Monmouthshire Merlin

SUftTTv LESSONS. December 29-lst Sunday after Cbiistmas. Morning Lessons Isaiah 37 Acts 26.—Evening Lessons Isaiah 38; 2 John. WEEKLY CALENDAR. Moon's age New, 2nd day, tOh. 44m. morning. Day of j Sun i g g j j Moon jMoonSetJUay of Month! Rises.$? Rises. <\ear. | > i 29 I 8 8 < 3 56 i 3 1 43 363 30 8 9 3 57 j 4 53 2 13 I 364 31 ) 8 9 < 3 58 5 59 2 47 36.. 1 8 8 3 69 7 0 3 27 1 2 8 8 5 4 0 7 55 4 18 2 3 8 8 4 1 8 41 5 12 S 3 4 88 43 I 9 20 j 4

NEWPORT TIDE TABLE. HIQH W AT £ R> DFTPTT AT T)i vg MOM. EVEN. DOCK GATES December, 1850. II. fol. H. M. FT. IN. 29, Sunday 3 3 3 33 1 23 4 30, Monday. 4 7 4 45 24 10 31, Tuesday 5 1 5 56 26 4 1, Wednesday 5 49 6 9 27 (i 2, Thursday' 6 30 6 49 28 2 3, Friday 7 7 7 24 28 3 4, Saturday. 7 41 7 57 27 8

THE MERLIN ALMANACK. THIS ALMANACK, GOT up with the same typographical neatness and accuracy of arrangement which gave such general satisfaction last year, and with the addition of some features of Local Interest, will be ready for GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION with the MERLIN, the beginning of JANUARY, 1851. _n_-

AMERICAN IMPORT DUTIES. PRINCIPLES, at frequent intervals, assert their diffu- sive power, and refute the maxim that there is no advantage in following them out. 3The relaxations made by our laws in favour of Ame- rican commerce and navigation have been continually referred to as an unreciprocated boon, as a costly sa- crifice made in vain. What, however, is the real fact ? Already British vessels are trading exten- sively to parts from which they were shut out until the alteration of our own laws admitted them to that reciprocity which is a standing rule in the United States. And now, notwithstanding the vast amount of prejudice in favour of high import duties, enter- tained by the United States, manufacturers who are the protective party in that country, a recent mail brings the information that a systematic organization for producing similar results to those recently ob- tained here, has been set on foot in the great towns of the manufacturing states. Such facts are full of hope and promise for our own foreign trade, and for the true interests of our transatlantic brethren.

CHRISTMAS. At this festive period, when the great Christian family joyously commemorate the birth of their Saviour, an event which the celestial choir hailed with the hymn,—" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men," the press generally, as if by common consent, agree to an armistice from political warfare. The kingdom of the zealous lover of souls is joy and peace, and the timo which directs our adoration to the Holy One of Bethlehem, should be marked by the mutual benevolence and kindly offices of all. In looking over pleasing records of the hospitable gather- ings in the halls of the British worthies of Old England during the glowing and social times of joyfnl'st feast, When every man was jolly, Each room with yvie leaves was drest, And every post with holly when frolic and warm-hearted hospitality were breaking out from among the chills and glooms of winter, and old age, throwing off his apathy, and catching once more the freshness of youthful enjoyment," we find that one beautiful principle Was ever observed,-the founders of the feast ne'er forgot the poor." According to the ancient song, A man might then behold, At Christmas, in each hall, Good fires to curb the cold, And meat for great and small. The neighbours were friendly bidden, And all had welcome true, The poor from the gates were not chidden, When this old cap was new." The olden fashion of open-house entertainment to all comers, has passed away, but the spirit of perhaps a more rational hospitality still lives amongst the gentlemen of England, and the crowning virtue of charity is not wanting amongst either the higher or the middle classes; and this is peculiarly the season for its exercise. Let those, therefore, whom a gracious Providence has blest with affluence, or even a moderate competence, adopt the best mode of expressing their veneration to the great Giver of their luxuries or their comforts,-the thankfulness which dictates an active charity. The joys of the aged and infirm poor are few, and those joys are shortened as their years depart; multitudinous are the "y<j-ways of misfortune, obliged to be trodden by the indigent; and the most wretched are generally the most unobtrusive in seeking the succour of tho charitable. We trust that they will be cared for, in this wintry weather, and that the pining mniate of the cheerless hovel, n);iy not be forgotten amidst ] the glowing pleasures of a happy Christmas circle that hap- piness will assuredlv be enhanced by the consideration of ,ct, having fulfilled the "Divine precepts, led the hungry, soothed the sorrowful, and comforted the afflicted. GREAT CHRISTMAS MARKET.—IN our last impression, we gave a pretty accurate account of the purchases of prize and prime beasts, made by the butchers of our locality, for Christ- mas fare. The meat market of Saturday was what might have been expected from such splendid stock,—the finest, decidedly, ever seen in Newport Mr. Evans took good care that the ladies and gentlemen who came to admire and pur- chase the good things thus spiritedly catered for them, should have a nice clean market, through which to promenade, and cleanness and neatness were observable in every quarter. The sales were very satisfactory. In our enumeration of the butchers who so very liberally provided fine meat for Christ- mas time, we omitted the name of Mr. Ilorrigan, whose dis- play was capital. SHOP DECORATIONS.—For some years past, we have noticed (and, perhaps, we may say, encouraged,) a better taste and rivalry in the decoration of grocery and con- fectionary shops. This festive season, the window attractions of the town surpass all previous efforts. We may, for instance, point to the new establishment of Mr. Henry Shep- pard, grocor, than which, we suppose, there is not a larger or more ulejjantly-litted-np mart in the county. Mr. Sheppard's display, xn his plate-glass frontage, -was most attractive and uniquo. Each aniplo window seemed an evergreen bower, amidst tho leaves and branches of which, the richest and most luscious grapes hung in clusters, and lemons, and other fruits, tastefully variegated the tempting picture. Tho groundwork was a slope of currants, on the surface of which,ginger, fruit, spices, and knobs of sugar, formed emblems and mottos. On one side were the loyal words, God save the Queen and on the other, the liberal close of the sentiment, (and compli- ment to the source of all legitimate power,) And bless the People Six globe gas-lights reflected brilliancy on this dis- play while the large space within was illuminated by six other gas lights; the whole forming an exhibition that crowds flocked to witness. The confectionary and fruit-establish- ment of Mr. James Ewins, jun., displayed piles on piles of the most tempting delicacies, in fruits, confections, wines, and a mighty Christmas Cake," &c., &c., throughout which, art was called into requisition to display every known stylo of form and attraction. The grocery establishment of Mr. Mat- thews exhibited tasty devices in the well-stored windows. On one side were the words, Welcome! Christmas!" and on the other, Peace and Plenty!" while there were sub- stantial heaps of fruits, cinnamon, and other spices, &c. The windows of Mr. Evans, Mr. Davies, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Roper, &c., rather showed some index of the ample masses of first- rate commodities, to be found within, than any display of artistical skill in sweet devices. The shop of Mr. Compton, near the South Wales railway-station, exhibited in its plate- glass window, a fine stock, ornamented with the words, Success to Trade!" The confectionary establishments of Mr. Napper, Mr. Ewins, sen.; Messrs. Williams & Co., &c., proved, by occular demonstration, the abundance of the good things which they bad prepared for "Merry Christmas."— At Pillgwcnlly, in the various grocery and confectionary establishments, there were similar large and rich mounds of u. stock for housekeepers; and we only experience a regret, amidst our observation of all this abundance for the enjoy- ment of the well-doing, that hundreds of those who gazed upon them, went empty away." In snch a happy season, this is a sad reflection, often tending to mar enjoyment. We may add, with satisfaction, that we have heard of "a,r<\arfn^ trade" having been experienced in the shops alluded to, causing the employers and assistants to be occupicd tor day and nights previously to Christinas, and richly to deserve tne relaxation of a second day's holiday. THE NEWPORT BAND.—This company of amateur per- formers, usually known by the name of the ^ac,.°ry visited several residences, in the neighbourhood o > a„d lUarer welcomes awaited them. '1'1 Christmas Eve ^Hrw^«5^,S™A.Ev«.-Th.Ch^En3 {factories] and pleased the palates of the large company that cprnbled there. The health of Mr. and Mrs. Hallen, and asseniblea i toasts customanly drank on such rSns, were duly honoured by all; and song and senti- 0Cnnt interspersed with the choicest strains of tho wcll- I^fned Factory Band, stationed in the front square rendered tha eveninB ft regular Chriatraaa festivity, THE CHRISTMAS TRAINS.—By a reference to the South Wales Railway returns, for the past week, it will be observed that the receipts are much greater than for some time pre- viously,—occasioned by the transmission of "game," and other choice Christmas presents, and the transit of holiday visitors. THE WAITS.—During the Christmas, the Messrs. Pollock, violinist and harpist, made the dreary nights vocal with "the concord of sweet sounds." GREENWICH TIME.—The traflic of two railways is now flowing into and from Newport, and it is suggested by the Town Council, that a change to Greenwich time of the public clocks, in commercial establishments, &c., would tend general convenience. WEST VIEW OF ST. WOOLLOS CHURCH.—Our towns- man, Mr. James Mullock, artist, has just published a beautiful view of St. Woollos's ancient tower, and other portions of the sacred edifice, sketched by him from the west end of the church-yard. The features of this interesting lithographed picture are artistically executed, and very accurate in detail. The strong old tower, with its decapitated monarch, filling a front niche, the Gothic entrance, the antique porch, the graves and tombs around, with the naked arms and leafless branches of the giant trees, and other figures in the foreground, present an impressive coup il'a il. There can be no doubt that many Newport folks, who have friends in other neighbourhoods, will forward them a New Year's gift; and a correct repre- sentation of the time-honoured St. Woollos, encircled in the tasteful gutta percha frame, supplied by Mr. Job Evans, iron- monger, would doubtless be appreciated. NEWTOWN-ON-U SIc-At this place, on the east side of the river, a new barque, building by Mr. Cook, for T. Powell Esq., is fast progressing, and will, in all probability, be ready for launching the early part of next month. This vessel is allowed by competent men to be one of the best ever built, and may be considered the pride of the port. NEW C UTTER.—On Saturday last, a splendid cutter, built by Mr. Williams, boatbuilder, Dock, was launched from the stocks. She is intended for Air. Gilmore, pilot, (No. 5) who has spared no expense in fitting her out: she is, in every respect, a complete model, and will, probably prove the fastest boat in this or adjacent ports. SHIP WRECKS.—The Clytha, formerly of this port, but lately belonging to Cork, was struck by a heavy sea, off the banks of Newfoundland, and was abandoned by the crew, who were taken off the wreck by a vessel homeward bound.—The Carl, from hence to St. Thomas, was likewise struck in the Bay of Biscay, and compelled to put into Cowes, the ship making water. NEWPORT POLICE.—There has been little beyond mere disorderly cases heard at the court this week, if we except the charge against the captain of the Pioneer tug boat who was amerced in damages, for running into and damaging the Tiger. PASSAGE SNEAKS.—Several topcoats have been stolen from the passages of houses in Newport, during the past few days. Housekeepers should have an eye to the security of their door-fastenings, especially in the evening time. BODY OF AN INFANT CONCEALED On Saturday last> the body of an infant was found in a ditch near Mr. Fother- gill's Forge, Caerleon. The body, which appeared to have been exposed for about six days, was wrapped up in a flannel petticoat. A coroner's inquest was held on Thursday, before Wm. Brewer. Esq., which was adjourned, in order to obtain a pou mortem examination. LLANWERNE.—SACRILEGE.—On Friday morning last, the beautiful little church of this parish, was sacrilegiously broken into, through the illuminated window, painted by, and the gift of, Miss Salusbury. The party proceeded to the iron sate, in the vestry,(and carried it off into an adjoining field, where they broke it open; but, fortunately, they were dis- appointed of booty, the churchwardens having prudently taken the communion plate to their homes after the last service. The scoundrels then returned to tho church, in quest of other booty, but found nothing to suit their taste so well as a C flute, which had been left at the singing desk. LANOSTONE.—SACRILEGE.-On the night the above took place, a sacrilegious party, (brobably those who had been engaged in the Julanwerne case,) broke intoLangstone church, iu a similar manner; and were again fortunately disappointed in their search for plate. They were obliged, therefore, to content themselves with two pewter dishes and a blue table cover, with which they decamped. Three suspicious-looking persons were observed lurking about the neighbourhood during the day.

