Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

RIOTS IN FRANCE. Serious riots have taken place in France in connection with the elections. At Amiens a large body of workmen broke the windows of the manufactory of M. Cosserat, the deputy who has been re-elected, and did other damage; at St. Etienne, where a Democratic candidate has been returned, numerous bands, carrying red flags, paraded the streets, singing the Mar- seillaise and shouting" Long live the Reds," and Down with the Jesuits." At the semi- nary for Jesuits they tore the bars off the windows, sacked the schools, and attempted to set fire to the porter's lodge. At Angers large crowds assembled in front of the town- hall, and sang the Marseillaise. Several arrests were made. At Toulouse stones were thrown at the military; and at Lille, Dijon, and other places, seriouB disturbances occurred. r I

FRANCE. PARIS, May 26.—We now know the results of 290 elections. Of the Deputies elected 41 have never beforo had seats r the Corps Legis- latif. Six seats have been gained, and tL"e lost, by the Opposition. Ballots will be ne- cessary in 53 eases. The Independence Beige of Wednesday !!tut that for four successive days its circulation has been interdicted in Prance.

AMERICA. The New York papers of the 14th and 15th. were delivered on Wednesday. They contain little political news. The New York Times of the 14th says :—v< It is now said that Mr Motley is to have 'instructions' on going to England, but they do not seem, likely to 89 very important. It seems he will be instructed to 'watch the progress of events, and to if port the communications which the British Govern- ment may make to him.' We presume he c:I1 do il-ct, but it seems scarcely worth while to arrest the completion of his books about tna Dutch Republic for such a service. Mr Gred r, or for that matter Mr Jay, might have sent as Minister to England p.ftor ;dl." T Tribune of the same date entertains its read^ with the following announcement, which par- ports to come from iN[ontj,e,i it IF that information has been received here to tL~ effect that the Privy Council in rjngLud i. taking into consideration the advisahi]^- oi relinquishing all her colonies except Ind*a." The New Yoak papers seem to "IlrUN triple alliance by Spain, France, and Eng^an. against the United States. The Xew York Times says that "England fears, and has u.,uso to fear, the speedy loss of her entire possessions on the American continent, is n&nacf: a with insult added to injury, and awaits from A me r:ca a cool demand for national humiliation. As for Spain, it is not our fault if she does not foment an alliance against us, but the key of the qnestion is with France. It is not con- sidered possible that the Emperor can have forgiven the damage inflicted on his prestIge by the disastrous result of the Mexican idea and, moreover, a foreign war would distract the at- tention of Frenchmen from domestic politics but the Emperor is not France, and cannot afford to go again where his people will not follow." The idea that America alone could "whip Europe combined is ridiculed, and a more real security is regarded as lying in the I g Z) fact that a counter-alliance might be formed by the United States with Russia and Prussia. The report of the loss of the American steamer Mississippi is confirmed. She was wrecked at Martinique on the 12th inst. Many will regret to hear that the declining health of Mr Peabody has caused him to yield to a natural desire to return to his native place, and on Saturday he will leave England, we hope, however, to return in a few months in robust health. The statue which the mer- chants of London have resolved to ercct to his n memory, is said to be nearly finished. The captive" balloon, which has recently jl been making partial -'v fryj| *v- ■_ burnham grounds, Chelsea, released' itself en f Tuesday, and became lost to sight, though ) still to memory dear"—for it was said to be worth some £30.000. It descended tho following morning near Aylesbury. It is ini- possible to say what distance it travelled during its experimental trip, but it was seen to pasa over several towns the afternoon it broke from its moorings. It is understood that the itk-h- ster machine had been engaged by a party ;\1 twelve gentlemen for the purpose cf witnessing the running for the Derby,

SHOCKING MURDER BY A SUSSEX FARMER. A shocking murder of a wife was committed on Sunday at Ashbnrnham, a small village in Sussex, a few miles from Hastings. Near tho village is a quantity of land called. Gardener's farm." which is failed by an old man named Stiibbertield and His son Jo re 11 dab. The son, who is married, and about 40 years eid, has a separate residence, about sixty yards from that of his parent. Oil Saturday evening there ivero living in the same hnuse with the son, his v/ifo Matilda, their so*1, "Mary Deeprosa (a compani- on to Mis Stubberfield), and several ia la- bourers and domestic.servants. The years old, who occupied the same room" at parents, states that carlyon Sunday nion whilst it was scarcely light, he r his kneeling upon his mother, and squeezing h. throat. Hearing his mother sav Oh f.jeb.y. and as if in pain, he said to his father, You'r' hurting inotlier "You hold your replied the farmer, am only tickling h The boy again made a similar remaik, upon which his father said that if lie didn't h dd his tongue he would Sec to him." Stubberfield then dressed himself, and having kissed his wife arul child, took his coat over his arm, and went downstairs. The boy then immediately aroused the other inmate* of the house. In the meantime, Miss Deeprose, having heard a moaning noise in the Stubberfield's bedroom, and thinking something was the matter, had gone to the father's house for assistance. On her return, in about ten minutes, she met Jere- miah Stubberfield at the door, as lie was about to leave the house, and tried to prevent his escape, but did not succeed in doing so, although she struggled with him for somo minutes. James Honeysett, a carter, who was one of the first persons aroused by the boy, got up directly, and went into the bedroom, where he found Mrs Stubberueid" lying ia tho bed dead. He also says he heard a pretty smart" struggle in the yard that he went there iiume- diately, and found Miss Deeprose exhausted by the efforts to detain Mr Stubberfield. Several other persons were soon in the bedroom of tho murdered woman, and Dr Simmonds, who Jived a mile and a half distant, was at once sent for. It was six o'clock wlwa tho gontleinan readied the house, -md there being no appearance of a struggle, he was at first led to suppose that de- ceased had died suddenly from natural causes, A11 examination of tiie neck, however, revealed marks, aud the doctor then came to the opinion that the woman had been murdered. The police wero then communicated with, and were quick- Iy on the spot. Search was at once instituted for the murderer, and in a very short time soma 200 p.i -.ms o s-„„arl'(u; the neighbourhood. Men fro 1,1 Asui>ut nbam Eou-o brought a boat and dragged the ponds, and it wv, not till the afternoon that he was found, anu than he was making his way from CWden Farm towards hento. It is supposed that he had secreted himself in a pit where there was water, and that he had tried to U;*<v: himself, for when taken he v;as completely saturated with wet and covered with mud. The police took hi>n to the farm to change hi.< clothes, lie was then taken to Battle, where lie remains in elnrge. lie is exceed- ingly quiet, and cannot give anv other reason for tho deed than that he felt coinpelled to tl > it. He said he loved her so much lie did net like fo le,c I hind, hut now he would give the world to bilek a^ain." He also s>ates that lie attempted to drown himself several time, but cou'd not do bù, for he always floated 011 the top of the water. Ilis father states that some twelve or eighteen months ago be had a" serions fall backwards on his head from the top of a ladder some 2if feet hig-h; that he lay Fenseleis frr softie time until found by his mother; that he would not have a doctor, and that they date his insanity from that time. Ilis father and mother, a- I the poor wife's father, visited him 011 Monday morning, the interview being a most painful one. Printed and Published by DAVID WAI.KTNSUAW, at his General Printing Office. Corn .'d.ivkf-t Uou.-e, the county of Monmouth.—SatUidny May 29, 1869.

