The Principality

4) MELANCHOLY AND AWFUL INSTANCE OF SUDDEN DEATH. On Wednesday morning, rumours were afloat that the body of Mr. James Berry, aged about fifty, the respected actuary of the Savings' Bank in this town, had been found lying on the bank near the feeder. Upon making the necessary inquiries we found the melancholy intelligence too true. The deceased, who was a man of very regular habits, after the banking business of the day was concluded usually took an evening stroll, choosing frequently his favourite walk, down Crockherb- town! Bradley-lane, and enjoying the quietude and coolness of the banks ot the feeder. That such was the case on Tues- day evening there can be little doubt, for his body was found on the following morning laying 011 the bank ot the feeder, undisturbed, and his property entirely secure about his person. The following articles were found in his trowsers pockets :—A purse containing 1;8 in gold, half-crown, four three-penny pieces one shilling, a sixpence, a silver snuff-box, two gold seals, attached to a chain of the same material, bunch of keys, silver spectacles, pocket-knife, pocket-comb, and a few piece's of sealing-wax. The friends of the deceased gentleman were apprised of themelancholy occurrence, and the body was conveyed to the Infirmary, there to await the coroner's inquest.

THE INQUEST. At eleven o'clock, an inquiry into the death of this much- respected gentleman, took place at the Infirmary, before the coroner, Lewis R. Reece, Esq., and the following highly- respectable jury :— Mr. John Todd, Foreman Samuel Jones Hobert Nicholl I Ri hard Maggs Nathan Proudlow Thomas.Mitehell Lockey Tanner Mr. David Phillips John Williams William Armstrong Alxander Bevan George Bevan Richard Jones John Winstone. The coroner having addressed a few words to the jury upon the nature of the inquiry, they adjourned to view the body, which presented every appearance of death from apoplexy Having been sworn, they returned to the jury-room, where the following evidence was taken :—Mr. William Bird, brother-in- law to deceased, was first examined. He deposed: I saw the deceased alive last night about half-past nine o'clock, between the Mason's Arms public-house and his own home, in Croekherbtown. I was going towards Crockherbtown and I met him coming towards his house. He appeared to be return- in"- from a walk. I did not stop, but merely bowed, wished each other "good night," and then passed oil. That was the last time I saw him alive. I never heard that he was subject to fits. Had he been I should have heard. He appeared very well last night. I have not heard him complain lately. It was usually on Savings Bank business I saw him. I never heard that he had a fit. He was a very regular and sober man. By a jurior I did not see a stick in his hand when I passed him. Mr. John Grierson, in answer to a question from one of the jurors, said: I think he left home at about nine o'clock. Mrs. Berry told me so. Marv James, servant to deceased, deposed My master took. tea at home about five o'clock last night. He did not go out afterwards, until Mrs Berry came in at eight o'clock. He was engaged in the bank. About half-past eight he said to Mrs. Berry that he had been working very hard all day and thought he would go out. He did so. After he had left, I saw him 'standing at the corner by the lamp for sometime. He was in the habit of going out of an evening for a walk. He also goes generally before breakfast. Of an evening he returns about ten o'clock. He is very regular. He did not come home last night. Mistress got very uneasy at twelve o'clock. I went to bed about ten. Mistress told me she was uneasy this morning. I was called about half-past three by Mrs. Berry, when the body was found. I have not heard him complain of being ill. I saw him eat very hearty yesterday. He was always in before I went to bed. Mrs. Berry did not come to the bed-room to me, but called me from the stairs. When I came down stairs I found mistress in very great trouble and her daughter as well. There was a young woman standing by the hall door. It was Fanny Birt. She had come to tell mistress that she had seen master lying dead by the side of the feeder. I heard her say so. I came down in my frock and bonnet only, and mistress said tome, "You will know your master, and you go with this young woman [here the witness, who appeared greatly affected during the inquiry, burst into crying]. We went alone down Crockherbtown and up Brad- lev-lane. The young woman showed me. When we got by the feeder it was about ten minutes past four. It was light. We went down the walk tfrom the bridge about twenty yards and I saw the body. We saw George Willaims going down Crockherbtown. He wasalso near the body. Deceased was lying (Ill his stomach, his head in the hedge and feet towards the water. His hat was off his head, and his gloves on the ground. Mr. Todd, who had been fetched, came with Mr. Stod lart directly, and about five minutes afterwards Mr. Payne. The body was not touched until Mr Payne came. He examined the body and searched deceased's pockets. His purse was there. lie did not usually carry a watch nor had he one then. He had no pocket handkerchief. He was carried by four men OIl a ladder to this place. By a Juror I should know his handkerchief if I saw it. The piece produced is not a portion of it. It having been suggested that his handkerchief might have been in his coat pocket which had not been searched, a police constable was despatched to see. However it was not there. Resumed: He usually carried a handkerchief. Mr. Todd deposed I was called this morning by Miss Berry and Hannah Jones, and I was told that Mr. Berry was dead. As I was going along I met Mr. Stoddart, and he accompanied me. I got a policeman and came on down to the spot. Did not call t t Mr. Berry's house. What the previous witness has