Monmouthshire Merlin

F A C E T I jE. A MOVABLE FEAST.—A balcedtatur can. MOTTO FOB MIXERS.—"I'll take my Davy." The latest name for matrimony is "committing twoicide." Why is a sick eagle flying like a bank robbery ?— Because it's an ill eagle proceeding. LAWYERS ARE NOT PROUD.—Did you ever meet with one who would scorn the action ?" It is conjectured that professional thieves lead a comfortable life because they take things easy. CUT IT !-If a bird can sing and won't sing, what's to be done ?—Why, take it to a chirop-odist. A Philosopher says that, if anything will make a woman swear, it is looking for her nightcap after th* candle's out. What is the difference between a church organist and the influenza ?-One stops the nose, and the other knows the stops. Marriage," said an unfortunate husband is the churchyard of love."—" And yon men" replied his wife, "are the gravediggers." NONSENSE.—A correspondent writes to ask whe- ther it is probable that the funny bore" is supplied with blood by the "vein of humour VACCINATION.—" I don't believe it's any use, this vaccination," said a Yankee. I had a child vac- cinated, and he fell out of a window a week arter, and got killed." A SECOND TIME.—A widow once said to her daugh. ter, When you are at my age it will be time enough to dream of a husband.—"Yes, mamma," replied the thoughtless beauty, for the second time." POLITE DISMISSAL.—A country paper says that the other day an Irishman was called rip in a case of assanlt and battery, and when asked by the magistrate what he said, remarked, I said to him wid de toe of my boot, Go home CHANGE OF NAME.—By the use of an Auricomous Something-or-other, Miss Hannah Brown has suc- ceeded in turning her brown locks to a dusky gold. Jones says that she ought to be re-christened Dye- Hannah. Jones is a wag. LACONIC.-Upon the 19th of May, 1790, a memor- able dark day," a young lady wrote to Dr. Byles as follows "Dear doctor, how do you account for this darkness ?" He replied "Dear madam, I am as much in the dark as you are." THE BIGGER THE BETTER.—A little girl was lately reproved for playing out of doors with the boys, and informed that, being seven years old, she was too big for that now.—" Why, grandma, the bigger we grow the better we like 'em," she replied. WHY LATE.—" Why are you so late this morning you varmint ?" we asked our boy.—He answered, "'Cos I held the candle till midnight for mother, who sat up mending stockings. She says she saw a book in the shop-winders that says, 'It's never too late to mend.' SUITABLE TREES.—For the busy-bodies, medlars for the melancholy, pine for the dying, o-live for an intruder, mango for peppery people, chili; for muddy streets, broom for good cigars, white ash for the ears of rascals, box for the editor of a newspaper, hoax. FOOLS ONE AND ALL.—A wife in San Francisco lately put a petition for divorce in the court, on the ground that her husband was a confounded fool." The court woudn't admit her plea, because almost every married man would be liable to the same imputation. A SPANISH BULL.—A villager in Estremadura having been drowned in attempting to cross the Tagus on horseback, the mayor ordered a search foi the body. His edict gave as means of the identifica- tion the following particulars: Dark complexion j tall marked impediment in speech." SNORING.—An inventive genuis has produced an apparatus which he says is a cure for snoring. He fastens upon the nose a gutta-percha tube, leading to the tympanum of the ear. Whenever the snorer snores, he himself receives the first impression, finds how disagreeable it is, and of course reforms. NOT MUCH TO B0(A)ST-0N.—There is to be a grand concert at Boston next year. One thousand musi- cians and twenty thousand chorus singers have al- ready been engaged for the occasion. Hail, Co- lumbia is to be sung. Hail indeed ;why the row will be enough to bring the Goddess of Music to her bier. NOT SO BLACK AS THEY SEEM.—Many lessons may be learnt by the civilised" nations from the savage. We speak quite within the bills of mortality when we assert that pocket-picking is an offence absolutely unknown among the aborigines of Aus- tralia. This speaks volumes not only for their hones- ty but for their simplicity of costume. VAGUE.-An old lady was asked what she thought of one of her neighbours by the name of Jones, and with a very knowing look she replied, Why, I don't like to say anything about my neighbours; but as to Mr. Jones—sometimes I think—and then again I don't know—but, after all, I rather guess again I don't know-but, after all, I rather guess he'll turn out a good deal such a sort of a man as I take him to be." WOMAN.—An American writer says :—"A woman will cling to the chosen object of her heart like a 'possum to a gum-tree, and you can't separate her without snapping strings no art can mend, and leav- ing a portion of her soul on the upper-leather of your affections. She will sometimes see something to love where others see nothing to admire and when her fondness is once fastened on a fellow, it sticks like glue and treacle in a bushy head of hair." DRIVING. A witness who had been cautioned to give a precise answer to every question, and not talk about what he might think the question meant was interrogated as follows:—"You drive a wag- gon ?"—"No, sir, I do not."—"Why, sir, did you not tell my learned friend so this moment ?"—"No, sir, I did not."—" Now, sir, I put it to you on your oath, do you not drive a waggon ?"—"No, sir."— What is your occupation, then ?"—<* I drive a horse, sir." INGENIOUS ORTHOGRAPHY.—A gentleman of the Temple received his charwoman's bill, made out in that style of spelling and handwriting peculiar to that class; but there was one item of Is. 6d. which defied even his practised comprehension it was for skewering the stars." After wondering for some time how such a work could ever have been per- formed, and still more why it should have been executed, particularly at his expense, the debtor sent for Mrs. Pearlash, when the reading turned out to be "for scouring the stairs." Too CIVIL. — Macklin, one night, sitting at the I back of the boxes with a gentleman of his acquain- tance, an underbred lounger stood up immediately before him, and shut out the sight of the stage en- tirely from him. Macklin patted him gently on the shoulder with his cane, and with much seeming civility, requested that when he saw or heard any- thing that was entertaining on the stage he would let him and the gentleman with him know of it, as at present they must totally depend on his kindness. This had the desired effect, and the lounger walked off.

