Monmouthshire Merlin

.NEWPORT POST TIME. u_UH- J „ il)elivery) Bo:: 5 Ditto, < Pitt > .trt, j Due. BegitoB. | Closes. SComl.-st.; Pill, j D EPatch a.m. a.m. 5 p.m, p.m, I p.m. 5 p.m. London. 6 53 8 30 4 40 4 10 > 3 35 5 5 37 } s p.m. ? j a.m. a.m. s Tredegar. 10 50 1 o 2 0 j 11 15 ill 0 3 0 < p.m. ? a.m. > s 5 Bristol .I 12 1? 1 0 II 4J Ml 15 \U 0 12 43 Swansea.? 12 43 I 0 11 15 11 15 > 11 0!12 17 } ;$p.m. s p.m.' s p.m. a m Brynmawr. 4 10 > 6 0 J lfl 0; 8 45 i 8 30 8 0 Abrgavenny. j 10 15 | 1 0 > 1 15 i 8 45 5 8 30 I 2 15 t^embfoke.i,. 5 5 37 > 6 0 10 9 j 8 45 j 8 30 j 6 53 b. ø( MONEY-OKDEH OFticfc—op £ n from 9 a.m., tilt 6 p.m., ex- cept frOtn t- (7 till 5 3? p.tn. Letters to be Registered, must be brought to the Office at feast half an-hour before the box is closed for the despatch of luch letters. The charge is sixpence, which must be paid at the time of registration. Pläcesfrom which let'lers are sent and received by each Mail:— kttndon'—England. Scolland, Ireland, Noith Wales, Brecon- styre, Merthyr, Rbymney, Abergavehny, and Cardiganshire. TrtftegaS-—llisca, Abercarn, Newbridge, Blackwood, Brynmawr. Nantyglo, Coalbrookvale, tllaina, Victoria,Tydee.Pontymistre. Brlitoi— Ireland, North Wales, Northern Counties, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire. Warwickshire. Northampton- shire, Rutlandshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset- shire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Dorsetllhire,Devonshire, Cornwall, and Monmcuth. Swansea—Cardiff, Cowbridge. Bridgend, Taibach, and Neath. IWynmawr—Risca,Abercarn,Newbridge, Blackwood, Ebbwvale, ? Tydee, and l'outymlster. Abergavenny—Caerleon, Usk, PontypooJ) Monmouth, Hereford, and Ross. ¥«*nhroke—Glamorganshire, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire Cardiganshire,and Ireland.

TO CORRESPONDENTS; "All Islander's" view, as to the fatuity of the repeal agitation appears correct enough, bttt on'anothet subject he is far from tofctliodox—attributing to oVer-populatiou," the unhappy consequence: which result from an infatuated neglect or mis- appropriation of the immense resources of the unfortunate country. The increase of people is a means of advancing the wealth and strength of any nation. We cannot decipher the caligraphy of a writer signing himself Caushin." The Hereford Journal has not reached us this week. This is rather ominous after an editorial notice conveyed in the last number of that paper.

THE FUNDS AND THE NATIONAL DEBT. THE rapid and yet, to all appearance, steady advance in the national security, affords a most cheering indication of the extent of commercial confidence; and connected as it always is) with an improvement at the sources of industry, cannot but bo viewed with much satisfaction. This auspicious fact appears to us to suggest something more than bright anticipations, with regard to the year before 1l8. Looking at the rise in Consols which has taken place within a very short time, we see no reason why the sunny days of the coming summer should not be contemporaneous with the cheering event of these securities being at par. And with the probability there is of such being the east1, would it not be well (with all de- fefenceto thosfc who are looked upon as authorities in such matters) to consider the desirableness of making provi- sion for the payment of a portion of the National Debt. We know very well how visionary the very idea of such a thing is deemed by some parties. Fortunately, how- ever, we have a precedent lot" tho^e who think every thing fantastic which has not such a sanction. In 1844, when the funds had nttt reached par, for very many years, Sir Robert Peel saw the great advantage of seizing upon such an opportunity of reducing our perma- nent national burden. Now we do not say for a moment that there would be the slightest injustice in compelling the holders of the debt to accept payment, of the princi- pal at much below par, since they would then get more back than was originally advanced. Still, looking at the humorous changes in possession which have taken place, it is obviously best, and particularly since so little can be done in this way, to do it at a time when there can be no shadow of complaint, nor any hardship even in indi- vidual cases. But," a hundred voices will at once exclaim, It is utterly impracticable it would require a large surplus, and there is none." Not so fast, you "whose ideas run in a narrow track, or in a small circle! After what ministers have lately effected, in financial improve- ment, we venture to say that they could make a surplus, if so disposed. But, without reckoning upon this, we say the thing could be done, for this simple reason, that out of any given number of fundholders, to whom pay- ment of "principal was offered, but a small proportion would take it, even though the alternative should be a diminution of interest. Those who are well versed in monetary affairs, will admit the soundness of this theory, because it is based on practical considerations. But here again we have a precedent to which we can appeal. Sir Robert Peel offered these alternatives; and as is notorious, very few (and he previously, to be quite safe, ascertained the number) accepted payment. The rest took, in pre- ference, a reduced interest—one class of them beginning to receive it immediately, while the other will do so in 1850. By this arrangement, the annual interest of the debt is reduced-a most beneficial result. The same plan (which, indeed, has been carried out, even before the time to which we allude) might be adopted again, to a moderatejextcnt, and perhaps carried still further, by the creation of more Long Annuities. We hope, that If ministers do not propose it, some member of parliament will be found to do so.

FRAUDULENT DEBTORS. EVERY man who has been in business, has had to suffer from fraudulent debtors, and has, consequently, had to complain of the deficiencies of the law, with respect to that subject. When the law was most severe, it was not most effective; and the evil consequences of the ill-judged lenity shown in the legislation of rccent years, are being generally acknowledged. Some of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy are acting with more justice and common sense than formerly; but others yet seem to think a man quite a virtuous character, who merely deprives numbers of persons of their hard-earned substance, by his extra- vagance; while the actually-fraudulent, experience very merciftil treatment. So in the Insolvent Debtors' Court, the usual practice tends rather to the encouragement, than otherwise, of the reckless and even the dishonest. In both these courts, the parties in authority appear to disclaim a punitive power, or exercise it, but in a very inefficient manner. A striking illustration occurred a few days since, in the Insolvent Debtors' Court, London, in the case of one Hanson. He had been in prison twelve months, but this appeared to have been for want of funds to pay the court expenses, and not as a punishment for misconduct; since the reports state, that he was brought up by the charitable fund of the court." A pretty sub- ject for charity, as the facts will show! The man had unfortunately been appointed executor to a widow named Nelson, who had left legacies to her son and unmarried daughter, both in humble circumstances. Having ob- tained JC170. of this trust money, he had applied it to his own use, and had nearly procured £:!70. more, when an injunction from the Court of Chancery was obtained, just in time to put a stop to his rascality, lhe fellow, whose discharge was very justly opposed by the d efrauded, admitted his guilt. He had nothing with which ti repay the plundered parties, and offered no excuse. The chief commissioner declared his conduct to have been most atrocious, and remanded him for three months longer. Can it be said that this fellow is justly punished for his baseness ? It must not be taken as if he was suf- fering fifteen months' imprisonment for robbing these poor people. No. He was in prison for debt, and If ever a) honest, must have remained there till the court fees could be paid. His imprisonment for this heartless guilt was three months; just what a poor hungry wretch, una- ble to get work, would receive for stealing a loaf of bread. We find no fault with the commissioner. Perhaps, in- deed, he had gone to the full extent; but the law ought to provide some more proportionate penalty for such gross breaches of trust; and, on the general question, creditors ought to be iar more efficiently protected from the ma- chinations of that large class of traders who live design- edly, and many of them in luxury, upon the fruits of jnstdustrious and honest men's toil.

ABUSE OF THE ROYAL FORESTS. THE recent inquiry into the state of the royal forests, to which we have before had occasion to advert, has com- pletely exploded the popular notion, so industriously en- couraged by official persons, of their being extremely valuable for the growth of timber for the royal navy. Instead of this, the truth is, that the important branch of the public scrvice-the growth of British timber, on our own soil, always at command under all contingencies, important to the navy, and for commercial purposes be- sides—is shamefully sacrificed to private interests. The Srowth of timber is made subservient to the growth of eer, such deer being the perquisite of the noblemen who hold sinecure offices in these forests. Mr. Downes, the able surveyor, who has given such valuable evidence be- fore a committee, upon these subjects, says of the New Forest, that much of the timber is very old, and would be rejected for naval purposes;" of Whychwood Forest, that there is not a great deal of oak fit for naval pur- poses;" and of Whittlewood Forest, that hundreds of the forest trees are, for such purposes, "totally destroyed." How this destruction is effected, is very obvious; and it is disgraceful to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and their subordinates, that they have permitted such gross abuses to exist, like the" underwood and rubbish of these forests, in rank luxuriance. The forest trees, it seems, are lopped and pruned every year; but not, however, in such a way as to promote the growth of the timber. No. The object is, that the deer which are being raised for the table, or the profit of the noble rangers," may feed upon the branches. So the under- wood is demolished, before it attains any valuable ma- turity, in order that the deer may browse. Mr. Downes deposes, that "the injury is incalculable;" that sound, thriving timber is in this shameful manner rendered unfit for use that oak and ash trees are rendered use- less. Indeed, in illustrating these facts to the committee, Mr. Downes said, very large oaks, many of them as large in diameter as this table!' are lopped in this way, and are utterly destroyed for navy purposes. Generally speaking, Mr. Downes thinks that the roots and brushwood would repay the cost of clearing; aud where drainage might be requisite, he allows £ o. per acre for land which would be let at from 20s. to 30s. But Mr. Downes proposes a course which does not go so far as actually disforesting these lands. He states that all the "healthy, handsome, and thriving timber," might stand, in park-like beauty; all the intervening spaces being used for grazing; and that there might be nothing indefinite about it, he makes an offer, which has been noticed before, but which appears more striking now, because it is shown to be exclusive of the timber." He says: "I myself would be very glad to give foOOO. per year rent for Whittlewood Forest." He adds, that the timber, at per cent. upon its fair value, would certainly yield "from £13,000. to £ lo,000. a-ycar more." And what was the net return from this forest for the year ending June oth, 1847 ?— £ 1- 3s. O.^d! We leave such facts, m all their naked defbrmity,with our readers, with- out a word of comment.

