The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian

THE "TIMES" AND THE CARDIFF CON- FESSION. IT is one of the peculiar prerogatives of a journal which, by a very questionable rhetoric<tffeyice, is termed the leading Journal of Europe," thaf^j^Blrtue of its ubiquity and successful catering for the commercial as well as the political wants of the community, it can claim exemption from the consequences of flagrant politicil immorality. To no other known journal in the world is this immunity accorded, hence its admitted power and its inordinate love of displaying that power with a fearlessness and recklessness proportionate to its recognized exemption from the conventional responsi- bilities of the newspaper press. The political lubricity of the Times would be fatal to any other journal. It pleads and successfully, something like prescription for its vacillation. Its enormous lying" when" the state of South Wales'' is to be considered, is set down to the splenetic ebullitions of our own reporter," or the ponderous levities" of some dyspeptic correspondent, who, despite of Welsh mutton abuses—Wales and Welshmen, when his digestion is bad. That which in the Captain is but a choleric word, in the soldier is flat blasphemy That which in the Timet is set down to the convenient necessity of political independence and spirited observation, in journals of less note and hardihood, is treated as flagrant political turpitude, and punished as such. When Oxford fired at the Queen, people were charitable" enough to set it down to the account of irrepressible mono- mania-a convenient excuse for the enormity of firing at < Royalty by way of pistol practice. The delinquent escaped, and by virtue of that plea may claim exemption for all future pistol escapades. If cyer a journal can set up the plea of monomania respecting the state of South Wales," and have its plea allowed, of a verity that journal is the Times. It will be recollected by the readers of the Guardian, that as the first fruits of the special commission, recently held in Cardiff, a full and ample confession was made by the parties then convicted, and which appeared in our columns. People hailed it with pleasure, and as the happy earnest uf a. return to order and tranquillity in the disturbed dis- tricts. If this confession, not more touching for its frank- ness and simplicity, than the contrite and penitent spirit which pervades it, should prove inoperative, and fail of the effects which might be justly anticipated from it, we cannot hesitate to ascribe that failure to the heartless observations of the Times, in transferring that confession to its columns. Here they are, with the toadyism of the Welshman, who consistently pats the Times on the back, and stands god- father to the abortion which it cans" a pleasant article!" "THE CARDIFF CONFESSION.—We are glad to see, says the Welshman, that the piece of gaol composition which we found fault with finds quite as little favour in the eyes of other persons. The Times derisively terms it an edifying composition." We take the following paragraph fiom our contemporary's pleasant article :— The confession of criminals never fails to interest a large portion of the com- munity. The more atrocious the offence, the greater the anxiety with which the autobiography of the culprit is looked out for by the horror-loving public. The Queen's speech is nothing to it. Every moment of suspense, every hour snatched away by the wretched criminal from the short span of his existence, enhances the value of his confession to the almost despairing reader and whenever, as is some- times the case, the latter is cheated of this well-merited satisfaction by the caprice or malice of the former, his indig- nation is roused tenfold, not so much against the crime itself as against the depravity which refused to confess it. No charge of this kind, however, can be brought against the Welsh convicts. They have anticipated the longings of the public, and made a clean breast of it at once. This very edifying composition affords a good illustration of the generally received maxim of law, that the chief object of punishment is to strike terror where it does not inflict pain, and the feelings which it breathes forth are such as this principle would be most likely to engender. Confession without compunction is a sorry kind of repentance. It is the repentance of Dives when in torments and while it cannot benefit the criminal, fails even to operate as a warning to his friends. The confession before us savours little of the voluntary act of a disturbed conscience it laments indeed, bitterly the situation in which its authors are placed; but exhibits little or no sorrow for the offence which brought them to it while the appeal ad misericordiam at the end is but a sneaking attempt to escape the full penalty of the crime by offering a species of bail which, it is to be feared, the disaffected rioters of Wales will not scruple to forfeit for them.' In heartless and elaborate malignity, there is nothing to equal this, except its matchless effrontery. When this con- fession first appeared, the curious in human feelings, perhaps, with some justice, ascribed it to mixed motives. These will not bear to be too narrowly scanned,—what motives will? but people were pleased if the compunctious feelings, the sure precursor of a change of life, had their pro- per share in the motives that prompted the confession, and upon the principle of not looking a gift horse in the mouth, they were content with the document. The Times, however, is less generous, or is wiser than the entire Principality, and sneeringly denounces as a con- fession without compunction, as a sorry kind of repentance," the affecting simplicity of a confession that bore in every line of it, the impress of a penitent and subdued spirit, and an earnest dissuasive to others from criminal courses. With a hardihood, peculiar to itself, and a daring originality, which it reserves for the state of South Wales," the Times sets itself up as the nice and unerring judge of human feel- ings and human motives. Who has constituted this ungenerous and disparaging journal, the arbiter of the destinies of Welshmen?