PONTYPOOL. PONTYPOOL FAIR, on Friday, the 2nd inst., was very thinly attended. Horses and pigs realised good prices, but there was a fall in the prices of horned cattle-a fact which it is to be hoped will be recol- lected by the local butchers. The NEW WORKS near the Pontypool-road station are about to be commenced in earnest. On Friday Mr. Strick had an interview with the directors of the Water Works Company, and was assured by them that they would supply him with the large quantity of water which he will require. Mr. Strick has also given orders for a large supply of stone, and building will be commenced forthwith. This gentleman's determination to come to Pontypool is hailed with satisfaction. Should the negotiations pending between the Park Trustees and the Ebbw Vale Company end I in an amicable manner, as it seems they are likely to, I Pontypool will again be one of the most busy and prosperous towns on the Hills. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. An adjourned meeting of this Board was held on Friday, for the purpose of receiving the balance sheet, and of confirming the rate of Is. 4d. in the pound. There were present—Messrs. Bladon (in the chair), Jenkins, Conway, Greenway, Wood, Roderick, Bevan, Golding, Agg, Evans and Woolley. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, it transpired that the Clerk had forgotten to make up the balance-sheet. This led to some rather sharp remarks from one or two gentlemen, who censured it as an unbusiness-like proceeding. The Clerk under- took that the accounts should be produced at the next meeting, and the rate was then confirmed. TIIE MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAY COMPANY. Mr. Conway, as one of the committee appointed to make inquiries respecting the issue of market tickets on this railway, referred to his note-book, and showed that such tickets were issued at Llantarnam, Pont- newydd and Cwmbran, as had already been stated in the Free Press,for short distances; and this showed that the plea on which the Monmouthshire Railway Company had refused to grant market tickets from Blaenavon to Pontypool, namely, that the distance was too short, and that the object of the Company was to induce people to travel the long distances, was inconsistent with their practice at other places. This led to some conversation, in which Mr. Gold- ing stated that the tradesmen of this town had de- termined to combine to have their commodities sent by other routes. Mr. (ireenway: I have heard that the goods can be had cheaper by other routes. Mr. Conway: And quicker. The policy of the Company appeared to have given general dissatisfaction, and the Board eventually agreed that a memorial should be sent to the Great Western Company, praying them to take steps for carrying out the line from Pontypool-road through Caerleon to Newport with all possible despatch, as such a line would be sure to meet with support from the residents in this neighbourhood. The memorial is to be signed by the Board and by the townsmen at large. POLICE COURT.—SATURDAY. [Before A. D. BERRINGTOX, Esq., the Rev. J. C. LLEWELLIN, and C. J. PARKES, Esq.] FENCE BREAKING. — Henrietta Slade and Emily Edmonds, children, were charged with breaking a fence belonging to Lord Tredegar.-P.C. Humphries gave evidence which showed that the girls were ripping the hedge for the purpose of getting firewood. ■—Mr. Rees, agent to Lord Tredegar, said that it was necessary that an example should be made to stop such practices.—Defendants were fined 10s. each. ROBBING THE HEN-ROOST.—James Thomas,whohad been remanded, was charged with stealing four fowls, belonging to Arthur Lloyd, of Herbert Wood Cottage, Pontypool. The evidence given was repeated, showing that three fowls (plucked) and part of a fourth (cooked), with featners, were found in pri- soner's house. — Mr. Greenway, on behalf of the prisoner, submitted that there was a doubt, and Erayed that the Bench would give prisoners the enetit of it.— The Bench decided to convict, and sentenced prisoner to one months's hard labour. BASTARDY.—John Tapp was summoned by Jane I Calahan, to show cause, &c.—Mr. Greenway, for de- fendant, submitted that the Bench had no jurisdic- tion, as complainant should have taken out the summons at Mountain Ask, where she lived.Case withdrawn. POUND BREACH. —William Price, shepherd, in the employ of the Ebbw Vale Company, was charged with rescuing sheep while on their way to pound.- William Hambleton deposed that he had caught 22 sheep trespassing on his land, and that these were being taken to pound, tied in couples, when defend- ant came up, severed the cord which fastened two of the sheep, the consequence being that those two got away.—Mr. Greenway, on behalf of defendant, setup a defence to the effect that Hambledon had tied two strange sheep together, and they were pulling and strangling each other, when defendant cut the cord for the purpose of saving their lives.—Mr. Hambleton said that he should be satisfied with an apology.—Mr. Greenway said he would at once, on behalf of his client, say he was sorry if he had unadvisedly done wrong.-This finished the case, and defendant paid the costs. CHILDREN'S' QUARRELS.—Ellen Arthur was charged with assaulting Edwin Henry Richards.—The evi- dence showed that little Richards was fighting with little Arthur, when Mrs. Arthur came to the rescue, and slapped complainant's face.—The Bench remarked that this was a very trumpery affair, and ordered de- fendant to pay the costs. A DANGEROUS MissiLE.—Chas. James was charged with assaulting Rowland Bevan, at Blaenavon, by throwing a brickbat at his head, and thereby inflicting a severe wound.—Defendant said that complainant irritated him by pushing a rail against him several times.—Fined 30s. including costs. UNPROVOKED ASSAULTS. Thomas Palmer was charged with assaulting Jane Evans and Jane James. —P.C. Guinea proved the service of the summons on defendant, who was keeping out of the way.-From the statement of the women, it seemed that defend- ant was drunk and struck the both without the slightest provocation.—Fined 20s. in each case, or 14 days' hard labour. MOTHER CAREY AGAIN.—Mary Carey was charged with using threatening language towards Catherine Sullivan at Abersychan. The "ladies" favoured the Court with some choice "Billingsgate," quite unre- portable. It seemed that*Mrs. Carey was jealous of Airs. Sullivan but Mrs. Sullivan declared that she did not want Mr. Carey "at all—at all," as her hus- band was a better looking man than he is any day. —Defendant was bound over to keep the peace. OVERSEERS.—The Overseers and Assessors of the several parishes in this division were sworn in. RATES.—A rate case, in which Mr. Alexander Ed- wards appeared on behalf of the Abersychan Local Board, was postponed, for the production of the rate book. book. ————