Mr Griffiths, the details of whose murder we give this day MOST fully ill the MERLIN, was, we believe, the last male n family highly esteemed in our county, leSCrmLes of He was first-cousin to the late the Uriffithstv Gloucester, had been brought up to Mr. Charles Grtfhths, 01 wo mercautiie position in the law, and recently tollea a hest wort]l; of uniin. Brighton. He was a m^n o ^and intelligenee. He peached honour, and of -d and a mu„erous possessed many friends, and hah lat a wi jve bv young family to deplore their bereavement. rwi'i-nment handbills posted in this town, that her Majesty s have offered a reward of £ 100 to any person who < fe the first information and such evidence as sliall le.ul discovery and couviction of the murderer or murderers an the Secretary of State will recommend the grant ot her Majesty's gracious pardon to an accomplice, not being the person who actually fired the shot, who shall give such infor- mation and evidence as shall lead to the same result. The further reward of JE200 will be paid by Mr. Lewis Slight, clerk to the commissioners of the town-hall, Brighton, to any person or persons who may give such information as shall lead V* the apprehepsiw and fool wavistion of the jaurderers,

NEWPORT CATTLB MARKET.—There was rather a hesita- ting demtind on Wednesday, in consequence of the great number of beasts and sheep on offer; but there was a fair proportionate sale at figures but a shade lower than the last market transactions. We have seldom noticed a finer show of cattle, sheep, and pigs, except on extraordinary occasions, than ni this market: and there were some prime cows, with calves. Beasts ranged from 4id. to 5fcd.; sheep ^old at 6d., or n trifle less, in some cases potkers t>tou$it 8s. 6cl. pcf score, Store pigs sold well but not so briskly as lhst week, from the large number oliered. EASTER (QUARTER SE«SXON^.—We understand that S. R. BbfiaHqhet, E«$q., find O. Mei-gfUi; J3s*q., M.P.> t? Whom /\yere delegated authority to appoint a time for holding die Lester Quarter Sessions, have fixed the 19th of March next for the purpose. CUSTOMS SEIZURE.—A cargo of upwards of 400 quarters of Egyptian beans lias been seized by the collector and comp- troller at this port, brought here in the schooner Reynard, ol Gloucester, from Honfleur, contrary to the Navigation.I«. These beflns are prtrt tif 11 cargo originally imposed into Gloucester by'a Danish vessel, from Alexandria, winch were exported to France, and thence brought into this port by the Reynard. HYDRAULIC SHIPPING APPARATUS—"One in the coal trader who writes us respecting the capabilities of the new shipping apparatus recently erected on the Ebbw Vale coal jetty in this port, is incorrect in saying that we over-stated the capabilities of the machinery. In fact, we greatly under- stated the great powers it possesses, its the following, letter, written id Mr. James Brown, of Elibw V tile, will snow aN ewpórt, Feb.6tH,lU4i1.-Sii, observing a paragraph in the MERLIN of Saturday, referring to your shipping apparatus, where it stated that a tram, containing ten tons ot coal, could be discharged in ten minutes," I was induced to test the correctness of the statement. The Eliza, of Bridgwater, being in berth and ready to load. I commenced^upon her with J.h rçe trains (all we had on the wharf fit the time), weighing 30 tons lt> (wi.: and in 23i hiinutes tae whole was lairlv shipped and disposed of. The fact is, we can ship much faster than the men below can stow. Price paid for shipping, l id. per ton stowage, 2d. per ton.—T. H. Davis." NUISANCES REMOVAL ACT.—The sanatory board appoint- ed by the Board of Guardians for this place, sit nightly at the council-house, to receive reports of nuisances, and to report progress. We find that their ,( progress is most effective. Masses of filth are still being removed, foul drains and cess- pools cleansed,Jnew culverts formed, and bad roads rendered passable, both by the Tredegar Wharf Company, and the town. This is gratifying to every inhabitant, who cares for clcanlinessj health, and ccmfort: THE NEW BEER ACT.—Although there are now and then a few cases in which beer-house keepers and publicans are found to exceed the hour of midnight, on Saturdays, or in opening before the hour of one, on Sundays, wo can still report, from olticial sources, that the new act works in New- port much more favourably, than in the generality of other towns. NEWPORT ATJIENÆlnt AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.— Last evening (Thursday), the ReV. T. Spencer, M.A., of Bath, delivered a deeply interesting and instructive lecture, at this Institution. The leading topics of the rev. gentleman's ad- dress weto Se1f:cultllre, Af utual Instruction, and Social En- joyment and upon theso several points, the accomplished lecturer suggested methods of practical improvement, which, from their obviously advantageous tendency, seemed at once to commend themselves to the attention and favour of his audience. Mr: Spenfcer is evidently a gentleman who, in senti- ment and practice, keeps pace with popular progress, despising the contracted idea of preserving any usages, intrinsically evil, merely because of their antiquity. The practical hints given by Mr. Spencer, during his lecture, as well as proving healthfully stimulating to young persons, in the pursuit of knowledgp, wcre eminently calculated to promote the lecturer's purpose of preparing the people for the good time coming." NEWTORT ATHEN.EUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.— W e perceive by an advertisement in our columns this day, that the committee of this institution have made arrangements with Herf Wehrhan (of whom report speaks very favourably) to deliver no lectnre 011 national and popular music, which will be illustrated by the aid of a powerful chorus of singers. Among the attractive morceaux of the programme, we notice "La Marseillaise," awl" Mourir pour la Patrie, songs which exert such a powerful effect upon our revolution-loving neigh- bours in France, and which figure so conspicuously in the history of that country during the last sixty years. We un- derstand that this concert will be of somewhat similar character to the glee concert given at the institution last year, which aU who were then present will remember with great pleasure. A FAREAVELL.—A large number of gentlemen met at the Parrot Hotel, Commercial-street, on l'uesday evening last, to bid farewell to a friend, who left Newport the following morning. The meeting was purely a private one; but advantage was taken of the occasion to spend a most cheering and harmonious evening. The services of the North Wales harpist, who won the Welsh harp at the Abergavenny great Cymreigyddion, in 1845, were secured, and certainly, never did more wonderful strains How from the strings of old Cambria's national instrument, than under the exquisite performance of Mr. Jones. Two commercial gentlemen also sung several duets, and songs, which exhibited sweet and powerful voice, correct time, and tine melody. Indeed, so admirable a private treat has seldom been experienced. The farewell toasts being cordially drunk, the stirrup cup was taken, the good-by given, and the meeting separated at a decorous hour. It Was announced by one of the com- mercial gentlemen here alluded to, that he had complied with a request to sing a couple of songs at the forthcoming musical entertainment at the town hall, on his return journey through Wales. MR. AND MRS. PAGE'S SOIREES CLASSIQUES.—Wo have on two or three occasions alluded to these refined and highly intellectual musical treats; we use this phraseology inasmuch as they are considered quite out of, and infinitely superior to. the common order of such things. The pleasure experienced by those parties who were present at the first and second soirtcs and 1IlIltinÙ,. d'invitation has called forth from them a very general request that a series of similar entertainments should be arranged to which subscribers might obtain access. In accordance with this expressed desire, Mr. and Mrs. Page have, we understand, completed the preliminary arrangements for a series of six wirées, which will take place at their resi- dence fortnightly, commencing on Tuesday next; on which occasions we are informed they will have the valuable aid of several highly talented amateurs; and it is also intimated that they will, very probably, during a portion of tho series, be assisted by professional talent of the first rank. The talented professors pledge themselves that nothing but music of the most sterling excellence will be allowed a place in the several programmes. This is most commendable; for, as many littles make much," so may we, by gradual association with them, be led to study the beauties of) and consequently fully enjoy, the undying works of the greatest musical com- posers. The subscribers' list (which yet remains open) pre- sent., an assemblage of names of the highest rank in the county. A DANGER.—Our attention has been called to the necessity for shutters being placed against the cellar windows in the frontago of tha town-hall, where a large quantity of straw is now seen hanging partly through the bars, which might, by the sudden freak of a drunken man, or some accident, be very easily ignited, and perhaps the whole building consumed. The matter should be looked to. MEDICAL DIRECTORY.—A work of this description has long been a desideratum, and is now presented to the com- niumty m a form and with arrangements which render it a valuable book ot reterence both to professional and non-pro- fessional persons whilst, as it has been quaintly, but truly observed, it will serve as a kind of detective police in pointing out those who falsely assume the honours of being qualified men. INQUEST.—An inquest was holden on Thursday afternoon last, at the board room of the Cnion Workhouse, before W. Brewer, Esq., coroner, on tjlp l)0(j of Jo]m Williams, mason, who met with his death under the circumstances detailed in evidence. Mr. Christopher Hadden, sworn, said, I am a mason, and work for Mr. Gcthing, on his property near the workhouse. We had built a cesspool there, the arch over which had been made since before Christmas, and covered with two feet and a half of soil. John Williams was engaged yesterday m completing the "man holes'' on the top. We strVcK centres from under the arch in the morning, K I1» Kave way. We had just completed the work, about half-past fivo in the evening, when the arch suddenly gave way, and the man and a boy named Joseph Hopton fell into the cesspool with it. There were about nine feet of water in the cesspool at the time the accident occurred. 1 was standing by, and put a ladder into the water under the boy and saved' him. We used every effort with drags and hooks, assisted by Mr. Flint and several men from the work- house, in order to recover the man, but failed to do so. We continued working in getting out the water and rubbish until we were enabled to get at the body. We brought out the corpse about half-past nine o'clock. I believe the arch gave way trom the softness of the earth, it being new ground and Y'P "1Ucl1 loosened by the continued rain."—Verdict, Accidental death." ROBBERY.—On Wednesday week, between the hours of 9 a.m. and ;> p.m., the house of AV ni. Jones, of Llanhennock, -was and the following property stolen therefrom :— An old-fashioned watch, without a glass, a gold wedding ring, two silk handkerchiefs (the one black and the other coloured), three shawls Cone a black silk, the other a small plaid, and the third a cashmere with flowers), a new plaid waistcoat, a pair of Wellington boots newly soled, and a black-handled razer. BRISTOL SUGAR MAIIKET, Feb. H.-Since this day week the sales in W. T Sunar have been of but triflms extent, cons gting prncipally of Chrystalised Demeraias at 41s. to 43s. per cut UTI'IIF-SENTATION OF BRISTOL.—It is rumoured that Kar1 Fiizliardioge has wholly withdrawn his support lrom the Liberals of Bristol.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH. The following passages arc quoted from the return published by order of the llegistrar General, for the quarter ending December 31, 1848:— It is gratifying to find that the mortality of the quarter has been below the average. Only deaths have been regis- tered. The deaths in the corresponding quarters of li!4(i and 1847, were 53050, and 57925; so that notwithstanding some increase of population, the decrease of deaths on 1847, is 11801; on 1840, is 6931. Taking the increase of population into account, the deaths are 2571 below the average of deaths in nine preceding years. The general mortality of the country was comparatively low in the live years of 1841-5; in the middle of 1840, epi- demics set In, and proved fatal through the rest of 'IH4G, through 1847, and the winter of 1848. A manifest improve- ment took place in the spring of 1848; the summer was of the average degree of health; and although eases of cholera have occurred in London, and several districts during this quarter, the returns prove that the epidemic has hitherto produced no sensible effect on the mortality. WELSH DIVISION. — The mortality of Merthyr Tydfil, Newtown, and Holywell, is lower than it was in the corres- ponding quarters of 184G-7, In Wrexham, 302 persons died within three months' The deaths in Wales and Monmouthshire were 51)00, 5000, and 5280 in the autumn quarters of 1840—7—8. The births were 8537 in the autumn quarter of 1840; and 7074 in the autumn quarter of 1848. Abergavenny-Blacnavon sub-division..Deaths, 35: are above the average. Typhus has prevailed, and been fatal in 14 cases which accounts for the increase. WEST MIDLAND DIVISION.—Tho deaths in Bristol, Stroud, Cheltenham, and Hereford, were somewhat more numerous than in the autumn of 1847. Scarlatina and small-pox pre- vailed slightly in Bristol. The registrar of St. Mary, Ited- cliff, justly complains that the burial of the dead is too long deferred in his district. The mortality of Clifton, Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Kidderminster, was rather lower than in preceding years. A most striking improvement is observed in tho health of the coal and iron districts of Staffordshire and Warwickshire. The deaths registered in Birmingham during the autumn quarters of l»44--«, were 964, 777, 1338, 1795, and 851. In Dudley, W alsall, and >\ olverhamton, the diminution in the mortality of the last quarter of 184tt, is equally striking. In Wolstanton and Coventry, the mortality also declined." The deaths registered in all the districts of Gloucestershire, Here- fordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, andWar- wickshire, wore 12858, 12742, and 10477. in the autumn quar- ters of 1840—8. There were fewer births in 1848 than in 1840. The births in the autumn quarter of 1848 were 16003; the deaths only 10477. CHOLERA.—Epidemic cholera, it will be recollected, ap- peared in England at the close of the year 1831, or at the same season as it appeared in 1848. It expended its fury, and caused nearly all the mortality in the next year. We may fervently hone that it will not a second time pursue a similar course. No efforts should be spared to prevent or controul its ravages. Much may be done to mitigate its severity, if not to avert its invasion The cholera, unlike some other epidemics, advances slowly but our sanatory defences advance still more slowly so that the enemv finds Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, and the great cities ot-the kmgdom as assailable now, as they were in 1832 It was evident 111 184b, that cholera would reach England This was referred to in a passage of the remarks on the tables tor the quarter ending June, 1840 "Notwithstanding the improvements effected when cholera was last epidemic the foul, untrapped sewers, and the ground areas of the best streets, emit noisome smells and volatile poisons, which are as fatal as arsenic to a certain number of persons. London is surrounded, too, by stagnant water, and putrid ditches, as some cities are by walls. It would bo well not to wait carelessly until cholera reaches the country, but to look before,' remove these nuisances, and purify the reek- ing atmosphere, which gives the disease breath, life, and being." We unfortunately have waited; many of the evils complained of in 1840, are not removed. But a Health of Towns Act exists; a map of London is in progress, on which the fatality of epidemics may be traced, and which will faci- litate the drainage; a new commission ot sewers has been issued; a Board ot Health has been constituted; innumerable reports have been printed; and if no time is lost, much may yet be done, before the great epidemic is in a condition to put forth its strength in summer. The establishment at Tooting has shown us how cholera is made fatal: it is still easier to show how it may be made comparatively innoxious. And the lesson will probably not be so sooa forgotten as it was iii I$2,

