Monmouthshire Merlin

-0 MURDER ON. BOARD TIIE SHIP TORY\ j It will be remembejed by our readers that Capt. Johnstone, of the ship Tory, recently brought the extraordinary charge of mutiny and murder against his crew, which charge, on investi- gation, was abandoned, and the captain was placed at the bar ? himself, charged wi.th the wilful murder of three of his crew. The details of the evidence brought against him were of the ( most horrible and sickening kind. He appeared to have been actuated by a desire to see how far human nature could endure the most barbarous tortures that his ingenuity could devise; and the result was, that his savage treatment drove his chief mate to commit suicide, by leaping overboard, and caused the death of two others of his crew. The reason alleged for Ius, extraordinary treatment of his victims was, that he had dis- covered an intended mutiny on board, in which these parties were implicated; but, in the absence of all proof to substanti- ate the accusation of mutiny, the supposition that the captain was mad i. the most charitable that can be found for him at present. After a. long investigation of the charges against Captain Johnstone, on Wednesday week, the case was remanded to last Monday, but it was then stated that Johnstone was too ill to attehd, and a further adjournment to next Tuesday was ordere a.

HORRIBLE MURDER & ROBBERY NEAR KNOWLE, IN WARWICKSHIRE. A. murder, und er circumstances of peculiarly atrocious ) character, has been committed upon the person of a respectable old man, named '1 "ranter, a farmer, residing in a lone house situate in the parià1 of Berkeswell, midway between Coventry and Hampton i-ailxi ray stations. The old man appears to have been of a most eci :entric character, so much so, that he would, not allow any persion to sleep in the house with him. He breakfasted last M onday morning with a boy named SatchwelJ, whom he employe d. about his grounds, and afterwards went with him into a fe tid, to point out the work he wished to be- done in the course of the day a short time afterwards the oldi man returned to 1 is house, and was not again seen alive. At; ten o'clock the b, )y observed the shutters of the house were closed. This cire umstance does not, however, seem to have excited any partici alar attention in his mind, it being customary s for the old man to* do this whenever he left the house. About. one o'clock the lad. went to the house to obtain his dinner, and finding the doors closed, he knocked loudly several times, but- received no ztiiswe r. He then went away, but returned in the- evening, and on t he following morning, the house still remain- ing shut up, thisj circumstance gave rise to suspicion. On Wednesday mori ling the door was broken open, and on search- mg the house 1.he body of the old man was discovered in a. closet, covered with blood, and on examining the corpse an, immense cut w/as observed on the back part of the head. A- arpenters' axe. and a bill-hook lay near the body, both of these quantil ies of blood and hair clotted round the edges.

BIRTHS., MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. nf *nst-> at Lewes, the lady of Samuel Bosanqwef, On tL 1 £ fSt™ Court, a daughter. 5 Lieut. Will, >ughfyfli^.f0fr°rb°onnt0' Canada WeSt' lhe lady 0< | On the 0'3 ù MARRIED. On the 2;11 ,d instant, by the rules of the Roman Catholic j f^hapman of tho Cr S at ,the office, Mr. Robert Miss Dent, of the samenpTa«>C°nUnCrcial Hote1, PontyP°o1' | Evans* vie ar ^"M^Taent' 'n Llanover church, by the Rev. Join a Bhienavon. aC°b rh°Inas> to Ann Davie., both o S On the Uth insta t M DI ED. A tho t rt, r. Joseph Isaacs, late of the Blucher's nns, ill lS own, ,aged 39. grocer St. ^ary-sUe^et^aged 63Jonmouth' Mr- James Parsons rnheSr011^Ann WeiglIing -^ine^.nant

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Some communications are reserved for next week, when they shall have a cle gr stage A person endowed with the intelligence evidenced in. a letter, signed Hugo Carbon," ought to Jmow that his production is libellous.

TIMES OF HIGH WATER AT NEWPORT. IllGll WAihlt 1>M>T11 AT DHS. MOHN. EVEN'. DOCK GATE NOVEMBER H. M. U. M FT. IN. 30, Sunday. 6 53 7 17 3:3 5 OKCEMBEIt 1, Mouday 7 41 8 3 33 8 2, Tuesday H 25 8 4fi a 11 3, Wednesday. 9 7 9 29 31 7 4,Thursday 9 53 10 20 211 11 5, lrid;iy 10 4S II 15 27 11 6,Saturday 11 30 It 43 26 1

MR. MORGAN'S HOUNDS will meet on Monday, Dec. 1st. Pwlloeh l^riday 5th. High Cross At Half-past Eleven o'clock each day.

WEEKLY CALENDAR. Nov. 30.—First Sunday in Advent. St. Andrew. Lessons for the Morning Service, Isaiah 1, Acts 1. Evening Service, Isaiah 2, Hebrews 6. :MOON'S Arm-First Quarter, 6th Dec., 52m. after 2h. morn.

