The North Wales Express

CONTEMPORARY WELSH LITERATURE. "Y GENINEN" (TIIE LEEK). A REVIEW. In our last we called attention to the fact that the most recent number of this periodical contained articles which may be embraced almost entirely by the headings—Religious, Educational, Poetical, and Biographical. We touched more particularly upon the paper by the Rev. Griffith Ell's of Bootle, upon "The Future of Religious Sects in Wales." There are two other papers under the first of the above headings of very considerable interest. They are upon Church Government." (1). That in force in the Church of England by Glanmor, aod (2). That adopted by the Calvinistic Methodists. Glanmor seta out by stating that his observations will not be confined to the question of Church Government as it exists in the Church of England alone, and that for three reasons.—(1). Because that Church does not claim to be but a part or branch of the one Catholic and Apostolic Church. (2). Because he believes there never will be an end to the protracted disputes upon this question until those who discuss it take up a more catholic or general position in relation to the subject than that of peeping through the windows of their own particular parties and (3), for the reason that a good deal has already been said upon the question by other writers in preceding numbers. He then proceeds to point out that the various forms of Church Government which prevail amongst us may be divided into four classes, Episcopalianism, Pre3by- terianism, Congregationalism (including the Independents and Baptists) and Methodism. It iR. however, intimated that the dispute chiefly is between the first two, and that the two latter are only developments of one or other of the former. The Calvinistic Methodists we are told are entitled to the honour of being the only sect which has originated in Wales itself, the others having been imported from across the borders. We are told also by those who assume the role of prophets that this large and influential body of Christians will, at no very distant date, be swallowed up by English Presbyterianism. That there is a tendency in that direction no one can deny. Most of the new English chapels built here and there in the Principality are christened English Presbyterian," but it is rather too sweeping and emphatic an assertion, to say the least of it, that it is the great aim of our day to turn Calvinistic Methodism into English Presbyterianism. Incidental remarks are made by the author upon the distinction between a "sect" and a "body," and he instances the Inde- pendents and Baptists as "sects," but not "bodies." In a certain sense this is undoubtedly true. The relation existing between the different parts and the whole as regards these two branches of the Christian Church is not similar to that of the mem- bers of the human body to the whole. But the vaiioua branches are nevertheless bound together by certain well-defined principles, otherwise each branch would be a separate sect, which is not the case. It is pointed out too, that Nonconformity and Dissent were not originally the same thing, although at present they are generally looked upon as one and the same. That the first Nonconformists did not object to a State Church, nor the form of service of that Church, nor to its creeds, articles of religion, &c., as is abundantly proved by the works of the old Puritan Divines, but rather to the vestments, organs, sign of the Cross in Baptism. ■itid such like external accessories of divine worship. The real Dissenter we are told is a product of more niodern growth, lie is one who has been born and lived in the ranks of those who have left the Church, and who has been educated politically and religiously in the principles of true Dissent. There is some- thing here which savours of hair-splitting, and most people will probably regard it as a distinction with- out a difference. I'liey are many other very interesting points in the article which we cannot dwell upon, such as the contention that every enlightened Nonconformist is a Republican in principle, if not in practise that the iiiajority of Welsh Nonconformists do not understand the true principles of Dissent; that every Episcopal Church is based upon the doctrine of Apostolical succession that tha law of England looks upon every Nonconformist minister as a layman even to this day that Dissenters should keep in thankful remembrance the fact that in past times niany of the Welsh Bishops were scandalously neglectful of their duty, for had it not been so, Nonconformity would in all probability never have attained to its present powerful position in Wales. Of the educational papers contained in the present number we must briefly notice that upon tlle condition of Education in Wales amongst the lower orders some fifty years ago as compared with what it is at present. Here is a senteuce which will astonish a good many people pi'obably. It is a historical fact that there were scholars of note amongst the Welsh at a