The Aberystwith Observer

LOOAL. ABERYSTWYTH BOARD OF GUARDIANS At the usual fortnightly meeting held at the Work- house on Monday, there were present H. C. i ryer, Esq (in the chair,) Captain C. Bassett Lewis, Messrs. W. H. Davies, D. J. Davies, W. Jones (Brynowen), William Jones (Parcel Canol), John Evans, John Ellis, Thomas Samuel, Peter Jones, David Jones, Richard James, Edward Jones, Tho- mas Thomas, William Davies and also Messrs. Hugh Hughes (clerk), J. Roberts, T. James, R. Rowland, and E. Rowland (medical officers). MINUTES AND FINANCE. The minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk reported that the delay (com- plained of at the last meeting, and respecting which Mr Hughes was requested to write to Messrs. Beynon and Griffiths) with regard to putting in the new windows at the Workhouse arose from the contrac- tors not being able to get their glass from Liverpool, but they were expecting it daily, as it was sent off OD the 18th inst. The Bank book showed a balance of S79/. 12s. lOd. in favour of the Union. The relieving officers' disbursements during the fortnight amounted to 249/. fit. 4d., the proportion of each being as follows —Mr J. LI. Griffiths. 891. 2s. 6d.; Mr John Jones, 941. lis. Od. Mr Lewis Lewis, 651. 12s. lOd. A KITCHEN RANGE FOR THE WORKHOUSE. Mr J. Ellis, as a member of the House Committee, informed the Board that since the new dietary had come into operation, the cooking appliances in the Workhouse were insufficient, and a new range was wanted. Mr Roberts, the medical officer of the House, confirmed this statement, and said that the paupers did not get their dinner until 2 o'clock p.m. on Sun- day owing to the deficiency in the cooking apparatus, and then the meat was scarcely done, The House Committee were requested to purchase a kitchen range at a cost not exceeding 151, and it was understood that if they were unable to get a good one for that sum, they would report to the Board at its next meeting, and ask for further in- structions. In answer to the chairman, the master of the Workhouse said the new dietary was working well. VACCINATION MATTERS. The following report of the Vaccination Committee was read by the chairman :— To the Chairman and Guardilln8 of the Aberystwyth Union. Gentlemen,—According to your wish, the Vaccination Com- mittee have c0nsidpred the applications for the office of public yaccinato1', and the best mode of dividing the districts, and now we beg to recommend as follows:- That Mr Jacob Roberts lie appointed public vaccinator for the Llanrbyltid and Aberystwyth districts, and that the stations for Llanrhystid district be the villages of Llanrhystid, Llanilar, and Llangwyryfon; and the stations for Aberystwyth district be Aber. ystwyth, Llanbadarn, and Figure Four. That Mr Morris Jones be appointed public vaccinator for the district of Geneu'r-glyn, with stations at Bow-street, Borth, Tre'rddol, Talybont, and Pontgoch. That Mr Rowland Rowland be appointed public vaccinator for the Upper Rheidol district, which district comprises Llanafan, Eglwys-ntwydd, and the Chapelry ofYspytty Cynfyn, with stations at Frongoch, Cwmvstwyth, and Llanafan. That Mr Evan Rowland be appointed public vaccinator for the Lower Rheidol district, with stations at Penllwyn, Goginan, Ponterwyd, Penrhyncoch, and Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn. The Committee regret that they are unable to audit the accoubts sent in for vaccination performed during the püt year, in consequence of the registrars being unable to produce the certificates required by law. Your committee, however, noticed that the vaccination books were imperfectly filled up, and (in one case) that the form was obsolete. We have the honour to be, &e., C. BASSETT LEWIS, H. C. FRYER, DAVID J. DAVIES, Aberystwyth, Jan. 22nd, 1872. JOHN ELLIS. In commenting on the report, the chairman said Mr Jacob Roberts was unanimously appointed to districts No. I and 2. Mr W. H. Davies remarked that the committee had allotted a very large district to Mr Roberts. The Chairman said nothing had been done by the committee without due deliberation, and he might say that in fixing the stations the committee were desirous of making them convenient to those who had to be operated upon. Therefore they would be glad to have suggestions from the guardians on the subject. Mr John Evans said he thought the stations were very well arranged. The Chairman then recapitulated the committee's arrangements with regard to district No. 3 (Geneu'r- glyn), and Mr W. Jones (Brynowen) said that as Mr James used to be the vaccinator for that district, the com- mittee must have had some very good reasons why they refused his application. The Chairman said that with regard to Mr James, the committee felt they could not ask him to go so far from home when on the last occasion he did his duty there by a deputy. He begged to propose that the report, so far as it related to the vaccination districts, should be accepted and confirmed by the Board. Mr W. Jones (Brynowen) seconded the resolution, and said he thought the division of the districts had been fairly and advantageously made. A remark was here made with reference to the committee not having appointed Mr James to one of the vaccination districts. The Chairman said that with regard to Dr James, the committee felt a certain delicacy in recommending any other gentleman, but they naturally thought that their first duty was to the ratepayers, and the persons to be operated upon. They had to take the man likely to do his work best. The Clerk You can do nothing without the sanc- tion of the Local Government Board. The Chairman: And as a step towards obtaining that, we are asking this Board to confirm our choice of districts, stations, and vaccinators. The Clerk: But you must go further than that; you must fix days for people to attend at the different stations. Mr Ellis This is a business by itself. The Clerk But you must go further. Mr Ellis We will take the rest again. Let us appoint the medical men. The Chairman In order to fix upon days for vaccination, the committee must consult the medical men, and fix the days accordingly. The resolution before the Board was then carried. The Chairman As to the latter part of the report, I am quite at a loss to say what should be done. Captain Lewis We (the committee) met last Saturday with the object of looking into the bills for vaccination, and if possible giving some information about them to-day as they are very heavy ones. But there was no means of checking them, as the certificates were not forthcoming, so we had no means of testing the accuracy of the bills. The doctors' books were the only things put before us, and they show a large number of vaccinations, all of which are recorded as successful, on people of all ages up to 56 years; but with regard to the accuracy of the account we cannot speak. There was not a single registrar's certificate brought to the meeting. The column for unsuccessful vaccinations is not filled up, and in many cases the date when the certificate was sent to the registrar is omitted altogether The Oerk And consequently there is no check on the bills. In the course of some further observations, Capt. Lewis complained of the manner in which the vacci- nators kept their books, and said it appeared to him that entries were not made at the time the books were not made up according to the intention of the Act. In answer to the chairman, The Clerk said they had no means of checking the bills at present. The Chairman The great point is to find out on whose shoulders the blame lies; who has beenguilty of the omission. Mr Ellis My opinion is that this sort of thing has been going on for years. Mr Peter Jones It is the duty of the medical officers to keep their books properly. Mr EMis How were the books kept before ? The Clerk The form is different now; they used not to be so particular. They have had new books lately. Capt. Lewis In no book is there a single instance of an unsuccessful vaccination, and all could not have been successful. The Clerk: As things are now, you can only guess at the correctness of the bills. The Chairman It seems to me that it lies with the vaccinators to prove that their bills are correct. If they do not, I do not see that we can be called upon to pay. At this juncture the bill of Mr Rowland, Goginan, vaccinator for Rheidol and a portion of the Aberyst- wyth district was handed round. It set forth that during March. April, and May, 1871, Mr Rowland vaccinated 1106 persons of all ages (including 120 re-vaccinations), his charges amounting to 212Z. 16s. Mr John Ellis Why he must have vaccinated the milestones and gateposts. (Laughter.) Mr W. Jones (Brynowen) suggested that the ap pointment of the new vaccinators should be held in abeyance until the vaccination bills sent in had been verified Mr Peter Jones I don't think we can do that; ■uppose small-pox was to break out while we were looking after these biHs ? The Chairman If there was any probability of the matter being settled in a fortnight, we might delay the appointment of vaccinators. The Clerk suggested that they should have a spe- cial meeting to go into the matter. Capt. Lewis understood that Mr Evan Rowland was now in the Workhouse, and suggested that he should be called in to verify his account. Mr Rowland attended before the Board, and said his books were properly and correctly kept. His certificates had been sent to Mr Hughes, and all his vaccinations had been successful. He had done his duty, and, if the registrar had not done his, he (Mr Rowland) was not to be blamed. The Chairman said it was quite clear the Board had not got sufficient data to justify them in paying these large bills, and he did not see what they could do except ask the Vaccination Committee to meet and go into the matter. It was subsequently agreed that the Vaccination Committee (to which )11' Peter Jones was added in consequence of Capt Lewis having to be away from Aberystwyth for some weeks) should meet on Satur- <l:t\,the 27th, and Monday, the 29th inst., for the ] u.i p"»e of examining the vaccination bills, which amount to upwards of 5001. THE PAYMENT OF GUARDIANS. It was then suggested that the Board should take into consideration the circular from the guardians of the Ffestiniog Union, who wish guardians to be paid 2s. 6d. and 3d. per mile for refreshments and travel- ling expenses on board days. An extract from the circular was given in our impression of the 13th inst. The Chairman explained that the circular only asked the Board to support tho guardians of the Ffestiniog Union in memorializing the Local Govern- ment Board to sanction a payment of 2s. 6d. and 3d. per mile for attending board meetings. Mr W. Jones (Parcel Canol) thought the idea a very good one, and believed that if guardians were paid the Boards would be better attended. Mr J Evans then proposed that the Board should support the action of the guardians of the Ffestiniog Union. Mr W. Jones (Parcel Canol) seconded the motion. Mr Peter Jones did not think that guardians wished to be paid for doing their duty. The Chairman thought there were plenty of calls upon the rates at the present tiI!lf without throwing" an additional burden upon them^and he did not think there was any guardian who would attend better for the sake of 2s. 6d. per day. Mr Samuel proposed an amendment that the docu- ment should be read and considered that day six months. Mr W. Jones (Brynowen) was hardly prepared to support the proposal of the guardians of the Ffes- tiniog Utiio:i, but still he considered that some little consideration should be shown to guardians from the country. The town guardians could go home and get their dinner in good time, whereas the guardians from a distance could not do so. Mr Peter Jones said that nothing could be more convenient to the farmers than having the board meetings on Monday, which was market day. Mr Ellis Yes, but we town guardians sacrifice a good deal by coming up here away from our business on a Monday for several hours. Mr W Jones Well, I live fifteen miles off, and I know that if it were not for the Board I should not be in town on a good many market days. If it was decided to pay guardians for attending to their duties, I should propose that the Aberystwyth guardians-should be excluded from such an arrange- ment. Capt. Lewis said that in justice to the Aberyst- wyth guardians he might mention that they acted on the House Committee, and discharged other duties from which country guardians were exempt. Mr Peter Jones said that Monday was not the most convenient day for the town guardians, but most of the guardians from the country came in to Aberystwyth for market purposes on that day, and out of deference to them the Board meeting was held on a Monday. The Clerk said Aberystwyth was sure to object to the payment of guardians, because the town would have to bear the heaviest portion of the burden. Capt. Lewis seconded Mr Samuel's proposal that the circular lie on the table for six months. The Chairman was opposed to payment for the performance of public duties. If the guardians were remunerated, that hardly worked body, the Town Council of Aberystwyth—(laughter)—and the Town Improvement Commissioners, would also want to be paid. With regard to the proposal of the Ffestiniog guardians, it seemed to him that if it was worth anything, it did not go far enough. They could not get a good man to give up his day for such a sum as 2s. 6d., which was only the wages of a day labourer. As to paying for refreshment, he did not think any- one would begrudge the small amount his refresh- ments cost him for the honour and glory of sitting at the Aberystwyth Board of Guardians—(laughter) —and he might add, that although 2s. 6d. was a small sum, it would amount in this Union to at least 2001 a year. In fact, he did not think that sum would cover it. A vote was then taken, the result being that Mr Samuel's amendment was carried by a majority of five. Mr W. Jones (Brynowen): Since the motion in favour of the payment of guardians has been nega- tived, I think this a suitable time to make another proposition, namely, that the country guardians should have refreshment here every Monday. I don't think a man ought to sacrifice his time and money, and the guardians ought to have some "grub;" that is not much. I beg to propose that refreshments be provided for the country guardians. Mr John Evans I beg to second that. Mr Ellis What do you propose to have, a joint of roast beef ? Mr Peter Jones Or will you take pauper's fare? Mr Jones: Let us admit the principle, and we will decide on the quality of the refreshments after- wards. I think the Aberystwyth guardians ought to support me in this, because they can go home to their dinners in good time, whereas we from the country cannot. The Clerk You would have to get the consent of the Local Government Board, and I don't believe they would agree to it. Mr W. Jones Well, we could ask the. Mr Ellis I want to know what sort of refresh- ments you require? Do you want lush," or what? (Laughter.) Mr W. Jones: Define the word "refreshment" out of Walker's Dictionary. If you will agree to the principle, then we will decide what we shall have. Mr Peter Jones Well, I propose a direct negative amendment. Mr Ellis And I second it. The Clerk (to Mr Jones) You have a poor chance of carrying out your proposition, I am afraid. After a few remarks from the chairman, who said that personally he should have no objection to a crust of bread and cheese and a glass of beer, the amend- ment was put, when five voted for it. Only four guardians supported Mr Jones's motion, and the amendment was declared carried by a majority of one. This was all the business.

