Monmouthshire Merlin

CAERLEON. THE CHURCH RESTORATION.—We understand that this-work has been fully paid for. At a meeting held recently, the Rev. H. P. Edwards, Vicar, hon. sec. to the restoration committee, produced the accounts, by which it appeared that the total cost of the work has been X2438 12s. Od. which has been met by a corres- ponding amount of subscriptions.- The work of restoration was carried out under the superintendance of Mr. Seddon, diocesan architect, and great care has been taken to maintain and preserve the original architectural character of the building. The remains of a former church, of Roman type, occupying the site of the present tower, have been carefully preserved. The contractor, Mr. Hoskins, of Abergavenny, has given every satisfaction to the committee. We con- gratulate the inhabitants upon the satisfactory re- sults connected with the undertaking. In addition to the above amount of subscriptions a stone pulpit was presented by the late Mrs. Jenkins and a Lec- tern by Miss Jones, late of Caerleon..

PONTYPOOL. The NEW AMATEUR MINSTRELS gave a concert on Thursday night, the lstinst., at the Town Hall, on behalf of the Dorcas Society. There was a large and fashionable attendance, and the execution of the programme was throughout most creditable to Mr. Sewell, the talented conductor, and the gentlemen who so kindly gave their services for the charitable object in view. We regret that we have not space for the programme. The INQUEST on William C. Williams, haulier, who died suddenly last week, waa held at the Three Cranes, on Monday. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes—namely, an apopletic fit.

SWANSEA. PROPOSED EXTENTION OF THE MIDLAND RAILWAY TO SWANSEA. — It is rumoured among mercantile circles in Swansea that it is more than probable that the above company will very shortly determine on applying to Parliament for the necessary powers to construct an independent line direct to this port.

TREDEGAR. ELECTION OF GUARDIANS. — The following have been nominated for the year 1869, :as. Guardians for the Bedwellty Union :—James Reed, Richard Ley- bourne, Stuart Buchan, Theophilus Bevan, Edward Swidenbank, Robert Bond, Matthew Ion, William Richards, Phineas James, John B. Hughes, David Price, David Hughes, James Phillips, Isaac Edwards, Isaac Price, Isaac Jenkins, Jehoiada Jones, Lewis Jenkins, William James, Morgan Aubrey, John Pros- ser, William Evans, Edmund James, Richard Jen- kins, Edmund Howells, John Davies, Thomas Ellis, and Richard Morris-tew to be returned. WEDDING FESTIVITIES.—Tuesday was anything but cheering as a day whereon to hold a wedding festival; nevertheless a large assemblage congregated in St. George's Church to witness the interesting ceremony of the nuptials of Mr John Boycott Hughes, the res- pected cashier of the Ebbw Vale Company, and Miss Emma Eliza, daughter of Dr. Brewer, of Victoria. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. W. Hughes, of Ebbw Vale, assisted by the Rev. E. Leigh, Trede- gar. The bridegroom, with Hampden Brewer, Esq., as best man, and other friends, arrived soon after eleven o'clock, and the bride, attended by three bridesmaids and several friends, entered the Church at twenty minutes past eleven, and took their places at the altar, Mr Caird playing on the orgaji; Costa's March, from "Eli." The bride was given away by her father. The solemn I will," was duly and audibly pronounced, and to the strain of Mendel- ssohn's "Wedding March," the bridal party adjourned for the signing of the registry. At twelve o'clock the Church was cleared, and the happy pair and their numerous guests were on their way to Ebbw Vale. The bride was attired in a dress of rich silk (white), exquisite lace veil, and wreath of orange blossoms and jessamine. The bridesmaids were also-elegantly attired, the Misses Brewer in dresses of light grena- dine, and Miss Hughes in light silk bonnets, and flowers. Mr. Spencer, of the Castle Hotel, supplied the carriages, and a guard of honour from the Monmouthshire Constabulary kept order at the en- trance to the church. An elegant archway (square) of evergreens and flowers spanned the roadway near Sirhowy House descending the hill from Sirhowy the motto read May you be happy," and on the return, "God bless the Union." Sundry vollies of artilley were fired, and other signs of rejoicing prevailed. 1 INQUEST.—On Tuesday last an inquiry was opened at the Gray House Inn, before W. H. Brewer, Esq., and a jury, Mr. E. Davies" foreman, touching the death of Mary James (48), which took place rather mysteriously on the previous Thursday night.-The evidence of Elizabeth Morgan and other witnesses, went to show that deceased was found dead on the bedroom floor, with a broken basin beside her. There were marks on her face which may have resulted from her falling. The inquiry stands adjourned to Friday to allow a post mortem examination to be made. FORESTRY.—The quarterly committee meeting o the Widow and Orphans' l.O.O.F., was held in the Board-room, Cambrian Inn, on the 31st ult., when the report was read by the worthy secretary, P.G. Watkins, of Rhymney. The surplus capital was £676 4s. I icl. cash paid to widows and orphans, X24 18s. 14d. Delegates were present from Bryn- mawr, Ebbw Vale, and Rhymney. PLEASURES TO COME.—We learn that Mr. Caird will give his annual concert early in May, when Mr. Harry Davies, and others of acknowledged ability, will appear.

