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NATIONAL EDUCATION. To DEPUTATION FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION LEAGUE AT NEWPORT. A meeting was held on Wednesday evening at the Town Hall, Newport, for the purpose of hearing an address from Mr. Lloyd Jones, a deputation from the National Education League, as also to hear addresses from the Revs. S. Kennedy and D. Evans, the depu- tation who attended from Newport at the late Confe- rence at Aberystwith. The Mayor of Newport occu- pied the chair. There was also on the platform the Revs. H. Oliver, B.A., P. W. Darnton, B.A., D. W. Pennell, H. S. Elvins, D. Evans, J. W. Lance, W. Edwards, and Messrs T. B. Batchelor, R. S. Roper, — Sully, Pontypool, &c., &c. The body of the hall was pretty well filled. The Mayor, after a few prefatory remarks, said he had come to the meeting prepared to expound his own views upon the question, but he desisted, having heard with regret that the quest: on was likely to be- come a party one. He would, under those circum- stances, prefer to listen to what others had to say. He would introduce the Rev. David Evans, one of the deputation to the Aberystwith Conference. The Rev. D. Evans explained at some length the proceedings at the Aberystwith Conference. There were parties who attended there from all Christian denominations throughout the principality. He might state also that there was good feeling throughout. Some difficulty was felt with regard to the introduc- tion of the Bible, but the majority were for it3 exclu- sion as a class book, believing that its introduction did more harm than good. The Rev. S. Kennedy then addressed the meeting. He said that at the Conference they came almost unani- mously to the conclusion that the system of educa- tion should be free, unsectarian, and compulsory. That was passed in the form of the first resolution. But then came the second resolution, which was car- ried, which almost set aside the first. It was, "That this Conference deems the direct religious teaching now imparted in day schools of but little value and is confident that the spiritual training of the young may be fully and safely entrusted to parents and the Christian Church but this does not mean to exclude or impose the reading of the Bible." He might say there were many present, members of various Churches, who were extremely anxious that some religious teaching should be provided. The speaker read the remaining three resolutions agreed to by the Con- ference. The Mayor then introduced to the meeting the de- putation from the National Education League, Mr. Lloyd Jones, who said he thought that, before say- ing anything as to the state of education in Wales, or to give them any reason why they should co-oper- ate with those who were labouring in the field of education, it would be well if he stated to them some- thing a3 to the condition of that country, and as to the reasons why so large a number ot persons had associated themselves together for the purpose of de- manding a large and liberal system of education. Now, in the first place, they must bear in mind this -that the National Education League had not been organised for the purpose of putting aside any institu- tion in existence. The National Education League existed not for the purpose of destroying, but for the purpose of creating,—not for the purpuse of doing away with any education, but for the purpose of establishing a system of education that should extend widely, liberally, and effectually all over the nation, so that no human creature in this island, so that the child of no man shall be without the means of that education. (Cheers.) Now as to the general reasons that prompted them in this movement, and the result of the past system of education. He need not go into statistics and statements to prove that there were a large number of people at present without education. No doubt most of them present were already ac- quainted with that. He might, however, say that the number without education was estimated at from seventeen hundred thousand to two millions. Now if they took those who never went to school, those who would go only for a short time and were irregular in attendance, and soon forget what they learned there, and those who were at school and got a kind of educa- tion worse than useless, he had no doubt one-half of those might be accounted as going entirely without education. He would state, however, the diffi- culties in giving these figures, taken as they were, first from the returns of the League, then from the Union, then from Lord Robert Montague and other sources, they found that they nearly all made their calculations from different data. Some calculated from the number of school children, others took school attendance, some placing the term of attendance at five years, and others at four years, and some at a longer period. Now it was not necessary that they should agree upon those figures supposing they took a less number, supposing they took 700,000, and then said even a thousand or two less than that number, what reason was there why every man and woman in the country should not receive an education ? As to ioTiorance being the cause of crime and pauperism, there was little use in telling them that, and that many persons who were well educated were still criminally disposed. Unfortunately, they knew that was a fact; and they knew this-that an uneducated man was helpless. (Hear, hear.) He wanted know- ledge, for it was that which placed him right and kept him right. Without it he had not power over the faculties given him by God, therelore as a nation they ought to take up this work and if they did not be- come a wealthier, they must become a better people, inasmuch as they would approach more to the perfec- tion of human nature. But, beyond that, there were other reasons that came home to them very strongly, and which reasons, as practical men, they were bouud to respect. In calling attention to the advantages and discoveries of the past, which had placed them in the front of the world as a manufacturing population, he would say that in that respect the continental nations were gradually coming up to them, in conse- quence of the operation of various causes to which he need not fully refer but what they wanted to get at was the fact as to whether such was the case or not, and whether a higher system of education in those continental nations did not produce such good results as very much endangered this country's supremacy as a manufacturing people, and whilst they were differ- ing as to sects, and as to whether people were right on this or that scheme, others were not failing to do that work which would give them pre-eminence. Now he held in his hands one of those volumes published by the Board of Education, and the reports made by the Commissioners sent to inspect the various brarches of trade, and the productions exhibited at the great ex- hibition in Paris, in 1867. Every one of their staple manufactures, great or small, exhibited there, was re- ported on but he would only give them one or two of those which were staple branches, and sources from which a large number of people procured their liveli- hood. There was the cotton trade which was reported on. The speaker then read an extract from the report which eulogised the system of education pursued on the continent, and the immense advantages gained thereby, and stated that if England were to retain pre- eminence, it must be by a similar system of educa- tional development. Then there was the report from the person who inspected the furniture