THE POLICE STATION. Monday, Jan. 22nd, 1872. Before Thomas Jones, Esq., (mayor.) A DRUNKEN HAWKER. John Macdonald, a travelling hawker, was charged with being drunk and committing a nuisance in Queen-street on Sunday evening. P.C. David Thomas (8) and P.C. Jones (18) proved the charges. The prisoner was fined 5s. for each offence, and 8s. costs; in default, 14 days imprisonment, with hard labour.

BOROUGH MAGISTRATES' COURT. Wednesday, January 24th, 1872. Before Thomas Jones, Esq., (mayor.) THE DRINK. Robert Sweeney and Thomas Sweeney, two young men, brothers, were summoned for drukenness on Sunday last. P.C. Evan Jones (18) said that about a quarter to 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon he was on duty in Bridge-street, when he saw the two men coming along drunk. They were exceedingly intoxicated, and were rolling about the streets, to the great an- noyance of people who were coming out of the vari- ous Sunday schools. The Mayor said he should like to know where the men had had drink from. The constable said he could not inform his wor- ship he had made enquiries, but had failed to ob- tain the necessary information. The Mayor said those who made people drunk on Sundays ought to be severely punished. Robert Sweeney only appeared and he said be was very sorry for what he had done. He assured the mayor that he would not offend in that way again. He was fined 5s including costs and the case of Thomas Sweeney stood over, as it appeared the sum- mons had not been properly served.

