Monmouthshire Merlin

TUSDEGAS. Great complaints have been repeatedly made by the tradesmen of this place, on account of the long pays (two in a quarter) which render credit full of risk to them. A seven weeks' pay will carry a highly paid workman far out of reach of his creditor in fact it will put the Atlantic between them, but even if there is no intentional fraud, what is called Cwrw da" will often sadly inter- fere with the settlements. Last week a deputation of tradesmen waited upon the manrtger, Mr. Davis, to at-k for some relaxation of the company's rules in this respect. They were feceived with courtesy, and the manager promised to consult his agents on the matter. 0

-<> BRYN MAWR. PETTY SESSIONS. — WEDNESDAY. [Present G. P. CEVAN, JOHN JAYNE, and LAUXCELOT POWELL, Esqts.] FIGHTING AT BEAUFORT.—Morgan James, haulier, and Wiiiiam Jarrett, collier, appeared to a summons for fighting, and otherwise creating a disturb inee in the street at Beaufort, on the evening of the 29th of Novem- ber last. P.O. Parrett proved the case. j arrett, bjuiil in the sum of ten pounds to keep the peace for six months, and to pay 10s. 9d. costs and James, to find one surety, and himself in ten pounds, and to pay 16s. 61. costs. AFriLivriox.—AN ADJOURNED CASE.—John Astbery, a dealer in earthenware, of Abergavenny, was charged by Elizabeth Thomas, single woman, of Llanelly, with being the faiher of her illegitimate child. Air. Cox Davies for the complainant, and Mr. Owen for defendant. The case was dismissed, Mr. O '-en applied for costs, which the magistrates agreed to ahow. Evan Griffiths Vv'illiams, gas proprietor, Brynma.vr, was charged by the Local Board ot lIe,Jth with cutting the street, for the purpose of laying gas pipes, without the consent of the committee, lie (Mr. William-) con- tended that he had a right to do se" as he paid £ 6 a year to His Grace the Duke of Beaufort for being allowed to cut the road. The Bench considered that tho Board oVer ruled that right, and fined defcndt n*. one pound, and £ 1 18s. 6d. costs. Notice of appeal was put in, to be tuken to the quarter sessions at Brecon. Henry Brvan w, summoned for assaulting Thomas Jenkins at Brynmawr. Settled on payment of expenses. Abr.tham Jenkins and John Jerkins, of Bukestown were sutiim >ncd by Mary Griffiths of the same pi ce, for n assi.ult. Settled on paying costs. BEATING A WIFE AT BEAUFORT. — William Lott, for- merly of the 11r"0 and Jockey, B-aufort Tump, was br ught up in custody, charged with kicking and other- wise iil-lreating his wife, Mary Lott. The wife proved her ease, and other witnesses described her danger bv living with hint. The defence was, that whilst defend- ant weot to work the \vom..n went to the Wain and got drunk on being a:ked how long they had been married the nnswer was, last August, and they appeared very desirous of sr uarating. Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of 13., uuu 9;. GJ. costs, or 11 days' imprisonment.

MONMOUTH. CHHisTMAS MARKET. — Our great Christmas market was lie,] on Friday last, and was numerously attended. The quantity of poultry exhibited for sale was very con- siderable, and all the butchers' stalls contained an abun- dance of very prime meat, set out with much decorative taste. Both buyers and sellers, now that we have a r.iil- way, find an advantage in attending this market. DIVISION\h PLIT i Y SESSIONS.—FRIDAY. T [Before^GEO. CAVE and G. G. TYLELI, Esqrs.J "W iliiam Young and William Smith, bofiotMou- mouth, were charged v.ith having cut and carried away from a withy plantation, occupied by Mr. Thom-is Wi!lings, of Kern Bridge, eight bundles of withy twigs, whieh were traced by P.S. Harris, of the borough con- stabulary, and P.C. Perkins, of the county police and found to have been sold to Mr. Kuowles, basket maker Monmouth, for Ss. When the case came on for heariog, the prosecutor asked permission to withdraw the infor- mation, which the Bench allowed him to do, on condi- tion that the accused pay the damage and costs, in a!l I IS. G^ o, Jones, a labourer, was brought up by Superinten- dent Wheeldon, charged with stealing a quart of cider, the property of Mr. Henry Pride, the Cwrn, Llan- rothe', Herefordshire. Admitted to bail till the next Saturday. ———— BOROUGH PETTY SESSION.—TUESDAY. [Before T. PROSSER (Mayor) and T. WATKIXS, Esqrs.] Henry Morris, of Hereford, was charged by Mr. John Day, Black Moor, with having assaulted him, on the 22nd of November last, at Monmouth f-.ir. Mr. George a; pcircd to conduct the case for the prosecutor. Defen- dant was fined X-2 for the assault, and ord,rerl to pay ex- peuses, XI 2". 6-1.—He was next charged by Superin- tendent W he id don wrh having cruel/y beaten a bullock at the same fair, and a ted 5s. and c s'.s, 8s. Gd. Francis Addis, of Penailt, was charged by Win. D mce, of St. Woollaston farm, with having assaulted him on the 13th December. The case was compromised by the defendant paying the costs, 5s. Wiiiarn Watkins, who had been in prison eleven months for housebreaking, was, on his release from gaol, apprehended by Superintendent Wheeldon as a deserter from her Majesty's 47th regiment of foot. He WJCS committed to Monmouth G 10I, to await orders from the War Office. ————

