The Principality

LATEST CURRENT PRICES OF METAL. £ d. £ s. d. IRON-Bar a ton 5 10 0 W 5 12 -6 ..London. ———- 6 12 6 N ail rods „ — 7 12 6 Hoop (Staf.),, 8 5 0 8 10 0 Sheet 9 5 0 9 10 0 Bars „ „ 7 10 0 T 8 0 0 Welsh cold-blast foundry pig. 3 10 0 4 0 0 Scotch pig b, Clyde I. 2 5 0 2 6 0 Rails, average. 6 0 0 Chairs. ————- 400 Russian, CCND c. ———- 17 0 0 „ PSI Gourieif. ———- Archangel. 13 0 0 Swedish d, on the spot 10 15 0 11 0 0 „ Steele, fagt ———— 15 0 0 „ kegse. ———— 13 10 0 COPPER—Tile/ :.7" £ » 10 o Tough cake. 70 10 0 Best selected ''1 82 10 0 Ordinary sheets, lbs ——— — 0 0 9 „ bottoms. — -0 0 10 YELLOW METAL SHEATHING — 0 0 7,1 TIN Common blocks g cwt. ——— 3 13 0 1 11 bars — 3 14 0 Refined ———- — 3 18 0 StraitsA. 3 10 0 3 12 0 Banca 313 0 3 15 0 TIN-PLATES—Ch., iC-i, box I 8 0 1 10 0 „ IX 1 14 0 1 16 0 Coke, IC 1 5 6 1 6 0 IX. 1 11 6 1 12 0 LEAD—Sheet k .ton. ————- 17 0 0 Pig, refined. 18 0 0 cDramon 16 0 0 16 10 0 Spanish, in bond. 16 0 0 Red — 18 5 0, Dry White — 22 15 0 Shot (Patent). 19 5 0 S.PELTElt-(Cake) I on spot. 14 5.0 14 10 0 for arrival — ZINC-—(Sheet) m export. 20 0 0—21 0 0 QUICKSILVER it 0 3 6 a Discount 2^ per cent, b Net cash. c Discount 2| per cent. (I Ditto in bond. i Discount 3 per Cent. k Ditto 2 £ per cent, r Net cash. In. kegs i and |-inch, /Discount 3 per cent, sg Ditto 2 i per, cent. Net cash, m Discount 1 £ per cent. »'Discount 11 pCr Ceat' REMARKS. Iron continues quiet, with an inclination to give way a shade in price of Welsh. In copper nothing new, English tin meets with an improved demand since the fall: the Banca tin (about 25,000 slabs), left unsold at Rotterdam, on the 29th ult., has just been bought up at 41 and 42 florins per 50lbs. Netlierlands-being an advance of 2s, to 3s. per cent, at Rotterdam. Prices are now adjusted—Straits being fixed at 70s. to 72s., being in proportion with Banca, at 73s. to 75s,, at which rates parcels just arrived are to be had for re-export, Spelter is dull ofsale. In other metals no new feature to notice,

GLASGOW PIGIRON TRADE, SEPT ,14.-We have had rather a brisker demand than usual this week for pig-iron, and the price was rather on the advance but to-day there was less doing, and the market closed less firmly. The price is about the same as our last quotation—namely, 45s. 6d. for mixed Nos.—cash, DUDLEY, FRIDAY.—A few weeks ago (subsequent to .the last ironmasters' quarterly meeting, when a reductii a of the wages of the men was determined upon), it was stated generally upon the authority of the great manufacturers, that the trade had upon a sudden revived; and that, as compared with the circumstances anticipated this staple produce and manufacture of South Stafford- thirehad again become prosperous. At the present moment, the manufacturing condition of the iron districts of South Staffordshire is peculiar, The reduction of wages resolved upon at Stewponey, in July, was carriedinto effect. The workpeople, it is true, for a time, resisted but afterwards, in consequence of the statements made, and the fair promises held out to tliem, they returned to, qr con- tinued at, work, The attempt made to arrange the rate of wages according to the price of iron, if seriously entertained, appears to have failed altogether. The proposition was fair to the ear, but, lp to this moment (the then crisis having passed over), it does not ppe^r thit any ordinary, certainly not extraordiuarjr, effort hi# been made to carry it out. In such a state matters continued until last week, when the men, taking advantage of the reported buoy- ancy of the trade, again required an advance of, or return to, their old rate of wages. A turn-out was understood to be threatened as a consequence, if their demands were not complied with. The ironmasters have, in the course of the last few days, had two meet- ings upon the subject. The first was held at the Union Hotel, g Birmingham, and the last at the Hotel, Dudley. The result of these meetings, as I understand, is, that the masters have succeeded in convincing the men that the iron trade of the district is not in the prosperous condition in which it has been represented to be, and that at present an advance of wages would be highly injurious to the interests of all parties. It is added, that the men, upon the faith of these representations, have abandoned for the present the idea of a turn-out. There is, however, a printed notice from the coal mines, that an advance of 6d. per day will be required from the 16th. It may be judged from these statements, obtained from unexceptionable authority, that the iron trade of Staffordshire, with the winter approaching, is far from satisfactory. A great portion of the working population are only half or two-thirds em- ployed, while thousands in Wednesbury and its neighbourhood are, in a great degree, dependent upon the poor-rate for their support.

