The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

— ,i l o r « nv- r^v^c" y/ J. ""1: te*y £ v -jrttS .-■ "^V JJ><\sC<V -^5^ 5- /»^ I PONTYPRIDD ANNUAL CHAIR EISTEDDFOD. Qcreu arf, a darf derfyss /\V'I wr fo doeth, yw arf dysg THE THIRD ANNUAL CHAIR EISTEDDFOD Will be held in the MARKET HALL. ON WHIT TUESDAY, 1881, Under the distinguished patronage of The Right Hon. Lent Aberanre Right Hon. Lord Tredegar; C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. H. H. Vivian, Esq., M.P.; Sir E. J. Reed, K..C tf., M.P.; H. Richard, Ksq„ M.P. ü. Williams, Esq., J.P. U W. Tlioraaa, Esq., The Heath; W. Ttiomaa, E<q., Li..tlathian, and the local gentry. CHAIRMAN G. WILLIAMS, ESQ., MISXIN MANOR. ADJUDICATORS ASAPH GLAS DYFI, & REV. JAMES WILLIAMS. Chief Subjects 1.—Best Libretto on The Harvest not above 200 lines in length. Prize, five guineasr and oak Chair, value, two guineas. 2.—Best Chorus on Luke xix, 38. Prize, three guineas. 3.-To the Choir, numbering not less than 50 I voices, that will best rentier Molwch yr Arflwydd," (J Thomas, Llanwrtyd,) Prize, £ 25; 1.e." £ 23 to the Choir, and £ 2 to its conductor. 4.-To the Choir, numbering not less than 30 voices that will best render "Addfwyn i'iwsig," (successful glee at last Eisteddfod) Nos. 88 and o9 of the ■■> erduLurja. Prize, X7. 5.-To the Juvenile Choir, that will best sing Dr Parry's Sleighing Glee." Prize, 1;2. 6.-Be8t Ep.tan VU-11 a I hodda,d, 8 llinell) to the late Mr. Joues, Butcher's Arms Prize, 10/ti. A GRAND CONCERT Will be held in the evening, when Mdme. Martha Harris, K.A.M., Miss S. A. Williams, K.A.M., Asaph Ulan Dyti, and others will taKe part. A Special Train will run from Pontypridd to Tre- herbert, and ij'erncfcale, at 11 p.m., calling at all intermediate Citations. Programmes may be had from the Secretary. Price ld. by post ifcd. On behalf of the Committee, D. Lej shon, Chairman, Josepii Davies, Ui-aig Boys' School, runtypridu, Secretary. U.B. The Committee will gladly entertain offers of Subject* with, tmzez ior competition. TO ADVERTISERS, THE PONTYPRIDD CHRONICLE ANO WORKMAN'S NEWS, A LIBERAL JOuR-NAL FOR THE TAFF AND RHONDDA VALLEYS, IS an excellent medium for Advertisements. It has beeu ehtablishei to meet a warit long eit for a popular newspaper. Published in the centre of a lurge mining and industrial district 01 40,tX)0 to úl',lJIJO inhabitants, a^d within 12 miles only of Caiditl, Met tbyr, AUidure Mid Treherbert, its value as all adveitiser cannot fan to be recog- nised, aud as its charges are as low as those ot any other iwpedts»b4e |>»per iu bouih Wales iho Pro- prietor h pes tu secure txiensive patiouago anu support. SCALE OF CHARGES FOIL SMALL PRE-PAID AUVLHTISEMENTS. For the lollcwing classtg of Advertisements only :— Situations VVataed, I Money Wanted, Situations Otiv red, | Partus rshipa W anted, Apartments to Let, Busiutttsts tor SaJe, Apartments Otlc'ed,! J Lout a*»d 4uan«i. M ihC t LLA NEOUS WANT8. Houses, Shois, Ultici s4 Mouse* to Let, Specific Articles tor Sale kyvtivate Uoinraet or hxchanges. It uot paia lwr ia advance the ordinary credit rait will be chaiged. Words. One Thrrfe Six Insertion. rusmions. Iuwrtions l"l i.L"il: 18 0 6 1 e 16 27 0 9 & r. 2 a 86 1 0 2 0 SO 45 1 3 2 6 8 9 64 1 6 3 0 4 6 63 1 9, 3. 6 3 72 2 0 4 0. ti 0 81 2 3 4 6 6 9 yrr,iJtach liD", 9 words extra. N.B.Yl&r scale Ooes tiolapply to advertisements from Pubiija booiea^ Cheques and P. 0. Orders should be made payable, and all' eopimuaicatiocs sent to B. 1)aV1ES, iontypridd nhrontcle OiEce, 23 & 24, Mill btiett, Pontypridd. I' J^UROPEAN ^TINE QOMPANY, LONDON. AGENT FOR PONTTTEIDD, W. H. KEY, CHEMIST, Ac., WINE ANT) SPIRIT MERCHANT, 89-4 9 0, TAFF STREET Per Bottle Per Dozen. Pale Shprry Is 3d lti 6(1 Is 8d The The 20a Royal Victoria 2s 3d 2711 Fine Pale or liold.28 6d 28 9d 3s 0d.30s 33s 368 TIOrrllg( na.Is d Ii> 6d Is 1Id.15s 1!jø :!ls FmeuIdPort 2s 0d 2s 3d 2s 6d.24s 278 308 Choice Old Cmated 3s Od 3s 6d 4s0d.36s 42a 48s Dinner Claiet Is Od Is 3d Is The The buperior do. old bott'ed 2s Od 221 6d 3s 0d ..24s 30s 368 Champagne 2s 3d2slOd 3s6d.27s 348 42s Chansareis 1st quality 4s Od 4811 Sparkling Saumur 2s Od 2s 5d 2s9d.24s 26s 33s SPIRITS. Colonial Brandy 2s 3d 2s 6d 3a Cognac Brandy $sO.i 3s 6d 4s Fine London Gin 2s 0d 2s 5d 2s 7d Irish Whisky 2s 3d 2s 8d 3s Scotch Whisky 2s 3d 2s 8d 3s Jamaica Ruin 2s 3d 2s 8d 3s Schiedank iiollailds 2s 5d 2s 8d 300kiii i f Prices^ containing over _C0 descuptions of Wi»!