SBBW V ALSo MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETV -We hail the progress of this invaluable institution with unfeigned pleasure believing that ts spirited promoters, and those who have assisted them, have eft nopains unspared. to achieve success; and according to Ihem th« praise which they deserve. The institution recently atiracted public attention in no ordinary degree. Its first anni- versarv—an era in the existence of all societies, which is re- carded often with apprehension as to its success-has been cel.- of past exertions, on P ^gy^ed their energies on the well lor future resu ts eSiy-theGirls'School- occasion, to decorating the place 01 asseui j room, and they did all *el for finer »d«r°T"n » band playing inspiriting airs' ^IND**?ABOITTMETEN W' ST Roden ,6 Esq!^ .TCKON' to the chair, that gentleman n E followed, and in the objects of the society. T. Jt>ro 0fi aft-ft0n as the sea- the course of an eloquent speech, promis behalf of himself son permitted building operations, to yau for the and the Ebbw Vale Company, robablf obtain Society, and give them £ 50 another such a lot for them from he P N-|1JGADNOUDCE. them with various newspapers and periodica „UMBER of ment drew 'orth tbe roost enthusiastic cheering. other gentlemen afterwards addressed the assetnb,, social and intellectual feast concluded, with haimony sure MONMOUTH.

PONTYFOOXu PONTYPOOL MARKET.—SATURDAY. Wheat,per sk. '24s Od to 24s 6d button per lb ^df M Barley', per sk 15s 6d to 16. Pork perlb^ Beef, per lb., best, 6d to 7d Herrings Ditto, pr lb.,inferior, 44d to 5d Geese, per lb 66d to 7d I TONTYFOOL COUNTY COURT.—THUBSDAY, DEC. 19. [Before J. M. Herbert. Esq.] There was a great falling-off in to-day's business there being but ten cases on tbe list, and three insolvents for hearing THE DOG CASE. TONVELL v. DUBERLY.-His Honour (by consent of the plaintiff, who was in court), further postponed his judgment until the r.ext court; stating that although he had prepared a written judgment, and would give it now, if required, yet he would much prefer re-considering the matter and he regretted that a jury had not been summoned to l.ave decided it. INSOLVENCIES. John Rowbery passed his last examination, unopposed. Thomas Hardwick, of Pontypool. publican was opposed by Mr O H Fdwards, for Messrs. Pinchin and Co., of Bath, He was .ippo,d by Mr. 0«. Mr. Ed».,d, took a preliminary objection that the notices in the Gazette and MONMOUTHMNHB MUKLIN' were improper and invalid, as the description of the insolvent did not agree with the description °fHiTHonour1*'The'advcrtisement gives a more particular ac- count of his residcnccs and p it.on s}l0Ujj de8crjbe the Mr. Edwards sub^tted Uia^griP^^nt. insolvent precisel) not necessary to fully set out Mr Owen, in rep y. > .n tJ)e petition, but it is in the the whole of the res latter, and in the advertise- schedule. Wc have done it in ment also. „JVp, tisement is quite correct. You must His Honour: Ihe ad citism objectiojl advertise fully. There ground that debts omitted in Mr. lidwards ,he case out of tbe jurisdiction. The tbe schedule, would taKe admiUcd that he had been at- lnsolvcnt was examine' fort„ight, for dislocated tended by Mr. jrom a street attack made upon shoulder and contused • entered him as a ere him. He had not paio 1 > pxaminedas to omissions of other ditor. Insolvent was lur really resolved itself into the creditors; but the 1|ues insolvent's debts being amount of I\lr. Essex s c ai^ • mount would carry it over already upwards of £ 2'"•V"therc was an omission of I £ 300. It was proved, also, 'guards said he knew pretty £ 1 J 2s., owing for 1 'ce 0n a person for a fortnight well what a surgeon's attendance would come to. lawyer's forthe same period, His Honour: Not so much as a lawyer I fancy. (Loud laughter.) ^t court> for insertion of The case was adjourned erTe(j up0n him, in the mean- Mr. Essex's debt; notice to time. Tolowain grocer and general shop- William Edmunds, of 1 y Greenway, and opposed keeper, was supported t>y i»J • n 0biection, that as the by Mr. E. B. Bdwards, who start scheduiSi ,ya8 affidavit of the insolvent, eri > » et;tjon must be dis- swom before the insolvent s t^e ^rgt t0 ca^j missed. Mr. Greenway sai a former occasion, when Edwards' attention to that P gu'pp0rted; and he himself then be opposed an insolvent, Mr- as R return for his having waived this very objection, a t0 ke taken of him. Mr. done so, the advantage „r0und8 on the merits; and why E. had also said he had good gro not, then, go into the case. follow his instructions. Mr. Edwards s?'d he £ ht s|l0w the petition to be taken off His Honour said he mig w re_gwornj and the insol- the file, and then the a tj,at there would only b« a de- vent could refile his papers lay of a month. t h;s Honour had no power to do Mr. Edwards submitted contended bore him out in so; and referred to oases wnicn that view. ht that the objection ought not to be Mr. Greenwaj thoug umstances. Besides, there was an es- pressed, under tne nd oj. twQ of what the tate of good delthoge dgbls were t in in the drawn the oppo opposition was upon two grounds, the case proceeded. a T*ew jq filing his petition udfls'Dttod;'contracting debts, without reasonable ex- pectation of paying them The insolvent was closely examined with reference to four sides of bacon, removed from his premises to the house of Margaret Edmunds, a week before filing his petition; and also, as to payment for some butter to his brother-in-law, about three weeks before, and after he had offered, in writing, a com- position to his creditors. Several of the letters, all to the same effect, were put in and read, and they apparently disclosed to his creditors the exact state of his f.ffairs, and a great anxiety that they should make the best of his estate. He was ex- amined at some length, by Mr. Edwards, and, »ventually, the case was adjourned to the next court, for the insolvent to pro- duce Morgan, to give some further account of the bacon. Watkin Herbert v. Michael Welsh.—This was adjourned f ,ac. pmirt for production of a witness.—Mr. Davies, ap- Ha_ jnd proved Ihe case, (action for balance of malt peared to-day, an<M plaintiff._Mr. Qrcenwayi who ap_ account) J"dg k d for judgment forthwith, because the de- acted SO dishonestly. He told plaintiff he would fendant had acted w a receipt fohen the receipt pay him, and asked nim h and .n v was written, defendant n p%id> fancying he ha £ t and laughed at the document.— Judgment granted. defence whilst he held i" v han<_Action on a promig_ George Gaskell v. on demand.—Mr. Edwards for sory note for £ w, P f Jflt: £ —Defendant did not appear, plaintiff.—Verdict for pi» T»ee8.—Mr. Greenway for plaintiff. Samuel Probyn i'. Pb £ 7 iTifls. —Verdict, by consent, for TITT,„MEIFT ..OVA 4VTBR JUDGMENT. SUMMONSES* nixon-—In this case, plaintiff William Rosser v ThO iudgment against defendant had, at a former court,J>bt*"1 committed t0 *or 20 day » for £ 50 and costs.—He was' —Plaintiff's attorney, but warrant to be suspc^dea Mr. Roberts, of Coleford. — The nublic who are in Ihe habit NEW ROAD TO BLAKAVON v M(J BIaenafon, and have of using the road between ro y condition, will be pleased as often complained of it? w ve(i jn part, and awaits further to hear that it is greatly jjave n0 doubt a work of aid to be rendered w;u not be left in its present such great public utility #s 1 a*little assistance. half-finished state, for want Thursday, the 19th ANNUAL DINNER AT tjjC iandloidof tha Black instant, the friends cf Mr. ^bers, than on former occa- Horse Inn, assembled in gre chair, and Mr. VI llliam casions. Mr. Bighsm occupy vice.chairman the latter Luce, of Pontypool, any with some of his favourite gentleman delighting the cc1 tfje mere mention of ditties. Our Pontypool fnend then reeelved. rhe that fact, understand the tjjeoccasion( and, altogether, church bells rang most merri ) it was quite n joyous affair.

