Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

afrits, Jttatriages, anfc Beatijs. DEATHS. July 24, at Abersychan, aged 77 years, Cat herine widow of Mr Evan Jones, stone mason. July 25, at Forge Row, Cwmbran, aged 59 years, Mrs Margaret Davies, widow. July 26, at Mamhilad, aged 22 years, Miss Emily Matthews, domestic servant. July 28, at Gibson's Lane, Pontypool, agea27 years, Mr Denis Flynn, steel smelter. „ July 28, at C-row, Blaenavon, aged 54 years, Mr John Powell, puddler. July 30, at Park Terrace, Pontypool, aged 3 years, William Jenkyn, son of the Rev T. LI. Jones.

THE DISTRESS AT BLAENAVON. A meeting of the joint committee of members of the Ahergavenny Board of Guardians and the Blaenavon Local Board, to arrange for opening a stoneyard to employ the men rendered destitute through the stop- page of the works, was held at the Lion Hotel, Blaen- avon, on Monday last, There were present—Messrs. T. Williams, Aberfrwdd; T. Williams,Bryncaffn; W. Wilkins, Wernycwm; B. Lewis, D. Lewis, J. Gill, &e. The committee selected a quarry belonging to the Blaenavon Company as being the most suitable. It is situate at Garnderris, whence the stones when I broken could be easily conveyed to Govilon Station or to Blaenavon but in the absence of Mr Martin, the manager of the works, they could not engage this quarry, so it was resolved to accept Mr David Lewis s offer of the use of his quarry for 14 kdays, until ar- rangements could be made with Mr Martin. A super- intendent was engaged by the committee at M per week-Mr Langford, late manager of the brickworks. It was arranged that 25 men should be provided with work the next morning, and about 100 were expected to resort to the labour yard by the end of the week. —After the meeting, the members of the Local Board entertained the Abergavenny Guardians to a dinner at the Lion Hotel.

STOCK AND SHARE LIST. Supplied by Messrs. THACKERAY & SAYCE, Stock and Share Brokers, 1, Pearson-place, Cardiff. RAILWAYS. Paid Prices Stock Great Western £ 100 94 95 „ London and North Western 100 .141 142 „ Monmouthshire 100 .151 152 „ Taff Vale 100 .213 214 PREFERENTIAL. Stock Monmouthshire 5 per cent. 100 .119 121 12 Do. New. convertible 6 lIt Hi Stock Taff Vale No 1 100 .213 214 Do. 4t per cent 100 108 109 Do. 5 per cent 100 .119 120 GUARANTEED AND LEASED 50 Aberdare, 10 per cent 50 .118 120 20 Coleford Mon., & Usk, 5 p.c. 20 23 23! Stock Great Western 5 p. c. (guar) 100 .128 129 „ Hereford, Hay, & Brecon 100 92 93 Do. do. Pref. 100 92J 93a 2 DEBENTURE STOCKS. Stock Hereford, Hay, and Brecon 5 per cent 100 .122 124 „ Great Western 5 per cent. 100 .127 129 Taff Vale 4 per cent 100 .101 103 BANKS. 20 BristolWestofEngland,Lim. n. 7 7! 100 Glamorganshire Banking Co. 100 .140 145 1Q Glamorganshire 10 13J 14^ TO London & Provincial, Lim. 5 ..11 llf 50 National Provincial 21 64 66 20 National Provincial 12 37 39 10 North and South Wales 10 27 27!xdlb 20 Swansea (Limited) 7. 7! 8 GAS. 10 Aberdare 10 10 10% Stock Bristol 100 .173 174 Cardiff A 10 percent. 100 .178 182 „ Do. B 8 per cent 100 .140 145 25 Do. Shares 7 per cent. 25 30 33 10 Llynvi Valley 10 10 11 Stock Newport A. 100 .175 180 Do. B 100 .130 135 20 Do. C 17 19 20 25 Swansea 10 per cent 25 25 Swansea 7! per cent 25 GAS AND WATER. 10 Bridgend 10 9 oz Stock Do. Deb. Stock 100 .101 102 „ Pontypool (Max 10 p. c.) 100 .135 145 12 Do. ( do. ) 12 15 17 10 Do. (Max. 7 p. c.) 10 9 11 10 Ystrad ?,, 10 19:1 20.1 WATER WORKS. '25 Bristol 25 63 63! Stock Cardiff 100 280 290 11 Do. 1860. 100 .170 180 10 New 6 11 13 Stock Neath 10 p. c. Guaranteed 100 .190 195 10 Do. 5 per ct. Preference 10. 91 1041 10 Newport 10 16 18 10 Do. New 7 12 14 Stock Pontypridd 5 p. o. Preference 100 105 109" MISCELLANEOUS. Stock Alexandra Dock, 6 P. e. Pref. 100 .110 120 „ Ditto 8p.o. Pref. 100 ..120 130 i0 Bristol and South Wales Wagon Co., Limited 4 6i 6! 23 Ebbw Vale 20 1 100 Nantyglo and Blaina Iron Works, Preference 100 16 18 10 Newport Abercarn Colliery 10 4 4| & Do. Tramways 5 2f 34 20 Patent Nut and Bolt, Lim. 14 19 20 50 Rhymney Iron, Limited. 50. 9! 10i 15 Do. New 15 2f 3 4 25 South Wales Colliery. 24. If 2! 50 Tredei;ar Iron&Coal,ALim. 24 11 13 25 Do. do. B Lim. 25 16 18 Bank Rate 2 per cent. (since 10th April). SELLERS:— Bristol and West of England Bank Shares London and Provincial Bank Shares Swansea Bank Shares at 7\ Rhymney Railway Preference Stocks and Shares • Cardiff Restaurant Shares, £10 fully paid ot £ 6 Cardiff and Swansea Colliery Shares, etc., etc. BIDS WANTED. I THACKERAY & SAYCE, CARDIFF, July 30, 1879.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Proprietor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions of his Correspondents. The columns of this paper are at all times open to the ex- pression of opinions on subjects of a public character. Correspondents are requested to write Oil one side of the paper only, and to avoid personalities and must enclose with the letter th?;r o\ts names and postal addresses, not necessarily forpublicationjunless intended by them), but for the satis- faction of the Editor.

