Monmouthshire Merlin

PONTYPOOL. CRICKET MATCH.—A friendly competition of thi nature came'off between the Abersychan and Pontypool clubs, on the ground of the former, on Thursday last. Hostilities with the bat Were opened by the Abersychan team, who were easily disposed of for the miserable score of 35, in obtaining which, there was nothing that de- served particular no' ice on their part. The fielding of Lewis Davies at the point proved exceedingly efficacious on the Pontypool side throughout the contest, and the bowling of Harry Davies on the same side, justly deserved the encomiums that were generally bestowed upon it. In succeeding their antagonists the Pontypool men soon ran up a score of 83, of which number James Lloyd put in his claim for 33 rnns, which he obtained in a masterly and scientific manner. The Abersychan men next proceeded to handle the willow" for the second time, and by scoring 79 in which the bat- ting of Haworth was much admired, succeeded, to some extent at least, in removing the unfavourable impression which their first score had created in the minds of all present. In coming to the scratch the second time the Pontypool had 32 runs to obtain to win, which they succeeded in making for the loss of four wickets, thus ( gaining an easy victory over their antagonists. As the weather proved fine many spectators were attracted to the scene of action, yet the ground itself was not in the best possible order.

THE SUPPLEMENT TO THIS DAY'S MERLIN CONTAINS Another Great Fraud—The Great Clock for the Exhibition —Storm at Dublin—The Harvest—The Drawbaok on Paper—A Travelling Porter"—More Alarming Fires in London—Murder in China—Practical Repentance— The Ice in the Northern Seas Funeral of the late Ben Caunt—A Portable Electrio Telegraph-Disturbances in New South Wales-The Bulwell Tragedy—Suspected Case of Manslaughter in Newcastle-Shipping Disaster and Loss of Life—Drowning at Aldershot-Serious Boiler Explosion-Matrimonial AnglinK- Wills and Bequests-Terrific Scene at a Fire in Huddersfield- Breakdown of the Great Eastern"—Another Terrible Explosion in London Ten Lives Lost-Sad Case of a Clergyman—Murder of a Missionary and his Wife by Savages-Tbe War in America—A Romance in Real Life-Terrible Tragedy at Preston: A Colonel and Adjutant Shot—Facetiae, and a quantity of General News

TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Monmouth Races advertisement was received too late to enable us to introduce the weights.

THE fortune of war in America, according to recent ad vices, seems to have turned somewhat against the South—not, however, it may be feared, in any such decisive manner as to justify the predictions uttered in some quarters that the contest will be but of short duration. The announcement of the death of JEFFERSIN DA VIES, which was at first denied, but now seems to be confirmed, will exert a depressing influence upon the army of which he was the leader. It is doubtful if the Secessionists have jit hand a man who would command the same degree of respect and confidence which he ex- ercised among them; but, however deep the regret which may follow his death, the Southerners are not likely to abandon the con- test for so comparatively trivial a circumstance as the removal of a single commander. There were many periods in the history of the cam- paigns of the FIRST NAPOLEON in which his death would have been a fatal stroke to the hopes of the French army; but JEFFERSON DAVIES is not a NAPOLEON,nor has he, like him, led his enthusiastic followers to fields of con- quest over half the world. If the grave has closed upon the President of the South, a succes- sor will be found, and the war will probably be continued as long as there appears anv chance of contending successfully against the Fede- 0 ra-lists. The Secessionists are not fighting for an idea, but for the maintenance and, if possi- ble, the extension, of their cherished domestic institution." Avowedly striving to check the domineering spirit of the North, they are really contending for the continuance of slavery-for their "right" in human beings-for the preserva- tion of that system of bondage which is essen- tial to the security of their investments in hu- man flesh and blood. Guarded as the Federal Government has been in its declarations as to the grounds of the conflict, there can be no doubt that the essence of the dispute is just what we have indicated; and the Constitu- tional party would have secured a warmer sym- pathy in other countries had they adopted a bolder and more candid policy in this respect. Whether the war be long or short, whether it result in positive victory or questionable com- promise, it will have done nothing to raise the character of the country if it issue not in a more distinct condemnation of slavery by the Free States. The respect of the most enlightened nations cannot be secured by a pitiful conces- sion to the traffic in blood, or by any termina- tion of the contest which shall not place a broad line of demarcation between the cruel task-masters of the Slave States and the advoeates of freedom in the North. The Con- stitutional party should wash their hands for ever from the pollution of slavery, and protest unmistakeably against the noisome plague which eats, like a canker-worm, into the very vitals of that Liberty which is at once their boast and their accuser. If there must be a separation of North and South, let it be effected in such a manner as to place the guilt and shamo of slavery exclusively upon the heads of its abettors if the union must be continued, let the subjugation of the South be so com- plete as to leave no hope for the maintenance of its hateful traffic. The capture of the Hatteras Forts by the Federalists is tlie latest event of any interest. From the details published elsewhere it would appear that the attacking party fought with great determination, and were not long in achieving a decisive victory. The loss of life was but insignificant, but a considerable number of prisoners were obliged to submit to an unconditional surrender. Some of these pronounced the war a bad business," and expressed a hope that it might speedily close. The latest accounts state that a battle on the Potomac was extremely probable. About 20 vessels had been seized at Boston, under the Confiscation Act of the Congress and the Proclamation of the President.