-.1 .1.- PONTYPOOL, PAST & PRESENT. No. LXXXIV, PICKINGS FROM PANT-TEG- PARISH PAPERS. However pleasant Pant-teg may be, anil plea- sant it undoubtedly id, there is nothing very attractive about its church, which may be de- scribed as a plain building-, attached to an old tower. It was restored in 1849, Mi* J. F. "VVilliii.ni-, of Pontypool, being the contractor and in the new wo.rk stability and neatness are present, but there is no attempt at ornament. No'hing unconinnon seems Ht- tached to the history of the building the very name of the saint to whom it was de- dicated is furgde:1 and the rector, the Rev. Dr James, assures me that the only records pre- served at the church are the dry and formal registers. Access to those he readily offered 1110 but as a search through them could only interest those concerned in piecing out family pedigrees, and as family pedigrees are not very lively reading and are not much relished by the public at large, I thought it advisable to in- quire whether some of the parochial archives might not be in existence elsewhere. I found that there are. and that the churchwardens have no wish to withhold information which might he acceptable to their fellow parishioners. Mr Parker favoured me with a very kind invitation to visit the Slovad Farm and one aiu-rneon this month found me in his parlour, poring over the accounts of the churchwardens from 1782 down to the present time. These accounts are kept in a fat Fiptare vo- lume. Inside its cover is written, Hoc. 8th May, 1784, of Hugh Parry, chuiclr.varden of Panteagne, 3s for this Book. Nat. Beadles, inn." The entries in the book commence with "The true account of IItighPnrry,Churchn of the parish of Panteague, or all sums and sums of money collected &. dispursed by him from 31st of Marrli, 1782. to the 20th of April, 1783." This would lead us to iufer that the early en- tries were copied from some other document, rather than that, the parish was in debt two years for I his book, seeing that there was plen- j tv of niniipv always going for other things and especially for beer. The very first entry •'Paid$>r ale at 3 parish meetings the third is j, for beer when 8s. worth of ironwork was done at the "steeple and beer and bell ropes the two things that most frequently figure throughout the accounts down to a rcccnt pe- riod. It was the custom to have new ropes every year, whether they were wanted or not, and the old ones became perquisites of the re- tiring wardens. Thus we fiud that Hugh Parry iu 1783-4 Paid for ropes, Ss journey ditto, Is;" while he only paid for bells presented, 6s journey, 2; The wardens in those days did not see n'y fun in working for the parish for nothing aud tcetotalim had not been in- vented then, or line holes would have been picked in their coats by v.*ould-be-tyraunical water-drinkers. Tfie "iron work in steeple," j mentioned above, was probably connected with fixing the bells, as there is another entry of Is Oil "for brass for gudgeons," and there are gudgeons connected with machinery as well as the little ifsh and "flats" which go by that name. As for steeple," the word occurs fre- quently throughout the book, and evidently was used as meaning "tower," not "spire." Hugh Parry remained in office up till March 27tii, 1785. In 1783-4 he paid "Henry Ili- i yards of pavillg iu portch and steeple, at Is per yard, £ 1 Is," and for leaveling the earth for the said work, h." lie paid "for a book of thanksgiving, Is," pro- bably (In account of the conclusion of peace with France and Spain after the great struggle in which the Americans won their independ- ence. In the accounts for 1784-5 lie paid the proctor of Llandaif another shilling for bring- I ing ve book for ye King's Holiday attended the visitation of the bishop, paying thereat 4s lOd, and charging 2s more for the journey (he charged 4s beside for the journeys thereto) and tdiows that the church was tittivated up." lie paid thq tyior for whitewash the church, tls 2d materials, 2s, 6s 2d Mr Danll Jones for lead to cover the steeple, as per bill, £8 His 71d Ed Ted Williams, tinman, for Laying twogether 10 lb of sauder, £1 10s lOd Juo. Pevan for Hailing stone for the cLurd:,7s lime, Is ale for raising yc Icad at y; steeple, 2s Tho", Rogers for 11 iron cramps for to fasten ye lead on ye steeple, lid." This work caused him a little trotting about and he therefore puts down "To a journey to agree for ye lead, Is and 0< I charge for two jour- neys to look torye tinman to lay ye lead, tinmen being then scarce or drunken. A cu- rious entry here occurs, Paid for ale when Mr Davies was made justice. ;2;; Gd." He Ru- .ceived for old timber belonging to the steeple, 1'1 During Parry's wardenship he inen- tions Samuel Jenkins as. sexton. From March y27, 1785, to April 16. 1786, John Miles was ^•hurchwarden of the lower end" of the pa- aud he" helps me out of a difficulty by — Jlle how to spell the local name for a 'h-d. a "uiouhly warp" in some dir f,-iotf>,) j (lr <;¡Itcbing wouiIts ill tllUol h- | ■na indication of rigour against t'v po means the only one in Mr Phillips, of Rishca's," d 2s for killing two foxes at ti this parish, and Mr Rogers's id 4s feu* killing four more at i We read in several places of A tho wont potts," killing hedgehogs, j a mad dog (this was in 1821. and the re- 2s), down to 1834-5, when IlelJry Leigh's keeper 2s for killing a fox. ithfcr payments by John Miles, we find 1 -i HTigTi Parry for laying the pavement in <ie church, 18s "mending the sulprice, Gd 1 •vashing ditto, Is and "for two Johil Miles was re-elected, and in 1786-7 he paid for a cock for the dial, 28;" for a paper hat was read in the churchyard" (he doesn't say what about), Is; "ye tinman for a tin box for to keep materials papers in ye church, 7s 6d a]o [uf course], 64 8s new lock for ye box, Is 2d." William Williams was warden "uf the upper end" of the parish from 1787 to 1789. In his first year's accounts, he paid for a new cuslung for the pulpid, Is 6J the IJandaff proctor for the King's proclamation, Is Sa- muel Jenkins's widow, due to him, Is Gd Mr t White for 10 yards of cloth, at 20d a yard, for making a new sulprice &c. Poor Samuel Jenkins