PRICES OF WELSH MINING SHARES. Shares. Company. Paid. Price. 1000 Abergwessyn 7 10000 Banwen Iron Co. 6 6 8000 Blaenavon 60 I7 10000 British Iron, New regis. 10 13 Do do. scrip. 10 10 1000 Cwm Erfin 34.. 1 3000 Dyfngwm 10 124 6400 Gadair 2 2 100 Grogwynion 5 — 1000 Llwyn Malys 5 •• — 3600 Llynvi iron 50 50 5000 Merionethshire Slate and Slate Slab Co. Ii 2 40(0 Pennant. 2 1 100 Penrhiw. 30 65 10000 Rhymney Iron. 60 13 10000 Ditto New 7 6 2500 Rhoswhiddol Mine 10

MONEY MARKET. WEDNESDAY EVENING. The English Stock Market has undergone scarcely any variation since our last, and prices are without any material change. In Foreign Stocks the business has very slightly increased, and shares to any large amount are become unsaleable. One-half per cent., however, has been about the extent of the variation in most of the bonds-dealt in. The Railway Share Market, the peculiar state of which we noticed last week. has sunk now to such a low point that hoMers seem incredulous and buyers more irresolute than ever. Sales, con- sequently, are daily pressed under the most disadvantageous cir- cumstances, and prices are driven lower and lower. The market rallied a little on Monday and Tuesday, but with no signs of a permanent improvement. The accounts received pn Friday by the Cambria" steamer from America state that there was plenty of grain available for exportation, although at that date the stocks at the sea-board were rather low. The private accounts received from Paris state that the Govern- ment treasury was again exceedingly low, and that the want of funds was proving very embarrassing to the Ministry.

LONDOR COltN KXCHANGE. MONDAY, SEPT. 18.—There was only a moderate supply of English wheat to this morning's market, and having little or no improvement in the quality of the new wheats, the trade was rather heavy, unless for superior dry samples, whiek fetched Is. to 2s. per qv. above last Monday's prices. In other sorts there was no altera- tlOn. The best foreign wheat met a steady consumptive demand, and floating cargoes were in request. Barley was dull and rather cheaper, unless fine new for malting. In malt not much doing. Beans and peas maintained last week's prices, and fine white boiling peas readier sale. We had not so many buyers of oats to-day, but the arrivals were not extensive, and prices* fully as high. Good fresh flour sold pretty readily, but not dearer. QUOTATIONS. S. 8. Wheat, red to 60 Fine u ••• 0 White 43 65 Fine P u Flour, persaek (Town) 46. 52 Barley 2S 34 Malting 26 .32 Malt, Ordinary 54 .56 j Pale 54 62 Rye ^8 ••• 31 B. 8. Peas, Hog 37 to 38 Maple 34 40 Boilers 10 .42 Beans, Ticks 31 34 Pigeon 33 36 Harrow 33 37 Oats, Feed 19 23 Fine 23 26 Poland 20 26 Potato .20. 26

