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L LOCAL INTEI.LIQSNCC.

MERTHYR AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.

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MERTHYR AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. We are requested to state, and we have much pleasure in doing so, that the letter signed F. Evans," and con- taining the stupid and nialicious fabrication of a mar- riage, was not written by Mr. Frederick Evaus, of Garden street, Dowlais. Mr Davies's Ball at the Bush Assembly rooms takes pi ice, we perceive by the advertisement, ou the 3lst Dec. MKinuYK. Mi. Lewis Lewis, clerk to the magistrates, has been appointed sub-division clerk to tiiu deputy lieutenants tor the sub-division of Caerphilly Upper. We understand that the amount of fees under the Merthyr Stipendiary Magistrate's Act received by the clerk, and transmitted by him to the treasurer of the county, for the year ending 29th September last, was £ 283 Os. 3jd., being an excess of £ L53 over the salary ( £ 150) paid to the clerk. SUDDEN DEATH.—Mr. John Davies, the highly respec- table chairman of the Wesleyan district and superinten- dent of the circuit, preached at the Welsh Wesleyan chapel at ten on Sunday morning, and was apparently in good health. At 5 p.m. he left home with the intention of preaching at Dowlais, but before he reached Morlais bridge he began to spit blood. He consequently returned to Mr. Watkins's house, opposile the Castle Hotel, where, in less than a quarter of an hour he expired iu Mr. H.'s arms, exclaiming, "Lord Jesus, come quickly." Mr. D. had been in the ministry forty-one years, and was much respected by those who knew hilD amoug all denominations. His age was 04. In consequence of his having died so suddenly an inquest was held on view of his remains, on Tuesday, before Win. Navies, Esq coroner, at the Ivy Bush, when a verdict of "died by the visitation of God" was returned. AN INQUKST was held on Monday, before Win, Davies, Esq., coroner, on view of the body of Ann Richards, aged 67, who was found dead 011 Sunday, near the regwns, she having missed her way last Saturday week by trying to return home from Merthyr to Rhymney, and fullen over » precipice. Her »U»wl and walking stick wi-SO yards from the place where her body was found, a i 1 ">fr money in her pocket. Verdict, "found dead."— On the 17th inst., an inquest was held on the body of Godfrey Ri.-hards, of Dowlais, aged 10, who died on 'tl e Hi ;1. from injuries he received on the 11 Lh by a tram passingoverhim. Verdict, "accidental death." MERTHYR MARKET.—Our Christmas market on Saturday last was the centre of general attraction, an I well might it be, if meat could have that effect, for it was declared by many persons that" never were such provisions seen in this district." There were from 30 to 50 prime beasts killed for the occasion. Mr. David Rees had a fat wether, the one that got the prize at Sir Charles Motgm s cattle show, weighing 401b. a quarter; and a Scotch heifer, which attracted much notice. Mr. Evan Davies had a Hereford cow, weighing 2401b. a quarter. Mr. Howell Jones had a small Herefordshire heifer, weighing 1501b. a quarter. Mr. George Evans a Gla- morganshire heifer, weighing 1801b. a quarter. Mr. Leniy Griffiths a two-year-old Hereford heifer, which weighed 1201b. a quarter, and the cow which he and Mr, James Jones had, weighed upwards of 2001b. a quarter; Mr. Gnffiths's porker weighing only 411b., and the calf which weighed 1201b., were highlv approwcl of. and reck- oned the best in the market. Mr. E. Williams, and many others also, had prime provisions for sile. The prices for the best averaged from 8d. per lb. We observed a great quantity unsold on Monday. PANDY, CYFAHTIIFA.—The three fat bullocks fed at Gnrnos, which were killed last week, and weighed on ednesday morning, even astonished the Merthyr but- chers. The first weighed 1,0821b., or 270-|ll). a quarter- the second weighed 1,1961b., or 2091b. a quarter; and the third weighed 1,3901b.9 or 3491b. a quarter. The throe Pigs fed atthePandy were also exceedingly fat. Hun- dreds have been vieuiug them, They weighed respec- tively 20 score, 41b.; 2U score; and 30 score. DowLAls SCIIOOLS.