^#'a»'d spirits, forwunleu free on a^pl.cation to the Cotapatiy at their Afreute. Jules Uufont's Old Cognac BiHndirs. Brenan's V.S.O. Irish Whisky, as 6d per bottle. Xeirme Highland Whisky, U 6d per battle. PUBLIC NOTICES. ST. CATHERINE'S CHURCH, PONTYPRIDD- A GRAND BAZAAR Under distinguished patronage will be held at PONTYPRIDD, r On the 29th and 30th of JUNE, 1881. In Aid of the Funds of the above Charch. \J"Y Friends are respectfully requested to send in their contributions not later than June 20th. > PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT. St. Catherine's Church Choir. A CONCERT Of vocal 'and instrumental music, including a Cantata entitled "THE PICNIC," will be given by the above choir at the GRAIG BOARD SCHOOLS, On Thursday, June 23rd. i Particulars will shortly appear. PHILLIP R. JAMES, PONTYPRIDD AND RHONDDA. VALLEY 3ill Poster and Town Crier, TRE^RKY. •FfNTS ALL THE PUINCIPAL POSTING STATIONS IN PONTYPRIDD AND rhondda valley. IIorse and Trap kept for hire. FOREST WOOLLEN FACTORY. REIW, PONTYPRIDD. S. G. JON ES, Wool.en Manufacturer. CLOTHS, BLANKETS, AND EVERY KIND )F PLAIN AND FANCY WELSH FLANNELS. Ill descriptions of Welah Stocking Yarn, in any quantity. Country work promptly attended to.. W. GRIFFITHS, TAFF WHEEL WORKS, PONTYPRIDD. New and Second-hand CARTS to suit Farmers and Contractors. UGHT SPRING CARTS, SUITABLE FOR GROCERS. A Large Stock always on hand. flense famine W. GiVffiths' Stock before yon pnr. chase anywhere. DO YOU WANT A Steam Engine and Boiler, New or Second-hand MORTAR MILLS, SAW BENCHES, CHAFF CUITERS, CORN CKUSHERS, or any other ENGINE or MACHINE. Apply to T. LEMON & SONS, The Hayes, Cardiff. DEDICATED BY PEBMISSION TO THE i RIGHT HON. LORD TREDEGAR, Bow down thine Ear," (Motett) For SOLO, QUARTETT, and CHORUS, J:- J i Composed by < THOS. VINCENT DAVIES, PRICE 8d. I To be had from the Author, 62, High-street, • Pontypridd, Or from NOVELLO, & Co., LONDON. FOR SALE A STEAM ENGINE AND BOILER. Vertical—7 inch stroke, 3 inch bore. All fittings complete, Steam Guage, Water Guage, &c. May be seen working (by arrangement) at any time, at the Mill Street Steam Printing Office, Poutypridd. Reason for selling— present owner having bought a larger one. SYLWCHl S YL WCH!! Diwallydd hollol o bob math o ddodrefn ty iselbris a da. Eled y ( ymry at y ( ymro i brvnu eu dodrefn i'w tylwyth, ete a ddenjrys Celfi i'r Seddrandy, Ymddiddanfa, Gorweddfan, Cegin, &c. Taliadau, mal v cytunir wrth brvnu gan LEWIS JONE, FURNITURE DEALER, MEIRION HOUSE, COWBRIDGE ROAD, CANTON CARDIFF. i USE ONLY FOTHERGILL'S. Tobacco and Cigars, I 4, STUABT HALL. CAEDUT. r ~v # .1 TO ADVERTISERS! H'" .» •• T)TT T C? POSTED TH0UOUGHLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY. APPLT Williams, Bill Poster, &c.. RHONDDA ROAD, PONTYPRIDD. WHO HAS ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY M(jT CONSPICUOUS POSTING STATIONS THKOUGHOUT THE RHONDDA VALLEY. GWILYM A DDODA YR HYSBYSLENI YN BRIODOL A THREFNUS. A Large Quantity OF STOVE ORNAMENTS, AND GRATE APRONS, SUMMER REQUISITES. ZOEDONE, VIN SANTE, PHOSPHORETTA. ORANGE CHAMPAIGN SPARKLING RUBINE, 'I'.> LEMONADE, SODA WATER, &e., Ac., Ac. AT W. H. KEY'S, 89 & 90, TAFF STREET, PONTYPRIDD. A Copy of the PONTYPRIDD CHRONICLE, will be forwarded, Post Free, on the day of pub- lication on receipt of Stamps or Post Offioe Order: For One Quarter Is. 8d. „ Six Months. 8s. 4d. „ Twelve Months 6s. 8d. Subscribers in the town may have their paper delivered at their residence on pre-payment of 111. 4d. for Three Months. 2s. 8d. for Six Months. 5s. 4d. for Twelve Months. All communications to be addressed to B. DAVIES "Chronicle." Office, 23 & 24. Mill Street, Ponty. pridd.