time when their English neighbours were unlettered barbarians; and no Welshman is likely to forget that Alfred the Great was under the necessity of sending to the monastery of St David for three competent men to act as teachers at Oxford when the College was established there and here are their names and the branches of learning they undertook to teach :—Asser, Grammar and Rhetoric; John Menevensis, Logic, Mufcsic and Arithmetic; John Eregena, Geometry and Astronomy." But we are in- formed by the writer—Rev. J. R. Kilsby Jones—that from the time of the union of Eng- land and Wales up to the time of the Reform- ation the conation of the people as to education was deplorable It will be observed from the names given above that the age of the Aps and Llews" had not dawned at that period. A very interesting summary is given of the efforts put forth to improve the education of the people, from the time when the first book was published in Welsh, which took place about the year 1540, a translation of the epistles and evangelists, doxvn through the succeeding centu- ries, noting especially the efforts of Griffith Jones, Llanddowror, Charles of Bala, and other educational reformers. Not the least entertain- ing part of the article is that in which the writer, in his own Kilsbean style, relates his own per- sonal recollections; the scarcity of suitable books and apparatus; the wretched hovels of schoolrooms with damp floors, being nothing but mother earth itself without covering the benches turned into desks and the pupils writing on their knees, so that when they got up the marks of the ribs of their trousers were seen imprinted in the soil. In very forcible language the writer urges upon Welsh parents the necessity of teaching their children the English language for the same reason as the Emperor of Japan has ordered English to be taught in all the day schools of his Empire, because it is the language of commerce, science and literature. In stronger language still he calls upon the youths of Wales to cast away their rhyming proclivities (■• aent i'w crogi ") and instead of aiming after a short- lived distinction, let them emulate such men as Henry M. Stanley, known in Wales also by the name of John Rowland, whom he describes as the most world-renowned Welshman that was ever born of Welsh parents. The bards will hardly relish the almost contemptuous treatment they received at the hands of Kilsby. Mr D. Jenkins, Mus. Bac., has a short paper upon the Welsh University Colleges in relation to music. He points out that in only one of the three colleges is music taught at all,namely, at Car- diff, and even here only to a very limited extent. He expresses surprise that amongst a people so musical as the Welsh, more attention is not paid to this subject. He suggests that classes should be established in connection with the colleges in the most populous districts; that these classes should be worked under the direction of the College authorities that such classes should be examined at the end of such term; and that cer- tificates, signed by the chairman, the music teacher and the examiner, should be awarded to deserving pupils. It may be remarked that music was taught at Aberystwyth for some years, but was ultimately dropped for some reason or other. Mr Jenkins might have told us the his- tory of the movement there and why it was al- lowed to collapse. We shall wind up our present review by re- ferring to the article on Die Sion Dafydd by Dewi Mon (Professor Rowlands of Brecon College). Die Sion Dafydd is a term of contempt often used to describe a certain class of people who are supposed to be unpatriotic, or who, having seen a little more of the world than their neighbours, try to insist that all the virtue and goodness of the universe are not confined to Wales and everything Welsh. Professor Row- lands points out the origin of his epithet of con- tempt. It was a very general custom some fifty years ago to compose songs descriptive of im- portant events that had transpired in other parts of the country or the world and te sing them or recite them in the more remote paits of the Principality, this being the only way in which such events were made known to the more uneducated masses. Songs were occasionally composed for the purpose of lashing with wit and sarcasm some local disturber of the peace of society or some one who had incurred the dis- pleasure of his neighbours by his obnoxious and reprehensible conduct. Die Sion Dafydd was the name of one of these songs, in which a boast- ful and unpatriotic Welshmen was satirised. The name has ever since been applied to the class of which Dic was a type. The professional patriots at whose hands Wales has suffered a good deal and perhaps is suffering still, come in for a somewhat severe,but not too severe, castiga- tion in this article. It is pointed out, that how- ever dear the Welsh language may be to those who understand it, particularly as the medium of religious worship, it is the bounden duty of those who claim to be the men of light and leading amongst us to make what provision is necessary to meet the requirements created by the rapid spread of the English language, and the writer rejoices to see how successful are the efforts of many of his countrymen in over- coming the prejudice of a false patriotism. I

