The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

OPENING OP THK VALE OF NEATH RAILWAY. The Vale of Neath Hallway, which is intended to effect a communication between the towns of Neath, on the south, and Merthyr, Abordare, and their neigh- bouring districts, on the north and north-east of this county," was formally opened on Tuesday morning last., under circumstances of a most auspicious and cheering nature. The occasion was responded to by Neath, by Hirwain, by Aberdare, by the country along the whole length of the line which the Vale of Neath Railway traverses, with an enthusiastic spirit, which showed that all classes of the community, from the. highest to the lowest, fully appreciated the good, of which the proceedings of this day was the com- mencement. At an early hour of the morning, the merry bells of Neath and of Cadoxton, together with the booming of cannon, summoned the inhabitants from their slumbers to thebnsy doings of "opening." Tuesday was universally celebrated in Neath as a holi(lay-all the shops were closed, and all classes seemed to have determined to do justice to the occa- sion. From one end of the town to the other there were demonstrations, in varied forms, of the highly creditable spirit with which the enterprising inhabi- tants of Neath entered into the proceedings ot the day. livery street in the town was gracefully festooned with evergreens, accompanied by devices appropriate to the event which the day celebrated. Flags and other honours appropriate to the occasion were also sus- pended from all the public buildings, as well as many of the large private establishments in the neighbour- hood of Neath. It would be almost endless work were we to give in detail the various emblems that were exhibited on the occasion; we cull, however, from the many, some of those which most attracted atten- tion. On entering the town from the South Wales Railway station there was a graceful festoon suspended across the street, with a device appropriate to the great event of the day. At the Town Clerk's office we also observed a festoon with several flags, with the inscription Prosperity to the Vale of Neath Rail- way." In the front of all the inns of the town crowns, garlands, or festoons were displayed, having on them inscriptions conveying heartfelt good wishes for the prosperity of the Vale of Neath Railway, while at the corner of every street similar graceful decorations met the eye. It was pleasing to see that even the humblest cottage poured forth its homage to the event which the day commemorated. Among the multiplicity of decorations which were seen on this occasion, we oiust not forget to mention those of the Vale of Neath Brewery, where Mr. Evans had grouped together a collection of colours," tastefully disposed. One very pleasing incident in the proceedings of the day ought not to be passed over without notice. It was the assemblage of the schools of-a}l deftomina- tltfns to do honour to the occasion. Mr .Isaac Red- wood and several other friends of education in Neatn, so far interested themselves in this opportunity of gathering together the schools of Neath as to set on loot a subscription for the purpose. These benevolent intentions were promptly responded to by the inhabi- tants of Neath—(who have won golden opinions by their admirable conduct on this memorable day)—for in a brief time about £60 was collected for the phi- lanthropic purpose of giving an entertainment to the Sunday-school children of all denominations. Above 1000 children assembled on this occasionf on the ropewalk field, in the immediate neighbourhood of the station—the use of this field having been kindly given for the occasion by Mr. Evans, of the Vale of Neath Brewery. There they sang a hymn, and after the departure of the train they repaired to the seve- ral places of worship with which they were connected. At a subsequent period of the day they were regaled with tea and cake, and their happy countenances tes- tified their participation in the general feeling of the day. The concourse of persons on the ground at the time the schools assembled was immense, there being not less than 5000 people present. At ten o'clock A.M. the members of the corporation of Neath and several lodges of Odd Fellows and other orders, headed by bands of music, paraded towards the station of the Vale of Neath Railwav. Here the directors, with a large number of their friends, took their seats in the first train that was destined to pass over the Vale of Neath line. The train, with the directors, and those of the ticket-holders who availed themselves of the opportu- nity offered them to pass through the famed Vale of Neath, so well known for the delightfully variegated character of its scenery, started from Neath at half- past ten o'clock A.M. precisely. As they passed through the various villages, the passengers were hailed by loud huzzas and other demonstrations of rejoicing. A volley of guns was discharged on their passing the Vale of Neath Brewery; and in their pro- gress through Aberdulais large crowds of wondering spectators were assembled to greet the great change which the power of steam is likely to effect in the Neath Valley. The passengers, many of whom had never travelled through the Vale of Neath on any pre- vious occasion, were delighted beyond measure with the character of the scenery, combining both wood- land and meadow, up to the neighbourhood of Pont- walby and Pont Nedd Vaugban. At Hirwain an immense concourse had assembled to witness the arrival of the new comer, destined to perform so many wonders and cause so many revolutions in the valley. It would be superfluous in a cursory note of the pro. gress of the tram to enter upon anything like a de- scription of the various localities. Suffice it to state that the engine performed its work admirably, the train reaching Aberdare in an hour.J At the station Lord Villiers, the Chairman of the company, was met by a deputation of the tradesmen and other inhabi- tants of Aberdare, who had deputed Mr. Evan Grif- fiths, the longest established tradesman in the place, to read the following address:— MY LORD AND GENTLEMEN,—It is hardly fair to detain ycu at the end of your journey, though we can- not for a moment suppose that that journey has'been in th ■ least fatiguing. As tradesmen and other inhabitants, however, of Aberdare, and looking forward to the great public benefit you have conferred on this place, we can- not resist expressing to you the heartfelt thanks we OW(L you for opening this communication between ourselves and two of the most important ports in the Bristol Chan- nel. We are not however, so selfish as to take the benefit to ourselves only of this important act of yours, but on the contrary, we sincerely trust, indeed, gentlemen, we have but little doubt thai it will produce to yourselves a beneficial and profitable return for the great outlay this line has unquestionably cost you there cannot, we re- peat, gentlemen, be a doubt of this, for no person can come into this valley without, at once, seeing the inex- haustible treasures with which it is every where loaded. If ) ou had any doubt of it before, we are quite sure this visit will have dispelled it. However, we will not detain you by lauding the capabilities of our valley, without lirst inviting you to follow us, and if you will be so con- descending partake with us of some little refreshment after your journey." Viscount VILLIEHS said, that on behalf of the directors of the Vale of Neath, he begged to return the deputation, as representing the inhabitants of Aberdare, his most sin- cere and heartfelt thanks for the cordial inannerin which they had that day received them. Nothing, he assured them, could afford the directors of the Vale ot Neath greater satisfaction than to be to any extent instrumental in developing the resources of this important valley, so rich in mineral wealth (loud cheers). He (Viscouut Villiers) hoped that Swansea, Neath, and Aberdare, would no longer be considered as separate, but that, by means of the Vale of iMeath Railway, they would