The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

WE HOP 'L AGRICULTURAL SHOW FOR 1871. The contest for the honour and privilege of having the Itoyal Agricultural Society's Show in 1871 is becoming quite exciting. The choice lay at first between Shrop- shire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and the Welsh counties; but Cheshire has withdrawn her claim, on the ground that the meeting was recently held at Manchester, and North Wales is also out of the field, for she has no town of suffi- cient size to compete. The exhibition will therefore be held either at Shrewsbury or in Staffordshire and Shrop- shire possesses this advantage over her rival, that all the influence of the county will be exerted in favour of one town, while in the neighbouring county there is a division of power, between Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Stafford. An influential county meeting has been held at Shrews- bury, as we reported in our last, and the Town Council of that borough, as well as the committee of the Chamber of Agriculture, are moving in the matter. In fact, there is an evident determination on the part of the leading men of the county and the county town, not to lose the show from want of asking for it, and asking in a way that will give them a good chance of accomplishing their purpose. In order to ensure a favourable reply, however, the agri- culturists, and the inhabitants generally, must assist the movement, by subscribing, and by showing in an unmis- takable manner that they will take an interest in the meeting and do all they can to promote its success. Mr JASPER MORE has set a liberal example to the landlords, and a handsome amount was subscribed at the county meeting but it is hoped more will be raised, and we trust that the farmers and tradesmen of the county will do their Part in providing the money. The movement ought not to be confined to Shropshire, for the advantages of holding the show at Shrewsbury will certainly extend to the in- habitants of Denbighshire, Montgomeryshire, and other Welsh counties, to whom Shrewsbury is much more acces- Bible than Wolverhampton or any other town in Stafford- shire. The benefits of this great agricultural meeting are almost too obvious to need any remark from us. At the county meeting Lord Powis referred, with much point, to the show at Shrewsbury in 1845, and the stimulus which it had given to agriculture in this district; and if we succeed in having the meeting of 1871 held here, there can be Ho doubt that the agriculture of Shropshire and North Wales will feel the good effects, not only at the time, but for years afterwards. The whole agricultural life of the district will be quickened, improvements of many kinds Will be introduced, and it is quite possible that some con- SPicuous advantage will result, as what may almost be Called the establishment of the breed of Shropshire sheep resulted from the meeting of forty-five. Nor will the benefits be confined to agriculturists. Such an event as the great provincial agricultural gathering of the year cannot be held in any county without benefiting, in one Way or another, tradesmen as well as farmers but besides that, if agriculture is permanently benefited, other classes Will reap the advantage. Of the claims of Shrewsbury we Heed not speak, for they will, no doubt, be urged in the Proper quarter with all the force that can be imparted to them, but we may briefly point out that Shrewsbury is the centre of one of the most important agricultural districts, and, in a sense, the capital of Mid-Wales, that it is a most convenient centre of railway communication, and that it can supply excellent accommodation for all departments of the show. Subscriptions should be sent as Soon as possible, for upon the amount contributed the chances of success, we believe, very largely depend. Other towns are working vigorously, and the inhabitants of Wolverhampton and Stafford are not losing sight of the fact that if they miss the present opportunity another Will only come within their reach after the lapse of many Years.-Oswestry Advertiser. >

LLANDDERFEL. PALE HALL WORKMEN'S CLUB.—On Tuesday evening, January 25th, 1870, the members of the Pale Hall Workmen's Club gave a penny reading in aid of the funds of the British School, Llandderfel. The chair was taken by H. Robertson, Esq., president; and the following was the programme:— Glee-" Nos Gilan" • »•?« Song—" The Death of Nelson" *ri0-«Maelgwyn Vaughan and Meredyth Khys' Messrs^G. Song-" Her bright smile haunts me still" Mr R. Foulkes Reading—" Mrs Caudle's Curtain Lecture"Mr C. Drinkwater Song—" Yr Hen Amser Gynt" Mr D. W. J ones. Reading—" Y Sl.opwr a'i Brentis" Mr Abram Ceunant Trio—" Fair Flora Decks" Messrs G. Williams and Party Song—" The Thames Embankment" Mr M. Barlow Reading—" The Clerk Muggins" Mr T. Ruddy Song—"The hisve Mother" Mr T. Rogers Quartette—" The Farmer is a Gentleman" Messrs G. mlrams and Party Reading—" The Dead Lighthouse Keeper" Mr S. Bull Song Y Tea" Roberts Reading—"Y Pin a'r Nodwydd" Messrs E. Lloyd and J Owens Song—" When this old hat was new" Mr Hugh Roberts {Jlee—"Sleep, gentle Lady" m r 83 Reading—" Dafydd a'i was" Mr T. Evans Song—"A Life on the Ocean Wave" Mr H. T. Thomas Reading—" M.'iry Queen of Scots" Mr A. Swan 8ong—" Cymru lan" (with chorus") Mr W. Promt Reading—"The Bashful Youth" Mr T.Hughes Gleg Yr Glee Class Reading—" Y Tyiwyth "teg" • ■ • T?*ILS;,??,l!er's Song—" Have you seen my Polly" Mr R. M Williams Recitation—" Bratus's Defence" Mr John Samuels Song—" Beautiful Isle of the Sea" Mr S. Roberts Reading—" Cywvdrl y Daran" Mr D. Williams ^lee—" Awake, iEolian Lyre" Glee Class. Finale—" God Save the Queen." PORTMADOC. DOUNTY COURT, MONDAY AND TUESDAY.—Before Thomas Humphreys, Esq., deputy judge. On the first day there were entered for hearing ninety- three original summonses, one interpleader hearing, and eight commitment hearings on the second day seventy- nine original hearings, and two commitment hearings. The undisputed plaints were heard by Mr John Hum- Phrey Jones, registrar of the court, and the following cases lesine before the deputy judge Claim for Gas.—John Roberts, Brynhug, was sued by Mr John Henry Williams, manager of the Gas Company, for the recovery of 13s. 8d. for gas supplied. The claim Was alleged to have been incurred by defendant's wife before marriage. She kept house for her mother, and the gas was supplied to the daughter, and the account kept in Her name. The mother died six years ago, and the account had been contracted within the last three years. In a Year after the death of the mother the household geods Were transferred to a sister-in-law of the defendant, who continued in the occupation of the mother's house.—His Honour thought that the claim lay against the sister, and directed a nonsuit to be entered. A Refractory Servant.-Thomas Morris was sued by Wm. Owen Thomas to recover 19s. for wages due, and for the value of a pair of shoes detained by defendant. The mother of the plaintiff appeared, explaining his absence by the fact that he was in another situation, and thought it not worth his while to lose a day's wages. He was engaged as servant with the defendant, who is a farmer, for six Sionths at the rate of 30s. The service was entered on May 12th, and on August 6th the plaintiff suddenly Quitted the service because the defendant had given him a good thrashing. In his hurry he had left behind him a Pair of shoes, which had been given to him by the relieving officer, and these were valued at 7s. The defendant Pleaded that the boy had suddenly bolted on July 7th, why or wherefore he was at a loss to know. Since his ab- sence no one had called to demand the wages, and as for the shoes it was through the representations of the de- fendant that plaintiff got them from the guardians of the ljnion. The shoes were found to be much too small for Plaintiff he left them behind in his flight, and defendant handed them over to the relieving officer.—His Honour said he could know nothing about the real merits of the case in the absence of the plaintiff, and, as he did not choose to attend to support his claim, he must be non- suited. Claim for Money Lent.-John Corbett was sued by Elizabeth Roberts for the recovery of 22, for money lent. The nlaintiff. an aered woman of ninetv. and dependent according to the statement of defendant's wife upon parish relief, upon three occasions lent defendant's wife the sum of £ 2, in amounts of £ 1 and two half sovereigns, receiving interest in the form of a bottle of wine and two ounces of the best tea, defendant being a shopkeeper at Tremadoc. Defendant's wife said that she had only had the two half- sovereigns. For this amount judgment was given, and defendant's wife offered to pay it up in instalments of Is. tnonthly.