VARIETIES. "Well, to tell the truth, papa, I did not think much of the close of the sermon," said a fashionable young lady. Probably you were thinking more of the clothes of the congregation," replied her father. THE POLICEMAN'S PARADISE.—The police system of Mexico is admirable. At every street corner there is a patrolman, night and day-not a patrolman, either, for he never moves. He stands like a statute during the day, occasionally leaning against a lamp-post, and answers inquiries with the greatest urbanity. When- ever there is a row, two or three policemen are instantly present, and if their clubs cannot suppress it they use revolvers. At night the policeman brings a lantern and a blanket. He sets the lantern in the middle of the street, and all carriages are compelled to keep to the right of the row of lanterns, which can be seen glimmering from one end of the street to the other. As long as people are passing he stands at the corner, but when things quiet down he retires to a neigh- bouring doorway, wraps his blanket around him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. As all the windows of the city of Mexico have heavy prison-like gratings before them, and all the doors are great oaken affairs, that could not be knocked in without a catapult, as there are never any tires, and everbody goes to bed early, the policeman's lot is usually a happy one. He is numerous because of revolutions and because the Government always wants to know what is going on. THE FARMER AND THE Bisiiop.-It is not generally known, the Globe says, that the new Bishop of London was once taken for an Excise spy. The Bishop -who is a great walker—had lost his way oil a Devonshire road, and was very fatigued. Being over- taken by a farmer's gig he asked for a lift, and offered to pay for it, adding that he was the new Bishop of Mxe er. Noa, noa," said the farmer, as he gave his horse an extra flip, I know whom you be—you be an exciseman; I know 'ee by your gaiters." It ought to be explained that farmers' gigs pay no licence when they are used for the owner's business. The Bishop, however, trudged on, and finished his walk of about seventeen miles late in the evening. FARMING AND THE CORN TRADE.-The Mark Lane Express of Monday says :—" Prospects are seemingly as good as they could possibly be, so. far as growing crops are concerned, and for spring sowings they would be hard to improve upon, for the tillages are all very forward, and the land worked to perfection before last night's rainfall. With regard to the thrashing of grain, the weather has, on the whole, been unfavourable, inasmuch as there has been a con- siderable amount of moisture in the air during the finest days, and similar influences have extended to the marketing of grain thrashed during the previous week, when atmospheric conditions were still more favourable. Sixpence to Is reduction on Monday's rate was offered, and almost without exception refused, on Friday in London, whilst only a small proportion of the provincial exchanges quoted the decline on Saturday. Flour has been a sluggish sale under large arrivals of foreign. Neither trade for malting barleys nor that for malt has yet shown any effect due to the approaching season of spring brewings, and all other articles remain very quiet."—The Farmer says:— The members of the corn trade are very dispirited, owing to the extreme inertness of the market. Mon- day's supplies were moderate. English wheat rather cheaper foreign wheat held at old rates, but was un- saleable thereat, Flour neglected, and rates irregu- larly low. Maize keeps irregular. Oats in good supply, and rates steady. Barley unaltered and ne- glected. Beans steady. Peas firm. Weather wet and mild. Cargoes slow not quotably cheaper."

THE LONDON DYNAMITE EXPLOSIONS Cunningham and Burton, the two men charged with the recent dynamite outrages in London, were again brought up at Bow-street Police Court, on Monday. A good deal of evidence was given to show that Cunningham was in the train on the Metropolitan Railway on the 2nd of January that was going towards Gower-street, when the last dynamite explosion on the Metropolitan Railway took place, and that he travelled in the brake van that was set apart for persons carrying luggage. One witness, who was very positive in his identifica- tion, also said that at Gower-street, Cunningham and two companions, one of whom is believed to have been Burton, went round behind the train and so escaped notice. Another witness, who had been on duty at the armoury at the Tower, said he saw Cunningham twenty-five minutes before the explosion, and that he had seen both prisoners there before. The inquiry was then further adjourned for a week.