RHYIVLEJEY. Considering the prosperous balance-sheet produced at the la,, atinuitl meeting of the shareholders cf the Rhymney Iron Company, great hopes are enUriained that a further advance in the price of iion muy lead to a ooiresponding advance in wages. A Verj* large porti-in of an old mortgage paid off, a considerable sum carried to the reserve fund, and a dividend of £5 p,r cent., en a year of great depression in the trade, show tbat the working-man has borne his full share iu the disastrous effects ot last year's crisis, and it is to be hoped the iron- masters will take the ve, y first opportunity of rewarding his patient endurance. We regret to observe that the apparently fine engine, which was put up in the n, w mill, has been so shattered by a few weeks' work as to have become totally uns, rviceablc and it will be some time before the machinery can be replaced so as to allow the rolling process to be carried on. All the other parts of the works are in a highly effective condition. Tiie stock of coal is gradu .liy accumulating, and r.s a little pressure has been used to transfer some of the ore miners to the coal, there is no fear of any depression of fuel, more especially as the stoppage of the new mill will give breathing tinre.

BRECON. COUNTY ELTICTIOX.—On Tuesday last a respectable and influential body of the electors of the county sat I down to an excellent dinner, provided at the George Inn in this town, in commemoration of the unanimous return of Mr. Godfrey Charles Morgan, of Ruperra Castle, to represent this county in the House of Com- mons, in the room of the late lamented Sir Joseph Bailey, Bart., who had represented the county since IS AT. Mr. Morgan, as will be seen by a report in our columns of this day, was returned without opposition, and never did any constituency make a more popular choice. The chair was taken by Mr. James Williams, one of the coroners for the county, and the meeting passed off with great eclat. After the usual loyal toasts had been dis- posed of, the chairman proposed in most eulogistic and complimentary terms, the health of the newly elected member, especially reverting to his heroic deeds during the Crimean campaign—his noble qualities as a man, and the high hopes which the county entertained for him from hisstraighforward and manlyaddress to the electors. The young member's health was drank with the most enthusiastic applause. Mr. David Thomas, in Mr. Morgan's absence, returned thanks in a most appropriate speech, expressing his confidence that the trust reposed in Mr. Morgan was not misplaced. Toast and song were kept up during the evenirg, and the company separated highly pleased with the proceedings. THE CKMHTKRY. —This cemcte,v is about being com- pleted the chapels and lodge and boundary walls have been built by Messrs. Griffiths and Son, builders of this town, under the direction of .Mr. H. J. Paull, of Cardiff, and are of the early English style of architecture. The construction of the chapels reflects the greatest credit both upon architect and builders and the buildings and grounds when fully completed and laid out will be of a most ornamental character, and bid fair to be one of the most interesting places in the town and neigiibourhood. The. consecration took place on Thursday morning, the 23rd instant, and the usual service was performed by the Lord Bishop of St. David's. His Lordship arrived on the ground about half past 11 o'clock, and was met at the entrance to the cemetery by the Rev. A. Hackman, curate of St. John's the lie v. James Newman, curate of St. Mary's the Rev. J. D. Williams, head master of the college school the llev. Fvees Price, vicar of St. David's; and the Rev. G. Harries, rector of Llandefailog. His Lordship was met at the entrance of the chapel by several members of the burial board, as well as by several of the parisiiioners of St. John's and St. Mary's, and the chapel was very soon filled by an attentive audience. On his lordship taking his seat the chairman of the board, Mr. David Thomas. presented the petition for consecration, with a plan of the cemctery ground annexd, to his Lordship the petition was then read by Mr. Valentine Davies, the bishop's registrar, after which, the morning prayers were read by Mr. Hackman, and the lessons by Mr. Newman. At the close of the service his Lordship, the clergy, the members of the board, and congregation proceeded to the division of the ground intended to be consecrated. The Bishop then offered a most appropriate prayer, after which the sentence of consecration, a document reciting the order in council closing the burial grouids in the town—the purchase of the five actes of land for the purpose of a burial ground for the parishes—the petition for consecration—and the consent to consecrate, all of which were engrossed on parchment, was read by Mr. Davies the bishop's regis- trar, and afterwards duly executed by his Lordship. The bishop then delivered a most appropriate and feeling address on the nature and objects of consecration, which was listened too with much attention by the audience, and we can' truly say that more enlightened, liberal, and Catholic sentiments were never uttered Christians of all denominations must have gone away wiser and better than they came. Would that all ministers of the gospel, both in and out of the church, preached and practised such a liberal and enlightened Christianity. After the usual benediction the congregation separated.

