The Welshman

CARDIGAN GOAL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHNAM." SIR,-The time is just at hand when it is to be decided whether to repair the old goal at Cardigan, or to pull it down, and build a new one elsewhere. It is supposed that £4,000 would put the old goal in a thorough state of enlargement and repair, so as to satisfy the Government Inspector. On the other hand, it will cost four or five times the above amount to build a new one. Well, suppose the magistrates condemn the old one, and decide to build a new one. the next question is, where is it to be built ? There are three places named, viz: Aberystwith, Lampeter, and Aberayron. Now, take these places in rotation, and see what ad- vantages, in a pecuniary point of view, each offers to the county.. First, Aberystwith, land for a site, free of all expense, which is, indeed, very generous but what can be gained by moving the goal from one end of the county to the other ? Nothing! Next, Mr Harford offers land at a fair valuation for a site at Lampeter, and will also enlarge or rebuild the Town Hall, so as to accommodate the court of assize, with this proviso, —that after paying for the land, the county will give him what remains of the £1,200 (the supposed value of the materials of the old goal, and the land on which it is built), not stating what rent he would ask for his outlay certainly not so liberal as Aberystwith. Last, but not least, comes Aberayron. What does she offer? Land for the site for nothing, a spacious Town Hall, and if not large enough as it is at present, to alter it, so as to accommodate the largest court of assize ever held in Cardigan, without one penny expense to the county. Now, here at once is 11,200 saved to this poor and over-taxed county and further- more, building stones will be given gratis, from a quarry 800 yards from the site chosen by the committee also all materials required for the building brought seaward will be free of harbour dues. There are lime, slates, and timber within 600 yards of the place of building, so that all these considered must reduce the estimates for the building very considerably. Now as to the central position of Aberayron, it has been decided by a majority of the greatest number of magistrates assembled together in Cardiganshire for many years, that it is the most central and convenient place in the county for holding the quarter sessions. There also the clergy of the Church of England assemble, every July, from all parts of the county, to hold their largest and most important meeting of the year; there also and most important me(, the Conservatives and Liberals hold their central political meetings, and at the election of a member for the county. It is the central polling place where all the poll books are brought to be scrutinized and lastly, Aberayron is the place chosen on several occasions by the Government Inspector, as the most fit and proper place to build a new gaol. I hope every magistrate in the county will have your paper in his hands next Friday, and with the facts stated in this letter laid before them, I am sure no gentleman will treat the claims of Aberayron lightly, for his own con- venience, and to the inconvenience and expense of the greater number of his poorer brethren, who are obliged I to attend assizes and quarter sessions. Apologising for the length of this letter, I am, sir, I Your obedient servant, June 24, 1868. A CARDIGANSHIRE FARMER. 1 June 24,1868.

THE WEEK ABROAD. The New York Times says that it has received a tele- gram to the effect that the Bishop of London has taken upon himself to order that the President of the United States shall in future be prayed for in aU English churches, along with the Queen and Parliament. The heat of the last week has brought out the defects of the asphalte trottoirs of Paris. Whilst walking over them the foot sinks in, as it would do on soppy turf in winter walking-sticks and umbrellas take root and stand upright; and repairs are so constantly needed that the most frequented streets are chronically redolent of the smell of boiling pitch. The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph declares that on Sunday last a little lady in a most ravishing costume, wearing high-heelejl boots of baby-like dimensions, literally stuck fast in the asphalte and had to be cut out by the sword of a sergent-de-ville A French journal states that Miss Rosa Glarkens, an English lady, has successfully accomplished the ascent of the Grand Cervin (Valasia). Our contemporary goes on to say that this daring Miss" strangled with her own hands, a couple of years ago. a wolf dans la foret de Burchase (Angleterre);" and that she is now about to travel in Central Africa for the purpose of shooting panthers, stimulated by the stirring narrative of Sir Samuel Baker. It has already been stated that a scientific commission has been charged by the Minister of Public Instruction in France to proceed to the extrame East to study the solar eclipse of the 18th of August next. The Moniteur announces that the place of observation selected by France in the peninsula of Malacca has been explored and prepared with care, and that the King of Siam has manifested the intention of being present at the labours of the commission. Independently of this expedition, the Academy of Sciences has nominated an astronomer for the same purpose to go to Masulipatam to act in concert with others sent from Engknd. Rambler," of the Field, after giving an account of qual-shooting in California, practically recommends the country for emigration. Its virgin and unequalled soil renders it the most inviting place of emigration by far of any I have seen at present; its wheat at Liver- pool fetches a higher price than the best English, and thousands of acres of land are waiting for occupants. The skilled artisans will get better wages here than in any other part of the world that I am acquainted with and with its perfect climate—were it in easy and cheap communication with our shores—it would soon possess a dense population." An official French journal, the Moniteur de hi Flotte, announces that Rear-Admiral Burgeois and M. Delarochi- Poncie hydrographical engineer of the first classs, have just been appointed members of a special commission to examine the plan of a submarine tunnel for the establishment of a railway between France and Eng- land This committee, which will merely occupy it- self with preliminary details, is also to includ e among its members two general inspectors of mines, roads, and and bridges, with M. Combes, the Inspector-General of the Imperial Corps of Mines, for its chairman. The Emperor received a deputation of scientific and com- mercial men at the Tuileries on Wednesday on the subject of the proposed tunnel, and is said to have shown much interest in the proceedings that took place. After all, the "good" people will not have to quarrel over the education of the late King Theodore's son. A Queen's messenger has been sent to Sir Robert Napier to intimate her Majesty's desire that the young prince should be brought to England. Those who remember the Queen's Christian care of others some- what similarly situated will know that the prospect thus opened to the young African is a pleasant one. To receive his education in England, directly under her Majesty's patronage or recognition, is decidedly better than to be exiled to Calcutta, where it is a matter of doubt if the climate would have suited the lad. Rumours are current of the dangerous condition of Count Bismarck's health. The physicians, we are told in a recent letter received from Berlin, do not conceal the gravity of the disease which has seized this statesman. Although a retirement of three months is spoken of, it is certain that he will never be able to display all his former ability. He will maintain his position as the director of the general policy of the country, and will continue to be President