CHEPSTOW. NEW MAGISTRATE.—Amongst the gentlemen re- cently qualified as magistrate for the county of Mon- mouth, we notice the name of Lieut.-Col. Wickham, of Belle Vue, Chepstow. ACCIDENT.—A singular accident occurred one eve- ning last week to Mr. James Till, farmer, Caerwent, as he was about to return home from Chepstow. Hav- ing mounted his horse in the George Hotel stable-yard, the animal reared upon its two hind legs, and over- balancing, threw Mr. Till to the ground with great violence, and fell upon him, dislocating his left thigh. He was at once removed to the George Hotel, where he remained until the next day, under the medical treat- ment of Mr. King and Mr. Watkins, surgeons. He is now, we are happy to state, progressing as favour- ably as possible under the circumstances. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—At the usual meeting of I this body, held at the Workhouse on Saturday, W. Æ. Seys, Esq., in the chair, the number of tramps relieved during the week was reported to be 41 in the house and 58 at the lodging-houses, which is a consi- derable increase upon late periods. The inmates num- bered at the commencement of the week, 124 three were admitted during the week, one born, three dis- charged, and one died-a decrease of five upon the corresponding week of last year. The ba- lance in hand at the close of that day amounted to £L06 16s. 3d. There was no business of importance before the Board. A CHILD BURNT TO DEATH.—About four o'clock on Sunday last, a child, aged 3 years, was burnt to death in a field belonging to Mr. Rymer, farmer, Bish- ton. The child accompanied a little boy to a field where he was employed to keep off the crows, and both sat down in a little hut which had been built to shield the boy from the wind. The boy lit a fire, and just before four o'clock the wind carried some sparks to a. hedge at some distance and set it on fire. The boy noticed this, and immediately proceeded to extin- guish it. While he was was absent the poor child's clothes caught fire. The boy returning just at the time became too frightened to render assistance, but ran home to tell his sister. When P. C. Cook and the relatives arrived at the field they found the poor child quite dead, and the body dreadfully burned. The re- mains were wrapped up and conveyed home. At the inquest a verdict of Accidental Death" was re- corded.

ABERGAVENNY. HARMONIC SOCIETY. — The first concert of this society, recently formed, and already numbering more than 100 members, took place at the Cymrei- gyddion Hall, by kind permission of Captain Hill (who is the president of the Society), on Monday evening last. The entertainment was very numer- ously and fashionably attended- the principal families of the neighbourhood being fully represented. The performance, which was uuder the direction of our talented neighbour, Mr. H. J. Groves, organist of St. Woollos Church, Newport, conductor of the Society, afforded gratifying evidence of careful prac- tice and efficiency-a feature the more noticeable seeing that the leading parts were sustained by ama- teurs. The following is a copy of the programme :— PART I. Madrigal M3mce I saw your J cw go(,iety Song and Chorns-Jnst after'i1IrK H Thompson Gipsy Chorus — The stars that ) m. 1 £ I • above us are shining" [ Choral Society Descriptive song—" The charge of j M R T rjrovea the Light Brigade" Mr J' Groves Part Song-" The Victor' return" Choral Society Welsh Air j "The^&.h Grove" Mrs Walford ( Harp Obligato ) Mrs Thompson Duet: Harp and Piano—"Airs from) Mrs Thompson Anna Bolena" Miss E. Thompson Song The Ship on fire" Mr Francis Chorus and Solo—"Now tramp o'er ) ™ c, moss and fell" 1 J Cboral Society PART II. Chorus-" Come, if you dare" Choral Society Song-" Oh how delightful" .Mrs Walford Harp Solo .Mrs Thompson !Miss Allen Miss E. Harris Master Webber Master Webber Song—"Will o' the Wisp"Mr Groves Chorus—"March of the Men of ) r,v c Harlech" j Choral Society Song-" The Maiden's Story" Miss Allen Duet-" Blow, ye fresh'ning breezes ) Mrs Walford blow" .) Mr Groves Solo and Chorus-" Haste thee) Mr Francis Nymph" f Choral Society "God save the Queen." Before the singing of the National Anthem, Capt. Hill remarked that, as president of the society, he might be permitted to convey their cordial thanks to the ladies who had rendered such valuable service that evening, especially to Mrs. Walford and Mrs. Thompson-the former having sustained the principal soprano parts, and the latter having played the ac- companiments on the harp and piano respectively. The President also heartily thanked the committee and the secretaries of the society, Dr. Thompson and Mr. Webber, for their efficient services and warmly congratulated Mr. Groves on the success which had attended his efforts as conductor, as shown in the fact that only about half a dozen evenings had been devoted to the practice of the kind of music just per- formed. Captain Hill also announced his intention to render the society every assistance in his power, and expressed the hope that the fine hall now being erected at Abergavenny, would before long be avail- able for its public performances. ABERGAVENNY RACES. We last week reported the first day's running at these Races. We now append the events of Friday LLANDILO SELLING STAKES, of 30 sovs., about half a mile, was won by three lengths by Mr. T. Stevens's Congratulator, beating Lucina, Emelina, and Forecast. THE LADIES' PLATE, of 40 sovs., about three-quart- ers of a mile, was won by half a length by Mr. Mer- ers of a mile, was won by half a length by Mr. Mer- ton's Wamba, beating Eagle Eye and three others. THE CLYTHA STEEPLE-CHASE, of 50 sovs., about three miles, was won by two lengths by Mr. Wilson's The Little Rogue, beating Tom Brown. NANTOER STEEPLE-CHASE PLATE (Handicap), of 50 sovs., about two miles, was won by Mr. T. Calder's Corvedale, beating Taw Vale. THE MONMOUTHSHIRE HUNT STEEPLE CHASE, a cup, value 3()sovs., about three miles, was won by Mr. Stratton's Le Papillon, beating Robin and Na- varino. THE SELLING STEEPLE-CHASE was void.