THE MORALITY OF TRADE Mr. Black, M.P., delivered an interesting address on Monday, at Glasgow, en trading morality. His audience were the members and supporters of the Local Trade Protection Society, who held a public meeting that day. Mr. Black commenced by adverting to the calling of merchants as having ever exerted a greater amount of influence for good or evil than any o1 her class in the community, and to the blessings of knowledge, chilisa- tion, liberty, and religion, as following in the train of commerce. The true merchant, he said, was but the true man illustrating a particular condition. in life. The morality which governed a 1 other relations should equally prevail in mercantile life, and neither oppor- tunity nor ooiicy, nor the most temp ing prospects of gain, should allow the merchant to deviate from the strict line of honesty and the same honourable dealing should guide him, wh-. ther in the sale of a yard of calico or of an East Indiaman. The true merchant will Lot try suddenly to get rich 1 y borrowing money and en- gaging in hazard us gambling s ec-ulations. Suppose a man should attempt to borrow £1,000, in order to bet at a horse-race, would any prudent man furnish him with the means, or would any upright man give him money for such a purpose ? Gamble:s can borrow money only from gamblers or from fools. And if bor- rowing money to specula e (n the chance of a lise in any commodity be not gambling, by what name shall we call it? The principle is just the samt, whether we stake the money on the swiftness of a horse, or on the failure of a crop, or on a rise in the funds. Supoose a man should borrow money fur the putpo.-e of buying a vast quantity of suttar, and awaiting an expected rise in its price, and should, without consulting his creditors, bet the whole sum on a deer- ase in the next su<?ar cr p, would not the len lers be justified m charging him wi;h a violation of Lith in this reckles- misuse of their mcmey ? There would be scarcely a shade of differ nee between the morality of the two transactio s. The only diffe- rence betwe.n the commercial gambler end the horse jockey gambler is this—the one cheats rogues like him- self, the other cheats honest men and it is this unmanly impatience that will not wait for the rc-werd of honest industry, this reckless hazarding of borrowed money, which strews all the paths of commercial life with the bleaching bones of bankruptcy, and robs the unsuspect- ing poor man of his small but well-earned substance. Well directed energy and enterprLe are the life of com- mercial progress but if there is one 'esson taught more plainly than another by the great failures of late, it is that safety lies in sticking to a legitimate business. No man—-merchant, trader, and banker—has any moral right to be so energetic and enterprising as to take from his legitimate business the capital which it requires to meet any emergency. The public-spirited merchant will be ready to assist in the promotion of undertakings which are likely to be generally beneficial to the eommu- nity, but even here he must be limited by pr :dence. When a crowd of creditors stand vainly waiting for their dlles it is little comfort for them to be told Well, one thing must be remembered, and that is that the money has been widely spread to aid important enterprises." The old maxim, Be just before you are generous," comes up at such times with great fjree, and the cre.ii- tor naturally asks, What right as this house to be ent' rprising with my money, apart from its legitimate business r" Apologies are sometimes made for firms which have failed by recurring to the important experi- ments they have aided and the unnumbered fields of en- terprise where they have freely scattered thefr money. e are told that individual losses sustained bv those failures will be as nothing compared with the benefits conferred on the community by their libe- rality in contributing to every public work. Xcw a man's relations to a creditor are vastly different, from what they are to what is called the public and it is no excuse fur any house in their time of failure that, if they have wronged individuals, it has been in serving the public. Sound personal religi n is the surest on which mercantile character can bi founded. The man whose conduct is regulated by the precopts of Christianity has already adopted the soundest principles of mercantile policy; he is taught to be dili- gent in business, and to avoid those snares which would involve him in excess, extravagance, self-indulgence, and ultimate ruin. The religion of the Bible will im- press him with an abiding sense of his responsibility to his Creator, and his duty to his fellow men in all his mercantile transactions. Nothing, however, c;iii be more disgusting than to hear a tradesman making loud professions of religion in order to secure an advantage in the way of business, or under the cloak of superior sanctity to shirk his duty and to overreach his leC; 11- hours. It is humiliating to hear the mercantile conduct of sucn men contrasted with the honourable dealings of men who make r.o trofession of religion, but are°only remarkaule f r their profanity and rough out-and-out aonesty. If you wi-h to test the quality of a man's religion do not f.low mm to ehurcji, where lie must. put on the garment of pious observance, but visit him at his shop or counting-he use, and mark the spirit by which he is influenced in his dealings with his fellow- man. If he regard merely his own interests, and, in securing his own, invades tlie rights of his neighbour, it would be small uncharitableness to pronounce that man no true'follower of iiim who said, "As ye would that no true'follower of Him who said, "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Pro- fessors of religion sometimes seem to think their religion to pure a thing to be brought down into the of trade but a III an 's religion is not worthy of the name if it be not aole to stand the ordeal of his busi- ness life, if it do not accompany him in his daily avoca- tions, and lead him to sacrifice his lust of gain whenever it would prompt him to do what would inj ie his f-l-ow- man. Mr. Black proceeded to advert to the desirable- ness of shorteni: g the terms of (r, t bot h, in the wholesale and retcii trade inasmuch as lougtheiud credits increased lisks, and had a tendency to show a greater apparent gain than was actually realised. Pefy ex- penses and had debts were too often le t out of view, and an extravagant opinion of the rofits of trade was (Iften entertained, cot culy by the public, but by many traders themselves. It was of the utmost importance, therefore, to keep accurate books, and -annually to balance them. Men have sometimes gone on for ytars with a v gue ide- tbat they wt-re making mon»y, when in fact thev were 011 the tiigt; road to bankruptcy. As a commissioner of income-tax, he had been surprised to find so many trades- men who cou'd not give an account cf their income, b -e.e.'uSe they did not keep books arid made no annual balance. Perhaps tiny thereby thought they would evade payment »t the tax to toe full amount cturire- able, but in some cises lie eh<ui:d not be surprised if they outwitted themselves, and, at all events, the com- missioners did not accept their apo! gy, and threatened if they did not keep regularly balanced books to t"k,. upon themselves the risk of charging them 'o hi^h. Mr. Black tin n re-fern d to those traders whom he might call the highwaymen of commerce, who kulowed a reckless, unprincipled determination to become ricb by fair means, if convenient, or by foui, if necessary. He concluded by saying that it was one of the chj.-cts of the society to guard the homst and prudent tradesman against the risks to which he was exposed by the mis- management of the uninstructed and the thoughtless, as well against the reckless and the vicious, and he had reason to believe that the mercantile public had greatly benefited by its agency.