of the Ministry. At present no one seems to know who will undertake the poat of Minister for Foreign Affairs, though it is a question which is naturally discussed with the deepest interest. An unexpected difficulty has caused the bull-fights announced as about to take place at Havre to be post- poned. The bulls, selected for their ferocity in the plains of the Guadalquivir, have been treated so kindly by the railway servants during their journey across Spain and France that they are now perfectly tame and will not fight; and so the sight seers at Havre are to have a regatta instead of a bull-fight next Sunday. We think that our own railways might take a lesson in the conveyance of cattle from France and Spain. An interesting account of a journey over the Mont Cenis Railway is given in a letter in the Times. The writer says :—" I left Turin ltt 0.30 It.IU., on the 17th inst., with my and about a thousand pounds' weight of luggage, and arrived at Susa after a couple of hours' travelling. The mountain train was com- posed of three first-class carriages, capable of contain- ing twelve persons each, a luggage and a guard's van, and the locomotive. Every train is accompanied by three men, a chief guard and two sous chefs de train (breaksmen), one being attached to each carriage, besides the two men on the engine. The carriages are well built, and about the width of a London omnibus, and the seats are arranged in the same manner along the sides. The excellent precaution is adopted of having windows which cannot be opened, as in many places the masonry of the tunnels, posts, &c., are distant so few inches from the passing tram that a thoughtless traveller putting his head out of window would most assuredly come to grief. Twenty passengers in all, half ladies, we left Susa at 8.30 a.m., the ascent com- mencing immediately. The traversee has been so ably described by the pen of your correspondent that obser- vations of mine would at best be plagiarism. I would only mention that in the long tunnels openings at frequent intervals have since been made which entirely do away with the tendency to asphyxia hinted at as a possibility by some of these earlier pioneers. Keep the doors shut in the tunnels' is the one simple rule to follow. At 10.5 we reached the summit after several short halts to refresh our thirsty engine, and then sailed evenly and without jolting, at an average rate of 15 kilometers an hour dow n to Lanslebourg, reaching that village at 11.15. There is rather a sensation' pitch leading down to Modane between this and San Michel, which, although short, must try the machinery as much as any part of the route, and most beautifully it worked, and fulfilled every expectation that may have been formed of it. Every one in the train could feel at this point, as, indeed, all throughout, that the engine was like a docile horse mounted by a man who could ride him, and obeying the slightest motion of the breaks. We ran into San Michel after five hours and a quarter passage, all well satisfied with our trip. The curves are very sharp, but in the descent each breaksmaIl loosens the strain on the inside wheels, the iron buffers, as they turn at angles, give a clink' as they clash, and the carriages swing easily round without a jolt or any unpleasant sensation. Whether the grip' of the horizontal break-wheels will be seriously affected in winter by the hard frosts remains to be proved, but at this season Mr Fell's railway transports you in a far pleasanter manner over Mont Cenis than the diligence." SOMETHING LIKE A HAIL STORM.—The San Antonio Express of May 21 gives the following particulars of a disastrous hailstorm:—"Our city is a perfect wreck; every house in it has received some damage many are in complete ruins, with nothing but fragments of walls standing. The hail-stones penetrated the best roofs, going through the roofs like cannon balls. All the windows facing to the north have been smashed in; even window shutters, and doors were broken down. The appearance of the city could not have been worse under a severe bombardment. The roofing of the entire city is perforated like a sieve. The hailstones were of irregular shape and all sizes, as if a mass of ice had broken above our devoted heads and been driven by a tornado to the earth. One hailstone was found weighing over five pounds, while a great many as large as a man's fist were picked up. Many of the families whose houses were beaten down took shelter under beds and tables, and thus escaped bodily harm. We have only heard of one death, a negro boy; several had limbs broken and were severely bruised, while the whole population was frightened almost to death. The damage is of every character, and 500,000 dollars will not cover it all. The corn patches and gardens are flattened to the ground, and have the appearance of having passed through a chopping mill. All the fruit crop is destroyed. The storm resembled a terrific battle so fearful was the noise that no one could hear unless they screamed in each other's ears. We learn that the hail-storm extended from five to 25 miles in extent-destroying everything over a region of 30 miles from north to south, and 10 to 20 miles from east to west. The death of the Queen of Madagascar has been already announced. We read in the Patrie respecting it:—" This event, foreseen for some time past, was nearly producing serious complications the chiefs of the old Hova party having come to an understanding to place on the throne a young man of note, named Rasata son of Bakarla, Governor of Tamatava. who died last February. This conspiracy fortunately did not succeed, and the Prime Minister, Rainjlaiarivony, having con- sulted the people, who are very faithful to the present dynasty, succeeded in getting named Queen the Princess Ramona, first cousin of Queen Rasoaherina and of her husband, Radama. This result is advantageous for Europeans. If Rasata had succeeded in obtaining power, the island would have been for several years the scene of serious convulsions, which would have ob- structed commerce and injured the interests of foreigners. The Princess Ramona, proclaimed Queen under the name of Ranavalo Manjoka II., has moderate views. She has adopted the same usages as the Queen Rasoaherina, dresses in the European fashion, and pro- cures all attire from Paris. Without having any well- settled political ideas, she recognizes for her country the utility of having good relations with foreign States, and has retained Rainilaiarivony as Prime Minister;" t J. '[

CARMARTHEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. We give, this week, a report of the Midsummer examination, to which we referred in our last impres- sion. The schoolroom was well filled with visitors, and the proceedings were of a pleasant and interesting character. The Vicar, who presided, said-I have been asked by Mr Parkinson to preside upon this occasion, but although I fully appreciated the honour, it was with considerable reluctance that I consented; indeed my consent was not obtained till a quarter to 11 o'clock last night. It must be very satisfactory to all the trustees and to the head master to see such a numerous assemblage here to-day, especially when we consider that this school has recently gone through a very severe crisis, and that successfully. I need not take you further back into the history of the school than to the present head master's appointment. He came here with the very highest recommendations, and there were many hopes and aspirations as to the success of the school under his auspices. His advent was duly heralded, and the day of opening was announced. Having heard no rumours of anybody's intention to send children to the school, I thought it the part of a friend to accompany him down to the schoolroom on the first morning of opening. I can vividly recall the occasion, and I well know that he needed all the consolation that a friend could possibly