Monmouthshire Merlin

TO CORRESPONDENTS. I Correspondents sending letters for insertion should send also their names and addresses-not necessarily for pub- lication. A'o notice will be taken of communications when this requirement is not complied with. Letters and other matters intended for publication should be addressed to The Editor," not to any person con. nected with the office, by natne^ As a rule, wc do not undertake to return manuscripts deemed unsuitable for publication j nor Can 1ee engafllJ to inform ivriters whether their communications are considered eligible for jJubliclbtion or not, otherwise than in our" yotices to Correspondents." Correspondents would greatly promote our convenience by writing legibhj, and on one side of the paper only.

In order to provide space for repor's of local meetings and the District news which came to haud tho day pnor to publication, we are obliged to omit a leading article. Still, ue are unable to insert all our District reports, as our Tredegar and Pontypool correspondents will ob- serve.

— —■; ■ » ■» 'I Zttc aw (Sumnt On the winding up of tbe arguments in the case of the undermentioned Company, the Times says:—The annunents in the case of Overend, Gurney, and Co. (Limited) are now concluded, and Vice-Chancellor Malins has announced his intention of delivering, either on the last day of the present Term or the first day of the Sittings after Term, his judgment upon the question at issue. That question was raised by two shareholders of the Company, who asked to be removed from the list of contrihutories on the ground tkt they had been seduced into the contract by false representations of the nature and prospects of the bar- g. ui. The question opened other questions,for it became necessary not only to establish the alleged fraud, bu to show that the fraud was of such a character as t vitiate the transaction, and to absolve the complain ants from the obligations which it had been found to email. The bargain itself, too, was duplicate, for the old firm of Overend, Gurney, and Co., first nogotiated for the transfer of their business to the promoters of a new Joint Stock Company, and then the Directors of the new Company appealed to the public by pros- pectus and advertisement for subscriptions to the ca- pital required. Ihe Gurntys, it will be remem- bered, had represented the old business as returnin"- large piofits, but had confessed themselves unable to continue it m consequence of the losses they had sus- tained. This apparent contradiction suggested one of the chief points of contention, and yet the statement of the vendors can be easily understood. The proper and legitimate business of the old House was a bill broking and discounting business, and its current profits were returned ps ranging between £ 150.,000 and £200,000 a year. But between the years 1S57 and 1S61 certain new managers had committed the firm to transactions of an exceptional and speculative character, which had absorbed capital to the amount of £4,000,000 sterling. By the lock-up of so enor- mous a sum the Gurncys were crippled, and at length found it necessary, in 18G5, to dispose of a business which their diminished resources would no longer allow them to conduct. Nevertheless, during the whole of tins time, and up to this very period, the current profit s of the regular business were still ac- cruing. The same amount of paper was brought to the bouse for negotiation, the same sums of money were turned over at the counter, and the same dividends would have been distributable to the part ners at the close of the year tad there not been so much lost ground to be recovered. As a matter of fact, thorefore, there were both profits and no profits, according as the case might be viewed. There were no profits—that is, no divisible profits-if the gains of the ourrent year were to be applied to the redemption of previous losses but there were profits, and large profits too, if the mere returns produced by the cus- tom of the year were measured by themselves. If any private individual possessing a revenue of £1000 a year were to find himself £10,000 in debt, and apllly his income to the discharge of this debt, he would in one sense be without an income for ten years to come, but in another sense his income would be as real as before, though it would not be available for the satisfaction of his current needs. That was precisely the case, according to statement, with the (i'Annnnnnf.,Gul'ney3- Tbe.v reckoned that of the i ,000 thus sunk some £ 3,000,000 would never be recovered, and consequently the profits of fifteen years would be absorbed in covering this gigantic loss. And they had actually abstained from any division of profits irom the end of the year 18G0 to the time of the sale 111 1365 but this, of course, could not go on, and so they resolved upon selling. Now, if they had offered the business on these terms-that is to say, with a suspense of all profits for nearly twenty years to come—they could never have expected to find pur- chasers but they were not under any such necessity. They had lost much of the capital employed in thp business, but they still possessed their private estates. These estates were valued at nearly £2,500,000, and if they were sold and the proceeds applied to the e x tinction of the liabilities on the business, the remain- ing deficit would be only £500,000, and that amount of obligation was not beyond what the buyers might well be content to accept in consideration of the value OF the business transferred. On these terws, then, n, substantially, and dismissing minor matters, we t may say that the transfer was actually accomplished. But this was only the first part of the transaction. The negotiators for the purchase contemplated the formation of a Joint Stock Company to take the place of the old firm, and they consequently addressed the public in a prospectus, on the faith of which the now remonstrant shareholders joined the concern. In this prospectus thenewdirectorssaidnotaword about the embarrassments of the old house, the heavy balance of liabilities over assets accepted by the new Company, or the guarantees by which compensation was thought to be secured. They simply invited the public to take shares in an old-established and lucra- tive business, and which, indeed, was in such repute as to need little recommendation beyond its name. Few were they who suspected or imagined that Overend and Gurncy had been in difficulties, and the result was that the shares were taken up, and rose in a few months time to a very considerable pre- mium Last May, however, came the collapse. The new Company broke down, and the shareholders are not unnaturally indignant at a concealment of facts which they denounce as equivalent to fraud. The popularity and the weaknesses of The Tri. bune of the People' are thus estimated by the Impe- rial Rec-iew:—The secret of Mr. Bright's success is, probably, his happy consonance in taste and education with the motley audiences which he delights to gather round him. Were he to discuss even the elements of political philosophy, he might be obliged, like Mr. Mill, at the Agricultural Hall, to beat a precipitate retreat from his outraged hearers. Did he indulge to any extent in historical allusions, lie would lose his hold upon a class of enlightened politicians that objects on principle to hear of events that took place in the reign of King Alfred, "more than two hundred years ago." For the benefit of his admirers, he omits, instead of translating or discussing, classical quota- tions, which he asserts, with impudent calmness, are nothing to the point, or are not necessary to quote here." Tawdry ornaments aud Yankee slan^, curiously combined with singularly pure Saxon, con- stitute the characteristics ot his style; and he con- sults the tastes aud intellects of his peculiar audiences by telling them nothing that they did not know be- fore, or that they had not heard on previous occasions, in exactly similar language. Mr. Blight's position in the House of Commons bears out this view of the elements of his success with what is termed a popular assembly. At St. Stephen's he is, indeed, listened to, and with attention; even here the halo of a glory won in other fields surrounds him. He is.an orator still; but is this the llector of Birmingham ? The voice is toned down, and the manner accommodated to the serener atmosphere of the great council