Monmouthshire Merlin

oelv Holts 011 ftabiitjj (Etetts. THB catastrophe to the Ville du Hatn-e-the splendid steamship which, struck suddenly amidships in the midst of the Atlantic, sunk in a few minutes, carry- ing down with her to their watery grave 226 souls, has had a sequel. On Saturday the crew of the Loch Earn, the ship which came into collision with her, reached Plymouth, and brought the news that the bow of the vessel had been so smashed up that, despite the utmost efforts torepair the damage, the crew were compelled to abandon her in six days after the collision, she being at the time in a sinking state. Her officers, crew, and passengers were rescued by the British Queen, bound for Antwerp, and from her were transferred to a pilot boat, which carried them safely into Plymouth. Captain ROBERTSON, the commander of the Loelt Earn, in his official deposition made before the port authorities of Plymouth, gives a widely different version of the collision from that which we had previously received from the captain of the Ville du Havre. He states that before the colli- sion occurred he was called up, and observed that his ■hip's lights were burning brightly on both bows. The helm had already been put hard aport, with the view of steering clear of the steamer, and his men were back. ing the after yards when the Ville du Havre rau across his bows and he was compelled to rnn into her. He believed that the disaster was caused by a mistake in the steering of the steamer if her helm had been ported" instead of being starboarded" the collision, he thinks,might have been avoided. Captain ROBERT- SON, we are glad to learn, exonerates the French com. mander from the grave imputations which had been cast upon his courage and self-possession, and testifies, as far as he can tell, that he stood by his vessel until she went down, was sucked into the vortex with her, and was rescued some time after by one of his own boats. We suppose the whole question will undergo a thorough invesigattion in order that the facts may be clearly understood, and such lessons gathered from the sad occurrence as it may be possible to derive from it. One reflection of a mitigating character does indeed suggest itself-if the Ville du Havre had been on her outward instead of her homeward voyage, she would doubtless have had a large number of emigrants on board, and the destruction of life would probably have been much greater. One of the few practioal sugges- tions called forth by this tragedy that we have noticed is that if these ships had been built in water- tight compartments they would not have sunk. We do not know how far that opinion may be correct, but if it should be well sustained, it would be surely desirable that at least all emigrant ships should be constructed upon this principle. TUB Metropolitan Cattle SHOW has been held this week in London. It was the seventy-third held under the auspices of the Smithfield Club, and the interest in the great annual exhibition of fat cattle shows no symptom of decline. The show of stock this year was, not only as regards numbers, but also quality, in advance of any that has heretofore been held. The increasing interest which is being felt in this exhibition, which is truly national in its charac. ter, may be gathered from the fact that the entries are 484 against 428 last year, and that they are >o numerous as nearly to absorb the available space at the disposal of the Agricultural Hall Company. The animals, too, came up in remarkably good health, and there was no whisper of a dread of the Foot and Mouth disease indeed, it seems that the health of the vast number of animals brought together was per. fectly good. The Cattle Show, as one of the principal attractions of London, not only maintains, but in- creases its popularity. The English people have a fondness for animals, and show a sympathy for them which, perfcaps, no other people in the whole world ahare to so large an extent; but besides this, they are essentially a meat-eating people, and the Metropolitan Cattle Show, representing as it does, the quality and extent of the meat supply throughout the country, becomes to them a matter of more than senti- mental interest. The increased quantity and improved quality of the cattle exhibited at Islington this week, may be taken as a type of the improve- ments which our agriculturists are making in the pro- duction of cattle, and all the facts of recent experience go to establish this-that cattle raising is constantly growing in importance, not only as the greatest, but the most profitable department of English farming Corn may be transported from the most distant parts in safety and with comparative cheapness, and so we may be independent of our own production for bread stuffs; but the difficulties of transporting live animals or fresh meat, are found practically to be very great and, indeed, no adequate substitute has been found for our home-fed English cattle. This Metropolitan Cattle Show recalls to our mind the vast importance of the question of our meat supply, and reminds us that however great may be the efforts which our farmers make to meet the demand of this nation of beef-eaters, they are unable to do so and so, while cattle are being produced in ever-increasing numbers, the price seems destined never to be lessened. AT a meeting of the Farmers' Club, held at the Salis bury hotel, London, on Tuesday last, the question appointed for discussion was "The Agricultural Labourer and the Poor Law." Mr. C. S. READ, the tenant-farmer member for West Norfolk, introduced the subject in an exceedingly able and useful lecture. in which it was exhaustively considered in various aspects. Mr. READ, on the subject of union amongst the labourers, admitted that they bad a right to com bine, but contended that their wages must be limited by the value of their labour to those who cultivate the bnd-if the wages