Monmouthshire Merlin

+—U&SSm&SB9?i-f- 1 I 'HBHU111 —— SPEAK GENTLY. Speak gently !—It is better far To rule by love than fear- Speak gently—let not harsh words mar The good we might do here Speak gently !—Love doth whisper low The vows that true hearts bind And gently Friendship's accents flow Affection's voice is kind. Speak gently to the little child Its love be sure to gain; Teach it in accents soft and mild :— It may not long remain. Speak gently to the young, for they Will have enough to bear; Pass through this life as best they may, 'Tis full of anxious care. Speak gently to the aged one, Grieve not the careworn heart; The sands of life are nearly rnn, Let such in peace depart! Speak gently, kindly to the poor— Let no harsh tone be heard They have enough they must endure, Without an unkind word Speak gently to the erring—know, They may have toiled in vain, Perchance unkindness made them so Oh, win them back again

THE MINSTREL'S HARP. Harp so loved in days of old, Unhonored now— The hand that swept thy strings, is cold, And tuneless thou Tho' oft, when other sounds are still In evening grey. The peasant carols on the hill Thy plaintive lay But, never more those chords of thine Shall vibrate there— No more, with silvery splendour shine Thro' evening air Nor maiden watch the minstrel pace, His honoured path,— Who looks for him—alas must trace, The tomb-crowned rath By Lough Gur's waters, lone and low, The minstrel's laid— Where mouldering cloisters dimly throw Sepulchral shade Where clustering ivy darkly weeps Upon his bed, To blot the legend where ha sleeps— The tuneful Dead And fall'n are the towers of time In dust, and lone, Where the ringing of his fairy chime So well was known Where song was sweet and mirth was high, And beauty smiled— Tliro' roofless halls the night winds sigh, The owl shrieks wild The towers are fall'n—and where are they Who met of yore, To listen to the minstrel's lay Or knightly lore The castle lifts its broken pile In silent air— And answers with a gloomy smile That such things were Still cherished lives to distant years, The minstrel's name— An honor'd relic still appears The Clairseach's frame- Tho' in the shroud of ruin it lie, By time unstrung— Its goul of music may not die- The strains it sung

FREDERICK DOUGLASS. THE FUGITIVE SLAVE. But little is yet known in tins country respecting this remark- able man, A few years ago he was suffering under the horrors of hopeless slavery in Maryland, United States. Happily foi him, and probably for his suffering fellow.slaves, he escaped from his cruel bondage to the free stales of America, where he remained in obscuriy for a year or two, working at any employ- ment he could procurt>, exposed only to the contempt and indig- nity with which independent and republican America, even in its free stales, treats that portion of its population, however well educated and refined ihey may be, whose misfortune it is to have any colour io their skin. After a time, on a casual attendance upon an anti-slavery meeting. Douglass ventured to make him. self known to some members of an abolition society. The abo- litionists found him to be a young man of unusual ability, of sound judgment, serious, of excellent character, and with a de- gree of culiivaiion of mind quite extraordinary for the opportuni- ties be bad while in the slave states, where teaching slaves to read, and even giving them Bibles, subject the offenders to se- vere penalties! The American Anti-Slavery Society having ascertained that, in addition to the dependance that could be placed upon all of Frederick Douglass's statements, he had a remarkable facility of expressing himself with fluency and cor- rectness, employed him as a lecturer upon slavery, the evils of which he was able to expose from personal experience. His lec- tures occasioned much excitement in the free states, and much indignation when his statements had gone southward, in the slave states from whence he hadeacaped. Doubts having been circulated as to tbe truth of the appalling revelations be made, he resolved to publish a narrative of his life, giving the names of the masters under whom he li»ed, and dates and events which would at once prove the correctness of his account, and sup- pressing only some names and circumstances connected with his escape, which, if known, would have involved some of his bene- factors in difficulties, and have diminished the facility of escape of other elaves by similar means. Wendell Phillips, Esq., an eminent barrister of Massachusets, and an active abolitionist, to whom Douglass showed his narrative in MS., advised him not to publish n. as it would probably lead to successful effotts for his being re.taken, and returned to slavery, a fugitive slave not be- ing safe even in the free slates, their laws compelling them to give up such runaways if claimed by their owners. Douglass, however, with that courage which has distinguished him through. out his career, printed the narrative, and most rapid was its sale in America. Prudence, however, as well as other powerful mo- tives, decided him upon taking the occasion of the excitement produced by the dissemination of his narrative, to leave America for a while, and visit Great Britain. In accordance with this intention, he sailed in the Cambria, government steamer, from Boston, last August, in company with Mr. Buffum, a highly respectable man, an abolitionist, and with the Hutchesons, a remarkable family of singers, consisting of four brothers and one sister, who have been performing in Liverpool, and occasioning much interest by the originality of their music, and their anti- slavery songs. The party arrived in Liverpool, August 28, and Douglass immediately repaired to Dublin, where, as well as in Cork and at Belfast (where he at present is), he has been lec- turing to thronged assemblies. The papers contained an aceount of a fracas 00 board the Cambria when Douglass came to England. The passengers having ascertained what a remarkable man they had met with, elpressed a desire to hear him give some history of himself and of slavery, and the captain saw no reason for objecting to their wishes. Notice having been given of what was to take place, that the passengers might attend or absent themselves as they wished, Douglass began to speak, but he had not proceeded far, before he was interrupted by two American gentlemen from the slave states, accusing him of falsehood. Douglass, to prove his statements, began to read the laws of the slave states; the Americans, however, would not allow him to proceed, and threatened to throw him overboard. An Irish gentleman assured them that any aitempt at violence would be a dangerous expe- dient for their own safety. The disturbance rose so high, that Captain Judkins was at length compelled to declare he would putinifonsanvone who ventured upon an act of aggression. The aboliticnists of Massachusets have been voting resolutions of thanks to Captain Judkins for his manliness on the occasion, and the papers in the interest of the slaveholders abuse him, and threaten him with no more American passengers for allowing their nation to be insulted. Douglass's lectures are said to be very eloquent. He is now finishing some at Belfast, where the chapels of the Wesleyan .Methodists, Independents, and Presbyterians have been thrown open to him. His nest visit will be to Glasgow, and he will probably come to Bristol (an invitaiion from which place he has accepted) in the spring. A more deeply interesting Narrative" than Douglass's can hardly be conceived. An edition of il has been reprinhlJ by a warm friend of his in Dublin, and is being sold chiefly among private friends, without an adveiiisement or commission charges, for Douglass's benefit. A few copies have come to Bristol and Douglass, whose feelings are very iodependent, hopes to support himself while in England, solely by the sale of the Narrative." He siates in hi* preface to the Irish edition, that his induce- ments to come to Great Britain were—to be absent from America during the sale of his book, on account of hi» personal safety, "lest his owntr should adopt measures to restore him to his patriarchal are" that he might improve his stock of kuow. ledge by visiting this kingdom but chiefly to extend in England an enlightened knowledge of the contaminating and degrading influences of American slavery upon both slaveholders and slaves; and thus exciie such an intelligent interest in behalf of his suf- fering countrymen as may react upon America, and aid in the eventual eitinction of this sinful institution. Mr. Douglass speaks with much feeling of the gratification it has been to him, during his limited experience of travelling in this country, to move about from place to place in public convey. ances without being despised and insulted in consequence of his colour, and of his meeting everywhere with that respect which is due from man to man and he has drawn a strong contrast on jhis point, between the freedom of monarchical England, and the thraldom of republican America.— Bristol Mercury.

THE MINISTRY. Official List of the Administration. First Lord of the Treasury. Sir Robert Peel. Secretary of State for the Home Department, Sir. J. Graham. Lord Chancellor, Lord Lyndhurst. Lord President of the Council, Duke of Buccleuch. Commander-in-Chief, Duke of Wellington. Secreiary for Foreign Affairs, Earl of Aberdeen. Lord Privy Seal, Earl of Haddington. President of the Board of Control, Earl of Ripon. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Right Hon. H. Goulburn. Chancellor of ihe Duchy of Lancaster, Lord G. Somerset. First Commissioner of Land Revenues, Earl of Lincoln. Secretary at War, Right Hon. S. Herbert. The following are the new members of the Cabinet:— President of the Board of Trade, Earl of Dalhousie. First Lord of the Admiralty, Earl of Ellenliorough. Postmaster-General, Earl of St. Germains. Secretary for the Colonies, Right Hon. W. Gladstone.

AN AMERICAN JOHNNY RAW.—The editor of the Cincinnati Chronicle was 10 a steam boat above St. Louis, not long since, when a Hoosier came aboard. At eight the Hoosier turned into his berth with his boots on. The steward seeing this, said, .r Sir, you have lain do..o in your boots." The raw one raised his head, and, looking down at his boots, replied, Well, it won't hurt '«m, they ain't tbe best I've got."