SMITHFIELD. MONDAY, SEPT. 18.-The attendance of both town and coun- try buyers was by no means large, while the beef trade ruled exceedingly heavy at a decline in the quotations of Monday last of 2d. per 8 lbs. Long woolled sheep generally were very dull. There was a fair average number of lambs in the market. All kinds moved off slowly, at barely stationary prices. Price per stone of Slbs. (sinking the offal) Beef 2sl0dto4»0cj Veal 3s. 6d. to 4s. 4d. Mucton:3 10 5 0 | Pork 4 0 .5 2J. Lambs 4 0 5 Of HEAD OF CATTLK AT SMITHFIUXD. Beasts. Sheep & Lambs. Calves. Pigs. Friday 1,185 9>680 456 ?9° Monday 4,7o8 27,400 216 413

WOOL MARKET. CITY, MONDAY, SEPT. 18.—The quantity of wool imported into i London last week was large.' The public sales of wool are still in progress at the Hall of Commerce, and are going off satisfactorily. IIOPS.

T TALLOW, LONDON, MQNEAY, SISPT. 18.—Since our. last report our market hasruled very active, and prices have advanced 2s. per cwt. P.Y.C. on the spot is selling to-day, at 47s. 3d. to 47s. (kl.; and nearly equally high rates are demanded for forward delivery. Last week's delivery was good, Town Tallow is 47s. 6d, to 47s. 9d. per cwt., net cash. Rough Fat has risen to 2s, 8|d, per 8 lbs. Letters from St. Petersburgh represent a good trade to be doing there, at improved quotations.

— — HAY. SMITIIVIBLD, SEPT. 15.—At per load of 36 trusses. Meadow. 60s. to 72s. I Cloyer. 80s. to 100s, New ditto 48s. to 66s. | New ditto, 70s. to 9€«. Straw.*•«*•*«» 26s. to 30a, '.yv. ■;

HIDES. LEADBNHALL.-farkct hides, 561b. to 641b., lid. to 2d. per lb.; ditto, 641b. to 721b., 2d. to 2.fd.: ditto, 721b. to 80ib., 2jd. to 2ld ditto, 801b. to 881b., 3d; to 3jd. ditto, 881b. to 961b., 3|d to 3*d.- ditto;961b: to 1041b, 3^d, to 3Jd,; Galf-Skins, each 4s. 6d. toOi. od ■* Horse hides, gs. 6d. to Os.; Lainb Skins, Is. Qdvto 2s. 6el. j Shear- lings, Is. 2d. to Is. 7d.

-v. COLONIAL MARKETS. Tuesday Evening. We have again to report that the opening of the sugar market has a depressed appearance, and that a further decline of 6d. has been submitted to without stimulating buyers, so heavy is the stock 011 hand and so anxious are importers to make sales. COFFEE.-Good ordinary native Ceylon sold heavily in public sale 27s. 6d. to 28s., which is a decline of fully 6d.; washed Ri. sold 28s. 6d. to 29s., which were low prices; plantation Ceylon sus- tained about last week's prices. Madras Rice sold steadily at 93. 6d. to 10s., which was 3d. under last week's currency.

WELSH MARKETS. PONTYPRIDD. SEPT. 20.-Wheat, old, 8s. Od.to 9s. Od. per bushel; new, 6s. 0d, to 6s. 6d.; Barley, 4s. Od. to 4s. 6d. Oats, 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d.; Fresk Butter, Is. 2d. to Os. Od. per lb. salt, Os. lid. Cheese, 4d. to 7d. Beef, 4d. to 6d. Mutton, 6 Jd. to 7d.; Geese, 6d. to 7d. per lb.; ducks, 3s. 6d. to Od. Od. per couple; fowls, 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d. Potatoes, Id. per lb. "v"V'

CARMARTHEN. SEPTEMBER 16.—Our market is lowering, prices are as follows:- Wheat, 7s. Od. to 7s. 3d. per win.; Barley, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per win.; new barley, 4s. Od. to 4s. 3d.; Oats, Is. IOd. to 2s. 6d.'per win.; Butter, 83d. to 8Jd. per lb.; Cheese, JM Os. Od. to 1;0 Os. Od. per ewt. New Cheese, El 2s. Od. to El 3s. 6d. Beef, 3id. to 6d. per lb.; Mutton, 5d. to 6id. Lamb, 5d. to 6d.; Veal, 3d. to õid.; Cow Hides, ld. per lb.; Tallow, 34d. to 4d. pet. lb. Fowls, Is. Id. to Is 3d. each; Ducks, Is. 6d. to 2s: Od. Geese, 3s. 6d. to 4s. Od. Potatoes, eight lb. for 6d.; Fish, Sewin, 61d. per lb.; Salmon, 7d.; Eggs, two for Id. I