having been laid among the graves which he had digged, William Wrench was, at ii meeting held/on the night of the 17th of April, 1788, at the house of David Jones, the New Inn, appointed sexton and church clerk for one whole 3 car, to commence at Low Sunday, at a salary of £1 14s, to be paid in two equal portions. In William Williams's second year of office, he paid William Wrench for cutting the brears off the stiple and cleanserig the lead- en gutter, 6d." Whether the thorns grew on top of the tower or at its base, the sextons found it to their advantage not to uproot them, and a charge for lopping them periodically occurs for years. Mr Williams charges for himself and horse in going to Lanharlh to the Rev. Mr Hanbury Davies [mentioned 111 the Tref-y- dd i 11 books as being rector of Pant-teg in 1767] on account of the tamers and the old book of christnings and burials, against the visitation The terriers here alluded towerenottiogs,any more than the gudgeons were fish they were documents giving ac- counts of the properly belonging to the church, j Among other items we read Paid brielf to Thomas Williams, of the parish of St Andrews, i,i the conuty of Glamorgan, on account of his house and all his furniture being burnt down, i Is;" and one William Ed \v a ids, of Csk, was j also relieved on account of a similar misfor- j tuue. flh*i rant-teg folks seem to have been I fond of music, but did not give much for it. Hare is mention of "A primpmo given Mamhi- bid Sal 111 Singers being a Singing id Panteague Church sever*! times, &c., 2s GeL" But in 1307 tii« Liantarnam psalm singers got on better, were rewarded with 5s worth of ale. Here are several entries connected with the king's health. In which George III. went mad, we have, Paid Llandaff proctor for two papers of prayer and one paper of thanks- giving for And then we come to an item which is explanatory of a former entry 1 mentioned above, Pairi i'oroyle for the gngans :e bnl!K, 2<1." From 1789 to 171)2 John: Jones was warden. Iu the latter year the pul- | pit was new nggt.[J, :lIId £1 5s lOd was paid j for black cloth Tasholes and binding," and Is -for fetching tho same. Tho thorns on the j steeple" were troublesome about this time, an i required frequent cutting. From 172 to 1794 we heve the rtvxounts of William W illiams as warden. Jle "Paid biiefe to a st ranger that just his vessel and cargo, 2s and gives the following return *l)nu from the persons un- dermentioned as dot. ;;Iters of the church tax I"" d<.o "'f!'{;u.. tal ¡ Ed vI L ,n Capel Hanbury, Esq., 38 Thomas Stough- ton, Esq., for 3 different tenants, Is Ditto for coal and mine work at the Race and Mountain, 10s David Taner, Esq., for 2 tenements, 3s 6d Ditto for 2 furnaces called Blane Dar (?) fur- naces. 12s 61 Ditto for coal and mine work at ye Race, 3s 9d Mr Henry Simon, ltd." In 1794 William Wrench came into office as war- den. Ho gives another maritime entry, Jonr- ney to Usk 011 account of the men that wanted for see, 4s 61 nlld winds up with another list of defaulters: lr Henry Simons for late Lewis George, 4d Thomas Stoughton, Esq., the coal and mine work, £1; David Taner, Et-q., for coal and mine work, 7s 6d." Mr j Taner, however, paid up 16s for 2 tenements aud 2 furnaces as is mentioned in ye last ac- count." In 1795 Joseph Harry came into office. Next year he reported as defaulters Mr Taner, lis 3d; Mr Stoughton, £1 2s Gd Mr Simchis for the late Lewis George, 3tc1. In 1796-7 lIe paid Giles Jones, jun., £2 9s 8d for heading a ditch, gathering quick, and setting the same as a fence gave 9s for a Common Prayer Book and paid 18s 3d to a glasher" for mending the church windows, which seem to have" been in a considerable state of smash. In 1798 he i reported as defaulters: "Company of Canal Navigation, Is 7d Mr Henry Simons for late Lewis George, 4id Thomas Kosser or Mr Head for two tenements. 2s 6d." John Jones was war- | den in 1798-9, and reported as defaulters: Mr David Taner, for three tenements, 19" 5Jci; Ca. lJal Company, 10d. Daniel Rogers, warden in 1799-1800, received of Mr Taner the 19s 5d just mentioned, and also received by assessment £15 17s 9d. He mentions that he "Pótid Will. Lawis for finding out Thos. Davies, a iniliti*- man, 5s." Charles Williams, warden in 1800-2, reports as defaulters John Barnaby, Esq., for Blaendare farm and furnaces, £8 13s 10d, and Charles Rogers, 10s and that he received Harries came into office as warden in 1802, and shows us William Wrench still grubbing about and receiving 2s "for burying bones from side of the church." Mr Harries rcmained warden till 106. 11 in accounts for that year show that James Rutter had become sexton, and several charges connected with the purchase of a cup, which was not quite so easy a. matter as it wouidbenow-a-days. If Messrs Parker and Parkhurst, the present wardens, were about to buy a new service, they need ünly come to Mr Golding or Mr Evans, who would quickly suit them with any pattern. But see what toil aud trouble Mr Harries incurred sixty years ago For a communion cnp, £2 18" GJ journey to Abergavenny on account of the same, 3s 6d journey to Bristol on same account, £1 three journeys to Lanthewy Wangwern (?) for the cup. 3s paid Lewis for the care of the cup from Bristol, 2s." Common sense suggested that that which was so difficult to get should be carefully guarded and so the warden paid for a "new lock for the large coffer, ls3d." Another entry further proves that public labour was not gratuitously given William George, William Wiiiiams, and self for attending parish meeting at Trevetbin on account of the parish house at Pontymoil, 2s each, 6s ale, Is." Wm. George became warden in 1806 and remained so till 1815. His first year's accounts go to show that James Rutter and William Wrench both acted as sextons in that. year. In 1809-10 the ropcs cost no less than £ 2, and £ 10 10s was paid to "Job Herbert and Francis George for survey- ing the parish for the anuel of the rack rent." i Ilenry Davies was sexton in 1812 and then we fjlJrI mention of William Williams & wife,! sallery for serving as church clerk, due April, 1813, £3 and, further on, "Paid Bridgard Williams for cleaning rubDge from the church, 5s," and "Paid Bridgett Willi ants, sexton, her salary, due April. 