Monmouthshire Merlin

MEMORY. *OH what a priceless treasure Heaven cast iLponthe storm-tossed mind, to chain the past— And gi»2 back every wrecked delight again, In pratine gladness, to the poet's brain resn as the early spring, each buoyant thought jCwnes thronging home, with fairy fancies fraught! lhat trusted time, when pleasure hath full scope, And earth seems one vast magazine of hope— Progressive years but adding to our joy What aspirations between man and boy! What proud resolves t what dariog projects wrought! The future statesman spoke-the hero fought 1 A cloud passed over Nature's glowing face, Where said experience left a darkened trace— And first Misfortune felled the heart, huw low It never rose above the deadening blow I la this the same enchanting, blithesome world, Where pleasure's radiant banner was unfurled I And expectation, vritl* its glistening wing, its gleam ofgladaest o'er the heart would-fling ? Yes-every floweret of the earth's still clad In gorgeous \int.! the song of binJs'as glad I The sky's as bright I-but-in my heart a gloom, Cheerless and dismal as a sunless tomb! Tis well 'tis so 1 -for, if the world, in sooth, Kept the samo charms which fascinated youth— How wean the heart from its allurements 1 How Prepare the soul to pay its Anal vow ? its passport to the grave I-to rise again, P lIre and unspotted trom each earth-born stain— Meet to abide, where saints and angels dwell And all the mercies of the Godhead tell t11 hymns-of triumph, which through heaven resound, Wliilst universal gladness reigns around— A iid MEMORY yieldetli, from its hidden store, What lends to Paradise a joy the more. -=.

THE COMPLAINT OF THE DYING YEAR. Reclining on a couch of fallen leaves, wrapped in a fleecy mantle, with withered limbs, hoarse voice, and snowy beard, appears a venerable old man. His pulse beats feebly; his breath becomes shorter; he exhibits every mark of approaching dissolution. This is old Eight Hundred and Thirty-uine; and as every class ofraadera must remember him a young man, as -rosy and biithesome as themselves, they will, perhaps, feel in- terested in hearing some of his dying expressions, with a few particulars of his past life. His existence is still likely to be prolonged a few days by the presence of his daughter Decern- per, the last and sole surrivor of his twelve fair children; but is thought the father and daughter will expire together. The following are some of the expressions, which were taken down as they fell from his lips:—" I am," said he, the son of old father Time, and the latest of a numerous progei^y,—fur he has bad no fewer than five thousand eight nundred and ninety-nine of us ) but it has ever been his fate to see one child TK before another was born. It is the opinton of some, that his own copAtitu-tion is beginning to break up, andthtt he has given birth to a hundred or two more of us, his IT HE then himself will be no more." c^led for his account-book, and;turned e paper with a sorrowful eye. He has kept, it appears, acc°uat of the momenta, minutes, houts. and months, which he has issued and subjoined, in some .places, memoranda of the uses towhich they have been applied, and of the losses he has sustained. These particulars it would be tedious to detail, and perhaps the recollection of the* reader rnaj furnish them as well or better; but we must notice one circumstance ;—upon turning to a certain page in his accounts, the old man was much affected, and the tears streamed down his cheeks as he examined it. This was the register of tin forty-nine Sundays which he had issued, and, which, of all the wealth he had to dispose of, have been, it appears, the mos. scandalously wasted* "These," said he, were most pre cious gifts. I had but fifty-two of them to bestow. Alas how lightly they have been esteemed Here, upon referring back to certain old memorandums, he found a long list of vuv. s and resolutions, which had a particular reference to these iifty- two Sundays. This, with a mingled emotion of grief and anger, he tore into a hundred pieces, and threw them on li< was endeavouring to warm his shivering "I feel, however," said he, "more pity than indignation towards these offenders, since they were far greater enemies t" iciuselves than to me. But there are a few outrageous ones, by whom 1 have been defrauded of so much of my substance, that '^ink of them with patience, particularly heard and Pf°crastination, of whom every body has father of ninph° v- a-wn to wronged my venerable ruffians SWn li ProPerty. There are also threq noted fered m'uck » an" Pleasure, from whom I have suf- under >rpi; *.C8rUJn busy-body called Dress, who. Mro rtC ,of makinS the most of me, and taking great ? steals away more of my gifts than any two of them. As tor me, all must acknowledge that I have performed my part towards my friends and foes. I have fulfilled my ut- most promise, and been more bountiful than many of my prede- cessors. My twelve fair children have, each in their turn, aided my exertions; and their various tastes and dispositions have all conducted to the general good.—Mild February, who sprin- kled the naked boughs with delicate buds, and brought his wonted offering ef early flowers, was not of more essential eervice than that rude blustering boy, March, who though violent m his temper, waa well-intentioned and useful. April, •a gentle, tender-hearted girl, wept for his loss, yet cheered me w i }?any a sn*ile. June came, crowned with rosss, and sparkling ia sunbeams, and laid up a store of costly ornaments for her luxuriant successors; but I cannot stop to enivmeraK the good qualities and graces of all my children. You. my poor December, dark in your complexion, and cold in your temper, greatly resemble my first-born January, with this dif- ference, that he was moat prone to anticipation, and yout" reflection. 1. 1 If there should be any who, when hearing my dying la- mentation, may feel regret that they have not treated me more- kindly, 1 would beg leave to hint, that it is yet in their power to make some compensation for their past conduct, by render- ing me, during my few remaining davs, as much service as is in their power. Let them testify the sincerity of their sorrow ™ nLr\edlat,° altcra:i- in behaviour. It would give witlfresnect' ?p!asure to my only surviving child treated' siderable Dart of m° 0M sllght.,1?er offerings; she has a cou- emnlovid^ 1 y.pr0p^ty stlJ110 ^P080 of> if well there is orm n o8°°^ accouilt- Not to mention the rest, Sund1a>'y?t. her gift; it would cheer the past 3 ow ^lat this had been better prized than 'S Y0,7Jikely that, at least after my decease, many may i upou themselves for their misconduct towards me; to suca i would leave it as my dying injunction, not to waste time a unavailing regret; all their wishes and repentance will not recall me to life. I shall never, never return! I would rather earnestly recommend to their regard my youthful successor, whose appearance is shortly expected. I cannot hope to sur- vive long enough to introduce him; but I would fain hope that ne will meet with a favourable reception; and that, in addition, to the flattering honours which greeted my birth, and the fair promises which I received, my hopes, more diligent exertion and more persevering efforts may be expected. Let it be remembered, that one honest endeavour is worth ten fair promises." Having thus spoken, the Old Year fell back on his couch nearly exhausted, and trembled so violently as to shake the last shadow of yellow leaves from his canopy. Let us all hasten to testify our gratitude for bis services, and repentance for the abuse of them, by improving the remaining days of hi, exist- ence, and by remembering the solemn promises we made him in his youth.

c THE PENNY POST, COMMENCING FROM THE TENTH DAY OF JANUARY. All tetters to be sent under stamped covers, of which foci kinds will be provided. The scale of weight, already established for .'ciieral post letters, to be extended to the Loudon district, and oilier local post letters. rr j ^-ar=? 00 all I<J,ters passing between one part of th. tnited Kingdom and another, whether bv the general post o tne London district, or other local post, to be one penn.v pel single rate. 1 Such postages to be prepaid—if not prepaid, to be churuee double on delivery. After the 10th of January, the privilege of franking both par- liawentary and oflioialto cease. The printed votes and proceedings of the Imperial Parliament or of the Colonial Legislatures, if sent as now required bv the law, to be charged as follows, whether passing from one part of the {Jnited Kingdom to another, or between the United Kingdom and tho Colonics, provided they do not pass through France, or to the Efcst Indies, via Faliuoath :— Not exceeding 2 oz. in weight, one peaDy. Exceeding 2 oz., an not exceeding 4 oz two-pence. And so on, an additional penny for every two ounces, withoot limitation as to weiubt; sucn charge to be the same whether prepaid or not. lo prevent delay in sending off letters by the great influx of parhamentary papery the despatch of snch papers may he delayed for twenty-four hoars, at the discretion of the, foft- muter-Gltneral. The privileges now attaobed to addresses to Her Majesty, to parftameotary petitions, to newspspers, and to the letters of soldiers and sailors engaged 10 service abroad, to remain unaltered, except that a soldier or sailor's single letter will he laterpreted to mean, a letter not exceeding half an ounce III weight. f ill *D^ Pr'v'^e?e(^ lttter or other article become liable to the nU letter rates of postage, snch rates to be charged according d° e. sc rates herein established for letters. The trebh 0 w"lcb newspapers in certain cases become liable to be calcubted according to the same scale. ow, £ exceptions to the regulations which re- stnet the amouut of weight to 1G o/ 1. Parliamentary proceedings. 2. Addresses to Her Md jestv, and parliamentary petitions. ». Letters and ..arkeN rnft'Jl K'0lVr addreSSed 10 P'wes bevond the limits of ll,. I nlted K>»gdom. 4. Letters and ,lcke1, addressed to o; despatched by the government departments, or sue, olfieer as A, d n5 f e^V -rP,riV,lf'-e °r, ,ra"kin^ 1,v ''is dice. PoLisSr cln.L tranSm,Ued, nnd«' Sllrh regulations as the Jf,e privilege? "1Ry COn8Uler DeCeSSar-T Invent abuse o! The letter-boxes throughout London to be dosed at five o ctock and in the country an hour or half-an-bonr earlier tbar at present, according to the circumstances of each place The fees for late letters to be charged as follow From the future hoar of closing each box until the present honr one penny per letter, or packet, without regard to its weight' and after the present hour of closing each box, two-pence per letter or packet, except where a larger fee is now established in which case the present fee win continne.