HAVERFORDWEST. new, 5s. 9d. to 7s.; ditto, old, 6s. 6d, to 7*. 3d.; Barley, new, 3s to 3s. 9d.; ditto, old, 3s. 9d. to 4s. Od.; Beet, 6d.to6jd.; Mutton, 5d. to 6d.; Pork, 5^d. to 6d. Lamb, od.to 6,1. Veal, 4d. to aid.; Ducks, Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. each; Fowls, 0s. 9d. to Is. 2d. ditto; Eggs, twenty-four for Is.; Potatoes, two lbs. lor l id. -V"V'

CARDIGAN. SEPT. 16.—Wheat, 7s. to 7s. 6d. per win.; Barley, 4s. to 4fi.-Bd.; Oats, 2s. to Os. Od.; Beef, 4d. to5d.; Mutton, 444. to 5jd.; Veal, 4d: ^o 5d.; Lamb, 4id. to 5d.; Fresh butter, IOd. to Is.; Salt, 8Jd. t. Od. Cheese, new, 18s. to 20s. per cwt. "'>,r"

ABERYSTWITH. SEPT. 18.—Wheat, new, 7s. 3d. to Ss. Od. old, ditto, 8s. Od. to 8s. 6d.; barley, new. 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od; old, ditto, 4s. 9d. to 5s. 3d.; oats, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 3d.; fresh butter, 18 ounces, Is. to la Id cheese, new, 34d. to 4d.; ditto, old, 4d. to 4id.; mutton, 6d. to 7d. per lb.; beef, 7d. to 8d.; fresh Tivy salmon, 9d. to 10d.; eggs, two for Id.

NEWPORT. SEPT. 16.-Beef, 6id. to 7d. per lb.; Mutton, 64d. to 7d.; Lamb, 7d. to Od.; Pork, 7d. to Od.; Fowls, 3s. Od. to Os. OL per couple. Ducks, 4s. Od. to Os. Od. per couple Geese, 3s. 6d. to 4s. Od. each; Potatoes, 8d. to Od. per quarter; plùms, 2d. per quart; Fresh Butter, Is. Od. to Is. 2d.; salt ditto, lOd. to Is. Od.

MERTHYR. SEPT. 16.-Mutton, 6d. to 7d.; Beef, 5d. to 7d.; Lamb, 6d. to 7d.; V eal,5d. to 7d.; Pork, .6d. to 7d.; Butter, Salt, Os. to 10d. Fresh, Is. Id. to Os. Od. cheese, 4d. to 9d.; geese, 7d. to 8d. per lb.; fowls, 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d. per couple; potatoes, eight pounds for 6d.; cabbages, Is. per dozen; pickled ditto, 3s. pep dozen; kidney beans, Id. per lb.; onions, Id. per lb apples, la. t» ite.'pcrilttlrthredc-y- poayty — .,¿.y.

SWANSEA. SEPT. 16.—Wheat, 7s. Od. to 8s. 8d. Barley, 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od. Oats, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 6d. per bushel.—Meat (per lb., to sink th« offal); Beef, prime, 5,4d. good, 5d. inferior, 4d.; Mutton,, prime, 6Jd.; good, 5id. inferior, 5d. Lamb, prime, 6d.; good, 5.id., inferior, 5d. Veal, prime, 6d. good, 5id.; inferior, 4d. Pork, prime, 54d. good, 5id.; inferior, 5d.; Fresh Butter (19oz.), Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. Salt ditto, in cask, 81d. to 9d. per lb.; skim milk Cheese, old, Od. to Od; per lb; new, ditto, Od. to Od. per lb. Fowls, 2s. Od. to 3s. lOd. per couple; ducks, 21;. IOd. to 3s; 10d. per couple; eggs, nine for 6d. Potatoes, id. to ld. per lb.

v'V"V' CARNARVON. SEPT. 16.—Wheat, 60. to 63s.; Barley, 32s. to 34s.; Oatmeal, 27s. to 29s.; Beans, 72s. ti 80s; Longpod, per bushel, 15a. to 16s. j Vetches, per Cibbyn, 2s. 6d. to 3s.