RIDING ON THE STEP OF A RAILWAY CARRIA GE. Henry Griffiths, ofLlanbadarn-fawr, was summoned by Mr Edward Hamer, traffic manager of the Man- chester and Milford railway, for riding on tho step of a railway carriage, contrary to the bye-laws of the company. Mr J. Padmore. the station master at Aberyst- wyth, said that on the 15th instant, when the 6 30 p.m. Manchester and Milford train was about to start, he saw the defendant half in and half out of a third class carriage. Witness closed the carriage door, and told the defendant to stand on one side, and then went to the front part of the train. Pre- sently the train started and as the last carriage passed witness, who was near the end of the plat- form, he saw the defendant riding on the step. Witness requested him to get down, and as he did not, pulled him off, telling him he was doing wrong. The bye-laws of the company were put in, and the 7th enacted that any person who, after being warned, rode on the roof, step, or platform of any railway carriage, was liable to a penalty not exceeeding 40s. The defendant did not deny riding on the step of the carriage, but pleaded in extenuation that he was talking to a young woman in the carriage, and the train went off unawares to him. The Mayor inflicted a fine of 5s. and costs.

TRANSFER. The license of the Fountain Inn, Trefechan, was transferred from James Davie to Evan Evans.

TR8 PKIKCE OP WALKS is now convalescent; and the loyal subjects of Her Majesty are relieved from the weight of suspense with which they watch the appearance of the official and non- onicia) tetegrams announcing the condition of the Koyal patient. A few short weeks ago there appeared scarcely a scintilla of hope. Now, all look forward to see the Prince take his place again in public, with renewed health and strength, at no very distant date. With help from above, the exertions of the medi- cal attendants at the Royal bedside have been crowned with success. All ttianks to him who holds the destiny of man in his hand I All thanks to Drs. Jenner, Gull, and Lowe, who, despite uf every discouragement, never flagged one moment in their endeavours to suve SO valued a lifel H. M. JONES AND SONS, Surgeon Dent-sis, 19. Northampton Place, Swansea, place on recordlheir claim 10 the gratitude Of thousands of pati6nts, who, by reason of their professional aasis- tance, are nuw el.joying robust health and aU the pleasures 01 life; wherea1, but lor the skill with which they have been treated by this eminent firm, they would, in all probability, have succumbed to disease. Atlendance at 20, Pier-street, Aberyat- wyth, as announced in our advertising columns.

THANKSGIVING DAY IN ABERYSTWYTH Sunday last was the day appointed for a general thanksgiving throughout Great Britain for the re- covery of the Prince of Wales, and in Aberystwyth it was carefully observed as such. At St. Michael's. St. Mary's, and the Llanbadarn Church, the fol- lowing special prayer, composed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, was said at morning and evening service: "Almighty and ever-living God, Maker of mankind, who dost correct those whom Thou dost love, and in the midst ot"judgment dost remember mercy, we thank Thee for Thy great goodness in preserving the life of Thy servant, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, lately visited by grievous sickness. Ob, Thou who hearest prayer, we have turned to Thee in our distress as one united family. We thank Thee that, in answer to the supplications of this people, Thou hast blessed the skill and watchful care with which Thy servant was teuded in his weakness, and that Thou hast thus spared Victoria our Queen. the Princess of Wales and her young children. with all the Royal Family, and this whole nation, from the areat calamity which for many anxious days was dreaded. Speedily restore Thy servan t, we beseech Thes, tojperfect bodily health and strength; let his soul be washed from all spots of sin in the precious blood of Christ, and give him more and more of the aid of Thy Holy Spirit. .Enable him to serve Thee faithfully in the high station to which feSJiwi iif&t called him, so that, in his person, in his family, and in all his public duties, he may for years to come be a help and a blessing to many. Teach him and all of us ever to remember how uncertain our life is, and how great are the issues that hang on the rightful use of it, so that both he and we may daily show forth our thankfulness for Thy late mercies by Christian lives. Grant to him, we beseech Thee. to dwell for many years amidst a prosperous, loyal, and contented people; and when fttlast death comes, take him safely to Thy glorious presence, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen." In all the Dissenting chapels, also, suitable mention was made of the special character of the day.

LLANFIHANGEL-Y-CREUDDYN. Through the kindness of many ladies of the parish. all the church-going people of Llanfrhangel were re- galed with tea and cake at the National School-room on Friday afternoon, the 19th instant. The weather being very favourable, and a good number, both of young and old, came together to partake of the good supply prepared for them, among whom we noticed the Rev. J. D. Jones, vicar the Rev. B Edwards, vicar of Yspytty Cynfyn, and the Rev. D. D. Jones, Goginan. The ladies who prepared the tea and cake, together with those who kindly presided with tbem at the tables, were the fol- lowing:—Mrs. and Miss Jones, the Vicarage Mrs. Evans, Penuwch Fach Miss Jones and Miss J. Jones, Abermagwr; Mrs. Rowlands, Cynon Fach; MissStedman and Miss J. Stedman, Ty'nbedw Mrs. Rowlands and Miss Jones, Llwynybrain Mrs. Hughes, Farmer's Arms; Mrs. Evans, Abertrinant; Mrs. Jones, Lisburne Arms; and Miss Morgans, Village After clearing the tables, a public meeting was held at half-past six, when the Rev. J. D Jones, vicar, occupied the chair. The following was the programme —Song, "Dyna'r dyn a aiff a hi," by Mr W. J. Roberts, Frondel. An address by the Rev. D. D. Jones, Goginan. Song, "Un goeg oedd y gneuen," by Mr W. J. Roberts. Solo, "Shon Da- fydd," by Miss Morgans, Village. Song, "Arthur Ifan," by Mr John Evans, Abertrinant. An ad- dress by the Rev. B Edwards, vicar of Yspytty Cynfyn. Singing "Boddlondeb," by Messrs. J. Evans, J. W. Roberts, D. Davies, Village, and Miss Morgans. Song, Cryd gwag fy mhlentyn," by Miss Morgans. Duet, "Awelon Eryri," by Mr J. Evans and Mr J. W. Roberts. An address by Mr Isaac Richards, Penrhiw, Llantrisant. Singing Nefol wlad," by Mr Morgan Evans, Cnwch, and party Solo, Shon wedi meddwi," by Mr J. Evans. Speech, "Diwylliad y meddwi," by Mr J. W. Ro- berts. Solo, Fy anwyl fam fy hunan, by Mr J. Evans. Reading Te." by Mr J. T. Jones, Vicarage. Song, A very good fish in the sea," by Mr Charles Edwards, Llwynwnwch An address, "Yr Ysgol Sul," by the Rev. D. D. Jones. Duet, "Cwymp Llewelyn," by Miss Morgans and Miss Jones, Llwyn- ybrain. Singing The Snow," by Mr Isaac Richards, Miss Edwards, Llwynwnwch, &c. (Encored) Duet, Hen wr a'i wallt yn wyn," by Mr J. Evans and Mr M. Evans. Reading Twll bach y clo," and Gwr kg un goes," by Mr D. Jones, Liantrisant. Duet, Y ddau hen lane," by Mr J. Evans and Mr J. W. Roberts. Solo and chorus, "GwDewch bobpeth yn Gymraeg," by Mr J. Evans and choir. An address, "Yr ysgol ddyddiol," by the Rev. B. Edwards. After giving the usual votes of thanks, the meeting terminated by singing Land of my fathers," when all were satisfied with the proceedings of the day.