and other de- partments of that kind, and his statament was almost the same. He stated that without education they C )lùd not expect to get skilled workmen. Having read a long extract from the report, the speaker said he mentioned those matters to them, not that they were immediately connected with primary ( education, which was what the League went for, but simply to tell them, that they could have no secondary or technical education of any value unless they had first, primary education which was a preparation of the soil for the receiving of fchat higher instruction which would eventually enahftS Englishmen to hold their own against all comers. Well, was not question of National Educa- tion one of momentous interest ? Under these circum- stances, then, the people of England were at present turning thfcir attention to the subject. They had the members ofA< the League, the Members of the Union, and the Government they had all parties trying to find out soiAe scheme, some plan, which Xvould apply to the whole' nation. They boasted that they were of the good old Anglo-Saxon race, that they never ap- plied great force at first; but they did it bit by bit, I until they attained great things. Perhaps it would be so in the present instance but when they reflected j upon the fact that five years or thereabouts was an educational generation—that when five years had passed the whole of a generation had passed away from the school room-they would feel and see that education, of all things, was a matter they could not permit to be stifled. Inasmuch as every man and every woman were made for immortal purposes, they could not neglect such a duty-they could not allow generation after generation to go away in the direction of poverty and crime. (Cheers.) Now they saw that duty was recognised. Yes, but the duty was recog- nised long before the Union spoke out, and before the htate undertook any part in the matter. The duty was recognised by those hundreds of j zealous people belonging to the various religious denomina- tions. who undertook the work and thus each church and each chapel, each group of honest and zealous christian men asked themselves what they could do for the purpose of instructing the ignorant that on every side afflicted them. They were now going, and he thought properly too, for a more comprehensive system of education. In certain schools hitherto, they had taught according to the system they believed, and not adopted a general system. Hence, they had va- rious groups working, and working effectually and Lvuefictally, but not working universally. As he had said, there was an immense space, between those groups, of ignorance and poverty, and it had demora- lising and impoverishing effects. Then it was their duty as a nation to turn to the members of the Go- vernment, and say You must undertake this duty by our direction, and on our behalf you must do it, and see that no child shall grow up in ignorance." (Cheers.) The nation had now seen that certain things must be done, and the question at present was, how they could get good secular education, without forfeiting that spiritual training so essential for the well being of children. The League felt that if they went to the people of England, they would find, what had been their expressions and opinions over and over again, that no system which absolutely and en- tirely excluded the use of the Bible within the four walls of the schoolroom would ever have acceptance by them. The Leeds Conference considered that no im- pediment should be placed between the child and school, no matter to what denomination the child be- longed-that the whole of the hours, that is, the school hours proper, should be devoted to secular teaching, and that before school hours and after school hours, if zealous ministers and others felt they could do good by giving a little spiritual teaching, the School Board might, if they thought proper, per- mit the use of the schoolroom for the purpose of that teaching—that was, Catholic, Jew, Nonconformist, Episcopalian, or any other children who wished, could, without fear of interference on the part of any one connected with such place, have the privilege of being educated out of school hours by their own in- structor, and should have the use of the schoolroom for that purpose so long as they did not interfere with the legitimate working of the school. He knew why here in Wales they had strong feelings on the subject, he knew quite well, having seen the reports of their school inspectors—especially that admirable report of Mr. Bowstead-why they wished it out altogether. It was not because they did not want to have it at all not because they did not wish spiritual instruction imparted to the young but it was simply because they feared and expected, from past experience, that if any spiritual instruction were given in any way whatever their children would be taught doc- trines they did not wish. Now nothing could be more natural than that, as the conscience clause, so far as they were concerned, had not been respected. Those who had the power had used that power illegi- timately. Now he would tell them it was neither the intention nor the disposition of the Government to le- gislate for the nation as if it were fragmentary and not in unity nor was it the will nor the disposition of the nation to have such legislation. They had an ex- ception in Ireland, because it had already been legis- lated for by laws of its own and then Scotland had also a system of laws of its own which had long existed. Those cases the Government would treat exceptionally because they had been separate nations in regard to many of their political and social rights. But as between England and Wales it was not to be supposed that the British Parliament would make separate nations or them and give one system of education to England and another system of edu- cation to Wales. That they might put absolutely out of their heads. They wanted people to stand by all that was valuable-to hold fast that which was good: at the same time they must see as they (the League) saw, that in all that gave streogh to the nation -elevated the masses of the nation-they were bound one to another. Hence they should agree together to keep those good old customs which made them happy, without injury to others. They would bear in mind that since 1839, when the Committee of Council began to operate, they had spent altogether, in the various branches of education, buildings, teachers, &c., ten millions of money. Now it was not thought for one moment that that amount of material was to be put by and disregarded. The question was what remedy should they adopt when the present system ceased to work harmoniously—how should they enter on that new work they meant to do in order to put in force such measures that in the future would bring about higher results ? In the first place wherever educational convenience was deficient, there the Bill provided for School Boards, and they would mark this-to be elected in school districts by the ratepayers and he believed it was intended to propose the adoption of the ballot, which in Wales they could not object to. (Laughter.) They could then have Boards precisely what they wanted to make them, and then it was provided that those Boards should have power to build schools, partly out of rates and partly by payments from the Go- vernment. It was intended that where school ac- commodation was found to be already sufficient, they should have the power of negociating with the owners or trustees of present schools for the transfer of such schools