A MOLD ACCOUNTANT IN TROUBLE' At the County Hall, Mold, on Monday, George Connor, formerly accountant in the Mold branch of the National Provincial Bank of England. Limited, was charged under warrant with em- bezzlement aud larceny. Mr W. H. Churtou, Chester, prosecuted, and Mr H. G. Roberts ap- peared for the prisoner. Mr Churton stated that there were several cases against the prisoner but as the bank did not wish to act vindictively towards him, only one charge would be proceeded with, and it was the wish of the bank that the Bench should deal with that summarily—if the prisoner pleaded guilty-ancl leniently. The case was one in which Mr John Lloyd, farmer and innkeeper, of Rhesycae. Halkin, near Mold, bor- rowedf;50 from the bank on the 29th November, for which he gave a one month's bill. On the 5th January he came to Mold to pay the bill. He saw the prisoner after the bank was closed and paid the money to him in a public-liouse, and the prisoner gave him a receipt for it, but he did not credit it in the books of the bank.— Mr Johnson, manager of the bank, gave evi- dence as to prisoner's defalcations, and stated that it was against the rules of the bank for any officer to receive money outside the bank, except in the presence of another officei-The prisoner pleaded guilty, and Mr H. G. Roberts, in addressing the Bench on his behalf, stated that he had worked himself up from a humblo position, and he had been in the employ of the bank for nineteen years, during which time nothing had been found against him. He urged the Bench to deal leniently with the prisoner on account of his previous good character.—The Chairman, in sentencing the prisoner to three months' imprisonment-the lowest sentence the court could order—remarked that the duty was a most painful one to himself and the Bench, and they hoped the prisoner would reform, as he was yet a young man.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES. Meetings of the Finance Committee and the Council were held on Thursday, the 12th instant, at the Col- lege. There were present at the Council meeting Colonel the Honourable W. E. Sackville-Weet (chair- man), Mr W. A. Darbisliire, Mr J. R. Davies, Mr R. Davies, M.P., Rev. Herber Evans, Mr J. Lloyd Griffith, Mr R. A. Jones, Principal Reichel, Mr John Roberts, M.P., Rev. Daniel Rowlands, Mr Arthur Wyatt, and Mr Cadwaladr Davies (secrutary).-Thp General Purposes Committee reported that tenders had been received for carrying out the amended scheme for the biological department, and the tender of Mr W. Thomas, Bryn Garth, Garth, for £ o37 had been accepted the contract to be completed before the 1st July.—The Finance Committee reported the balances in hand to be Ell),196 14s Id with the prospect of a considerable immediate increase, as the second instalment of subscriptions were now due.—Mr J. Roberts, M.P., and Mr Darbishire detailed the in- quiries they had made respecting investments, and they were authorised to take steps to invest the sur- plus funds of the College.—The report of the Board of Registration was adopted, it being stated that the cost of lodgings for students, in Bangor, ranged from two shillings per week and upwards.—A sketch for college seal and arms was submitted, and was referred to the General Purposes Committee for decision on the report of the Seal and Arms Committee.—The minutes of the Seuate were read by the Principal, and confirmed.—It was resolved that the next meeting of the Council and Court of Governors should be held in April, as soon as possible after the Charter of the College has been granted.

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES AND THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION OF LONDON UNIVERSITY. The following circular has been sent to the headmasters of the Grammar and Intermediate Schools of North Wales — University College of North Wales, Bangor, February 17th, 1885. Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that the University College of North Wales, Bangor, has been appointed by the senate of London University as a provincial centre at which candidates (male and female) may sit for the matriculation examina- tion in June next. A local fee of il will be charged in addition to the registration fee of the university. The register of licensed lodging houses, sanc- tioned by the Council of the University College of North Wales, will be available for candidates who may wish to remain in Bangor during the examina- tion. Intending candidates are recommended to make early application to The Registrar, University of London, W. for a copy of the regulations relating to the matriculation examination. I shall have much pleasure in furnishing you with further particulars at a later date.—I have the honour to be sir, your obedient servant, W. CADWALADR DAVIES, Secretary and Registrar.