TREGARON. THE BODY OF THE MISSING WOMAN FOUND.— Our readers will remember that on New Year's Day morning Mary Davies, 66 years of age, a hawker, belonging to Tregaron, left her home for the purpose of visiting Llanddewi-brefi, a village three miies away, where her daughter resided that she left her daughter's house in the evening to return home, and was never seen afterwards It was known that she would have to cross a small brook called Carvan by means of a narrow foot-bridge, and when she did not return it was surmised that she had fallen into the water, the night being dark and stormy, and was drowned. So general was this belief, that searching parties were set on foot, and the river Tivy was dragged without success. The supposition that the poor woman had met with a watery grave turned out, however, to be correct, for on Tuesday last her body was found in a deep pool near Pontgogonyn The inquest was held on the following day before Abel Evans, Esq., deputy coroner, and a respectable jury. Seveial witnesses were examined, including P. S Lyons, who had been very active in searching for the body, and their evidence left no doubt that the deceased woman, who was much respected in Tregaron, fell into the water when crossing the Carvan brook by means of a foot bridge that has no hand rail. The jury returned a verdict of acci- dentally drowned." ————-<t.—-——

MR. HOMERSHAM COX'S APPOINTMENT. A letter signed J. James Hughes "in the last number of the Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald gives some interesting information regarding the memo- rial of the solicitors" practising on Mr Homersham Cox's circuit to the Lord Chancellor. The following Mr Hughes affirms to be a correct copy of the docu- ment "obtained from a trustworthy source": — To the Right Honourable the Baron Hallterley, Lord High Clulllcel101' of BlIgland.. "The most respectful memorial of the undersigned, the solici- tors practising in the Coujity Courts of the Mid Wales circuit, Xo. 28. Pheweth,—That we deprecate the continued attacks made by individuals, and a section ot the press, upon the recent judicial appointments made by your lordship to the said circuit, by rea- son of the want of knowledge of the Wel&h language by the judges thereof. That, in our opinion, the evidence of the Welsh-speaking witnesses in the said district is rendered accurately to the court by interpretation done chiefly by the registrars. That we beg to testify to the able and satifactory manner in which Mr Serjeant Tindal Atkinson, the late, and Mr Homers- ham Cox, the present, judge of the said circuit have performed their judicial duties. Signed, "F. R. ROBERTS, Clerk of the Peace for Cardiganshire, "J. JONES ATWOOD, Solicitor to the Corporation of Aberystwyth, "HUGH HUGHES, Solicitor, Aberystwyth, A. J. HUGHES, Sohcl&or, Aherystwvth D. R. JONES. Solicitor. Aberystwyth, W. U. GRIFFITH. Solicitor, Dolgelley, J. R: JONE., Solicitor, Bala. "ASWYL PASSINGHAM, Solicitor, Bala, "WILLIAM OWEN JONES, Solicitor, Llangollen & Corwen." On the memorial and its signatories Mr Hughes comments as follows:—"It will be seen that Mr Cox's defenders number three times as many as the celebrated Tooley-street conclave, and their pre- sumption is equally commendable with that of the worthy knights of the thimble. The 'nine' call themselves the solicitors practising in the County Courts of the Mid-Wales circuit,' &c. They claim to be the exclusive representatives of the law in that large district Unfortunately for the 'nine,' and the cause they wish to support, their assertion of exclusive existence as solicitors in Mid- Wales is contradicted by the Law List. From that official record I find that the Mid-Wales circuit includes the towns of Aberystwyth, Bala, Builth, Corwen. Dolgelley, Hay, Kington, Knighton, Llan. fyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Newtown. Port- madoc, Presteign, Pwllheli, and Rhayader. In these towns alone there are seventy resident solicitors and it can be safely asserted that there are, at least, twenty or thirty more in extensive practice on the circuit, although they reside out of it These simple facts will show Lord Hatherley that the deprecators of the 'continued attacks' on his ap- pointment have undertaken to annihilate at least seventy lawyers, most of whom were hitherto better known in public circles than any of the eminent nine.' My informant, who is in a position to obtain accurate knowledge of everything connected with this extraordinary memorial,' says it was presented for signature to all the lawyers on the circuit but, to the honour of the Mid-Wales solicitors be it re corded, that all but 'nine' refused to betray their obligations to their country and their nation. Like Welshmen generally, the lawyers of Mid Wales were too honourable and manly to sacrifice truth on the altar of flattery. They would not bend their knees before the Hatherley-Cox image, but acted on the principle of' Y gwir yn erbyn y byd,' and Cas gwr na charo'r wlad a'i macco.' This stubbornnecs on behalf of truth and justice exasperated the sub- missive and docile 'nine' to such a degree that they determined to deny the existence of all other law- yers." The writer then complains that some of those gentlemen who signed the memorial were not competent to say that in their" opinion the evidence of the Welsh-speaking is rendered accurately to the court by interpretation," and adds it would be diffi- cult to conceive a greater piece of impertinent pre- sumption than for a monoglot Englishman to consti- tute himself judge of what is a proper interpretation of Welsh evidence." He then asks what trouble the "nine" took to arrive at the conclusion that Mr Cox performed his duties in an able and satisfactoiy manner?" and very pertinently remarks that it iht-y had watched Mr Cox's judicial procee lings for twelvemonths they might have obtained some weight for their testimony. lie declares unhesitatirgly that taking the nine altogether, their testimony is no cri- terion whatever by which Welsh feeling can he judged, "they are utterly unknown as representing in any degree Welsh feeling or Cymric susceptibility," and he concludes as follows "TheMrsPurtington- like opposition of the nine solicitors will not pre- vail against the decided and pronounced feeling of a whole nation. There can be only two results of Mr Evan James and the nines' opposition to our demand, viz., demonstrating to every sensible man the rotten- ness of the Cox defenders'case, and immortalizing Mr James and his coadjutor's names as the most self-reliant heroes of modern adulation."

TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER WITH A MAD DOG. One night this week, the ground being covered with snow, the keeper of Mr. Taylor, of Cragg Hall, Wildboarclough, named Belfield, hearing the barking of his chained dogs in the yard, suspected poachers in the neighbourhood. He immediately sprang from his bed, dressed, and taking his gun with him, went out into the darkness, when immediately a large dog sprang at his face, causing his nose to bleed, and biting his temple and cheek. The keeper threw out his right arm to protect himself, the animal seizing his coat-sleeve and wrist, holding thereby; the keeper, meanwhile, shouted to his wife to close the door, on account of his children, numbering seven, and then went down stairs. For some minutes Belfield kept the dog at bay by striking and strang- ling it, but the animal being a large one, he found it would overpower him, so he cried out to his wife to open the door. When turning to run, the animal seized him by the neck, the keeper bumping it against the wall time after time, until close to the door, by squeezing through which he was enabled to shake off the dog, the beast striking against the panel. After a few minutes Belfield, being much alarmed, broke a small square of glass, hoping to shoot the dog should he come to the window, but he did not. When daylight arrived on Monday morning, Belfield called up his neighbour, a man named Billinge, and together they traced the animal to a well, near which tt had torn up the grass and small stones, as though in attempting to drink it had fallen into convulsions. From the well the footprints of the animal were traced across the valley to the Cat and Fiddle, and below to the old Moss House. It had there retraced its steps by Mr Haywood's throngh Mr John Jod- drell's ground, where there were many sheep, then back again to Stouey-way Bar, or Portobella. The next course taken was across the new Burton-road towards Bull-hill, Penny-lane, where it appears to have tried to bite a man, named James Johnson, who was going to his work at Tegnose. At this point, after a chase of nine mile3, all trace of the dog was lost. At ten o'clock the next morning it was seen as though coming from Rainow by White Nancy. It then entered Church-street, Bolliugton, attacking Mr Firth's traveller, Mr Knowles, who with some difficulty kept it away with a thick stick and his foot, while John Shields, carter, struck it with a long whip, thus diverting its attention from Knowles, and causing it to bite Sheldon's horse. The cry of "Mad dog was raised, which had the effect of immediately clearing the streets. The animal travelled to Pott Shrigley, where the chase was taken up hy Mr G. Swindells, jun., and others, who ultimately drove the dangerous animal into Mr Briar's garden, where it was shot. It was a large grey, with some white, wall-eyed sheep or driving dog. Several dogs were bitten one, the fine mastiff of Mr J. U. Gaskell. The keeper, since the unfortunate occurrence, has been under the care of Dr. Vaux, and is doing well. —Macclesfield Courier.