NEW SHERIFFS. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 13th day of Feb- ruary, 1849. Present, tl)5 Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Sheriffs appointed by her Majesty ib. Conncil; (ot th6 Ycar 1849: Monmouthshire—John Arthur Herbert, of Llanarth Cou t, Esq. Gloucestershire—William Phillip Price, of Tibberton Court, Esq. ^Somersetshire—George William Blathwayt, of Porlock, Esq. Worcestershire- John Dent, of Walcot, Esq. ■. ■ • • 'VV'ALES. Anglesea—Stephen Koose, of Tan-y-lan, Esq. Brcconsliire—William Pearse, of Frwdgrecll, Esq. Carnarvonshire—Samuel Owen Priestley, of Trefan, Esq. Cai'martlieiish'ire—Walter Rice Howell PowelT, of Maes- gwynne, Esq. Cardiganshire—Henry II oughton, of Hafod, Esq. Denbighshire—Thomas Griffith, of Trevallyn Hall, Esq. Flintshire—Phillip Lake Godsall, of Iscoyd Park, Esq. Glamorganshire—Robert Boteler, of Landough Castle and Maqsmawr, Esq.. Montgomeryshire—Robert Gardner of Plas-y-court, Esq. Merionei-lisliire— R^Fert, David Jones, of Aberllateipiy,:Esq- Pembrokeshire—Seymour Phillips Allen, "f Cre=selly, Esq. Radnorshire—Edward Middleton Evans, of Li\s,) lib^'ried. Esq. --+-

TEA PARTY AT THE TOWN HALL. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—There are generally found persons silly enough to. oppose ,everything with which they are not connected, whether they tan obtain the support of an approving con- science, or not. Such persons form aelassj unfortunately for the peace of society, too inflated by vanity to lie. very pervious to shame though it, is apparent to everybody else that obloquy is attached to their conduct. To such persons I allude in the following particulars A hand-hill was got out ou Tuesday last, and circulated and posted by two or threcnwüuhght bill-stickers, headed "CautIOn to the public; and tiidse who concocted the anonymous document, to which the writer and the printer, it would appear, were ashamed to affix their names, falsely went on to state that the ME RLIN of last week had imposed upon the public in a para- graph relating to a second tea party at the town hall, by stating that it was again for the benefit of the W idow and Orphans' Fund of the Oddfellows' society in Newport. Now, the MKKLIN stated no such thing and those who asserted it in the anonymous placard were either too ignorant to read the paragraph correctly, or too determined to misconstrue, and therefore hazarded the falsehood I now expose. The paragraph most distinctly read— the committee will devote th" pro-eedf, if any, to a different purpose this time, by way of extending the means df Conferring a kindness which the public may place in their power." T, should not hive noticed the publications of anonymous scribblers, whp are Ashamed of daylight, and lend themselves to the discreditable work of liiglit-billstieking," were it not that the placard contains— first, a falsehood as regards the MERMN secondly, attempts to reflect on the motives of the persons getting up the meet- ing; and thirdly, closes with another falsehood. The public will perceive, by the advertisement in the MERLIN of this week. that the Mayoi- will preside at the meeting; and I as- sure them that Ite was lIiri.de acquainted with the object of the entertainment, before he perinÎttcd t1w sanction of his name, which is a sufficient guarantee tor the respectability ànd pro- priety of the proceeding. As no one is compelled to attend the party, and those who may be there will look principally, we suppose, after their own gratification, there can be no doubt that those who participate in the evening s entertain- ment will enjoy themselves without envy, and allow no feelings of malice, or ungenerous opposition, to mar their festivity. The public may perceive that the "bill of fare has been considerably improved since fii'st issued, which is offered as an earnest of the zeal the committee are exhibiting in their intention to provide an evening's entertainment of a first-rate and respectable character. I remain, sir, on behalf of the committee, W, PITT, Hon: Sec.

DISHONEST SHOP OPENERS. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—From the evident interest yon constantly take in all matters affecting the prosperity of the place, i entertain senile confidence that you will give me a corner in a column, in order to otter a hint to my brother tradesmen.—Experience teaches us that notwithstanding the trite adage, a rolling stone gathers no moss," there are many people in the habit of moving from town to town, supposing the next locality in view, will prove a land of Goshen and fondly imagining that their real character—their clever dodges—their shametully- shortcoinings in the wayofpayments elsewhere, will not come to the knowledge of a patronising public- Business is com- menced; a new system uf liberal dealing projected and a scale of charges published, so wonderfully low, that people talk much of the contrast between the prices they were in the habit of paying, and the figures so temptingly set down by the new man—never considering that the honest tradesmen with whom they hitherto dealt, pay twenty shillings in the pound sterling, giving a healthy tone to the town, and thereby enabling merchants and professional men to get on in the world, whilst the ephemeral trickster is versed in appealing with a canting whine to his too credulous creditors, and offering them some four or five shillings in the pound, instead of twenty. I would put. it to the gentry of Newport, whether countenancing such people as these, is doing their duty towards a place where perhaps their property has been origi- nally made, or with the well-doing of which, they or their relations are directly or indirectly interested? The superfi- cial plausibilities, the fawning sycophancy, and the semblance of honest industry, it may be said, catch the general favour, whilst the under-current of deception is seen by the inquiring eye of a philosopher. It might be so, if instances of creditor- robbing and the cheap-machinery trap were less frequent; but unfortunately, neither is new here. l he chief object of my brief letter, however, is to suggest to m.11 brother tradesmen, "f whatever line of business, the protective propriety of refusing orders to those commercial travellers who blindly furnish these" cheap John" swindlers with goods, which are retailed for any money the shop- keeper can raise on them-to the injury of the fair trader-and for which the swindlers will pay at St. Tip's Eve—a period neither before nor after Christmas. fror myself, I will make it an inva- riable rule. 1Iot to do" with any commercial men 1cho thus keep the heads of knaves above water. I am, Mr. Editor, vours, respectfully, A NEWPORT TRADESMAN, Of 20 Years standing.

ABERGAVENNY. PAitisn MEETING.—A parish meeting for the appoint- ment of parish and ward constables, was held in St. Mary's Church, on the 15tli inst., T. Baker, Esq., in the chair. A larger number of ratepayers were present than usually attend, in consequence of a report being circulated that an attempt would be made to eject Patrick Cusack from the office of constable. II e has been removed from that of policeman to that of a mere parish constable but it was deemed desirable by some to have him out altogether. His friends rallied round him, advocated the cause ,If an old servant, who had spent the prime of his life in the service of the town, and during that service had become disabled; and so forcibly prevented the case, that a very large majority of the meeting voted for his being continued in oliice. The particulars will appear in next week's MERLIN.

♦ COMMISSIONERS' MEETING, FEB. 9, 1849. Present, Mr. V. H. Smith, Mr. J. Price, Mr. Baber, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Meredith, Mr. J. T. Harvey, Rev. Micah Thomas, Mr. J ob Davis, Mr. J olin Michael, and Mr. W. Davis. Mr. W. Watkins, watchmaker, proposed Mr. Price to the chair but he declined, and proposed that Mr.Isaacs be chair- man he had been accustomed to fill that office for some con- siderable length of time, with a great deal of efficiency, and was more competent to fill it than perhaps any other gentle- man present, inasmuch as he had devoted a greater portion of his time to make himself perfectly acquainted with all the routine of business connected with the meetings of the com- missioners. He was seconded by the Rev. Micah Thomas, who supported it most emphatically, and with all his hearty paying a high compliment to Mr.* Isaacs, and making a few observations on what had transpired at some of the late meetings, the remembrance of which had better be buried in oblivion. Mr. Isaacs made some brief remarks on the same subjects, and proceeded to business. He was supported in the chair by Mr. Smith and Mr. Price. A request was made by the Superintendent of police for various necessaries to enable the force to carry out the duties devolving upon them. It was ordered that rattles, lanthorns, handcuffs, and staves be supplied them. Ordered that Thomas Herbert be paid £3 15s. Gd.—one quarter's salary that 0s. be paid Thomas Powell, carpenter, for work that i:15 3s. 4d., one quarter's poor rate, be paid. After a long discussion, about cleaning and sweeping the streets, as pauper labour could not be made available, it was deemed advisable, until fresh arrangements be made, that each householder sweep before his own door. It was ordered that handbills be printed and circulated, soliciting contracts for the regular cleansing and watering of the streets. A long conversation then ensued, about the great increase in the amount of defaulters during last year, over the preced- ing year, when the formation of a Finance Committee was proposed by Mr. Baber, and seconded by Mr. Meredith. Messrs. Watkins, Price, Meredith, Baber, and Isaacs, were the gentleman of whom it was to be composed.