NEWPORT INFIRMARY AND DISPENSARY. REPORT FOR MARCH, 1869. In Jratients. In the House February 28th, 1869 11 Admitted in March 5- 16 Discharged. 7 Remaining in 9-16 Out Patients. Under care February 28th, 1869 105 Admitted in March 249-354 Cured 201 Relieved 52 Died. 4 Under care March 31 97—354 ARTHUR J. FARR, House Surgeon.

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE.—The Quarterly Meeting of the trade was held at the Bell Hotel, Gloucester, on Wednesday se'nnight, Mr. ^Woodruffe, of the Machen Works, Monmouthshire, m the chair. There was a large attendance of manufactures, and among the buyers were Nash and Co., Liverpool; Bolitho and Sons, Liverpool and Von Dadelszen and North, 'London. In the course of a long discussion which took place on the present position and future propects of the trade, it was stated that, as compared with three months ago, the price of tin has advanced no less than XIS per ton, and the opinion generally pre- vailed that a further rise might be looked forward to. It was pointed out that prices that then returned a fair profit to the manufacturer were now quite inade- I quate, in consequence of the heavy advance in tin. To meet these altered circumstances it was unani- mously decided to advance prices 2s. per box, and it was further resolved that at the expiration of existing contracts thejmake should be reduced 33 per cent. The effect of this, if loyally carried out, will be to prevent the accumulation of stocks, and at the same time restore prices to that position by which something like a fair profit will be secured to the maker. The exports of tin-plates from the United Kingdom in the period embraced from June I to March 24 of this year reached nearly 400,000 boxes, which indicates that there is a good and increasing export demand. Three years ago the annual shipments to the American States were about 900,000 boxes, which increased in the succeeding year to 1,300,000 boxes, and last year the total came up to 1,500,000 boxes. The great and important increase here shown in the American demand would have had a highly favourrble effect on prices had it not been for the rapid multiplication of new works, which have more than met the ad- ditional requirements of the Americans. Kinahan's L L and really good old Irish Whisky are synonymous terms. Until the Messrs. Kinahan introduced their delicious old mellow spirit it was impossible to get really good Irish Whisky in England, but now the L L can be obtained in all its purity in every town throughout the kingdom in the well-known zed aeal, and pink labelled botiles.

LONDON LET TEE, LONDON, Thursday, April 8th. Political matters are not very stirring. The great question of the Irish Church is laid by for a week. The journey of Prince Arthur to Ireland may do something to quiet the natives, but as soon as he re. turns the lawlessness will no doubt recommence. It is, however, only fair to give the faithful Irish. man a taste of royalty now and then, and perhaps on the whole the visit may do good. The farmers of Yorkshire and Lancashire, and in. deed all over the country, are complaining that the compensation clauses of the Cattle Plague Act of 1866, should be again introduced into the Govern- ment Act of this session. Mr. Forster has been ap- pealed to, and it is not unlikely the clauses may be modified. The question of the Law Courts site is a prominent one here in legal circles, and the Embankment Site and Carey Site have found stiff champions. The Embankment Site is the pet scheme of Sir Charles Trevelyan, but public opinion seems to be that a great deal of time and money is being wasted over the squabble. The subject of education is almost threadbare, yet Lord Stanley has contrived to throw a little special interest into the question of study at our Universities. His Lordship never enunciates opin- ions on important matters without having thorough- ly weighed the pros, and cons. beforehand. Hence the press always pays his Lordship great deference in any matter involving opinion on general subjects and hence also the prominence given to Lord Stan- ley's recent speeches in Glasgow, upon the occasion of his election as Lord Rector of the University, and subsequently. Little hostility has been evinced to- wards the sentiments expressed by the heir to the earldom of Derby, when he bore testimony to the value of a thorough study of classical literature, and to the utter worthlessness of such a study if only pursued superficially. He insisted very properly on the great importance of accurate habits of thought and expression. And what an illimitable expanse this idea opens up, when it is recollected what daily misfortunes arise from want of comprehending the simplest words in the sense intended by the speaker. If everyone were taught to attach the same value to words, and to use proper words in proper places, what a vast saving of time might not public speak- ers obtain, and what a blessing would not the public experience in reading their terse, instead of as now their verbose, and often consequently, weak utter- ances. A Prince in a Police Court! Such was the sen- sation heading which appeared in the evening papers on Monday. The journals were bought up greedily, the expectation being, of course, that some of the Princes of the Blood had been indulging in habits rendering the assistance of the police necessary. What was the disappointment may be imagined, when the prince turned out to be only an African,- a man of colour asserting his own royalty as the son of the King of Dahomey, the worthy monarch whose brutal massacres have made the world now and then I shudder. This gentleman had been taken before the magistrates on the curious chargeof being in a house, where he had taken apartments, for an unlawful purpose—it being suspected that his intention was to rob the premises. The prisoner represented him- self as in possession of great wealth and it was added, as giving additional colour to the romance of the case, that he had been living at first-class hotels with a beautiful young lady (whose fur- ther history has not yet been announced) ;-but, sic transit gloria mundi The fellow after all turns out to be no more than a gentleman's gentleman— a simple servant. It is asserted that the police have