Monmouthshire Merlin

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT. — SATURDAY. (Before Colonel BVRDE, C. J. PARKES, Esq., and E. J. PHILLIPS, Esq.) DRUNK.—William Morgan and Patrick Donovan, the latter of whom did not appear, were charged with drunkenness at Talywain.—P.C. 104 proved the case. -Morgan was fined 10s., and Donovan, who had been fined in December, was fined 20s. Sarah Pritchard, who did not appear, was charged with being drunk.—Fined 10s. STEALING COAL.-Emma Lewis, Martha Crockett, and Alonzo Lewis were charged with trespass on the property of the Ebbw Vale Company, at Pontymoil. —P.C. Humphreys proved the case.—It appeared that people had been in the habit of taking small coal, from the forge yard stock, but the Company were determined to put a stop to the practice.- Defendants were tined 5s. each, and cautioned. ALLEGED ASSAULT. — Edward Ellis was charged with assaulting Anne Davis, at Blaenavon.—Mr, Greenway defended.—Complainant said that defen- dant, when drunk, caught hold' of her and dragged her along, handled her indecently, and used threats of a filthy description. T n cross-examination, she admitted that she owed defendant money, and had heard that he was going to put her in Court, but not before this occurred. She also admitted that she had exchanged licentious language in joke with defendant, and that she had told a woman that he did nothing to her.-Rachel Young was called ffor the defence, and said that she lived next door to the parties that complainant came into her house laughing, and said that Ned Ellis had tried to catch hold of her. She told her not to notice him, as he was in beer, and she remained in the house talking about other things for half an hour, and said no more about this. Defendant had not left witness's house more than half a minute he was a very quiet man, and lived very happily with his wife.—The Bench ordered that defendant should pay the costs without a fine. PUBLIC HOUSE OFFENCE. —Henry Jones, who did not appear, was charged with permitting drunkenness in his house, the Rising Sun, at Blaenavon.—P.C. David, 91, proved service of the summons, and that at 8.30 p.m. on the 30th of March he found two men fighting in the house, and no one attempting to pre- vent them after witness had stopped the row Miss Jones came in.—Mr. Greenway defended, and sub- mitted that the business was conducted by the Misses Jones, who were young ladies incapable of preventing what occurred.—Sarah Jones, daughter of defendant, deposed that directly she heard the quarrel she and her sister ran into the room to stop it. Her father also kept the Victoria Inn.—Ruth Jones, sister of the last witness, gave similar evidence, and said that not a blow passed. These young women spoke of two policemen being in thq house, but Superintendent M'Intosh said that the row was ended before the second policeman entered.—The defendant was ordered to pay the costs, without a conviction being recorded, as the house had been respectably conducted. DIABOLICAL ACT BY A Boy Thomas Rapps, who had been remanded, was charged with cutting a rope in the CwmsYLhan pit, belonging to the Ebbw Vale Company, whereby life was endangered.—He pleaded guilty.—Mr. Greenway appeared for the Company, and said that the case was brought under the Act 24 and 25 Vict. chap. 97, sec. 29, which rendered defen- dant liable to seven years penal servitude, but there was a later Act, 35 and 36 Viet., chap. 76, sec. 61, which rendered defendant liable to imprisonment for not more than three months, and if the Bench chose to take into consideration the age of the boy, they might deal with the case under the later Act.-Mr. W. P. James, the manager of .the colliery, deposed that the defendant was in theemploy of the Company, and proceeded to explain, referring to a plan, that there was a steep incline in the pit; up that incline trams were drawn by a rope the defendant was em- ployed to give signals by pulling a wire with a lever the steel wire rope, used to draw up the trams, was maliciously cut by defendant, and fortunately broke ¡' when the trams had gone about 26 yards some men were riding in an empty tram at the end of that tram, and if the rope had broken when the trams had ad- vanced part of the way up the incline the trams would have run back, and the men must have been killed there were generally other men and horses about at the bottom of the incline, and all these would also have been killed. About £10 or X12 damage had been done to the rope. Defendant, when taxed with the offence, bad said that the Devil had prompted him to this act. He would be 15 years of age next May. -He was sentenced, under the late Act, (the Mines Regulation Act) to three months' hard labour. A GAS QUESTIOM.-Lewis George, cabinet maker, Blaenavon, was summoned for breach of the bye laws of the Blaenavon Gas Company by refusing to admit their officer -Mr. Greenway appeared for the Com- pany.—The hearing resulted in a dismissal.