demanded are excessive, then land must go into pasture. The force of this viiw is now being felt-for while the Free Trade measures of 1846 relieved the farmers from none of the burdens which pressed upon them, it conferred on them none of the advantages that it gave to the manufacturing and trading classes and now they are exposed, under most unfair conditions, to the competition of foreign agiiculturists. Here is the great-the insuperable difficulty in the way of any advance of wages to the agricultural labourers to a rate equal to that which those engaged in mining and manufacturing pursuits command. But yet their condition is very materially improved and—as Mr. READ showed by a reference to the correspondence of Mr. CLAYDON, the Secretary and travelling companion of Mr. ARCH in Canada which explains how great are the hardships endured by the settlers and farlll labourers in Canada-tht labourer in England is happier and healthier than, on the average, are those who are induced to emigrate, This is a very important subject, which it is well for farmers to consider. There is no doubt a necessity to meet the labourers' question in a wise, just, liberal and forbearing spirit-it is undoubtedly surrounded with great difficulties; but if it be approached by masters and men alike with the good sense and good temper displayed by Mr. READ, these difficulties may to a great extent be overcome. SIR SAMUEL BAKER was very warmly welcomed by the Royal Geographical Society, of which he is one of the most distinguished members, on Monday even- ing, at a meeting which was held in the theatre of the London University. The building was quite in. adequate to hold the large numbers of ladies and gentlemen who sought admittance but a most dis tinguished company, including their Royal High. nesses the PRINCE and PRINCESS OF WALES, and the DUKE or EDINBURGH, assembled to listen to the narrative of the extraordinary ad ventures and achieve- ments of the chivalous travellers Sir SAMUEL BAKER and his noble-hearted and courageous wife. We can- not recount the romantic story here, which, strictly and literally true as it was in all its details, had the fascination, aye and the marvels too, of a fairy tale and whatever may be the abiding results of practical advantage, it gave occasion for such a display of reso- lution, prudence, energy, and endurance as—as Sir BARTLE FRERE, the President, remarked, will hereafter be held in proud remembrance by Englishmen. The PRINCE OF WALES, on the conclusion of Sir SAMUEL'S address, made an exceedingly happy speech of wel- come to the illustrious travellers, and said that through all the dark hours when the public were alarmed with constant rumours of the hopeless difficulties and dangers with which he was said to be surrounded, so great was his faith in the untiring energy of the traveller, sportsman, and Fellow of the Royal Geo. graphical Society, he felt assured he would come back in safety, and that night his faith was honoured. It was indeed a memorable scene -when these heroic travellers, having accomplished an achievement abso. lutely unique, and opened a way for the introduction of civilisation into the centre of the most banighted spot on earth, at great personal peril and suffering, came back to receive the grateful and enthusiastic plaudits of their countrymen, who had waited for their return with so much solicitude. THE first Session of the Irish Catholic University, J* which was held in Dublin a few days ago, has at least had the effect of exposing the folly and impracti. cability of Mr. GLADSTONE'S idea that the Romish party in Ireland are to be bribed into any honest and true-hearted acceptance of the principles of religious equality, of which, when it suits their purpose, they are such loud-mouthed advocates—or will be con. tented with anything short of supreme religious ascendency. One of the resolution* passed at that meeting declared that the Irish University Bill, which the true Protestants of the three kingdoms felt WM a sacrifice of religious principles which it was quite impossible they could sanction, yet failed to secure the confidence of the Irish people as not providing adequately for their interests and claims," adding, "that the Catholic Union pledges itself toaid, by all the means in its power, the Bishops in establishing a eye. tern of education in accordance with the principles of their recent resolutions." What rapid progress they have already made in this direction we may judge from the statement made that there have already been affiliated 31 colleges and schools to the reorganised College in Dublin. It will be remembered that when Mr. GLADSTONE brought forward his Bill at the com- mencement of last Session, it was objected to it that the influence of the affiliated schools and colleges which it was proposed should be represented on the Board would so control its government as to make it sub- stantially a Roman Catholic institution; but even then, what was considered as the most extreme esti- mate of the number of those establishments likely to be affiliated, came far short of the actual number that has been already reached. This justifies the argu- ment of those who opposed the measure which Mr. GLADSTONE, with his usual ingenuity, but yet his usual shortsightedness on Irish affairs, so ridiculed and rejected. Nor was this all the corroboration that was afforded to the arguments of those who opposed the Bill on the score of the Romish clerical influence it would introduce into the government of the Univer- sity. Already are we told that an "Episcopal Council" has been appointed as supreme directors of the enter- prise. Thus we see how fully justified were the friends of Protestantism and of religious freedom who opposed this measure in the course which they adopted and we see, too, how hopeless is the rupture between Mr. GLADSTONE and his late Ultramontane supporters.

-= LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. THE TREDEGAR CATTLE SHOW.—We wonld remind our readers that this large and important sale of horses, fat stock, poultry, and implements, takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday next. The entries are large, and the show promises to be fully equal to, if not better, than that of last year. If the weather is open, the show of hunters will take place at Coed- kernew as usual, but if the frost continues, arrange- ments will be made for trying them in the cattle market, as was done two years ago. The trials will take place on Tuesday, and the show dinner on Wed- nesday. HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS.—The Board met at the Town-hall on Friday, Mr. S. Homfray occupied the chair. The minutes having been confirmed, the harbour dues were reported to be for November, 1873, £ 112 2s. 5d., as compared with £ 125 4s., or a decrease of £ 13 Is. 7d. The receipts for the gridiron during tl, e past month were X33 13s. 9d., as against X32 13B. 9d. for November, 1872, being an increase of 5s. The voluntary contributions to the Infirmary amounted to £14 15s. 6d.-A resolution, expressive of sympathy and condolence with the bereaved widow an I family of the deceased Mr. Joseph Latch, and of reg et at the loss the Commission had sustained, was eutered on the minutes.—The Harbour-master re- ported that Mr. William Graham intended erecting the new ballast stage on the property of Mr. Price, and would avail himself of the sum of X125 offered by the Commissioners, and would proceed to construct the stage forthwith. The gridiron had been repaired by Mr. John Broad, and the work had been performed in a satisfactory manner. With respect to the con- sideration of the scale of gridiron charges at Cardiff and Liverpool, letters in connection therewith were presented with the report. -The letters were read, and the matter was referred back to the Committee, who were desired to re-consider the subject. -A letter was read from the Chamber of Commerce, directing atten- tion to the necessity of providing for this port in- creased dry dock accommodation. It was stated that although there were two dry docks in the port yet they were so occupied that no other vessel could be stemmed till January.-A letter was read from Mr. James Maddock, on behalf of the City of Cork Steam- ship Company, asking for protection from the Board against the depredations made by thieves on their wharf, which was without the jurisdiction of the borough authorities. Hence thieves carried on their depredations with comparative safety. After con- sideration, the Board were of opinion that the appli- cation comld not he entertained, inasmuch as it was a private wharf. The letter was ordered to lie on the table. THE DEBATING CLUB.-On Monday evening the meeting was presided over by Mr. W. West. The subject for discussion was Oliver Cromwell's con- duct, Mr A. H. Oliver affirming that it deserved con- demnation. Mr. Oliver was supported by Messrs. Calcutt, Lockhart, and Hazell. Mr. Cronipton took the initiative on the negative aspect of the question, and was supported by Messrs. Adams, Edwards, Howell, and others. Mr. Oliver replied, aud on a division a large majority appeared in favour of the negative. The Chairman said he was exceedingly gratified, and thought the club deserved every com- mendation and support, lu his younger 'lays lie had taken part in su(;h an institution, and knew several members whose posi ion in the religious and political world might be traced to their connection with that club. The usual votes of thanks were given. The club now numbers upwards of fifty membere. CnURCH PREFERMENTS.—Rev. John Beynon, Vicar of Goldclitf; Rev. J. T. Harding, Vicar of Rock- eld, Monmouth Rev. W. W. Harriee, Rector of Michaelstone-super-Ely, with St. Bride's-snper-Ely, Glamorganshire Rev. Howell Howell Hector of Aberystruth, Blaina, Mon. Rev. Charles E. Meeres, V icar of Pendeen, Penzance. OJ SJLENDID RUN WITH THE TREDEGAR HOUNDS. —The following is a report of a splendid run with the Tredegar Hounds on the 4th instant. The hounds met at Coedkernew, and were put into a small brake just below the keeper's house. They had hardly been in cover a minute before a fox broke at the lower end, with his head pointing first towards Marshfield, but after going about two fields he bore to the left, as if for St. Bride's but on reaching the old road leading from Marshfield towards Newport, ha continued along it till opposite Mr. Morgan's cover, into which he went, passing straight through and working along the side of the South Wales line into Tredegar belt. Here he turned to his left, across the Werns and out on to Mr. Stratton's farm behind Pencarn farm, and on through Duffryn brake to Newport and Cardiff road, across which he led at a good pace under the Park wall, past Cleppa pond, through Pensheddon dingle, over old Cardiff road, past Crosceollyd farm to Round Cover, and then into Bassalleg road by Red Barn. Here Reynard made up the road about a quarter of a mile, and then turned off on to Mr. William Rees's farm. Leaving his house on his left, crossed the Rhiwderin- lane, past the Nedda farmhouse, skirting the Nedda wood, into Park wood, opposite Llanwrst, down to the pond, and out again on to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, along which he ran till he crossed over the Machen road, up through Graig Wilt, and then across all that beautiful grass breast to Church road station, and up the hill to the limekilns near Mr. Young's farm; then away over the crest and half way up to the top of Machen Mountain, when, evidently finding himself beaten, he sunk it again, working round the bottom and above Upper Machen. Eventually he was run into the open on the Bedwas side of the Machen station, near Mr. Woodruff's tinworks. The time from find to finish was about an hour and a half. The first two miles were at a pace as hard as horses could race, and all-both riders and horses-had had quite enough by the time this gallant fox was killed. Nothing could be more perfect than the style in which the hounds hunted their fox, and the way they ran him all through the flocks of mountain sheep was a perfect treat for any sportsman to watch. There were a good many people out, and I cannot omit to mention the beautiful way in which a lady on a remarkably neat black horse, and piloted. 1 believe, by her hus- band, took every description of obstacle as it came in her way, and was most justly presented at the finish with the brush by the gallant master, the Hon. G. C. Morgan. The whole field were sumptuously enter- tained by Mr. Augustus Morgin, at Machen, as they were passing his house on their way back This gallant pack with its generous and much loved master the hon. Godfrey Morgan, the huntsman and several hunting gentlemen whose faces are well known at local meets, have been most successfully photographed by Mr. Villiers, and the picture may now be seen in his window, commercial-street, where it has been an object of attraction for some days. PLLLGWENLLY WESLEYAN DAT SCHOOL SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES.—The prizes and certifi- cates won by the successful students in these olasses were distributed by Mr. Taylor, the teacher, in the tchoolroom on the 5th instant, as under :—Physical geography (advanced stage)—.Certificates—P. G. Gale; John Davies, Miss Harries, and William Bennett. Elementary stage (Queen's prize and oertificates)- A. A. Wall, W. C. Pugsley, G. L. Baker, J. Witheridge, W. Roberts, G. H. White, J. Hopkins, and J. Ker slake certificates—W. S. Bain, W. E. Power, D. E Baker, L L. Jones, P. W. Oakey, F. C. Sergent, G T. Sergent, C. E. Edwards, J. N. Evans. Animal physiology (advanced stage) —Queen's prize and certi- ficate -John Pope elementary stage, Queen's prize and certificates -Miss Harries, William Pugsley, G. L. Baker, J. Witheridge certificates-A. A. Wall, R. B. Barclay, E. W. Jones, A. Stokes, W. S. Bain, G. W. White, F. Vowles, W. Roberts, J. N. Evans, Miss Roberts, F. W. Oakey, C. Edwards, J. Hopkins, J. Keralake, G H. Llewellyn. Mathematics (Queen's prize and certificate)-Miss Harries, J. Ryan certifi- cates-W. Pugsley, G. L. Baker, J. Witheridge, A. A. Wall, Miaa Roberts. NEWPORT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. — The annual meeting of the Elementary Teachers Associa- tion of Newport and Monmouthshire was held on Saturday last, December 6th, at the Wesleyan School, Pillgwenlly, Mr. H. Taylor in the chair. A large number of teachers attended. The annual report was read by the secretary, Mr. E. J. Smith, and the financial statement by Mr. Gale, treasurer. The afternoon was occupied in the discussion of several topics of interest to the profession, after which the company partook of an excellent tea, provided by jthe committee of the schools—an act of kindness and con- sideration which elicited the warmest expressions of appreciation from all assembled. The following otfi- cers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. Dugdale, National Schools vice-president, Mr. Pope, Blaina Works Schools treasurer, Mr. Gale, Maindee National Schools secretary, Mr. E. J. Smith, British School, Newport. A pleasant hour was spent after tea in fraternal intercourse and the revision of the rules of the association. FATAL ACCIDENTS. — On Tuesday morning an inquest was held at the Queen's Hotel, before W. H. Brewer, Esq., Esq., coroner, on the body of Ed- mund Fitzgerald, a young navvy, eighteen years of age, who had been in the employ of Mr. Joseph Fir- bank and died in the Newport Infirmary from the effects of an accident which happened to him whilst at his work in the neighbourhood of Aberbeeg. George Powell stated that on the morning of the 5th instant, the new road was being ballasted, and for this purpose an engine was employed to draw trucks down from Nantyglo, laden with material to ballast the line. At short intervals the engine was stopped to discharge ballast. Deceased rode at one end of a truck with his legs hanging over, and witness was riding in front of the same truck. There was a stop- page and a jerk, when deceased fell, and one wheel pased over his left leg. Witness jumped down very quickly, and pulled deceased away before a second wheel could pass over him. No one else was in the truck at the time, and there was no "skylarking." It was because of the jerk that deceased fell, and if he had been careful this accident would not have hap- pened. By dtceased's own request he was removed as quickly as possible to the Newport Infirmary, where u u three hours. It was found that his pelvis had been injured and his bladder burst. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death.On Wed- nesday the Coroner and a jury again met at the Q-en s Hote. to inquire into the circumstances by which a labourer named Patrick Driscoll came to his death. On Monday afternoon whilst on the Mon- mouthshire Railway near the Liverpool Wharf, de- ceased was run over by some trucks and dreadfully injured. He was removed to the Infirmary and died there a few hours after his arrival. No blame was attached to any one, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." SMITHFIELD CLUB SHow.-This great exhi- bition of fat stock opened on Monday, and is said to have been one of the largest and finest ever held. In the short horn classes Lord Tredegar took a third prize of xie for a heifer, Violet," 3 years and 8 months old, bred by himself. Mr. Joseph Stratton, of Alton Priors, was also a successful exhibitor, tak. ing a second prize of X20 for a steer bred by his late father. In the class for heifers he was highly com- mended for a very promising animal. A more ex- tended report of the meeting will be found in another column. THE ROSS AND MONMOUTH RAILWAY.—The last bridge on the Ross and Monmouth Railway has been tested by a ballast train of over two hundred tons weight, and was found perfect. The line, which has hitherto been open only for passenger traffic, is now nearly completed, and will be opened for goods traffic on New Year's Day. BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—Bristol Meeting, 1874.—This meeting will commence on Monday June 8. Prizes to the amount of £2070 are offered by the Society in the several departments of stock, poultry, arts, and Honiton lace, and the list will be agumented by the offer of f530 by the Bristol local committee, chiefly with the view to the encouragement of horses and cattle breeding, dairy produce. &c. Mr. Miles, of Exeter, renews his prizes for horse-shoeing and the Wrington and West Mendip Association offer X35 in prizes for sheep- shearing, open to all'England. Among the special prizes are two of 50gs. each, offered by the Society of Merchant Venturers of Bristol for the best thorough- bred and cart stallions respectively, which will be required to attend the Bristol market fortnightly for a limited term whilst the local committee offer prizes of £ 25 and £10 for mares or geldings fitted for tr-Wll work X20 and Xio for cart mares foaled in 1870 and 1871 X20 and £10 for mules 15 hands high; and a champion prize of X50 for the best hunter, mare or gelding, in the yard equal to 14 stone across country. Jumping will be discountenanced; and as an encouragement to the owners of valuable horses to send their animals for competition, the rules relating to veterinary inspection will be materially relaxed. In the classes for horned cattle the local committee offer I st and 2nd prizes of .£10 and zC5 for the best pans of Shorthorn, Hereford, and Devon heirers respectively a champion prize of X40 for the best bull in the yard, irrespective of class and a second champion priz:) of £ 30 for the best in-calf co-.v in the yard. Fir.-t and second sheep prizes of £10 and zCc) are offered for the best 10 four-tooth couples, tn the wool, long ard short respectively. X31) for cheese XS for fresh butter. A separate miscellaneous department will ba established, aud in this, carriages and other articles not strictly agricultural, will "be perja tted to be shown at advanced rates. NEWPORT HISTRIONIC CLUB.—There was a very large audience at the Victoria-hall last Wed- nesday evening on the occasion of the entertainment given by this Club in aid of the funds of the Sailors Home. The pieces selected were A Dodge for a Dinner" The Old Story" an amusing Comedy in two Acts by H. J. Byron, illustrative of the old proverb Prosperity makes friends adversity tries them," and The Quiet Family" properly described as a screaming farce. The club were ably supported t by the ladies belonging to Mr. Harris's Company. The intervals were filled with some excellent music by Mr. Harris's Orchestral band. The only drawback to the evening's enjoyment was the intense cold which made itself unpleasantly felt all through the hall. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.—We observe that Mr. Francis Reed, of Exeter College, Oxford, and of Fullands School, Taunton, took his B. A. degree at the University on the 4th December. I NEWPORT TRAMWAYS.—The Directors of this Company have given evidence that they mean to fel- low up the scheme to its completion with as little delay as possible, and there is a prospect of the work being commenced at an early date. The directors an- nounce by advertisement ic another column that they are prepared to receive tenders for the construction of the first section-about a mile and a half of single line from the Victoria Hall to Pillgwenlly and the Newport Docks. Renders are to be sent in before the 5th January, and plans and specifications may be in- spected at the offices of the engineer, T. Dyne Steel, Esq., Bank Chambers, after Monday next.

NEWPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. -410 A special meeting of this Chamber was held at the I office of the Pilotage Commissioners on Thursday for the purpose of considering Mr. West's notice of motion on the subject of the Bank Act of 1844. Mr. T. B. Batchelor, President, occupied the chair. The attendance was limited. Mr. West, in introducing the subject, said he was glad to find it had already been taken up by the Glasgow Chamber, and that a circular had been received from that body asking the co-operation of this Chamber in the direction in which they proposed to seek the modification of the provisions of the Bank Act of 1844. Unfortunately the object which the Glasgow Chamber had in view ap- peared to be rather vague, and they did not seek for a modification of the Bank Act in the manner he had proposed, but as the Glasgow Chamber had taken the initiative he thought it incumbent on this Chamber to aid the first commercial body that had moved in the matter. Therefore, without going into the form in which he would wish the subject should go before the Associated Chambers at their next meeting, he would propose that the members of this Chamber, being in thorough accord with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and manufac- tures with respect to the working of the Bank Act of 1844, pledges itself to support the Glasgow hamber in its efforts. He wished, however, to advert to one or two points which he thought would justify them in supporting the resolution he had proposed in lieu of that of which he had originally given notice. No doubt many of the gentlemen present could recall to their minds the discus- sionl which took place previous to the passing of the Act of 1844. It was to secure the convertibility of the X5 note at any time and at any bank that the Act was passed, and Sir Robert Peel divided the issue and banking depart- ments of the Baak of England to facilitate that object. The panics of '47 and '57 showed the fallacy of the Bank Act. On both those occasions Government had to inter- fere, and the Bank of England was authorised to issue credit notes. In '47 the issue was not limited, but in '57 it was limited to £ 2,000,000. In 1864 there was another panic, when the rate of discount was raised to 9 per cent., but fortunately an unexpected arrival of Australian gold brought it to an end without the necessity for Government interference. It was only by watchfulness and the aid of the telegraph that a panic had been avoided a little time since, because by these means and appliances capitalists were forewarned and forearmed. All these things showed the fallacy of the scheme for preserving the convertibility of the Bank of England note, and that the Act of '44 had been operative for evil rather tkan for good. There-, fore he felt that this Chamber as a representative body would be perfectly justified in coming to a resolution in support of any steps the Glasgow Chamber might take for the purpose of procuring a modification of the Bank Act of 1844. To show that Government had no faith in the Act he reminded them of the alarm created in the minds of capitalists when it somehow oozed out that Mr. Lowe intended to take steps for empowering the governors of the Bank of England to issue credit notes whenever the rate of discount reached 10 per cent. There was in that an admission of the weakness of the Act. Apart from these considerations he thought there were other reasons why they should support any commercial body seeking the modification of that Act. The alteration which had taken place in the conditions of trade since 1844 was in itself a sufficient reason for seek- ing an alteration in the Bank of England system of working. In consequence of the increase of trade and the greater accumulation of capital in joint stock compa- nies and banks, and the facilities that were afforded for commercial transactions with foreign countries the drains upon the Bank of England were greater, and it more fre- quently happened that the balance at the Bank of Eng- land was reduced beyond the limit allowed. The rate of discount had then to be raised in order to bring back gold to make up the balance, and consequently instead of achieving the object for which the Bank Act was passed they were actually aiding the capitalists in keeping up the rate of discount. Such high rates were very injurious to commerce because he supposed there were very few capitalists who did not occasionally, at least, have to resort to discount houses for the purpose of meeting cur- rent requirements and when they had to give discount equal to the profit they would receive it signified some disastrous result. (Hear, hear.) Therefore the Bank of England did not afford facilities to the home trader. It was by reason of the increase of loreign trade that the reserves had been reduced and the rates made so con- tinually to fluctuate, and consequently without some alte- ration they could not expect such a moderate rate of interest as was necessary for extending the commerce of the country. Mr Goss asked if the power of the Bank to raise the rate of discount did not prevent money going out of the country. Mr. West said no. On the contrary the Bank of Eng. land using reserves for discount when they were reduced below a certain amount made it necessary to raise the rate of discount in order to win back the gold they had been instrumental in sending abroad. It having been explained that it would not be invidious or inimical for two Chambers of Commerce to send up resolutions to the Central Chamber on the same subject. Mr. West said in that case, he woald rather maintain the course he had originally proposed. The Chairman thought it would be the most certain way of assisting the Glasgow Chamber. Mr West said he would, under these circumstances, keep to the original resolution. Mr. Lovell said this matter was brought forward at the the Cardiff meeting, but in a very vague manner, and af- terwards a notice of motion was introduced in the pro- gramme for discussion at the forthcoming meeting of the Associated Chambers. He thought that would almost do away with the necessity for the motion before them. The Glasgow Chamber was doing no more in his opinion than had already been done by the Sheffield Chamber, and that was to move for an inquiry into the working of the Bank Act generally. There was no doubt at all in his mind of the injury this Act entailed on the commerce of the country, and a more fitting subject for discussion could hardly be brought under the notice of Chambers of Com- merce. It was a very intricate