give him. We waited patiently, the rain pouring down all the time, which did not serve to afford us any consolation. And no one appeared. I endeavoured to apply to him certain old homely truths, such as It's a long lane that has no turning" When things come to the worst they will soon get better" The night is never so dark as just before the dawn"; and that was all the consolation he got, for no pupils came. However, his courage and patience were at length rewarded, for two nice little boys came into the school; and of course we considered that splendid success. It was not less than 200 per cent. increase. From that day to this the school has gone on increasing, till at the present moment the boys number 30. (Cheers.) That will be regarded as extremely satisfactory by every person who takes the slightest interest in the school. We now feel that the only thing this school requires is the confidence of the public, for without that it can never succeed as we wish it; but with that confidence there is nothing further to be desired. It is for that reason we have invited you here to-day. There is no confidence so strong as that which is based upon knowledge and we wished to give you an opportunity of coming here and seeing for yourselves the real condition of the school, and the qualifications of the head master for imparting education, that you might see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears that this school does deserve the respect and confidence of the public generally. I think we have a claim to that confidence: and when you hear the report of Professor Spence, which you will presently, your confidence will be increased and when you exhibit that confidence this afternoon, which I hope and trust you will, you will assist in disseminating it throughout the country. Then the Grammar School of Carmarthen will become as noted and as illustrious as any of those which have flourished in days gone by. We are fortunate in securing the services of Professor Spence, who has made himself a name in this country, and I am most anxious that you should attach due weight to his report, and to the counsels and recom- mendations that he may feel called upon to give, for I feel bound to say that he is one of the most prominent scholars in the lqiid, and not only that but he is one of England's scholars of whom, if I mistake not, we shall hear much in the future. Bearing that in mind I think we shall attach due weight and importance to his re- port. Many persons are continually asking to have recommended to them a school and a head master where they may with perfect trust and confidence entrust their boys. I have been asked, and perhaps you have too, and if I am asked again I shall have no hesitation in giving a recommendation in favour of Mr Parkinson. As to the working of the school I can with the greatest confidence recommend to this school any boy whose parent desires for him a sound, religious, and practical education. In our country, schools are not too numer- ous or too good, and I shall be glad if we can make it known that there is at Carmarthen a school which deserves, and which I am sure will receive, the full confidence of the country. Grammar Schools, a little time ago, were a bye-word in the land they were slow in realizing the importance of the arts of civilization as well as of the polished charms of social life. But when science and engineering gave us telegraphs and railroads and other wonderful achievements it could not be supposed that all the genius of practical science could at once find its way to the remote grammar schools of the country, and there can be no doubt that the system of education pursued in some of them was antiquated and profitless. People complained that they taught nothing but Greek and Latin, and that Greek and Latin had a very poor share in contributing to the happiness of the present generation. I will not dis- parage or enter into a dissertation in defence of Greek and Latin, but you will agree with me that however excellent a knowledge of Greek and Latin may be in itself, it is not sufficient to give a complete education to boys of the present age, who desire to push their way in the several walks of life open to them. Therefore it is that Grammar Schools have considerably improved and reformed themselves. While they still continue and I hope will continue to teach the classics, they reserve to themselves the right to afford instruction of more practical and immediate utility, to which we must all attach very great importance. Men say, Let me have a boy who can speak and write his own mother tongue, and I will excuse him all the Latin in the world." But that is entirely begging the question, because it is impossible for any man to be proficient in the English language unless he has a knowledge of the Latin also. It is of great consequence that we should have some knowledge of the roots of certain words, and we find them in Latin; and if we are to understand the structure, the niceties and what would otherwise be the hidden value of the Spanish, the Italian, the French, the Portugese, we must know something of Latin. Therefore it is of incalculable importance, when these languages even form the medium of communication in some of our warehouses, that some knowledge of Latin should be acquired. We must have before us some form of perfection, some model of taste. No one supposes that the English language is perfect; no one can possibly foresee the time when it will attain perfection. New words are continually added to it, and new modes of expression, and this we owe to the fact that we have before us such perfections of construction as are found in the Latin tongue. So while we get every other branch of educa- tion that we possibly can, let it never be forgotten that a knowledge of Latin is exceedingly important. I will read to you the 29th rule in the scheme of this school: —" The instruction to be afforded in the said Carmar- then Endowed Schools shall be in the principles of the Christian religion, the Latin and Greek languages, general English literature and composition, sacred and profane history, geography, mathematics, Algebra, arithmetic, book-keeping, land surveying, drawing and the principles of designing, reading and writing, and in such other subjects as to the said Trustees may from time to time seem expedient, and so as to give the boys a sound, religious, moral and useful education That, you will agree in considering sufficiently comprehen- sive. I also beg to be allowed to read the 30th rule, because it refers to the principles upon which education is afforded here Religious instruction shall be given by the Head Master at such times as he shall think best, by reading and explaining the Holy Scriptures to all the boys; and also in the Liturgy and Catechism of the Church of England to such of the boys whose parent or parents, or person or persons, standing to them in loco parentis, are in communion with that Church and to such other boys whose parent or parents, or person or persons, standing to them in loco parentis, shall not object to their receiving such instruc- tion." I hope you will agree that that rule is sufficiently strict, and yet liberal in its construction. I will name only one other fact in connection with the school, which is that the fees for the boys under twelve do not exceed 21s per quarter, and for boys of twelve and upwards 42s per quarter. Having said that I need not detain you longer, or intervene between you and the reports which Mr Parkinson and Mr Spence are prepared to give you. I only trust that this will be the commencement of a series of commemorations, and that, as we assemble here year by year we shall re- cognise a decided increase in the prosperity of the school, which of course will say more than I can for the system of instruction imparted here. Mr Parkinson-l have looked forward to this day for a long time, and am glad, now