ABERSYCHAN. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. — Immediately after the late election riots, when the necessity of appointing a resident magistrate for Abersychan, was represented to His Grace the Duke of Beaufort the Lord Lieu- tenant of the County, he at once nominated Josiah Richards, Esq., for the office. The nomination received the approval of the Lord Chancellor, and at the last Quarter Sessions Mr. Richards took the usual oath which qualified him for acting as justice of the peace. His first official act wag to serve on the Grand Jury of the Monmouthshire Lent Assize, which found a "true bill" against the rioters concerned in the disgraceful proceedings at Abersychan in Novem. ber last. ————

BLAENAVON. ACCIDENT.—A serious accident occurred on Thurs- day evening, the 1st inst., to Mr. Caleb Edmonds, ,7' landlord of the Ivor Castle Inn, who was driving home from Abergavenny races. When a little way above Garnddyris, a dangerous part of the road, the horse, which had been resting, suddenly backed over a bank, and horse, vehicle, and driver, rolled a con- siderable distance down the hill. On being brought home, it was discovered that Mr. Edmonds's jawbone was broken, and he was otherwise seriously injured. He lies in a very precarious state. The vehicle was much damaged, but the horse escaped with very little inj nry. ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday last, a boy, named James Hall, a haulier, fell under a coke tram, and got his leg broken. ——

CARDIFF. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The nsual weekly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday Mr E. W. David presided. The master of the workhouse report 373 paupers in the house, and increase of seven on the corresponding week of last year. The master of the Industrial Schools reported the number of children in the institution to be 264, an increase of 15 on the corresponding week of last year. Attention was drawn by one of the guardians to a petition which the Swansea Board of Guardians were about to present to both Houses of Parliament, praying for an alteration of the system of licensing public-house, and to place them under the charge of the magistrates. He men- tioned that the present system allowed a person whose spirit license had been withdrawn by the magistrates to obtain a beer license from tho office of the Inland Revenue, and thus re-open his house in spite of the magistrates. It was resolved that a similar petition should be prepared and presented to both Houses, praying that the power for granting licenses should be given to the magistrates. There was no other business before the Board. THE LATE SAD CASE AF DROWNING.—The inquest on the body of Mr. Matthew Purnell, branch pilot, was held at Mount Stuart hotel on Saturday evening last. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased and two men were out in a pilot boat, and when at some distance from Cardiff they came up with an Italian ship. Deceased was in the act of going on board, when he fell between the ship and his own boat. He was swimming about for five minutes or so before he could be got out of the water. It was supposed that near ten minutes elapsed before he was lifted into the boat senseless. He was brought to the docks as soon as possible, but life was extinct. Ver- dict "Accidental death." Mr. John Hopkins, of Llantrissant, has passed his examination in the science and practice of medicine at Apothecaries' Hall, and received a certificate to practice. NEW CHAPEL.—The foundation stone of a new Wesleyan chapel was laid on Wednesday se'nnight at Canton, near Cardiff, by Mr. Beujamin Wright, of St. Nicholas. The new building will be a handsome structure in the Gothic style, and will hold about 800 seats. Messrs. Habershon and Pite are the arthitects. It will, with schools, &c., cost £2500. A public tea- meeting was held in the evening in aid of the building fund. CRUELTY TO A CHILD.-Considerable sensation was created at the police-court, on Friday last, on account of Mr. J. Lewis, a respectable tradesman of the town, and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, being charged with illtreating Isabel Lewis, nine years of age, daughter of the first wife of Mr. Lewis. The prin- cipal witness were a girl named Roberts, who had been in defendant's service, and her mother. The girl deposed to seeing the child one day tied to the bed- post upstairs, and kept there until about eleven o'clock in the evening without any food. She saw her several times whilst she remained tied. She was tied with a piece of rope cut from the clothes-line. Witness did not think she could sit down. She was standing close to the post each time that she saw her. She was very poorly dressed. She had been tied several times since. The little girl told her it was Mrs. Lewis had tied her. Witness saw Mrs. Lewis tie her once. The child had run away from the house, and when she was brought back by witness about two o'clock he saw Mrs. Lewis tie her to the bed-post, and she was kept there until tea-time. She didfnot get her meals regu- larly like other children. She was very frequently kept without any breakfast until dinner time, and sometimes until tea time. After some further evidence, the case was dismissed, Mrs. Lewis being censured for treating the child with undue severity.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. A general meeting of the members of this Associa- tion was held at the Three Salmons, Usk, on Monday, when the High Sheriff, J. Lawrence, Esq., presided, and there was a very numerous attendance of farmers and gentlemen interested in the objects of the Chamber. Mr. J. S. Stone, one of the hon. secretaries, read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. ALTERATION OF RULES. A considerable time was occupied in discussing cer- tain proposed alterations of the rules. In several in- stances the meeting expressed itself adverse to the contemplated changes, but the following alterations were agreed to :-The rule providing that two de- puted members should attend the Central Chamber, was made to read "two or more." Instead of three vice-presidents, it was resolved that there be five, and the Hon. G. Morgan, M.P., and H. Clay, Esq., having signified their willingness to take office, those gentlemen were appointed as the additional vice-pre- sidents. The rule providing that the annual meeting be held at Newport, was altered to read, that the Council fix the time and place of the ajinual meeting- it being understood that the meeting would be held in the month of February. It was resolved to appoint six additional members of the Council for each divi- sion, the election to remain in the hands of the present members of the Council for the respective divisions. members of the Council for the respective divisions. The National Provincial Banking Company were appointed the bankers of the Association. LOCAL TAXATION. The Chairman said that the next business was to resume the discussion on the paper read by Mr. Strat- ton, at the Newport meeting, on "Local Taxation." The High Sheriff read extracts from the paper (which was published in the MERLIN of the 27th February), and proceeded to say that he rather differed from the conclusions of Mr. Stratton when he said that the in- come raised for the relief of the poor was paid entirely by land. Mr. Stratton By land, and houses, and mines. The Chairman You say entirely by land. Mr. Stratton Well, land and houses I mean-real property-tangible property, The Chairman Mr. Stratton said that persons in trade only paid to the poor in so far as they were owners of real property. But indirectly they did pay beyond that. For instance, a man occupying a shop would be rated much higher than if it were a place without business. Mr. Relph And the better the trade the higher he would be rated. The Chairman And that is quite right in prin- ciple. 