BIRtHS. MARRIAGES & DEATHS. BIRTH. June 2nd, 1881, Matilda, wife of Mr. W. P. WIL- LIAMS, (Patagonia), of a son. DEATH. RICItARDS.-On Wednesday morning, Mrs. Richards, wife of Mr. Llewelyn Richards, tailor, Feeder Row, Pontypridd.

LIBERALISM AT PONTYPRIDD. > Sinck publishing our article on Liberalism ( at Pontypridd and the Khondda Valley, a t fortnight ago, we have received letters from f the Prime Minister, from the Right Honour- able G. Osborne Morgan, (Judge-Avo«dte t General), and from Mr C. H. James, M.P. I for Merthyr, and others, referring to different matters touched by us, all acknowledging the necessity for political education and organize- i tion in this district as in othe s, and all wishing success to the Liberalism of these J Valleys. We commend their remarks to the notice of the Committee of the Rbondda Valley Liberal Association, and earnestly hope that Mr Osborne Morgan's hints as to i organization will not be lost upon them. At Cardiff and Newpoit there are associations numbering their thousands, or at any rate | running into the four figures," while at the ( last place the United Kingdom Alliance "— a useful help in these days of Sunday Closing agitation, &c.,—has in its ranks six hundred voters. And if snch results can be obtained by judicious working in towns containing an English and Conservative element, a great deal more ought to be accomplished here, where, as the Judge-Advocate-General trulv remarks, the district being thorougly Welsh is also thoroughly Liberal, for the two things are almost synonymous." But the executive of the Association must not be too proud or negligent to ask people to join the ranks, on the one hand and, on the other, the people and the Nonconformist portion of them especially, should bear in mind that they owe their present religious and political libel ty to the Liberal party, and that the best way of strengthening the hands of that Party is to form themselves into a united political organization. Even during the present stormy Parliament, wasted as its time is by unruly and ambitious Irishmen, Noncon- formists have had fit least a fair share of legislation in the shape of The Burials Act," for which they, led in the Home of Commons by Mr. Osborne Morgan, had long fought t They, of all others, should support Liberalism, ( and they should he a mean-s of spreading it. Let every man an.ong us consider that he can do something, and that if he can he bears a certain amount of responsibility. t ¡" ]

LETTERS FROM THE PRIME MINISTER, AND MR. OSBORNE MORGAN, M.P. —_ We have been favoured with the following letters from the Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone, and the Right Honourable G. Osborne Morgan, with reference to our article of the 21st inst. on Liberalism at Pontypridd and the Rhondda yttlley" 10, DOWNING STREET, Whitehall. SIR, 31 May 1881. Mr. Gladstone has received your letter of the 20th ult, and he desires me to convey to you his best wishes for the success of your local Liberal Association in its endeavour to extend the sphere of its influence. I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, HORACE SEYMOUR. "House OF COMMON Librakt," May 25, 1881. DEAR SIR, I am much obliged to you for your letter and for the copy of the Ponty- pridd Chronicle which you were good enough to send me. I have no doubt that your district being thoroughly Welsh, is also thoroughly Liberal, for the two things are almost synonymous, but I can quite understand what you say as to lack of organization. It is this in which our countrymen are deficient. They have plenty of enthusiasm, but. unfortunately, enthu- siasm without organisation will not put voters on the Register, and it would be lamentable if (as not unfrequently happened at the last General Election) constituencies undoubtedly Liberal should be lost for want of the necessary preparation. I can assure you, I look with tho greatest interest upon your future prospects, and, in common with every other Welsh member, shall be glad to hear that you are "girding your loins for action. Believe me, Yours Truly, G. OSBORNE MORGAN.

NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS. THE PONTYPRIDD EISTEDDFOD. WE are glad to learn that the prospects of the Whit-Tnesday Eisteddfod are brightening daily so are the fac- s of the committee as they look forward to the event. Every effort is being made to make the forthcoming eisteddfod a snccess, and it bids fair to eclipse preceding eisteddfodan. The variety of its programme will be an attraction to the ordinary layman," or eisteddfod-goer, while the prizes offered have secured the attendance of a host of bards, literati, and the children of song. Several choirs intend to compete for the prize of i25 offered for singing" Molwch yr Arglwydd." A capital array of talent has been secured for the concert in the evening, and as the committee have made arrangements for a special train to run from Pontypridd to Treherbert, and Ferndale, at eleven o'clock at night, calling at all intermediate stations, people from the two Rhondda Valleys will be enabled to enjoy the treat and return home at a convenient hour. We heartily wish the committee the suooess they deserve, and hope the Market Hall will be crowded. A BOGEY PETITION. CONSIDERABLE astonishment has been caused in Cardiff by the publication in the South Wales Daily News of an analysis of the petition which the pub- licans got up against the Sunday Closing Bill. As we suggested would be the case, the same persons were found to have signed the petition more than once, a publican at Roath having signed it three times; in the lowest Irish neighbourhoods whole families had signed it in batches; while fictitious names had been put down in some instances. Only fancy Cardiff publicans making an analysis of their own and seriously reckoning in that the name Daniel Donothing, bull-stuffer, Ireland!" One of the Welsh M.P.'s has been through this bogey petition, and whenever the champion of the publicans presents the precious burden its hollow. ness and fraud will be duly exposed. ^m,

FORTHCOMING MASS MEETING OF COLLIERS IN THE VALLEY. MR. MACDONALD TO BE INVITED. We understand that the executive committee of the Rhondda Valley district of miners, at their monthly meeting, held at the Castle Hotel, Ton- Ystrad, decided upon holdidg a "monster miners' mass meeting on Monday week next, the 13th June, to disouss questions affecting the trade of the district arising from the dispute at Havod, and the reported action of the Coedcae men in the matter." It was also unanimously resolved to invite Mr Alexander Macdonald, M.P., to address the assembly.

DISTRICT FAIRS FOR JUNE. Canton, 6 & 29; Llandaff, 6 & 7; Lougher, 6; Pencoed, 6; Swansea, 7; Monmonth, 7; Newport, Mon., 9; Ilsk, 10; Treorky, 13; Llangyfelach, 18; Abergavenny, 21; Llantwit Major, 22; Cowbridge, 24.

THROWING A BOTTLE AT HIS SERVANT. SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A CARDIFF DOCTOR, At Cardiff police-court, on Monday (before Mr R. O. Jones), Peter Walsh, a surgeon, residing in Chnrles-street. was charged with cutting and wounding Mary Cokely, on the 29th inst. The head-constable (Mr Hemingway) said that this was a very serious case. The woman s skull Willi fractured, and she was now lying in the infirmary in a somewhat dangerous condition. He would, therefore, ask that the prisoner be remanded. Johanna Cokely said that Mary Cokely, her sister, came to her house on Sunday night bleeding pro. fusely from the head, and almost immediately on her arrival, fainted. Her sister was servant to the prisoner. Police-constable Burford deposed to having apprehended the prisoner. In answer to the charge, prisoner said, I know nothing about it." Prisoner was in his house. Mary Cokely was taken to the infirmary. He searched prisoner's house and found pieots of a broken bottle in the yard, and pieoes of glass. TJMn wece spots of -=- •lood on te steps. A letter was read]'from the ion He surgeon of the infirmary, stating 'that Mary Cokely was snfferinsr from a fracture of the skull. Irisoner was remanded.