be united in one harmonious interest (applause). Con- sidering the immense resources of the valley traversed by this line of railway, he thought that no line could boast of better or brighter prospects (cheers). —Viscount Villiers concluded by again thanking the deputation for the man- ner in which the directors were alluded to in the address which had been presented, as well aa for the cordiality with which the inhabitants of Aberdare had met the com- pany that had visited them on that occasion (hear, hear). Three cheers were given for the noble lord; and the same compliment was paid to Mr. HENRY BRUCH, who has been foremost in exertion on behalf of this company. Preceded by the local brass band, Lord Villiers, accompanied by a few of the other directors, and followed by the rest of the paity, proceeded to the Boot and Railway Hotel, where the tradesmen had provided re- freshments, consisting of biscuits, and an ample supply of champagne, port, sherry, &c. The time elapsing prior to the return of the train to Neath being short, the proceedings at Aberdare were ne- cessarily brief. It ought to have been stated that the streets, and many of the houses of Aberdare, were decorated with triumphal arches, banners, and flags, bearing suitable inscriptions, such as "Success to the Vale of Neath." Another very large flag, placed across the street near the Boot Inn, bore the inscription, "The lasting union of the valleys of Neath and Aberdare." All the shops were likewise closed. Dense crowds of the inhabitants were assembled and great numbers of the school-children. The Rev. John Griffith was una- voidably absent, being obliged to attend the Visitation at andutf. The Church schools, conducted under his auspices, were most creditable in appearance; and the m.)Ii '?rC no,I 'n cou,8e °f erection, was viewed with much interest—On the arrival of the party at the Inn, Mr. CRAWSHAY BAILEY begged to propose a 'toast in honour of "The,Coqlúration of Neath" (loud cheers). iins being the first occasion on which he had ai) opportunity of congratulating the Aberdare district on anything approaching complete'connexion with Neath; he felt great pleasure in proposing a toast in honour of the Corporation of Neath (loud cheera). He need not These introductory remarks with an account of the first trip up the line are principally taken from the Herald: the ottier portions of the Iteport are our own. f Our contemporary has greatly under-rated the nainber as will be seen from the followii.-g tabular statement with which I an esteemed correspondent has furnished us:— DAY SCHOOLS. Neath National School 230 Melincrythan do. do. 102 Neaili Union School 34 Cadoxton National School 150 Kilybebill National School 80 Neath Abbey School 190 Uaglan School 138 Aberdulais School 38 Britonferry Iron Works School 70 Giant's Grave School 30 Queen.street School, Neath 50 Total Day Schools 1112 SUNDAY SCHOOLS. National School, Skewen 100 Zoar Independent School 439 WesteyanSchoo). 157 English Independent School 70 ^alvinislic Methodist School 200 Suramerfieid Independent School and its Branches. 350 Baptist School 55 lietliany School 120 ^jitflish Baptist School 60 Skewen Cuivinistic Methodist School 839 Bi.tonlerry Baptist School 80 Unitarian >ehuol 45 Skewen Independent School 200 Britonferry CATVIOISTIC Methodist School 150 Britonferry Independent School 140 Total Sunday School. 2505 Scholars who attended from the different Hoy schools in Npath and its neighbourhood, on the day of the opening of tbe Vale of Neath nltilway 1112 Scholars who attended from the different Sunday Schools in Neath and its neighbourhood, on the opening of the Vale of Neath Railway 2505 Grand Total 36t7 t Twenty-seven minutes were occupied in mounting the Pont- walby incline—five miles witli a train holding tive hundred people. The Vale of Neath Company's engine was not used put it is so extremely powerful, and has eight wheels with the most modern improvements, that with a muoli heavier train it will perform the work required with ease and despatch. inform them that the inhabitants of Aberdare were jU!ltlr proud of the success of t)<e undertaking"Avhieb ibis day hall been 6et aside to commemorate (hear, hear). He could only express a hope that this line would be the means of linking together in one interest Swansea, Neath, and Aberdare, and lhat without injury to any other i". terest (hear, hear, and cheers). I le did not know that he could eay anything further (hear, hear, and a laugh). — Received with loud cheeis. Mr. H. S. VOKB, on rising to return thankf, was re- ceived in a moat gratifying manner. He assured the meeting that he felt highly complimented at the manner in which the toast in hononrofthe Corporation had been proposed by Mr. Bailey, as well as at the manner in which it had been received by this very respectable and influential company. He exceedingly regretted that the worthy gentleman who filled the office of Mayor of Neath was not at Aberdare on this occasion but he felt con- fident that the ladies and gentlemen present would deem it a sufticient apology when he informed them that the Mayor had remained at Neath for the purpose of com- pleting the arrangements for the entertainment to be given there in celebration of this auspicious event (hear). He only hoped the districts of Aberdare, Neath, and Swansea, would continue to be lasting friends, and that their prosperity and improvement would date from this day {cheers). Mr. Coke concluded by again thanking the company for the manner in which the toast had been recei ved (cheers). Mr. BRUCE PRYCE, as one of the oldest inhabitants of this parish, which when he first knew it, contained about two hundred inhabitants, could not but feel a deep inter- est in the proceedings of this important day—he begged in his Own name, and in that of the other landowners of the valley of Abeidare, to offer his most sincere thanks to the directors and to the engineers and contractors of this well-constructed line, for the completion of that great undertaking which they had met there this day to .com- memorate (loud cheers). He concluded by proposing as a toast, —" Success to the Yale of Neath Railway" (much cheering). Viscount VILLIERS, in acknowledging the compliment, returned his most sincere thanks to Mr. Brpce, Pryce for the kind manner in which he had congratulated them, on the success of the undertaking, so far as Aberdare was concerned. He assured tbem that the directors of the company felt the greatest satisfaction in anticipating and believing that the undertaking would have the effect of promoting the prosperity of the Valley (hear). The ad- dress which had beert presented to them, on their arrival, by a deputation of the tradesmen and other inhabitants of Aberdare, was calculated to give rise to feelings of the greatest satisfaction. First and foremost^the gentleman who had been selected to read the addres) on behalf of his fellow-tradesmen demanded their thanks (hear). From his long residence amongst them, by his conduct and industry, he had raised himself to the honourable position of being selected to present the address which afforded so much pleasure, not only to the directors of the line, but to all parties present (chpers). He, there- fore, begged to propose "The health of the deputation who had met them, associated with the name of Mr. Evan Oriffiths." (Received with acclamation). — [Mr. Griffiths was not present]. Rev. THOMAS PmcE, (Baptist Minister), with the permission of the meeting would give the health of "The Chairman and the Directorsof the Vale of Neath Railway," and in doing so he would observe that the inhabitants of Aberdare were under the impression that they had not been dealt with in a way which the impor- tance of the distiict demanded. The saw it announced that there would be a hospitable meeting at Neath in celebration ofthis important event. He doubted not hut that a large number of the inhabitants of Aberdate would have attended the banquet, but they observed no intima- tion given whether they would be able to return home that night. He was convinced