ABERDOVEY. THE GALE —One of the most terrific storms ex- perienced for a long time swept over the coast on Wednesday, January 17th, and the following day. During the gale, a large schooner was seen in dangerous proximity to the Bach Causeway. The vessel, however, cleared the reef, and it is supposed, managed to get into St. Tudwall's Road. Two Aberdovey vessels also were in imminent peril; the Glenalvon which had left here the day before, en- countered the full brunt of the tempest, which laid her on her beam ends (masts horizontal with the sea) for some time. She righted again and succeeded in reaching the above roadstead. The Xanthus had to return to Mostyn with loss of sails These are the only disasters to vessels belonging to this place, and happily there was no loss of life in either case.

THE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN CARDIGAN- SHIRE.—We are glad to learn that this pest has disappeared from the upper portion of the county. Mr Superintendent Lloyd visited the localities which have been infected on Thursday and Friday (yester- day), and was enabled to give a "clean bill of health." This is highly satisfactory, and Superin- tendent Lloyd, together with the men under his command, deserve great credit for their activity in stamping out this virulent disease. "CASSELL'S NEW POPULAR EDUCATOR," which the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently mentioned as being the first book which he would recom- mend to the members of the Halifax Mechanics' Institute, is about to be re-issued. The publishers, Messrs. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, announce that the demand for the new edition, in its form of weekly numbers and monthly parts, has become so pressing that they have determined to re-issue it at once in its serial form. The new edition was recently completed in six volumes, in which all additions and improve- ments demanded by the great advance made in the various departments of knowledge were perfected; and it is now intended that the forthcoming re-issue shall receive all such further revision as the inter- vening time may have rendered desirable. THE TIVYSIDE RAILWAY.—The Welshman of last week contains the following remarks concerning the- above railway :—" The prospectus of the Tivyside railway has just appeared, from which we learn that the services of an excellent Board of Directors have been secured. The board consists of Mr Gwinnett Tyler, Mount Gwernos Capt. Howell, Blaendyffryn; Mr Davies, Cilfallen Mr Thomas, surgeon, New- castle-Emlyn Rev. H. L. Davies, Cenarth Mr B. Evans, and Mr George, solicitors, Newcastle-Emlyn Mr Jones, Rhydlewis Mr B. Jones, Market Square, and Mr John Evans, Emlyn Castle, Newcastle-Em- lyn. The nominal capital is 40,0.001., representing more than 6,500l. per mile, the line being a little over six miles and six furlongs. On this capital the deposit was paid a few days since. It will be remem- bered that an arrangement was entered into with an eminent contractor to mak, the line under conditions somewhat onerous. This was caused by the apathy that prevailed generally throughout the district spe- cially concerned in the line. Every effort that had been made up to that time had completely failed to enlist support, and it was manifest that the extension could not be made without extraneous aid. In these circumstances the contractor was induced to inter- pose. He undertook to make the line if the promo- ters would find him 6,000/. In cash, and all the land. These terms were considered advantageous, or, to put it in other words, on these terms alone could the line be made. No doubt if the country had responded to the invitation ot Mr Tyler, the line could have been made for less money. The route is not a great deal more difficult than the Taf valley, where a substan- tial narrow gauge line is being laid down for 2,500l. per mile, including everything except rolling stock. But the promoters here had no choice. They are now carrying out their part of the agreement with the hearty co operation of the farmers and trades- men of the district. Some of the resident landowners also render valuable assistance, while Earl Cawdor promises liberal support. We understand that the subscriptions are approaching the requir. d amount. The promoters do not report so favourably of their negociations with the landowners, and it is whispered that the undertaking may after all be wrecked on the land. It was expected that a rent-charge would have been granted the whole distance but the ex- pectation, it is feared, will not be realised. Some of the largest owners hold back, and a disposition has shown itself to require cush payments. Should this be done, the promoters become helpless. They see no prospect of finding the capital to purchase, and, unless the land is obtained, the contractor will with- draw, and the railway must be put off for another generation." KIKAHAN'S LL WHISKY.— his celebrated and tmost delicious old mellow sj i it is the very CREAM OF IlilSH WHISKIES, in quality unrivalled, per- fectly pure, and more wholesome than the finest Cognac Brandy. Note the words, "Kinahan's LL" on seal, label, and cork. Wholesale Depot. 6A. Great Titchfield-street, Oxford-street, London, W.

M. THIERS AND THE ASSEMBLY. The long tenure of office which M. Thiers has had has been a remarkable fact, hut it may perhaps be accounted for negatively, inasmuch affhe never seems to have possessed the entire confidence of any great party in France, and that therefore he has been regarded as by no means a dangerous man in the exalted position he has held. But in one respect he has un- doubtedly been somewhat dangerous—in his financial policy. To meet the enormously heavy demands of Germany, the President ot the Republic proposed to raise money in a way that fairly deserves to be called suicidal. His scheme was to levy import duties on silk, cotton, jute, and a variety of other articles; in fact, to tax heavily the raw material, which would have been a long step towards the exploded policy of Protection. A proposal which was most undesirable in itself was advocated in a very unfair way. M. Thiers is confessedly a man of splendid oratorical power, and he brought all this power to bear on the advancement of his hobby, and this contrary to the general under- standing that he was not to make so free a use of the gift of oratory. It was understood when he assumed office that he was only to speak under certain conditions, and on certain occa- sions, hut, in spite of this, he has done his utmost to carry away the Assembly by his eloquence, and to force a distasteful financial scheme upon them. What the country desired of him was that he should aid France in re- generating herself, by his council and wisdom, by thorough impartiality, by maintaining res- pect for the law, and by the judicious adminis- tration of affairs. But instead of this, the President of the Republic has evidently aimed at personal government, and the Assembly has declined to submit to his dictation. The finan- cial proposals ofM. Thiers have been decisively rejected, and this fact, we think, speaks well for the future of France. The policy which he did his utmost to carry out, would have been detrimental to the best interests of the country. To raise the price of raw material would h-ive impeded production, and therefore would have repressed industry and reduced the wages of the working classes; it would have raised the prices of the manufactured articles, and there- fore would have injured the commerce of the country. It is well, therefore, that the Assembly has rejected this mode of raising money, whatever other mode they may adopt. That M. Thiers should tender his resignation on the rejection of his favourite crotchet was perhaps only natural, and that the subordinate members of the Ministry should follow his example is not surprising, while the latter fact may be regarded as an evidence of the esteem and respect in which M. Thiers is held by his colleagues. But the President of the Republic, who, we doubt not, has the good of his country at heart, has done much to redeem his faults by consenting to withdraw his resignation. There is, indeed, some ground for believing that had he thought the Assembly would readily have accepted the resignation he would never have tendered it. Be this as it may, whether he were thoroughly sincere or not, in resigning, he is doubtless sincere enough in withdrawing his resignation and again seizing the helm of the State ship. It is, however, to he hoped that the President of the Republic will, so long as he retains this position, know where to draw the line between the legislative and the execu- tive departments of the State, and will not attempt to carry matters with a t"o high hand. it is said that he has consented for the future only to take part in the debates in the Assembly on most important occasions. This will be fairer to all parties in the State than u President becoming an earnest and energetic advocate of a particular policy, as though he were a special pleader. For the present France and England may alike be congratulated on the mistaken policy of M. Thiers—a reactionary policy, as it would have proved—being negatived by the Assembly. Had raw materials been taxed, as he proposed, an injury would have been done to both countries. The great fact of the moment is that France steadily refuses to re trace her steps from free trade—under which, till the era of the war, she was prosperous—to protection, winch would have proved most iu- jurious to her trade and commerce.