by purchase or otherwise and thatjunder the new system the Boards should have power to compel attendance at such schools, or that a pledge be given that, under the inspection of the Boards and the Government Inspector, the children should be in- structed precisely under the conditions of the Bill,- that was, that no sectarian teaching should be per- mitted in regard to the children sent there by the School Boards. Now that, to his mind, was a reason- able provision but he could see how, in their minds, it would excite suspicion. They were afraid that cer- tain things would come if that were permitted. It was quite right they should suspect it; but in the first place the School Board had all the responsibility to see that Act was properly carried out in conformity with the Government instructions, and to prevent a violation of that law the School Boards were appointed by the ratepayers. If, however, as he had been told, there were districts in Wales where, after those regu- lations shall have come into force, the country squire or the rector would have power, and the poor people (who were not always a wise people) would be in- fluenced to do things which, if they were more inde- pendent, they would not do—they would allow him to tell them that no Government in the world could by Act of Parliament put a spirit of independence and intelligence into people who did not possess it but all they could do was to place the power into their (the public's) own hands, and if they confessed their inability to use that power, then something else must be adopted to secure them that protection they could not get themselves. Then why, it was asked, did they make it compulsory ? Now compulsory education was not a new thing, by any means. The whole of the Continent of Europe had admitted compulsory education. It was in Switzerland, Germany, Prussia, and getting into Spain. It was also in Italy. But how does it act ? Why in those countries he had mentioned, or those of them from which they received reports of Inspectors, such a thing as a case before the magistrates was rarely heard of. (Cheers.) Occasionally parents had received a first and second re- minder, but in no case did they have to bring the parent before the magistrates for not sending the child to school. Then it was said that the poor, especially in the agricul- tural districts, if their children were compelled to partake of the education provided, would have to starve. Now, if ) that was the case, it was time such a thing should cease. (Cheers.) It was disgraceful if such a state of things existed in rich England. Could any one tell him how it was that at the commencement of the present century, with only a thousandth part of the productive power they had at present, they had less pauperism than now-tell him how England had grown so rich, whilst hundreds of thousands were starving ? He attributed it to the want of education. It therefore behoved them to set their houses in order, and make better provision for the children of the present age, and those who were to come after them. Now it was for these reasons, and believing the Bill of the League as best calculated to meet their requirements, that he would ask them to co-operate with the League, to get bhe widest practical measure they could; that by their efforts every child might become capable of usefulness in bhe fields of industry, and also capable of holding his own in the sight of Heaven -as a moral and intellectual crea- bure. (Cheers.) Mr. Sully (Pontypool) addressed the meeting at great length, and much in the same strain as the previous speaker. He hoped the meeting would adopt the prin- ciples of the League, which were adapted to reconcile the conflicting views of various parties. The Rev. J. W. Lance had pleasure in proposing the following resolution :—" That in the opinion of this meet- ing the present state of the country calls for the establish- ment of a National System of Education; and that the only system of education consistent with the functions of Government, which will be equitable to all classes of the 1 British people, must be free to every child, secular, unsec- barian, and compulsory; and that inasmuch as these are in bhe main the principles of the National Education League, this meeting pledges itself to co-operate with the League in its efforts for the establishment of such a system." The speaker having read a list of the names of several gentle- men who would be asked to form a local committee, said he entirely agreed with Mr. Jones, that any system of education for England and Wales must be imperial. There was one word he should like to say upon the com- pulsory feature of the proposed bill. It was supposed by some to interfere with the rights and privileges of Britons. < He would just bring before them one saying from that ] good old book of which they had heard so much of late, i namely, The law is not made for a righteous man." If I they were all right they would not need any great national education scheme. The speaker lengthily alluded to the 1 enect upon working men's interests, of the withdrawal of a large amount of youthful labour. He was very much J dispose o go with the principles of the National Educa- tion League He was not himself so frightened at the ( idea of a little religious teaching before or after school as i some of his brethren were He would rather that should 1 be adopted than take the Bible into their schools and then I have it read without any explanation. He did not believe t in any such reading of the Bible as that. Mr. Henry Phillips seconded the resolution. I The Mayor asked whether any gentleman had an 1 amendment to propose. The Rev. D. W. Pennell having called attention to the t objections raised against compulsion, reminded them that the principle had been in force some considerable time in the Factory Acts. He saw difficulties and it was possible Mr. Jones could answer as to how those difficulties were bo be met. The question in relation to the.religious matter Wall jut this. They as Nonconformists said that the Legislature went beyond their province when they at- tempted to teach religion. It was not a part uf their business to do so. The speaker then asked how far the proposal to allow religious teaching would comport with their sentiments as Nonconformists. He, for one, thought the proposal impracticable. How were the Church of Eng- land minister, the Roman Catholic,and the Nonconformist, who wished to avail themselves of the room to give in- struction at the same time P He would like to know how those difficulties were to be met. His impression was, that if it were to be a national scheme of education it must be secular-that was to say, they must leave the matter of religion to those who professed an interest in it. Mr. Colborne here addressed the meeting. He was glad to see the Mayor present, and hoped he would have no ob- jection to preside at a meeting to hear the other side of the question. He called attention to the condition of the working classes on the Continent, remarking also that the Sabbath in those countries was not observed so becomingly as in England. Mr. Jones replied briefly to the observations of Mr. Pennell and Mr. Colborne, remarking, in response to the former, that the League did not propose that the Govern- ment should afford religious instruction and to the latter, strongly on the need of improved education for the artizan class. A vote of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by Mr. Lloyd Jones, and seconded by the Rev. Canon Hawkins, brought the proceedings to a close.
OMf §ttuv gox.