ftOTES OF THL WEEK. ANOTHER illustration of the remark that the incidents of real life are sometimes more extraordinary than the creations of romance, has transpired within the last week. The imagination that would have im- ported into a story such circumstances as actually toak place in Mr. Richard Guinness Hill's attempt to destroy the identity of his child, would have been pronounced wild and unnatural to the last degree; and the fact tuat such inhuman conduct is but rarely exhibited would be a partial confirmation of that judgment. Callous indeed must have been the heart that could devise such a plot-debased indeed the man who, from a mere love of pelf, could deliberately band over his own child to wretchedness and degradation. The charge made against Uiehard Guinness Hill but very partially reveals thi atrocity of his conduct; the harrowing and shocking details of his scheme and its execution must be read in order to a full conception of the baseness of the crime per- petrated. The imputation that this man (whom, if the allegations against him be Uue, it would be almost an anomaly to call a father) had falsified the registry of the child's birth, reaches but to the in- cipient stage of the perfidy; the damning testimony of Brett, the detective officer, of the wretched vagrant to whose custody the infant was committed, and of other parties, is necessary to complete the picture of his shame. He must be followed from the bedside of his suffering wife at Rugby, through those wind ings of falsehood and cruelty by which he managed to deprive the mother of her offspring, got it conveyed by means of an unsuspecting girl to a common beggar in Windmill street, and then left it to be huddled into a revolting den in a back slum" of the Metropolis, before his conduct can be estimated in its true light. If the offence alleged against Mr. Hill can be substantiated (and it might be hoped, for the sake of humanity, that it may not be) he certainly contrived and carried into execution a plot which is scarcely less remark- able for its cruelty than its romance. It must, however, be borne in mind that the charges against him have not yet been legally substantiated. He jnay, perchance, when called upon to answer for his conduct, throw a new light upon this mysterious affair, and possibly explain some two or three points in connection with his wife's conduct which now appear to be scarcely reconcileable with our ordinary notions of a mother's care and affection. Upon what representation Mrs. Hill was induced to give up her infant a few days after its birth, entrusting it to a mere girl to be conveyed from Rugby to London-and what artful disguise of truth can have sufficed to keep her so long quiet in the absence of her child, are points upon which informa- tion is yet required, and which will probably be explained by fuither investigation. The double murder at Preston, of which details art this week placed before our readers, presents anothei sad picture of the power of unbridled passion, thougl in this instance remarkably destitute of adeqnatf cause. A soldier is sentenced to fourteen days confinement to barracks for an admitted neglect oj duty,-whereupon, thirsting for revenge, he delibe- rately loads his rifle, and shoots the officer who bad been instrumental in his commitment. That hE intended to perpetrate this outrage upon Captain Hanham is beyond all question and it is but an aggravation of the crime that he fired at that officei at a moment when he was in company with Colonel Crofton, and destroyed his life with the same shot which proved fatal to his intended victim. This lamentable circumstance, by which two officers who have won honour in their country's service, have been suddenly cut off by the hand of an assassin, demands not merely that deserved punishment should fall upon the murderer, but that some inquiry should be instituted as to ammunition being thus apparently within the reach of any soldier who may choose to use it. It would be difficult to suppose that all possible precaution is taken for the safety of military men, if it be a common practice to leave cartridges and rifles in possession of the troops in barracks. It may be that this was an exceptional instance if so, the resnlt most painfully shows how advantage may be taken of a temporary oversight: if not, then it is evident that officers are !it thf mercy of any reckless villain who may determine tc gratify his malignity by a fatal shot. Those who dreamed that the fitting out of thE Great Eastern was to be the consummation of human control over the winds and waves, have been miser- ably disappointed. Another disaster has been added to the long list of mishaps which have marked hei career since its commencement; and our fancied supremacy over the storms of the ocean has been frittered to the winds. The Great Eastern left Liver- pool on the 10th instant, with 400 passengers on board, a number which may be supposed to represent the degree of confidence established by her formei successful voyages. For aught that appears, she proceeded safely on her course until she had got about 280 miles to the westward of Cape Clear, when she encountered a terrific gale, which, from the damage occasioned, rendered her unmanageable from Thurs- day, the day on which the tempest fell upon her, unti Sunday last, the 15th. Both paddles were carried away by the violence of the seas. This, however, but partially disabled her and had no further acci- dent happened, the extreme danger and alarm which followed might have been avoided. But a heavy sea wrenched off the top of the rudder-post, an iron bar of ten inches diameter, thus rendering it impos- sible to steer the ill-fated vessel, and leaving her an unmanageable log at the period when the storm raged with the greatest fury. The violence of the gale may be judged from the nature of the damage to the rudder post; while the labouring and rolling of such an unwieldly craft in these appalling cir- cumstances, can scarcely be appreciated but by those who experienced the effects. The furni- ture of the cabins was heaped together in a broken and confused mass, while the upper deck was swept by the relentless waves—passengers' luggage lost or destroyed, and some 20 or 30 pas- sengers more or less injured. It is, of course, impossible to form an adequate idea of the terror and consternation which must have prevailed among the passengers. Death staring them in the face, they wept, they prayed and the cry to Heaven was heard and answered. The great ship, lurching and reeling like a deserted hulk, while the furious waves leaped over her bulwarks, seemed ready to sink into the yawning depths; but deliverance was vouchsafed, and the affrighted passengers have been marvellously preserved from an ocean grave. On Sunday a temporary steering apparatus was fitted, and the Great Eastern, reached Cork on Tuesday evening. What effect this break down" may have upon the fortunes of the vessel we cannot yet judge. Although some have supposed that this disaster will be destructive of all confidence in her sea-going capabilities, there appears to us in the nature of the accidents which perilled her safety, nothing to warrant such a conclusion. Similar damage might have befallen any ocean steamer in a like situation-as we do not find an imputation of bad seamanship, defective machinery, or any other circumstance which might distinguish this case from ordinary ocean casualties. This week- has added another to tbe-numerous list of fatal results from boiler explosions. Ten persons have been sacrificed in a frightful catastrophe in Lon- don and the sufferings of some were of the most dreadful character. The confession of a murder perpetrated ten years since, in Frome, is a noticeable feature in the week's news. The statement of the wretched murderer, who had enlisted in the army to escape detection, affords deplorable evidence of blind passion and unre- strained lust.