THE WELSH EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT. On Thursday the 1st of January, 1846, a large number of the friends met in Liou-street, to celebrate the opening of the Welsh Normal School. The service was commenced by the Rev. J. Evans, of Kensington, who gave out a hymn, and engaged in praver. He was followed by the Rev. G. Griffiths, of the Plough, in Welsh, and the Rev. J. Pratten, of the Wesleyan Chapel, in English. The Rev. H. Griffiths, of the Independent College, then gave a short report explanatory of the movement. It ap- pears, that although in several States of America, and on the continent of Europe one third of the population is in school, one fifteenth only is so placed in Wales. More than 250,000 chil- dren are therefore without education. A genetal Conference was held at Llandovery, in the month ot April, to enquire what could be done to mitigate this enormous and most dangerous evil. By an unanimous vote of about 120 ministers and laymen of different denominations, it was resolved to begin with a local training school for teachers. So far as we understand, their principal models are the Boiough road and the Battersea Col- leges. To meet the existing and confessed wents of the Prin- cipality, an addition of 2000 schoolmasters is absolutely neces- sary. For any one party to accomplish this is hopeless. There is plenty of room for all and happily, all seem to be uniting in it with right good will. Our limits forbid us to follow the Rev. gentleman into the de- tails of subscriptions and expenses; but as a sample we may mention the following Wesleyan Conference £ 75 Congregational Board. 75 Bapiist ditto 30 Joseph Stutge, Esq., Birmingham 50 Rev. D. Blow, Rlonmouth 20 Rev. J. Davies, Upper Clapton 10 Sir John Guest, M.P 10 J. H. Vivian, Esq., NI.P 10 D. Morris, Esq., M.P 10 J. Lloyd, Esq., Dinas 5 &c., &c., &c. After the reading of the report, the Rev. L. Hughes prayed in Welsh, and tbe Rev. H. Griffiths in English. The meeting separated soon after eleven, deeply impressed with the importance and the solemnity of the occasion. It gives us unspeakable pleasure to witness the earnestness with which this subject has been taken up by our countrymen. No doubt there will be some difficulty at the outset, but we have every confidence in their ultimate success. ';One thing strikes us as peculiarly encouraging in the move- ment namely, the entire absence of sectarianism. We under. stand that already there are in the house students belonging to as many as four different denominations in religion. All discus- sions upon polemical or political matters are stiicily forbidden and most sincerely do we hope that no root of bitterness may ever spring up to disturb the peace or prosperity of the institu- lion. At any rate, as an experiment, we hail it with joy, and in the name of our country bid it God speed — Silurian.