YSTRAPYFODWG SCHOOL HOARD. The above Board held their monthly meeting at 1 T Iki ,he Pentre Chambers on Monday last, W. Jenkins, Esq., the Vice-chairman presiding. There were present-Rev. W. Morris, Messrs W. W. Hood, D. D.Joseph, E. H. Davies, and Thos. Owen. A communication was received from the inhabitants sf Ynyehir urging the Board to open a temporary school in the locality until the new schools are opened. The Board agreed to renew their former offer for the use of one of the vestries in the place for that purpose, and in case that offer be accepted to open a school there with as little delay as possible.—The Superintendent submitted his report on the examination of pupil teachers held by him on the 7th of May. It was resolved to have the list showing the number of marks gained by each teacher in the various subjects printed and dis. tributed among tho members of the Board and the teachers. Tho Superintendent also submitted his reports on the different schools examined by him during the month of May. The reports showed that in the majority of cases satisfactory progress had been effected. The result of the Government examination of the Clydach Vale school was received and, being considered unsatisfactory, the Clerk was instructed to communicate with the master. Margaret Edwards of the Ton Infant school was appointed assistant-mistress to the Bodringallt Infant school. The following tenders were received for rhe oroction of the Ynyshir school :—Charles Jenkins & Sons, 93,517; Lloyd & Davies, 92,900; H. FCnill. £ 2,786; D. Morgan, £ 2,770; Morgan V, Jones, £ 2,H90; John Evans, t £ 2,289. It was resolved to accept the tender of John Evans, provided his sureties would be satis- factory to the Board. The salary of the atten- dance-officer was increased from £ 60 to £ 70 per annum, it having been shown that his salary was much lower than that of any other officer devoting his whole time to the duties of his ofiice in South Wales.—The clerk was instructed to write to each of the teachers who had failed to pay the school fees received during the month to the treasurer of I the Board. This being all the public business of importance the members separated.

DR. PR. CE AND THE PONTYPRIDD RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY. At the Pontypridd police-court, on Wednesday, (before Mr Gwilym Williams,) a case which created considerable interest came on for hearing, in which the well-known Dr Price, of Llantrisant, was the defendant, and the Pontypridd Rural Sanitary Authority were the plaintiffs. Mr John Evans, surveyor and inspector to the above Board, instituted proceedings on behalf of the Board against Dr. Wm. Price for the recovery of .£10 5s, being a sum expended by the Board in the erection of a closet on his estate at Llan- trisant. Mr W. H. Morgan appeared on behalf of the Board. Dr Price conducted his own case. From the evidence it appeared that the surveyor was of opinion that four houses at Llantrisant, belonging to Dr Price were not sufficiently provided with sanitary accommodation, and he had reported so to the Board. A notice was served on the defendant asking him to erect a closet. lie, however, took no heed of this, a.nd the sur- veyor consequently, acting under the directions of the Board, made arrangements with a contractor from LIantrisant tu do the work, and now they sought to charge him with the cost. The defen- dant contended that the Board had no right to act as they had done, that his houses were as wellprovided wit h sanitary accommodation as other premises in Llautrisant and the neighbourhood, and that instead of paying the sum claimed by the Board he would by-and-by claim the sum of .£100 from them for the plot of land which they had appropriated. Why was he proceeded againat i Because the Board wanted to make an example of him. Addressing Mr Josiah Lewis, who was the chairman of the Board when these proceedings were ordered, and who was under the doctor's cross-examination, the defendant continued: Do you know that there are about 300 cesspools in Llantrisant which have never been cleansed, has it been reported to you ? Witness: "JSo "—Dr. Price Then I report it to you now." He further added that the Stipen- diary had no jurisdiction over the matter, and he would have it adjourned, to a superior court. Owing to the absence of a witness, named Evan John, he wanted the case adjourned, and on being asked for the tenor of his evidence of tha,t witness the doctor said No, I have too much of the fox in me, that would be lettingthe cat out of the bag." The case was adjourned for a week.

DISTRESSING SUlCIDE NEAH PENYGRAIG At four o clock on Saturday morning a well- known man, tamed Lake Solomon Price, died at William's Town, near Penygraig, from the effects of terrible injuries he inflicted upon himself in the throat with a razor on Thursday last. He was attended by Drs. Davies and Hamilton. He was sensible to the last, but made no statement as to what had led him to commit the rash act. The event has produced intense sympathy with the poor fellow's family, who are among the oldest families in the neighbourhood. His mother is about 80 years of age, living at Tonypandy. At the last assizes her elder son by a former husband, and half-brother to the deceased, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment for forging, while in a state of drunkenness, Severn 1 promissory notes, and borowing money upon them, and it is supposed that the disgrace which his biother had brought upon himself unhinged the deceased's mind, and induced him to put an end to his existence. An inquest was held on the deceased by Mr Grover, the deputy coroner, and the jury returned a verdict that Price committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT IN MINES. It is announced that Mr William Thomas, C.E. 2ryn Awel, Aberdare, is about to make an experi- ment with the electric light u> derground, at thJ Mardy Colliery, being one of th" several collieries under his control in Glamorganshire. It will be remembered that a patent was obtnined recently by Mr William Morgan, Pontypridd, for an inven tion to prevent explosion in mines by means of the electric spark. It is not stated whether Mr Tnomas is about to test this invention, which is most highly spoken of by practical miners who have seen it l tested, or that he is about to apply an invention of his own.

