The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

Correspondence. -THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH IN" WALES. SB3,—As a resident and parishioner of the parish of, Llfsycil, near Bala, I have to make use of the columns cf Llfsycil, near Bala, I have to make use of the columns cf your valuable paper to expose the wrongs that the tithe- l paying party have to undergo in Wales. ■ On Sunday last, the 12th instant, it was publicly pro- claimed by the curate in Llanycil church that there would be no service there on Sunday next. Now, this church is the parish church of Llanycil; and what can be a greater imposition on the parishioners than to charge tithes for paying the parish priest for Teally not doing what he ought to do, i.e., hold two services in the parish church. Ad- mitting that the rector of Xlanycil is the curate of the Chapel of Ease at Bala, still we must remember that Llanycil has claims on its pastor to give it more attention than he does, considering the parish pays nearly three times in tithes for the Llanycil parish church more than the endowment of Christ church, Bala, pays to its curate. Why should the tithe-payers of the parish of Llanycilpay one-tenth of the profits of our landed crops,, and sacrifice our right as parishioners for the sake of benefiting a few of -our English neighbours, whose Chapel of Ease has nothing to do with us; leave our pastor to stray away from his duty, and substitute a more gorgeous edifice to that of the old parish church leave the souls of those whose ignorance will not allow them to worship their Maker in an unknown tongue leave the famous old parish church for a handsomer building. That will leave 2, co?7.i<itio1n that disestablishment only will benefit the Established Church on the niind of, yours respectfully, A PARISHIONER. "REJECT NONE." Sift, At the beginning of the present year the com- mittee of the London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 200, Euston Road, instructed the secretary to admit all suitable applicants to the Homes and Night Reception House-in fact, to reject none, believing that God would dispose the hearts of his people to supply the necessary funds. These directions have been complied with, and, up to October 31st, 178 friendless females of good character were admitted to the Home established for their benefit, and 276 penitent young women to the Reform- atory, while 890 poor creatures bad also been admitted to the Night Reception House. Many, very many of the latter weere welcomed during the silent hours of night, weary, worn, and sad; and further, the large majority were orphans, and country girls from the districts, among others, of Beds, Berks, Bucks, Derby, Devon, Essex. Gloucestershire, Hants, Herts, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Oxon, Surrey, Sussex, Somersetshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Wales. They had passed through much suffer- ing and shame, and, indeed, had become the mere waifs and strays of London life, tossed hither and thither by the billows of stern and apparently cruel adversity, until most mercifully they found refuge in this institution. A few lines are sufficient to state these bare facts; but while they are thus briefly alluded to, it is felt that in the interests of this class of suffering and fallen humanity more might well be published, for the promoters of this mission feel convinced, by the experience gained in labouring among these unhappy creatures, many of whom are mere children in years, that to God alone is known the misery represented and the interests (moral and physical) imperilled by their position of wretchedness and danger. While London and other large towns are made the scene and centre of operations both for the supply and demand of immoral agencies, the unhappy outcasts who are alternately the dupes and propagators of vice are drawn from nearly every suburban district and country place throughout England; and therefore, sir, an appeal is made throughout the land to aid in rescuing these young women from a life of sin. The demands upon the institution are very great, and the funds at its disposal incommensurate with the urgent calls upon it, notwithstand- ing the adoption of every means tending to thrift and economy in its working. In the accomplishment of their efforts in the time above mentioned, the committee received up to October 31st, £3,003, and expended 23,728, leaving a deficit of t725, in liquidation of which the aid of a benevolent public is most earnestly solicited. Contributions, in postage stamps, post-office orders, cheques, and bank notes, may be addressed to Messrs Bosanquet and Co., 73, Lombard-street, E.C.; Francis Nicholls, Esq. (of the committee), 14, Old Jewry Cham- bers, E.G.;and Your obedient servant, E. W. THOMAS, Secretary. 200, Euston-road, N.W. EDUCATION. SIR,-This is doubtless one of the leading questions of the day, among all classes, more or less, throughout the length and breadth of the land. Aberystwyth is also just now about to be signally dis- tinguished in being selected as the place for the approach- ing Educational Conference. It has again and again been represented as being an important town, and much is said in respect to its prosperous future. All this is very well, and there may be much truth in it. At the same time, it does seem more than possible that it may just now be on its trial. Hence the particular care that should be taken by those persons who would be regarded as the true and practical friends of the place, lest by any errors of either heart or head they reverse the order of the tide of events, and so existing favourable chances never again recur. Considerable dissatisfaction has been felt from time to time in respect to the so-called "British School" in this place, whereas in other localities with one-eighth its population, &c., "British Schools" are self-supporting and efficient. Here the contrary, however, has been the case, for year after year its condition of seeming insolvency has been such that it has been necessary to avail them- selves of Welsh lectures, railway trips, &c., &c., to enable the committee to meet the teachers' salary and the rent of the old building (that is scarcely tenantable, most un- favourably situated, and much too narrow to meet the requirements of so populous a district.) A new building in a better position has long been felt to be necessary, but the dilatory spirit of the party has hitherto prevailed. The managing committee have only to review with a little care the history and present posi- tion of this institution, to be convinced of the glaring un- satisfactoriness of the whole concern. It appears that by either the desire or the consent of the said committee, the teacher addressed some fifty or sixty notes of invitation to persons in the town begging their attendance in a certain place at a given time. A goodly number met, but found the doors were closed, and after waiting upwards of half an hour beyond the time specified, had to separate for their respective homes. The following is a copy of the note :— Aberystwyth, Dec. 10, 1869. Sir,—As a friend of education, you are respectfully requested to attend a meeting (to he held at the Temperance Hall, Wed- nesday, 15th inst., at eight p.m.), for the purpose of considering the subject of elementary education among the dissenting de- nominations of Aberystwyth and neighbourhood, and alqo of dis- cussing the necessity of proceeding at once in the erection of new schools. Earnestly hoping you will make an effort to attend, I am, sir, your obedt. servant, DAVID EDWARDS. Let this suffice for the present.