several charges of misdemeanour against the man, and he has been remanded. But the African Prince is not to be-compared in cool audacity to Mr. Benjamin Higgs, late of Twick- enham, and now, it is presumed, of the Atlantic ocean, en route for America. He must take a first rank amongst rogues. A clerk with the Central Gas Company at £ 180 a year, he has continued for six or seven years to live in the most sumptuous style at a mansion at Twickenham,, to keep 13 or 14 servants, and to give recherche dinners to the eTiie of Twick- enham and the neighbourhood. When a still larger mansion, to cost £50,000, had been, not only com- menced, but partly finished, Mr. Benjamin Higgs thinks he has done enough, and decamps, leaving his wife and children to starve. All this style was represented to have been kept up upon a supposi- tions legacy of £ 90,000 from a relation but when the crash came, it was found that the Gas Company had been paying for it, the defrauder Higgs having raised money upon the Company's sealed obliga- tions which he had surreptitiously executed and sealed. What is the most surprising part of the transaction is that the Company did not discover the fraud's before. The Compound Householder question has again been brought before the Ministers and Government. Mr. Mundella accompanied a deputation on Friday bo Mr. Goschen. The deputation urged the difficulty under the present Act of getting payment from the tenants, or of also inducing the landlords to col- lect the rates for the consideration of a liberal com- mission. Some fearful statistics of the numbers of persons summoned before the magistrates of the Birmingham and the number of distraints enforced, showed clearly how difficult it is for the poorest class to be provident and put by for the rate as well as the rent. The Deputation did not touch upon hhe political question of how a remedy could be ap- plied whilst retaining the tenants' right to vote,- but simplyaeked for a return to the old compounding principle,—a demand which in its entirety the Min- isters are not likely to concede but Mr. Goschen promises to introduce into his new Bill embracing these points some clauses which he hopes may be satisfactory to all parties. So far the Deputation emanating from Birmingham has done good service bo the working classes. The periodical agitation about the opening of Museums on Sundays has again commenced. Now there are parties very active both for and against the innovation and both have more than once waited on the Home secretary. It is very justly argued that if people are allowed to go on Sundays and see the picture galleries at Hampton Court, to the paintings and objects of interest at Greenwich, and to the Horticultural Gardens, and show houses at Kew, they ought not, as a matter of principle, be excluded from the British Museum, the Kensington Exhibition, the National Gallery, or the Public collections of art. The working claases have the additional rea. son to urge, that they cannot have the time to go to such places except on the Sunday, and that under the present regulations the great national museums are never seen by them at all. The Anti- Museum openers, though taking no steps to close Greenwich, Kew, and Hampton court, object to the museums which are within the reach of London working men being accessible to them, and they adopt the theological argument that it would be a desecration of the Sabbath and lead to the opening of the theatres also. Keeping museums closed won't make people go to church any more than keeping the public-houses partially closed will—and anyone who sees the Sunday loungers round the public-house on Sundays waiting for its opening, must certainly feel that if some such recreation as the museums ( were provided they might be the salutary means of drawing many a man from the impure atmosphere and associations of the gin shop. The government, however, does not yet appear ripe for action. The Home Secretary himself would not object to the museums being opened, and told both the parties plainly so, though he would not like to see the theatres opened also, but (and the but in a ministerial mouth is an important word) he had colleagues to consult and he did not know their opinions upon the matter. And so the question is quietly aholved.

Twenty of Brigham Young's wives have arrived at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to visit friends at that city and Omah, and will continue their journey to Washing. ton. EMIGRATION OF ORPHAN PAUPER GIRLS.-Miss Rye, whose zealous efforts in the promotion of female emigration are so well known, has announced her willingness, through Mr. Wm. Rathbone, M.P., to relieve the Liverpool parochial authorities of all the young orphan girls they may have to spare, under- taking that they shall all be properly cared for in Canada. To assist in meeting the attendant ex- penses, Miss Rye asks for the moderate grant of £8 per head. Though the vestry cannot legally vote the money, it has been agreed to recommend the Voluntary Rate Committee to devote dE200 in fur- therance of Miss Rye's scheme. A similar amount has already been raised from private sources. A YOUNG DICK TURPIN.-on Wednesday a lad of 13, named Joseph Simpson, was brought before the Blackburn borough magistrates, charged with stealing six pocket knives, a muffler, a box of per- cussion caps, the property of three tradesmen in the town. The capture of the prisoner led to the dis- covery of other thefts. He had stolen three pistols and a powder flask from a neighbouring town. Through his going to the theatre and reading the lives of such heroes as Jack Sheppard, the lad's mind had become warped and he had got a belt made to hold pistols, and had stored a quantity of ammunition. He was seized in an unoccupied cel- lar where he concealed his booty. His stepmother gave him a bad character, and the magistrates com- mitted him to the House of Correction for six months. Subsequently he was brought before the county magistrates on the charge of stealing the pis- tols and flask, the charge was fully proved, and the magistrates expressed themselves desirous of send- ing the lad to a reformatory, and instructed their Clerk to obtain a revocation of the order of the through magistrate** if possible.