THE EMPRESS EUGEXIE'S PRESENTS TO THE PRINCESS ROYAL.—We (Court Journal) have just learnt what was the birthday present of the Empress If the French to the Princess Royil, namely, a splendid Sevres vase, painted by Madame Jacotot, which used formerly to occupy the middle of the gallery at the manufactory, between the two glass cases, containing the gems of the establishment. The vase is of considerable height, standing on a edestal of pute dure; the ground is of a delicate rose pink, and the frames of the medallions gold arabesques of a white ground. Each compartment re- presents one hour of the summer day, and the paintings are most exquisite. The vase was filled with mould from the garden at St. Cloud, and cuttings from the rose- tree which Hill grows beneath the window of the chamber occupied by her Royal Highness during her residence at the palace, were planted all round. FATAL MILITARY AFFRAY AT PLYMOUTH.—For some time past an unpleasant feeling has existed between the 17th Regiment and the 2nd Warwick Militia, both quartered in the Citadel. About 100 of the 17th are recruits from Ireland, and their cause is warmly espoused by the inhabitants of King-street West (formerly Stonehousc-lane), many of whom are Irish. It appears that on Sunday evening Sergeant Clay, -No. 2 Company, 2nd Warwick, was on duty there with a picket of eight men, and that in the back room of a beershop, the George and Dragon, he found four of the 17th, one of whom told him that none of the Warwicks were there. The sergeant took offence at the man's manner and threatened that if impertinent he should be taken out. The reply was that he could not do it on which the sergeant ran out and ordered the picket to draw then bayonets. An inhabitant of the house, Jerry Hyde, went into the passage, and placed his hands acrainscthe wall, with the intention of impeding the advance of the picket; but the four 17th men stooped under his arms and went into the street they found the picket in the road, and all walked en the same way. Shoitly after one of the 17th, John Lawner, was observed with his belt raised in the act of striking the sergeant, who held one anu to defend his head, and with the other made an obliqlfe thrust with his bayonet. The point entered under Lawner's heart and penetrated a large artery behind. The wounded man ran back to the beerhouse, sat down, exclaimed I m stabbed and expired in three minutes scarcely any blood flowed, as death was caused by internal hemorrhage. He was a native of Ireland, about 20 years old, and a tailor by trade. Sergeant Clay has been suffering from hysterical depression ever since. At the inquest which was held on Tuesday a verdict of -Manslaughter" was returned 0 against Sergeant Clay.