THE CITY ADDRESS. The following is the Queen's reply to the City Address, pray- ing her Maiesty to cause the ports to be opened for the free Im- portation of food:— The motives which have induced you topresent this address are duly appreciated by me. The wants and sufferings of my people at ail times command my warmest sympathy and I deeply regret the failltre in the piesent year of a full supply of an article of food on which so many of my subjects are accus- tomed to subsist. "I have directed Parliament to assemble on an eaily day, and I shall gladly sanction any measure which the wisdom of the Legislature may sngeest, as conducive to the "lIeviation of this temporary distress, and to the permanent welfare of all classes of my people." COMMUTATION OF TITHES. Subjoined are the averages of wheat, barley, and oats, per bushel. during the seven years terminating on the Thursday preceding last Christmas day :— s. d. Wheat 7 4 s. d. Wheat ..74 Barley 4 1} Oats 2 2 Each £ 10D. of rent charge will, for the year 1846, amount to £102. 17s. S;d., or about one per cent. less than last year. TURNIPS FOR POTATOF.S.-At the late audit in Margaretting parish, it was agreed to supply the poorer parishioners with turnips at 4d. pei bushel, during the winter, owing to the great failure in potatoes. The sale commenced on Saturday last, and as it appeared to give great satisfaction, the example would appear to be well worthy of adoption.—Essex Herald. A LADY INJURED BY AN ADDER.—On Tuesday morning, Mrs. Jameson, residing at Petersham, Surrey, was crossing the meadows from that place on her way to Richmond, when an adder, that lay concealed in the grass, bit her on the foot, and by the time she reached her destination it had swelled most alarmingly. Mrs. Jameson obtained assistance at the nearest surgeon's in the town, where the usual antidotes were applied with success. MILDNESS OF THE SF.ASON.—In almost every garden we see spring flowers already blooming; and a correspondent informs ns that Mr. Daniel Greening, of Littledean, gathered from his garden, on Christmas day, a dish of fine green peas and a head of white brocoli. Mr. Greening also has a standard peir tree in the garden, which has several fine blossoms on it. Our readers will perhaps remember, that about the same time laft year, Mr. W. Haviland, governor of the Littledean prison. gathered some ripe raspberries from the prison garden, while at the same time a piece of ice, two inches in thickness and three feet square, was exhibited at a fishmonger's in Gloucester. We have, however, no such contrast to notice now, milder weather at this time of the year has seldom heen known, and the little boys of the town are in perfect despair at the prospect of there being no ice for them wheieon to exhibit the mysteries of the double knock" and the other accomplishments of sliding the flood on the meadows, however, holds out some hope for them should an early frost set in.-Glollcester Journal. A GUIDE'S CURIOSITY.—On parting with my friend, he ex- pressed a strong anxiety to know who I was. Why," said I, as to who 1 am it would be no use to tell you for, as you never heard my name before, in all likelihood you would never hear it again, and so what's the use of repeating it 1" Well, plase your honour, what are you?" •' Can't you guess?" "Why, than, your honour, I'm thinking yer one of the clurgy people, but what soort I'm at a loss: yer not a priest, that I know." "Why!" Ocb, ye wouldn't be asking me all the questions you did were ye a priest; and yer not a parson, I suppose." "Why?" "Troth, I'm thinking yer not so great a gintleman entirely." "What thenl" II Y er not a Methody preacher." Why 1" Och, there's more laughter and fun about ye than with them sorry.looking crathurs." Well, what then Troth, yer honour, ye put me out entirely but still I'm thinking, yer some of the clargy soort." Well, Paddy, whatever I am, here's something for you, (putting some silver into his hand,) and now good by to you, and give me your blessing," Why then, good luck may attend you night and day wherever ye go, and it's I that would like to be afther meeting ye whenever ye come this way again, and that it may be soon; snyhow, my blessing be with yer honour. Good night, and safe home to you." CURRANTS AT CHRISTMAS.—A fine dish of white curraots was gathered on Christmas.day in the garden of William Ford, Esq., Yoe, near Yealmpton. SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCE.—The other day, while Mr. Leith, of the Caledonian Hotel here, was walking over a field of turnips, he started a number of hares, one of which ran into a furrow in which was anaoher hare running in an opposite direction. Both continued running with swiftness towards each other, until they came in contact. Head met head with such violence that death was the instantaneous consequence to both.-John o'Groat's Jour. IMPORTANT TO AUCTIONEERS.— A case was heard a few days ago, before the Lord Chief Baron, in the Court of Exchequer, which is of importance to auctioneer. The plaintiff, Mr. Thor. nett, brought an action against the defendant, Haines, an auc. tioneer, to recover back £315, the amount of a deposit towards the purchase of a beer-sbop at a sale at Garraway's, on the 7th June last. It appeared that a man of the name of Robinson had been employed to bid up the property to an amount far be. yond its value, and the plaintiff finding afterwards he had been imposed upon, brought this action to rescind the contract. The Chief Baton said that the current of common-law authorities was that a puffer at an auction vitiated the sale, though the owner might employ a person to buy in. Verdict for plaintiff, with liberty to enter a nonsuit. BRISTOL COURT OF BANKRUPTCY-—J. H. Pollock, Esq., one of the Registrars in this Court, is about removing to London, and the vacancy thus occasioned will be supplied by F. D. Orine, Elq., who has been appointed to the office. PROBABLB INCREASE OF THE INcoMK TAX. — We hear, on good authority, that orders have been issued from the Treasury, for official returns to be made out, of the respective returns that wouldi^be realised by the different hetids of lands," "profes- sions, salaries," 3cc., on an increase of five per cent., in- stead of the present rate of sevenpence in the pound. TU is would seem to countenance the rumour that it is in contemplation to charge some branches of local taxation on the Consolidated Fund.— Britannia. OUllUAltY OF 1845.The number of Peers who have died in the sourse of the year 1845 is larger than usual. The number in 1843 was 20 in 1844, 19 this year it has amounted to 28 4 Marquises- Sligo, Westminster. Downshire. and Ely 13 Earls -Sr. Germains. Effingham, Morningtou, Romney, Egremont (extinct), Abergavenny, Stamford and Warrington, Dunmore, Grey, Spencer, Verulam, Belmore, and Poitarlington 1 Vis- count- Canterbury and 10 Barons—Aston (extinct), Wyn- ford, Carbery, Harris, Seaford (inherited by Baron Howard de Walden), Bateman, Montague f(extinct), Hartland (exlin. t), Stuart de Rothsay (extinct), and Wharncliffe. The ages ranged between 41 years and 82 the average duration of life was 68. The number of Baronets deceased in 1845 is 81—Sirs J. D. Calt, C. Mackenzie, J. G. Cotterell, T. I-. Buxton, H, Oakley, J. Ishum, H. J. Tichborne, G. H. W. Beaumont, W. S. Wiseman, A. R Dillon, J. E. Hooywood, F. Freeling, E. Batty, J. Mordaunt, W. W. Pepys (inherited by Lord Cotten- ham), C. Rowley, M. J. Tierney, W. Foulm, W. Reid, L. Jones, and J. Chetwode. In 1844, the number was 29; in 1843, it was 31.—Tbe following Members of the House of Corn. mons have vacated their seats by death during the last year Hon. Olway Cave, county of Tipperary Colonel Rushbrooke, West Suffolk; Sir Wm. Follett, Exeter; Joseph Somes, Dart- mouth; Alexander Murray, Kirkcudbrightshire; Benj. Wood, Southwark Col. Clive, Hereford Peter Greeoall, Wigan Sir John Mordannt, Suuth Warwickshire; John Ramsbottom, Wind- sor and John Irviog, county of Antrim. TAUNTON—MYSTERIOUS DEATH.—Oa Friday week, as John Chaote, of Odcombe, near this town, was about to retire to rest, he was alarmed by a noise as if some one was in deep dis. tress, and on examination he found that the sound came from his well. Alarm was immediately given, and the bucket let down, but the noise had ceased. Half an hour elapsed before a rope could be procured strong enough for any one to venture down, when a body was brought up, which proved to be that of John Peach, a young man 18 years of ego, who resided about 30 yards from the spot. Peach bad, dining the day, been out with his brother, who had come from Cadbury to see bis friends, another young man being with them. Being carpenlers, they went, in a friendly way, to the London ion, Pye corner, where they drank rather freely but about nine o'clock they all left, I and returned to Peach's house together. The deceased's brother having occasion to call on a neighbour who lived very near, he went to fetch him, and left again before his brother, which was the last time he was seen alive. At the inquest, nothing was elicited to shew by what means the deceased came into the well. Verdict, Found drowned." FATAL ACCIDENT. A lamentable occur- rence took place on Sunday night last. A man, in a house at Dowlais, had, on Saturday last, brought in a loaded gun, and had taken the precaution to take off the caps. About nine o'clock on Sanday night, a lad, named Anthony Howells, 18 years of age, took the gun-which lay against the clock-anct began playing with it. He jocularly pointed it at Thomas Thomas, a boy of 14 years, not thinking it loaded. The gun, on his pulling the trigger, went off, and the load striking the boy Thomas in the middle of the forehead, blew his brains against an adjoining wall. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased, and the jury, by the direction of William Davies Esq the coroner, returned a verdict of Misadventure, with a deodand upon the gun of five shillings.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FRANCE. The Paris papers of Fiiday contain the addresses of the corps diplomatique, of the Archbishop and Clergy of Paris, of the Presidents of the two Chambers, and 01 various other public- functionaries and bodies, with the replies of the King to them severally. All breathed peace. The King received on Thurs- day, on the occasion of the new year, the members of the corps diplomatique, the Presidents and Deputations of the two Cham- bers, the Archbishop of Paris, and other dignitaries of the State. The journals of Saturday, received by express, are chiefly occupied with Ihe election of the Committee of the Chamber of Deputies charged with the pieparation of the address in answer to the King's speech. The ministerial journals affect extraord)- nary modesty in referring to the new and unquesiionable triumph of the Cabinet in those elections. The depression of English stock in London on Thursday, caused a somewhat similar decline of prices on the Paris Bourse on Saturday. A trifling ie-action look place towards the close of the business. The Journal des Debuts publishes despatches from Algeria of the 25th ult., which announce tbat on ti e 18th, General Bedeau had a waim engagement on the left bank ot the Isser, with Ben Salem, who had advanced within sight of Algiers. The Arabs were completely routed, with the Ion of forty killed, and in their flight abandoned a quantity of arms and ammunition. We have received accounts from Madrid to the 28th ult. It was expected that the Committee of the Chamber of Deputies on the address would be able to submit that document to the assembly in a day or Iwo. THE CZAR AND THE POPE. Singular details are given respecting the two visits paid by the Emperor Nicholas to the Pope, at Rome. A letter describing the farewell of his Imperial Majesty, says :— On Sunday, the 14th ult., the Czar ascended the cupola of St. Petel, about twelve o'clock. A collation was prepared for him there by order of the Major Domo. He accepted some refresh- ment, and proposed the health of the Pope in the following terms:—" To the health of the Pope. May God preserve that venerable person, and grant him all that he desires." It is well understood Ih-t the Pope pleaded earnestly with his Majesty, for a remission of his harsh decrees against the Church in his dominions, Hnd that the Emperor listened 10 him favour- ably. A union is even spoken of between the Greek and Roman Churches, as the probable result of this interview. While in Ri me, the Emperor waited about freely. The Emperor, in his promenades through Rome, was clad in a pale grey patelot, and wu attended by an aide-de-comp dressed in plain clothes. Although he displayed much generosity, and although he made several purchases in statues, paintings, mosa- ics, and likewise bestowed much money in works of charity, the Roman population gave him in general a very cold and not a very respectful reception. I am assured that, particularly at th* promenade of the Piurio, where his carriage followed the file uf equipages, he was neither saluted with any acclamation, nor did the pedestrians uncover their beads. This demeanour of the Roman population appeared to astonish the Emperor. From Rome the Czar went to Florence, where he arrived on the 19th of December, at six in the morning. He was to quit that city on the 21st. Though the Emperor exposes his person so freely, it would seem that great preparations are observed in his journeys :— The Emperor was to quit Florence at the latest on the 21st. His intention is to proceed through Balogna to Venice, where he will pass a day, and thence he will continue his route directly to Vienna. The (Hand Duke has placed at his disposal more than sixty horses. Through a prudent precaution, the equipages of the Emperor are divided into two trains, which set out 8t several hours' distance from each other, and frequently by different roads. The persons of his suite are ignorant by what road and in what carriage the Emperor travels. The personal interference of this powerful monarch in the affairs of Europe cannot be without its influence on the policy of Continental Cabinets. SPAIN. The Government of Narvaez, with a Legislature devoted to its will, finds the task of administration easy. Public business seems to proceed smooihly, and the pacification of the kingdom to go on without interruption. It was believed that the question of the Queen's marriage engaged the attention of the Cabinet. The settlement of that point will probably tend still farther to the assurance of tranquility. AMERICA. By the arrival of the steam ship Cambria, advices from New York have been teceived to the middle of December, eleven days later than by the last arrival. This packet bnngs the diplo- matic correspondence between the Ministers of Gre*t Britain and of the States upon the Oregon question. A correct abstract of this correspondence is given by the Philadelphia correspondent of the Morning Chronicle ;— It appears that England has for years given an implied if not a positive acquiescence in the claim of the Uuiled States 10 all of Oregon south of the Columbia River, which is in lat. 40 degs. And it also appears that the United Stales, by four successive offers, has been willing to acquiesce in the possession by England of all the Oregon north of 49 degs., thus narrowing the question down (a few tree ports and privileges on each side excepted) to three degrees of latitude, or 180 geographical miles of coast on the Pacific. But Mr. Polk. in making the fourth offer of 49 degrees, does not include the free navigation or the Columuia River mutually to both countries, and therefore Mr. Packenham rejected the offer. The result was that Mr.Bucbanan broke off the correspotJdence -but not without exptessing a hope that it might be renewed. In his last letter he states :— In Icking this necessary step, the President still cherishes the hope tflat this long-peDdlflg controversy may yet be finally ad- justed in such a manner as no', to disturb Ihe peace orÎDterrtJpt the harmony now happily subsisting between the two nations. We now learn, thal notwithstanding the fierce message of Ihe President, the negocistion has been re-opened, and that DeW propositions of compromise have been suggested. Should President Polk adhere to the terms of his Message, there can be little doubt that hostilities between thetwo countries must be the result, as he purposes to provide for terminating the joint occupation of the disputed territory, and extending over it the jurisdiction of the Slates. In anticipation of war, it has been proposed to organize 200,000 inilitia, and to largely aug- ment the steam navy. As the democratic party has majorities in both Houses of the Legislature, if seems probable that Mr Polk will be able to carry into effect whatever policy he may decide on forming. It il noticed as a significant sign of the public feeling in the State, that the Hon. Caleb Cushing, late envoy io China, in a recent lecture on India in Philadelphia, observed at the close that the "whole continent of NorthAmerica should be the policy of the United States." In commercial circles all apprehensian of war seemed to have passed over, and the partial panic caused by the alarm had subsided. The corn trade was firm, and it is related that immense quantities have been shipped for Liverpool."

LYNCH LAW. An extraordinary charge, involving the principle of the lex talionis, was heard on Tuesday week, at Worcester. 1 his was a case in which two reFpectaule young men, named Frederick and Henry Kirby, sons of Mr. Kirby, a respectable innkeeper, residing at Powick, near Worcester, were charged with cutting and wounding Mr. J. P. Smith, larmer, of Wick, near Powick, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. 1 he cutting and wounding was alleged to have been inflicted with a heavy blackthorn cudgel, and it was not denied that the Kirbys had beaten Mr. Smith, but they pleaded gross provocation, as the following brief detail of the circumstances which led to the pre- sent charge will testify :— It seems that on the 16ih ult. Mr. Smtth was hunting on his own farm at Wick, in company with Captain Wall, and his (Captain Wall's) pack of harriers. The defendant, Henry Kirby, was alto a spectator of the sports, on foot, and it happened that the chased hare ran through a gate or stile close to whereKirby was standing, and he struck at or threw his stick at" poor puss. Mr. Smith, seeing the circumstance, went up to Kirby, and ordered him off the ground, at the same time npplying his whip pretty freely to his back. Kirby struck Smith again with a slick, and several blows were exchanged, which ended m Smith riding at Kirby, and knocking him down the horse, as the latter alleges, trampling upon him while on the ground. Kirby sub. sequently left the field, but resolved, it would seem, to pay out Smith for what had happened. Accordingly, about four o'clock, the same evening, he procured the fellowship and assistance of his brother, and met Smith near to the latter's residence. From words the parties soon proceeded to blows, and Henry Kirby t.et upon Smith with his blackthorn stick, and beat him severely about the bark and body. Mr. Smith retaliated; but. having only a smllll walking-stick, he made hut little impression upon his assailant lIt length, huwever, he got hold of Henry Kirby's srick; and, being a very powe.rul nan, would prouably nvIY have again turned the tables, had not the brother, Frederick Kirby, now corne up and attacked him, wh«n Smith receiving a severe blow on the head, which inflicted a gash to the skull, and brought the blood trickling down his face, he gave up the struggle. The defendants then ran away, other parties com- ing to the rescue. The above circumstances having been deposed 10 ca oath 1,.y JUr. Smith, Capt. Flint, John Somers, and Mr. Bishop, surgeon, the parlies weie called on lor their defence, ^hen thev pleaded the provocation of the morning. The magistrates told them no provocalicn could be pleaded in juslificatioli of so serious an assault. They considered the matter far too serious to admit of summary adjudication, and accordingly committed both of the youog mea to take their tria', on the capital charge, at the ensu- ing Worcester Lent Assizes. Bail wu afterwards accepted tor their appearance, and they were released Irom custody.

