The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

Btrtijs. At No. 2, Gloster-place, St. Michael's Hill, Bristol, Dec. 26, the wife of Mr. J. Jones, of a son. At Llanvihangel Torymynydd, Dec. 21, the wife of Mr. James Bevan, of a son. At St. Arvans, Dec. 23, the wife of Mr. Francis Wilcox of a son. JHarrtfltjes. At Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Dec. 22, by the Rev. J. Barr, Mr. John Stephens, Cedar-creek House, Calaveras county, California, to Mrs. Jane Gardiner Colegate, of Airdrie. At the Wesleyan chapel, Pontypool, Dec. 25, by the Rev. W. Dawson, Mr. Thomas Griffiths to Miss F. J. Attwood, both of Blaenavon. At the Register office, Abergavenny, Dec. 11, by license. Mr. John Morris to Miss Ann Frver, both of Abergavenny. At the Register office, Abergavenny, Dec. 12, Mr. Eli Sea- bourne to Miss Mary Ann Jones, both of Abergavenny. At the Register office, Abergavenny, Dec. 16, Mr. W. Holmes to Sophia Bayley, both of Abergavenny. At the Baptist chapel, Frogmore-street, Abergavenny, Dec. 16, by license, by the Rev. James F. Masters, Mr. John Davies, of Llanover, gardener, to Phoebe, daughter of the late Mr. Jones, of the Gelly, Llanvetherine. At Hanover chapel, Llanover, Dec. 17, by license, by the Rev. Robt. Thomas, Independent minister, Mr. John Gittins, of Goytrey, miller, to Mary, youngest daughter of Thomas James, Esq., of Ty Ivor, Goytrey. At Trevethin church, Dec. 29, Mr. Evan Daniel, formerly of Pontypool, to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mr. Moseley, Infant school, Twmpath, Pontypool. At Trelleck church, Dec. 27, by the Rev. C. A.T. Kuper, Mr. Walter Adams, of Trelleck, to Miss Mary Lewis, of Church cot- tage, Llanishen. Beatfjs. At Chepstow, Dec. 12, Mary, wife of Mr. J. Hughes, black- smith in the employ of the Iron Foundry Company, aged 64. At the Row, Raglan, Dec. 28, of fever, Caroline, eldest daughter of the late John Jasper, aged 13 years. At Cecileyford, near Tre'leck, Dec. 28, after a long illness, Mr. John Richards, aged 40 years.

TO CORRESPONDENTS AND READERS. We have the pleasure of presenting GRATIS, with each im- .e -i pression of to-day's issue, a copy of CLARK'S ILLUSTRATED FAMILY ALMANACK, for 1864, "LLANTILLIO CROSSENNY." The date of Mr. Crawshay Bailey's election, when opposed by Mr. Lindsay, was April 2nd, 1852.

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE. THE RIVER USK SALMON FISHERIES. On Monday last, a meeting convened by the Inspectors of Fisheries, for the purpose of hearing suggestions from the proprietors of Salmon Fisheries in the river ITsk, and other persons interested in the Fisheries of the Bristol Channel, relative to an application to vary the annual close season, was held at the King's Head Hotel, Newport. There were present W. J. Ffennell, Esq. (one of the inspectors of fisheries, attending from the Home Office) Lord Llanover (the lord-lieutenant); Major Lyne (con- servator of the Monmouthshire fisheries) Major Stretton (conservator of the Breconshire fisheries); John Lloyd, j jun., Esq., of Dinas (one of the secretaries of the Brecon fisheries) Cornelius Evans, Esq. (conservator of the Monmouthshire fisheries); Mr. Edgar Fennell (one of the lessees of the Monmouthshire fisheries), and Mr. Ray Miller (one of the lessees of the Wye), &c. Mr. Ft'ennell, inspector of fisheries, opened the meeting by explaining the objects for which it had been convened, and said that the state of the fisheries of the districts under o notice was very satisfactory. He explained the necessity of their proceeding with deliberation and caution, and went into a lengthened statement of the details of the fisheries i for the past season, concluding by pointing out the desira- bility of the dates of the commencement and ending of the fishing season of the district being as closely assimilated as possible, not different to each other, as was the case in the several applications sent to the Home-office by the conservators of the Wye, the Usk, and Monmouthshire. After a discussion, Mr. Inspector Ffennell once more urged the desirability of the seasons being assimilated, and suggested that the same should apply to both sides of the Channel downwards from the Wye, to some point below to be decided on. Lord Llanover thought the river Rumney would be suffi. ciently low down. Major Stretton here explained that, in the various ap- plications sent in from this district, the dates had been different in consequence of the Wye proprietors holding a meeting later than the Brecon and Monmouth meeting; otherwise, if they had had the opportunity, he had little doubt that they would all have perfectly agreed to the same dates. Mr. Inspector Ffennell pointed out that the Secretary of State would necessarily have to comply with one or other of the applications, and he (Mr. Ffennell) could not report favourably on the others, if the seasons were not assimilated, the waters being in such close proximity. Lord Llanover said that there were two points for their consideration, as laid before them by Mr. Ffennell; first, the discrepancy existing between the commencements and endings of the seasons, in the different applications from this district; and second, the desirability or otherwise of their amending their notice in time to bring it before the quarter sessions, next Monday, so as to lay it before the Secretary of State in due course for settlement on the 1st February next. The meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the