OLD AGE. ) The spring of life has ebbed awav, t And footprints left behind; And stamped indelibly are these, Upon tho waste of time. J, The buds have reached maturity, The leaves haw all decayed Destruction of most cherished things We never can evade The frasrvMiico of the perfumed flowers Ms'ie bright life's cheerful morn; The rugged path of aneierit years is strewed with many;) thorn. The joys and happiness of youth Have g-iven way to care; To leave this wretched world of sin Ourselves we must prepare. Our furrowed checks and hoary heads, Our thin and withered hands; Though scoffed at here, are not despised By them in brighter lauds. When we have left this world that we Have trod with steady tread, Mourn uot ye youthful o'er our bones, Nor grieve vo ei- the dead. F.D.

PENTRE POLICE COURT. MONDAY.— Beiore Mr (ji. Williams, Stipendiary, and Mr T. Joseph. DAM« >KASS. James 'A all, Treorkv was charged wich damaging grass to the value of four pence. Fine 5s and costs. --A similar charge was j brought^against William Boiven Jones, and Joseph Ryan. Dismissed on payment of costs. P.C. Roberts prosecuted for the Cwmpark Colliery pro- prietors. DKSKRTINC THK AKMY. David Lewis, collier, Pentre, was brought up in custody charged with deserting the 69th foot on the aOth of November from Portsmouth. Prisoner was apprehended 1,y P.C. W. John. A reward of 30s had been offered for his apprehension. He was committed to await an escort back to his regiment. The ii,agistrate ordered the constable to state to the army autho- rities that his conduct in the hands of the police was peaceable. His name on the army register was Lewis Collins. ABSCONDING FROM THE WOKKHOCSE. William Gay was charged with absconding from the Pontv- pridd Workhouse and taking the Workhouse clothes he wore with him. Sent to gaol for 14 days with hard labour. Mr John stated that this was a common offence and must be stopped. BASTAKDY.—David Davies was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Jane Evans, Pentre. He was ordered to pay 3s 6d a week and costs. LIABILITY IN HAsrAKUY. Two cases of bastardy had been adj ourned to enable the Stipendiarv to obtain the decision of the judges on the point, which was, whether the fathers of the illegitimate children were liable to pay towards the children after the marriage of the mothers. The decision was, that they are liable notwithstanding marriage. S", David Llewelyn, Blaenrhondda, and Lewis Thomas, Treherbert, had both to abide by this decision.

PONTYPRIDD POLICE COURT. Wednesday-before Mr G. Williams, (Stipendiary) STEALING A FOWL —Thomas Kees, Mountain Ash, was charged with stealing a hen, the property of Wm. Evaus, Ynysybwl inn, on Sunday last. Prose- cutor saw prisoner a few minutes alter 10 o'clock the night in question coming down from his fowl- house, which was situated in a loft above the cart- house and Rccessable by means of a iadder. Mr Williams defended the case. Por the defence it was urged that the prisoner was too drul,k to know what he was about, and he went there to sleep. 1 he stipendiary remarked that he was not too drunk to climb up the ladder, and that though he did not take the fowl he was there for an unlawful purpose —Mr Robert Evans, a witness for the prosecution, stated that he heard prisoner tell the prosecutor on l'utsday, when they had ceme to inysyowl to try and settle matters, that he had fancied one of the Lowle. The prisoner was apprehended on Sunday night by police-sergeants Pickwick and Jenkins. the Bench found him guilty of attempting to steai the fowl, and intlicled a fine of tl or in detault one mouth's imprisonment with hard labour. n\ 1'T, A HERT OF XLAIK-ULOTH.— oeulali Barbor, uphol- sterer, Pandy, was brought up by 8upt Matthews on three separate charges of stealing a quantity of hair-cloth, the property of his employer, Mr Griffiths. The first was valued at 4s 9$d., He had been detected by P.S. Francis on Monday last goijg through the back door of Mr Moses Freed- man. Ihe policeman entered the shop through the front door, and saw the prisoner on the stairs leading frwm the shop. Upon seeing him prisoner ran down to the kitchen, but he met him on the door and asked him what he wanted there, to which prisoner answered nothing," but after- wards said This is what I have got, I was about making a little job for Mr Freedman. Mrs Freedman was called, and she corroborated the constable's evidence, and further stated that prisoner wanted to pledge the hair-cloth for 2s fid, but that her husband had told her not to take it, that it was Mr Griffiths's. The prisoner admitted his guilt. The next charge was that of stealing a piece of hair-cloth, valued at 2s tid, which he had sold to Mrs Thomas, of the TreaJaw Inn, for liu, and three pints of beer. P.C. Francis charged him with the theft of the second piece, upon which he said, Yes, and 1 sold a piece of gild beaides." The prisoner was further charged with stealing another piece of the same material, which he had sold to John O'-Niel, harper, Trealaw, for Is bd. and two pints of beer on last Thursday week. Prisoner pleaded guilty to the three charges and was sent to gaol for 14 days' hard labour for each offence, making in all six weeks. ILLEGAL HOURs.-Evan Thomas, of the Castle Tavern, Pontypridd, was summoned by P.C. Thomas Davies, for allowing his house to be open and selling beer on Sunday morning, the 22nd inst. Fined los and costs.—Evan Evans, and John Thomas were summoned for being present in the Castle Tavern, on the Sunday morning above named. Fined 5s and costs each. DRUNKARDS' LIST.—John Davies, Tonyrefail, James Jones, Ferndale, Michael Murphy, Treforest, Evan Jenkins, Pontypridd, William A. Price, Hop- kinstown, and William Williams, Llantrisant, were summoned by Mr Supt. Matthews on the informa- tion of several police-officers and were fined respectively from 5s to 10s and costs.