deposed is correct with reference to the body. James Jones deposed: Just before I went to bed I saw Mr. Berry standing near the lamp-post at the Savings Bank. It was about half-past ten, for I was in bed at a quarter to eleven. I know the time, as I was in a money club and left about ten, and had my supper and went to bed. The servant was here re-called and asked if her master took supper ? She replied, Yes, always." Resumed I always look out into the street before I close the door for the night. It was when I did that that I saw him. I am sure it was him. He was looking up. I did not speak to him; he was too far off. I did not think anything, and went in and shut the door. The Coroner: It is very odd he did not go in home then, he being a man of such regular habits. Is there any further evi- denee as to his having been seen after? Mr. Stockdale No, not at present. The Coroner I hardly think it is necessary, as there is nothing in his going on farther. He might have met a friend and gone to the end of Crockherbtown, but there is a satisfac- tion in knowing what was the inducement. Mr. L. Hannah said that he had been told by his wife that she saw the deceased going towards the Rose and Crown about half-past ten. Hannah Jones said A young girl named Fanny Birt lives in my father's house. She was going to Bath at seven o'clock and she got up at half-past three, and went out for a walk. When we got as far as the bridge, down Bradley-lane, Fanny Birt said to me "Oh, look at that drunken man." I did not think he was drunk from the position he was lying in. As soon as I saw him I knew him by his trowsers. He was in our house that evening, looking at the birds. He was lying with his head under the hedge and his leet towards the water When we saw the body we went over the gate towards ir. Deceased was lying on his face; his hat was off, and his gloves by the side of his hat. I took him by the leg, and I said "Mr. Berry." I thought lie ,was asleep or tipsy. He did not answer, I called him three times. We then thought lie was d'al. We d d not lojk at his face. I was quite sure it was him from his dress. I then went and informed Mrs. Berry that I had seen her husband. I and Miss Berry went together and called Mr. Todd. His wife came down stairs with him. Mr. Todd came out and we got a policeman who went with us. We saw George Williains near the Red Lion door. We did not speak to him but went into Mrs. Berry's. He must have heard the conversation as he came up and stood by the door. By a Juror: Di 1 not see Mr. Berry after he came in to look at the birds. I was up when father had his tea. When I went to bed it was about.a quarter past ten. Father came up a short time after. Fanny Burt corroborated this evidence. The Coroner said that it was clear the two girls were the first two who saw the body. Williams mast h ive gained his infor- mation of them by what he had heard when at Mr. Berry's. He would now examine Mr. Payne, as with regard to de- ceased's pockets, as it would remove some few suspicious circumstances. Mr. TueLl here informed the Coroner he had been told by Mrs. Berry that deceased's father and mother had died a similarly sadden death. The Coroner said that there was certainly sufficient evidence that the deceased was found dead, and it was now for the Jury to ascertain, if possible, how and by what means. The great object would be for them to learn that there had been no foul play, and then they would cor.sult upon he necessity or not of employing a medical man. He did not mean to say that a post-mortem examination was really necessary, for he felt satisfied from what he had heard, both from medical gentlemen and others, that death was the result of disease, and although Mr. Todd had informed the Jury that he had heard from deceased's lady that his father and mother had died in a fit, yet he did not know that they could t;,ke that as a rule in all families but he thought they might do so in instances like the present' where the individual was of stout frame and full habit. He had no doubt if the Jury asked Mr. Payne, the medical gentle- man, hs would tell them that short stout persons were more likely to die of disease of that sort than thin spare men. He would leave it to the Jury as to whether they would require Mr. Payne's evidence. Mr. Winstone: Yes, let us take Mr. Payne's opinion by all means. The Coroner I think so too, although the fact of deceased's not going home at his usual time of night amounts to nothing. He might have fallen down for many hours previous to his body being found. That, however, is all conjecture. He might have gone up the North-road, and continued his walk towards the spot where his body was found, for his boots show that he must have walked some distance in damp grass. Mr. Payne, surgeon, then said that he was called about four o'clock on Wednesday by Mr. Todd. He immediately jumped up, slipped on his coat, trowsers, and waistcoat, and ran out. Upon reaching the bridge, he first saw the body from that point,—at least he believed he did. When he got up to deceased, he found that he was lying with his head in the high grass, which pointed to the south and his legs pointing to the north. His arms were Miff and quite colcl. ne was lying on his face. There was a little blood from his nostrils, and a little from his month. His face was turgid, and congested with blood; There was that nature in apoplexy to force blood or he might have struck his nose, and then, perhaps, it would have come out. The quantity of blood found appeared to be no more than ordinary under the circumstances. As far as he could judge from the outward appearances he was satisfied there f was no blow. The appearances were what medical men generally found in cases of the sort. As he was making a statement he would just tell the jury that, about twelve months ago, he prescribed for deceased