LOCAL NOTES. AT the last meeting of the guardians of the Aber- ystwyth Union, the monotony of the proceedings was enlivened by a rather interesting debate on the propriety of paying guardians for the discharge of their duties. The discussion was initiated by a circular from the Ffestiniog guardians asking the Aberystwyth Board to support a memorial to the Local Government Board, praying that the Central Authority will issue an order fixing the remunera- tion of guardians at 2s, 6d. per attendance at Board meetings, with, under certain conditions, a further payment of 3d. per mile travelling expenses. The matter was fully ventilated, the result being that the memorial of the Ffestiniog Union was shelved, by the carrying of an amendment that it be discussed six months hence. The country guardians avowed that they were in favour of receiving payment for their services, but with charming modesty suggested that town guardians should be debarred from parti- cipating in in such payment. Now, it must be remembered that to pay guardians even on the moderate scale suggested by the circular already referred to would cost our Union some 200/. a year, and the major part of this expenditure would fall upon the town of Aberystwyth. The country guar- dians plead that they attend to their duties at con- siderable inconvenience and outlay to themselves, while the town guardians have only to walk a few hundred yards, and can get back to a comfortable dinner at 1 o'clock. It seems to us that the repre- sentatives of country parishes are making an outcry on very insufficient grounds. They are not bound to serve as guardians, if they do not choose; and as the Board meetings are held on Mondays, when nine out of ten of them come to town to attend the market, we fail to see that any hardship is entailed. Indeed, if anybody has a right to complain, it is those gentlemen who represent Aberystwyth at the Board. Monday is a busy day for tradesmen, and to leave a shop for two or three hours in the middle of the day is a sacrifice of no small umount. But this is not all. The town guardians form the House Committee, and discharge other duties in connection with their office, from which those gentlemen who reside out of town are exempt, so that the former really do the most work; and if guardians are to be paid for at- tending to their duties, all must share alike. The principle of paying public bodies is, however, a bad one, and it is highly satisfactory to know that the guardians of the Aberystwyth Union refuse to assist in pushing forward a measure which, if carried out, would only add to the burdens of the many, while it would be of no service to the few who participated in its advantages. Mr Fryer very justly pointed out that 2s. 6d. is too small a sum-if the principle of remu- neration is admitted—to pay a guardian for attending to his duties and we will add that it would be an insult to offer a man so paltry an amount. With regard to the suggestion of Mr W. Jones, of Brynowen, that refreshments should be provided at the Workhouse for guardians from the country, there is something to be said on both sides of the question. But the Local Government Board would never sanction such an arrangement, because it might, and probably would, lead to abuses. Unless we are mistaken, guardians were once allowed to provide themselves with simple refreshments at the expense of the ratepayers, until it was found that in an English Union the "refreshment" took the form of a capital hot dinner, with the adjuncts of port and sherry, and even a glass of grog afterwards, the result being that what was then the Poor Law Board stepped in. and put a stop to the practice. The guardians of the poor deserve every credit for the very excellent manner in which they attend to their duties, and any suggestions which they make are entitled to respectful consideration but we would submit that the hardship of having to discharge their duties gratuitously is so infinitesimal as not to be worth mentioning. THE movement for the establishment of a Free Library and Museum seems to hang fire." When the Town Council met last week a long discussion took place which ended in smoke. The Act has been adopted by the ratepayers, and yet nothing is done. The Corporation is divided between two opinions One party says "you cannot do better than hire the room over the Market Hall," and the other cries, build, build a room of your own." Meanwhile nothing is done, and Mr Powell's pic- tures await a place for their reception. Now with all respect to the Market shareholders, it seems to us that their rooms are not suitable for a Library and Museum. There can be no doubt now that the town has adopted the Act that we must have a library, reading-room, and museum, because on the 1st proximo the Literary Institute closes its doors, and hands its library over to the Corporation. The mayor was no doubt right when he said that the Ac would probably not have been adopted by the ratet payers of Aberystwyth but for the impression tha- they would have a Free Library as well as a Museumt and the sooner something is done the better. W have a fine collects n of pictures, &c., and we shall" soon have some fourteen hundred books. What, then is wanting ? We answer a room or rooms, so that the pictures, &c., and books can find a local habi- tation and a name." Then comes the question whether the Corporation had butter build or rent rooms. The Market Hall Company offers to find, tation and a name." Then comes the question whether the Corporation had butter build or rent rooms. The Market Hall Company offers to find, rooms for Library and Museum at a rent of 40/. per annum for fourteen years, but a section of the Coun- cil thinks it would be cheaper and better to build, and there the matter rests at present. We confess that we incline to the latter party. The rooms over the Market Hall are suitable in many respects, but the poor approach is a fatal objection to their being accepted. In the first place the staircase by which the rooms are reached is steep and narrow, and two persons conld not pass one another if they met, a very undesirable state of things. Then on Mondays there is such a crowd of" all sorts" that even if the entrance was all that was convenient and comfort- able, no lady or gentleman would think of attempt- ing to visit the Library or Museum on that day. We are aware that in answer to the latter objection it has been said" Ob, but the Museum need not be open on Mondays." Well, so far so good, but if we have a Museum there must be a Library, and if there is a Library—which of course includes a Reading- room—it must be open to the public every day. It therefore seems to us that the Corporation cannot do better than build a room or rooms of its own. in order that the Act may be carried out without delay; there can be no doubt that the inhabitSnts will not be satis- fied unless they have a Library and Reading-room as well as Museum, and therefore it is to be hoped that the Town Council will lose no time in provid- ing all three. The Literary Institute ceases to exist on Thursday next. and the managing committee will hand their library over to the Corporation, so that there will be no difficulty as regards a lending library. Then the reading-room only remains to be provided for, and we are assured that the net cost will not exceed 71. a yenr. We say nothing about sites, &c., but only urge that the Town Council will, without any unnecessary delay, proceed to furnish the town with a Free Library, Reading-room, and Museum. STRANGERS who visit ourttown, especially at this time of the year, say there is a great lack of amuse- ment. Barring an occasional concert, there is nothing to enable the long evenings to pass quickly Now, in most other towns, the winter nights are enlivened by Penny Readings, and things of that sort, and we wonder that some enterprising inhabi- tant, who has the welfare of his fellows at heart, does not inaugurate something of the kind. We all know that the first step alone is difficultand once some means of amusement is set on foot, plenty of willing volunteers will be found to give a helping hand. It is to be hoped that some lover of his species will take this hint, and that in our next impression we may be able to congratulate our readers upon the fact that enlivening influences will not be wanting to render our town attractive even in the winter season.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.— A special meeting of the Council, convened to carry out the resolution passed on Thursday, the 18th in- stant, will be held this day, (Saturday,) at 11 a.m., for the purpose of executing a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, asking their Lordships' consent that the Town Council should convey in perpetuity to the School Board a certain piece of land (in front of Lewis Terrace) whereon to erect the proposed new schools. ON Wednesday, the editor and manager of the Western Mail appeared before the Cardiff magis- trates on a summons taken out by Mr. Frederick Ware, tailor, Duke-street, Cardiff, for an alleged libel. The alleged libel consisted in the reproduc- tion in the Western Ma,l, under the Cardiff heading, of a paragraph from The Times, in reference to the conviction, at the Marlborough-street police-court, London, of a person calling himself Frederick Ware for drunkenness and assaulting the police The defendants subsequently published a paragraph show- ing that the complainant was in no way connected with the gehtleman who figured in the London police-court. At the conclusion of the case for the prosecution, Mr Sherley, who appeared for the defendants, addressed the bench without Calling witnesses, and, after consultation, the magistrates dismissed the case. How TO ADVANCE EDUCATION IN WALES A correspondent writing to a contemporary on the University College for Wales movement predicts that if the College were at work, the result would be mediocrity and provincialism," for he fears that it would be exceedingly difficult, and require a much more tempting bait than the committee are able to offer, to induce professors of any eminence to with- draw from their present spheres of labour to hide their lights at Aberystwyth—a very nice place, no doubt, capital sea and all that. but not noted as a seat of learning, nor ever likely to be." He therefore suggests to the committee, under these circumstances "the advisability of selling that fine hotel they got so cheaply (but the buying of which savoured rather of a man who built himself stables and bought carria- ges before he was possessed of the wherewithal to keep horses), and establishing scholarships at the existing grammar schools to enable the sending to our Universities of lads of promise." This he argues would be a better way of advancing learning in the principality, and a plan that would be liberally sup- ported, but we confess that we are unable to see that he makes out a good case. IT is stated that our report, under the head of "Finance." of the proceedings of the Town Council last week is indefinite. Mr B ilcombe complained of the impolitic and even spiteful action of the Council in 1867, whereby the finest building in the town had been in effect shut out by its vote of 11 to 2 which vote sanctioned the building on the land belonging to Mr John Davies, one of its body, to be advanced into the Terrace several feet beyond the frontage of his freehold. He alleged that even in excess of that advance some two feet or more had been fuither and illegally encroached upon that the outline of the sweep of the Terrace had been destroyed, for, as a consequence, each builder of the houses between the land in question and No. 55 of the old Terrace had adopted the same line of frontage, taking in ground not in possession, and that, worse than all, the lard so possessed was not paid for either by the freeholder in the one case, or by the different owners in the form of ground rent for the leasehold; thus the Cor- porate assets were damaged to some hundreds of pounds. Mr. Balcombe added that in 1867 the farce was gone through of appointing the other members of the-Council to fix the sum to be paid by Mr. John Davies for the additional frontage of freehold voted by the Corporation but in justice to the memory of the late Mr. John Matthews—one of the committee, who from the first strenuously opposed the line of the frontage being encroached upon-no terms were agreed to, and thus the Council has now the ad- vantage of the greatly increased value of the town property as the basis of a valuation ;—and he moved that an eminent land surveyor, unconnected with the town, be at once appointed to fix a definite value upon the lands, and to ascertain whether any and what encroachments have been made beyond the line sanctioned by the Council. This was seconded by Mr. Pell, who said it was a patent fact that in building those houses and bringing them forward the line of the Terrace had been spoiled. He believed the builder took two feet more because the Queen's Hotel had a bay window. A TERRIBLE accident happened at Blackwood, in Monmouthshire, on Thursday. The scene of the occurrence was the Lower Place Pit, which is being sunk for the Messrs. Proihero; and it appears that early on Thursday morning, before the "night shitt" workmen had left the pit, and when everything ap- peared safe and in good order, a shot was fired in the usual way. This must have shaken the limber uprights and supports which shored up the sides of the pit; for shortly after the explosion the whole gave way, and four men were, without a moment's warning, instantly buried, and undoubtedly crushed to death. A few of those at work escaped, but one poor fellow, named Tovey, who was standing on one of the beams when they all gave way, was unfor- tunately caught by the legs, and there held against the sides of the pit. His cries were heartrending as he called upoo his comrades, and the crowd that flocked, even at that early hour, to the pit's mouth to render him assistance. The pumping apparatus having been destroyed, the water in the pit gradually increased, and the poor fellow whose legs were frigbtlully crushed saw death not only staring him in the lace, but slowly, yet surely, advancing upon him. He besought the .crowd to lower the chain, and fasten it round his body, and drag that up, even if his legs were left behind but no assistance could be rendered. Gradually the rubbish and de- bris that had fallen were cohered by the water, and the poor fellow could see his span of life rapidly contracting as the waier rose to the level at which he was lying. The scene was horrilying in the ex- treme. The pitiless element submerged the lower portion of his body, then his chest, and fiually.hill head, hushing in a merciful death his harrowintr but unavailing cries for aid. He expired about 3.30 p.m. Three of the men were married and have fa- milies. None of the bodies had been recovered at the time our report left, and it is feared from the flow of water that a week must elapse before they can possibly be reached. The names of the sufferers are as follows:—Walter Treasure, 44, leaves a wife and 7 children. William Johnson, 34, leaves a wife and 2 children. Wiiliam Tovey leaves a wife and 2 children. Morgan Richards, 28, single. William Poole, 27, single. CARMARTHEN Races take place on the 6th and 8th of February, and the acceptances for the Carmar- thenshire Grand Annual Steeplechase, and the Car- marthen Open Steeplechase (handicap) have been published. The acceptances for the former are:— Mr F. J. Myers's br. g. Titterstone, a., 12st 71b.; Mr A Yates's br. b. The Dybbol, a., 12st. 61b Mr G. Clement's b. g. Scipio, a., 12st. 21b.; Major Browne's gr. g. Scots Grey, h. b., a., I J st. lllb.; Mr Hancock ns. Mr A. G. A. Rush's b. g. Æolus, by Acrobat, a., list. 81b Mr J. B. Mansfield's Jerry, h. b., 6 years, list. 81b. ¡ Mr W. R. H. Powell's b. g. Carde Civique, by National Guard, 5 yrs. list. 61b Mr Audley's eh. g. Slingsby, 6 yrs. Ust.Stb.; Mr D ilglisli's b. m. Little Annie, a., list. 01b.; Mr Morris Oweu's ns. Mr T. T. Rock's b. m. Milkmaid I y Brockett, a., 10st.I3Ib.-For the Carmarthen Open Steeplechase the acceptances are :—Mr F. J Myers's b. g. T:t erstrine, a., 12st. 7Ib.; Mr A. Yates's Lr. h. Ti e Dybbol, a., 12st. 610. j Mr Doncastrr's b. g. The Robber, a., 12st. 3lb.; Mr G. Clement's b. g Scipio, a., 12st. 2lb.; Mr Finchley's b. g. Daisy, a., list, lllb.; Major Browne's gr. g. Scots Grey, h. b., a., list. 1 Ilb.; Mr Hancock ns. Mr A. G. A. Rush's b. g. Æolus, a., by Acrobat, list. 91b., &c., &c.