DASTARDLY ATTEMPT TO WRECK I A TRAIN AT ABERCARN. On Sunday evening a man named George Webber, found, on the up line of the Great Western Rail- way, about a mite below Abercarn, several large stones, a piece of iron, and a quantity of rubbish placed in such a manner as would have certainly carried into effect the desperate object of the wilful perpetrators, had the discovery not been made in time before the arrival of the 12 p.m. mineral train from Newport. As soon as Mr Roberts, the station-master at Abercarn, was in- formed of the obstruction, he, with the assistance of a ganger, proceeded to the spot, and removed the obstacles. It is strongly suspected that this wilful obstruction was intended for the down passenger train, due at 8 p.m., and that it was placed on the up line in mistake. The spot selec- ted for the attempt is on a sharp curve, and above a steep embankment, close to which runs a river. Had this attempt been effectual, it is needless to say the result would have been a terrible disaster.

BATHING FATALITY AT LLANGOLLEN. On Tuesday afternoon, as a number of the students from the Baptist College at Llangollen were bathing in the Dee, near the towi, one of them, named David Davies a native of Blaenyffos, Pembrokeshire, was carried away by the torrent and, being unable to swiw, he sank ill a pool about twelve feet deep. The body was b ought out of tho water in half an hour afterwards by a young man j from the town, who. with great courage and presence of mind, dived into the bo torn of the pool. The ead event has cast a deep gloom over the entire neighbourhood.