of the nation. Perhaps the source and origin of Mr. Bright's bitter hostility to the House of Commons, as atpre- seut constituted, is to be found in the fact, that he is unable completely to adapt his rare ability to the requirements of an assembly of educated gentlemen. When the benches are at length filled with admiring hearers-when Messrs. Odgors, aud Dickson, and Bcales, (if the academic distinctions of the latter do not iucapacitatc him for a seat in so popular an assem- b!y), are there to hang on the utterances of their loquacious leader—the strings of his tongue may beat length untied, and the columns of Hansard may record the same flow of words aud the same confusion of ideas that 'now occasionally adorn toe pages of the Morning Star. Mr. Bright is an unfortunate man. Had he been born in another age, or in some other country, he might possibly have been of some service to his kind; lie has now been unable even to adrance the interests of his own class. It is possible that, in fighting against real grievances, his fearless and uu scrupulous eloquence might have had some effect iu moulding the history of his time. Now, uufortu nately, at least one-half of his surprising energy must be wasted in creating the fictitious evils against which he declaims with tile other. His fate is worse than that of Sisyphus; he has even to manufacture the instrument of his own torture. He has to create, for the purposes ot his trade, a corrupt Parliament and a deluoed people, and to evolve from the depths of his own unag) nation the miseries of political serfdom hf tae midst of a prosperous nation and a contented people. He has to impute imaginary crimes, and a negligence which does not exist," to a really represen- tative body, which possesses the confidence both of its direct and its indirect coiistituciicy, and which has done more to promote the welfare of the people in its own history, than any other national assembly in the history of the world. Assuredly, his fate is a hard one, and he has to be thanktul for small mercies. Occasional applause, which "lasts." as we are tnhl for nearly five minutes," is his only reward. He has no real following in the country. È\'ery day his power declines even in his own straggling army, and his prodigious labours are crowned less and less with the small measure of success that was once the meed of his unceasing and noisy toils. If ever political criminals (sajs the Times) de- served the punishment of death, the Fenian raiders, who were convicted after trials to the Lirness and impartiality of which they themselves boie witness, merited this fate; and never was the exercise of nieicy rendered more ditlicult than it was by the ill-advised proceedings of those who inter- fered on their behalf. ivitti the best disposition towards leniency, the Canadian Government and the Government at home found it difficult to mitigate the penalty of their offence. The convicts them- selves were reckless marauders, careless of their own lives, unscrupulous of the lives of others, indilferent as to what might be the end of their lawlessness. They had destroyed property aud life without, pro- vocation and without purpose. The people of Canada justly demanded protection from similar inroads, and it was impossible to be sure that leniency to these offenders might net encourage their comrades who had managed to escape, if not others, to make a second attack. The action of General Banks in the House of Representatives at Washington, adopted as it was by the House itself, was calcu- lated to lead them to believe that the Congress of. the United States saw no impropriety in their41 designs, and was disposed to remove every obstacle to a repetition of them. The letter addressed by Mr Seward to Sir Frederick Bruce-a letter very difficult to describe in moderate language—seemed to show that the Executive Government of the Union, on this point at least, was in agreement with the Legislature, and was another obstacle in the way of mercy. Mr. Seward was probably I indifferent what became of the Fenian convicts compared with an election success, or he would not have done his best to make leniency impossible. At the same time it seemed probable that the force which had prompted the Fenian, attack had been expended in the first attempt. The iguominious repulse it had received and the manifestation of the loyalty of Canada to the British rule had caused a change of tone on the part of the Fenian leaders. Some of the Brotherhood were discontented, aud mutual recriminations arose. If it were reasonably probable that no second raid would follow, the ne- cessity of executing the wretches who had been caught and convicted of participation in the first attempt was removed, although it would still have been perfectly just to infiiet the sentences pro- nounced upon them. Happily, the Canadian Government found itself strong enough to advise Her Majesty in favour of clemency. They believed the security of the Province could be maintained inviolate without having recourse to the extreme penalty of death, and the Home Government rightly concurred in the recommendation of Lord Monck and his advisers. The sentence of death was com- muted into imprisonment for twenty years in the cases of Lynch and M'Mahon, and a mitigation of punishment of the other offenders condemned to death has followed that of the ringleaders. We may reasonably believe that the events which have happened since Lord Carnarvon addressed the despatch to Lord Monck intimating Her Majesty's pleasure to exercise her prerogative of mercy in favour of the Fenian convicts liave justified the wisdom of the advice tendered by the Home and Colonial Govern- ments to the Queen. The mere fact that no second raid has been attempted might, indeed, be attributed to the severity of a Canadian winter; but the change in the tone of the Fenians and their American sympathisers is such as to show that under no cir- cumstances would it have been made. The humbler members of the Fenian Brotherhood have awaked to a belief that they have been practised upon by leaders who had never any other purpose than that of serving their own ends. The two Head Centres have been both discredited, and the better sense of the American people has been shown in a complete abandonment of the coquetry with Fenianism, which waif probably never anything more than a discreditable election manoeuvre.

LORD LLANOVER. In consequence of the rumours which have been circulated in several papers, in allusion to the alleged alarming illness of Lord Llanover, we are sure that it will be a great satisfaction to his numerous friends to hear that we can state, upon reliable authority, that his Lordship has never had any "illness," but that his Lordship has been suffering from tumour in the cheek, which came on after a blow by the re- bound of a gun. This occurred in the first instance last winter; but it was not until a recurrence of the same kind of accident, exactly on the same place, at the end of last August, or beginning of September, that any outward appearance was observable or that any inconvenience resulted but as there seemed to be an increase, his Lordship went to London for me- dical advice at the latter end of November and on the 28th of December it was decided, under the advice of Sir William Fergusson, that as no applications had been efficacious to avert the evil, it was absolutely necessary an operation should be performed, which was accordingly done on the 29th December, and the nature of which necessarily produced excruciating suffering. His Lordship has, we are happy to say, not only borne this trial with his characteristic forti- tude, but his medical advisers are unanimous in the opinion that his health and constitution have been virtually unimpaired, although temporarily his strength has necessarily been much reduced. On Wednesday, the 9th of last month, Sir William Fer- gusson decided that a second operation, of a similar nature to the first, would be necessary before the tu- mour could be completely eradicated. His Lordship submitted to this painful ordeal on Monday, the 21st ultimo, and we have received most satisfactory re- ports of his state, inasmuch as, although his Lord- ship is much prostrated, Sir W. Fergusson has expressed his decided opinion that his state is not only as satisfactory, but much more so than could have been expected after such a renewal of intense bodily pain.

