The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

A CARDIFF BRIG STRANDED. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. A report has come to hand, announcing the loss of the captain and the whole crew of the brig Albion, of Cardiff, which took place on Sunday night or early on Monday morning last, at a place called Whitford Sands, or Burroughs, at the mouth of the Barry, and about seven or eight miles from Swansea. All the bodies were washed ashore on Monday and Tuesday, and an inquest was held at Cheriton, before Mr. Edward Strick, coroner, on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Chas. Rudall, receiver of wrecks, of Llanelly, said he searched the vessel, which proved, from the register, found on board, to be the brig Albion, of Cardiff, 243 tons register, D. Williams, of Newport, Monmouthshire) master. She was registered in July, 1859, and Williams, the master, joined her on the 8th of April, 1864. On her leaving Cardiff the following names of the crew had been entered on the articles: D. Williams, 42, master; John Nieholls, 51, mate James D. Bicknall, 35, cook George Hammond, 38, Markham Villa, 25 James Calambo, 24, able seamen D. Thomas, 18, and Wm. Thomas 16, ordinary seamen. They had shipped for a voyage to Taragona, or sorn of the Mediterranean ports, and back again to any port in the Uuited King- dom. She had, according to her papers, arrived at Taragona on the 14th of October, and there the seaman Villa, happily for him, was claimed by the Spanish authorities for some offence, and delivered up as shown by the endorsement on the articles. A coloured man named Carl Zaschoh, aged 29, was shipped in his place. On the 12th of December her articles were returned to her, prior to sailing, at Almeria, where she took in her cargo of Spanish grass, extensively used in Cardiff for the manufacture of paper and of ore. The last entry made on the log-book was dated January the 8th, but it was of no importance. The captain's chest was found on board, and the only living creature was a caf/. There were five feet of water in the hold, and the sails had been blown to pieces. A puut boat was found on board but no other boat had been dis- covered. Two bodies were found on Monday, and the remaining five on the following day.—Richard Thomas deposed to finding the bodies of a white man and a black man on the Whitford Burrows. They were about 200 yards apart. The white man was about 50 years of age.—George Edwards, farmer, of Llanrhidian, proved finding the bodies of the other men on the sands on his way to Penclawydd to view the wreck. He first saw a coat, and afterwards the body of Becknall, who had been identified as the cook. He afterwards found four more bodies lying on the bench about 50 yards apart. A pocket-book was found on one, and the body of another was evidently that of a foreigner. A silver watch and guard was found on Becknall. The French Consul was present.—Mr. Benjamin Thomas, tallow chandler, of Newport, identified the body of Wm. Thomas as being that of his son. The captain had married the sister of witness. The wife of Captain Williams was present and could identify the bodies of Nicholl, the mate, and the cook, Becknall. The wife (or more pro- bably the widow) of the captain deposed to having viewed the bodies of the deceased. She identified the bodies of the mate and cook, but her husband's body was not among them. It was stated that a paper was found on board the ship, with the name of George Hammond, from Mrs. Quantuck, 16, Dudley-street, Cardiff, who is supposed to be the boarding-house keeper, at whose house he lodged at Cardiff. The jury, after further evidence, returned a verdict That the deceased met with their deaths from drowning in en- deavouring to escape from the brig Albion."

ROMAN CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF DRUNKENNESS. A meeting of the Roman Catholic Association for the Snp- pn>ssinn of Drunkenness was held at the Stuart Hall on Wednesday evening. There were men and women of all c'asses, some decently clad, others in rags, while hundreds attended in rhe same condition as when they left work. Over this assemblage of more than a thousand people the priests had the most perfect control, and no sound was uttered by RI- V beyond what misrht have been heard in the most orderly asseti bly ff a deliberative body of ;men. In the small gallery the Catholic fife and drum ha:'d were stationed, and enlivened the proceedings by playing some favourite Irish tunes in a very spiritfd manner. The chair was taken by C. W. David, Esq. (ex Mayor), and there were also on the platform The Rev. Father Richardson, the Rev. Father Clarke, the Rev. F"ther Si^nini, the Rev. Father Caccia, and other Roman Catholic Priests, the American ardthe Brazilian Consuls, Dr. Buist, J. Corv, Esq., R. Byrne, Esq J. Hemingway, Esq., and several o'her of the most respectable inhabitants of the town. A party of ladies were present, and were accom- modated with s'a s behind the speakers. The Rev. Father Caccia briefly introduced the Chairman to the meetiup, remarking that Mr. David was so well known to them that he needed bat little introduction from him. Mr. David, 011 rising, was received with a burst of applause which lasted for some minutes. He said he first wished to explain how it was that he filled the onerous position of pre- sidinit over such a meeting as the present, as it was quite pos- sible that 'hen' might be many present who were of the same religious persuasion as himself. But in being called upon to preside at this meeting be looked upon it as a matter totally irrelevant to what the religion or creed of the persons might be, but oi.e which solely app rtained to the social we'l-beingof every person in the town ot Cardiff (hear. hear). It was one in which he took the warmest, he might, say the strongest, interest, and having bad the honour of filling the office of Mayor to the town for several years, be felt it his duty to ai,) in every possible manner any movement for the suppression of drunk. enness, which was the cause not of a large proportion only, but a verv very large proportion of the crime in Cardiff (hear, hear). Numerous instances had occurred to him—not, be might say one, two, or three, or a dozen, or a score, but hun. dreds, where the parties had been brought before him in his judicial capacity—and though it was painful to him under the circmnasfances, it was yet necessary that just ce should he administered—who, when charged with their ciimes, had only one excuse to offer, "I was drunk at the time." Was that an excuse ? (" No, no.") Drink in this became not only an offence agtinst the law3 of the country,—it was not only an off nee against society, it was an offeuce against the man's ONn family. Could a man be a cood husband ? Could a man be a good father? Could a man be a good son or brother if he was a drunkard? (" No, no.") He trusted by their response that they believed that a drunkard was not a good father, husband, son, or brother, and if neither of these, could a drunkard there- foie be a good subject ? The drunkard was not a man. The man who would take an amount of stimulants t deprive him of reason was nn longer God's being in the sense of being a man (hear, bear). He bad lost the power and use of those faculties which lift the man ahove the brute creation he was no longer a man. as his reason was drowned in intoxicating drit.ks. With this view he accepted the position as chairman of the present meeting, and when their go. d priest and his friend, Father Signiui, did him the honour If asking him to preside, he felt it hix duty to at once accept the position but be must confess that though in his official capacity as Alayor, he had presided over many meetings, he had never felt so much anxiety as he had done on the present occasion (hear, bear). He felr that drunkenness was the crowning vice of Cardiff they may be astonished to bear him make such a remaik, bnt he repeated it, that drunkenness was the crown. ing evil of the town of Cardiff. It was an evil they met with wherever they went. He could wish that his successor in office had been present to have lent the weight and influence of his position to the meeting, and to show that the authori. ties t.f the town were prepar. d to take any steps to snpptess this crying evil of the town. The Mavor was, however, nnnble to attend this evening, and Father Signini had then asked him (Mr. David), as ex-Mayor, to preside, and he fe t it his duty to accede to the request and preside over a meeting composed of men and women of Cardiff, and having such important results in view. The Mayor, in regre'ting his In- ability to preside over the present meeting, had written to the Rev. Father Caccia, expressing his cordial sympathy with the movement (applau-e). 