• NAPOLKON'S LAST WOKDS! SJive blmtelf who can," have ever since become a truism to thousand* in adopting tbe best mode of teii preservation we therefore bint to the sportsniau "keen as the air be scent* to travellers, wbose time,ls money," aud captains plough- iOIl: tbe boundless deep." who require delpatcb wIth economy and little trouble to try E. & T. Tavlor's(of 17, Lower Holborn, London,) Con- centrated Meat Lozenges," which from their portability may be carried in tbe wsistcoat pocket, and by dissolvinc one or two in tbe mouth, now and tbsn, will afford suppoit for boort.of where more agreeablu, a few may b. Immediately converted into au ucelltnt bailn 01 soup: tp" IJ," pense is trilling, being sold st Is. and it. per box, wltb tbis advantage, Umj will fce«p unimpaired to **ceU«iic« aud flam* tn AAJ dlnr<kj«<

DOMESTIC NEWS. Preparations are in progress in most gaols in the king- dom, to put them into a state of carrying into effect the provisions of the new Gaol Act, requiring the classification of prisoners before trial, and which came into operation on the 1st inst. On Saturday last in the Insolvent Debtor's Court, in the matter of Thomas William Edwards; Esq., an application was made that an assignee of his estate and effects might be appointed. It Appeared that the insolvent, who had been for some years a prisoner in the Queen's Bench, was in February last served with a vesting order," but had not up to the present moment filed his schedule. HIs principal creditors were Messrs. Cocks and Biddulph, the bankers, who claimed a large sum as mortgagees. The insolvent's debts amounted to £ 10,000.; he was entitled to property in Glamorganshire, Brecon, and Somerset, in which last county he was also entitled lo one-fouiih part of an advowson, with the next presentation, worth £ 60i)0., and also to a contract with the late Thomas ilawley, the silversmith, worth £12,000. The inselvent was G2 years of age; and if assignees be not immediately appointed, the creditors may lose their debts. The court ordered. the vesting order to be discharged, and that a meeting of cre- ditors should be called to choose assignees. Mr. Charles Kean has lately experienced a miraculous escape. During his performance in the character of Hollo, while standing at the prompter's side to enter with the child in the last scene of Pisarro, and speaking upon some stage business to Mr. Stimpson, the leader of the supernumeraries, the heavy weight by which the curtain was suspeoded, suddenly gave way with a ciash, and fell on the; head of the latter unfortunate man, instantaneously depriving him of life, and scattering his blood on all who stood around. This shocking disa'ter was no sooner com- municated to the audience (which was crowded to the ceiling), than the theatre was deserted. EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT.— On Wednesday two horses, one rode by a farmer (the owner) near Wallingford, ifte other the property of a livery-stable keeper, of this city, were killed while hunting near Shotover, from their heads coming in collision with each other. The riders, providentially were not hurt.— Oxford Chronicle. An importer of butter into Liverpool from Wexford, was observed by the Custom-officers at the former place, the other day, to be more than usually anxious about cei- lain firkins; and upon the officers shaking them, the pre- tended butter turned out to be whiskey! The man was fined '£25" and lost his whiskey. J PIGEONING A FO:;TUNF..—In 18^4, a pigeon was shot on the premises of Junes Hughes, a cottage renter at W otton, Hants, in the crop of which were found a few grains of barley, which Hughes soon after sowed on Ins ai loll merit. The produce was re-sown four sucaessive years, and in the last year has produced eight quarters and six bushels, which, at the present price of matting barley, is worth nearly £20.. HIGHWAY ltOBllERY.-OU Monday evening, 23rd ult., as a Mr. James was reluming from Illminster, on the road leading to Horton, he was stopped by three men and a woman, who robbed him of his watch and eleven shillings, and made off with his horse. The horse, however, was found on the next morning, but the thieves could not be traced. The physicians and surgeons of Dublin have formed a United Medical Club, for the benefit of the profession, at an annual subscription of one guinea. TEMPERANCE REFORMATION IN IRELAND.—Extract from a letter written by the Mayor of Limerick to the Rev. T. Matthew, of Cork As coroner, the numerous in- stances of sudden and awful deaths arising from intempe- rance, are most appalling. I have held about one hun- dred and forty inquests since the first of October, 1838, and I can safely affirm that half that number were caused by intoxicating drink: four persons committed suicide whilst under its hellish influence; but, thank Qod a brighter prospect is now dawning. Your unparalleled ex- ertions in the cause of temperance have been, under God, crowned with most signal success, and in no place more "0 than in Limerick. A moral regeneration has taken place amongst the people of this city, which is most sur- prising and truly gratifying to every philanthropic; mind. Our police reports are much lessened, petty sessions busi- ness considerably reduced, and even summonses in the Court of Conscience have f.i ten off one-third; our streets and places of resort are regular and quiet; and that which must be most gratifying, is the filct that, althoug'i repoits hace been cIrculated of members of your society having broken the temperance pledge, I have not been able to make out a solitary instance of such being the fact. Bristol Temperance Herald. The Glasgow Herald of Monday, has published a return of letters passing through the post-office of that city lor the week ending December the 22nd, in conformity with an order issued by Colonel Maberly. From this return it appears that the total of the new weekly average exceeds that of the old system by about 10,000 letters; but even with this addition, the loss to the revenue is very severe, a deficit existing in the Glasgow post-office alone of nearly £ 300. per week. A Ricn SPINsTER.-The will of the late Miss Jane Innes, spinster, formerly of Picardy-place, Edinburgh, but late of Stow, in North Britain, has just been proved) in the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, III Doctors' Commons, by George Scott and John Thompson, Esqrs., the executors. The deceased was possessed of upwards of £ 800,000. in the funds, and property jin dif- ferent parts of Scotland to the amount of £ 1,200,000., making together the enormous sum of two milliotis, the whole of which the testatrix has bequeathed to be equally divided amongst all her relations who can be found:' with- out respect to the nearest of kindred. About fiv$years since, the testatrix became entitled to £ .500,000., upon the rieatb of her brother, he having died intestate, and she being his only next of kin. Notwithstanding the immense wealth of the deceased lady, her habits were very penu- rious; and as a proof of that, it may be only necessary to state, that one rlark evening she had 'occasion to go up stairs, but would not even light a candle, and in conse- quence of her advanced age (nearly eighty), she slipped down and broke her leg, which accident ultimately caused her death. The amount of probate duty alone would amount to a splendid fortune.