^ Its assumption, as regards this confession, is not more impudent than its strictures im- politic and unjust. Had these poor men remained obdurate in the avowal of their innocence, with the notoriety of their guilt staring them in the face, what a pother" would the Times have set up about the hardened impenitence of the wretched convicts, but now that they have" made a clean breast of it," these poor creatures are to be set down as hypocritical wretches and the confession exacted from their necessities, reviled as the sneaking attempt to escape the full penalty of crime." Of a verity the Times is in what Jonathan calls a fix," and is reduced to something like the predicament of the Irish drummer, who, whether he struck 1 high or low, could not please his victim at the triangle. It may savour somewhat of affectation in us to denounce and expose the mischievous escapades of this journal, but at the hazard of lying under a still heavier imputation, we will not hesitate occasionally to warn the Principality against the insidiousness and power of a journal that possesses the strength of a giant, but hat the bad taste and perverted feeling to use it like one,

BRIDGEND TURNPIKE TRUST. Last week, an adjourned meeting of the members of this trust was held at the Wyndhum Arms Inn, Bridgend, for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee appointed at the monthly meeting of the 4th of November, and also of examining the accounts and other matters, and things relating to the general management of the affairs of the trust. At eleven o'clock, we observed present the Right Hon. John Nicholl, D.C.L., M.P., M. P. Traherne, of Coytrahen, Esq., M. P. Smith, of New-house, Esq., Robert Lindsay, of Mat-gam, Esq., William Llewellyn, of Greenfield, Esq., William Llewellyn, of Court-coleman, Esq., William Lewis, of Newcastle, Esq., and William Jones, of Hall, Esq. The Right Hon. John Nicholl having been requested to take the chair, said Gentlemen—I believe the business of the day is to receive the report of the committee, which was appointed at the last monthly meeting. The committee have met frequently, and have prepared a very voluminous report which it was intended should be submitted to you this day; but in conse- quence of information which was received late last night, and further information received this morning, the committee must entreat you to allow them a little further time to prepare their report. I would suggest that the committee should be continued to the next monthly meeting, and in the meantime, that their report, when completed, should be printed, and be ready for delivery at that meeting, which I believe is to be held on Saturday, the 2nd of December. For that purpose, I beg to move that the committee do report at the next monthly meeting: and that three hundred copies of the report be in the meantime printed under the orders of the committee and that it be taken into further considera- tion on a day to be appointed at the next monthly meeting. This proposition was seconded by M. P. Traherne, Esq., and carried unanimously. NEATH TOWN HALL, Friday, November 24th,—Before F. Fredricks, Griffith Llewellyn, and F. E. Leach, Esqrs., John Allen, deserter from the 11th Regiment Foot, was brought up by Peter Wright, policeman, stationed at Aber- avon. He admitted of having been a deserter from the 11th regiment, and he was sent to Swansea House of Correction to await further orders.—Esther Davies, from the parish of Aberavon, was brought up by the same policeman, charged with stealing a quantity of coal, the property of the Cwm Avon Company. The policeman's evidence was so clear that the justices fully committed her to take her trial at the next Quarter Session for this county. Bail was taken for her appearance.—Robert Dodson, junior, a well-known character to the police officers in the neighbourhood of Neath, was charged with having, on the-22nd instant, stolen a sign board, the property of Joseph Thomas, landlord of the Dyffryn Arms, in the parish of Cadoxton-juxta-Neath. Luckily for Mr. Dodson, the evidence was not sufficient to commit him, therefore he was discharged. The magistrates very properly gave him a very severe reprimand, and told him unless he would lead a different course of life to what he had been accustomed to of late, there was but little doubt but what he would be sent as a convicted felon to some other part of the country. CWM AVON.—FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Saturday last, a young child, aged two years, accidentally fell into the pond which supplies the worki with water. The stream carried the poor little creature under the waterwheel where it was found with life totally extinct. The rivers Ogmore and Ewenny, were last week dreadfully swollen by the late heavy rains. Ewenny marsh was entirely inundated. NEATH PHILOSOPIIICA.1. SOCIETY. Ou Thursday evening last a public lecture was delivered to the members of this institution, and the inhabitants of the town, by Mr. William Leyshon. The subject of the lecture was—" The voyages of Ancient Navigators in the pursuit of discoveries." It was a most interesting lecture and evidently gave very general satisfaction.