UNSECTARIAN EDUCATION. THE MEETINGS AT ARERGAVENNY AND NEWPORT. WE look back with peculiar pleasure upon the recent Educational Meeting of our spirited and intelligent neighbours at Abergavenny, the proceedings at which were so fully detailed in our last. It was one of those scenes which recur vividly to the mind, just as the strains of some ehofal harmony appear to vibrate upon the charmed ear, long after the voices which uttered them have been hushed in silence. Delightful is it, indeed, to witness, amidst the strife of political parties, and the clash of contending interests, the progress, gradual as the morning's dawn, but as certain, we trust, as that dawn, will be followed by meridian day—of that spirit of true liberality which formed the distinguishing characteristic of the meeting referred to. While none who value what they conceive to be truth, are disposed to surrender- whether as to themselves, or as to institutions for the instruction of others, with which they may be iden- tified-the peculiarities of their respective creeds, the principle of unsectarian education constitutes com- mon ground, on which all may unite for the accom- plishment of a great object. Now, in a christian country like this, is this prin- ciple-as some men have rashly asserted, and others have hastily believed—an irreligious, or even, it we may invent a term for the more accurate T expression of our meaning, an ex-religious one ? While it does not recognise denominational peculiarities, it takes the Holy Scriptures as the fountain of religious in- struction. The British School Society, which is the actual representative of this principle, has, in this respect, been much misrepresented. 1 he object of this society, as one of the speakers at Abergavenny observed, "is to give a Scriptural Education." On this point, therefore, there need be no objection. Again, the British system is not hostile to any exist- ing institutions. It lets denominational Day Schools alone, to be conducted still by all who think proper to maintain them and as it leaves the children to the care of their parents and clergy on the Sabbath, as an Z, essential part of religious freedom, it interferes not with Sunday Schools; while, at the same time, it gives instruction on the week days, to such of their scholars as can avail themselves of it. In fact, it is no system of rivalry its main object is the vastness of uncultivated ground, which no one has yet broken up—" the waste mind," as Mr. Poole called it, which is left to the spontaneous production of the weeds of ignorance and error. Unconscious, there- fore, of offence to any, it has no difficulty in asking Z!1 support from all. As to the efficiency of the British plan, it is obviously greater than that of the plans for the Edu- cation of the children of the poor which preceded it and so far as it has yet been tried, it has been found to be at least equal to the generality of Free Schools, 0 and far superior to any where the children pay any- thing like so small a sum. It is essentially an economical system, giving the greatest amount of instruction, at the least possible cost, and therefore eminently adapted to the circumstances of the poorer classes. The principle of a small payment is far superior to that of gratuitous instruction. Charity, in all its forms, should be for calamities, for emergencies, for extraordinary occasions, for real helplessness. An habitual dependence upon it degrades the mind, is unfavourable to exertion, and diminishes the appre- ciation of the benefits received. It is true that, in this system, benevolence is exercised and the dullest of the recipients must be aware that their small con- tributions alone would not suffice for the education given. But there is this difference between such a system and one of mere charity, that it aids effort jnstead of superseding it; that it strengthens the "willing hand, instead of doing its work while it re- mains idle and the parents will take far more interest in the progress of that Education which they themselves are helping to bestow. On such schools, then, begun too under the auspices of intelligent ;gentlemen who have no selfish or political object to :serve, and who are able and willing to put the •machinery into healthy movement, we look with 'much satisfaction. In the spirit which pervaded the Abergavenny Meeting, liberal men of all parties will heartily sympathise, and in the hopes there expressed they will fully participate. May such schools rapidly extend on every hand, and particularly in the locality in which it is our honour and pleasure to labour. May that spirit pervade every part of the land, and its brightest manifestations irradiate our homes and hearths. And may the prospects which are held out to us as the result of the cultivation of the wonderful faculties of the human mind, even amongst the least favoured by outward circumstances, of our race, be amply realized in the growth of a moral, an enlightened, and a happy people. There has also been a Public Meeting for the advancement of Education upon extended plans, recently held in this Town, a report of which appears in this Paper, and the subject is evidently progressing. Men of all parties admit the desirablsness of Educa- tion. But Education should be full and compre- hensive—not partial and restricted to the convenience or to further the objects of particular sections of the people-and from a full and fair system of intellectual training, those who hold the opinions usually desig- nated liberal, have nothing to fear, but, on the contrary, everything to hope; for this lies at the root of all improvement. Men, in general, have too little confidence in the diffusion of knowledge, and are too inapt at tracing the connection between the humblest efforts of this kind, and the rich results which cer- tainly, though it may be slowly and irregularly,(now visible and now hidden, do accrue therefrom.) It was beautifully remarked at the late meeting of the Manchester Athenaeum Association, by tllLt powerful public instructor, Douglas Jerrold Truths, like oaks, are of slow growth, and it is with early truth as with the acorn/' Show it the rneers ignorance, and it cannot conceive how that litf germ shall contain within it a latent power, whiclV duly developed, shall break the billow and defy the thunder. And so has truth grown but with this sad difference, that It has been too often watted with the blood of those who have dared to plant k Let sound principles be diffused by every possible variety of means, and the results will astonish even the most incredulouss, and encourage the mo«t desponding.