1814, £3," Then we get a 2.. 2d. The next warden was Joseph Harris, who was appointed in 1815 and served till 1823. In 1819-20 he paid Wm. Thomas, joiner, for seating part of the church, • £32 10s 6d. Wui. Ihotnas was subsequently paid £2 58 for repairing the railing round the communion table. About this time (1822) Edward Thomas was sexton, hi 1823-4 there' was a lot of general repairs to the church, and these raIl the annual expenditure up to £57 12s 91d, about three times the usual amount, Wm. George then being churchwarden. Francis | George became warden in 1824, and served till 1828. Among his entries appear Mr Williams j for furniture for the pulpit, £10 5 21d," and "Paid for iron 8d." Mention of beer has by this time ceased, but we find allow- I ances of money for settling the accounts in ves- try. John Jones was warden in 1828-9, and paid Thomas Thomas Is 81 for killing five hedgehogs, and gave .£2 7s for a Welsh Prayer Book and £2 10s for an English Prayer BOllk. Francis George resumed office in 1829, and paid George Rosser £1 5s for a deal post, and Thos. Richards 3s for putting it up. Edward Thomas was still sexton at this time. In 1830-1 John Jones was warden. After that we find the names of two wardens regularly given. For 1831-2, Joseph Conway and George Rosser 1832-3, John Jones and George Rosser 1833-4, Joseph COllway and George Rosser (who Al- ..l)«rt'd for making the valuation of lands and tithes in this parish to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, £ t") 1834-5, George Rosser and John Edmunds 1835-6, John Edmunds and John Jones 18:16-7, Joseph Conway and John Jones 1837-8, John Jones and Abraham Jones j 1838 to 1845, John Jones and James George; 1816 to 1854, John Jones and David Williams 18o4 to 1857, David Williams and Thomas Ha!- leu 1857 to 1859, David Williams and George W. Williams; 1859-61, Edward Jenkins and 1 Richard Eley; 1861-3, Thomas Hallen and Henry Williams 18G3-5. William And rows and Alfred Xeale 18G5-7, William Parker and John Rosser 18G7-9, Horatio John Parkhurst and Thomas Stccdirian 1869, elected, April 2nd, Horatio John Parkhurst and William Parker. The signatures of the clergymen who presided when tile aecount were pased areas follow — 1787-90, Richard Edwards, curate of Panteague; 1799, Evan Davies, ofifciating minister; 1807- 10, John Williams, curate of Pauteague; 1813, W'iiliam Williams, curate of Panteague; 1820 to 1834, John Provert. clerk; 1835-8, David i Williams, minister 1839 to 1854, David Jones, rector 1855, John It Jones, curate 1856, W7. R.Jones, rector; 1857 to the present time, David James, rector. The cntrips of late years i lack the quaiutnessof those of 0111* grandfathers and but few of them are worth reproducing, I Bell ropes are made to last as long as they will beer is out of the question and there are no longer any thorns on the tower, though there is plenty of room for improvement in the church- j yaid. In 1849, however, we find mention of following year, a payment of to the re- presentatives of the late Robert Carter." These refer to the restoration of the church in 1849. The work was in reality carried out by Mr J. F. Williams, brother-in-law to Mr Carter. A cut- ting from a contemporary newspaper gives the following particulars in its report of the re- opening of the church :— On examination ut tho building, it found thitt the whole of the then- existing wads were sound; but tl at the interior wuuld require a thorough alteration. The wo:k was entrusted to Mr Williams, builder, of PontYpnoI; and the edifice, as it now stands, fresh from his hands. certainly wears an irnprond and attractive appearance. An elegant new porch has been added, I which is surmounted by a cross; substantial outl r walls have been built against the old structure; the chancel end has hern surmounted by a new coping, and a cross at the summit; anew roof has been laid on; the old tower has been re-pointed; and a lighter and mure cheurfid air given to all the exterior. Within, the plastering and painting have effected a pleasing change also a new gallery has been fixed the church has been partially re-ptwed the alrui -f !aee new railed; and a nrat desk and pulpit erected—all being eak stained, and presenting a very chaste and pleasing appearance. The expenses incurred in effecting ihetie improvements amounted to between three and four hundred pounds,towards which a rate was levied on the parish. and the Lord R:ah<>p of the diocese and Capel Ilanhuiy Leigh. Esq., the Lord Lieutenant, subscribed handsomely for the same purpose; while the indefatigable exertions of the worthy rector, the Rev the funds. The Lord Lieuten- I ant aiso presented a complete service of bocks to the church, elegantly bound in Russia, and gilt-edged; while tbe altars and pulpit cloths, tastefully fling-ed, were presented by Miss Georgp, of l'ontymoile. The interesting event of re-opening this church, was celebra- t, d by three services, the sermons on which occasions were preached by the Rev Archdeacon Crawley (the j Rev T. Davies, M.A., incumbent, of Trevethin, leading j the lessens) the liaV John Irving, and the Rev — j Horwood and at each of these services, the church 1 was crowded every artangemi nt for the accommoda- tion of the congregations being well carried out by the churchwarde.is, Mr John Jones, of Panteague, and David Wiiliains, of I'ontypool, aided very eflidcntlr by Mr Rogers, of Pontyuioiie, who exhibited untiring energv throughout the day. I II 1857-8, are entiics Paid Thomas Wil- liams for colouring the church, ,£2 10s and J. F. Williams for truss beam to support the bells, S7 17s Gd." On the retirement of David Williams frotn ofliec, a vote of thanks was re- folded, for hits efficient conduct at RardeR of. thin parish for so many years, and also for other I offices connected with the pnrislt." Votes of thanks have since been regularly recorded to his successors on their retirement. And I here record one to Mr Parker for the courtesy and hospitality with which he facilitated my hunt through the old book. May 24th, 18G9. W. H. GRKENE.