EBBW YALE. BOARD OF HEALTH ELECTION.—The result of the election was made known on Saturday last. The result was as follows:—Rowbotham, 575 Powell, 551 Pritchard, 509 Atkins, 405; Jones, 356. The first four were returned, Mr. Rowbotham and Mr. Pritchard being new members, and Mr. Powell and Mr. Atkins were re-elected. SPELLING BKE.—On Friday night the first Spelling Bee was held in the Literary and Scientific Institute. Mr. Rowbotham, the new manager of the Works, took the chair, Mr. J. Lewis, school-master, was the interrogator, and Dr. DaviesandMr. Penton were the referees. Mr. J. W. Wall opened the programme with a pianoforte solo. Mr. Hilton gave a song, accom- panied by Mrs. Hilton on the piano, in excellent style. The Misses Davies played a pleasing duet, and Mr. David Bowen followed with a song in his usual agreeable manner. The Misses Penton gave a duet with great ability and taste. There were 14 competitors in the Spelling Bee. George Stevens won the first prize of 10s. 6d.—Lewis won the second prize, 5s., and Henry Jones the third of 2s. 6d. After the Spelling Bee the prizes were awarded to the successful competitors of the shorthand and drawing classes. The drawing classes were under the superintendence of Messrs. Hilton, Ellison, and Lewis. Freehand First prize, 10s 6d,. Mr George Peckett; 2nd, 7s 6d, Mr N. Marsden 3rd, 5s, Master R. Jones, also the test prize of 5s. Mechanical: First prize, ruler, value 8s, money, 5s, Mr John Newcombe 2nd, protractor, value 5s, money, 2s 6d, Mr Charles Parry 3rd, 5s, Mr Alexander Brundett, also the test prize of 5s was won by him. Geometry: First prize, 10s 6d, Master John Peckett; 2nd, 7s 6d, Master George Parfitt; 3rd, 5s, Master Charles Vaughan; 4th, 3s 6d, Master William Vaughan 5th, 3s, Master Henry Wall 6th, 2s 6d, Master E. Williams 7th, 2s 6d, Master T. Peckett. Shorthand Class First prize, Phonographic Student and Phonetic Journal, Mr George Thomas; 2nd a book and Phonographic Cabinet, Mr Patsey Mahoaey 3rd, Self Culture and phonographic emblem, Mr A Carter; 4th, Phonographic Student, Mr G. Henry. Ladies' prize for best progress 10s 6d, Mr George Thomas. The entertainment closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.—On Wednesday even- ing a popular entertainment took place in the New- town English Baptist Chapel Mr. W. Price presided. There was a good attendance, and the programme, which consisted of readings and songs, was well ren- dered. The profits of the winter series of entertain- ments, which have reached ov 19, go to lessen the debt on the chapel.

CHEPSTOW. A BAPTIST MINISTER FINED FOR POACHING.—At the Trelleck petty sessions, a Baptist minister, named Whatley, of Whitebrook, near Monmouth, appeared on remand to a summons charging him with trespass- ing in pursuit of game on land belonging to the Rev. C. A. F. Kuper, of Trelleck, near Chepstow. The defendant was summoned, in company with other men, for the offence at the last sitting of the Court, but defendant's case was adjourned, in order that he might be defended by an attorney. The case against the defendant, as stated by Police-constable Reudall, was, that as the officer was coming from Whitebrook he heard the report of a gun. He went in the direc- tion of Mr. Kuper's wood, and saw the men coming from it, and there being a quantity of snow on the ground at the time, he was enabled to trace them back to the wood. Defendant was carrying a gun, and the party had three dogs with them. The defen- dant held a gun license, but had no right whatever upon the land where he was found by the officer. At the former hearing the men who were with the defen- dant were fined 10s. and costs. Defendant, for whom Mr. Dixon, of Newport, appeared, was now fined 20s. and costs. LOCAL BOARD ELECTION. -In pursuance of a notice which had been circulated in the town, a meeting of the ratepayers was held at the Bank-buildings, on Friday, night to hear addresses from the candidates for election. The names of the three old members who again offer themselves are-Messrs Alexander Miller, Edwin Ellis, and Thomas Stephens, whilst those of the new candidates for election are Messrs. James Murphy, George Dewdney, and William Garret, and it was understood the meeting was to be held in support of the candidature of the three latter gentlemen. Mr. Thomas Brown presided. The Chair- man having briefly opened the proceedings, M. Parnall, who, as a member of the Local Board, gave an account of what had been done by the Board in the past year, proposed Messrs. Murphy, Dewdney, and Garrett. Mr. Murphy was a man of great energy of character, and filled very important positions at Newport, and deeply interested himself in the welfare of Chepstow. Mr. Dewdney, during his residence in Chepstow, bad given a character to the place. He was a man of ability and great intelligence, and was always ready to do anything he could for the prosperity of the place. Mr. Garrett was well known as a silent worker for the benefit of the town. Mr. A. G. Lawrence seconded the proposition. Mr. Stephens, one of the retiring candidates, then read a copy of his address to the ratepayers, soliciting re- election. He added that be only put himself forward again because he considered it his duty to act when called upon. Mr. Murphy referred to a meeting which had been held in that room some time since to protest against the Board proceeding in a. superior Court in case of alleged encroachment, the Local Board v. J. F. Marsh, and asked if the matter was still goiRg on, and asked if Mr. Stephens bad not supported the Board in the matter, and if an endeavour had not been made to raise a subscription in the town to assist in defraying the expenses. Mr. Stephens replied that the case was still going on. It had never been stepped. A gentleman asked if it was going on against the expressed wishes of the ratepayers and the decision of the magistrates. Mr. Stephens said Mr. Murphy might have asked Mr. Parnall, who was a member of the Board, and who, out of 17 meet- ings which had been held since his election, had attended 7 and he