—Yours truly, Aberystwyth, Dec. 16,1869. SUGGESTION. THERE WAS NOT EVEN A COPY OF THE COMMON PRAYER BURNT AT LLANDDEWI AT THE TIME OF THE ELECTION. SIR,-I find that Mr Inglis Jones has at last been brought to understand that I was not guilty of the charge imputed to me by him, of having urged the people to do such a thing as to burn a copy of the Bible. I do not know of any stigma with which they could brand my character greater than that, being, as I am, a minister of the Gospel, and officiating in a Christian country. Whilst Mr Jones admits that there was no copy of the Bible burnt, he asserts now that what was burnt was a copy of the Common Prayer. It seems that he will have it, re- lying upon the testimony of his friend (?), that I did com- mit some heinous deed, by which, it appears to me, that Mr Jones does not recant and withdraw freely and fully, but ex parte. I lost not any time after I read his letter that appeared December 3rd, in making enquiries of parties who were on the spot, being eye-witnesses of the proceedings from beginning to end-parties, too, in whom Mr Jones, as well as myself, could place implicit confi- dence, who have most unreservedly and unequivocably testified, that there was no book of any description burnt, but a copy of a newspaper, and nothing else. The children surely made something, what they called the effigy of Mr Vaughan, and that gave me very great an- noyance when I heard of it the day after. I beg to assure Mr Jones that, exactly upon the same grounds, I deny that there was a copy of the Common Prayer, more than a copy of the Bible. But he has promised to make a fur- ther investigation into the matter, for which I shall thank him, and will be ready at any time to render him every assistance in my power to ascertain the truth of the report, for his own satisfaction, as well as for that of the public. I am convinced in my own mind that many other little things have been told Mr Jones about it, which, were they announced, would certainly criminate a certain party and exculpate me, inasmuch as they could not be established. But it gives me very great consolation when I think of it, that the truth "will out" sooner or later, and that the party guilty of having made such false asser- tions and base insinuations will obtain what they justly deserve. I am truly sorry that the children at Llanddewi should have given any cause to Mr Jones to be offended with the Liberal party, because of their misbehaviour. Had I been present I should have done my best to prevent anything of the kind but as I was not present how in the world can I be responsible for their conduct? No more so, in my opinion, than could the Rev. Mr Hughes, the vicar, be made responsible for the conduct of some children at Tre- garon towards Mr Henry Richard, M.P., when he was there at the election time. There is another thing too, which Mr Jones mentioned in his letter, as having made him feel rather unpleasant in his mind-that was the flags which the Liberals had made and put up. Had not the I Conservatives, too, their flags out at the same time ? But a-o no more to do with the flags of the Liberals than riev" Evans, the vicar, had to do with the flags of the Cu? iervatives. I look c-orward with a great deal of anxiety to the day I Jv)nef. ^-1, investigate the whole matter, and I shail not thank Citi^r a Conservative or a Liberal for concealing anything that is ^-ue about me at the time of the election, and I feel as confident as can be, that after he has made a fair and impartial ten- his opinion will undergo a vast change of my dissenting brethren and myself, who, and to say the least, have been i.uch slandered and maliciously abused both before and after the election. I still hold that opinion, as I have said in n-r former letters that we have as much right to interfere in inlitical matters as the clergy of the Church of England haN, We had as much interest at stake as they had, and as we found* that the parsons were mustering in a body throughout the county, we felt it to be our duty to come out to support the can- didate of our choice. If the clergy were backed and sup- ported by the lords of the soil, the mass of the people clung to us, and will do so again should another contest be foolishly attempted. The Tory evictions in this county as well as in other counties in Wales, will render very material assistance to our party in time to come. Long enough, yea, too long, have the dissenting ministers been looked upon as the offscourings of the earth, and repre- sented in Tory papers as a party wishful to subvert the constitution, and fostering all manner of crimes, even murders. They have patiently suffered every thing to be toiu 01 inein, wnen they could easily rebut it, to the detri- ment of their traducers. Happily that time has passed. We shall not tolerate such things any longer, as long as we have advocates at head quarters, to whom we can have access and state our grievances. Hoping Mr Jones will not fail to prosecute his promised enquiry and candidly report the same to the public, I beg to remain, sir, obediently yours, Llanddewi, 15th Dec. 1869. ABRAHAM OLIVER. BRITISH RAINFALL. SIR,-Can you find space for the enclosed extract from the report of the Rainfall Committee, presented to the British Association at Exeter ? And will you allow me to supplement it by the request that any persons who may be recording the fall of rain, or intending to record it, who are not already in communication with me, but are willing to assist by forwarding copies of their obser- vations, will at once oblige me with their names and ad- dresses, so that duplicate gauges may not be started un- necessarily near to them ? As soon as possible after the receipt of the replies to this letter, I shall have to ask you further to oblige me by inserting a list of places whence observations are urgently required.—I am, sir, your obt. servt., G. J. SYMONS. 62, Camden-square, N.W., Dec. 2, 1869. EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF THE RAINFALL COMMITTEE FOR 1868-69. It has been the practice of the committee, in their various reports, to adopt, for convenience of comparison, a decennial grouping of returns, such as 1810-49, 1850-50, &c. We arc now on the eve of completing one.of these decennial periods, and it behoves us, therefore, to consider how we may best secure for the ensuing period the attainment of the objects for which we were originally appointed. One of these is expressed in the first grant in the following words:—"For the purpose of construct- ing and transmitting rain-g tuges to districts where observations are not at present made." Even to those least acquainted with the subject, it will be ap- parent how much more desirable as well as easy it is to com- pare simultaneous observations than those wherein both the observed values and their times are different. Your committee have, therefore, felt it to be their duty to examine how far the existing stations adequately represent the true rainfall of the British Isles. The result shows that their number and distribu- tion, though incomparably superior to that which existed when your committee were appointed some years since, is still capable of great improvement; tracts of land, the rainfall of which as water supply is of high importance, are without adequate ob- servations, while other places are, if possible, too well provid id. To take Devonshire as an example: excepting two gauges at the Convict Prison, one on the northern edge at Chagford, and one on the south at Lee Moor Clay Works, Dartmoor (that wettest of Devonshire districts) has no representative, Exmoor has none at all, and there is no gauge between Torquay and Plymouth. On the other hand, Sidmouth has four or five ob- servers, and Exctur an equal number. Similar cases of unequal representation occurin various parts, and should be removed. The Tyneside Naturalists' Club are about to establish a series of gauges along the Cheviots, the Cardiff Naturalists' Society are doing the same in South Wales, and-other instances could be quoted. We have already shown that there is a special reason for en- deavouring to equalize the representation during the ensuing autumn, so that the new observers whom we hope to obtain may have a few months' practice before the commencement of the decennial period of 1870-79. We hope that the landed proprietors of Great Britain ani Ire- land are becoming sufficiently aware of the importance of rain- fall statistics in engineering and draining operations to see their own advantage in helping us by having observations regularly made by careful persons under their own supervision.

WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1870. PRESIDENT RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P. SIR,-The Council of the Workmen's International Exhibition, to be opened on the 7th of July, 1870, at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, has determined to hold a conference of Delegates from the towns of the United Kingdom, and of other countries, on the 10th of January next, at the rooms of the Society of Arts (in John-street, Adelphi), which have kindly been lent for that occasion. The day's business will begin at 10 a.m., and will be distributed as follows :— 1. Statement and discussion of the proposed method of arrangement of exhibition. 2. Statement and discussion of the proposed system of prizes, and appointment of jurors. 3. Discussion on the opening of workshops in the ex- hibition. 4. Reports, statements, and suggestions from local committees. 5. Statement and discussion as to the means to be adopted to make the exhibition promote the interests of technical education. Mr Mundella, M.P., and Mr S. Morley, M.P., will successively occupy the chair, during the day's sitting. The conference will be brought to a close at 4 p.m., and all the delegates are invited to meet the Council at dinner (Mr T. Hughes, M.P., to preside) at 5.30. In the evening a public meeting will be held at 8 p.m. at Exeter Hall, at which Professor Huxley will preside, if it should be impossible for the president (the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P.) to be present. The following resolutions will be moved :— 1. That the principles laid down in the prospectus of the Workmen's International Exhibition of 1870, which require the worker's name to be attached to the article produced, are both just and useful; as tending to give workmen their share in the credit of production, and to increase the pride and interest which attaches to skilled labour. 2. That it is of the highest importance to develop amongst all the people a true perception of what is beau- tiful in colour and form, and a scientific knowledge of the machinery and material employed in existing industries and this meeting pledges its best exertions to promote the success of the Workmen's International Exhibition of 1870, as a valuable instrument to this end. 3. That the trade-knowledge and aptitude for combi- nation shown by workmen who can produce for a work- men's exhibition an article requiring many different kinds of labour, deserve the encouragement of every class, as the first step towards greater and more important kinds of co- operation. 4. That it is in the interest of all nations that each should stimulate the other in the development of their highest productive powers; the prosperity of every people requiring continual progress in the. cultivation of human faculties, and that perfection of method and machinery which yields the largest return to the days' labour. The following gentlemen will be present at the confer- ence and at the meeting:—Professor John Tyndal, Sir John Lubbock, Bart., Mr Winterbotham, M.P., Mr George Dawson, of Birmingham, Sir Geo. Young, Bart., Mr Norman Lockyer, Professor Leoni Levi, Mr C. S. Roundell, Mr Allen, secretary of Amalgamated Engineers, Mr R. Applegarth, secretary of Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners, Mr T. J. Dunning, secretary of Bookbinders' Trade Society, Mr G. J. Holyoake, Mr Geo. Howell, Mr Geo. Odger, Mr R. Coningsby, Mr Walker, secretary of Foreman Engineers, Mr W. R. Cremer, Mr Geo. Potter, &c., &c. We ought to add that the Council strongly hopes that all towns in this and other countries will lose no time in calling together a public meeting, and appointing dele- gates to attend the Conference; such delegates must be appointed by public meeting; and we shall be extremely glad to receive, as early as possible, the names of those who will attend. The Council are specially desirous that co- operative, trade, benefit, and other societies, and workmen's clubs and institutes, and large workshops, will also send delegates on this occasion. We are directed to request that all such societies should put themselves in communi- cation with us, and to assure them that their representa- tives will be gladly welcomed. The Council will provide accommodation for the night of the 10th January for those delegates who wish them to do so, and will otherwise do all in their power to facilitate the attendance of their visitors, on receiving communications on the subject. We would therefore urge, not only our own local committees, but all those who are interested in the carrying out of a Workmen's International Exhibition, to take immediate steps for calling together a meeting of their fellowffcowns- men for the purpose of making better known the character of the undertaking, to appoint committees where they are not already in existence, to multiply the number of intend- ing exhibitors, and to appoint delegates to the Conference. We are, sir, yours faithfully, AUBERON HERBERT,-) THOMAS PATERSON, >Hon. Sees. J. W. PROBYN, ) 150, Strand, London, Nov. 30th, 1869. P.S.—The Marquis of Clanricarde, K.P., Mr John Waiter, M.P., Mr W. H. Smith, M.P., Mr Henry Cole, C.B., and Captain J. Selwyn, R.N., have also consented to be present at the meeting. THE SALE OF LIQUORS ON SUNDAY. SIR,-Allow me to draw your attention to the fact that through the exertions of the "Central Association for Stopping the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday," upwards of forty Town Councils, Local Boards, and Boards of Guardians, including those of Manchester, Bolton, Dudley, Crewe, Southampton, Llanidloes, Ponty- pool, Blaenavon, Llanelly, Swansea, Wrexham, Car- narvon, lestmiog, Mold, &c., have adopted a resolution in favour of the closing of public and beer houses during the whole of Sunday, the proposer and the seconder in the last-named body being both publicans and believing that such an expression from our public bodies, as representing the wants and wishes of the people, will have greater weight with her Majesty's ministers in the preparation of their promised measure of next session than any other mode that can be adopted, arrangements are now being made for a further introduction of the question in the corporate and other bodies of