0 Mr Relph Higher assessed, I mean. Mr. Stratton drew attention to the case quoted by him in his paper, and which was given in evidence be- fore the Lords Committee in 1850,viz—"The poor rates on Mr. Heathcote's factory in this parish (Tiverton) have averaged £ 41 Os. 9d. a year for the last seven years on the farm occupied by myself X58 2s. So that I have paid X17 Is. 3d. more than Mr. Heath- cote. My rental is X300 a year, and the profits you can imagine. Mr. Heathcote's profits are represented at £40,000 a year." The Chairman Yes that was the proposition. But I am afraid you could scarcely pursue that argu- jnent for a man might make £40,000 one year (as I have known instances) and lose £20,000 the next. Mr. H. Williams That is quite the case on farms, as wall. Major Herbert: Not making £40,000 a year! (Laughter.) Mr. Stratton No. But we have to pay rates just the same whether we make profits or not. The Chairman So with manufacturers. Mr. Stratton Just so, but manufacturers do not pay in the same proportion. The Chairman That is the real point. But that does not affect the question of the basis of the rate— whether the income tax is a tangible principle—that is the point. Mr. Haycox expressed concurrence in the views of Mr. Stratton, as enunciated in the paper, and pro- ceeded to remark that in the case of a manufactory when trade was bad, the proprietor could shut his works, and send away his men; but farmers could not shut up their fields or land. (Hear, hear.) He complained of the enormous amount of capital in the country untaxed for the poor, and, referring to the Metropolitan bill for the equalization of taxation, expressed a hope that before long they would see something similar for the country. (Cheers.) The sooner that was accomplished the better for it was rather hard that, as shown in the paper, one-sixth of the income should pay the local taxation, while tive- sixths paid nothing. Mr. Haycox then argued that a large number of men were brought by vessels to Newport, and then scattered about the county, to be relieved out of the poor-rates, and that the owners of the vessels who profited by these men's labour when they were on board ship, should be taxed for their property in the vessels. Mr. Jones (Llwynygaer) adduced some figures show- ing that, whereas in the year 1851 the outgoings in the parishes of Tregare and Penrose respectively were about £100 each, they were now increased to from X400 to £500. Certainly 18 years was a long period but he should like some gentleman to explain, if possible, the reason of the great increase in the ex- penditure, and how they were to get a remedy. Major Herbert said that, since the Common Charg- ability Act, the rates in the agricultural parishes had been increased immensely, and the towns relieved. But though that might seem hard upon farmers, he did not think it was unfair. Mr. Jones How are we to meet it ? Mr. Culverwell By agitating. The Chairman said that in this kingdom, if a griev- ance really existed, they could by agitation get relief but unless they could show there really was a griev- ance, and that the operation of any particular law was unfair, he did not think they could expect any remedy. But the object of encouraging this Association was to discuss these topics, and see where there really was a grievance, and how it might be remedied. Mr. Jones had certainly put some startling figures before them, but he did not know a parish where there had been no increase. But he remembered in the olden time it was the practice for farmers to employ the poor at a certain rate-that was a tax upon farmers, although not directly. He did not know whether that had been in operation in Mr. Jones's parish ? Mr. Jones Not within the dates mentioned. Mr. Watkins said no doubt the rates had quad- rupled. Mr Relph remarked that it was not often he differed from his friends on matters of taxation, but he must express dissent on this occasion. They had an old saying, and a true one, that "all is not gold that glitters and at first sight it did look as though they were going to relieve themselves of local taxation, by saying, "Charge it on the income tax basis." But what would be the effect ? The landlords would have to pay 6d. and the tenants 3d in the pound—taking it as it is now the tenant was assessed at one-half the amount of his rent in the income tax. At present all land was let subject to local charges upon it. The rent was higher or lower according as the local rates were high or low. If they took a farm in an extra- parochial district, of equal quality of land with land on a farm in a parochial district they paid a higher rent than for the one that paid poor rate. What was the conclusion ? That landlords would not allow their tenants to alter their burdens, as was proposed. They would take the same course to protect themselves with regard to the suggested new basis of assessment as they took when the landlords were charged with the poor rates on rentals under X20 a year. There was a pro- vision in that Act that in respect of all houses let for more than twelvemonths, the landlord should have power to add the rate to the rent. And why was that ? Because if it were only let for twelvemonths, at the end of that time the landlord could adjust a new charge with the tenant; but if it was over twelve- months he could not; and therefore the Legislature provided that if the letting was over twelvemonths, the landlord could add the taxes he was called on to pay to the rent paid by the tenant. And it was his opinion that the landlords who protected themselves then would protect themselves now-that they would say, Hitherto we have let our farms subject to the payment of poor rates-(he dealt with it as the poor rate, not taking the other rates) ;-you are altering the incidence of taxation we must have a clause in the bill, saying where there is a lease or a holding be- yond twelve months, we must charge the income, be- cause that goes to the relief of the poor, and is extra rent