might ask him if a letter writteu to Mr. Marsh on the subject, stating it to be an encroach- ment, and asking him to meet some members of the Board, to endeavour to artange a settlement and avoid proceedings, had not been either dictated or written by him. Mr. Parnall objected to the letter being read. Mr. Stephens said he would read it, and proceeded to do so, and asked Mr. Parnall if the words used were not his. Mr. Parnall declined to answer at first, but afterwards denied that they were his words. Mr. Stephens I'll swear you were the cause of the letter. Mr. Murphy said he should like to keow if MrJStephens approved of the action of the Board in Marsh's affair. Mr. Stevens I will say I now do. Even if the matter is, as has been said beside the question, let everybody hear the truth about it. Mr. Garrett inquired who signed the letter in question. Mr. Stephens The clerk, of course, by the order of the Board. I only want Mr. Parnall to acknowledge that he was at the meeting, and sanc- tioned the writing of the letter and what was being done. Upon Mr. Stephens saying the letter was signed by the clerk, two or three gentlemen hinted that it was the clerk's own composition, and that Mr. Parnall should not be held responsible for it. Mr. Murphy addressed the meeting. Mr. Garrett, Mr. Dewduey, and other gentlemen also addressed the meeting, which terminated amidst confusion, no vote of coutidence in the candidates who had called the meeting being passed.

BRYNMAWR. PETTY SESSIONS.—MONDAY. [Before Mr. G. WALTERS and Mr. JAYNK.] DESERTING.—Thomas Davies, of Beaufort, charged by P.C. Morgan Jones with deserting from the Brecon Militia. P. U..r ones gave evidence, and prisoner ad- mitted the charge. -He was handed over to a military escort which was in waiting. ILLEGAL HOURS.—John Price, of Nantyglo, was charged with being upon licensed premises at illegal hours, on the 25th March, viz." the Beehive Inn, Somerset street.—Mr. George Jones appeared for the defendant.-P.C. James said, on Saturday, the 25th March about a quarter to 12 at night, he was on duty with Sergt. Joseph, when they visited the Beehive Inn, and there found defendant and another man. P S. Joseph said he could corroborate this evidence. Mr. Jones said the defence was that on this evening Mr. Price was anxious to close his house at the proper time, which he did, and the two persons who re- mained were Mr. John Jones, who was to contract for the i emoval of a oertain partition, and the defen- dant, who was to be the laboured—Mr. Jayne said that from the line of Mr. Jones's defence he inferred that Mr. Price being summoned, the other two cases should be adjourned until Price's case had been heard. Mr. Jones assented, and Nicholas Price was charged with selling intoxicating liquors without being duly licensed to sell the same.—Mr. Price, the last witness, said on the 25th March last, he was in Nicholas Price's house. Had some rum and beer there. paid half-and- half with the other chap paid 2s for what he owed and what he drank. The score he owed before was 9d. A discussion here arose as to defendants lia- bility, and ultimately it was determined to adjourn the case. THE NEW LICENSING ACT.—Joshua Davies was charged by P.O. Williams with being drunk upon licensed premises, viz., the Old Tredegar Arms, Oil the 5th inst. Defendant pleaded guilty "and Sergeant Joseph said defendant was convicted on the 15th Aug. last year, and was fined 5s. and costs for a similar offence. —The Bench Well, we will give you another chance, and fine you 5s. and costs, or in default 14 days. J. Morgan, of the Old Tredegar Arms was charged with permitting drunkenness on the 5th April. De- fendaut said no beer was drawn in his house.-P.C, Williams said on the 5th inst. he visited the Old Tredegar Arms, with P.C. Wakeham, he saw a man in the front kitchen apparently asleep, the man who has just been committed. He saw the man was very drunk and asked how he came to supply the man with beer in that state. He said he did not supply him with beer, and he saw Joshua Davies take a pint of beer which was before him, and drink it up. Davies said he paid for the beer, and wanted another. I entered the back kitchen, and there saw two men with a the back kitchen, and there saw two men with a Suart of beer before them, aud two glass dividers, ne was very drunk, the other man was under the influence of drink, but not drunk. P.C. Wakeham gave corroborative evidence. This was all the evidence for the prosecution.—For the defence defendant called John Williams, ft collier, living at Nantyglo, who said Joshua Davies had no beer there, to his know- ledge.-By Sergeant Joseph I don't know how many pints were on the table. I was sober. I had only the pint of beer. -The Bench considered the case proved, and fined defendant 10s. and costs. OBSTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY.—Richard Jarman, of Beaufort, haulier, was charged with having on the 5th April, a horse and cart on the highway for 1 hour and 50 minutes without anyone in charge of it.—De- fendant pleaded guilty, and was fined Is and costs. George Friar, of Beaufort, was charged with a simi- lar offence. Defendant pleaded not guilty.- Charles Sage,- a shoemaker, living at Brynmawr, said on the 5th of April, at 5.25, he saw the defendant's horse and cart standing opposite the Pelican it was loaded with coal. There were two carts and horses. There was no one in charge of them, and they were the same horses and carts he saw there at a quarter past seven the same afternoon he saw two men come out of the public-house and take charge of them. Sergeant Joseph found two horses and carts on the highway. No one was in charge of them. He went into the Pelican and found the two defendants there. They came out and took charge of them. It was then a quarter past seven by that time. Fined Is and costs, or seven days' hard labour. TEMPORARY TRANSFERS.—A temporary transfer of the White Lion, Tafarnaubach, was granted from Lewis Owens to Thomas Evans, and the Beaufort Arms, Beaufort, from David Mytton to John Williams.