THE FREE-TRADE AGITATION. The meetings of the Leaguers have been few and far between during the past week. On Tuesday evening there was a gathering of the Whig-Radi- cals of Lambeth at the Horns Tavern, Kenoington, at which Mr. T. D'Eyncourt and Mr. Hawes, the representatives of the Borough, were present. The pioceedings at the Lambeth meeting wele enlivened Uy some disputation between the mem- bersand their supporters. The fotmer endeavoured to retain the semblance of independence, and to escape binding themselves by a distinct pledge, to vote for a total abolition of the corn- laws'; while the latter in his led that they should. Alter consi- derable altercation, during which Messrs. D'Eyncourt and Hawes could not be got to return a plain answer to the direct ques- tions put to them, the meeting settled the controversy by unani- mously voting that they would not give their coufidence 10 aily hon. member who refused a pledge to vote against the corn-laws. The members then gave in, and duly pledged themselves. The Manchester Guardian, of Wednesday, gives the follow- ing information concerning tbe progress 01 the quarter-of-a- million fund '— Up to our publication on Satuiday last the amount subscribed was £65,403; and the additional subscriptions of Saturday, Monday, and yesterday, amounted to £6.3.70; making a grand total of £ 71,773. Amongst the subscriptions is one of £ 1000 from Messrs. Richard, John,and Alfred Pennington, of Hindley, gentlemen of Conservative political opinions, but, as their liberal subscription siguificantly intimates, thorough free-tiaders. Mr. Wm. Brown, of Liverpool, one of the future representatives of South Lancashiie," as he has been called by Mr. Cobden, hasatso given .Cl.OOO. Mess is. George Andrew and Son, of Compstall bridge, Mr. John Leech, 01 Stalybridge, and Mr. Al- fred Orrell, of Siockpoit, have given £500 each. Besides these large amounts, there have been In thiee days two subscriptions of £250, three of £200, two of £160, eight of £100, and seven of £50. In one week, then, from its commencement, the sub- sciiption has reached the amount of £71.77B; averaging more than £10,000 dally. SPEAKING OUT.-He that smarts for speakiog truth hath a plaster in his own conscience. —Fuller. 1

DOMESTIC NEWS. The Bishop of St. Asaph has transmitted £100. to the several clerHmen at St, Asaph, for distribution amongst the deserving poor of that city. The Right Rev. Prelate has given a donation of £100, towards defraying the expenses of completing the new church at Newtown, now in the course of erection. It is stated that a laige number of counterfeit half-crowns are in circulation. FREEMASONRY.—The annual festival of St. John was, 00 Tuesday last, obsened by the Worcester Lodge, with the usual ceremonies. The brethren dined together at the Masonic Hall, Bell Inn, Broad stieet, under the able presidency of R. Rising, Esq., W.M. DRUGGING HORSES.—On Monday last at the Bromyard petty sessions, a waggoner in the employ of Mr. Edward Drew, of the Court, Tedstone Wafer, was remanded on a charge of having poisoned his master's hoises. It is supposed he has been in the habit of drugging the horses to make them woik well, and ulti- mately gave them too much, for three out of four valuable horses died on Sunday, and the fourth is not expected 10 recover; two of the animals were worth fiorn £25. to £30. each. ARMY RECRUITS.— By order issued from tbe Horse Guards, it is directed that, "until further orders, the minimum size of recruits for the infamy of the line will he half an inch below the standard prescribed by the general order of May, 1844, viz. :— Men at five feet six inches, and growing lads, under eighteen years of age, as low as five feet five inches and a half. Recruits for regiments in India, China, New South Wales, and St. H' lena, to be eligible at five feet five inches and a half, if not under eighteen years of age." The Rev. Mr. Newman, together with several other clergymen who have lately left the Established Church, are making arrange- ments to take up their residence at old Oscott College, which is situate about one mile from the new establishment. The imme- diate object of their removal to this residence is not staled, but it is believed that their stay is intended to be more than temporary. Mr. Newman's library at Littlemoie, which it is said consists ul about 3000 volumes of the choicest literary and ecclesiastical works, is in progress of lemoval, and extensive alterations are be- ing made at the above college for their reception. The year opens with a tolerably fair prospect, and more pur- chases have beeo made this week thall for the last week or two in the warehouses. The difficulties attending the observance of the new ticket act have caused some delay in giving out woik this week amongst the manufacturers. So far.s the spirit of the act can be carried out, by making the woikmen acqnatnted with the prices giveo at the warehouse for the goods, there appears to be every disposition to comply on the pllllOf the manufacturers but in many kinds of work there is, it appears, a particularity required by the schedule which is next to impossible to carry out in the details, especially in the worsted manufactures. We (ear a temporaiy suspension of labour will, III some instances, be ex- perienced till this subject is fully discussed and arranged. Wools and yarns are stationl\rv.-J.eicf$ter 111 ere IWl/ I The Oddfelloms' Annual Ball, in Worcester, which has for its object the promotion of the Widows'and Orphans'fund of the Worcester district of Oddfellows, belonging to the Manchester Unity, took place at the Guildhall, on Friday evening lasl, onci was attended by members and liiends of the order 10 the number of Hbout 200. Dancing was kept up wili. great spirit till five o'clock, when the party separated, evidently much gratified with their night's diversion. The Druids' AnnuL!! Ball, for the benefit the Philanthropic Fuud, belongIng fo lodges 47 and 365, took place at the Bridge lun, Bridge-street, in Worcester, on Tuesday evening Itst. We have the painful task to announce Ihe decease of 1\1r. James Cruse, traveller for Messrs. Wm. and John Cousins, of Bristol. Hn started on Monday last, with his wife and child, in his phaetod, for Warminster, on a visit to hisfather, when about ten miles from Bristol he alighted to relieve his horse up a hill, and whilst walking by the side tell and instantly expired. He hfd for some time complained of an afiectiou of the heait, but left home that morning in apparent health and good spirits. De. ceased was universally beloved and respected by a large circle of acquaintances.— Bristol Mercury. THE SALMON FISHERIES.—The fence time, during which fish- ing for salmon is prohibited, closed on Wednesday last, from which day until the 14th of September, according to present re- gulations, it is lawful to take salmon in our rivers. Our Worces- ter fishermen were most uf them on the river yesierday. but only one solitary fish—and that an old spent sltlmon-was taken, the water being in a highly flooded state. We ueed not repeat our conviction that the fence season ought to be piolonged uotil (lit the earliest) Candlemas day our readers who interest them- selves in ibis important subject are already aware, that it is only 10 conciliate certain interests that Ihe fence time stops on Ihe 1st of January. As to the propriety of prolonging the season of pro- tection beyond its present limit, those living in this locality need only have taken 8 walk over to Powick weir on allI_ost aoy day during the last week, wlieie they might have seen salmon full of I of spawn and mill (as evidenced by their colour and ill propor- tions, ) leaping in vain etforh to overcome ,hat notOriouS obslaclc to their free passage upwards lo their spawning grounds. Now here 18 evitlel/ce that at feilst 8 large proportion 01 the fish cannot be in a fit condition for human food by the lit of January, and this proof being afforded to demoostratlOn yearly at our very doors, calls for some decisive regulation to prevent the wholesale destruction to spawning fish. It is true that all persons having io their possession fish 01 this description are hahle to a heavy penalty, but unprincipled fishermen being allowed to nel will not be very precise in drawing the line of demaication between a good and a bad fish, nor is it possible, even by the exercise of the strictest vigilance, to detect every infringement of the law herein. A. regards I he operation of the Severn Association, however, we find that its officers are all 00 the alert, and we trust that every infraction of the law will be followed up by a prosecution for the highest penalty. We lurn that night fishiog is strictly prohibited on the Severn.— Worcester Guardian. STUPENDOUS WHIDGE AT RUNCOR.N.— Some idea of the mag- nitude of the biidge proposed to be built for carrying the Grand' Junction Extension Railway across the Metsey may be formed when we state that there are to be five wet niches of 280 feet rpan, 100 feet above high-water mark at spring tides, 163 dry arches ot 30 feet span, and 51 feet high, making a total of 2480 yard. of archmg, which will be, when completed, the greatest work of the kiud in Europe. Lord Francis Egerton, with a de- sire to meet the wants of this rising port, is about to erect docks of great extent on the shore of the Mersey and will also apply, at the next session of parliament, foi a trunk railway thus affording the port a ready transit for goods, in addition to the two canals in his lordship's possession. UNREMITTING KINDNESS.—A comedian went to America, and lemained there two years, leaving his wife dependant 00 her relatives. Mrs. F— jtt, expatiating in the green-room on the cruelty of such conduct, the comedian found a warm advocate in a well-known dranxmst. "I have heard," says the latter, that he is the kindest of men, and I know he writes to his wife every packet." Yes, ho writes," replied Mrs, F., a parcel of flummery about the agony of absence, but he has never re- mitted her a shilling- Do you call that kindness 1" Deci- dedly," replied the author, unremitting kindness."—Globe,