owiug to his suffering under difficulty of breathing He had his mind refreshed of the circumstance by a conversation he had had this (Wednesday) morning with Mrs. Berry. That lady had then told him that Mr. B. had for some time past been suffering from great:difficulty of breathing, and also from palpitation of the heart. If such was the case, and the heart was affected, that would throw a large quantity of blood to the head, and although that would be the primary cause, yet it was the effect upon the brain which produced apoplexy. He had not the slightest doubt from what he saw, that the death of Mr. Berry was one of apoplexy —that his death was occasioned by natural causes. He (Mr. P.) did not think it would be worth while to have a post mortem ex- amination in short, as far as he was concerned, he had not the slightest doubt in his own mind as to the cause of death. In answer to a question from one of the jury, Mr. Payne said that in all probability his death was instantaneous. In all cases of apoplexy death is immediate. Perhaps life was extinct before his body reached the ground. A j uror: How long do you suppose his body had lain there before it was found ? Mr. Payne About four or five hours. The face was not so dark when we found him. as it is now. In apoplexy there was a gradual discolouration. I saw nothing at all to excite the slightest sus- picion. The Coroner said that there appeared no doubt, uuder all circum- stances, that the cause of death was apoplexy. However, it would be for the Jury, and not for him, to determine. The Jury immediately came to the conclusion that Mr. James Berry's death was caused by a natural consequeuce-viz., apoplexy

MEmiYR A MAJT DROWNED.—An inquest was held on Monday last, on the body of Thomas Richards, living near Clyndyrus. From the evidence it appeared that he was not quite sane, and that he had been missing for a couple of days. His coat was found near the pond at Clyndyrus, and search was made, when his body was found. Verdict-" Found drowned." NEW AIIHANGKMKKTS IN THE POST-OFFICE.—By the recent judicious alterations this town has been greatly benefited, in respect of its postal arrangements. The London mail, which formerly came through Gloucester and Abergavenny, comes now through Bristol, and arrives at Merthyr at 10 a.m. It leaves Merthyr now at 4 30 p.m. through Cardiff, instead of 2 30 as heretofore, thus giving a clear gain of two hours in answering letters. We have heard that our townspeople are not satisfied at its detention in Cardiff for so long a time, and a meeting has been called to take the matter into consideration. ODD FELLOWS' Pitoci,,sb- i c). The various lodges of this town and the neighbourhood had a grand procession on Mon- day last. They were preceded by Womb well's band, and paraded through the town for some time. From the fact of the Menagerie being in the town the number of gazers was in- credibly large, and the attraction of the music and every thing combined made it quite a holiday. We were happy to see the members of the various lodges so neatly dressed, and judging from their numbers we do not think there is much falling off, though the lowness of the wages must greatly affect this, as well as other benevolent institutions. WOMB WELL A\D HYLTON'S MENAGERIES.—These two col- lections—the.,|irst, we hear, the largest in England—has been here for soiri& days. It has been visited by great numbers of the most respectable people of the town, as well as the working classes. On Friday the inhabitants of Aberdare were astonished by a visit from tlil elephaiit, upon whom was mounted the keeper as bill-distributor. Our townsman, Mr. Palmer, who generally performs this function, cannot place a bill on even a low wall without the aid of a ladder, but we heard the man on the elephant handed them to the ladies and gentlemen when sitting at their up-stairs window, without the slightest trouble. In addition to the collection of animals, the band of Womb- well is a great attraction. It is truly delightful to hear their performance of some of the first-rate music. We heard a musical critic speak most highly of their playing the army quadrilles, by Jullieu, on Saturday night. Considering the slackness of trade, and the lowness of wages, we believe both establishments have no need to complain of the lack of patronage. THERE are several severe cases of bowel complaints about the place just now, but the medical gentlemen are agreed that there has been no decided case of asiatic cholera. We are sorry to say the town is, in many places, in a very filthy state, and with the present hot weather very likely to engender some malaria or other, which, doubtless, will prove fatal to some. REDUCTION OF WAGES.—It with great concern we state that the Cyfallhfa workmen all received a notice on Saturday last that their engagement is to terminate in a month. It is not known exactly for what purpose, but it is greatly feared there will be another reduction of wages. No other works has, as yet, done the same, but the example from such a large firm will doubtless be soon followed. PROSPECTS OF THE COMING HARVEST.—From enquiries we have made, added to some observations of our own, we are much gratified to know the prospects of the grain crops are as well as in the recollection of most persons. Even upon the hilly farms of Ystrad, Penderyn, and Ystradfellta, we were much gratified to see some very excellent fields of wheat, oats, and barley, in a very forward state. Such being the case in those districts, those of the more fertile districts must prove abundant. With good weather to secure them the staffs of life will again bless the length and breadth of the land. COAL WORKS AT ABERDARE.—The collieries at this large and important place are in good and steady work, so we understand. The demand for coal is now pretty good, and likely to be for sometime.