BREAKFAST.—A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT.— The Civil Service Gazette has the following in- teresting remarks :—"There are very few sim- ple articles of food which can boast so many valuable and important dietary properties as cocoa. While acting on tho nerves as a gentle stimulant, it provides the body with some of the purest elements of nutrition, and at the same time corrects and invigorates the action of the digestive organs. These beneficial effects depend in a great measure upon the -manner of its preparation, but of late years such close at- tention has been given to the growth and treat- ment of cocoa,that there is no difficulty in secur- ing it with every useful quality fully developed. The singular success which Mr Epps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. Far and wide the reputation of Epps's Cocoa has spread by the simple force of its own extra- ordinary merits. Medical men of all shades of opinion have agreed in recommending it as the safest and most beneficial article of diet for persons of weak constitutions. This superiority of a particular mode of preparation over all others, is a remarkable proof of the great re- suIts to be obtained from little causes. By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which goverf. the operations of digestion and nutrition, and bv a careful application of the fine proper- ties of well selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provi- ded our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist even* tendency to disCIIsc. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating aronncllls. ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We j may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping our- selves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nouiished frame." HOLLOWAY'S PILLS are acknowledgerl to be the best medicine for debiliated constitutions, disordered liver, biliousness, and indigestion. The wonderful efficacy of this remedy, and the good effects produced on patients suffering from the above complaints, would appear in- credible were they not substantiated by innumerable proofs of the cures effected by them and the permanent benefit derived from their use. They soothe and strengthen the nervous system, purify the blood, regu- late the secretions, invigorate the These remedies, once used, inpsire implicit confidence, and thousands, from personal experience of the ease afforded iii. them, have relieved theii atHicted friends by recom- mending the early employment of, end steady persever- ance with, these invaluable medicaments. ADVICE TO MOTHERS. -Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist, and get a bottle of Mas. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately it is perfectly harmless; it produces natural (priet sleep, bv relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a but- ton." It has been long in use in America, and is high- ly recommended bv medical men it is very pleasant to take it soothes the child, it softens the ums. allavs all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for Mns WIXSLOW's SOOTHING S'nwp. No mother should be without it.—Sold by all medicine dfateisat Is litl per Bottle. London Depot, 2C5, High Holborn. LuxtntiAVT AND hPAUTIFUL IIAIU —Mrs. S. Allen's "World's Hair Restorer or Dressing" never fails to quickly restore Gray or Faded Hair to its youthful coloui and beauty, and with the first application a beau- tiful gloss and delightful fragrance is given to the Hair. It stops Ilair from falling off. It prevents baldness. It promotes luxuriant growth. Tt causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. J t removes all dandruff. It Cnlltams neither oil nor dye In large hottles-Price Six Shillings. Sold by all Chemists ar:d Perfumers. For Children's Tfair, Mrs Allen's "Zvlobalsamum" far ex- ceeds any pomade or hair oil. and is a delightful Hair I Dressing1; it is a distinct and separate preparation from the Restorer, and its use not required without it. Depot, 266, High Holborn, London.

ítib5, itlarriagcs, anb IBcatI)s. BIRTHS. jggJ0 No births or marriages inserted unless prepaid (Is.) and authenticated. [A, M.—Declined. The stamps sent may be obtained by applying to the party named.] DEATHS. Mav 16, at Garndifraith, aged 33 years, Leah, wife of i Ur ;\1 ilp Willi oris, c*.a! miner, May 19, at Pontucwynydd, aged 42 years, Mr John Thomas, puddler. May 20, at Pontypool, aged 57 years, Mr Edward Bowyer, bouse carpenter, Park. May 21, at Btaenafon, aged 59 years, Mr John LJuyd, contractor, an old inhabitant and greatly respected. His funeral took place 011 Monday evening, and was largely attended by the agent3 and workmen belonging to the works. May 22, at Aocrbeeg, aged 17 years, David, son of Mr David Price, packer on the railway. May *22. at Cwmafon, a^ed 97 years, Mary, widow of the lat: Mr Edward Llewellin, farmer. May 24, at Pontuewynydd, aged 88 years, Mr Thos. Ward, rag collector.

,I Ll The essential properties of tea are found to exist only in the young leaves. Uomiman s Tea,—selected from the choice spring gather- ing, without the usual mineral powder on the leaf, h distinctively strong and delicious in fla- vour; being supplied only in sealed pnckcts, direct from the Importers, uniform quality and real cheapness is guaranteed. For list ot IIor- nimans Agents in this locality see advt.

PEACE SOCIETY. The fifty-third public anniversary of the Peace So- ciety was held on Tuesday, May 18, at FinshuryChapel, Moorfields, London. The chair was taken by Mr Hy. Pease, formerly member for South Durham; and among those present were Mr W. Fowler, M.P. Mr H. Richard, M.P. (Secretary of the Society the Hon. Mr Bullock, late Governor of Massachusetts; Mr Robert i Charleton; Mr James Bell, late M P.; Mr Saml. Bowlv; Rev C. II. A. Dall, Boston (U.S. ;) Mr Robert Alsop, Mr Edmund Sturge, the Rev Mr Duw, the United States Minister, &c. Mr II. Richard, M.P., read the report of the Com- j mittee. It said the object of the society was two.fold- first, to expose the folly, cruelty, costliness, and un- christian character (,f,Vur; secondly, to point out a better way by which governments and nations might regulate their relations than the use of brute force. Though it was difficult to trace, the beneficial intluence ot the society bad been acknowledged by persons who could not be suspected of any partiality for it. Lord Pabneiston said that. associations like that must have great intluence on the general opinion of mankind while Lotd Stanley, in addressing a deputation from the society last year, adverting to the armed condition of EuroDe, observed that that state of things must be fol- hnvtd by a period of comjarative disarmament, when the society would have the satisfaction of knowiug- that it had helped to bring about that improvement. During the last year the society had made diligent use of the platform and the press, and of other means of influencing the public mind. About 300 lectures or meetings had j taken place in various parts of the kingdom, many of them being very numerously attended. Referring to the progiess of peace principles abroad, the report said that even in Russia an opening had been found for their diffusion. At the late general election efforts made by the society served to colour and modify to a considera- blc extent the opinions both "f constituents and candi- dates, and it was to be hoped that among the new members would be found many ardent friends of peace. After condemning the recent employment of force in aid of missionaries in China, and congratulating the meeting 011 the ordtr of Lord Claendon to the British authorities in China not to resort to hostilities in future without orders from home, the report turned to the Alabama question, and, after expressing regret at the failure of the late negotiations, said it was to be hoped that if the statesmen could not agree, there would be enough of reason and of Christianity among the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race to interpose their final veto against an attempt to cut the Gordian knot by hurling the two foremost nations of the world into the bloody abyss of war. (Great cheering.)

PROTECTION FROr Finn. —Bryant and May give the follow- ins as a type of what is constantly ocpurrinsf through the in- cautious use of ordinary Lucifeis, and would point out the perfect security by their I'atent Special Safety Mutches, which igrnite only on the box-for if left carelessly about within the reach of children, they are perfectly harm- -its it is only possible to liuht them on the prepared "urfaee of the box —Frightful death ftom I¡re.-La-t even- ing a:i inquiry was held at the London Hospital by Mr John Humphreys, the Middlesex coroner, vospectin.^ the death of "Wil.iai-i l'olev, ag-trl seven years, who lost his life under the fd:in:r shoekins TeomaJ i'oley, 11 White Row, said that on Tuesday morning he heurrt a noise in tin; l'oom where deceased tmil his brother Alfred were. He went to see what was the matter, an,1 he founrl their bed in fLunes and d( c"ased's clothes cn fire, He was burnititr tearfully, and lie screamed out, Oli, it was Alfred mode me do it, he told me to liuht the iii a t ebes. I It appeared that deceased had £ ot somc Inciters and set five to the bed and himself. Witness had much difficulty in extinjjuioliinjr the llames, and was himself severely burnt. Mr Apple)urd, house surgeon, taid that the skin and flesh were burnt ot" deceased's stomach and limbs, lie was dnadfuliy charred, and recovery was of course hnpe- I A verdict of I Accidental Death' was retuiiied. Ht/miny Star, 8th April, 18G3. Our Subscribers are respectfully reminded ti-Ait the Quarter expired May loth.