TREATMENT OF DISEASED, AND PRE- SERVATION OF SOUND POTATOES. PROFESSOR LIEBIG,—in a Letter to W. Crane, Esq., of Thornliebank, Scotland, dated Giessen, Nov. 5 and published in the Glasgow Coi?stilzitioital, -states that he has discovered in the sap of the diseased potatoes a considerable quantity of casein (cheese) precipitable by acids." He goes on to say that injury from this to the health of persons eating them is out of the question. We would guard any, however, from inferring that diseased potatoes are wholesome for the Professor states that he did not discover casein in his first researches and besides there may be other principles in them which are injurious. The remedy he recommends is the following :—"Diseased potatoes may easily, and at little expense, be preser- ved for a length of time, and afterwards employed in various ways, by cutting them into slices about a quarter of an inch thick, and immersing them in water, containing from two to three per cent of sul- phuric acid. After twenty-four or thirty-six hours, the acid liquor may be drawn off, and all remains of it washed away by steeping in successive portions of fresh water. Treated in this manner the potatoes arc easily dried. The pieces are white and of little weight, and can be ground to flour, and baked into bread along with the flour of wheat." Mr. Tiiley, Professor of Chemistry. at Queen's College, Birming- ham, states that after a time even the starch (which has hitherto been represented as unaffected) becomes injured. He says that. the albumen putrifies, becomes like rotten cheese, and undergoes a peculiar fermenta- tion, (not alchoholic) during which butyric acid is formed. As a remedy he recommends the common chloride of lime, such as is used by the bleachers, to be employed as follows Let a solution of this substance, which is very cheap, and easily obtained in any quantity, be made, in the proportion of a quarter of a pound to a pailful of water, and then let the potatoes be steeped in this solution. It will effectually destroy all the germs of decay into contact with which it may come. The chloride of lime used in this manner will not be injurious in any one way to the health of the individual who feeds on the potatoe but, on the contrary, beneficial, for it will kill those poisonous particles existing in the root, which introduced to any extent into the system of the human body. will probably produce some sort of typhoid fever." For the preservation of stored potatoes in large quantities, Mr. Tilley recommends such a stacking as will cause the gas from diluted oil of vitriol poured on chloride of lime to pass through the mass. But where this cannot conve- niently be done, he recommends a foundation of faggots to act as chimnies, and the sides will close, under which peat is to be kept smouldering, so as to avoid an excess of heat, and to let the peat-smoke permeate the mass. Of this smoke he says :— By the warm current of air, containing little oxygen, which it causes, it will dry the roots and arrest the present decay, while the antiseptic virtues of the smoke will tend to annihilate the fatal cause of the destruction." Mr. Bell, agent for Mr. Dawson, of Liverpool, on his estates near Listowell, and who was fifteen years on Lord Carlisle's estates at Mor- peth, in a letter to the Liverpool Mercury, recom- mends the following still more simple plan, as one of ventilation merely :—" Let a drain be made along the ground where the potatoes are intended to be stored, to admit a free current of air cover this with any sort of branches, and make "your potatoe-pit upon it, about three feet broad at the foundation, and placed at right angles from the main ventilator; let similar openings be made at the distance of one or two yards, and chimnies, composed of branches, or any waste timber, rising from the bottom to the top of the pit, should be formed at moderate distances, say every one or two yards cover with a good straw, and earth well pulverised. In frosty weather close the opening with straw." If the MERLIN is enabled to render any service to its rural readers, by collecting the opinions and suggestions of eminent persons for the alleviation of the potatoe plague, the object of its inquiries will be attained. The greatest caution ought to be exercised with regard to the consumption of potatoes since where the root has been at all affected, the insects which occasion the disease have, on examination, been found in the apparently sound parts. We yesterday saw in a provincial paper an alleged fact of much importance, viz., with respect to the ground in which blighted potatoes have been grown. It states that at the village of Essington, in Leicestershire, a cottager having pulled up his potatoes, on account of their worthlessness, planted cabbages, which have been found to be similarly affected." Some suitable dressing, therefore, suffi- ciently strong to destroy the insects, is necessary, when another crop is put into the same ground. That dressing must be strong enough, and must be used 17% 11 in sufficient abundance to exterminate the pest. Care at the same lime should be taken to adopt the article used, (since there are several which would produce the effect,) to the nature and state of the soil. Should this calamity lead to improvements in dressing and manuring soils, that will be some set off against the evil. \Ve shall be glad to receive communications on the subject for the common good.

THE OREGON QUESTION. Turc troublesome dispute about the Oregon territory is again occupying the public mind and though there is at present nothing definite, the general tenor of the intellic once from the Stales is considered to be III) f;t,oii rztl)le, and some depression in the money market has been occasioned by it. It is to be re- gretted that some of the papers, allowing passion to n predominate over reason, and pride to outweigh the national welfare, are again talking of war. We feel it to be our duty again to protest against such a spirit, and to call upon all within our influence to exert themselves for its suj)pre«iou. To the warlike animus we owe the deadly iiuSbns of the national debt; and taxed as we are beyond our means, that burden must be augmented it the morbid, the demoniacal feeling ft the war party in either countiy is to be indulged.