SWANSEA. THB QUEEN V. THE SWANSEA WATERWORKS COMPANY, AND MR. EMERSON WILLIAMS, THE COMPANY'S ACTING CLERK. Mr. J. W. Smith applied to the Court for a rule, calling upon the company to show cause why they should not order their clerk to register, and upon the clerk to show cause why he should not register, the transfer of certain shares in the company's capital stock. It appeared that a gentleman named Smith had transferred some of the company's shares to a person named Brown, and that Brown disposed of 90 of the shares in question to a Mr. Walters. The transferee applied to the clerk of the company to register the shares, but the clerk refused to do so, upon the ground that there were some circumstances connected with Brown's title to the shares which rendered it necessary for the clerk to consult the directors upon the subject. The act of Parliament under which the company was incorporated provided that no person should possess any right as proprietor in consequence of the transfer of any of the shares until the transfer had been registered in the company's books. The transferee in the present case had made application two or three times to have the transfer registered according to the act of Parliament, but w-es unable to succeed, and had no means of compelling the registration, except by the writ which was prayed for upon the present occasion. The application was granted. The Court sat till 6 o'clock.

MERTHYR. VICTORIA STREET.—Complaints from Editors, and cor- respondents, against the want of cleanliness in the streets of Merthyr, have frequently reverberated through the columns of the GUARDIAN. It is therefore but just, that it should lend its very useful columns, to the expression of praise where such is richly merited and as that satire is the most effective, which has an admixture of approbation, the censure of the GUARDIAN will carry more weight when it is found not insensible to the claims of justice, A town worse lit, streets more dirty, and pavements more delapidated, than are to be found in Merthyr, probably does not exist. But bad as all the streets are, Victoria-street had hitherto been confessedly the worst of all. To the exertions and liberality of a few individuals, we are now indebted for the luxury of walking to and from market without being ankle deep in mud, not to mention the unhealthiness, which such a collection of puddle must occasion to the neighbouring residents. While we record our sincere thanks to these patriotic gentlemen for what has been already done, we must express our perhaps unavailing regret, that the propri- etors of the market-house, appear destitute of every sense of public good, and blind to their own interest, in not com- pleting the remaining portion. Return we now to a more welcome theme. Misfortune it is said does not come alone, nor apparently do blessings. In addition to being a com- fortable street to walk upon, we have a lamp suspended, over the entrance to the Hong Kong Mart, in which the spirited proprietor keeps gas burning all night. For supply- ing us with good teas at moderate prices, the great competi- tion in trade shares the merit with that gentleman's generosity but the benevolence which contributed a large share of the cost of making the road, and which unsup- portedly bears the expense of irradiating this gloomy portion of the town, must be admitted to be unalloyed. The inhabitants of Market-square, and of Merthyr generally, doubtless feel greatiy indebted to Mr. Williams, for the sub- stantial obligation which he has conferred upon them.— (From a Correspondent.) The rate of mortality has been greater in some parts of this town during the last two months than during the pre- valence of the cholera morbus; more coffins have been made at Cvfarthfa yard, it is said, lately, than at the time of that dreadful visitation. There is a cloudiness of aspect hanging over the iron trade again, if credit can be given to a report circulated here the beginning of the present week, that the late advance is not likely to be maintained. Others aver it is only a manoeuvre of the large iron masters to deter the small ones from blowing in more furnaces. Which is right, if either, we candidly declare our inability to decide. There is a kind of influenza raging extensively on the Monmouthshire hills, which proves fatal in many cases, espe- cially to the young. Owing to the vast quantity.of rain which has fallen within these last 9 days, we regret to announce that the Drift Pits, at Cyfarthfa, must suspend operations for some weeks. It is to be feared that many of the men will be idle. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.—We understand that there is to be at the Market Place, Merthyr, on the 30th instant, a general inspection of weights and measures. A thing very- much wanted in that place. We believe that some merit is due to Mr. Superintendent Davies, in stirring up parties to a sense of their duty on that point. TEA PARTY.—On Tuesday last, the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel congregation had a tea party towards liquidating the remaining debt on that commodious place of worship. About 2,000 cards, it is reported, have been sold, and the tea and cake gave universal satisfaction. Some able addresses were delivered at the close. The two attractive objects at High-street this week are the young giant, at the New Inn, and Taylor's patent lamp, which burns every kind of fat, at Mr. Samuel Davies's second floor window. MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT 'AT DOWLAIS.— Within a few yards of the turnpike road leading from Merthyr to Tredegar Iron Works, near the Great Pond, the Dowlais Iron Company had sunk a mine pit, to the depth of 58 yards, which was fenced by a wall to the height of about 10 feet, but unfortunately some night last week the earth gave way, and the whole of the machinery with the wall were swallowed in the abyss. On Saturday night last, between 11 and 12 o'clock, a man, who was with his wife and child returning to Rhymney, saw a fire which had been kindled by the workmen the previous day near the pit, went to light his pipe, his wife cautioned him lest he should slip, to whom he replied, no I warrant it," at which he turned back to re-light it, and instantaneously, it is supposed, another portion of the brink fell in, and he was precipitated to the bottom. The wife, whose terror can be better imagined than expressed, cried for help, and in a few- minutes there were several persons on the spot, accompanied by Mr. Martin, the mine agent, who exerted himself to the utmost that night, and engaged men to clear the rubbish from below, to which there was an access underneath from the old mine works, but, notwithstanding every ingenuity that could be devised, the body was not extricated until two men volunteered to go down the pit in a bucket, let down by means of a windlass fixed upon balk laid across the chasm, and about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the corpse was brought up from its premature grave. Those two adventurous men were justly rewarded by Mr. John Evans, with £5.