I ¡ EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS VERSUS MALARIA. I To the Eailor of the Free Press. Sir,—Thanks for your courtesy in so promptly insert- ing my letter. With your permission, I will again encroach upon your space. I wish to give an extract from the Illustrated Sydney News of March 25th, 1873 It is not a little interesting to find the new world of Australia contributing to the health and comfort of that grandest of all old cities, Rome. As a matter of fact, thr trees planted at the monastery of the Trois Fontaines, a few out of Rome, hare rendered the place quite habitable, although for many years it was found im- possible for the monks to remain there during the un- healthy season. The great value of the Eucalyptus for such purposes is now established beyond all doubt." The EiiculyiiMs nientfyiiu-<i.lwyr ts meimwtnair, I think it strange that I have Eeen no allusion in any English newspaper to the article from which the extract is taken. To readers of Australian newspapers there was nothing new in the information given that the Blue Gum bad rendered habitable and healthy mauy places in different parts of the globe. The Builder, in an article on Cyprus and the panting of forest trees in the newly-acquired island, recommended the Eucalyptus (among other trees) as a valuable timber tree on ac- count of its size and rapid growth." According to Australian papers, its seasoned wood is a valuable article of commerce, being solid and firm as the English oak in fact, every part of the Eucalyptus is useful— the gum (from which the English name is taken) is a powerful medicinal agent. I- To the oft repeated query, II What shall we oo with Cyprus?" a pertinent reply would be, Plant the Blue Gum there." I expected that the planting of Eucalypti would have been proceeded with as soon as the report of the unhealthy state of the island had been published. In our own land, if we profit by the ligbt thrown on the subject, the Eucalyptus Globulus may be advan- tageously turned to account in many places. If dwarf plants were introduced into churches, they would need bat a small amount of attention, and nothing more in the way of shelter. It would be an innovation in the right direction. A few plants would keep the air pure, and destroy the germs of disease that often lurk where many persons are collected. In hospitals, infirmaries, meert halls, lecture rooms, &c., situations could be .ound for plants in a growing state. To acclimatise the Eucalyptus will require time, but a few months would -uffice to raise and turn out thousands of seedlings for he purposes suggested philanthropists and sanitary reformers may fiud a reliable, invaluable ally in Nature's great disinfectant, the Blue Gum of Australia. 1 am, sir, yours faithfully, AN ENGLISHWOMAN. Pontnewynydd, July 22nd. P.S.-When the discussion was going on in the London papers, a short article appeared in a South Wales newspaper, wherein the writer stated that the Eucalyptus was a tropical tree, a native of Africa, therefore it was useless to attempt to naturalize it in Britain. It bad been extensively planted in Australia, California, &c. The preposterous statement remained unchallenged, although we are described as advancing in knowledge. The Penny Cyclopadia, thirty or forty years ago, presented its readers with a clearer descrip- tion of the tree. This morning I went to see if the Eucalyptus was mentioned in that useful work, and found it. I copied the following; it will prove the writer to be in error I"" gi.Eitealyptits, a genus of New Holland plants, con- sisting of lofty trees, with a volatile aromatic oily secre- tion in their leaves and a large quantity of astringent resinous matter in their bark. They belong to the alternate-leaved division" "of Myrtacese. This genus occurs in the Malayan Archipelago, but is chiefly Aus- tralian, and, together with the leafless Acacias, gives a most remarkable character to the scenery. The species exist in great profusion, and form the largest trees in the forests of that part of the world. A modern writer upon the plants of Van Diemen's Land says that Euca- lyptus seems as if it had taken undisturbed possession of those Australian regions, clothing as it does with a stupendous mantle the surface both of Van Diemen's Land and New Holland. No trees in the world so con- stantly or rapidly arrive at gigantic dimensions. Frazer found a hollow Eucalyptus at Moreton Bay, used by the natives as a cemetery. Even. at Swan River, where, according to the report of Frazer, the species are stunted, they attain a huge size. A height of 150 feet and a girth of from 25 to 60 are not uncommon dimen- sions of Eucalyptus Calophylla* Gum Tree is the universal name among the colonists for the Eucalyptus, and has arisen from the large quantity of an astringent gum-like juice, resembling gum kino in its qualities, which all tbe species yield. Upon the whole this genus must be considered the most important that New Hol- land produces. As it occurs so far to the south as Van Diemen's Land, it is almost certain that it might be naturalized in Devonshire, Cornwall, and on the West of Ireland. Even in the neighbourhood of London certain kinds bear moderate winters without shelter, especially Eucalyptus Pulverluenta." ~^Far la7ee7treea have been cut down in recent years. I have seen an illustration of a stupendous Gum (I think Eucalyptus TmygMinu*), a veritable giant of the forCst.-23rd J uly.