POTATO SEED.—GOVERNMENT INQUIRY. The importance to this country of good potato seed, or sets for another year's crop, is such that, from a very. early period, the attention of Goveinment has been directed to it. Inquiries have been addressed to the British consuls in such places as appeared likely to furnish supplies, and we aie now permitted to mention some facts which have been thus elicited. It appears that although at Bordeaux the htter crop is dis- eased, yet the early potatoes, gathered in July, were sound, and that some thousand bushels might he obtained. Corsica can also furnish a few hundred tons, no disease bav- < ing appeared in that island. But the great source of supply will be Corunna. Very large numbers are annual y grown in Gahdd, patlly for the Spanish West India Islands. The whole crop in this part 01 Spain is re- ported to be perfectly sound, and a veiy considerable quantity of potatoes could be readiiy procured- Considerr.g thectimate of Galicia, we can baldly imagine a provioce better calculated to renew our English crops and we have no doubt that we shall soon have Spanish potatoes in ihe market. Shippers would be wise if they exposed their purchases to light for some time before sending them on board and if the potatoes could be barrelled in dry sand, they would command so much higher a price on that account as would far more than de- fray the additional expense.

CHURCH RATES. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sin,—I find that I have a new antagonist on this subject, of muttifdrious" reading, in Fair Play;" or, I am inclined to think (and I fancy 1 shall not be fat from the truth), I have an old antagonist, new christened tor the nonce. Be this as it may, however, I thank Fair Play" for writing, and you for inserting, his letter. 1 rejoice that the subject is again opened (and 1 believe hundreds will rejoice with me)—I am surpassingly pleased to find that the opposite party cannot understand when they are beaten the times have been, That when the brains were out a man would die, And then an end but now they rise again So let them-ghostly or bodily-I am ready for them. But, to the subject- It is now nearly six weeks since "A Church Rate Payer" challenged the Dissenters to bring Scrip ture to controvert a doctrine he then propounded in your paper. In the following week 1 did so—and 1 have never been answered — I ain not answered now. Here, then, 1 am fixed. let" Fair Play"—let A Church Kate-Payer"—let the Trevethin church wardens, baptised and unbaptised-let the magistrates, intei- ested and disinterested in the matter, lay or clerical—let any of the church pa: ty, singly, or all combined (surely here is a chal- lenge wide enough)—remove me from this position, if they can if they cannot, let them learn to hold their tongues. 1 defy them all, singly, or combined. My opponents, in your columns,have wandered sadly from the subject in very tortuous mazes. Hera, then, 1 bring them back. On this point, (which, by the way, is of their own chosing), I am ready to do battle with them. I couitan attack—and, until they attack this position, all they may say on on other subjects is mere childish bye-play. I am fixed upon this pedestal-let them pull me down if they can. Here, perhaps. I might well stop. However, as my new opponent has promised another letter, I will follow him in a few points. If I pass him by iu silence, perhaps he may imagine himself affronted, and turn sulky, and forget to write more— which I should be sorry for. Probably he requirts a littlc coax- ing, in order to bring him out. Let me try a little tickling. First,—Scripture quotations. 1 really see no good reason why I should occupy your columns and the time of your readers in repeating over again what I said in my last. If the scriptural quotations I give ate offensive to the opposite party, it is no fault of mine—it is thefault of their false position, and I really can- not help it. 1 will only again repeat, I cannot be so profane as to apologise for them." If this will not satisfy. I really have nothing more to say upon the subject—they are not to he sa tisfied. Second,—Baptism. I will not follow every step of his wan- derings upon this point—I do not think it it at all necessary. All I said was, that one of the present churchwaidens of Trevethin was baptised by Mr.Thomas, whose goods he now seizes; and I remarked, that it was rather hard that the Baptists st'onld be attacked so virulently by the party who lesort to them for bap- tism. Am I right in this opinion, or am I wrong? 1 neversaid that this churchwarden had been a Dissenter. 1 believe he never was (and 1 question if he ever could be.) He was baptised by the Dissenters for the purpose of joining ihe communion of the Established Church. Does this, then, alter my inference ? I inferred that those who resorted to the Baptists for Baptism, and then joined themselves to theChllrch, had no faith in the Chin ch Baptism, and that ihey resorted to the Baptists' Baptism for their soul's health. If this was not the case, for what reason did they resort to the Baptists' Baptism at all? My inference is a good one, Fair Play, however unpalateable to you and your party—and until you can give a belter reason for the fact, mine must needs stand upon the record at present it remains unas- sailed. It would be a curious investigation to institute an in qnlry, how, accoidtng to ecclesiastical law, a man can be a member of the Established Chmch. who has not been baptised according to the iites of that chinch for 1 believe that church does not recognise any Dissenting ministers, but as simple by lIIen. And it does not recognise lay baptism, but in cases uf im- minent peril. How can the unbaptised he a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven," when it. is only in baptism he is made so? To what ecclesiasti- cal penaities docs a man render himself liahie who communes in the Established Chutch without ever having been baptised according to its ritual ? and to what penalties does a Clergyman, who adminisieis such a communion to such an one render him- self liable? Can a man, who is not a legal member of ihe Church be a legal churchwarden? These are curious enquiries, but they belong III the opposite party more than to me. All 1 can say is, if 1 stood in the shoes of this churchwarden, most lustily would I cry nut Save me from my friends," and deliver me from rry defenders Third,—My opponent is scandalised at what I faid about de- sertions from the Tabernacle. He complains that I call them Wolves in sheeps' clothing, 6. c." Now, 1 ask, what are they ) If they are not with the Tabernacle, they cannot be for it; tad if they are not for it, they must be against it. He that is not tor me is against me." All I argued for was, that false friends were worse than open foes, and if those whoprufesstobe one thing, whilst, at the same tune, they are another, are not "wotves in sheep's clothing," I should be glad to know what characters are? I have no apology to offer on this point. What [ have writtan I have written." Let my opponent con- trovert it if he can; if he cannot, then I have nothing mote to say to him he may grumble on in the Miss Miggs' tto, yes," style, till Dooms Day, if he likes, that will not a!let my position- But "hat are these vaunted desettions? Not being a resident in the locality, 1 took up the subject in Its general bearing! sup- posing these desertions to be rtal facts, and not fictions, fabii- cated for the occasion. Upon enquiry, however, I cannot fiod that a single .nan has deserted the Dissenting cause. The Apos- tle warns us, certainly, agamsl certam no very pleasing charac- ters who were to anse In after tHnes, who creep into houses and lead away silly women." I cannot find that a singtentan has deserted, but my informant did not extend his enquiry after silly women he thought, I presume, they could be very well spared. My opponent, however, in his over-zeal upon this sub- ject, first acknowledges that the Established Cliuich is but a sect, and I thank him for the acknowledgment. I think, though, that it was ill-judged in him to make such a c nfession but so eager was he to have a slap at me, that he lorgut what he wis about. It is not, then, the Church, par excellence, but one community of Christians," ofwhtchthe Tabernacle fovms ano- ther. And [ am rated most soundly because I do not treat the opposite party as one of the same body as myself. I amrelerred to the rebuke of the Saviour to hi& Ditwiples, when they com- plained that they saw one casting out devils, and did not follow with them. Is there any analogy between the cahes f To cast out devils from those who were possessed, was, J take it. a labour of love," and until Fair Play can prove that the em- ployment of the Police to take away a linn's wo,ldJy goods hy force, and against his will, for the maintenance of that which he, who has his goods seized, believes in his conscience to be a sin, until, I say, he can prove this to be equally a labour of love," the two cases cannot be compared together at all. Let not this admission, however, be forgotten in any future writing. I ought, peihaps, to say one word on false quotations Your corres- pondent says, they attach themselves to the beast having the mark 0/ the beust written in their foreheads," anJ the words 1 bave put in italics he gives between inverted commas, as a quotation from me, and he does so evidently, to try to make it appear that i call the Church party the party of the beast," and represent all that join them as having the mark ot the beast written in their forehead." Whether this representation of the Church party be right or wrong—or whether it is possible that an Es- tablishment patty can be anything but this, is not the matter now in discussion. Neither my words nor my reasoning can bear any such construction. The passage given as mine is a fabtica- tion-a falsehood. My opponent must either have known this, and therefore maliguantly forged an unlruth, in^otderto assail my motives, instead of my arguments —or his muliitaiious' reading has so bewildered his brain that he cannot comprehend a simple argument. If tbe last be the true vtrsioti of the case, then can we apply to him, with very slight alteration, the lan- guage applied to the great Apostle ol tbe Gentiles, l arr Play, Fair Play, multifarious reading "hath made thee mad!" Whilst in the act of forging this fabrication, your correspondent rtdvises me to adhere to the truth. What next, I wonder. Fair Play advises me not to "judge" lest 1 be judged." I beg to say that I conceive, I do not forfeit my judging faculty when I become a Christian. My faculties remain the same, and there- fore 1 judge" that when a tree beareth figs" it is a fig tree and when I iind myself entangled in thorns, I "judge" that I am in a bramble bush. Verity Fair Play need not exhort me to repentance. If this fabrication emanated from his heart, I think be will find enough of work at home, to cleanse and purify that, without, the necessity of wandering as tar asnune if it is only the production of his head, I think that even then he would find it more profitable to endeavour, by mul'ifarious" reading or otherwise,to clear that from its mistyness 1 judge,"and shall continue to "judge," and I hope I shall always be able to keep my head safficienily clear to distinguish a tree by its fruits." 1 am also perfectly willing to" be judged." I must" be judged," however, by my own sayings aod doings not by the saying* forged for me by an opponent, and falsely put into my mouth and for my own individual doings, and not lor the doings of ano- ther. My opponent began his leiter very gravely indeed- Be- fotehe had proceeded half way thioogh it however, so much had the "Miggs" vein preponderated, that he is obliged to say, himself," When 1 commenced I did not think 1 should be led to use such severity of language." There is one little adage which I would lain recommend him to have printed in large capitals, and stuck against the wall of his study, in such a place that it caunot fail to catch his eye, ever amI anon, when hc is ",iting- it is Keep your temper. It is very important; particularly in a controversy. Fourth,—Steeple-house i.; unpalatable to my opponent. I really am unfortunate. It is, however, a tiue or a false descrip- tion Are not chutchesbutit with steeples and are they not exclusively privileged to do so ? Is it not illegal for sectaiies to build sleeples to their chapels and if they do so, do they not do it upon sufferance ? Answer rue these True—theie are other Establishment Chapels in Tievethin with- out steeples. Why, perhaps, it is but right that the daughters should be subordinate to the mother or (perhaps, nearer the truth) they could not afford to be so grand, and there was no Jaw to allow a Dissenter's goods to be taken from him for such a purpose. What a pity! Alas! what shall we do our little sister has no steeple Hut, steeple-house is obnoxious. What is Tabernacle ? Dissenters give names to their chapels, aud each chapel has its distinguishing name (some of them silly enough, 1 confess). When, therefore, my opponent classes them all as The Tabernacle," Ihe party has surely no calise to cnmplalll when I call the church a steeple-house. Besides, 1 think the name a very good one. I do not apnrove of the word chap,.1 ally more than I do of the word church. I prefer plain spoken, and understandable English. I, therefore, call the Dissenting place of worship a meeting house, and the Church place of wor- ship a steeple house the steeple is its distinguishing badge. That ibis does not please my opponent, 1 teally cannot help he must remain displeased. Fifth,—-My opponent is still more offended by "act of parlia" meut religion," and argues, or rather asseris, that the Estab lished religion is the Bible religion. Let us look into this matter- it is a curious one, and will repay a little examination. Are Geo Bitd's cheese, and Sam. Long's shoes taken from them on the authority of the Bible, or of an act of parliament ? Answer me Ihls question," FairPhiy," and answer it without equivocation. Point me out." Fair Play," the chapter and verse in the New testament, which invests your party with authority to take tlie poor collier s. winter store of provisions, and the stock-in-trade of the labouring art.zui, who hires himself to support an inlant, motherless family, lor the support of your boasted poor man's church, and I will point out to you the act 01 parliament which you are so desirous of studying or point me out the passage 1 require, and I will conuni) the volume that contains it (It it pio- lesses to be from God) to the Hames, for, if it contains it, it is unworthy the character of its Author, and unfit for the guidance of his creatuies. Before the magistrates the Dissenters went en- tirely upon scriptural reasons for refusing to pay church rates but lucver heard that either of the magistrates quoted the Bible at all: indeed, if they did, I can hardly suppose that the Bible would be taken, in theCourtnt Queen's Bench, as a legal excuse. The magistrates went upon the law of the land-the act of par- liament religion. I believe the cleiicaL magistrate ollen?d, in the heat ollhe moment, to dispute the point upon scriptuial ground, but he declined the contest afterwards (and I think very prudently indeed) when the business of the day was over rile law had taken its course, and it was immaterial what the gospel said upon the subject. Let not your correspondent, by anv means, forget the bond" in his next letter. Who drew ft who signed It; wLat were its bondllions; what its penatnes when dated who aie the pai ties to it by what compulsion were they made to sign it against. their will He states the bond as a fact in dealing with facts, we must have lull particulars made out. Come, tail Play," the bond. the whole bond, and nothing but the bond: no malig- nant insinuations, and tortuous snake-in the-giass inuendoes, will do in this case. We want pute facts, or you must be con- tent to be stigmatised as a fabricator of fictions. Choose which you please. I now cease—not for want of matter, for there is no end to my opponent's fallacies. I have said enough for once, however, and j as your correspondent has promised us further illumination, I presume I shall again have ample opportunity of reverting to the matter. NO CHURCHMAN. 5th Jan., 1846. i