-His Honour said that as she had it all at once she would have to pay it all at once, and ordered execu- tion in a month. A Building Dispute.-Wm. Roderick Jones, and Thos. Morris, were sued by John Morris to recover 210 13s. 4d. for work done. Mr Griffith Jones Williams was for the defendants.—The plaintiff said that he had been engaged by the defendants to cut the foundations of a factory they Were building at Croesor. He was engaged for thirteen Weeks and four days at 21 per week. Of this he had been Paid B3 on account, and now sued for the balance.—For the defence it was contended that the plaintiff had agreed to do the work for Bla but finding that the contract was not likely to prove remunerative he threw it up, and so caused loss and annoyance to the defendants.—Robert Roberts, Evan Davies, and Thomas Roberts (one of the defendants), were called on behalf of the defence, the former witness stating that plaintiff had told him that he ^as engaged to do the work for a lump sum. He also told him that he must give it up, because he could not rcake Wages. -Plaintiff said that this witness had been sent on the work, which proved that no contract could have been entered into.—The witness said that he was sent by the defendants, and at their expense, because plaintiff was so elow -vith his job.-The Judge thought that the story of the contract was rather doubtful; taking into considera- tion the work which the man had done he should give Judgment for 24, exclusive of the 23 paid. The Tables Turned.-In the case of Wm. M. Davies '0. David Rowland Thomas, which had been referred to arbitration, the award sent in was that the defendant was jtot indebted to plaintiff, but that the plaintiff was indebted to the defendant in the sum of 914 19s. 2d. The award Was signed by Mr David Homfray, and the costs abide the event. GWílym Jones v. Robert Jones.—Hugh Gwilym Jones "led Robert Jones, both from Festiniog, for the sum of 28., money lent defendant 0):1 the 28th October last, U r 1 under the following circumstances. Plaintiff said he and several other men from Festiniog were on that day con- victed by the Bench at Penrhyn for poaching, and fined 23 Os. 6d. each. They had engaged Mr Griffith Jones Williams to defend them at two guineas each. Defendant had no money to pay, and plaintiff lent him B3 towards paying the fine and two guineas to pay the solicitor. Defendant afterwards refused to repay him.—Judgment for plaintiff, defendant being ordered to pay in two months. Jones v Owen.—Morris Jones, joiner, Penrhyn, and executor of Richard Ellis, hawker (deceased), sued David Owen, carrier, Beddgelert, for 28, a sum said to have been lent him by the deceased.—Defendant admitted that he had borrowed money of deceased, but said that he had repaid k2. He also pleaded a set-off of £ 4.—Judgment for plaintiff, defendant being ordered to pay 24. Pugh v. Jones. -Hugh Maurice Pugh, druggist, Four Crosses, Blaenau Festiniog, sued Richard Jones, of the same place, for the sum of 27 10s., being damages for re- moving rubbish said to have been thrown by defendant from his own to plaintiff's premises.—Judgment for de- fendant, with costs. LLANDINAM. THE HOLY LAND.—On Monday evening Mr Davies continued the narrative of his journey to the East. The largest chapel in the village was, as before, crowded to the doors, and for two hours and a half the attention of the audience never for a moment flagged. On this occasion Mr Davies dwelt chiefly on that part of his journey which lay through Palestine, and his account of the present con- dition of the more prominent places mentioned in the Bible was exceedingly interesting, as was also his descrip- tion of the charscter and manners of the people who now live there. Mr Davies was listened to with the greatest attention, and at the close was very warmly cheered. Mr J. Herbert was in the chair, and before the meeting separated votes of thanks were given to Mr Davies and the chairman. MACHYNLLETH. THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE TOWN. On Saturday a special adjourned meeting of the guardians of the Machynlleth Union was held at the Workhouse, for the purpose of considering the sanitary condition of the town, and devising means to abate the fever which is so prevalent in the town, and has raged for some months. The meeting had its origin in the following memorial, which was laid before the Board of Guardians at a previous meeting:- To the Board of Guardians of the Machynlleth Union. "In consequence of the prevalence of fever in the town of Machynlleth, it was deemed advisable that a meeting of the in- habitants should be called to inspect the sanitary state of the town. Such an inspection was made by the Rev. G. Griffiths, R. Gillart, Esq., one of the guardian-, Hugh Lloyd, Esq medical officer, Mr David Hughes, one of the overseers, and Mr Thomas Morgan, surveyor of highways, who were accompanied by several of the inhabitants of the town. They report the sanitary state of certain localities in the town to be vary unsatisfactory and un- healthy, especially the whnle of the north-west side of the churchyard (with a few exceptions), and other parts of the town, in Maengwyn-street and Pentreheydin-street. And we respect- fully petition the Board to use their most strenuous efforts to abate the existing nuisances, and to take immedate proceedings, as the fever is rapidly increasing.-Machyniletb, Jan. 17,1870." The memorial bore the signatures of the Rev. Geo. Griffiths, rector of Machynlleth, Mr David Evans, overseer, Mr Hugh Lloyd, Union medical officer, Mr Thomas Morgan, surveyor of highways, and Mr Lewis Williams, inspector of nuisances. This memorial was discussed by the Board, and resulted in the issue of the following circular, addressed to the owners of property in Machynlleth 19th January, 1870. Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Guardians to inform you that a memorial was laid before the Board at their meeting to- day, representing the sanitary state of certain localities in the town of Machynlleth as being very unsatisfactory and unhealthy, and urging, owing to the prevalence of fever, which is rapidly increasing, that the most strenuous efforts be used on the part of the Board to abate the existing nuisances. The guardians have decided upon holding an adjourned meeting on the subject specially on Saturday morning next, at eleven o'clock, at the Board-room; and also to meet at ten o'clock at the Clerk's offices, for the purpose of proceeding to make an inspection of the localities in question. You are earnestly requested, as an owner of property in the town, to attend on Saturday at the hours and places above-mentioned.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, "DAVID HOWELL, Clerk." The attendance at the meeting included the Rev. W. G. Davies (who presided), Mr Edward Davies, Dolgradog, deputy- chairman, Mr Richard Gillart, Mr Griffith William Griffiths, Mr John 0, en, Penegoes, guardians; and the following—the Rev. George Griffiths, rector of Machynlleth, Mr Sackville Phelps, Mr Joseph Owen Joneq, Vrongoch, Mr W. Pugh, Llanbrynmair (agent for Sir Watkin), Mr David Jones, Unicorn Hotel, Mr Thomas Morgan, Mr Lewis Morris, Mr Thomas Breese, Mr Geo. Parsons, Mr John Davies, Mr Richd. Lloyd, Mr Thomas Morris, Mr Rowland Wood, Mr Edward Jones. Mr Edward Marpole, Mr David Evans; Mr D. Howell, Clerk to the guardians. Dr Lloyd and Dr D. R. Pughe, medical officers of the Union, Mr Lewis Williams, relieving officer and inspector of nuisances, and Mr Thomas, master of the workhouse, Mr EDWARD DAVIES said the meeting had been specially called in order that the guardians might have an opportunity of con- ferring with the owners of property in the town touching its c sanitary condition and possible amelioration, and in order that some measures might be art opted to check the fever. The guardians would be happy to listen to any suggestions which m ght be made, in order to aid them in the matter. Mr GILLART thought it would be better for some of the gentle- men who had that morning visited the localities to which special allusion had been made in the memorial which had been pre- sented to the guardians, to say what they thought would be the best plan to adopt. There were