that the directors and other promoters would not think the inhabitants of Aber- dare backward in exhibiting their good will towards this undertaking, when he told them that owing to the short- ness of the notice in reference to the opening of the line, it was eight or nine o'clock last night before any initia- tory steps were taken in Aberdare for meeting the direc- tors and the rest of the company this day. No sooner had the opinion of the inhabitants been eounded in re- ference to the question, than the matter was taken up with the greatest alacrity. It ran from one to the other like an electric shock (cheers). All joined heart and hand to give a warm and cordial reception to the directors. He trusted that whenever the saw the engine running up the Valley, they would always smile upon it with feelings of the greatest delight, and look upon it as the means of connecting the Valleys of Neath and Aberdare, not only now, but to all eternity (loud cheers). He remembered not long ago seeing Mr. Coke, the respected solicitor and promoter of the line, at a public meeting at Aberdare. That meeting had been convened for the purpose of test- ing the feelings of the inhabitants on the desirableness of starting the undertaking. He (Mr. P.) thought at the time lhat Mr. Coke's plans looked well on paper, but the meeting was a very thinly attended one, and he really confessed that he entertained no strong opinion that the scheme would be carried into effect—at any rate in so short a period. But with an efficient and energetic solicitor, with good directors, and with the skill and power of a Brunei), they lived to see the undertaking brought to a successful issue (applause). They had formerly felt hesitation in descendiug the Pontwalby hill even at the slow pace of an old car. Now they saw it performed at steam rate. Not only was the railway pro- ductive of such immense benefit in a secular and temporal point of view, but it tended to promote the interests of religion. By means of this wonderful power, their estimable vicar could preach in the morning at Aberdare, in the afternoon at Pontwalby, and in the evening at Abergwaun (hear, hear). He put theru in mind of the beautiful passage in Revelations, referring to the union of all the nations of the world (cheers). Mr. Price con- eluded by proposing the toast (loud cheers). VISCOUNT VILLIERS briefly acknowledged the compli- ment. He assured the meeting that it was the desire of the directors of the Vale of Neath line to meet favour in the eyes of the people of Aberdare. He concurred in the sentiments expressed by Mr. Price in reference to the great advantage and convenience of railway accommoda- tion. It was truly a wonderful work of Providence, without the blessings of which all their exertions and all their attempts would be fruitless (hear, hear). The time appointed for the return of the train being now up, the party returned to the railway statiotj, and started in the course of a short period. At Hirwain, Mr. Crawshaj's well-trained Cyfarthl'a band joined the party, and during the remainder of the trip performed in excellent style, and with considerable execution, several lively airs. The train reached Neath in about an hour, the same time as had been occupied in the up-trip. By this time the concourse of persons of ail classes fr^tn various parts of the county, visiting Neath, hud conslh- derably increased. They welcomed the excursionistsV with loud and prolonged huzzas. THE PUBLIC BREAKFAST Took place in the Market-place at about three P.M., and was attended by nearly four hundred ladies and gentle- men. But one opinion seemed to prevail—that the Mayor and Corporation of Neath had provided a most mugnificeot repast; and to the details of arrangement had displaced most commendable attention. In one word we may safely state, that the public bodies of this town and the inhabitants generally astonished strangers by the enthusiastic spirit and hearty zeal with which they celebrated this highly interesting occasion. The Cyfarthfa Baud, kindly lent by Mr. Crawshay, played several pieces of music with their usual masterly ability. The breakfast was furnished by Mr. Hooper, of Chel- tenham, and it is only due to that gentleman to state that on this occasion he fully sustained the reputation which has so long been deservedly awarded to him. lhe Maikct-place was not only comfortably, but also e e^ant y tilted up as a bauquetting-i oom, great taste and a consn erable amount of labour having been brought to bear in the preparations. «JHXIC',AIR 7A* TAKUEN BY MR. ALEXANDER CUTHBEUT- VUliprl Mrp rf U')0" whose r'Sht sat Viscount \iUiers, M.P., Chairman of the Vale of Neath Railway, Mr. I. K. Lrunel, Engineer, Mrs. Vivian, of Singleton, Mr Henry Ausun Bruce, Mr. J. H. Vivian, M.P., Mr. J. Bruce Pryce Mrs. Lindsay, Rev. C. Sandford, Captain Lindsay, Mr. W. Done Bushell, Mr. Joshua Williams, Secretary to the Vale of Neath Railway, Mr. W. Morgan, Bodwigiad; and on the lelt Mr. Meyrick, Deputy Chair- man of the company, Miss Coke, Rev. H. H. Knight, Mr. Graham Vivian, Mr. P. St. Leger Grenfell, Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Llewellyn. The Vice-chair was taken by Mr. H. S. COKE, Town Clerk. Among the company we observed Mr. Gwyn, M.P., and Mrs. Gwyn, Mr. Crawshay Bailey, Mr. Thomas Powell (The Gaer), Mr. Richard Hall, agent to the Earl of Jersey, Mr. Robert Hall, Rev. D. H. Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Calland, Mr. and Mrs. J. Palmer Budd, Mr. and Miss Wayne, Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Roberts, Aber- dare, Mr. C. A Saunders, Mr. F. G. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paul, directors, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Clarke, Mr. Simonds, Mr. J. S. Morrice, Berks, Mr, Biddulph, Mr. J. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. John Rowland, Mr. J. H. Rowland, Mr. W. Powell, Taibach, Mr. and Mrs. S. Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Brook, Mr. and Mrs. Rees Morgan, Mr. Henry Jones, Heathtield, Miss Coffin, Miss Howell, Mr. William Llewellyn, Misses Llewellyn, Mr. D. Randall, Mr. and Mrs. French, Mr. Robert Hall, Mr. and Mrs. John Par- sons, Mr. Evan Slvaus, Mr. D. Howell Morgan, Mr. David Francis, Swansea, Mr. W. H. Francis, Swansea, Dr. Bird, Swansea, Mr. J. f. Jenkin, Swansea, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Beor, Swansea, Mr. W. Redwood, Neath, Mr., Mrs., and Miss G. E. Aubrey, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Kenway, Mr. and Mrs. James Kenway, Mr. D. Arthur, Mr. George Dods, Mr. Peake, Mr. Robert Evans, Mr. John W. James, Swansea, Mr. J. Hoare, Swansea, Mr. J. Jones, the Misses Jones, and Mrs. Dawe, Swansea, Mr. T. Strick, Swansea, Mr. J. Allen, Swansea, Misses D. Michael, Swansea, Mr. Glasbrook, Swansea, Messrs. Glover, C. Wadley, Hutchinson, Leyshon, Swansea, Mr. aud Mrs. Ward, Swansea, Mr. & Mrs. Towarow, Swansea, Mr. Daniel, Mr. & Mrs. W. Young, Mrs. Attwood, & the Misses Attwood, Swansea, Mr. Rhys Jones, Mr. Brodie, and Mr. S. Jones, civil engineers, Mr. JNorth Rees, Mr. J. C. Richardson, Mr. Leach, Messrs. Kempthome, Jones (solicitor), W. Elias, Lewis Efiri, Mrs. Elias, Neath, Messrs. Hargreaves^ D. Smith, John Jones, T. Thomas, John Townsend, D. Bevan, Hughies, Philip Davies, W. Rees, Roberts, Neath, Mr. Goodere, Mr. D. W. Vigors, Mr. S. C. Gant, surveyor, Swansea, Mr. Sampson, Swansea, Mr. L. Griffiths, Mr. Jenkin Francis, Mr. H. L. Prichard, surgeon, Misses Mor- gan, Mr. Savours, Mr. P. Rogers, Swansea, Mr. aud Mrs. Price, Yniscedwyn, Mr. Swansea, Mr. Allen, Mr.Schank, Mr. Gooch, ^r* In ^ruv^» Swan- sea, Mr. Brown, Swansea, Mr. J. H. Allen, Lletty, Rev. Thomas Price, Aberdare, Mr. W. lhomas, of Court, Mr. W.Thomas, Swansea, Mr. M. R. Price, Swansea, Mr. Roache, Mr. Saver, Swansea, Mr. Hughes, Swansea, Mr. F. Evans, Mr, Jones, surgeon, Mr. Humphieys, Mr. L. Morgan, Graig, Mr. T. Laoce Phillips, surgeon, Plymouth Works, Mr. Waring, &c., &c. The MAYOR, iu proposing the first toast, said that in presenting himself before the company, he wished to ob- serve that how