Review of the Corn Trade. The present position of affairs is certainly not calculated to inspire confidence. The uncertainty as to how long the existing laws regulating the duties 011 corn may remain in force, or, if altered, the nature of the change likely to bit proposed, has nl. turally interfered greatly with business. So completely are all parties in ihe daik relative to the future, that few are disposed to enter into investments. Not only, theiefore, has speculation wholly ceased, but buyers for actual consumption have deemed it the more prudent plan to confine their purchases to as narrow limits as have been consistent with then immediate wants. Not- withstanding these manifest disadvantages, there has beeu a buoyancy about the trade in grain, indicative of a rise iu prices; and, from piesent appearances, we certainly incline to the opi nion Ihal, in whichever way the Corn Law question may be set- tled, the settlement will be immediately followed by an active demand for bread stuffs. The late fall in prices of wheat was (as we have on former occasions remarked), caused wholly hy political events, and not by any alleraiion in public opinion res- pecting the result of the harvest. The crop, though certainly not so bad as represented by those connected with the League tor party purposes, must nevertheless be considered as decidedly below that of nversge years. That there really is a deficiency in the yield, is admitted on all hands but so variously is it esti- mated, as to render it almost impossible to determine, with any degree of accuracy, to what extent. Coupled, however, with the falling off in Ihe quantity of food, in consequence of the dis- ease by which the produce of potatoes has been so greally de- creased, quite sufficient grounds are afforded to conclude thai wheat.cannol long remain at present rates. We ùo not mean to affirm that there is any cause to fear scarcity and very high prices; but we think it highly probable that the value of the article may again advance In about Ihe same point from whid1 it has fallen since the commencement of the ministerial changes earlv in December. Nothing can more strongly indicate the healthy state of the trade than the fact that piices have recently rallied in all parts of Ihe country in spile 01 the many causes in operation of a character likely to produce the opposite effect, viz., the dread of Ihe Corn Laws being meddled wilh on Ihe meeting of P'llliamenl, ttie absence of all speculation, and the unwilling- ness of millers and others to increase their stocks. At most of the provincial markets held since our last, selleis have ùisplayed much firmness; and though, liS before remarked the demand has been the reverse of livtly, enhanced terms have been pretty generally asked and obtained. At Liverpool, on I'uesdov, the transactions were on a limiled scaie, none but needy buyers bemg willing to pay Ihe rates demanded Ihe few sales elfected were, however, at fully the prices of Ihe preceding Friday—being an advance of Id. to 2d. per 70 lbs, or. the cur. rency of ti,,1I day se'nnight. Liter in the week affairs remained in much the same state; indeed, so litlle business wu done on Friday that the operations did not warrant any alteration in quo- t ations" The tone of the advices from the leading towns in Yorkshire is, generally, firm. '1 he Hull market was, on Tuesday, pretty well supplied wIth farmers' wheal; Ihe best fJualilif5 sold nl prices h. per qr. above those pievtously obtainable and secondary descriptions were fully as dear as the week before. At Leeds slightly enhanced lates were also insisted on, whIch checked Ihe inquiry, ilD11 no quotable advance was established, The reports from Wakefield, of Fiiday, inform us that only a trifling amount of business was done there in wheat, at about former rates. At several of th" western and north-western markets the up. ward movement has been more decided than at the places above referred to. At Bristol and Birmingham the rise, on Thursday, was Is. io 2s. per qr. acd at several other towns of minor im- portance iu that quaiter a similar rally has occurred. From the shipping ports on ihe easi coast we have also advices of rising prices so that the country maiki-ts may be said to have taken the leading; which must, we conceive, produce some effcct on quotations in Mark Lane. By our Scotch letters it appears that the more animated ac- counts from Ihe south had 10 have much influence on the trade, business in wheat being far from lively at Edinburgh and Glasgow, on Wednesday oats were, however, more saleable at both these ptaces and at the fnrmei a rise of 6d. per qr. took place in the price of this grain. From Ireland, the reports relative to potatoes are less favour- able this than the preceding week. It is staled that, in many cases, 011 opening the PilS, the disease had lIeen found to have made great havock and so general was the impression that this ftflicle of food would ultimately become very scarce and dear, that a firm tone had been given to the wheat and oat tiade in afJlicipatloll of an increased consumption of flour and meal. The very boisterous weather experienced during thegieaier part of the week has caused the iirucles of all kinds of grain into London to be very small. Of wheat, ouly 1,083 qr*. have been received coastwise up to this (Saturday,) evening, the constant gales from the west having prevented arrivals from the eastwaid. The quantity exhibited at Mark Lane by land-carriage samp es from the neighbouring counties has also been trifling s.nce Mon- day. On Wednesday the show consisted of a lew parcels of inferior quality, lef.t over from previous supplies. Anything fioe | would probably have sold without difficulty at the recent ad- vance; but the want of suitable qualities caused the millers to lefrain from buying, and so little business was done as to render quotations nearly nominal. On Fiiday, the Essex, Kent, and Suffolk stands were nearly bHe and needy purchasers had to pay lull terms, lectors displaying more disposition 10 raise than to lower their pretensions. The full effect of the gieat fall which took place in the value of wheat in the early part of December is only now beginning to tell on the aggregate average for the kingdom: Ihe Idst weekly return is 55$. 4d., and the duty, after remaining stationary for several weeks, al 145. per qr., roae a step tm Thursday. Nor is the advance likely to cease here the present position of the averages rendering a further rise of h. to 2s. per qr. almost certain. So HDndeot are importers, however, that a material modification of the duties will he proposed by the government on the meeting nf Parliament, that little or no v> heat has recently beeD entered for home consumption, Ihe buH 01 what has been received from abroad having been landed under lock. The transactions iu free foreign wheat have, since our last, beeu on a very reslrlcted scale, owing partly to holders havlOg asked enhanced terms, and partly to the fad that several of the large millers have still old wheat on hand, which they seem de. teimined to work up before making purchases at the enhanced rates demanded. The inquiry for wheat under lock has cermiuly fallen off since !ast week. There are still, we believe, orders in town from Belgium, but at limits much too low to admit of their execution, ur.poiters having shown no inclination to facilitate business by submitting to lower terms. The leceol rise in Ihe puce of wheat has not been followed by a corresponding advance ill (Rotations of flour iudeed the sale of the latter article has, throughout the week, been slow, former rates having been paid with some reluctance by the bakers and dealers. In bonded flour we have heard of no operations of importance good brnnds of United States have been field at 30s. per barrel. The trifling nature of the supply of English barley has caused this grain \0 be held "ilh increased firmness really choice malt- ing qualities have been extremely scaice, and have commanded quite as much money as at acy peiiod of last week. SecoDdaiy desciiplioris, though in cOlOparativdy slow request, hllve abo supported their previous value with considerable firmness. The duty on this grain is at present 5s. per qr.; but may be expected to rise a step in the course of a week or two. Quotations of malt luve undergone very little variation il has, however, been difficult to buy the finer sorts at last Mon- day's currency. The arrivals of onts have beeo scanty from all quarters of English only 671 qrs. 01 Scotch 272 qrs. of Irish, i,242q)t.; and of foreign, 5,838 qrs. having come to hand during the week. There is DO Joubl that lhe large Lundon clealeCl still hold qute average stocks; but as, from the prevalence of westeily winds, il is generally believed ihat eomparutively few oats are now on passage from Ireland, factors have exhibited very little anxiety to press sales of those 111111 00 shipboard the trade hu, conte- quently, assumed a decidedly firm tone, and neither on Wednes- tlifY nor Friday could good fresh corn be bought on as easy terms as on Monday. The total quantity of oats entered during the past year at this poii has not exceeded 50,000 qr?.; what re- mains in bond is trifling. English beans have come forward rather sparingly, and fioe samples of old have become scarce. No actual advance has hitherto taken place tn piices but the lurn has been against the buyer. The continued mild weather has interfered with the sale of boiling peas and though the cOllSumplioD is usually great at this season, the demand has not been by any means brisk since our last, and quotations hrcve lemained as before. Besides the alteiation in the duty of wheat, above noticed, a rise of Is. pHr (jr. took place in the rates chargeable on rye and beans, on lhursday.— Mark Lane Ex pre it,

