The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

SUICIDE BY THE OLDEST MEDICAIk r PRACTITIONER IN WALES. On Saturday evening last, Frank Williams. -surgeon, usually known by the name of Dr- Gwilt, said to be the oldest practitioner in Wales, and certainly one of the oldest in the kingdom, committed suidide by taking a quantity of prussic acid. He had been of very intemperate habits, in consequence of which he possessed but a limited practice although generally considered clever in the art of physic. He had formerly been in the Hon. East India Company's service, was 88 years of age, had been a member of the Royal Coll 3ge of Surgeons 66 years, and had practieed in Wales for the last 40 years. An inquest was held on the body, at the New Inn, Penydarren, .before Geo. Overton, Eeq„ when the following evidence was given:— Mary Ann Williams said the deceased was my grandfather. He has lived for the last 5 weeks at the house of my uncle, Frank Williams, a roller in the Dowlais works. I lived in the same house. The deceased had a room which he used as a surgery, in a part of the house. On Saturday last, about 6 o'clock in the evening, the deceased came in and sat down in the kitchen, and had two cups of tea and some bread and butter, and he then sent me to fetch him half a noggin of gin. I went and fetched it and he then desired me to bring him a wine glass. I took it to him in the kitchen. He then told me to draw the cur- tain of the window in the surgery, and he then took the wine glass I had given him in his hand and poured a little of the gin from the jug into it, and then took out of his pocket a small bottle and drew the cork and poured out the whole of the contents into a glass. He then shook hands with me and said, Good bye, my little girl." Before that he had given my two cousins a half- {>enny a piece, and said to them, Good bye, my ittle children." He drank off the contents of the glass and flung the bottle on the floor. He then walked immediately into the next room and sat down in the arm chair near the fire, and iia^ mediatey shrieked out once or twice, and my uncle who was sitting in the kitchen, ran in and took hold of his head. His eyes rolled about and his mouth appeared convulsed, and he died im- mediately. Some of the neighbours came in, and my uncle then ran to fetch Mr. White, sur. geon, who arrived shortly after and examined the deceased, and the policeman came in to make inquiriM. The bottle which deMMed emptied the contents of into the glass was about the size of the bottle, a part of which is now produced. There was no other bottle on the floor but the one he threw down. I did not perceive any label on the bottle. The deceased was always very intemperate in his habits, and was intoxicated "nearly every day. During the past fortnight he has not been so bad. When he first of all came to my uncle to live, he was about to take some- thing then, but my aunt prevented him. My uncle was sitting close by, in the kitchen, all the time. Police Serjeant Hodgson said the remains of the bottle I now produce were found on the sur- gery floor, the place described by the last witness. I searched for a label but could not find one. Frank Williams said- I am son of the deceased. My father has been a member of the Royal College of Surgeons for upwards of sixty-six years. He was formerly in the East India Com. pany's service, and I helieve he was 88 years of age. He has practised for upwards of 40 years in Wales. On Saturday last, he came into the house about 3 o'clock, and he and I bad a quart of beer together. ( He wrote a note to Mr. Williams, druggist, but in consequence of something I said to him, he did not send it. Afterwards, about 4 o'clock he went out, and was absent about three quarters of an hour. When he came back he took tea, and then sent for some gin. Shortly after- wards he went into the surgery. A minute or two afterwards I heard my niece call out that her grandfather had taken something. I looked round and saw him coming out of the surgery. When I saw him he was gasping for breath and frothing at the mouth. I caught hold of him and put him in a chair. He died in a few minutes. I had not perceived any difference in his conduct lately, but on Saturday last he made some allu- sions about dying a poor man, and that appeared to prey upon his mind. His habits have been very irregular of late. Mr. Wm. Thomas, druggist, said—I manage the business of Mr. Williams, at Merthyr. I knew the deceased. About 8 or 9 days ago he came to our shop with a patient, and asked me if we had any of Scheele's prussic acid, which is the strongest preparation of the kind. I replied that we had. He then said that he wanted it for a patient, but he did not want it then, he would call again. On Saturday last, about a quarter past 4 o'clock, he called again and asked me for half-an-ounce of it, and said that he wanted it to make a lotion of it for a disease of the skin, and erysipylas. I gave him half-an-ounce of prussic acid, diluted in a half-ounce vial, labelled poison, and covered over with leather, and gave him a caution that he should be careful, as he was in the habit of taking too much," and might leave it about carelessly. He was perfectly sober at th^time, and appeared to be quite rational. De- ceased was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and has practised in Merthyr for many years. I have served him with the same prepara- tion several times before-during the prevalence of the cholera. The part of the bottle now pro- educed is, I believe, part of the bottle I gave the deceased. Half a dram, or even less — say 20 drops, was enough to destroy life. Mr. J. S. White, surgeon, Dowlais, said—I was in to see the deceased about half past six o'clock on Saturday evening. He was quite dearl, and lying in a straight posture on his back. He had a slight vivid appearance about the lips and face; was perfectly tranquil in appearance and his eyes closed; and there was no froth or other un- natural appearance about the face. The limbs were not rigid, and the body generally was be- coming cold. I smelled carefully at the mouth, but would only discover the smell of gin. There was a 'portion of a bottle Ion the ground, but it was too small to allow me to judge of the contents. From the! symptoms I have heard described, attending 'the death of deceased, I believe that his'habits were calculated to depress the mind. -The jury consulted for a short time after the summing up of the coroner, and then returned a verdict of death caused by the taking of prussic acid, the deceased being at the same time labour- ing under temporary insanity."