but four guareians present, and it would be preferable, perhaps, to those gentlemen that they should sit as listeners, and not as sneakers. Mr SACKVILLE PHELPS said the exigencies of the case required that matters should be pursued with no niggardly hand, and that no delay should be permitted or sanctioned by those havins charge of the health of the town. It was a case of life and death to the poorer inhabitants of the town, and the guardians should at once take action in the matter. In his opinion they must first engage the services of some thoroughly competent engineer to take the work in hand, ascertain what fall would be required for ft system of drainage, report upon the cost and necessary works, and lay the result of his enquiries before a future meeting. The first necessary was the fall, and then going from the fall up to the town, he would have covered stone drains or pipes. It would be requisite, also, that all the present inequalities in the surface of the roads and footpaths should be levelled, and not allowed to remain as receptacles for all kinds of filth, as they at present were. It seemed to him that they wou d have to apply to the owners of the tramway for permission to avail themselves of the ditch they had, and make one upon the other side, and then drains might be run up into the town. If there was an old man of the drainage of the town in existence, reference to it would greatly facilitate their labour, but as far as he could learn, no one knew where the drains lav. Mr TIIOMAS MORGAN-I know them all very well. Rir PHELPS continued that there was a further important adjunct to the health of the town to be taken into their earnest consideration, and that was the water which was U9ed tor drink- *?• PurPoses* The soil was a porous, gravelly soil, through which sewage and offensive matter very easily percolated. In ^present state of things one had not the remotest idea wliat stuff he was drinking, and if an analysis was made of the drinking water of the town, many of them would be greatly surprised to know what nasty, poisonous liquid they were in the habit of im- bibing. To the impure state of the water, as well as the filthy state of the drainage, the fever was traceable, and he would suggest that the water be analysed. There was another fact connected with the water supply of the town to which he would briefly refer. Some years ago, when he first came to reside in Machynlleth, a chimney of the honse in which he was lodging took fire, and there was imminent danger, from the scanty supply of water thru available, of the houso being burnt down. This defect in the water supply had never been remedied, and what, he would ask, was to preveut the whole town from being destroyed by fire owing to the want of water? Within a short distance of the town there was a good supply of water which might be rendered available, and by the old dog kennels of Lord Vane's there was every facility for constructing a pond, which might be used for the purposes of the town, and would be a great accessory to the he iltli of the inhabitants by giving them a good supply of pure drinking water, as well as being available for flushing the drains when occasion should require. Mr HOWELL was not aware of the existence of any map of the present drainage of the town, With regard to the cost, and how it was to be met, that question could be settled when it was deci- sively determined what action they would take. The prelimi- nary expense would be but trifling, and might be met by a voluntary subscription from the parties interested. *i G' GRIITITns said he tad been given to understand that the law was elastic enough to allow them to levy a rate upon themselves, without calling in force the provisions of the Board of Health Act. Mr HOWELL said it depended very much upon what they required to do with the rate. The Board of Guardians had verv large powers, but it was difficult for him to say what they could do in the matter until he knew all that they purposed doing. He was strongly of opinion that it was advisable to endeavour to cairy out the work by means of their existing powers. If they could do so it would be much cheaper, and they would be more likely to carry the town with them than if they had a new n S they would find was very expensive machinery. The Rev. G. GRIFFITHS said that if the necessary work could be done without the establishment of a Local Board of Health, he would be very g!ad; and the present question was, how far the Board of Guardians could act without coming under the pro- vi ions of the Local Government Act. The suggestions which Mr Phelps had made were these-first, that they should endea- vour to construct a regular and comp'ete system of main drain- age, and then that it was very desirable and necessary that a good supply of water should be brought to the upper part of the town, in order to flush the drains. In these suggestions he fully concurred. Then came the further question as to the drinking qualities of the water. It was stated that probably the water of the town was strongly impregnated with poisonous, noisome matter, owing to the imnerfect anil of drainage. If this fact was correct, the question was a most serious and important one, and as such should at once be investi- 94ted. But then the question arose, how was the expense to be met? thev must, in the first place, decide upon ? iln™ intended to carry out, which would greatly depend upon the enquiry made by the professional gentleman whose services would be called into requisition. I conversation Mr EDWARD DAVIFS moved that Mi bzlumper of Aberystwyth, be called in to report upon tho drainage, ad thathe attend an adjourned meeting, to be held on the following Wednesday at ten o'clock. This was seconded by Mr GILLART, and carried. Mr J. O. JONES said the preliminaries to a complete system of drainage would of necessity occupy much t-me l'The wag in a very bad a»,d very filthy condition, and he asked that the guaruians should forthwith adopt stringent measures for the removal of the existing nuisunces. Mr DAVIES said the guardians had this matter already under their serious consideration, and that the question would be dealt with without further delay. Mr GILLART r. marked that he had intended to introduce the subject, and thought Mr Lewis Williams, the present inspector of nuisances, should have a competent assistant appointed to aid him in ridding the town of the existing nuisances. Mr DAVIES said that the subject called fr.,r immediate and s'renuous action. Mr Lewis Wil iams had made his report, and had stated that Machynlleth was the dirtiest town that had ever come under his notice. Mr Williams hnd also stated that he could not find time to attend to the double duties of relieving officer and inspector of nuisances, and he (Mr Davies) thought the Board should at once take steps towards the appointment of a thoroughly competent man, who would be able to devote the whole of his time in the discharge of the duties pertaining to the office. The Rev. G. GRIFFITHS thought that the owners of property should be compelled to providn proper convenience-" for their tenants. Places had come under his notice in which the occu- piers of no less than eight houses used a single privy, the stench from which was quite unbearable. Mr T. MORGAN knew of a row of houses in which the proportion of privirg was one to every eighteen houses. The houses, again, were so huddled together, and built in such a manner, that the ventil -tion was lamentably defective. Mi PRELPS asked how the Board cnuld expect the inspector of nuisances to discharge bin duties fully and faithfully, when his salary was but two guineas a-year. He thought that a thoroughly competent official should be appointed at a fair salary. The Rev. W. G. DAVIES said that in all nuisances which had come under the attention of the Board, the Board had taken the necessary steps for their abatement, and that persons had been summoned before the magistrates for permitting nuisances to e;xist,on their premises and property. Mr GiiiiRT moved that the Clerk take the necessary steps for the appointment of an inspector of nui-ances for the town and liberties of Machynlleth; the salary to be igl per week, • » I -.1 J i: •• •< I f J •; ..T J :• '.1 Jji' ,il S '<■ ■' 1 '• i i '.S. ■' '■ This 'Was -eecotifleft by Mr OWES, and carried. Instructions weke also given to the Clerk to have distributed a namber of precautionary" notices in cases of leveri. and to give orders tbatper!Eons permitting the existenee of