To the Editor of the Free Press. Dear Sir,-l noticed in a recent issue of your valu- able paper a letter from Veritas," referring solely to myself I would have replied to that missive last week, but business and an absence from home for two days prevented my doing so. He informs you of a fact well- known to yourself, that the champion (meaning my- self) is still in the field." I may just tell Veritas that he intends to remain in the field as lor.g as he does and a few weeks longer not that I think for a moment his plagiaristic communications will do any harm-in fact, I look upon them with perfect indiflerence. They are to my mind something like the chip in porridge they will do no good, and they will do no harm, To the Catholic and the intelligent Protestant, they are I simply the outpourings of a mind nurtured in the Anti- Popish misrepresentation, the bigoted intolerance, and profound ignorance of nearly a half century ago. To the narrow-minded crew who choose such ignorant Sciolists as Veritas" for a teacher, they will be of little use their hatred of Popery and their ignorance of itsjtenets are already so intense, that they cannot re- ceive and additional stimulus. Such people I pity and pass on-they would rather go to hell with Luther than to heaven wtth Pius IX. Is it not rather amusing to see how this man ashes himself into impotent rage? Popery evidently acts upon him as a red rag does upan a furious bull. I was tempted to allow bis remarks pass by with silent contempt, for evidently the man who writes in such a strain as he does is unfit for tem- perate discussion. The man who can believe that the teachers of upwards 20Q,000,000 of Christians are leagued in a huge imposture is too narrow-minded and bigotted to notice. I believe that Presbyterianism is a deadly error, but if I thought or asserted that the preachers of that form of Christianity were leagued in imposture and deception, what would you, Mr Editor, think of the inward workings of my mind ? I will just revert to an assertion ofVeritas that I have given half a dozen quotations from a tenpenny book, to wit, Milner's End of Controversy." Now, this is quite enough to show tho weakness and fury of the man's mind. I should like to know why a quotation from a tenpenny book is to be despised. I have not a library at my back as "Veritas" has, but I may say that bis arguments are wholly taken from a 7s 6d book,—" A Discussion between Mr French and Dr Cumming," the Prophet of Crown Court. I, however, challenge that champion from Llanover to show in your next issue the quotations from Milner. Why, my first letter of a series of five or six contains more matter than the whole of Dr Milner's Article on Papal Supremacy. I will just,, in passing, remind" Veritas" that I shall not again refer to the question of Papal Supremacy until I have dealt with his absurd nonsensical blasphemy against the Holy Eucharist and the person of the Son of God. Perhaps" V eritas" will remember a theolo- gian in Pontypool who made a statement to the effect that pardon could be bought in the Church of Rome for the base coin of earth," That theologian was branded by a Catholic priest as a public calumniator," and what think you, Veritas," was the defence the' theologian made ? Simply this I can prove it if the rev. gentleman requires it." The priest called upon the theologian in the next issue of the paper for the proof; but, alas the theologian was at fault. He did not reply through the medium of the press, but he re- tired within the narrow precincts of a little conventicle in High-street yclept Rehoboth," and there, to an ad- miring audience, read from a work, which has been placed in the Roman Prohibitory Index, a statement of charges for the forgiveness of sins in the Church of Rome. What do you call that but a system of decep- tion and fraud?" I am tempted to exclaim with ShaksDere- Oh for a whip to lash Such scoundrels tlito' the world. I should imagine that by this time Veritas" must feel in the very same frame of mind as he describes Peter, with the conceit of superiority" knocked out of him. In parting with him, I will give him a bit of advice. Put up your shutters, old man, and I'll give you an epitaph — AJas, poor" Veritas," here he lies, Of Poperymania the poor man died; What wonder if in death he lies, Since in life we know he lied. ———— A CATHOLIC. [The writer's statement that he would have replied last week must be understood as referring to the week before last; his letter was intended for our last issue, but as we were already over-full at the time the manu- script reached the office, viz., middle-day on Thursday last, it was impossible for us to publish it then. We hope he will excuse the omission, which was unavoid- able.]-ED. F.P.

