it is plain that the men lately arrested in Dublin, Drogheila, Dundalk, and other ports did not come to Ireland to create disturbance, as the order of suspension had reached them before they left England. All Americans in Ireland, England, and Scotland have been ordered back at once, and most of them have already left. All would have done so but for the want of means. The more indigent have applied to Mr. Adams and the various American consuls at our ports for trans- portation home. So the police and detectives may relax their vigilence, and Lord Derby let the Habeas Corpus he restored. The next, invation of Ireland will depend on John Mitchel, and the chances of war between England and the United Slates or France— and it is to be hoped that Ireland may so improve in the interim that no change of rulers may be neces- sary. Without, however, justice being f.llrly done to Ireland a strong hostile element will always exist in the United States, ready to take any advantage of England's troubles with foreign states. The above I have obtained from Mr. Mitchel's messenger, who is an old friend and schoolfellow, and who returned by the Liverpool steamer on Saturday. (By Telegraph.) Killarney, Wednesday Night. A telegram about troop, being forwarded by the reporter of the C'ork Herald, has been stopped by the magistrates, and false charge against the troops. The magistrates, after telegraphing the Govern- ment in Dublin, committed the reporter to gaol for seeking to send false intelligence of troops being dis- affected and singing ueditiovs Bongs. The telegraph wires cut again last night four miles beyond Killarney, on the road to Jvillorglin. The Fenian chiefs are said to have dispersed. The police have been sent back to three stations from which they were withdrawn.

—:—* ART INTELLIGENCE. A deservedly celebrated house in Edinburgh- that of Schenck & Son, intend publishing, on the 25th inst., by special permission, magnificent litho- graphed copies of oil painting portraits of the greatest amongst living celebrities, including men of all callings—ministers of religion-literary and parliamentary notorieties—great employers of la- bour, amongst whom is the well known ironmaster, Robert Crawshay. &c. The lithographs, we under- stand, are executed in a most superior style—many of them enlarged fromphotograps taken by command of the Queen in 1866.

THE National Eisteddfod of 1868 is to be held at Ruthin, and we observe that in future the adjudica- tion il] not be read in extenso, so much weariness of ti rlesh will be saved at these meetings.

ANNE OWENS' CASE. TO THE EDITOR OP THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. SIR. The only object I had in writing was to call through you the attention of the public to what I thought and still think was a gross miscarriage of justice hprein. Mr At wood's long letter in your last fails to'con- vince me to the contrary. It simply shows that he, the advocate of the parties charged, is well satisfied with their lenient sentence, and, therefore, now appears as the apologist in your columns of the magistrates who passed it! Such a trifling sentence for so cruel and horrible a crilDe committed by miscreants in the shape of men on a poor servant girl, defenceless under the circumstances, naturally rouse the feelings of huma- nity, and calls for the vindication of the law by a punishment being meted out adequate to the offence. Mr Atwood's defence of the magistrate who attempted to compromise the case after sentence passed, is utteily untenable. And he appear" to forget that, besides the parties implicated, the public have an interest in seeing that justice is properly administered. We want stipendiary magistrates appointed throughout the country. 1 fearlessly assert that the keeper of the lock-up and the superintendent of police were legally right, and appear to have been the only parties who re- spected the law. The leading article in your last shews that publie attention has been directed to and is now interested in this case. my object, therefore, is attained. It is now for the county of Cardigan to properly take the matter up, and remove as far as practicable the foul blot from its deservedly good name. I cannot conclude without adding my humble tribute of respect to the press,—the glorious de- fender of our rights, our liberties, and laws. Yours faithfully, 11, Gray's Inn Square, A LAWYER. London.

SHAMEFUL OUTRAGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,-Knowing that your valuable columns are always open to expose any private or public nuis- ance, I beg the favour of your inserting the following facts by so doing it may lead the town authorities to enquire what protection is there to private untenanted houses from wanton malicious injury at the hands of evil-disposed persons. The house of 5, Alfred Place, the property of Mr William Julian, Portland-street, at present uninhabited, but lately occupied,and afterwards re-let to a new tenant, to enter on the 1st March, after the repairs were effected, and from the commencement of those repairs some miscreants have maliciously and repeatedly damaged the interior of the house by forcing an entrance at the back, and exhibiting lights at different rooms in the house one night at an'early hour, which brought a riotous crowd in front, who soon commenced throwing dirt and mud at the win- dows, and stones at the doors, shouting that the house was haunted and after some time the atten- tion of the police was called to the scene that was going on, and the appearance of one of that staff prevented any further mischief that night, it was then thought it would end there but it turned out to be only the beginning of the end, as in a few nights after it was found and supposed the same miscreants had entered the house again, and utterly demolished the paper in one of the best bedrooms and on Saturday last after the glazier had replaced all broken panes of glass in the windows On the following Monday morning on going to their work they found four panes again broken in the back, by stones being thrown at them. Such wanton mischief, repeated with impunity, night after night, is most disgraceful to the town where household property is so heavily taxed, and so little protection afforded to that property from any malicious person who may be disposed to injure it I hope the authorities will not allow such glaring outrages pass unnoticed without having them enquired into. I remain. Sir, Yours respectfully, Aberystwyth, A HOUSEHOLDER. l!)th. Feb., 1867.

THE CHILDREN IN THE MOON. Harken, child, unto a story 1 For. the moon is in the sky, And across her shield of silver, See two tiny cloudlets fly. "Watch them closely, mark them sharply, As across the light they pass,— Seem they not to have the figures Of a little lad and lass ? "See, my child, across their shoulders Lies a little pole and, lo! Yonder speck is just the bucket, Swinging softly to and fro. "It is said these little children, Many and many a summer night, To a little well far northward Wandered in the still moonlight. "To the wayside well they trotted. Filled their little buckets there, And the Moon-man looking downward, Saw how beautiful they were. Quoth the man,' How vexed and sulky Looks the little rosy boy 1 But the little handsome maiden Trips behind him full of joy. "To the well behind the hedgerow Trot the little lad and maiden From the well behind the hedgerow Now the iittlegpail if laden. "How they please me how they tempt m. r Shall I snatch them up to-night ? Snatch thenj, set them here for ever In the middle of my light ? "Children, ay, and children's children Should behold my babes on high, And my babes should smile for ever, Calling others to the sky! "Thus the philosophic Moon-man Muttered many years ago, Set the babes with pole and bucket, To delight the folks below. "NeTer is the bucket empty, Never are the children old Ever when the moon is shining We the children may behold. "Ever young and ever little, Ever sweet and ever fair! When thou art a man, my darling, Still the children will be there I "Ever young and ever little, They will smile when thou art old; When thy locks are thin and silver, Theirs will still be shining gold. "They will haunt you from their heaven, Softly beekoning down the gloom- Smiling in eternal sweetness On the cradle, on thy tomb !"— From the Scandinavian.

fihtl). On the 16th, the wife of Mr. John Lloyd, Grocer, St. James' Square, of a son. SestO. On Sunday, the 10th inst., Eliza, the eldest daughter of Henry Ogle Holmes, Esq., 4 Clifton Villas, Camden Road, London, in her 23rd year.