nuisances in or about their bofrses would be prosecuted. Tha meeting was then adjourned uutil the following Wednes- day at ten o'clock. BALA. MARRIAGE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CAL- VINISTIC METHODIST COLLEGE. On Friday evening, the 21st inst., Mrs Edwards enter- tained the students and some friends in the lecture room of the college. Dr Edwards was present, and the following ladies presided at the tea trays :—Mrs Edwards, Miss Edwards, and Miss E. E. Edwards, The College, Miss Charles, Aberystwyth, Mrs T. Charles Edwards and Miss Elias, Liverpool, Miss Parry and Miss S. E. Parry, The College, Mrs J. Evans, Bala, &c. The tables were hand- somely laid out, and the repast was most excellent. After a short interval for clearing the tables, an interesting meeting was held. Mr G. Ellis, assistant tutor, was voted to the chair, and in a brief speech said the chief object of the meeting was to express their best wishes for the wel- fare and happiness of the bride and bridegroom, Mr and Mrs W. D. Lewis. (Cheers.) They were all much at- tached to Mrs Lewis as Miss Edwards, and though she was snatched away by Mr Lewis, the memory of her generosity and kindness to them all was indelible. (Cheers.) A poetical address by Mr R. A. Williams, in Welsh, followed, and a song by Mr Lewis, British School, the company joining in the chorus.—Mr LEWIS, Bangor, addressed the meeting, and said that the students felt the greatest interest in the proceedings of yesterday. There was a close and intimate connection between Dr Edwards, Mrs Edwards, and the family, and the young men of the college, who, coming to Bala as strangers, were met by the family with paternal care and kindness, directing them to those principles of right and truth which should govern them in all their actions. Great attention was paid to their mental culture and moral improvement, and, receiving so much good, it was natural for them to sym- pathize deeply with the family, in the present joyful event. (Cheers.) And more especially did they unite in the most hearty wishes for the happiness of the bride, who had always behaved in the most generous, kind, and courteous manner to all of them. Might joy and prosperity follow her and Mr Lewis all the days of their life. (Cheers.) Mr LEWIS was well known to them all, had been studying at the college, and was an acceptable and eloquent minister in the denomination; and though he had snatched Miss Edwards from amon» them, there was another very worthy lady to assume the title. (Cheers.)—Mr T. P. LEWIS, on behalf of his brother and the bride, responded, and thanked them for their good wishes.—Mr W. R. EVANS said two things endeared Miss Edwards to them; her personal worth and her great kindness. There was no closer union in any college between the professors and the students than here. They felt the greatest concern for the health of the professors and their families, and sincerely desired their welfare. It was most valuable to them all to come in contact with great men and with minds like those of Dr Edwards and Mr Parry, which effected a gradual moulding of their minds and characters. It was to Dr Edwards to a great extent that they were indebted for the establishment of this institution, and they could congratulate him and Mr Parry upon the prosperous condition of the college. They deeply sympathised with Mr Parry in his affliction, and hoped for his speedy recovery. They had received the greatest kindness from Mrs Edwards and Mrs Parry and their families, and the feast which they enjoy was only another proof of the constant goodness of these ladies. (Cheers.)—Dr EDWARDS returned his sincere thanks for the kindness manifested yesterday and to-day, which he did not deserve and coul 1 not repay. He had simply done his duty to some degree. Mr Charles of Aberystwyth was entitled to a share of the credit for starting this insti- tution, and from the success which followed their efforts against much discouragement and opposition. He hoped they would take courage, and venture a little in doing good. Though the prospect might not at the time be favourable, they must trust in Providence. In conclusion he said that he felt most grateful for the kindness they expressed to his wife, himself, and the family.—Mr T. P. Lewis gave a song.—Mr J. ROBERTS, Corris, delivered an interesting address on the relation of the students to the inhabitants of Bala."—Mr EVAN JONES, Bala, de- livered an eloquent speech on the same subject.—A poetic effusion by Mr Evan Davies (in Welsh) followed.—Mr ROBERTS, Earlstovvn, proposed, Mr JACOB JONES seconded, and it was carried unanimously That the grateful thanks of this meeting be given to Mrs Edwards, the Misses Edwards, and the ladies who assisted at the enter- tainment."—Mr LLEWELYN EDWARDS replied on behalf of the ladies.—After a song by Mr Lewis, a vote of thanks, upon the motion of Mr EVANS, seconded by Mr J. R. JONES, was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. TOWYN. CHAPEL OF EASE.—The foundation stone of a kind of chapel of ease was laid without any ceremony on Friday week, the 21st instant, near a place called Rhos Cefn, in the parish of Llangelynin. The movement is under the management of D. E. Kirkby, Esq., Llanfendigaid, and M. T. Pugh, Esq., Cefncamberth, who, we understand, contribute a large sum towards the building. The Bangor Diocesan Church Extension Society also contributed. The service will be conducted by a lay scripture reader, who has already commenced duty in visiting the inhabitants of this extensive neighbourhood. CONCERT.—On Thursday week, the 20th instant, a con- cert was given in the National School, for the farewell benefit of Mr J. E. Jones, an amateur comic vocalist of no mean ability. A very large and fashionable audience assembled. Mr M. T. Pugh, Cefncamberth, presided, and in his opening remarks said they had all met together as a token of respect and esteem for a young man who had been some time among them, and by his conduct, energy, and ability, had won the respect of all classes. At my age of eighty, said Mr Pugh, had I not the cause so much at heart, I should have been at home at my own fireside. I do not think since he has been here that he has made a single enemy; however, I will not detain you any longer with my remarks, but proceed at once to business, as I have a very long programme before me to be gone through.—The ladies ana gentlemen who took part in the proceedings are mentioned below. Piano Duet, March of the Men of Harlech Misses Kate and Polly Kirkby Song, "Bonbeddwr o'r Bala. "Mr H. J. Pughe Solo Miss M. Daniel Duet, "Awelon Eryri"Messrs Daniel Hughes and E. Evans Song," Far away" .Miss M. Rouse, Encored, and gave Her bright smile haunts me still." Song, "The Twin Brothers" Mr J. E. Jones Song, Kitty Carew (encored) Miss Morgan Song, "The Bashful Man". Mr Edwin Jones Solo, "Hen Fryniau fyNgwlad" Miss A. Williams, Encored, when she gave, Do they miss me at home ?" Song and Chorus, "Gweno Fwyn "Daniel Hughes and party Song, Home they brought her warrior dead "Miss L. C. Hill Song, with banjo accompaniment, If I had a donkey" Mr H. Green, which fairly convulsed the audience with laughter. Concertina Solo Mr A. Scott Solo (Welsh) Mr E. Evans Comic Song (in character)," The Railway Porter" Mr J. E. Jones Piano Duet, Cameronians" Miss Hill and Miss Hunt Song, Can yr arian Mr H. J. Pughe Duet (comic), Mr and Mrs Wright"Miss L. C. and Mr J. Hill Song, Y mud a'r bythar 11 Miss M. Daniel Song, My old friend John" Mr J. E. Jones Duet, The Gipsy Countess" (encored) .Misses Daniel and Williams Solo, I cannot mind my wheel" Miss Kate Jones Duet, Fel awe! yn y coed" Messrs D. Hughes and E. Evans Song and Chorus, Annie Lisle Master A. Scott Comic Song, The Gaslight Swell"Mr H. J. Pughe Song, Shells of the ocean Miss Rouse Song, Katey dear (with banjo accompaniment..) Mr H. Green Song, "Cloud and Sunshine .Miss Morgans Song and Chorus, Can y bethma" Mr Daniel Hushes Comic Song (in character), The Artful Dodger"MrJ. E.Jones, Encored, anl he gave When I am far away." Fiziale. God save the Queen." The concert was m every respect a success. The per- formers acquitted themselves admirably, and the pieces were exceedingly well rendered. We cannot speak too highly of the taste and talent displayed on this occa- sion, all they performed being applauded to the echo. Mr J. E. Jones, in reply to the chairman's address, re- turned thanks in a short but appropriate speech. A vote of thanks to the chairman for the able manner in which he had filled the chair, moved by Mr John Scott, Morfa Farm, and seconded by Mr W. Scott, engineer, brought to a close one of the most agreeable entertainments given in this neighbourhood for a long period. From a Cor- respondent. DOLGELLEY. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25TH.—Before R. Meredyth Richards, Esq., Lewis Williams, Esq., and Colonel Bunbury, C.B. Larceny. -Richard Guthridge was charged with stealing a pair of trousers belonging to Hugh Evans, atLlanegryn, on the 20th inst.- Margaret Evans said: I washed a pair of trousers on Thursday last, and put -them out to dry on the garden hedge on the evening of the same day. I found that I had lost them on Friday evening. The trousers belonged to my husband, Hugh Evani;P.C. Metcalfe said: I am stationed at Towyn. I apprehended the prisoner at Aberystwyth on Saturday night. -The prisoner was wearing the trousers produced. I charged him with stealing them from Llanegryn, and said You have cut a piece of its lower part off." He said Yes I did so; they were too long for me."—Margaret Evans identified the trousers and said she saw the prisoner at her door on Thursday night.—Prisoner said he was guilty of stealing the trousers. -Inspector Jones said that prisoner had been convicted a fortnight previously of vagrancy; and he had only been discharged from gaol a day or two before this offence was committed.—Sentenced to be imprisoned for two calendar months. Breach of the Salmon Act.-David Roberts, joiner, of Dolgalley was charged with a breach of the Salmon Act, on the 9th of January instant--Lewis Davies said I am a river watcher on the river Wnion. I saw David Roberts on Sunday, the 9th inst., on the side of the river Wnion, near Dolserau—there were four other men with him- it was about twelve o'clock at noon. He was walking on the side of the river looking into the water, near the spawning bed. I followed them as far as Geulan Goch, near Bontnewydd. I saw David Roberts cutting a piece off the fence, and fastening a spear head to it. He then took off his shoes and coat, and went into the river.—Fined 25, and costs in default, six weeks' imprisonment.—The money was paid. Wilful Damage.—Evan Evans, a lad ten years of age, was charged by Mr Lewis Evans, of Garthyfog, with wil- fully damaging the hedges on his property.—Lewis Evans said I live at Garthyfog, near Capel Sion, Arthog. I saw defendant on December 21st making gaps in the hedge on my land. -The Chairman said that it was evidently the fault of the mother in not looking properly after her chil- dren, but such mischief must somehow be stopped—the only difficulty was to know how to deal with such a young child. They would now dismiss the case, but if any further trespass was made let the children be summoned at once, and the Bench would deal with the mother. Drunk and Riotous. -John Jones, of Pandyrodyn, alias Jack Bebb, was charged with being drunk and riotous at "_a- i-.f • i :.li Dolgelleyon the 18th iiist. --P.C. Charles Ashton said: On the night of the 18th inst. I saw John Jones in Eldon- square, drunk, and fighting with another man.—Robert Griffith, labourer, of Dolgelley, was also charged for the same offence, being the party fighting with John Jones.— John Jones being an old offender, this being the tenth con- viction, was sentenced to be imprisoned for seven days, without a fine.—Robert Griffith, this being his first of- fence, was fined 5s., and costs; in default, seven days' im- prisonment, a week being allowed him to pay. Breach of the Petroleum Act. -Thomas Roberts, iron- monger, &c., Dolgelley, was charged by Supt. O. Hughes with two offences under this Act. -Defendant was charged under the 5th section for selling petroleum above proof.— Mr Hughes called Anne Evans, who said I live at Bala. I bought, on the day of the quarter sessions, at Dolgelley, at the shop of Mr Thomas Roberts, a pint of something. I don't remember the name. Mr Hughes, the inspector, sent me there. I arot a pint there. I asked how much it cost. He said 5d. I left the bottle on the counter, and went to the door and called Mr Hughes, who came in and took possession of the bottle. I had the bottle from Mr Hughes.—Supt. O. Hughes said: I am inspector of weights and measures for this county. I sent last witness first to defendant's premises on the 5th inst., and gave her the bottle now produced. I went in and found this bottle on Mr Roberts's counter with a pint of benzoline oil. I tested a quantity of it according to Act of Parliament, and it gives off an inflammable vapour at below a hundred degrees, without applying any heat whatever to it.-Anne Evans, recalled, said I asked the price of the pint, and Mr Roberts told me it was 5d. I had never been in Dol- gelley before, and was a perfect stranger to him.—Mr Roberts was next charged under section 4th, with having unlawfully, and without a licence, kept a quantity of petroleum oil otherwise than for private use.—Supt. O. Hughes said: On the 5th of January 1 went into his shop, and in company with Inspector Jones into his warehouse. In a loft in his warehouse I saw four tin cans, in whicn I found upwards of three gallons. I tested the contents, and found they gave off vapour under a hundred degrees. He has no licence to keep it.—The Chairman said that this being the first offence, although defendant was liable to a penalty of 25 in this case, the fine would be 22 10s.; and for the storeage, although liable to .£"20, the fine in this case would be 25, and the oil must be seized and destroyed at once.—The fine and costs were paid. LLANGOLLEN. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY (Jan. 25.)-Before Lieu- tenant-Colonel Tottenham, J. Price, Esq., J. R. Barnes, Esq., Colonel Blackwood Price, Corbet Yale, Esq., and C. W. Tottenham, Esq. AssauU in a Pit.-John Hunter, a gaffer' in a coal pit, was charged with assaulting a little boy named Evan Roberts, aged eleven.—Evan Roberts said that Mr Hunter thrashed him when he was in the tub until Thomas Jones came and stopped him. Defendant hit him until he was so bad that he could not stand up, and even then he was sore. He had done nothing wrong that he knew of.—Thomas Jones, a collier, who interfered to stop the thrashing, corroborated the above.—Ann Roberts, the boy's mother, said that when he came home that night there were nine or ten marks on him, and one leg was swollen. There was no blood.—Defendant said that the boy had left his work too soon on a previous day, and that being the first time for him to see him after his misbehaviour, he had thrashed him. He had about sixty boys in the pit under him, and was obliged to be strict with them. This boy had left his work too soon, and thereby caused a loss to the firm, as other men were obliged to give up work. He called-James Edwards, who said he was present during the thrashing. The boy on a pre- vious day had refused to give him any more than twenty butties, though his time was not up. He told the 'gager,' and on the Friday the 'gaffer' saw the boy hiding in a tub, and said, Is it him?" and 'leathered' him. The boy said he would not do so again, and went off to his work.— E. Williams said that the blows struck could not have been very heavy, as the place where they stood was very confined. He thought that Mr Hunter gave the lad one good cut, and that was the last one. —Defendant said that the men sometimes encouraged the boys to leave off earlier, and that he was obliged to be strict.—The Chair- man said that the Bench considered the defendant had no right whatever to punish the child for misbehaviour in such a manner, and that, as it had not been shown that the father had given him permission to thrash the child for wrongdoing, he had done what was iRegaL-Fined 91, and costs. CEMMAES ROAD. TESTIMONIAL.—A meeting was held at the Dovey Hotel, Cemmaes, on Monday, the 17th instant, to present Mr R. E. Allen, stationmaster, with a testimonial, on his leaving Cemmaes Road station for Llanfyllin station. Mr David Evans, draper, presided, and presented Mr Allen with the testimonial, which consisted of a gold watch, value JS15 15s. Letters were read from Sir Edmund Buckley, Mr J. W. Wilcocks, Q.C., Rev. W. G. Davies, rector, and others, expressing their approval of the object and en- closing their subscriptions towards it. Mr Allen, in suit- able terms, returned thanks to the chairman for the kind manner in which he had presented the testimonial, and to all for subscribing, and for the kindness they had shewn him during his stay at Cemmaes Road.