it is come, to see so ma¡,y kind friends assembled to witness the distribution of prizes, the awarding of scholarships, and to hear the report of the examiner of the school. I think the history of my life at Carmarthen is sufficiently well known, so I need not dilate upon it; but I would say a few words as to what I have been doing for the last twelve months. You are well aware that I bad to begin this school, I may say, ab initio, and that I experienced a great deal of discouragement; but my efforts have been so far rewarded that now, instead of having two boys there are 30, and I hope that in twelve months more the numbers will be greatly increased. (Cheers.) I think, by your countenance to-day that you sympathise with me, and I have no doubt that I shall receive the support of the inhabitants of Carmar- then. I have endeavoured as much as possible to make the instruction of the soundest kind I possibly could, and to give the boys entrusted to me a sound and sub- stantial grounding in the elementary subjects; and you will not be surprised if I say tbat"1 have no boys, as yet, or at least very few, at all advanced, because I have only had twelve months, in some cases only six, to produce results but I have great hopes that in two or three years I shall have a very good advanced class. I I am very much obliged to certain parties for aiding me in putting before you such an array of beautiful prizes as those you see on the table and my object in doing so is to give the boys a little stimulant. Boys require it; we all do and I think prizes do much good, not only on account of their own intrinsic value, but what is of much greater importance on account of their stimulating boys to pursue their studies with greater zest I than they would otherwise do, and in the end to attain a greater degree of excellence. The two scholarships I have got up are for the same object—one is open to boys under 14 years of age, and the other to boys under 12 years. They were competed for last October, and the two boys who were then fortunate enough to win them have ever since given me the greatest satisfac- tion they have been very attentive to their studies, and their conduct has been exemplary. I have no fault to find with either of them, and I shall be pleased if the two boys who are selected to fill their places this year will follow in their steps. The prizes are decided in this way class prizes are given to those boys who have obtained the greatest number of marks during the half year, and special prizes are awarded to those boys who have passed the best examination in the special subjects. Perhaps some one may remark that no prize is called a Latin prize. Let me explain this. Latin is one of the most important subjects, inasmuch as all the boys learn it, and it is the one that gives the greatest number of marks that count for the class prizes; for that reason I have not given a special prize for it, but have given them for scripture, mathematics, arithmetic, geography, English, grammar, French, drawing, and writing. During the examination, which has occupied several days, I have myself inspected most of the papers,—nearly all,—as well as Professor Spence, and I feel gratified at what I have seen, and believe that the boys have done almost better than I expected. The papers are tolerably well done, and I think the anticipa- tion of so many nice prizes, and of the scholarships has, during the last few months, stimulated the boys to a great extent. I have noticed they have been much more attentive to their work, much more determined to suc- ceed than before, and I hope they will not be dissatisfied with the prizes which I have done my best to procure for them. Professor Spence then made his report. He said— When I was first asked to undertake the examination of this school some six weeks ago, I accepted the duties with considerable reluctance, for the ill state of my health certainly did not warrant my undertaking any- thing beyond my professorial duties at Lampeter. But when I had made up my mind to the work I felt decidedly glad that I had undertaken the duty,—nor do I regret it now, heavy though it has been, for I take a very great interest in Welsh education, and I was parti- cularly interested in the peculiar circumstances of this school at Carmarthen. I must say that, a few days ago, when Mr Parkinson sent me the first instalment of my labours, I felt a little dismayed. I received a large package of papers when 1 expected only a very small one. But although I dreaded the long and laborious task, which lay before me, my toil was more than repaid when I had read the papers. It would not be right for me to congratulate Mr Parkinson on the ad- vanced state of his boys, he himself has told you what his opinion on the school ia but this I can say, and concientiously, from the whole of the work, on paper, and this morning from the viva voce examination, no want of labour has been spared on the part of the master or attention on the side of the pupils. In the cise of many of the boys the progress made in every branch of knowledge treated upon must have been great, considering the time Mr Parkinson had been instructing them. A good many pupils who sent up papers seemed to possess a very fair knowledge indeed of the subjects which they treated upon. The subjects which I espe- cially noticed were history, English grammar, and geography. These papers I had set myself, and I hardly expected more than half of the questions would have been well done but I was agreeably disappointed, for in most cases nearly two-thirds, and in some cases nearly the whole of the papers had been done very fairly. The history, especially, was deserving of eulogy, so was the geography. The scripture was extremely satisfactory the mathematical papers showed great care, and in several cases the style of them was remarkably good. Considering that this is roally the first public examina- tion, I think it reflects the very highest credit upon Mr Parkinson and upon the pupils of his school. It would not be perhaps desirable to name any boys in particular; there is, perhaps, one exception which I must make, in the case of the candidates for the senior scholarship, which has been awarded to Mr Richards, he was con- siderably ahead in his paper work. and there was very little doubt that he was the proper person to receive the scholarship in question, but another boy, not a very elderly one either, also distinguished himself consider- ably in several papers, and had it not been for his mathematical failure he would without doubt have had the scholarship. I allude to Mr Soppitt. This morn- ing in the viva voce work, he distinguished himself more than anybody else in his class or even in the class above him in his ready and bright answers. I very much regret that I could not award him the honour of the day, but perhaps my regret is a little diminished when I remember that he is a year younger than his competitor, and I have no doubt that he will succeed in carrying off the senior scholarship next year. As it is, he already possesses the rank and degree of a scholar. So satisfied was I with the character of his work that I was very much tempted to recommend that he should be bracketted with Mr Richards. I am very much pleased with him and trust that what I have said may be sufficient to encourage him to pursue his studies with a diligence which will bring a more substantial reward than mere praises. The viva voce examination this morning showed me that extraordinary care must have been exercised by Mr Parkinson. He has gone, 1 think, but little beyond an attempt to impart elemen- tary knowledge, especially in classics, but every answer to the questions I put,—and they were very searching questions—was, on the whole extremely satisfactory and gave promise of marked excellence in the future. I only trust that the next examiner of this school will have more Greek examination than I