TAWAL PROS. There are 38,000 Mormons and 8,000 Gentiles at Salt Lake. In New York there is a rumour that beggars pay the ferry companies for the priviledge of plying their trade on the ferry boats. The Prince of Wales has had a communication this week from home which will cause him to shor- ten his sojourn in the Levant, as it is the especial desire of the Queen that he should return to London by the second week in May..His visit to the King of Italy, for which arrangements had been made, will consequently be postponed till another occasion. -London Correspondent of Manchester Guardian. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT LINCOLN.—Early on Wed- nesday a serious fire broke out at Lincoln, in the Albion Flour Mill, belonging to Mr. Chas. S. Dickin- son, a miller and corn merchant. It soon became evident that there were little hopes of saving the mill and warehouse, in which several thousand pounds worth of corn were stored. The destruction I of corn and flour was immense, the damage being estimated at from £ 12,000 to £ 15,000. Mr. Dickin- son was only partially insured, his policy being of a Manchester office, for £2,500. The origin of the outbreak has not been traced. THE BERMONDSEY MUTILATION CASE.-At the Central Criminal Court, London, on Wednesday last, Ellen Cook, who is described as a very robust- looking woman, aged 44, was indicted before Mr. Justice Brett for feloniously wounding her husband, James Cook, with intent to murder him. In a se- cond count she was charged with wounding with in- tent to inflict bodily harm. The facts of the case are already well known. When the prisoner was put into the dock she said in a clear voice that she was not guilty. She never intended to murder her husband, and only acted in self-defence. She never used a knife, and never tied him down to a bed in her life. The case was of a diabolical nature.-The learned Judge having summed up, the jury immedi- ately found the prisoner guilty on the second count, and she was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servi- tude. COMPENSATION TO AN OMNIBUS PASSENGER.— In the Liverpool Court of Passage, on Tuesday, an action was brought by John Stewart, a draper's as- sistant, against the Omnibus Conveyance Company, Limited, to recover compensation for personal in- juries sustained by the plaintiff in consequence of the defendants, as he alleged, having one of their omnibuses in an unsafe condition. On the after- noon of Sunday, the 7th of February, the plaintiff wished to go to Bootle, and for that purpose, when one of the defendants' omnibuses was stopped at the corner of Dale-street and Moorfields, proceeded to mount the steps to get on the roof of it. He had a small dog under his left arm and an umbrella in his left hand, and he took hold of the railing of the 'bus with his right hand. As lie was getting up the 'bus started, and gave him a sudden jerk, which threw his whole weight upon the railing, which gave way, and he came to the ground. He broke one of his legs and was otherwise injured, and had not been able to do any work since.-The case for the defendants was that the plaintiff got on to the "bus whilst it was in motion, and, being encumbered with the dog under his arm, it caused him to throw his whole weight upon the single rail, which was fixed securely, and by a sudden wrench to tear from its fastenings, and that therefore the negligearo was on his part.-The Jury found for the plaintiff, damages J525. ANOTHER AGRARIAN OUTRAGE.—A Clare cor- respondent sends an account of another outrage in Ireland. A man, named Austin M'Kean, with his widowed mother and two brothers, occupied a farm at Kilshanny, county Clare, under Captain Crowe, a gentleman at present in India. Notice to quit was recently served upon the M'Keans, and the time having expired, the agent, accompanied -by Thomas Horan, a farmer, whose son-in-law was the expectant tenant, set out for the place on Monday to demand possession. The agent, a Mr. Mahon, left Horan at his son-in-law's house, close by, and walked up to the farm alone. The widow and her sons came out to meet him, and Austin declared that the land would not be given up without a life. Mr. Mahon, thus intimated, withdrew. Austin then. went towards the house mentioned, and en- countering Horan, he asked why he had put a rascal of an agent to take away his land ?" Before Horan could reply, he presented a pistol at his breast and cried, Take that." A bullet penetrated Ho- ran'* clothes on the right sid-e and struck upon the breast bone; thence, fortunately, it glanced off, and the man received only a superficial wound, though his nervous system sustained a very severe shock. M'Kean, it is stated, proceeded to re-load his pistol, but the other found immediate refuge in the house of the parish priest. The would-be assassin took to the woods, and was still at large. VISIT OF THT QUEEN TO ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL.—On Tuesday afternoon the Queen, ac- companied by the Princesses Louise and Beatrice and suite, paid a visit to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Her Majesty's intention to do so having only been intimated to the authorities late in the morning. On the arrival of the Royal party Mr. W. Foster White, the treasurer, was in attendance to receive them, and they were conducted through the Tarious wards in the three principal wings and also the small side one. During the progress through the building her Majesty was graciously pleased to make inquiries as to the several cases, and freely expressed her sympathy with the patients. The Royal party re- mained more than an hour, and such was the privacy at the desire of the Queen, that with the exception of Mr. White and a select number of the medical staff, no one was allowed to enter the wards until the departure of the distinguished visitors. The medical students were strictly forbidden following the Royal party. Her Majesty expressed her hearty approval of the various arrangements in connection with the institution, of which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is the president. Her Majesty, at the close of her visit, expressed a desire to General Bridport to see the New Meat Market, and she was accordingly driven slowly throughthe central avenue of the market, which was closed. At the same time Prince Leopold was shown over the Tower by Sir John Burgoyne. ATTEMPTED MURDER AT BIRKENHEAD.