THE public mind has been much, disturbed since the issue of tho last edition of the FREE PRESS, in which we announced that a rate of 4s. in the £ had been made to meet current expenses, as well i as those incurred in the action with Mr MASTERS. The rate is unquestionably a high one, and it is necessitated at a most unfortunate period. In other columns ic will be seen that indignation meetings of ratepayers have been held at the Town Hall to protest against the rate, but we fear without effecting any practical result in the way of reduction. Every possible effort towards re- ducing the burden, which will now bear so heavily upon the ratepayers, had already been made by the Local Board, who have found them- selves in the predicament that the law grants them no alternative but to levy the amount re- quired during the current year. The Local Board is very differently constituted now from what it was when the resolution to wage a legal warfare with Mr MASTERS way adopted, a although the 1opinion is expressed by some persons that these proceedings were not justified, the meetings just 1.^1^ »—* V Jt J.1 s they "received that public feeling was very warm upon the subject, We cannot speak of the rate- payers generally as having attended the meet- ings, for the truth is that the ratepayers were but meagrely represented. They showed, with few exceptions, but little feeling in the matter, and they seemed to recognise the absurdity of striving against the inevitable. The Local Board hava certainly exercised their utmost ingenuity in at- tempting to modify and lighten the burden which adverse circumstances inflict upon the ratepayers; but the law is inflexible. They have no power to borrow money for the purpose of extending the payment of the costs over a number of years. The law is emphatic, and the duty of the Local Board is open and clear. The sincerity of its members has been challenged, but not denied they have done their best, and unbiassed judgment cannot blame them. If a mistake was made in the first instance, the Board acted, as they thought for the best, with the spirit of the age in desiring to im- prove the district over which they presided.

THE right to hold public meetings is of the ut- most importance, for in no other way is it pos- sible to call attention to many grievances, and endeavour to obtain their redress. Although such a meeting is a powerful lever when properly wielded, it may be rendered of no value whatever by being illegally convened or conducted, and it would perhaps be as well for ratepayers to study a little of the proper course to be adopted in such cases before the next occasion arises. The late meetings were not legally convened, and are therefore rendered abortive and moreover they were, although called ratepayers' meetings, at- tended by many persons who were not such. After a careful consultation of the Public Health Act," we are of opinion that the ratepayers have now but two courses open to them, either to pay the money or appeal to Quarter Sessions. THE experience which every official meets with in the course of his life must of necessity be of a varied character, and in it there are the evidences of every phase of human existence. Unconscious jokes or unmeant sarcasm, not without their points, but clearly without intention, oft display their apparency. The Under Sheriff for the county of Monmouth on Monday received a letter from an individual who had been summoned as a jury- man to serve at the Assizes. He wrote to excuse himself, and the reason of his plea was that for four years he had been unwell, and had not been able to attend any place of amusement, not even church." There are not many who regard either Assize courts or churches as places of amusement

ON DIT. BY AN ABERSYCHAN CONTRIBUTOR. VERILY, the Ratepayers of Pontypool must feel convinced that they are governed by wise councellors, if any further proof were needed of the prescience of the custodians of the public purse, surely the fact that a rate of only 4s. in the f, I is found to be necessary to pay the piper for the excitement of the little dispute respecting the Greyhound Corner," should be sufficient'to convince the most sceptical that the people's chosen Ministers were truly far-seeing men, deserving to rank amongst the foremost of financiers. Is it not to be regretted that the pleasure derivable from such occasional differences must somehow contain a large per centage of alloy, with the sequence of the Ratepayers hav- ing to find metal of true ring, and of the size and shape of ordinary coin of the realm ? THE Abersychan Fire Brigade is again muster- ing in full force, but what a disappointment was experienced by them at Talywain recently, where they met for practice? It was not enough to take the Brigade to an imaginary fire, but it appears they had also to imagine a hydrant, where there was but a wooden plug. A Fir lug would not be objected to at this spot, and it is to be hoped our Local Board will take immediate steps to remedy this state of thmgs, and thus conduce to the proper performance of the import- ant duty of Brigade practice. This may not be the only instance of the kind, and I would sug- gest that all the hydrants should be thoroughly examined and reported upon. No doubt the question "Why is there not a hydrant fixed at Taly wain" will be asked at the next Board Meeting, and the disappointment to the Brigade will be fairly counter-balanced by the institution of a more perfect system of Fire Plugs, whereby a greater security to property may be anticipated.