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NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Juvenis" and "Obs" in our next. "A Lesson to the Merthyr Fast Young Men" too late.

THE DEATH OF HAYELOCK! LI THE telegraphic despatches we inserted in our last week's number have been the most unhappy tidings received from India since the beginning of the long roll of atrocity. -91 1 One of the bravest and gentlest of hearts has ceased to beat! Undismayed amid the most terrific struggles, outnumbered re- peatedly, but, defeated never, the noble Have- lock, succumbing at last, has been added to the long and startling list of those we have lost. At a time too, when fortune smiled and victory once again had crowned him with laurel; when the tidings of his country's joy, and heartfelt thankfulness, with the honours awarded him. were rapidly nearing the scene of his glory and his death. Never, alas to make the veteran's eye gleam with honest pride, nor to gladden him with the assurance that his was a household name in every English home! It is a trite axiom that war produces great generals. One after another may disappear from the scene the country will moan and grieve, and refuse to be comforted yet, as truly as her sons fall beneath the hand of the enemy, or of disease, so truly will others step into the ranks and march onward, bold with the prestige of our warlike name, un- faltering and brave in the execution of Eng- land's vengeance. In all our wars, and in all the campaigns of continental armies, the want of leaders has never been felt It is true there have been times when all saw that particular generals were unfitted for their post, but have never doubted that beneath them were men as com- petent to the undertaking, as they were in- competent. Napoleon with the majority of his famous Marshals rose from the humblest step, and let every English soldier, every Welsh fusileer, enter the army with the road to distinction free to worth and genius; let them be capable of saying with the French private-I carry the baton of a Marshal in my knapsack, and we shall see the nameless and lowly mount from obscurity to fame, pro- claiming to the world by so doing the uni- versality of all those traits for which men deserve a nation's praise. Hence, fully aware of the substantial character of our army, we are not alarmed at the unceasing fall of Bri- tain's patriotic warriors. Braneh after branch of the old oak may be lopped away, but there is vitality enough to yield others again, aye yet again. True for the dead we much repine, but with the sorrow there is the hope that over their graves we shall be enabled to peal the song of victory for a requiem. Honour to the brave, to the pure, to the gentle minded warrior we have lost! Let us not in our Welsh vallery and in our Welsh hillsides never forget his name. In future years, when the tragedies of the pre- sent are fading into forgetfulness, we may narrate around the firesides to younger men and women the deeds of the past; may tell the long aud the sad tale of the Indian Revolt; the horrors & crimes that shocked the world and made England leap as one man to revenge the fearful injuries inflicted; may paint with the darkest shades every scene that aroused our woe and extol with the highest enthusiasm every brave deed that aroused our joy; may tell of those who suffered, and record the names of those engaged in the war; but, in the first rank, am.ongst the bravest of the brave, gifted with all the ten- derness of woman and all the daring of man, we shall never fail to class the hero Have- lock, who fell in the fullness of honour, be- queathing to his country a name unsullied and glorious, tarnished by no wrong ever committed, but glorified with a lustre time can never destroy. ALTERATION OF POSTING TIME.-In our no- tice last week of the alteration at Merthyr Post Office, a slight error occurred which we now correct by giving* a copy of the official no- tice. On and after January 1st, 1858, the general mail leaving this office at 6.30 p.m. will be despatched at 5.40. All letters having a sin- gle stamp only must, therefore, be posted at a quarter to 5 after that time until 5.30 two stamps must be affixed." Many of the inhabitants hav- ing enquired respecting the letter boxes that should be placed either on the door or window of each dwelling house, we are happy to inform them that ironmongers will supply every infor- mation. The, cost is .very trifling and the con- venience would be Sound very great. THE dinner annually given by Mr. Robert Jones, draper, to the tailors in his employment came off on Monday, the 4th inst., at the house of Mr. John Davies; when they, their wives and families, partook of a substantial repast; after which the health of their employer and family was drank, and the remainder of the even- ing spent in a sociable and agreeable manner. SINGULAR CAPTURE.