THE FALSE PROPHET. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Medin. SIR,—The following sentence by Mr. W. Jones, Machen, which appeared in the MERLIN of November 4th and 18th, evince a most daring combination oftclfishncss, insolence, and ingratitude. I am afraid that the days of the Abergavenny Eisteddfod are numbered, its glory is tarnished." Mr. Jones charges Mr. Watkins with exercising some un- fairness in adjudging the prizes for the flannels. In this he may be right; or he may be wrong. But for the sake of argu- ment on his folly in venting his spleen on the society, in this instance, we will grant that lie is right; i.e., that Mr. \Vatkins was not competent,' a.s a judge; or, that his mind was im- properly biassed in favour of one person." Although it may be observed that Mr. Watkins' incompetency will scarcely be admitted when it is considered that he was the means of bringing the flannels into notice at the Abergavenny Eistedd- fod, twelve years ago; and that he gave the first prize of two guineas himself, for the best history of the manufacture of Welsh flannels: which was won by Mr. D. Lewis, "Ehedydd Gwent," (see Uwladgwarwr, vols. 5 ami (j.) And also when it is taken into consideration that he was one of the judges ten years ago, and at every Eisteddfod, I believe, ever since; when Mr. Jones carried, not only one prize, as was the case at the last Eisteddfod, but almost all the prizes for flannels. Considering these things the society is justified in appointing Mr. Watkins as a competent judge. But, were it a fact that he allowed himselfto be biassed.andact unjustly and bascly,in withholding the prizes from Mr. Jones, or any other competi- tor, knowing at the same time that he was doing wrong even in that case the society is not responsible. All the responsibi- lity rests upon Mr. Watkins himself. Of course the respect- ability of Mr. Watkinsis a sufficient guarantee to the society, as we'll as to the public at large, that such was not the case. On the other hand, it will be granted that Mr. AY atkins, not- withstanding his cleverness, is not infallible, and thereiore may have erred. Mr. Jones has been a judge himsel in a small way. and probably he may know something ot the di- lemma into which judges are soinetimcs thrown when two compositions of nearly equal merit are to be judged. But it lie does not, there are some now m Gwent who think that Mr. Jones has not always adjudicated the prizes as lie ought to have done. But I do not think that any one would ascribe to him the baseness which his charity ascribes to Mr. Watkins. Nor is it likely that there is any one besides himself that would have the audacity to suppose that a man of Mr. W.'s standpg in society would, intentionally, exercise such gross injustice. But even if he did, the society is free from all blame and the responsibility rests entirely upon himself. Competitors, by the bye, ought to consider that judges at Eisteddfodau, after doing their work gratis, and to the best of their judgment (even should any mistake have taken phc.) I d. tf' 1 ) ace ought to be addressed m a respectful manner, and not wltl bare-faced bitterness ascribing to them the Worst of niotiv in serving their nation and the public. owves, We could have anticipated such prophetic r.i-Lv *• concerning the downfall of the Abergavenny Eistcdd ff. ir all quarters, rather than the source whence it ''T when we think of the number and amount r,f :rlnauat.(l 5 which, from time to time, during the last ten ve^r • i way from Abergavenny to Maolien. made their Such ingratitude is without a parallel. r:f.e i consider the splendour and magnificence nfn' iS' „.cn we fod, and that upwards of £ 400 were di-,i>i ,st h'stedd- different competitors and when we thinl^f anlon!? 1 ^1 e same amount is already in view toward* our confidence, as well as our hopton 1A -"T E^ddfod, the downfall of the Eisteddfod f ir' f-> lnduce us to put It is to be sincerely honed' th '.UV;VV' Cynireigyddion Society, the ,K! Abergavenny Guest, and other distinguished c' i y. Hall, Eady consider Mr. Jones as a fair ns$, society, will not in appreciating their most nr-ns",of thc sous of Cambria, the Eisteddfod continue fofV,Pertk'ns- And raay the advancement of science ■1,1,1 j-+ a,rS onc,>' to encourage a«'e of royalty One literature, under the patron- and founders is gone-theVm^ wV'1" onor £ etic the society be th, „ eminent Canihnanawc .but may fit' iirmv W,.) 1 U1eans of bringing to light the native talent BSTW« 'K- HV1 KOBEKTS.

BEDWAS. THE DEATH OF "OLD TUDOR."—On Tuesday last, at ten o clock, the hounds of Mr. Davies, of Tyisha, unkennelled a fine old dog fox in Avod Tudor Wood, in the parish ot MJny- ddyshvyn. He was well known to all in that district as Old Tudor," being an old inhabitant of that cover, with a grey head, and having been the hero of many a days sport. On leaving his mossy bed, the hounds ran him 111 view tor three quarters of a mile over Mynyddylan and the large meadows of Sir Benjamin Hall, called Ulurch Farm, in a straight line to the north, making his P^n^o the large hr plantations of Sir B. Hall, in Man Mole in the pansh of Bedweltv but Reynard, finding the wind hard in his front, and the hounds harder on his brush, was obliged to turn his course, and ran with the wind. He was then pronounced by all the ktwwi» £ wes as beateu; but lie went down the Aber- carne heavy covers with flIe finest hunting that was ever known, and skirted the covers of Risca, Mather*, and Bedwas, and returned to the starting place, when they all m<fde sure the scene was to be closed, the hounds viewing him in cover every five minutes, for half an hour. Like a gallant veteran, he again broke out, and ran towards Mynyddyllan, the hounds following within a hundred yards, and keeping in fielv for ,htltf a mile over the hill, to the Carna, a very rooky wood, wh'ef'e he ^orlj»ed for a few minutes. They again got a view of him, and tuu him do^'n headlong over the rooks in the Carna, to the plantation below ''it B Ilills ho'sv bridge which crosses the valley from Mynyddyslwj rr to R.T,\(,1\, whei-e he was killed, after a run of four hours without a check Thus ended the lite of one of the finest foxes that ever ran. The brush was taken by a fresh man,who ran in view with the hounds, and it was very politely handed to Mr. Davies, the owner of the hounds, who was in at the death, and who said that he was sorry it was the last day for such a noble animal, for he had given the hardest run erev remembered, for speed end t,P112 In four hours he ran between forty and fifty miles. Old TeVfor wiis a very Iarj?e fox/with an unusually I011? thin brush, wliieh accounted for his great speed and power for it h a rule that if they have n faf thick bushy TAil they are never good goers. If Napoleon had ended his career in the-same way as this fox did, he would deserve the moti-o— 'Derpri decus addit civito. lie adds honour to the honour of lift ancestors.

BLAENAVON. On Monday tho l'ith instant, the infant school, which has been recently erected at *hi« place, ,wps opened fV the recep- tion of children of the respective agis from 3 to 7 years old, when a great number were admitted, and placed under the superintendence of Miss Pierce. The building is very neatly executed, and reflects great credit upon the contractor, Mr. John Powell, mason. The inhabitants of Blaenavon are much indebted to the Lady ofK. Johnson, Esq.. and to the Rev. John Jones, incumbent of the place, for their kind attention and indefatigable services towards the tuition of the children, and the speedy completion of the building.

CHBrSTOW. GAMBLING.—Fifteen years jig'6' I visited Chepstow: it was then a qliict little town,- and nothing going Oii but innocent amusements. 1 have spent Hie most part ot my time during my absence, abroad. Upon returning to' Wales,-1 thought would Once more visit several romantic and beautiful spots in the vicinity of Chepstow: for this purpose I staid at the prin- cipal Hotel about three weeks, I was grieved to find that the state of society had undergone a sad and metanctioly. change. and how is it so? Why, gambling, that awfully infatuating vice, has taken the place of those amusements before alluded to. Upon inquiry 1 found that some respectable houses, here- tofore, are now frequented by young, middle aged, and even old men, in nightly gambling orgies,whilst the families of some of them were suffering the greatest privations at home. Some of their wives, I observed myself, were mere drudges, who, indeed deserved a better fate. Oh! how many aching hearts there must be in Chepstow! I trust that this hint, with tiod's blessing, will have the desired dfect.-reritas.

EBBW VALE. On Ffiday, the 9th instant, Messrs. Morgan and Rees held a grand miscellaneous concert at the large school room in the above place, to a large and highly respectable audience. Mr. Rees succeeded in engaging the ^eh'br^tcd pianist, Mr. Robinson: Mr. W allace, the violinist; and M*. Morgan and his pupils of Rhumney, who were entitled to the principal prize for singing at the last Abergavenny Eisteddfod. A choice selection of our national melodies were sung by the vocalists, assisted by the masterly strains of the instrumental performers, producing together a pure stream of perfect harmony, which elicited the warm applause of the assem- bly. The performance of Mr. Rees, the harper, far surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the company, who expres- sed their approbation of his high talents, by requesting him to give them greater publicity.

MON BtOUTK. MR. BELL'S CONCERT.—We cordially bespeak the patron- age of the public in favour of Mr. Bell, at his forthcoming concert, on Monday next. The last performance given by M r. Bell, afforded unmixed satisfaction, and we hear on all hands that he is a very worthy and deserving artiste.

MONMOUTH POLICE COURT. On Monday last, two cases were heard by the sitting magistrates, the Mayor, J. Gratrex, and J. Probyn, Esqrs., which, by the large attendance of persons who were present, appeared to cause considerable interest. The first case called was Burton \Vatkins against James Knight. Mr. Watkins stated that he was clerk to the Hearts of Can club, in this town, and that he had been appointed by a com- mittee of the club to appear in this proceeding against the defendant. He charged Knight with detaining, and refusing to pay over the sum of £5, which was a balance of moneys due to the club, from the defendant, at the expiration of his office of steward, on the 1st of January last. Knight, in the first place, denied the right of the complain- ant to summon him at all; as it was io his succeeding steward alone, that lie was answerable. He stated that he kept the money for the purpose of paying sid,. lIleIJlhers their weekly allowance, whom he had hitherto paid. During his term of office, he had been answerable for a sum of £ 104 at Mr. Gratrex's Bank, and that gentleman had advised him to remain in office until ih« dubt was licii'idsAed. Mr. George, the solicitor, had also advised him to do the same thing. Mr. J. G. George indignantly denied that he had given any such advice. It was impossible for him to have recommended what he knew to be illegal. Mr. Gratrex explained that he had advanced to the club £164 on a bill, with a mortgage deed for security. Knight as steward, had of course affixed Ids name to the bill, which, when it arrived at maturity, was not paid. He then certainly advised the defendant as the latter had stated. Mr. Burton Watkins had subsequently called on him, and explained the whole case to him. and he then advised Knight to pay the balance to the club. Knight denied having in hand the amount claimed he had paid sick members part of the amount. Mr. B. Watkins said that the club would know nothing of such payments, as they were made after the defendant had ceased to be steward. Ultimately, Mr. Gratrex, in order to reconcile the parties, agreed to release Knight from his liability, and to take the new steward instead. The defendant then agreed to pay the balance, if he were allowed the payments lie had made, which was assented to by the plaintiff. Knight was then called upon for the expenses of tho case, when he vociferously and repeatedly declared he would not pay them. He would rather go to gaol for ten years. This resolution the defendant doubtless deemed it prudent afterwards to abandon. The next case was one of assault, brought by Charles Whitley against Philip Watkins and James Davis.—Mr. Galindo appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. J. G. George for the defendants—This was evidently a case of rivalry between the parties, and which was caused by a silly annoyance on the one side, and a want of forbearance on the other. It appeared that Mr. Whitley had occasion to go into the Angel Inn club room, which was being papered under his direction, and shut the room door as he entered. The defendants were engaged painting in the house, and were about to commence the outside ot this door. Davis opened it, when lie was ordered to leave the room by Whitley. Davis refused to comply, and he was threatened to be turned out. He said he would not go; upon which, Whitley attempted to push him out; Davis called for assistance, and his fellow appren- tice, Watkins came to the rescue, and struck the plaintiff a severe blow in the eye. He thereupon let Davis go, and the latter then inflicted several blows upon him.—This evidence was substantiated by Smith, who was papering the room at the time.—Mr. J. G. George addressed the bench for the defendants in doing which, he contended that the plaintiff had unjustifiably commenced the assault by attempting to turn Davis out of the room. It was essential to Davis to have the door open, which I10 was about to paint. Even if the defendant had had no business in the room, it was clear that Whitley had no right to exclude him. It was a public roim of a public house, and if any one could have turned the defendant from it, (which he doubted,) it was the landlord. and not the plaintiff. As to the defendant Watkins, he was instructed that he never struck Whitley—he merely pulled him from his colleague. He was prevented from proving it by tlie course which had been so conveniently adopted, ot closing both the defendants' mouths, by including them 111 one summons. Mr, George cited an authority to prove the right of self-defence which had been adopted by Davis; and left the case to the decision of the Bench. T The magistrates, after a moment's consultation, fined W at- kins half-a-crown, and the expenses, and dismissed the cliarge against Davis.