EXECUTION OF CATHERINE WEBSTER. CONFESSION OF THE CONVICT. On Tuesday morning Catherine Webster was exe- cuted in Wandsworth Gaol for the murder of Mrs. Thomas, at Richmond. The proceedings were strictly private, owing to the decision of the Sheriff of the county not to admit representatives of the Press. Nevertheless some facts concerning the convict tran- spired amongst the crowd which had collected outside. It seems that Webster, after making a short confes- sion late on Monday night, to the effect that she alone committed the deed, told Father McEnnery, the Roman Catholic chaplain, that she felt relieved at having unburdened her conscience, and that she should sleep more calmly on that her last night on earth than ohe had done since her condemnation. She retired to rest soon after ten, and slept fairly well. She arose soon after five in the morning, and was at once visited by the governor of the prison, Captain Col- ville, whose kindness to her since she has been under his care the convict has spoken highly of. At 7.30 Father McEnnery arrived, and he was followed very quickly by the surgeon of the gaol. Marwood had 6lept on the premises and was up betimes, making all the final preparations for carrying out the law. At 8.30 the under-sheriff for Surrey, Mr. Abbot, arrived, and soon after the process of pinioning was gone through, and just before nine the procession started for the scaffold, Father McEnnery reading the burial service. The prison bell commenced tolling at a quarter to nine, and at three minutes past the hour the black flag was hoisted on the flagstaff, denoting that Catherine Webster was no more. The appearance of the flag was greeted with some cheering by the crowd. At 10.30 Mr. Abbot left the gaol, brt frosa him very few particulars of the actual scene at the execution could be gained. He said Webster was perfectly calm, that she quietly submitted to be pinioned, and that she walked firmly to the scaffold exhibiting great self-possession. She stood unassisted while Marwood adjusted the noose, and made no attempt to say anything to the surrounding group of officials. CONFESSION OF THE CONVICT. With respect to the death of Mrs. Thomas, the circumstances surrounding the murder of that lady are as follows:— I entered that lady's service in the month of January, 1878. At first I thought her a nice old lady that I might he comfortable and happy with but I found her very trying, and used to do many things to annoy me during my work. When I had finished my work in my rooms she used to go over it after me and point out places where she said I did not clean, alleging that I had not done my work properly, and showing evidence of a nasty spirit towards me. This sort of conduct towards me by Mrs. Thomas made me feel an ill feeling for her, but at this time never an ill feeling to murder her. I afterwards had an altercation with her, and we mutually arranged that I should leave her service, and she made an entry ro this effect in a memorandum book. "On Sunday evening, the 2d of March last, Mrs. Thomas and I were alone in the house. We kad some argument, at which both she and myself were Lnnoyed, and she became very much agitated, and "'ft the House to go to church in that state, leaving me to remain at home. Upon her return from church before her usual hour she came in and went upstairs. I went up after her and we had an argu- ment, which ripened into a quarrel, and in the height of my rage and anger I threw her from the top of the stairs to the ground floor. She had a heavy fall. I felt that she was seriously injured, and I became excited at what occurred, lost all control over myself, and to prevent her screaming or get- ting me into trouble I caught her by the throat, and in the struggle she was choked, and I threw her on the floor. I became entirely lost, and without any control over myself, and looking at what happened and the fear of being discovered, I determined to do away with the body the best I could. I chopped off the head from the body, assisted with the use of a razor which I used to cut through the flesh afterwards. I also used the meat saw and the carving-knife to cut the body up. I prepared the copper with water to boil the body, to prevent identitv and as soon as I had succeeded in cuttinf i» up x placed it in the copper and boiled it down. I opened the stomach with the carving-knife, and burned up as much as I could. During the whole of this time there was nobody in the house but myself. When I used to look upon the scene before me, and the blood around my feet, the horror and dread I felt was inconceivable. I was bewildered, and acted as if I was, mad, and I did everything I could possibly to conceal the occurrence and keep it quiet, and everything regular, fearing the neighbours might suspect that anything had happened. I was greatly overcome both from the horrible sight before me and the smell, and I failed neveral times in strength and determination, but was helped on by the devil in this vile purpose. I remained in tho house all night ca- deavouring to clear up the place and clean away the traces after the murder. I burned part of the body after chopping it up and boiling