— On Monday night a large crowd congregated around two pugnacious dogs in the High Street, and for some time en- joyed the low spectacle until a vigilant policeman came to the scene of uproar, and to the amuse- mdfit Trf the bystanders carried off one of the combatants to durance vile. Whether confined for the night only, or liberated in the morning on the usual fine being, paid we know not, but confess we should be glad to see the charge sheet. PONTYRHUN CHURCH.—On the 1st inst. Mr. and Mrs. Purchase, of Ynysygored, with their usual kindness and generosity, bountifully re- galed the choir and Sunday school teachers, numbering together about 50, with tea and cake. It was most gratifying to witness the neatness and respectability they displayed in assembling f together on the dawn of another year to partake | of the cup that cheers but not inebriates." After tea the healths of Mr. and Mrs. Purchase were warmly proposed, with a wish fehat they should enjoy a Happy New Year," anaEa pros- perous one. Also the health of the reinfected Minister, through whose indefatigable exertions the great progress of the Sunday School was due. The Rev. Mr. Green in an excellent speech briefly responded to the toast, after which the health of the leader of the choir (Mr. M. Had- dock) was cordially toasted. Several anthems were sung, and Mr. Green in a Very feeling speech addressed the teachers at -some length on the importance of implanting in the minds of the Jising generation a sound christian education and not to relinquish the task of inducing the "ten- der mind" to forsake vice and seek that "good part" whichjs essential to salvation. The national anthem w^s then sung, after which the choir and teachers separated, testifping by their smiling and congratulatory expressions that they were deeply indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Purchase, and their worthy Pastor for the kind interest always shown in their welfare. —W. P. WOODIN'S OLIO OF ODDITIES.- It is but rarely than an entertainment is given in our Temper- ance Hall excellent enough to att, act a full house, but we apprehend that on the 18th a crowded assembly will be there to hear and be delighted with the far famed Woodin, for par- piculars of whose mimical, metrical, and musical' treat see advertisment. STREET CRIES.—The character and variety of our street cries, our ballad mongers, retailers, last dying speech men, and:quarter session gentlemen, are sufficiently striking to attract observation and thereby to yield amusement. On Saturday nights every description of tone, from the nasal to the uncommonly hoarse, and every form of entreaty from the bland one of Pulman's to the cheap Jacks' who cannot sell, rise above the street murmur of our crowded town. Little change occurs there is even a monotony about the ballads, and the quack of the human quack is always the same but on Saturday last two men marching down the street after one another introduced something new, by no means good, ceatainly not elevating, yet strange, and in con- sequence noticeable. "Ere you as," said one, (the fortunate possessor of a voice so harsh that it recalled the landrail) the full and interesting particulars of the great prize fight, fought on Tuesday last for the championship, and £ 400 one halfpenny each. Ere you'll see the number of rounds fought, and the length of every round- who struck the first knock down blow, and who drew first blood; every round; every knock down blow, hand the name of the winning man." With endless variations these low details were drawled out, and many portions dwelt upon with particular emphasis, as if the speaker warmly ap- preciated them. The second man especially. whose burden differed but little from his pard- ner's repeated with zest, and peculiar|satisfac- faction, the fonr hundred pounds," evidently thinking that, and not the championship, the im- portant part of the business. Hpw well they succeeded in selling their papers we know not, but who doubts the hoarse voices were mellowed by half-and-half, and full particulars gone into amid clouds; whilst energetic puffs testified to their feelings during the mutual narration of other matches they'd seen, or hearn" when England had not degenerated, and the noble art of self defence had not declined FEES AND FINEs.-The fees of the police court during the past quarter amount to 998 19s. 8d. The fines that have been paid to only 924 7s. 6d. being j630 less than the preceding quarter. Either men are becoming more moral or the badness of the times is keeping them more within the bounds of moderation. CHEMISTRY.—Mr, T. Rees, High Street, de- livered an interesting lecture on Wednesday evening last to the members of the Young Men's Christian Association, at the English In- dependent Chapel Vestry. The subject chosen was, Chemistry as applied to the Arts and Sciences," an excellent theme, and one pleasingly handled by Mr. Rees, who displayed extensive knowledge of his subject, and by extracts from our ablest authorities fully gratified his audience. WE understand that intelligence has been re- ceived during this week at Merthyr, of the safe arrival at Melbourne, Australia, of the Monarch of the Sea-the vessel in which Mr. B. G. Davies, Mr. E. Evans, Mr. John Davies, Mr. Rees, Mr. Deakin, and Mr. J. Williams, emigrated some time since. KNAVES AND SIMPLETONs.