c ,fnr;ncrj' Column. o REVIEW OF THE PAST WEEK'S CoRX TRADE.—"With mi: a weather and Christ mas-flay coming at the end of the same week, transactions Lave been limited. Bat very little alteration in the value of wheat, th-jugh some markets with short supplies hove improved. The greater plenty of rain has raised the ponds, and the land springs have again been rising, but only at a very moderate pace; the province of dry tveather for two years leaving the sod-stratum still hard in many places. P!en- tiful and declining markers have long been the order of our weekly reports but if the consumption for malting and cattle feeding is to continue at its present rate, the close of this season will certainly find stocks of wheat very much reduced; and the country quite unprepared for f;y sudden emergency, with its increasing papula- tion. ihe average fjr the last eighteen years is 55s. 10d., and for the last nine years, 54s. od. per qr. and row, upon an average crop. prices have deaceude-d to 40s. 2.1. per qr.—difference, 14s, 3d. per qr which, at only three j qrs. per fcre, Laq's 42s. 9 1. per acre less as m mey pro- duceu iro n the land. Heavy markets have ruled abroad but the Li'ur.- s in Poland and other placet leave it possi- àl9 that the Baltic may yet r quire shipments from Britain. The free imports from France cannot last without ruinous losses. From America very little seems coming the arrivals since the 1.6.h inst. have been 80 ve-ssels, anl the business transacted as one cargo of Taganrog Ghirtia wheat, at 38,. 3d. and about five cargoes of Maize at from 29s. to 27s. 9 1. The deli- veries noted last week were 99,187 qrs. at40s.2d., against 101,379 qrs. in 1857 The Landon averages were 44-. od. on 2,282 qr?. T ie imports into the prin- cipal >j;ts of Gre it iji;-ain for the eek ending Dec. 1-5, in wheat and fliur, were 73,489 qrs. As the see.! trada approaches i's season, there was more tone in the pricfs of clovers'.ed and tr-.jV.il though considering the low stocks and reputed ti -ion^y of our ov/n and foreign crop?, very liale was doing. As r sp-ets spring coin, ti.e values of middling and inferior bar] v, as well as of b-ans and peas, have b.-e:i furtner slightly reduced. Soot..old .us scarcely been in sy\npathy with the southern a tvie-s. In Ire'and trade lias b or. rather better, with- out material change.—.Uark-Laue Express. GARDEN 0Pi:AI10 N 5. FLOWTR GARDLX AND SniirEi)E:ai-s.—Exc pt in the dri s localities nothing more can be done in this depart- ment than paying attention to o: d.r and neatne??. The bedding stuff, however, n:u-t have- ettenthm, for in all likelihood many things are suif ilrg from da fop, and such plants as appear to suffer most should be removed to other quarters where a dri-r temperature is kept. Keep tbe stock in pits an 1 freuns w- hi ventilated and the surface soil of tee pons frequently stirred. Dust wi' suiphur verbenas and similar plants aiiaokod with mildew. lie particular in heepin_- i: e intenor of pits contai log plants ot the ai>jve eie^crip'.iou as dry as cir- cuAst-tnces will permit. HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN.—Figs against walilis wiIil r: quire some rot -cting material pieced over them in the midland and northern counties. Some wall trees, as pears, plums, (henries, &e., are often attacked by a species of scide msec', in which ase the infected trees should be well wash id with a mixture of soft soap, tobacco water, and lime; half pint of spirits f terpen- tine may be adoed to each. gallons of the in zture i when they are much infested. The lime is added to give to gVe consistence to the mixture, and to show that no p.rts of the trees are missed in dressing. Let this be al plied | during dry weath.r if possible, that it may remain on I !for c tiai", and hefere the frees are nailed.