G LAM 0 It G A N S HI R E. GLAMOR CANS tTl RE. TAFF VALE RAILWAY ± FOR WEEK endIN_°.T £ 2,047 2 2 ,c2,047 Total r 1 f,nm SHIPWRECK*. —Royal William. 'Pt'be mooth of Ihe St. Cardiff to Galatz, was totally "It 20 all hands saved — George's branch of the Danube. OardifF to Gibraltar, Constantinople, Dec. 7.—J»n*> f carK0 thrown overboard, has put in with decks swept, and part or can, —St. Ives, Dec. 21. Rifi,0„'s ordination on Sunday ORDINATION.—At the L \vrenfoid, St. Mary's, Cardiff, last, at Llandaff, the Re** ,*|)e jjer. — Harris, was ordained to obtained priest's orders, a for whieh parpose) a labour among the floating chapel is to jhere was a wonderful display of fat CHMSTMAS MA • ke, an(j the show made by Mr. ^VXr bu.cKs proved a great attraction. Bond and Right Hon. J. Nicholl, M.P., has sub- fbeTfivTgu'ineas, in aid of the coming Eisteddfodd E. P. Richard* Esq., and C. C. Williams, Ksq., have also put down .hair names for two guineas lor the same object. Ihe new rooms are to be opened with a soiree and musical entertain, ^FATAI. ACCIDENT.—George Morgan died last Friday from injuries received between two carriages at our Taff Vale ter- ojnus. Verdict, Accidental death." VAGRANTS.—The vagrants in the night asylum—A lawless ■nffianly set—were engaged on Christmas Eve in a riot •obbery within the walls. Surely, such act# ihoultj be nut top to, by wmo measures* • Put a RBPRESBNTATION OF THECOUNTV.—A meeting of the mem- bers ollhe Protectionist Club. was held at Bridgend last week, at whicb, we are informed, lesolutions were passed, in which the Club pledged themselves to support Sir G. Tyler, K.C.B., in the event of a vacancy in the representation of this county, by the anticipated resignation of Earl Dunraven. We have not heard what Sir George's opinions are in reference to the leading political questions of the day, but we believe that the gentlemen assembled on the occasion, (including some who were not mem- bers of the club), expressed themselves satisfied with the replies given by the hon. gentleman, to the various queries addressed to him. A rumour having been extensively ciiculated in this dis- trict, that tbe respected member for Swansea, J. H. Vivian, Esq., had been solicited by some influential parties, to offer him- self for the representation of the county, that gentleman's friends (in the absence of the hon. member ) have authorised an an. nouncement that no consideration would induce him to sever the ties which have, for so many years, existed between himself and the constituency of Snansea, and its contributary boroughs. -Swansea Herald.

CAERPHILLY. PETTY SESSIONS.—MONDAY, DHCEMBHR 23. Before the Rev. James Coles, W. E. Williams, Eeq and E. Williams, Esq. A VILLAGE VULCAN IN TROUBLE. John Williams, a sturdy blacksmith, who, however, wore an ominously-rueful countenance on his appearance at the bar, was charged with having refused to comply with an order of affiliation, made upon him at the instance of Jane Lewis, by tbe Llandaff bench.—The lover of Venus, no very gay-looking spark," had paid a portion of the money claimed of him, for paternity's sake; when, becoming dissatisfied with tbe matter, and having a faint suspicion be was not a father after all, he dis- continued payments, and now owed twenty-one week" mainte- nauce of the offspring, at 2a. per week. He was, after a close enquiry, ordered to pay to the full extent permitted by law. viz., thirteen weeks' amount, and El 16s costs, which he at first intimated a repugnance to settle; but when a pretty plain bint was given by the Rev. James Coles, that a commitment should be made out at once, the wary Mulciber speedily procured the money. He was also given to understand, tbat unless he paid 8s regularly per month, he would again be under the infliction of the law. ANOTHER CABB OF THE KIND. David Lewis, a collier, was summoned to show cause why he did not support the illegitimate child of Martha Nicholas, of which she declared him to be the papa.—Defendant had pro- vided his frail friend with lodgings daring her confinement, and had advanced money for the maintenance of the child; but his duty being a drain on his pocket which waa uupleasavtt be with- held further contributions, and was summoned acconiiogly.- Ordered to pay 2s. per week, from the 26th of the last month. BRUTAL ASSAULT. Charles George, landlord of tbe Llanbradach Arms. Treforest was charged with mercilessly assaulting Joseph Hawkins, chair maker, on the night of Sunday, November 10 —It appeared that on Sunday morning, the complainant dropped in," while conveying a message to Newbridge, and had engacod in taking "a drop," at defendant's house, with a friend, till half-past 12 at night. A dispute then arose between him and the servant, who said he had not paid for one of the pints be had drunk. The friend offered to pay, to avoid further disputation; but the aagac oua damsel refused this, saying HE bad nothing to do with it. She kept her hack to the door, and prevented the egress of Hawkins, though the poor fellow particularly wanted to go out. In the midst of the altercation, the landlord came in, laid bold of complainant, dragged him from his seat, and hauled him into the road. and there kiched him on the back of the head, causing the blood to gush from his mouth and he also broke one or more of the prostrate man's ribs. The evidence given. fully corroborated this statement; andacertincatefrom Mr. Price, surgeon, stated tbe injuries done.—Matthew Thompson, tbe friend with whom Hawkins had spent the Sabbath at the inn, entered very minutely into details, and deposed to the most wanton barbarity on the part of the landlord, who wished him not to touch the man, but let him lie upon the ground, near the canal, where he might have fallen In, he being tipsy at the time. Finding that the landlord kept tbe man's hat, as a security (or payment of the disputed pint, Thompson paid the amount, and redeemed the bat, and took his injured friend away.—This wit- ness was greatly commended by the Bench for his Samaritan conduct, and was ordered 5a for his attendance. The Rev. Mr. Coles kindly and persuasively advised him, however, to abstain on the Sabbath, from irequenting publicbouses, which, with beerhouses, when ill-conducted, were a curse to society, instead of being the sources of comfort for which they were designed- —The other magistrates concurred in these observations, and remarked that after poor foolish fellows had spent their last penny, in some houses of a bad description, they were too often kicked out of doors like dogs.—Tbe defendant set up a wnk. defence, whicb the testimony of his servants was produced, but unsuccessfully, to support, and the Bench, censuring tbe de- fendant severely for allowing a man to get drunk in his house on the Sabbath, and then kicking him into the road like a dog, fined him £ 2 for the assault, and 138 6d costs, or twenty-eight days' imprisonment. He was kept in custody by the officer, till the amount was paid. AN UNFORTUNATB MARRIAGE. William Cross, a sawyer, who was formerly in constant work at liuperra, and martied his wife from the Draythan, was now charged with deserting his two children,one of whom was in the Newport union-house.—Defendant bad made a bad venture in matrimony, his wife proving imprudent, and, parting with him after the birth of the first child, led a life of licentiousness and vice, and had a second child, the result of immoral acquaint- ance and the two children, Cross was now called on to support. -The Bench commiserated with the poor fellow, but said that the law compelled him to maintain both children, however hard it might seem. Cross, who still appeared to cherish a fond- ness for the erring one, who had been the object of his early affections, said he had offered to live with her again; but she had refused, and was now living on the town at Cardiff.—Mr. Dodd, the relieving officer, paid 9t 6d expenses for Cross, upon the undertaking that he would repay it from his wages and Cross promised to maintain the children.

Shipping Intelligence. NEWPORT. Imports and exports for the week ending Dec. 26. IMPORTS. INDUSTRV, Fryer, Gloucester, timber.-Faniny. Longmy, Bristol, Hoar.—BrMtot Packet, Camp, salt and beans Ceres, Inman, Gloucester, flour.- Union, Gloucester, iron.—Bristol Packet, Duddridge, Bridgwater, bricks. —Atlas, Stiee, uiasgow, iron. atar, Richarde, Bridgwater, sundries. Roebtirk, Will, Bristol, timber.— Pilot, Meany. Wrexford, oats. Annie, Brown, Chepstow, iron. Sea Flower, Brown, Gloucester, nour.—- Maria, Watson, Whitehaven, iron ore.-Favourite, Cort, St. Malo, potatoes, Friendship, Woodward Gloucester, beans.- Thomas and Sarah, Lewis, Swansea, iron.—Rosebud, King, Watchet, bran.—Robert, Jones, Cardiff, BOlif.-Tiger, Morgan, Barrow, iron ore. St. Pierre, Jones, Bridgwater, eider.- Unanimity, Withycombe, Bridgwater, flour -Lydney Trader, Hagan, Youghal, sandriea —Cenqueet, Scantlebury, Barrow, iron ore. William and Eliza, Bally, Barrow, iron ore. Mary Lewis, Lewis, Whitehaven, iron ore.—Nautilus, Jonee, Neath, iron; Abeona, Wash borne, Gloucester, timber. Queen of the Usk, Jones, Barrow, iron ore. Laurel, Bee, Glasgow, iron.—George, Whtte.CardifF. coke.—Ann and Mari., Evans, Carmarthen, oats.—Marina, Fry, Barnstaple, potatoes. —New Mariner, Jackson, Whitehaven, iron ore—;—Dasher, Sqnires, Bideford, oats.—Providence, Barker, Cardiff, iron. Robert and Mary, Evans. Barrow, iron o«-—Spriug, Burt, Teignmouth, pipe cla,Gomer, Thomas, Barrow lion ore.- Ann and Mary, Davis. WhUehatett, itwi ore.—Brothers, Dean. Milford, potatoes.—Eliza and Mary, Davis, Barrow, iron ore. -Sarab, Muront, St. Malo, potatoes. Mercury, Lewis, Barrow, iron ore.-New Jane. Dehne, Whitehaven, iron ore. -Union, Jones, Whitehaven, frmL-Bodwally, Taid, White- haven, iron ore —Comet, Buraell. WMNtnw, iron ore.-— Exchange, Thomas, Whitehaven, inn ore.—Mary Ann, Rees, Barrow, iron ore.——Merqisees, mf Elj, Staet, Waterford, iron.—Leighton, Pagb, Barrow, iron.——Prince of Wales, Griffiths, Soathaapton, oil cake. WiUisa and Susan, Gnliiver, Bridgwater, bricks—lied Boner, Potter, Claegow, iron ore. Friends, Evans, Bmraow. Iron ere.—Bee, Bsoek- bank, Whitehaven, iron ore.-)faria and Martha, Laae, Wkfte- haven, iron ore.—Merlin, Watts, Baraetspfe, potatoes. Outarid, |Jones, Whitehaven, iron ore. Hsufiton, Barnes, Barrow, iron ore. Blessing, DaddfMce, BeMgwsUr, flour. —Diligence, Rees, Barrow, iron ore.—Hope, Davies, Cardiff, stones.—Two Friends, Francis, Kinsale, paeeengers.—Eliza, Ann, Corey, Troro, tin. Speed, Charles, Troon, iron. Gleaner, Fletcher, Whitehaven. iron ore. Charlotte and Ann, Ellery, Neath, iron ore.—Union FoUrs, Powey, iron ore. Hellen and Sarah, Gilman, Ulverston, ironoie. Aorid. Hughes, Whitehaven, iron ore. Love, Girwhi, Bridgwater. straw. Active, Jones, Milford, oats. Thorney Close Young, Quebec, timber.-Die Teigend, Schaltz, Richbneto. EXPORTS. Jeaune D'Arc, Hurt on, Nantes, ISO tons coal:—Republican, Grunwaldt, St. Tbomas. 383 tons eoal. Ifoveiie Scioto, l'errot, Nants, 72 tons coal.-Oregon, Carey. St. TboBtM. aM, tons coal. Henrietta, Ryen, St. Vincent, 179 tons coal. Mnuon Teunis. Rio de Janerio, 410 tons coal.—Piloie, Orttoon. Nantes, 110 tons coal. Marianne, Bunkina, St. Thomas, 276 tons coal. Queenstown, Martin, New Orleans, 350 teoa IIOR. -Commerce, Henry, Charleston, 650 tons iron -Patriot, Kubl, St. Thomas, 140 tons coal. Pelbam Clinton, TIMMMS, Liverpool; Empress, Auyon, Liverpool; Margaret, Pogh, Liverpool; Young, Gipsey, Davis Liverpool; Elim, Walsh, Cork; I'.agle, Phillips, Liverpool; Mary Ellen, Tamils, Liverpool; Richards, lagan, Dublin; Blanche, Davis. Liver- poot, Margaret and Rachael, Thomas,Liverpool; faaiislimii. Whelan, Liverpool; Emerald, Driscoi, Cork, Diosa, Moasaft Liverpool; Olive Branch, Brown, Cardiff, with iren MM! tio plates,