U S K. LOCAL BOARD ELECTION.—The contested election for the local board resulted as follows :—J. H. Clark, I 179 C. Miller, 164; Sydney Smith, 155; John Morgan. 116; J. Jones, 106; H. Williams, 99; Herbert Thomas, 53. The four first-named were Uedart4 elected.

THTI LITERATURE OF THE KYMRY. SECOND NOTICE. Of this work, by the late Mr. Thomas Stephens, of Merthyr, we inserted a first notice a fortnight ago. In addition to a brief outline of the circumstances under which the work was produced, and a general commendation of its merits as a guide to the literature of the period to which the author's attention was mainly directed, we gave a comprehensive sketch of Mr. Stephens' career, as depicted in an introductory memoir by Mr. B. T. Williams, Q.C. In fulfilment of an intention then expressed, we now notice the Essay; and with the view of presenting a clear statement of its primary purpose and of the ground it covers, will first allow the author to speak for him- self In the history of Cambrian literature there are four marked periods. Of these the first relates to the fortunes of the Strathclyde Kymry, the wars of the Ottadini in the North of England in the sixth century, and the subsequent emigration of that people to North Wales; the second is embraced between the years 1080 and 1350 the third, thence to the first half of the seventeenth century and the fourth from 1650 to the present time. The following Essay treats of the second period, and is. the work to which the Ven. Archdeacon Williams awarded the prize offered by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at the Aber- gavenny Eisteddvod of 1848 « «t It embraces a term of years among the most stirring in the history of man for in the greatness of the aims, the vastness of the achievements, and the pre- 1 valence of profound excitement, it can only be compared to the age of the Reformation or the late European war. Activity prevailed everywhere, and was as apparent in literature, philosophy, and theology as it was in warfare. It is during such an era of general movement that we have to treat of the literature of Wales and it will be found, on examination, that the Kymry need not shrink from a comparison with any contemporaneous people. The Essay, it will be observed, embraces a variety of subjects, and surveys all the manifestations of the Cambrian intellect. My object was to give a complete account of the mental labours of the Kymry of these centuries; and to this end poetry, music, history, the Triads, and the Mabinogion have been made subsidiary- In order to a faithful execution of the object here expressed, the author evidently ranged without stint of labour, and with a rare power of research, over the whole field of literature within his design. The proof of this will be seen in the following condensed synopsis of the subjects treated :—Starting with a historical sketch of Cambrian Literature prior to the twelth century, he goes on to the study of the history of poetry from 1080 to 1194-Welsh Music-Incipient Drama-Bards and Bardism-poetry from 1194 to 1240—mythological poems, usually attributed to Taliesin-poems fictitiously attributed to Merddin and others—pro ae literature-historical survey from 1080 to 1322- Welsh poetry from 1240 to 1284—re- ligious poetry of the Bards-the Mabinogion, classified—the Triads, their character, antiquity, and historical value-the Welsh language—Welsh poetry from t280 to 1322-and a general criticism on the Bardie poems. It is but fair to say here that Mr..Stephens at one time contemplated re-writing certain portions of his essay, viz., the part relating to the alleged discovery of America, by Prince Madog ab Owain Gwynedd in the twelfth century, his opinion having undergone a considerable change on the subject; he also proposed to treat of the Triads at greater length, in order to ascertain their true historical value, and would probably have modified some of his statements respecting the poems attributed to the early Bards but declining health and a pressure of other engagments prevented the fulfilment of his purpose. h the space at our command it would scarcely be possible to give a fuller view of the sphere of the author's research than that presented in the preceding paragraph and as Mr. Stephens' chief merits as an author appear to us to consist in the unprejudiced and fearless character of his criticism, in the fidelity with which he followed the guidance of the only available data upon vexed and difficult points, and in his stern rejection of unsound conclusions, even though ac. cepted by writers wishful to make out a too favourable case for his countrymen, we shall select a few passages in which these characteristics appear. It is scarcely necessary to say that these marks of honest author- ship involve no reflection upon the writer's sterling patriotism. He was a thorough, even an ardent, Welshman—he studied and strove faithfully to exhibit the Literature of the Kymry con. amove and we have his own authority for saying that his essay was written with special reference to English readers, "that they might no longer be ignorant of our real literary worth." He was, he says-, more solicitous to state facts than to advance speculations, and to allow our ancient remains to make their own impression than to make out a case for them." Under the leadership of such a guide the reader may, at least, rely upon the utterance of honest conclusions, while he is also guaranteed as much freedom from error as could be secured by wide research and the most thorough in. vestigation. We have selected for extract two or three para. graphs from the chapters on Bards and Rardism and the Triads. In the former of