OMf §ttuv gox. OUR VESTRY MEETING PARISH OF SAINT WOOLLOS. (To the Editor of the M onmouthshire Merlin.) SiR, —In the last impression of your paper you in sert a letter signed by Mr. J. S. Stone, which is so untruthful that, of itself, it is beneath my notice but, as Chairman of the Vestry Meeting held on Thursday last, and for the information of the ratepayers, I beg to state that the meeting was conducted in a regular manner, and did not commence until the advertised hour. I will thank you to insert two copies of letters I enclose, which have been forwarded to me by gen- tlemen who attended the meeting in question, and which, 1 think, will satisfy any reasonable person that what was done was quite in order. I find in the Western Mail this morning a letter signed J. S. Stone," complaining of what I said at the Board of Guardians on Saturday last; and stating that I asserted that the letter sent by Mr. Stone to the Poor Law Board was positively untrue and false. I never alluded to the letter here referred to, inas- much as the Board was informed by the Clerk as well as the Chairman (the Right Hon. Lord Tredegar), that the Board of Guardians had nothing to do with the business of the Vestry Meeting it was to the letter which appeared in the MERLIN and Star of Gwent of that day that my remarks pointed, I having the MERLIN in my hand at the time. If Mr. Stone will find anyone who attended the meeting to affirm that the business commenced before the hour adver- tised-and was over in five minutes-and was not conducted as it should have been-I will give jE20 to the Soup Kitchen, or any public charity the Mayor of Newport may elect. Anything I said of Mr. Stone relating to his report of the late collector (whom he calls my friend, and to which I have no objection), I repeat the statement sent by Mr. Stone to the Poor Law Board. on that occasion was untruthful and unfounded, and which he himself has proved by his subsequent reports to the Board of Guardians. The only mistake I made was in noticing anything Mr. Stone addressed to me, and more particularly in styling him Dear Sir," because I can easily understand his objection to that, inasmuch as probably he has never been accustomed to correspondence of a friendly or character. I cannot help thinking that the ratepayers of the Parish of St. Woollos know sufficient of me for up- wards of thirty years, as a large rate-payer and as their representative at the Council Board for the last twenty years without being informed by Mr. Stone, who is a non-resident, and does not appear to possess any better feeling than that of creating strife amongst his fellow townsmen. Trusting you will give this in- sertion in your next paper, 1 remain, yours very respectfully, THOMAS FLOYDE LEWIS, Chairman of the late Veatry Meeting. February 16th, 1870. Newport, 14th Feb., 1870. "Mr. T. F. Lewis. DEAR SIR,—On reading our local papers of last week, we find a letter from Mr J. S. Stone, wherein he states that the business of the Vestry Meeting, held on Thurs- day last, was commenced before the advertised hour (eleven o'clock), and was hurried over, which we unhesi- tatingly deny and there being but two resolutions to sub- mit, and those having been regularly proposed and seconded, were unanimously passed, after which Mr Stone entered the room and you having announced the business for which tha-meeting was convened was over, we all left in company with Mr Stone, without his making a remark. Yours respectfullv. DANIEL BOWEN, Late Overseer St. Woollos. "A. DAVIS, MARK HAZELL, "ROBERT HOLMES,} Late "RICHARD DAVIES, > Overseers "H.FAULKNER, J St. Woollos. R "THOMAS PONSFORD, K.. ROBERT HAYES, WILLIAM BEER, "THOMAS WINMILL, Late Overseer St. Woollos. > "JOHN LL. JpNES." Newport, 11th Feb., 1870. "Mr. T. F. Lewis, SIR,—I see by one of our local papers this morning it it is stated the Vestry Meeting held yesterday, was com- menced before eleven o'clock, the advertised hour. Such was not the fact; I rang the Bell announcing the meet- ing at five minutes before eleven, and afterwards walked down to the Vestry Room, and waited several minutes be- fore any one was proposed to take the chair, when the watches of several gentlemen were compared with my own, which I have no hesitation in saying was correct time, found it was a little past eleven. I am Sir, yours most respeetfully, J. N. GREGORY, «->»»■ m t • Sexton of St. Woollos Church. Mr. T. F. Lewi3."
MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAY AND…
MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAY AND CANAL. Weekending Feb 12, 1870 £ 2,741 11 3 Corresponding week, 1869 £ 2,274 11 8 GREAT WESTERN. Week ending Feb. 13, 1870 £ 68,815 0 0 ,0 Corresponding week, 1869 £ 65,840 0 0 TAFF VALE. Week ending Feb. 12, 1870 £ 6,347 3 1 1 Corresponding week, 1869 £ 5,922 16 7 PENARTH HARBOUR, DOCK, & RAILWAY. Week ending Feb. 12, 1870 j6995 1 9 Jorresponding week, 1869 £ 1,234 0 8 BRECON AND MERTHYR. Week ending Feb. 13, 1870 £ 1,053 7 5 Jorresponding week, 1869 £ 818 6 9 THE MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday Feb. 21 Raglan Wednesday „ 23 The Kennels Saturday „ 26 Agincourt Square, Mon- mouth. At half-past ten o'clock. THE LLANGIBBY AND CHEPSTOW HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday Feb. 21 Trostrey Thursday 24 Llantrissant Saturday 26 Dewstow (Slades) At half-past ten o'clock.
[No title]
by the retirement of Mr. H. Whitmore, for some time Conservative whip in the House of Commons, was filled on Wednesday by the unopposed election of Mr. William Henry Foster (Liberal), a son of the ex-member for South Staffordshire, who re- cently purchased the Apley estates, which include a large portion of the borough. Mr. Foster was nominated by Mr. M. Southwell, carpet manufac- turer, and seconded by Mr. Thursfield, surgeon. He said he should not have come forward as a candidate if he had not been assurred of the sup- port of both parties. MR. BRIGHT AND THE IRISH LAND BILL.—In the course of his speech on Tuesday, Mr. Gladstone read the following passage from a note which he has received from Mr. Bright:—" I cannot tell you how much I am disappointed at not being in my place in Parliament. But I have had distinct warnings of an attack something like that from which I suffered fourteen years ago, and I must not disregard them. I am unable for work, and ex- tremely sorry I am not at your side to vote and plead for the Irish Land Bill. I think it a just and comprehensive measure, and I hope the mode- ration and patriotism of Parliament will enable it soon to become law." ALARMING OCCURRENCE ON CROWLAND WASH. A correspondent of the Echo writes that during the past few days Crowland Wash-a large sheet of water extending from Crowland to Spalding, a dis- tance of several miles, has been frozen over, and skating matches have been very popular. A vast number of persons assembled on Monday afternoon, near Crowland, to witness an exciting trial of the skill of some noted runners. The race was not over until darkness came on, but the people foolishly re- mained on the course, heedless of the difficulties of reaching the banks, caused by the tender condition of the ice near the land. Hundreds rushed over the dangerous pathway en masse at the close of the sports, when the ice suddenly gave way. Men, women, and children, in their struggles for life, in creased each other's peril by their confusion. The weakest went to the bottom; and notwithstanding the willingness of the bystanders to render help, the sufferers for some time could not be reached. The women and children were eventually rescued, It is feared that some strangers are still under the ice, as several caps and a bonnet, which have not been owivd, have been found near the scene of the accident. Two of the young girls rescued are lying in a dangerous state. The depth of the water where the accident took place was about twelve feet. MURDER OF A MAN BY HIS FATHER-IN-LAW.— k tragical occurrence has just happened at Wood- land, a small village, near Barnard Castle. A do- mestic quarrel took place about midnight, on Sa- turday, between a man named John Kellett and his lon-in-law, named Bainbridge, duringwhichKellett deliberately took down a loaded double-barrelled run and shot his son-in-law dead. It appears from the evidence taken at an inquest held before Mr. T. Dean, deputy-coroner for that division of Darlington ward, held on Tuesday afternoon at Woodland, that some months ago Bainbridge mar- ried Kellett's daughter, and she for the last thir- been weeks had been living with her father on ac- count of ill-health. All went on friendly enough until Saturday night last, when Bainbridge went to see his wife at Kellett's house, but finding the ioor fastened against him endeavoured to force himself into the house, when he was assailed by Kellett, who had previously taken down his gun. k struggle ensued, and both parties had got out- ixde the door, when Kellett deliberately pointed bhe gun at Bainbridge and fired, the contents Mginginhisleft side. He lingered till Monday afternoon, when he died from ttie effects of the (vound. Kellett was apprehended on Monday morning, and was taken to Stfdndrop Lock-up.—A WiMul murder" WAR r«tura«4 ftgauut KiUott bjr ttw jury.