dates of the applications before them, with a view to their amendment. Major S retton said the discrepancy between the dates as proposed by the Brecon and Monmouthshire conserva- tors ior co '.mencing the net fishing season was not less than one month. The Wye conservators were much more largely interested in the put" fishing than the Usk con- servators, and as they were conteut with the season com- roencmg on the 1st ot March, lie could see no reason why the applications should not be amended so as to be assimi- lated to onch other. In REPLY to Mr. Inspector Ffennell, Mr. Ldgar Fennell said that the 1st of March would suit him very well; and Mr. Ray Miller also agreed. lIlr. Inspector Ffennell then asked whether they were all unanimous in adopting the date proposed, the 1st of March. After a pause, Lord Lianover said-Yes, we appear all agreed. The meeting then proceeded fe the discussion of the commencement of the rod-fishing season, and after a conversation, the date proposed by the Wye and Mon- mouthshire conservators—the 15th of March—was ulti- mately agreed to by Mr. Lloyd, on behalf of the Brecon conservators. Mr. Lloyd then asked on what date they proposed to close tde rod-fishing season. Mr. Inspector Ffennell said he had always advocated an extended rod season, and the matter ultimately dropped, on the understanding that it was to be re-considered on • CStf.l .• LU' "W >• the approaching annual meeting (in January). The following notice to the quarter sessions was then adopted: "That application be made and forwarded by the Chair- man to the Home Office, that the close season for the river Usk and its tributaries, together with so much of the Bristol Channel as abuts on the county of Monmouth, be varied and extended, viz. for net fishing, from the 1-t day of September to the 1st day of March following; and for angling, from the 1st day of November to the 15th day of March following, and that the Clerk of the Peace give the several notices required by the Act." USK THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. A meeting of the managers was held at the Town Hall, on Wednesday last, present: Judge Falconer (in the chair), G. R. Greenhow-Relph, Esq Rev. George Thomas, Rev. W. H. Wrenford, Mr. T. Dunn, and Mr. J. H. Clark. The Secretary, by direction of the meeting, handed over to the Treasurer the sum of £26 13s.4d., the amount of the Govern- ment grant for eight months ending the 31st of October last." It was resolved—"That the Managers hereby acknowledge the receipt of the sum of JE16 2s. Sid., authorised under rule XII of the scheme of Roger Edwards' Charity, and also the fur- ther sum of £14 8s.5Jd., given at the discretion of the Trustees; and they desire to impress on the Trustees the importance of continuing the payment of this sum so long as the school de- pends on voluntary subscriptions." A meeting of the subscribers and friends of the Schools was held on the same day. The Chairman after reviewing the proceedings of the past year, made a few remarks touching the examination of the scholars by the Govern- ment Inspector, and explained the financial condition of the schools. Resolved-" That the financial statement made by the Chair. man of the meeting, though not so flourishing as could be wished, affords satisfactory prospects for the ensuing year." Resolved—"That the subscriptions be considered due on the 1st of January in each year, and a continuance of the subscrip- tions from the public be solicited." Ordered-"That reoeipts be given to the subscribers on pay- ment of their annual subscriptions, and that the Secretary provide blank forms for the same." Judge Falconer, having another engagement, vacated the chair, and Mr. Greenhow-Relph was voted to it. Mr. Bromfield proposed, and Mr. Bosworth seconded a vote of thanks to the Managers and Lady Visitors for the past year.—Carried unanimously. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Judge Falconer for his munificent donation. "That the annual meeting of the subscribers not having been called in the month of October, the managers continue as at present." The meeting hoped that nothing would occur in any future year to prevent the annual meeting being held at the appointed time in October, as it appeared to have been inadvertently omitted this year. A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. ME. BOWSTEAD, INSPECTOR oP SCHOOM, — This gentleman, who lately inspected the Usk Elementary School, was spoken of in the following terms, not very long since, in a document signed by 192 gentlemen- among whom were Mr. Bruce, M.P., Mr. Vivian, M.P. (the founder of the Episcopal chapel at Sketty), and Mr. Henry Thomas. The last named gentleman is lately dead, and was himself frequently publicly-commended by the Bishop of Llandaff, and was sheriff of Radnorshire for the present year, and chairman of the Glamorganshire ses- sions: "With whose (Mr. Bowstead's) labors we are familiar, and in whose energy, accuracy, truthfulness, and moderation, we have confidence, founded on long and close experience. Without any wish to diminish the number, or to reduce the legitimate resources of the purely Church schools, we are specially anxious, having regard to the overwhelming prevalence of Dissent among the Working Classes in South Wales, to promote Schools for those Classes in which the religious teaching shall be of a per- fectly unsectarian character. We believe that we may thus obtain those advantages of teaching which belongs to schools of certain magnitude, without, in any degree, in,- terfering with the right and duty of the parents, to pre- vent their children from being instructed in any form of religion of which they may not approve; and it is because we have found these views to have been steadily and honestly carried out by Mr. Inspector Bowstead that we take this opportunity of expressing to your Lordships our confidence in that officer." The document was addressed to the Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education. > ABERGAVENNY. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.—Of all the merry meetings which mark the present season, there is not one perhaps where greater hilarity prevails than at what is known as a "draw." An event of the kind, which was not at all wanting in this particular, came off during the Christmas week, at the Angel tap, kept by Mrs. Morgan (late of Monmouth). The prizes numbered 14, to be distributed amongst 100 members, at Is. each, and comprised a splen- did round of beef, turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, bottles of spirits, &c., all of which were of guaranteed quality, and doubtless proved very acceptable to the fourteen lucky individuals to whose lot they fell. A somewhat similar division of profits took place on Monday last, when the members of a money club, with their friends, to the number of 40, met at the Cooper's Arms, where, after regaling themselves with the bountiful Christmas cheer placed upon the board by the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Warr, the company proceeded to dancing, and other mudes of enjoyment customary on such occasions, which were indulged in until a late hour on the following morning. TUESDAY'S MAKKKT was very limited in its character, as a narural result of the overflowing attendance at the preceding market. Prices averaged as follow: Geese, 8d., and fresh butter, Is. 2d. per lb.; ducks, 4s. 9d. to 5s. 3d., and fowls,3s. 6d. to 4s. per couple; egga, Is. per dozen beef, mutton, and pork, 7d., and veal, nd. per lb.: potatoes, 6s.3d. per sack; flour, 7s. per bushel; 41b. loaf, 5d. Wheat was quoted at, 40s.3d per imperial quarter. THE RACES are fixed to take place on the 5th of April, and Mr. P. Howard is appointed secretary. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, before the Hon. W. P. RODNEY, and F. C. H. WILLIAMS, G. H. WHEELEY, and T. DAVIES, Esquires. DRUNKENNESS.—Margaret Hodges, an old offender, charged with being drunk, was bound over to keep the peace for 2 months. Mary Brown, similarly charged, was -ordered to pay the expenses. A FISHING CASE.—William Howells, charged with netting in the river Honddu, on the Llanthony manor, was fined 95 and costs, and in default of payment was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment with hard labor. LAUCENX.—Edward Brown charged with stealing a snuff-box, the property of Jane Powell, one of the frail sisterhood, was discharged, the bench looking upon the case as one of a trumpery character. ALLEGED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.—John Walters and Daniel Elmes, charged with torturing two donkeys, by placing a bundle of lighted straw under the animals, were remanded until next week. PONTYPOOL. V THE LATE MR. PRICE'S CHARITY.—The public cannot fail to have noticed at this season of the year a large number of poor people crowded around the shop of Mr. David Thomas, confectioner, for the purpose of receivincr a gift of bread. This charity arose from the liberality of the late Charles Price, Esq., who died in this town in the year 1826, and bequeathed the sum of £200, the interest of which was to be expended annually in the purchase of bread, to be given to the poor people of the parish of Trevethin. Up to the present time, the surviving trustee, Mr. Thomas, already mentioned, who married a niece of the testator's, has discharged the duties of distributing the proceeds of the charity in a very exemplary and honor- able manner. Such arrangements, however, have been made by the Charity Commissioners, that the Incumbent and Churchwardens of Trevethin, for the time beintr, will henceforth undertake all the duties connected with the charity, which, considering Mr. Thomas's advancing years, must prove to him a source of comfort and relie), and it, will be pleasing and satisfactory for him to reflect that the recipients of the charily will ever remember with gratitude his kindness and assiduity in carrying out the desire and wish of the Testator. CHRISTMAS MARKET.—On Thursday week the market was amply supplied with a large stock of well fed turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, game, &c., and the show of butcher's meat attracted much attention from its abundant supply and superior quality. The stalls of Messrs. E. Prosser, and E. Pullin, literally groaned with prime descriptions of meat. Mr. David Lewis exhibited some of the best fed and bred in the town, which bad beer supplied trom the stocks of Major Herbert and Major Edwards. In the shop of Mr. John Richards were to be seen 6 very superior heifers, surrounded by 10 Welsh wether sheep, 10 South ''I "j Downs, 10 Leicestershire ewes, and 5 pigs, the qualities of the whole of which could not be surpassed in this or the neighbouring counties. Mr. Richard Lloyd exhibited, perhaps the finest collection of roasters and porkers, amounting in number to something like 30, that ever were seen in this town, and his shew of beef and mutton was alike good, and appeared to have been selected with great judgment. ;Mr. R. Eley, Mr. Thomas Lewis, and other butchers also displayed some fine qualities of meat, and, indeed, all appearedjto have exerted themselves in selecting such samples as could not fail to prove satis- factory to the public. DIORAMA 011 THE EAST.