oral GTTIEUIGETTFE. THE TELEGRAPH OUTDONE.—The Cambria Daily Leader, a cheap paper published in Swansea, in its state- ment of claims to public support, announces the following—" It contains every event of moment which has transpired in any part of the world up to the hour of publication A wonderful paper that Of course it has a circulation commensurate with its world-wide system of supernatural telegraphy. SCHOOL OF MINES, BRISTOL.—We are happy to have to report that this school has re-opened, with a considerable increase in the numbers, which is very gratifying to all concerned. The capabilities of the school have been much increased by certain arrange- ments with the Trade school, by which the teaching of that institution is rendered available to the mining students; mathematics, chemistry, and mechanical drawing will thus be taught with more success. The usefitlness of the school will also be increased by a series of evening lectures on geology, mineralogy, mining, chemistry, and mechanics. SHOCKING AND FATAL ACCIDENT.-A young man named James George, a collier, of liiica, met with an untimely end on Friday morning last. Decease 1 was proceeding to his employment, and jumped on a mineral train, which at the moment happened to be passing. He rode tome distance, And on attempting to alight, he by some means became entangled in the wheels and the whole of the trams passed over his body, mangling it in a frightful manner, and of course causing instanta- neous death. Deceased was not married. THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY. A paragraph appeared in the columns of a contemporary a short time since, to the effect that in the event of a dia- I)h.ion of parliament, a nephew of Lord Lhinover would be brought forward, under his Lordship's auspices, to contest the county—not against the brother of Lord Tredegar, who has been one of the members for a great number of years—but against Culonel Poulelt Somerset. It is, however, not likely chat the young gentleman to whom allusion is made will be brought forward by any party and we have good reason to believe that if he should present himself, he will not receive any support from the Noble Lord. CRUMLIN VIADUCT.—Mr. Wilson, of Crumlin, has recently published a well-executed lith-graph of the Viaduct, which is now on sale at a shilling. It is probably one of the most correct sketches of the magnificent struc. ture which has yet appeared, and displays considerable artistic skill. We understand that a few of the first proofs of the large print, published some time since at half a guinea, remain on band; and that it is the intention of the publisher to issue some further impressions, but slightly inferior in character, at five shillings each. ^It will be seen by an advertisement that arrange- ments have been made by the local railway companies whereby passengers may be booked through from the Eastern and Western Valleys Railway station to Car- diff, on the' oco Ision of Blondiu's visit to that to rn, on Tuesday next. OPEBATTA.—Dr. Bennett Gilbert, formerly organist of St. Paul's Church, in this town, now of London, has composed and successfully brought out an operatta at the Surrey Theatre, London, entitled Shakspeare's Dream, or a Night in Fairyland." Upon each repre- sentation it has increased in interest, and, in addition to numerous encores, the able composer, after the representation, was called before the curtain. As Dr. Gilbert is well known in this neighbourhood we take the following extract from the Morning/ Chronicle Dr. Bennett Gilbert, who, we need not say, is no novice as a composer, has supplied music appropriate to the subject, and, and for the most part, attractive. The airs are simple and melodious, and the general tex- ture of the orchestration light and fanciful. In no PffC! fix. 