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES,* DEATHS. BIRTHS. On the 16th instant, at Newport, the wile of Mm. Gething, harbour-master, of a daughter. On the 14th, at Newport, the wife of Mr. J. Jayne, Jajme's Buildings, of a daughter. On the 19th, at Cardiff, the wife ef Mt. H. Hartey, provisjesi merchant, St. Mary-street, of a daughter. On the 22nd, at Tredegar, tho Wife of Mr. Charlee Poaty, printer and bookseller, of a son, MARRIACML On the 18th, at Caerleon church, tyUfs R*V. Baarfel Jenes vicar, Mr. W. D. Haddock, oC MvlHngTiStfi Coftaflt, etanor ganahire, to Margaret, only daughter of Mr. WilMs Lewis Caerleon. On the 17th, at Baston, Mar Weill, by the JU* F. W. Mayow, Mr. John Griffiths, M Newport, Mooaeeetiwhire, to Prances, seventh daughter it Mr. Jeht 8ah)t<m. of Eeottm. On tho 16th, at too Registrar** «&«, ™r- John Price, 1 eidwainn jlti Mies Ilisafcetfe Jeaes,doA of Aber- gavenny. „ On the 19th, at Portisheo* «>■«*T*o • .*» Bwnron, Mr Henry Wrenn, superintendent in tne uwuusigan coasta- bulary, Merthyr TydVil, to Kmma, daughter of the late Mr. irestbury, near Bristol. John Humphries, builder, Westbury,nMr Bristol. H**Us- R*>-°rc~ DEATHS. On Sunday last, at an advanced age, Edmund Williams, Fsa one of the oldest magistrates of this county greatly be- loved by a large circle of friends; and reputed to be immensely "on the 22nd, in London, suddenly, in the 36th year of his ,_e Mr. Jacob Jenkins Nicholas, jun., late of Newport. On the 23rd, at Glanonny, near Crickhowell, on the 23r«L igad 75, Mrs. Davies, relict of the late David Davies, Ksq., of Jangattock, Breconshire. She was much and sincerely ba- oved by all, and her death will be lamented by a large circle of Natives and friends. Lately, at the Cardiff Arms, Caedraw, Merthyr, aged fit Mr. Richard Richards, master-shoemaker. • On the 19th, suddenly, at his residence, Swansea at an ad. ranced age, the Rev. Mr. Parry, a superanuated ninister,—highly respected by the connexion and all who k 11m. On the 13th. at Ponttrhydyfen, near Neath of 1.^ aged 31, Mr. Edward Cooke, grocer. His los« «^H#?TnPtion» felt by the Wesleyans of Cwmavon, anions wh muclx consistent member. 8 w«om he waa a On the 10th. at Fosse farm, near Maest*« v- Mr. William Bowen. He was a man of t '•^ 16 >'e*r, his remains were followed to the grave h mte*?rity. aI)d sorrowing relatives and friends. a number of On the 23rd, aged four vears Mo- of Walter Thomas, Esq., of the wii^) £ al8leish, daughter Wales Bank, Merthyr Tydfil England and South On the 14th. at the Bute Dock i illness, aged 21, Miss Elizabeth oin? *,?ardiff» aftcr a ,on* Robert Cooke, of Llantriss^nt ^°°ke, eldest daughter of Mr. On the 12th, at Llandaff MV On the 8th, at W imk Edmund Rees, aged 32. Thornhill. ']'he cilUr,» fne Minster, aged 70, Lieut-Col. officers who were m co»onel was one of the few surviving battle he was seri P ent at the battle of Waterloo, in which the Marques* nf a ,y Woui>ded. He was also aid-de-camp to On the ldtVi *"J8'csca on that memorable occasion. H7 Ann* r\ ,the u»ckic, Llangorse, Breconshire, age4 bv'a la of tbe late Mr. Howell Powell, deeply lamented ebiUr gC ",urabcr of friends, relatives, children, and grand- n v /r'- e wus a faithful wife, an affectionate mother, and Kina friend, and was beloved by all her neighbours. On the 18th, at Walford, near Ross, Mary, eldest child of Major Valiant, of Her Majesty's 40th Regiment of Foot, and grandchild of the late General Sir Thomas Valiant, K.C.B., aged eight years. On the 18th. at Brockhsmpton, near Bromyard, after a long illness, universally regretted and rcspected, Suantt. widow of the late John BMMtpib*, MP., ftgad W. W W

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TO CORRESPONDENTS. Local matter has excluded the Feuilleton of the MERLIN, for the last two publications. It will be resumed in our next number. Mr Vaughan's letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, shall have a place in the ensuing impression. In type, a paper on the Iron and Coal Trades, and the French Government. Crotchet shall have a corner.

TRIAL BY JURY. WE regret to see, in a legal publication, an en- deavour to represent, on what appears to us to be very insufficient grounds, that public opinion is be- coming unfavourable to this ancient and valuable in- stitution. The disfavour (says the Legal Observer), into which Jury trial has fallen, is singularly mani- fested by the fact, that, out of 226,403 cases in which either party might have required a jury-trial, there were only 802 in which cither party thought it desirable." Now the great value of a jury is in criminal cases the plain common sense of practical men, well acquainted with the habits of the parties brought before them, and with the many minutiae of ordinary life, which are rather felt than described, being a safeguard, so far as the law permits, against justice being perverted by mere technicalities, or lost sight of in quibbles. In civil cases, a well-trained individual mind often decides more satisfactorily than a number. Still, the option of having a jury is valu- able. Again, the plan is rather a novelty in small debts courts, and, therefore the great force of cus- tom tells against it. And, further, are not the costs increased, in case of defeat ? We contend, then, that the very limited recourse to juries in county courts, is not at all singular, and not by any means a conclusive reason for inferring that the public would be as well satisfied if they had no such option, and we particularly censure the unfairness of repre- senting trial by jury in general, as having fallen into disrepute, on the untenable ground above assigned. zn

PROGRESS OF THE EXHIBITION. WE hope the furious din of ecclesiastical warfare will not divest men's minds from every practicable pre- paration for this great event, which is calculated to produce so many beneficial results. It is pleasing to observe that the demands for space far exceed the room at disposal. The main thing, therefore, now, is its judicious apportionment, much of which will be left to local committees. We would warn parties from requiring too much space for articles of little utility. Anything which is likely to command a large sale, though in itself the merest luxurv, is useful, pro tanto it will benefit trade. R„t "irticles which have no such recommendation, "to be confined to a very — Nor should manufacturers noi lmcn o < first rate ment, confine their efforts to quality. He who can improve a c° article the will do the most good, because of sue mUch consumption is the lar est. it is of much greater importance, fol ior „ny now made, cheap washing cotton, sup^ into a musliu than to put some extra nni- an(| benefit mil- or a poplin. The former w p ]y0t that the lions, the latter, comparand fornlCr must not latter should be neglected L)U_ rry out the compa- give place to it. We must no tments is evident; rison; its application to other a np0rtant. the principle, however, is very 11 r

CHANCERY C°^m*bed the rules WHEN the late Lord Chancellor P administra- which he had made for facilitate vast interests tion of business in connection with court-as well involved in the proceedings of his c parliament— as when Mr. Turner's plan was before any degree of the MERLIN, while not undervahun»^e(^ strongly improvement where so much was n ^ensivc mea- urged the necessity of large and comp t]ie nc- sures. We arc happy to sec cessity of some farther advancc is ic b^c app0iu Majesty's government, as evidenced > prac- ment of a royal commission to inquire 1 ninissioners, tice and pleadings of the court, 'Ihe co:^e £ ore them, who are honest men, have a wide field ocea- and we hope that they will prove equa ^encral will sion and especially that the Attorney- ^ttcr, to add, by his achievements in this imp01'^nj|o0iilly those laurels, by which the name ol already crowned.