question, and the only way in which he thought it couH be properly dealt with would be by a Royal'Commission or a Commis-ion com- m sslon posed of great financiers assisted by mercantile men. (Hear, hear. i He did not think it would be well to leave it entirely to the financiers as they might be interested in maintaining the high rates of interest, therefore he thought it should lie discuseed by a joint committee. He had always deplored this Act and considered it a great stumbling block to the prosperity of the country. It had been an incubus on commercial enterprise and until removed they would be subject to these spasmodic revolutions in the financial markets. He held that as the Bank of England was empowered by Government to repulite the rate of discount some power should be added to enable them to come to the rescue of commerce and prevent the suffering entaijed by high rates of discount He should therefore have much pleasure in seconding Mr. West's resolution, for he believed its adoption would be the best means of supporting the Glasgow Chamber and also of confirming the opinion of the Sheffield Chamber, but he would venture to suggest that Mr. West had left it off too soon. The Chairman That is the beauty of it. Mr. Lovell thought it was hardly complete. He thought if it were confirmed by the Associated Chamber that body should be asked te take some steps with i view to getting the evil corrected. The Chairman pointed out that the resolution simply said to memorialise the Chambers to consider if the Act is in restraint of the legitimate commerce of the country." If the Chambers decided that it was not in restraint there would be an end of the matter. Mr. Roper was in favour of the resolution as submitted. He thought it would meet the matter quite sufficientlv. The Associated Chambers would take the whole matter into consideration, and come to some resolution upon it. Mr. Lovell still held that it was hardly sufficient, and Mr. West then consented to certuin alterations which made the resolution read as given below That this Chamber requests the Associated Chambers of Commerce to consider and determine, at the next meeting of delegates, whether the provisions of the Bank Act of 1844, are in restraint of the legitimate commerce of the country, at those periods when sudden fluctuations in the money markets of the world necessitate a greater elasti- city of working, than their present restrictive construction affords, and, in the event of the delegates affirming the principle of restraint, that they be requested to take such action in the matter as may laad to the removal of the evils complained of." In this form the resolution was seconded by Mir. Lovell, and unanimously adopted. The Chairman said the Chamber was much indebted to Mr West for bringing this matter forward, and he thought they had done quite rigln in going direct to the As-oaiated Chambers rather than through the Scotch Chamber, because the banking operations of the two countries were somewhat different. No other business was <nsacted.

TRIAL OF THIi CLAIMANT. Cj,, t o ir Supplement.) OXE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHTH DAY ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. lwo witnesses, named George Jenkins and Walter cfrks t(' Messrs. Cory Brothers, London and Cardiff, deposed to Luie having called on that firm oa the 4th July last, and, under the name of Captaia Luadbag, endeavoured to obtain aa advance of £30. He came a second time, and was detained while inquiries were being made, but on pretence of going out to dinner he left and never returned The second of these witnesses was a lad, and Dr. Keneaiy pressed him closely with questions about who had taken down his statement. The Lord Chief Justice remarked incidentally that the real meaning of such questions was that the wit- ness had been told what to say. Dr. Kenealy fired up, and charged his lordship with perpetually insulting him." The Lord Chief Justice told him sharply not to use such language, as it would not be borne. The expression having been repeated, his lordship rejoined, "You have no business to ad- dress such language to me, sir." Both the other judges complained quite as strongly of the waste of time caused by the Doctor's style of cross-examination. Dr. Kenealy humbly observed that he must endure it all, whereupon his Lordship told him that during the seventeen years he had presided on that bench he had never had an unpleasant word with counsel until he had the misfortune to preside over this trial. Mr. Serjeant Parry ejaculated a hearty assent, and the members of the Bar, who crowded behind him, testi- fied their approval. After this scene Mr. W. Windsor and Mr. H. Groom, of the firm of Windsor and Co., detailed an attempt which Luie had made, under the name of Captain Storm, to get money out of them on a forged letter of introduction. Mr. W. Mathwin and another witness described how in 1835 Luie had obtained an advance from W. Heald and Co., of Newcastle, on a similar representa- tion. It was then proved by three witnesses-Mr. Thomas, a Customs officer at Liverpool, Mr. Plowden, a passenger by the Circassian steamer, which arrived on the 29th of May last, and Mr. Macdonald, the purser of the Circassian, that Luie had not been a passenger by that vessel from New York, for, in fact, it did not call there. Two officials of the South-Eastern Railway Com- pany testified to there being no passenger boats from Folkestone to Ostend. Dr. Keneaiy, on the conclusion of the evidence, applied for an adjournment of the question till Mon- day, that the defence might deliberate on the course they should take with respect to Luie. The Court would not grant longer than till next morning, as it did not see how the deliberations of the defendant's supporters affected the case. Subsequently, on the application of Dr. Keneaiy, Luie underwent medical examination in one of the rooms attached to thp Court. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINTH DAY. Evidence of the medical examination of Luie having been given, Dr. Keneaiy intimated that it quite satis- fied him, and he should call no witnesses in support of the statements made by Luie. The Court then unhesitatingly ordered Luie to be prosecuted for perjury. The Doctor afterwards proceeded with his address to the jury, and made an attcck upon Mr. Holmes, the defendant's former solicitor, with respect to a large sum of money raised in support of the claimant's case. The treatment to which Lady Tichborne was subjected to by the family was also dwelt upon, and the Court adjourned.