MON ETARY A IT AIRS. T he state of commercial and monetary affairs is become increasingly perplexing, tnd the prospect for the future is tar from cheering. It is not merely that foolish speculation has been stopped for that would have been a benefit to the nation, though it be accompanied with much individual suffering and much ot that, suffering is inevitably attendant upon a cheek, because so many of the parties could not see the results of the course in which they embarked, and so many who did per- ceive the danger, would not retIre in time. But this is not all; the shock has effected sound and useful projects; and losses,delay.and inconvenience must ensue. Parties who have invested in various lines for income, will have reduced dividends to receive, or, in other cases, the first dividend will be postponed. Much difficulty will be experienced in meeting engagements, which might otherwise have been provided tor with ease and obstacles will be thrown in the way of vauous improvements, With all this, there is a rapid falling off in the home tiade, which must be followed by a great decrease in the gross expenditure of the industrial classes, and through that, in a diminution of the business and profits of dealers, retail and whole- s-lie, causing amongst, all such, a scarcity of money, especially until stocks have been reduced. Then, there will be, under the present anti- eommercial-systeni, a drain of gold for foreign corii We agree with the economist, that, as a result of these various causes, money will become dear. It becomes, then, a question of importance as to how far the late alterations in the currency will be beneficial, or otherwise, now that the laws affecting it are put to the test. On such a subject, we are reluctant to theorise but this is a proper time to urge upon reflecting men, a close observa- tion of the subject. There is one opinion, however, which we would venture to put forth, and the truth or erroneousness of which is of great importance, but which, we think, will bear investigation and that is, that dearness of money is of itself an evil to the indus- trial classes. And it is so, for this simple reason, that the masses of the people produce much more than they consume. In other words, each indivi- dual makes goods (or enhances the worth of articles by his labour) to a far greater value than what he receives back in the shape of wages. This is not a wild theory it is a simple truth, lying very near the surface of things Vet, it is but seldom seen, and when found, is probably dismissed without examination, because it may chance to be uttered in quarters to which the odium of what is called "currency-madness" has been attached. It stands, however, alone, and can be tested in detail by every working man, and every individual acquainted with the general operations of laboui, and the usual rates of wages. !Vow if this idea, as to the excess of every production, be conect, we cannot see how anyone can escape from the position we have laid down—that dearness of money is an evil to the industrial classes be- cause (dearness and cheapness being comparative terms) if money becomes relatively dearer-if it rises in value, as considered in proportion to other articles--it is clear that more of these articles must be given for any fixed amount of it. Consequently, we may expect a diminution of profits, if the dealers and master manufacturers, or growers of articles, are to bear the loss or a deduction of wages, if it is to be thrown wholly upon the labourer, as is sometimes the case; or if both, as is more generally the result. This theory appears to us to be fully confirmed by the routine of every- day affairs. For instance an increase of a farthino per pair in the price of gloves, stockings, or many other articles, would be scarcely felt by the poorest person. But suppose this farthing, which would amount to three-pence per dozen, added to the wages of the operative, and it would be to him a very substantial increase, lake into account. also, the small number he would want in a year, not only of those particular articles, but of all others of apparel. convenience, &c., and it may be seen at once how little the cheapening of such things does towards making up the losses sustained by the SDl111, st leluction of wages, or diminution of emptoyment; and the general tendency of things, for years past, with occasional interruptions, has been towards an increase in the value of money, and a decrease in that of goods. And all this, while a reduction of profits, as all commercial men know, has been gradually going on. Dear money, therefore, is an evil to the industrial classes, because the increased amount of labour which they have to give for any iixed sum of money, much exceeds the reduction occasioned in the articles that money will purchase. But there is another reason why dearness of money has this prejudicial eftect. When it is high, a large class of persons, who wish for safety, without risk, are satisfied with the public securities, and keep large balances at their bankers? But when it is cheap, they become discontented, and withdraw it for investment in com mereial under- takings,which thereby afford increased employment. There are exceptions, we know, to the general rules thus laid down, as there are to all others but in the main, we believe they will be found to be correct; and they deserve the deepest study of all who are interested in the national welfare.

LATE HOURS IN SHOPS. At this season of the year, when late hours become especially irksome, on account of the length of time during which gas light is requited, n zn we feel it our duty to recall the attention both of employers and the public to this subject. Much, certainly, has been done in the way of amelioration, but much remains to be done. The interest of the employers, as well as the comforts of the assistants, would be greatly promoted by further changes but it is upon purchasers that it mainly depends whether or not these changes shall be carried out. The "Metropolitan Drapers'Association have issued an address and from that portion of it which is intended for the fair sex, we shall make a short extract, wh ch we commend to the attention of the Ladies of Newport, Monmouth. Abergavenny, Chepstow, Pontypool, and Cardiff; for from each of these towns, assistants have written for succour to the [VI krli N. It is (says the committee) upon the public, however, and upon you, ladies, in parti- cular, that we mainly rest our hopes of getting rid of this system of late hours. It is only with your co-operation that we can ever achieve our emanci- pation. We cannot expect, in these times of com- petition, that our employers will close their shops of an evening, while yon continue to throng them. Let us entivat of YOII; then, to abstain from doing so. If you were acquainted with the injuries you inflict upon us by your late shopping—if you knew that year after year added thousands to the victims of this horrible system of protracted labour, who descend to a premature grave, in many cases, un- noticed and unknown, we are convinced you would resolve, with one universal mind, never more to enter a shop after six o'clock in the evening." It is upon this conviction we build our hopes of not making this appeal in vain. Every good and generous impulse prompts us to sympathize with the suffering of each otlmr. The system is admitted Oil all hands to be a bad one. The voice of humanity calls loudly for its extirpation; justice demands it with equal vehemence; and religion prays for it. l ie closing this subject, it may not be irrelevant to state that perhaps no department of the provin- cial trade of the kingdom has more decidedly improved than that of country drapers. Persons is have consequently, for some time, found out the delusion of preferring the showy shops of London, to the honest establishment of a country town and having been often victimised at the tremendous sacrifice" (true in one sense—that of the hood- winked purchaser) "emporiums," they look for and obtain, value for value, at home.