POLICE COURT. SATURDAY. Before Col. BIFde, Rev J. C. Lleuxllin, and C. J. Parkcs, E:«j. MILK OR CIDICIt ? Thomas Southall was charged with keeping his house open for the pale of cider before 5 o'cock ou Sunday morning. Mr Greenway defended. P.c. Guinea deposed that he visited defen- dant's hoose, at Pt-nyrlieol, on the 16th inst., and found therein some 20 persons, with jugs and pints containing cider, on the table. Tiie landlord, before then, saw him coming, and ran in. Some of the people were emptying the jugs of cider, and filling them with milk. Knew several of the men, who came from Garndif- faith, about three-quarters of a mile distant. The lalldlord said that they came iu at his invi- tation, for shelter- out of the rain and after- wards followed him out, and hoped he would say nothing about it. Cross-examined The house is 011 the top of the mountain, close to the water-works. It was raining at the tin,e, but not very heavy. Was not oiiered anything to drink by any man what- ever. Evan Price did not do so. Mr Greenway repeatedly cautioned witness to be careful, and this led Supt. MTntosh to object to the witness being "brow-beaten," as there was no necessity for it. Evan Prie was called forward, and witness said that that man did not offer him any milk, but was one of those who were emptying cider out of the jugs and filling them with milk. There were five men in the pantry. Witness, having again been warned to be careful, said he did not say to Price, "That dodge will not do for me." Did not speak to anyone in the house except Mr Southall. Visited the house twice, and remarked outside the house that it | was a quarter to G o'clock. Did not say it was 25 minutes to 0. Saw Margaret Williams, the housekeeper, empty away some cider, and fill the jug with mil1- Mr Greenwuy sahtttuA liis client, who occu- pied two farms, was a highly respectable man that it was raining hard, and the men applied for shelter till the tap was open; that one of them asked for a jug of milk that no cider was drawn during prohibited hours; and that he would call evidence which would show that he was quite justified in repeatedly warning Guinea as lie tiad duue. Margaret Williams deposed that she was housekeeper to Mr Southall. On Sunday after- noon, between 4 and 5 o'clock, it rained very hard. She went to get some coal in, and saw 10 men and 2 females sheltering in the shed. They asked to come in for shelter, and asked what time it was. She told them it was half- past 4. \Vith that, her master came out and gave them leave to come in. When Guinea camein,shewas in the dairy, fetching out a jug of milk for Evan Price. Price came to the door to fetch the jug. There was IIU one else in the pantry. It is so small no one could turn round in it. When Guinea came in, Price said to him, Will you have a drop of drink ?" and reached out the jug to him. Guinea shook his bead, aud said That dodge won't do with me." The jugs were 011 the table, and which were always kept there; and Guinea looked in them, but there was no cider iu them. He then went out. None of the men threw any cider away, and no men went to take cider themselves. She would swear that there was not a drop of cider drawn from after 3 o'clock till after 5. Price told her that he was going to David Jones's, at Penlasgarn. Nicholls was with him. To Mr E. B. Ed" ards There was a good drop of cider drawn between half-past 12 and 3 o'clock. To Col. Byrde The cider was kept in the stable. No one draw but herself and her master. Thejugswerekeptonasidetable;asortof dresser, and had been washed. To Mr E. B. Edwards: It was a quarter to 5by our clock when Guineacamein,and it was five minutes past 5 before I drew any cider. Guinea went out, and came in again almost immediately. Evan Price, puddler, of Garndiffaith, gave evidence closed)* similar- to that of Mi$Williams, and said that Guinea looked at his watch inside the house, and remarked that it was a quarter to 5, and wuiiess Looked at the clock, and found that it was a quarter to 5 by that too. Guinea went out, but came back and oouuted the num- ber of n'lL-n, and wenfe-away. Thomas Nicliblls, a puddler, gave similar evidence. M'r Greenway aid -hat he had also the Jaw on his sit.e, referring tu tho permission given io travellers. Supt. MTntosh said if the Bench would allow liiin to open the prosecution again, he would call other witnesses. Col. Byrde thought it was only fair to give the required permission to Mr MTntosh, and the constable's character was at stake. The case was therefore adjourned for a week. PL II MI TT IN 0 DRL'NKICXXESS. Ann Hancock was charged with permitting drunkenness in her house. She pleaded lIot guilty P.c. Lewis (62) deposed that on Monday even- ing, about 7 o'clock, he found a row in the street, at Abersychan, some hundreds of people being present. Defendant's door was open, aud the people were going in freely after they were lighting, and they began fighting afterwards. Defendant said that her door was looked, to keep the crowd out. She had kept this house only five weeks, but had kept house for 19 years, and referred to the superintendent at Tredegar for her character. Two women came in and got quarrelling, one of them being named Mrs Lewis, and she called a customer to assist to put them out. She called p-c- Lewis, as they would lIot gu 011 t for her. P.c. Lewis said that he was 011 the road from 7 to 8.15, and there was a disturbance in the house all that time. For the defence, John Jones deposed that he locked the door, that the tidy men should not go out and the disorderlies should not come in. After tho disturbance was over, two women came in and got quarrelling, and p.c. Lewis was called in to put them out. They went out, and after they went out there was a frightful row amongst them. III answer to Mr Edwards, witness said that some of the men were full" when they came in, but none drunk. Col. Byrde did not think there was any doubt of people being allowed to be in the house in a state of drunkenness, and fined defendant 10s. A HOW AT BLAKNAKON. Edwin Fisher was charged with assaulting Martha Williams; and Sarah Ann Lever, Wat- kin Williams, sen., George Lever, and Watkin Williams, jun., were charged with assault ing Edwin Fisher. Mr Alexander Edwards appeared for Fisher, and Mr Greenway for the other parties. Fisher deposed that all the Williamses and Lever struck him because he asked them why they could not let his wife go quietly up the street. Lever struck him in the mouth, and drew blood. Martha Williams all.1 Sarah Ann Lever took a bucket from his wife, and threw the water over him and his wife. The elder Williams struck him with his list on the back of the head, as he was going in at the door. Mrs Fisher, Win. Jones, Ann Jones, and Ann Allcock, gave evidence in support of the above statement. On the other side, Thomas Magness deposed that he and defendants were laughirg, when Mrs Fisher came out and accused them of laugh- ing and passing remarks on all who passed, aud Mr Fisher came out and threatened them with fi bocket of water. Mrs Fisher tried to take the bucket of water off her husband, and being shorter than her husband, ail the water went over her, and she screamed out. Fisher threw the bucket at Mrs Lever, and struck Martha j Williams, Mrs Lever, and the younger Williams, None of them had done anything to Fisher be- fore he struck them. The Joneses did not come out till after tbe water went over Mrs Fisher, i Mrs Ailoock did not come till it was nearly over. The elder Williams gave Fisher a shove after he had struck the younger Williams. In answer to Col. Byrde, the witness