^ntdti>nw. Mr. James Grant, formerly of this town, respect ing whose supposed drowning in the Bristol Channel, a paragraph appeared in the newspapers some time sinoe, has recently addressed to his brother, Mr. William Grant, of Newport, from San Francisco, a letter in which the no. madic disposition is rather strikingly set fortb, and also containing some information of more general interest. We make the following extracts :— I have changed my residence since I last wrote, and am now living distaut from Los Angelos about fifty miles. Mr. Bodrie, the ow- ner of the mill at State Range, having conclu led to aban- don tho place, I am not engaged in any pursuit at present, but am stopping with some friends but in. tend shortly to go into mining—that is, its soon as the rainy season, or winter, sets in. After our regiment was di-ban led in September 1861,1 had quite a nice little sum of money, having been appointed satler jto the company by the captain so I concluded I would travel a while and visit parts of the country I had not seen. I travelled abont six months, viewing places of interest and prospect- ing, and have now been in every county of the State nearly finally, r accepted a situation as teacher in a pri. vate family, and after that accepted a district sohool, so called, 32 scholars, boys and girls, aged from 5 to 19 and 20 respectively. (By the by, I am still an old bach but thank God, old Father Time has used me well, and I bear my age admirably, taking into consideration the hardships and viscissitudcs I have endured.) After that clerking, and finally mining. Ever since 18-55 there has been a restless spirit within me that keeps me roving, never contented to stay in one place any length of; time, never so glad as when out in the mountains free 1 from all restraints of society, left to my own resources, with my gan and my fishing lines for company my dog travelling and enjoying nature. I have passed through many dangers, but that only gives test to such a life. Let many dangers, but that only gives zest to such a life. Let me go into a town or city, and stay for a week or so, and I am, as it were, stifled longing to get back into the country, where everything is'as free as the air we breathe. —I am sorry to hear such bad accounts of the crops in England. I believe there is no country yet can beat California for productiveness. I will specify a few, that have been exhibiteilat her State fairs An onion,77 ounces in weight, and 22 inches in circumference a white turnip. 261 bs a tormato, 2(3 inches in!circumference cab- bage heads, weighing from 431bs. to 53ibs a water me. lon, 651bs. a red beet, llSlbs., 5 feet long by one foot in diameter; a squash, 2651b9.; grapes, bunches, weighing from mbs to 151bff; pear trees, seven years from the graft, producing fruit to the weight of 3601bs. a peach twig, a foot long, stuok in the ground produced fruit next year 149 bushels of barley to the acre 60 bushels a common return. The grain that has been raised this year is with. out comparison the largest crop that has ever been raised on 'his coast; in fact, hundreds of acres were left to rot standing, on account of its cheapness and the high price of labour, and the probability is, that there will not be half enough ot vessels on the coast this season to freight the overplus gathered to a market. Los Angelos county, the county I am now living in, is one of the grape-growing counties of the State, getting renowned for its wines and fruit. Its name, interpn ted, means Angels coun'ry," tJ. ,I ,C [;1-- -] 1!t. •->L mo vraiuou ui .cueo, aua 11, is meraiiy so all Kinds of frnita aud berries grow here in abundance, such as oranges, lemons, figs, almonds, citrons, peaches, plums, neclarinep, quinoies,.water melons, musk melons, cherries, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and o ivea, in fact, all kinds of fruit. The p"opJe are also about turning their attention to the culture of silk, as it has been demonstrated by actual experimeut that this climnte is the best on the face of the globe for the raising of the worms. They aro just creeling a factory of San Jose for the manufacture of silk, and have sent to Europe fur experienced workmen. Again, wool is another great staple they have several large factories at work doing an immense amount of business, and, probably, if you visit the lVor!u'jI fair at Paris next year, you will find California well represented both in her agricultural and mining de. partmen ts." PRESENTATION.—On Monday evening a. number of the brethren of the Silurian Lodge (47i) of Free Masons, assembled at the Hall, Dock-street, for the purpose of presenting to P.M. W, Pickford a token of their respect, an,l in recognition of the valuable services he has, in various capacities, rendered to the craft. Colonel Lvne, "V W.D.P G.M. occupied the chair. The testimonial con, sjsted of a lif^-sixe portrait of Mr. Pickford, which was executed by Mr. Villiers, the eminent photographer and artist, of Commercial-street, who was highly aud de- servedly complimented. The groundwork of the pi. tare is formed with absolute certainty by means of a ndV inven- tion, cdled the solar camera and is then finished as a legitimate painting in oil, obtaining a correct likeness, and Riving that artistic finish which is essential to make a large picture pleasing. It Was presented by Col. L.yne, who addressed Mr. Pickford in the following terms —P. W. Pick- ford, [ have been requested by your inasonio brethren, members of the Siiirian Lodge, to present you with this portrait, as a small token of the regard and affection in which you are held by them, I am sure it will afford you as much pleasure to receive this memento as it does us to present it, for you are too old and good a mason not to know and feel sure that presentations of this kind are never reached by members of our Order unless they are fully assured that be whoin they desire to compliment is in every way worthy <4 such complimont. Masonry in this Pro- vince has of late years very considerably increased, and with it, its funds, enabling us to distribu'e greater charity, have also increased. In this desirable sate of things we feel that you, as our treasurer, have played no inconsiderable part but there is also another matter in which you have taken a warm and deep interest. I speak of our masonic schools and almshouses. Formerly this Province contributed somewhat feebly in these respects, but I am glad to say that since you became our treasurer, and have taken this desirable matter op, our contributions have largely inoreased and I may say that, altogether, this Province never was in a more satisfactory and flourishing state than at present. I am sure, Brother Pickford, in making this presentation, I express the senti- ments of every member of our Order, when I say that we one and all wish you health and every happiness, and pray that you may long live to continue the active and useful member of our Order which you have hitherto been; and that when it shall please the great Architect of the Uni- verse to remove you from amongst us, your sans, aad your sons' sons, when looking upon that picture, may remem- ber with fondness one who was not only dear to his own family, but also to the great family of Freemasons.- Mr. Pickford made a suitable response, and the remainder of the evening was pleasantly past in conviviality, the usual toasts being drank; VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENTS FOR NrNr WEEK.— FIRST A) ON. ARTILLEUY — Monday aud Thursday- Gun and carbine drill for A and B batteries.—Tuesday —Commanding officer's parade in full dress band to attend.— Wednesday and Friday—Gun and c rbine drill for E and F batteries.—Saturday—Non-commissioned officers' drilI.-Band practice us usual.-Battery on duty: B.—Captain on duty: Captain Murphy.—By order, Captain and Adjutant Pearson, 1st Mon. Volun- teer Artillery.—THIHD MON. HIPLES.—Friday—Com- pany drill, in plain clothes, at 7 p.m.-Offioer on duty Ensign Justice.—Orderlies on duty Sergeants \V. Butt and M. O. Scott, Corporals H. Thomas and T. Power — By order.—SEVENTH MON. RIFLES.—Monday—Squad drill, at 7.30 p.m —Tuesday—Company drill and bayonet exercit-e, at 7.30 p m.—Tnnrsday and Friday—Position drill, at 8 p.m., for members who joined the corps hist year.—Band practice as usual.—Orderlies; Sergeant H. II ughes and Corporal J. JOlles.-Officer for duty Lieu- tenant S. Goss.-By order, signed J. Pritchard, sergeant major. LECTURES. Mr. G. Lomax, of Manchester, has this week, under an engagement with the Committee of the Newport Temperance Society, been delivering a course of lectures, and has had on each occasion a crowded audience. On Monday evening his subject was-" 1 he Bible the Book for the People;" Mr. C. Lewis presided On Tuesday-" The Homes of the People how to make them happy, free, and independent Mr. T. J. Beynon in the chair. On Wednesday—" The Immorality of the Liquor Traffic Mr. H. Phillips in the ohair. The fore. going were all given in the Temperance Hall. On Tburs- day evening, under the presidency of the RaT. E. Pearson, Mr. Lomax lectured at the Town Hall,— subject—" What is the Greatest Reform of the Agu?" A lengthy abstract of the lecture on the Liquor Traffic, which had been in. tended far iaiertion, is oiowded out. LOCAL BANKRUPTS.