PONTYPOOL. ROBBERY—On Sunday evening last, the house of Mr. Wm. Morg;in, of Pontymoile, was entered while the family was in chapel, and plundered of a quantity of wearing apparel. The thief is sunqosed to be a man who was seen begging in the neighbourhood.

TREDEGAR. AMATEUR CONCERT.—The Tredegar Philharmonic Society gave their first concert, on Wednesday evening, the 7th iust., at the Town Hall, .under the patronage of Samuel Homfray and Richard Fothergill, Esquires, for the benefit of the band- master. The concert was numerously and respectably attend- ed, and the audience seemed agreeably surprised at and were loud in their apjdauso of, the highly "Creditable manner in which the different performers executed their parts on this their first appearance in public. That they were eminently successful, considering the short time the society has been in existence must be acknowledged, and they are entitled to great praise for the zealous application they must indivi- dually have exercised, in making so much progress during the brief period they have been under the tuition of Mr. Sewell, to whom great credit is due [for the untiring energy he has displayed towards the advancement and improvement of his Pupils. Among the pieces, songs, &c., of tlie evening, the fol- lowing are most deserving of notice —A new waltz, "Cymro," by Mr. Sewell, (dedicated to Samuel Homfray, Esq.)—a very pretty composition, and played with much musical taste. Solo, (cornopean,) from the Opera of Freebooters," by Bellini, very nicely performed by Mr. George Homfray,—as a young beginner, his style of playing entitles him to commendation. Duett (violin and flute),—very ably performed by Messrs. Griffiths and Sewell. Duet (two sax horns). Messrs. Isaac Jenkins and Sewell. Welsh Air, "Shan Fwyn," sang by Mr. Rees Davies in a very pleasing manner. Duett, "(two corno- peans), Love not, 'jby Messrs. George Homfray and William Campbell. Song," The merry maids of England,—this pretty little ballad was sung by Mr. William Campbell, in a style that elicited much applause, and was encored. Song, The battle and the breeze," in spirited style, and with much skill by Mr. Geo. Homfray, and was loudly encored. Song, "Death of Nelson,"—the rcitative and air were effectively executed by Mr. A. Homfray, who was loudly cheered and deservedlv encored. THE NEW MILL.—We are glad to hear that the starting of this splendid and stupenduous mass of machinery, the largest of its kind in the kingdom, recently erected by the spirited proprietors of the Tredegar Iron Works, will shortly take place, and will be celebrated by a public demonstration. For this purpose a meeting ot the trade was lately held, at which it was determined that the most beneficial and appropriate mode of celebrating the event would be, to seton foot a public subscription on behalf of the poorer workmen. A committee has accordingly been appointed to carry out this laudable project, and we are given to understand that the subscriptions, at the head of which stands the name of Samuel Honifrav, Esq., for the munificent sum ofjL50, has amounted to upwards of t200; and from the very liberal manner in which the, inhabitants generally, have come forward on the occasion and from the arrangements that are being made, there is every reason to anticipate, that the praiseworthy object will be carried out in a most successful and satisfactory manner.

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sin,—I beg leave to mention the following act of oppression, through your impartial paper. I fear the hostility from the last flection will never cease. There were several small renters of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort, in the neighbourhood of U sk. Some of them certainly did vote for the late Lord uian- ■ville Somerset; but others, according to his Grace's own party s desire, did as they were bid, like good children,tend split their votes between his Lordship and Captain Somerset. Yet even that did not satisfy grasping ambition for in August last some half-dozen or more were served with notices to quit, and o" the second of this month the worthy agent demanded possession. Of course 110 one was inclined to stand against the strong arm of authority and they therefore got all the land back in a much better state than when they let it; so they put fresh tenants in, thinking they would be sure of them when they were next wanted. Perhaps by that time some of them will have no vote at all; or if they have, will vote for a liberal party not like some of the late tenants, who gave both their vote and interest to the ducal family for more than twenty years. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Feb.7,18£9, JAMES JONES, PIOWER.

FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. CITY, THURSDAY EVENING THE leading features in the city news of the week, has been fbe continuous rise in the English Funds. The Stock Exchange has been the. scene of a fever of excitement and speculation, such as it hfts been long a stranger to and the advance in values, equal to no-Mv per cent., since our last, or 5 per cent, since Jan. 16. Apait frotrt other favourable in- fluences, lately mentioned as operating in a £ <I of progressive improvement "in public securities, there undoidledly exists at thi" moment, a strong under-current of opinion amoiig*jobberS,- rpectrl»t<frs, and dealers in Stock, that we are soon to have such an jcce^i'V ef gold, from California, as will impart ex- traordinary stimulus rf transactions. "W e need scarcely say that such speculations are, at an- rate, a.. vet premature and that it has still to be seen whether calculations, based upon such presumptions, are likely to be realized, In the opinion of Professor Ansted, and other well informed persons, an addi- tion of £ 5.000.000 per annum to the capital stock of gold in' the markets of the world—which is taking the Californian sJlpplvat a liberal estimate—will not be enough to disturb the cxistiscT relative value of the precious metals i but, as this interesting subject is too complicated, and wanting in data, for a safe calculation to. be dmwn respecting it) we forbear to dogm'atise tfpon insufficient premises. In Mark LSne/holders s're drscotiraged at the apathetic turn the trade has taken, and v'trsnres« wa-s dull an Wednesday, at the decline of Monday. With a return nf frost, and renewed hostilities in the Baltic (of which we agàill Itear serious ru- mour. the tone of the corn-trade, is deemed likely to rally. Stocks are rapidly diminishing—Ireland must have large supplies; but, despite the abundance of money, nobody, as yet, bmsiorwaid in the corn-trade here. It is said there are about 1)0 vessels awMting- loading with corn at Antwerp, for British account. The Belgians sold about 20,000qrs. here, a week or two ago, but it is doubtful if suth sale can be repeated from thence. The interest attending the alteration of the Iiffiyig.Ttion Laws, by Mr. Labouchere, in Parliament this week, has ma- terially increased the Shipowners' Society has been actively canvassing the city for signatures to a petition against the government scheme but now that free trade is in vogue, the repeal of the Navigation Laws is generally regarded as a necessary consequence and the petition in question loses many adherents from the consideration that we must now go the whole hog." A good many grain freights are offering for the Baltic ports, at 3s, 3d., to 3s. Cd., in full, for wheat, but the reappearance of frost has discouraged many captains from accepting charters for that quarter, so early in the spring. It is stated that the Prussian government has given out large orders for cannon at ,Leige, where upwards of 300 men are employed, day and nidit, in executing it; and the Danes are understood to be mahiiig corresponding preparation for fresh warfare to which after all it is to be hoped Lord Pal- merston's mediation may succeed in putting an end. Again, we have had much animation in the Iron Market. consequent upon the advices from the United States and the speculative feeling in the market has improved along with the better demand for consumption. The Glasgow market has been buoyant, and prices creeping still upward, this week. Among many parties in the tra.de a strong feeling is enter- tained in favour of a speedy further advance. As regards the Conference with government, alluded to ]ast week, on the subject of Indian railways, we may state that tlw deputation was well reeeived, and the matter admitted to be one of the last importance but while Sir J. Hobhouse was understood to intimate that government were fully sensible of the claims of the promoters to every encouragement-, the deputation were not led to expect that it would consist with the province of the Executive to guarantee the shareholders 5 per cent, upon the outlay. Some Controversy has taken place as to what did and what did not pass upon the occasion in question but we believe the version above given, is sub- stantially correct. Sanguine persons have, however, drawn further inferences of a more positive kind from the interview It is to be hoped that the mapiihtes of Leaidenhall-street will be stimulated by this movement, in which, not only Man- chester, with its cotton trade, but South Wales, with its mineral resources, is deeply interested. Undoubtedly, aft pre- sent we are but partially developing the immense resources of British India, the smallness of whose exports, as compared with the extent of its productions, affords crving evidence of the slumbering policy pursued at the India House. The pressure from without peems to he constantly needed to be brought to bear upon all giant corpr-ra'tions and it is but fair that some guarantee should be afforded, by the Indian govern- ment, in this case, to shareholders who. in an enterprising* spirit, propose carrying forward an object which they c;m perform more economically and better than the government itself. The Europa sailed on Saturday, for New York from Liver- pool, very favourable news' of our cotton markets. She also took out an absurd report in one of the circulars of the Liverpool houses, to the etfect that about £ 'IU,tX>ll,U>n sterling of gold was on its passage from Rrrssra. This story set our Stock Exchange wild yesterday, until the ridWdous falsehood of it was exposed by reference to our leading RU'SKWJT houses here. The Emperor has, it is believed, about £ 20,0<KI,(NS|> t# gold in the royal vaults, but we have yet to learn that he is anxious to realise it here, before the western supplies come forward. AFTER CHANGE. The t.lh *s- "fill rtbout gold. gold. gold—It is certain a good many Insurance Policies have been taken out at Lloyd's upon shipments of gold-dust li cirP Calfiorjiia and rumour says we are to have an alteration of the standard, but it is unnecessary to say that this is sheer fiction at present. There is a little stop in the speculation in Stocks r swd Con- sols are a shade lower than they opened this morning; but even now, they stand at !J4k for money. The Iron Market closes at an advance again:—Welsh Bars are done at £G. Scotch Pig in the Clyde, mixed numbers sold at 5/K Od. at Glasgow yesterday, 3 months open. The Times devotes a long article this morning to showing the inutility of any reduction in the Bank rate of interest below 3 per cent., and We may now state that the weekly meeting has broken up without any alteration in this respect.