'lbert deemed il exPedient to secure effect at the sacrifice of propriety. He never allows himself to be wafted out of the fairy atmosphere, nor to display his musicianship at the expense of adherence to special and natural colouring. The pievalence of 3-4 time confers a unity on the score, and the general employment of the hjrp gives it a peculiar and necessary character. Although but in one act, the operatta com- prises no less that twenty-five pieces of music, the ma- jority being orchestral and choral. Indeed, contrary to the usual custom with English composers, ballads are in the minoriiy, although there are single songs enough to please the greatest admirers of solo singing," Matthews and Holbrook's company will appear at r the Town Hall this (Friday) and Saturday ew-enings. I Most attractive entertainments are announced ia another column. BRISTOL BANKRUPTCY COURT, TUESDAY.—Re f William Mlntosh, Newport, travelling draper.—Thic was a sitting for choice of assignees, at which proofs fnr JE581 43. were put on the file, and Mr. Hendersoat i was appointed solicitor to the estate. ■ FATAL ACCIDENT AT A REVIEW.—We regret to hear that a woman lost her life at the Volunteer Review at Dowlais, on Thursday, by the inadvertence of a volaa- teer, who had left his ramrod in the rifle, and, on the order to fire being given, discharged it. It struck s woman in tbe crowd, and Bhe died a few hours afterward* from the injury received. RATE OF DISCOUNT.—The Bank of England, on Thursday, reduced its rate of discount to 34 per cent. REVIVAL SERVICES were held at the Town Hall, Newport, on Friday and Saturday last, when addresses were delivered by Messrs. Lear and Hambleton, tcinuma. rous audiences. NEW LICENSES.—At the Police Court, yesterday, the following new licenses were granted by the magis- trates :-George Bateson, Isca Tavern, Commercial-street, William Davies, Greyhound Inn, High.street, and James Edwards, London Porter House, corner of Ruperra-street. The applicants thanked the magistrates and withdrew." NEWPORT HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS.—A special meeting of this Board was held in the police court, on Thursday, for the purpose of receiving a report from the ballast committee as to the propriety of going to Parlia- ment for powers to make a compulsory purchase of land 1 for ballast ground. The following commissioners were present :—James Brown, Esq., Mayor, in the chair Aldermen Homfray and Town sen tl Messrs. T. Gratrex, T. Powell, C. Lyne, J. N. Knapp, M. Morrison, J. Latch, N. Hewortfon, T. B. Batchelor. G. Harrison, G. W. Jones, W. S. Cartwright, and J- Moses; with Capt. Foote. The committee met at ten o*clock, and tbey not being prepare! with a report at the honr for which the meeting of the Commissioners was convened, an animated and lengthened discussion ensued upon I the general question of ballast ground, Mr. Morris, surveyor, laying upon the t-ible two plans showing a site on each side of the river which might be made available for the purpose of ballast ground. We have not space for a detailed report of the meeting which was ultimately brought to a close by the adoption of the fo)'owing resolution, moved by Mr- Lyne aud seconded by Mr. Knapp-" That a letter be written to Lord Tredegar requesting his Lordship will be good enough to receive a deputation of the Harbour Commissioners to consider the urgent necessity of obtaining public ballast ground on the west side of the river, and that such deputation consist of Messrs. Homfray, Lyne. Knapp, and J. Latch, who are requested to submit the plans they propose."

FOTOMTEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPr. 21ST, 1861. THIRD MONMOUTHSHIRE RIFLES. In consequence of the annual prize meeting taking place on the 23rd, 24tb, and 25th inst., there will be-no drill parade during the week. The firing on Monday will be at third class ranges. Tueslay, second class ranges, 400, 500 and 600 yards. Wednesday, first and second class ranges, from 500 to 600 yards. For further information vide programme. The band will be on the ground from two o'clock p.m., on Tuesday. By Order, W. WARD, Sergeant. SEVENTH MONMOUTHSHIRE RIFLES. Monday, Wednesday.—Recruit and squad drilt at 7 p.m. Tuesday.—General parade in uniform with arms at 7. Friday.—Company drill at 7. Rifle Practice—Thursday and Saturday. Start at 3 from Llanarth-street. Band Practice.—As usual. Offioers of 1st Company for Duty. Orderly Sergeant.—John Johns. By order of the Commanding Officer. CHARLES E. NAISH. Sergeant Major.

OUR MINERAL WEALTH.—Sir R. Murohison, at the British Association meeting, said that by the labours of Mr. Robert Hurt, in sedulously collecting data from all quarters, we now become aware of the fact that we are consuming and exporting about 80,000,000 tons of coal annually (a prodigious recent increase, and daily aug- monting). Of iron ore we raise and smelt upwards of 8,000,000 tons, producing 3,826,000 tons of pig-iron. Of copper ore we raise from our own mines 236,696 tons, which yield 15,968 tons of metal'ic copper and from our native metallic minerals we obtain of tin 6695 tons of lead, 63,525 tons; and of zinc", 4357 tons. The total annual value of our miner-da and coals is esti- mated at £ 26,993 573, and that of the metals (produce of the minerals) and coals at £ 37,121,318. FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE IN LONDON.—On Wednes- day morning, between three and four o'clock, a fire of a most disastrous character broke out in Crown-oourt, Gascoyne.place, Bethnal-green. It appears that the fire was first discovered in the part of the dwelling oc- cupied by Mr. Roworth, a basket-ninker, who occupies the ground floor. He seems to have been smoking his pipe and to have gone to sleep, and only to have 1 aroused when be was surrounded by flames. As soon as it became known that the fire had occurred in this locality, Mr. Elbeck proceeded with his fire escape to the spot, but, owing to the court being narrow, the machine could not go to the house the ladders belong- ing to it were, however, unshipped and thrown against the burning building. Barton, the engineer of the Shoredi'ch parish station, entered. the ground floor and found William Roworth and Sarah his wife, together with Sarah their daughter, very severely burnt. They were placed in cabs and taken to the London Hospital, where they remain in a hopeless condition. On further examination they discovered Martha Roworth, aged six years, end William Roworth, one year, who were burnt nearly to a cinder. Shclis wcr3 procured, and their charred remains were conveyed to the deadhouse in Bethnal-green, there to await an inquest. In the back room three persons lived. They escaped by the window to the yard. On the Aral door, in the front room, a man named Deacon and his son lived. Elbeck, hearing there were other persons iu the house, obtained buckets of water, and fairly fought his way to the deor of this room, which he at once broke open. The smoke, how- ever, rendered it impossible for him t3 enter but in a few minutes they got to the bed, where they found Deacon and his son dreadfully burnt. They were re- moved in a cab to the Londun) Hospital. In the second & )or back Mrs. Fox, a widow, and her five children lived. With great peril they escaped. Several en- gines promptly attended, and the fire was at last sub- dued.