—(From the London Gazetted Christopher Douglas, Roaih, Glamorganshire; Feb. 6 at Bristol-William Edwards, Lydney, Ghucestershir"' innkeeper; Feb. 6, at Bristol.-Charlps Goddard, Newport, Monmouthshire, pianoforte maker Feb 6 at Bristol.-William Hughes, Brecon, innkeeper; Feb, b at Brecknock.—George Scott, late of Pootr-ocd' engine-driver; Feb. 11, at Pontyp^ol.—John Staoev' N ewpjrt, Monmouthshire, grocer; Feb. 1, at Newport —John Thomas, sen., Swansea r Feb. 6. at Swansea —Thomas Tuoker,Cardiff, steam-tag proprietor Feb 6 at Bristoi. —Moses H. Davies, Ebbw-vale, grocer F b 9, at Bristol.—William Langeake, Doek-street.Newnort' master mariner Feb. 8, at Bristol.—Joseph Parrot' Newport, brewer Feb. 0, at Bristol Mi'.son Charles Porter, late ot Coleford, innkeeper; peb 9) Rt —Edward Rogers, Pontshannnfon, near Pontypridd labourer Feb- 11, at Pontypridd.—Frt-deriok Vavasour 'o Sandford, Cardiff, surgeon Feb. 14, at L=eds William Childs Webb, Newport, shipowner Feb. 13 at Bristol. SHIPPING,-—We copy the following from the Ship- ping and Mercantile Gazette, 26th J-aouary, 1867.- Li!*nched^on the 23rd inst,, from the yard of Gaddarn Brothers, New Miiford, a beautiful clipper barqu 800 tons, and of the following dimensions, 142 feet X 27 feet M 17 feet, and classed A I, 14 years in Lloyd's register book. As she glided into ihe -vater she was named the G. I. Jone; by Mrs. G. Inglis Jones, of Cambria-place, Newport, wife of one of the owners The G 1. Jones has been built for Messrs. Jones Brothers, of Newport, ;,nd will be commanded by Captain WilPams', of the barqu; R, R. Jones. This is the eighth ship built by Messrs, Gjddarn Brothers for the sime firm," This fine ship, which wiil be added to the fleet owned by Messrs. Jones Brothers, makes the third (all of the highest class, A 1, 14 years) launched within the twelve months just past. This fact, and the launching of tr.e two new ships at Newport, as recorded in last WEEK'S paper, speaks well for the port. We notice that Messrs. G. A. and F. J. Davies, sons of W. J. Davies, Esq., surgeon, Pinner House, n^ar Newbridge, have succeeded in passing the preliminary examination before the Royal College of Surgeons, recently held in London. These gen'lemen were educa ted by the Rev. James Hughes, reotorv, Crumlin. FOUND DROWNED.—About half-past eight on Thursday morning the body of a mdu was found Iyiri»r on the mud in the river Usk, near to Messrs. Burtot '•; wharf. Information having been conveyed to the poli a station, the body was taken to the Ship and Castle Inn, where it awaits an inquest, whieh is to be held (a- morrow (Saturday). The deceased, who is a stransrer, had the appearance of a countryman, and was dressed in a white amoek," corduroy breeches, with leg.-in, and blue check shirt. He has been recognised as a man who was seen in Friars' Fields on Wednesday night, ¡ and who Wis turned out of one of the houses in that locality. THE VICTORIA HALL.—The preparations for the grand musical festival by which the opening of this magnificent building is to be celebrated are rapid; v advancing; and every week, we are glad to find, the auguries of a complete success become more assuring-, A very numerously-attended meeting of subscribers was held at the Queen's Hotel, on Thursday evening, Mr. it. B. Evans in the chair, when it was stated that the subscriptions necessary to meet the expenses, large as these will necessarily be, are all taken up; so that at any rate the committee will be secured from loss- Mr. A. Rose, the hon. secretary, reported that the railway I arrangements were complete. These are of a most satisfactory character. All the local lines will convey passengers, who produce concert tickets the donble journey for the single fare and after the evening concert a spec; d train will run from Newport to Blaenavon, calling at all intermediate stations. As will be observed by the advertisement in another page, the plan of the reserved seats will be on view at Mr. Newman's, from twelve o'clock on the 18th instant. The choruses, which will number upwards of 150 voices, are progressing most satis- factorily, and, under the able conductorahip of Mr.Grove^ promise to be of the most perfect character. Some idea of the superior instrumental talent engaged will have been gathered by all who had the pleasure of attending the subscription concert the other evening. Some complaints have reached as that the committee have not secured the services of Mr. Sims Reeves; and, that the public may be under no misapprehension, we may state that we have seen letters both from Mr. Sims Reeves and from Mis, Edmonds, in which those artistes express regret that the- are unable at present to accept an engagement to sing a", Newport. THTED SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT.-r-The third, and last but one, of these entertainments tOlk plic-, at the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening, 30th of January. The selections for these concerts, hitherto, have been male with great judgment, and the programme on this occasion contained many clioiee pieces, admirably suited to dispLy the LIHnts of the celebrated artists engr-ged. The committee fortunately secured for this occasion a septenary party of the first instrumentalists of the day, and the mere mention of Mr. Henry Bla^rove's in me as leader is sufficient guarantee tb:.t whatever was under- taken would be performed in a style which musicians of the first stamp only can attain. The rest of the party were: Mr. R. Blagrove, viola; Messrs. Brooks and Woodward, 2nd violins; Mr. WJte, vijiiocblio; Mr. White, d juble-ba=s; and Mr. Radehff, flute, j The vocilist was Miss F. da Cjurcy, Miss Westbrook being unable to appear. The concert was opened with Wobei's Overtme to f'Oberon," followed by a lovely aria by Mozait, which Miss Do Courcy sang with feeling, hot a little more power was wanted. Mr. H. Blagrove n xt enraptured the audience by pliyin, a piece or peculiar construction, by Mayae ler. So masterly a performance was greatly appreciated by the audience, and the same may be said of the two symphonies by Beethoven—.he last especially. The beautiful slow movement followed by The Schersand'i, had a marvell^UB effect, and. with such execu- tion, was a fine treat. The names of the performers are guarantees that the rest of the pieces ware given to perfec- tion but we must not fail to notice the masterly manner iu which -Vlr. Radciiff plays tha flute his variations on Scotch airs, arranged by himself, were enthusiastically encored. This was decidedly the best subscription ooncert we have bad. FCNEUAL OF A VOLUNTEER.—On Monday after- noon the 3rd Company of the 3rd Monmouthshire (Newpoit)Rifies assembled at the armoury at P.ntymister to a.tend the funeral of a l.t?. member of the band, a young man nnra- d William Han is. CRIMPING.—At the Borough Police Court, to-day (Friday), before R. F. W oollett and E J. Piiillips, Esqrs., William Kelly was charged with enticing away and con- cealing four seamen belonging to the British ship Mutlou-, now lying in the Newport Dock. The prisoner ha I en- gaged Wiliiam James, a cabman, to d'ive him and the seamen to Cardiff, which be did, leaving Newport t.bout ten o'clock on Wednesday uight, he having been engaged at mid-day.— P C. Publow deposed that he met the pri- soner and two of the seamen in Crockherbtown, at two o'clock on Thursday morning. In rep)y to the officer, the prisoner said the seamen had been discharged from an American vessel, and he was taking them to a house in Christiana-street, or Mariunne street, where they were engaged, and he hoped to get a shilling or two for the job. Pubiow, however, was not satisfied, and he took them into custody; and afterwards, with another officer, he apprehendo 1 the other two men. Their clothes he found in a cab in Bute-street. A telegram was forwarded to Newport, and Chief Supt. Iluxtablo sent for the men.- The captain of the ship proved that the piisoner, who is a "runner" for a boarding-house at Newport, called the Cornish Mount, and kept by a man named Hughes, had been loitering about the ship, and th: t he bad warned him if he inteifered with the sailorft he would punish him.-The Bench expressed their determination to put a stop to the practice, which prevails so largely, of decoying men from their ship,, and fined the prisoner £:20; in default, three months' imprisonmeut.-The seamen, who had refused to give evidence against Kelly, were remanded and ordered to be sent aboard the ship.