—On the evening of Monday last, Mr. Pausty exhibited his" Orand Dioramic Tour in the East," in the Town Hall, which, with the music and other accompaniments, was well received by a select but not very numerous audience. not very numerous audience. MOUNT PLEASANT TEA MEETING.-In accordance with a long-honored custom, the friends and members of Mount Pleasant chapel sat down to tea on Christmas day, and the school children were similarly entertained on the following evening. The tables were abundantly sup- plied with the necessary adjuncts of superior quality, and the company was both numerous and respectable. On the removal of the trays, on the first occasion, the Rev. Jason Jenkyns, minister of the chapel, was called to the chair, and addresses were delivered by him, and the Revs. C. T. Harris, J. W. Dawson, and other friends and minis- ters. The choir sang several select hymns in a highly creditable manner, and the proceedings were of a most intellectual character. CHRISTMAS IN THE WORKHOUSB.—The inmates of the Union Workhouse were treated with an abundant supply of the customary provision of the season on Christmas day, vie.: roast beef, plum-pudding, and CWRW DA, with which they were highly gratified. SUDDBN DBATH ofl A CIIILD.-An enquiry touching the death of an infant, four months old, named Frederick Tuffley, was held before E. D. Batt, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, at the Hanbury Arms inn, Pontymoile, on the morning of Monday last. From the evidence of two females, who live near to the parents of deceased, and who had been called in when it was first attacked, and in the arms of oue of whom it died, it would appear that the child had been seized with a fit on Saturday last. The jury returned a verdict of "Died from natural causes." CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.—On Sunday last, sermons on behalf of the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, were preached at Trevethin Church, and in the Town School, by the Rev. J. Drury, M.A. (Association Secretary). On the evening of the fol- lowing day, the above named reverend gentlemen gave a lecture in the Town School, on "Modern Jerusalem," with pictorial illustrations, which, as they embraced traces and delineations ot the most remarkable seem's connected with the establishment and developement of Christianity, rendered the lecture very interesting. The Rev. J. C. Llewellin, incumbent of the pxrish, who occupied the chair, as well as the Rev. R. N. Kane, also ably supported the claims of the Society, of which it was said that it was more liberally supported in Pontypool than in any other town in Monmouthshire A MAN SCALDED TO DEATH.—INQUEST ON THE BODY.—The sail results of sleeping in dangerous places connected with the Iron Works, which is too commonly indulged in by tramps, and other men who have no visible morle of subsistence, was revealed at an enquiry touching the cause of the death of Joseph Davies, held at the Union Workhouse, on Monday last, before E. D. Batt, Esq., and ) a respectable jury, of which Mr. C. T. Edwards was fore- man. The first witness examined was Thomas Brown,whti said I am a fireman at the Abersychan Iron Works. It is the engineer's duty to turn on the water, and my duty to see that all is clear under the boilers before the water is let off; on the night of I he 19th instant, I was at work, and between 11 and 12 o'clock I hallooed three times before the water was let off, and nobody spoke; there might have been someone there without my seeing them I could not see under the boiler as it was (lark I did not get a candle; I hallooed because people sometimes get in there, as it is dry and warm, and tramps go there to sleep the water runs into this place, when the boilers are tapped, through a culvert; the boilers are never tapped without notice being given; I never take a light down, but cry out to warn anyone who may be there to come out. Benjamin Roberts, engine-turner at the Works, said: About 11.30 on the night in question I was attracted to deceased by a scream; on going up to the spot I found him standing a few yards from the boiler; 1 could not see him at first for steam; 1 did not know him; he told me that he went under the boiler to sleep, had been asleep and had got scalded there. and he was out of work; as we were taking him to the Doctor's house, we met the Doctor; he saw him, and totd us to take him to the police station; de- ceased appeared to have been badly scalded. Mr. Prothero master of the Union, spoke to deceased having been brought there early on the morning following the night of the catastrophe Br. Tucker had already applied the usual remedies at Abersychan, and Dr. Cosens attended him until his death, which occurred on Saturday last. Having recapitulated the principal points of the evidence, the Coroner remarked that although the general precaution had been adopted for preventing any accident, yet he thought it was not sufficient, and as people were in the habit of going to sleep in the place, the men in charge of it ought to take a light and ascertain whether anyone is there or not when the water is let off. People have no right to go there, but some means ought to be taken to keep them out. The jury returned a verdict of"Accidental Death," with a recommendation to the proprietors that measures for the prevention of such accidents may be adopted, PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY, before Lieut.