—A most brutal case came under the notice of the Birken- head magistrates on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, a man, named George Woods, a provision dealer, living in Whetstone Lane, at Birkenhead, returned home in an intoxicated state, and committed a savage assault upon his wife, and then attempted to take his own life by cutting his throat. He had been drinking for two or three weeks, and on Tues- day morning he had a quarrel with his wife about some money which she refused to give him, and left the house in anger. On his return about eleven o'clock, he appeared greatly excited. When he en- tered the kitchen his wife was standing near the fire. She had her back towards him, and he seized a blunderbuss which was hanging against the wall, and struck her with it on the back part of the head, knocking her down. He then struck her again with the same weapon, the blow being so heavy as to break the stock. Wood then, seeing his wife in- sensible, and believing that he had killed her, rushed up stairs and cut his throat. The neigh- bours by this time had raised an alarm, and a police- man and a surgeon were called in, and the wound in Wood's threat was at once sewn up. He and his wife were taken to the hospital. The woman is still in a dangerous state, and on Wednesday she was not able to appear give evidence. Wood has, upon medical recommendation, been placedia the Workhouse hospital. SINGULAR ACTION FOR FALSE IMPRISONMENT.— At the Derby County Court, on Tuesday, an action was brought by Miss Sophia Taylor, superintendent of Dr. Dixon's Wye House Private Asylum, Buxton, against Dr. Bennett, coroner for the High and Low Peak hundred, to recover damages for having been given into custody and taken in custody through the public streets and for assault. The case arose out of an inquest held last August, on the body of Phoebe Kirk, a young lady who had been an inmate of the asylum. After hearing the evidence, the Judge (Mr. G. Russell) said the statement of the plaintiff went to show that a female patient of the Wye House Asylum having died, and an inquest having been ordered, Dr. Bennett directed plaintiff to remove, to an extent which she considered in- decent, the covering on the body of the deceased. To this request she refused to comply, and the Coroner then proceeded to direct the police to ex- pose certain portions of the body to the view of the jury. There was a total discrepancy between the evidence of the plaintiff and the defendant. He might say, however, that it was satisfactory on the one hand to know that the plaintiff considered she was called upon to do an indecent act, whilst on the other hand, Dr. Bennett thought it was necessary in the administration of justice, and when it was remembered that the place was a private asylum it would be better that a thousand what might be con- sidered indecent acts should take place than one death without due and proper investigation. He was quite satisfied that everything ordered by Dr. Bennett he thought absolutely necessary, and he must be exonerated and acquitted from any charge of indecency. He was merely exercising a caution which was due. After adverting to the evidence of the witnesses, his Honour said he thought Dr. Bennett's words would not bear the construction that he gave, or that the police constable was to take, the plaintiff into custody, and therefore he should give a verdict for be defendant with costs, In New York, fashion has just decreed that brides shall reside one year with their parents. The shutter of a New York store bears this unique placard :_U Closed on account of the Sheriff." Gold has been found in digging a well in Burean county, Illinois. Hassan Pasha, son of the Viceroy of Egypt, and his governor, Colonel Gamble, were presented to Her Majesty on Tuesday, at Buckingham Palace by the Earl of Clarendon. The Queen has consented to depute a member of the Royal Family to lay the foundation stone of a second pair of buildings for the National Cottage Hospital for Diseases of the Chest at Ventnor. The entire design of the institution comprises eight pair of houses, capable of accommodating 100 consump- tive patients, and nearly £4,000 has been already raised towards the advancement of this benevolent object. Colonel" Warren has addressed along and high- sounding letter to the Nation, in reply to the ob. servations of Colonel Knox in the House of Commons respecting his late speech and the argument of tie sabre." He arraigns the gallant member for malicionsly, fraudulently, and ungallantly" using his position to misconstrue his words, and to prove that expressions used as a general truism and in a general sense were used for a particular occasion and for a particular object." Archbishop Manning has consented to become chairman of the committee formed to collect sub- scriptions for the purpose of defraying the costs of the late trial, Saurin r. Star, and has addressed the following letter to the present mother of