'I he Rev. Father Richardson next addressed the meeting. He said he thought, speaking as an Irishman, that they had as a people b. en down-trodden long enough, filth and shame, wretchedness, crime, plunder, and even murder had been too long rampant among them, and he asked them, as Irishmen. to rise against what they had suffered so long. He had resolved to make a stand against the enemy: he had nailed his colours to the mast, and sink or swim, live or die, he had resolved to throw himself into the struggle and grapple with the vilest enemy Ireland ever had (hear, hear). (A Voice: We are no worse than our neighbours.) He was sorry to hear this remaik, and if the speaker was an Irishman, he blushed for him and for his country. As Catholics, they were supposed to possess the secrets of the true faith, that they had many spiritual helps then shame to compare themselves with others. when they should remember that as Catholics they should set the good example, and instead of comparing themselves with others tb y were bound as Christians to be a snUlce of edifica- tion and example to every one. As regards the enemy, drunkenness, which they were going to fight, he appealed to them all if any one of them could point out a street in Cardiff, where their people lived, in which the enemy had not entered, or a single house in which this enemy of theirs had not set hi* polluting foot, and had broken up the peace and happiness of that house (hear, hear). He did not intend then to make his speech, but he had trerely risen at the request of the Chairman to point out the way in which they proposed to attfck the etH my's forces and carry away his camp (hear, hear), and to lav down the foundation on which other speakers would addnss them. The first step was to bring together in < n' con pact b< dy every Catholic in Caidiff. Every Catholic in Cardiff must be united in this one great work. Every one must put his shoulder to the wheel, and it must be a h rg pull and a strong pull all together. Besides all Catholics together, there must be stewards, presidents, vice-piesidents, and officers t ste that the whole work was carried on harmoniously, and t en, when all were united, whoever broke the rules (It that association would foifeit his catd; he would be disgraced and abandoned nnl i I became back to his priest and received a new one. The first s'ep was the establishment of the Catholic Association for the suppression of drunkenness; and the second was the opening of a Penny Savings' Bank. A step that would rescue their money from the pockets of the publican. TLe next step was the organization of a well-regulated benefit club and burial society, hy which they might be removed Plltirely from the clutches of the publican, who had feasted too long on the benefits of their beuefit clubs (hear, hear). The great authority on these matters, Mr. Tidd Pratt, had said that it was ruin to any club to me t at a puhlic- house. The last step was one which, be believed, wou!d be still more pleasing to them. It was, that they intended to open public-houses without the evils attending the present they could go and smoke their pipe, or play a game of skittles. A place of innocent amusement, where no one need be afraid to enter. And lastly, they had resolved, with their sanction, to give public entertainments for the young boys and girls, similar to Fenny Readings (applause). The Rev. Father Signini, in proposing the first resolution, alluded to the remarks made by the Chairman in his opening *nying than Mr. David he had never found a mure warm-hearted or more liberal-minded man in Cardiff; and that when he asked him to preside over the pres nt meeting, Mr. David accepted the position with the greatest pleasure,— adding that lie felt it his duty to aid every cause which wis for the good of his fellow-townsmen, of whatever class or sect they may happen to be. Every man, he said, had a right to enjoy his own religious views, and be (Mr. David) was not the judge over his fellow-f ownsmen and therefore, if his presence at this meeting would do any good, his services were at their disposal (applause). They had therefore secured the right man, and if he was not mistaken Mr. David had come to the right place. He was also rejoiced to see among them a num- ber of gentlemen of the town who were not Catholics, and they by their presence showed a warm sympathy for the cause which had called them together. The Catholics valued that sympathy exceedingly, and were thankful for that moral snp- port which these honourable gentlemen evinced on an occasion which the Catholics have so much at heart. Of one thing he was- quite sure, that there were no more orderly people in the world than the Irish people, provided they observed one thing -p,ovi,le I they kept sober, and the resolution he had to pro- pose was to the following effect "That this meeting, viewing with deep anxiety the wide-spread evil of intemperance amongst our own people, leading too often to squahd poverty and crime, and crowding the gaols and workhouses all over the country, would call on the Catholics of Cardiff to support and carry out the Catholic Association for the Suppression of Drunkenness, which society already numbered about 50,000 m(>mhers, 90 Priests, 4 Bishops, and 2 Archbishops." The resolution, he said, divided itself into two parts-first, the great evil of drunkenness, which unfortunately existed among their own .people; and, secondly, they were asked to snppoit the Catholic Association as a remedy for the evil. Tne ques- tion was not whether their people were greater drunkards than others; and if it were the qn^tion, he should say thpy were not; and he wouid not say that flie great bulk of the Iri-h people in Cardiff were not drunkards, but it was the minority who brought and disgrace upon their fellow-countrymen, and he was glad to see that the evil now was not so had as it was some years ago. The Catholic Chaplain of Liverpool, in his published report, had stated that of 5,40;) Catholicss whom he had visited in the gaol there last year, nine-tenths of them admitted that they had been brought to that place of punishment from no other cause than drunkenness. Turning nexf to the drunkenness of Cardiff, he said that Father Caccia who, in a certain sense, was chaplain to the Caidiff Gaol, stated in his notes that of the 300 Catholics to whom he bad ministered spiritually in the gaol, nearly the whole of them had been brought into that place by drunkennes-. Duiing the last three:montbs the same Fat her had vi-ite:t the childnn at their homes, and he had found 120 children who had been left, having their fathers, their mothers, or both their parents in gaol. At the workhouse, the rev. Father visit, d about 80 persons, and in addition there were 64 child dren at the Ely Industrial Schools, and of these a very great mi'joiity had been brought there by drunkenness. Where they not then as a Christian people bound to come forward at once, first to ameliorate, aud ultimately to drive out this hate- ful v ce from among them. Their school was doing much to give the children an education, but there was still a great deal to do, for were many who had no school pence, and often In reply to hi.- question, when was their father drunk last, the answer was last Saturday night." In nine cases out of ten this answer had been given. They had been compli- mented on the marvellous organization that existed among them, and h- concluded a very enthusiastic address by calling- Oil them to rise up as one man to drive this demon from them. At the sigr of the priest the whole of the assembly rose, shouting, "We have one enemy, not dt ink, but drunkenness, and we will never rest till we have conquered him." Dr. Buist seconded the resolution, and in tfoing so alluded to the great benefits which the Catholic Association had conferred on the Irish people of .\ewport, established by Father Richardson ten years since. He also alluded to the number of cases sent to the hospitals of injuries sus- tained during the time the person was drunk, and in their lunatic asylums, a large number of the cases arose from the effects of drunkenness. He was therefore anxious to show his sympathy in the present movement. The resolution was put to the meeting and adopted unani- mously. The Rev. Father Richardson proposed the second resolution, whiih was to the effect; "That this meeting strongly recom- mends the establishment of a Penny Savings' Bank, where the honest labouring poor man may lay by what be can spare, removing [¡!m from temptation, and providing tor hard times and tit-hextth." The rev. gentleman made a long and hu- morous address, in which he impressed upon the meeting the necessity of paying particular attention to the three P's -the public-house, the pawnbroker, and the poor-house, the first one leading as an inevitable result to the other two. After describing the miseries caused by drunkenness, he showediat some length the evils arising from the system of pledging adopfed by the poor, and demonstrated that while they imagined tb>y were pming but a trifling- interest for the nvmev they received they were in •. eality paying at the rate of Fino per cent, for what thev obtained. He said there were 10,000 Catholics iu Car iff. Of these he considered 1.000 were boys, 1,000 girls, and 1.000 infants, and also 1,000 old women who did not earn a'ytbing.-tbat left 6,000 who were all earning something. 2,100 of these were receiving such wages that theyc. ut) put hy 6d. a-day, 1,000 more 2d., then 1,000 who could spare a £ d, 1,0 0 more a id. a-day. These were the chip boys and girls. 1,000 more, who could put by Id. a- week. This would anion t to £20,6QO in one year, or £266,990 in ten years, with an interest of £ f,000a-year. That this could he d- ne by the Irish population of Cardiff he was well assured, as many of them now sp nt from one to two shillings a-dav in drink. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Hemmingway, who, as a large contractor of labour, gave the results of his experience with the Irish working-man, of whom in many respects he spok- in the warmest manner. Mr. James Murphv, of Newport, supported the resolution, which was adopted nem. con. The Hev. Father Clarke proposed a resolution, calling on those present to assist in providing houses of relaxation and amusement, and also to give free public entertainments for the young. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Byrne, and adopted. A vote ot thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceed- ings, the band paying the National Anthem as the vast mass of persons left the hall in the most orderly manner.

