Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

THE NEW BRITISH IRON COMPANY, The case of MofTat v. Farquhar came before the Chancery Division again, on Monday. It involves a question of very great importance as affecting the interests of shareholders in joint- stock companies, namely, the extent of the power of directors in vetoing the transfer of shares. The New British Iron Company, a descendant of the Old British Iron Company, v/as constituted by deed of settlement in 1863, and by a private act of Parliament passed in the following year. The capital was to consist of 20,000 shares of £ 20 each, and 19,860 had actually been issued, on which S17 a share had been paid. Mr George Moffat, the plaintiff, was the holder of 3,041 shares, Mr Wise held 4,085, and Mr George Clive 2,036, so that these three gentlemen, tak- ing the same view in the proceeding which led to the action, were the holders together of nearly one-half of the capital. Under the law which existed when the Company was established, its liability was unlimited but in 1875 it occurred to Mr Moffat and some other shareholders that it would be desirable to turn it into a limited company, under the powers of the act of 18(12. The directors concurred in that view, but con- sidered that inasmuch as there only remained a share liability of k3, or (10,000 in all, and as de- bentures had been issued to that amount, the change in the constitution should be accompanied by an increase of capital in orderto preserve public confidence and enable them to carry on the busi- ness. The directors thought the shares ought to be increased to VSO, and Mr Moffatt and his friends, finding themselves in a minority, sought, by a transfer of shares, to increase the number of votes in their favour. By the constitution of the company no shareholder could have more than twenty votes, so that Mr Moffatt, Mr Wise, and Mr Clive, with their large stake in the concern, could only count sixty votes, and in this state of things the plaintiff proposed to transfer 400 of his shares to Mr Roger Eykyn, and a like num- ber to his nephew, Mr Robert Moffatt. The directors, however, refused to register the trans- fers, not on account of any personal objection to the transferees, but upon the ground that the shares were not absolutely parted with, the transaction being nothing more than a trust created solely for the purpose of adding to the number of votes. Mr Robert Moffatt, in his evi- dence, admitted that he was nottopaythcS3200, which was stated to be the present value of 400 shares, owing to the depression in the iron trade, but was to hold the shares in trust for his uncle. Mr Eykyn, however, swore that as far as he was concerned the transaction was entirely honajide, and that he was ready to pay the money and to become a member of the company. The case was argued in December, and Vice- Chancellor Malins now gave judgment. The view taken by the directors that the limitation of liability should be accompanied by an increase of capital was a very reasonable one, but probably an addition of to a share would have been sufficient, and if the matter had been amicably discussed the differences of opinion might have been adjusted without the necessity of an appeal to law. The plaintiff's claim was resisted on the ground that this was not a joint-stock company, but he could not accept that view, and even if it 'ere a private partnership the parties had agreed that new partners might be introduced without the consent of all the partners. The right of transfer of shares was a right of property, the value of which would be materially diminished if the directors had an arbitrary power to .say i there should be no transfer merely because they conj ectured that the transferee had some collateral object in view. They had no right to enter into the object of the transfer provided that the transferee was personally unobjectionable, and the defendants, in refusing to register the trans- fer because they thought fit to conjecture that the object was to briny in persons who would vote in accordance with the views of Mr Moffat, were usurping a power which certainly did not belong to them. He came to the conclusion most distinctly that the objection raised by the (ii LC ors to these transfers was without any justifi- c:?ton whatever, and he was hound therefore to '?d?rthf tri\wJer toMrHogcrKykyn :md Mr Robert Moffat, in pursuance of the notice of the 2ftli of November W~>, to be made. The con- sequence of that decree would be that the plaintiff must have his costs paid by the com- pany.