the Hull Convent:—" Do not be cast down at this trial. It will turn not to the hindrance but to the furtherance of the faith, and to the vindication of our convents from the false accusers who, in your case, have been signally disappointed. The public opinion of the country is just and generous, and we have no fear to stand in the light of day." The Ameer of Afghanistan is described by one who had the best opportunity for judging, as a clever well-informed man, with considerable know- ledge of European politics. But his first experience of the Anglo-Indian drawing-rooms is said to have greatly surprised him. The English," he remark- ed, "area curious people; they can fight, work, and bear hardships as well as any of us; but when they are in quarters, just look in what good order and how clean they have everything." And he went on to contrast this cleanliness with the needless dirt he had left behind him at Cabul. A shocking death occurred on Saturday at New, bridge Barracks. A fine young man, but 24 years years of age, named George Whitehead, only twelve months in theB Brigade of the Royal Artillery, was employed rolling the barrack yard with a large metal roller drawn by two horses. One of the horses was in the shafts, the other being in front. Deceased was leading the last horse, and as he was turning to the left round by the stables he gave it a cut of the whip with his left hand from behind, and in doing so he fell, and the roller passed over his hand and head. His death was instantaneous.—Irish Times. WRECK AT HOLYHEAD.—On Wednesday morning the Penoes, a Norwegian brig, 260 tons register, struck on the Bully rock, five miles from Holyhead. The crew, nine in number, had not seen any lights since they passed the Smalls, and had no knowledge that land was so near. The masts and rigging were instantly cut away, and the vessel drifted about half a mile further south and again struck. She left Bayonne for Liverpool about one month ago, with pitch and turpentine. Men were on Wednesday afternoon discharging the cargo. There are no hopes of saving the vessel, as she has been pierced by the sharp rocks. A Western farmer has written to one of the bene- volent institutions of New York asking for four good boys, from sixteen to eighteen years of age. He promises to board and clothe them, give them a good common education, make first-class farmers of them, and at the age of twenty-one will establish each of them on forty acres of good land. He will also take a girl of fifteen or sixteen, give her the same home and advantages, with the same quantity of land when of age. From this it would appear that the demand for farmers in the West is very pressing, and it is reported that a company of boys will leave New York for the West at the beginning of April. The death is announced of the Rev.Charles Bridges, M.A., rector of Hinton Martell, a clergyman who has long held a prominent place in the Evangelical party. He was ordained in 1817, and in 1823 he was presented to the rectory of Old Newton, near Stow- market, which he held until 1855, when he was nominated by the Earl of Shaftesbury to the rec- tory of Hinton Martell, in Dorsetshire, which is now vacant by his death. Mr. Bridges was the author of an exposition of the 119th Psalm, and of the Book of Proverbs, as well as of works on confirmation and other practical subjects. THE INSURRECTION IN CUBA.-The Nassau He- rald reports the capture of the American brig Mary Lowell, at Ragged Island, by the Spanish man-of war Andalusia. The brig at the time of the capture was in the possession of the British custom-house officers on the charge that she was carrying arms and supplies to the insurgents in Cuba. The British war steamer Cherub has sailed from Nassau to Rag- ged Island to investigate the affair. The Havannah Government is fully advised of the conduct of the commander of the Andalusia. The Peruvian moni- tors remain at Ragged Island. During their voyage one of the rams broke loose, ran into the steamer Havannah, and sank her. Seven of the crew of the Havannah were drowned. A CONGREGATION OF SPIRITS.—The New York Herald gives an account of a singular gathering of spiritualists at the Everett Rooms, in New York, on the 21st ult. Dr. Fairfield, a remarkable" trance speaker, was the star advertised to address the as. semblage. The reading of the Scriptures was dis- pensed with, and in its place the remarkable doctor, after having very solemnly taken up a position be. hind the desk, announced that he would read a spirit poem by Edgar Allen Poe. This spirituous poetry must have been in rather small spiritual type, for the doctor was enabled to read off some eight or ten verses from the palm of his hand without turn- ing over. Some more music from the tame piano and the speaker said he was delighted to see so large and full an audience, and felt flattered at their pre- sence but he was more glad to see an innumerable host of disembodied spirits which, though not visible to the carnal eye, were seen by him. Wherever the spiritualists were gathered together to preach and Lear the gospel, there these happy spirits were, and they were now waiting in that room to hear him speak. Dr. Fairfield then-took as his text the words Consider what I say and the Lord give thee un- derstanding in all things." 2 Timothy, ii., 7. The speaker then commenced to discourse, but although his delivery was very rapid his language was so much chosen as to be almost unintelligible. The main idea," says the reporter, was that spiritualism meant upwards and onwards, and everything else downwards and backwards." MR. REVERDY JOHNSON ON HIS RETIREMENT.