the body, and I I think one of the feet. I emptied tho copper and tfcrasicte. the little wooden box which was produced in court, ind resolved to deposit it in the Thames, which was I afterwards done in the manner already described, with the assistance of young Porter. I put the head i)f Mrs. Thomas into tho Mack bag, and being weary, lnd afraid to remain in the house, I carried it to Porter's house and had some tea there I placed the black bag with the head in it under the tea table, md afterwards took it away from the house and dis- posed of it in the way and in the place I have des- cribed to my solicitor Mr. O'Brien. When I placed the box in the river, and disposed )f the head and the other parts of the body as best I jould, and cleaned up the place so as that a person soming in might not suspect or see anything irre- gular, it was suggested to my mind to sell all that was in the house and go away, and with that view [ went and saw Porter and introduced the sale of the things to him. He accompanied me to see Church, Mid we bargained for the sale in the manner set forth in the evidence given upon the trial respecting ;bat part of the transaction. I gave the chairs to Porter as a gift, and also kept ordering things for ;he house from the tradespeople, in order to evade luspicion. There is no truth in the evidence given by Miss Ives that she heard men in the house on >he Sunday or Monday night, or the voice of a woman calling 'Lizzie.' Miss Ives is mistaken in that part of her evidence, as there was nobody in he house but myself; and the statement I made that Strong, a man, and a woman were in the house is untrue, and I made that statement with the view to save myself, if possible, from my perilous position. At the time of the murder I took possession of Mrs. Thomas's gold watch and chain, and also of all ;he money in the house, which was only seven or sight pounds. I accompanied Church to the watch- maker s, and asked for Mrs. Thomas's watch. Church )nly paid me in all thirteen pounds, not eighteen pounds, as stated. He made me a present of the ear- rings, and the evidence as to my borrowing the sovereign from Mrs. Church is correct. I threw the Iresses and bonnet of Mrs. Thomas into the van which was brought to fetch the furniture, and they were taken to Church's. I thought of getting rid of them in the best manner I could. "When I left Church's house in the evening after the sale of the furniture was stopped I determined to proceed to Ireland at once to avoid being discovered, but I was not surprised at being arrested. It is true that I went by the name of Mrs. Thomas, and that I said I had come into a property, And that I wore her gold watch, and with regard to the false teeth I took those from Mrs. Thomas and gave them to Porter to sell, the proceeds of which he gave me except a shilling, which I gave him. I have now relieved my mind by making a full and sincere confession, that myself alone, without the help or assistance of any person whatever, com- mitted the murder. I have accounted for it, and described it in this statement to the best of my power and recollection. I heartily exonerate every one from having any hand or part in it. "I was afraid to make known the real state of things to my solicitor, lest he might have abandoned my case and taken no interest in it. I therefore con- cealed the truth from him until I sent for him, when he told me of the reply to the memorial sent up for me. I then fully and candidly confessed to him at the last moment the whole of the facts, that every- body may be cleared, and that I alone could be blamed. "I am perfectly resigned to my fate, and am full of confidence in a happy eternity. I die with great fortitude and confidence in my faith and in our blessed Lord, whom I beseech to have mercy on my soul.

At the Woolwich Police Court, a few days ago, William O'Neill, aged 35, was committed for trial on a charge of attempting to murder his wife, by stabbing her in the breast; The prisoner accused his wife of infidelity. The Archbishop of Paris will, on the 21st of August, crown the new statue of the Virgin at La Salette, approved by the Congregation of Rites at Rome, and a larD-e^ncnnrsfij)?^Pilgrims is oxpeoted to be thw The liock states that the inauguration of the Strat- ford Martyrs' Memorial is to take place on Saturday August 2. A meeting will be held the same day, at which the Earl of Shaftesbury is to preside. The Maltese sailor Joseph Piatoria, who took part in the Caswell tragedy at sea, in January, 1876, and was during the present year identified and arrested at Buenos Ayres, has been sentenced to death at the Cork Assizes. Mr. Justice Stephen and Mr. Justice Bowen will be the vacation judges, and it is arranged that Mr. Justice Stephen shall take the whole work of the first half of the ensuing long vacation, and Mr. Jus- tice Bowen the whole work of the remainder of the vacation. Eleven pigs, belonging to Mr. Thomas Vincent, of Didcheat, Shepton Mallet, and fifteen others, the property of Mr. Harrison, at East Coker, reported to be suffering from typhoid fever, have been ordered to be slaughtered and buried, compensation to be paid to the owners.