ATTEMPT TO MURDER THREE PERSONS. At the Thames Police Court, London, on Saturday, William Potter, aged 40, was brought before Mr Lushington, charged with shooting his wife, Annie Potter, John Robinson, Mrs Beres- ford, living at 146, East India Dock Road. A boy named Alfred Beresford, living at 146, East India Dock Road, said Prisoner has been staying at my brother's house since Christmas. Yesterday afternoon I went out on an errand, and met prisoner. I told him he had better not come to our house, because my father would be coming home, and might make a disturbance. He said, "All right. He accompanied me to his house, and said "Wait a minute. I'll go in-doors." He went into the house, and after coming out went with me to my father's house, I said, "You had better not come in, Wait a minute, and I'll go and see if my father is in." He said, "All right; there will be no row," and entered the passage. I told my mother the prisoner was in the passage, and she went out to him. He said, "I will see my wife;" and she came up the stairs where the prisoner was then standing. He said, "Hallo, my dear;" to which she replied, "Don't you 'dear'me; you have been telling lies about me." Prisoner then pulled a pistol from his coat pocket, and fired at his wife. She ran down stairs and clung to my mother. I then saw she was bleeding from a wound under her eye. Prisoner followed her downstairs, and fired again at her head. I then saw blood running from her head. While his wife was still el))i?in? to my mother the prisoner fired a third shot, and the bullet struck my mother in the Idt breast. He then retreated backwards upstairs, j when John Robinson came out of the kitchen, i and while standing at the foot of the stairs pri- j sonersaid, "You and all, ,tzi(I tired at him, but the shot struck the kitchen door, close to where Robinson was standing. Prisoner fired again at Robinson, and this time the bullet took effect in his neck. Robinson then rushed at the prisoner, struggled with him, got his hands behind his back, and a policeman, who entered at that time, wrenched the pistol from his grasp. He was th?n given in charge.—A policeman named Pope said he wrenched the pistol out of prisoner's hand, and took him into custody. At the police station he said, I did not intend to injure any- body but my wife." In answer to questions by j the magistrate, the constable said prisoner ap- peared to be greatly excited, but he was not drunk.—Alfred Hanson, a police-sergeant, pro- duced a revolver which was handed to him by the hi t witness. Each chamber was empty, and the cartridge-case appeared to have been recently discharged. On searching the prisoner he found six unloaded cartridge cases in his waistcoat pocket.—The surgeon who is attending the in- jured persons said that none of the wounds were dangerous, excepting one. Mr Lushington, how- ever, did not think it requisite to take his evidence that day, and remandetl prisoner for a week.

I THE DISTRESS IN SOUTH WALES. Public attention is now being directed to a new district, where distress of a still more painful character than has yet been found at Merthyr or Aberdare, is now being brought to light. "This district will include about twenty towns on the western side of Glamorganshire, and the eastern side of Monmouth.>ide, where the two industries, coal and iron, are carried on side bv side. At Abersychan people are to be found by scores crouching together in their almost empty houses, without fire, and with little clothing. At Clydach a very large amount of destitution exists, and the ironworks, which have been the almost ,sole sup- port of the population, are to he pulled down, and the material sold by auction. At Brynmawr local efforts are being made to meet the distress, and on an appeal being made to Lord Aberdare for aid his lordship sent over toO towards start- ing a sou p kitchen. At Risca a. large proportion of the population require assistance; many of them h:LVC not had a day's employment' fur months. At Abertillery a similar state of things prevails. Blaina, Blaenavon, Crosxkeys, Ponty- mister, Ehhw Vale, and other towns are in the same position but while the relief funds at yr, Aberdare, and Mountain Ash exceed what is required, scarcely a tithe of the public money has been sent into the district west of the River Taff. A suggestion of the Bishop of Man- chester in the Times to form a central relief COfll- mittee is much approved of, and steps will be taken to give it effect. From the letters which have appeared from time to time in the news- papers much misconception appears