DREADFUL SUFFERING OF Two BRITISH SEAMEN. Her Majesty's steam slollp Shearwater has arrived at Wool- wich to be paid off. On having the Straits of Magellan, i ominander Smith had his attention called to two strange- lo. king beings on the rocks. They were at first thought to be Pataironian savages, and were regarded with some suspicion, t ut they turned out to be two Englishmen in a dreadfully emaciated state, and almost naked. They were immediately taken on board, the ship's surgeon stating they could not have survived two hours longer. On recovering it transpired thev belonging to Her Majesty's sloop Chanticleer. On the 11th of October a party from the Chanticleer were out on a shooting excusion.audthetwo men were lin a boat together returning to the vessel, when a heavy gale came on, and they were driven out to sea and cast upon the rocks, and were reported to the Admiralty as lost, their arrears of pay being paid to their relatives. The men, whose names are David Riddler, second captain of the foretop, and Samuel Henley, an able-bodied seaman, gave a distressting account of their sufferings. On being cast on the coast of Pata- gonia the gale tore their clothing to tatters, leaving them only two blankets, an oilskin, and a few biscuits for warmth and subsistence. They economised their natural heat by hud- dling together, their only food for six weeks being mussels and other shell fish picked off the rocks. The ground was at the time covered with snow. and Henley lost his toes from the severity of the frost. After being there about a month Her Majesty's screw sloop Columbine, Commander Leigh Ward, from the Pacific, passed through the Straits, and was seen by the men, who wtived their blankets, but unfortunately they were not seen, and remained there a fortnight longer. They had given up all hopes of life, and two hours before they were rescued had sworn to each other that whoever died first should not be eaten by the survivor. They speak in high terms of the kindness they received on board the Shearwater, and are now perfectly recovered. On the Shearwater being taken into the ha-in at Woolwich Dockyard on Tuesday morning the men were transferred !o the Fisgard, it being understood that the Admiralty will allow them to receive their arrears of pay, ah hough piwiousk paid to their relatives. A PROFITABLE EXCHANGE.-The following para- graph, conied fiom the Sydney Morning Herald of the 23rd ot November its is suggestive of the comparative value of advertisements and Parliamentary reports in the antipodes I he Parliament.—In consequence of a press of advertise- ments, we arecompelled to hold over our report-in-chief of the proceedings yesterday in the Assembly." TERRIBLE DEATH.-On Tuesday evening an inq-iest was held at Portsmouth,before Mr. W. H. Garrington, borough corotter, on the body of Mrs. Ommanney, a lady of 79 years of age. It appeared that the deceased was on a visit at Soiithsea, at the house of her son, Colonel Ommanney, of the R -ya) Artillery, and on the previous night she was left in her bedroom t"r a few minutes by the servant, who went downstaiis. Sereams were heard almost directly afterwards, and on the servant re-entering the room Mrs. Ommanney's nightdre-s was discovered to be on fire. The flames were exhngu sird as soon as possible, and Mr. Norman, surgeon, was sent for; hut his efforts were unavailing, and the de- ceased expiie I sometime afterwards. It seems that "fler the servant had left the ro m the unfortunate lady took down the guard for tlv purpose of stirring the fire, when, a coal falling on the fender, her nightdress caught fire, and she sustained the injuries which p oved fatal. A verdict of Accidental Death" was returned. FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDElST.-Two men, named respectively Joiiu Davies and John Spurn, have been killed hy a fall uf coal in a pit upon the colliery of Messrs. Simeon, Bradley, and Co., Tividale Hall, Tividale, near Dudley. A brother of John Spurn was dangerously hurt, and but slight Inpes are entertained of his recovery. John Spurn's body was completely cut in two parts by the falling debris, and pre- sented a sickening spectacle upon its arrival at the bank. Da -ies had his side r u-hed in. and was otherwise injured. ATTEMPTED MURDER OF LONDON DETECTIVES.— John Clancy, who was apprehended in London, on Saturday night, on a charge of Fenianisin, and who fired a revolver at the detectives engaged in his capture, has been brought up at Bow-street, charge I with shooting at them with intent to murder them. After the evidence of the officers was taken, the prison r was remanded. THE CLERKENWELL OUTRAGE.—Barrett and O'Neill the Fenians arrested at Glasgow, have been brought up at Bow-sireet, London, with the other prisoners charged with being concerned in the Clerkell well outrage. A witness posi. tively identified O'XeiU (not Barrett, as previously stated) as tiie man who fired the tu>e attached to the barrel; aud the same witnes- said she was a,most as positive that Barrett was the man, so often alluded t who stood by aud held the box 01 matches from which a light was obtained. SNUG QUARTERS.—A correspondent of the Water- ford Citizen says thatsoine of the t8th Regiment in garrison at l.israoie Castle got into the Duke of Devonshire's cellars a few days ago and carried off 150 ot- 200 bottles of prime brandy and fine oil whisky. THE EMIGRANTS' FAREWELL.—A large number of Germ.ill emigrants have just embarked at Havre on board the steamer Beruardin de St. Pierre for Buenos Ayres, Their shouts of joll at leaving were so loud that the crew were almo-t unable to hear the orders given. RAILWAY COMPENSATION.—In the seven years, 1860-0«,m which, as we recently stated 169 passengers were killed in railway accidents iu the United Kingdom, and 4,488 injure I, both classes from causes bes'oud their own control, the returns ot the ra lway companies show that they paid £ 1,37 .624 as compensation for personal injury, or an average of E266 per case, In the same period the companies ipaid £667,15;) for damage or loss of goods. A NOBLE ACT.-The Oasis, of Liverpool, bound for Demer-ira, rjui on the rocks off Newtown Head, on the 12th inst. The Cambridge University lifeboat, the Tom Egan, was got ready as so ii as the news of the disaster reached Tramore, and succeeded with much difficulty in landing 20 of the crew. 1 lie captain and three Innds had been drowned before th". arrival of the lifeboat, and five or six more, who left in the ship's boat, are believed to have perished. After the 20 rescued men were landed, the captain of the lifeboat was informed th it one man, a foreigner, still remained on the wreck. The life- boat was aaain launched, again grappled the wreck, and one of her crew, Martin Not,is, of the Naval Reserve, climbed into the vessel by t ejih downhaul, and found the man alive, but so frightened that he had to lower him from the bowsprit into the water by a rope, when the lifeboat picked him up. Norris was exposed to consideiable risk in performing this gallant dped, for the clllin tacs of the foresail was beating about like a whiplash the whole time he was ou board. BUILDING AND ENLARGING .CHURCHES AND CHAPEM.