-Quacks continue to haunt the Market Place vending their per- nicious nostrums, and amusing crowds of good natured but very simple folks, with stale wit, gross falsehoods, and hackneyed quotations. In former days the travelling quack was accompa- nied by a clown, who made grimaces behind his masters back, and went through a course of ima- ginary contests with him, in which that indivi- dual apparently received, what he really deserved, a sound "drubbing." Now, however, the people supply the clown's place, and if we wish to be- hold faces that would adorn the ring of a circus, we need only visit the Market Square on a Saturday or Monday, and see the crowd assem- bled around one of the doctors. It is a treat! All sensible men pass on, leaving those to hear and buy who carry on their frontispiece the index to their minds DOWLAIS TEMPERANCE CHOIR,-To tlte Editor. —Sir,—Having seen in the repotr of the Eistedd- fod, at Merthyr, some observations not very complimentary to the singing class, which, I understand, meets once or twice a week in the Hermon Chapel school-rooms, [it may not be objected to if a few remarks be made by one who a short time ago visited this choir. Not many Sundays back I was in Dowlais, and was invited by my friend to the Sunday practice. We entered a room, long and narrow, filled with choristers of both sexes, singing with all ear- nestness, and at the full stretch of voice. The harmony, as far as we could judge, was, on the whole, excellent; but the "thunder-clap" refer- red to by your correspondent was pla.nly per- ceptible; indeed, at one part, (I forget now exactly where, but it was in a Welsh piece,) the tenor made an almost deafening noise. Peo- ple in the neighbourhood invariably speak of the Dowlais choir as the leader of music among the hills: but if visitors constantly receive such salutes as greeted my ears, that honourable position will ere long be donied them. The Aberdare and other choirs are now beginning to make a start in rivalry, and I hope I shall not be mistaken in spirit, when I advise the parties conducting so good a class, to consult their own interests in determining to lessen the thunder- clapping propensity of it members. Z. POLICE NEWS.—There was no business before the police court on Wednesday, save the return of a summons for nonpayment of poor-rates. IRISH SUPERSTITION.—An Irishwoman applied to Dr. Thomas, on Wednesday, for a summons against Edmund Hughes, residing near the Iron Bridge, for keeping a vicious dog, which had bitten her leg. The Doctor told her that her best way was to shew her leg to a surgeon, take out a summons in the County Court for damages, and employ a solicitor to conduct her case for her. She broke out in a loud lamentation crying, "Oh dear, Oh dear, what shall I do." The Doctor asked what was the meaning of this row. Ser- geant Rees explained that the Irish had a super- stitious notion that if a dog bit them and was not killed, that the bitten person would go mad. but that if the dog was killed then no harm would come to the person. This woman had applied both to him and Superintendent Wrenn, and they both had advised her to go to the County Court, but she persisted in trying to get the case before the Police Court, because she supposed the magistrates would make an order for the dog to be destroyed. ACCIDENT ON THE RHYMNEY RAILWAY.—An inquest was held at the Dynevor Arms, Gellygaer, on Thursday, before George Overton, Esq., coroner, on the body of Thomas Smith. Thomas Baldwin, an excavator on the Rhymney new rail. way, said he was spreading some ballast on the line at Tyr Phill. The deceased was hauling some rubbish from a new siding that was being made a little higher up. He had to take the rub- bish down the main line for about four or five chains, to a tip on the opposite side of the line. He had taken two waggons of rubbish with two horses along the main line a short distance, when witness saw three trucks of ballast coming sud- denly and rapidly down the line. running wild. Several persons saw it and called out to the de- ceased, and he believed that deceased went to unhook the horses, when the ballast trucks ran into the waggons, and knocked them to pieces. Some part of the waggons struck the deceased, and killed him and one of the horses on the spot. The first truck was thrown off the rails, and the other two stopped. Deceased was found under the second truck. No one was with the trucks. There was a break on the first truck and it was down. George Collins, contractor, said that his men were filling trucks at Rhymney with cinders, to be taken down the line to Ystrad, to balance the line. When he went to the men in the morning he found a lot of trucks filled with cin- ders in the siding, waiting to be taken down by the engine. The engine was later than usual that morning and he went in search for it, but before he went he desired a breaksman named James Roberts to fetch the horses from the stable to be ready to take the empty trucks into the siding to be filled, when the engine