-Col. BYKDE. LEAVING WORK.—John Edmonds was charged with having left the employment of the proprietors of the Cwmbran Forge, without having given the necessary month's notice. Mr. Greenway appeared for the defen- dant. Henry Parker, a foreman at the Works, deposed that defendant had been employed as a cinder-tiller, and on the morning of Tuesday last he absented himself from work without notice. The defence was that defendant, who appeared to be suffering from illness, was unable to work, and Mr. Greenway contnuded that it was very wrong, under the circumstances, to apprehend him and lock him up. Mr. Greenway also blamed the police-officer for not having given his superior officer a ticket that he hid received, stating that defendant was too ill for work. Complainants said that they merely pressed the charge as a warning to other men, and they had no desire to take him back again. Defendant was ordered to forfeit all wages that might be due to him, and leave the work. ROBBING LODGINGS,—Wrn. Isaac and Ann Isaac (man and wife) were charged with having stolen a scarf and a pair of boots, the property of John Cronan. Honorah Cronan, wife of prosecutor, deposed that the prisoners had been lodging at their house at Abersychan, and took the articles, which she identified as being the property of her husband, away with them last Tuesday morning. In answer to the bench, it was stated that the male prisoner was a mas'm, and had been working for Mr. Caddock, whom he had left 15s. in debt at the shop, and had also gone off without paying a week's lodging. P.S. Brooke deposed that he apprehended the prisoners in Pontypool; the woman had the boots on her feet, and the man had the scarf in his possession. They were remanded until Saturday, the 2nd January. YAGKANCY.—Herbert Williams was charged on the information of George Jeffrey Griffiths, with having com- mitted an act of vagrancy by begging. It appeared defen- dant came from Llanvrechva lower, and was in receipt of ls.6d. a week from the parish. In answer to the bench, defendant said he thought he would go into the Union. He was discharged. STEALING A SHOVEL.-S:ephen Mahoney was charged with having stolen a shovel, the property of John Jones, contractor, Abersychan. The prosecutor not wishing to press the charge, the summons was withdrawn by consent of the lwneh. ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AT BLABNAFON. — George Rose and Dituiel Keith were placed before the bench char- ged with attempting to rob a counting house at Blaenavon. John Morris said I am cashier for the Blaenavon Iron Company the offices are situate near the furnaces there is no internal communication with those premises and any other; on Tuesday night I left the offices about seven o'clock; I was the last person there; the window was left closed, and the glass was left unbroken; I have seen the window since broken, which was not the case when I left it. P.C. Butler, 86, said: About 12.45 a.m., on Wednes- day last, I proceeded to the Company's offices; I saw the prisoner Daniel Keith standing outside the door; on close examination of the premises, I'beard someone move inside the offices; I apprehended the prisoner Keith, and handed him over to the custody of constable George Harris; I then examined the window, and on finding that part of a square of glass had been cut out close by the latch, I pulled the window down, and saw the prisoner Rose I kneeling on the desk; I endeavoured to reach him, and he struck me with something which I believe to be a large f' .r, office ruler I got hold of him, and with great difficulty, got him to the police station, and charged both the pri- soners with breaking into the office of the Blaenavon Iron Company; Keith said he knew nothing of it, as he only turned there off the road; the prisoner Rose said he had been drunk, and got into the office to lie down; the glass had been cut with something like a diamond, as the edge of it was clean and not ragged. Ann Francis, who said that she was going fourteen," and who had, it appeared, come from the furnaces, with another girl, with two horses, on the night in question, said that she saw the prisoner Daniel Keith trying the latch of the office door, and Rose was by the window, which he tried to open; ou going to give information to the police, she met P.C. But- ler, and when she got back again to the office, she saw Rose's legs as he was going through the window. In answer to the prisoners, witness said she was quite sure that they were the men. Mr. Byrde told this witness that she had given her evidence very well. The prisoners pleaded that they bad been drinking, and didn't know anything about it. They were committed for trial at the sessions. TOWN HALL, MONDAY, before the same Magistrate. A LADY WHO LOVES THE MOON.-Susannah Barrington was charged with having been drunk, and also with being a prostitute. The charges having been proved by P.C Young and P.S. Brooks, defendant was committed to Usk for 7 days. ASSAULTING THE POLICE.