THE DEPRESSION IN TRADE. Mr George Potter, president of the London Working Men's Association, asks through the Times what is the cause of the continued depres- sion in British industries. His own opinion is that the growth of foreign competition through increas- ing knowledge, rapid communication, and the pase with which capital may be diverted into anv pro- fitable channel is a principal cause, and he fe Is convinced that the value of India and of British colonies as customers for Bi-itl sti trade is not suffi- ciently appreciated. At the same time, he admits that depression in trade is universal throughout the world, and finds consolation in the fact that food and the necessaries of life are in England universally cheap, so that the masses of the people do not feel the pinch so keenly as they otherwise would. For this they have to thank Free Trade. Mr Potter is wrong, however, in supposing that the volume of trade has shown a large decline. This is not so. The iron trade it is true has fallen off in quantity very considerably within the last few years, but almost every other industry in the country has largely increased. The secret of most of the sufiering is not a decline in quantity but in value, the result in, many cases of over production.

FAITH-HEALING. EXTRAORDINARY. Some extraordinary faith-healing miracles in connection with the Salvation Army are reported from Hanley. Major Pearson, who professes to work these miracles on the blind, def. and lame people, on Sunday held services in the circus at Hanley, which were attended by some thousands of persons, including about a hundred invalids of all ages afflicted in a variety of ways. Some of them who had lost the use of the lower limbs were brought to the circus in bathchairs, and after the evening service of Sunday the faith- healing cerem )iiy commenced. Throwing off their outer garments, the major and his subal- terns descended into the arena. Those present were exhorted to pray without ceasing. A lad. crippled from a very early age, was first operated upon, and while Major Pearson vigorously rubbed the disabled limb, his followers prayed for heal- ing powers. They prayed earnestly and long, and finally the lad was induced to rise, and. amidst great excitement, managed to walk a little After prayers for another three-quarters of an hour, a deaf woman aged 70 years, a young woman who was stone deaf, and another young woman, a confirmed invalid, stated that hearing and health had been restored. Other equally marvellous cures are reported. In one case a young woman went to the building with a crutch and returned without its aid; and another woman ascended the platform and publicly certified to her miraculous recovery. The whole congrega- tion joined in thanksgiving for these marvellous cures.

CUMNINGHAM'S ANTECEDENTS. Owing to the important evidence against Cun- ningham in London, on Monday, some particulars regarding the family of the prisoner are interest- ing. A special correspondent of the Freeman's Journal has proceeded to Gurtnamona, in County Cork, and there ascertained the Tower prisoner to be none other than the youngest son of the widow Cunningham, who occupies, with two other women as wretched as herself, a hovel near the summit of a black, rugged hill. The inhabitants viewed the correspondent with suspicion, believing him to be a police-officer looking for information. He subsequently learned, however, that Cunningham's mother was left a widow with three son* and five daughters. Cunningham's two brothers and three of his sisters are now living in America, and send home small remittances to their mother. The latter, and her two remaining daughters live together in the hovel rent free, being almost in a destitute condition. The prisoner Cunningham, destitute condition. The prisoner Cunningham. the youngest of the family, is twenty-two years of age. After working with a farmer, one of his brothers in 1880 paid his passage out to the States, where he was employed about the docks. and subsequently on a river steamer. He was thus engaged at the beginning of the winter, when lie wrote to his mother. Since then the latter got a t7' letter from him stating that he had arrived in London. Some time ago the police called at Mrs Cunningham's abode and took possession of all the letters they found. When writing from Lon- don Cunningham assigned no reason for his presence in England, and since he has been in cus- tody he has made no communication whatever to any of his relatives. His arrest caused a great shock to his mother, who has been prostrated since. The poor woman doubts his identity as her son, though the people of the neighbourhood have not the least doubt of it. His name is James Cun- ningham, the second name of Gilbert having been assumed by the prisoner. cr-

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT CREWE STATION. Passengers by the five p.m. train from Enston to Chester and Birkenhead were on Monday alarmed on the arrival of the train at Crewe, by the piercing shrieks of a girl of twelve years of age, who was covering herself under the apron of a woman standing on the platform. A gentlemanly, middle- aged man had seized the girl, tnd the child in self- defence had thrown her arms about the waist of the woman, imploring to be taken away. In the struggle the man was rather rough, and the porters interfered and kept him off. Tue man said the child was his, and that the woman was bolting with it. The woman said the man was a brute, and the child was going with her. The child, which was well-dressed, was apparently agonised with grief. In the meantime the train was kept waiting. \Vith a dexterous rush the woman bolted int) the carriage, and the little girl went in, head foremost, after her. With a great throb of joy the carriage door was banged to, and the train immediately drew out of the station, leaving the man declaring he would issue a warrant against the woman for stealing his child.

LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY. Mr Moon, at the meeting of the London and North-Western shareholders, on Tuesday, stated a truth that is impressing itself upon the majo- rity of railway directors when he said that there is a backbone in expenses that will not yield to cir- cumstances, and he joined in the complaint that has been made as to increase in rates, and taxes, though in the company's accounts a very large saying in Government duty is shown. As to the railway rates bills that are coming before Parlia- ment, Mr Moon quite expects that they will be carried as they stand, and maintains that they are merely carrying out the idea put forward by Mr Chamberlain last year. The trading commu- nity does not take this view, and may succeed in giving more force to its opinions than Mr Moon reckons upon. 4

CARNAR VONSHIRE AND ANGLESEY INFIRMARY. WEEKLY REPORT, Feb. Wth, 1885. In-Patients 13 Total number of Out-Patients admitted since October 25th, 1884 3% » » » during the past week 43 Home Patients- 50 Visitors for this week -Mrs Pritchard (Tanycoed). Hon. Physician Dr. Richards. Hon Surgeon 11 Dr. Greitr. Hu^hps. R. ROLAND JONES, House Surgeon-

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN. REPULSE OF AN ATTACK ON A BRITISH CONVOY. The following despatch has been received at the War Office from General Lord Wolseley :— KORTI, TUESDAY, 11.55 P.M. All the remaining sick and wounded—75 of all ranks—left Gubat early on the morning of the 13th instant, and reached Abu Klea safely. When some eight or nine miles distant from Gubat, they halted for breakfast, and when about to resume the march had a long skirmish with a convoy of men, with guns and ammunition, on the way from Khartoum to Metemncb. The skirmish lasted about one hour and a half when the enemy retreated. The Light Camel Regiment, on its way from Abu Klea to Gubat, arrived towards the close of the skirmish. Colonel Talbot commanded our convoy, and speaks in high terms of the men's conduct, and especially reports upon the excellent work done by Surgeon-major Conolly. ™" All the sick and wounded are doing well, and have not suffered from the journey. He (Surgeon- major Conolly) gives a fair account of Sir H. Stewart's condition. His wound is doing well, but he is suffering somewhat from fever. The convoy should be at Gakdul to-morrow. Our losses are :-Kille,i, one private wounded dangerously, one non-commissioned officer; wounded, four men." A special correspondent at Korti telegraphed that the Arab who had arrived there, and reported the fall of Khartoum, was General Gordon's ser- vant. His story leaves uo doubt as to the death of the general. Farag Pasha, he says, opened the gates of the city at daybreak, and ordered the garrison not to fire upon the Mahdi's troops, who then entered. General Gordon hearing a commo- tion in the streets, went out to see what had happened, and the enemy fired a volley and shot him dead. All the Europeans in Khartoum, who did not become Mahomedans, were then slain. The messenger himself escaped by paying a bribe of £ 40, and subsequently bought a camel an 1 fled to Debbeh. This story is a very circumstantial one, and in its main details its corroborated by that of another fugitive, who left Khartoum a fortnight ago. General Braekenbury is continuing his advance towards Abu Hamed, and has not yet encountered any further opposition, the formidable Shukuk Pass having been found deserted by the enemy. At Suakim, however, Osman Digna is gathering his forces for another fight, and is busily throwing up entrenchments and otherwise strengthening his position. Meanwhile, rapid progress is being made towards completing the supplementary ex- pedition. Yesterday the Balloon and Telegraph Corps and field detachments of the Royal Engi- neers sailed, and the Coldstream and the Scots Guards will parade preparatory to embarkation. The railway from Suakim to Berber will, it is un- derstood, be constructed in sections of from five to seven miles as the troops advance. Metemmeh was to be attacked on Sunday, but if the assault took place, it is not likely that any details will reach England before Thursday I I y night or Friday morning. Meanwhile the most recent news from Gakdul indicates that the defence of the town would probably be less determined than at one time seemed likely. News of the British victory at Dulka Island took away many of the Mahdi's warriors who were to assist in the defence of Metemmeh, causing them to retire to Berber, and many others who were within