appropriate soever the position he then tilled might be to that which he had the honour to hold in the corporation of Neath, he had been anxious that the lot should have more aptly fallen upon an individual who would have displayed abilities of a far higher order than he could ill addressing so large, so respectable, and, last though not least, so fair an audience (cheers). He re- quired a double portion of that kindness which upon or- dinary occasions his more immediate friends and neigh- bours were disposed to afford to him. He trusted his audience would accept his desire to be successful in dis- charging the duties of president, should he, unfortunately, fail in the attempt. With those few preliminary remarks, he would proceed to propose the health of our Sovereign Lady, THE QUEEN — (cheers)—a toast which time- honoured custom had made imperative, but which ap- peared to he given with much propnety when CAMBRIA'S BEAUTEOUS FAIR joined Cambria's gallant sons and their English neighbours in drinking to the health and prospe- rity of our good and illustrious Queen (cheers). And he thought -it not inappropriate to the occasion to say that should her Majesty honourwith a visit the land that gave a title to her first-born son, she would find that the Green Leek of Cambria was not less the representative of loyalty than the White Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, or the Shamrock of Ireland (loud cheers). The toast was drank with enthusiastic cheers; and the band played the National Anthem. The next toast was-" Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the test of the Royal Family." — Drank with It 3 times 3." Tune,—Cobourg March." The MAYOR next proposed—° The Army and Navy," to whose rare braver) the Qn^en misfha atti-ibu'e th, 11-- lurily with which slif sat upon Iwr throne, ftnd rhe hum- hie petsltnt the happiness wi h w! ich 1 -e eni wl th,' comforts of his coth;!p. VViih this t /asi were associated the nllme8 of Caplllin Napier and tlw Moor's old honoured friend, Mr. Wii.'ian Leyson, who h»<l hraie<i the heat of the torrid and the cold of the li igH z uir (cheers). Tune,—Hearts of O '.k. Captain NAPIHR returned thanks. He had not the honour of being the "Old Captain," although he was proud to say he was "a chip of thl) olq, block" (loud cheers and laughter). Mr. WILLIAM LEYSON said it had been his lot to follow the naval service for many years in a civil capacity —[surgeon, we believe]—but he did not know thathewaseatittedto return thanks on behalf of the brave fellows who have supported the honour of England. He felt proud in having his name associated with them. — He then alluded to the great agent, of progress, STEAM, by which power they had been propelled to their native hills that morning and which, for many years, had been used on board the ships of this country enabling them to perform distant and dangerous voyages with safety and precision. The navy of England had performed gallant services in periods that had passed away and if ever it should be again required to perform similar services in de- fence of our gracious Queen and the sovereignty of this country, he (Mr. Leyson) was convinced that the same bravery would ever continue to be exhibited on board •'the wooden walls of Old England" (toud cheers). The MAYOR said that the next toast, which must ever be grateful to him as a Churchman, he should be sorry to obtrude upon any one who differed from him on any point of doctrine; but he ventured to say that in that assembly the toast which he was about to propose would be met with that liberality which now, happily, was the dis- tinguishing characteristic of the age. It was not a toast suggested by himself,—it was suggested by a high authority, and it was-U The Bishop and Clergy of this diocese" (much cheers). With respect to the noble lord who so worthily presided over this diocese, he (the Mayor) was quite sure he should "express not only his own, but the sentiments of every Churchman when he said that no bishop had done more to ameliorate the condition of the poor than he had—(loud cheers)—and he (the Mayor) was quite sure that if the toast of the Bishop and Clergy" should be distasteful to any of the company — (cries of uNo, no") he (the Mayor) should render it doubly dear to the parishioners of Neath, and he trusted to all who knew him when be (the Mayor) coupled with it the name of the worthy, the intelligent, and the respected Rector of Neath (inuch cheering). Fune,—" lhe Old Hundredth PsaliOj" which the band played with powerful effect. Rev. H. H. KNIGHT on rising WM hailed with loud cheers. He returned his sincere thanks for the very kind manner in which the company had received the toast which had been given socomplimenUrily by the Mayor. He (Mr. Knight) begged to say it would be his great pleasure, within two days, to give the Bishop an account of this meeting so far forth as the manner in which the company bad received his native. Jt^would give him great pleasure on Thursday, when he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing his Diocesan and to give tiimaconliat welcome, to tell him that the importance of his un- wearied labours from the period of his appointment to this see had been fully recognized by the company (cheers). And he (Mr. Knight) did not doubt that, if it pleased God to spare his life, as they should know more of him they should love and esteem him more (hear). With regard to the rest of the clergy, as he saw several honored members of that body in the assembly, he should, there- fore, say less of them than he otherwise would. He would say no more than that he felt exceedingly proud of being associated with a band of men who are to be honoured for their God's sake. With regard to the sub- ject of that day's rejoicings he would not obtrude himself upon the company's notice at any great length; but he would observe that in passing up the Vale of Neath, on their right as they went up the company saw a building with its spire pointing to heaven; it had been conse- crated by the Bishop, and it was the chapel of Resolven. Instead of resolving and resolving the Bishop and laity had carried their intentions into effect-the building had been erected with its taper spire pointing to heaven to show ua the way; and the Bishop had consecrated it for the purposes of Divine worship. Long may it flourish (hear, hear). The conduct of the railway labourers, com- monly called excavators" or navigators" had been, as far as he had any knowledge of them, exceedingly exem- plary and good, so that he could bear public testimony to their general good conduct. It was with no small amount of anxiety and trepidation he observed the intro- duction of such a large body of men into the district,— brought from various parts of England-separated from those influences which had previously restrained them from vice and exposed to various temptations to the commission of crime; but he thanked God and under Him he thanked the able directors of the Valp of Neath, that the neighbourhood had passed through that ordeal so well. With regard to the gentlemen who hold office under the company, Mr. Knight noticed their regular attendance at the parish Church: their attendance there and their general respectability had gratified him very much, for they were an example to others in their at- tendance (cheers). He would further say with regard to the kind expressions used by the Mayor— Be this your partial praise from censure free, 'Twas meant for merit, though it fell on me" (cheers). The MAYOR said he rose to propose the health of a respectable individual who was nowhere to be found but whose presence there that day would have been exceed- ingly grateful to the corporation of Neath and to his own feelings. He alluded to Mr. Talbot, lord lieutenant, whose absence he very much regretted; but he was sure the company would diink his health with "three times three" (much cheering). The MAYOR then proposed a toast onore immediately connected with the proceedings of the morning than any that had preceded it; and which, did he not fear that the