EVIDENCE BEFORE CORONERS.^ WE have sometimes had an occasion to or £ sts, as ancient office of coroner from those rash .^on It we deem them, who have proposed its abo i aU^0- is satisfactory to observe, from high J .lCjjcate co- rky, some observations which lend to Vin •, attiy roners from the reflections sometimes inconsi cast upon them. Mr. Justice Patteson, in his recent charge, at the York winter assizes, remarked It was sometimes said that much irrelevant evidence was taken before coroners; and that that ought not to be so, because it was not evidence when the case came to be tried at the assizes. He thought that this accusation against coroners was a great mistake. It must be remembered that there was no person charged when a case was brought before a coroner, whose duty was not to try any one, but to inquire into the cause of the death of the deceased and who must, therefore, go into a great deal of evidence, often hearsay evidence, which was receivable by him, though not so in a Court of Justice. The ob- ject of a coroner's inquiry was quite distinct from the duty which the judges and the jury had to perform; and it was wrong to say that, because a coroner admitted evidence which was not receivable upon the trial of an accused person, therefore, the coroner admitted evidence which he ought not to do. He mentioned this, because there were things said about coroners and their jurors which were unjust and unfair." It is true that persons are often com- mitted on a coroner's inquisition, and that they may afterwards be acquitted. But such acquittal is oftener through technicality than innocence and if no suspected person could be taken till his guilt could be established by rule of law, murderers zn would es- cape. The detection of crime is not so perfect, that we can afford to dispense with so important a means of inquiry as that before a coroner.

+- Almanack for the Year 1851. CHRONOLOGICAL NOTES. Shrove inesday. March 4 Low Sunday April 27 Ash Wednesday. 5 Holy Thursday .May 29 Palm Sunday April l'.t Whit Sunday June 8 Good Friday ]j} Trinity Sunday 15 Easter Sunday 20 Advent Sunday^Nov. 30 >> >< Q H S4 • Q V* IRTI 5 w 0 >* O iftrii 2 w S 0 < 2 o & « ? S -< 2 a x 2 < » a S 5 g o u « « « 3 January 1 2 3 4 July 1 2 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 7 » 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 It; 17 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 20 21 22 2*3 24 25 2G 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 Febuary I August I 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 3 4 5 G 7 8 U 9 10 H 12 13 14 15 10 11 12 13 14 15 It; 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 March.. 1 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sept. 12 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 22 2a 24 25 26 27 30 31 28 29 30 April.. 12345 October. 1234 6 7 3 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 It; 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 21 25 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 May. 1 2 3 Novemb 1 4 5 G 7 » 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 2.1 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 2G 27 28 29 30 June.. I 2 3 4 5 G 7 Decemb 1 2 3 4 5 (j 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 It) n 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 14 15 lG 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 28 29 30 31 New Moon. Full Moon. January 2nd, lOh 44m, morn. 17th, 4h 42m afternoon February ..1st, 6h 2m, morning 16th, 3h 28m, morning March .3rd, 111 15in, morning 17th, lit 19tn, afternoon April 1st, 6h 33m, afternoon 15th, I'm .i5m, night May 1st, 9h 2ni, morning 15th, 8I1 5m, morning 30th, 8h 47m, afternoon June 29th, Oh 25m, morning 13th, 6h 41m, afternoon July 28th, 2h 40m, afternoon 13th, 7h 14m, morning August 26th, lOh 20m, night 11th, Jh 43m, afternoon o > ( 10th, Hi 44m, afternoon September..25th, (ill l:.i;i. morning £ flie harvest moon October 24th, 3h i .1m; afternoon 10th, 6h 33m, morning November..23rd, 2h 6m, morning mh, llli 21ni, mght December. ,22nd, 3h 34m, after 8th, 3h 27111, afternoon ECLIPSES. I.—January 17th. Partial Eclipse ot the Moon, visible at Greenwich. II.—February 1. Annular Eclipse of the Sun, invisible at Greenwich.. III.—July 13. Partial Eclipse of the Moon, invisible at IV.—July 28. Total Eclipse of the Sun, partially visible at Greenwich. at Greenwich.

LOCAL 1 !t TJi I/ L I (« E N € li. TTRRinifi'S FROM NEWPORT. Dublin 8s Od Gibraltar,perton,coal, lls Od Liverpool, iron 8s od Barcelona, ditto 14s Od London, coal, 9s Od Malaga, ditto Os od Glasgow iron 0s 0d Messina,ditto 0s Oil Cork, coal 6s Od West Indies, ..coal 12s (Id London Os Od East Indies, .coal 30s 1111 Plymouth coal 6s 6d San Francisco.. coal 65s od Southampton 7s 0d Adelaide coal 30s od Newcastle 0s Od New Orleans, iron.. 23s lid Malta coal, 9s 0d Brazils, coal 22s 6d New York, iron, 22s Od Panama, coal 40s Od Malta coal, 9s 0d Brazils, coal 22s 6d New York, iron, 22s Od Panama, coal.40:5 Od COASTING TRADE.—WC are glad to see a little improve" ment in this trade. During the last few days, a large number of coasters have arrived, and have all found pretty guud charters.

SOUTH WALES RAILWAY TRAFFIC. Business for the Week ending Dec. 22, 1850. Passengers £ 708 16 8 Parcels 32 'A 3 Goods. 112 10 5 Expresses. 10 3 0 • £ 863 13 4 This amount is exclusive of Mails.