COURT, FASHION, AND TABLE TALK. The most valuable of the crown jewels have been placed in the hands of the royal jewellers to be re-set. The Coburg, a Belgian paper, makes the following ob- servations upon the accomplishments of the Princes of Coburg in the fine arts :—"The husband of the Queen of Portugal is a skilful engraver; our King is a capital violin player; Prince Albert is a distinguished poet; and Prince Ernest excels in setting his brother's poetry to music." No preparations have as yet been commenced in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, for the approaching marriage of her Majesty, but it is stated that the pews will be re- moved, and temporary galleries erected for the accommo- dation of the nobility at the august ceremony. THE ROYAL BRtDAL CHAMBERS.—-The suite of private apartments now preparing at Buckingham Palace, for the reception of her Majesty arid her royal consort, Prince Albert, on their nuptials, are on the north wing, overlook- ing the Palace Gardens and Grosvernor Place. They will extend from end to end of that range of the building, and are now being entirelv remodelled, and fitted up in a very costly style, under the direction of the Earl of llxbridge, Lord Chamberlain to her Majesty. Upwards of 300 men are at present employed upon the decorations, which are to be finished before the Inst of February trt.xt. Th" pre- vailing ground colour is of maiden's blush, with miik- whlte mountings tl rou^hout the suite,* the cornices, the ornamented ceilings, and mouldm4s ol the architraves to the windows and doors, are all of burnished gold. The character of the embellishments are what the original architect, the late Mr. Nash, called hili Athenian order,aud are a compound between the Italian, Itornan, and Greek members. The following outline ol the ground-plan will a trot el our readers a slight idea of the arrangements which, when completed, will combine peifection with privacy MOillll WINO, OARniN I ltONT. s> s■> I s> ■s> I cC J »— o I 51 2 34567 8 — > > o p~ Entrance. Baroness Lehzen's rooms opposite. 1. Is the Queen's Anti-chamber, or Reception room. 2. Her Majesty's Private Drawing room. 3. Her Majesty's Nuptial Bed room. 4. A retiring room. 5. Her Majesty's Dressing room. 6. The Wardrobe room. 7. Prince Albert's Dressing room. 8. Prince Albert's Drawing room. —Argus. We are grieved to record the death of James Smith' Esq., the author of Rejected Addresses." It took place on Tuesday morning, the 24th, at his house in Craven- street, London. DEATH OF DAVIES GILBERT.—We lament to announce the death of our distinguished and highly-respected towns- man, Davies Gilbert, D.C.L., which took place early on Tuesday morning, lie was Fate President of the Itoyal Society, and many years member of Parliament for Bod- mil:, previously to the pas-ire/of the iUform Bill, at which time he retired from public life, on account of inliimities increasing upon him. lie was deeply versed in scientific knowledge, aud the author of several excellent workil.- Brighton Guzettc.

Snomhsi DAY.—The shortest day this year proved to be the longest, because the lightest, which had occurred for man) weeks preceding. THIt BOY-BUD !!—The Greens, the Hamptons, the Grahanis,in fact, all the Ballnoiiers are about to be thrown into the shade IJy a new species of" High flyer." Au tndian, hai lately arrived from the Pampas, Sonth America,) with his son, a spare, active, and intelligent child of iive years of age. The? have brought with them to Marseilles, a Condor," a bird much larger than the Eagle, and of a glossy jet-black colour. The bird is quite tame, and permits the boy to be fastened 10 ,'ts back, who, as it rise* aloft to the cloods, guides it with a small "pointed stick. The other day, the bov went from Marseilles to Florence, across the sea, in twenty minutes! The father, it is said, takes the pre caution to keep by him several boxes of "Holloway's Ointment," a»d its powerful tonic and alterative auxiliary" Holloway's External Dis case Piil," so as to be armed at all points against accident, and pro- mote his son's general health and strength of nerve. It is now cert;iiii that in all External Disorders, su«h as gout, cancer, paraly»U, pil^s, rheumatism, glandular swellingi, wouuils, indeed, in all External !>«»- Have mo»t extiaordipary au4 tmri*alled