-Oll Thursday, the 18th inst., we gladly availed ourselves of an opportunity which was kindly afforded us of visiting these schools, having fre- quently heard that the system under which they are carried on was most excellent in every respect; and we were so gratified with the result of our visit, that we determined to transcribe a statement of what we there saw and heard, under the impression that it would prove acceptable to our numerous readers in this district of the county. The school-rooms are built upon an elevated and airy situation, and are unquestionably most conveni- ently and comfortably arranged. "The Lower School" is held in a large room 61 feet long, and 18 feet wide; and is conducted by Mr. Holmes with considerable abi- lity. It is a handsome apartment-well lighted and ven- tilated and is also, in addition to the other school requi- sites, furnished with an excellent clock. It has two fire-places, from which radiates sufficient heat to keep the apartment comfortably warm. The forms, we ob- served, were fixed to the floor—an arrangement generally approved of—and raised one above the other. Several large tablets, for teaching arithmetic on Pestalozzi's system, were hanging around the room, as were also various maps. This school, that is, the lower school, is divided into four classes-each class being furnished with the usual means for carrying out the peculiar system of instruction adopted here. Writing is taught according to Mulhansas'a system aud each child is provided with a slate, a long pencil, and a copy is written upon a large black board, with chalk, which they are directed to imitate—the copy being in accordance with the state of proficiency acquired by each class. Many of the children write comparatively well. This school contains J30 pupils and the average attendance amounts to 120. Curtains are suspended upon iron rods between the classes, thereby preventing the pupils of one class having their attention uselessly attracted to the proceeding* of their neighbours. lhese curtains may be instantly re- moved so as to afford the master an uninterrupted view of the four classes. Our space will not permit us to give a detailed account of the system of instruction but when we state that the classes are taught by Monitors, our readers will require no further information, as, by this time, the systems introduced by Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster, which this resembles in principle, must be sufficiently familiar to all. Nothing also need be said in favorof teaching in classes. In the present day every well conducted school is arranged upon this principle, the advantages of which are too obvious to require the slightest remark by way of commendation. The strictest order is required. Having said so much in favour of this school, our readers will expect to find it to be an expensive one; such, however, is not the case, as the only payment which the parents of the children are called upon to make, is the small sum of one penny a week; for which sum they are provided with books, slates, &c., &c. We were really much surprised when the fact was stated to us, as we are sure our readers will be when they read it. So much for THE LowER SCHOOL, from which a door leads to THE UPPER SCHOOL, which is carried on in a room 22 feet long and 18 feet wide. This room is also remarkably well lighted, ventilated, and warmed and around the walls are suspended various maps of the most useful and expensive description. We saw a map of the world, of South America, of Europe, Asia, Africa, Travels of Saint Paul, Palestine, the Journeyiugs of the Israelites, a map of England, with the railroads marked on it, &e., &c. We also saw on a table Terrestrial and Celestial globes. In the upperpartof the room there were some excellent models for drawing, with the most perfect requisites for rendering the acquisition of a know- ledge of the art easy and expeditious. Just as we finished our examination of this quarter of the room, our atten- tion was attracted to the proceedings of the boys (thirty- two in number) who were engaged in reading the History of England, from a small but well condensed volume, published by Mr. J. W. Parker, of West Strand, London. After they had read a certain portion their books were closed, and they were closely examined by their skilful teacher, Mr. Hirst. We were delighted with the readiness of their answers to the questions put to them. They were then exercised in spelling and etymology— a most useful branch of instruction, but too often neglec- ted in schools at which the children of the humbler classes are educated. After the boys were dismissed, we were favoured with an inspection of the Laboratory, in which apartment lectures on chemistry and other sciences are occasionally delivered to the boys. We saw there a magic lanthorn with slides—for elucidating some of the mysteries of the sublime science of astronomy a chain used iu teaching land-surveying; a series of "pulleys for illustrating some points in mechanical science; an electri- fying machine and an air pump. Are not our readers astonished to find all these expensive articles attached to a school where the children of the humbler classes re- ceive instruction, and are only called upon to pay for such instruction the sum of one penny a week 1 We were struck with amazement. With regard to the pro- ficiency attained by the pupils of the Upper School, we have to report most favourably. The hand-writing of many was very superior in every respect. Their know- ledge of arithmetic was by no means contemptible—far from it. And here we would incidentally remark (and for doing so we shall