COUNCIL MEETING, MONDAY, DEC. 23rd, 1850. Present:—William C. Webb, Esq., Mayor, in the chair; Aldermen Hughes, Mullock, Townsend, and Williams; and Councillors Latch, Davies, Turner, Evans, Dowling, H.J. Davis, W. Jenkins, Knapp, E. V. Jenkins, Lewis, T. B. Batchelor, Thomas, Iggulden, Llewellin, and John Tombs. Report of the Health of Towns Act, The report of the committee appointed to inquire into the nature and extent of the duties that would devolve upon the officers appointed under the Health of Towns Act, and upon the salaries to be paid to such olficers, was laid before the council, for their consideration. J.^r document, see the MERLIN of December 14th Mr. Batchelor said, that although his name was attached to the report, he objected to the sixth clause, because he con- sidered that if they appointed a surveyor, he should be ex- pected to devote his whole time to the duties of his office. Mr. 11. J. Davis said, the committee generally were of opinion that they could not obtain the services of a qualified person unless they allowed him to conduct a private practice for his own benefit After a short conversation, Mr. Latch moved the adoption of the report, and Mr. Jen- kins seconded it. The Mayor suggested that the clauses should be discussed seriatim, and he would first hear the remarks of the council upon the first clause. Mr. Townsend said he considered that the E121) to be added to the Town Clerk's salary, for his duties as Clerk to the Board of Health, was too large an addition to his present re- muneration. His (Mr. Townsend's) attention was called to the fact that that point was not involved in the first clause. It was ultimately resolved that the first clause of the com- mittee's report be passed. The second paragraph was then read. Mr. E. V. Jenkins considered the sums proposed to be paid for the combined offices of Town Clerk and Clerk to the Board of Health, too large; and moved that the sum paid for the duties of the Town Clerkship, be .(50 per annum and to the Clerk of the Board of Health, til00. Mr Townsend seconded the motion. Mr. W. Jenkins said, that the present salary of the Town Clerk was very low (40 guineas per annum), and the situation was only rendered worth holding, by the circumstance of his having the general corporation business. This source of emolument would be cut off in future. therefore he did not think that the £ 10 proposed to be added, in the amendment of Mr. Jenkins, was sufficient. He should vote for the sum stated in the committee's report Mr. Mullock said it was their duty to ascertain whether any person could be found efficiently to discharge the duties of the two officos for less than the sums recommended by the committee. Mr. H. J. Davis contended for the sums named in the com- mittee's report. There would be a.t least fifty meetings in tho year under the new act, and it was surely worth a guinea to a professional man to attend each meeting; then if lie had a clerk (which lie must have) lie must pay him, at the very least twenty shillings a week—there would be £ 52 a year more and he certainly did not consider the further sum proposed too much. taking into account that there would be no law charges allowed in future. Mr.Townsend rose to address the council; but Mr.Batchelor piotested against the frequency with which Mr. Townsend was permitted to speak at Council meetings. Some altercation arose upon this point, in the course of which Mr. Townsend reflected upon the accuracy of a report of a council meeting, recently published in the MERLIN. Mr. Dowling rebutted the charge. The reporter did his duty faithfully, and gave the language used. It might not bo quite agreeable, sometimes, to parties, to see a verbatim report of their language. Mr. Llewellin supported the report of the committee con- tending that if they appointed a person to discharge the duties of the combined offices at a. less sum than that named in the report, it was very likely there would be high charges for extras: it was generally so when a man was cut down to the very lowest figure, for the discharge of onerous duties. Mr. Iggulden said, that from what he had heard, he con- sidered tne public were of opinion that the sum recommended by the committee was too high. He thought so himself: he considered £ 150 enough for the duties to be discharged. Mr. Edward Thomas thought the addition to be made to the business of the Town Clerk, in the office of Clerk to the Board of Health, would not be very large, at least for some time; and that, the addition off 183 a-year (for, including the rent of the offices to be provided, it was equal to that sunij, would be too large for such duties. lie consideredflMwould be enough. Air. W. Evans supported the committee's report. Mr. Dowling followed on the same side, contending that the duties and responsibilities of the new office would be so onerous and multifarious as to render the sum proposed little enough for their efficient discharge. No gentleman at that board was more anxious to uphold strict economy in the outlay of public money, than himself. He would not sanction the payment to a public officer, of one shilling more than what he considered a fair remuneration for his services. They were now about entering upon a great, and, ho hoped, beneficial system for Newport, and I10 thought the salary proposed, after much deliberation, for the Clerk of tho New Board of Health, moderate. Mr. Townsend said that when the Improvement Act for Newport was passed, the duties of Town Clerk and Surveyor were discharged for about £ 55 a-year. He thought the now duties would not be three times as heavy as they were then but they proposed more than three times the amount of re- muneration. He did not wish for the removal of the present Town Clerk; but he must say that some of his bills for pro- fessional duties, and costs out of pocket, had been enormously high. His anxiety was to get the duties of the offices jfliciently discharged; whether by the present Town Clerk ?r any other person, ho did not care, so that the interests of the public were consulted. After some further discussion, the amendment was put,and the following gentlemen voted for it:—Messrs. Mullock, riiomas, Iggulden, Townsend,Lewis, E.V. Jenkius, and John Tombs. For the sums recommended by the committee:—Messrs. Knapp, W. Jenkins, H. J. Davis, Dowling, Turner, James Davies, Williams, Latch, Evans, Hughes, Batchelor, Llewel- lin, and the Mayor. The next clause was then read; and Mr. Townsend rose to contend that the council had no necessity to make any pro- vision about the collection of the assessed taxes. Mr. Llewellin, Mr. II. J. Davis, Mr. Evans, Mr. Dowling, and other gentlemen explained that it was done to render it worth while for some efficient person to give his whole time to the collection of the rates. Mr. E. V. Jenkins was about to construct an argument against the combination of the offices of rate and tax col- lectors, upon the assumption that the amount of remuneration for the duties to be performed, would be more than sufficient "or one person; but on it being observed that some of his cal- culations were inaccurate, Mr. Jenkins declined to pursue his emarks Mr. H. J. Davis stated that the whole amount paid to the :ollectors of land and assessed taxes, was only about :f7f¡ 13s. [4ic learned gentleman also contended for the desirableness ,f consolidating the collection of the rates, so as to render t worth while for an efficient person to give his whole time to he matter. The council had been inconvenienced by an in- flicicnt collection of rates, and the committee were of opinion hat to combine the officos, would be to secure the efficient lischarge of all the duties Mr. Iggulden argued against the recommendation of the ommittee, as to tne collection of the assessed taxes, and loved that the part of the resolution, after the words 175 ,er annum, be struck out. This was seconded by Mr. Townsend and after some de- ultory discussion, the recommendation of the committee was dopted by a majority of eighteen—the mover and seconder nlv voting for the amendment. The Town Clerk read the next paragraph of the committee's _ort which referred to the appointment of surveyor and nspector of nuisances, and re«ommended a combination of ^Mr.°BaTchelor recommended the suspension of the sixth lause (just read) altogether for the present. He thought it 1 ould be better to getfrom an engineer a plan for the general rainage of the town, and after that had been done, it would e time enough to appoint the officers named in the clause. Mr. Townsend moved the omission of the clause, as sug- ] ested by Mr-Batchelor; and argued the non-necessityo f ( ntertaining the question at present. The Mayor hinted that if the matter were deferred, it rould be desirable meanwhile to take some steps for the more fficient cleaning of the town. Mr. Edward Thomas seconded tho amendment moved by Ir.Townsend. Mr. H.J Davis said he thought the appointment of the nrveyor and inspector should take place at once, as the town ras in a filthy state at present. Persons could not walk over ny part of the street without splashing themselves from head ) foot, in consequence of loose pavements and badly cleansed greets. The surveyor must be an engineer, a respectable ian, and could they get such a man for a merely trifling ilary ? He thought if a gentleman took the combined offices e should have at least £ 200 a-year. He could not see whv lie amount of salary should not be fixed at once. Mr. Mullock argued that, as the salary about to be fixed w >r a permanent office, which the Local Board of H iiS rould not be ablo to change, the question should bo oned, so as to give time for consideration. Post- Mr. E. V. Jenkins, Mr. Edward Thomas, and otlin-a inded for deferring tho question. 3| con- Mr. Latch said, that although persons living in tL light be satisfied to defer the matter; yet those liv ,^own arisli would naturally contend for the iniuiediat 111 •^ie lent, as heaps of mud were left lying upon the r a.PP°'nt- ssite the houses on the Commercial-road for ° 1 °P" a time. It would require a person armed^'witvTVi y a,Week ith which the Public Health Act invested thf» ™ le a,ithority le office of engineer to the board, to have whaf SOn llolding > be done, both on the surface and below tu w»s necessary ad promptly effected. (Hear, hear.) ne ground,properly After some further discussion Mr WnV.K u •as called, and he explained that he did j RurYey°r> hi. «k«p «>. «: cleanse it, as theTredegar Wharf Company had engaged to do so. He had directed his attention principally, since his appointment, to the improvement of Dock-street. The Mayor said it Was also necessary that something should be done to meliorate the disgraceful condition of Pillgwenlly. Air. Mullock said the things complained of should be at once pointed out to the present surveyor, that what was neces- sary might be done. They all knew that the surveyor had had to spend large sums, and devote a large amount of labour, I to improving the condition of Dock-street, a street in the passing of which a miserable want of judgment had been displayed. Mr. Batchelor, 111 replying to some observations which had been made, said it yon Id be certainly well to direct the more zealous attention of the present surveyor to the matters com- plained of by Mr. Larch and the Mayor; but as the question of salary for the new officer was one of consequence, and as, moreover, the officer proposed was to be permanent, he thought they should take time to consider the subject. Mr. W. Jenkins remarked upon the inconsistency of two members of the committee (Mr. Batchelor and Mr. Llewellin) now advising the adjournment of an important point which they had, in the report, recommended the board to receive. Mr. Llewellin and Mr Batchelor explained this apparent incongruity: the former learned gentleman instancing the fact of even great statesmen who long upheld one opinion or set of opinions, changing them and some further conversa- tion ensued, in which Mr. E. V. Jenkins, Mr. Knapp, Mr. Llewellin, Mr. W. Jenkins, and others took part, after which the question was submitted to the meeting, from the chair and the recommendation of the committee was carried by a majority of two,eleven voting for the clause, and nine for the adjournment of the question. The Mayor said he wished to call the attention of the council to the question whether it might not be of importance to them and the town, for them to take upon themselves some powers for supplying the town with gas. He merely threw out the hint for consideration. Mr. H. J. Davis offered some suggestions as to fixing lamps near Court-y-Bella. It was resolved, upon the suggestion of Mr. H. J. Davis, that as there were two railways now open in the town, keep- ing Greenwich time, the council recommend that the public clocks, in Newport, be kept by Greenwich time. A lengthened discussion, of a very desultory character, took place as to the_ propriety of advertising for the various officers whose services will be required under the Health of Towns Act. Mr. E. V. Jenkins speaking with reference to the appoint- ment of Town Clerk, stated that he felt quite sure that the present appointment of Town Clerk was distasteful to the burgesses of the borough, and moved a resolution for the pur- pose of laying the appointment, and that of Clerk to the Board of Health, open to professional men generally, as the other appointments were to be filled up in that way. Mr. Edward Thomas seconded the proposition. Mr. H. J. Davis and Mr. Latch contended that the proposi- tion was out of order, as the meeting was called for a specific purpose, in which that question was not involved. Reverting to the previous question, Mr. W. Jenkins moved "That the Town Clerk be re- quested to advertise in the MONMOUTHSHIRE MERLIN and in the nilles, for applications from persons desirous to fill the office of collector, and the combined office of surveyor and inspector of nuisances, at the respective salaries, and upon the terms stated in the report of the committee appointed on the 1st of October, I8&0, and jfchait extracts from such report be appended to such advertisements, and that such applications be taken into consideration on the 14th January next." The motion was, after some conversation, passed. Mr. E. V. Jenkins again moved, and Mr. Edward Thomas seconded, the motion formerly submitted by them, somewhat modified, however, so as to bring it •within the object of the fpresent meeting The words of the amendment were as fol- ows That, admitting the convenience that would result from one individual holding the two offices of Clerk to the Board of Health as well as that of Town Clerk, yet regarding the office of Clerk to the Board of Health, as of much more importance to the borough at large, than that of Town Clerk, the council do not feel satisfied in conferring the appointment of Clerk to the Board of Health, upon the present Town Clerk, as a matter of course; and, therefore, in deference to the burgesses generally, will proceed to name a day on which the council shall meet to investigate and report upon the fit ness of the present Town Clork, and to inquire whether other professional gentlemen shall have an opportunity of being ap- pointed to the said office." This was met by a negative proposition from Mr. H.J. Davis, seconded by Mr. Llewellin, and, after a lengthened and rather angry discussion, the motion was lost by a majority of six. Report of the Building Committee. The report of this committee, appointed at a former meet- ing, was read, and its adoption was moved by Mr. Llewellin and seconded by Mr. H. J. Davis. The Report was as follows :— "At a meeting of the building committee, held at the council house, on Friday, the 6th day of December, 1850. present Thomas Hughes, Esq., III the chair, and Messrs. Jas. Davies, Latch, Batchelor, Turner, and Evans, the minutes of the last meeting were read. The plans prepared by Mr. Langdoti, for the erection of rooms for meetings of the council, the board of health, general committees, &c., together with town clerk's offices, record room, &c.,—by which arrangement, the offices behind the court may be devoted exclusively to the use of the magis- trates and their clerk, were examined, and certain alterations having been suggested in their plans, it was determined to con- sult Air. Langdon thereon, and get an estimate of the probable expense, to lay before the council." Mr. E. V. Jenkins attended the committee, and intimated a wish to obtain for the A thenseum, permission to erect over one of the stations, a reading room for the use of the institute, but it was signified to him, that all the space would be re- quired for the use of the corporation, who still would be un- provided with an office for the surveyor, which it is desirable to have under the same roof as the other corporate offices. The Town Clerk laid before the meeting a letter from Air- Gough, tho treasurer to the county court, offering jLI2 per annum rent for the court room, instead of 124, as heretofore paid, when he was instructed to reply thereto, and lay the result of his negociations before the council at their next meeting." An amendment, for adjourning the question, was moved by Mr. Iggulden, and seconded by Mr. Townsend. The matter was largely discussed—Air Townsend, Air Iggulden, Air Hughes, Air Latch, and Air E. Thomas taking a conspicuous part in the conversation. It was contended, on the part of those who advocated the erection of the new buildings, that such erections were necessary; and that the outlay upon them would be economical in a financial point of view. Mr Iggulden, finding that the feeling of the board was against his amendment, withdrew it. The Mayor again introduced the gas question; and Mr E. V. J enkins stated that negociations were now pending be- tween the New and the Old Gas Company. He thought, however, that the now company might be disposed to enter- tain a proposition, on the part of the council, to take the mat- ter into their hands; but in order to the accomplishment of that purpose, immediate steps should be taken, as the new company were ready to go before parliament, and had taken all necessary preliminary steps for the establishment of the concern. The Mayor thought if the council were to negociate with the old company, the new company would have some diffi- culty in obtaining an act of parliament. Mr Evans objected to the council being mixed up with such a speculation as a gas company. Mr Latch wished to know how the capital was to be raised ? It would take about £ 10,003 or £12,000 to purchase the old concern. The matter was then dropped, and a motion was passed, confirming the Building Committee's Report, and authorising them to proceed with the erection of the requisite offices. Mr Evans said he thought the Town Council might enter- tain a suggestion as to the propriety of taking steps to memo- rialise the government for the removal of the window tax. Mr Dowling said that any movement in that direction would have the hearty concurrence of the great majority of rate-payers and he hoped memorials, for the repeal of the impost, which would militate against the successful operation of the Public Health Act, would be got up by Town Councils generally. The matter was cordially entertained by the council, and it was understood that it would be considered at their next meeting. The council then separated, after a sitting of more than four hours duration. It commenced with a storm, and ended calmly. As the Mayor relies on the good sense of the Board, in future, to prevent irregularities and undue interruptions, in the discharge of public business, we are induced to omit one or two scenes, taken from nature, by our reporter, on this occasion.