USK QUARTER SESSIONS. MONDAY, DECEMBEH 30m, 1639 The trial of prisoners being deferred till the 14th, the county business only was brought forward. Among the genthmóclI present, we observed The Chairman, Lord Granville Somerset, Sir B. Hall, BarL, M.P., Hon. Wm. Rodney, Sergt. Taddy, Major Marriot, W. Adams Williams, M.P., Llangibby, Col. Lewis, Capt. Roberts; Revds. J. Coles, Davies, and Gabb; John Jenkins. F. Lewis, Octavius Morgan, W. Phillips, Whitsun, F. Hanbury Williams, Thos. Rees, Wm. Needham, Samuel Ilomfray, Somers Harford, and Wm. Hunter Little, Esquires. The Chair was taken by Lord G. Somerset. The chief couslables of the different districts in the county, were then called, several of whom having answered to their names, they weie asked if they had brought the highway returns, and county stock, and replying in the allirmative, business was immediately proceeded with many of the chief constables not answering lo their names, the Chairman ordered, after a consultation with die bench, a fine of [>l. to be levied on all absentees. The Chairman said that a neglect of attendance on the part of the chief constables was very blameable, and deserved the severest censure of the bench, on account of the great difficulties caused by not regularly proceeding with the business of the county. !Ie was determined that all who neglected to fulfil their duties in a proper manner, should meet with the strictest scrutiny, and be bnetl if possible. The different resolutions which were to be brought before the bench were then stated to be respecting the Constabulary Act, the County Gaol, the Clerk of the Peace, and the County Rate. [The Sergeant-Major of the 12th Lancers, from Monmouth, here came into Court, and presented a letter to the Chairman, which having been read over by him, the magistrates ad- journed to a private room, where they remained lor a conside- rable time. Great fears were entertained in tbe hall that something of an alarming nature was transpiring; but on the return of the magistrates it was understood that the letter refer- red simply to an escort, (commanded by the Sergeant-Major) which had been brought to Usk, for the safe conduct of the witnesses to Monmouth.] RF.PAIRS OF USK TOWN HALL. Ordered,—"That the same Committee be re appointed to superintend the completion of the improvements in the Town Hall of Usk and that they be empowered to expend any sum not exceeding 50l. additional, for the fittings and the fur- niture of the said Town Hall, and the rooms adjoining." A letter was then read from Mr. Wyatt, agent to the Duke of Beaufort, respecting an increase of the rent of the Town Hall, of which the following is a copy :— Troy House, 12th September, 1839. DJ:AK SIR,—It hn.s boon considered proper by the I)ukc of Beau- fort to raise the rent of the To .vn [all in Usk, for whIch the magistrates 01 the county have for many years paid an annual rent of lwo giencas but before giving a notice to quit for that purpose, and with a view to ohviate the necessity of doing so, and being at the same lime, perhaps, more respectful to the mapsrmt.s, 1 have thought It right best 10 com- municate with you on the subject, and to propose to increase the rent to live guineas, to commence trom Michaelmas, 1S-10; anll I WOlll(1 suggest the propriety of a written agreement being entered jnto be- tween you (or some one 1,erson on the part of tile l'uagistrates) and myself nn the part of the Duke of Beaufort, with stipulations in it, that all repairs shedl be horne by the county, and that no alteration in tlw structure of tlte buildings, shall at any till1e be made without the conscnt uf his Grace. "If you cunsider it necessary, before giving me an answer, to cou- suit the magistrates ill Session upon the matter, 1 will beg tlw favour of your doing so, al1ù hayc the guodness to let me hear from you, Yours, &c., "Alex. Jones, Esq." "A. WYATT. In reference lo the letter of Ilis Grace's agent, Mr. Coles said, he should uot object to the proposals of the noble Duke, provided he could grant a lease. Sergt. Taddy would observe that it would be well to appoint a Committee to negotiate with the Duke of Beaufort, respect- ing the terms 011 which they should hold the Town Hall in future. Sir B. Hall said it was essential they should come at once to a determination respecting a lease. Sergt. Taddy A lease, probably, would be the result of the negotiation. It was then resolved :—" That a committee be re appointed to enquire for what pari of this building, the additIOnal claim is made on the part of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort." Lord Granville Somerset here said: There was a point to which he wished most particularly to call the attention of the magistrates. A gentleman present stood ia a pos.tion which subjected him to act as Sheriff: but in consequcnce of the distance at which he resided, and his great worth in his own neighbourhood as a magistrate, from his grent experience, it was not advisable ,that he should act as sheriff for the county. He alluded to Mr. Homfray. Looking at the experience of Mr. Ilymhay Oil the one hand, and the activity uf Mr. Somers Harford, who had volunteered to take Air. 1 fotnfray's [dace, on the other, he thought that the former could not be spnn-d from his extensive neighbourhood, especially in these troub- lous times, lo act as sheriff for the county, aud that few filfer gentlemen than the latter could be Sound, to till the situ Hum he would newish them not to oppose private feelings to the luilit If of the matter, ft was not a matter of motion, or ol law, j butaquestion on which the bench could easily decide. He hoped he took nouuduebberty, hut perhaps he might safely assert, that Mr. Harford would accept the appointment when it might fall on him, as the substitute of Mr. Homfray. Mr. Harford rose and said, that as "England expected every man to do his duty," and as it would be double dishonour for a man to flinch from any post that he coulll fill, however onerous or difficult, in these times, he did not object to occu- pying the post, which his friend Mr. Homfray was desirous of declining. (Cheers.) The Chairman said he would communicate with the Lord Lieutenant, and endeavour to get him to corroborate the general feeling. I TUE CONSTA8UI,Any ACT. Wm. Adam Williams, M.P., Esq., rose and said that the organization which had been carried on in the Hills amongst the insurrectionary bands, and the late outbreak, showed that the proposed constabulary force would not be sufficient to act in the county generally. It might be said he had acted pre- sumptuously in giving the notice he had, respecting the new Act. without a specific resolution but two courses were clear, either the constabulary act should be adopted generally, or in those particular districts where insurrectionary movements, highway robberies, or burglaries, were most prevalent. There had been much said respecting the expense attached to carrying the Act into effect; but when the difficulty of building a new prison had been surmounted, they could better decide on the important question then at issue. If the county were to bear the expenses of building a new prison, it could not also bear j the expenses of the constabulary force. And with regard tu establishing a police force in particular distiicts. These dis- tricts would have great expenses'to meet, aud be obliged to Siiare in the payment of the expenses incurred by the county alterations. He would apologise for thus introducing the mat- ter, but he did not think himself justified iu proposing a prae- tical plan ot operations. 1 he Chairman said, so far from an apology being necessary, he considered the county had been done a great kindness, by Mr. Williams thus enforcing a discussion of the question. J here was a point upon which he wished very much to be sa- tisfied. Had any inhumation been given to the Lord Lieute- nant or the magistrates, respecting the state of the Hills during the months of September and October last. If none had been given, he would like to know what the parish officers had been about, to allow such a formidable organization to be carried on so long without discovery, as had lately existed in the Hill dis- tricts, the fatal effects of which had been so gtaringty exhi- bited on the memorable fourth of November. Some of the magistrates had said that a state of disaffection and disorganisa- tion of society did exist, but were their opinions transmitted to the Executive Government of the country 1 If any gentleman could give an answer that it had been done, he should be happy to hear it. It was a question whether the establishment of the constabulary force would repress those appearances of riot and outbreak. If it would, then let it be established at once but he did not believe it would. He strongly objected to armed forces, in point of numbers and strength, such as would be sufficient to quell outbreaks like the late one. The proposed force might be able to put down ordmary masses, or prevent robberies, etc., but it could never act with any good effect upon an insurrection. With regard to the latter, the soldiery only, could be of real service but still, he abhorred lhe idea of calling it into cxercise at all. He did no: see the possibility of organizing any constabulary force, under the pro- visions of the Act, that could be of utility unaided by soldiery. About ninety-eight would be the number allotted to thiscounty, ;;ud those, when spread through the different districts, could not readily be brought to bear with any use upon a disaffected part. And it was possible that, when the whole force had united, and come to act upon some particular place, where alurin existed, the disturbers of the peace, by manoeuvring, might make the undefended districts the very parts where the most serious evils shouidexist. Lord G. Somerset then entered into a statistical account of the expendiiure necessary to support the constabu- lary offices, and showed that when the agricultural alltl commer- cial districts of the whole couuty had been sufficiently rated to meet tliesa expenses, there would be found a great dispro- poriion of rates lo the vopulation, and hence would arise a very extensive complaint and consequent objection to the cause of thesj rates. Tbe Noble Lord observed that, to meet even the minimum of the expenses of a constabulary foren, an assessment must take place, and a ncw rate of 6d. in the pound be levied over all the county. He had received an anonymous commu- nication from Chepstow, to say that a constabulary force was môst cspecially needed there. He knew not why a communi- cation of that sort should be anonymous. Perhaps the gentle- man who made it, would not be so anxious for the force, nor the penple of Chepstow lhaok him for his interference, when it was understood they would be necessitated to pay a rate of 4d. or 6d. in the pound for its maintenance. Certainly, if a payment of 6d. in the pound would quell all the disturbances of the county, it were well worth while to lav on such a rate but he candidly confessed, that until it could be shown such a force would be sufficiently effective, he should oppose it. They who had witnessed the late outbreak, could not think a consta- bulary force would have been able effectually to oppose it. He had now stated the particulars of the matter fully and, he hoped, fairly, and he left it to the gentlemen present to make any motion or remark thereon they might chose. Col. Lewis would merely observe that in Chepstow, the only police officer was turned off, and the population of that place was not secure, with the non-operation of the constabulary force amongst them. He believed a mob had created a disturbance in Chepstow on last Christmas-day, and that when it was knotvn the police-officer had been discharged, the bells were all set a-ringing Sir B. Hall made some observations, in which he alluded to the expenses cited by the noble chairman, and slated that a larger rate than that mentioned would be necessary. He thought it a police lorcc were established at