these especially we have evidenee of the author's desire to state a true, and not simply a favourable, case and for this reason we give without compunction passages which may rudely shock the prejudices of readers who have hitherto regarded the Bard as simply a type of the gifted sage or the pure-minded minstrel:— In going through the preceding pages, the reader cannot tail to have noticed the striking difference which exists between the position of the poets of the past, and those of the present time. Now, the patron- age of kings, lords, and commons sinks into insignifi- c-ce by the side of public approbation then, the nobles were the chief patrons of literature, and the stern castle was the seat of poesy. Now, the exalted by birth are frequently outstripped in the race of in- telligence then, they led the way. Now, the popular author may laugh to scorn the frowns of the great; then, the poet was an appendage to the lord of a small domain. Strange things have taken place in the interval; but all tend to the same point-the substi- tution of intelligence and moral worth for rank and wealth, in public estimation. This is the strange eventful phenomenon which future years will more fully develope the history of authorship in modern Europe begins with the bards. The domestic bard had the care of the historical documents pertaining to the tribe and its chief, and was the historiographer of his patron, as well as his laureate. It also very frequently happened that the bard was the teacher of the chieftain's children—in fact, this was one of the bard's duties and the reader will at once bring to mind the unfortunate attachment of the bard Davydd ab Gwilym for Morvydd, the daughter of Ivor Hael, who had im- prudently honoured the bard by entrusting to him the education of his heiress. This relationship will acaount for the more than friendly feeling which fre- quently connected the bards with the young chieftain-, and is so frequently shown by the occurrence of poems addressed to young princes, who would not have been otherwise known to posterity. In addition to having fixed patrons and places of abode, the bards had a practice of making the tour of the country once in three years this was called Clera." In the process of time they framed regula- tions for the maintenance of these circuits, by which a chief bard or pencerdd had the range of the houses of the chieftains, but was allowed to enter no house of less note and the lower grade of bards, debarred from entering the mansions of the nobility, were equally jealous of the visits of the superior grade to the domiciles of the common people. Originally the practice was not much objected to but by decrees it became a burden to poor people and this offensive view of it has survived to the present day, for we I not unfrequently find old people saying of somf- 1 worthless person, Clera wy v yn ei chovio hi y 1 vaiden ddiffaeth." "It is as a beggar I recollect < seeing the worthless creature." On leaving the halls of his patron, the bard did not usually forfeit hit place for his chair was generally kept for him until 1 hit return. Rhys Gryg, it would seem, objected t< this practice, thinking Philip Brydydd, his bard, should ba\ • but one master bat the bard stands up(n his privileges, and almost defies his patron to give tht chair to another. Wherever he went the bard waa t> J welcome visitor, and he had by virtue of his office free admission into the palaces of the chieftains of the country. We find Kynddelw aud Llywarch ab Llywelyn eulogising South Welsh, as well as North Welsh and Powysian princes and on the other hand, the bards of South Wales used to visit North Wales. This migratory custom bears considerable resemblance to the practices of the Trouveres of the North, and the Troubadours of the South of France and the bards, clerwyr, and minstrels of Wales correspond pretty closely to the bards, rhymers, and jongleurs of the age of chivalry. The bards were also the frequent bearers of mes- sages from one chieftain to another, the bard being in fact looked upon as the agent or representative of his patron. Meilir describes in glowing terms his re- ception by King Gruffydd ab Kynan when sent on an errand to his court From the hand of the prince I drank in golden horns (His ministering hand dared the boars), In the Court of Aberffraw, for the glory of the prosperous I went there on the part of an enthroned ruler A second time I went as a messenger, From the splendid leader of battle—a righteous prince, With fingers encircled with golden rings. It must, however, be admitted that the relative position of chieftain and bard, were unfavourable to the growth of truthfulness and mental independence in the latter and we accordingly have much reason to doubt the sincerity of the professions made by the bards on some occasions. It remains for us to show the grounds, upon which such apparent treachery was then held to be jnsti- fiable. These will be found in a code of bardic mora- lity. A bard by right of his profession had free egress and ingress to the palaces of the great and it is to be feared that the bardic code permitted the bard to be come the advocate of whoever paid him. He stood in the same relation to his chieftain as a lawyer does to his client and seems to have been the willing advo- ,e. cate of whoever honoured him with his patronage. We may almost go the length of saying this, from a perusal of Meilir's ode already quoted Cevais i liaws awr aur a phali, Gan vreuawl riau, er ei hofi. I had heaps of gold and velvet, From frail princes, for loving them. And if there were room for doubt, the venal conduct of Gwalchmai and Kynddelw prevents any more cha- ritable