FRANCE. FROM THE PARIS CORRESPONDENT OF THE "MERLIN." PARIS, TUESDAY, Feb. 13th. WE seem once again to be quiet, and if one might put any con- fidence in the external aspect of affairs, we should be led to imagine that for the present, the stoims are all hushed, and that the vessel uf state will move steadily along with a good pilot at the hehn but the worst of Paiis is that a moment may over- throw all the good that has been going on for week!, and a single spark once lalling opon the he<p ef combustibles which every where exi-ts, no one can tell where the conflagration may spread. The exhibition of military force which is daily made, shews the good people that the government is prepared, and that doubtless is one the principal causes of our security. We have daily regi- ments reviewed and every piecaution taken that good sense oan suggest T-he Na'ional A*s«n;bl j has consented t.Q tta dtnoJution, and although it has not exactly pronounced the hour at which it is to take place, it has done sufficient to shew that theie is to be a new order of things, and that there will be a legislative body elected by uuiversal sutfiage, which Will be moie in harmony with the President and his advisers. Louis Napoleon behaves with great good sense and judgement he is evident!; becoming acquainted wiih the men by whom he is surrounded, and abiding his time before he commits himself by any act which may com promise him. He has confeired the legion of honor upon several of those followers who suffered by his attempts at Strasburgh and Boulogne. Although theie has been snarling and growling at those acts of gratitude by the National, and other opposition papeis, still there has been but one opinion amongst judicious men upon ihe propriety of his shewing his recognition of the fidelity of those wha sacrificed so much for him. We had a euiious cause of disturbance here last week, at an English wedding that occurred at the Boulevards. According to our good old custom, while favors where largely distiibuted among the fnends and domestics of the happy couple. The coachman not only liberally decorated himself, but his horses, with the white emblems of hymen some of the people who ob- served this, mistook it for a demonstration in favor of Henry Cinq they saw in it royalist movements, and were determined to pui promptly down the atrocious plot; the policeiwere called ID, the poor fellow would have been lodged in the dnngeon 01 the Concer^ene, had not a timely explanation been glve°- No one is even peimitted to sell a likeness of the Due de Bor- deaux, much less toexhibit the slightest possible feeling in his favor. The speeches of Marechal Bugeaud are exciting a great deal of remark, and even he has been the subject of much dis- cussion in the National Assembly. It certainly is -somewhat ridiculous to find that the General who had so much in his power in the days of Louis Pllllhppe and who might have at that time saved the throne, hot who never even offered to guard the royal retreat with a regiment, now speak in such decided terms of what he f" do in tne event of there being any further outbreak in Paris. The Ministers have oeen compelled to make a government question of these speeches and to defend them as well as they can yesterday they were obhged to come to a vote that they should not be made a subject of inquiry their ma- iority was, however, greater than they have been able up to this time command, being 397 over 285. It wouid indeed ap- pear from the late divisions that have ocoured, if it had been decided tht-t the present Chamber should continue to exist, that gradually the opposition would have become enfeebled such is the power of persuasion th; t a ministei having many good gifts in Ills hands, alw; ys possesses. That the commercial world is beginning to have its hopes re established, is proved by the large orders which are begin- ning to find their way to Lyoossnd to the manufacturing parts of France, and that the prosperity of Paris is reviving,is shewn by the receipts at the custom-house at the barriers, dpon wines the increase upon the present month in compaiison with the same month last year, is 33.0: 0 francs, and upon oidinary arti- cles of consumption 48,000, this is somewhat satisfactory and ra ses hopes ia the nnuds of those who were beiginning to despair. One of the most singular statistic returns has just been made of the number of children deposited by their parents at the Foundling Hospital: it speaks volumes as to the nlCtal feelings of the inhabitants of this great city the number of abandoned infants is upon an average 3,272 from this it would appear that every day uo less than nine of these poor beings are left by their unnatural parents to the mercy of the world, or to the public charity. It is a melancholy picture since the first institution of the Foundling Hospital, in the year 1640, that no less than persons have been educated by the chanty. M. de Lagrange and Sir Henry Ellis, who are charged with the diplomatic mediation at Brussels leave Paris to-morrow, they aie to be accompanied by the Marquis de Risci and Com- mander Martini, the one the Pienipotenttaryot Sardinia,the other of Tuscany; their deliberation is to decide what powers shall be authorised to send otticial authorities to the Congress. AI. though the mediating powers admitted as a principle that the monarchs of Italy were all entitled to send representatives, yet it appears that neither the Sovereign Pontiti nor the King of the two Sicilies, as the King of Naples is styled, has expresse i his determinatian to do so,; for as Spain, as a Catholic country, claims to be represented in every discussion in which the Pope is conccrned, he will not consent to send a plenipotentiary unless Ihat power is consulted, and until the Kin* of Naples haa for- mally accepted tbe mediation of France and England between himself and Sicily lie will decline also to send a minister. There are more than a dozen states which require permission to send their delegates, amongst them Lombardy, Parma, Modena, Ve- nice, and Keggio, so thst the Commissionets have a complicated task to perform. Their conference no doubt will soon attract the eyes of all Europe, for upon it must depend the maintenance of the peace of Europe which is now so fiightfully disturbed, and which seems every day to become more difficult to pie-ei ve. The news from Italy is ot a very disquieting character, in Tuscany there seems a little hope of amendment. It is under- stood that the government here has received a telegraphic dis- patch announcing the flight of the Grand Duke to Elha, in con- sequence of an attack made upon him whilst at Sienna. In Lon:bardy and in Sardinia, it seems that Mazzini at the head of the party called Young Italy is again throwing the brand of dis- cord and attempting to persuade the people to listen to no medi- ation but to proceed to the work of extermination of all foreigners and to the establishment of one government for the whole of the Peninsula All loreigners have been driven out from Rome, and tome Prussians narrowly escaped after having been taken upon suspicion of reactionary attempts. On the 3rd at a great banquet held at the Theatre Jordenone, it was decided that the pope should only be allowed to return as the head of the church, but that Ins power as a temporal prince could never again be as nmed. This intelligence was received throughout Rome with shouts of Vive la Republique. The South of France has been somewhat agitated. The town f Cettehas been the seat of some disturbance, the failure to take can of liberty from one of the trees planted at the commence- of the revolution and the subsequent cutting down the v tree has heen the cause of some movement and led to 'b^ eiking op °f lhe National Guard of the place and the dis- DI"l of the magistrates, this has been swollen into a grand m|'StSa d has served as a subject of much discussion, all has how plot an peaceably. Last Sunday we had some little agita- t*er en e k tr;fi;ne character, and its cause has not been tion, it was oi a "b sufficiently Lucien, had been elected by NaP r^lfIage the Colonel of the Second Legion oi the National ^uards ot tl)e Ban'ieU ?" S^d!iy which consists of 15.000 was summoned under arms to meet their new colonel, they met under the triumphal arch on the road 10 Neuilly, scarcely bad he made his appearance in a car- riage and commenced an addiess to the men when from an order from Geneial Changarnier they were ordered to disband as quickly as possible. This order was promptly obeyed, but cries of "down with the colonel," "no Napoleon, were heard from all quarters, what this meant nobody even at the present seems to know, and every inquiry is perfectly unsatisfactory. The funeral of llaberek the great leader of the orchestra took Place yesterday at the church of the Notie Dame de I^oretto. Mayerbeer, Halevy, Adam and Zimmerman, were the pall-bear- ers, a magnificent mass by Ctierubini was performed on (he occasion by all the great artists of Paris, and the band of the second legion performed several funeral marches as the long went onwards to tbe cemetry of Montmartre. 1 he last Indian mail that passed through carried such an ex- traordinary addition to its weight that the overplus postage duty was one hundred and twenty thousand francs or nearly five thousand pounds sterling! The weather here is most magnificent, vegetation is advancing with wonderful rapidity. The gardens of the Tuilleries shew an exhlblt:oo of people in them quite equal to one in June, an4 on every side the trees are already beginning to bud. Although this is somewhat premature, it was the same during the month of February last year. The carnival is just now in the height of its gaiety, the thea- tres are thronged, balls and masquerades well attended, and Paris seems in perfect good humour and contentment.