remark would come in collision with toasts previously drank, he should venture to designate the toast of the day" (hear). The great event which they were celebra- ting presented so many objects for observation that he felt unable to grapple with them. He knew not which to admire most,—the foresight which projected, the skill which devised, or the energy which carried out, to com- pletion, THE LINE which they had traversed so agreeably that forenoon, and by means of which the most beneficial results would accrue to that locality. The opening of the Vale of Neath Railway was a most important event. In the formation of the line occupation had been afforded to men in various grades of society and, now that it was completed, or nearly so, it would continue to give em- ployment fo many. In connexion with the docks at Britonferry, which were forthwith to be commenced, it would open to the speculative merchant an opportunity for carrying out his speculations by conveying to a sea- port for shipment to distant climes the .mineral riches of those mountains which the company had surveyed with so much gratification that day. It seemed to him, if his Swansea friends would p-irdon him for making the ob- servation, that the construction of the Vale of Neath Railway in connexion with docks at Britonferry was about to bring to pass the prophetic observation of Sir William Vaughan-namely, Aberavon was, Swansea is, but Neath shall by, the greatest sister of the three" (much cheering and laughter). We understood the Mayor to proceed by observing that to their worthy Vice-president the company might attribute the projection of this line; and, in passing, he desired to offer his humble praise to Mr. Brunell, whose skill in the formation of the line, which would not destroy, but greatly add to the beauty of the vale through which it was carried, was the subject of very general admiration; but unskilled as he (the Mayor) was in engineering pursuits, he would not venture to offer any encomium on that gentleman, but would proceed to give the toast—" Lord Villiers and the Directors of the Vale of Neath Railway," who had shown so much judg- ment in accomplishing the arduous task committed to them (loud cheers). lie (the Mayor) had much pleasure in associating with the toast the name of a nobleman whose kindness and coudesceusion were so well known, and .who then sat at his right baud. In connexion with his lordship he would allude to his friend Mr. Meyrick, the Vice-chairman, who sat on his l<ift hand, who, in his progress through life, had shown aneJtample of industry, honesty, and integrity which all might study with ad- vantage. The toast was drank with great cheering, waving of handkerchiefs, &c., &c.; aud the band nlayed a favourite Welsh ^r. F Viscount VILLIERS, in acknowledging the compliment, said he confessed he had the greatest satisfaction that day in returning thanks to the company for their reception of the toast which they had just heard from the Chair,—not that he conceived he had deserved all the encomiums that had been passed upon him, but because he believed that that day had witnessed the opening of a railway which would prove most beneficial tonhe town of Neath and to the districts by which it was Surrounded (cheers). He believed it would be so; and he hailed more than ever the spirit which had dictated the motto that he had seen emblazoned at Aberdare, perpetual Union be- tween the ales of Neath and Aberdare" (much cheer- ing). And he hoped that the three towns of Swansea, Neath, and Aberdare would continue to go on and pros- per,-Swallsea and Neath furnishing the means of ship- ment for the mineral produce which would be sent down by the Valley of Aberdare, and which produce would be turned into gold far better than the gold of California, as the means which would have to be adopted in raising it were meaus calculated to expand the human intellect, to promote habits of industry, and which would prove con- ducive to the welfare of the population generally-results that would be found to be far preferable to any advan- tages which might attend the digging of gold from the auriferous deposits of which so much had beeu heard. He confessed that when they passsd that day through the valley aud had ascended the hit! which divided it from A.berdare he looked around and wsas impressed with the thought—how happy, how blesstid this country was,— how kind Providence had been to it, giving it all the beauties of romantic scenery and lofty grandeur in one valley, and then, on the other side of the hill, mineral riches in abundance, from which their own supplies might be drawn and any quantity that (Might be required for export to distant communities (h'efe'r, hear). It would have been strange and unaccountable indeed if whilst neighbouring localities were enjoying the advantages of railway traffic this vatleyhadbeeo deprived of it; and he (Lord Villiers) thought that those gentlemen who had so nobly and so gallantly come forward in support of this railway had provided the means of producing great and beneficial results (cheers). He assured the Mayor that the kind praises which he had beeu pleased to shower upon the Directors that day—the reception which had been given to them at Aberdare, and finally the most hos- pitable manner in which they were treated on their re- turn to Neath by the Mayor and Corporation would not be forgotten; and no pains would be spared on the part of the Directors to make their railway what it ought to be,—a source of advantage and amelioration to all classes of society (cheers). He hoped that when the ar- rangements would be completed the public would find their convenience consulted, as it was the anxious wish of the directors that not one persoh in the district through which the railway passed should be deprived of the bene- fits which the railway could afford. lie thought that the inhabitants of Neath had that day shewn the school- children, whom he had seen assembled to witness the departure of the tirst train, that they (the inhabitants) neglected none of the means which were likely to im- prove the human mind, by early laying the foundation of education, and, at the same time, they had shewn them what were the results which human intellect could ac- complish and human genius could devise. The directors and all present must be thankful to that kind Providence for placing them in a district that commanded all those advantages, which advantages, on their part, they should not permit to remain idle and unproductive (hear, hear). On behalf of himself and his brother directors he (Lord Villiers) again thanked the company; and he again as- sured them that it would be the directors' object to ren- der the railway as beneficial as it could be. He did not hope to see one town greater than the other, but to see two great sea-ports increasing in prosperity by the exer- tions of their inhabitants (loud cheers). The company evinced their good-will towards Mr. MEYRtCK, the Vice-Chairman of the Railway, by loudly calling upon him to address them. He observed that il was usual for the directors to be represented by their Chairman who had most ably and eloquently addressed the company—leaving nothing for him pit. Meyrick) to say. He, however, felt highly flattered by the call 1 hat had been made upon him and when it cine to his turn he would not shrink from addressing thein (ctneia and laughter). The baud played a (topuhu* old air. Mr. (twvN s^id that the toast which had fallen to his hit to'i«ropo«e to the lompxoy's notice was one thnt, he was quit'j SII" would receive not onl) the cordial bur tile unanimous approbation of that larire and respectable H<S(-iuhlrtife. Ie was, — "Tiie Great Western Direcror. coupling uilh it the name of Mr NimoiiiN," -one of the directors who, he believed, had honoured them with his company that day (cheers). He (Mr. Gwyn) was quite sure that everybody present must have witneesed the great and incalculable benefits that the opening of the South Wales Line had conferred not Only on this county but on the whole of the Principality at large; and