receive the thanks of parents gene rally) that it is most astonishing that so few of the schools in this county, which are attended by the middle and upper classes, pay anything like due attention to the study of that branch of learning so highly eulogized by one of Sweden's most distinguished monarchs—ARITH- METIC. In some of the most respectable schools in this county it is all Latin—Latin Latin—which the boys have barbarously whipped into them; while a knowledge of arithmetic, of the English language, of English history, and of geography, is almost totally neglected. However, to return to the Upper School, at Dowlais, we have also to say that in addition to a knowledge of arithmetic, the pupils seemed to have been taught a little Algebra, as they solved with apparent ease several problems in Equations. They were also expert in mental arithmetic. They parsed several sentences strictly accurate. Their knowledge of geography was very satisfactory and to crown the whole they finished by singing The merry bells are ringing" and "An even- ing song" in very good style. We perceive that we have already occupied too much space by our account of these schools, and must, therefore, be brief in our concluding observations. In fact, our readers will perceive from our imperfect and hastily-written description, that the kind of instruction afforded is really of the most superior order in addition to which we can conscientiously state that the masters deserve the highest praise—the greatest credit, as do also the pupils generally and we beg most heartily to congratulate masters, pupils, and the parents of the Dowlais youth on the present eminently satisfactory state of the schools, and 011 having such truly excellent frieuds residing amongst them as Sir John and Lady CharlotteGuest, to whom these schools owe their existence, and by whose kind benevolence they are maintained. We never heard of this system but it may be in existence. However, the word as written by our correspondent resemble3 4i JlfulhallS<J,S" more than allythiag else, MERTHYR PETTY SESSIONS. Wednesday, Dec. 17. [Before T. W. Hill and W. Thomas, Esqrs.] Elizabeth Williams was charged by Deborah Griffiths, both of Tai'r nant, i'roedyrhiw, with assaulting her ca the 10th inst. Complainant said that site was going for water, when defendant came on—used very abusive lan- guage—threw her down, and put her knee on her chest. In reply, defendant said Deborah was the aggressor; and that when she was out, Deborah said, "Oh, you mur- deress, you have murdered three of your children." She then ran into the house, and whn she came out afterwards she certainly did throw her down, but did not hurt her, and that she caught and dragged her hair. Three wit- nesses were called, who gave their evidence in favour of complainant. Deborah then called on Thomas Gibbon, who said that he had been requested by the inhabitants of Tai'r nant to attend there that day, as their represen- tative, to give his testimony against Elizabeth Williams. He said she was a most desperate womau—that not a day passed but that she was the cause of gieat disturbance in that neighbourhood, & in proofof what he said, he adduced documentary evidence," which consisted of a true copy" of a petition which had been sent to her landlord, requesting him to give her notice to quit the house, and in which document it was stated that defendant could fight like a man—kick like a donkey-and bite like a dog," possessing besides qualifications of a similar rather unfeminine description, which were charged on defendant profusely. Having taken breath, he commenced anew, and gave a complete account of the lies," which he said, she had propagated concerning his own daughter, frequently interrupting his harangue with I don't wish to detain you, Gentlemen," but notwithstanding his wish, he lectured for a considerable time, to the great amuse- ment of all present, which was testified by their loud ehecrs and laughter. He sat down exhausted, having previously quite exhausted the subject and the attention of the bench. Defendant said that she wished nothing but to have ¡¡ uil:t, ami that ou the day in question, Gib- bon called her several bid names, and sang a song aftsr her from the well to the house. Gibbon a imitted it to be t ru >; and at the pressing soiicitationsof Mr. Hill, he f.ivotir?d the court with two lines of the song, hut not being able to Anglicise it, it was left off. It was evident t!nt considerable ill-feeling existed between the parties an 1th it they were ail equally faulty. Defendant was therefore ifned only Is. and discharged, David Williams, landlord of the Glendwr Cottage, Dowlais, was charged on the information of Mr. Super- intendent Hemer, with keeping his house open at illegal hours on the Sabbath day. Being his first offence, he was fined only lOs, aud costs. David Evans, collier, was charged by Jane Williams, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Ordered to pay 5s. expenses to the midwife, and Is. M. weekly towards the maintenance of the child until it shall attain the age of I:J, unless it die, or the mother marry. Walter Powell, of Plymouth, was brought before the beoch, charged with being drunk, assaulting Llewellyn Francis, and assaulting Seijeant Wrenu, in the execution of his duty, at 9 o'clock the previous night.