f THE MORDAUNT DIVORCE CASE.
f THE MORDAUNT DIVORCE CASE. On Wednesday this case came on for hearing before Lord Penzance and a special jury, upon an issue relating to the sanity or otherwise of Lady Mordaunt at the time she made certain statements which resulted in the filing by her husband, Sir Charles Mordaunt, of a divorce petition against Viscount Cole and Sir F. Johnstone, Bart. The re- spondent was represented by her father, Sir Thos. Moncrieffe, as her guardian ad litem. Mr. Serjeant Ballantine, Dr. Spinks, Q.C., and wl Mr. F. A. Inderwick appeared for the petitioner; and Dr. Deane, Q.C., Mr. Archiblad, and Mr. R. Searle for the respondent. The case was watched by Mr. Lord for Viscount Cole. Dr. Deane, in opening the case on behalf of Sir R. Moncrieffe, Lady Mordaunt's guardian, asked the Jury to dismiss from their minds the fact that a suit was being conducted against Ladv Mordaunt for adultery with certain persons. They simply had to inquire into Lady Mordaunt's sanity on a certain day, for the law was so humane that it de- manded a defence from no person who was not in a sound state of mind. The date to which the in- quiry would relate was the 30th of April in last year, being the date that Lady Mordaunt received the citation of that Court. Two theories would doubtless be laid before the consideration of the Jury. It would be contended on the other side that, while it was true that Lady Mordaunt had undergone certain changes in her condition, they could not be much remarked by strangers, and were, in fact, unreal. He (Dr. Deane), however, thought it would strike the Jury as being very strange that she should assume such appearances for the sake of deceiving her friends, the very persons who were interested in her innocence of the main issue charged. The petitioner lived at Walton Hall, about ten miles from Warwick. The respondent was there on the 30th of April; she re- mained there till the 15th of May, when she came to London. She remained in Belgrave Square two or three days, and then went to Worthing, but on the 18th of August she went to Bideley, and, with the exception of a short visit of two or three days in London, she had remained there ever since. The medical evidence, he thought, would prove be- yond all doubt that Lady Mordaunt wa' suffering from great failure of memory, inability to keep up anything like a conversation, no power of suggest- ing a subject, with here and there an exception remarkable dulness, and a peculiar action of the muscles known in the profession as the re .nit of hysterical catalepsy. Sh also had a thin pulse, a certain paleness of countenance, extreme heat of the head, and coldness of the feet. Dr. Wood would show she had the peculiarities of an insane person. She had no recollection of most recent events, she did not know the value of money; and Dr. Wood would especially describe how she on two occasions drew out a cheque, and how she utterly broke down in the singing of a ^>ng, the words by Lord Houghton, Strangers yet," which she had been in the habit of singing before her present troubles came upon her. Dr. Wood would also speak to Lady Mor- daunt's docility, even to the most trivial and some- times the most degrading degree. The servanl s would also speak as to her habits. Her sense (,- modesty was entirely gone. Dr. Wood suggested that her child should be placed with her; but it was found that she could not be trusted with it. He commented on the impossibility of a young woman 22 years old keeping up such a system o deception for ten months, especially where there were marked physical symptoms. The first witness called was Jane Lang, who said that last May she became lady companion to the respondent, and remained with herfor three months. Lady Mordaunt's habits were shocking. Witness describedin detail such acts as attempting to knock off the door locks, for the bedrooms were always kept locked, under the supposition that Sir Charles was fastened in the room.—Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Ballantine Witness had never heard the respondent accuse herself of misconduct or impro- priety with any person. She never referred to such a subject. She sometimes mentioned the names of persons, but she never alluded to matters that had occurred in past years. The scissors and articles of cutlery were removed from the respondent's dressing bag. Witness had been told certain state- ments by Lady Moncrieffe, and once inquired of the respondent whether she remembered having made any statements when she was ill. Witness did not mention any names. Lady Mordaunt replied that she remembered what she was stated to have said, but she denied having stated it. Dorothy Frances Carruthers said she had been accustomed to the care of insane persons. Lady Mordaunt had a peculiar vacant look. She some- times boxed witness's ears without provocation.— Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Ballantine: She occasionally played the piano, but she could not remember the tunes. She sometimes sat with a book before her, but witness did not believe that she ever read. Witness would not allow her to go shopping she did not consider Lady Mordaunt a fit person to do so she might have bought many things that she did not want. She sometimes spoke of her baby, and said she wanted to kill it. When witness asked her why, she laughed.' Witness was never told that Lady Mordaunt was a lunatic, but witness only attended lunatic patients, and she was asked to wait upon Lady Mordaunt by Dr. Tuke. Miss F. Keddle, who had acted as companion to the respondent at Bickley, spoke to Lady Mor- daunt's behaviour at the dinner table. When she was out walking her conduct was sometimes very strange. She would sit down in the middle of the road, scrape up the mud, and stare at passers by. Her peculiarities seemed to increase., She some- times gave the coachman contradictory orders. She was incapable of carrying on a conversation. On a recent occasion when they were out walking to- gether witness relieveda beggar woman whom they met, and on the return home they passed the same person; as they did so Lady Mordaunt gave her something, and witness heard the woman exclaim, Poor thing, poor thing," while at the same time she showed that Lady Mordaunt had given her a dead leaf. Witness collected the fragments of letters produced from the respondent's writing- case. The respondent could last October play the piano a little, but now she could not get through more than a few bars, and would repeat the notes over and over again. She also destroyed her books and clothing; she would eat pieces of coal, cinders, and wood, and recently she had taken to eating the fluff" off the carpet. During apart of the time that witness had been with Lady Mordaunt her child had also been with her on three or four occasions. The respondent did not seem to com- prehend that it was a child; she placed it in the middle of the floor and took no notice of it. Com- pared with hercondition last October, when witness went to live with her, Lady Mordaunt was decidedly getting worse.—Cross-examined by Mr. Serjt. Bal- lantine Dr. Reynolds sent witness to take charge of Lady Mordaunt. At one time witness kept a diary of respondent's condition, but she burned it be- cause she did not want any one to see it. It con- tained such matters that she did not care for any one else to see it. She read extracts from it to Sir Charles Mordaunt's solicitor, and when he told her that he feared the matter would have to bo made public, witness destroyed it. Her original object inkeeping a diary was to assist Dr. Reynolds; it was with the same object she collected some fragmentary letters that Lady Mordaunt had writ- ten, and which were supposed to show her state of mind. Witness bad had one or two communica- tions with Lady Moncrieffe, but she had not kept Lady Moncrieffe's letters. Witness had read the newspaper paragraphs of the present suit to Lady Mordaunt, but she seemed to take no notice of them. Sarah Barker said that since last August she had acted as Lady Mordaunt's maid. Lady Mordaunt once jumped out of her carriage and ran up a hill, and witness had to pursue her.—Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Ballantine: Witness kept a diary for about a month; she gave the contents to a lawyer; but as he afterwards told her she would not be needed at the trial she burned her diary.—By the judge Prior to going to Bickley witness lives with a Mrs. Grubb in Gordon. Square. Dr. Priestley gave general evidence as to Lady Mordaunt's state of mind. He had spoken in his report of delusions, but did not include in this ex- I pression her self-accusations. Dr. Luke said that self-accusation was a common form of puerperal mania. Sir James Alderson gave medical evidence tend- ing to prove respondent's insanity. Sir James Simpson, of Edinburgh, gave an opin- ion that Lady Mordaunt was decidedly insane, whether irrecoverably or not time would show.— Cross-examined: Self-accusation is a common form of insanity. Dr. Gull said the respondent seemed incapable of comprehending anything. He could not come to the conclvsion that she was shamming. What struck him most was the uniformity of her demented condition. Dr. Barrons and Dr. Reynolds were examined and the court adiourned- The case was continued on Thursday, evidence was given confirmatory of previons testimony. The petitioner, with several of his nds, was present during the inquiry. < The case was again adjoumed.
--I'FOREIGN TELEGRAMS.
--I' FOREIGN TELEGRAMS. FEAN0R ret DISCOVERT OF A PLOT ^GAmsi LIFE OF THE FRENCH EMPEKUJ*' PARIS, Feb. 12.—During yesterday ^jth 85 fresh arrests were made of persons charg plotting against the Government. A beside* Flourens was found on one of the prisoners* geg. many revolvers, daggers, and cartridges m y" sion of others. r this PARIS, Feb. 12, Evening.—The France <-> th0 evening says that the motive which indu authorities to make several of the recen was the discovery of a plot against the ^e^gjng Emperor. It is rumoured that very c°mPr° e of letters from M. Rochefort were found on 6 the individuals arrested. jjn- The Patrie also announces the seizure of 9° portant papers of a compromising character. will serve as the basis of a minute judicial & og gation of the recent disturbance. The Pa^t, f0U that the public hearing of the case which yr^teet" low, will enable every one to see the legal c ness of the indispensable repressive mea.sur which the authorities have resorted. THE PRINCIPALITIES. beeH BUCHAREST, Feb. 13th.—No Cabinet -ed constituted. Prince Ivan Ghika has been ellIeCt & for several days past in endeavouring to Ministerial combination, but he has met with the difficulties, created chiefly by the parties i11 Chamber of Deputies. CHINA.. '01 HONG KONG, Jan. 2nd.—A memorial sig° fie numerous English merchants is sent home blottO present mail, urging the British Government111 ratify the commercial treaty recently conoid Pekin by Sir Rutherford Alcock. BRAZIL AND RIVER PLATE, 0f RiO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 22nd.