EXPORTS OF METALS TO ALL INDIA FROM LONDON AND LIVERPOOL, FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1847 AND 1848. METALS. 1847. 1848. IN. IN 1848. DEC. IX 1848. Spelter Tons 1,868 2,261 393 — Copper. 2,612 2,434 178 Iron, British .» 7,883 14,009 6,125 — Ditto, foreign 652 203 449 Tin-plates..Boxes 6,495 2,931 3,564 Lead Tons 641 432 — 189 L ad Steel. 703 110 395 Quicksilver Bottles 50 15 35

LIVERPOOL CORN EXCHANGE. TUESDAY, SEPT. 19.—A slight advance, which is not likely to be maintained in consequence of the improved state of the harvest.

PROVISION MARKET. LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 18.—The demand for butter has improved. Sales to a respectable extent have been offered on board and landed. About the middle of last week buyers appeared and operated rather freely, as sellers met them at a decline of from Is. to 3s. per cwt. Prices subsequently rallied. In the English butter market we note a slight improvement in our trade for fresh goods, but stale things are still neglected the price demanded for such being so much beyond that of Irish butter, the stock of which is immense at this time. Bdter, per cwt. a. s. Dorset 50 to 52 Carlow 84 — — SO 84 Cork; 1st. "84 86 Waterford 82 Limerick 83. Foreign, prime- Friesland 98 Kiel 86 90. presh Butter, per dozen, 10s. 3d. to lis. Od. Cheese, per ewt, s. s. Double Gloucester. 60 to 70 Single 46 56 Cheshire 56 74 Derby. 63 66 American. 50 54 Edam and Gouda 46 58 78 Bacon, new. 78. itfiddle 50 60 Hams, Irish 82 — Westmoreland. 80 84 Yorkshire 84 90

BOROUGH, MONDAY, SEPT. 18.—About 600 to 700 pockets of the new grqwth have reached our market, principally from Sussex and the Weald of Kent, some of which have been sold at from 56s. to 63s. None of the choicer growths of Mid. and East Kents have yet been received. The duty is estimated at £ 205,000 to £ 210,000. Sussex rockets, .4os. to 04s. Weald of Kents..50s. to 56s. Mid. and East Kents. 56s, to 112*,

BREAD. The prices of Wheaten Bread in the metropolis are from M te 81d. of household ditto, 6d. to nd. per 41bs. loaf.

MOLD. SEPT. 16.-Wheat, per hobblet, 18s. Od. to 20s. 6d.; Oats, 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d.; Barley, lis. Od. to 112s 6d.; Vetches, Os. Od. to 0s. Od. Beef 7d. to 8d.; Mutton, 6d. to 7d.; Veal, 5d. to 7d.; Bacon, 7d. to 8d. Ham, 8d. to 10d.; Ducks, per couple, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. Fowls, Is. 6d. to Is. 8d. Potatoes, per hobbet, Os. Od. Butter, Fresh, lid. to 12d.; Silt, 9d. to 10d.; Eggs, twenty for Is.; New Potatoes, id per lb.