all, it should be a general one tor if some districts were supplied and others were left destitute, the destitute parts would be a receptacle for those bad characters who had been driveu from the districts that were supplied. The Rev. James Coles would not wish it to be thought the magistrates ot New-port gave no opinion on the matter. There was not a man in the police whom they could trust; two or three specials had done won I e i|I)ber of depredations had lately increased three, :'ur ;>{). fold for the Bristol police drove then-depraved "nrl Ylr,iou, traders across the water, and our poor cottager- dnd the mty generally, had been sufferers It was bo a few r, MM since that a poor man's cottage had been robb d of £ 4., I nearly all the bread and cheese it had contains:; and mother individual had his horse ^to en from his field, Thp. expense of the new force seemed a principal objection. or n i say-not one magistrate of those on ihr bench- th*t j -l o force was not necessary. Why, If it were esiabl; bed, ,v • -,jre that more than one-half of the position! vYo^jtj i„,> up. y s ppqoty, if they bad but men who would act regardless of intimidation, and who would confidentially fill their station, the costs of prosecutions would be lowered beyond what the magistrates would evcr ima- gine. Put down those nests of vice—the beer-houses, with all •edilious publications, and every Chartist meeting, and peace, law, and order would be speedily restored. The learned lord in the chair had asked it information had been given to the Executive Government, of what had transpired on the Hill*. He believed the Government had received every information that could be given. The Western Vrndicators had been seized, and other precautionary measures adopted and at the time that inflammatory articles first appeared in that seditious pftper, signed and professedly written by Vincent, although he was then in close confinement, he (Mr. Coles) had sent to the Home Secretary, for the purpose of patting a stop to such deceptive and shameless proceedings. Several othei gentlemen followed, amongst whom was Somers Harford, Esq., who observed that nothing short of a general police force would suffice. He himself, and his friend Mr. Ilomfrav lmd, at Iheir own private expense, driven away from the nei6hlJOurlwod a set of bad characters hut these bad characters would go somewhere, and the roads at this time were not safe, from these fellows being now on their travels to other places. Hethousht the gentlemcn of the county would not hesitate to pay the necessary rate upun their properly, that the bill might Lc carried oul. J f such a force were established the magistrates, he thought, would be kept 111 possession of almost every circuOIstance connedcd with insubordination.- Jn Duke's Town there was not a single constable, and there tlw organization of the Chartists took plaee. tJnless some measures were put in force, rigidly to scrutinize the conduct of bands of men, meeting under suspicious circumstances, or meeting at all out of the ordinary way, they would continue to laugh, as they had done, at the palish officers, and dare thorn to interfere. These parish officers were chiefly tradesmen, shoe- makers, tailors, &c.; and the consequence of their offending these congregating insurrectionists, would be the loss of their support. This was a means by which they were sure of keep- ing the arm of the law in subjection, in parts like Duke's-town, where no police constables arc stationed. Should a large district be thus left, with no effective guardians of the public peace or propfrty ? The exertions of himself and Mr. Homfray could not possibly be that check upon disorganisation and dis- turbances, that a constabulary force would be and that force should, therefore, be at once established. During the Chartist meetings on the hills, they had no power of sending to know what was doing in that particular district. He sincerely be- lieved, that had a constabulary force existed, there would have been no outbreak. (Cheers.) He had been charged with being a Chartist himself! Mr. Morgan, of Ruperra, had said that be led the mob down to Blackwood (A laugh.) He then pro- posed the adoption of two clauses of the Act. Sergt. Taddy observed, that it the Act wcrc carried julo effect at all, it must bo generat it would be only shifting from one part of the county, :hut which should be removed from every part it would be only changing the locate of the'parti- cular evil, instead ot wholly removing it hom the county. lie would consider the nature of the evil, It was a most formida- ble one, 1hat fjuiekly impressed us with our insecurity, ll was an evil that rendered lite uusak, IIIHI admitted of WI safety for our property. A strong body of men, who had the means of must rapid communication, and uf acting on the information they received, in the most secret manner, and could meet at beerhouses, in their mines, and seclet places, receiving alld believing the pernicious sedition conveyed by bad publications, and acting thereby, was the great evil. But was this the evil alluded ,to by tho Act ? and which the Act was formed to remedy ? No. It was an evil of such magnitude, that a power stronger than a constabulary force was necessary. They ought not to hesitate on a question of expense, when so much evil existed, if they thought the remedy sufficient to exterminate the evil. The Chairman observed that, during the approaching session of Parliament, many statements of the working>f the Act, where it had been adopted, would be produced, which would enable them better to decide respecting it. He did noi think that the proposed force would meet the evil, and therefore the expense incurred would be a sacrifice, which he could never deem justifiable. Mr. Williams said, that a gentleman had enquired if any cause eould be assigned for the outbreak and wished the iron- masters 10 consult with the magistrates, and try to discover the reason. Sir B. Hall replied that the persons who professed to be dis- satisfied, had reasons to put fotwm-d, if a»ked. They had one —the Fruck system. this was a great cause of complaint, which he hoped the Government would most speedily niter. In many Works this evil did not exist, but he believed il existed in too many. It was the greatest evil to which a man could be subjected—that he should not be able to spend bis enrnbe.-s as lie pleased. He uave this as one oi the chief grievances tli-n shouid be checked to the utmost. The Kev..1. Coles agreed with the .system being a giiev-ince, but during the late outbreak, the truck system had nothing to do with it; it was purely political. They met in beer-shop- where one would be appointed to read fo t'i<; rest hum SOUK seditious publication and thus tt.e evil grew, j fe believed, certainly, that the truck system was the most infamous ever introduced, to pay labourers fur their labour. Somers Harford, Esq., replied, that it was totally dillerent, he thought, He had taken sOllie pams to ascertain, and he was convinced the system was nut an evil. Let any gentleman appeal to the wives and families of workmen, paid according to that system, and he was sure they would say they were even belter oil than they should be it they had a few shillings during the week, for by these few shillings the becr shops would be supported. A brewer had complained to him of the truck system. True, brewers bad clluse to complain, because that system kept labourers away from the beer-shops. The people were better off with very little money, than when in the full possession of their earnings. It was then proposed that the further consideration of the question be postponed. Mr. Harford believed its consideration was then opposed on the ground of expense which would be incurred in the erection of the new gaol. The opinion he had come to was, that it was better to establish a police force at once, and thus need no gaol at all. (A laugh.) The consideration of the question was then adjourned to the next Session. )JOUSF. Or CORRECTION. The report of the committee appointed to sit on the building of llie ncw House of Correction, was then rend. A conversa- tion look place respecting what system it might be advisable to introduce In the proposed new g.IOI, whether the separate or the silent system. The following resolution was then adopted:—"That Ihe same committee be reappointed, and he requested to prepi-re an estimate of the expenses of erecting a House of Correction, prepared for the imprisonment of piisoners on the sepurule sys- tem, aud of a House of Correction 10 be hlli1, lor llie confine- inent of prisoners on the silent system and also to aseertaill what way be expcckd 10 h, the annual cost unGer each of these systems and to report the same to lhc ensuing Sessluns." USK nillOOE. It was resolved :—" That the excess of £6.38. 2d. above the sum sanctioned by previous votes of the Court ia regard to Usk Blidgc, be allowed. MON.'IOUIil CAP! The repoit of the visiting magistrates to the county g^ol, Monmouth, having been read, it was resolved:—"It is the opinion of this Court, that a similar allowance of potatoes be allowed to the prisoners confined in the gaol of Moninouih, as is allowed to prisoners under similar circumstances in the House of Correction in Usk." COUNTY HATF.. The following resolutions were adopted "That a committee be appointed to consider the return of the parochial meetings, returned to the Cleikof the Peace and in conjunction with the Deputy Clerk of the Peace, to propose a fresh assessment, based on such returns for the levying of the county rate. "That the said committee do consist of Messrs. Homfray, Needham, and Reece, Major Marriott, and the Rev. James Coles, and do report the plan of the first assessment, to the en- suing Quarter Sessions." After the consideration of soma county bills, and other mat- ters, the Court broke up.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FltANCE. The Chamber* were opened "U Monday se'nnight. Tho weather was dreadful, heavy rain falling all tbe day, yet I the neighbourhood of the Cli-t.tid.iers was densely ciowikd at an early lioui. Indeed, at Pans the desire to see the royal cavalcade is, without comparison, much slronuei than in London. The <xHieen, ibe Duchess of Orleans, alld some others of the female part of the royal family, arrived a few minutes before the King. Th,e Queen pre- sented an aged appearance, and her tall thin figure seemed even taller and llmmei than usual. The King arrived at one o'clock, and looked remarkably well, lie read the speech with great distinctness. This document differs from the general tenor of French speeches from the throne, in the circumstance of its not having some boast to make, likely to excite the vanity of the nation. On the contrary, it speaks rather of reverses, and of the efforts to be made to prevent for the future such outbreaks as those which so lately took place in Alrica. The speech was listened to with coldness, except at the paragraph at the beginning, which alludeg to the King's sons—that part was loudly cheered. Marks of approbation were evinced at the part which declares that new railroads, new canals, a system of prison discipline, the interests of literary property, and improvement in public instruction, were to be submitted at an early period to the consideration of the Chamber. The general impression of this document is, that the King was desirous of conciliating, and in consequence the tone he adopted, was more moderate than on former occasions. It is worthy of remark, that the King most emphatically declared that the French nation will not quit their posses sions m Africa, giving by this declaration a guarantee that he wu) never consent to uive up the colony, though it is well known that it costs Fiance much more than it brings in, Some time hack an idea was afloat amongst the poo pic III i aris, of the policy of returning the African posses- sions, expensive as they evidently are. It is in reference to this rumour, apparently, that the King has declared hirnsflf as lIIelll1ollt'd above.