—The Minister Justice has resigned, and has been succeed^0 Senor Nibias, President of the Chamber of ties. Deputy Daogos Uelho has been appoill Minister of Agriculture. An incline of St. Paul's Railway has giveJ1jf0t and it is expected the traffic will be suspended a month. Intelligence from Paraguay to the 8th states t the pursuit of Lopez still continues. According reports brought in by deserters, he has fort"1 himself with 4,000 men at Panadero. ITALY. GENOA, Feb. 13th.—The corvette Vedetta 1 sailed for the Red Sea to takepossession of a p01.. on the African coast, situated between Kos^^ and Massowah. Several scientific men are board. ROME. v ROME, Feb. 13th.—The preparations for the •c'^ hibition of objects of religious art and working ship are not yet complete, but the opening probably take place on Friday next. ROCHEFORT IN PRISON. FT PARIS, Feb. 14th.—A letter from M. ROCHEN* to the Prefect of Police has been published* which the former demands that, despite the lations of the pri on, his letters or articles he send out shall be exempted from examination the director of the prison. PRUSSIA. BERLIN, Feb. 15.—The Bank of Prussia h»9 duced its rate of discount on bills to 4 per colit. and for advances on merchandise and securities to 5 per cent. ITALY. e FLORENCE, Feb. 15.—The rumour that it e the intenti< n of the Italian Government to inCff the tax on Italian Rentes is entirely devoid, foundation. AMERICA. THE UNITED STATES AND SAN DOMI^/Jly WASHINGTON, Feb. 14th.—Mr. Fish has He- informed the representatives of the the public that the United States, by virtue borate Samana Bay treaty, have assumed the pr°^eC £ over the Baez Government of the Republjf 0 Domingo, against aggressions from Cabrah and other insurgents. INSURRECTION IN MEXICO. WASHINGTON, Feb. 14th.—Advices received If0 Mcxico state that the insurrection is spreading and that the provinces of Zacatecas, Jalisco, a"a several others in the North are already in the handS of the insurgents. FRANCE. PARIS Feb. 14.—M. Jules Favre delivered a leC ture yesterday upon the duties of a citizen, in which he stated that liberty ought not to be defended by street disturbances of any kind, but solely by the moral force of liberal ideas. The lecture waS a great success.. PARIS, Wednesday.—The preliminary prece jjt instruction on the charge of homicide ^r.°u?ed against Prince Pierre Bonaparte was temiiy1^^ yesterday. The decision of the Court of Ju^0 will be given on Saturday next.. to pr. The individual who attempted to assasSlna. been Constantine James in a railway carriage bøS condemned to penal servitude for life. CANADA. OTTAWA, Feb. 14th.—His Royal Highness Arthur arrived here late this evening, in or_ be present at the ceremony of opening the ^aey ment, which takes place to-morrow. The J°gIl0w- of the Prince has been delayed by a seve^exn00/' storm. He was received here without °e but met with an enthusiastic reception* 0f prince OTTAWA, Feb. 15th.—In the presenc?oQ parlia- Arthur, the third session of the DOD" to-day. In ment was opened by Sir John Young ga^ that his opening speech the Governor-Gene akun- they had great cause for thankfulness fl eries dant harvest and the productions of PXten* and he congratulated the Parliament on sion of existing industries, and the country to traffic. His Excellency hopea lor » early and peaceful solution of the comp ica ions the North-West Territory, and the confederation o» that country with Canada. A new act for government of the territory would be among the measures introduced, together with a proposal fot a uniform electoral law throughout the Confederal tion. Provision would be made for taking census, in 1871, of the British possessions in N°r Amf'rica. His Excellency referred in warm terc1^ to the loyalty of the people and their prompt ponse to the call when the country was threaten of by Fenians. With a view to the encourageIIlenbicb. emigration, public works were in progress jLent would afford additional scope for the empl^y^git of emigrant labourers. His Excellency's la f^ur to the provinces in company with Prince gjjd had convinced him of the general contentmeJJ happiness of the people. AUSTRIA. ured VIENNA, Feb. 15.—The Ministry has dcC^e3- its readiness to make the most extensive c°-cept sions to Galicia, provided the Poles the system of direct elections to the Rei° ^fet The Czech leaders are also to be invited to c°'t<r with the Government with a view to a coioP raise. unt VLKNNA, Feb. lfi.—It is asserted that ^^t Beust, on his own responsibility, has made- a. ting earnest representation to the Holy See reSP^nical the 21 canons recently voted by the CEc Council, and has lodged a formal protest any practical consequences which might. be from these or similar votes of the Council. SPAIN. a ^ing BAYONNE, Feb. 16.—It is rumoured thac gaD^an- is to take place to-day in the provinces 0 dev. Navarre, and Burgos. AUSTRIA AND THE (ECUMENICAL cgJ'1V"de;d VIENNA, Feb. 15th—Count Beust has fb*8 a note to Rome relative to the new very document, which is couched in a c ^)luti°I1.s 0 earnest tone, represents that such r^.ery BeriouS the (Ecumenical Council must »nd t°r consequences, both for the Church 4 .-trian Go- its relations with the State. The A before- vernment, therefore, warns the -gainst hand in the most decisive manner "& adoption of the new Syllabus.