írtbf). On the 15th inst., the wife of James Williams, Esq., surgeon, Brecon, of. a son. » On the 17th inst, the wife of the Rev. T. Ashford, Begelly, of a son, Marriages. On the 5th inst., at Moriah chapel, Risca, by the Rev. J. Rowe, the RcT. John Jones, of Goitre, near Abergavenny, to Miss Margaret Williams. On the 8th inst., at Maehynlleth, Montgomeryshire, Mr. George Holloway, butler to Sir John Edwards,. Bart., to Miss Catherine Thomas, daughter of Mr. David Thomas, Maengwyn Cottage, and sister to the Rev. John Thomas, Shrewsbury. On the 13th inst., at Cilcenin, by the Rev. J. James, Mr. John Evans, Cwm- marchisaf, to Miss Elizabeth Rees, Tirbach, both of the above parish. On the 16th inst., at Ebenezer, Cardiff, by the Rev. D. Jones, Richard Phillips to Miss Elizabeth Davies, both of Pentyrch. On the 18th inst., at Ynysgau chapel, by the Rev. T. B. Evans, ia the pr«- sence of Registrar Lewis, Mr. Thomas Pritchard to Miss Ann Davies, both of Penydarran. On the 20th inst., at Ebenezer chapel, Aberdare, by the Rev. W. Edward*, Mr. John Morgans, clerk at the Abernallt iron works, to Miss Iloyd, niecii of Mr. Leysou Jones, agent, Llwydcoetl, Aberdare. Beatfrs. On the 4th inst., after a short illness, at Rotterdam, Capt. J. Saromel Wal- ters, of Swansea, deeply regretted by his family and friends, in the 52nd year of his age. On the 12th inst., at Regent's Park-terracei London, Mrs. James Richard- son, after having given birth to a son. On the 14th inst., at Whitley, in the parish of Lampeter Velfrey, near Nsr- berth, Daniel Thomas, Esq., aged 51, universally respected. On the 14th inst., at Neath, Mr. Thomas ThOmas, corn and flour merchant, aged 30. On the 15th inst, at Aberystwith, Mrs. Jones, the beloved wife of Captai* David Jones, schooner Agenoria, of this port, aged 37. I On the 15th inst., at Aberystwith, Mrs, Hughes, wife of Mr. John Hughes, cooper, Heart of Oak, aged 58. On the 15th inst., at Aberystwith, Mr, Mordecai Thomas, ship's carpenter, aged 74. On the lSth inst., at Aberystwith, George, son of Mr. William Rice, stone- cutter, aged 5. On the 16th inst., of consumption, at Aberystwith, Mr. Evan Richards joiner, second son of Mr. Richard Williams,.Thespian-street, aged 32. On the I6th inst., Thomas Johnson, Esq., North Parade, Aberystwith, ftr- merly of the Cape of Good Hope, aged 58; On the 19th inst., at Narberth, Mr. David Phillips, landlord of the Rufae* Arm-i. ■. Qn the 30th inst., at Cadoxton-juxta-Barry, Miss Isabella Lowrie, daugb' ter of the late Mr. Lowrie, of the same place. In life beloved, in death tI1 mented. On the 20th inst., suddenly, Mr. Thomas Oliver, printer, "&e., Commerais-1' street, Newport, Monmouthshire. Printed and published by the proprietor; DAVID EVANS, at his 0OW4 No. 7, North-street, (near the Savings Bank,) in the town of Cardiff, in pariah of it. Joipi the Baptist, Glamorganshire, Friday, Sept. 2&