had. The little I had, had been prepared with great care. One gentleman, Mr Buckley, passed an examination in a Greek play with high credit to himself. (Cheers.) Others also were examined in Greek, and showed a considerable amount of elementary knowledge. The mathematics are in every possible degree satisfactory, and the whole state of the school, as regards discipline, is deserving of high approbation. There was no noise and confusion; the boys were willing and ready to answer, and there was no appearance of dullness and inattention. I will detain you but a moment or two longer while I address a few words to my young friends who have been examined to-day. I would ask them to consider well that the present time is more important than they, perhaps, consider it to be that it is almost the most momentous period of their lives, however un- important and trifling they may consider it. The lessons they learn here, the principles they are taught, they will never forget. Such days as these will be printed in gold in the calendar of their lives, and the tokens of merit received here, small comparatively though they may be, will, perhaps, be more highly valued than the prizes of far greater consideration, which they may obtain later in life. The way in which they spend the few years at school will influence the whole of their life and let them remember that what they acquire ere can never be taken from them. Amonf the prizes before me I call attention to the two distinguishing prizes of the school the red silk tassels of the scholars—which I admire very much. I am by no means inclined to treat with contempt what Carlyle calls the millinery and upholstery of life, and I believe the two winners of scholarships will be as proud of their ornaments as I should be myself at their time of life. Some three years ago, at a public gathering in Wales, I took occasion to speak of Wales as my adop- ted country. Several of my friends smiled at my expression, fresh as I then was from my own great university, supposing the expression, to say the least of it, to be a little exaggerated. Three years have elapsed since then, and I do not regret the expression or repent my choice. (Cheers.) The three years I have spent amongst Welshmen and Welsh boys have been the pleasantest years of my life. (Cheers. I have ever found my Weish pupils apt to learn, and ready to receive instruction able and willing to learn diligent and good pupils, and kind friends. (Cheers.) It has, somehow, become a to run down Welsh intelligence but, I must say, judging by the experi- ence of tuition which I have had in this country, the power of the Welsh for acquiring knowledge is not I second to that possessed by the English or by any other nation. (Cheers.) My experience at Lampeter teaches me that they are both able and willing to work, and there are plenty of facilities for them to become good scholars. Here, at all events, they may lay a good foundation of Latm and Greek learning under Mr Parkinson while in the more popular branches of study such as French, history, and modern science generally, they will be well cared for. Boys at this school should remember that they are living under the shadow of the old palace of one of the greatest and mostbrilljallt men of the age, of one of the ripest and most profound scholars of his day. They should look upon him as a great example they should consider it a privilege to live near so distinguished a man. I allude to the Bishop of St. David's, whom you all know so It is always well to have before us a great pattern, a high example, on which to model our lives. We have not, alas, many such amongst us, whose lives we may study, that we may strive to live as they live. Now, dwelling as you do, under the shadow of his house, I venture to hope you will look upon him aj jour great example—one on whose life yon will do well to ponder, and, if possible, to imi- tate. In bidding you good-bye, I hope you will enjoy a well-merited holiday, and then come back to school to take as much, and, if possible, still greater, pains than you have hitherto taken. Be assured, I shall enquire into the future progress of many of you, not personally known to me and I hope to receive many gratifying reports, from the head master, of the pro- gress you are making. May your future advance be, what 1 have every reason to expect it will be, from what I have seen to-day and may you, by the exer- cise of industry and such talents as you have, go out into the world a credit to yourselves, a credit to your master, and a credit to the school which I have had the honour of examing to-day. (Applause.) The distribution of awards was then commenced, and the scholarships were awarded to Messrs Richards and Evans. In presenting Mr Thomas with the Captain's prize, the Ven Archdeacon said that he had many pleasurable recollections of the 40 years which he had spent at the school, which had turned out many eminent men. Not less than four bishops had been educated there, and only one had left behind him a substantial proof of his gratitude. He left an endowment of A20 a year, charged on the tithes of St Ishmael. To come from the higher dignitaries of the church to men of inferior grade, he might mention that three archdea- cons, of which he had the honour of being the last, had received their instruction there. The system of instruction prevailing there was calculated to meet the wants of the present day, and he hoped to see the time when the master would have a school full of pupils. It was not in mortals to command success, but it was in their power to deserve it, and he trusted that all the boys would strive to deserve prizes even if they did not succeed in getting them. The pri/es were then presented as follows:- CLASS PRIZES. lSt. Captain's prize, Thomas, Shakespeare" given by the Mayor.-2nd., 1, Bagnall, Animated Nature" 2, Spurrell, Lyell's Geology" given by William Morris, Esq., M.P.-3rd., 1, Tucker, Book of Days" 2, Davies, Holy Land" given by H. L. Puxley, Esq.—4th., Hitchings, Thompson" 2, Adams, "Geo. Stephenson" given by the Trustees. SPECIAL PRIZEs.-Scripture: 1st, Bagnall, Homer's Iliad"; 2nd, Richards, Milman's History of the Jews" given by the Vicar.—Mathematics: Buckley, "Trench's Works" given by W. de G. Warren, Esq. —Arithmetic: Richards, Arnold's Life and Corre- spondence" given by the Trustees.—History: Thomas, Macaulay"; given by J. L. Philipps, Esq.— Geography. Thomas, "Ross' Voyage to the Antarctic Regions"; given by J. L. Philipps, Esq.—English Grammar: Soppitt, Creasey's Victories." —French: 1st, Thomas, I- Smile's Self-Help"; 2nd, Soppitt, Macaulay's Biographies" given by the Mayor.— Drawing: 1st, Davies, Bunyan" 2nd, Soppitt, Famous men. Writing: 1st, Waters, "Goldsmith"; 2nd, Lewis, Queen's English." The Vicar said it was hoped that the Mayor, and the Member for the Boroughs would make their prizes annual ones. We may mention that Mr Buckley was not allowed to compete for any of the prizes, as he was preparing for a college career, but the examiner had spoken so very highly of Mr Buckley's attainments that it was thought exceedingly cold to allow him to leave school without some mark of distinction. It had therefore been determined to present him with two volumes of books. The Vicar, in handing the books to Mr Buckley wished him success in his college career, and in the profession he intended to enter-that of a clergyman of the Church of England. Votes of thanks were passed to Professor Spence, the Vicar, Mr Parkinson, and the donors of prizes, and the meeting concluded. We ought to state that the boys' cheers for Mr Parkinson were exceedingly warm, genuine too, if more than ordinary noise meant anything. Professor Spence aiso seemed to be a favourite with the pupils. He appeared very much delighted, and enjoyed the proceedings heartily. He shook hands with several of the more prominent boys, and addressed to them a few words of private advice.