1M PEH 1 A I. PAUL!AM EN r—WtEDNF.SDAY. Parliament was formally further prorogued to.d,,iy by com- mission to tuesday, tlie 16th December. I.old Penman, in conscience of the continued indisposition of the Lord Chancellor, oliiclaled as the principal ommniss.oner. The I.ords Commissioners (LOId Denman, Lord Whamcliffe, and tl.e Kar of Haddington), on (.king their seats below the Throne, in I lielr t-lill robes, at liventy minutes before four o'clock, commanded !\lr. I ulman the Deputy-Usher c.f the Hack Hod, to summon the House ot 1-ommons to the House of Peers, to hear her Majesty s commission lor the furthe. pior«,^iinfi of par- liament read, shoitly afterwards Mr. J. Lev, and several of the of the House 01 Commons, appearea at the bar Mr. ('urns, the clerk at the lable, having lead the Commis- sion, and the usual preliminaries having been gone through, Lord Penman, in her Ma|t-sty s name, declared the present parliament prorogued to IlIesday. lhe ltitj, December.—Sun.

.— DrBUN, Nov. 24,-Fur.th<,r accounts have heen received this dav, continuing those which have already appeared, respecting the formidable ravages of the potato blight; but. some of the reports, from parts of atei foid and other comities state that the disease had apparently ceased. For months past, the activity in the military circles of e England, and the formidable preparations at the dockyards and arsenals, have been a subject ot constant reference in the newspapers. It is likely that still greater activity will soon bo displayed, and the uiilitis will probably be called out.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. NEWPORT CATTLE MARKET—WEDKF.SR>AY, Nov. i"9. Price per lb. to sink the ofial. s. (1. s. d. Be as ts 0 [¡ to (I 6 Sheep 0 6 0 ti £ Calves 0 0 0 (> £ Pitrs (per score) 8 0.. 8 6 I lie market this week was well supplied with stock; all tIn t appeared of good quality met customers at rpiiiiineiating prices. Sheep sold extremely well, particularly tho, that were in good condition. The large Christmas market being s" near at hand, no horses made their appoarance. We are informed that a great number of vacolI pigs were disposed of. previously to market dav, and forwarded to the hills. FIRE AT Mit. JKHOIADA BREWER's.Ve are happy in being able to announce that the I mperial Fire In- surance Company, with whom Mr. Brewer insures, have paid the full amount oi'loss claimed hy him; and in addition thereto, have, through Messrs. Birch and Davi>. their agents at New port, handsomely rewarded those parties who so laudably assisted in extin^wishinjr the fii-e.-See Adu. DKPLORABLG EVENT.—A fatal event, of a peculiar character, took place on Monday night last, on board the briy; Sion, the property of Messrs. Willtuett and ilail. o," Newport, now unloading-in the port of On th. night mentioned, the captain's wife, for whom he had sent to Bristol. reached the vessel, and after making- some purchases in the city, t.hev returned to sleep on hoard. Previously to lehrin^, the captain unfortunately maùr, a liie in a pitch pot, and placed it in the cabin, which was closed —melancholy was the result. On Tuesday morning, when the mate opened the cabin door, he found the captain in a dying state on the floor, and then rushing to the bed, lie perceived the captain's wife a corpse. The suil'crer was promptly conveyed to that fine instimtion, the (;]o'ter Inllrmary, where he lies in a very precarious stale. Attempts were made to resuscitate the wo- man, but without, the slightest chance of success, as she had 'oi some hours slept the sleep of death. She was an amiable woman, and has Jeff, four children to lament her loss.