Foreign and Colonial Intelligence. FRANCE. PARIS, ToESDAr. In the Matronal Assembly, on Monday, M. Coraili presented an order of the. day motive thus worded:—" The National Assembly considering the explanations of the President of the Council as a disavowal of the language attributed to Marshal Bugeaud, passes to the order of the day but the simple order of the day having been also loudly called for, the Assembly adopted the latter by 3!:1i to 285 majority in favour of Ministers, 112. The french Government has decided on sending an en- gineer toe*am>r»e the gold and quicksilver mines in Caliiornia. Orders have been given to the maritime authorities at Brest to prepare a ship-of-war to convey the engineer to his destination. The deposits lodged in the Paris savings-bank on Sunday and Monday last amounted t0 126,1 G3.f; the deposits with- drawn during the same days ammounting to 16,Of5&f. Letters from Rochefort state that the ship of the line Duguesclin, the frigate Virginie et Algerie. the brig Entre- prenant, and the steamboat crocodile, are being fitted for sea with all possible despatch. The French Government has received atetegraphtc despatch from Marseilles, which brings the important intelligence that the Grand Duke of Tuscany has, in imitation 01 the Pope, privately withdrawn from Florence, his capital. He has taken refuge at Porto Ferrajo, in the island of Elba. This is a new complication in the affairs ot Italy, which are already in so grave and embarrassing a position. SPAIN. Madridsjourrral of the 5th have been recived. The account of the defeat of Cabrera at Pasteral is con- firmed. The Queen's forces, it appears, had artillery, while Cabrera had none. The place were the Madrid mail of the 1st was robbed was three miles beyond Burgos. About one in the morning a band of Cadiost.s, frfceen in number, well mounted and armed, under the command of El Estudiante, ordered the driver to stop. and as he could not pull up his mnles at once, he and the conductor were both struck at and wounded, the latter with a sabre stroke un the head. A French travellpr, M. Nurna Simon, and two others who were in the carriage, were not injured. The band turned the mules aside from the main road, and after having arrived at a retired spot, took from the travellers all that they possessed of money and valuables; they then burned the harness letters, and the malle-poste itself. One of the men who wanted to keep for himself M. Simon's watch was very nearly shot by EI Estudiante, and only owed his life to the intercession 'of the Frenchman. They even returned to this latter threeToledo blades which he was taking toFtance. All the persons attacked were allowed at last to go away without further damage. They slept that night at Quin tan apaJ'la. BELGIUM. An explo^on of the powder magazine in the citadel of Ghent is traced to a lamentable sukid-e. It took place at seven o'clock in the morning six soldieis were severely wounded, the sentinel on duty killed, and very considerable damage done to the buildings of the fortress. L'pwi minute investi- gation, it appears evident that a lieutenant, who had been found guilty of embezzlement, had been required to give in his accounts at ten o'clock that day. At seven o'clock lie wag seen to go into tbe powder magazine, and in a few moments thefatai explosion took place, which has cost the government more than hall a million. The remains of the wretched man were found in'a drcadiully mutilated condition. ITALY. It appears ly the Italian journals that disturbances of a serious character had taken place at Naples. The Iiempe of that city of the 31hh ult. states briefly that disturbances had broken out on the preceding day, but without giving details. Order, it says, was restored after the first commotions, and no calamity was to be apprehended, the Government being vigilant and prepared to repress everv attempt at disorder. The Atbu ot FJorrnce states the cause of the disturbances on the 29th ult. as follows :—" The 9th of January, being the anniversary of the granting of the .Neapolitan Constitution, was to have been celebrated by a popularillumination throughout the town The government, to prevent it. prevented the sales of lampions. This caused crowds to assemble, which the troops dispersed, byEfiring upon the people. The COTriire Liiornese mentions further disturbances having broken out at Naples on the 1st, at the opening of the Chambers. A violent excitement pre- vailed throughout the city. The troops were under arms. When the regiment of hussars drew up in order of battle, the people cheered them. The hussars answered by cries of Lung live the Italian Constituent Assembly!" The regiment was then ordered back and put under arrest. At the departure of the steamer the shops were closing, and Naples had a very ser?of!>- appearance." The Comer dm of the ith inst. has the following intelligence from Naples, dated 8lst of January 1 he 29tli and 30th were davs of bloodshed (grori'i di sawgue). The anniversary of the 29th of January, 1^48, gave occasion for a serious demonstration, seconded bv the constitutional lazzaroni. The troops showed themselves in imposing fcree, and sabred and tired without distinction. This conduct increased tbe hostility of the people. The opening of the Chambers has tsfrea- plaice under very menacing auspices for the tyrant ofNaptes- There were many wounded, and some seriously. The courage of the pecple was a subject of remark. The troops have made many arrester. It being seen. however, that the contest was unequal, they gave Pp. The Chamber is to be surrounded by a permanent garrison for ?ts defence." The Piedmontese Gazette publirf<v» an official contradiction of the report that the Cabinet of Turin bad proposed to that of Naples an alliance, defensive and offensive, in consideration of the renunciation by the Duke of Savoy of the Crwwn of Sicily; and also that Gioberti had invited the King of Naples to occupy the States of the Church, offering to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Government of Naples over Rome and the Legations, on condition that the Neapolitan Government should acknowledge the sovereignty of King Charles Albert over the Lombardo-Venetian provinces and the duchies. The Piedmont Gazette adds," Not only has the Cabinet of Tur in neither made nor authorised any such proposition, but would have repulsed such overtures it made to it by any parties whatsoever. The Cunstituante Italians, of Florence, quotes a letter from Rome of the 2d instant, in which the writer states as a piece of positive news, that the Pope" had escaped from his gaolers at Gaeta for France on board a French steamer." The news of the departure of the Pope from Gaeta seems to us to be not entitled to credit. Letters from Siena, of the 2d, state that. ia consequence of the late reactionary demonstration, a conflict had taken place in thak town. in which the Liberals had the upper hand, but not without the loss of 80me dead and wouuded. CALIFORNIA. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM PANAMA.] New Granada, Panama, Dee. 24, 1848. Some persons appear to doubt the truth of tbe Californian discoveries we were also trery sceptical three months ago, but the arrival of her Britannic Majesty's frigate Constance at Valparaiso last month (November), confirmed all the startling prior reports, with many additions. For example, a gentleman (to whom Captain Couitenay, of the frigate, had given a passage), a botanist, went from the bay of San Fran- cisco in search of plants or butbs in the course of his journey he came on the diggings, trowel in band. He at once set to, and with his own hand and so small an instrument took out 1,500 dolls, worth of gold in three days. One of his largest pieces weighing H Ollnce, he presented to Capt. Courtenay. That you may not think I have made a mistake in figures, I will give it you in words-fifteen hundred dollars in three days. The Governor of California reports 40,000 dolls, worth the average daiiy arrival at San Francisco. The fanatic Mormons, about 1,200 in number, first dis- covered the precious metal during their march, and are said to have extracted an immense quantity before it became known. Governor Mason, in his report ot August last, says, from all he has learned he believes 13 000,000 dolls, worth had been extracted to that date. The vessel that brought the messengers was supplied, through the good offices of the Governor, with a new main- mast. The carpenters who made the spar, upon some com- plaint of the captain, during the operation, threw down their tools, exclaiming indignantly." We are losing money by you." They were then receiving three dollars per hour. They have already grog shops the price of a glass is a pinch, so you may imagine the state of things here. The pinch must be at least worth two dollars. The sensation and commotion along the coast, from the north to the south, even to the most insignificant inferior towns aud villages, is without precedent. Numbers of vessels started:-From Valparaiso, 9; Pisco, 1, with aguadiente Callao, 4; Payta, 3; Guyaquil, 3; Buenaventura, l,of50 tons Panama, and many others going from all the aforesaid ports. It is supposed by some that they are supplied with goods for the present, consequently many are now going there with smaitcoin. from 20,000 to 20U,000 dollars, to purchase the gold. The last account sales was from seven to eight dollars the course, which has sold in all cases at tS dolls, to 18 dolls, ie, and 18 dolls. 2c. at Valparaiso. This fact is proof of the puri'y of the metal- Several commercial houses are writing to England for clerks, their old ones having cleared out for the diggings at California

Jenoy Lind is going to be married to a Mr. Harris, the son of a London banker. This information may be fully relied upon.— Leeds Mercurv. A robbeiy of a very mysterious character has been perpetrated on the directors of the poor of St. Pancras, by the abstraction on Thursday evening, of the sum in silver of £l.j5, and £ 20 in gold, which had been deposited in the" I!llOng 100m" of the newly erected vestry-room, adjoining the workhouse, in the Kmg's-road, Camden.town CARDIGANSHIRE BOROUGHS.-—On Saturday last, the 10th in. stant, the eleciun for theCardiganshire districts,comprising the towns of Cardigan, Aberystwith, Adpar, and Lampeter, termi- nated. The contest was a very severe one, the candidates being Mr. John Scandrett Harford, of Blaize Castle, in the Conserva- tive interest, and Mr. Pryse Pryse, the son of the late member, on the Liberal interest. The result of the poll was as follows Pryse. Harford. Cardigan 28 •• Aberystwith 182 •• 71 Lampeter 49 — 78 Adpar 40 22 299 291 Being a majority of eight for Pryse. The registered number ot electors is 863, consisting of burgesses and 672 101. househol- ders. The total population is 11,296. BOLTON ELTCTIOF.CLOSE OF THE POLL.—Walmsley (Li- beral), 623; Bridson (Conservative), 567: majority, 56. THF. CliA RTIST QUACK —Wehearthat theeffectof theO,Connor Land Scheme is beginning to be felt at Bromtgrove. Worcester- shire, three of the located lamilies being in the greatest aistress, and already applying for penochial ^.—Cheltenham Journul.

THE MURDERS ON BOARD THE AMELIA. Last week the London papers published a short account a the horrible catastrophe which took place in the midst of the Pacific Ocean on board the Amelia, bound from California to China, with gold for the purchase ot silks, when the crew mur- dered the captain and super-cargo's wife, for the purpose of seizins on the vessel; got drunk, and in their sleep were mur- dered by the carpentt r and boys with a hatchet. We are now favoured with extracts from a private commu- nication from Hanoroora Bay, in Wahooa, one of the Sandwich Islands (on which stands the town of Honolulu), received rin Mazatlan per the last West India Mail, by a mercantile bouse in Manchester, which corroborates every main part of the ac- count we have already published, piling, however, fuller parti- culars and the dates of the horrible tragedv On the night of the 3rd Oct., in the middle watch, three of the crew, namely, Jose Cabrero, Jose Torres, and Andres Bol devio, mutinied attacked the mate, and killed him. Captain Alva (a Spaniard), and Mr. Francis Cooke, a passenger, hear- ing the noise came on deck. Two of the rutfians attacked them, killed Mr, Cooke, and immediately threw him overboard, and badly wounded the captain, but who, nevertheless, succeeded in getting down into the cabin to arm himself, and came on deck again, with a cutlass, but the murderers stabbed him in the neck with a knife, and he fell a corpse. Mrs. Cooka, her maidservant, Mary Hudson, and the flag-captain, iw'cNally, (a native of Dublin), who were below when the murderous scene commenced, were confined to their staie rooms and the and the mutineers, who were all Peruvians, shaped their course for Peru. On the following morning Captain McXally offered with the assistance ot the carpenter, to leave the ill-fated ship, with the females, provided the mutineers would give them one of the boats with the necessary provisions. This they teemed to assent to, but on his going on deck he was seized, bound, and thrown overboard. They then threw the papers and documents also overboard, and getting out a large quantity of gold, divided it amongst the remainder of the crew, compelling each to take a part. On the night of the 5th, the murderers having drunk freely, two ot them went to sleep, when the carpenter, in ac- cordance with a plan arranged by some of the crew killed tbem with his axe, while others attacked the third murderer, who resisted, but was likewise despatched by Smith, and the vessel brought to these islands (the Sandwich), bv the appreiitices,. Thomas Gannon and Charles McDonald. Smith, the carpenter, is a native of Rotterdam. Gannon and McDonald are from London. The specie, about 300,000 dollars, has been secured by her Majesty's consul-general. Mrs. Cooke and servant are living on shore, and it is expected will return to Mexico whem an opportunity offers."

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY. The Scottish Guardian says :—We bave to state with extreme regret that an accident occurred on the Caledonian Railway. near Carlisle, on the night of Saturday last, by which five per- sons have been killed and eight or nine severely injured. We have seen some gentlemen who were passengers in this train, and also in that which succeeded it, and, uccording to their statement, the following are the circumstances attending this unhappy catastrophe —Tbe mail train left Carlisle for Edin- burgh and Glasgow, between nine and ten o'clock, p.m. It con- sisted of engine, tender, luggage-van, a first class carriage, a second class carriage, the travelling pos:-office, a composite carriage, and a nnmber of horBe-boxes. All went on well till the train reached a gun shot beyond the Rockliffe station on the south side ot the Eske, about five miles from Carlisle, when the axle of the first-class carriage broke, and at the same mo- ment the coupling chain gave way. The engine, tender, lQg- gage van, and the first-class carriage kept on the line, but the second-class carriage, between which and the first the connexion bad given way, was dashed forward by the impetus already acquired by the post-office van, and the heavy horse-boxes iik the rear, and, having nothing to steady it, it was driven off the line and trhown over the embankment, which is here twelve feet in height. The ponderous post-office van fell with a dread- ful crash, on the second-class carriage, and literally smashed it to atoms. Most fortunately, as the post-office canted over,. the coupling-chains gave way, and though the carriages behind were partially dragged off the line, they were not thrown over the embankment. As it wts, the scene was a dreadful one. The aeeond-c ass carriage, with the post-office van on top of it. lay at the bottom of the embankment, broken into a hundred pieces; bloody splinters were mixed with shattered human bodies, and the most agonising groan. proceeded from the wreck. It was found that four of the passengers had been killed on the spot: a fifth was insensible; and eight or nine were wounded, some of them dangerously. The engine was immediately re- versed, and sent back to Carlisle with the dead and wounded, I where one of the latter died immediately after his admission to the infirmarv, making five deaths in alL O.ie man had his foot literally torn off, Jand he suffered amputation below the knee. Two Glasgow Gentlemen received slight bruises, on account of which they still remain at Carlisle; but they have sent such: intimation to their friends here, as to remove all uneasiness on. their account. The guard of the pott-office van was cut about the head, but the two clerks escaped almost uuhurt. One of our inhrmanis saw some of the bodies carried ot.t of tl e Carlisle station on Sabbath morning. They appeared to be those of workmen. In consequence of the accident, the mail due on Sabbath morning at to o'clock, did not arrive till the afternoon wnen both mails were brought tcgether.