to the taking." If the landlords did that how much better off would the farmers be ? He thought none at all. What he recommended was this—he said keep the basis as now, the assessment as now, on all real property, excluding neither mines, timber, nor wood. There might be a difficulty in assessing it; but it could be assessed— a principle could be found that was an honest priuciple. Then some people said "You ought to assess stock-in-trade." Perhaps stock-in-trade ought to be assessed but there was great inconvenience in assessing it. But let him remind them that agricultural stock-iifl-trade was more valuable in the country than mercantile stock-in- trade-that if they assessed stock-in-trade, it would be no relief to agriculture. His opinion was, that poverty was not local, that insanity was not local, that crime was not local-that all local charges for the re- lief of poverty, the protection of property, or for deal- ing with insanity, should be national charges based on local charges—on the basis of a local charge to prevent j extravagance. Let them therefore go to the L'onsoli- I dated Fund for one-third or two-thirds—he would rather go for two-thirds, and get one-third locally. But if they went to the Consolidated Fund for any portion, it must embrace Scotland and Ireland, as well as England. Then they would touch the con- sumers of excised articles, and touch the poor as they were not touched now, but who were quite as liable,to pay. The labouring classes he meant, rather than the poor-they would touch all alike and they would keep sufficient. charge made locally to cause them to look strictly to the expenditure. If it all came from a national basis, they would probably waste the funds of the country but if they paid a quota themselves, they would do the same as the Unions. Now that the amount of chargeability was enlarged, he did not see any indifference among the Guardians as to the expenditure. It would be the same if they had aid' from the Consolidated Fund, and that was the source of aid he would look to. He thought they would be leaning on a broken reed if they looked towards the income tax as a source of local rating and therefore it was that he gave this expression of dissent. He did not wish to divide the meeting, because he was afraid he should be in a small minority but he felt he could not honestly remain silent, and perhaps have to express a contrary opinion in another place. (Cheers.) The Chairman said the resolution before the New- port meetiug was— That the maintenance of the poor is a national debt, towards which all kinds of property should contribute, and in the opinion of this meeting the money should now be raised in a more equal manner." Mr. Relph said that was a resolution that had been passed once or twice before at their meetings, and he cordially agreed with it. The Chairman then put the resolution thus That this meeting approves of the resolution passed at the general meeting, and urge the Council to adopt every legitimate means, either by petition or otherwise, as they may determine, to urge the question on the atten- tion of Parliament." They had heard Mr. Stratton's address on the question, and they had also heard Mr. Relph's remarks. He had, he thought, made them under a misapprehension. He (Mr. Relph) coincided with the resolution just read he had therefore much pleasure in proposing it to the acceptance af the meeting. Mr. Relph seconded the Chairman's motion, and it was ultimately carried. Major Herbert said that, supposing they adopted the income-tax basis of levying the charges, the money would go to the consolidated fund. Mr. Williams Why should they ? Several Memberg Not necessarily so. The Chairman said his idea was, supposing they took the property tax as the basis of the rating, he did not see that it necessarily altered the disposition of the property in any way. He did not see that it necessarily took the funds so received out of the hands of the local magistrates. Mr. Relph. You confine it to the local taxation still. Mr. Watkins asked to what union they would rate shipping ? The Chairman said that, according' to his interpre- tation of the proposition, it was not for a moment intended that the funds should go into the hands of the Executive. Instead of having a house rated under the poor rate at zC20 a year, they would have it under the income tax perhaps rated at £10. The proposi- tion was to set aside the old system of the poor rate, and simply to take up the assessment of the income tax, and adopt that as the principle of the rating. Mr. Stratton It might be convenient fo have the whole amount of the income tax collected by one col- lector. The Chairman That would be merely a matter of detail. I am not prepared to argue the question, for there are many very great difficulties in it—one is, as has been asked—to what Union you would rate ship- ping Mr. Williams (Llanvair) said that that raised a question which had been made a buggy-bo" for frightening the advocates of the system they were now advocating, as to the mode of assessment. That was the old question raised in regard to rating stock- in-trade. Mr. Relph also spoke of it. He did not see that it was ever intended to rate-stock-in-trade, but the profits arising from it. That argument was one of the strongest used against the matter, and he be- lieved the people who used it burked the question. It was plain that the original intention of the poor rate was to rate every man according to his abi- lity. It was easy then to get at his ability, for in olden times the only ability a man was supp iscd to have was only what was to be seen- his land and his produce. It might be said of the land, that it had come into the hands of its present possesors with the obligation upon it of this tax but where did that obligation end ? As Mr. Jones had very well put it just now—the obligation on his parish, 17 years ago, amounted to 15d. in the X. Why, then, should the obligation now be 2s. 6d. in the £ ? The answer is, because in these days we are supposed to view our obligation much more tenaciously than we used to. More is done than was in olden times. In those days very little expense attached to lunatics. Prosecutions were not so numerous. Mr. Relph Were unknown. Mr. Williams There were no asylums. The poor were not taken care of so well. But if these obliga- tions are incurred, why should they fall upon a par- ticular class, and another class escape ? He thought the question was one as much for the commercial man as for the agricultural—(hear, hear)-because it did not at all follow that a man's income was proportionate to the house he lived in. A man who gets a large income very often lives in a small house or in lodgings, and by that means escapes, and if it be the case that the owner takes care of himself—to take Mr. Relph's supposition, why was it that they found the ostensi- ble owner of the property was not the real owner in so many cases ? The