— Mr. Johnson was among the speakers at the anniver- sary festival at the Royal Asylum of St. Ann's Society, at the London Tavern, on Tuesday evening. In returning thanks for the Foreign Ministers, Mr. Johnson observed that his was a melancholy duty on account of the short time which remained to him in this country. He had forwarded his resignation to the United States some eight or ten days since, and he believed his place would be henceforth filled by a gentleman, a scholar, and a humane Christian man, who would do all in his power to cement friendship between the two countries, and who would, he believed, come out of his office with distinction after having fulfilled the speaker's own best wishes for the international advancement. The United States would never allow their Minister to hazard peace between us he did not know whether the United States were dissatisfied with the Con- vention he had signed last November he was, at least, well assured that England would never accede to demands against her rights and honour. Should any dispute ever arise between the two countries, there was always an escape from war in the shape of a reference. At home, in America, he had been charged with having spoken too much on this side of the water, but that was because he had had such willing auditors. He had always been seduced by kind friends ever ready to listen to him, and per- haps he had too willingly yielded to their kind seduc- tions. Very recently one of the newspapers had charged him with being over exuberant, but he must remind them that the same charge applied to his hearers. He always imagined that he heard his hearer's hearts beating with friendship for the peo- pie of the United States; and, this being so, he had given way to an exuberance which is character- istic of an old. man who cannot expect to enjoy life much longer. With regard to his speeches at Newcastle and Manchester, he had been charged with meaning to intimidate England, and he would say with reference to this, that only for the fact of his being a writer in the paper which influences so vastly the destinies of the world the author of such an idea ought to be locked up in a luuatic asylum. What he and every Christian wanted was that the United States and England should ever be associated together as friends. Judging from past history there was every prospect that both countries would at least remain free for ever. How much could not the one assist the other In a month's time (Mr. Johnson added) he would leave for home; and how would he then leave England ? A sadder man. He would leave thousands of friends whom he would never see again. Mr. Johnson concluded with some observations on tho charity qa behalf gf which ho was speaking.

FOREIGN TELEGRAMS. FRANCE. PARIS, April 4th. — The trial of the persons con. cerned jn the Monthabor-street tragedy was con* eluded on Monday. The prisoner Firon was con* demned to death, but Rize was acquitted. ITALY. FLORENCE, April 4th. — The King has conferred nnon General Moering the collar of the order of St. M urice and St. Lazarus, and has made the general a present of a splendid English mare from the royal stables. A report has been issued of the progress of the works for the Mont Cenis Railway up to the 31st of March. The length of tunnel excavated is 9,522 metres, there remaining still 2,697 metres. FLORENCE, April 3rd, (Evening).-General Mena- brea gave a banquet this evening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honour of General Moering, at which the Austrian Legation and the Foreign and Cabinet Ministers were present. General Moering proposed the health of King Victor Emmanuel. General Menabrea replied, and proposed a toast to the Emperor Francis Joseph. The King will leave for Naples as soon as the railway at present damaged by the floods is repair- ed. His Majesty will avoid the Roman territory as on a former occasion. FLORENCE, April 3rd.-The Grand Duke Vladimir- of Russia received yesterday fron King Victor Em- manuel the collar of the Annunzita. His Imperial Highness left to-day for Rome. TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 3rd, Evening. — The Prince and Princess of Wales received visits from the diplomatic body to-day. They visited the old seraglio, the mosques, and the seraskierate. The Sultan will give a grand banquet this evening in honour of his royal guests. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 2nd.—The Sultan went in great state to the Mosque of St. Sophia to-day. The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Honourable Mrs. Grey, Lord Carington, Mr. Alison, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Lionel Moore, Second Secre- tary at the British Embassy, and especially attached to His Royal Highness during the present stay in this capital, witnessed the procession from the Sultan's kiosk. EGYPT. ALEXANDRIA, April 3rd.—A timely discovery was made last night of an attempt to assassinate the Viceroy. An explosive machine, with a powder train leading to the door, and attached by a tube to the gas pipe, was found under the seat of the viceregal box in the theatre at Cairo. The Viceroy was apprised of the projected attempt on his life and stayed away. The perpetrators are unknown but several persons have been arrested on suspicion. His Highness has received the congratulations of the foreign ministers and Egyptian functionaries on his escape. CHILI. HAMBURG, April 3rd.—Intelligence has been re- ceived here from Valparaiso of the 24th February, via New York, announcing that a great fire has taken place in that city, whereby the places of several German merchants were destroyed. No de- tails have been received. AMERICA. WASHINGTON, April 5.