to prevail, not only as regards the intcusity I of distress, but as regards the extent. of the destitution. The 500 collieries of Glam- organshire and Monmouthshire give employment to about 100,000 men, and if these have each on the average three persons depending oil them, it would give a population of 400,000 supported by colliery operations. There are about the same number of ironworkers, and if these have a s imilar number of persons depending for their support on the wages paid at these works, we have 800,000 persons partially deprived of their earnings, and of whom half a million may be considered to be in want of food and clothing. A death from starvation occured at Cymmer on Sunday. A woman, the widow of a collier, who died a fortnight previously, succumbed to hun- ger The husband had 10s coming to him when he died. Ten shillings were deducted tor rent, and she had only l's for herself and children to live on for fourteen days. Many of the iron- workers have not had a day's employment for months, and the fa-niine- stricken aspect of such places as Abersychan, Risca, Abertillery, Bryn- mawr, and other similar towns would convince any visitor that for months the bulk of the in- habitants have been existing in a kind of semi- starvation. The want of organisation prevents the destitution being fairly met. When soup kitchens are opened at any one place hundreds of starving jieople leave" their own homes in | other towns in the hope of sharing" in the charity that was intended for the population of a particular district, and this adds to the diffi-j culties of those on whom the dilitribution (If "e"ef Lord Aberdare kindly sent £;iO to relieve the distress at Brynmawr, and fiiO for the same purpose to Abersychan, though both places w ere out of his district. Mr Bircham,the poor-law inspector, finds much more di?treMsIn the w hole of the Rhyinney Valley than he nnds at Aberdare, Mountain Ash, and Merthyr. The whole district requires help, and more especially a comprehensive organisation, which shall dis- tribute the public money equally in proportion to the destitution existing. The charitable public all over the country are coming forward nobly. Mr Henry Richard's fund is increasing by about 4;100 a day, and large sums are sent direct to Merthyr, Aberdare, and other places. In Liverpool, there are a, number of agencies at work to raise funds. Mr Simpson's bowl still continues to receive large contribu- tions, and has received nearly £ 500. In a com- munication to the Liverpool Courier, Mr Simpson says he has received an intimation that 150 colliers are required for two coal districts in North Wales, and having arranged for their railway fares, &c., he proposes to go into the districts in South Wales and bring the men up. The need for the men arises from an improved condition of trade in the two districts, and not from any trade differences. The distress in Wolverhampton, Sheffield, and other places is said to be on the increase, and large numbers of people are living on charity. In Sheffield three further deaths are reported, one of a suicide by a man named Jessop, and two of young children whose parents are so terribly distressed that they have not even sheets where- with to lay out the corpses.

COMING OF AGE OF THE ELDEST SON OF LORD BAGOT. The Hon. W. Bagot, eldest son and heir of Lord Bagot, attained his majority on Saturday, and the event was celebrated with great rejoic- ings amongst his lordship's tenantry in Denbigh- shire and Merionethshire. A general committee, representing the Welsh and Staffordshire tenant- ry, was formed some time ago and about t'2.50 obtained, and with half of this sum a life size painting of Lord Bagot has been secured for presentation to the heir. The remainder was devoted to public rejoicings. At Bont Uchel, a central spot in the Denbighshire Estate, and close to Pool Park, one of the family seats, the celebrations were on a grand scale, and brought hundreds of persons from all parts. Blankets were given to the cottagers in several parishes; tea provided for hundreds of women and child- ren luncheon for the farmers, tenantry, and work people; two bands of music engaged; a goodly sum of money spant in prizes for rural sports, and the whole winding up with a grand display of fireworks. The Working Committee consisted of Messrs Wynne, Bachymbyd, Chair- man, Roberts, Bottegar, Vice Chairman, John Jenkins, Humphreys, Treborth, Hughes Jones, Rector of Clocaenog, and W. Lloyd, Solicitor, Ruthin, Messrs Thomas Hughes, llhydycilgweu, and R. P. Davies, Ty Gwyn, being the hon.secs., and in