is only yet in its infancy, and that public opinion, as alleged by Mr. Davies, is as yet in the process of formation. This may be characterised as ludicrously egotistic, especially by you and other leader makers—the privileged to speak in plural. But you may feel assured that much distrust obtains at the pro- fessed enunciations of several young theologians, who have and are belabouring to become prominent, acting of course from the purest motives, impelled by first impressions, and that their naked assertions are not regarded as incontrovertible maxims. Had I ever entertained your opinions, with the knowledge that many who have been in the habit of thinking and judging for themselves who had not been backward but foremost to de- nounce and most assiduous to attack the strongholds of eccle- siastical despotism, some who had gained experience by even presiding over theological institutions, differing from me, I -would pause ere I would defend those opinions with such an air of contempt and ridicule, and ere I would charge them with disseminating doctrines pernicious to civil and religious liberty." a -But your indulgence in triumphant sarcasm can be met with more pleasantry than anger. In the face of sneers at the good t-aste" of such as may have taken but a partial part, or even such as may have hitherto kept entirely aloof from the move- ment," in interfering at all" with it, while it is contemplated to found institutions, allowed to bear on their front the impress of finality and infallibility in a qualified sense, and inscribed with such ominous names as Welsh Educational Society-- the NormaLCollege for Wales,"—to whose support the nation, and especially Dissent, is held forth as pledged-I see no cause for apology on the part of a Welshman or a Dissenter for can- vassing their merits. < Your demeanour would be amasingly improved if you were, even now, to take counsel from your friend and correspondent the IteY. E. Davies, who, while addressing himself to your op- ponents, betrays deep feelings of remorse on behalf of his party," and of apprehension of an approaching day of retri- bution, and likewise a position of affairs that ill accords with a definite and permanent plan of action, to be carried out at all immense cost. While your views have been allowed to be ex- hibited with such overwhelming conspicuousness, so as to be hardly disturbed in isolated instances by opinions expressed with calmness, solicitude, and caution, you must be conscious of the existence of an under-current making way amid and beneath your sweeping censure and superlative contempt. I fail to accommodate my conscience to the temporising po- licy of your moderates who invite to join in the accomplish- ment of a present possible amount of good, though allied to an admitted quantity of positive evil—my frail judgment shrink- ing from such an office as the balancing the preponderance of moral influences in such a case. I have no sympathy with the possessors of those pliable consciences that will submit to an acknowledged error for the sake of union and co-operation," ,and not only for their own lives, but will consent to the en- tailing of the temporalities entrusted to their stewardship, to the evident prejudice of the rights of posterity. If the promoters of Welsh Dissenting movement for what you please to call free education are really convinced of the soundness of their opinions, and of the proposed constitution of the Normal College for Wales, what have they to fear from « prolongation of discussion ? But a precipitant and pertina- cious resolve swayed by clamour and contempt to shut up and preclude further debate indicates rather strongly what kind-of apprehension they labour under. After all, the mere value of the property conveyed and the endowments assigned for the use of the institution is a matter of very trivial importance, and principally concerns the sub- scribers but in the policy pursued there are questions of infi- nitely greater weight involved, whose probable effects on the abettors of our haughty and proud hierarchy, on the one hand, and on the progress of the principles of Nonconformity on the other, produce in my mind much distress and anxiety. Apart from State grants, and while entertaining increasing doubts as to both the duty and expediency of the Government to aid, or interfere in, the education of the people, I am con- firmed in an early entertained opinion that the position taken by the most prominent among Dissenters with regard to the subject is such as they will find disadvantageous and untena- ble, and from which they will speedily seek a way for retreat, -viiich I lear they cannot effect ere disastrous consequences ensue. I maintain that the abstract question of State education is such as ought to .have been politically discussed, and has no accessary connexion with religious .miongKt not tn i.e comb.itted on Dissenting ground. It is true that all the propositions of our Government up to the present moment are fcuoh as must be repugnant to the conscience of every one who understands and approves of the principles of Nonconformity. Had they confined their agitation to the simple and Self-evident point of the application of State money to the support of a re- ligious education, it is almost certain that their labours would have been crowned with success-success as regarded unani- mity of action amongst themselves, and as regarded the pro- ceedings of those in power; and amid the ignorance that pre- vailed amongst even Dissenters as to the bearing of their own principles, the task would have been quite sufficient to engage the most talented energies they could command. But instead ut confining themselves to this, they rushed to the general combat, grappled with the political subject m the character of Dissenters, and treated it in every respect as a religious ques- ^rhe natural consequences were a sullen disregard on the part of the Government, and an extensive secession and disho- nourable suirender from the ranks of Dissent. However averse to the principles of religious liberty the pro- positions of Government were, though there were good reasons for anxiety and watchfulness, still I saw no cause for alarm- nothing which the powers of truth and freedom could not ea- sily and effectually overcome if applied with discretion and perseverance. To find the