moneyed man escaped from it all. The same argument used against stock-in- trade could be used against shipping. They did not propose to tax shipping, but the profits arising from it. Mr. Stratton said they only differed as to the mode of getting themselves relieved from the burdens of which they complained. They wanted the best mode, and he thought they would come to a pretty general decision as to what the best mode was The matter had been taken up in part, and Mr. Gladstone had promised to deal with the question as soon as the Irish Church question was done with, and he thought they should be prepared to know how far they in- tended to support Mr. Gladsone, and what to demand. They ought clearly to define what they were going for, and the extent of what they wished to demand. As to the merits of Mr. Relph's proposition, and what he suggested at Newport the other day, he thought it came to the same thing. He objected to the prin- ciple of the rating altogether. He could not see any justice in it, as the gentleman who spoke before him had remarked the county charges were really im- perial charges. It was precisely as necessary for the general good of the country that the police should be maintained as the army should be maintained—(hear, hear)-and it appeared to him that the maintenance of the one was as much a national duty as the other. It was admitted so in America. A Member Elections ? Mr. Stratton And the election of members of Par- liament, I believe. That is the last Act that is cou- templated for the counties. The real property of the country is assessed at 93 millions, and the personal property is something like 300 millions so that there are 200 millions which escape the local burden. I can't see how that can be just and fair. I think our case is a very strong one from the way it was received in Parliament. Every speaker, except one or two who were put up to say something against it, and ut- terly failed in their arguments, went very strongly for some decisive alteration in the system of levying the local taxes. I don't think we can do much now exccpt to come to a determination as to what we are to ask for, and then to appeal to Government. Mr Morgan instanced the case of the Coleford, Usk, and Pontypool Railway, showing the unequal levying of the taxation. That railway had, he observed, pro- duced according to the last half year's list, £7,000, and were rated at something under £600. The Chairman I am afraid you have been misin. formed. Mr Morgan said the Chairman must defend his own case. What he contended was that the maintenance of the poor was an obligation upon society, and there was no valid reason why that obligation should only be borne by a part of society, and the only mode of securing that was making the income tax the basis of assessment. The Pontypool Guardians were going to move in the question of Local Taxation, and he wonld ask -them if they could give him a valid reason why the owner of a farm should be taxed to the whole of the rental, while others, such as the Monmouth, Coleford, and Pontypool Railway, contributed nothing to the exigencies of society. After some further discossion, the meeting sepa- rated.

The consumers of articles of domestic use are good jtidges of quality this is especially the case with tea, the true quality of which can only be proved by actual use, as the Chinese to increase their profit, cover or face" the inferior brown leaves with mineral powder the almost worthless autumn crop is then passed off as the best, to the loss and disappointment of the purchaser. Messrs. Horniman, London, im- port their tea free from all facing powder, and thus secure uniform strength, delicious flavour, and conse- quently real cheapness. For Local Agents see adver- tisement.

LITERARY SELECTIONS. Religion and medicine are not responsible for the Faults and mistakes of their doctors. MONEY.—In a smiling region the man of money Bees only the relations of hay, grain, and wood his admiration, radiant with calculation, reduces nature to figures, and adds up the scenery. Purpose is the edge and point of character it it the sunerscription on the letter of talent. Character without it is blunt, and torpid genius without it is pullion—splendid and uncirculating. DIFFICULTIES.—How much we should all accom- plish if there were no difficulties in the way! High purposes and aspirations are universal; but diffi- pulties obtrude and leave only meagre accomplish- ment. Yet difficulties are clearly heaven's own intervention, to try our tempers and to prove the metal that is in us. Without them our life would be neither a struggle nor a trial, and man would run his race, leaving no marks to distinguish his course from that of other men. AMUSEMENTS.—Let none decry innocent amuse. ments. They are the means of much real good to the human family. Social merry-makings, not in- trinsically sinful, are good and healthful indeed. Let the laugh and innocent joke, the song, the tale, go round, for blessings follow in their wake. Many have naturally cravings for excitement, which, if not satisfied in the manner referred to, will lead their subject to scenes of sensuality, from which only wretchedness can flow. The producers of innocent amusements and recreation for the people are then, benefactors of their fellow men. SINGULAR PRESERVATION OF HUMAN BODIES.— It is remarkable that bodies are preserved in some conditions without any adequate apparent cause. It is not clear why the bodies at the chapel near Bonn are kept from corruption. It is said that no means of preservation are used, and the only cause seems to be a constant draught of air blowing through the place. Bodies have in many cases been preserved without decay in Europe, when it has not been known that any embalming whatsoever had been used. We are told that coffins have been opened in which the bodies appeared as if they had never changed from the time of burial, but by a few minutes' exposure fell down into a small heap of dust. This may hap- nen also when embalming is faulty. The kings of France at St. Denis are said to have undergone that rapid change. The bodies found in the earthenware coffins by Loftus, and described in his most interest- ing travels in Chaldea and Mesopotamia, were found also to fall into dust. There does not seem in such cases to have been any chemical action of the air at the moment of opening, but, in all probability, the slightest motion was enough to throw down the dust j to which the bodies had long been reduced. The air gradually entering would bring out with it all the animal matter, united with oxygen in the form of carbonic acid, and the earths, phosphates, and substances not volatile would remain, not contracted: into hard ash, as may occur when we burn it, but simply as they existed diffused through the struO ture of the flea h.-Disinfectants and Disinfection, by Robert Angus Smith. A MEETING OF THE SAINTS AT SAN PAULO.