J LOVER'S IRISH ENTERTAINMENT. nX'I nrJ'St"|SUiSljed -n|lild ?f S°"g' h'S heW a Inn on ,vh: T"Ce ° T, y- tl,P 20cl' iMst;,nf- ;lt <"»• town Mil. on which occasion, the expressions of satisfaction, in (U < d do ight evinced by his numerous auditory ( for the room was full) might be fairly taken as a proof that the anticipa- tions entertained of this most singularly gifted bard of the west, were fully realised. I he bill of fare for the evening consisted of a selection of his choicest lyrical productions, accompanied and illustrated by a running lire, and melange of Irish wit, neat as imported— striking national peculiarities—mirth-moving incidents, oc- casionally interspersed with points of deep philosophical observation, for although Irishmen in general are not reputed I to be possessed of a re tic-c ting or metaphysical spirit, we now and then discover a vein of thought under the sparkling cllr. rent or ilei r natural and mother wit, which affords material foi careful and M-rious consideration. Here we had matter of national interest without exciting national prejudice; in- struction without. offence, and humour without buffoonery. It has been said that there is, perhaps, nothing wherein an Irishman may feel more justly proud, than the native melodies of his country. Whatever tone of feeling th"y assume, whether of cheerfulness or of tenderness—of wild merriment or deej) sorrow, there is in them a grace, and delicacy of feel- ing. and a force and earnestness of such as we in vain look for in the {national music of any other country in the world if we except that of Wales, of which, although fastidious tastes, used to the merirritious sounds of Italian airs, decry, as wan inp; in the forms of their favourite school, yet reach the heart, which the former rarely does. Fling the forms of art aside, Dull is the ear these forms enthral; Let the simple airs of our sires be tried- They go to the heart, and the heart is all." Mr. Lover commenced with a disquisition, shewing the great antiquity of Irish learning and music, which was calculated to refute the error of those who imagine that the fine melodies of Erin must be of modern date, because, as Thomas Moore said It is ditheult to conceive those polished specimens of the art to be anterior to the dawn of modern improvement." A fallacy —for true melody, the music of the soul, has no mortal artist for its inventor ;—it has been implanted in man's nature as a pure and heavenly gift by the Great Creator Himself; and the greatest masters of the art in modern days La vain attempt to rival the soul-possessing antI unaffected strains of the unlearned minstrels of ancient days. Then we had a lyric, entitled the birth of St. Patrick the gist of which was an ambiguity in reference to the po'int of time when that distinguished Gentleman that came from honest p.'op hrst breathed the vital air. By the irre-ulariiy of the clock, it was quite uncertain whether the important event occurred at or in the morning, (the eighth or mntn of March), lhis led to much strife and the keeping of two birth days, which, a fellow-countryman remarked was wrong, for no one could have two birth days, but twins The point, however, was admirably settled by father Mulcahy Says lie :— Boys, don't be fighting for eight or for nine, Don't be always dividing—but sometimes combine Combine eisrht with nine, and scrpntopn ;c f h" m-n-v "0" -u aa. -.4.1.1, 'L"O¡:;Jl"t"IJ. l l,llt:" IJl¡lJ\ So let that be his birth-day—Amen, says the clerk. If he wasn't a twins, sure our hist'ry will show lhat at least he s worth ail}' two saints that we know!" Air. Lover then proceeded with charming alternation, from narrative to song, and from song to narrative, amid peals of laughter, or durmg admiring silence. A point in a serenade may he taken as a lair ^specimen of Paddy's expressive mode ol making love by moonlight: "The wicked wateh-uog here is snarling- lie takes me for a thief you see- Faith he knows I'll steal you, Mo'lly darling, T" « Ii-w t1ransP°» te«l I shall be The "\Vjow. }\>achree," a gem of humour, was a mighty -ant and irresistible persuasion against, the selfishness of (e- nba.v, from which we extract this tender moreeau Widow Machree, when winter comes in, Och hone, Widow Machree I o be poking the fire all alone is a sin, Ot ii hone, W idow Machree Sure the poker and t()n:>,s 't o each other belono-s J While the kettle sings'son«-s For a family gic.(, ° Yet alone with your cup Like a hermit you sup — n n O-'h hon,. \Vi,lou. Machree." ihe most beautnal ballad of the evening was Lover's own pataetic song, "The Angel s Whisper," exquisitely illustra- ting the charming lush legend, that when infants smile in their sleep, they are conversing with angels And while they are keepinr" Bright watch o'er thy sleeping, Oh, pray to them soitly, my baby, wi thine And say thou wouid'st rather 17 T i-„ 'te?i f I?1'1'' °'ei t!'y father— For I know that the angels are whispering with thee The bad breathetl into the softened strain of this song, the very soul of pensive melody. We should have been happy if space allowed to have culled other flowers from this enchanted gaiden, but we shall probably have another opportunity, as we learn, uitti an endorsement." on the report, that Mr. Lover vull erc l°nS P;l3' us a second bardie visit. We shall only add, Oead mille faille which, being interpreted for our English readers, means, ien thousand welcomes."

.+- MONMOUTH. MONMOUTH WINTER FAIR.—This fail was held on Saturday last. The quantity of cattle exposed for sale was not so great as upon some former occasions, hut buyers werA veiy plentiful. Fat beasts were sold at 5d per lb. Sheep wriv comparatively scanty. Steers, as well as alt-r>ther de- scriptions of stock, sold well, and at good prices. A or a more remunerative sale, has seldom been known. are something loner. The horse (air was also well supplied. In the cheese market, the avegare quantity was pitched, but the high prices caused a very 1 inited sale. Kest. making a\ e I raged from f3. to .£::J. [is.; seconds, .12. (is. to i'2, IDs.— Ai, this fair, pickpockets were as plentiful as blackberries. One of the gang was detected robbing a woman of her purse, and was consigned to durance vile. Ah. (iuyt^ of Mitcliel Troy, lost 128 from his pocket, which he did not miss until he was on his return to his home. Jn another instance, a person was robbed of £ L li»s. SUDDFN DEATH. — Yesterday week, Mr. T. Jones, of Stanton. near Monmouth, having transacted some business at Neivland, was leaving that village on itorseback. about nine o'clock in the evening, when his saddle slipped under him, and he was tin own to the ground, and must have been killed almost instantaneously. A person who was pro- ceeding through the village, observed the horse in the road without its rider, and, within a finv yards of the spot, lay the lifeless body of poor Jones. He had not left his last house of call more than ten minutes, before he was taken back to it. a corpse. The deceased was f)7 years ot age, and being a stout person, it is thought that the shock produced by the fall brought on apoplexy. An inquest, has been held on'the body, and a verdict of Accidental death" returned. MONMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL. WATCH lIATE. At a meeting of the Council, held on Wednesday last the report of the gentlemen appointed to examine the corporation accollilt4 was presented. Some of the suggestions contained in the report were postponed for further consideration, but they were not deemed surt.c.ently weighty to prevent the pro- gress ol the intended Watch Rate. A motion to this effect was proposed by M, Oratrex, and seconded by Mr..lolm Powell, and rece.vcd the votes of all present excepting those Powell, and rece.vcd the votes of all present excepting those I ol the new members- ALMS BOURK RETURN. I lie lolloping names were returned to the Court of Haher casheis, for their selection of one of the number to occupy the alms-house vacant, by the late Mrs. Daniel Margaret Jones, Mrs. Jane Jones, and Mrs. Harriet Yeates. ADMISSION OF TUB J*RFSS. The question of the admission of reporters of the press to f the meetings ot the Council was again brought forward, but was lost, on a division, by six to three -the only persons vot- ing for the measure being Mr. Bromage, Mr Vaughan, and Mr Cofsens, The Council then adjourned.