—The Incorporated Society for Promoting the En- largement, Building, and Repairing of. Churches and Chapels, held a monthly meeii g on Monday, at No. 7, Whitehall, Loudon, the Karl of Homney in the chair. Grants of money were made in aid of the following objects Building the new churches of S. John the Evangelist, in the district parish of St. Paul, bull's Pond, Islington St. Saviour, Everton, in the pariah of Alveley, near Bridgnorth. Enlarging or otherwise increasing the accommodation in the churches of Chart Sutton, near Staplehurst; Chrisliall, near Royston; Llantrissant I Orinsbi, near Great Yarmouth; St. Austell, Cornwall; and South Thorcsby, near Alfoid. Upwards of 12,000 applica- tions for aid having heen sent to the various incumbents of parishes and ecclesiastic I districts in England and Wales, it is hoped that a jubilee collection will be extensively made some time dunog the current year towards augmenting the ivs iirces of t) is society, and that wherever practicable the urgent need d as-i-tance now felt may be made known by the c ergv with a view to its relief. EXPORTATION OF GOLD.-The exportation of gold to France continues on all extraordinary scale, and all recent large arrivals have be> n thus absorbed. Several causes com- bine to keep up this movement. In the first place, a large proportion of the amounts from New York are made for Con- t n "iiial pay men s which centre at Paris; next, the recent disposition here to invest in the best class of dividend-paying fo eign securities lidS led to purchases in Paris and elsewhere; next, the payments in COllnt xion with the forced loans ex- torted from the holders of the Spanish Passive debt in the conversion which i-lose-I on the 31st ulto. have been trans- mitted to the Socie e VJenerale; and lastly, the total inability to find employment for money in the London discount market has induced the transmission of some amounts to Paris, where the rates, partly owing to the expec'ation of the introduction of a new loan, are practically higher. Most of these influences are such as are certain to be followed by a steidy reflux. There is a further one, however, the effects of which must be more permanent—namely, the demand for foreign wheat. Even this, however, if the harvest of the present year should prove favourable, will be attended by good ie,ults in the Autumn, since the abundance of specie spread over the Continent will stimulate our commerce, of which theie are already symptom- of a coming revival. GAS. Coal is a strange substance. It provides us with coke, tar, and illuminating gas. Tar by distillation yield's about a dozen different hydrocarburets, some ex- tremely dense, others almost as light as alcohol naph- thaline, a solid substance used in medicine, being an in- stance of the former, and benzine, now one of the com- monest drugs, one of the latter. By repeated distillation we get gazogenic substances, which, mixed with alcohol, produce what is oddly enough called liquid gas, and which, moreover, dissolve India-rubber, and cause, by the way, the disagreeable smell peculiar to waterproofs. And yet these very substances will, by chemical reaction, produce the most delicious perfumes for amateurs of sweatineats, and even for admirers of the bouquet of cognac and rum. But our present object in talking of coal is its valuable ingredient, illuminating gas, which is now undergoing, at the hands of JlM. Marechal and Tessier du Mothay, a process that is calculated to increase its lighting power enormously. The process simply con- sists in subjecting common gas to complete combustion by oxygen. A small cylinder of magnesia put into the flame becomes luminous enough to project a light 60 times stronger than that of common gas. This very nearly constitutes what, about 50 years ago, was called the Drummond light, consisting of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen lighted at the orifice of a tube and pro- jected on a piece of chalk. The merit of MM. Marechal and Du Mothay, however, consists in their having ima- gined an economical way of producing oxygen,-at a cost of 72 centimes per cubic metre. Now, three cubic metres of illuminating gas and four of oxygen, costing in all 9 ft., will, according to the latest experiments, yield as much light as 180 cubic metres of gas alone, which costs 54 f. There will be a saving of five-sixths of the present cost.- Galignani.

^(tlqsiasititial Jirtellitifitttf. CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS.—The Bishop of Norwich nomillated the liijjlit If,v. Dr. V. Ryan, late Bishop of Mauritius, to the archdeaconry of Suffolk. The Bishop of Chester has licensed the Kev. John Turnbull, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, late incumbent of Wettenhall, Cheshire, to the incumbency of St. Mary's Church, Edge-hill, Liverpool, vacant by the preferment of the Rev. F. M. Harke, M.A., to the incumbency of St. Stephen's Church, Islington, on the nomination of Mr. John Stewart. The Bishop ot Ripon has liscensed the Rev. John Sheepshanks, M.A., to the incum- bency ot Bilton, near Harrogate, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. John Bickford Heard, M.A., on the nomination of Mr William Sheepshanks; and the Rev. Charles Martin Phelps, B.A., to the curacy of St. Paul's, Huddersfield, on the nomi- tion of the Bev. G. G. Lawrence, M.A. The Bishop of Carlisle has licensed the Rev. Henry Sealey Callender, M.A., of St John's College, Oxford, late curate of All Souls, Marylebone, to the incumbency of Brathay, near Windermere, vacant by the preferment of the Venerable Archdeacon Boutflower, 0.1 the nomination of Mr. G. Redmayne. The Rev. John Frederick Bigge, M.A., of University College, Durham, vicar of Stam- tordham, has been elected Praetor in Convocation by the clergy of the archdeaconry of Northumberland. The Bishop of Winchester has collated the Rev. William Marriner, B.C.L., of Liucoln College, Oxford, late curate of Calbourne, Isle of Wight, to the rectory of Baughurst, near Basingstoke, vacant by the death of the Rev. D. Williams, M.A. The Bishop of Peterborough 1MS instituted the Rev. George Ray, M.A., of St. Peter's College. Cambridge, late rector of Statherne, Mel- ton Mowbray, to the vicarage of All Saints', Leicester and has instituted the Rev. John Williams Taylor, M. to the rectory of Statherne, on the nomination of the Master and Fellows of St. Peter's College, Cambridge. The Rev. C. A. Marret, M.A., has been presented to the rectory of St. Peter's, Torteval, Guernsey, vacant by the death of the Key. Daniel Dorbvee; patron, the Governor. The Rev. Edward Beach- croft Devon, M.A., ot St. John's College, Oxford, iate curate of Newbury, has been presented by this college to the incum- bency of Northmoor, near Witney. VACANCIES.—A prebendal stall in Exeter Cathedral, by the death ot the Hev. Joseph Dornford, M.A.; patron, the Bishop of Exeter. The rectory of Plymtree, near Colluinpton, by the death of the Rev. J. Dornford, M.A.. worth jB285 a year patrons, the Provost and Fellows of Oriel College, Oxford. The incumbency of Roecliffe, near Borough bridge, Yorkshire, by the death of the Rev. R. Wilson, M.A.; worth £ 100 a year patron, Mr. A. Wilson. The curacy of St. Barnabas, Douglas, Isle of Man worth £ 150 a year, paid by the C. P. A. Society, or £100 to a deacon; patron, the Rev. J. H. Gray, M.A. The curacy of St. Philip and St. James, Dfracombe patron, the Rev. W. C. Moore, M A. The curacy of Lydney, Gloucester- shire; worth £110 a year; patron, the Rev. B. Philpot, M.A. The curacy of Holy Trinity Church, Ripon patron, tha Rev. 'I J. M. Ward, M. The curacy of Canfield, near Dunmow patron, the Rev. J. P. Gurney, M.A.