THE WEEK AT HOME. The proprietors of the largest collieries in South Staffordshire have resolved on reducing the wages of their men four shillings. A strike is anticipated Archbishop Manning has just consecrated a new Roman Catholic Church at Barton-on-Irwell, in Lan- cashire, The church has been erected from the designs of Mr. Welby Pugin at the sole expense of.Sir Humphrey de Trafford ofTrafford Park, and with the Presbytery cost £16,000. Bell's Life in London, writing upon the Lady Elizabeth and The Earl affair, asks, Why The Earl ran in Mr. Padwick's name and colours for the Biennial at New- market, and subsequently walked over for the New- market Stakes, also in Mr Padwick's name and colours, in the face of Mr Padwick's declaration in his recently published letter that' he had no control over or interest in the horse ? It will be recollected that the courts-martial at Mhow and Aldershot, which have rendered the Carabi- neers famous in history, originated in a moral and social difficulty" by which that unlucky regiment was wrong. Another difficulty of the same kind is now stated to have risen in the corps. One of its married officers obtained leave to attend Ascot races. When he returned to Dublin, where the regiment now lies, his wife complained of the misconduct of their soldier servant, who was in consequence dismissed to his duty in the ranks. The man, in revenge, obtained and handed to his late master a letter addressed by his mistress to one of his brother officers, which proved beyond doubt that the lady had committed adultery with her husband's friend, during her husband's absence at Ascot. The aggrieved officer, taking Justice into his own hands, sought out the offender, knocked out four of his teeth, beat his nose flat on his face, and destroyed the sight of one of his eyes. So, at least, says the Army and Navy Gazette. The House of Commons may have to hear a good deal more about Mr Gladstone's Resolutions, but it may be comforted by learning that it will hear no more of Mr Ewart's University Bill, at least as far as Oxford is concerned. For last Thursday week that learned Uni- versity anticipated that well intentioned Member of Parliament by passing for themselves what he was going to try to pass for them, viz., a repeal of Arch- bishop Laud's Statues giving the colleges a monolopy of University education. Reformer after reformer had "declaimed" (such is the word ordinarily applied at Oxford to the utterances of extra-Parliamentary reformers) against this most hurtful piece of Protection they fired their ringing shot and passed but Mr Ewart and his Committee have turned out more cogent reasoners than Sir William Hamilton with all his reformers. To become a graduate of Oxford, a man has now,—since Thursday week, that is,—no more necessity to attach himself to a College than he has in the case of any other University in the world, except Cambridge, which has quite recently rejected the reform which Oxford has just accepted. The would-be graduate of Oxford will be able to regulate his own expenses there for himself, just as though he were living in Bedford or Gloucester and the Colleges being thus subjected to the wholsome influence of competition, we may reason- ably expect to see some increase in their activities and some diminution in their charges. Their papers, daily and weekly, the Guardian not excepted, have taken as little notice of the matter as they do of the first half- dozen protests of a Colonial Legislature; but the change thus silently effected is the most important one, with the single exception of the establishment seventy years back of an examination system, which has ever been carried out, we may almost say which has ever been proposed, even for Oxford, since the evil Laudian epoch -Spectator. A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT.—The Civil Service Gazette has the following :—" There are very few simple articles of food which can boast so many valuable and important dietary properties as cocoa. While acting on the nerves as a gentle stimulant, it provides the body with some of the purest elements of nutrition, and at the same time corrects and invigorates the action of the digestive organs. These beneficial effects depend in a great measure upon the manner of its preparation, but of late years such close attention has been given to the growth and treatment of cocoa, that there is no difficulty in securing it with every useful quality folly developed. The singular success which Mr Epps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. Far and wide the reputation of Epps s Cocoa has spread by the simple force of its own extraordinary merits. Medical men of all shades of opinion have agreed in recommending it as the safest and most beneficial article of diet for persons of weak constitutions. This superiority of a particular mode of preparation over all others is a remarkable proof of the great results to be obtained from little causes. By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fiue properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such Nicies of diet that a constitution may be gradually mailt up until strong enough to resist every tendency tb disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame." x 64 The Carlisle Journal gives some extracts from an extraordinary will made by Mr John Younghusband, a yeoman in the Abbey Holme, Cumberland, recently deceased. In 1853, when the Carlisle and Silloth Railway was proposed to be laid, Mr Younghusband exhibited towards the proposal a most determined hostility. Nor did his hatred of the obnoxious innova- tion diminish with the lapse of years. On the contrary instead of becoming familiarized with it and allowing his feelings to soften towards it, his enmity increased in rancour, and seems to have extended itself to the people who had taken an active part in its promotion. Not content, however, with active hostility during his lifetime, and in order that he might leave behind him some memento of hid antagonism, he inserted in his will some extraordinary bequests and ludicrous pro- visos. After directing that the will should be published as soon as convenient after his death in the Cumberland Pacquet and Kendal Mercury, he appoints Mr Thos. Atkinson, of Gamblesby, a distant relative, but a com- parative stranger, his executor, residuary legatee, and universal devisee of his real and personal estate, subject to the payment of certain pecuniary legacies. Amongst other items, he bequeaths to each of the following gentlemen, who were all more or less active in promot- ing the Silloth Railway, the munificent sum of one farthing-.