the town have deserted. There is not yet any further news from Gubat, and this circum- stance of itself disposes of the rumour that Sir Herbert Stewart's condition gives occasion for alarm. According to the most recent accounts he was doing well. The news that Australian troops are to co- operate with the British in the Soudan has given great satisfaction in the army, and it is probable, too. that a construction of a railway from Suakim to Berber will give equal pleasure. Material for about thirty-five miles of the line will be ready for shipment this week, and the remainder will be prepared with all speed. The total length of the line will be 270 miles, and the route selected is one which affords a good supply of water. The speed with which the line will be laid down will depend chiefly on the supply of labour, respecting which. considering the shortness of employment in England, there should be no difficulty. [FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH."] Aiiu KRG, FEB. 12TH (VIA KORTI, FEB. 18TH, 12-1;) A.M.)—General Gordon's trusted messenger, George, a well-known Khartoum Greek merchant, who for months past has been entrusted with all letters passing from or to the beseiged, and who has been living on board of one of the steamers sent here, states that nearly all the natives' stories agree that General Gordon, on learning that he was betrayed, made a rush for the magazine in the Catholic mission building. Finding that the enemy were actually in possession of that buildiug by the treachery of Farag, General Gordon returne 1 to Government House, and was killed whilst trying to re-enter it. Some say that he was shot others that he was stabbed. The Mahdi's people were admitted to Khartoum at ten o'clock on the night of January 26th. George adds that the rebels massacred all the white people, men, women, and children, throwing the bodies into the Nile, many of which corpses he and others saw whilst with Sir Charles Wilson's party. The families of all the men on board General Gordon's steamers were also murdered. General Gordon clearly anticipated his fate, for he wrote a number of farewell letters during the iiioiltli of January. These were sent off in a mailbag on board the steamer, and given to George, who handed them over to Sir Charles Wilson on January 21st. Among the letters were one for his sister, and others for his brother, for Captain Brocklehurst, Lord Wolseley. and Sir Charles Wilson. There were also five complete monthly diaries of the siege of Khartoum, narrating all the events that had taken place since Colonel Stewart left him. In his letter to Sir Charles Wilson, General Gordon wrote that he hoped, by God's will, the English would arrive in time to save him and others, but feared they would be too late; that he knew lie was being betrayed, but was powerless to prevent it. His information was that Khar- toum was to be surrendered on January IHth. to the Mahdi. He could get away if he wished to run; but refused to go, and would remain to the last, as he would not permit himself to be taken prisoner. There was nothing left but death. Kliasai El Mous, the commandant with the steamers here, who has proved so loyal through- out, states that even had the English got to Khartoum a month earlier they would have been too late to save Gordon, for the two traitors had committed themselves, and they would never have awaited our arrival, as they feared that General Gordon would punish them. The people of Khartoum had despaired of ever seeing English soldiers, and tried to make the best terms they could. After the battle of A bu Klea the Mahdi no doubt pro- mised much. On Thursday, the 5th instant, a court-martial sat here to try three captains of the steamers. Two deserted with Hamdy Bey, and one was condemned to death for designedly wreckill the steamer Bordein,' but was recommended to mercy for subsequent good conduct in bringing Stuart-Wortley's row-boat in. The others were acquitted. We still have outpost firing daily. The enemy's vidcttes are now visible across the river. They are gradually drawing around us. Deserters from Metemmeh, some of whom are escaped Egyptian soldiers, report that the enemy there. OIl the 8th instant, were reinforced by five hundred men from Khartoum. They have littl > ¡. food. Their total strength is four thousand men, with three guns. There is much dissatisfaction among them, -4