W e need hardly inform our readers that the affairs 01 Turkey have, during llie past week, been most amply di, cussed 111 all parts of (he kingdom, and that by thousands who care not one farthing either for the Grand Signor or Mehemet Ah. 0 0 We last week noticed the Royal speech in France—the lioyalspeec 1 in Holland is much shorter, but more explicit and interesting. Noble and Mighty Lords In C?ASnqih!n!e of your request that we would take into cons.derat.onthe project of law for a loan to be charged on the colonies, 1 m„3n.n,ecessai'y 10 provide means for completing the ways and means to cover the expences of 1840. With this view we suumlt to your consideration the subjoined project of law, recommending you to God's holy keeping. The Hague, Dec. 21, 1839." • "This project of law is for producing a sum of 11,220,000 fl0^n>o u,nfl n, lnurb i Ure °f I840' a»d likewise a sum of ll'e "»«»«

MECHANICS' INSTITUTES. To the Editor of ihe Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—Surely it must be a source of sincere congratulation to the numerous readers of the Merlin, to all who take an interest in the welfare of their country, to see that schemes calculated to ameliorate and improve the mental and moral condition of the working classes more particularly, are brought before the public notice, as in the excellent letter of your correspondent Amicitia," relative to the formation of a Mechanics' Institute in our towh and surely societies so valuable in their results as they have ever been, need but be mentioned, to induce our influential men to step forward and carry out with all prompti- tude the hints that have been given.—Can it be possible that any one will for a moment doubt the need of such a Society ? Oh no and surely every yauvg man in our town, who feels interested in the cultivation of the noblest part of man, of all that gives true dignity and elevation to the character, will rejoice in the anticipation that a Mechanics' Institute will be established in his native town. Newpott, distinguished by I its spirit of enterprise, its trade muking rapid, giganticstrides— llie Liverpool ot Monmouthshire,' is far, fur behind in the march ot intellect. Does the bustle of Dusiness, the spirit of money-getting, preclude, or render impossible, moral and men- tal cultivation ? Asauiediynut. Neccssary applicalion to the every day business of life is not incompatible with the pursuits of Literature and Science. That it is waste of time so to speak, every man will immediately allow. It has long been a source of regret that we have not amongst us any literary society, not even a reading room no place to which the young I may resort to seek those pure and solid pleasures that result from the pursuit of knowledge to enjoy each other's s^iety in ennobling puri-uits to seek that relaxation to gratify, that I yearning after agreeable excitement which the young so parti- cularly fee) there are no incentives to the cultivation of virtuous habits, no bond of union whereby they may be encouraged, and encourage each other for good nought to lead them to seek happiness in pursuits superior to the gratifi- cation of sense, and avoid those deadly, dungeious rocks on which so many mnkea fatal shipwreck. All must acknowledge the importance of young men to society they must bye and bY8 occupy the situations now filled by those who are more advanced in life, and upon them will devolve the most onerous duties, and surely, the immense importance of their mental and moral condition being improved to the utmost, must be appa- rent to every one. Let all who really love their country, whe would see the land they love maintain in peace, by her superior intelligence, that exalted and proud station she has ever held amongst the nations of the earth, particularly attend and gire their best exertions to all that promotes the improvement of her sons, and le;>ds them to seek the pleasures of knowledge, productive of happiness, which those, who follow the de. basing gratification of the pnssiou, can never experience—raises them to the true dignity of lational and immortal being', teaches thc-m to fulfil their duties as citizens, and that they are born for nobler things. Such must wish to sco and will • born for nobler things. Such must wish 1.0 sco awl will • wiih dr-light J fie establishment of 'u Mechanics' Institute, and vvili regard ;is their true benefactors those who will be instru- | mental ia 11s establishment. As I have before said, cruel have been the complaints of the intellectual state of our town, und this by many who might lender that complaint null; let it.wtew complaint give way to active exertion, and Newport shall oc cupy in scientific and literary attainments the place she does III co \1) III(;rcc. Now let us see who are our true benefactor! to whom we may luok up as our friends, and who really feel an interest iuourwettarc. You, Sir, may do much give us the aid of that .powerful engine 1 L0 press, and scon will our eyes be gratified, our henils rejoiced, by the "Newport Mechanics' Institute;" and the best exertions will be made in itt) support by A YOUNG MAN. Newport, Dec. 20, 1839.

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sut,—These two weeks past I have been waiting to see, whether the remarks I made in a former communication, upon :he establishment of a Mechanics' Institute in Newport, would elicit any observations from other and more talented individuals, who, taking the advocaey thercof in their own hands, would the sooner bring my heart's llIost fervent desire-aLllI not only mine, but that of a large portion of our mechanics, its appears by a letter inserted in your last Merlin from one of their body, expressing the language, I have no doubt, of hundreds of hi* fellows—10 a successful issue. A Mechanic" and II. 0." have alone responded to my appeal from both these commu- nications wc cannot but perceive, Ihal although thcy agree 11'" 10 the. need of, aud the growing desire for such ail Institution, yet thcy shrink cpially ..ilil lllysell, 1'1'0111 actively engaging themselves M Hie prosecution of the good work, — a shrinking :i< regards my.-elf, proceeding both from inability, am! the pe- culiarity of my present situation in lite.—Jt is to be hoped, Sir, then, that, some inibsentiai individual belonging to the town, wno, peruilventure, may giauce at the tetici-suf your sever.11 correspondents 011 this important subject, will take it in hand, -Mid under Inn auspices su; its accomplishment. Then, fr, m 1 hut blessed day, shall be dated a new era in our history. The history of our moral and social condition will not present thenceforth, Sir, so gloomy, so fearful a contrast, to Ihe long register of the brilliant successes of our commerce. Oh it grievously pains my heart to see the grossly ignorant stale of our eommllnity-to see our town so completely given up to the ravages of every vice-to sea our neighbourhood so deluged wid. the miseries and woes ever attendant upon igno- rance, and not a step taken to dispel that ignorance no standard lifted up against these dreadful incursions, around VI hich our virtuous youths may rally against tht: foe-no fiooú. gales raised to stay the increasing waters of the deluge in their impetuous and destructive course—a deluge as fatal in its effects, as that which, some five thousand years ago, inundated and wrecked our world. But, Sir, I must not now give vent to my feelings; inasmuch as it would be expedient to take JCliltJ of the subject for a little while, until the trials at Monmouth are over; ireport of which, 1 presume, will occupy all the space in your columns for n week or two. The above has been written merely to show that the subject has not been forgotten, and as an earnest that it thaU not bo forgotten whenever on oppotunityoccurs to advocate it, by Yours and the Public's very obedient Servant, Newport, Dec. 27, 1839. AMICITIA.

MIN IIS G A IS \) KAI L\V A Y S. At.ARIVIING ACCIDENT, AND VVONUEIIFHI. I'ISESKRVATION.— Oil Tuesday, Ibe 2t)tli inst., five men elllerell II wille, at Grinu, i,1 Ihe vicinitv 01' HUJ\ton, where thev have been for some time regularly employed ill getting a kind of coarse spar, all article used for making paint, known amongst miners by the nnine ol C.auk, when a large quantity of earth fell from the roof, which j completely blocked up the passage out of the mine, and in it* fall separated the woiknien two being closed up in a narrow cavern ahout fifteen feet long and four high. ÜI1 one of the men perceiving the hill aholll to ta\;e place, lie gave an alarm, which enabled three of them, with oiiliculty to make good their retreat towards the shaft, one of them being partially caught, but he e1:.tricated Ilill1sclr. The other two, named Brulbhaw and Bonsai, were unfortunately np withoul any sustenance and almost without clothing, from that day till about five o'clock on Ihe Saturday evening, being five and lour nights, when, alter the greatest exertions, night and day, they were forluualeh extricafed from their dreary prison-hounoalive, but in a stale of great exhaustion. On hearing of the dreadful catastrophe, miners, colliers, and quarrymen, from the villages of Derbyshire to a distance of twenty miles, flocked to tlitt place, with the laudable intention of exerting themselves in rescuing llie sufferers, but their praiseworthy intentions weie frustrated, owing to tbe narrowness of the mine not permitting- more than two nifn 10 work at the same time; and those were in imminent danger of being buried, as fresh falls could not by greatest caution be prevented. Owing to the looseness of the earth above, this fall occasioned a sinking of the surface, although the nline is twenty-seven yards deep. The sufferers are, however, fast recovering, every assistance thst humanity conld suggest, having been rendered t'lem both by medical genttcmeuand others. About eighteen months ago a Joint Stock Company was formed by gentlemen residing iu London, Liverpool, and Man- chester, for the purpose ot proving the lands at the Greenfield Estate for coals near Holywell, Ftittt-ihire. the property of Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., under the superintendence of Mr. Bel/nets. uflhat ncighhourhood, which have fully answered the most sanguine expectations. An engine is now at work, of suf- ficient power to drain the water Irom the mine, and to wind up from 80 to 100 tons per day. A circular walled shaft, eleven feet diameter, is just completed to the first bed of coal, (which is of superior quality, and about three leet four inches thick,) ('►'2 vards deep from the surface, llie town of Holywell will shortly be supplied with this necessary article from this colliery, affording a saving to the inhabitants of Irom three to iivc miles carriage. Tin: GIIKAT YiKsTitiN I'AII.WAY.— This gigantic under- taking is now making rapid stride:; towards its completion to Heading, nay, to IVideot, a village not more tiian eight or nine miles distant from O,¡¡rd; the great e\e.a\ition at, .Sunning (in all respects preferable to a tunnel), and a line bridge passing obliquely over the Thames at .Soutlistoi-.e, Oxon, into the Cholscy-field, on the Berkshire side, being the only desiderata, we believe, to Rccompllsh the line between Loudon "lid the Didcot and Oxford station. That these will he lealiscd hy the spring there cannot be entertained any reasonahle doubt and the opening lo the nearest station to Oxford, therefore, will riot, we should imagine, he dcfcrrçcl over May, 1810. The viaduct over the railway Rt Sonning is n line piece of masonry, an (I form" a very prominent feature of this interesting portion of the Railway. The town of Reading is scen to great advan- tage from the same, The railway crosses the Thames Ihrice- Rt Maidenhead, Basildon, and Southstoke.— Herk$hire Chronicle. GVNPOWDEU ON RAII.KOAKS.—Notwithstanding the Rich- mond and Fredericksburg Railway Company have repeatedly given notice that they will not transport gnnpowder on their road, it appears that the article is often smuggled upon it under cover of boxes and packages purporting to contain other things. O11 Ihe 15th ultimo, the rear of along train, laden with mer- chandise, was suddenly blown ap, about two miles above Louisa Court house, killing the train hand, stunning the engine- driver and fireman, and scattering a quantity of goods far around into the adjoining fields. The explosion took place while the train was in motion, and the fact of the gunpowder being boxed up, and in a close box car of jointed carpentry, was not sufficient to protect it from the subtlety of tho sparks,— Baltimore American.