he looked forward with equal hope to the effects of that beautiful line, that had been opened that day, as he believed it would be as beneficial, if not more so, to the town in which they were assembled (hear). And before he sat down be (Mr. Gwyn) would express a hope, iu which he was quite certain they would heartily join him, that the Great Western Directors would prove them- selves as kind and as indulgent a parent to the Vale of Neath Railway as they had to its twin.sister, the South Wales Railway; and that they would afford, by every means in their power, a cheap and expeditious mode of conveyance to the most humble peasant in the country— (cheers)—so thatthe inhabitants of that beautiful dis- trict might come more into the world to improve them- selves by seeing how things were managed in our large cities and our crowded marts (cheers). The honorable member concluded by formally proposing the toast, and resumed his seat amid the most complimentary marks of the respect entertained for him by all classes in the neigh- bourhood of his residence. Mr. SIMONDS returned thanks in a manly, straightfor- ward speech, observing in the course of his remarks that no one could pass through the Vale of Neath without wishing to see it again. Mr. ROWLAND proposed as the next toast,—" The Di- rectors of the South Wales Railway Company, coupling with it the name of Mr. Viviau, M.P." Mr. BRUCE PRtCE: I beg to propose that we drink that toast with 3 times 3."—Drank with enthusiastic and prolonged cheering. Tuue,—Penrhaw,—an old Welsh melody. Mr. VIVIAN, in rising to acknowledge the compliment, was received with renewed cheering. He said that on behalf of himself and his brother directors of the South Wales Railway Company, he begged to return his sincere thanks for the very flattering manner in which the toast had been received. It must be satisfactory to the direc. tors to feel that what had been done had been well done, and had been done beneficially for the country through which the railway passed (hear, hear). Much remained to be done; but there was an old proverb which said that Rome was not built in a day"—(cheers),—and he was sure the company would agree with him, that to carry out a railway scheme of 160 or 170 miles in length was not to be done "in a day" neither (cheers). On Friday last they accomplished the opening of from 25 to 30 miles of their line, which gave to this county, with the ex- ception of a small gap at Chepstow, a communication with London. We now have ap express train which runs in 6| hours to London and that, he was stire they would feel with him, was to all the residents in this country a very great boon (hear). The next important step he hoped was not far distant, and that was, to Hit up the gap at Chepstow, to which he had alluded. When that should be done, he thought they would see a very different re- turn in the railway's traffic account. There would be a continuous line to Gloucester; and, he thought, that would show a very different result in their traffic returns. But much more remained to be done, namely, to open branch railways with the numerous railways in the country, running into the various valleys and mineral districts, and thereby to open a communication with the ports along the coast (hear). It had been said, that it would not avail the South Wales Railway to have ports at the mouths of valleys, as all minerals would go direct out to sea; but he believed there was a steady communi- cation between port and port, and that the minerals would be conveyed to that port where there was a call for them. He believed it would be shown that when those means of communication were completed, there would be an extraordinary increase of traffic along the line. In the course of the last fortnight he had been in Pembrokeshire, and had visited Milford Haven, which was to be the terminus of the South Wales line in that direction (loud cheers). He unhesitatingly said that a finer terminus could not be found for any railway in the kingdom. With reference to the Vale of Neath, they knew that at its head was the finest steam coal in the kingdom. Hehadnodoubtthatthatcoalwoutdbecon- veyed to Milford Haven and he was not over sanguine in saying that Milford Haven would eventually become an important packet station. Some years ago he was on a committee of the House of Commons appointed to consi- der the subject of postal communication with Ireland; and he perfectly recollected that he was in favour of keeping the mail-pickets in connexion with Milford as the means of communicating with Ireland. Within the last few days he had referred to the evidence taken last sessions 011 the subject of communication between this country and the west coast of Ireland; and an indepen- dent opinion given by Capt. Denham pointed to the con- clusion that there was no place on this coast like Miltord Haven. He (Air. Vivian) had no doubt—at least, he had reason to hope—it would become a place of great import. ance as a port for supplying steampacket coal. Eastward, the South Wales railway had no terminus. His firm belief was, that they would force the sale of their stone-coal, their coke, and their house-coal into England, as the house- coal ill the neighbourhood of Newport was of as good a quality as any in the kingdom. It would force its way and the South Wales line would become a very impor- tant highway. Mr. Vivian concluded with a few com- plimentary observations, expressive of the gratification he felt at the reception given to the toast (loud cheers). Tune,—March of the Men of Harlech. In a highly complimentary and interesting speech, Mr. SANKEY GARDNER proposed—" The Iron Trade, coup- ling Mr. Crawshay Bailey's name" therewith. He ob- served that it was well to commemorate the opening of railways as they were to become the great civilisers of the world,—the railway system (he believed) being an instru- ment in the hands of Providence to unite the nations of the earth in friendly communion with each other, and to put an end to deadly and unnatural, terrible, and sangui- nary war; and that by its means we should see more clearly how beautifully and wisely it was designed that man should be dependant on man—nation upon nation— and that all God's creatures should assist each other. The Iron Trade was the great staple of this country and with the toast was associated the name of Mr. Crawshay Bailey— a gentleman of high standing in society. But it was not because of his social position that he (Mr. Gard- ner) coupled his name with .i4.-but because his name was accompanied by lofty enterprise and elevation of character; and therefore he (Mr. Gardner) felt great plea- sure in proposing his health (loud and prolonged cheer- ing ). Mr. CRAWSHAY BAILEY, who was most complimentarily received, said he wished he could say that the iron trade was as healthy as he was (laughter). He could only say that the way to make it healthy was to make more rail- roads and to make them cheaply. He could give them an instance of a road be made himself, eight miles long, which was made in six months; and befole the eud of twelve months five per cent. had been paid (hear, hear). When we can have roads made in that style we shall have a road in every valley. With respect to the road they had passed over that day he had to observe that every eye gazed 011 its magnificent scenery; but besides the beauties of the surface there were the treasures below they had been that day travelling over 17 or 18 miles of minerals, and he had no doubt if the shareholders of the Vale of Neath could wait for a while they would be re- munerated to their satisfaction (cheers). They had not only the best steam coal in the world at the head of the Aberdare Valley,—and very likely the Vale of Neath would have a great portion of that to take down; still he hoped there would be room for it to succeed and all other neighbouring concerns,—but between Neath and Hir- wain the train had passed over minerals the whole dis- tance, which would prove a source of great remuneration to the Vale of Neath proprietors (cheers). He had no doubt of it; and he wished them success with all his heart (Iou-l cheers). Mr. C. A. SAUNDERS, in an appropriate address, p o- posed The Coal Trade, associated with the name of Mr. Thomas Powell, of the Gaer," of whose enterprise and public spirit he spoke in the highest terms. He re, membered that Mr. Powell was the first man who wrote himself down as a shareholder in the Great Western Railway. He had not been less active in the piomotion of other great undertakings calculated to promote the interests of his country. Mr. SauuJers deeply regretted that he knew so little of the coal trade: it would be his duty to leain more: he should seek for instruction at the hands of his friend Mr. W. Done Bushell, who had, he knew, done everything he could to promote it; and who had promised him every secret of his mind to enable him to follow his (Mr. Bushell's) footsteps.