A NEWPORT SOLICITOR FIXED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT. At the Bristol ILnkrup'cy Court, on Friday, Mr. Charles Bia lgate, solicitor, of Newport, appeared before Mr. Cjmmisiioner Hill to answer a charg3 of contempt of eourt. Mr. Bradgate, on appearing, said I want to know why I am brought here ? On the night before last, at half- past five in the evening, Mr. Bennett Served me with a sub;,oeaa. I said it was impossible for me to come the I next d.,y. His Honour: Let the affidavit be read. Mr. Hancock then read the following affidavit, which had been sworn to by Mr. Claries Bennett, clerk tc Messrs. Press and InsUip:—" I, C h at lee Bennet', of the city of BiLtol, attorney's clerk, make oath and s"yae fo'lowa: 1st: That I did on the 23rd day of January In- stant personally serve Charles Bradgate, of Newport, solicitor, with a copy of a summons issued out of and under the seal of this honourable court, at Newport afore- said, and at the time of such service I tendered the said Charles Bradgate the sum of X2 or conduct money. 2nd: That the said C'jarles Bradgate became very excited, and said that it was impossible for him to a'.tend at this honourable court on the return of the said summons, as he had important business to attend to at Newport, and that I might go back and tell the Commissioner that he would see him ———— before he would come on the day mentioned in the aforesaid summons. 3rd. That I ex- postulated with the said Charles Bradgate, and asked whether, if he could not attend at this honourable Court on the day mentioned, he would attend on the following day, and I offertd to deliver any message to that effect, whieh I said would no doubt be satisfactory but he replied that he would not say when he would attend, and he also said it was useless formeto askany questions. I then said I should go back and repeat what he had said, and the said Charles Bradgate replied that I could do so. Mr. Bradgate; That is quitecorrect with the exception of the third paragraph. It he had said Friday I could have come And I do not consider two guineas sufficient conduct money. The observation which I made was made in the excitement of the moment, and I am sorry it should have been sbid. What I felt annoyed with was that the summons should be issued to — drag me away at eleven u'clork »ho „„■ I could not come as I bad other' appoiame^T^f I r Vh a'FteSS hnd stating ,hat if they t. ? for the documents tp.ey should have been sent. of that they serve me wi'h a peremntorv s,nr», t half-past five to appear next morning J withdr °nS if observation I made in reference to tt cou I I have gla ily come on Friday. Iwoul* Cba:les Bennett then presented himself, and wa( Ilis Honour r8 it true that Mr. Bradgate eaid he wouid come on Friday ? Mr- Rr"r^' NTh61r; 1 Patticu'arlv asked him. Mr. Bradga'e: The question was never asL^l. Hu Hrnour It you know anything of your prof.g. TofT; 1!Cb 1 TCh d3ubt' y°u seem to ma permitted——Tcrs°n3 who ou8ht °ever to have been M". Bradgate I am snrprised- Hi3 Honour; Hoid your tongue, sir. Y-u are in contempt dreAy j don't increase it. Mr, Bfiriett I ecollect P-rtieuIsrly mentioning that, and Mr. Bialgate repued, and ssid he would rnt tell me when he would cms. I cou'd not get any sati«- factory answer from him. 3 'ifar ^D°lr Have you anything ■uit'ed a verV 8 >U n0t bs a t0 have com- a veT gross contempt of this eo ;rt ? iur. Bradgate: I admit tha' I was wron? in tha a, lbservalbn I made use of, and I Would glad Iv have If I had only two n, 'ice. 6 7 His Honour, after observing that Mr. Bradgate had no ground of complaint, and that he mi -ht easily have arranged to come on the following day, said You h ve not b,en persistent m y >ur c,ntumaciou9 CQnd b your very great insoience must not be passed over without a visitation. Yoa are adjudged to be in coa- _*mpt and you are adjudged f„r that contempt to pay g fine jf to the Qieen, and to be imprisoned till that Dae is paid and you are fur her adjudged to pay all t e ces's tliat have been occasioned by your contu<r.acrf v z t:;e c-.s.s ot the warrant, and ycur costs of e'm;r¡g and of returning are refused. (To the -lessen-er): Take him away ia custody till he has paid nis fine and costs. Mr. Bradgate was th»n r^nr,-).-Bristol Mcrcury±

THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT AND THE PARIS EXIBITIOX.— The Duke of Beaufort writes as follows to the Times:- Might not the difficulty apprtheaded from thedelay likely to be caused by the usnal s-arch of passengers' lug- gage, citis-quent on the gre;it increase of trtffiie, be met by exempting all who chose to take an extra clearance ticket from senrch ? The price of the ticket going to Ftar.ee might be 25f., and returning, £ 1 or, if that is consider) d to much, half or two thirds might be charged, the charge bting entirely a question for the Executive in both countries. The revenue would be benefited, and I am sure travellers woull cheerfully pay to av..U the in- convenience and delay. The timbre affixed to the lug- gage, and the passengers ticket marked cleared, or ia some peculiar way, would iusure bo'h from annoyance.