BENEFIT SOCIETIES — hue following letter has been published in the Ti.nrs:—I trust that tbe recent letters in your paper on hendit societies may be the means of bringing this important subject prominently before the public, wi h a vie." to its d scus-ion, and of thus even- tually arriv ng at some satisfactory coielu-ion on a roafer that would at present appear to be but little un- derstood. The importance of the qa.stion to the com- munity at 1 irge cannot well be overrated viiien it is known that the corn. u jd number of members of all the societies is not less than 3/(50 000, n-hile the amount of their annual contributions is I's'm a t c,j at £ 4 98b01X), and their accumulated capital at t! I 36 ,O0 The greater portion of .'(uss societies are declared by jfessra. Neison, Scratchier and 1ratt to be actually in. SOiye.it, and incapable eventually of meet- g their lia- P'C -V°nr c:'rri"pondonts would-lppear to !11 actuar* 's certificate as to the s uiii'dness of of each of tho societies would prove an in- fallible remedy for the wide-spread evil. As there are 5 00 uncert fied societies, and a an actuary's certificate the expense of v. guinea and a periodical fee of :0 guineas for overlooking tne accounts p rmitme, prior to this heavy o.rlay. to question the soundness of this panacea by facts toat are unfortunately within my own experi- nee. Tea Jdl"- -.ince I was actively engaged in the formation of a beio 5: socie y in ibis part of \Var- wickshire bad be> n certifh-d by three different actuaries, and yet these very tardes have been subsequently de- nounced as in part only sound by a fourth actuary and as actually unsound by a fifth. Two years Hnce I forwarded the financial balance-sh-et to the original certifying ac- tuary, f>t;d atu inioruied i,naf, uot *it!.stau<Jiii^ tire prog- nostication1 ot bis br rher predessors, he is certain that our tables are sound, and that the balance now existing is more than sufficient to ni?»t every future obligation. The fact is uuwitUsta.id.ng Via recorded iniilio is of figures t,m. are Known iu regard to the sickness and mortality ot ir.euiiiy societies, scarcely two actuaries art found to agree 011 ihe tables that may be safely adep ed. By what pioce s an.f at hat period this much to be d. <ired asree- r!;?'0; ^P'mon wili be obtained it wou.d >.e difficult, 1- »Y ° prec*lct- take, recent c lar.ge of opinion, bp to is p^eseut date no actuary would c r ify to sick tao cs nil.ess 'lie payments proceeded 0:1 a graduated eui. sole, year by >_ear, up to the age of 05. The ..ublic are now told tout this sy-tem is and u-eless, and 'or the different ages between 15 and (JO the e need be but four, inste -d of 45 different rates of payment. For ten years I have laboured hard as secret ry t an exten- sive benefit socie'y that has uow a balance of £ 1,000, and have been the means of inducing numbers to enrol who would otherwise h; vo stood aloof. I feel most deeply the responsibility that rest- upon me ear the ad- vice 1 have Riven, and am perplexed and disheartened by the conflicting opinions of those on vvheoe judgment 1 would viliingly rely. THE SPEAKER'S NEW HESIDSNCE. — The official palace—buih by tbe coan.ry, not only for this, but all succeeding Speakers of the House of Commons, and occupying a fair proportion of -hat suburb of palaces known :s the New Homes of Pariiam, n*, is now witlnu a very short time of c< rnpletion. The lung line of the new Houses lie river front is broken by four towHs-if we may so call thcm-twoal. each end. The two next >\ estminster bridge are dc-tincd for the Ser- jeant-at-Arms and the Sneaker; those at the Vatiihall t-uu tor the L sht-r ol ihe Btach-rod and Lord?' Libra- rian. i ue entrance to the Speaker's hcu.-e is under the archways from Palace-yard, which open at once upon archways from Palace-yard, which open at once upon the Speaker's Court, a broad enclo-ure, on tlie south side of which a canopied entrance elaborately carved marks where the first commoner in the land will dwell, sur- rounded with all the accessories of princely state The appearance of the house from the couriv ird is not very imposing, aud few would be inclined to believe that it is one of the most spacious modern buildings recently ou; t-larger than the Carlton Club,and having upwards of 70 noble rooms in it from top to bottom. The en- trance porch is large enough to accommodate even all the servants that attend their master on Speaker's night- Its gothic windows are filled with richly stained glass, and the arms of the Speakers shine with glowing colours from tbe panels in tbe ceiling. The entrance-hall is s ill more ricii and spacious the floor is paved wi h Miuton's beautiful tile, while Gothic orna- uieiHs in brass, or still more richly elaborated stone panels, fill every si .ie. The st urease, wide and ample, aud carvod at every step, parses up tbe centre of this to tlie first lauding, where it branches off on either side, and encloses the entire Inll. Tbe balustrades, of fine designs^ in brasuwork rtchly gilt, and the stipe: b Gothic I cbandeiiers, each 10 feet high, upon the landings, give to this entrance an air of grandi ur and niagn iieence that is most imposing. Blank shields to b sculptured on with the arms of the most celebrated Speakers of tile House of Commons, form the cornice of this ball, the gilt and painted armorial bta i gs of Eng- land on the first landing servhg as a great centre to ail of them. A door on bis landing leads through the spacious audience-room to tlie spacious cieis'ers, which form the chief ornament ol tbe whole building. These are formed-in the inner part of the buildinir, over the servant a offices, so as to extend aiong t- e four interior sides of the house. Each c eister is 40 feet long, by eight broad and iO feet high. The roof i- covered with the delicate tracirv of the fan-gioinrd arches, ^hich sp.ead over it like a netw rk of stone, giving the most exquisite effects of light and shade, while four lanterns in each cloister, light with a soft mellow rich. ntss that becomes the place and its associations. The sine of each cloister looking on the inner quadrangle is e itirer quail foitned by canopied Gothic windows, fided in wi'h stained gias% each pane containing the name arms, and da e of tiecdon of every Speaker since Parliament first th,- ,,uilai,ce of those iiigl,. efriec,s. Of the whole iod Speakers only 15 have been elevated to the Peerage. In old t im es clevalioils to the Upper House occurring at very rare intervals Liu latterly, all Speaker, en retire- ment fiom the Commons get their titles as a matter of course. These storied cloisters lead at once to the prin- cipal floor, where the ::)t¡¡,te dining-room, drawing, dining morning, and waiting rooms, are situated. These He all noble apartments, most richly decorated in the Gothic s yh, and emblazoned with ornaments after the manner of the House of Peers. Every part of the house will be fitted up and furnished in tbe most magni- ficent Sl) Ie, entirely at the expense of the Government, so that any hon. member on being elected to fill the chair may at once occupy his official residence without trouble or delay.