—The toast was drank with great applause. Tune, — Llwynon. Mr. THOMAS POWELL, of The Gaer, in returning thanks, said it had been his duty to promote the welfare and interests of the coal trade. He came from Loudon on Monday morning on purpose to attend the opening of this railway as he wished to see what the Directors had been doing (cheers). He went up the line. The gra- dients are very steep-much steeper than he expected they were. The train went up very easily. He could venture to say that the slowest rate it went—and that was in the worst part of the line was four miles an hour (hear, hear). The line exceeded his expectations. The road was made well and did credit to the Directors and to that great man, Mr. BRUNELL (loud cheers). It was nothing for him to accomplish; but he (Mr. Powell) was certainly, in some respects, disappointed. He might be a freighter on the line but he would not mike any rash promises. He was a Director of the Taff Vale Railway and a large shareholder in that concern but he did not see why be should not come upon their line also and should he determine to do so, he would not, however, decrease his traffic on the Taff Vale line. He wished the Taff Vale, the South Wales, and the Neath Vale Railways to be all amalgamated, and to take pro. duce down at a moderate and low rate, but still he hoped the proprietors would obt^n good interest for theirmoney. He, for one, did not like to lay out bis money without, receiving good interest in return. In speculations and i* business, too, great risks were ran: there were great risks to he encountered in the iron trade and in the coal trade; and now as FREE TRADE had come upon them, they must work for less than ihey ever had,—they must make up for deficiencies in their earnings by doing an extra stroke of business, and be content with half-a-loaf rather than no loaf (cheers). He, for one, would adopt that course which went a.head as long as he was able to do so. The Vale of Neath road was well made; aud it was as good a road, considering the gradients, as he would wish to travel over (loud cheers). Viscount VILLIERS proposed—"The Mayor and Cor. poration of Neath"—and alluded to the magnificent entertainment which had been provided. He was sure that if the Mayor's health was proposed in his present capacity the company would drink it with enthusiasm and how much the more so when it was coupled with the manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office. With some further observations of a similar ten- dency, the noble lord resumed his seat; and the toast was drank with great cheering. The MAYOR returned thanks in a few appropriate remarks. Mr. VIVIAN spoke of the beauties of the scenery in the Vale of Neath and then proposed the health of the Vice- President of the day's entertainment and also the solicitor of the company—Mr. COKB, whose name was received with a burst of applause. Mr. Vivian observed that it was with Mr. Coke the line had originated; and he had been most active in its promotion.—The toast was drank with emphatic cheering which was kept up with unabated spirit for some time. After it had subsided,— Mr. COKB made the following address: Mr. Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen, I feel deeply sensible of the man. ner which the honorable gentleman, the member for these united boroughs, has proposed to you my health. I can- not but attribute that warmth of feeling which you have so liberally bestowed on me chiefly to the kind expres- sions he has made use of. This is to me, ladies and gen- tlemen, a day of great gratification and delight, to wit- ness the ceremony of opening the Vale of Neath Railway as far as Aberdare. I well recollect leaving this, my native town, for London, early in May, 1845, to submit the project for a line of lailway from Neath 10 Merthyr. Thetirsttatnted proprietor interested iu lhe undertaking whom 1 consulted was my Lord Jersey, whose unavoidable -absence "II ihis OCCllSiùll 1 much regiei. Wheu 1 laid Iny views before that noble lord and explained them, what was his kind and encouraging repls 1 "Tell me, Vlr. Coke, what I can do, and it shall he done" (cheeis). Encour-iifpd thus far, I then w ited on tlie dirprtorll or the Great Western and South Wales Railways, and had an interview with th"m at the residence of that hitrhly gifted and talented engineer, Mr. Brunei, —on which of- casion, after considerable and serious attention had been uiven to the subject, I received equil encouragement from those gentlemen, for their reply was, "Proceed, and we will afford you all our aid and assistance" (cheers). With such support so readily tendered to me, I took courage and proceeded with the undertaking, and this day we have witnessed the achievement of A "great fact and 1 am sure, ladies and gentlemen, yo6 will appreciate how highly gratified I feel in being present at so memo- rable an event (loud cheers). It now devolves* on me to perform a dnty (most pleasing to myself), by taking this, the first public oppoituuity that has offered itself, of ex- pressing my sincere thanks to Lord Jeisey and all the oiher landowners on the line, who kindly came forward 10 support me in the scheme; and while doing so I must not forget the kindness I received, not only from the Great Western and South Wales railway directors and their officers, but likewise from my fellow townsmen and the inhabitants generally of the several towns of Swansea, Aberdare, and Merthyr. for indeed wherever I proceeded in search of aid, I was always kindly and generously reo ceived (cheers). There are other gentlemen also who were connected with the scheme, whom I must not forget before I conclude, namely, the Messrs. Hunt, my co-solicitors, whose able services I most heartily ac- knowledge. I will now conclude with a sincere hope, which I believe, will not be a disappointed one, that this railway will piosper and confer lasting benefit upon the several towns and places with which, it is connected. Having myself embarked largely in the undertaking, I am of course deeply interested in ita success in a pecuniary point of view; and I have, therefore, no hesitation in calling upon those of the several tpwus aDd places I have before alluded to, to come forward and extend their generous support; and while doing this I venture to borrow three of the words of our excellent Lord Lieu- tenant and Chairman of the South Whales directors, de. livered at Swansea on the occasion of the opening of their line:—Let the people of Wales "Travel, travel, travel" (much cheering). Mr. H. A. BRUCE rose to propose the next toast. He presumed that most of the ladies and gentlemen now pre. sent had enjoyed the pleasant excursion of that morning; and he felt sure that as they traversed the beautiful scenery of the Vale of Neath, as they shot along its wooded knolls, across its deep ravines, and up its precipitous mountain sides, their thoughts must often have turned to him to whose genius they owed the pleasure they enjoyed. He (Mr. Bruce) believed that, in the VatS of Neath Railway they had witnessed the fruit of-the ripest judgment, the matured experience, the most extended knowledge of his profession, of the eminent man by whom it had been constructed (loud