TOWN COUNCIL M KF. HNovlmukr 2G. Present—Joseph I.atcli, Es, Mayor: and Messrs wards, Igguldcn, Hrewer, Williams, J, Brewer, Met R. K Woollett. Dowiinj>, Townsend, Jenkins, and Davies. 'I he Mayor took the chair. The usual preliminary business having been dispos Ole TOT II Clerk reported that the deed ofconveyance to Mmonds had not been received by the treasury, and th lu.ndmg committee had not made any report. lhe iepoit ot the finance committee ha ing been n was moved by Mr. Brewer, and seconded by Mr. Wili^H and resolved that the same be received and confirmed. following resolution was ordered to be entered on the pro in: of the Council Tbat the borough fund of this borough not being cieat for t he purpose to which the same is applicable b> and the Council of the borough having estimated, as cor as might, be. the. sum which will be necessary and siilVi in addition to Mich fund, for the payment of the expen* be incurred m carrying into effect, within the borough provisions of the Acts for the regulation of Municipal C rations in England and Wales, up to the 1st. day of Mav whi.-h they estimate at 11,00(1, and which they assess in ner following (that is to say)" On that part of the borough of Newport, called for parochial purposes the borough of Newport £ ( being at the rate o! (id. in the pound on the rate- ahle proJwrty thereon. Oit that poll.ion of the parish of St. Y\ ooilos, situate ttt within the said borough ol Newport being at (IK* same rate in the pound on the pro* perty situate therein, liable to the said rale. And on that part of the parish of < hristehureh, situ. -it,, within the said borough of Newport 1. being ascertained. It is hereby re.solv.-d and ordered, that the sm Oil that pait of the said borough, oalle parochial purposes, the borough of Newport,, shall be with paid hy the overseers thereof, out of the poor rate:| the said borough, to Cornelius Evans, of Charles-stre.> the said borough, agent, who shall immediately, on ceipt thereof, pay the same o»er to the treasurer of the borough and chat the said Cornelius Kvans be appointc act as overseer v itliin that part of the parish ol N;. W0. which is situate within the said borough of Newport, for ing the said sum of .('So so charged thereon, by ma! levying, and collecting a district rate therein, and thit h, also appointed to act as overseer within that, part of the p; of Christchurch which is situate within the said borong^^l Newport, for raising the said sum ot i'O., so chaiged ther by makino, levying, and collecting a district rate ihci^^l under ,nd by virtue of the several Acts of Parliament rela^H thereto. 1 lie report of the watch committee having been rp81 was moved by Mr. Davies, and seconded by Mr. IggulJ that the same be received and confirmed The subject of Mr. Webber's bill, mentioned in the re ■of the finance commHtce was discussed after which, H t ou,, o { io hiiaiu-e and walou committees wore ordere o<" p iul. i he opinion ol the and Sir Thomas I hps, on tiie case submitted to them respecting the Boro Comt, was read, thereupon Mr.jDowling moved, and Llewellin seconded, and it was resolved, that the folhn gentlemen, the Mayor, and M-ssr-. Dowling, Igguldcn, J. Davis. Williams, James Davies, W. Brewer, Hug Jenkns, LleweUiu. Kdwards, Morris, and Mullock, be pointed a committee (live of which shall be a quorum), tot* purpose ot adopting the host and most expeditious m< of establishing the local court tribunal, for the recovers small debts, under Lhe new act. 1 hat the primary object to which the attentian of the committee is to be directed, appears to be the enlargemeti the jurisdiction of the said court; and that to such end, county magistrates he respectfully requested to join ill prayer, and co-operate generally for such extension.