conclusion. In all countries, and at all times, the standard of moral principle has ever been higher than the practice but it' is to be regretted that such sophistry as professional privileges is used to stifle the voice of duty, block up the path of morality, and sup- ply substitutes for faithfulness and sincerity. From their positions, the bards had much power for good or evil. They might have raised the standard of moral and intellectual greatness among their country- men, and have pointed out more becoming pursuits than those in which they indulged but instead of preaching peace, they were too frequently the abettors of war instead of healing dissensions, they were prone to widen the breaches already made and in- stead of leading the way to grander views and princi- ples of conduct, they have on too many occasions been the echoes of popular prejudices, and the tools of am- bitious chieftains. This is a light in which their con- duct is seldom presented it is nevertheless the truth. It should not, however, be concealed that, as in the case of Iolo Gocb, they have occasionally given the chieftains good advice, though these cases, unfortu- nately, form the exceptions rather than the rule. THE TRIADS. These form an exceedingly interesting collection of documents, and have been found eminently useful in illustrating national history, manners, and language. They bespeak a singular state of society, and such as could have no existence in modern times. I have been much interested in considering the allusions to the social state found in the works of the early bards the poems of Llywarch Hen and Aneuriu seem to show a higher state of civilization than prevailed many centu- ries later, and clearly show the condition of Britain at the close of the Roman domination, when the civilised practices of their conquerors had won their admiration and elicited their sympathy. In such circumstances, when che alarms and excitements of war had ceased, and when the British youth, whose mental capacities have been favourably noticed by several Latin histo- rians, strove to excel in a knowledge of Roman litera- ture, there must of necessity have been much intellec- tual activity. Then must have arisen the necessity of some medium of communication, and for the transmis- sion of thought and if we bear in mind the assertion of Caesar that the Druids cultivated the art of memory, we arrive easily at the origin of the Triads. By these remarks I do not mean to assert that the Triad is as old as the time of the Druids, but intend more parti- cularly to show that at this period it was in existence, or, had it not been previously in use, must now have been developed. Many of the Triads refer to events of which there remains no other record, and many are evidestly fabu- lous andfmythological. Again, many of them relate, in different words, and from evidently distinct sources, to events commemorated by Roman and Saxon histo- rians and the monkish chroniclers. The accounts are very similar, and so nearly coincident that in other cases, where there is no corroborative evidence, and where there is no admixture of fabulous matter appa- rent, the Triads may, with a little caution, be without risk of impropriety used as authentic historial docn- ments. They are only traditions, it is true—for the habit of writing, once introduced, would render these brief memorials unnecessary, and less satisfactory than full and circumstantial reports but they are traditions of a peculiar and trustworthy character. The bards are said to have recited these triads at their Congresses, and if such was really the case, the diffi- culty of introducing tictitious matter under such cir- cumstances would be very great we are therefore jus- tified in forming a favourable estimate of their histo- rical trustworthiness.

A vourur woman, limned Lucy Lowe, lifts been arrested at Bedford tor ne murder of her child. Miss Xeilson leaves the Haymarket Theatre in a fortnight. The dispute in the Macclesfield silk trade is at an end, the operatives having submitted to the masters' terms. Mr. Forrester has been ill, and his part, Iago, has lately been undertaken at the Lyceum by Mr. Swin- bourne. ilrs. Bateman's intention to pnduce a play for Mr. Henry Irving, on the subject of the "Flying Dutch- man," at the Lyceum, next winter, tias been abandoned. Mozart's charming, and yet neglected, opera, La Clemenza di Tito," has been executed by the Amateur Belgravia Societa Lirica, under the direction of Prof. Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Florence (Amerieac artites) have, it Is said, refused a good offer for London in order to perform in "The Mighty Dalla?" at Wallack's, in June. Gradually the Gatling gun is being adopted in the armament of her Majesty's ships. Hitherto they have been supp'ied only to flag ships and large ironclads, excepting the case of the paddle steamer Pioneer, de- signed for river service, but we now understand that the supply of this arm is about to be extended to vessels of the corvette class.—Army and Navy Gazette. OPENING OF THE LIVERPOOL LANDING STAGE.—The Liverpool landing stage was on Saturday last thrown open from end to end for the first time since the sad calamity that overtook it two years ago. The extent of the stage is 730 yards long and 80 feet broad. The various sheds and other structures are not yet com- plete. but are being rapidly proceeded with. At the request of the Lord President of the Council an important, collection of British works of art has been sent to the Philadelphia Exhibition. It consists of 06 water colours, engravings, architectural designs, and 197 oil paiu'ings. The insurance value of the collection exceeds JC 150,000. The Council of theRuyal Academy has sent an important selection from the diploma picture?. Concordia sa, s that at the request of the promoters of the festival in honour of the American Independence Centenary Richard Wagner has composed an orchestral piece, the idea of which has been taken from Goethe's Faust." The same paper states that negotiations are pending with Signor Vianesi for the engagement ot the entire orchestra of the Royal Italian Opera to visit America in the autumn to take part in the celebrati ms of the Centenary