cheers). Among the many distin- guished engineers who had been called forth by the late railway ferment, not only in England, but in the whole civilised world, th^re were few names equal, none su- perior, to that of Mr. BRUNELL (vehement cheering). It was well known tp several now present that Mr. Stephen. son—almost the only worthy cpmpeer to the subject of his toast—had declared that with such gradients as those of the Vale of Neath, it was utterly impossible to carry a large mineral traffic, and not only did Mr. Stephenson express that opinioa in a place where opinions are ex- pressed without any great regard to accuracy- before a committee of the House of Commons-(Iaughter)-but he had stated it privately in the hearing of some friends of his (Mr. Bruce's). The trial had been made that day with an engine belonging to the South Wales Rail- way Company of far inferior power to those which the Vale of Neath Company were about to employ ;—(hear, hear)—but even after that experience he (Mr. Bruce) would venture to say,—"Let his friends, Mr. C. Bailey and Mr. Fothergill, send their iron, & Mr. Powell & Mr. Wayne their coal to this line, and he (Mr. Bruce) would undertake that it should be conveyed to the sea safely, speedily, and cheaply (cheers). A very distinguished freighter (Mr. Powell) had just said that during several miles of their journey that day they had travelled over adverse gradients at no less a pace than four miles an fiour\ He (Mr. Bruce) had participated in the smile which had been called forth by this unexpected stroke of bathos, although their pace that day had been designedly slow, both for the sake of greater security over an untried line, and also to enable their friends to enjoy the lovely scenery through which they had passed, the whole distance of 19 miles, including the longest and severest gradient on the line, had been traversed in ex- actly one hour and one minute (cheers). There was, therefore, no ground to fear but that the line would be found amply adequate to the conveyance of any amount of mineral traffic (hear, hear). It was not unusual on festive occasions like the present to propose the health of distinguished men under titles allusive to the career which had made them famous. The greatest military genius of this country was deecribed as the Hero of a hundred fights"—a name which might fairly enough be applied to the champion who had fought the battles of the Broad Guage (laughter). They had all heard enough of the Hero of Scinde, &of the Hero of Aliwal. He (Mr. Bruce) would propose a toast more acceptable to a peace- ful assemblage like the present, which had participated in the enjoyment of the most agreeable and commodious mode of travelling ever invented, and call upon them to drink the health of the "Hero of the Broad Guage" (greatcheering). Mr. BRUNELL said that in endeavouring to thank the company for the manner in which they had received the toast which his friend, Mr. Bruce, had with such unde- served praise brought to their notice, he felt on that occasion more than ever the results of the singular defi- ciency of not being able to express himself to an assem- blage of that nature. He was not dumb as Mr.TVIeyrick had humourously observed he (Mr. Meyrickl was at an earlier period of the evening; but he (Mr. Brunell) cer- tainly laboured under a left-handed inability to express the feelings which rushed upon him at such a moment. He was afraid that he must labour as the engine did to which his friend Mr. Powell had alluded. He (Mr. Brunei) could make but a four-mile limp or it (laughter). Oratory was his "incline plane," and he could not pro- mise them any greater speed but they might rely upon this which was so much more important that they would be able to travel on the Vale of Neath Railway at a speed quite satisfactory to the public who would have to pass through such a beautiful couutry (cheers). Viscount VILLIERS, in flattering terms, proposed "the health of Mr. Rowland, the Chairman of the Dock Com- pany." Mr. ROWLAND, in returning thanks, said that the com- pany had hitherto progressed satisfactorily, having ob- tained their act and the lanif, while they were nearly obtaining their money. Up to the present time it had been subscribed by volunteers. When they came before the public he believed they would be able to make out such a case as would induce them to come forward libe- rally in support of the undertaking (cheers). Mr. MBYRICK next proposed a toast in honour of "the Secretary of the Great Western, the Secretary of the South Wales, and last, though not least, the Secretary of the Vale of Neath Railway Compsny." After commenting upon the great abilities of the first-named gentleman, whom he characterised as the "model secretary," and on the qualifications of the Secretary to the South Wales, Mr. Meyrick proceeded to speak in very high terms of the qualifications of Mr. Joshua Williams, the secretary of the Vale of Neath. He (Mr. Meyrick) had had the honour to propose that that gentleman should be appointed to the situation now held by him, although he was not then personally acquainted with him. He had heard of his name, and had read his testimonials, which were of such a very high order that he (Mr. Meyrick) had introduced him upon those testimonials (cheers). A gentleman was present (Mr. Paull) who had proposed another candidate for theomce; but when that gentleman saw Mr. Wil- liams's testimonials, and when he (Mr. Meyrick) had stated (he giounds Upon which he pres-ed the directors to appoint Mr. Williams, he (Mr. Paull) said he could not resist them, and actually voted for Mr. Williams (loud cheers). And the ability with which Mr. Williams dis- charged his important duties had fully justified the choice which the directors had made (loud cheering). Mr. JOSHUA WILLIAMS, in acknowledging the compli- ment, regretted that Itl the absence of the Messrs. Saun- ders it devolved upon him to return thanks to the com- pany as he was far more accustomed to work than to make a speech (cheers). But as it was necessary that upon this occasion he should do so he begged to thank them very sincerely for their kindness. He feared that Mr. Meyrick had adopted rather more than the ordinary colouring allowed upon occasions of this nature. He (Mr. Williams) was only the agent of the directors, and if he had carried out their instructions with more success than was usually found to be the case, he was amply repaid by the kiudness with which his efforts were re- ceived by Lord Villiers and the directors generally.—Mr. Williams concluded by expressing a hope that, at no dis- tant day the line would be paying a thumping dividend" and by wishing success to the Britonferry Docks (applause). Mr. D. H. Morgan next proposed the Directors of the Tatt' Vale Railway," associated with the name of Mr. Done Bushell. Mr. BRUCE PRYCE said that his friend and neighbour Mr. W. Done Bushell, having been called away by urgent business, and having told him that he had seen such a toast in the programme, he had requested him (Mr. Bruce Pryce) to say that so far from feeling any spirit of rivalry he and his brother directors wished every success to the Vale of Neath Railway (loud cheers). Mr. MEYRICK proposed—"Prosperity to the Town and Trade of Neath" —introducing, with his accustomed ability, some interesting observations with reference to the opening prospects of this town and neighbourhood. The toast was drank with immense cheering. The MAYOR then gave the last toast,—" The Ladies"— which was drank with enthusiasm. At a later period the whole neighbourhood were treated to a magnificent display of fire-works by Mr. VIVIAN, M.P. for the western boroughs of this county. ABEADARE,—The fir&t" load of goods over the Vale of Neath Railway was sent off on Thursday evening, by the Gadlys Iron Company. The loadconsistelof 150 bars of best charcoal iron. for Messrs. Hallam & Co., Upper Forest Tin-Wtwks, near SataMea* The wagon was pro- fusely decorated with evergreens and flags of various hues, and, conspicuous in its front, a large placard an- nounced its destination.