LONDON CLUBS AND SOCIETY, (FROM OUR OWN OORRESPONnEXT.) Queen's birthday was more generally observed in London this year than it is wont to be. The closing of the Law Courts is unpre- cedented. There was more talk than usnal about the grand banquets to be held at night and the preparations for illumina- tions in the principal thoroughfares were more extensive. But farewell to illuminations now. The electric light simply shames them all. You may almost as well try to illuminate in daytime as under the beams of the Brush, the Jablochkoff, or the Lontin. Her Majesty may not intend to make young Coningsby Disraeli a peer just yet, but there is no doubt that this fortunate young gentle- niHii is destined to receive no common proofs of Royal favour. The Queen is reported to have said lately that he rennndtd her very much of the late Earl. Oh, my prophetic soul How like his uncle I" wits probably her Majesty's exclamation. As Master Coningsby is still but a schoolboy, his hereditary talent may he ex- pected to ripen early. The uncle wrote "Vivian Grey" before he was one-and-twenty. Will the nephew be equally precocious ? Shall we have another string of Tancreds" and "Lothairs," or will yonng Coningsby be snatched from literature by the exigencies of politics. Berlin has an excellent anecdote of Lord Beucuwdleld and Prince Bismarck. During the Congress they were together one night at a Statt, banquet. As the guests were rising from the table, Lord Beaconsheld began to collect some bonbons, to which were attached portraits of the German Royal family, which pleased his fancy. Not noticing what he waa about, Prince Bismarck plucked him by the arm. Ah said Lord Beaconsfield, half audibly, "not only does Prince Bismarck give nothing away, but he does not even allow any- body to help himself." Overhearing this, the Prince retorted with a hearty laugh, "It is quite true I give nothing away but, as you see, I am always ready for an honest alliance." And with this, he cordially co-operated with Lord Beaconsfield in establishing a pro- tectorate over the bonbons. Why do the papers call Mr. Adam, the late Governor of Madras, "Sir Wil- liam "? The only knighthood he received was at the hands of an inventive reporter, who hearing that he had gone to Windsor to kiss hands imagined that he would obtain his silver spurs. Mr. Adam would probably have been a knight in a few years, if he cared to be one but he never received the honour, andnone such was in contemplation. It would appear that the Scotch farmers, like their Irish brethren, are becoming very dis- contented with their lot. Not that they wish for Home Rule or their farms for nothing, but they complain that their farms do not pay to the extent they should. As a result a con- oiderahle number of English farms, chiefly in the south of England, have within the last few weeks been taken by the Scotch yeomen, and many more are in course of negotiation. Eng- lish farmers have left these very farms because they cannot make them pay, and yet the Scotch have taken them because they feel they can make them answer better than they could the unfertile soil they have left behind. Oliver Gold- smith once wrote to a friend from Scotland and said nothing ever grew to its normal size and condition in that country except the inhabitants, owing to the very unfruitful condition of the soil, and from the events of the past few weeks one is almost inclined to believe the celebrated author did not intend to be facetious in what he said. Lace is the vogue at present. It is an antique fashion, but the antique just now seems to reign supreme. I have just returned from visiting Messrs. Hay ward's establishment in Oxford-street. Like all tradesmen they hare an exhibition, an exhibition of lace. They have some magnificent specimens of ancient lace on view, much of it being of historical interest, to wit, some which was given as a marriage present to Mdlle. de Lavoire on the occasion of her marriage with the Duke de Bur^oyne, grandson of Louis XLV. The collection is the handsomest in London, and has been visited, amongst others, by the Prin- cess of Wales. Some of the census enumerators are despe- rately afraid that the Government does not intend to pay them. They are writing letters to the papers asking why others have received their money while they have been overlooked. There is no apparent explanation except that on the rare occasions when cash flows from the Imperial coffers it flows fitfully. No Government ever understands the maxim that he gives twice who gives quickly So great was the success which attended the military tournament at the Agricultural Hall last year that it is not ouly intended to hold anoiher one shortly, but to make it an aiinual affair. Last year it lasted a week this year it will be extended to a fortnight, and it will ttke place from June 20 to July 2 Major-General Burnaby is again the leading spirit, and is ably supported by all the prominent generals and officers in JOng'and, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge. The first week will be devoted to the army and the second to the volunteers, and a large number of costly prizes will be competed for. These will be distributed publicly, the judges' decisions being of course final. Poor "Nathan Hogg," who died lately in a London hospital, was once a companion of princes. It was to him that Prince Lucien Bona- paite, the modern Mezzofanti, went to learn the Devonshire dialect. Lucien was rarety nonplussed by any patois, but once he was ntt rly done in Devonshire. He called at an Exeter newspaper office and asked if Mr. Henry B..ird were in. A Devonian lad behind the counter answered in the local vernacular, and with an equally local turn of the head in the familiar half-whistle, half-breath, made by draw- ing the air between the teeth and the lower lip, said 0<»f." I asked if Mr. Baird were in," said the Prince. "Oof," replied the boy. Is Mr. Baird in?" persisted the Prince. Oof, oof," was all that the imperturbable young lad would say. The Prince caught at it. Here was a new word. Finding Mr. Baird, he aaked him what (using the French pronunciation) />« meant in the language of Devonshire. It was now poor Nathan's turn to be puzzled. The Prince tried another imitation; equally a failure. At last the boy had to be called in to set tie* it. Then for days the Prince was trying to pro- nounce that word. Ah I" said Baird to him, "you Napoleons may conquer all the world, but you can't conquer Devonshire." For several days past I have been somewhat struck by the enormous number of sturgeons which have been on sale at the fish shops in London. As most people are aware, there was once a law in England that sturgeons caught in English waters belonged to the reigning sovereign. Her Majesty, however, has long since waived her claim to this class of fish, and, as a result, it is now to be seen at all the large fishmongers' in London—in the Citj ,at Oharing cross, and at the West End. The other day tht y were being sold at the rate of sevenpence npllund. Such a price as this was hardly ever known before.

At Preston, James Stirsaker, John George Bains s, and Samuel Beli have been charged on remand with personating voteis at the recent election. The two hu t-named were discharged on account of some legal technicalities, and Bell, who it was admitted had been wrongly detained and had lost his employment in comtquence, was awarddd £5 compensation. Mr. Gladstone's secretary, writing to the Shrop- ahire Chamber of Agricu.ture to acknowledge the receipt of a resolution passed by the chamber. Ki,yf>: In reply I am directed to ftate that farm buildings are not intended to be included in the valuation _pf Souses under the Inland Revenue Bill, and that it wou d, in Mr. Gladstone's opinion, be unfair in principle to exempt from duty bear which is givsn ia payment oi mmgm.