had taken away those which were filled. Witness was absent about a quarter of an hour. When he returned he found that three of the trucks were gone. The order he gave Roberts was, to get the horses ready to take the empty trucks into the siding; he never gave him orders to take the full ones out of the siding. He always gave the orders himself. Roberts, who had been a breaksman on the line, had never before taken the full trucks out upon the line. The engine generally came up and the trucks were then taken upon the line and pushed to the engine and hitched to it. The trucks that ran wild had breaks on them. In about twenty minutes after the trucks had started Roberts came back and said that being unable to hold them with the breaks he had jumped off, and allowed them to go by themselves. Just at this time the engine came up, the engineer called Roberts to him and both went off together.- James Roberts said that the last witness ordered him to go to the stable for the horses, to take the full trucks out of the siding upon the line, and that when they were brought out he was unable to hold them back with the breaks. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. DOWLAIS SCHOOLS. WE are happy to hear of the improvement taking place in Dowlais it was wanted. In our recollection the place was an eyesore there were dwellings and agents' houses instead of "wig- wams" and "lodgesr" but tlj.e resemblance to an uncivilised comnsAnoty existed for all that. Year after year there has t>ee"it»*tt! greater change, but it is only since the resident trustee has taken the management that a strongly marked alteration has become perceptible. Much yet remains to be done many a year will elapse before the habits and manners of the people are unimpeach- able, or when in sanatory measures, and in the condition of every workman's home no reason will exist for complaint. We know but little of Mr. Clark, yet, if a faithful criticism could be given, guided by the manifold undertakings wherein he figures, and the common tendency of them all to elevate the working man, trom a tool to a rational and a religious being, we should say that he is a true philanthropist; a man with progressive and humane views, held firmly, and carried out with that calm earnestness of purpose so typical of an Englishman, to whom defeat is unknown and failure impossible. He came to Dowlais and saw that his destiny had given him one labour, scarcely less in vast- ness to one of the twelve assigned the son of Ju- piter. How he has partly succeeded all know, and how his labours will eventually end future men will tell in coming years. In the improvement of Dowlais the means used are of the simplest character No energies are wasted in experimenting; no refinements are given, for where would be the appreciationP We have no crude reminiscences shon n of Plato or More, of Berkeley or Owen. Model com- munities," in fact, are ignored. But, with a good plain education, watchful care exercised in disci- plining and training, there is firmly and conti- nually urged upon the parents' attention, the necessity existing that they should give their children that moral and religious education, and that education of the affections which, com- bined with the knowledge obtained in school, will make, in time, worthy men and women of them all. From the very interesting report just published of the schools, we glean that one at Gellifaelog was erected by the present trustees in 1857; the principal one by Lady C. E. Guest, while trustee, and the other buildings many years before by Sir John Guest and his partner. The Dowlais boys' school is presided over by Mr- Hirst, head master, who lias the aid of five assistants. The girls' school is conducted by Miss Oliver, 1 assistant, and 3 pupil teachers. Of the infant school, Mr. and Mrs. Houlson have the management, with 1 assistant and 4 pupil teachers. Gellivaelog: boys', Mr. Wolfe, mas- ter and 4 pupil teachers. Girls': Miss Cummiug, mistress, 1 assistant and 4 pupil teachers. In addition to this long array there are night schools, that for the boys supplied with a master and 5 assistants. The girls: a mistress and 7 assis- tants. From the report we learn that the population of Dowlais is estimated at 14,000 persons, chiefly protestants of various denominations. That the schools are supported in part by a stoppage of one~-halfpenny in the pound, from the pay of each workman employed by the Company: in part by the school pence contributed by the children in part by the government grant to teachers, and the capitation grants and in part by the Company itself. The school buildings, teachers' houses, light, fire, and play grounds, are also provided by the Company thus, there- fore, they ve neither selt-supporting nor based on the voluntary system. One excellent feature in the management is that the whole of the sum collected from Roman Catholic workmen is paid over in support of a Roman Catholic schoolmaster, recognised by, and of a Roman Catholic school, inspected under the Committee of Council. Very wisely too, and in accordance with the