said he could not account for Fisher attacking five people like them, but 110 was more like a mad- man than a civilised being. Martha Williams was called as a witness, and said that Fisher struck her three times ou the side of the head. Catheiiue Harvey, Sarah Ann Lever, Wm. Williams, Alfred Harvey, Elizabeth Penylase, j Walkiti Williams, jun., and George Lever, gave evidence similar to that, of Maguess. The evidence being so contradictory, the par- i ties were ordered to divide the expenses, Col. Byrde remarking that it would require the wis- dom of Solotnati to decide among them. The costs altogether were £ 3, and the male defen- dants had to pay 15s. each, the women being left out of the question. QUARRELSOME. Elijah Elton and Stephen Strickland, who did not appear, were summoned for ifghting. WORE WITH A LIKE FAILING. John Murphy, of Abersychan, John Lewis, jun., Thomas Lewis, Mary Lewis, and Wm. Reynolds, were summoned for being drunk and riotous at Abersychan. Thos. Lewis and Rey- nolds did not appear, and service of the sum- mons was proved. P.c, Lewis (G2), gave evidence, and defend- ants were fined 7s. 6d. each. ALLEGED UNPROVOKED ASSAULT. John Frayer, of Blaenafon, a navvie, was charged with assaulting Henry Jones. Complainant said that he was going home on home on Saturday night, tho defendant and some others made game of him and set upon him. The case was adjourned for the production of witnesses on either side. NOT THE PLEA OF YOUTH FOR THEIR INDISCRETION. William Allen, 53, a married man, was sum- moned by Mary Downey, for nonpayment of bastardy arrears undertook to pay Is. a week. MONDAY. Before the Rev J. C. Llewellin and C. J. Parkes, Esq. William Tansell and Joseph Dugmore, were charged with intending- to commit a breach of the peace by fighting a prize fight in the parish of Panteg, on Sunday, the 23rd inst. William Barrett deposed that he heard the quarrelling, as he leant over the hatch of his door. Tansell said that he would fight the other ill an honr. Sophia Tansell, mother of one of tile defend- ants, deposed that she was getting breakfast, on Sunday morning, when Dugmore came to her hoose, and asked if "Fiddler" was in, as he would fight him. Her son had gone over to Mrs Williams, and Dugmore went there, and asked for William Tansel!, put, himself in a fighting attitude, and said he would fig lit him for an .hour that morning. Witness's son re- plied that he would not fight then, as he had no friends about, while Dugmore had plenty, but he would meet him in an hour. With that they parted. P.s. Basham deposed that he followed some fifty of the worst characters in the town, on the road towards Pontymoil, and apprehended Tan- sell, who endeavoured to avoid him. lie after- wards went to the Pontypool-road station, and arrested Dugmore in a railway carriage. A largo party of bad characters from the Sowhill had assembled at the station. He believed that if he bad not arrested them, there would have been several fights. Dugmore resisted him strongly. Dugmore said that he booked himself to Monmouth, to join the militia. He called, Edward Hayles, who deposed that there was merely an agreement to fight, but not in an hour. The people merely collected to witness the departure of the train. Dugmore's father made a statement to the effect that he asked p.s. Bashani to protect his son from the crowd who were going over him. Mr Llewellin said that the conduct of the defendants was likely to create a breach of the peace. They were bound over in their own recognizances to keep the peace; and ordered to pay 9s. each.

FHIGHTFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT CWMNANTDDU. SEVEN MEN KILLED. About half-past eight o'clock on Tuesday night, a shocking explosion of fire damp took place in the Sinking* Pit, Cwmnantddu, situ- ated about two miles from Pontypool. The pit belongs to the Ebbw Vale Company, and Mr Evan Jones is contractor for it. Between 300 and 400 men are employed in it; and it is fortunate that when the explosion took place, all but a few had left work. The workings are generally supposed to be free from gas," and, after being tested with a safety lamp, are used with open lights. At the time named, some ten men were down, making roads in what is called "the deep," some 700 or 800 yards from the bottom of the shaft. Seven of these were together when the explosion took place, and in an instant, all seven of them were swept into eternity, frightfully burned. The names of the deceased are: Hananiah Williams, single, collier, Abersychan; Tho- mas Williams, single, bottom cutter, Garn- diffait-h John Jones, formerly of tho Coach and Horses beerhouse (now the Railway Inn) Abersychan, married, one child, Lower-row, Abersychan, collier j David Rees, collier, married, three children, Abersychan; Evan Rees, a lad about 14 years old, near the Queen Hotel, Abersychan; William Cooke, jun., bot- tom cutter, married, one child, Club-row, Pont- newynydd; Alfred Davies, collier, married, three children, Pentwyn. Two horses and a donkey were also killed. The three other men were working at the cross heading, some 300 yards off. Their names are Thos. Green, married, three children, living near the famous pear tree at Abersychan John Morgan, bot- tom cutter, married, no family, living in one of the two new houses near the Swan, Pont- newycydd; and John Mitchell, bottom cutter, widower, one child, living at Abersychan. Their escape is miraculous. Tom Green pushed his hat into his mouth, and managed to creep on j to the level and got to the bottom of the shaft and gave the alarm. John Morgan was found behind some timbers, and says he had given himself up for lost, when he was discovered and extricated. John Mitchell was met with in the level. Dr Ihivies, of Abersychan, and his two assistants, were sent for, and they arrived as soon as possible. The three survi- vors seem to have suffered no other injury than the severe shock in being blown about. The bodies of the seven who perished have been removed to their houses. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The above is a hurried summary of the facts of the explosion, and some further particu- lars will no doubt be read with avidity. Of the seven who were killed, John Jones, Hanauiah Williams, David ltees, and the lad, Evan Rees, were day hands, and unfortu- nately stopped in longer than usual, to clean roads. John Jones and the boy had actu- ally dressed to come out. The other three deceased were engaged as roadmen on the night "shift." All these were busied in the same working. Green, Morgan, and Mitchell were working at the cross heading, also as road-men. John Mitchell was stooping over his shovel, and Green and John Morgan were sitting down, when all at once the" wind" came and put out their lights, and apprised them that an explosion had happened, although they heard no report. They were blown down, and the deadly choke-damp, which follows the fire- damp, was upon them directly. Fully aware ot their danger, they endeavouicd to escape, but had to guess their way through the work- ings in the darkness. Thomas Green, by holding his cap to his mouth and nostrils, was fortunate enough to escape the effects of the choke-damp, and also managing to hit upon the right turns, got on to the level in the di- rection of the bottom of the shaft. Morgan missed his way, and gave himself up for lost. lie staggered and fell behind some timbers, and became insensible. Mitchell also fell, and lost his senses. Roth coal and iron ore are ex- tracted from the pit, and besides the ten named above, six other men were below at the time of the