England and Wales; and as some of your readers who are placed in such positions of trust may wish to take similar action, I give the reso- lution adopted That in the opinion of this Council (or Board) it is expedient that any measure for the general amendment of the laws for licensing public-houses, beer- houses, and refreshment-houses, should include the pro- hibition of the sale of liquors on Sunday." In justification of the principle of the motion, allow me to submit the following reasons why such a provision should form part of the government measure, viz. :— 1. That it is universally admitted that much intem- perance and consequent improvidence, pauperism, domestic misery, immorality, and crime arise from drinking on the Lord's Day. 2. That there are no justifiable reasons for giving excep- tional privileges by law for the carrying on of the .tcaffic in intoxicating liquors on the Lord's Day, to the dis- disadvantage of those engaged in other callings, and to the serious injury of the working classes, who on that day have their wages in their pockets and extra leisure time at their command. 3. That a very large number of persons are employed in this trade, who thereby lose the benefit of a day of rest and the opportunity of attending religious worship, and that many of these desire to be relieved of this necessity, as was clearly shown by the recent canvass of householders in North Wales, when out of 968 publicans and beersellers visited, 705 voted in favour of entire closing. 4. That while many and great disadvantages arise from the existence of these facilities, no serious inconvenience would result from their removal (the case of travelers being excepted), certainly none which would deserve con- sideration in comparison with the great benefits which would result fom the suppression of the traffic. 5. That the stopping of the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Lord's day would be in accordance with the wishes of a great majority of the people of this country. Their feeling on this point has been tested not only in large pub- lic meetings held in the chief cities and towns in the kingdom, but also by a very general canvass instituted from house to house .in more than 200 towns and villages in various parts of the country, when Wales, especially the northern part, was found to be most unanimous in its wish for the suppression of the liquor traffic on the Lord's day, and as the figures may be of interest and use, I beg to submit the following summary No. of Counties. Districts. Resul's, Hou-ebolders onJv. t or. Ag,tlllst. N«aira Anglesey. 9 3,527 27 36 Cam n rvon 17 8,3b2 68 93 Denbigh 26 8,662 213 200 Flint. 12 4,171 73 102 Merioneth 13 4 386 12 51 Montgomery. 8 2,886 52 110 Total. 85 31,964 451 592 —————————————————————————————————————— In South Wales, including Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Brecon, Merthyr, Carmarthen, Pembroke, Aberdare, &c.,23,267 householders voted for, and 995 neutral and against. England, though not so favourable as Wales, also gave a large majority, the numbers being 291,643 for, 58,431 against, and 36,795 neutral. 6. That it is not proposed to introduce any new principle of legislation, but only to extend the application of a principle which has already proved most beneficial in its operation. 7. That the effect of the Forbes Mackenzie Act, giving to Scotland what we desire for England, has been, accord- ing to the report of the Royal Commission, a great dimin- ution of intemperance and crime. 8. That the evidence of Major Greig, C.B., chief con- stable of Liverpool, Thomas Avery, Esq., mayor of Bir- mingham, and others, who were examined by the select committee on the Sale of Liquors on Sunday Bill, 1868, go to prove the working of the Wilson-Patten Act of 1854 to have been very beneficial; and that the evidence given before that committee can be confidently referred to as justifying the extension of the present restrictions to the whole of Sunday, while it is generally affirmed that the report adopted by the committee was not in accordance with the evidence tendered. Commending the above statement of facts to the careful consideration of your numerous readers, I am, sir, yours truly, THOMAS B. JONES, District agent for Wales, Hereford, and Salop. Adwy'rclawdd, Wrexham.

MISSIONS IN FOREIGN PARTS. SIR,—By your kind permission, Mr Editor, I beg to contradict several statements made by Another Church- man," on the above subject, in your valuable columns last week. "Vindication" is the trying motto of" Another Churchman" with a vengeance. He goes on, "Myobject in sending this letter is, to justify myself." Mark the in- solence, and throughout the whole letter I cannot possibly discover one single passage of justification. With regard to the rev. gentleman who delivered the lectures, Ano- ther Churchman has found it very profitable to express his overweening opinion, in the first place because "A Visitor" was pretty near the mark in saying, "if the attendance was good, what more encouragement he ex- pected," and secondly, "he 'Ai-iother Churchman,' ex- pressly mentioned what encouragement did he want, and that was the presence of our worthy vicar and curates, but this passage was left out by the editor of the Obse?-ver. Did" Another Churchman ever in his life humble him- self to ask either of the rev. gentlemen mentioned to pre- side or even to be present at such or any meeting. To which I am quite positive, and am ready to answer that he never did, because I know too well that they never refuse when asked to do so. As to the passage alluded to, which was left out in the Observer, does "Another Church- man carry the broad ish mind that every one should be- lieve him on this point—far from it. This I know, though "Another Churchman" is not aware, by every appear- ance, that any editor is open to curtail all correspondence which might tend to be too personal, and this I suppose has brought Another Churchman to such a pitch of anxiety. In termination, I must say that his complete Welsh quotation is by far superior to his incomplete Latin inserted in his second letter. With reference 'to his de- manding interrogations, I shall only merely pass them by as nought. Yours truly, A SUBSCRIBER. Aberystwyth, December 15th, 1869.

tmr. BREAV,-PAST. -Epps's COCOA.-GRATEFUL AND COMFORT- ING. -The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette remarks:—"The singular success which MrEpps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold by the Trade only in t lb., i lb,, and 1 lb. tin-lined packets, labelled—JAMES Epps & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London.— \gent for JAS. EPPS and Co.'s Special Homoeopathic PreparationsEVAN NEWELL, Escuan Farm Buildings, Towyn, Merionethshire. A DOG'S FIDELITY CAUSING ITS MASTER'S DEATH.— An extraordinary death by drowning occurred in the river Mersey last week. Thomas Bellis, a young man residing at Tranmere, near Birkenhead, was in a small boat, in company with a friend, Samuel Jones, the mate of the Anna Oappock schooner, which was lying in the river. They intended to row to the schooner and pass the night there, but in crossing Tranmere slip, where the current is very strong, the boat capsized. Jones, who is a good swimmer, would have been able to save his friend, but Bellis's dog, which had accompanied them in the boat, got on his master's back, and every time Jones stretched out his hand to support Bellis, the dog flew at him savagely and bit him. The result was that Bellis was drowned. A SUBSTITUTE FOR TOBACCO.—A correspondent of a Calcutta paper makes a curious suggestion to tobacco smokers. Alluding to the alleged discovery, by a Parisian chemist, that watercress is a perfect antidote to nicotine, he says-" It lately entered into my head to try how some of it dried would smoke. To my great satisfaction I found that, when put into my pipe, after a couple of days' dry- ing in the sun, it had all the flavour of the best Cavendish without the treacle, and it was even stronger than Caven- dish. Here, then, is a perfect substitute for tobacco, without the deleterious and deadly poison so freely con- tained in the latter and it is at the same time cheaper. Watercress, with its fine stalk and leaves, when dried, requires no cutting to fit it for the pipe; and while a ul pound of cut tobacco ranges from 3 rs. to 4 rs., here we have an article a rupee's worth of which, when dried, would weigh more than a couple of pounds.Bombay Gazette. HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS.-Throat Affections. —All the varieties of these distressing complaints may be readily and effectively treated by rubbing this Ointment twice a day upon the neck and chest, and supporting the strength by suitable nourishment. By this simple means diphtheria, ulcerated and relaxed throat, irritation of the windpipe, quinsey, and all glandular enlargements will have their progress arrested and the destruction they have caused repaired. Holloway's Ointment is the most trust- worthy remedy for all internal and external throat ailments, and may be safely and effectively employed in every case without regard to season, sex, age, or constitu- tion. It is highly extolled for its ready cures of spas- modic coughs, chronic hoarseness, and disagreeable dischar- ges from the throat and nose. MODERN CUSTOMS.—Presentations and testimonials are largely on the increase this modern custom appears to extend to almost every household, for no auspicious event is allowed to pass without its being marked by some pleasing souvenir; Birthdays, Christenings, Marriages, the seasons of the year, such as Christmas, New Years &c., invariably receive special commemoration. The at- tention of one of the great London Manufacturers, Mr J. W. BENSON, of 25, Old Bond-street, and of the City Steam Factory, Ludg-ate-hill, has been directed to this subject. With the view of giving more artistic effect to this custom of society, he has published a most interesting Illustrated Historical Pamphlet upon Watches and Clocks, also one upon artistic Gold Jewellery, Silver and Electro- plate all are profusely illustrated with choice designs, and are sent post-free for 2d. each, thus bringing within the reach of those who live even thousands of mile s away from London, one of the largest and most artistic collec- tions which can be seen in any part of the world; and, it necessary, designs are prepared to illustrate any special case. HOW THE PREMIER RAISES THE WIND.-MR Gladstone has recently purchased an estate in Cheshire, so the Tory papers very properly set themselves to work to find out how he managed t pay for it. The Pious Press, especially, with the season of Christmas and its teachings before it, is strong in its glad tidings' of how Gladstone raised the wind :—and this is the simple method. He has made several baronets, and extracted from those fortunate gen- tlemen the needful cash for purchasing the Aston estate. We are in a position to state that the Pious Papers are not quite rightly informed. Mr Gladstone had so arranged it that had all the gentlemen he fished for risen to the baronetcy bait he would have exactly cleared the purchase money for the Cheshire property but some declined, so he was-to use the exact figures— £ 2,917 15s. 9fd. short. To meet this sum he fixelon Dr. Temple as Bishop of Exeter, on the condition that that gentleman would hand him over the first half-year's salary arising from the Bishopric. Dr Temple was not quite willing to do this, but offered to toss with the Prime Minister whether he should give him a year's pay or nothing. Up went the halfpenny, and "sudden death" settling it, the doctor lost. It has since transpired that there is a shrewd sus- picion that the Premier used a double-headed coin, or in some way cheated, so the matter is to be left in the hands of the editor of the Rero,,t-d-a well-known sporting charac- ter-as referee. —Oswestry JLdvertizer.

Tipyn o Bob Peth. John Morley, Esq., of Moreton Jeffries, High Sheriff of Herefordshire, is dead. Sir T. G. Frost has declined the dinner which was pro posed in his honour. Sensible man. A Welsh lady, Mrs A. Griffiths, who died at Abercarne on the 4th, leaves 14 children, 41 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. The young men of Bangor are beginning early in an attempt to revive their cricket club. They met on Tues- day to form plans. Lady Bulkeley has opened a soup kitchen in Beaumaris, at which the poor will be supplied twice a week during the winter months. The death is announced of the Rev. T. F. More, of Linley, father of Mr Jasper More, late M. P. for South Shropshire. Shiffnal station was made gay on Monday week to receive Prince Christian, who arrived there en route to the Earl of Bradford's. The Earl of Powis succeeds the Duke of Marlborough as President of the Smithfield Club Cattle Show, and the Marquis of Exeter is the President elect. The Bangor Chsral Society, assisted by the Philharmonic Orchestral Band from Liverpool, and solo-singers from Manchester and Chester, purpose performing the "Messiah" on the 22nd inst. Conservative Clubs to support Constitutional Associa- tions are becoming common—on paper. "Active steps," we are told, are being taken to perform this little job in Wrexham. The Weekly Dispatch, noticing some remarks in the papers commenting on the smallness of the sum, £ 2,000 & year, the late Marquis of Westminster bequeathed to his second son, Lord Richard Grosvenor, says his lordship had, already, an income of C16, 000 a year. A meeting under the auspices of the Welsh Reform Association is to be held at Liverpool on the 21st inst., in connection with the movement for compensating evicted tenants. Mr H. Richard, Mr E. M. Richards, and other M.P.'s, are expected to be present. Master Penry Lewis, son of the Rev. J. Lewis, of Bangor (formerly of Ruabon), has gained the senior scholarship of 220 at Mill Hill School. Mill Hill, we should remark, is a noted school amongst Congregation- ists, and has turned out several eminent pupils, of whom the late Mr Justice Talfourd was one. A Rambling Jew' informs the editor of the Wrexham Guardian that the sole aim of the Welsh Liberal news- papers under the garb of elevating the working classes, is catchpenny." Also that he never knew a person who vindicated the ballot but what was underhanded, false, and deceitful in his common transactions, &c., &c." The Recorder of Liverpool has decided that a publican could not be fined for serving drink after twelve o'clock on Saturday night by Greenwich time, if midnight by Liver- pool time had not arrived. Of course all clocks are set in Liverpool to Greenwich time. How would it be in the case of a wedding before twelve o'clock in the day? In consideration of his reception at Chester, the Prince of Wales has been graciously pleased to depart from usual custom, and to accept a christening cake" for the new baby from a confectioner of that city. How pleasant it makes matters all round when gratitude takes the form of accepting gifts, and the giver really esteems himself a great deal more blest than the receiver Some folks say that the art of engraving on steel is fast dying out, but if wealthy men like Mr Tomline, once member for Shrewsbury, often do what Mr Tomline has done, the death of the engravers will be a lingering one. The Hon. M.P. for Grimsby has caused the painting Pool of Bethesda,' by Murillo, to be engraved, and has presented the plate to the IS ewspaper Press Fund, who will enjoy the profits arising from the impressions taken. The Goleuad, the new organ of the Calvinistic Method- ists, states that the thanks of the synod meeting at Arfon were accorded to Lord Penrhyn "for the honourable terms his lordship had made with the church at Peny- groes," but at the same time thought they ought to have had better terms, believing that the House of God should be the freehold property of the church." This the North Wales Chronicle calls "looking a gift horse in the mouth." According to tho North Wales Chronicle a private meet- ing of Liberals has been held in Denbigh to get up a memorial to the Lord Chancellor praying that the fol- lowing gentlemen may be appointed borough magistrates -Mr T. Gee, Mr Nathaniel Roberts, Mr Lloyd (Brook- house), Mr Gold Edwards, and Mr Copner Wynne Edwards. The two last-named being solicitors are not eligible, and our contemporary insinuates that their names were proposed merely as a blind to hoodwink the Lord Chancellor. The Welshman, we are surprised to see, admits into its respectable columns an anonymous letter vilifying Welsh Dissenting ministers in the most unscrupulous fashion. The minister, says the writer, "oftentimes leads the way in what is bad, and sets his people an example of profligacy." Suppose some "low, Radical newspaper"—the supposition is absurd-allowed a correspondent to make the same assertion about ministers of the Episcopal Church ? The statement would be quite as truthful—and quite as wicked —but what would be said of the Radical print?" One would hardly suppose that constant attendance at a police-court had a tendency to produce mirthfulness, but we read of a woman of sixty-six who has regularly at- tended Ludlow petty sessions every week for half a century, and whose merry, ringing laugh," says the reporter, might well be envied by many a younger dame." At last week's sessions Mrs Tantram-such is this mirthful woman's, we hope, inappropriate name—an- nounced to the court that she had completed the fiftieth year of her attendance. On one occasion only has she been absent, and then a hard fate compelled her to attend at the workhouse for her parish relief. The inhabitants of Gerlan, a suburb of Bethesda, have recently been in difficulties. Several of the quarrymen built houses before the district was drained, and the Local Board, who have since drained, notified their intention of making the owners pay for it; a sum amounting in all to nearly 2600. The matter would soon have ripened into a lawsuit, when probably many of the owners, working men, would have been ruined, but Lord Penrhyn stepped in, and with a noble generosity said if the people would raise one half of the sum he would pay the other half. The offer was gladly accepted. Mrs Williams, the wife of a druggist who also holds the appointment of postmaster at Garn, Carnarvonshire, died suddenly last week. It transpired at the inquest that the deceased, who was pregnant, suffered from sickness of stomach, and asked her husband for some prussic acid, "having read in a book that it was good for it." The husband very properly sent for a medical man when his wife asked for the acid, but very improperly gave her a bottle containing the poison. When he had done so he left the room, and there was no evidence to show that the deceased had taken any of it. Dr Griffith, of Portmadoc, did not believe that she had, but that she died from con- vulsions, and the jury brought in a verdict of Died from natural causes.' A novel and ingenious method of shop-lifting has been devised and carried out at Chester by a juvenile gang, the eldest member of whom is fourteen, and the youngest only eight. First of all they stole the largest newspaper to be found, and then, while one of their number held the huge sheet up before the shopkeeper's eyes, and tried to tempt him to purchase it by: exhibiting the extent of its intelligence, the others carried off their booty. In this way they managed to secure articles of apparel and eat- ables of various kinds, and they had visited several shops before their game was spoilt. Some of them were sent to their parents to be whipped; others to the industrial school. The leader of the gang ought to be developed, at any rate, into a highly intelligent member of society. He has discovered an altogether novel method of using the press for the purposes of trade—and one not any worse than many now in vogue amongst "grateful parents," "friends of humanity," benevolent physicians, et hoc genus omne. Lord Napier of Magdala has promised to be present at the presentation of prizes to the Birmingham Volunteers. The Birmingham Post, referring to the event, says: The presence of such a man at the forthcoming prize distribution of the Birmingham Volunteers must shed a special lustre upon that event, and impart an additional value to the rewards to be conferred upon the successful competitors, and if only for their instrumentality in pro- curing Birmingham the honour and gratification of this visit 'their townsmen will be disposed to think the Volun- teers' have not been organized in vain. We doubt not that the public generally will heartily respond to any sug- gestions which may be made by the General Purposes Committee for securing a cordial and worthy reception to the hero of Magdala. A daily contemporary, in noticing the Smithfield Club Show, says :—" In our review of the show in yesterday's paper we mentioned an ox in the class of mixed-bred steers or oxen above three years old, which we regarded as note- worthy by reason of its enormous dimensions. We have since learned that it stands ln- hands high, and that on arn Monday the owner, Mr Jones, of Treanna, near Bangor, won a bet upon it of a sovereign under cunous circum- stances. Having placed a coin on the back of the animal he challenged a stalwart butcher of 6ft. 2in. to say whether it was a sovereign or a shilling; but, tall as was the slayer of beasts, he was not tall enough to see the coin, and in consequence he lost the bet. The weight of this ox is 27cwt. 3qrs. 141bs., whilst that of Lord Aylesford's cham- pion short-horn is 19cwt. 2qrs. 231bs."

At a public meeting in furtherance of the objects of the Chester School of Science and_ Art, and the City Library and Reading Room, held in the Town Hall at Chester last week, the Dean said that the Chapter had lately received a very distinguished c "K'ino-alivw- (Arvnlanse ) Canon Kmgsley s books, both grave and gay, were probably as WIdely known in Chester S Ilsewhere Knowing by old acquaintance the kindly as eisewue Kingsley to those who are willing toTearn, the speaker asked him whether he would not o,ive a lecture or lect,res, the proceeds of which should be divided between the two institutions they had then met to hear about. The canon was good enough to say that he had asked him to do the very thing he liked with all his heart, and added that if any working men would go with him in the fields and look out plants with him, ft would give him the greatest pleasure. DANGER OF CHILDREN PLAYING WITH LUCIFER MATCHES. -On Wednesday, firemen on duty at the Crystal Palace were called to extinguish a fire raging in the grounds of Mr D. Child, a carman, situate in the Red Road, Gipsey Hill, Upper Norwood. The engines were drawn out of the Palace and taken to the spot, when it was found that some children, whilst playing with Lucifer Matches, had set fire to a stack of hay. The firemen, however, managed to confine the fire to only one stack. Mr Child was not insured.—Standard, 12th August, 1863.—Accidents of^.this kind could not possiblv arise with Bryant and Mays Patent Special Safety Match which ignites only on the box.

A WELSH FASTING GIRL. A meeting of the committee who have interested them- selves in the case of Sarah Jacobs, the Welsh fS-S was held at Pencader on Monday evening. It was stfted that the four professional nurses from Guy's Hospital London had not detected any food being conveyfd to the girl, and they were morally certain that shfhad not partaken of food. Up to Tuesday the girl had been Sits T°J f°Ur a half,dayg She fleeps well at nights.^ Two nurses are constantly with her one beino- each side of her bed, both night and day Mr H H° Davies, M.R.C.S., who visited the airl on Sn.^L. o'f^' 860whfOUfv,d her at 112 Per minute, it havin- been 86 when the watching commenced. The girl's amiearance ^^land,¥altliy; The nurses are infSiLnTwomen nV m en quitted tor their task. dated extended to the fifth dayf is St^ued ^tlT t »m. OTr»e, torn Guy', Hospital, W™, sSKatch! The nurses selected reached Wales on Wednesdav ^heir *amf are Elizabeth Clinch, sister-nurse, £ h Palmer arah Attock, and Ann Jones. It was arranged that the r&f sh.ould commence on the following afternoon local committee were accordingly called Thpv Sri apZtZ- °'C]0Ck' in.the h0USe of °the SSts of the the experime^T WT -at °?Ce made for commencing the nurses DrV f6 • n8 Present, in addition to dyssul, Dr DavIs oTth'™11611' CorseUis' Llan" Herder, Carmarthen the 1W W^T Rowland and fihangel, the Rev W W Jones, vicar of Llan- Mr John Griffith (GohebyddT&'c T^' Llandyssu1' %ad the watching were read by Dr if' • The ,arrangumentsfor began the overhauling of^th^orVhe^r^ by the nurses from her little Zd aSd £ ed Ahe SCemed after her removPaHromnhSo^ bed to that of her parents to become entirely unconscious of what was going on. Her bed was then removed and thoroughly examined. The clothes cupboard w2 next looked into; its contents were taken out, and th^awers were emptied, after which both cupboard and drawers were locked, and the keys were handed to and kept by the superintendent nurse. Two other chests of drawers were next examined; one was removed from the room the SoS "S1? l0ffcd' •nd.u» k°y bookshelf tw W7 superintendent nurse. The Bookshelf the table-drawers, and everything else in the room, underwent a similar scrutiny—in short, as one of exammeda"°rSTlfPreSSed-it' •" every rag in the room was pleted thf» Vff^e e-x,ami1na*'lon the room being com- nuree 'anrl i! glr,l a b«d ™s re-made by the sister- returned to Vvas.P^aced ln it, and shortly afterwards examined with enn1aiUSn-eS8' The Parents' bed was next and taken out nf t^fnmuteness> the bed being turned out aU and even L.Lf t\r°0m' a?d striPPed, curtains and all, and even part of the paper-hangings on the wall It reaikbourSnHntr u t^at thre-e younS Jadies from the neighbourhood should stay up in turns with the nurses during the night. Some persons having objected to this f™Tment' and in order to prevent any possible ground and h^T°a' ? Se"led' the consent of the girl and her parents, that the nurses only should remain in the the glrl during the night." official report of the examiners is as follows • Thursday, Dec. 9, 1869, our nur,'es arrIved at four pm. The whole of the room in amined and ( wl?lch the girl was lying was carefully ex- hfr llt a°ieaf°Voverln? Sln^ the 8'rl's bo<1y. clothes, and waSSndanywhereeXamined- N°thiDg °f the Dature of food Thomas Lewis, M.D., M.R.C.P., C. S. Corsellis, M.D., ivK;,S- Henry H Davies, M.R.C.S., &e, George j! Herder M.D., D. G, Rowland, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., Evan Jones, B.D., Vicar, William Thomas, M.A., Jxrhn (Gohebydd), Elizabeth Clinch, Sister-Nurse at Guy's, Sarah Palmer, Sarah Attock, and Ann Jones, Nurses at Gay's. The Daily News thinks there is something almost gro- tesque m the proceedings which are taking place at the bedside of a little girl in Wales. The latest report is, that at the close of the fifth day of the watching the girl had actually fasted, and was very weak and ill. This would seem to be so natural a result of five days' fasting that the wonder seems to be that the nurses do not at once persuade nerto take some nourishment. Suppose the poor girl has ltnerto been fed unconsciously to herself, and is too weak o desire food, or too languid to express a wish for it, tho J t ^atc¥.n- may simPly he that she will be XZ7ut0 deatl1* Now> !t is all very well that science snouid have its martyrs, and, of course, fraud and super- stition will have their victims but which'will thi« poor girl be if she should die under the eyes of these nurses, and die of starvation ? Probably the persons concerned have already ascertained what their legal position would be in such a case. If the girl died, an inquest must be held but what verdict could it return? If it were "Felode se," it would reflect on those who saw the suicide and did nothing to prevent it. It could hardly be death from natural causes, or aceidental death—there is nothing natural or accidental about it. Even the favourite for- mula, "Visitation of God," would be out of place, for the real cause would be a visitation of nurses. Suppose that, in the unfitness of these ordinary verdicts, the jury i lj UP0IL Manslaughter," what would the nurses or the committee have to urge against it ?