FEARFUL ACCIDENT AT A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL AT LIVERPOOL. FIFTEEN PERSONS CRUSHED TO DEATH. A frightful disaster has occurred at the Roman Catholic chapel of St. Joseph, Grosvenor-street, Rose-hilL On Sunday evening, the concluding of a series of mass ser- vices, conducted by several Pasionist Fathers, took place. The building was crowded to excess, and, for the accom- modation of those who could not obtain admission to the chapel, another service was held in the schoolroom be- neath, one of the means of egress from both chapel and schoolroom being a door six feet wide. In the course of the service the people in the schoolroom became alarmed, it is believed, by a cry of fire. A panic seized them, and they rushed to the door-way. The alarm extended itself to tnose in the chapel; a stream of people came pouring out, eager to make their escape; and in the dreadful crush no fewer than fifteen persons were killed, while a number of others were very seriously injured. One account says- A body of Passionist Fathers conducted a mission in the church, which on each occasion that it was opened was densely crowded, and the result of the mission has been apparent in the diminution of drunkenness and crime in that particular quarter of the town. Last evening the mission was brought to a close, and long before the time fixed for the commencement of the service an immense crowd gathered round the entrance to the chapel, caus- I s ing serious apprehensions of an accident. This, however, was averted by the prudential conduct of Father Bridges, who addressed the crowd, and refused to open the doors of the church until the people was perfectly quiet. They were then admitted three at a time, and eventually most of the crowd found seats or standing room in the church; but for those who could not obtain admittance a supple- mental service was conducted in the schoolroom beneath, by Father Alphonsus. During the progress of this service a drunken man staggered into the schoolroom and pushed his way through the crowd towards where the officiating priest stood, and shouted out, I've heard you long enough." Some of the congregation rose from their seats and attempted to turn the fellow out, when a row ensued, and the windows were broken. In the midst of this dis- turbance, which probably would have calmed down in a few moments, some person raised the cry of Fire upon the landing, so that the alarm was distinctly heard both in the church above and in the schoolroom beneath. As might be expected, a panic ensued. The people arose from their seats, and young and old, men and women, rushed to the only modes of egress from the schoolroom and the church, each intent upon saving his own life. Father Bridges, who was in the sacristy at the time, rushed into the body of the church and with a stentorian voice besought the people to retain their seats. In this laudable endeavour he was seconded by Father Raphel, one of the officiating priests, and with the greatest diffi- culty they succeeded in inducing hundreds of the people to resume their seats, or the loss of life would probably have been very much larger than that which we have now to deplore. Those who were nearest the doors, both in the church and in the schoolroom, with difficulty reached the street in safety; but in a moment the staircases were one jammed living mass, each person anxious to save his own life without respect to the safety of those around him. As usual, amongst the congregation there was a large propor- tion of women, whose fearful screams increased the horror of the scene, until several of them sank to the ground from sheer exhaustion, and mingling with men and children were trodden under foot, many of them being soon suffo- cated, and others seriously injured. In another account it is said— While the services were going on in the chapel and in the schoolroom, a man, who was said to be in drink, and smoking at the time, forced his way down into the school- room, and called out to the clergyman who was officiating, "I have heard you long enough." Some persons who were near the brawler attempted to eject him. It is stated that he then shouted "Fire," and rushed from the building. A scene of indescribable alarm and confusion ensued. The worshipers in the schoolroom imagined that the chapel above was on fire. A circumstance took place just at this time, which added greatly to the consternation of those in the building. The majority of the congregation in the body of the chapel had brought with them wax candles to be blessed. At the time the cry of fire was raised these candles were lighted, and the glare caused by the illumination led to the belief that the building actually was on fire. Those who were in the schoolroom attempted to force their way into the street. The narrow staircase and doorway soon beoame blocked up with a seething multitude, who, in their alarm, struggled to escape from the building. The cry of fire had been heard, too, by the worshipers who crowded the staircase leading to the chapel and those under the northern gallery. They were seized with panic, and, imagining that the schoolroom was in flames, rushed wild- ly down the stairs to the landing. It was here that the two crowds-one coming from the schoolroom and the other from the chapel above—met. A terrible scene followed. The people fought and struggled to reach the narrow street. The doorway, however, was soon blocked up, and escape by this means became impossible. Loud cries of alarm were raised; the cry of Fire continued; and the panic increased. Strong men fought and struggled with each other to reach the street; the shrieks of the women and children told of the terrible alarm that had seized them. Some persons near the spot attempted to compose the multitude, but still the struggle continued. Women and children and old men were knocked down and trodden to death under foot, or suffocated in the terrible crush. The inquest was opened on Monday, but evidence of identification only was taken, with a view to allow of interment taking place. The inquiry was then adjourned until Friday next. .i--

Y Drych, published at Utica, New York, states that Llew Llewyvo has commenced his professional career in the United States. A woman named Gwen Jones, of Trydden, near Mold, said to be a native of Dolgelley, has been bound over to keep the peace for six months, for ill-treating her child. At a dinner recently held to celebrate the establishment af the Licensed Victuallers' Association at Ironbridge, a clergyman, the Rev. Mr Wintour, was present and pro- posed the toast of Success to the Association." A druggist has been fined half-a-crown, and costs at Bishop's Castle for selling a packet of "Clift's Magic Vermin Killer," the same not being labelled with the name and the address of the seller, with the word Poison,' and its description thereon.. its description thereon. Mr Watney Ward, a surgeon residing at Knighton, has been fined B2 and costs for traveling on the Central Wales Railway without a ticket. He said he had no time to get on, but when asked for his ticket he was insolent and vouchsafed no explanation to the collector. A doctor, named Price, ofTreforest, has been committed for trial for manslaughter. A man, who was suffering from diseased leg, and had been advised by certain doctors that amputation was the only remedy, went to Dr Price, who prescribed a powder, taken in a quart of beer, and a seton in the leg. Under such treatment, it need hardly be said, the man did die. At a recent meeting of the Shrewsbury School-teachers Association, the subject of compulsory education came up. A general feeling was expressed that the subject was beset with difficulties, and the discussion was ajourned. It is hoped that this association-about which Mr Hibbert, of St. Chad's School, Shrewsbury, will give any information —will gradually extend till it includes Shropshire and the neighbouring Welsh districts in its operations. At a recent meeting in London in connection with the Association of Lay Helpers, Baron Pigott being in the chair, Mr Jasper More suggested that in order to make the work of laymen effective, the laymen engaging in the work should be introduced by the clergymen to be people as accredited lay workers. (Hear, hear.) Ladies did not so much require introduction, but in the case of gentlemen they were more liable to be mistaken-on one occasion he was taken for a tax collector. (Laughter.) In the Wrexham Gas Bill, to be applied for during the coming session by the Gas Company, the maximum price is put down at 4s. 6d. for gas supplied to any place within one mile of the parish church, 5s. within two miles, and 5s. 6d. beyond. As to the quality of the gas, it is provided that it shall be of such quality as to produce from an Argand burner, having fifteen holes and a seven-inch chimney and consuming five cubic feet of gas an hour, a light equal in intensity to the light produced by four- teen sperm candles burning one hundred and twenty grains an hour, and shall be so far pure from sulphur- etted hydrogen as not to discolour moistened test-paper imbued with acetate or carbonate of lead, when this test- paper is exposed for one minute to a current of gas issuing under a pressure of five-tenths of an inch of water." At the request in writing of any owner or occupier of Eremises within fifty yards of a main, the company are to ly down a service pipe between the main and the meter, provided that the expense of so much of it as shall be laid upon private property, or shall exceed thirty feet, shall be defrayed by the applicant, and that a written contract be entered into to take for two years such a supply of gas as will pay not less than 20 per cent. upon the outlay incurred by the company in furnishing service pipe and meter. There