GENERAL NEWS The Marchioness of Lorne will, it is stated. be one of the exhibitors in this year's Academy. Two young men were remanded at Liverpool on Mon- day on a charge of killing a boy, while at rifle practkre. The Duke of Edinburgh will hold a levee at St. James's Palace on the 28th inst. Prince Leopold has taken up his residence at Florence, and will return to London in June. I At Paisley, Robert Stevenson, a miner, has been fined le £ 5 for maliciously knocking down props in a pit with the object of obtaining a holiday. The Earl and Countess of Derby arrived at Charing Cross from Paris on Monday evening at twenty minute* past seven. Captain Knox-Browne residing near Newtowtt- barry, killed an enormous bull-trout, weighing 26lbs.. the other day, whilst fishing for salmon in the Slaney. It is expected that about 10.000 volunteers, chiefly belonging to the metropolitan regiments, will take part in the Easter Monday Review. A burial board dispute at Kidderminster has led to the vicar, the Rev. G. D. Boyle, placing his resignation in the hands of the bishop. The Birmingham School Board has resolved to peti- tion Parliament against additional Government grtntt in support of denominational schools. On Monday morning the East London Railway be- ween Liverpool street (City) Station and New Croe.. was opened for traffic. Mr. Thomas Potts died very suddenly on Sunday morning, in the United Presbyterian Church, at Hexham, in which the Rev. Dr. Bruce, of Newe4wti4 was officiating. The two constables who displayed so much bravery in pursuing the assassins who made the attack upon Mr. Bridge and his parry at Mitchelstown, county Cork, are to be rewarded with silver medals. Colonel E. C. A. Gordon, employed as assistant to the deputy-director of works for barracks, has beea appointed commanding royal engineer of the hoBM district, vice Colonel C. C. Chesney, deceased. The labourers on the estate of the Right Hon. the Speaker, at Glynde, have struck for an increase of 2S. per week in their wages. The men on other farms have also demanded an increase. A fire occurred on Sunday at Feversham, near Cam- bridge, destroying a large quantity of agricultural pro- luce, and burning severely several men, who had to be taken to Addenbrookes Hospital. The acting committee to carry out the proposal for the extension of the Edinburgh University buildings, have resolved to petition Government for a contribu- tion from the national funds in aid of the under- taking, The AUvrnee News says over four thousand signa- tures have now been obtained to the clerical memorial to the archbishops and bishops on intemperance. It is intended to invite the remaining lfi.OOO clergymen of the Church of England in this country to add their names to it. By means of the Thames Tunnel the East London Railway Company have opened a direct communica- tion between the south-eastern district and the city. A portion of the new railway, which is altogether 61 miles in length, runs under the basin of the London Docks. Mr. Bradlaugh's friends have been testimonialising him. They have presented him with a purse contain- ingSISO. The ceremony took place in the SeenlarisUf temple, the Hall of Science. Thanking his church, Mr. Bradlaueh told them that his debts henceforth would be £180 less than they had been. The ironclad Inflexible, one of the most important additions, it is said, during recent years to the strength of the navy, is so far advanced that Thursday, the 27th inst., has been fixed as the date of the launch. The ceremony will be performed by the Princesa Lou'se. The celebrated painting by F. Mieris entitled The Enamoured Cavalier," was recently sold for £ 3675, Large as that sum is for so small a work, it falls con- siderably short of what Mr. Levy paid for it not very long ago, when he purchased it from the Bredel Exhi- bition. The price on that occasion was £4315. A curious fact is mentioned in the Lancet in con- nection with the death of the late Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh. He died on March 8, and that is the day on which he always said he would die he said, too, that he wou'd die in daylight, and so the event turned out. At the Dundee Sheriff Criminal Court, the other day. Euphemia Adamson or Henderson, a prepossess- ing young widow, was charged with a series of acta of falsehood, fraud, and wilful imposition, extending over a period of three years, committed on a number of shopkeepers in Dundee. She pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to twelve months'imprisonment. PAINFUL INQUIRY.—Dr. Hardwicke held an inquest on Saturday, in London, on the body of Mr. James Hollowell. aged T>2 years, who died very suddenly. For his great bravery during the Indian Mutiny the deceased was awarded the Victoria Cross. After leav- ing the army he was employed as a private policeman by Messrs. Moses and Son. The jury found that death had resulted from heart disease; and the coroner hoped it might be made known that the brave man had left a wife and three children unprov;ded for. The pictures of M. Schneider, the great ironmaster of Creuzot, and the late President of the Corpa Legislatif, have been sold in Paris, and the first -con- sicrnnient has realised about £ -10,000. The first four pictures which realised the largest sums were a Pierre de tioogh. bought by Lord Dudley for £ 5400; a Van Os'ade, which fetched £ 4120; a Teniers, bought by Prince Deroidoff for his collection at San Donato, and which fetched £ .7200; and a Hobbema, which has been bought felr the Antwerp Museum, and which sold for £ -1000. GENERAL RETAIXER" IN TIIE LEGAL PROFESSION.