WELSH NEWS. MR. JUSTICE GROVE, in spring, takes the South Wales circuit, of which he was so recently leader. THERE have been three wrecks, each attended with loss of life, in Carmarthen Bay during the present month. £ MR. S. HOLLAND, M.P. for the county (,f Merioneth, is making a tour among his constituents. Last night he addressed a meeting at Ffestiniog. WE learn that there is a vacancy in the Cardigan Town Council, and that Mr Picton Evans is named as a probable candidate. SIR R. B. W. BULKELLT, Bart., has promised to subscribe 50/. per annum for three years towards the guarantee fund of the University. College for Wales. MR. ARTHUR SCOTT, a B.A. of Trinity College, Dublin, has been elected Professor of Mathematics atid Natural Sciences at St. David's College, Lam- peter. SEVERAL ratepayers in the parish of Lampeter Velfrey have refused to pay School Board rates-on what ground we are not told-and are to be sum- moned. THE Clerk to the Lampeter Velfrey School Board has been fined 51. and costs for "hindering" the rector of the parish from seeing the books of the Board. THE LIBRARY INsTITUTE.-We understand that the annual meeting of the subscribers of the Institute will take place next Tuesday evening, when the affairs of the Institute will be wound up, and the library handed over to the Town Council. THE Carmatthen School Board held a special meeting on Tuesday to consider what course to adopt in consequence of the managers of some of the schools in the district having refused to furnish the board with the number of children on the books and in average attendance at the schools. It was resolved to lay the matter before the Education Department* and act as the department might direct. ABERYSTWYTH MARKET.—The prices on Monday were as follow Wheat, 7s. 9d. to 8s. 6d. per bushel; barley, 4s. to 4s. 6d. oats, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 6d.; eggs, W for a Is. butter (salt), Is. Id. per lb.; butter (fresh), Is. 5d. per ditto fowls, 3s. Od. to 3s. 6d. per couple ducks, 3s. 6d. to 4s. per ditto geese, 4s. Od. to 5s. each; turkeys, 6s. to 7s. each potatoes, 3s. 6d. to 4s Od. per measure. THOMAS EDWARDS, draper's assistant, has been committed for trial for placing certain obstructions on the Great Western Railway, about a mile from the Carmarthen Junction. On the night of Dec. 2nd a train struck against something at the spot in question, and on examination it was found that three iron spikes and a heap of stones had been placed on the rails. Suspicion fell upon theprisoner, who was at Carmarthen Junction on the night in question, and having missed his train, abused the porter for not ringing the bell, and said "he would serve the com- pany s servants out." He denied the charge, and was admitted to bail.