—Thomas Pratton and Geo. Hiscock were charged with having assaulted P.C. George Lewis, at Blaenafon. It appeared that the officer had been Cidled in to quell a disturbance in a public-house, when the parties made an attack upon him, on Saturday night, since which period they both bad been locked up. Ttiey were convicted in the penalty of 12s. each, including costs, or 7 days in default. CHARGE OF SHOOTING WITH INTENT.—More than ordinary excitement was observed both inside and around the Town Hall this morning, it being known that a charge of shooting with intent one James Strickland was about to be preferred against James George, residing on the Tranch. Mr. Greenway appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Alexander Edwards watched the case for the accused. Stephen Strickland, collier, said I am brother to the injured man, James Strickland; on Chrisrmas night, myself, brother, and two other men, went to the deten- dant's house, at five minutes past twelve o'clock; it is a public house; I don't know the sign of it; one of us knocked at the door, and asked for a quart of beer the defendant said he would not draw any beer, and if we did not go from there he would blow our brains out this was said by someone whom I believe to be George; It chard Elton and I turned from the door, and left my brother and D ivid Vuter behind; my brother was only from ten to twelve yards from the house I heard a gun fired, and my brother fell down and said he was shot; we bad just turned the corner, or we should have had it; my brother was shot in the head; we took him, and washed him, in Wm. Powell's house; we had not done anything to provoke defendant, out of the common way; we had not broken any windows there; I tonk the policeman there. David Vater said; I was in company with the tivo Strieklands and Elton Christmas night; Stephen Strickland pulled out his watch, and said it was ten minutes past t welve we went to the defendant George's, who said that he would not let us have any beer. He said t lies • are the scamps that broke my winaow last night;" he was up-stairs, and said if you don't go away I'll blow your brains out;" I was standing outside the gate with James Strickland; Stephen Strickland and Elton came from the door, and when we got outside the bailey," the defendant said, the first man that touches that door, I'll shoot the b I said." don't talk like that, but come down, and let's have a pint of beer;" I Saw a light in the lower part of the house, and thought there was someone inside; I saw the light through the cracks in the shutters, and when I was looking through the window, the gun was fired over my head; I looked round, and saw James Strickland fall down, and heard him say, Oh God! I'm a dead man we picked him up, and carried him to W m. Powell's, near the Salutation; the defendant George did not come out, nor anyone else; Strickland was very badly injured; I believe he has lost the sight of one eye; be bled a good deal from his head and eye. At this stage of the enquiry, Mr. Greenway asked for a remand, and Mr. Alexander Edwards, who did not cross-examine the witnesses, offered to put in bail to any amount for defendant's appearance on Saturday next. A surgeon's certificate was handed to his worship, which state< t that although the man's life was out of danger, yet he would not be able to attend the Town Hall for some days. Defendant was remanded until Saturday, bail being refused. STEALING A DUCK.—John Gane and David Jenkins were charged with having stolen a fowl of this description, the property of Coarles Cooksey. Wm. Williams, tin- man, said Between twelve and one o'clock, on Christmas night, I saw the defendants, Gane and Jenkins, standing on the Newport road by the New inn, as I was walking home after I had gone a few yards I saw another young man, named Wm. James, in the rick-yard, running after a duck on the pond; I caught hold of him, and asked him what he was doing, when he said he was after the drake; I left him, and went on the road, and when I came to the other young men (the defendants) Jenkins went on, and got the duck out of the road. Wm. James took it from him, and they went down the road, and hid it in the hedge; it was dead when I saw it. By Mr. W. H. Lloyd (who appeared for Gane) I did not see the duck in Gane's possession; saw Jenkins go into the field for it; I can't swear how the duck got into the field; James took the duck to the hedge; can't say this is the same duck. The prosecutor (Cooksey) in identifying the duck as his property, said it was missed on Saturday morning. Gane was dismissed, and the defendants Jenkins and James (not in custody) were admitted to bail until Saturday. CAERLEON. FOOT RACB.-On St. Stephen's day, a contest of this kind took place near this town-one mile for 95 a side- between Abraham Jones and Joseph Bowler, both of Newport. Previous to the start Bowler was the favorite, but Jones proved the best man, Bowler being obliged to give in after running three parts of the distance. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY, before the Rev. WM. POWELL and C. NICHOLSON, Esq. A DANGEROUS CUSTOMER.