L I1 L I1 thtts. 11 '1; .0.0'0' STOCK AND SHARE MARKET. BRISTOL, Thursday. Paid. Prices. Consols 921 Bristol and South Wales Union. 8 Great Western 100 46| Monmouthshire Railway & Canal 100 92 93 Ditto 5 per Cent. Preference. 100 103 105 Vale of Neath 88 92 Taff Vale 100 147 149 Ditto £ 10 Shares, Class C 5 31 41 pm. Ditto Preference No. 1 100 149 150 Rhymney 100 59 61 Avonside Engine, £ 10 Shares 7 | f dis. Bristol and South Wales Wagon Co., £ 10 Shares. 5 2i 2* pm. Ditto, New Issue. 21 2J pm. Bristol United Gas Stock 100 179 181 Marine Insur. (Limited). 2 1 f dis. Bristol Steam Navigation Sh. 130 98 100 Bristol Water Works J625 „ 25 261 27L Ditto Preference 5 per Cent 100 4 5 pm. Cardiff Water Works 100 111 112 Ditto, New j610 9 par J pm. Clifton Suspension Bridge 10 5 5! West of England Bank 15 161 17t LONDON CORN MARKET.—MONDAY. With large arrivals of foreign wheat and flour last week, the other supplies were moderate. Exports, ,000 qrs. rye, 447 qrs. oats. English wheat, 3,284 qrs.; foreign, 37,865 qrs. There was a very short supply this morning from Kent and Essex, the condition of which was wretched. Had any fine appeared it would have brought rather more money. The foreign trade also had a more healthful appearance, and with so 1 e country buyers, several ot the last markets being rather higher. In some instances favourite marks sold dearer. Country flour, 18,980 sacks; foreign, 2,907 sacks 12,556 barrels. The country trade was slow, but good marks were r not cheaper, nor were foreign sacks. Barrels, however, being more plentiful, occasionally sold at a decline of 6d. Town qualities were unaltered. Maize, 3,633 qrs. business was quiet, and prices much the same. British barley, 3,390 qrs. foreign, 3,737 qrs.; with these moderate supplies and no great additions the trade this morning was rather slow. The malt trade remained inactive at previous rates. English oats, 5,239 qrs. Scotch, 21 qrs. Irish, 70 qrs foreign, 11,978 qrs. Though some were asking more, in consequence of short supplies, it could only be obtained in retail. Native beans, 917 qrs.; foreign, 1,265 qrs. Business was limited, prices much as previously. English peas, 535 qrs.; foreign, 3,792 qrs.; with fair foreign arrivals this trade was slow. Linseed, 29, £ 88 qrs. exports, 200 qrs. The supplies lowered seed li. per qr,, but cakes were unaltered. Cloverseed and other agricultural seeds were but in very moderate request, there being no quotable change in value. CURRENT PRICES OP BBITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANE. Shillings per Qr. Shillings per Qr Wheat, Essex & Kent, Oats, Scotch feed ,.26to3l white old ..75to82 Scotch, potatoe ..30, .35 Ditto, new ..67..77 Irish feed, white..24 .27 Ditto, red old ..72..76 Ditto, fine ..29..33 Ditto red new 66..74 Ditto, black 24.. 27 Norfolk, Lincolnsh Potatoe ..28.33 & Yorksh, red..66.. 74 Beans, Mazagan ..40..42 Barley 35.. 36 Ticks .-40.. 43 Chevalier, new ..39..47 Harrow .41..44 Grinding .35.36 Pigeon ..46..54 Distilling ..37. 41 Peas, white, boilers..46 .48 Malt, Essex, Norfolk, Maple ..46..47 &Suffolk, new ..62..67 Gray, new .42..44 Ditto. extra ..69.. 0 Flour, twn houshlds, Kingston, Ware, & pr sck of 2ljulb. 59.. 64 town.made 62.. 67 Country ..49 51 Brown ..50..57 Households -53..57 Rye ..43..48 Norfolk & Suffolk Oats, English feed..26..S3 011 shore ..47..49 English, potatoe.. 30.. 35 BRITISH SEEDS. Mustard, per bushel, Linseed,prqr swng70s. ,72s brown .14s..16s Ditto crushing ..62s. Os white 9s.. 10s Linseed cakes, per Canary, per qr.68s..76s| ton JJH I5s.. £ l2 5s Tares, winter, new, Rapeseed per qr ..56a..60s per bushel 6s.. 7s Rape cake, per Trefoil ..21s..23a ton £ 6 0s.< £ 610s WEDNESDAY. To-day the attendance of buyers at market is very limited. The English wheat trade is inactive, few sales reported, and prices of well-conditioned nominally the same as on Monday foreign in moderate demand, but prices' supported. Flour firm, and rather dearer than last week. Barley in fair de- mand, and Monday's prices well maintained. Oats, notwith- standing the absence of supplies, are not dearer, and trade not very brisk. Beans and peas quite as dear. Maize in better demand. LONDON CATTLE MARKET.—MONDAY. The arrivals of live cattle and sheep, &c., into the port of London during the past week have been small. The Custom- house return gives an entry of only 37 oxen, 76 calves, and 347 sheep, making a total of 460 head only, against 6,106 head in the corresponding period of last year. The total foreign arrivals this year, so far, are as follows :—1,412 beasts, 534 calves, 8,243 sheep, and 242 pigs. The foreign supplies at market to-day consisted of 580 beasts, 790 sheep, no calves, and no pigs. The berf-trade was heavy, prices having a downward tendency, and the top quotation was quite an ex- ceptional rate, being only for the very choicest weight and quality. In the sheep market there was a better feeling, as the supply was short. Choice calves were scarce and dear. The Dork trade was lower. Beef 3s Od 5s Od I Beasts 3,360 Mutton 3s 4d ,.5s Od Sheep .13,420 Lamb., 0s 0d ,0s Od Calves 11 Veal 3a Od ..5sl0d Pigs 290 Pork 3s Od ..3s 10J LIVERPOOL CATTLE MARKET.