LITERATURE. THE MINING MAGAZINE AND REVIEW. London: Henry S. King if Co 65, Cornhill.-We have re- ceived the first number of this new venture, which is edited by Nelson Boyd, F.G S., and intended to be a monthly record of mining, smelting, qnar- rying, and engineering. The contents of the num- ber are varied and interesting, and include ar- ticles on "Boiler Explosions;" "The Importance of Nytro Glycerine Explosives for Underground Quarrying Purposes and "The Progress of Miner- alogy." Besides, there are reviews, notes on no- table things," and a resumi of scientific news. The promoters disclaim any intention to rival established organs and they ask their readers to consider this number as an integral part of a whole, in which the alliance of scientific knowledge with practical opera- tions in the kindred associations of the miner, the smelter, the quarrier, and the engineer will be pro- moted by successive articles embodying the results of theoretical study and of actual experimental work. New ideas will not be excluded because of their no- velty, nor proved and accepted truths assumed to be too well known for ventilation." This is a programme full of promise, and, if carried out, there can hardly be a doubt as to the Magazine being a success. THE CHILDREN'S FRIEND. London: Seeley, Jack- son, Sf Halliday, 54, Fleet-street; and W. S. Par- tridge if Co., 9, Paternoster Row. The January' numbt r of this attractive little serial for children, which has entered upon the twelfth year of its exist- ence, maintains its excellence. Capitally illustrated, with nice poetry and pleasant prose articles, it can- not fail to be appreciated by the young. FACTS AND OPINIONS TENDING TO SHOW THE SCRIPTURAL LAWFULNESS OF MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED W IFJ.S SISTER.-I.onrlon: The Marriage Law Heform Association, 21, Parliament-street, S. W. -We have only given half the title of this pamphlet which upholds the necessity for the legalization of marriage with a deceased wife's sister in England in accordance with the laws and practice of other Christian nations." We need only say that the as- sociation by whom this work is issued presents a very strong case, and one hard to be disproved. There are favourable opinions from Statesmen, Bishops, 1 Clergymen of lower degree, Judges, Ambassadors, Ily Philanthropists, and others.

HELP IN NEED. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,-Allow me, through the medium of your va- luable columns, to call the attention of your readers -more particularly that portion of them who are interested in music-to a proposal which will un- doubtedly prove a "help in need." Many of your readers are already aware of the misfortune which Mr Watkin Lloyd, of the Fox Vaults, in thi- town, formerly a pupil teacher at the Penparke National School, and now a student at the Borough Road Normal College, London, has recently met with in consequence of a nre breaking out one evening in the college, through which he has been totally de- prived of all his books, clothes, and other valuable articles, and had but a narrow escape of his life. As our friends who have a taste for music have come forward so readily to the assistance of our fellow townsmen on several occasions and in similar circum- stances to this, some of Mr Lloyd's friends have thought it would be very proper and becoming of us to aid and help our J'oung townsman in his present misfortune by holding a concert and apply the pro- ceeds to his benefit. Several friends have already promised their support and services should such a concert be held and would it be too much for some of our leading singers to volunteer themselves for the arrangement ot such a concert ? As yet there is no announcement made for any meeting at the Tem- perance II all on Good-Friday, and a concert on the evening of that day would from all appearances prove an overwhelming success —Yours, &c., AMICUS. -do.

A FIRE ENGINE FOR ABERYSTWYTH. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—Don't you think that Aberystwyth, which we often hear spoken of a%the Brighton of Wales," ought to be provided with a fire engine and fire escape? Fires are not of common occurrence here, I admit, but it is just as well to be prepared for an emergency. I fancy that when we do get a fire, it won't be easily extinguished we shall have cansp to remember it for a while, and then there will be a great outcry against the Improvement Commissioners for not providing a fire engine, &c. That has been the case in the town of Cardigan. Not many weeks ago a fire broke out there, and a good deal of damage was done. The consequence is that a fire engine is to be ordered, and a fire brigade organised forthwith. That is very like locking the st .ble door after the steed has been stolen, and I hope thnt the authorities of Aberystwyth will act more wisely than their brethren at Cardigan. I think the subject was men- tioned at a Commissioners' meeting two or three months since, and the clerk was requested to make enquiries as to the cost of an engine and fire escape. Whether he has dune so, I cannot tell but I care- fully read your reports of Commissioners' meetings. and have not noticed that any information respect- ing fire engines, &c has been communicated to them. At present there seems a danger of the matter being lost sight of for a year or two, and I hope that Capt. Lewis, who introduced the subject on the last oc- casion, will again bring it under the notice of the Commissioners at an early date.-I am, &e., SIGMA.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS THE VALE OF AYKonsr. (Capt. Vaughan s.) Tuesday, Jan. 30th The Kennels I Friday, Feb. 2nd Meinigwynion Each day at 10.30.

Cutt). 1 On the 17th inst., at Henblas, the wife of S. S. U. Morris, B.A., assistant master ofystrad Meurig Grammar School, of a son. On the 23rd instant, the wife of Mr J. Neale, deco- rator, of this town, of a daughter. Ðtatbø On the 15th inst., in this town, aged 3 years, Lly- wellyn Lloyd Hall, second son of the late Superin- tandent Hall. On the 19th inst., at Bryndethol. Llangollen, aged 31 years. Edward Wynne Lewis, Esq only son of the late Rev. William Lewis, Llanfihangel Rectory, Merionethshire. On the 23rd inst., aged 20 years, Evan Morris, son of Lewis Morris, Glan-y-doll, Clarach, near tnis town. On the 23rd inst., after a protracted illness, aged 53 years, Mr James Lester, of the Gogerddan Arms Hotel, Ponterwyd. On the 23rd inst., aged 27 years, Esther, daughter o" Mr William Lewis, Trefechan.

MONUMENTS for Churches, Churchyards, and Cemeteries, executed in Stone, Marble, and Granite, may be inspected in the Show Rooms, at R. DODSOJ*'S Marble Works, Swan-bill Shrewsbury.