—Edward Griffith was charged with presenting a gun at, and threatening to shoot, Charles Adams Brew, of Pontrhydyrun. The prose. cutor stated I was going along the parish road and met defendant with a gun in his hands when I came up to him he put the gun up to his shoulder, and presenting it at me, said, "Stand, or —— I could see he was in beer, and after I had spoken to him, he put the gun down. Defendant, in extenuation, said that the gun was not loaded, and he did not m,ean any harm. Prosecutor said he did not wish to press the charge, as he had employed defendant several times, and would again, and farther than that he thought it right to summon him, by way of a caution for the future, as when drunk he hardlv knew what he was doing. The bench having administered a salutary admonition, bound defendant over to keep the peace for six months, and ordered him to pay 9s. costs, upon which Mr. Brew said he would pay the costs. LLANVIHANGEL-NIGH-USK. MOSERAH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHAPEL.—The anniversary of this chapel was celebrated on Christmas day, and was attended by a very large and respectable assemblage of persons. The tea, which was both excel- lent and well served, being over, the public meeting com- menced by the Rev. Mr. Phillips, the minister, being voted to the chair. Mr. Tomkins read a psalm and off.-red a prayer, after which the Chairman delivered a brief address, and introduced Mr. Rees, of Newport, who descanted upon the "Manifestations of the love of God to man through the incarnation of Jesus," with considerable earnestness and devotion. Mr. Forward, of Raglan, Mr. George, of Llanthe y, Mr. Tomkins and Mr. Price, of Abergavenny, Mr. Lewis, of Llanvapley, and Mr. Thomas, of Hanover, followed. The addresses, as may be expected, were varied but all pointed to one centre-the means of salvation,—sectarian dogmas being suppressed by the different speakers with admirable spontaneity. With the exception of some slight inconvenience occasioned by overcrowding, the meeting was all that could be desired. NEWCHURCH EAST. ACCIDENT TO A CHILD.-On Saturday last, a sad acci. dent betel a little boy, about 18 months old, son of Mrs. Welch, who resides with her father, Mr. Reader, of the Glynn farm. The poor child, in his little wanderings, followed some of the family up the steps leading to the granary, from the top of which he fell to the ground, thereby breaking his hip. TRELLECK. SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—An accident of a very serious character, arising from boyish thoughtlessness, occurred at the Panta flour mill, on Thursday, the 24th ultimo. Two boys named Richard Ambrev (18), and Matthew Davies (13), the former of whom was acquainted with the mill, J. 1 .f_ L ..HhJ{: F,;i- .vr "1', were loungmg about the premises, and taking advantage of the temjrorary absence of the miller (Mr* Morgan) Davies placed his foot into the chain of the pulley, for Ambrey to wind him up in the manner that sacks are wound up from the ground floor to the top of the building. When the boy had been taken up sufficiently high.Arubrey endeavoured to throw the winding apparatus (which ie worked by the water wheel) out of gear, but the line by which this was to be effected breaking in his hand, he was unable to do so, the consequence being that Davies was taken over the winding beam, whereby he became fright- fully injured, Ambrey, with much promptitude, stopped the water-wheel, but not in time to prevent the accident, Mr. Morgan, who was in his house, adjoining, ran to the spot upon hearing the mill stop, but his assistance was of no further service than in endeavouring to alleviate the sufferings of the poor lad. Medical aid having been pro. cured, it was found that the injuries were of such a nature as to leave but little hope of the sufferer's recovering, one of the legs being broken in two places, and the knee dislo- cated, besides a number of bruises and contusions. The unfortunate lad, however, stilllinllers, and it is thought that the leg will have to be removed. CHEPSTOW. MYSTERIOUS ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday eveninglast a gentleman belonging to this town, named Jenkins, was found lying in a field near the Great Western Railway station, Bristol, with his leg broken. In the absence of proof, the unfortunate gentleman being unable to account for his position, it is supposed he must have fallen from the railway viaduct. He was taken to the General Hos- pital, where he still remains. THE LITERARY INSTITUTION.A lecture was de- livered at the Bank Buildings on Monday evening, in aid of the funds of this Institution, by John Yeates, Esq., L.L.D., F.R.G.S., the subject being, Enterprise (with illustrations from beyond the sea). The discourse proved exceedingly interesting and instructive, and warm ae. knowledgments were tendered to the lecturer at the con- clusion for his gratuitous services. POLICE COURT, MONDAY, DEC. 28, before W. SETS, and A. B. SAVERY, Esquires. DAMAGE TO THE POLICE STATION.-A man named George Gilbert was sentenced to 1 month hard labor for having committed wilful damage to the door of the police station. MAKING FREE.—James Barrow was charged with having stolen a mince pie, value a penny, from the basket of a pie-woman, named Mary Jones. It appeared the prisoner helped himself to the pie from the basket, and ate it before her eyes. He was remanded until petty sessions. ON SUSPICION.—Charles Reynolds was placed before the bench, on suspicion of being a deserter from the 36th regiment. Defendant already bore on his person the indeliblo "D." He was ordered to Usk until the Horse Guards should have been communicated with. In our early days we paid dearly for many things now infinitely cheaper and much bet ter- Confectionery for instance. We can now buy Schooling and Co's. Prize Medal Pure Sweets at one penny per ounce. When we were young, nothing like them could be had at any price.