HUN TIN G APPOINTMENTS. THE TREDEGAR HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday Dec. 15 Gros-Ilan-fro. Thursday 18 Tredegar Park. At quarter to eleven o'clock LLANGtBBY AND CHEPSTOW HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday Dec. 15 Pencoed Castle Half-past ten o'clock.

THURSDAY'S MARKETS. BRISTOL CORN EXCHANGE. Prices of British and foreign grain :-English wheat White (480 lbs), 62s to 64s Red, 56s to 60s ConeJ 55s to 56s. Beans English (imperial), 44s to 50s Foreign (480 lbs), 39a to 42. Barley Malting barley (imperial), 38s to 50s grinding (400 lbs), 31s 6d te 32s. Foreign wheats Winter American (496 lbs), nil Spring, 62s to 64s. Marianople, 60s to 62s; Odessa Ghirka, 60s to 61s Taganrog, 598 to 60s California, 69s to 70s Flour Welsh P. tie (280 lbs), 48s to 48s 6d Leather tie, 236 lbs) 50s to 50s 6d: Barrels (196 lbs), 32s to 33s. LONDON CATTLE MARKET. Good supply of beasts as to number and qualitv. Trade slow, especially for better class, and prices de- clined 2d per stone. Sheep market quiet and unaltered. Cow market very dull. English, £21 to 127; Dutch j620 to f25 per head. Calves unaltered. PorK the turn lower. Quotations :—Beef, 5s 2d to 6s 4d mut- ton, 5s lOd to 7a veal, 5s 4d to 6s 6d pork, 38 10i to 5s. Beasts, 1,470; sheep, 4,870 calves, 140; pigs, 85. Including-Foreign: Beasts, 450; sheep 2,030; calves, 100; pigs, 25. LONDON PRODUCE MARKET. Sugar market quiet but steady. Public sales chiefly withdrawn, owing to continued fog. Coffee very firm, and several lots at auction realised rather higher rates. Tea Young Hysons sold Id dearer. Indian at auc. tion mostly withdrawn owing to bad weather. Rice quiet but firm. Rum inactive. Dried fruit a little doing at public sales, good qualities realising full values. Cotton steady on the spot; arrivals rather dearer. Jute firm and active. Tallow, new, about 40s 3d on the spot. LONDON METAL MARKET. Copper 50 tons Chili done at £8:! one month, with option to deliver double the quantity. Tiu, no busi- ness reported, and prices quite nomiual. Spelter and lead unaltered. English sheet zinc at auction realised £3(1 2s 6d to C30 5s. Scotch pig iron at Glasgow declined to 105s. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET. Market steady. Business at from 105s 3d to 105s, closing nominally at latter. CORK BUTTER MARKET. Ordinary: Firsts, 145s; seconds, 134s; thirds, 115s; fourths, 104s; fifths, 9os sixths, 80s. Mild cured: Firsts, 152s; seconds, 139s; thirds, 121s. In the market, 934 firkins. GLASGOW CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET Improved demand. Goo i business done at stiifec prices.

T R A F F TC RET URNS MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAY AND CANAT. Week endiug December 6, 1873 £ 3,923 9 9 Corresponding week, 1872. £ 3 241 1 4 GREAT WESTEitX. Week ending December 7, 1873 £ 97 446 0 9 Corresponding week, 1872 £ 90,408 0 9 BRECON AND MERTHYR. Week ending December 7, 1873 £ 1,498 12 5 Corresponding week, 1872 £ 1,185 19 1 N. 1 TAFF VALE. Week ending December 6, 1S73 £ 8 556 0 0 Corresponding week, 1872 £6,540 0 0 PEXARTH HAP-BOOR, DOCK, & RAILWAY. Week ending December 6, 1S73 £ 2,166 0 0 Corresponding week. 1P72 £ 1,321 0 9

NEWPORT INFIRMABf AND DISPHNSABY. WEEK ENDING DECEMBER ô- Patients attended at the Dispensary 34i Patients attended at their homes. 171 Patients in the Infirmary during the week 18 Dr. DAVI ES, Surgeon for the week. GEORGE A. DAVT* House -surgeon. The House Surgeon begs to acknowledge with thftnW he receipt of some old linen from Mrs. Jaines Gething.