Dissenters disconcerted and preci- pitant at such a moment was quite unworthy of their high caling, of the sufferings endured and the blood shed by their fore fathers for conscience sake. But instead of steadily repu- diating and protesting against the aggression which really con. eerned them, they with unerring fatality challenged not merely the efficiency of their power to effect the moral, but the social Tenovation of the country, and immediately put voluntaryism to the proof by setting about erecting antagonistic institutions i which however, on close inspection partake much of the cha- T'leter of the irritative), regardless of the probable lavish squan- der from the spoils of oppression aided by the national purse. But the struggle it seems is not to last for ever—the pros- pect is exceedingly fair. By putting forth « undivided and uncompromising energies," "ignorance and all its concomi- lant evils" are to be banished from the land When the last man shall be religiously educated, ignorance can never more contagion-like torment mankind, Knowledge will descend hereditary from generation to generation, "The chief characteristic of the theory is—it was to be im- pressed with the awfulness and solemnity of a religious obli- ,"tion. Education must be of a mixed character, The in. structio 1 must be such that religion shou'd pr.d->minate, No xeli'nous man dares consistently to suffer his child to be edu- on any other system. Neither can he identify himself with the inipirtin,, of learning to his poor neighbours in any other shape. This is assumed—Is asserted. I know it will be at the risk of being charged with impiety, and may be with infidelity, that any one can venture to profess the contrary of this. That consideration to my knowledge operates on the minds of some of the most eminent ministers in the land so as to gag them, and even to produce a tacit ac, quiescence in the proceedings of the day, There can be no opinion of which I would more readily be convinced of its error than this, because it gives me pain; but I must admit before my fellow mortals and the searcher of my heart that up to this moment I cannot help regarding all this as sheer cant and pure priestcraft, and identified with the avowed policy of the Roman, Saxon, and all the established Churches of Christendom, and involving in it nil the evil ge- nius of religious establishments, Religious freedom is but very imperfectly understood, when conceived to be applicable alone io the policy of a state. The kingdom that is not of this world »< ia not from hence," as regards the minutest form in which human associations can be found. It is equally repugnant to the principles of its pure truths to descend by force as by ftealth into the human heart, I discredit the probability of divine truth being brought into a saving contact with a de- praved mind when amalgamated with secular knowledge. Ex- perience and analogical reasoning show the fallacy of the theory. Religion is more likely to become secularised in. the process, and th; great facta of salvation to be received in word only and liot inpower, The moment I am convinced that it is right, and ft duty to teach religion in school and in a scholastic form to children, I vill by alf means and to Ae wtnvwt extent of my power teach them what I concenre to be the whole counsel of God. I would not teach a part, and leanthere8 to chajv.e, It ia equally important, that man should know his duty towards God and to ? fcnow whz*t the Lord in his mercy has done for him. I cha!- 4 lenge you to show me how this can be done faithfully and con- ecientiausly under your combined efforts as religious bodies. The theory fails, I admire the manliness of the English Con- egation,vltists A;ld the Church of England as regards consis- leacy ia this, Jf the instruction is to be religious, it must ha «en W} national. To attempt the contrary would be against moral im^ossibUities, Who ia to draw the line of dem.ircation | where encroachment on your neighbour's faith commences? To whom will be deputed the privilege of selecting and stamp- ing for currency immaterial truths ? To the majority of sub- scribers I suppose. Where is the soul sufficiently enslaved to withhold according to rule his candid views on the Divine sys- tem of salvation in every respect, while undertaking to mould a mind destined for eternity ? d' What has been said on this subject as applicable to your Normal College for Wales, is unanswered and unanswerable, and it will be no disappointment to find that this will not be attempted-that public attention will be more suppressed than promoted, until the discussion is legally closed to all practical purposes. Be it so. The lookers-on are more than justified in their apathy by deep-seated distrust in the soundness of the movement altogether, and in an apprehension that they disco- ver in this institution, though professing to be intended for the nation, and for the benefit of all, much that is identical with others adopting names of a general application, while they are to all intents and purposes denominational and sectarian, I am, sir, yours unfeignedly, ASA J. EVANS. Cardigan, September 12, 1848. [We have written much and earnestly on this subject for the last twelve months, and we are perfectly willing to compare notes, with Mr. Asa J. Evans, as to which of us has mostly indulged in "ludicrous egotism," "airs of contempt and ridi- cule," "triumphant sarcasm," "sneers," "sweeping cen- sure," "superlative contempt," "pertinacity, precipitancy and clamour," within the same compass. The arguments which the learned gentleman adduces, have been replied to over and over, and he must, therefore, excuse us for not doing the same work again. We agree with him that State Education has no necessary connexion with religious freedom, but all the pro- posals of Government, as he observes, has thus far encroached upon it. Any system of State Education must interfere, more or less, with the liberty of the subject. Far be it from us to charge Mr. Evans with impiety or infidelity, for advocating secular education but he must be fully aware, if he has read much on the subject of his letter, that that system, wherever tried, has been fatally productive of that result.! At all events we have never said anything more grievous of the State, than Mr. Evans does of the frer, educationists.—ED.]