LLANELLY. STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH TENBY. A regular line of packets has been establ shed betwe n Tenby and Lla elly, where emnibussei are in waiting to co ivey passengers to the South Wales Railway Station, thus bri-iging the inhabitants of Pem- brokeshire within aft w h urs of London. )

:r-„ • 3 — COFIANT Y diweddar BAXCH. JOHN EVANS, Hebron, a'i Briod -N'l of the late REV. JOHN EVANS, Ilebro 1, and his wife MARTHA). Cardiff: D. Evans. To the subjects of these memoirs no one who knew their characters will deny a place in the annals of religious worth Though the Most High is infinitely above the influence of caprice, yet how strongly developed do we see the absolute sovereignty of the divine purposes, as well as the choice of means and agencies for the carrying out thereof. So indepen- dent are they of human anticipation, and so much beyond the perspicacity of the human ken, that we are tempted to imagine that God's ways to man are conceived with the view of baSing human devises and of checking the pride and presumption of impious mortals. Still infinite wisdom acts upon perfectly rational principles, which are ever clear to the infallible intellect of the supieme, and are evidently the emanations of that mind which cannot err. Yea, though we are compelled to say that man deviseth his way, but that his goings are of the Lord," yet we philoso- phise with delight upon means chosen for given ends and the combination of influences for the development of divine pur- poses. God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty that no flesh may glory in his sight." Our remarks are unavoidably suggested by the honesty and integrity of the brief memoirs before us. We could wish them much more extended. We .vividly see the lamented pair be- fore us in our youthful days and their's—we call to mind times and circumstances in which character is most graphically and truly drawn—we view them from all points, separately and unitedly, when acquaintance was but slight and when a more intimate and tender friendship developed itself. We can- not help tracing the lines by which their earlier acquaintance was formed, the strictly religious, thoughtful, and watchful spirit in which it was matured, and the sternly religious prin- ciple which decided upon conjugal union, simply upon the ground that they could walk together in all the command- ments of the Lord blameless," and serve the cause to which they had given their hearts. Mr. Evans, with his own hand, traces h:s origin from the vale of humiliation, in which, not only those who are bred in poverty are often found, but into which, unfortunately, many who are brought up in affluence often descend. So much the more do we like and recommend this little book, for we think it due to the Most High to give a truthful view of the ways of God to man, marking the steps bv which the Invisible pro- vides for the indigent, and makes impressions upon the hear- by which, in its thoughtless wanderings, He holds dominion there, and checks its strides from youthful folly to glaring immortality. In our judgment, it is equally as wrong to make a parade of the privations of checkered life, as of the more favoured. But we think that taste, at least, viciously wrong which labours to conceal one's origin because it is humble, and that heart radically so which entertains respect for deserving worth no longer than it discovers that one's blood does not dis- tinguish him from the vulgar, and his lineage cannot be traced in golden lines. It is our happiness to know, in this respect,, nothing but man nor can we conceal our thankfulness that the world is verging fast towards this point. To us no object presents itself more attractive, whether in the religious, scien- tific, or political world, than a man who has, in the hand of providence, wrought out his being to that which God approves, and posterity must admire and commend. Mr. E. was one of those men—he was trained in the school of suffering—he secured friendship by his faithfulness—he emerged from his obscurity by promising public talents, and obtained countenance by the genuineness of his religious character. He evidently (in common with all who enter upon a course of preparation for the Christian ministry with right views) went to the Rev. D. Peter, of Carmarthen grammar-school, with a purpose from which nothing incompatible with its nature could divert him. Under that highly-respected and eminent useful man, he could not long be without seeing that steadfastness of pur- pose, as far as means are concerned, makes the man. His education having been unavoidably neglected, he was mostly self-taught; he could read Welsh and English, and had paid some attention to figures. Hence his object was to prepare for admission to college as soon as practicable, in which he suc- ceded beyond expectation. Mr. Evans's progress was as rapid as obstinate application could make it. Short as