CORONER'S INQUESTS. On the 23rd of November, an inquest was held at the Picton Arms, Rhymney, before Wm. Davies, Esq., coroner, on view of the body of Thomas Hutson, aged 3 years, who died on the preceding day, from injuries he received by his clothes igniting. Verdict—" Accidental death." On the 23rd of November, before the same coroner, an inquest was held at Dowlais, on view of the body of John Lewis, miner, aged 20 years, who was killed by falling down the shaft of a mine pit. Verdict—" Accidental death." On the 27th of November, before Wm. Davies, Esq., coroner, an inquest was held at the Red Lion, Dowlais, on view of the body of Daniel Harris, miner, Rhymney, aged 38 years, who was killed on the night of the 25th of Novem- ber, by falling into a balance pit, near Dowlais. Verdict— Accidental death." On the 28th of November, at the Angel Inn, Merthyr, before Wm. Davies, Esq., coroifer, an inquest was held on view of the body of Evan Davies, door keeper, aged 11 years, who was killed on the preceding day by a small arch, underground, giving way and falling oii liiiii. Verdict— Accidental death." MERTHYR POLICE,—WEDNESDAY, Nov. 22ND. [Before T. W. Hill and R. Fothergili, Esqrs.] Wm. Rees, landlord of the Royal Arch beer-house, Merthyr, appeared to a summons obtained against him hy Mr. Superintendent Davies. for keeping his house open for the sale of beer, &c., at an illegal hour on the night of the 18th instant. Charged proved by Serjeant Rees, and P. C. 5, S. James. Fined I s. and costs. David Thomas, landlord of the Collier's Arms beer-house, and James Lewis, landlord of the Royal (hk beer-house, were severally charged by the same complainant with keep- ing their houses open for the sale of beer, &c., before the hour of one o'clock P.M., on Sunday, the 19th instant. Charges proved by Sergeant J. Hume. Fined Is. each and costs. The magistrates intimated that any parties coming before them for a second offence of the same kind, would be visited with the full penalty that the law allows in such cases, and wished every landlord to caution his neighbour to be careful in future. Thomas Thomas, miner, appeared to a summons obtained against him by Simon Thomas, also miner, both of Merthvr, for non- paymment of wages, amounting to Us. 6d. Or- dered to pay the same and costs. John Hier, miner, was charged by Wm. Austin, tailor, both of Dowlais, with embezzling the sum of £ 1. 19s. 4d., belonging to a benefit society. Case dismissed. (The former was Steward and the latter treasurer.) Sarah Davies, common prostitute, was charged by John Thomas, farm servant at Tenewidd, parish of Yvstrady- fodwg, with stealing from his person £ 1. 12s., on the 22nd instant. Committed to take her trial at the next Glamorgan Quarter Sessions for the said offence. FRIDAY,—Nov. 24TH. I [Before T. W. Hill, Esquire.] George Davies, miner, was charged by Thomas George, both of Dowlais, with forging a receipt in order to draw a deposit of JL70. from the West of England Branch Bank, ¡ at Merthyr, on the 14th instant. Case dismissed. MONDA Y,-Nov. 27TH. [Before T. W. Hill, Esquire.] Caroline Brown, common prostitute, was charged by John Williams, collier, jMerthyr, with stealing from his person Us., on the night of the 25th of November. Committed to Cardiff gaol for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, for the said offence. Hannah Griffiths, Merthyr, was chargerllby Jane Rees, of Dowlais, both married women, with assaulting her on the 21st of November. Case dismissed, and the complainant ordered to pay the costs. PLOUGHING MATCH.