A DiNNt.u 200 YfcAiis AGO. Home fiom my office to my Lord's lodgings, where my wife had got ready a very fine dinner —viz a dish of marrow-bone a leg (If mutton It loin of veal a dish of fowl; three pullets, and a dozen of larks, all in a dish a great tart a neat s toDgue a dish of anchov ies a dish of prawns nod ciieese —s Diary. Tim I IOI.I.Y on HOI.IA I miu.—- Tradition says, il sprang up m pcifectiou arid beauty oeneath the footsteps cf Christ when he first I rod the earl h. iMiNcr. I'IIS.— I ue mince pie is of great antiquity, aIld by some Catholic authorities its savoury ingredients are supposed tsi lime reference to the ottering ol the wise mcn; and the same iiit'neiity sines, thai it was lormcriy made oblong, ia imitation tf the rack and manger in which Chust was laid. RINC.INC tun CHANG us.-—A mail in Elaine, last week, mur- dered his wife, by twisting her netk till he broke it, arid neaily wringing Lerheadotf. His own will be broken by a diflereni process.—Articricfin I oper. The only prisoner in the Nantucket gaol has given the sheriff uotice that, unless the gaol is put in a more comfortable condi- tion, he win" dig out." The door, he says, has no latch, and he has hard work to keep himself confined.—Boston Notion. The Americans, tired of the sea serpent," have now caught a mackarel ten and a half feet long. At the anniversary meetingiof a Ladies' Bible Association, at the west end of the town, a day or two since, one of the speakers stated, that a calculation had been made respecting the proportionate value of the services of gentlemen and ladies, as collectors for charitable and religious purposes and it had been found that one My was Korth, exactly thirteen gentlemen ind

LONDON MARKETS. CORN EXCHANCIK, MARk LANE, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30.-— Our supplies of W heal are small, and the condition being 1 • w proved by the last few days of cold weather, our millers ha" [ bought more freely, and the best samples of English WhealU1 have sold at an advance of Is. per quarter since this day week.J Other descriptions of English and Foreign Wheat fully support! late prices.— Flour meets a good demand, and prices ar« fullyH maintained.—There has been more business doing in Barley,j and the maiket is firm without alteration in our currency.—lit Beans and I'eas we have no alteration.—Ou?supply of Oats is moderate, and there has been a freer sale this morning at the prices of this day se'nnight. Current Prices of Gram per Imperial Quarter. *.$. i. 0. Wheat English 68 to 76 l Small Beans ••••44 to 46 Kye 34 to <H> Tick Beans .38 to— Barley to 50 Oats (Potatoe) .29 to — AI nil.70 to 75 Ditto (Feed) 25 to '2.6 White Tease (Boilers) 44 to 4ti Floyr 54 to Grey J'ease 39 to 40 Official Com Averages. Imperial Weekly Wlit. I Hail. I Oats. Rye. Means l'cas. Averace, ending s. d | s. d.l s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d- Dcc.JiO 06 8' 40 <J 24 3 37 10 43 4 42 1 AggregateAverage of (iweeks,which regulates Duty. 67 2 41 3 25 7 3» 4| 45 0 43 10 Duly on For.Corn 18 8| 1 0 9 3 12 61 '2 0 5 Duly on For.Corn 18 81 1 0 9 3 12 61 2 0 r, 411

SMITH FIELD AI A It RET. t There is a good attendance of buyers this morning and the sup* ply of all descriptions oflcattle being shoit, an extiernely brisk trade is doing in consequence, at a general advance. Choice beef sells readily at 5s. per stone. beinj; an advunce from last' 5 Monday of full 8d. and the inferior sorts pal take ollludike riRI!,( being at 3s. 8d. and in some instances 3s. KW. per stone has been asked and taken. Tho advance in mutton is not so great, Downs selling at 51, 4d. and the coarser sorts at 48.411. being, on the former 2d. and on the latter 6d. In veal a fair trad# doing at 5s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. according to the quality. YountT porkeis are freely taken at 6d. higher rates. Few beasts are cx- pccled to be unsold at the ( lose. Per st. of Bibs.. sinkinsr the offal. s. (I. s. d. s. d. s. d«j ISeel 3 8 to 5 0 Lamb. t) 0 to o Oj AJulton 4 4 to 5 4 Veal 4 6 to 5 h' Pork, 4s. 6d. to 5s. t>d.,

HOP INTELLIGENCE.— I)RC. M. Vei y little for tlle tlil-n Of ti)o iloliday, Prices steady. Kent Pockets, LS3y X'3. 5s. to £ 3. Ms:. Ditto choice, ditto. £ 4. 4s. to .t'5. 15s. Ivist Kent Pockets, ditto £ 4. Os. to £ 6. Os. Sussex di to, ditto Os. to £ 3. lis. Kent bags, ditto £ 3. 10s. to £ 4. Ids

7\ 0(»1 1Y1A KKETDrc. 30~ Per lb. s. d. a. d. Down Tegs. I 4 to 1 4' Half-bred llo £ s 1 3 I 4 Ewes and Wethers 11 12 Blanket Wool 0 7 0 !) Flannel ditto 0 10 1 2 Combing skin 0 0 0 0

PROVISIONS. Butter, Cork, per cwt. £ 4 lOa4 11 I Bcff, India prime,per tr. £ 8. 7s Belfast 0 0 0 0 New Me# do ti. is (Id Dublin 4 8 4!) Navy. i. i>sOd Pligo 4 s <10 Old India Po. £ 0 0 0 #, Carlowr 4 11 4 IS Hams, Yorkshire, newr, Newry 0 0 0 0 Small 3 10 0 0 J.iinerick 4 II 4 12 ].arge 3 8 0 0 Dorset, per firk.O 0 0 0 Cumberland 3 8 3 if Cumberland .0 0 0 # Pork, India prim* ITufltt Scotch, per cwt.4 4 4 8 Pr.Mess psrtul £ 4. Choose, Cheshire J 13 S 16 Old India 0.0s 0<f jNew Do 0 0 0 0 India, free onboard, fi.tfs 0<t Glo'ster, Single.2 0 3 H Mesa .VU^O'1 Double.t 15 S 7 Scotch £ 2. IDs £ 2. (S* ltacon,ninallsiuged,cwt.2 11 2 18 I'.gK8. t'iKlisli, per I'iO, lOgOd. 1 IS Larue 2 la 2 l.r> — Scotch ful ('sod .Middles, »cuUlcd.2 III 2 14 Irish 7s fid 8s Od II.'inis, Irish 2 17 3 S