-MONDAY. The supply of stock was less than on this day week. De- mand slow for cattle at lower prices. Sheep without change. Beef, 4id. to 7d. usutton, 5d. to 7d. 2,470 cattle, and 9,359 sheep at market. HOP MARKET.—MONDAY. Messrs. Woolloton and Son report that the supply of fine and choice hops is now amall. A fair trade is now doing for consumption, and prices are fairly supported, except for secondary and low qualities, the value of which is entirely nominal. COAL. s. d. s. d. West Hartley 15 6 Wharncliffe. 19 0 —. Bowers' 15 0 Hetton 18 6 Bates's 14 6 Haswell 18 6 — Bud&le's •• 17 6 Belmont 19 3 — Byass's Bebside. 16 9 Braddyl's Hetton 17 3 Davison's 17 0 Framwellgate 17 0 Lamhert's 1C 3 Russell's Hetton 17 6 Sleek burn 14 0 South Hetton 18 3 Bell's Primrose 00 Caradoc 18 6 Carr's Hartley 20 0 Tutistall .00 15 9 Cowpen's Hartley 18 3 Cassop 18 9 Craghead's Steam 9 0 Hartlepool 17 0 Hastings' Hartley 18 6 Heugh Hall. 20 0 Holywell Main 16 0 Hunwick 15 6 Vorth Peltou Gas 14 0 Kelloe 16 9 Taufield Moor 15 0 South Hartlepool 16 9 Tanfield Moor Butes. 15 6 South Kelloe 20 3 Walker Primrose 13 6. Thorpe 0 0 Wylam 16 0 Trimdon Hartlepool.. 17 0 Eden Main 16 6 East Hartlepool 17 9 Wall's-end Harton.. 19 9 Pease's West 0 0 Burn 16 0 Whitworth 8 0 Eden 19 3 Carway and Dnffryn Hedley 17 0 Anthracite 22 6 Lawson n. 14 6 Carway and Duffryn Kepier Grange ..17 3 Malting 24 0 Gosforth 16 9 Wayne's Merthyr 18 6 Harton 19 9 Norton's Anthracite., 22 0 Stewart's 20 6 Ships at market, 99; sold, Rildell 17 0 81 unsold, 18. At sea, 85. PRICES OF METALS, ORES, &c. Es. d. £ s. d. C)PPER.—Best selected—per ton 75 0 0 76 0 0 Tough cake 73 10 0 74 0 0 Tile 77 0 0 78 0 0 Burra Burra 79 10 0 80 0 0 Copiapo 0" 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Copper Wire per lb. 0 1 0 .0 1 0j Ditto Tubes 0 0 Ilk 0 1 0 Sheathing & Sheets.ton 77 0 0 78 0 0 Bottoms 85 0 0 Old (Exchange) 0 66 0 0 67 0 0 IRON.—Bars, Welsh, in London, at per ton.. 610 0 Ditto, to arrive 610 0 Nail rods 7 0 0 7 10 0 „ Stafford, in London.. 7 10 0 8 10 0 Bars ditto. 710 0 9 10 0 Hoops ditto 810 0 9 12 6 Sheets, single. 9 5 0 10 0 0 Pig, No. 1, in Wales 315 0 4 5 0 Refined metal, ditto. 4 0 0 5 0 0 Bars, common, ditto. 5 15 0 6 0 0 Do, merch, Tyne or Tees. 6 10 0 Ditto, railway, in Wales 5 0 0 5 10 0 Ditto, Swedish, in London.. 10 5 0 1G 10 0 Toarrive. 10 5 0 10 10 0 Pig, No 1, in Clyde 212 9 2 18 0 Ditto, f.o.b. T^ne or Tees. 2 9 6 Ditto, forge f.o.b in Tees. QUICKSILVER.— 6 17 0 SPELTER.- Fore igii.per ton 0 0 0 20 10 0 To arrive 0 0 0 20 10 0 TIN.—English blocks 96 0 0 Ditto bars, in barrels 97 0 0 Ditto refined 99 0 0 Banca 90 0 0 0 0 0 Straits 87 0 0 0 0 0 TIN-PLATE-IC Charcoal, 1st q at per box 1 6 0 1 8 0 IX ditto 1 si- quality 1 12 0 1 14 0 Ie ditto, 2nd quality 1 4 0 1 6 0

RELEASE OF MR. TRAIN.—Mr. George Francis Train has been released from custody, on disclaiming any in- tention of promoting Penianism in the United Kingdom. How TO GET RID OF LOCUSTs.-The desolation oc- casioned by locusts once more occupies the attention of historians. Paez has a very amusing note on the subject; he records his success in freeing the Catholics from the pest by litanies, and sprinkling the fields with holy water, whereas the fields of heretics, separated only by a ditch, were spoiled by them; for a heretic using the same ^.sprinkling, presol ved his corn, which to a Catholic neglecting, in one field I was lost, and preserved in another, by that aspersion." He scarcely recognises the unimpeachable orthodoxy of the locusts, concluding as be does with the remark so near of kin are locusts to the devil, that they cannot abide holy water."— Abyssinia• Mythical and Historical. Abyssinia: Mythical and Historical.

Jntdligcnc4. HUNTING ""APPOINTMENTS. THE TREDEGAR HOUNDS.—AT 1112. Monday January 27 Duffryn. Thursday January 30 ..Ebbw Bridge. HON. G. MORGAN'S HOUNDS.—AT 11. Friday.January 31.Draythen Village. THE P. H. HOUNDS.-At 11. Tuesday January 28 Radyr. Friday.January 31.Culver House Cross Roads. THE COWBRIDGE HOUNDS.—AT 11. Tuesday .January 28 Frampton. Friday.January 31 Llandow Village.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. 1868. 1867. Great Western, week ending Jan. 19. £ 63,663. £ 63,340 Taff Vale, week ending Jan. 18 5,502. 6,148 Penarth, week ending Jan. 18 551. 712 Monmouthshire, week ending Jan. 18 2,562. 2,754 Llynvi & Ogmore, week ending Jan. 18 717. 718 Rhymney, week ending Jan. 181 950. 1159 [The following appeared in our SECOND EDITION of last Saturday.]

LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS. FIRE.-Early yesterday morning an alarm of fire was given at the chief Police-station, and very soon after the large hand engine was got out. The fire had broken out in the engine house of a small steam flour mill in Working-street, belonging to Mr. Evans. The Fire Brigade were called up, and Captain Bowen, Superintendant Stockdale, and several police- constables were soon on the spot. The fire was ex- tinguished before much damage had been done. ALARM OF FIRE.-Last night, about 12 o'clock, the police-constable on duty in Bute-street heard cries of Fire" proceeding from the West of England beerhouse, in that street. On proceeding to the spot he found the landlord lying in front of the fire, in the bar, asleep, and apparently quite drunk. The ga.s pipe had been broken down, and the gas escaping from it had ignited and had set fire to the beam running across the ceiling. The constable turned the gas off at the meter, and with a few buckets of water extin- guished the flames. CANTON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD.—A special meeting of the Canton Local Government Board was held last evening. Mr. B. Francis presided. The ob- ject of the meeting was to receive Dr. Taylor's report on the sanitary condition of the district. That gentle- man attended and presented an admirable and volum- nious report on the condition of the streets and houses in some of the worst parts of Canton. The interior of some of the houses visited by Dr. Taylor was described as frightful. Dwellings affording real accommodation to five persons were found to contain sixteen, besides fowls, ducks, and donkeys. In many of the places there was no drainage, or the drainage was not avail- able, and open cesf-pools were dug in the back yard of the premises immediately contigious to the dwelling- houses. The number of cases of fever, which at the time he was requested to undertake the examination of the district were very considerable, had now been reduced to a few. He, however, regretted that small pox had broken out in one part of Canton, and he feared it would spread. A vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Taylor for his excellent report, and he was requested to continue his services for the present, and to carry out his suggestions for the amelioration of the existing evils.

LOSS OF THE ANGLIA SCREW STEAMER. On Wednesday evening last Captain Dempsey, master of the s.s. East Anglia, arrived at Swansea with 17 of his crew, and reported the total loss of the above steamer, adout 14 miles off Lundy, at three o'clock on Tuesday morning. She. was laden with coal, from Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, for Plymouth. She sailed from Porthcawl with some 600 tons (about twice her registered quantity), and as the wind increased on Monday night—the evening of the day she left the port bound for Plymonth—she laboured hard, and eventually sprang a leak. All efforts to keep her afloat were un- availing, and when about 14 miles off Lundy Island her crew were compelled to abandon her, and her stern sank rapidly in the water. The captain and crew took to the lifeboat and another boat which was available. After beating about for some few hours, the boat of one of the Pill pilots, named Ray, picked up the men, and as it was blowing hard they made for Lundy, which they reached about five o'clock. They were most hos- pitably received by the inhabitants, who showed great attention and kindness, the daughter of the "governor" of the island, as he is designated, having, with the usual tender-heartedness of her sex, shown the poor fellows the greatest attention. The crew, after having recovered from their fatigue, sailed for Swansea in the pilot boat, and arrived at that port at eleven o'clock on Wednesday night, where they immediately reported what had occurred.

CARDIFF POLICE COURT. FRIDAY. (Before the Mayor, R. O. Jones, Esq ,& Alderman Pride.) BOARD OF HEALTH CASE.—James Morgan Hall, fellmonger, of Westgate street, was summoned by In- spector James, the Inspector of Nuisances, for carrying on the business of fellmonger, giving rise to an effluvia injurious tohealth. The prosecution was conducted by the town clerk, Mr. Ensor appearing for the defendant. Mr. Salmon stated that the prosecution was laid under the 27 section of the Nuisance Hemoval Act. The service of notice to remove the nuisance was proved by the In- spector of nuisances. Dr. Paine also proved that he had visited the premises on several occasions and found there an effluvia arising from the decomposition of animal matter injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The premises were, in his opinion, totally unfitted for carrying on the business of fellmonger. They were formerly more suitable, on the ground that a brook ran past the premises which had been stopped by the construction of the new road. The business was to a certain degree always a nuisance, as decomposition of animal matter must arise from it, and all businesses giving rise to an effluvia from the decomposition of animal matter were more or less prejudicial to health. Mr. Waring, the Surveyor to the Board of Health, proved that the premises were in their present condition totally unsuited for the business. With certain altera- tions the business might be carried on in a manner far less piejudicial to health, but unless more care was taken in the way in which the business was conducted an effluvia injurious to health would arise. He then in- dicated what was required to be done, and Mr. It. O. Jones asked whether he felt certain that- the alterations proposed would be effectual, as it would not do for the Local Board to allow them to be made, and then to say that the premises were still a nuisance. To this Mr. Waring replied that he considered what he proposed would be sufficient, and the Bench adjourned the case for three months to enable the alterations to be carried out. In the meantime the defendant promised that the business should be carried on in such a manner as to create as little nuisance as possible. STEALING IRON.-Samuel Murdock, a marine store dealer, of Sophia-street, was charged with stealing a large quantity of iron, the property of Messrs. Murrell and Stothert. Mr. Ensor prosecuted, and Mr. Morgan defended. The iron was missed on Monday last, and on Tuesday the pieces produced were found at Murdock's shop. Dock-constable Owen proved that on asking Murdock of whom he had bought the iron, he replied, I do not know," although he afterwards said, I think William Payne brought it here." At the Police-station he made a simi.ar statement against a man named Morgan. The case was remanded for a week, to enable Morgan to be produced. HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—John McConnell, a drummer of the 23rd Welsh Fusiliers, was charged with knocking down a young woman named Mary Cains, and stealing from her a pair of boots. According to her statement the prisoner met her on the Hayes Bridge, knocked her down, took away her boots, and ran off. It was proved that the soldier slept at the Three Cranes on that night, and was not out of the house at the time. The Bench therefore dismissed the case. FRAUDULENTLY USING A SEAMAN'S CERTIFICATE. -Thomas Lewis, a seaman, was charged with using a certificate not belonging to him, which stated that he was an able seaman, while he was only an ordinary one. The defendant admitted the case, but said he had been four months at Cardiff, and had not been shipped. Fined £ 5 and costs.