TEXTIT, SAVN-DERSFOOT, AND SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—The usual half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this railway was held ill London on Wednesday, Mr. Chadwick, chairman of the Board of Directors, in the chair. The report represented the affairs of the company to be in a satisfactory condition the line had not been commenced yet, nor would it be for some time to conie but there was every prospect of its being evea- tnally carried out, and proving a profitable undertaking. In future, the expenditure, including interest upon paid-up calls, wotrid not exceed £ 2". per annum; and the balance in hand, although small, would be sufficient to meet the liabilities.— The balance-sheet showed that the receipts amounted to £ 717- ICs. 6d., and tbe expenditure to £589.28, 3d., leaving a balance of JEI28. 14s-. 3d. in hand. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the commencement of the works would entirely depend upon the progress made bv the StU-h Wales Company in their line. It was probable that thet line would be opened to Swansea in about twelve months and then, no doubt, would be the time to enter upon their works. The report was unanimously adopted, and the retiring auditors and directors having been re-elected, thanks were voted to the Chairman and the meeting terminated. MONSFAA VISIT OF ENGLISHMEN TO PARIS.—An association of gentlemen is now in the course of formation, and will be speedily formed in London, for the purpose of returning, on "the most extensive acale," the visit of the French National Guards to London. In leas than a month several thousand Englishmen will proceed to Paris, and remain there for a week. In order to secure the necessary accommodation and regularity, whole hotels will be hired at Paris, special trains on the rail- ways in both countries engaged, and steam-boats chartered for the occasion. For lefimng sorts we have strong buyers but business to any great extent is checked by the extreme rates demanded by merchants, who retuse to give way in price. SEVEN LIVES LOST. -Intel ligeuce has been received in this town this morning of an accident which has occurred at Pillau of a most shocking nature, acd by which several families is this town have been thrown into a state of the greatest distress. Let- ters from Ptllau of the 24th January, state that Mr. Tucker, master of the Whim, Mr. Robert Nothard, master of the Gar- net, wrtfi two foreign getttiemen .a4 thr— of the crew of the Whim, from some cause, unexplained by any letteis we have seen, were in a boat to the midst of the surf, and were all thrown into the water. We are sorry to add that not one escaped. This event has thrown considerable gloom over the town. and is of course felt most keenly by all those connected with the de- ceased. The vessels, we believe, were entering at Pillau.—Hull Packet.

Shipping Intelligence. NEWPORT. Imports and Exports tor the week ending February 14. IMPORTS. Reynard, Jones, Honfleur, beans-Amelle, Gui- I tar me, La Rochelle, potatoes, &c.-Diligence, Berne Nantes, flour.-Trial, Parrott, Jerwey, potatoes, See' —[We have not received the foil iMt of tliia week a I imports nor exports. EXPORTS. Elise, Hinsch, Barcelona, 531 tons coal.—Queen of tbe Usk, Davies, Barcelona, 220 tons eoal. Glenbervie, Fuller ton, Havannah, 460 tons coaL—Zaide Celine, Maurhaa, Rouea, general cargo, iron.-Hiram, Kenrick, Farragona, 180 tons coal.-Three Brothers, Beer, Lisbon, 68 1008 coal.—Ami da Commerce, Bontin. Oran, general cargo.—Ann and Maria, Cripsey; John Wesley, Sanders, London; Ada. Down; Sisters, Tasker, Cardiff: Neath Culle, Liverpool; Tltoma. and Sarab, Lewis, Swansea; Daphine, Jay, London; Mary, Hopgood; Robert, Jones; Norwelharn, Towells, Cardiff; Triad, Moule, Bridgwater; Tredegar, Gainey, Gloucester; John, Jones, Cork: Orange Branch, Balman; Jeniler, Hoskin. Troro, iroll and tin plates.—[We have not received the full Ibt a thi week's imports and exports.

GLAMORGANSHIRE CANAL. Imports and Exports for the week ending February 13. IMPORTS. Mary Ann, Valentine, Youghal; Miner, Friends, John, George, Gem, Brothers, Royal Forrester, Bridgwater; Wil- liam, Martha, Gloucester; Ann, Elizabeth, Friends, Bristol; Sally, Malpas, Swansea Ellen, Liverpool; Two Staters, Ilfra- combe Yare, Yarmouth Rose. Chepstow, ound ries.-Dasber, Charlotte, Cecflia, Swansea, pig iron. Agenoria, Jersey. Louis Phillippe 1st, St. Malo, potatoes. Indoatrv, Venus, Acorn, Commerce, Penrhyn Castle, Newnbam, Nottingham, Active, Bullow; Mary, Bristol, iron ore.-Ann, Lydney, stones Hannah, Independent, Bristol; Clementina, Dart- mouth; Elsiena, Pe Rela; Nancy, Brixham; Mercur, Ell- fletli; Antonia, Rhonderfha; Spy, Swansea, ballast. EXPORTS. Mary, Ann, Castle, Bnte, Hannah, Marthyr Packet, Mary, Bristol; Emerald, Ann and Elizabeth, Messenger, Joseph Carries, Elizabeth, London; Ann, William and Ann, Carmar- then Thomas and Ann, Port Talbot; Resolution, Clementina, Newcastle; Gem, Ibraila, Jane, Liverpool, iron.-Ann, Inde- pendent, Ann, St. George. Independent, Bristol; Minerva, Ada, Bideford Mary and Elizabeth, Newport Trader, Gloo- cester; Victoria, Miner, John George, Gem, Bridgwater; John and Mary, Dungarvon; Susanna, Constantinople; Eliza- beth and Ann, Cork; Emerald, Southampton, Valentine, Youghal; Borme Zoé, Nantes; Standard, Fowey; Friends, St. Ives; Provider, Waterford; Weroelina, Amden; Mary, Plymouth, coal.-Economy, Wern Collier, Active, Newnkam William, Gallery, Bullow; Elizabeth, Search, Mary Ann, Bnte Docks, light.

0. BRISTOL CATTLE MARKET, THURSDAY, FaB. 8. Beasts 381 Calves a Sheepf 2285 ig 180 Horses 59 Sucking ditto 60 Beef per cwt 62s. to 54s. Mutton per pound.od. to 6d. Pigs per score 8s. Od. to 10s. Od.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, FRIDAY, FEB. 9. 1849. The Duke of Beaufort v. The Corporation of Swansea. This was an action of trespass tried before Mr. Justice Wil. Hams, at last Spring Assize for Swansea, when a verdict was taken for the plaintiff. A rule was afterward obtained to set aside the verdict, and enter a verdict for the defendants, or for a new trial, on the grounds of misdirection, and that the ver- dict was against evidence. Mr. James (of the Chancery bar), with Mr. James Brown and Mr. Jenkins, appeared for the Duke of Beaufort; and the Attorney-General, Mr. Chilton, and Mr. Benson, for the Cor- poration. It appeared that the action was in form for breaking and entering a close called the ballast bank, in the rear of the pier and close to the town of Swansea, and erecting thereon, certain benches. 1 he real question involved W88 the right of plaintiff or the Corporation to a certain spot of ground, lately used as a place of promenade and recreation by the inhabitants of Swansea. The duke of Beaufort claimed to be entitled to this land, in right of what was formerly called the honour of Gower, but what was now called tbe seigniory of Gower. It appeared that so far back as the reign of King John a grant "as made to the ancestors of the Duke of the terra d, Gototr, which comprehended the present site of the town of Swansea and the seashore down to low water mark. The plaintiff's predecessors had granted to the Corporation certain swampy lands adjoining the seashore, called the Barrowes, and about 30 years ago, an Act was passed, to which the Duke and the Corporation were assenting parties, for the improvement of the town and harbour of Swansea. The trustees under this Act were authorized to build a pier, and to deposit within this pier the ballast brought by vessels coming to the port for coals. An enormous quantity of ballast was deposited within the pier from time to time. and the result was, that the sea no longer flowed over the land on which the ballast was shot, but an extensive embankment was created, which became the subject of litigation in this action. It was now objected that the Learned Judge at the trial left it to the Jury that, although there was no mention of the spot now known as the Ballast bank, in the grant of King John, they may infer from the sub- sequent enjoyment that the plaintiff was entitled to the land, his predecessors having had the enjoyment for many years, if not from the date. of the grant, of the space between high and low water mark. It was also objected, that the evidence showed that the Ballast bank was the result of gradual accre- tion, 3nd had not come suddenly into existence, and that the Corporation, as possessed of the fee of the adjoining land, known as the Barrowes," were also entitled to tbe Ballast bank.—After hearing the arguments, however, the Court was of opinion that the attention of the Jury had been properly directed to the evidence of custom and usage and as to the weight of evidence, it was enough to say the Learned Judge who tried the case was satisfied. The verdict, therefore could not be disturbed.—Rule discharged.

MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday, 19th February, at Crowfield Thursday, 22nd „ at Blacbrook Monday, 26th „ atHendre; Monday, 26th 11 atHendre; I Thursday, 1st March, at Skenfrith Bridge (hunt dinner; At a quarter past ten o'clock. N.B.—The Hunt Dinner. fixed for the 15th. instant, is post- poned to the 1st March next.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES,* DEATHS. BIRTHS. 4th instant, the wife of Mr. Matthews, provisiop merchant. Commercial-street, Newport, of a son. 12th instant, the wife ot Mr. Watkins, hat manufacturer Commercial-street, Newport, of a son. On Tuesday last, at Monmouth, the wife of Mr. Thomas Powell, draper, of a daughter. On the 2nd instant, at Blaenavon, the wife of Mr. Williaiu Burfield, glazier, of a son. MARRIED. At the Mill-street chapel, in this town, on Tuesday last, Mr. George Birt to Miss Ann Thomas, both of this town. At the J.Legister Office, on Tuesday last, Mr. John Waters, to Miss Jane iteilly, both of this town. On Thursday last, at Mitchel Troy, by the Rev. Henry Tal- bot, Mr. John Lea, St. Dial's Farm, Monmouth, to Hannah youngest daughter of Mr. Williams, Red House, near Mon- mouth. On the 13th instant, at Llanwenartli church, by the Rev. G. Gabb, Mr. Thomas Jones, Coker, Blaenavon, to Mrs. Mary Jones, of the same place. [Some cur, worthless in society, last week caused the inser- tion in the MERLIN, of a false account of a marraiage be- tween Mr. William Harries, the respectable draper of the Great Western House, Tredegar, and Miss Jane Clatworthv. The statement was an impudent and senseless hoax, the author of which may very soon be in the way of just reprisals.] DIED. On Saturday last, Clarence Edward, aged two years, youngest child cf Mr. Whitehall, watchmaker, Commercial-street New- port, after an illness of twenty-four hours. At Usk. on Thursday, the 8th instant, of consumption Emma. wife of Mr. H. Greatwood, surgeon, aged 43 On the Kith instant, at Usk, Winifred, youngest dauabter of Mr. William Taylor, wheelwright, &c., aged 18 years At Gloucester, on Sunday last. Mrs. Hurditch, aunt of Mrs Spencer, of Monmouth, leaving afamily of five children to la- ment their loss. w ia On Friday last, at Gloucester, Eged 34, Mrs. G. Bower o Northgate-street, smer of Mr. Mattbewa,'m^c-aeuS Mon- mouth. MwishofSBlnwdTs at tkC !esidr°e °f fatheT- (Mr. Tho.. merciaItraTener. aged 23, highly respected by all who knew a" a t 1 s^"ermgs were of a very painful description, having le rom a tumour in the thigh bone, after the painfol opera- tion of amputation of the leg. On the 1st instant, after one day's illness, at Llanelly, Car- marthenshire, Mrs. Hannah Lewis, relict of the late Mr. John Lewis, grocer, &c., aged 62. She VH truly a mother in Israel, having been nearly 50 years a member of the Baptist denomi- nation. Her loss is universally deplored, and her remains were followed [to the grave by one of the most sorrowful and nu- merous assemblages ever seea. She was the mother of Mr. S, levnp, draper, of tWo town.