THE ZULU WAR. THE BATTLE OF ULUNDI. JBiUliLATION OF OUR SOLDIERS BY THE ZULUS. STEADINESS OF THE TROOPS. INTENDED RESIGNATION OF LOR]) CHELMSFORD. The Daily News publishes the following, dated Landsman's Drift, July ó :-The combat at Ulundi was singularly unvaried by striking incident. There was a big hollow square, and men in red coats on the back, rillcs in hand. For half an hour this square stood doggedly pouring the sleet of death from every face. Outside this square, mostly at respectful dis- tance, surged a furious throng of savages, brandishing shields and assegais, and firing heavily but fitfully from Lheirjagged front. Presently these black men wavered; then bolted, sent in flight by the steady administration of canister. The square, still grimly firm, gave one ringing cheer that was heard in the laager behind; the bayonets wavered in the air for a moment; then the business recommenced. The infantry betook themselves for a few minutes to long shots. A centrifugal whirlwind of horsemen sped from the square as the lightning bursts from the thundercloud, and dashed hot and fierce after the flying foe. Before the cavalry had concluded their innings the infantry were placidly lunching, and the corlis were popping off long hoarded champagne bot- tles. Inside the square a few dead Britons lay, who had spent their lives for their Queen and country. The green sward outside was littered thick with dead Zulus, who, not less than our dead, have fallen for their Sovereign. There is nothing more to tell, save of the general fire, and smoke that seethed in the bosom of the beautiful valley as we marched from it I have no manoeuvring, no elaborate tactics to recount. The affair was simply a struggle, reduced to the first principles of ding-dong fighting, with the natural advantage to the Zulus in numbers to us in the character of the armament. JThe onlymanoeuvring done was by Buller's men's whose horse-work was superb, clearing the front, masking the division while in the rows of formation in square, stinging the enemy into opportune reprisals, and finally chevying the fugitives many miles. Buller's men had the score of Zlobane to settle with the Zulus, and vengeful fury raged in their hearts, because of a spectacle which met their gaze yesterday. In the long grass they had found three comrades who had fallen in a reconnaissance the previous day—mangled With fiendish ingenuity; scalped; their noses and right hands cut off their hearts torn out, and other nameless mutilations. Strange to say, the battle was fought on semi-sacred ground, the soil of a mission-station! The ruins of a Norwegian mission and house were a few paces off. They were pulled down to open the range, but before this was done these dead men were brought into the precincts, a grave was dug, and the chaplain, hastily donning his surplice, read the burial service, to which the shell fire gave stern responses, while the bullets whizzed round the mourners. I never wish to see soldiers steadier. Constant laagering had been threatening demoralisation. Apprehension was un- questionably felt lest the sudden confront of the men with the fierce Zulu rush should shake their nerves; but the British soldier was true to his manly tradi- tions when he found himself in the open, and saw the enemy face to face in the daylight. Lads of new regiments who had never seen a shot fired in. anger, were as cool as the seasoned veterans of the 13th and 80th. Lord Chelmsford's soldierly coolness and decision clear-headedness in action go far to redeem the passiveness and peevish vacillation which are his characteristics when no battle is raging. One might wish him a military Rip Van Winkle, only wakening to direct a battle. Evelyn Wood's face was radiant with the rapture of the fray as he rode up and down behind his regiment, exposed to a storm of missiles. All the officers of the head-quarters sta and Newdigate's staff were unscathed, save- Lieut. Milne, of the 1st, who was slightly wounded, and Captain Cotton, of the 2nd, whose temple was grazed by a bullet. Owing to the conformation of the ground, the dressing place in the centre of the square was peculiarly exposed. The surgeons worked under a heavy double cross fire with coolness and skill. The Lancers had their good day at last, and lost several horses. Colonel Lowe was knocked temporarily senseless by a shot in the back and fell from hiB horse, but regained consciousness, recovered, and led his regiment in the charge. Lieutenant Jenkins had his lower jaw broken. It was bandaged, and he could not be restrained from accomDaninar his regiment in the charge. 'J-'ne z<uius squaiteu inicK m me long j^rass, ana fired venomously. The Lancers spotted them in a manner reminding one of p'g-sticking. Indeed, Keevil Davis killed six ipso maun. Young James, of the Scots Greys, was blazed at point blank by two men. The two turned on him. They missed. He ran the right-hand man through. The man on the left dropped his musket and inflicted an assegai wound on James's bosom. The latter, extricating his sword, brought it round to the left with a swift swing and all but severed his antagonist's h6ad. The Dragoons were represented by Brewster, Provost Marshal, who took out a little detachment and had So,refers oFwfcK&M, flanked stockades. Cetewayo'a pla«^, was a thatchcc! Eurc-p-n house. There was no plunder. Tht. flames were too swift. As the division marched back into laagar Wood's bands played and the bagpipes of the 21st screeched lustily. To-day Lord Chelmsford meant to march back on the Uvula standing camp, retiring on Kwamaguasa, in order to effect a junction with Crealock's. division Lord Chelmsford's parting words to me were "So far as I am concerned the war is over." I believe he contemplates an immediate resignation, in the opportunity of which he is happy. The grass is so burnt and dry that I re- gard the campaign as concluded for the season. I have ridden from Ulundi to the frontier here, about 110 milos, in fourteen hours, riding along all night fnvice I lost my way in the fog.