THE WEST OF ENGLAND BANK. ANNUAL MEETING. Yesterday (Friday) the 33rd annual meeting of the pro- prietors of the West of England and South Wales District Hank was held at the Banking house of the c impaiiy in the Exchange, Bristol.—Mr. Jeroin Murch, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presiding. The following report was read the stagnation ot trade and general d;strust during the past year have not diminished the business of the bank, though the varieties of interest constantly ruling have, to a considerable extent, affected its profits. A dividend at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum, five of income- tax, was paid for the half year ending the 30tb of June, and the directors now declare a dividend at the above rate, also free of income tax, for the last half-year, drawing for this purjio-e a'small sum from the reserve funJ. Notwith- standing various applications to open new branches, no effort of this kind has been made. With much cause for satisfaction in what lias been done generally, it has yet been deemed expedient, in the present times, to avoid increased banking enterprise. Early in this year the board was asked to accept the resignation of Mr. Bates, prior to his removal. Since his removal from the office of general manager Mr. Bates had acted with the board as director. His lung services had often been gratefully acknowledged by the pioprietors, and, in his final retirement, he carried with him the best wishes ot his colleagues. Oilier causes led to the r sisrnatii.n of other members of the board Mr. Robt. Chris- tie Ward found his health, which had been previously im- paired, unequal to the work; and Mr. Swinlen Jord.n could not attend tne meetings in cousequence of absence from Eng- land. In Mr. Bates's place the board elected Mr. Hereford Brook George, son of rlieir oldest colleague; and in Mr. Jor- dan's, Mr. Arthur Clayfield Ireland, who his been for some years connected wii h the bank. They def. rred filling the re- maining vacancy until the proposed extension of the fi. 111 should be decideil upon, when they hope, by their choice, 10 meet the wisli-s of the proprietors. The directors who retin in rotation are Mr. Jeroui Murcli, Mr Christopher Jam^s Thomas, and Mr. Arthur Cla.\ field Ireland, who are eligible for re-election and it is tite duty of this meeting to fill up these vacancies. The statement of account for the West of England and South Wales District Bank, 31st December, 18o7, is as ful lows: — To amount due by the bank, on deposits, notes £ s. d. in circulation, and all other liabilities 2,586,766 2 1 To proprietors— £ s. d. To capital 750,000 00 To rese' ve fund 100,i;89 9 4 To paid divi n-inis 82-5 6 3 To Christmas dividend now declared 30,000 0 0 ————— 899,914 15 7 £3,467,680 17 8 To Government securities 289,597 15 4 To Cash 011 hand at head office and branches 208.815 0 9 To Cash at Bankers 57,618 4 6 ——————— 556,031 0 7 To Bank Premises at Bristol, Alierdare, Ax- bridge, Bideford, Bridgwater, Cardiff, Chep- stow, Clifton, Exeter, Gloucester, Kings- bridge, Newport, Newton Abbot, Ponty- pool, Pontypiidd, South Molton, Taunton, Torquay, Toirington, and Weston-super- Mare. 83.313 17 3 To other securities, including bills discounted, loans to customers, &c 2,828,335 19 10 £ -,407,680 17 8 PROFIT AND LOSS. To total expenditure at head office and the thirty-three branch banks, including rent, taxes, s daries. &c 46,203 7 8 To alllouut of dividend at the rate of 8 per cent, per an- num, free of income tax, for the balf-year ended 30ch June, 1867 £ 30,000 0 0 To amount of iliviilend at the same rate, for the hatt-t ear euded 31.t December, 1867 30,000 0 0 .—————— 60,006 0 0 £ lt6,203 7 8 By gross profits of the year, after payment of the income tax and making due pru vision. for bad and doubtful debts 101,540 2 2 By portion withdrawn from the reserve fund. 1,6ti3 5 6 ;£ \06,203 7 8 Reserve fund at 31st December, 1866 101,752 14 10 Portion withdrawn 1,663 5 6 Reserve fund at 31st December, 1867 £ 100,089 9 4 J EROM: M URca, Chairman. The following resolutions were adopted:— that the report now read be approved and printed for circulation amongst the proprietors, and that in future a printed report be sent to each proprietor three clear days before the annual meeting." "That Mr. Jermon Murch, Mr. Christopher James t'hom.ts, and Mr. Arthur Clayfield Ireland be re-electe I directors of tins bauk." That the thanks of the proprietors be given to the directors for their valuable services during the past year." "That the thanks of the meeting be given to Mr. J. P. Gilbert, the general manager Mr. J. Dester, the sub-manager and to the managers of the vaiious branches for the zealous discharge of their arduous duties."

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. ROYAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION IX IRELAND.—Her Majesty has issued a Commission under the great seal to in- quire into the nature, character, aud extent of the instruction afforded by the several institutions now existing in Ireland, and maintained in whole or in part by the public funds, by private individuals, or by voluntary socie ies or subscribers, or religious orders, for the purposes of elementary or primary edu ation, and especially to inquire into the constitution and practical working of the Board of National Eiucation in Ireland. PETO, BBTTS, AND CEAMPTON.—The anar's of this firm were before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd yesterday (Friday). The case was appointed tor the last examination and order of discharge. There were no general accounts upon the proceed- ings, but a very bulky parcel was handed round before the case came on, and it was understood that upon that the exami- nation would be conducted. Mr. Maynard (for the assignees) said the accounts were now ready, and they were ot that character that an adjournment was necessary for their exami- nation. Mr. Lawrence (tor the bankrupts) did not object. Mr. Liuklaler (!or the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company) said he had tendered in the first instance a claim for £ 6,W0,000 on behalf ot his clients. Upon the choice of assig- nees it was felt that perhaps it would be as well to postpone the proof until the accounts were made out. Now that the figures had been completed matters were very much simplified, and the dispute between the bankrupts and the London, Chat- ham, and Dover Railway Company was very much narrowed His Honour thought it would be as well not to make any statements now the case was about to be removed under an order of the Lord Chancellor to Mr. Commissioner Winslow's COUlt, and there must of necessity be a new assignee. Mr. Lawrence remarked that the accounts had be"n most carefully prepared, and the bankrupts still claimed dE20 ',000 from the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. Mr. Linklater: Surely we need not go into that now? Mr. Lawrence: You have had your £ 'i,000,U00, and you might allow me to have my £ 200,000. The accounts have been made up by Messrs. Coleman, Turquand, and Young, and Mr. Bishop has diawn up a long statement. His Honour then formally adjourned the case until March 19th, when proofs of debts can be made, and the matter will be gone into. All the baukiupts were present, busily engaged signing the sheets upon which the very voluminous accounts were engrossed. They show a total indebtedness of £ 658,000, and assets of £ 786,5U0, thus dis- closing a surplus; but these figures are subject to the many observations that will be made upon the next occasion, and do not of course include the disputed claim of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company. THE FENIAN OUTRAGE IN CLERKENWELL.—The inquest on the bodies of Martha Thompson and Humphrey Evans, who died though the injuries they received in the Clerken- well explosion, was resumed yesterday (Friday) morning. Several witnesses were examined, tlie evidence being much the same as that given on the last examination of the prisoners who are in custody in Bow-street, and the inquiry was then adjourned. FENIAKISM IN IRELAND.—-It was judged prudent at the last moment to bring the Fenian prisoner, Patrick Lecnon, from Kilmainham gaol into the city to the ordinary police court; and accordingly Mr. Dix, the magistrate, attended at the prison and conducted the investigation in his case. Special precautions had been taken to prevent any possible interrup- tion of the procei dings, and the police did not suffer a crowd to gather in the neighbourhood of the gaol. During the morning, whilst it was still in contemplation to convey the prisoner into town, the police made searches in all public-houses along the route for suspicious characters. In various other ways the special importance attached to this prisoner was indicated. He is under thirty, an activedooking, resolute man. In answer to the magis- trate, lIe admitted that his name was Lennon. He was distinctly identified by the police as the person who headed the largest of the armed bands in the attacks on the police barracks of Stepaside and Glenculleu in March, 1867, and took the police prisoners in the name of the Irish Re- public. He is the man so often spoken of in the trials of last year as the chief who wore iu his hat on the samj occasion a large green feather. He had also in charge the van bearing the ammunition which the county Dublin Fenians were using. At Glenculleu"Barrack Lennon was the first of the insurgents to enter. The arms and ammunition were given up to the prisoner. After his identification and the stating of these points of evidence against him, Lennon was sent for trial on the charge of high treason to the next Com- inission. SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1868. Printed by the Proprietors-" The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Newspaper and Printing Company (Limited)," and Published by them at their Offices, St. John-street, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan.