The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

MR. OSBORNE MORGAN, M.P., AND MR. JOHN ROBERTS, M.P., ON THE BURIALS QUESTION. In the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Feb. 19th, on Mr. Balfour's Bill, Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN said he wished, as his name had been so long connected with this question, to explain frankly the course he intended to take with regard to this Bill. He congratulated his hon. friend the member for Hertford on the courage as well as the ability with which he had grappled with the subject; and if the efforts of the noble lord and the hon. member for Hertford were suc- cessful in solving this problem, no one would more heartily rejoice than he should. He found it rather difficult to answer the argument of the hon. gentleman who had jcst sat down (Mr. J. G. Talbot), for, as he understood him, the hon. member opposed the Bill because he (Mr. Morgan) supported it. (Laughter.) Whatever might be the merits of this controversy, probably there never was onein which the position of the contending parties was so clearly de- fined. He and those with whom he acted maintained that as parishioners they had a right to be buried in the parish churchyard, and they had also a right to be interred with the service most consoling to the mourners. On the other side it was contended that because a certain service was insisted on long years ago when that service was gener- ally acceptable, it should be insisted on now when it had ceased to be thus generally acceptable. Agreeing, as he did, with the principle of the Bill, he should support the second reading, reserving to himself the right to move in committee amendments to certain clauses which he objected to. He objected to the sixth clause because it declared that the service must be consis- tent with the opinions or usage of the deceased but he maintained it was not the opinions of the deceased but the wishes of the mourners which ought to be consulted. Moreover, the effect of the clause as it stood would be that no service whatever could be performed over an unbaptized child. He.did not think that this could be the intention of the hon. member for Hertford, and he should move an amendment which would have the effect of giving the relations the right to decide what service should be performed. There was a provision that the service to be performed should be one of a solemn and religious character. No doubt the intention of that clause was to exclude fantastic services, of which hen. gentlemen opposite professed to be so much afraid. But experience of cemeteries, especially of that of Liverpool, during the last twenty-five years, showed that these fears were entirely illusory, and that there was no reason to fear that any services would be performed other than those of a solemn and religious character. He then came to the 10th clause, which provided that the Bill should not apply to burial grounds which had been provided by voluntary contributions within the last fifty years, or which had been given to the Church on the express con- dition that only Church services should be performed in them. This would exclude 5,000 or 5,500 churchyards from the operation of the Bill, and would take away with one hand what they gave with the other. More- over, this provision assumed that which was contrary to law, that a man might give land for a public purpose while at the same time reserving private rights over it. Now churchyards were either private property or they were not. (Hear, hear). If they were, no Act of Par- liament could deal with them. They might be given to trustees for private purposes, and they would then be on the same footing as the cemeteries purchased by Non- conformists for their own purposes. The legislature would not in that case deal with them otherwise than for sanitary purposes. But he maintained that churchyards had been given for public purposes, and therefore, like land given for highways, were subject to any legislation which Parliament might adopt. Another objection which he entertained to this clause was that in many cases the land for churchyards had been given by Nonconformists. Then, the clause contained a provision that the Bill should not apply where cemeteries were available for the burial of deceased persons. In these words there were the materials for tifty lawsuits. (Hear, hear.) Besides this, the effect would be that if this clause passed in its present form we should have two classes of churchyards—one open to Nonconformists and the other not. Nay, we might have one part of a churchyard open to Nonconformists and the other not, or a churchyard might be open to Noncon- formists one day and might be closed against them the next, in consequence of a cemetery having been opened within a certain distance. He should therefore in com- mittee propose to omit the clause, and if it was not omitted he should oppose the further stages of the measure, because he believed that if it did pass in that shape there would immediately be the same agitation in the 5,000 or 6,000 parishes excluded from the Bill as now prevailed in the country generally but if the 10th clause were struck out the Bill would for all practical purposes be identical with his (Mr. Morgan's.) He supported the Bill because he believed it was an honest Bill and no sham. (Hear, hear.) Its authors had grappled with the subject, while the other 14 Bills which had been brought forward both in that and the other House during the last five years to settle the question had simply attempted to evade it—being mere shreds and patches of legislation. It was no use talking of cemeteries. People did not want them. They loved their old churchyards, which were in- vested with solemn memories and revered associations. They loved the old yew trees under which The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep; —(hear, hear,)—and it was absurd to suppose that the Nonconformists had any wish or intention to desecrate that sacred ground. (Cheers.) Most of those whom he ad- dressed knew the rural parish of Islip, in Oxfordshire. The parish churchyard was full, it required to be extended, and the adjoining landlords offered to give or sell the necessary land. Here is the answer which the rector had sent back :— December 7, 1878. The feeling of the parishioners is unanimous that the (for us) heavy expense of making the ground available by levelling, planting, and building walls should be defrayed out of the rates, and not be left to voluntary subscription. 2. The feeling is equally unanimous against turning the new ground into a ceme- tery, both on account of the extra cost involved, and also be- cause it would perpetuate in the very centre of the village, so that all could see, those religious differences which sometimes divide even families. 3. There remains, therefore, but one course, concerning which, once more, there is no difference of opinion—that the ground should be converted into a churchyard at the expense of the parish, but that access should be given to religious ministers of all denominations to perform the Burial Service over all persons whose friends desire it. 4. We have no choice, therefore, but to wait, at any inconvenience and possible danger, till Parliament sees tit to confer upon villages the power of extending their churchwards subject to this equitable condi- tion as before stated. That I am fairly representing the opinion of the people of Islip I have no doubt whatever. THOMAS W. FOWLE, Hector of Islip. To the Rev. G. T. Cooke, Rural Dean. He thought the feeling which they had evinced was shared by ninety-nine hundredths of the rural laity of England. He wished he could say that the same feeling was shared by any of the rural clergy, but on that point there existed the widest differences of opinion between the clergy and the laity. As a proof of this, he instanced the fact that the protest against Lord Harrowby's clause, which was circulated about a year and a half ago, was signed by only 30,000 of the laity, as against 15,000 clergymen, although the protest was hawked abroad all over the country. (Cries of No, no.") If he were challenged on his facts he would put his word against that of other hon. gentle- men, and he repeated the statement that the 30,000 laymen were probably churchwardens who had been induced by the clergy to sign the documents. He believed that the laity were becoming ashamed of the position which the clergy took upon this question. (Cheers.) They were ashamed of finding that countries like Russia, Austria, and even Turkey, were ten times as liberal in this matter as we were. Why, even Cyprus was miles ahead of us on this subject. Reading an account of the burial of a British soldier in that island, he found that the chaplain of an English vessel performed the ceremony, and that the grave was blessed by a Greek priest. He thought that the poor Greek priest might have taught a leesoR of Christian charity to some of the Anglican clergymen, and if tite re- sult of the acquisition of that unfortunate island should be 1 the assimilation of the burial laws with the laws of less civilised nations, he should feel inclined to condone he means by which that island WAS acquired. He sug- gèIW4 that by the way in which the Government had met thfl Question tnat day they had missed a great oppor- tunity of gracefully conceding to one of their own sup- porters what they had always refused to him. If they had made this concession they would have conferred a boon upon the Nonconformist religious bodies, but he trusted they would believe him when he said that they were not the class who were most deeply interested in the settlement of this question. The Nonconformists could afford to wait. Strong in the justice of their cause, they knew that sooner or later victory on their side must come, and the longer that victory was delayed the more complete it would be in the end. But what about the Church of England? He believed that nothing had done more irre- parable mischief to the Church of England than the Burials Bills. (Hear, hear.) Of course, if hon. gentlemen opposite wished to fall into the hands of the Liberation Society, of which some of them professed so great a horror, it was not for him to balk their efforts but they had Elainly forgotten what the Primate of England, the Arch- ishop of Canterbury, said less than two years ago. The Archbishop said that in the vital interests of the Church of England it was essential that this question should be settled at once and for ever. How then was it to be settled? Did any man with a head upon his shoulders and eyes in his head believe that it could be settled in any other way than upon the lines of this measure ? Fourteen Bills had been brought in to settle it, but if any one of those Bills were to pass into law to-morrow the settlement of this question would not be advanced by a single inch, and it was because he saw in the measure now before the House an earnest attempt to solve the problem that he should give its second reading his cordial and hearty sup- port. (Cheers.) Mr. JOHN ROBERTS wished to say a few words on the subject before the House because it was one in which his constituents and the people of Wales generally felt the deepest interest. (Hear, hear.) He was not going to take up the time of the House and so to help in putting off the division on the Bill—(hear)—by dwelling at any length on the discursive speech of the hon. member who moved the amendment, but he objected to the manner in which he had presumed to divide Nonconformists into sections, and to the motives which he ascribed for their action. The hon. member and others who followed him had spoken repeatedly of political and non-political Dis- senters. He wanted to know why they should speak of litical Dissenters more than of political Churchmen. (Hear, hear.) But, to let that pass, he had been much in- terested in the criticisms of the honourable member for Cambridge University on those clauses of the Bill on which his honourable and learned friend the member for Denbighshire had given notice of amendments, and he trusted that when they went into Committee they might rely on the valuable assistance of the honourable member (laughter)—in making the Bill into what he termed a con- sistent Bill. The hon. member for Mid-Cheshire had said many things on which he would have liked to follow him, but he must refrain for the reason §iven before but the hon. member had said that this question was not merely a clerical one, but one for laymen as well as the clertrv. In that he entirely agreed, and he ventured to say that if the question had been left to the decision of the laymen of the Church it would long since have been settled. (Hear, hear.) In proof of that assertion, he might mention that whereas nearly 15,000 clerical signatures were obtained in a few days to a petition against Lord Har- rowby's amendment in the Lords, a canvass described by a clerical correspondent in the Times as a most energetic one only succeeded in obtaining 28,000 lay signatures to a petition against his hon. and learned friend's resolution, that is less than two lay signatures against that of each clergyman. (Hear, hear). But what he rose to say was that in Wales the difficulty which the Bill of the hon. member for Hertford sought to solve was not an abstract one, not, as lad been said by hon. members opposite a manufactured or fancied grievance, but a real prac- tical grievance with which they were brought into contact al- most daily (Hear, hear.) The majority of the people in Wales were Nonconformists, the cemeteries in the Principality were few in number and very unequally distributed. Such burial grounds as were attached to chapels were generally very limited in area., so that as a matter of fact the parish churchyards in most districts formed the only burial grounds available, and it was unfair that the right to use these parish burial grounds should be clogged with onerous conditions by imposing the use of a service which though beautiful and appropriate was dis- tasteful because it was enforced upon them, and by debarring Nonconformist ministers from saying a word of comfort or of exhortation to their own people at the grave-side of their departed friends. (Cheers.) There had been many instances in which the unfairness and disadvantage of the present state of this law bad been prominently shown. Reference had been made, he believed, n the House before to the funeral of the Rev. Henry Rees, the father-in-law of the hon. member for Anglesey. Nearly 1,000 people had travelled from Liverpool, a distance of eighty miles, to attend the funeral of their pastor, and yet they were not allowed to hear a word spoken in the churchyard by any of the well-- known ministers who were present. (Hear, hear.) Similar cases h;d occurred since that time, and there were many other instances in which inconvenience and scandal had arisen from the present state of the law. He would only refer to one, and he would quote that only because it occurred in the parish in which he lived. At Abergele, last spring, arrangements were duly made for the interment of an old woman in humble circumstances. The hour was fixed, tha bell was tolled, and, as was the custom in Wales, a considerable number assembled to pay their last token of respect to the deceased; but the curate (generally reiy attentive to his duties) had forgotten the engagement, "nu the Vicar not being at home, the interment had to take place without any service, though the minister of the Presby- terian Church, to which the deceased belonged, was at the gra.eside. An old man, however (a layman), ventured LO break the law and to offer up a short prayer before the friends left the churchyard. Those, therefore, who knew the condition of Wales and the feeling of the people there, could readily understand that the Welsh were very anxious to have this grievance removed. (Hear, hear.) He would not enter on the general question. He thought that it was now beyond the scope or the necessity of argument. His hon. and learned friend had four times obtained large majorities for his Bill in the last Parliament, and in the present Conserva- tive House of Commons he was last year only beaten by fifteen votes. The principle for which they contended had been adopted by the House of Lords. No one would venture to assert that the House of Lords was a revolutionary body, fond of innovation, or desirous of subverting the Church of England as by law established, and seeing that the House of Lords had approved of the principle of his honourable and learned friend's Bill, it was idle for honourable gentlemen on the opposite side to say that it was a measure promoted only by political Dis- senters and the hobgoblin which some of them had conjured up in the Liberation Society. (Cheers.) Though the Bill did not meet the views of many of those who sat on the Opposition benches in its present shape, still he hoped it would be car- ried, and with the assistance of the hon. member for the Uni- versityof Cambridge—(laughter)—it would be properly amended in committee, and be made a good and workable measure. He was of opinion that the Bill ought to be passed into law as a measure of justice, for it was not right that the people of England and Wales should be the only people in Europe who were not to be trusted to manage orderly and decent burial. (Cheers.) 0

THE CLERGY AND THE BURIALS QUESTION. Exactly at the hour when the burials question was being discussed in the House of Commons, on Wednesday afternoon, a pleasing incident (says the Bolton Evening News), was taking place at Worsley, which shows how agreeably matters may pass off between Church and Non- conformity in the churchyards of the nation when both parties are so inclined. Mr. John Morton, of Sindsley, a man highly esteemed, president of the Independent Methodist Church there, of which he had been a consis- tent member for over forty years, and who was also vice- president of the Independent Methodist body, was being interred. The friends of the deceased assembled at the chapel, when a brief service was held, Mr. W. Sanderson, of Liverpool, delivering an appropriate address. The funeral procession was then formed, headed by the Sunday school and congregation, succeeded, by the connextional officers and friends from neighbouring towns, the body being followed by the relatives of the deceased, in all 300 or 400 persons. They proceeded to Worsely Church, were the service was read by the Rev. J. Cater, curate, after which he gave a short address, in which he alluded to the departed as a brother in Christ. The reverend gentleman also read the service at the grave, pausing, how- ever, at a certain point, whereupon Mr. W. Oxley, of Manchester, connectional secretary, lined out the hymn commencing Dust to dust we now commit thee, Sleep till Jesus bid thee rise." which was sung by the entire assembly. The clergyman then concluded the service. The connectional officers and friends returned to the school, and unanimously requested the secretary (Mr. Oxley) to write the reverend gentleman, acknowledging the great courtesy and the Christian bro- therly spirit he had shown.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. THE CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY. The following is the Report of the Directors to be submitted to the thirtieth half-yearly general meeting of the Company, to be held at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, on Friday, the 28th day of February, 1879, at two o'clock in the afternoon. The statements of account for the half-year ending 31st December last, show a decrease in the receipts over the corresponding period of the previous year, viz. In- De- 1878. 1877. crease, crease. Passengers, Parcels, Mails, &c. 56,567 56,709 112 Merchandise, Live Stock, and Minerals 49,960 53,325 3,365 Rents, Interest", &c. 4,476 3,947 529 zClll,003 L113,981 529 3,507 '-y-" Net decrease in receipts £ 2,978 The decrease in the traffic receipts has been caused chiefly by the depression of trade, which has specially affected the im- portant part of your revenue arising from the slate and lime and lime stone traffic of your railway. The rent-charges and the interest on the Pre-Preference, Guaranteed, and Debenture Stocks of the Inland Section, and the interest on the Pre-Preference and No. 1 and No. 3 (which takes precedence of No. 2) Coast Debenture Stocks, to 31st Dec. last, have been duly paid. The No. 4 Coast Debenture Stock, and the Arrears of Interest on the No. 2 Stock, referred to in the last half-yearly report, were duly issued and paid on 16th September last. The Engineer and the Superintendent of the Locomotive and Carriage and Waggon Department certify that the works and rolling stock under their charge, respectively, have been main- tained in good order and condition during the half-year. During the past half-year eight miles of the main line have been re-laid with steel rails of a heavier section than the iron rails replaced. Two new powerful passenger engines with Bogie frames, for heavy summer traffic, four third class carriages with brakes attached, and one goods brake van have been added to the rolling stock during the last half-year. The Arbitrators under the Act of 1888 have made their award on the subsidiary questions beteen the Sections referred to them, and they have inter alia determined that the Ordinary Coast Stock has not been converted into Ordinary Stock of the Company. The Directors, with a view to consolidate the Executive, have appointed the Secretary to the combined office of Secretary and General Manager. The Directors continue to use every effort to improve the condition of the undertaking. The provisional period created under the Act of 1868 having terminated on 31st December last, the constitution of the Board reverts to its former number, and therefore the successors of the additional Coast Directors appointed under that Act, viz., Mr. George Henry Loxdale and Mr. Henry George Ashhurst, ceased to be Directors of the Company on 31st December last. The Directors are happy to report that all accounts relating to the arbitration have been arranged, and are in process of pay- ment. The Directors retiring by rotation are Mr. David Davies, M.P., and Mr. Arthur Charles Humphreys-Owen, the former of whom does net seek re-election, but the latter is eligible, and offers himself for re-election. The Auditor retiring is Mr. John Young, who offers himself for re-election. VANE-LONDONDERRY, Chairman. R. D. PRYCE, Deputy-Chairman. GEO. LEWIS, Secretary. Company's Offices, Oswestry, 19th February, 1879. BRECON AND MERTHYR TYDFIL JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY. The following is the report of the Directors :— 1. Traffic.-The annexed statements of accounts, which have been duly audited, show the receipts and traffic during the half- year to have been as follows :— Half-year to Half-year to 31st Dec. 31st Dec. 1878. 1877. Increase Decrease A s. d. R, s. d. 4 s. d. L s. d. Receipts from Passengers, Par- cels, &c., 6,791 18 1.. 7,272 11 5. 480 13 4 Merchandise, Minerals,&c. 23,055 5 7..24,677 1 3.1,621 15 8 Miscellaneous Sources 1,442 19 1.. 1,415 2 6..27 16 7.. TotaJ 31,290 2 9..33,364 15 2.. ,.2074 13 5 Return pet mile per Week, upon the 67t miles worked £ l7 16 7 £ 19 6 3. £ 13 8 Passenger* tomed (number) 169,753.. 172,904. L 3,151 Goods and Minerals carried (tons) 367,388 388,998. 21,610 Mileage of Passen- gertrains(miles) 79,136 77,415.. 1,721 Mileage of goods and mineral trains (miles) 97,239 195,291. 8,052 2. Working Expenditure.-The expenditure on revenue ac- count amounted to L25,299 149. 5d., against 426,214 16s. lid. in the corresponding period of the previous year. 3 Net Revenue.—The result of the half-year's working is an available income of £ 5,990 8s. 4d., against £ 7,149 18s. 3d. in the corresponding half of last year, being a difference of ^*4. Interest and Dividend» have been paid for the half-year on the Rent Charges and Rumney Preference Shares, leaving a balance of £ 4,709 Is. 7d., which will be applied to payment of interest on the "A" Debenture Stock (first issue) for the half- year and for one half-year upon the second issue also, leaving a balance of £ 84 Is. 7d. to be carried forward. 5 Accident Fu?ld. -The Directors have to report that on the 2nd December a very serious accident occurred on the line, at Talybont, attended, they regret to say, with loss of lives to four of the Company's servants, and considerable damage to a por- tion of the rolling stock of the Company, as well as to the trucks of freighters and others, which formed part of the train. The money loss to the Company has not yet been ascertained: but a most careful estimate has been made, and compared with the apparent damage done, it is not expected to be very large. Apart from the catastrophe above-mentioned, the general daims I paid have- drawn upon the Accident Fund to the extent of Z10 5s. 3d. 6. Renewals.-The usual amount of work has been done dur- ing the half-year towards the maintenance of locomotive and carriage and waggon stocks.|One mile 32 chains of line has been relaid with steel rails, making a total of 5 miles 38 chains dur- ing the twelve months. The sum of Zl,547 Os. 7d., which was debited in the last half-year to the Reserve Fund on account of relaying, has in the accounts now submitted been charged to revenue, so that the whole cost of relaying this extent of line has beenfnow charged in due course. The amount requisite for making good the damage to the permanent way caused by the accident at Talyboat will not exceed Z120, and some portion of this has already been charged in the accounts. 7. Works.-No expenditure has been charged to capital works account in the pas- half-year. 8. Directors. lb accordance with the Company's Act, Mr. D. Davies and Mr. A. Temple vacate their seats as Share and A and B" Debenture Stock Directors respectively; and Mr. C. C. Massey also vacates his seat as C" Debenture Stock Director. Being eligible, they are all severally proposed for re- election 9. Auditors.—In accordance with the Act, Mr. James Wad- dell also retires, but offers himself for re-election. H. G. ASHHURST, Chairman, W. THOMPSON, Secretary. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of the London and North-Western Railway Company was held at Euston, pn Saturday, February 22. Mr. R. Moon, the chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, referred to the question of passenger duty, which he designated as unjust and tyrannical. On the subject of brakes, he said they set their faces against self-acting brakes. All their local trains were supplied with the description of brake they had chosen, and it only remained to fit it to the through trains. Formal resolutions were passed carryinu out the recommenda- tions of the report.

"Tumble over and die on the spot."— HILL'S MAGIC VER- MIN KILLER is certain death to Rats, Mice, Ants, Beetles, Cockroaches, and all kinds of Vermin. Sold by chemists, &c., in packets, 3d., 6d., and Is., and by the proprietor, E. Hill, Wellington, Somerset. Sent post free for 7 or 14 stamps.—Lon- don Agents: Barclays, Sangers, &c. Local Agent: G. J. Saunders chemist' Oswestry. It has been a general complaint in Aberystwyth and the neighbourhood, when purchasing tin ware goods, that it was almost impossible to get them repaired. For the convenience of the public, and his own benefit as well, Mr. David Ellis, Ironmonger, opposite the Police Station, Aberystwyth,has thereforeengagedanexperiencedtinmnn, who is now working on the premises, and doing all kinds of repairs and new work. RECKITT'S PARIS BLUE. —The marked superiority of this Laundry Blue over all others, and the quick appre- ciation sf its merits by the public has been attended with the usual result, viz. a flood of imitations the merit of the latter mainly consists in the ingenuity exerted, not simply in imitating the square shape, but making the general appearance of the wrappers resemble that of the genuine article. The manufacturers beg, therefore, to caution all buyers to see Reckitt's Paris Blue" on each packet.

THE NEW SHERIFFS. The following are amongst the Sheriffs appointed by her Majesty in Council for the year 1879 WALES. BRECON SHIRE. -David Evans, of Lion-street, Brecon, Esq. CARDIGANSHIRE.—Thomas Parry Horsman, of Castle Howell, near Llandissil, Esq. CARMARTHENSHIRE.—Edward SchawProtheroe, of Dolwillim, Esq. CARNARVONSHIRE.—Henry Kneeshaw, of Tanyfoel, Penmaen- mawr, Esq. DE'BIG IIS HIRE. -RieLiard Myddelton Biddulph, of Chirk Castle, Chirk, Esq. FLINTSHIRE.-Meadows Frost, of Meadows-lea, Esq. ,NIERIO.NETHSIIIRE.-David Davis, of Tynycoed, Dolgelley, Esq. MONTGOMERYSHIRE.—Colonel George Edward Herbert, of Glanhafren. RADNORSHIRE.—Edwin Lucas Pease, of Court House, Cas- cob, Esq. ENGLAND. CHESHIRE.—Charles Hosken France-Hayhurst, of Bostock H Lil, Middlewich, Esq. SHROPSHIRE.—Henry de Grey Warter, of Longden Manor, Esq. STAFFORDSHIRE.—Augustus East Manley, of Manley Hall, Lichtield, Esq.

CHANCERY DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. RE PALIN.—PALIN T. BROOKES AND OTHERS. In this action, instituted by the widow of the late Mr. Richard Palin, of Shrewsbury, against the three executors of his will, Dr. Brookes, Mr. Henry Wade, and Mr. Charles Smith Thomas, and asking for accounts and other relief, the partners in the firm of Messrs. Palin, Wade, and Thomas, being also made defendants, a motion came before Vice-Chancellor Bacon on Thursday, the 13th of February, when Sir Henry Jackson (with whom was Mr. Brett), on behalf of the plaintiff, moved for the appoint- ment of a receiver by the Court for the protection of the plaintiff, upon the grounds of alleged breaches of their duties by the three executors, in not having rendered any accounts, and in allowing assets to be placed at the abso- lute control of Messrs. Wade and Thomas, acting as solici- tors for the executors, and in con: e [uence of the manner in which it was admitted, that on some occasions some of the moneys belonging to the estate had been applied by Messrs. Wade and Thomas to purposes not relating to the estate of the late Mr. Palin. Mr. Hemming, Q.C., and Mr. Rowden appeared for all of the defendants, and after hearing the arguments of counsel, the following judgment was delivered by the Vice- Chancellor The Vice Chancellor-I should have been willing, and I suggested that this matter might stand until the further information which is promised by Mr. Wade's affidavit, and which it is said will be furnished by means of the schedule of documents to the affidavit so filed. I should have been glad that the matter should stand over, and thac we should see a little more of it; but I have no power to compel the plaintiff to adopt such a course, and Sir Hepry Jackson positively declines to do so, so that I must deal with this motion, if there be materials upon which I can make an order, and the plaintiff has a right if there are such materials to insist on having all order granted in her favour. The case, as far as the appoint- ment of a receivership goes, at least is not complicated. More than two years ago the testator died. It was plainly the duty of the executors to keep an account from the time of his death, and if they had kept accounts there could have been no difficulty in proposing that as the plaintiff's solicitors were entitled to see them, they might ask leave to inspect them. I do not gather from what has been stated that the executors have kept any account whatever. I do understand that Mr. Wade says that, acting on behalf of the executors, he opened the account which he dedicated to the business of the executorship. That is not a proper executorship account, and if it was, there is no such definite intelligent descrip- tion in that account as that I can say whether it is or not accurate, and to be adopted, be- cause the statement is that the separate account, as it is called, either No. 1 or No. 2—it matters not which —has been made use of by the firm in which Mr. Wade is a partner for their purposes and on some occasions, and that is a very improper mode of dealing with the account. It has been suggested somewhat faintly that if the account is taken the balance of the No. 1 account would appear to be against the estate-I mean the banking account. I cannot adopt that statement. The account is not before me, and there is no verification of it. The executors say nothing of themselves, but the solicitor who is employed by them—and to whom they seem to have delegated all their powers—says that for them. Now, the delegation of powers contained in the partnership articles, which is to be attended to, is this: the testator having, by his articles of partnership, contemplated the fact of his dying-and his great illness made that exceedingly probable-provided that such surviving partners or partner should, as soon as possible, and within three years-not more than three I years-" frem his decease and without charge beyond ex- penses out of pocket, use their and his best endeavours to get in and pay to his executors or administrators, such mortgage debts, notes, and other securities and debts owing to the said testator alone, or to his executors or administrators, as such executors or administrators should require to be so got in." Then there is a provision that their own share shall be deducted from what they are to pay. That does not do more, or authorize the executors to do more, than employ them as their solicitors. That does not authorize them to hand over the whole management of the estate to the solicitors; and the manner in which it has been dealt with is one which the executors cannot possibly justify, al- though they may be able to show in the result that by means of that or some other account they may possibly have discharged their duties as far as the accounts go to the testator's estate. I think the letters which are in evidence addressed by Mr. Peele to Mr. Wade, and also to the executors themselves deserve a very differ- ent answer from that which has been given. I am ready to believe what the defendants say, or rather what Mr. Wade says—namely, that the accounts of the testator's estate maybe complicated, is accurate; but that is no rea- son why within two years after his death they ought not to have been settled. On the contrary, it furnishes the strongest evidence for saying that if the executors had had a proper sense of their duties, and had exercised a proper dis- cretion in the discharge of them, they would have unravelled this complication of accounts in justice to the estate they represent, and settled all these questions. The testator has mixed up client's monays with his own, and has taken a security in his own name, and that being the case it was the plain duty of the executors promptly to analyze those accounts, and show what was due to the testator's estate. At this moment the executors, who ought to be in pos- session of the testator's estate, are not, as I understand it, possessed of any part of it, that they have delegated the right to possess it to Mr. Wade and his partners, or to Mr. Wade alone. I do not know which, nor does it sig- nify, he is alone the person, or they are alone the persons who can deal with these accounts, and are in possession of all the testator's assets, except such as they have been unable to obtain. I think, under these circumstances, I am bound to accede to this motion, which asks that the property of the testator, and the assets which the execu- tors have somewhat abandoned their duty to preserve, should now be placed in the custody of the law, and should be protected by the appointment of a receiver. Sir Henry Jackson-Does my friend object to the person I propose ? If so it must go to chambers. Mr. Hemming—It will be the common order appoint- ment a receiver. Sir Henry Jackson-This is not the time or place to contest.it. It must go to chambers. The Vice-Chancellor—Yes, it must go to chambers. Sir Henry Jackson-As I have told my lord, I will apply at chambers. Mr. Hemming-I am now told that there is no objec- tion to the gentleman whom you propose. Let that gentleman be appointed. Sir Henry Jackson: Very well, my lord. The gentle- man whom we propose is a gentleman of the name of Eyton, of the firm of Rocke, Eyton and Co., bankers, of Shrewsbury, and I have an unusually strong affidavit of I bis fitnegg, The Vice-Chancellor: I will have the minutes of the order signed by the junior council. Sir Henry Jackson: If your lordship pleases. The Vice-Chancellor: The juniors on each side will be I so good as to sign the minute before it is handed over to the registrar. Sir Henry Jackson The name of the gentleman whom I propose is Thomas Slaney Eyton. After what I have said my application as to allowance must be made in chambers. Perhaps we had better go to the chambers for that. Mr. Hemming It had better remain for the present. The Vice-Chancellor Yes, there is no order upon that now. You will apply in chambers. Sir Henry Jackson Of course the real estate is our own, and we are in possession of that now. The Vice-Chancellor: That isnot affected by this motion in the slightest degree. Mr. Hemming Certainly not. The Vice-Chancellor: Yeu are in possession of it, Sir Henry Jackson, as I understand. Sir Henry Jackson Yes, my lord, we are in possession. My learned friend wishes me to mention the costs of this receivership motion. The costs of the motion are always costs in the cause if you succeed, and I am sure your lordship does not want me to say so. The Vice-Chancellor Oh, no, certainly not.

THE AFGHAN WAR. SHERE ALI. The Mollahs have held a meeting at Jellalabad, in the Eresence of Wali Mahomed, the Ameer's half-brother, and ave come to the conclusion that as Shere Ali has sought Russian help, it would be unlawful to make a religious demonstration in his favour. The correspondent of the New York Herald telegraphs from Tashkend that General Kauffman bad received a letter from the military surgeon he had left with the Ameer, stating that he had no hope of saving the life of Shere Ali, who was suffering from gangrene, extending down the whole of his left side. The Ameer's ambassadors on their arrival at Tashkend alleged that they had received a letter from him three days later in date than that on which the Russian military surgeon left with him reported to General Kauffmann that Shere Ali's illness was of such a character that he could not live many days. The ambassadors asserted that in their letter the Ameer spoke confidently of a speedy and complete recovery. After consultation with his medical staff, who were of opinion that full confidence should be placed in the communication their colleague, General Kauffman determined to await further instructions from St. Petersburg before receiving the ambassadors, as in the event of Shere Ali's death their powers would need con- firmation by his successor.

Mr. John Clarke, the popular comedian, died of con- sumption on Thursday, Feb. 20. Mr. Clarke's connection with the London stage dated from 1852. „

THE EXECUTION OF CHARLES PEACE. In the quietude of the prison yard, just within Armley Gaol, Charles Peace was executed at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, Feb. 25. At a quarter to eight o'clock large numbers of people had assembled. They crowded in Oak-road and the adjacent thoroughfares. In the meantime four representatives of the press had been ad- mitted to the prison to witness the execution. At eight o'clock a warder mounted the tower near the gaol entrance, and five minutes afterwards ran up the black flag, amid the shouting of the crowd. Peace went to sleep at a quarter past one o'clock on Tuesday morning, and, awak- ing a short time afterwards, was joined by Mr. Keene, the gaol governor. That gentleman stayed with the con- demned man a short time, and the chaplain, the Rev. O. Cookson, entered the cell, and remained with Peace until about two o'clock. The convict then went to bed, and slept soundly until about a quarter to six o'clock. The chaplain then joined him again, and soon afterwards Peace breakfasted. He ate heartily, and seemed to enjoy his food. He conversed freely with the chaplain, and ex- pressed regret at the life he had led, but made no con- fession. Precisely at eight o'clock, Peace, pinioned and supported by two warders, emerged from the western portion of the prison yard. Arriving at the steps leading to the scaffold, Peace did not hesitate in the least, but walked firmly to the trap. Just as Marwood was about to put on the cap, Peace, with a wave of his hand, dis- sented. God have mercy upon me, God have mercy upon me, Christ have mercy upon me," he said. Then addressing the reporters, he said, "Gentlemen," but the executioner did not hear him, and he said to Marwood, "Do stop a bit if you please." Alarwood immediately desisted, and Peace, turning to the reporters, said: Gentlemen, I wish you to notice a few words I am going to say. You know that my life has been base and bad, but I desire to show you, the reporters, how a man can die-a man who dies in the fear of the Lord. I feel sure my sins are forgiven, and that I am going to the Kingdom of Heaven, or else to the place prepared for those who rest until the Judgment Day. I hope I have no enemies, but if I have I freely forgive them all. I wish them well, and hope to see them all in the Kingdom of Heaven." Turning to the Governor he said, Good-bye, good-bye and may Heaven's blessing rest upon you, and may you come to the Kingdom of Heaven. My last wishes are that you send my lasting respects to my dear children and their mother, and I hope no one will disgrace them by taunting or jeering them about the life I have led, and the end to which I have come. May God's blessing rest upon my dear children. Good-bye, good-bye; may God in Heaven bless you Himself." The chaplain con- tinued to read the service, but Peace interrupted him again, saying, I should like to have a drink; can any of you get me a drink ?" His interruption was not noticed; by the chaplain, who went on reading, but Peace per- sisted in his attempts to obtain a drink. His efforts were fruitless, however, for just as the chaplain read the words Into Thy hands I commend my spirit," Marwood, who had adjusted the cap and rope, moved the lever, the door fell, and Peace dropped instantly. He entirely disappeared from view with a drop of eight feet, and death was imme- diate-in fact, he never moved after he fell. As soon as the black flag was hoisted the crowd outside the gaol quickly dispersed. After the execution the body remained suspended until nine o'clock, when it was cut down and conveyed to the dead house. The bloodless face appeared very little altered. At eleven o'clock the usual inquest was held upon the body. The culprit's age was stated in the coro- ner's inquisition to be 47, but he appeared older. The crowd around the gaol numbered about 400. THE CONVICT'S STATEMENTS REGARDING THE WHALLEY RANGE AND BANNER CROSS MURDERS. At the request of the convict, the Rev. J. H. Little- wood, vicar of Darnall, Sheffield, attended at Armley Gaol, Leeds, on Wednesday, to hear his confession. Mr. Littlewood knew him when he resided at Darnall, and the convict has always had great confidence in him. In the course of his statement about the Whalley Range murder, Peace said that in 1876 he went to Whalley Range, Manchester, to commit a burglary, and that he all but fell in the arms of a policeman who must have been planted for him. "This policeman (he continued)—I do not know his name—made a grab at me. My blood was up. So I told him, 'You stand back, or I'll shoot you.' He didn't stand back, and I stepped back a few yards and fired wide at him, purposely to frighten him, that I might get away. Whether you believe me or not, I never wanted to murder anybody. I have never willingly or knowingly hurt a living creature. But the policeman was as determined a man as myself, and after I had fired wide at him I observed him seize his staff, which was in his pocket, and he was rushing at me, aud about to strike me. I then fired the second time, but all I wanted to do then was to disable the man that carried the staff, in order that I might get away. I had no in- tentioR of killing him. We had a scuffle together. I could not take as careful an aim as I would have done, and the ball missing the arm struck him in the breast, and he fell." He afterwards said he was present at the trial of two brothers for the murder of the policeman, and heard the youngest of them sentenced to death." The prisoner afterwards made a long statement in regard to the Bannercios's murder, the purport of which was thatjhe went to Mr. Dyson's premises for the purpose of inducing Mrs. Dyson to withdraw the warrant which was out against him, and that he shot Mr. Dyson in a life and death struggle, not intending to kill him. Minute enquiries have been made by the Lancashire police in respect to Peace's confession of having murdered the policeman, the result being, it is said, that his story is wholly discredited.

THE LIVERPOOL STRIKE. In consequence of the slight disorder which occurred on the previous day, the borough magistrates decided on Saturday, Feb. 22nd, not to allow any more outdoor meetings of the dock labourers on strike. This resolution was communicated to the chief spokesmen of the labourers in the course of the day, and a promise was at once forth- coming that no more such meetings should be convened. The strike of dock labourers in Liverpool and Birken- head is reported to have collapsed, the men having de- cided to resume work on the terms offered by the ship- owners.

THE LATE MR. JOHN PARRY. Mr. John Parry died or. Thursday morning, Feb. 20th; at Moulsey, in the 69th year of his age. The son of a composer of some repute, he became in early life a concert singer, and in course of time started the peculiar entertainments with which his name is so closely asso- ciated. From 1860, to 1869, he was with Mr. and Mrs. German Reed, at the Gallery of Illustration. He formally retired from the stage about two years ago.—Mr. Parry was a native of Denbigh. The following is extracted from a leading article in the Standard :-By the death of Mr. John Parry musical art has lost one of the most dexterous and expressive pianists. He was in his way a genuine artist, of a highly finished and imaginative kind. He was an artist, too, not merely on the stage or in the concert hall, but in the studio. Many of his water-colours were really exquisite. He had an innate refinement and judgment which enabled him in whatever he delineated, whether with the voice, or the keys of the pianoforte, or with his pencil, never to miss those due proportions in the failure to attain which vulgarity consists. As a youth Mendelssohn recognised his powers, and when he bade the young man adieu it was with the remark that he had a great future before him. On the whole, the confident prediction of the august expert was fulfilled. John Parry both made hib mark in the musical world, and may be re- garded as the founder of a school. He had studied music scientifically from a child, and when first he became known as an entertainer he brought to his work extensive and varied experience. Thirty years have passed since he made his bow to the public in that capacity. The entertainment was not, indeed, unknown before his time, but John Parry gave to that mode of popular amusement a grace, dignity, and elegance which itTiad not previously possessed. It was, indeed, in his hands something genencally new. He may not have always composed the words of his songs —indeed the words ef many of them were written by Albert Smith but the music was invariably original, while more original still was the fashion in which these songs were rendered. Each successive strain that he poured forth was a success. He seemed to have received the benediction of the good fairy, and his words were trans- muted into jewels of great price. Those who are now middle-aged—or shall we say, a little more than middle- aged ? — will remember the immense popularity that was the lot of Wanted a Wife," "Country Commissions," Blue Beard, Fair Rosamond. Parry was a passable vocalist, a consummate instrument- alist, and a born actor. When he took his seat at the piano you really had before you three separate individuali- ties. It is net necessary for persons to have reached Thackeray's "age of wisdom" to recognise the justice of this description. Little more than a decade ago "The Wedding Breakfast" and "The Musical Party," at the Gallery of Illustration, were the delight of the town. The curtain rose and displayed a middle-aged gentleman, of much the same light build and airy manner as the late Charles Mathews, in evening dress, seated before a piano. That was all the apparatus which the magician wanted. The fingers ran lightly and at random over the keys, the player keeping up the while an easy chat with his audience. He prepared his hearers for what was coming, and told them who were coming. Presently they came. What the concert is to the opera, the entertainment is to the theatre. A visit to the theatre presents itself as more or less of a serious undertaking to many estimable peo- ple. The entertainment is shorter as to time, and simpler as to quality. For the place which it has thus acquired, and the associations with which it has thuslclothed itself, it is mainly if not entirely indebted to the art, the grace, we may even say the genius, of John Parry.

The Prince of Wales left London on Saturday evening, for the Continent. FOREIGN GRAIN.-We have received from Messrs. J. W. Deighton and Co., Corn Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, a table showing the fluctuations in the value of foreign grain in Liverpool during the year 1878. Average Califor man wheat started the year at 12s. 9d. the cental of 100 lbs but fell gradually in price, until at the end of June it was quoted at 10s. The price rose to 10s. 6d. in August, but then fell gradually to 9s. and 9s. 3d. at the end of the year. No. 1 and No. 2 American spring wheat stood at lis. 6d, and 11s. respectively in January, but had fallen to lOs. 6d. and 10s. in March. There was a rise of 6d. in April, a fall to 8s. 9d. and 8s. 6d. at the end of June. No. 1 then fluctuated between 9s. 9d. and 9s. 3d., and saw the year out at 9s. 6d., when American winter wheat stood at 8s. 9d, and 9s., and No. 3 American spring at 7s. 3d. and 7s. 6d. White Canadian peas started 1878 at 37s. the 504 lbs., fell gradually to 34?. in July, 33s. in October, and from 32s. to 32s. 6d. in December. Egyptian Saidi beans stood in January at 32. 9d., and rose that month to 33s. 9d. the 480 lbs.; in March they were as high as 35s., in April at 37s. 6d., in June at 34s., in July at 40s., in September at 50s., down again in November to 37s., at which price they saw out the year. American mixed corn in January stood at 29s. the 480 lbs., which price was not maintained, and falling gradually in June this corn was quoted at 22s. The price rose to 24s. in November, and at the end of the year stood between 22s. and 23s. West of Ireland oats starting at 3s. 6d. the 45 lbs., rose at the end of January to 3s. 7d., and ran through April at 3s. 8d., July, August, and September, at 3s. 7d., and in October the new came in at 3s. Id., and saw the year out at 2s. lOd. American linseed cake was quoted in January at 210 5s. per ton, but fell in February to t9 2s. 6d., and in March to £ 815s. It touched 98 10s, in June, £9 in July, 98 7s. 6d. in Nov., and saw the year out at 28 10s. The Bank of England rate of discount, which the circular also gives, was lowered on January 10 from 4 to 3 per cent., and on the 31st to 2 per cent., on the 28th March the rate was raised to 3 per cent., on the 30th May it was reduced to 2 per cent., it was again raised to 3 per cent. on the 27th June, on the 4th July to 3 per cent., on the 1st August to 4 per cent., on the 12th to 5 per cent., and on the 14th October to 6 per cent. On the 21st November the rate was reduced to 5|per eent., where it stood at the end of the year,

BUSINESS ADDRESSES. ESTABLISHED 1812. Proctor and Ryland's Bone Manures, PREPARED FOR TURNIPS, GRASS, WHEAT, BARLEY, OATS, POTATOES, &C. ALSO, SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. BIRMINGHAM AND CHESTER. A Price List, with particulars of Prizes offered for 1879, post free on application. AGENTS: Mr. JOEL MORGAN, Bryn-yr-ychain, Aberystwyth. Mr. JOHN HUMPHREYS, Coal Merchant, Towyn. Mr. WILLIAM MORGAN, Llanfihangel, Borth. I Mr. R. GILLART, junior, Llynlloedd, MachynUeth. Messrs. JOHN EVANS and SON, Llanbedr. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. STOCK-TAKING SALE. H. R PUG-HE, 2, LITTLE DARKGATE-STKEET, ABERYSTWYTH, JgEGS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HIS STOCK-TAKING SALE WILL COMMENCE ON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY Ii3T, ASTONISHING BARGAINS TERMS—CASH. .t STEAM SAW MILLS, ABERYSTWYTH. R. ROBERTS and SONS, TIMBER AND SLATE MERCHANTS, HAVE JUST DISCHARGED PRIME CARGOES OF SPRUCE DEALS, FIRST QUALITY BALTIC RED PINE, AND RED DEALS, THEY HAVE ALSO IN STOCK A LARGE QUANTITY OF WHITE AND RED FLOORING BOARDS, YELLOW PINE & PITCH PINE LOGS, & PITCH PINE FLOORING BOARDS, PLANED, TONGUED, AND GROOVED. SAWING, PLANING, MOULDING, &c., BY MACHINERY. A Number of Well-made WHEELBARROWS on Sale. F I RE WOO D. RELIANCE HOUSE, GREAT DARKGATE STREET, (Opposite the Meat Market,) and 7, PIER STREET. WILLIAM PROBIN, WORKING LAPIDARY, JEWELLER, AND SILVERSMITH, BEGS to inform the Gentry, Inhabitants, and Visitors of Aberystwyth, that lie has now on hand a well- selected Stock of Diamond Rings, Wedding Rings, Signet Rings, and Gem Rings. Bright and coloured Gold Jewellery, in all its branches, made upon the premises. Every article warranted. Also a large Stock of Whitby Jet and Bog Oak Ornaments. Old Gold and Silver purchased. Wholesale and Retail Dealer in New and Second-hand Plate. ROBERT ELLIS'S QUININE DENTIFRICE, FOR WHITENING AND PRESERVING THE TEETH AND STRENGTHENING THE GUMS. ROBERT ELLIS, PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST, TERRACE ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH (Four doors from Marine Terrace.) T. POWELL & CO., MARKET STREET, ABERYSTWYTH. AVING purchased a large quantity of FINE TEAS are prepared to supply the Gentry and Inhabitants JLJL of town and country at prices and quality that will compare favourably with any London house. TERMS OASH. Good strong Common Tea, 1/6; Ditto Morning, 2/- (usual price about 2/9), Fine Kaisow, 2/6; very fine Ditto, 3/- Id. less for 6-lb. tins charged 2d. for half-chests. SELLING OFF! SELLING OFF!! GREAT BARGAINS IN DRAPERY GOODS! DANIEL THOMAS, WISHES to inform his customers and the public generally that his FIRST CLEARANCE SALE will commence next SATURDAY (TO-MORROW), 8th FEBRUARY, and continue for ONE MONTH, rirfnlna t? 18 £ >reatly. reduced, in order that they may be cleared to make room for SPRING and SUMMER GOODS. Remnants will be sold at "nearly half-price. Here is a rare opportunity for those with LITTLE MflOTV to get the VALUE OF MUCH; so please come early so as to secure the best bargains. TERMS: ONE PRICE AND READY MONEY ONLY. NOTE THE ADDRESS- DANIEL THOMAS, 8, LITTLE DARKGATE-STREET (OPPOSITE THE INFIRMARY), ABERYSTWYTH. ELLIS WILLIAMS, GREENGROCER, FRUITERER, AND LICENSED DEALER IN GAME, NEW MARKET HALL, TERRACE-ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH. In consequence of spurious imitations of LEA & PERRINS' SAUCE, Which are calculated to deceive the Public, Lea and Perrins have adopted A NEW LABEL, bearing their signature, thus, < Which is placed on every bottle of "WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE, and without which none is genuine. e- Sold Wholesale by the Proprietors, Worcester; Crosse and BlaehweU, London; and Export Oilmen generally. Retail, by Dealers in Sauces throughout the World. "ABSOLUTELY PURE." SEE ANALYSES:-Sent Post Free on Application. Fill Q'C CRYSTAL SPRINGS. LM 1^^ IHBI I 4^) Soda, Potass, Seltzer, Lemonade, also Water (OT ft i ""T" I I I K I without Alkali. For bv S 1 I BJ I i\l GOUT, Lithia Water, and IPH jjjw [Bp %asP H I I I I Lithia and Potass Water. 1pM«'AMBTT)!/ )) t** REGISTERED. W W # t) ™ ■ "IIGISTEBRYTZMD. WATERS. CORKS BRANDED R- ELLIS & SON, RUTHIN,' and every label bears their Trade Mark. Sold everywhere, and wholesale of R. EliLIS & SON, RUTHIN, NORTH WALES. LAND ORDER a&t Are granted by the Agent- General for South Australia, to all persons approved as suitable, who are in sound health, and have not previously resided in Australia. They must pay their own pas- sages, and proceed DIRECT to ADELAIDE, South Australia, and reside in the Colony for two years. WARRANTS of the Oil Value of c& £ U Forms of Application and other information may be obtained from THE AGENT-GENERAL FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 8, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, London, S.W. j CROSSE & BLAOKWELL'S f SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE In 1-lb. and 2-lb. Pots of full weight, IS SOLD BY GROCERS THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM. CROSSE & BLACKWELL PURVEYORS TO THE QUEEN, SOHO SQUARE, IjOHSTODOIN". Twelve Prize Medals-PARIS, VIENNA, PHILADELPHIA. ■, .mmmm—mmwmit——w—————— ——