exhibition of this kind took PniZE FIGHT.— A 8e™„lPion8bi|> between two fellows place last week, for the cn„ paddock, who thumped each called the Tipton Slasher, a» ,ier won other nearly to death. Ihas written to the Mornins: The Rev. Doctor Mc-N^iie eXpjanation of the recent Chronicle and other newspaper ch general excitement. The 3vent at Liverpool, which feature! of th« o«ie. Doctor's version much

"FAIR PLAY IS A JEWEL." [TO THE EDITOR.] SIR,—Every dispassionate person who happened to be present at the meeting held at Usk last Wednesday, on the subject of Papal Aggression, cannot have a second opinion as to the un- fairness and onesidedness evidenced in the conduct of the no- Popery party on that occasion. The High Sheriff stated, on opening the proceedings of the day, that the meeting should be conducted with impartiality; and he hoped that every gentleman who wished to express his sentiments would be allowed to do so; but how was this recommendation carried out ? I have been present at many public meetings- political and religious—and never witnessed a disposition more clearly manifested to discourage, intimidate, and hoot down any person from whose lips emanated a sentiment not in direct unison with the already-framed opinions of the dominant party. It has been properly said that it is the easiest thing in the world to hiss and cry down an opponent, whose reasoning is fair and temperate, with whose logic it is difficult to grapple, and whose "facts are stubborn things;" but at the same time thete is nothing more discreditable and improper there is no right of private judgment in a •' hiss." For what purpose is a public meeting convened ? Is it not to have the advantage of discussion and judgment upon any proposed question or measure; and do not clamour and violence towards a party whose views do not happen to coincide with another, mar the legitimate purpose of such meeting, and destroy the moral effect of a conclusion, which becomes thus forced ? I saw with regret a member of the ancient aristocracy of this county-of a family respected and venerated for their charities and firm support, at all times, of civil and religious liberty, assailed with scoffs, rude abuse, and ribald epithets, on his claiming the right of every Englishman, to be heard. I saw a banded phalanx, with all their might and main, try to put down one who speaks with the accuracy of a scholar, the elo- quence of an orator, and the suavity of a gentleman. I saw two young ministers of the gospel, who are admired for their mildness of manners and Christian demeanour, not only by their own respective congregations, but by the professors of other religious creeds, unceremoniously denied a hearing and veiled at by some who would, perhaps, havetreated them as Mr. Miall was served at a meeting called for similar purposes at Pentonville, London. All this, however, will serve one good purpose—that of preventing the Dissenters being hood- winked and cajoled into a servile acquiescence in forwarding the views of their good friends of the Establishment, on the high road to pains and penalties, I am, sir, your obedient servant, Dec. 20, 1850. Fa1r pLAy

ABERGAVENNY, ABERGAVENNY MARKET.—TUESDAY. Wheat, per bushel. 4s 9d j Mutton, per lb fid to 6d Barley, per bushel 3s Od 1 Pork, per lb 5d to 6d Oats, per bushel Os Od j Eggs, per dozen is to Is 3d Potatoes, per quarter 5d I Fowls, per couple 2s Od to 3s 6d Butter, per lb.Is to Is 2d I Geese 3s to fts fid Beef, per lb 5d to 7d Turkies 4s 6d to 10s6d THE CHRISTMAS MARKET.- Our butchers catered for us in capital style, and exhibited on their various stalls, some of the finest joints of well-fed beasts, that we have noticed for many years past. The poultry was most abundant; but though geese and turkeys were scarcely even finer, we cannot recal when they were dearer. The Hereford prize goose, ex- hibited here, bore away the palm. It looked like a yomg tortoise, with a flake of fat over its body. ACCIDENT.—On Monday last, as James Llewellyn, horse- keeper and chaff cutter, at the Angel Hotel, was feeding the chaff cutting machine, his left hand was caught by some of the machinery, and the fingers and hand crushed. Before the machine could be stopped, it had taken the hand off at the wrist, and the arm was held firmly between the rollers. Smiths were instantly sent for to take the machine to pieces, but before they could accomplish their work, more than half an hour had elapsed, during which time the poor fellow was suffering the most excrutiating pain. Before he was liberated, Dr. J Steele, and Air Batt, surgeon, were there, and soon stanched the blood. Ho was taken home, where the arm was amputated by those gentlemen, midway between the wrist ana elbow. SERIOUS AFFAIR.—A few davs since, two brothers residing together at Clydach IronWorks, the elder of them, characterised for his habits of industry, while the younger was as remarkable for inattention to his calling, the latter was remonstrated with by his brother for not working, when high words ensued, and in the scuffle which followed, the younger attempted to do his brother an injury by thrusting a knife into his body; happily, the wound has not yet proved fatal. The agony of mind which the unhappy boy who inflicted the wound, suffers for his rash and cowardly conduct, can be more easily imagined than described. The last reports are, that probably the wound will not prove fatal. UNIOX WORKHOUSE.—The poor were regaled with a capital dinner 011 Christmas Day. [An accident precludes the excellent paragraph forwarded by our correspondent on the subject.] COUNTY COURT.-SATUllDA Y, DECEMBER 21. Before J. M. Herbert, Esq. There were eighteen causes entered for hearing, the following being the most important. Robert Ballinger v. John Arnold.—This was an action to recover £ 12., the balance upon a hay deal. Mr. Cornelius Lloyd appeared for plaintiff; and Air. J. G. Price for defendant. The plaintiff stated that he was a farmer residing at Cwmcarvon, near Monmouth. On the 29th of June, 1849, defendant bought a stack of hay of him, for £18. 10., which was to have been taken away in two months, and to pay half the amount on the first Satur- day or AIonday after the deal. He took away six cart-loads, but never paid plaintiff anything, and asked him to take to the rest of the hay. He did so, previously getting two gentlemen, who were named Edwards and D ivies, to value it.-On cross-examination, he said hay was E3 per ton at the time, and the hay in question he sold by the lump, at £ 18 IOs. He thought it was from seven to eight tons. Plaintiffs brother corroborated him in the main facts, and swore distinctly that defendant told him he had offered £ 18' and that he and defendant proceeded together to plaintiffs house, when defendant agreed to give the other 10s.—The real question appeared to be, What quantity had been taken by the six carts, and the value of the remainder; although Mr. Price contended, there was never any permission given to remove the hay. To show the value of what was left, Mr. Davies and Mr. Edwards were called, and stated that they had examined it, and did not think there were two tons left, and that quantity, from being left open to the wet, was deteriorated; they then thought it worth about 50s. per ton.—Defendant, upon his examination, said he sold the hay to the Blaenafon Company, and the books would show the exact weight of the six cart loads. The case was eventually adjourned, by defendant's request, until the next court, for the necessary proof, defendant paying the costs of sdjournment, including the fee of the attorney. IMPORTANT TO BENEFIT SOCIETIES. William Davies v Walter Lewis. This action had been standing over from the 22nd of last November, and considerable excitement was understood to exist in Blaenafon, and amongst the Benefit Societies in the surrounding districts, as to the result of the present proceeding: The action was brought by the plaintiff, as treasurer of the Garndyrris society, to recover the sum of £1,5, being the balance of a promissory note of hand, given by one William Simon to the defendant, in the year 1841, when defendant acted as treasurer of the said society. At the former hearing, Simon proved borrowing the money of the society, and giving the note of hand to Lewis, which, on its production, turned out to be drawn in favour of the defendant alone, no mention being made of his connexion, with the society. A letter to Lewis was then put in, written by Mr. Green- wav, (dated the 4th of last April,) as solicitor for the Garndyrris society, demanding all moneys in Lewis's possession, and giving him notice not to receive any further contributions on behalf of the club. The case was adjourned at the last court, on the ground that the plaintiff had not a certified copy of rules. To-day, it again came on for hearing. Air. Richard Greenway was retained for the plaintiff; and Mr. Ralph Hansby for the defendant Mr.Greenway asked his learned friend if, to save time he would admit that defendant received the amount sued for, in his official capacity, as treasurer of the society. This being admitted on the other side, John Evans was called, and examined by the plaintiffs attorney. lie said I am a member of the society, and joined it in 1821, at its establishment. I have many times heard defendant asked to give security, and he always said he was sufficient security in him- self I have often heard complaints against the landlord, Hugh John, who lived in defendant's house, the Victoria inn, where tie club was held. We have often proposed to leave the house, from a want of proper accommodation. I went to the house on the 8th of December, and when we were going upstairs, the landlord refused us the room. The beer was very bad, and the accommodation the same generally. We had no fire in the winter. Mr Greenway here put in a bond, dated 20th July last, given by plaintiff and his sureties, to the clerk of the peace of the county, for the due performance of the office of treasurer. This bond being admitted and read, Evans was cross-examined by Mr. Hansby, and said the plaintiff was appointed treasurer at the King's Arms, Blaenafon. Thomas Jones, a member for twenty eight years, corroborated the last witness, and added that his son was steward; that in October, 1849, his son was taken ill, when the landlord refused to give witness, as agent for his son, the money necessary for the pur- poses of the society; that they often talked of removing the box from the Victoria, where the beer was bad, and the measure unfair. Often applied to defendant for the bond, but could never get it, and in consequence of that, and the landlord's bad treatment, they went to the King's Arms, where the meetings of the society arc held at the present time. The Judge suggested that the plaintiffs attorney had better at once prove the rules, in order that he might see how the present evidence applied to them. < A copy, certified by Mr. Tidd Pratt, was produced; but the de- fendant's attorney opposed its reception. Mr. Greenway called his Honour's attention to the 13th and 14th Yictoria, cap 115, sec 35, which says, "That all rules, alteration of rules, transcript, or copy of, or extracts from, all rules and alterations of rules, relating to any society, &-c to be certified by the registrar, and purporting to be signed by him, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, be received, in all courts of law and equity, and elsewhere, without proof of the signature thereto." The Judge said it was clear the rules were admissible. Mr. Greenway then called his Honour's attention to rules 1 and 40, requiring the treasurer to give proper security, pursuant to the 10th George 4, cap 56, see 11, the latter rule making him treasurer during the pleasure of the societv." His Honour, to Air. Greenwav Have I jurisdiction? I pre- sume you mean to say this is a case that docs not properly come before the justices, as the case of disputes between members and the society, pursuant to the 10th George 4 and therefore that it is properly brought in this court ? Air. "Greenway remarked, in reply, that it certainly did Dot come within the jurisdiction of Justices; and he was borne out in his opinion of the correctness of the present course, by a letter from Mr. Tidd Pratt; but His Honour said he could not listen to the opinion of the gentle- man named. Air. Hansby called attention to a rule, preventing the removal of Lhe society, without the consent of a major part of the members thereof. '1 o meet this, Mr. Grcenway called Mr. Thomas Jones, the see- etary, who produced a list of ahoyc sixty members, who signed heir names to the agreement for the removal; aud this was a laa- ority, for there were but 101 members altogether. This list was )ut in, and additional witnesses were examined. His Honour said the real question was, he presumed, whether he plaintiff had ever been properly appointed treasurer. He (the Ildge) would so through the rules, letters, and evidence generally, lull give his decision at the next court-