£ afoji fry jUuticm. nx-xT.WY^ GWYN FARM, Ii *;t .m a Mile of Pcntvpool.) IVI "»IES GRATIA M, JUN., has been favoured with instructions from Mr. Peter Smith, attptt/?I,1d8 tbe ab°™ *arm, si;LL BY PUBLIC A>JOII0\. on THCHSDAY, tbe 14TH FKBUUARV, 18G7, fSi Tme ^'oc'f of 130 SHEEP, tos?e<her with tbe whole OT his Live and Dead FARMING STOCK, Implements, sc., &c. ■p, luncheon at Eleven Sale at Twelve. QU partitulars jn Posters and future advertisements. ed Monmouth. January hi, 18Ü7. [10.5SO K E M E Y S FAR M, Si* M;I /n '^S Parish of Kemeys Inferior, TJslr t8 j10111 Newport, Nine from Chepstow, Five fiom werns! ithin Two Mile? and a Half of the Llau- TO P,rT',taVon °N the Gre.t Webtein R .iiway. ■iCHEiiS, GRAZIERS, DA1KYMEN, AND Sale of 70 HELFO? CATTLE, MOUNTAIN 7?MEP- ^AIIT HORSES and COLTS, PIGS, about i? ions of saDerb MAXGOLDS, HAY, some IMPLE- .NTS, DAIRY UTENSILS, &E. MESSRS. CORSELIUS EVANS & SON are instructed by Mr. Isaac Lawrcnce (who is paving the farm) to conduct this imporant SALE, on j- OESDAy, February 5th, 1837, commencing at Twelve °r One o'clock punctually.. THE Lrve STORE STOCK Comprises GS mountain sheep £ ° yean early, 10 youn°- and very superior milking cows, faving recently calved or to calve early, 3 three-year^d E-calf heifers, fresh barren cow, 2 ditto bar:en heifdN, two-yeara-old steer, 9 yearling steers, 7 y^rliug heifers, 0 steer calves, 5 heifer ditto, a uar.guificent pure-bred yearling Durham bull- Three powerful cart horses, 2 two-yeari-old cart colts, yearling ditto, 9 porkers, 10 Btore Pigs. THE FAT STOCK includes 7 two.years-old steers., very pritoe, 2yearling ditto, Dice weights, 2 cows, 2 three-years. old heifers, 3 two-years-old ditto. About 75 tons of splendid n.angoll wurfzels, which obtained the prize at the Tredegar Agricul ural Show, Shout 40 tons of well-ended hay, to bec"Nsamedontba Premises. IMPLEMENTS include hay-making machine, nearly new, turnip catter, chuff cutter, mangold 'iibbler, drum of a threshing in chine, gripping plough, swing plough, wheel ditto, double farrow ditto, hsrrows, drags, 3 broad-wheel Carts, 2 ladders, 3 thirty-six gallon casks, lot of old iron, &c., 2 sets of long gears, 2 ditto short ditto, 1 set of G.O. ditto, sundry dairy utensils, and articles of household furniture. Approved Bill- at Three Mouths will be taken for Purchases amounting to £ 30 and upwards, or Discount allowed for Cash. No reserve, Refreshment on the table at Eleven o'clock. The Auctioneers, in inviting the atteudaece of their Agricultural and other friends to the above Sale, beg to assure them that no pains have been spared by the pro- P^letor in making this Stock an essentially paying one. -Ihe Cows being a cross between he Durham ami Hereford, have been bred especially for Milking purposes, and in ad- dition, po.-sess great scale and constitution. The young ktock are particularly healthy and promising. The F;it fc'Ock aie very prime, and in every way moiit the atten- tion of Butchers. Auction and Estate Offices, 15, High-street, Newport. [10,527 COURT FARM, PAIUSH OF LLANMARTIN, ■About Six Mi'ts from Niwport, Two from Hag or, and l'wofrom Llmwern, on the Great Western Railway. MSALE OF SUPERIOR FAR31IXG STOCK. ESSRS CORNELIUS EVANS & SON LLAuvn*'11 ?ELL BY AUC1TON, at the COURT FARM, 1867 ti Tls» OA FRIDAY, tho 1st day of February, PLEM^L,LU!E OF the FARMING STOCK and IM- who ia aiv; 0t HUSBANDRY of Mr. Wm. Jenkins, .TH^LIV.' Farm, comprising — milchcows t *TocK-30 yearling fat lambs, 5 capital steers, 2> good season, 4 three yeir ohl yearling i,„°c year ol(1 heifers, in calf; barren heifer, 7 bacon n; ers> yearling bull, 3 very useful cart mares, 3 Tni? r 8' Soiv at"* litter of uine pig5. fiet# IMPLEMENTS, &C.—Three sets of long bames«, 2 ditt ,? 0|t dit'o, broad wheel waggon, narrow wheel v °' cart, 2 iron ploughs, chain harrows, pair iron rows, 2 pairs of drags, scirifier, turnip scuffler, 2 horse P Wer chaff machine, lot of fine mangolds aud swedes, straw in the barn, rick of prime hay, he., &c. Kefreshments at Eleven Sale to commence at Twelve o clock to the minute. Auction and Estate Offices", 15 High-sireet, Newport. Dated 21st January, 1867. flO.533 PARISH OF LLANTAHNAM. LI ANT AllS.iM CUT 1 AG ft, about a quarter of a Jlile from the Llantamam Station on the JSevport and Pontilpool Tiz;llt.vy. MESSRS. CORNELIUS EVANS & SON are instracted by the representatives of the late E. i- Allfrey, E>q., to "-ELL BY AUCTION, on the pre. Jjiisea as above, on TUESDAY, the 12:h of February, 1SG7, ™o WQ ie of the FARMING STOCK. Implements of Usbantlry, te. Corcpiising 2 very handsome Alderney cows with calves, *■Alderney cow, to c dve early in March next, 5 strong store pics, so* and 8 dil's. 2 sows in far-iow. 3 useful cut horses, a three-year-old colt by Clumsy," very promising, lot of poul:ry, narro-v.wheel waggon, Jong, short, and «0. harness, iron plough, harrows, iron k.y racks, 2 corn bins, backets, tubs, large iron boilers, haymaking machine, horse rake, fc.rifier, 3 wheel bat rows, pikes, Takes, garden tools, hay knife, chaff machine, roller, 3 cozen hurdles, fre wood, iron garden roller, ladders, pigs troughs, wash tubs, cross-cut saw, 3 step ladders a'so ^10 gallons of piime cider, a lot of mangolds and swedes a quantity of fine wool, oats in the b-.rn, a small mow °* oats and clover mixed, part of a rick of prime hay, a capital rick with p les and ropes complete, and Inany other useful articles. The Sale will commence at Two o'clock in the Afternoon, Auction and E-tate Offices, 15, High-street, Nev-po:t, January 28th, 18C7. [10,566 LEASEHOLD PROPERTY ON THE MARSHES ROAD, NEWPORT, FOR SALE. MESSRS. CORNELIUS EVANS & SON -LY-L will .ELL BY AUCTION, at the house of .Mr. WILLIAM Bigg*, THE RISIXG SuN INN, MARSHES ROAD, Oil FEIDAY, the Sth day of February, 1867, at Three