—Congress will adjourn on Saturday next. The appointment of General Long- street, as collector of Customs at New Orleans has been confirmed by the Senate. FRANCE. PARIS, April 5.—The Official Journal of to-day says The current rumours about the resignation of the Minister of Finance are entirely without foundation." PARIS, April 5, Evening.-The Etendard of this evening denies that an exchange of telegrams rela- tive to the demolition of the Luxembourg fortifica- tions has taken place between the Cabinets of Paris and Berlin. The Etendard also denies the existence of a Franco-Italian treaty of alliance. CALAIS, April 5.—The Nawab of Bengal arrived, here last night, and intends to cross to Dover this morning should the weather permit. GERMANY. GOTHA, April 5.-Letters have been received here from the German discoverer, Carl Mauch, who is making an exploring expedition in Southern Africa. The letters are dated Nov. 29, 1868, and announce that Carl Mauch has accomplished a very important journey, although he had encountered great danger. He started northwards on the 8th of May from the Potschefs river, and arrived at Ingate on the 18th of October, having explored countries which have never been travelled by Europeans. From this point he intends this April to endeavour to penetrate northwards as far as the equator. < RUSSIA. ODESSA, April 4th.—It is doubtful whether the Prince and the Princess of Wales will pay a visit to Odessa. Their Royal Highnesses will probably proceed direct to Sebastopol, and thence to the Caucasus. At Sebastopol great preparations for a magnificent reception are being made, in anticipa- tion of the arrival of their Royal Highnesses. DENMARK. COPENHAGEN, April 5th.-It is understood that Herr Von Raasloff, the minister of war, is now on his way back from Washington, but whether hia negotiations for the sales of the Danish West In. dian Islands to the United States have come to a satisfactory conclusion has not yet transpired. SPAIN. MADRID, April 5th.-It is stated that Senor Olozaga will go to Lisbon, on Wednesday, to offer the Crown of Spain to the ex-King Ferdinand of Portugal. A decree of Senor Sagasta postpones the drawing for the conscription until the 25th of April. An ordinance of Senor Fignerola authorises the in. troduction of Bibles and other Protestant books printed in foreign languages. ITALY. FLORENCE, April 7th.—General Moering has left for Trieste, and the King has despatched General Sonnaz on a special mission to the Emperor of Austria with the collar of the order of the Annun. ziata. SPAIN. Madrid, April 7th.—In to-day's sitting of the Constituent Cortes, Senor Sagasta officially con- firmed the news of the refusal of Dom Fernando to accept the throne or Spain. The House resumed the debate upon the draft of the Constitution, and Senor Castelar delivered a speech condemning it. In the course of the week Senor Figuerola will pre- sent the budget for 1869, which will include proposals for a reform of the Customs' tariffs. It is asserted that Carlist bands have crossed the frontier and entered Spanish territory. The papers of to-day confirm the arrival of a des- patch from Lisbon announcingotficially the definitive refusal of the Spanish crown by the ex-King Ferdin- and of Portugal, and the uselessness, therefore, of sending a mission to Lisbon. AMERICA WASHINGTON, April 6th.-The Republicans have carried Connecticut, electing Mr. Amewell Governor and the entire state ticket by a. majority of 500. Connecticut last November gave General Grant and Mr. Colfax a majority of nearly 3,000. Of four members of Congress voted for in Connecticut the Republicans have elected two. The Connecticut delegation in the last Congress consisted of three Democrats and one Republican. The Republicans will probably secure a majority of the Connecticut Legislature in joint ballot. The returns are as yet incomplete. FRANCE. PARIS, April 6th, Evening.—The Government journals of this evening publish a semi-official con- tradiction of the rumours which have been current of a growing reserve in the relations between the French and Prussian Governments. It is asserted that the general elections are fixed for the 30th May. PARIS, April 6th.—A denial is given to the asser- tion of the Corriere Italiano that the Marquis de Banneville, French ambassador at Rome, has ad- vised the l'ope to submit to the (Ecumenical Coun- cil the question of the relations to be adopted to- wards Italy. In to-day's sitting of the Legislative Body the discussion upon the budget was resumed. M. Gar- nier Pages delivered a speech counselling disarma- ment. PRUSSIA. BERLIN, April 6.—The Courrier of the Bourse of to-day announces that Messrs. Baring Brothers have concluded an arrangement with the Russian Govern- ment whereby they undertake the issue of 60,000,000 roubles of the new series of the Nicolai Railway obligations. SPAIN. MADRID, April 6.-To-day the Cortes commenced the debate upon the draft of the constitution. Senor Sanchez Ruano spoke against several of its proposed provisions as being reactionary. The Portugese Minister in this city has received a telegram order- ing him to inform the Spanish Government that Dom Fernando categorically refuses the offer of the Spanish Crown. ROUMANIA. BUCHAREST, April 5.—The elections in the first; slectoral district of Bucharest and of the different provincial districts have, up to the present, resulted as follow :—29 Government members, two Opposi. tion, and one doubtful. Newport, Saturday, April 10, 1869. Printed and Published at the MoNMorrrnsHiRK MEHU" General Printing Office. No. 15, Commercial-street. in the Borough of Newport, in the County of Monmouth, by WILLIAM- CHRISTOPHERS, residing at Melrose Villa, Gold Tdpq, in the Parish of St. Woollos, Newport.