—Messrs John Irving, Carlisle John Nanson, solicitor, Carlisle C. Boyd, civil engineer, Silloth William Dickinson, land surveyor, Thorncroft; John Steel and John Grainger, Southerfield; John Drape, Abbey Bolme; Thos. Foster, Jos. Cartner, and Jere- miah Skelton. The fortunate gentleman who comes in for the bulk of the estate is not allowed to enjoy it without the alloy of some troublesome) restrictions. First of all, he is emphatically prohibited from travell- ing on the Silloth Railway, and then be is forbidden in some measure from having friendly intercourse with several of his neighbours. For example, if either Mr Grainger, Mr Steel, and Mr Drape, or any of the sons of Mr Steel, shall call upon him either on business or for any other purpose, he is not to extend hospitality to them by receiving them into his house, or offering them either meat or drink. This injunction is to be observed on pain of forfeiture of the estate. Amongst the substantial legacies is one of 700 guineas to Mr Job Bentley, engineer, of Kendal, in recognition, it is sup- posed, of his services in valuing a portion of the testa- tor's estate when it was required of him for the purposes of the railway he so much abhorred. On Saturday Mr Train was again before the Irish Insolvency Judge (Miller), when it was stated by coun- sel on his behalf that the total amount of the Ebbw Vale Company's debt was d6503, the rest being cost and interest. Mr Train did not know what became of the iron of the street rails after they were condemned. He never got a shilling ot the proceeds. He had offered to pay the expenses of the manager of the Ebbw Vale Company if he came over as a witness, but he refused. The money he had obtained as a promoter of the Atlantic and Great Westesn Railway was what was settle on his wife after the London tramway debts and the Ebbw vale debt had been deducted by Mr M'Henry. Mr Train was president of the Credit Foncier of America, in which he had but a single share for 1,000 dollars, on which 200 dollars had been paid. It was given to qualify him. The judge being still not satisfied with the schedule, adjourned the matter once more until Tuesday, Mr train expressing much regret, as he would have wished to sail to-morrow (Sunday) by the Scotia, "to be present at the July Convention." He was returned to the Marshalsea. "TELSH STEAM COAL.—For several years previous to 1866, the steam coal of South Wales, known as smoke- less coal, was almost exclusively used on board the vessels and steamers of the Royal Navy, and gave general satisfaction as regards the speed attained and the evaporative power, In consequence of the recom- mendations of a committee appointed in 1866 at the instance of some of the north of England members, who complained that undue preference was shown to South Wales coal, it was determined that navy con- tracts for the future should be in the proportion of two-thirds Welsh and one-third north country coals, the mixture, it was alleged, giving superior results to either coal alone. This arrangement was observed for about two years, but it was soon discovered that the mixed coal did not do the service of Welsh used alone. Repeated complaints followed from the navy officers of the inefficiency of the fuel, and the result has been that the old arrangement is again reverted to, and Welsh smokeless coal is exclusively used. This decision on the part of the Admiralty authorities will add con- siderably to the demand for South Wales coal, and indirectly it will be a material benefit to the trade in consequence of the reputation for quality that will thus be given to the coal. It may be added that with- in the last few days information has been received that the navy of the Federal States of Germany will in future use Welsh coal, A correspondent of the Poll Mall Gazette writes that he has no doubt but that" Lady Elizabeth" scandal will be squared," and will never be brought into court at all. There is a rumour in the City that steps will be henceforth taken by a large body of Conservatives of the City of London to induce the Lord Mayor (Alder- man Allen) and Alderman Sir W. Rose to offer them- selves as candidates for the representation of the City at the next general election. Mr R. N. Fowler will not again enter upon the contest. Mr Wm. Unwin Heygate, who formerly represented Leicester in the Conservative interest, was elected on Tuesday morning, without opposition, for the borough of Stamford. In his speech in returning thanks he warmly eulogized the conduct of the present Govern- ment, and promised to support them. The special correspondent of the Daily News with the Abyssinian expedition, writing from Annesley Bay on June 2, says that during the return march evidences of the methodical system of Sir Robert Napier were every- where obeservable. Antalo was fortified with a stone wall Adigerat and Senafe tlnre walled enclosures and in the pass tents were left standing at every station to save the soldiers the trouble of pitching their own. The murder of Mr Dufton by the Shohoes had greatly annoyed the politcal department, and tha chiefs had been summoned as being responsible for the crime. Mr M. D. Hill, the late recorder of Birmingham, has written to the chairman of the Select Committee on the Sunday Liquor Bill, a letter in which he says that his experience has forced upon him the conviction that drinking habits are by far the most fertile sources of crime. I have arrived (he continued) at a very decided opinion, that the arm of the law will be found much efficient than I had in my earlier years believed possible I am under the deep impression that restriction has done good service, and that it has not yet been carried to the limit at which its action ceases to be beneficial to the community. The bill referred to your committee applies, it is true, to Sunday drinking only but it ia a great step to protect one day in the week from the fearful temptations which now pervade the whole year. The Derby frauds, if they were frauds, are likely to be subject of judicial inquiry. On Tuesday the Times published a letter from Admiral Rous, of the Jockey Club, denying the report that he thought Lady Elizabeth had been poisoned, and asserting that she had been un- able to gallop for a year. She had, he says broken down from overtraining, and her owner had been shamefully deceived" by the trainer&, the Messrs Day, of Danebury. As to the scratching of the Earl, that had been done by Mr Padwick, and not by the Marquis of Hastings for what can the poor fly" do "in the spider's web?" The Marquis was not at all grateful for this defence, and the next day a letter ap- peared from him characterizing the Admiral's letter as a tissue of misrepresentations," and declaring that the Earl had been seratched by his express desire and authority. Mr Padwick also repeats the same state- ment, and adds that he had not betted a shilling on or against the Earl for his Derby engagement." Messrs. Day take a still stronger step. They would be ruined if the Admiral's statement were correct, for on the Turf, though it is allowable to cheat the public, it is bad form" to cheat one's employer, and they have therefore commenced an action for libel. All this while nobody attempts to explain why Lady Elizabeth could not run, why the Earl was scratched after reach- ing Epsom, or why the Jockey Club allows any owner to scratch his horses just when he likes, without first proving that he has no bets against them. These scandals and wrangles are mainly their fault, for not making and enforcing stricter rules. Any man who bets directly or indirectly against any horse over which he has any power whatever ought to be expelled.