—Llewellyn Frincis sworn, said—"I live by the pond near the. church—was coming home, last night about 9 o'clock m' t this man—there were some Itatians singing in the street, he threw down a little girl about 11 years of age or less, who had a tamborine in her hand. I picked her up and asked him why he threw the little girl down, upon which he struck me with his fist on my face. I went into the house-he came in after me—we bad a great scuffle in the house. I wanted to send himout. I begged of some one to go for the police, when Sergeant Wretm came down, and I gave him into custody—lie was quite drunk." —Sergeant Wrenn—1" Last night this man was given to my charge by the last witness. He was in a very infuriated slate. He went down on his knees, and when I endeavoured to raise him up, he caught in my legs, and threw me over him. He then bit me'on my leg till the blood came out, I was obliged to use my staff before I could make him loose his hold —took him to the station house with the assistance of another constable." —Fined jEafor the lastassault; or two months' imprison- ment at Cardiff House of Correction. A man was brought before the bench, charged with being a vagrant. 0:i promising to leave the town imme- diately, he was discharged. A novel application was made to the magistrates by a person who said he wanted a schoolmaster's license, and took from his pocket a book entitled The Christian Schoolmaster," bearing date 1707, and which stated that a schoolmaster's license could be granted by an applica- tion to the archbishop, bishop, or ordinary, :&c., by the payment of olle shilling. — Mr. Hill, We never heard, of such a thing before—I am not an archbishop, Dr. Thomas is not a bishop, and neither of us are ordinaries." (Immense laughter.) MONDAY. Dec. 22. [Before T. W. Hill, W.Thomas, & Anthony Hill, Esqs.] Elizabeth Bevan, was charged by Mr. J. G. Price, draper, with stealing two shawls and three cotton hand- kerchiefs, his property. From the evidence adduced, it seems that on Saturday night last at 7 o'clock defendant came to th.e shop, and stood by the counter, on which were several shawls, &c., one of which Richard Dyke, clerk, saw her depositing under her cloak. He immedi- ately told Mr. Price, and while he caught hold of her, Dyke gave information at the Police Station, and brought back with him Serg. Rees. She was searched there, and the above article was found on her person, together with a cap pinned on her gown. The price of the shawls was 5s. and 7s. 7d., and the handkerchiefs IOd. each. Mr. Price swore that they were his property.—Committed for trial at the next Glamorganshire Quarter Sessions, but ad- mitted to bail—her husband in jE50 and two sureties of f50 each. Anthony Hill, Esq., spoke highly favourable of her family. THE DOWLAIS IRON COMPANY were charged by Geo. Hayes with refusing to pay him the sum of £2 18s. 4d. It seems that complainant had been committed to Cardiff House of Correction some time since for leaving his work without giving a month's notice, at Dowlais, during which time the company paid the above sum to three persons whom complainant had employed to assist him. The court decided that it was not legal for the company to pay them, since the agreement was not made with the men, but with George Hayes, and he, apprehending they would demand that sum of him, had summoned them. Ordered to pay the same within J2 hours. Mr. James, solicitor, appeared for the company. John Davies, of Lampeter, but who had resided 7 months at Aberdare, was charged by William Morgan, of the latter place, haulier, with stealing a chaff-bag from the horse's neck on Thursday last at three o'clock, p.m. It seemed to be only a drunken frolic, and he was dis- charged. Another charge was preferred against him by Mr. Evan Evans, spirit merchant, Aberdare, with stealing a jar. Complainant said—"About 5 o'clock last Thursday evening, I was iti my room—heard a noise in the passage —there was a candle there and also two jars—one empty —the other full- I left the room and came in front of the passage. I saw this man, with ajar under his arm, trying to make his way out. Called out Where do you take that jar.' He threw the jar and ran away, and I ran after him, but could not overtake him. I am quite sure he is the man—saw him before—gave immediate information to the police." Committed for trial. [ We were misinformed last week respecting the Brecon- shire poaching case. T. W. Hill, Eiq., was not ou the bench that day as stated by us.]

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