—The match for the handsome prize of jE:5 offerred by the Right Hon. John Nicholl, M.P., to the five successful competitors at the last annual meeting of the Labourers' Friend Society, came off on the Vervill farm, on Friday last, the 24th inst. The secretary Mr. Daniel Llewellyn was on the field at an early hour, and had the ground marked out &c., and the arrangement he made seemed to give great satisfaction. A little before 10 o'clock the Right Hon. J. Nicholl came into the field to start the ploughs, the ploughmen were called together to draw their tickets, and were told by the secretary that each had half an acre alloted to him, which he was to plough within four hours, that the furrows were to be six inches deep by nine wide. They started precisely at half-past 10, and they all finished by a few minutes before the time. The judges were then summoned to the field, they were Mr. D. Smith, Hernstone, Mr. J. Joseph, Cwmalwg, and Mr. T. Williams, Newbridge. Their decision seemed to give satisfaction. We noticed on the field, in addition to the Right Hon. gentleman, the Rev. R. Knight, Tythegstone Court, R. F. Franklen, Esq., Clemenstone, W. Lewis, Esq., Mr. W. Lewellin, Bridgend, Mr. W. Powell, Eglwsnunyd, Rev. T. Brown, Rev. D. Evans, and a great many respectable farmers, who seemed to take the greatest interest in the pro- ceedings, and they all declared they never saw more beautiful Work. The Right Hon. J. Nicholl then proceeded to award the prizes, which in addition to the JE5 already offered he gave 10s. a piece to the other four, and the secretary collected on the field and in the town 1:3 7s. 6d. more, which altogether amounted to £ 10 7s. 6d. 1st prize to No. 3 David William, servant of Mr. It. Jones, Aberavon Court, £5; 2nd prize to No. 2 Henry Lewis, servant of Mr. W. Y orath, W aterton Court, JE2; 3rd prize to No. I Stephen Gilford, servant of the Rev. R. Knight, Tythegstone Court £1 10s. 4th prize to No. 5 Thomas Morgan, son of Mr. Thomas Morgan, Landow, 1:1 5th prize to No. 4 David John, servant of Mr. W. Powell, Tydvan Pyle 17s. 6d. The Right Hon. gentleman then delivered a most excellent address to the men, and was most loudly and enthusiastically cheered. The Rev. R. Knight, then in the name of the ,men tendered their best and most grateful thanks to Mr. Nicholl, for his bounty and liberality towards them, and proposed three cheers for him, which was most heartily responded to. When the men were cheering a most ludicrous scene ensued, which proves how idolized Mr. Nicholl is amongst the farmers, about six or eight of them seized the carriage (a small Irish car) in which he stood and dragged him down the field, amidst the laughter and vociferous cheering of the crowd, Mr. Nicholl thanked them for their kindness, and the party separated highly delighted with the proceedings. BRITISH IRON COMPANY.—The half-yearly meeting of the British Iron Company was held at the London Tavern, on Friday, the 24th of November, Sir G. Larpent, Bart., in the chair. From the report it appeared that the make of pig iron at the various works for the half year was 18,738 tons; the make and sale of bars, rails, and other manufactured iron, 12,572 make, and 10,858 sales; at the Congreaves Steel Works there had been made 33 tons of steel, and sold 35 ditto. At Abercrove there had been raised 6,290 tons of limestone, and sold 6,384 tons. At the Lion Collieries there had been raised for sale 7,168 tons of coal, exclusive of the quantity used at the works. The result of these operations was a balance of £ 13,457 Is. 5d. upon the business of the company, inclusive of rents and law expenses. The directors having obtained funds from other quarters, had postponed the call fixed for the 5th of the present month to the 15th of January next; they had likewise forfeited 395 shares out of the 500 named at the last meeting. The directors, in con- clusion, stated, that applications having been received by the provisional committee from proprietors of the present company for upwards of 10,000 shares, the establishment of the new company had been aunouueed, and arrangements made for the transfer of the properties and carrying on the operations on account of the new company. After the reading of the report, some conversation took place between the Chairman, Mr. Hickory, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Brownrigg, M.P., and other proprietors after which a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting adjourned.