FRIDAY'S MARKETS. (By Electric Telegraph.) LONDON CORN MARKET. -FRIDAY, (Giles, Son, and Barker's Report.)—Fair arrivals of Foreign wheat and flour, and a considerable arrival of Foreign oats. Trade opens quiet for all articles-though only small business passing at present, factors not disposed to give way in prices. LIVERPOOL CORN MARKET.-FRIDAY. Market quiet, but steady. W heat and floor held firn rates.

BIRTHS. Recently, the wife of Mr. W. L. Scandrett^ 64, Commer- cial-street, Newport, of a son. I On the 20th instant, at Williams-street, Pillgweally, Newport, the wife Mr Anthony A. Roberts, of a son. On the 12th instant, at Blaina, the wife of S. Soper, Esq., of a daughter. On the 11th inst., at Charles-street, Cardiff, the wife of Dr. Vaohell, of a daughter. On the 17th instant, at Windsor Villa, Cardiff, the wife of R. Wyndham Williams, Eaq., of a son. MARRIAGES. On the 14th instant, at St. Thomas' church, Portsmouth by the Rev. J. P. Mc Ghee, vicar, Mr. Edwin Hibbard, of this town, to Sarah, youngest daughter of John Shep- pard, Ksq., Postmaster of Portsmouth. On the 17th instant, at the Ebenezer Chapel, before the Registrar of Biiths and Deaths, Mr. D. J. Ryan, to Miss Jane Parry, of Blaenavon. On the 18th instant, at St. Mary's, Cheltenham, by the Rev. James Frederic Gabb, roe-,or of Charlton Kinga, Frederick, eldest son of Freficrick Levick, Esq., Shire- newton House, near Cheps'ow, to Alice Parry, second daughter of the late Baker Uabb, Esq of Llwyn-dft, near Abergavenny. DEATHS. On the 13th inst. at Ruperra-street, Newport Mr Elisba Parsons, aged 46 years. On the 15th inst., at Potters-parade, Pillgwenlly, much respected, Mrs. Ann Hutchmgs, aged 59 years. On the 17th inst., at Newport, Mr. Thomaa Lewis, aged 82 years. On the 14th inst., at Risca, suddenly, by accident, Mr; James George, aged 20 years. On the 16th inst, at Risca, Mrs. Ann Davies azed 08 years. s On the 13th instant, at Cael'leon, Mr" Williams, aged 85 years- 0 On the 13tb inst., at Stow-Lill, Newport, Mrs. Mary Dredge, aged 70 years. f r n JulJ. &t Meerut, of cholera, aged 20, Parry .Oo Winton, Esq Captain Sth Hussirs, grandson of John Parry De Winton, Esq., Maesderwen, Brecon. On the 10th instant, at 3, Rutland Terrace, Scar- borough, Caroline Elizabeth Watson, aged 66. Recently, at Norwood, Amelia, relict of the late Alder- man Thompson, M.P., of Underley Hall, Westmoreland, and 5, Park-street, Westminster, neice of the late Sir Charles Morgan. Bart, and mother of the Countess of Bective. On the 11th inst., at Mary-street, Cardiff, Arthur Ernest, infant son of Win. Taylor, Eaq., M D Recently, in her 85th year, Mary, relict of John Finch Simpson, Esq., of Lannde Abbey, Leicestershire, and sister of the late Philip John Ducarel, Esq of Nowland. Gloucestershire. On the 19 b instant, at 102, Stow-bill, Newport, Mon., William Frank, eldest surviving son of Mr. R G. Cullum. On the 13tb iustant, at Swansea, Mrs. Hannah Trainer, aged 52 years. On the 9th instant, at the County House, Brecon* Sophia, wife of Mr. Frederick Watkiaa, aged 56 yean.