THE following interesting letter was lately received from a Pontypool man, Corporal Charles Jones, 2nd Squadron, Mounted Infantry. Zululand, South Africa, May 8th 1879. Dear Brothers,—I am now set down to write you these few I nes in hopes of finding you in good health as it leaves me at present, thank God for it. Dear George, you say there was some grand mistake some- where about our regiment being cut up. It is like this The Commander-in-chief gave orders to Col. Pulleine to keep the camp, while he took out a fight ing column to meet the enemy, and he sent for Col. Durnford, Royal Engineers,with his men from Krom- skrop to reinforce Col. Pulleine. Whilst Lord Chelmsford went one way the Zulus came another, and Durnford took his men out to meet them, and ordered the 24th out, which was contrary to the orders the General left us. So Lord Chelmsford is not to blame. If he left orders to keep the camp, why should Col. Durnford not obey the order ? Dear Brother, we started to relieve Col Pearson on the 28th of March, and we had made four days march and halted at a place called Gingilhovo. That day the mounted infantry were out reconnoitering for the Zulus, and we saw them about three miles from camp. We reported it to the General, and the camp was kept under arms all night; it rained heavily, but we did not care; we were out in it all night. Early next morning, the 2nd of April, as the dew and mist cleared away, we saw about 15,000 Zulus coming on to our camp, and we saddled up and waited for them. They thought our powder was wet. As soon as they came within range, the General said, Now, men, give it to them, and I can tell you that they did get it to some time, for we killed 1,800 of them in no tune, and then they began to retire. The General then asked our major if we were ready to charge, and he said All ready and willing, sir." We jumped our horses over the laager and charged after them, and cut 400 of them up with our swords. I can tell you that the 24th men did not give much quarter to the black devils. Dear Brother, there is a prospect of the war com- ing to an end, for the King is wanting peace, and I hope that he will get it and the war be over, for I have had a fill of it. The letter concludes with kindly messages to his family and friends.

,7,i HORRIBLE OCCURRENCE IN A CHURCHYARD. A Guildford Correspondent writes :—A horrible case in reference to the state of the adjacent parish church of Shore has just been reported to the rural sanitary authority. In digging a grave a human body was exhumed in a semi-decomposed state lying only four feet beneath the surface. It was allowed to lie some hours by the grave-side, and in the meantime a large hound got access to the churchyard, and was discovered devouring the flesh from the por- tions of the corpse that remained. The medical officer, reporting upon the case, observes:—"A grave was dug, and to get down four feet a human body was exhumed which was only partially decayed, the brains and ligaments still remaining in an advanced state of decomposition, and giving off a most horrid smell. A second corpse was partially to be seen within three feet of the surface. It was left in this state twenty- four hours, and waa within thirty feet of the house in the churchyard. The smell in the rooms facing the graveyard was so strong that they were quite un- bearable. One corpse was buried within nine feet of this house last year, and soon after there was a case of typhoid fever; and the same in 1877, after a corpse had been buried close to this house. The churchyard is above the well that supplies the house, and these bodies have been buried in a line with it. The part of the grave-yard is quite full, and it is not advisable that more bodies should be buried here, as the whole of the yard drains into the stream close to it, and the water at the present time is used by several families in the village. The medical officer adds I ordered this grave to be filled in, and the corps to be buried turther from the house. The sanitary au- thority has decided to forward the report to the Home Secretary and to the Local Government Board.