az..&BK A vox. VICTORIA COMMERCIAL INN.-Mr. Joseph Baddoe, the res. ected landlord of this inn, furnished a sumptuous housewarming inner, on Wednesday, the 11th inst., which comprised every deli- icyof the season, and was served up in capital style, by Mrs. 8P H -ur tbe able presidency of Air William Leigh, Pontypool, and vice-presidency of Mr William Lennr George, Blaenayon,. Olie loyal toasts were pledged and rank with the greatest enthusiasm. Several 3 •' ui mg, by Messrs Samuel Deakin, John :JoneJ obert Patton, and Thomas Underwood.- The fiMkh 1S' iy Host and Hostess, was proposed by Mr T Tin e v^e, wor" JknowWged b, Baddoe, in -gStSU several individuals were also proposed, and ,1.1,, i id the evening was spent with the greatest hilarity 1)0

BLAC&Woon FORESTERS.—On the evening of the 14th 1 1 Blackwood, were enlivened by the pleasing music of the Risca Brass Band, preceding a company of the ancient Order i ffL^T for the purpose of opening a lodge at the New R0v,i n„v?°a?S through the usual preliminaries of openiZ fnT1 all gathered around the festive ioSd'of Mr Jacob Coggins, and regaled themselves plentiful Wood roast W and ewrw dda. The time for retW' Ul,ly WlU f and away went the gay party to the time T" £ e brave old One of the newly-initiated membors w,- jnnsic than the rest of his companions, accomna^nJ? J tion ?ation> whcre> aI1 attractive sounds eeasinThf^ 1 m t. rcturn home but instead of doing 80 » £ V w u |most circuitous route through BassaU M^Kfo o V?i eauf in time, steam getting rather low w? re„iv 0 e"quire if he was on the right r0ad to ri*6 1 j ^ru' ther hi*18' that if he continued the same road im 'f i J Porei,VV"Uld tind Itself in Cardiff! It n fT milel(ur"

POLICE 8ns, CHEPSTOW. T..rem„e Kin«1 Chapman. elii,f?rva,s« who had lived in tho 1 r belore the HfeDHl^;J Kl«S dealer Fore -street. Were brought up st; nets :~P. C. V",?" U'e f',llo"IDK extraordinary circom"- 12'hol th.smoo.h. he dL'stated that on the morning of the street gratiug above the cX"'rV ,W° o'clock, that the ,n an msecu.e state. He 11 n ?1|ln,an't premises, was was discovered (hat t|) 'L « ouce called up the inmate,, when it them the key o their betfr had decamped, taking with street deor. I> C. Pullen u, "le latch <>f tha shortIj afterwards i,,et by ? 'ea Parted 10 puISuit, and was vants ascend through the ce&'B,m#n> "hohadseeu the ser- with two men. Pullen proceed* r* 'n.t0 tl,e 8,reet. »n company the group of four concealine th er» a°d presently found Chapman now preferred a chare^T61^8 in a passage.—Mrs- her beer, against the prisoners- b,,7 *'eal,D<5 eighteen gallons of case a breach of trust, Ihecharge na!' l''e ^ench considered the paities were dismissed. dS not enteitained, aud tha IMPOSING ON THE UNION.—PRAN- having imposed on the authorities 0f th J,er was charged with procuring relief as a pauper, ot the timo°Kf-hepstow Union, by hitiuelf,—Tba pti»0n«r w<» ahown to hrtv^jn# ab,e 10 ma'ni3111 1 hands of a person at St. Arvans, about the period he applied for and obtained parochial aid; and the union-house governor proved finding a silver watch upon him, at the workhouse—He was committed for a month, to the Usk house of correction, and to work hard during that period. Caroline James was charged with having assaulted Jane Ball and for her unfemenine conduct, was committed to the Usk house of correction, to ponder on her impropriety, removed from her friends and the public, during a fortnight of the merry Christmas tide.

COUNTY Corn,The ConntJ Court.for '^Vin •t Monmouth, on Monday last: gieat F Coleford, an the case of the Rev. Dr. Jesson, late incumbent of Coletoro, Insolvent debtor. Several oppositions were expected1, risters appeared, which is, we believe, tbe first occ« "^1,. gentlemen of the bar have practised in that court, at Mon Mr. Cook appeared for the principal creditor, and Mr. of Gloucester^ for the insolvent. At the commencemeot O^ .E case, an offer of 5s in the pound was made by tbe ^°lve^» counsel, and an adjournment of the proceedings was conse quently agreed to on both sides.

-U „ AND ^E#C0LL1ERY W0RKS- MR. BLACKWELL ANU [T? ^eek? MBBLIN. that Mr. Black- SIR,-I perceive, by Jm gf mv statement to your re- well has denied the corre d October. 1849. porter, as to certain exprert'ow'» after tliank.mr me for At tbe time alluded to, tbat „en jMpwjt my Hla(* y«in Pit, my readiness in allowing Tjous notice of his desire to do without having received »nypr* lts ventilation and under- so, gave expression to his1 app „ wordc, that, Whilst Iw ground arrangements, 111 collieries in tbe district, he had seen many worse-venum thi#distnnce of lime I can- had seen few (or none) beUer.. few„ or .« none., wag not undertake to say whetne the other wos uged< j used by him, but tint eitner a|go sjated tbat he con- #ni in a posnion to substan ia • exce]ient Your re- ceived the" police; «rra«genieni t>nt g( Merthvr Gt<(Jr_ Porter, tosetber with t»ie C Mg.onwB9 hard]y applicab,e ,0 iian, conceiving Mat th P .optj0„ 0f the word "super- jolliery maUcr^ soKgeste t0 which suggestion I irision." in lieu of police arranpeiM* •Mente(!• linrillv justifies Mr. Bleckwdi'a So slight a discrepan j j ie(l to believe, from discourteous and flat con r expressed himself lo my the manner in which thttt "e"'ic™other persons in this locality, underground «Mfent, as well as^10^, f M t0 thearnM?e- that his opinion was of a lavouraou cna » inents adverted to; and it was merely in t C > communication to your reporter. As a confirmation of what I have stated, I beg to enclose you a letter from my underground a«eut f J beif to remain, «ir, your obedient servant. Risca Works, Dec. 26ili 1850. JOBØ RuisiaLL. To JOHN RUSSELL, ESQ. SIR — Agreeably to your request, I beg to state tbat on re- turning with Mr. Blackwell, from his inspection of the Black Vein Pit, in October, 1849, he said to me, that Whilst he had seen many worse-ventilated works in the district, he had not seen many better," and when he took Icave of me, he said, "Weil, as long as you keep so ranch air in the Pit as therc is now, you need not have much fear of an accident." Your obedient servant. JOSEPH GUEEN, Risca Works, Dec. 20tb, 1850. Undergound Agent.

TREDEGAH. CHRISTMAS MARKET.—There was a noble display of prime beasts on the shambles at our Christmas market. The very excellent fat cow, bred and fed by Mr. Matthew Ion, and killed for the market by the Messrs. Morgan, was very generally admired. STRANGE —A few days ago, whilst the wind and rain were forming a perfect storm, a beech tree, which is held to be a conductor of the electric fluid, was literally allivered to pieces, by lightning, on Berllanlwyd farm, the property of RIchard Fothergill, Esq. 1

ABEXWAIFLE. INQUEST. The^ jury have returned their verdict In the case of the fatal explosion at the Middle Duffryn colliery. They express their opinion that a fall forced tbe gas into contact with the fireman's naked candle, and thereby caused the ex- plosion which resulted in the death of the deceased. And they further expressed their opinion, that there was no culpable neglect attached to any of the agents connected with the Duf- fryn colliery, but most emphatically condemned the mode of ventilation hitherto applied, and particularly recommended Mr. Blackwell's system of ventilation to be adopted immediately and also condemned the use of battrices in all pits.-The ninth sufferer expired on Monday last.