sentiments of the parents, the Bible is made the only text book of religious teaching, and the Trinity and the Atonement are the only doctrines taught. The tables show that the average number of workmen's children who attended in all the schools (exclusive of infants) during the October quarter was 1023. We cannot afford room to give even a summary of the well-arranged tables but one list that will interest our readers we append :-During the quarter in question, the number of children who attended, and whose parents are Baptists, was 218 Independents, 338 Methodists and Wes- leyans, 291 Church of England, 115; other places of w orship, 29; Unknown, 120. This, also, is exclusive of infants. Altogether the report shows a most satisfactory state. Of these scholars 51 gained prizes at the Cardiff meeting, and the extracts from Mr. Bowstead's report prove, creditable management; ou the whole, a high state of efficiency and the head school in particular is stated by him to be doing immense good among the large masses of working people by which it is surrounded." From the few pages whence we have culled these statistics of the school progress, we note here and there remarks everyone should read, advice everyone should follow. How true, for instance, are those wherewith the report is concluded" The work of the schoolmaster may lighten the labours of parents, but does in no degree lighten their responsibility. You, indeed, entrust your children to our care, and we do our best to instruct them in ordinary secular knowledge, and those vital doctrines of Christianity about which, happily, we all agree. But of what use is it. to teach a child the theory of Christianity for a few hours daily here, unless you shew him the practice and example of Chris- tianity at home, It is your duty not merely to send these little ones to us with clean hands and faces at the hour of school, but to see that they say their prayers when they rise and when they go to bed; to make them employ their Sunday in a profitable manner and above all, to show them, by your life and conversation, that you do, not look upon our labours as a mere sham. Let every inhabitant of Dowlais take this to heart, and, while so doing, be proud they possess a man amongst them who has forsaken the retirement & quietude of his study, refused the allurements of tame and fortune, and rather preferred the arduous and often thankless labour of benefitting,, socially and morally, the poor around him, that he might see the smile of contentment gleam on features worn out with toil, and virtue rise her head in the old haunts of vice and ignorance. ABERDARE. CONCERT.—It was gratifying to observe that the inhabitants of Aberdare liberally supported the exertions of Mr. Neighbour at his concert on Monday evening, and we trust that similar well selected musical compositions will be equally appreciated, and meet equal success in the future. In justice to Mr. West, of Merthyr, we cannot but express our delight at the masterly manner in which he executed the solo on the trombone, and hope again to have the favour of a visit. Great credit i8 due to the other ^members of' the Aberaman band, of which Mr. Neighbour is the leader and instructor. During the evening Mr. Clark, our respectable townsman, enlivened the entertainment by singing his highly pleasing comic song of the" Lively Flea." THE MAINE LAW MOVEMENT.—The Rev. Owen Jones, Dowlais, delivered a lecture on the Maine Law question, on Monday evening last, ^at the Siloak chapel, Mr. Morgan presiding. The lecture was numerouely attended, and the tem- perance choir, under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Meredyth, sang several choice anthems and glees. ENGLISH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.-On Sunday evening last, the Rev. John Cunnick, the newly established pastor of the church worshipping at Tabernacle chapel, delivered the first of a series of Sunday evening lectures, entitled Moral Paint- ings, or selections from the parables of Christ." We are happy to find that Mr. Cunnick commen- ces his career as a minister of the gospel in this populous place, under favourable circumstances, and that he is becoming a popular man with both Welshmen and Englishmen. THE NEW TEMPERANCE HALL.—This splendid edifice is rapidly drawing towards completion. It is intended to be opened in the spring, and the committee have made arrangements to give the people several first class musical and oratorical entertainments in the course of the summer. A large choir has been formed, under the conductor- ship of Llew Llwyfo, to learn Mr. Stephen'a oratorio, I he storm on the Lake of Tiberias"- which, by-the-bye, is the only Welsh oratoriio ever compsed; and the hall is to be opened with the performance of this masterly musical pro- duction. IHE PEAL OF BELLS.