are also provisions with regard to the pub- lic lamps, the charge for which is to be fixed according to the lowest price to any private consumer; and the com- pany are to lay down mains in any street, provided that the lamps are not, on an average, more than eighty yards apart, and that a supply is taken for three years, at the rate of not less than four feet per hour on an average of ten hours per night. The Medical Press and Circular has the following remarks on the choice of the inmates of Wrexham Union of a substitute for beer at their Christmas festivities We think that the paupers were quite right in preferring hot coffee to beer, but we must confess to considerable supnse in hearing that they have been so sensible, since our acquaintance with the poor of London, at least, has been to the effect that they very much over-estimate in general the value of beer as an article of diet, or indeed, as a luxury. After all the experi- ments of Lallemand, Perrin, Duroy, and Baudot, we have come to the conclusion, by our own clinical experience, that persons who do not take any form of alcohol are much less likely to be sickly than even moderate drinkers of beer and gin. Beer, we fancy, is a frequent cause of both gout and rheumatism, and of course gin is a ruinous fluid to the ill-fed working classes. We agree with the learned Boerhaave in his sentence that "ex- perience shows that water drinkers have a better appetite, live longer, and keep their eyesight longer than those who use beer." All who have studied diseases of the eye are well aware of the frequent degenerations caused in the organ by the use of alco- holic fluids. And although the opponents of all drinking of alcoholic drinks are apt to exaggerate the injury done by the moderate injestion of beer and wine, there can be no doubt that those who advocate, like the humble inmates of the Wrexham Workhouse, entire abstinence from those drinks do so from a profound conviction that human life would be far simpler and more amenable to reason were all of us to determine not to par- take of either alcohol or tobacco. Every one knows that the life of a teetotaller is much better than that of a moderate drinker, and we also hear from persons who have been in the Polar regions and in India that water drinkers are better able to resist the extremes of cold and heat than those who drink beer, and we also hear that they are far braver soldiers. All honour, then, to the Wrexham paupers, and to their preference for aromatic infusions over alcoholic beverage, Must a man apologize because he shouts at another man ? The Board Room of the Wrexham Union has witnessed a good many "scenes," but none of them, perhaps, quite so ridiculous as that which disturbed the last meeting of the Guardians. At the previous meeting the temporary chairman, Mr Lester, in calling Mr Hugh Davies to order, had acted in a manner which some of the guardians considered offensive, and several gentlemen left the room. Mr Lester refused to apologize then, and therefore Mr E. Rowland called on him to do so at the last meeting. The Chairman said that since the last meeting he had found, on communication, that his conduct was upheld by the highest authority in the land. (!) His manner might have been objectionable to some members of the Board, but he could not help that. He could therefore see no cause for an apology from him." This, of course, did not satisfy Mr Rowland, and another guardian in supporting him re- marked that the chairman's conduct had been most "un- seemly, unbecoming, and ungentlemanly." Then Mr Whalley rushed into the fray, to the chairman's defence. Order must be kept, he said, and when Mr Davies was called to order he continued to speak, and that course caused the chairman to raise his voice to an unusual pitch, and to say 'You are not in order, Mr Davies.' That was the decision of the chair, and Mr Davies ought to have submitted. He (Mr Whalley) had attended the meet- ings of that Board for many years, and the gentleman who presided (Capt. Panton), and-for whom he had the greatest respect, in his zeal for keeping the Board to the right course, and for the despatch of business, did his duty sometimes with what appeared to him some curtness. He felt a weakness to submit to the sometimes uncourteous manner of the chairman, and he had absented himself from many of their meetings rather than be exposed to not showing proper respect to the chair. Mr Lester in- tended no insult to the Board or Mr Davies, and he (Mr Whalley) should not have considered that what he did would have been any reflection upon himself. He was glad the chairman had taken the course he had taken." Poor Mr Hugh Davies also had something to say. He was "used to kicks and cuffs," and did not much mind the conduct of the chairman, but it was an insult to the whole Board. It is somewhat difficult to discover at first what was the exact nature of Mr Lester's offence, but at last it comes out, and the matter ends in this way :— The Chairman-Is it the loudness of my voice you refer tor Several Guardians—Yes. The Chairman—I am glad of that, for it shows the strength o mv lungs. The chairman was again asked to apologize for his manner at the last Board, and ultimately he said-Gentlemen, if the loud- ness of my voice jarred upon the delicate nerves of any one present, I am sorry for it. Sarah Jacobs herself, or at least her spirit, has authori- tatively declared that she did not die of starvation. Her time had come-unfortunately just at the period appointed for the watching-and therefore she departed. A corre- spondent of the Spiritualist is our informant. He says- On New Year's eve, for the second time, my wife saw a spirit purporting to be that of Sarah Jacob. She appeared to be be- tween ten and eleven years old, and was dressed as she used to be when on earth—viz., in a brown stuff frock, with low neck and shortpuffed sleeves. She said she was not starved to death; that she had on several occasions gone some weeks with- shl out the slightest particle of food or nourishment, and accounted for her living so long a time without the usual nacessaries of life, through being incessantly mesmerised by spirits, of which there was half-a-dozen, who relieved each other when exhausted. What is there improbable in the above explanation, coupled with the evidence given at the inquest, showing that the body did not present all the usual signs of death being caused through starvation ? Is it not a fact that a band of, or even one powerful mesmerist, could keep a sensitive person some considerable time without food and without causing in the slighest degree any of the usual tokens of starvation ? Again, is it not a fact well- known to every medical practitioner that numbers of persons on beds of sickness have lived out, not the starvation period of eight days, but twice, three times, and I believe in some cases, four times that period, with a supply of nourishment that would starve a rat in a quarter of the time? In such cases as these, when worn down with disease, will our infallible medical savans in- form us what keeps them alive? Whether it is the stimulants we moisten their lips with ? Is the elixir of life in the medical compounds we force down their throats ? Or are their lives really kept and nourished by the divine, powerful, and unseen help of our ever-present guardian spirits, till the period arrives to leave this world for a purer and holier one above 1 Some of our readers will doubtless remember the circum- stance of a boy riding from Liverpool to Crewe under one of the carriages of an express train. The tale the little fellow told to the railway officials was that his mother had left him in Liverpool, and that he was going to Bristol after her. His face was plastered up at the time, and when asked how he had received the injuries he said that a lad in Liverpool had thrown a basin at him. He proceeded on his journey to Bristol with a ticket purchased for him by subscriptions from a number of gentlemen on the platform at the time. The paragraph recording the adventures of this youth went the round of the papers and attracted the attention of a philanthropic gentleman in Leamington, who has already done much for needy lads, and thinking the hero of the story deserved encouragement for the pluck he had shown, determined on finding out the boy, and if possible assisting him. With this end, the officials at Crewe were communicated with, and lastly the assistance of the police- at Bristol was obtained to hunt up the boy. The right address was discovered, and a few days ago a policeman accosted our hero and commenced to in- terrogate him. The sight of the uniform, however, was too much for the little fellow, and he freely confessed that the story hitherto told by him was false, and that he had only a few days previously to his "perilous ride," escaped from the Liverpool Reformatory. A communication with the authorities at Liverpool resulted in a corroboration of the statement, and it was found that the injuries the lad had upon his face were received whilst escaping from a window at the Reformatory. Whilst at the school, he was knowr as the most desperate and lawless lad in the place. Heha4 again been removed to Liverpool, The Marquis of Cholmondeley remains in a debilitated state, and is still confined to his bed. There are now, it seems, rival town criers at To one liberal and the other conservative, but both blind. The liberal crier, it is stated, offended the conservatives by not being blind to party considerations in connection with the recent contest, and so a rival was set up. Mrs Farish, the wife of the ex-sheriff of Chester, im riding with a neighbour from Trafford to Helsby, a day or two since, was thrown out of the vehicle at t*l gate they were passing, and sustained