—I thought processions were over for the present, but last evening there was one of some magnitude, con- veying a saint from one church to another, and! spite of wet streets after heavy rain, a large num- ber of people turned out to witness and follow the participants in the ceremony. To-day, however, it being Friday the 6th of March, was set apart for a special occasion-a meeting, not a race of saints and, for a wonder, the day and night have been re- markably fine, a beautifnl bright moon now shining after the great bustle is over and the saints gone to rest, though the illuminated altars in various parts of the city are still glittering in all their tinsel, with numerous worshippers, after depositing in the plate their offerings in the shape of dumps," a slang phrase for copper coins. Preparatory symptoms have been going on for some days at a sort of large closet, or hole in the wall" of the house opposite, belonging to an old nobleman, whose wife departed this life to-day. The folding doors had been opened and a large blue cloth thrown over the sanctuary from a balcony above, but still it was easy to see that something unusual was in progress and to- day, at about the time of the procession, the door opened, and the curtain was withdrawn, revealing a very pretty altar, with a cross and small figures of saints at the top, the back parts and sides being covered with gold and silver tinsel, and groups or garlands of artificial flowers tastefully arranged, the whole lighted up by an immense number of candles, many of them in silver candlesticks, pro- vided or lent for the occasion by devotees. There were about a dozen or more of these old cupboard altars decked out, each apparently vying for supre- macy in effect. But I am forgetting the procession itself, which began to form at five o'clock, accom- panied by the usual paraphernalia—a number of young girls dressed up as angels, bands of music, soldiers with fixed bayonets, the President of the Province, and all the dignitaries, with the high priest under a canopy and his attendants as before, whilst in front and behind walked the multitude- The meeting of the saints took place close to the hotel, where a halt was made, and a stout eccle- siastic (the bishop's secretary, I believe), for whom a very large pulpit had been temporarily erected at the corner of four streets, addressed a very ener- getic discourse to the multitude, until his voice began to get rather squeaky, nor could very much be made of what he said beyond that his listeners were a very bad lot, and required all the interven- tion of the saints before them to save them from perdition. The sermon ended, some music and sing- ing took place before the altar opposite to our hotel, after which the procession went on, passing all the street altars, and this part of the ceremony ended when the saints were all fairly housed. For hours, however, before the bright gaudy altars, and the still brighter moon, the whole population of the place passed in review, making their reverence and depositing their "dumps" or offertories.-Brazil' and the River Plate in 1868, by W. Hadfield. FIRST ESCAPE FROM THE TOWER.-The first of- fender ever lodged within its walls contrived to es- cape from his guards, to let himself down from a window, and to slip through the postern to his boat. This bold offender was that Ralph of Durham, called the Firebrand and the Lion, who for many years had been the treasurer and justiciar to the Norman kings. On the death of Rufus he was seized by the Commons until the new king's pleasure should be known about him and Henry the Scholar, who had good deeds rather than good rights to befriend him in his contest with Robert for the crown, sent the unpopular prelate to the tower. Henry was not in- clined to harshness and Ralph, though lodged in the keep which he had helped to build, was treated like a guest. He lived in the upper rooms, on the tier now known as the banqueting-floor his rooms having plenty of space and light, a good fireplace, a private closet, and free access to St. John's chapel. William de Mandeville, Constable of the Tower, was appointed his keeper, and two shillings a day were paid from the King's exchequer for his diet. He was suffered to have his own servants and chaplains in his rooms, and to send out for such wines and meats as his stomach craved and his purse could buy. One of the richest men in England, he could buy a good deal; one of the cleverest men in England, he could scheme a long way. But before resorting to his money and his wits in self-defence, Ralph tried how far he could reckon on the virtues of the pastoral staff. A bishop was not only a baron of the realm, but a prince of the universal Church. No doubt he had exercised lay functions, acting as a financier, sitting as a judge but still he was a priest, on whom the secular laws were held to have no binding force. On this ground he appealed to Anselm, then Lord Primate, as to his brother and his chief.' An- selm, who had just come back from that exile into which he had been driven by Ralph and his master, was in no saintly humour. "Out upon this caitiff," cried the Lord Primate, "I know him not, neither as brother nor as priest." Anselm took the part of Henry, whom his flock was beginning to call Gaffer Goodrich, and to love with exceeding warmth on ac- count of Goody Maud, the young Saxon princess whom he had taken from a convent to make lus wife. Failing in this appeal Ralph took counsel with his wits. The stout Norman knights who kept guard in his chamber were jolly fellows, fond of good cheer and lusty at a song. On this weakness he began to play. Sending for good wine, and giving orders to his cook, he invited to his table a belt of boisterous knights. When the folks looked up at the keep, in which their enemy was caged, they saw lights in the windows rather late, and haply went to bed in the pious hope that their bad bishop was going quickly to his proper doom. At length his scheme was ripe. Asking the knights to supper he sent out for jars of wine; a potent liquor which, in due time, laid those warriors asleep on bench and floor. The time was winter (the date February, 1101), the night came down quickly on the Tower. When the guards were all drunk, the sober bishop rose from his table, drew a long coil of rope from one of the jars, passed into the South room, tied his cord to the window shaft, and taking his crozier with him, let himself down. He was a very fat, heavy man; the cord wai rather short, and he fell some feet to the ground. But trusty servants who were in waiting picked him up, and hurried him away into a boat, by which he escaped, with his staff and his money, to France. The window from which he escaped is sixty-five foet from the ground.—Her Majesty's Tower.

Captain Harding, of the American ship Daniel Draper, has had JE100 damages awarded against him by the Calcutta Small Cause Court for brutal outrages committed by him on the stewardess of that ship