— Some misapprehension having lately arisen as to the effect of pe"e"al retainers on the legal profession, a case was submitted to the Attorney-General. Sir John Holker, for his opinion, and he has decided that counsel is entitled to have briefs handed to him in all actions in which the client for whom the general retainer was given is a party (but not in mere interlocutory pro- ceed ngsi in the courts in which said counsel usually practtses. The general retairer will not, however, en- litle him to briefs in the House of Lords or Privy Council, f"r which tribunals separate retainers are necessary. If briefs are not so delivered the general retainer will be invalidated. Tnr ErcrxT FAIM-HE IN LIVERPOOL.—The creditors of Messrs. Alexander Duranty and Co., West India merchants, of Liverpool, have received a preliminary statement of the firm's affairs, so far as is at present known. This document gives the following figures:- Unsecured creditors in Liverpool house, £ 297,OOQ; ditto in Havre house, £170,000. Ihe Havre house hold £ 40,000 m value of produce unsold, and their book debts amount to £ 200,000. The figures in con- nec'ion with the Liverpool house are not yet fully made up. but here is every probability that a similar result will be s" .wn. and it seems to be generally ex- pected that, if the es'ate is judiciously liquidated, a good dividend c;tn be paid. When Mr. Horace Wigan opens the Princess's he will give a mixed English and French entertainment. The opening performance will consist of an English :lramr,. to be followed each evening by a French comedy. As Mr. Wigan will also have the Opera Comique. with Humber 's Brussels Opera company, he has arranged that a subscription for one may by agreement include entrance to both theatres. Mr. •lohn Clayton goes to the Princess's, as do the Misses Rose Coghlan and Caroline Hill. Beside- Monsieur Didier. Monsieur Schey has also entered into an en- gagement with Mr. Wigan. Mr. and Mrs. Kendal are engaged for the Prince of Wa'es's in the autumn. DRUNKENNESS AND SutdDE.—At the Guildhall at York, John Thomas Marshall, an hotel porter, was brought up on the charge of being drunk and having attempted to commit suicide. Whilst the worse for liquor he entered the White Swan tap and asked for liquor. He was refused, on which he said he would poison himself. He then went out, and came back shortly after with a package labelled Poison." To the expression, "Now then, here goes," he tore the in reel in two and commenced to pour the contents into his mouth. The a'tendant promptly seized him by the throat, and took what he could of the powder ^which proved to be oxalic acid) out of his mouth, and thea admin;steri' g warm water and salt, induced vomiting. Prisoner was afterwards apprehended by the police, md a surgeon had to be sent for, who by the use at ordinary remedies saved the man's life. THE SCHOOLMASTER SENTENCED TO PENAL SERVITUDE. —Mr. Justice Denman has written to the Home Secre- tary asking that the case of the schoolmaster Stan- bridge, who was sentenced by Mr. Justice Denman to five years penal servitude for striking a pupil at Egg Buckland (Devonshire) Board School, may be reviewed. Tue ground for this is the belief that when Staubridgs pleaded guilty to the assault with intent to do grevioos bodily harm, he supposed he was pleading guilty to the act only and not to the intent. The injury to the boy's eye, he oontends, was unintentional and accidental. and. he had no intention of doing grievous harm. At Easter, Mr. Hollingshead is to take in hand the unlucky Charing Cross Theatre. Miss Farren and other members of the Gaiety troupe will play in a new absurdity by Mr. Byron, a new burlesque by )((• Boeoe. and other entefttinnMnt). —

IMPERFECT NUTRITION IN CHILDREN MOST SUC- CESSFULLY TREATED WITH DR. DE JONGH'S LIGHT- BROWN COD LIVER OIL In cases of languid and im- perfect nutrition often observed in children, the surprising efficacy of Dr. de Jongh's Oil is thus described by Dr. Rdward Carey It is in the Diseases incidental to child- hood that mainly depend on the Dial-assimilation of the food in the pale cachetic child, when the anxious practi- tioner has exhausted the whole ran^e of alteratives and tonics, that Dr. de Jongh's Cod Liver Oil will come in I md satisfy his most sanguine expectations. Where the powers of life are low, it affords nourishment to the body when none other can be borne it furnishes the frame tvith fat in a truly wonderful manner and administered is it is in Holland, to the delicate any puny child, who, ;hough not considered ill, is in that state of impaired isalth which would favour the development of disease, its jxtra. r linary effects will soon be visible, after having taken it for a short period, in a return to health and strength which were before unknown and which will be i^complished by no other remedy with which we are ac- numed." Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil is sold only in capsuled imperial half-pints, 2s 6d pints Is 9d quarts, 9s; with bit stamp and signature aud the lignature of his sole consignees on the label under wrapper, hv all respectable chemists. Sole consignees, Ans&r, Harford, and Co., 77, Strand, London.