OMNIBUS. Afledlyporlites, the greatest dupes the Devil has, are those who exhaust an anxious existence in the ditappointment and vex- ations of business, and live inferably and meanly, only to die magnificently and itch. An illiterate personage, who always volunteered to go round with the hat, but was suspected of spariug his own pocket, over- hearing, one day, a hint to that effect, made the following spfefh —" Other gentlemen puts down what they thinks proper, and so do I. Ctiaiity's a private (oucetn, and what I gives is nothing to nobody." A Jest KEPHGOF.— A lady who had married a man of great good-nature, but a little deficient in poinl of understanding, was reproached by her brother-in-law, who told hel in deClsioD ihat she had coupled herself to « fool. So has my sister," she re- plied, to for no man of sense \Woul(1 endeavour 10 give 80Y woman a mean opinion of her husband."—Scrap Boo". What article did the blind man take up from a tea table to restore his sight ?—He took up a cup and saw, Sir I (Saucer.) FITTING OPPORTUNITY.— When concession is inevitable, it is Wise 10 concede helore necessity destroys both freedom olthought and dignity of movement. A New YEAR'S REFLECTION.— Ihe commencement of the new year is a good day tor beginning whatever is gool. For this purpose, however, every day is worse than the day before, and better 11);1 the day alter. The eye has five tunics to guaid it against danger. The first is like a spider's wei—ihe second is like a net-the third is like a berry—the fourth is like a horn-and the fifth is the cover or lid of the eye. Here is guard upon guard, resembling the various ways Providence hath 10 secuie us from harm. Heme the five cardinal viriues. Trn: CAMEL" AND THE "NLEDI.E'S EVE."—Lord Nugent, in Ills publication on "Lands Classical and Sacred," describts himselt as about to walk to Hebron through the large gate, wheo his companions seeing a train 01 camels approaching, desired him 10 go Ihrough Ihe "eye of the needle in other wOlds, Ihe small needle gate. This his lordship conceives to be a common expression, a IJd explanatory of our Saviour's words for he added, the sumpter camel cannot pass through, unless with gteat dif- ficulty, and stripped of his load, his trappings and his merchan. dise." A GOOD HINT.—Several letters, parcels, and trunk, have arrived lately from France addressed to Lord Brougham Chan cellor, Lincotn's-inu-hall." They have oil been refused, and sent back wiih the inscription No tuch perSVII. Try Graft<Jll- A lillle girl having disobeyed her m'imma, was lermed a Dice article. "No, please, mamma," replied the little girl, if you look into the grallHlliU you will perceive that I am not an article, bUI a noun of thejemilliue ginder." GARnictf's REQUISITE FOR A COMEDIAN.—Garrick used to say uf himself, A comedian iii not master of his art who can- uot model his throat 10 illl sorts of sounds, from thë cat-like shiiek 0/8 peacock to Ihe whirring of 9. knife-grinder's wheel." IIIOIIWAY ROBBIIRY.—On Saturday last, between one and two o'clock p. m., as Robert Warren, Bristol Mercury news- carrier, was on his way from Midsomer-Norton to Chilcompton, Somerset, he was slopped in a field by three men, who assaulted and robbed him of between 9s. and 12.. in cash and two news- papers.

THE CHURCH. i —.— # ■On Monday week, 'he Rev. Charles Maunder, of Ques College, in the University of Cambridge, Clerk, M.A., j licensed by ihe Lord Bishop of the Diocese to the Perpeti | Curacy of Holy Trinity, Kingswood, in the parish of BitM j Gloucester, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. John Girt1 j on the nomination of the Rev. William Macdonald, Prebend1 of the Prebend of Bittoo, founded in the Cathedral Churcb J Sarum, and as such the patron thereof. ] OXFORD, DioC. 27.—The following gentlemen were on Wl .J nesday last admitted aeinal students of Christ Church-th. II '"J three were elected from Westminster in May last, viz.:—G« 'j W. Randolph. George Downing Bowles, and Edmund Chsfj Burton Arthur Charles Wilson, George Gainsford, Char Mahon Tyndale, Robert Faussett, Herbert William Fit Philip H. Shuttleworth, and Richard St. John Tyrwbilti. T of the above vacancies were caused by the secession from Church of England of the Rev. Robert A. Coffin and the W Charles H. Collyns. Mr. Edward Elliott, from Winche" College, has been admitted a Probationary Scholar of lJ College. The Right Hon. John Lord Colville, of Culross, has pointed the Rev. Wm. Lionel Darell, M.A., of Christ Cho college, Oxford, and Rector of the parish of Featherne, iø I county of Gloucester, to be his lordship's domestic chaplain* J*?* PREFERMENT.—The "Rev. Henry Thomas Wliateley, ø. Vij Christ Church College, Oxford, nephew of the Archbishopf ? Dublin, has been appointed by the Vicar of Kidderminster the fourth Curacy in the Parish Church of St. Mary, Kid minster. J On Sunday, the 28th ult., the teachers of the National Saim School belonging to the Holy Trinity Church, Kinglwood-II tl ) presented to the curate, the Rev. H. L. Neltbropp, a qu jt copy of the Bihle, handsomely bound in gilt morocco, as a 610 token of respect for his zealous and indefatigable eaelll, < amongst them during his residence at Kingswood-hill. j ORDINATION AT LAMPBTER.—On Sunday se'nnight the W* Bishop of St. David's admitted into Holy Orders, in the Cb*^ J of St. David's College, the following gentlemen :-Deaeo V Leigh, Stradforti. B.A., Si. John's College, Oxford Ribbs* ■_ East, F.T., B.A., Tiinity College, Dublin; Lewis, Art Augustus, King's College. London; Sturkey, John, tutor 8 senior scholar of St. David's College Lee, Richard, schollf St. David's College; Evans, William, scholar, ditto; Willi'^ David Edward, ditto; Lewis, William, ditto Lloyd, Tho* Richard, ditto; Williams, Rice Stuart. A.B., Jesus Coli Oxford, by letters dimissory from the Bishop of St. Asapl" Williams, John, and Hughes, Joseph, by letters dimissory f, the Bishop of Liandaff -Priesis: Tasker, James, late tutor Jj .4 senior scholar of St. David's College Davies, Richard, scholar of St. David's College Piiee, Rees, do.; Evans, M' gan, do. Sinuett, John, do.; Duon, Thomas Higgon, d i Jones, Samuel, do. Owen, John, do.—Tbe prize for the examination among the Priests was adjudged to Mr. Task* that of tbe Deacons to Mr. Sturkey. The Bishop, in awaijW the prizes, addressed all the candidates assembled at the M pals in very affecting language, io the course of which his ship was pleased to pay an encouraging compliment on their aminatians, to Mr. R. Lee, and Mr. William Evans. ■j.