their efforts they were ably assisted by the inhabitants of the place. Bontuchel (or the high bridge) was all alive on the day, and on going down the hill leading from Ruthin, it looked like a place of bowers and evergreens, and every house in the place was adorned, and triumphal arches were placed at every point of vantage. At the gate of Pool Park Lodge was an arch of evergreens with the motto—" Antiquam Obtijteils" and on the ob- verse the Welsh words, Meddiangod Hiiii- qfiaetheu." The road at this point was spanned by an arch which said "Prosperity to the house of Bagot," and at the door leading up to the drive there was painted a long Welsh motto in the field to the left floated a fine banner with the Prince of Wales's feathers and the Goat, this was a very prominent object indeed. At the Pont- uchel Inn, banners bore the wishes of the inmates, Long life and prosperity to the heir of Pool Park," which sentiment was often repeated in the hamlet. Robert Hughes' cottage door bore signs of rejoicing, as did Mary Williams, John Jones, David Evans, and Robert Morris all in a cluster behind the chapel, over the door of Catherine Morris, was a nicely written banner, with Long life and happiness to the Hon. W. Bagot, heir of Pool Park and Blitibield estates." Mr Robert Roberts, grocer, had a neat arch of evergreens, and the chapel, which was a central object, had a little banner hanging from the windows of the house attached to it, and a tine arch over the gateway, though the building itself maintained its native plain- ness. 1). Salusbury had erected a fine arch over the road at his door, which seemed to be the centre of the village, his legend was Success to the heir of BlithHeld and Pool Park." His cottage, and that of Evan Davies adjoining, were like every other house in the place, profusely adorned. A step or two further brought us to the end of the bridge which, at a considerable heLht, spans the little stream, and gives a name to the place. Over the road from Gyffyliog was an arch, with the single word Prosperity." Turning to the right, over the bridge, the road veers round to climb the hill, and tra vellers from that direction have to pass under another arch, which seemed to say "Llwyddiant Etifedd Blith- field a Pool Park." Here, however, was the centre of attraction, for the saw mill to the left rested from its labours, and long lines of tables, neatly laid out, took the place of the timber. Something like 1DO or 200 of the poorer inhabitants were regaled with tea and all the nice accompaniments of beef sandwiches, bread and butter, &c., all provided for the committee by Mr Edwards, Black Horse, Ruthin, who was assisted by Mrs Edwards, Mr J. Evans, Llanbedr, and others. Messrs J. Jenkins, R. Wynn, Thomas Jones, and R. Davies gave out tickets, which were eagerly applied for, and inside Mrs Wynn Misses Jenkins (2), Plas-vn-ward Mrs Jones, Rhydycilgwen Mrs Lloyd Jones, Conway Mrs Turner, Mrs R. P. Davies, and other ladies very kindly made tea, and helped very materially to make everybody happy. Refresh- ment tickets of another kind were also dis- tributed to all the men in any way connected with the estates, and a great many comfortable blankets to the poor women. Mr J. Jones, Rt. Peter s-square, with Mr W. Lloyd, draper, Well-street, supplied the blankets. Outside the saw mill and close to the end of the bridge there was erected a tall pole, which was well greyed. Near the top there were suspended by hooks a pair of boots worth 18s, a hat, a linen .iackd, two shirts, and a splendid quarter of ?llitittoll. These exercised the skill and in- genuitv of various climbers until at length they were one by one brought down in triumph. I Sack races, long races, high jumps, and a variety of other sports were practiced under the super- vision of Mr W. Lloyd, solicitor. To further enliven the scene, the Ruthin Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster Williams, played during the evening, and Mr Lloyd and his drum and fife hand sent echoes through the woods by their shrill notes. The evening's enjoyment was brought to a close by a grand display of fire- works by Mr Cartwright, of Ruthin. Mr Exuperius W. Turner, the respected local agent of the estates, was on the ground, and appeared to enjoy the scene. Rejoicings of a s imilar character took place at Llanfihangel-glvn-myfyr, under the manage- ment of Mr Roberts, Bottegar, and local com- mittee. A banquet is to take place on the 7th, at Ruthin, under the presidency of the Lord- Lieutenant of Denbighshire. A ball in honour of the event took place at Blithfield.