a fracture of one of her arms. Her companion was not seriously hurt. The Chester Chronicle says—We understand that Arthur Potts, Esq., of Hoole Hall, Meadows Frost, Esq., of St. John's House, and W. Maysmor Williams, Esq., of Dingle Bank, have been named on the commission of the peac* for the county of Chester. Mr Morgan Lloyd has written to Lord Penrhyn, inreplyte the letter which appeared in our columns last week, with- drawing the statements with reference to his lordship's in. terference in the Merionethshire election, and expressing regret at having been misled by the current rumours. The appointment of Dr H. Johnson as analyst for the county of Salop at the last quarter sessions, pursuant to the Act 23rd and 24th Vict., cap. 84, has been approved of by the Home Secretary, and Dr Johnson has entered upon the duties of the office. By see. 4 of the Act purchasers of any articles of food or drink are entitled, on the payment of not less than 2s. 6d., nor more than lrn4 6d., to have the same analysed, and the sum so paid," ill be deemed part of the costs in proceedings before justice* against parties for adulteration. The other day a young man named Wheldon was chasing a squirrel on the Colomendy Estate, near Mold, when he jumped over a wall into a disused pit. Fortu- nately he had with him a companion, who, after some time, discovered the missing man, and tried to draw him up with a rope, which broke, however, and Wheldon again fell to the bottom. Another rope was procured, and he was rescued, having sustained little injury. We are daily expecting to hear of a fatal accidsnt in one of the Llanymynech Hill pits, which are left unprotected. On the day of the Merionethshire election, when most of the Carnarvon police had been sent to look on at the polling booths-with the pleasing delusion that they were maintaining order, when nobody wanted to disturb it-a drunken man was arrested at Carnarvon. A number of roughs collected round the policeman and his prisoner, followed them down the street, and drove them in an op- posite direction from the lock-up. The officer received assistance from another constable, but presently the web took to pelting them with stones, and eventually succeeded in releasing the prisoner and conveying him off in triumph. It is to be hoped that the ringleaders will be brought to justice. A writer in a North Wales contemporary has come to three conclusions respecting the question of bishops for Wales—1st, that it is a question for churchmen only, ne other bodies being affected by it; 2nd, thrt it would be to the interest of the Anglican Church in Wales to have ap- pointed to St. Asaph a man totally uninfluenced by and a stranger to the prejudices and antipathies of the Welsh clergy; and 3rd, that such a man is much more likely to be found in England than in Wales. All this is very in- genious, but it, of course, presupposes that the Anglican Church in Wales surrenders all pretence-1st. to be a State church, and 2ndly, to be the church of the people two propositions which churchmen will hardly be willing to grant. The argument, if it means anything, provex that the church should be disestablished-which is, we gather, the real aim of the writer. Our contemporary, the North Wales Chronicle, in try- ing, laudablv enough, to make the best of the recent defeat in Merionethshire, asks whether the liberals would have had a majority of 600, or any majority at all. if Mr Greaves had been the candidate opposed to Mr Holland— arguing that personal feelings have as much to do with an electoral victory as political opinion, and that Colonel Tottenham suffered from not being known throughout the country. But a few lines further on the Chronicle says At Festiniog, on Saturday, Mr Oakley was treated as if he had been a notorious malefactor, and had to leave a place abruptly, of which he is the principal owner!" Un- kind critics will call this a slip, and ask how it comes to pass that Mr Oakley suffers thus amongst his own people, if personal feelings have so much to do with the matter, and if Mr Greaves would most likely win. The Spectator says-It is officially notified that Lord Napier will succeed Sir William Mansfield, as Commander- in-Chief in India; a great reward, well-deserved by his conduct of the campaign in Abyssinia. Lord Napier, if we recollect rightly, is the only engineer officer who haa ever reached the post, and one of the very few company's officers ever permitted to attain it, their experience being considered too local. In both capacities his advice to the Government of India, which is weighed do, n with en- gineering questions and questions arising out of the amalgamation, will be most valuable, while the army has thorough confidence in him as a fighting general. Perhaps it may be given to him to solve the problem which even the mutiny left unsolved,—how to make an Indian army as mobile as it is usually effective. An Indian regiment will still go anywhere and do anything, except move without a train bigger and costlier than itself. Denbigh has been chosen, as the most noted town in Wales, to be represented on the casket which is to be pre- sented with the national address to the King of the Belgians. The Heralds' College, it is said, have decided this important point but the Mayor of Denbigh en- deavoured to prove it in a communication to Captain Mercier. Dr Pierce says it affords him exceeding great pleasure" to state that Denbigh is not only the most noted town in Wales, but, he believies, in Great Britain! The reason is as "curious" as the assertion. "For," adds the worthy doctor, it is as curious as it is an unde- niable fact that King Charles I's whole empire was in the great struggle preceding the Commonwealth at last limited to Denbigh Castle and its precincts." The Town Council of Denbigh are naturally jubilant over this recog- nition of the dignity of their ancient borough. They have met and rejoiced, and subscribed to the national testi- monial, and the Mayor, who is to be accompanied by the Ex-Mayor, and probably by Sir Watkin, will make one of the deputation to Belgium to present it. The casket, a handsome silver one, contains views of London, Edin- burgh, Dublin, and Denbigh. The Liverpool Mercury says—The sceptical as to the physical condition of the Premier mavfind a solution of their doubts in being made acquainted with the fact that Mr Glad- stone, Mr W. H. Gladstone, and Mr Chas. Lyttdton have re- cently been busily engaged forthree days (about three hours each day) in cutting down a beech tree at Hagley, near Stourbridge, measuring in circumference no less than fourteen feet. It is a mistake to suppose that the exhaus- tive process of felling a tree belongs entirely to unskilled labour; on the contrary, to be worked out economically and scientifically it constitutes a study, and both time and experience are necessary to make an accomplished execu- tioner. In the meantime, nervous politicians may ausror unfavourably from the pursuit of this occupation, regard- ing it as typical of what is likely, in certain hands, t9 be the fate of the old British constitution. Never, however, was prophecy more at fault; for have we not in our own neighbourhood-in the immediate descendant of a late Tory father-an ardent and practical admirer of this profession? If we are correctly informed, this is not the only occasion on which the Premier of England has found recreation in wood-cleaving, for we understand that on the recent visit of his Grace the Archbishop of Syra and Tenos to Harwarden the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone was discovered busily employed in sawing planks for the completion of a job of joiner work which he had carried forward to an advanced stage.

ROLLS' COURT, CHANCERY-LANE, JAN. 20. Before the Master of the Rolls. BE CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY. Mr Osborne Morgan, Q. C. (Mr E. Herbert with him), moved on behalf of Ann Parry and Cadwallader Richard Jones for leave to take such proceedings as they might be advised for specific performance against the Cambrian Railways Company. It appeared that some land belonging to the applicants had been required for the purposes of the undertaking, and was taken possession of by the company in January, 1862. In December, 1866, the purchase-money was ascertained at £475, but, although the title had long age been accepted and the conveyance approved and executed, no part of this sum had been paid. An affidavit had been filed on behalf of the company, asserting their total inability to settle, which was attributed to the directors having failed to raise the money which, by the Cambrian Railways Act, 1868, they were empowered to raise for the purpose of meeting landowners' claims, the total amount of which was stated to exceed 270,000. The application was rendered necessary by the Cambrian Railways Act, 1868, which forbids proceedings to be commenced or con- tinued against the company for five years from July 31, 1868, unless with the leave of the Court. His Lordship, who had observed upon the singular course taken by recent legislation on the subject, which, in the first instance, enables a company to take land from the owner without his consent, and subsequently enacts that he shall not be paid for it, said that the primary object of the Act was to suspend litigation, and that leave to proceed ought not to be granted unless in special cases, as where it was shown that the directors could pay if they liked. There was no evidence of this being the case, but there was evidence that there was a balance of glo,ooo a year over working expenses, and things might get better. The motion would, therefore, be refused without costs, without prejudice to its being renewed at any time after the lapse of six months, should the appli- cants desire it.