NEWPORT. SUDDEN DEATH.—A short time ago we gave an account of the sadden death of an indhidual, which occurred in one of the dissenting chapels in this town; we have now to record a similar event. A poor man attended a chapel belonging to the sect called primitive methodists, situate in Llanarth-street, on Sunday last; on which day the chapel was first opened for religious service, and while the preacher was delivering his discourse, the individual to whom we have referred dropped dowii-groaned-and died. An Account of COAL and IRON brought down the Mon- mouthshire Canal Company's Tram-Roads and Canal, for the Week ending November 25th, 1843. Tram Road | Canal. COAL. 1 Tons. Cwt. j Tons. Cwt. Thomas Powell 2091 9 188 Thomas Prothero 2167 11 25 Rosser Thomas and Co. 635 4 Thomas Phillips and Son 1^0 5 Martin Morrison. 534 2 125 Joseph Beaumont 635 16 W. S. Cartwright 923 5 150 Joseph Latch and Co. 561 14 Latch and Cope 359 14 John Russell and Co. 1215 14 Tredegar Iron and Coal Co.. 8;)9 1 Roger Lewis. 407 18 John Jones 314 4 James Poole, Jun Joseph Jones 15 Rock Coal Co. ]g R. J. Blewitt 125 Mon. Iron and Coal Co John Vipond 275 Richard Morrison Rosser Williams J. F. Hanson 75 John Davies Mrs. Treasure Pentwyn & Golynos Co. IRON. ~T~ Tredegar Iron Company 409 10 Rhymney Iron Co 5^7 6 Rhymney Iron Co. 517 6 Ebbw Vale Iron Co. 604 2 Cwm Celyn & Blaina Iron Co. 289 12 Coalbrook Yale Iron Co 179 17 From Sundry Works 2008 15 V BRECON MARKET, Xor. 25.—(Average imperial bushel.) Barley, 4s. Oats, 2s. 6d. Grey Peas, 4s. 8d. Malt, 7s.—(Per lb.)—Beef, 5d. Mutton, 5d. Veal, od. Pork, 4. Fresh Butter, lOd. Salt ditto, per tub, 8d. Skim Cheese, 3:d. BRECON FAIR, NOV. 17.—The above fair, reckoned the largest in the year, was much better attended than was ex- pected. A great number of store cattle was exhibited, several of which met with early purchasers at a little advance in price from thai of our lac fairs. There were but few sheep exhibited, the best of which fetched about 4d. per lb. Of horses, there were less than has ever been known at this fair, and mostly of a very inferior description; and very few. indeed changed masters. Those that sold were done so at a very low price. Several pockets of bops were offered in the Town-hall from the counties of Kent, Sussex, Hereford, and Worcester, at prices varying according to age and quality. • The best Kent of the present year sold at is. 3d., and varying down to 4d. per pound. Salt butter, per tub, sold at told. per lb. and skim cheese, of which there was a good supply, went from 28s. to 30s. per cwt. There were a great number of farjn-servants, both male and fe- male, offering themselves for situations, many of whom, we arc sorry to say, went away unhired. The pig fair the fol- lowing day was very well supplied, many of which were sold at a little advance in price but the greatest attraction there was six bacon pigs, the property of, and fed by, Mr. Evans, of the Castle Hotel, which claimed the admiration of every one present, which were sold for nearly £40, to go to the iron works. Their united weight, on the town machine, was 1 ton, 4 cwt,

To the Editor of the Advertiser and Guardian. SiR) No doubt very many of your readers have seen that elaborate painting by that inimitable artist Landseer, under the soubriquet of the cat's paw," taking it for granted they have, I am of opinion that the Special Meeting" held at the Cardiff Arms, of the Shareholders and Directors of the laff Vale Railway, on Wednesday, November 15th, approaches to the subject meaning of Landseer's painting above alluded to. And, as I intend to "grapple," with the subject in real earnest, without sheltering myself behind an enormous amount of verbose verbage in imitation of Mr. Hall, and Mr. Pic nic pie crust Edy, as it appears the former person "fears no man," he will find" no man fears him" and taking a stride to Greece for a trite remark of the late Lord Byron, to the secretary of the Greek Committee, upon the receipt of Bibles in the room of sabres, accompanied by a long letter about "Ancient Greece," and "Modern Athens, he remarked in reply; so much for humbug and now for business." The explanation of Mr. Coffin ia a perfect and concise answer to the question of authority to. enter into the agreement between Lord Bute and the Directors of the Railway, and appears to have been perfectly satisfactory to that body, for by Mr. Coffin's speech, it is evident that, On their return (from London) the result of their negotiation was reported to the Directors who, with the exception of the chairman confirmed the agreement. Then it was resolved to call the present meeting," and confirmatory of this, is the public well-known