— Spectator. Mr Lefevre has sent to the Times a remarkable letter from Mr Dudley Field, of New York, a very eminent jurist, on the actual operation of the law in that State which gives married women the legal control of their own property. For 20 years New York has given to married women the absolute control of their own property, but only since 1860 of their annual or weekly earnings. Mr Dudley Field says he has never heard of a quarrel about property arising under this law which would have arisen equally under the old law. Generally, the wife allows her husband to be the dispenser of her income. When the wife takes her affairs out of the hands of her husband, it is usually a prudential measure, suggested by her husband himself. Only in cases of absolute alienation is this done from motives of distrust and precaution. A great many savings' bank accounts are in the wife's name, but this is mostly in order to save the husband's time, a personal application and signature to receipts being requisite. The custom and the law require the husband to provide for the whole family or household expenditure, without any contribution from the wife's private means. Only if the father id unable to provide enough for the whole family may the mother lie called upon to do so. Mr Field says the reformed law in this respect is wholly satisfactory, and only sometimes abused in the direction in which our own post-nuptial settlements are abused. He thinks the same abuses could always be contrived, even under our law, by arrangements in a very slight degree more complicated. At a meeting "of the friends of religious liberty," held a few days since in Glasgow, to protest against the official prosecution of Mr Bradlaugh, proprietor of the National Reformer, for non-observance of fiscal regula- tions, Dr Sexton, M.A„ F.R.G.S., of London, held forth as follows:—" In the course of some remarks Dr Sexton alluded to a statement made some time ago by Mr Bright, that he was astonished to hear that there were such people as atheists. Well, that did not say much for the society in which Mr Bright was in the j habit of mixing. He (Dr 8) knew somewhat intimately, he might say very intimately, and personally, the present head of her Majesty's Government, and it was his (Dr S's) firm conviction, from a knowledge both of the man and of his writings, that he was as out and out an Atheist as he (Dr S) or any in that meeting. When he was standing up for the Church in the House of Commons the head of the Government was really laughing in his sleeve that any one should believe in such nonsense." Many devoted friends of the Church and of true religion, who are trusting to Mr Disraeli as their pillar of strength—the peers and parsons to whom he has written assuring epistles—will doubtless be moved to inquire about this Dr Sexton, M.A., F.R.G.S., and his very intimate and personal relations with the Premier for whose "out and out" atheism he has publicly vouched under the auspices of the Eclectic Institute of Glasgow.—Pall Mall Gazette. DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT THE TOWN HALL.—The meet- ing in Guildhall on Monday, on the Irish Church question afforded a foretaste of the violence amid which the next general election is likely to be conducted. Although the meeting was called for two o'clock, as early as between ten and eleven people began to flock into the hall, and for two hours before the chair was taken the room was densely crowded, and great uproar prevailed, which, when the proceedings fairly began, was increased to an extent completely preventing any of the speakers being heard beyond the front of the hustings. From beginning to end the factions in the body of the hall maintained an unseemly and incessant clamour, and the result was that the object of the meeting, so far as free discussion of the prevailing feel- ing of the citizens went, was rendered completely abor- tive and the Lord Mayor, who presided, and the speakers on both sides, were obliged to speak in the ears of the reporters. A resolution in favour of the dis- establishment ol the Irish Church was proposed by Sir John Lubbock, and seconded by MrSheriff McArthur. An amendment was then moved by Sir H. Greig, affirming that the attack on the Irish branch of the United Church of England and Ireland endangers the supremacy of the Crown, the Protestant institutions of the country, and the rights of private property," and this was seconded by Alderman Sir William Rose, during whose speech the uproar reached its climax. A placard with the word Amendment" in large letters printed on it was exhibited by some person on the plat- form, and on its being handed to Sir William he first placed it in front of his hat and then on his breast, when some one near him made a snatch at it, and in an instant there was a regular free fight round the chair. Sir William Rose made a desperate struggle to retain possession of the placard, whilst his assailants were equally energetic in their endeavours to get it from him. Blows were delivered, Sir W. Rose got one or two in the chest, and the Lord Mayor, who was completely mobbed, received a heavy blow in the stomach. When the police saw his lordship was in danger, they made a rush to his rescue. His lordship threatened to give Mr ) Beales into custody for assaulting Sir William Rose; subsequently Mr Crawford, M.P., informed the Lord Mayor that he would make an affidavit that it was not Mr Beales who assaulted Sir W. Rose, and npon that assurance his lordship withdrew the charge. It is under- stood that an explanation afterwards took place between Sir William & the President of the Reform League, and the two gentlemen shook hands over the matter. The noise and confusion now became so intense, not only in the body of the hall, but on the hustings, that all attempt at the exercise of authority on the part of the Lord Mayor became useless, and his lordship, doubtless feeling that the dignity of his office was in some degree compromised by remaining where his authority was ignored, retired from the chair without putting either the original motion or the amendment to a show of hands. But notwithstanding his absence, and no one taking the chair in his stead, speeches were made by Mr Crawford M.P., Mr Goschen, M.P., Mr Alderman Lawrence, Mr Vernor Harcourt, and other gentlemen, to the vast multitude assembled, by whom, however, in consequence of the noise, not a syllable could have been heard. It is said that the Lord Mayor was struck by some one while endeavouring to maintain order before retiring from the hall. A blow with a stick was certainly aimed at the head of Sir W. Rose by a man on the hustings while he was engaged in the altercation about the placard, but it fell short of the mark. Altogether the scene was disgraceful from first to last. The Liberal papers assert that the ball was packed by a large body of "longshoremen" in the interest of the Conservative party.