LONDON MARKtTS.I MARK-LANE. MONDAY, JAN. 5, 1846. The supplies of wheat being small, factors asked 2s. at the opening of the market, but this could not be establU'1 y[ "j and we had a slow sale, at an improvement of Is. per qr. on 'u 1 currency of this day week. I Flour sells slowly, at late rates. ,1 i Good barley meets buyers, at full prices, and other descr'fj tions meet a dull sale. [. Beans and pea^ are without change in value. j Theshoit arrivals of oats enabled factois to make 6d.per<fl advance on retail rales, and the trade is firmei, aud pric#»i all description fully maintained. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. 1 WH KAT.Essex IC Kent, new red 52 58 White 59 63 Old, red 56 65 Ditto 64 66 "2 RYE,old 34 38 New 3$5 BARLEY,grinding,2831 malting 36 — Chevalier..36 JS Irish 27 28 Bere .26 MALT, Suffolk and Norfolk 58 63 Brown .56 < Kingstone and Ware ..60 — Chevalier ..65 "J OATS, Yorksh ix Lincolnsh, feed 22 — Potato .26 2 Voughall & Cork, black, 22 23 Cork, white.23 *r Dublin 23 24 Westport..24$1 Waterford, white. 21 23 Black .20 Newry 25 26 Galway 20 22 d Scotch, feed 24 — Potato .27$ Clonmel 24 — ^imerick 27 Londondeiry 25 — Sligo. 26 9j BEANS, lak, new 34 38 Old, small.5'2 T i EAS, Grey 35 Maple .36 "1 i EAS, Grey 36 Maple .36 "1 White 48 50 Boilers .50 £ r LOUR, Town-made.55 60 Suffolk50 per sack ot 280'" Stockton 6l NOI folk 48 Irish ..50 52 FOREIGN GRAIN AND FLOUR IN BOND. WHEAI Dantzic 52 56 tine 60 <>' Hamburg 50 52$ Rostock 52 54 1 BAHLEY 23 26 1 .'I OATS, Brew 24 28 Feed.«.19 ™ 1 BEANS 44 — FLOUR, American, per barrel.. 30 32 Baltic.— OATS, Brew 24 28 Feed.«.19 ™ 1 BEANS 44 — FLOUR, American, per barrel.. 30 32 Baltic.— LONDON, MONDAY, Jan. 6. T 'va The arrivals last week from Ireland were). H7 firkins butt*f' and fteO bales bacon, and from foreign poits, 5,382 casks butttRf We experienced during the past week an improved deros^Jl for all descriptions of Irish butter, and more business ( transacted than for some time past, and .in some instances, i advance of Is. lo 2&. per cwt. over the late obtainable rates .,? realized. T v In the bacon market there is no alteration to notice in prif~ demand; the supplies are small, owing to contrary winds "Ji f taiug the vessels, but the dealers purchase sparingly to supP'% their immediate wants. w! Lard continues to meet a slow sale. ,/m. Stocks and deliveries for week ending Tanuarv 3rd BttiTEK- I BACON. Stock. Delivery. Stock. Delivery, 1844 58,320 8,500 5,980 2 110 £ 1845 27,850 6,780 6,650 2*780 ft 1846 42.260 8,130 3;730 2/230 F BUTTER, BACON, CHEESE, AND HAMS. J IRISH BUTTER (new)s g. CHEESE, pei cwt. s. jjg per cwt. — — Double Gloucester 62 w Cailow, new, on brd 93 — Single ditto 48 j![ Sligo 92 — Cheshire 56 Cork, 1st 98 — HAMS. J, ENGLISH BUTIKR. Irish 56 Dorset,perfiikin 54 — Westmoreland 66 J? FOREIGN. York 66 Y Prim, Friesland, ct 104 108 BACON, new 48 Ditto,Kiel 100 — I Middles — H 1 SMITHFIELD CATTLE MARKET, MON. Jan. 5.. 1 Die a ttendance of buyer* was by no means large, yet lb p primest Scots, Sue., commanded a steady sale, at full last Mo"' dav s quotations otherwise, however, the beef trade was what inactiva, at about stationary prices. The numbers of sheep were again limited, owing to which t'1' mutton trade was firm and last week's prices was steadily sup' ported, the best old Downs readily producing 5s. 2d. per 8lb»^ and at which a good clearance was effected. Calves were in short supply and steady demand, at very f*j piices. I The pork trade ruled steady, but no improvement can Wf > noticed in their value. Per olbe., to sink the offal. s. d. s. d. s. d. Coarse and Inferior Prime coarse wool- Beasts 2 8 3 2 led Sheep 4 8 4 1'' Second quality do.3 4 3 6 PrimeSouth Downs Prime large Oxen.3 8 3 >0 ditto .5 0 5 » t Prime Scots, &c..4 0 4 4 Large coarseCalves4 4 4 lv *■Coarse and Inferior Prime small ditto..5 0 Ó F Sheep .3 6 4 0 Large Hogs 3 10 4 5 Second quality do.4 2 4 6 Neat small Porkers.4 H 5 Suckling Calves, 18s. to 30s.; and quarter-old Store Pigs, 1 to 21s. each. Beasts, 2,995; Sheep, 23,600; Calves, 7* Pigs, 304. K LATEST CURRENT PRICES OF METALS. LONDON, JAN. 2, 1846. X. S. fr. IltoN-Bara Wales toit 9 0 I-' London 10 0 5r Nail rods 10 10 v.. Hoops (Staf.) 11 10 JH Sheet „ 12 10 Bars 11 0 j >■Welsh cold blast foundry blast 5 10 Scotch pig b Clyde 4 0 !i Rails 12 0 J!? Russian c CCND 15 10 PS1 16 0 XI Gourieff 14 10 VA Archangel. 13 12 Swedish d, for arriv 0 0 » on the spot. 11 10 Steel, fagt 15 15 S kegs e. 15 0 COP.ER-Tile f. 92 0 a Tough cake 93 0 J Best selected 96 0 IK.1 < Miliary sheets lb. i) bottoms. 0 01 TIN—Com. blocks^* cwt. 5 3- 9 bars 5 4 a Refined 58? Straits h 4 11 Uanca 4 13 ? TIN Pi-ATES—Ch., IC.i box 1 14 £ IX 2 0 J Coke, IC 1 9 IX 1 15 LEAD—Sheet k 20 0 Pig, lefined 21 0 • common 19 0 J Spanish, in bd 18 0 American 17 15 J SFFLTER—(Cake)< 2t 0 ZINC—(Sheet) m export 30 0 J QUICKSTLVER ..lb. 0 4 REFINED M ETAL .ton 0 0 "L himnnnl Ol nor iwlll. h Net cash. r l)i*f>nilOt I a juscount VJJ per cent. V iNIdL c uiscouu* ¡ 2J percent, d Ditto, e In kegs £ and f-inch. Discount'! percent, g Ditto 24 pei cent, h Net cash, in bond, i Dis' count 3 per cent, k Ditto 2J per cent, I Net cash bond its Discouni. li per cent. n discount It per cent. Fof' home use it is £ 32. per ton. REMARKS. • IRON.—Prices of all descriptions firmly maintained, with all advance on Scotch pit; this week of about 5s. per ton. COPPER steady, with a fair amount ot business since, last week. TIN—This metal not much in request, buyers expecting a fuitlier decline. TIN PLAII-S.— Many inquiries for exportation, but not much LEAD —Piices steady, and stocks low—no American nor toft Spanish. SpELTEf.—Quotations nominal, scarcely any sales makicg. PKEMSNT PRICE OF TIN PLATES. NEWPORT, JAN. 3. £ s. d. £ s d No. IC. per box.••• 1 11 0 Wasters.0 2 0 No. IX-per box I 17 0 „ 030 „ No.IXX.pet box. 2 3 0 ,,03 U HHIS lOt HAY JUAKKM, JAN. 6. Hay pei ton 2 5 0 to 3 10 0 Straw per Dozen 0 1 Oto 0 I I | Newport, Saturday, January 10, 184<j. | Printed and Published for the Proprietor, ED W A R If II UO\\ LiNG, of Stcv Hill, in the Parish 01 St. Woolos, ill jl the MERLIN General Printing Office, situate in Corn-street.in U the borough of Newport.by WILLIAM CHRISTOPHERS, fl of No. I, Chai les-street, in the said Borough fl London Agenta :-MesH5: Newton and Co., Warwick-square, | Mr. R. Barker, 33, Fleet-street; Mr. G. Reynell, 43, Chan* eery-lane, Mr. S. Deacon, Coffee-house, No. 3, Walbrook, Btarthe Mansion House, where this paper is regularly tiled,