Snooks' mother and old Mrs Stubbs were talking about the babies. Why," said Mrs. Snocks," when I was a baby they put me into a quart pot and then put the lid on I" And did you live r" was tbe astonishing inquiry of Mrs. Stubbs. They tell me I did," was the equally astonishing reply. "Well, did you ever I" and Mre. Stubbs fell to her knittinz.

MAGOR. THE ROADS. —We are informed that the main reads oi this turning and extensive village are sad'y out of ;epair; and air i .i r ,nt tells us that, a« excellent materials for macadamising purposes are near at hand, the circumstance of the roads beii.g in so much worse a state than those of the neigbouring vill.iges is not only a matter of regret, but something that requires to be explained. BALL. — On Monday night hist, a well-attended ball touk place at the Wheat In-,i. A numerous and respectable com pany fiom the neighbourhood of Newport, Caerloon, Chepstow, and the surrounding district, assem- bled on the occasion To cbase the glowing hours with flying feet," and to enjoy themselves as their forefathers were wont to do at this genial and festive season of the year. The music was excellent, and the refreshments were all that ceuld be wished for. Everything tended to make the enleitainment pleasing, and the gay votaries of Terpsi- cuore d-mced with a zest which people with a will can alone experie nee.

BEAUFOHT. Tiie extension of the Western Valleys Railway is fast progressing, a great number of men are employed, and a deal of w jik agoing ou between Ebbw Yale and Beaufort.

PONTYPOOL. TEA MEETING.—The annual tea meeting was held in the Mount Pleasant chapel, on the evening of Chiistrnas Day, which, as usual, was very numerously attended. After tca1 suitable addresses were deiiveied by Mr. Her- bert, chairman and minister of the chapel, the Rev I homas Blackwood; the Rev. G. Lloyd, Swansea; and by other friends and ministers of the gospel. The pro- ceedings were of an edifying character. GLEE SOCIETY. A party of friends and supporters of this society sat down to an excellent dinner at the Ship Inn, on the evening of Thursday, the preparation of which reflected great credit on the worthy host and hostess, Mr. ai d Mrs. Hopton. On the removal uf the cloth, Mr. Herman was called to the chair, and Mr. A. Probyn was elected vice-chairman. The usual loyal and patro.tctoastswere given and resp(tf,ded to in capital style, after which other toasts and sentiments follo.ved, accompanied and interspersed with glees, catches, trios, &c., which were sling in a manner thai left little room for improvement in an amateur society. A very agreeable evening was passed. A KIGHT WITH BURNS."—The friends of the tem- perance movement have been delighted and instructed by Mr. J. Burns, a lecturer belonging to tlie Monmouthshire Total Abstinence Society. Ihe first lecture was given in the To.vn-hall, on the evening of Thursday, and the second on that of Monday last. The audiences on both occasions were tolerably numerous, Mr. Burns was in early life engagid in commercial pursuits. His reminis- cences of travelling life reveal the history of the "jolly" gatherings of the commercial room, the tippling incidents ot which have done much to undermine many a robust constitution, and blight tbe fairest prospects of many a hopeful member of the community. The second lecture, called Boxing night—My Liri," was given on Mon- day evening, when Mr. Holmes, in a powerful address, introduced Mr. Burns to the audience. On this occasion the latter gave the particulars of his" strange eventful history," in a manner that enlisted the attention and sympathy of his auditors. The aim of the lectures appeared to be an exposition of the folly and danger attending on and resulting from the present drinking usages of society, and as euch was entirely successful. CHRISTMAS FARE, The inmates of the rontypcol Union have been very generously provided for at this interesting season of the year. Under the exce'l -nt management of the master and mistress (Mr. and JlrS, Hawkins) they all on Christmas-dny sat down to a dinner of roast baef (the best which could be procured) and plum pudding cf the nicest quality. The poor people, from the oldest to the youngest, thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and admitted that it was one of their happiest days, and never to be forgotten. SAD END OF A THIEF.—As a large dog was hurry- ing along the railway at Pontnewydd, on Monday last, with a hu^e piece of Christmas beef in his jaws, the train suddenly came upon him, and dashing along quickly, severed his head from his body. 0 PUGILISM.—'Ihe quietly-disposed residents of Tros- nant have for some time past been grieved a', and scandalised by, the brutal and vociferous bickerings of two married sisters, who, apparently lost to everything like shame, have kept the neighbourhood in a state of disgust and annoyance with their continued and dis- graceful broils. On Wednesday morning the bellige- rents beat to arms," and the husbands of the terma- gants turned out, followed by some choice kindred s; irits, to settle the difference of their better halves in a pugilistic encounter. Fortunately, however, the police got wind of the match, and the finale of the "set-to" will be settled in the Police Court, when it is expected that such measures will be adopted that, for some time at least, will put a stop to such unseemly and disgraceful exhibitions. COXCERT.-The first of a series of concerts for the season, conducted by Mr. H. J. Groves, was given in the Town Hall, on the evening of Tuesday last, by the l'ontypool Sacred Harmonic Society, which was very nu- merously and fashionably attended. The programme contained selections from The Messiah and Judas Macca- haws, the principal instrumentalists being the Messrs. Ptciiier, who, on this occasion, sustained their wonted celebrity on the violin, as well as did i r. Talker on the pianoforte. The vocalists appeared to be well up in their parts, and the air, or solo, "Rejoice 0 Juda," g, yen by Mr. Yv. H, Lloyd, an amateur, was vociferously encored. The choruses throughout were well sustained, and all the pieces appeared to meet 'vith the general approbation of the audience, amongst whom were Mrs. C. H. Lei:,h, (the patroness of the society,) Misses Lei^h, Misses Rouse, Colonel Reuse and the Hon. Ed- ward Tracey, Pentypool Paik Mr. Levick, Mr. Levick, jun., Mrs. Levick, and Misses Levick, Wain-Wern Mr. C. H. Williams, Miss Jones, and Miss George, Ifill Grove.; Mr. W. W. Phillips, jun., Woodlands; the Rev. Thomas Davies, Mr. E. B. Edwards, Mrs. Edwards, and faintly Mr. William Llewelyn, Mr. Stephen Ver- non, Mr. John Williams and Mrs. Williams, Mr. Wm. Conway, Mr. William Wood, AI rs. Wrood, Mr. F. Phil- lips, Mr. E. Phillips, &c., &c.