fact, that the James's, father and son, have been in a perfect extacy of delight at the prospect of a good thing" having been com- pleted by which they anticipated possessing the money in. pocket by the extra interest upon their respective shares, until the exceptionable chairman laid his veto upon it, then, and not until then, did they discover that they were the wrong side the post," and the Hedging" evinced is not extraor- dinary or to be wondered at. The one-sided argument of the chairman is not incomprehensible, he is perfectly well- understood. The" high authority," "sagacity," H Par- liamentaryexperience," as pronounced by Mr. James with the judgment laid down so authoritatively," by My Lord Chancellor Guest, is not to be received by a meeting, as the law upon the point, or the opinion of the Directors-he is not the infallible oracle, that this foolish spouter presumes to dictate, to persons better competent to understand, than his powers of reasoning can encompass—he assumes a position, with a pertinacity truly laughable. Do the shareholders for a. moment imagine that their exceptionable chairman cares a. U tanner" for them or their interests ? Are they so com- pletely mesmerised" by thee" artist and his confederates" that they are unable to perceive what a pretty cat's paw* they are being made of." How cleverly Monsieur Jacko, has got them by the nape of the neck with one paw, while with the other, he is so dexterously using poor puss's, in extricating the burning chesnuts'from the fire, which he subsequently intends munching at his leisure, and pelting his unfortunate maimed associate with the husks." Is it not clear to every one, but the shareholders, that Guest, is assuming a fairness, that he does not possess, read his speeches, and sift them. Had the proper time arrived, for clenching this agreement with Lord Bute, Sir J. Guest would not have hung back, there would not then have been such a judgment broached by him; contrary to common sense, justice, or equity, —that "what was binding on one party was not binding on the other." No. The time was out of joint and how." I will tell you how 1—The parade of this Special Meeting" is not for the mere" purpose of discovering whether the agreement is "good" or bad," but whether it might, would, could, or shouHl answer the purpose of the Chairman It does not answer his purpose, hence it is, that it is bad!! This meeting has. been got up, to demonstrate to Lord Bute that the Chairman is a man of immense influence, that he can turn, or capsize,. these Shareholders with a nod! and this for the purpose of self-gratification, that to Lord Bute he will hold, some such argument as this:—" Your Lordship, now sees, that the Shareholders (the cat's pate) are determined to annul this agreement, now if you will give me a lease of the Dowliis minerals, upon reasonable terms, I will guarantee, that the Shareholders, one and all, shall confirm this agreement with- out delay; if your Lordship refuses, I shall purchase the Sirliowy works,* and your Lordship may go hang 1 I" But who will live to see the day that a Stuart will brook dicta- tion from a Guest!! No one. Lord Bute is not to be alarmed out of his propriety by any such specious argument, catch a weasel asleep," is an old adage, I think the Exceptionable Chairman," will find it difficult. I shall return to this subject at a future period, with your permis- sion, as it is one of immense interest to the working popula- tion of South Wales, and the Shareholders in particular. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Merthyr, November 23d, 1843. FABRICIUS. To the Editor of the Advertiser and Guardian. No. 1, Mansion-house-street, yesferdav with a friend, we were attracted by the display of Mr. L. Hcppet, the large fruiterer; and am on s "his fine and luxurious samples of luscious fruiU we perceived a bunch of grapes more prominent than the rest, with the following lahel;—English Hothouse Muscats, grown by Mr. Craw- shay; 18 months from planting45 lbs. weight per vine." L pon inquiry we found that they were cultured by Mr Richard Crawshay. The bunch we saw weighed about two pounds, and they are as fine a specimen as we ever saw. The friend with me, upon reading Mr. Crawshay's name, could not help exclaiming hurrah for Crawshav," to the- great astonishment of her Majesty's leiges: in the vicinity. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Temple, Nov. 24, 1843. p