his time for preparatory studies was, he was able to undertake the usual classical, mathematical, and scientific courses marked out for the junior class. He also, during the four years, maintained a standing which was highly creditable to his head and heart. His theological views were decided, and his piety unquestion- able. Though he was ever open to conviction he was by no means a novice. He was brought up in a school of controversy. He had escaped Scylla, as we find from his own account, and he was happily disinclined to rush into Charybdis' winding streams. His collegiate associations afforded him time and opportunity to test his principles in various ways. But from conscientious, consistent Calvinism he was not tempted to swerve. Mr. Evans's mental calibre, acquirements, and approved qualifications for the ministry may be fairly judged from his having received invitations from so many churches at the ex- piration of his college studies; especially considering that in all of them there were parties of very considerable religious experience, judgment, and sagacity; and by yielding to the claims of the people, who had seen in him the germs of the future preacher, and cherished the development thereof, he manifested his gratitude, fortitude, and confidence in God, though he might justly fear the prophet should not ba honoured among his own people." His path of duty, however became plain, and this memoir proves he was not mistaken. His success encouraged him in his master's work. He had the happiness of admitting, during thirty-one years, above 1,00J souls to Church communion. Were this the only criterion of usefulness, Mr. Evans's labour was not in vain. But the im- portant links which public men of capacity and character form in the chain of influence and events are not to be judged by such a rule, nor to be measured by the contracted views of mortal man. The minds they impress, the characters they are the instrumentality of forming, and the seed they sow can be perfectly known only to Him who forms his sovereign purposes and the instruments by which to give them full effect. The re- spected brethren in the ministry, with whom Mr. Evans stood in immediate connexion, and who have contributed to these memoirs, have faithfully delineated his character—they have known him well—they have dealt neither in adulation nor exaggeration—they have given us the man, the Christian, h e husband, the parent, and the pastor. Those who knew him, or who wish to know what he was, cannot fail to see him, as it before them'in life and labour. Indeed this sketch of the Christian pastor and his help-mee will not fail to instruct, delight, and profit. We truly admire the truthful delineation given by the Rev. J. Lewis of Mrs. Evans's character, disciplined mind, happy disposition, intel- lectual acsumen, and holy religious aptitudes. She, in fact, had been disciplined for God, and sought the wisdom from above." To use her honoured father's words, in his declining years, Martha was the counsellor of the family when age and infirmity rendered care a burthen to her parents, and to her judgment in most things, all were disposed to yield." Such she also proved when she became a wife and a mother. Mr. Lewis's pen has not failed to tell us how well she acted her part. Hence no wonder that we fii-id 11 her husband praising her in the gate, and her children rising to call her blessed." Her parents had the happiness of seeing their five children, professing to travel heaven-ward, and she her six. We devoutly wish the living of them God-speed to the end of life, to prove themselves worthy of such a mother, crowning her memory with the virtues which, if by her seen would well repay her love. We find two of her sons occupyin g sitions supplying the greatest facilities for usefulness—the pulpit and the press. Their field is the world. To these powers that world must yield some day. May their contributions to these powers tenli to purify them, that they may the more prevail. We have done, assuring those who can read a Welsh book, that this small memoir is truly worthy a purchase and perusal. We have refrained from presenting any quotations the whole is brief and hardly admits of selection." We have seldom read any so unexceptionable; had we been inclined to censure it would be the brevity. Having some ground to believe the com- piler to be a near relation of the deceased, we shall be forgiven if we state it as our decided opinion that few relations are lit biographers. If they are truly modest (as in this case) they are too restrained. The world has been sufficiently glutted with the other, extreme of that there is nothing here. Still we feel, from the graphic specimens before us, that had Mr. Joshua Lewis written or compiled the whole with the same documents, and a few more, he would have been much more free and, as we here find, would have inserted nought but truth.-( a Fellow-student of the late Mr. Evans.)