—. police ixto,u«k\ji:. H -+- NEWPORT TOWN HALL, MONDAY, KovF.Mrr.a 24TI A sensation was created in certain circles this morni^H in consequence of a charge against two persons named Ja<^H Lii ah run and M llham lvichards, avising out of the forcible l session and detention, on behalf of Messrs. Latch and Cop'^l a nialthouse alleged to be in the possession of Mr. T. Lei^H beer-agent. Mr. John Phillpottsvras the solicit or for Mr. the plaintiff; and Mr. Llewellin for the defendants. It appeared from amass of evidence, that Meyrick .101 was the late tenant of the premises in dispute; John Jones person in the employ of Messrs. Latch and Cope, being so l'ity ";r his due payment of the rent. The premises wen Mevriclt's possession for one year and twelve days, and it i during the twelve days of the second year's occupancy that wished to let them. For this purpose, he was, through security, John .I ones, arranging terms with Messrs. l .a^^H and ( ope, to whom he had sent the key, for the alleged p pose o! allowing them to see the maltli use, &c. Jones sta iat ^atch ami Cope refused to agree with him as to ni'l10;11 ,le ronu';ed for fixtures, and he consequently em who m.ent W' them, and let the premises to plaint session nf'rt" 'i,fl't!louse subsequently, found it in p^| cible idis ('n''ants* On this ground, the case of ivas mucl^r1/ a"i 'tainer was brought, forward. TIhh| which, the inao-i!^ <^h side; attbeclosi^B fendati'.s. dismissed the charge against the I leiii-y fllivicity, ilililtslllll to Mr. Coot,e. was charged w for a moi th. liiiii to pri: for a mOllh, perty of ILirathTNeUmT'' "n!a,1!y Staining the p the namesake of the vet*' a™ °'.<lorotl to <lel'vei' it up Patrick Healy q d vv' ™'adm,ral' and pay costs. mg Win. James CrosV' I'T charSed ",ith asfi;n H and costs ordered. 1 tlic case was dismiss TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY I lie attention of the court these days, in investigating b H rented by Mr. LlewHIi^' TV ('tB ants and Mr. Phillpotts defended. The Z*c Z' £ ■W -^t fH,| I 'vf",1" tIu', l)OSNess'on of a malthouseH 1 ° 1'; rVIS d;noa <■" tenant, ImtwliH ul r' n Y T coml,la,mants> tbe ground of pre-oc ■V"' evidence, wliien was exceedingly conflict. ■Z he1 7 'If "I'onUmpresuinptM that he v. as legally entitled to the possession of the premi^H had entered them with several workmen, and at tempted intimidate Mr. Oraham (who had taken possession (or complainants) l»y presenting an unloaded pistol at him. nieir ai,V violence having l><^| „ ,i I 'h • ,u "as based upon a question, not peily witlnn the jurisdiction of the Re.nch they thought IH would be better to send it to the sessions, at the same t ■disch uging three ol parties accused. Therequisitettt 1,11y r T.r"; 'ewis. the Cnurt was adjourned. e understand it is the intention of Mr. Phillpotts to mc^| by.1;' "'to a superior court, and send it for trial befH a,1'/C' ease, however decided by such high authorial \vill form a yeiy desaable guide for the local magistracj^B similar instances. 6 iy. THURSDAY. The and Thomas Hawkins. Esq. j Durbii" !r ter^C'r niUian- Dmhin5J/ 'in" W/ud, and at the A'r '.i F fellows ui the garb of sailors, were pla< ro-id <• 1 wged witli singing and begging in Commerc TIT' •"•ergeant. Unstable gave evidence agaiust them; "'tll vcs' fn'1men- told them vessels w^H thev°i il,an',R' *1 tliat if they were found begging aga^H they wonWbe punished.-Discharged. ■appe'ar'anee ° c'u,rSe^ assaulting David Davis. Ann Williams Avar, charged with assaulting Charlotte Jon Hie case was dismissed. Ivhvard Poor was charged with brutally ill using his wife, r ',as bound over to keep the peace towards her for I we mouths, himself in C'-O., and two others in £10. each. Jicliael Poor and Patrick Daly were charged villi assault o'm Fnrr.—Poor was discharged, and Daly ordered to p;i\ sum of 2s. 6d. and costs

ritEDTSGAIt PKiTY SESSIONS.—MONDAY, NOT. 2,t Present Samuel Ilonit'ray and E. Williams, Ksqrs. THE l- Vtl, OK NOT ui'.ADlNG Til 15 MKK1.IN. J wenty-eight informations were brought before the Bench Mr. Graham, inspector of weights and measures,-against It licans, shopkeepers, and others, residing in llhymney and Kb^H Vale, for having and using unstamped and illegal weights measures. Eleven defendants were lined 20s. and 1Us (id. co r'ne.i^rr so,"luch excited, that he became discourteous, and tinea to. lhe defence set up ly an intelligent defendant i,it..e nad for a long time been intending to take in the MI i.in, m which Mr. Graham's advertisement had appeared, l^H „ l "fleeted to perform this duty. Others said they wi^H regular subscribers, but they omit ted to read the paper throuj^H out on the week the advertisement appeared, and consequen they were unprepared for Mr. Graham. llltr.ACH OF CONTRACT. Ben jamin Harper was charged by his master, Mr. Step]ifl^| Else, with a breach of contract, and was ordered to forfeit balance of wages, lis. fid., and pay the expences, 13s. Gd. IIOIMIEKV BY A SKHYAKTT. Mary Davies was charged with stealing from her master, F David Davies, linen draper, various sums of money and g01 The case was fully investigated, and the Bench committed prisoner for trial.

( AUTION TO MOTl!F.Rs.-On Thnrsday, t Idth instant, a woman, named Williams, wife of M J<| W illiams, jun., residing at Garn-nr-ryw, near 1>laena<^| Works, had occasion to go from home, leaving )icrse\^H children, the eldest of whom was little more than six years age, in the care or a hlind man who resided near them. Tl^| occupy a sltlall farm, and the barn adjoins their dwellii^^ boose. The eldest child, at mid-day, lighted a candle, proceeded to the hay li.fr, where there was stored ahont j tons. which, by carelessness, caught fire, and the whole I consumed- Tlad it net been for the prompt and anxious sistance of the workmen, who perceived the smoke, and w near the spot, titewhote of the building "7,)Illoi lillkl,.)Ilt)tel have fallen a prey to the devouring element. The (laiiiag" estimated at 4.