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PORTDINORWIC NOTES. We had just passed the railway arch and paused for a moment to look upon the receptacle for the water as it rushes down the hills through the ditches of the farm called Bush. This supply depends upon the hills not being too dry and thirsty themselves. The recep- tacle referred to is a perfect specimen of natural realism, being void of all artistic adornment. Whether such a source of water supply indiscriminately used as it is, both by bipeds and quadrupeds, is calculated to promote the health of the human family is a question opec to a considerable amount of discussion and doubt. A rushing flow of the pellucid element, no doubt, is welcomed with pleasure by those depen- dent upon it. But this feeling must be changed to disappointment when, during the dry season, the delivery is reduced to homceopathic doses. A few glittering droppings may look pretty and poetical, but extremely unsatisfying to those who require the article for personal and domestic use. The fortunes of the inns, though few in number, no doubt vary with this water supply, as it is small or great, and though bipeds may, and doubtles do, assuage their thirst in times of the scarcity of water at these places, there does not appear to be any similar accommodation suited to the requirements of the quadrupeds. Perhaps this is to be accounted for from the fact that their capacity for drinking is large, while their means of payment is somewhat limited. On pursuing our way along the street called Bangor, we were amazed at the reckless prodigality of the authorities in the matter of pure mud it was, so to speak, lying all over the place in prodigious quantities, and might have been carted away in broad daylight by anybody. We felt naturally curious to know what becomes of the tenpenny rate collected each year from the inhabitants for the professed purpose of keeping these roads in good order and passable condition. We pursued our way to the docks. It is not Ilifficult to see from the number of vessels lying therein that the slate-carrying trade is an important one, and gives to Portdinorwic a name and a place of some note. To all appearance, the busy quay. with vast quantities of slates stored there, wouli lead us to suppose and look upon the owners of these vessels as being fortunate in having their capital invested in what seems to be a thriving trade; but when we acquire a thorough knowledge of the details, this pleasing vision is utterly destroyed by reason of the exercise of an officialism which is grinding down the rates of freight to a point which renders it impossible for the owners of these vessels to avoid loss. When it is considered that vessels oftimes lie here moored to the wharf for periods of two months, want- ing to complete one loading, and the rate paid is 4s per ton to Liverpool, and 2s 6d per ton for a return cargo of coal back again, we ask, can anything else but the gradual and certain impoverishment of the owners of such vessels engaged in such a trade be the result? And what renders their position still more acutely painful is that tramp barges, who happen to be passing on to Liverpool, get the preference at 3s (id per ton or 6d per ton less, with prompt despatch, while the regular tradprs are left out in the cold, and are finally asked to accept the same terms. To the honour of Lord Penrhyn and his agent be it said, he has never reduced the rate below 5s per ton, and does not employ tramps at all. We are prepared to show, and will show, that less than 58 per ton to Liverpool, and 2s 6d or 3s back, cannot be accepted by the owners of these vessels (many are widows) to pay calls, wages, port charges, wear ahd tear, without certain loss. Our coasting trade has always been the nursery for all our hardy seamen and commanders, but this system of cruel oppression will annihilate it. FELXN IIELI.

THE UNEMPLOYED OF LONDON. While the Cabinet was sitting on Monday, Downing-street was visited by a crowd of about 2000 persons, who represented the unemployed in the metropolis. The demonstration was an orderly one, but its presence was inconvenient; and, on the representation of the police, it trans- ferred itself to the Local Government Board. offices, where speeches were delivered in favour of means being found to provide work for men at present in distress through lack of employment, and a deputation expounded similar views to Mr Russell, who received the: visitors in the ab- sence of Sir C. Dilke, and explained that it was not within the power of the Local Government Board to dictate to railway companies or public bodies as to the hours of labour or work that should be done.