Utterature. H, "IRON AND WIRE WORKS OF TINTERN "-(by W Llewellin, F.S.A., F.G.S.)—To resume our extracts from this interesting little work, we select that portion relative to the granting of patents during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, securing peculiar privileges to persons skilled ia the knowledge and discovery of metals and iiiinerals:- Among those to whom such privileges were liberally ex- tended, we find the names of William Humfrey and Christopher Schutz, the former being assay-master to her majesty's mint, and the latter described as a native of Annaberg in Saxony. Letters patent were conceded to them, which empowered them to explore for, and work mines of gold, silver, copper and quick- silver, and all other minerals and metals that might be dis- covered in England, Wales, and the English pale in Ireland; and also all manner of fewres, oars, mixed or compounded, for latten, wire, or steel.' An arrangement appears to have subsequently been entered into, whereby Humfrey and Schuta assigned all their interests in the patents which they had secured, to certain parties who proposed associating themselves together as a company. Accorairigly an act was obtained to incorporate I for ever' two societies, under the respective designations of the I Society of the Miners Royal,' and the Society for the Minerals and Battery Works.' Both compa- nies were established by similar persons, and comprised the same proprietors. They included among them the most influential and wealthy personages in the country, of whom the fol- lowing may be named as examples Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, the Duke of Norfolk, William Earl of Pembroke, Robert Earl of Leicester, William Lord Col)hitm, Sir William Cecil, Sir Walter Mildmay, Sir Henry Sidney, Sir Francis Jepson, Sir William Garrard, with twenty-nine other conside- rable persons, gentlemen, lawyers, and citizens. The I Society tor the Minerals and Battery Works' established works in several parts of the country, and, among other places, selected Tintern as the site of a work for the manufacture of wire, which even at that early period was an article in considerable demand, and chiefly employed for making cording-combs for clothiers. "One of the shareholders was Mr. Richard Hanbury, of London, citizen and goldsmith and, in consequence of his being so designated, it has usually been supposed that he had been engaged in the business of a goldsmith as it is under- stood in the present day. I am, however, perfectly satisfied he should more properly have been described as a and was simply a member of the guild or company of gold- smiths. He was evidently a person of considerable wealth and importance, possessed of great ability and enterprise, and de- scended from an ancient and distinguished family in Worcester- shire. His connexion with the Mineral and Battery Works naturally awakened on his part some degree of interest in the operations of the company; and in consequence of the losses and alleged mismanagement of the wireworks at Tintern, he appears, in a few years after their erection, to have made a journey there to investigate the position of the company's affairs. I am unable to ascertain whether this was his first visit, though it, is my opinion that it probably was so but certain it is that he had not then become in any way connected with the IRON- WORKS at Tintern. Whether he subsequently resided there continuously, or merely made occasional visits to the works, does not appear but at all events he undertook, during a period of three or four years, the entire responsibility of manag- ing the wireworks. That circumstance probably gave him an opportunity of making himself well acquainted with the district, and may possibly have first impressed him with the value and eligibility of Tintern as an establishment for the pro- duction of iron. My impression is that the ironworks existed there from a very remote period, and that the company were induced to establish the wireworks at that place by the cir- cumstance of the previous existence of the ironworks, and the consequent proximity of the supplies of iron. But be that as it may, Mr. Hanbury appears in a few years subsequently to have become possessed of the ironworks for I find it stated, about the year 1557, by Andrew Palmer, that he (Mr. Hanbury) had then I gott to his handes ij or iij iron workes there in Wales, whereat he made much merchant iron to greate gayne.' One of those works may have been Ponty- pool, where he appears to have commenced operations early in the reign of Elizabeth, by the enlargement of the previously existing charcoal-furnace and forges. "It has generally been supposed that he was the founder of the distinguished family of the Hanburys ot Pontypool Park; but that statement is clearly erroneous, inasmuch as I find on investigation that he had no son to succeed him; and that his children consisted of two daughters only, one of whom was married to William Coombes, Esq., of Warwickshire, and died without issue; while the other married hei- father's partner, Sir Edmund Wheeler, of Reading Court, and left several chil- dren. He seems to have become connected with the works of Tintern and Pontypool about the same period. In seeking to establish the identity of Mr. Hanbury, and to make out his descent, I was greatly perplexed by finding that, in all the Visi. tations, John Hanbury, of Elmeley I,ovett, was represented to have had two sons of the name of Richard. I learn from that experienced investigator, Mr. Wakeman, that this similarity of the Christian names of brothers frequently occurs in old pedi- grees, and so causes very great inconvenience to the genealogist. The statement which represents the brothers to have had the same name, and to have been both called Richard, is unques- tionably quite correct. The elder brother was the son of the first wife of John Hanbury, Elizabeth Broade, of Elmeley Lovett; while the younger was the son of the second wife,whose name is. unfortunately omitted in the M.S.S. The elder Richard appears to have removed early to London, and to have estab- lished himself in the City as a banker, where he attained considerable wealth and distinction while the younger Richard remained at Elmeley Lovett, and probably settled there as a country gentleman."

CORRESPONDENCE. USK CATTLE MARKET. To the Editor of the "USK OBSKBVEK." SIR,- -I am glad to see a Cattle Market is about to be built in Usk, for the present system is attended with much incon- venience to both the buyer and seller; the stock at present being distributed from the Abergavenny gate nearly to the Prison, in one direction; from the Raglan turnpike to the Bridge in another, besides being scattered about on the Twyn, and about the Town Ilall the buyer is, therefore, kept walk- ing about from one place to another to look for the stock he requires, and the seller has much difficulty in deciding where to take his stock to show. I hope the market will be built, as I am sure it will meet with the support of nearly every one, as well as Yours obediently, A FARMER. Printed and Published by the Proprietor, WILLIAM HENRY CLAKK, at his Offices, Bridge Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, January 2, 1864.