o'clock in the Afieruoon, subject to conditions to be then produced, aud in one Lot :— All those THREE LEASEHOLD HOUSES, situate and being Nos. 27, 28, aud 29, Marshes-road, in the occu- pation of Sarah Moigan, Thomas Thomas, and John Price, respectively, the properly of the late Mrs Maiy Morgan, held under a lease, 40 years of which are unde- termined, and su ject to a ground rent of Y,2 5s. per annum. Dated the 31st January, 1SG7. Auction anti Estate Offices, 15, High street, Newport. [10,581 HEXTON FARM, GOLDCLIFF, Five Miles from Newpoit and Two from the Llanw. rn Station on the Great Western Railway. Valuable Bird of pure-bred SIIORl HORy CATTLE, descended fl (jlli some of the best blood in the Kingdom. E'Slx'S. I",VKNS & MESSRS. CORNELIUS EVANS & SON 1.11. will SELL BY AUCTION, on tHURSDAT, the 14th day of February, 1867, on the Premises as abovf, by order of the representatives of the Lte Ilr. Edmund Francis, the entire of the LIVE and DEAD STOCK, on the Farm, comprising 20 superior cross-bre,l ewes, to yean early, 33 fat and 18 ram lambs, 25 splendid young cows and heifers, in or with calf, 2 fresh barrens. 4 two-years-old steers, 8 calves, 1 magnificent bull, 1 three-yeais-ohi di,to, 1 yearling ditto, 3 very useful cart mares, 4 colts, pony 6 years old, and a capital cob, steady to ride oi diive 3 young sows in farrow numerous imple- ments, tools, &c., dog cart and harness, ueaily new, gear- ing for 5 lieks of well-ended hay, some straw, o.its, &?., a lot of mangolds, Swedes, andpotatoea, cider cloilis, 30 cider casks, about 200 gallons of very prime cider, dairy Utensils, and other effects. Luncheon on tho table at Twelve, Sale to commence punctually at One o'clock. Catalogues r-ady one week prior to the Sale. The Auctioneers in ((rawing the attention of their friends and the public to this importaut Sale, wish to stato that no pains or expen;e was sparad by the late proprietor in his exertions to ottain a rent-paying stock of short hoins, equal to any in the county. The heifers and calves are de. scended fiom that splendid hull "Snowstorm," by "McDonald," 13:GS, bred by Jfr. F. Moriis, of Maismore, and Darling lLro," by "Friar Tuck," by ,c Dailiugton Ist," bred by Esq. Auction and Estate Offices, 15, High- treet, Newport. [10,-551 AN ELIGIBLE AND DESIRABLE INVESTMENT LI AN TARN AM, MOyMO U Til SHIRE. MESSRS .CORNELIUS EVANS & SON .1'- have received instructions to offer for SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at the WESTSATB HOTEL, NEW- PORT,on WEDNESDAY, the 27th day of Feb., 18G7, at'.Three o'clok in the Aftei noon, subject to conditions to be then produced in One Lot, the following DESIRABLE PROPERTY All that MESSUAGE or DWELLING HOUSE, with the Garden an Outbuildings,called Tygwin," situate in the parish of Dactnraatn and also Two Pieces of excellent MEADOW LAND adjoining thereto and abut ting on the Henllis Brook, and containing in the whole by admeasurement, according to the Tithe Map for such pariah, 8A. 3B. 28P., and numbered thereon 871. 872, and 873. The above Property is situated about one mile from the Llantarnam Railway Station on the side of the highway leading therefrom to Castell-y-Bwch, and offers a favour- able opportunity to parties for investment, or a country residence with Land. The Property is Copyhold, of inheritance of the M.,inoi i of Abercarn, and will be Bold subject to the Tithe Rent Charge, thief Rent, Fines, and Manorial Dues affecting j the Bami. For further particulars, apply to the AUCTIONEERS, ( or to Mr, THOMAS M. LLE WELLIN, Solicitor, New- i pod, Monmouthshire. [10,584 < Mt till ^uctiaiu I MONMOUTHSHIRE. „ Compact FREEHOLD PROPERTY, known as PEN. TOVEY LANDS, situate in the Parish of Llaugattocs, I' one uiilofrotu tue TOlIn of Caerleou. Ik I R C. J. B. JACKSON is instructed to ILL offer FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at tho THi EE SALMONS HOTEL, in the Town ot Usk, on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, 1867, at Three o clock in the Afternoon, (subject to such conditions ss shall be then produced,) all that, desirable FREEHOLD LAND, cdled Pentovey," situate in the Parish of Liangottock, one mile frjm the town of Cherteon, in the ci unty of Mon- mouth — composing 22A. In 3fP.. more or less, of produc- tive MEADOW AND ARABLB LAND, now in the occupation of Mr. \V. Harris, of Penyhank tarm. The Lands are in a riug fence, and bounded on the west by the road leading from Poutbir to Llauiibby on the east by lands in the occupation ')f Mr W. D;ivies on the north and louth by lands belonging to Sir Arthui Mack- worth. There is a plentiful supply of water, and the whole is a very desirable purchase either as an invest- ment, or for occupation. The Proprietor will show the property, and further information may be obtained of the AUCTioyF,m; or of ME.SRS. BLOUNT & DAVIS, Solicitors, Usk. Auctioneer's Office, Jan. 30, 1867. [10,568 |ilonci|. IMPORTANT. TF YOU WANT TO BORROW MONEY JL at a Cheap Rate, go to Mr. W. WILLIAMS'S, 16, DOCK-STREET, NEWPORT, MON., and Insnre your Life, and he will guarantee that with approved Personal Security, you can have any sum from 150 up toi;2,000, for one, two, three, four, or five years, repayable by fixed quarterly or half-yemly instalments. Office Houis, 10 to 5. "\FONEY LENT, at 4 PER CENT IT.I INTEREST, on FREEHOLD and LEASE HOLD HOUSES and LAND, re-payable by instalment Also, on PERSONAL SECURITY, at a fair rate o interest.—Apply to jlr. S. T. EVANS, 15, High street Newport I10.2S2 REMOVAL. THE BOOKSELLING, BOOKBINDING AND GENERAL STATIONERY BUSINESS, Also the Business of the Newpoit Branch of the ENGLISH & FOREIGN LIBRARY COMPANY, Lately carried on at 7, COMMERCIAL STREET, N ewport, HAS BEEN REMOVED TO No. 15, COMMERCIAL STREET, ( The Merlin" Newspaper and General Printing Office.)