The Bank rate was yesterday reduced from 5 per cent., to which it was lowered on the 4th inst., to 41. AGBEEABLEJ COUGH MEDICINE.-P:¡¡:PPEl¡'¡,: WHITE Coua- AIIXTURE is the mo,t mliai)le cure f)r U >lds, Asthnm, Bronchitis, C<nisutn[)tion, and iUl ijunft Dis -s"s. Lt dislodge, the phlegm and fives the patient rest at 1 t. feasants* the taste, and immediate in eilect.— Bottle* s 1 i-i .id 2s. 94, each all Chemists.—Asents in iVewport.h'HU.Lip- "hemist

BIxvTH. TRAVERS -On the 11th ilist., at EllesmercHouse, New- port. Monmouthshire the wife of W. F. Travers Esq., of a son. MARRIAGE. MORGAN—DAVIES.—On the 9th inst., at Mount Zioa Chapel, Newport, by the Key. i>. Davis, minister of the place, assisted 1 y the xvt-v. f. LI. Jon. Machen Mr Daniel Morgan o; M:,cuc a. to ,Urs. x.uc Newport. 5 DEATHS. POTTER—On the 2nd inst., at her. it.silence, Clarence- pltce Aewpor Kary Ann, w:.10\v oi the late Peter iroi-ttr, aged yea; THOMAS—Oa the 5th inst., at Pontymiiter, Mr. John I homas, aged 45 years. On Jie 7th ii at Lewis-street, Newport, Mrs. Catherine Moses, !,ged 74 years. LEWIS—On the 8„N_i:I;at Summer Hill Villa, Mr. John Lewis, )ate of the dryn, near BI tckwood, agei 82 years. FITZGERALD On the oih inst., at the Dispensary, Edmund son of Mr. Fi\z?er&»<i. r.sre-l i8 years. MORGAN—On the i0:h inst., linger, Mr. William Morgan, aged 44 years ELLIOTT.— On the 10tn mst., at St. Br: near Rock and Fouataii. Mr. John Elliott, aged t S jgars.

our city and of the whole of. Italy" that his HOLINESS proposed to speak he designed rather to show the unhappy general condition of the Church in both hemispheres, but especially in Switzerland and Prussia.. He complains most bitterly of Switzerland, where the Government has, as he says, "claimed the right of re-forming the constitution of the Catholic Church according to the democratic pattern." In Geneva, the Bishop, he states, was subjected to forcible banishment," and every parish priest compelled to subscribe an oath which involved actual apostacy. In Basle the Bishop, for non-compliance, was banished from his Bishopric, expelled from his house, and violently driven into exile;" and in Rome sixty-nine parish priests, he states, of the Canton of Jura were forbidden to exercise their functions and the consequence is that the whole of that district has been deprived of mass, the rites of baptism, mar- riage and burial, and all assistance and minis- try of their priests." Turning from Switzer- land to Prussia, the POPE complains that the same spirit of persecution rages still more bitterly. According to the laws recently adopted there, the Bishops are not permitted to exercise their Episcopal functions save only at the pleasure of the civil authority," and to cap the climax, a Royal tribunal for eccle- siastical affairs has been instituted, before which Bishops and sacred pastors may be Cited, there to receive judgment as criminals, and to be coerced in the exercise of their Sacred office." Although the reference to the Old Catholic" movement comes last in the Port's letter, yet it is not the least important, and u the attempts and aims of those unhappy sons of perdition," come in for the terrible male- diction of His HOLINESS, especially that im- pious and most impudent of documents which has lately been publishod by him whom they have set up for themselves as their so-called Bishop This is the matter, after all, which most excites the wrath of the POPE, and Appears m.ost to arouse his uneasiness for the future. He* waxes furious as he speaks of those men going on more boldly in the way of iniquity and perdition," and determining to form a hierarchy and to set up for themselves as their pseudo Bishop a certain notorious Apostate from the Catholic Faith, JOSEPH HUBERT REINKENS, who dares to call himself a Bishop; and, incredible as it may seem, the Most Serene EMPEROR OF GEHMANT has ac- knowledged him as a Catholic Bishop." Of course the POPE repudiates the validity of Dr. RIINKENS' claims to Episcopal authority. The very rudiments of Catholic teaching," he says, declare that no one can be held to be a lawful Bishop who does not adhere to the Supreme Pastor, to whom all the sheep of CHRIST are committed to be fed;" and if any one thus casts himself off from the Holy See, he becomes an outcast from the Christian religion, since he is not in the same bond of union." From these facts the POPB reminds his Venerable Brethren how grave and full of danger is the condition of Catholics in the countries of Europe which he had mentioned. "Nor," he proceeds to add, are matters more favourable in America." As the old man looks out from the Vatican over Christendom, he takes a dark and hopeless view of every- thing. How unlike the Apostle PAUL, who took occasion in the moment of his greatest extremity and his darkest trial, to testify his most cheerful confidence in GOD and in the triumph of His truth, is this querulous old POPE, who appears to give vent to the spleen and disappointment of his heart without hoping to accomplish any definite good. It may be true, as Pius IX states, that in the external circumstances of the Romish Church in many countries there is much that is ad- verse but we wish we could think the fierce Spirit of the great Apostacy to be on the wane. On the contrary, we fear the genius of Popery is to day as arrogant and cruel as it has been at any day since the Reformation; and our eyes would be blind indeed if we did not perceive that in some places that spirit is developing formidable strength.