PRICES OK SIIAHES AT LONDON. j nlilTISH MINKS. No. Ol NAM)- Of §-2 S g E« Shares COMPANV. a' 2 « jfc y.T a* .000 Anglesey 100 5 10 8 8 10 1,800 Arigna iron & Coal Co.. 50 34 — — 4,000 Bissoe Bridge 5 5 1 1 1 15,000 Ulaenavon 50 jn 40 41 .9 2j;]lfll0» 50 50 6i 6 1,000 Cariggan i i 1 100 Copper Hottom — 41 25 25 25 1 1,000 Cornubian Lead Company — 31431 3i 6,000 Cornwall Great United.. 129111 1,000 Cuddra 10 6 6 6 6 5,000 Dartmoor Consols 5 5 2 2 •> 10,000 Duibam County Coal Co. 50 30 — — j. 2,000 East Cornwall Tin, &c. 6 6 2 2 2 2,560 Kast Wheal Strawberry.. 7 7 I 1 « 1,200 East Mulberry Hills :U 31 1 1 1 4,000 English 25 121 2 li I 3,200 Great Wli. Prosper 25 71 61 6± fu 4,000 Great Wli. Charlotte. 21 21 3 3 10,000 Hibernian 50 12 45 41 it 1,000 Holmbush 100 14 31 29i 30 2,000 Isle of Setk (Guernsey).. — 6J 11 11 U 12,000 Kellewerris 5 2J J 1 600 Llwyudyissa — 5 7j 7^ 71 20,000 Mining Co. of Ireland 25 7 15 14 15 6,tJ00 Perran Conjoin 4A4111 3,000 Polberou Consols 10 10 1 1 1 6.000 Polbreen 5 4 2 li 11 2,00(1 Hclislian — — 8 7 72 5,000 Red moor Consolidated ..5 4} '2 2 2 10.000 Ill.ynmey Iron 5(, 45 39 30 li,000 St. Hilary. 01 o 1 1 1 H00 South Tovvuu in" (i41 4 3 4,000 Trego 11 an "i;; 'j? f, f 4,0-X) I releigli Consols. 5 j j j4 4,506 Tamar Consols •>' 9 13 rj i« ll ai! I)ri8 I revaskus {;0 40 <t0 4() 4,000 ire toil —. n 21! 2i 2l 4,Oi/'O United Hills 5 g, gjf 2,000 Wendron 8 8 3 3 s* 3,00 West C"ik 50 50 — 5,000 VVH- llnrin. & Montague, JO j0 2 if P 6.000 Wiekh'W Copper 5 5 8 8 8* j 4,520:West Wheal Jewel 874 o.jl 33 800, Whoiry Mine '5 12 12 12 12* 5.000:Wheal Sisters — 4 i| .1 1,000 Wheal Julia — — 42 40 40 J— i

4V1). of Sharer. CANALS. I'rice per Shar*' ) 2409 Monmouthshire.V00L sh. 202. j 1005 Brecknock and Abergavenny 150/. sh. <J4j f 600 Glamorganshire, Averagecost.. 172/. 13s. 4d. 533 Sw ansea 100/. sh. 265 i 3762 Severn and VVye& Itailnay Av. 35/. sh. 3Q 1960 Gloucester & Berkeley 100/. 269 Ditto (optional) notes 60/. 247 Neath UK)/, sh. 325 JOI NT-STOCK HANKS. 269 Ditto (optional) notell. 60/. 247 Neatli ]fX)I. sit. 325 JOI NT-STOCK HANKS. 25,000 rtionMoUtil F;.& Glaniorgan-tli.201.sii.101.pd. 16 20,000 North and South Wales lO/.sh.b/.pd. 10$I' 10,000 Gloucestershire .50/. sh. 10/. pd. 25 50,000 West, of England and 811111h Wales, 12 District 20/. sh. 12J/ pd. U 10,000 National Provin I. Eur land. 100/.sh.35/.pd. 34J 30,'KK> London Westminster. 100/. sh. 20/. pd. "^14 25,000 Liverpool 1(H)/. sis. To/ pd! 23$ 50,000 Manclics.& Livcrpl. Disct. lOO/.sh. 15/.pd. 9§ 20,000 Manchester 100/. sh. 25/. pd. 27 BAll. WAYS. 2,500 l,oi(,,st of' I)ean sit 50/. pd. 40 2,000 Llanclly 100/. sh. 7'l1 pd. 73 (vOOi) Uirniin^lKim a Gloucester. 1001. ::oil. 701 pd. 31 350 Cheltenham lt,0/. sli. lOO/. pd. 1.1 7,500 Clicltm. iv (it. Western ..100/. sh. 37J/. pd. 4 25,000 Gieat. Western i, 5,000 Bristol ainMCxetei lOO/.sh. -JO/, pd. 13

BRISTOL PRICES Of BRENT Of LEATHER AND RAW GOODS. lb. II>. d. d, Jh. Ih. d. II Cr,ipHldes,iicr !1> 30.3.')—I 11;>! 1!1 I;\nh Kl.ms —13 )."> 40 4S—la 14 Welsh Skills 31 40—11 |fl :,i/ (;1)-1:; 1(; I 17 Foit'ign Hides .>0 33—1 i 1 j 45 SO—IS 20 '10 i;I'l 1;\ S2 Sfi-20 21 Middlings 313 Bulls English. 10 20—I t 15 Kips, Kn^'lisl) and Welsh. IS 17 21 2f>—15 1(1 IWrbburth 6 8-17 10 30—10 18 9 10—14 17 extra .1 :W,-t7 It) Kast India lfi |!> Foreign .)<? M—)-t 1.5 Seal Skins, small 17 18 22 2'» 134 middling 14 I" 80 -15 10 large 11 IS Kit a strong St 3G-I6 17 Hntils o ll Best Saddlers' offal, Foreign Hellu-K ill 8 Hblss 87 40-Hi 15i Foreign Shoulders. 8 II Common ditto SS 40—13 Hj. Dressing Hide Hill. 8 !> Shaved Hides 18 22—IS 16 Ditto Shoulders 10 |l4 Shoe Hides 20 21-111 121 Common ditto '17 2t)—11* 12* 8 'I 34—11 13 RAW GOODS. Welsh Hides II* I2A Bull Hides 10 II Dry II. A. Hides 71 linglish llorso Hides 13 16 Salted ditto 4j S Welsh ditto 12 15 Brazil ditto ft 6 German ditto 13 16 Market ditto 24 Si Spanish ditto 18 22 Market calf sluns J 7j Ditto Shaved, without j IMcrsburgli Kips 10 11 butts 12s to ICs 6d each. 1 East India ditto 9 12 Horse Butts 9 11 I Best Pattern skins 50 6-1—Jfi 28 I Nark i. to H7. l')s per ton- t>5 70—27 { Valonia. £ 15 to £ 18. os per ton. 80 100—20 21 | .Sliuni.ie Hs to 16s per cwt. 110 120—-IS V<> j Ox Horns 45s to 55s per U'li Heavy.in :j<;—12 15 t J\iew/>vrtf Salurdajt, January 4, 1840 I'rintcd and Published for the Sole Proprietor, EI)WAHJ> DOW LING, ol Ciilldiin, near Newport, at t lie iMtnii: Geneial Printing OHice, situate in Coin-street, in the Hn, rough of Newport, by .IOIIN O'DWVEH, of Llunaith- street, in the said Boinui;lt. London Agents :—Messrs. Newton and Co.. VVarwick-sqiiaie Mr. R. Barker, 33, "Fleet-street; Mr G. HeyneU, 42, Chan- cery-lane Mr. S. Deacon, Coffee-house, No. 3. Walbroofc, iieai the Mansion-house; and Messrs. Clarke and Lewis, Crown Court, Tlireadueedlc-strect, where this Paper is regu- larly filed. Agents for Ireland: -.I ohnston and Co., Eden-quay, Dublin. Paris:—The Office of i>a.iignanit Itlesletger. The MEIILIN can be transmitted, post-free, through the General roftt- ofiice, to the followillg-lilaces. Antigua Berhice Buenos Ayres Ceplialonia Demerara Gibraltar Hamburgh Jamaica Nevis Quebec St. Lucia Trinidad Bermuda I Bogota Canada Columbia Denmark Grenada (New) Heligoland Laguayra Heligoland Laguayra Newfoundland Spain via Cadiz St. Vincent's Zaute Bahamas Brazils Caraccas I Corfu I Corfu Dominica Grcecc Honduras Malta New Brunswick St. Domingo Tobago Barbadoes Bremen Carthagena Cuxhaven France Halifax Ionian Isles Barbadoes Bremen Carthagena Cuxhaven France Halifax Ionian Isles Montserrat Nova Scotia St. Kitts Tortola It will be transmitted, upon payment of one penny, to India, Cape of .1 Good Hope, and New South Wales, Xo all other pl«ces It can be fqr- I (TARTLET W PAYIUEPT OF LWOP«NV'9. I

SEED MARKET.—DRC.AU. The supplies of both English and Foreign Cloversced continne very small, and the holders were to-day exceedingly tirin- the, actual amount of businessdone was, however, very unimportautf sellers generally asking higher rates than buyc IS were %villitig to* pay; our quotations can, tlwrefme, only be regarded as nominal"; In other descriptions of Seeds the I C was litlle passing, and with, the exception of a further fall in the value of Canaiyseed, no change occuned in prices. Price of Seeds. «. 8. ti f* Turnip,New,perbush. lOto 18 Clover,ivhite,new. 01a ft. RyeGrass,English,do.30to42 Trefoil. 12 to23- RyeGrass,English,do.30to42 Trefoil. 12 t0 123. Clover,redFng.percwt. Oto 0 Hapeseed, perlasi,Jt.2tl.to;t'3(^