tiirtbøt #Urriagf0, ait& BIRTH. On Thursday, the 30th Nov., the wife of Mr Edwib James Smith, Nelson Terrace, in this town, of a daughter MARRIAGES. On the 28th November, at St. George's, Hanover-square,, by the Rev. C. H. Jenner, Robert Jenner, Esq., Lieutenant R.N., third son of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Jenner Fust, to Selina Helen, youngest daughter of the late Jamea. Jameson, Esq., of Calcutta. On the 25th November, at Cahirnarry church, Limerick,, by the Rev. John Elmes, vicar of St. John's, Captain Jenkin Jones, late of this town, ship-owner, and commander of the barque China, of Limerick, to Eliza, daughter of the- late Wm. Lawsou, Esq., of the above place. On the 15th November, at Farnham, the Rev. John Sumner, son of the Bishop of Winchester, reetor of North Waltham, Hants, to Mary, second daughter of Colonel Le Courtier, Aide-de-camp to her Majesty, and Viscount of Jersey. On* the 25th November, at the Ebenezer chapel, in this town, Mr. Thomas Davies, of Laniaban, farmer, to Eliza, daughter of the late Mr. Morgan Jones, of Xanedam, farmer. On the 28th November, at Bethany chapel, Mr. James Morgan, pamter, to Miss Eliza Peters, millinr r both of this, town. « V o-v DEATHS. On the 25th November, in this town, Catherine, wife of :Mr. Robert Hoskins, of the GloTt; and. Shears, in her 38th year. 27th.NoTembe^. at .port, Monmouthshire, Mrs. Burton, wife of IMr TtirKayH T i jears xwcoara J jUrton, senior, aged 76 On the 24tb Noyembe-r, ooed" 2 years, Mrs. Ford, for- On the 2Gth November, f„ TV.^ • r so:i of Mr. ~W. C. Webb P J months, Thomas, infant Lately, at Newport, Stej1' c Caerleon, Monmouth^r, t? On the 22nd Novem> of v v JaW* ™ after a long illness, W ,er' .Pentrebac\ near Merthyr, signation, Rachel, th, ™ WU'1 Pf ^nce and ChnsUan re- Land Surveyor atV bKel°Ved, Wlfe of ™iam asre Her loss wP *e above Place'm the 48th J"ear of her and friends..1 be long felt by her surviving relatives On flip 9Tftt in his 47th yar* November, at the Castle Hill, Monmouth, eldest survir' ,r' Richfd Amphlett, Esq., L;eut^a,f vicar of Do1' ng son of the late Rev. 3. Amphfett, D.D., On r -Ider-hill, in the county of Worcester. illness, ~'2nd November, after a long and most distressing 44th vf *-r" ohn Rosser, timber-merchant, Chepstow, in the dr of hIS age. r the 19th November, deeply regretted, at the advanced C f 83, Mrs. Small wood, of Monmouth. 'U the 28th November, Frances Georgiana, eldest ughter of the Vice-Chuacellor of England, aged 19 years.

refined good taste, than the noble owner of Luton Hoo. But while doing so, had, his Lordship been unmindful of this very important, part of his large property 1 Let the Bute Ship Canal," answer this query, and he felt assured, they would agree with him, when he affirmed to them, that J nothing similar to it exists in the kingdom, as the act of one individual. The outlay here was truly magnificent, and like others, made rather to benefit the trade of this town, than to I afford an immediate profitable return to his Lordship. He might have presumed too much in thus detaining them, for he saw in-every countenance a cordial concurrence in the object of their meeting. He wished that the expression of their feelings, should greatly exceed mere complimentary usage on such occasions, and with all his heart, (and it was a Warm one,) he begged to sccond the adoption of the address, which Mr. Stacey had just read. (Cheers). Doctor Moore said he had been requested to move one of the resolutions, and he owned that he felt a pleasure in doing su, because it gave him an opportunity of concurring in all that had been said about the noble Marquess. He had not been frequently in communication with his Lordship, I but he knew enough to be able to appreciate, as became him, the anxieties and kindly feelings which the noble Marquess felt for the promotion of the interests of the town. He had great pleasure, therefore, in moving that the address now so cheerfully and cordially adopted he signed by the mayor, on behalf of the meeting, and transmitted to his Lordship. I Mr. Evans seconded the resolution. Mr. Edward Priest Richards begged to move that the re- solutions be advertised in the Cardiff Advertiser and Merthyr Guardian, He was glad that the suggestion had been put through him. He should be happy to bring forward any resolution that might be entrusted to him but on the present occasion, and considering the peculiar situation in which he stood, as the servant of the Marquess of Bute, he thought that a resolution connected with the address might, with more propriety, come through other hands. Mr. G. Phillips seconded the resolution. The mayor having vacated the chair, and Doctor Moore having been called thereto, the thanks of the meeting were unanimously awarded him for his urbane and dignified conduct there and the meeting, which was decidedly the most influential and respectable that ever assembled in the Town-hall, immediately separated.