1-- Agricultural. The question of tenant-right was discussed at the Pickering (Yorkshire) Chamber of Agriculture last week, and the opinion generally expressed was that land would be made more productive, to the advantage of the tenant, the landowner, and the nation, if greater security of tenure were introduced, and if compensation were made to- the tenant on his leaving his farm for such permanent improvements as he had made. The following resolution was unanimously adopted "That this Chamber recom- mends fir the consideration of the Central Chamber in' London, at an early day, a system of compensation for unexhausted improvements. FARMING IN VIRGINIA. -A correspondent of the Dailp News gives a bright picture of an agricultural emigrant's life in Virginia, and concludes:—Twenty pounds will pay the fare comfortably from Liverpool to any part of Vir- ginia, and many of the local lines issue first-class tickets half-price to persons who think of looking at land, Politics are now very quiet in Virginia, and crime is exceedingly rare, excepting for the occasional petty pilferings of idle negroes. No one dreams of going about armed, and ex- cepting that "Cuffy" occasionally appropriates and sheds the blood of his neighbour's unoffending chickens, life and property are, I believe, perfectly safe. In the course of a fortnight I have met with three English gentlemen, one of whom had brought his wife, a lady in delicate health, looking for farms. All four expressed themselves highly pleased with the country and the people. For emigrants who would shrink from a rough life, and who appreciate social advantages, and who can afford to pay from £4 to 210 an acre for a farm, I have seen no places in the West- ern States or in Canada equal to Virginia. The climate is pleasant, the air clear and dry, the land fertile, and sure to rise in value. Markets are near, and above all there exists a cultivated country society, law-abiding and con- servative in its character, and very English in its social habits and tone of thought and feeling. A man of the right kind coming to Virginia will not, I- feel sure, be dis- appointed. The State is now rapidly recovering. One hundred houses were built last year in the small town of Staunton. CENTRAL CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. The annual meeting-of the council and members of this association was- held on Wednesday afternoon, at the Salisbury Hotel; Mr C. S. Read, M P., in the chair. The report showed a considerable increase in the membership, congratulated the meeting on the advance of the movement throughout the English counties, and on its extension to Ireland, and represented the affairs of the asspciation to be in a pros- perous condition. It also described the action of the Chamber in reference to several agricultural questions. After the report had been unanimously adopted, the vacancies in the council, through retirement by rotation, were filled up. A report from the committee of council on local taxation was presented by its chairman, Sir M. Lopes, M.P., who was afterwards elected president of the Chamber for the year 1871. Some discussion arose with regard to the propriety of adopting measures to recruit the ranks of the Chamber, but although various suggestions were made for that purpose, no change was made in the existing machinery; which most of the members seemed to consider the best for the end in view. The subjects for consideration at the monthly meetings in the ensuing year were announced, those for the next meeting, in February, being "The best means of providing for the future main- tenance of Turnpikes and Highways," and "The present system of collecting Agricultural Statistics." The pro- ceedings terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman for his services in the chair during his year of office.

The remains of the late Mr Peabody were removed on Saturday from their temporary resting place in West- minster Abbey, and despatched per special train to Ports- mouth. An official report on the Suez Canal having been made by Commander G. S. Nares, of her Majesty's surveying vessel, Newport, which passed through at the opening, the Hydrographer to the Admiralty has issued a series of directions for the navigation of the canal. There is no doubt, it is stated, th it every vessel will do more or less damage to the banks on passing, but screwships going five or six knots will do but little harm. Large vessels should go at slower speed than small ones. Several ships grounded on the passage, but this was caused more by their desire to get through quickly than from any fault in the canal. A BEVERAGE AND A Boo-.f. -When theblood is chilled by the cold of winter or the brain is overtasked by long- continued studv, how agreeable, .invigorating, and grateful is a well-appointed cup of Epps's Homoeopathic Cocoa. This beverage, which experience has served to exalt into a daily necessity, will be found to possess all the good quali- ties of wholesome diet without any of the evils that attend upon empirical preparations or alcoholic stimulants. To the man of business and to the man of letters it is alike welcome, because each needs a restorative after the toils and harass of the day. As an article of food Epps's Cocoa is held in high esteem by the medical profession, and is very generally used as a substitute for tea at breakfast, for beer at supper, and for wine at lunch. While cocoa, in other forms, frequently aggravates indigestion, this ad- mirably prepared appetiser isneverfound to act injuriously upon the biliary secretions or upon the general habit. It ranks among the blessings which an advanced civilisation furnishes, and has received the well-merited homage of a world-wide approval.—From the Church Standard, Nov. 12,1869.