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MYSTERIOUS DISCOVERY AT RBAWN ice nesdav, while some men were brea 0108 the River Kennet, the dead body 0 There respectably dressed rose to the sur appear^n a wound oil the body, and it bore the *>P Aborf of having been in the water so ee(Jing ^'° three weeks ago cries were heard Pr° d place the spot where the body ^^X^red. A ff was searched, but nothing_^ acros8 the rive "Si' bSt factory, rags, but took no further notice i»quu-ies. police axe actively fflWjdj maim* No clue has yet been obta^^1- ^ewpoTtTSalurday, jl, tbj Printed and Publish^ g CoBmertl*1"' I i,.g A rell" Carub of in. W8;i1l. I, 1'8"1' -I11III8
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SHROVE TUESDAY, MARCH 1ST. HOW TO MAKE PANCAKES.—Take one pound of flour, a large tea- spoonful of Borwicks' well-known Baking Powder and a little salt, mix well in a dry state, add an egg or two, beaten up, and sufficient milk to make a thin batter, then fry at once with lard or butter. Enormous price of eggs.-A large saving both in butter and eggs can be effected by the use of Borwicks' Biking Powder, for which Two Gold Medals have been awarded for its excellent quality. [14,823 SOUTHWARK ELECTION.-The polling for South- wark took place on Wednesday. From the very first Mr. Odger, the working men's candidate, kept ahead of Sir Sydney Waterlow (Liberal), but the j lead was taken by Colonel Beresford (Conserva- tive) from an early hour. It has been stated that on Tuesday night an arrangement was come to which pledged the Liberal candidate who was lowest on the poll at two o'clock to retire. At one o'clock a 1 deputation of Members of Parliament, including 1 Mr. Jacob Bright, Mr. A. Johnston, Mr. Fawcett, ( and Sir C. W. Dilke, waited upon Sir S. Waterlow, I and represented to him that probably from the state of the poll the Conservative candidate would be returned if both Liberals persevered, while, from his own position on the poll, it was certain that Mr. Odger would beat him. They, therefore, 1 asked Sir Sydney to retire from the contest. Sir Sydney's Committee did not think the state of the 1 poll at that time warranted him in retiring. At 1 two o'clock, however, Sir S. Waterlow issued the following notice :—" I have retired from the con- test, and shall feel oblfged if my friends can sup- port Mr. George Odger." At the close of the poll 1 according to the return of Mr. Odger" s Committee, i the numbers stood thus :—Beresford, 5,005; Odger, 1 4,843. Majority for Beresford, 162. It is stated 1 that Colonel Beresford is the first Conservative who has been returned for Southwark. Colonel Beres- ford was enthusiastically cheered by his friends; and, in briefly returning thanks, he stated that his majority vm 388.
-----------; LONDON LE T T…
LONDON LE T T E R. LONDON, February 17th. The House was of course crowded with nota- bilities, on Tuesday, to hear Mr. Gladstone un- fold his scheme" for setting to rights the Irish landlords and t nants. The scheme, as might have been anticipated, is of a very mild character, but perhaps not the less satisfactory on that account, The present law is to a certain extent to be inverted 10 as to secure a measure of justice to the tenants, but there is nothing like confiscation or fixity of tenure in the bill, and so far it will meet with op- position amongst the extreme classes in Ireland. By the absence of Mr. Disraeli the House was de- f>rived of his criticisms; but the first reading is ikely to bring out the opposition leader, still the stronger perhaps from having the opportunity of well digesting the measure. Owing to some new internal arrangement* of the House, members are no longerliableto be button- holed by Constituents as they pass through the Lobby, that part of the building being kept as clear of the public as it is possible to do. Tnis is an extension to ordinary rights of the system formerly in vogue on occasions of great debates when Policeman A.I. and his subordinates keep the Constituent or stranger who seeks an M.P. wait- ing at the end of the corridor leading out of the Lobby into the great Central Hall. This may be well for the members, but it is questionable if the Constituents will like it, when the House is the only place where the member hunter can catch his game. To be left to the mercy of Policeman A. I. is bad enough, but when the duty of controlling the seekers of M.P.'s devolves upon some PolicemanX, the annoyance will be felt in a greater degree, the insolence of office always demonstrating itself more in subordinates. On occasions of great debates last session, I have seen cards forwarded up the said corridor, by the emissaries in blue livery, tc the lobby, and thence, through a sort of circumlo- cution process, to the member in the House; and on passing again some three or four hours after- wards, the same patient faces were waiting for the long-expected member to come out. Occasionally I saw a member deign to go to the end of the cor- ridor to seek his visitor, but on the member's name being proclaimed in stentorian tones it was found that the gentleman who wanted him some two hours ago had gone away tired of waiting. Of course it is all very proper that members should not be pestered with requests, and perhaps oom- plaints, whilst their minds must be intently fixed on their legislative duties; but it is also right to remind our country cousins of the new rule, and to tell them what patience they will have to exercise when next they visit a member at the House." Before leaving the Houses of Parliament, I must tell your readers who are about to pay us a visit, not to omit to visit the central hall of the House of Parliament, the groined roof of which has during the recess been covered with a very pretty coloured design-which is not, however, painted but is in- laid-in fact it is the Mosaic work of the Italian artists whom Mr. Layard was the means, I believe, of introducing into this country. It is said to be very durable, and whatever other merits it may possess it has certainly that of being very beauti- ful and is well worthy a visit. The Mines Regulation Bill, which was pretty well discussed last session, is again on the tapis and will require watching. Mr. Bruce must be again coached as to the wants both of the masters and men before a satisfactory measure can be passed. Full and free discussion of wants, complaints and proposals goes a long way towards an amicable arrangement. The exclusion of all notice from the Queen's speech of the prevalent distress and the proposed emigration, which I mentioned in my last, did not escape comment in the House— £ nd the subject must before long be mooted as a substantive pro- position and be fully discussed. An attempt to throw discredit on emigration has been made by letters from abroad describing isolated cases of hardship and failure; but one of these at- tempts has been met by the benevolent man who was instrumental in sending out the very family alluded to, and he says that his esti- mate of the man and family when they started, was that they were of that doubtful class whose failure need not be wondered at, It is hardly fair to take isolated cases of failure, and put them for- ward as fair specimens of the future life of emi- grants. It cannot be denied that a vast propor- tion of emigrants succeed in life abroad who could not do so at home; and those who fail to get wealth abroad are no worse off than if they re- mained here, charity or pauperism being their goal whether they go or whether they stay at home. There are always black sheep in every flock. You find it in every grade of society from the highest to the lowest. Dealing with the lower class, I have had related to me several instances lately, where work has been offered to poor people both men and women, who affected to be starving, but though work was offered to them-perhaps the next day-they never put in an appearance to do It. I have heard other instances of work being taken, and being so badly done as really to spou the subject worked upon. In either case what en- couragement was there to afford relief again ? Yet we must not judge of the clasa by these black sheep." There is uudoubtedly an army of good workmen waiting only for employment, and to get it in this country, within a reasonable time will not D« possible. BRIDGENORTH ELECTION.—The vacancy caused