—It is highly gratifying to ||learn 'that, despite ol bad times, strikes, failures, and compromises, the bells and clock intended for the church will soon be here. Old fashioned people, with recollection of stage coaches in their heads, may hint about delays of makers, delays of trains, expense of putting up, and all that isort of thing, but we verily believe, summer time will see them placed, mer- rily, we trust, to welcome in the good'times that all the good people of Aberdare are anx- iously expecting. ABERRANT CROssiNG.Considerable annoyance is felt by passengers to and from Aberdare, at the very dirty state of the road at this place, In the day time, by some little skill, a pas- sage-may be made dry shod," but at night, when trams are in the road, "darkness reigns su- preme," it is next to impossible to cross with safety. Many prefer going to Merthyr from the Abernant station, instead of raveling all the way round by Hirwauu; but it' t: iamp be placed here, and the road continue tn its present state. it will be advisable to forsake • route and endure the inconveniences of the other. THE ABERDAHE STRIKE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) OUR, contemporary, the Swansea Herald, we regret ,to say, has been sadly hoaxed this week, by some one professing :to be its "Aberdare Cor- respondent," by declaring that the strike amongst the colliers had terminated. The letter is dated from Aberdare, Tuesday evening, 6 o'clock, and runs as follows :— Aberdare, Tuesday, Six o'clock. The strike is over! The pits will be as full as ever to- morrow morning—not of strangers, but the old hands. This morning, at twelve o'clock, some scores of the colliers went down to Mountain Ash, to meet the iton- mouthshire turn-outs, and form a procession from thence, up to Aberdare, and, finally to hold a "monster" meet- ing on- the Hirwaun Common. All the men that had already gone to work refrained from working to-day, and it was understood that, if they would not continue to strike with the rest, that all should go in. The poor fellows waited for a long time at A; ountain Ash for the Vionmouthshire reinforcement, but in vain. At last a message was received, to the effect, that, when the Monmouthshire turn-outs were on the point of starting two men informed them that every collier in Aberdare had gone in; so they determined upon staying at home. There is joy in many a house this afternoon, and many an anxious mother will go to rest this evening with a lighter heart than she has done for seven weeks. Now to those residing in the Aberdare Valley we need scarcely say that, scarcely a single word contained in this announcement is true. This should teach our contemporary before he seeks to correct the alleged errors of others, to make no false statement] himself. So far .from the strike being terminated, there are, we fear, greater troubles ahead for some of them who are con- nected with it- than have yet been experienced. A large meeting was held at Mountain Ash, on Tuesday last, to consider the question. A large ^number of Monmouthshire colliers were ex- pected, but they did not from someleause.or other make their appearance, and the meeting pro- ceeded without them. We have been furnished with a brief summary "of the proceedings by one who was present. A chairman having been appointed, one of the old colliers rose and ad- dressed the :meeting in Welsh, nearly as follows Fellow workmen, we have lost the day. It is evident we have lost the day, for the last three weeks. We struck with the hopes that the masters would have given way to us, but now it is-positive they will not, and they can live longer without us than we can without them. And not only so, but we have been 18 months or two years driving in stalls, and we have some good stalls in the four feet vein, and we are now ready to draw the coal back. Our labour for this last 18 months or two years has been sacri- ficed by these fellows who are going in to our workings. Who are these fellows ? Boys whom ;we have taught to cut coal from the country, and wtio were the most ready to stand out, and to bring away their tools at the commencement. They were the first to come out and now they are the first to go in. And now, what shall we do boys P Here we are standing out and having nothing. The .day is against us, for boys are going in, stopping us from getting our price, and getting all of our best work, for the first who go in have the choice of the stalls. Is this not very hard, that there should be such fellows about us, and that we should lose our best work, and that it should be taken by our greatest enemies? Now I make this proposition, that under the circumstances it is better for us to fall in with the masters. The money market is improving, and we may hope that the masters will feel it their duty to give the lprlCe again when the money market comes to a proper state. This is my proposition and if any workiiian will second it I shall be very glad." It was seconded, and a show of hands was in favour of the proposition. Another collier then immediately got up and also in,, Welsh, called out, "Boys! Boys what are yov about ? We are on the eve of winning. The masters must give in to us. Stand! Stand Jlold on to the strike and we shall conquer, Don't listen to that man. He is only a tool sent here by the masters. Do'nt listen to him. You