LICENCED i rJ -1 ,Ai [ON. [TO T'IH EDITOR OF THE MONMOUTHSHIRE MERLIN.1 -in,—The late Canon Stnwe.ll, in one of his thrilling ^•mpcrarce speeches, remarked in reference to the "Ce"sfc^ Deputation which the U K. alliance seeks to I remove —the Hmse of Commons and the H Juse of L'-»rdp pray, as often as they ass-mb'e, « Lead as not into temptation.; but I think our legi^'a'ors lead the people mto temptarion every day and all the year round. Why and how ? Because men are responsible for the evil they can preven-, and Government can prevent the et.t of nn,, sR, and therefore Government ought to prevent it." I was paiof'ullr and torcife'y reminded of the tr .ft of these words by the sickening sights of intostoi'ion whi-h I witnessed during the recent C'lristmas and NewYeat's holidays—no longer holy days ul seasons of indulgence and dissipation. Truly this custom of drinking healths ia unheal hy drinks is one, as Shaitcspeie sayp, more honoured in the breach than the obseivanee.' John Wesley, w! en writing about this liquid fire," and Fashionable poison," as ha aptly 'trm*.d it, exclaimed; "It is imaring that the preparing or selling this roison should be permitted (I <1: not say in any Christian countrv) but in any civilised stste The U.K. alliance is a national crgnr.f-ition, supported by persons of various politics and creeds, having for its objeot the developement, con- ceurration, and expression ofpub'ic opinion in reference to tuia licensed temptation of the liquor traffic and no one who notes the signs of the times can doubt that tha VDice of the people is bring raised aloud for more striiigent license laws, and the totil suppression of the drink trade on Sundays; whilst a large and daily increasing number of ratepayers demand the total and ■mrrediata prohibition of the manufacture and sal", as beverages, of those poison?, which are the sole cause of dr j&kenness—that curse of England, the parent of pau- perism, cime, and lunacy. I have faith that what Mr. Hnghes, M.P., facetiously calls the Permissive Bill "nostrum," wiIlwork a peacelul, benefieient, and effec- tual reformation in the drunken habrts of the frequenters of pubbc-houses and gin-shops; and I am of opinion. that these licensed temptations wi 1 be speedily r. moved when the electoral pcwer of the people is extended. Trose who are now the helpl ss sufferers from this vile Ir -,ff-c-Bri ti h slavery—will assuredly use every acces- sion of political power to purge the statute bx)k of those ba3 laws,which tempt men to embark in a demoralising trtlLc, speculating, in fact, upon the bore of creating alL appe.ite for these pernicious commodities. Every ob- serving person must have seen this process of making drunkards in operation, and it is a sight to make a patr-jt blush. The (\ ject of the Pi-rm',=sive Bill is to give thp p;o;le a self-protecting power against this in- t'i-.icas enemy of temp, ranee, providence, order, morality, aud svety virtue that srr-uld characterise good citleens. HENRY PITMAX. Ptoneti" Institute, Manchester..

GLOUCESTER CORN MARKET. — WEDNESDAY. 'SDAY W, ha- & gosd s'ippfy of English vruett at this and l.ne >eit;ht-tiring markets, the condition of which has been muc'i *>ffected by the la'e change in the weather, r.,1 eft <•* p,es a reduction of 2s. per quarter has to he submitted to. Foreign s.lls in retail at Is, p,=r quarter less money. Barley, both malting and grinding, is n fair request at about late currencies. The sale foe oats ia ot the most reta-1 character, and values have given way 61. per quarter. Beano, peas, and maiaa unaltered. LIVERPOOL PRODUCE MARKET.—TnuRSDAT. Suear The market continuss firn. No sales to report in molasses or rum. Coffee Sales of Alexandria Mocha at 80s. per cwt. Rice No sales to report. Lard Market quiet, but steady. laliow in s'eady request at fully late ratei. METROPO:, TAN CATLLE MARKET.—THURSDAY. There wer -ry few be ists on offer, and the number of buyers was d; however, in chyc.st qualities thera was a slight :a.nce, The supply of sheep was also very sui 11, and 0, eqaeutly rather higher prices were realised throughout, ihere were calves enough, and trade wai dull for them. ————. COMMERCIAL NEWS.—THURSDAY. ON 'CHANGE.—Tallow, 443. 31. to 44S. 6.1. on the spot. Linseed oil, 36s. 3d. to 30s. GI, Scarcely any business in metals, and prices unaltered* LOXDOX PRODUCE MARKET,-—-THURSDAY. Sugar Fair private contract business at very full rates. Refined steady. Coffee is not much in request, but prices are firm. Fine ordinary to low mIddlIng Plantation Ceylon, 7-59. to 79s. better sorts, 80s, to 80s. Tea Xot much doing, owing to hrge arrivals. Market firm: Kice noglec'ed rates weak for soft grain. Tallow firm at 44s. 6d. on the spot, with a fair business. CHEESE MARKETS. At Gloucester market there was a small supply; and it was quickly bought up. Prices for best cheese, 72s to 755. and seconds from 63s. to Gis. per cwt WOOL MAKKETS. London Market No q-lo,:ible change in price. Horue buyers act cautiously. At Bradford, Leeds, and Leicester, the market is quief, and prices have not undergone any material change. Liverpool Wool Sales: The first of a series of public sales for the present year commenced on Tuesday, and composed 2,212 bales of East India of a tolerably fair as- sortment. There was a good attendance of buyers. Com. petition fair, and although prices ruled somewhat irrega- larly, on the average last October sale rates were main tained.

BIRTHS. Oa the 29th ult., at 10, Docs-atreet, Newport, Mrs* Edward Jukes, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. On the 26th ult., ut Victoria-road Chapel, Newport, Mon., by the Rev. rlenry Oliver, B.A., Mr. Thomas Edwards, of Balh, to Miss Catherine Nichols, of Hill- street. Newport Mon. On the 27th ult., at St. Paul's Churcb, Newport, by the Rev. J. T. Wrenford, M.A., Mr. John BevaD, to Mr* Eliza J"Ue Hinchcliffe. DEATHS. Ou the 27th ultimo, at Dudley, the Rev. William Rogers, Baptist Minister, aged 77 years. On the 26th ultimo, at 11, Ruperra-street, Newport, M: widow of the late Mr. William Powe)), merchant. On the 23th ultimo, at his residence, the Watton Brecon, in his 74th year Mr. Thomas Giiffiths, builder and timber merchant. He was one of the oldest aud most respected tradesmen of the town his loss will be deeply fait by his sorrowing relatives and a very large circle of friends. His end was peace. On the 24th ult, at Langood castle, Breoonshire, Blanche, wife of the Rev. Edward Butler. On the 25th ult, at Belgate, Jane Frances, widow of the late FratlcisLewis Philip Secretan-James Woodhouse, Esq., in the 69th year of her age. On the 22nd ult., at the Varteg, Mr. William Rogers aged 98 years. On the 29th ult., at Commercial-street, Newport, 11r.. William Jewell, aged 22 years.