explosion, but four of them, Robert Martin, Chas.George, Geo. Shaw, John lomlins, were engaged in the "mine," or iron ore workings, and the remaining two, lliomas Lewis and James Madley, ostlers, were at the stables. These six, like the three, were imme- diately aware of the" wind," and ran into the coal workings to see what had happened. They met Thomas Green, who told them where to find his companions, and pursued his way to the shaft. Hurrying on, Shaw and his mates found Morgan lying I t Kind, the timbers, and met Mitchell, who had come to himself and had risen. Shaw led Mitchell out, and Morgan was carried to the top of the pit, where he re- mained insensible till nearly twelve o'clock. The three who had so narrowly escaped, after- wards walked to their homes, and were able to be up and about on Wednesday, though Mor- gan had evidently suffered a very severe shoe1:. The news of the disaster soon spread. John. Harris, James Stow, Wm. Burnell, Thomas Burnell, Thomas Dagger, Charles Banfield, and others, who were accustomed to work in the pit, hurried from their homes, and assisted, under the direction of Mr JosephGreen, mineral agent, m searching for the injured men, in the hope that some of them, as sometimes happens, had been able to survive the awful accident. Robert Martin first found Thomas Williams, lying on his belly across the road, quite dead, with his arms under his head, very badly burned about the face and arms, his back having been protected by a waistcoat. Alfred Davies was next found, in Charles Williams's "parting," dead and burned all over. John Jones, better known as having kept the Coach and Horses beerhouse, at Abersychan, was then found by Wm. Burnell. Jones, too, was quite dead. His hands were over his mouth and nostrils, to keep out the choke-damp, and his hands and arms were burnt to the bone, and two or three severe burns were also found on his face. The poor little boy, Evan Rees, was next discovered, dead, his hands raised and clenched under his chin, and burned very badly about the face. Further on, the search- ers found David Rees lying on the top of Wm. Cooke, both dead. All Rees's clothes had been blown off, with the exception of his boots and a few inches of the bottom of the legs of his trousers. Rees is said to have been "burnt to a pulp." Cooke borj the least marks of Ü1- jury; there being only two or three slight scratch-like appearances on his face, and a burn on his breast. He was lying on his back, and his hands were clenched and lifted up to his shoulders. It was now thought that all had been found, as it was not known that Hananiah had remained down in the Pit; aud it was not till between five and six o'clock on Wednesday morning, that the discovery of his corpse proved what had been his fate. Df Davies and his two assistants, from Abersychan, arrived at the pit soon after they heard of the accident; but, of course, were powerless to restore life to the dead. The bodies were placed on a locomotive, and con- veyed to Talywain and from thence on boards &c., to their desolated homes. The horror of the relatives may be imagined. Poor Cooke's I wife's shrieks are described as having been extremely painful to listen to. Mr Joseph Green, the mineral agent, again descended the pit on Wednesday morning to investigate the cause of the accident and the extent of the injuries to the workings. The latter he found so slight that the men could have resumed work on Wednesday, had they been inclined to do so. The former he found a difficult matter to determine; as, all seven of those who were engaged in the unlucky head- ing having perished, it is hard to .pronounce whether the explosion might have been caused by leaving a door open, or by the sudden es- cape of gas from a crevice, technically known as a blower." He had remarked that they "had had a very low barometer" that day but two young men, who had been working near the place in question up till within two or three hours of the explosion, say that "the air was first-class; there was plenty of air going." This is the first accident of the kind that has happened at the pit. Mr Josiah Richards, the manager to the Ebbw Vale Company, en- deavours to take every precaution for the safety of life; but sometimes, as in this case, unfore- seen aocidents will arise, in spite of the adop- tion of prudent regulations.

THE PENDERYN MURDER. The inquest on the body of Mary Jones, the old woman who was so barbarously murdered at Jfantyderry farmhouse, Penderyn, on the 24th ult., was concluded at Hirwain on Wed- nesday, before J. Williams, Esq., coroner for Breconshire. There was no fresh evidence brought i&'ward. Two men, father and son, named Rees, upon whom some suspicion had been thrown by the evidence of a man named Tovey, at a former sitting, were examined on Wednesday, but they gave, on the whole, a satisfactory account of themselves on that day, and there were other witnesses ready to cor- roborate their statement. Under the circum- stances, the coroner advised the jury to return an open verdict. The evidence pointed clearly enough to a murder most foul and unnatural," but there was not the slightest clue to the criminals. The jury returned a verdict of Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown."

THE DERBY. Although the Derby of 1869 is registered among the records of the past, we fear there will be many aching hearts for several days to come. The great event has been won by the favourite, Pretender, who obtained an easy triumph about a month ago in the race for tho Two Thousand Guineas. On Wednesday, how- ever, he was run to a head by Pero Gomez, and it was only the splendid jockeyship of J. Osborne which secured him the victory. The Drummer, beaten by a length, was third, and the Duke of Beaufort fourth. Belladrum, whose career as a two-year-old was one of the most brilliant chronicled, was last but one. The race was the slowest since 1 860, but this may be attributed to the heavy condition of the ground.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A SERGEANT. A very sad case occurred in Brecon a few days ago. A sergeant named Fuller, in. the 23rd Welsh Fusiliers, had been paying his ad- dresses to a young woman who, unfortunately, was near her confinement. The regiment to which Fuller belonged being about to leave Brecon, he was anxious to marry the girl, and so prevent her being disgraced; and with a view thereto he applied to the commanding officer of the regiment for permission to marry. This, it seems, was refused; but Fuller, de- termined to carry out his wish. married the girl without the officer's consent This, of course, soon came to the ears of the command- ing officer, who at once ordered Fuller to be contined to his room, and forbade his seeing his wife or anyone else. Orders, it is said, were also given that Fuller would have to leave Brecon with the regiment, and that his wife would not be allowed to accompany him. Having only been married a few days, these orders, it seems, preyed upon his mind, and when alone he attempted to shoot himself with his rifle. On some of his comrades hearing the report, and going to his room, they found Fuller lying in a pool of blood, He had, it seems, put the rifle to his mouth and dis- charged it, the whole of his lower jaw and one side of his face and nose being carried away, together with his tongue. Medical men were at once called in, and at the time it was thought he could not live, but now it is believed that he will ultimately recover. He cannot, how- ever, speak. It is thought previous to his committing the rash act, he had been indulging in drink.