A3EEGAVEJJKY. TUESDAY'S MARKET was onas-ualiscale. Very few beasts, sheep, or pigs made their appearance, and the genera! market was but scantily supplied. Geese, 7d. to 8d fresh butter, Is. 4d.; salt ditto, ls. Id. per lb.; ducks, 5s. to 5s. 61., and fowls, 3s. to 3i. 6d. per couple. Butchers' meat, of all descriptions, 7d. to 7jl. per lb. Flour, 6s. 4<1. the bushel; the 41b, loaf, 4|d. The quo- tation of wheat tins week is 38s. od., and bailey, 32s. per imperial quarter. ORCHESTRAL UNICN.—An open night of the above was given at the Swan Hotel assembly room, on Thursday eve .ing, hist week, by the pupils of Dr. Bcanett Gel- bert. The attendance was numerous and respectable, and each piece was greatly applauded.

BLAENAVOJST. CHRISTMAS TREA.T.-On Tuesday evening the Bifen- avon Church Choir were entertained at the house of Mr. T. W. Plum, the respected mannger of the works, whose liberality is at all times great and worthy of admiration. The singers arrived at the house shortly after six o'clock, when tea was served, and done ample justice to, the Misses Plulll and Miss Whakely perfotming the honours of the tabl". After tea, singing and dancing commenced, the young ladies joining in the innocent amusement. At ten o'clock, supper was laid, of which the parties heartily partook, Mr. T. Plum, jun., aeting as host. After supper, the healths of Mr. T. W. Plum, his lady, and family were drank with musical honours, and a vote of thanks accorded them for their kindness. The whole was terminated by singing the National Anthem, when all went home highly pleas"d with the evening's pro- ceedintrs.

CARDIFF. THE CAKDIFF WOKKHOCSE E.VQUIBT.—This tedious investigation ter;:)inatpd on Thursday evening, with a reply on the part < f the complainants, by Mr. WiUett which occupied an h ur and a half in d'Uvei'y. Mr'. John had been previously under examination for six hours and a hi-tif. The Inspector will now report to the Po :r Law Cominissioviers, v.h-i will communicate their decision to the Board of Guardians.

FHOM THE LONDON GAZETTE. BANKRUPTS. FRIDAY.—J. Gardner, Northampton, builder.—J. II. Neville, Northampt<Hl, cu-rier.-G. Drake, Lur1gate-hi:l and Unper-street, Islington, watch maker.—N. Martin, Rickiushall Superior, Suffolk, cattle dealer.—R. C. J. Bayliss, LiBypo-lane and J twin-street, shoe mere- r.—J. Levy, Jewry-street, Aldgate, general dealer.—J. Robins, Dartford, corn dearler.—T. Burrow, Shrawley, Worccs ) tershire, farmer.—W. Mytton, Stourpeirt, fiuctioneer.- G. Hicken, No tingham, lace manufactuier.— W. Wil- j liams, late of Melton Mowbray, innkeeper.—M. Hind, Durham, grocer. TUESDAY.—J. Hills, Dartford, miller.—J. Care, Al- cestcr, Warwickshire, licensed victualler.—J. Cheet- ham, Birmingham, general dealer.—W. Pearsall, Kid- derminster, licensed victuaTer.—J. Mclntyre, Merthyr Tydvil, dugper.—K. and W, J. Rothwell, Rochdale, I woollen manufacturerf. J