THROAT AITECTIONS AND HOARSENESS.—All suffering from irritation of the throat and hoarse- ness will be agreeably surprised at the almost immediate relief afforded by the use of Brown's Bronchial Troches." These famous "lozenges" are now sold by most respectable chemists in this country at Is lid per box. People troubled with a hacking cough," a "slight cold," or bron- chial affections, cannot try them too soon, as similar troubles, allowed to progress, result in serious Pulmonary and Asthmatic affections. See that the words Brown's Bronchial Troches" are on the Government Stamp around each box. —Manufactured by JOHN 1. BROWN & SONS, Boston, United States. Depot, .4(13, Oxford- street, London. 20c HORNIMAN'S TEA.—Choice teas at very reasonable prices are always to be had in every Town and Village, of Horniman's Agents. Be- ill" direct importers, Messrs. Horniman, London, guarantee the purity, strength, and flavour of their teas; it is well known that the tea sent to England is painted or faced with mineral powder, Prussian blue, &c., to hide worthless brown leaves; the Chinese thus pass of the in- ferior Autumn crops as best tea. Horniman's Tea in tin foil packets is sold by appointed Agents, and for 40 years has been preferred for its strength, delicious favour, and real cheapness. Ageiit,s:-IVrexii,i.iii-Pottei-, 18 and 19, High- street. Brymbo—Co-operative Society. Ruabon -pi)well, opposite the Railway Station. Chester —Thomas, 13, Bridge-street Row. Mold- Hughes, chemist' Dowlais—Messrs. James and and Co., Union-street. RECRUIT'S PARIS BLUE. The marked su- periority of this Laundry Blue over all others, and the quick appreciation of its merits by the Public has been attended by the usual result,viz.: a flool of imitations the merits of the latter mainly consists in the ingenuity exerted not simply in imitating the square shape, but making the general appearance. ADVICE TO MOTHERS !-Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cut- ting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. \VI;LOW' SOOTHING SYRUP It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless and pleasant to taste, it pro- duces natural, quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhieas whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by Medicine dealers, everywhere at Is l.d per bottle.—Manu- factured in New York, and at 493, Oxford-street, London. 20p CMAITEI) SKINS.—TIN; "AI.UION" MILK, AND S( ULPHUR SOAP is a combination of the two ar- tides acting specifically upon the skin—the milk giving softness, smoothness, and elegance the | sulphur puriifcation. "Can lie used with ad- vantage in all mild affections of the skin." — Lnwct. "It is an elegant combination. "— Mcdical Rc'n-tL Free from theinit?tin? fffcct? of carbolic and coal tar soaps""—Sanitary ReeovL. —" Trevethoe, Hayle, Cornwall. I have received ti? soap, and am most pleased with it. -L£,d.'I JSlizcdn-th St, AitOyn." "The soap is mild, purifying, and most agreeable. It is es- pecially nice for children. —Dr. John Erans, Stute Apothecary, Dublin. In tablets, (id and Is, by all chemists and perfumers. The Albion Sanatory Soap Company, rf32. Oxford Street, London. Refuse (dlzubstitutcs. 124g A REWARD of i'20 is offered by Messrs Reckltt and Sons, of Hull and London, for information that shall lead to the conviction of any person selling iniitatioils of their Paris Blue in Squares. J] P It is easy to detect the c heat, as t h ah Blue iixrd ill thr Privc of W«!es' La is only genuine when sold in squares wrapped up in pink paper bearing I Reckitt and Sons'name and trade mark. 857e

I THE FIRE CLAYS AND FIRE CLAY PRODUCTIONS OF NORTH WALES. I SECOND NOTICE. I (From the British Architect.) I We now turn to the notice of the principal brick and tile works of the district, and we find that among the earliest works of the kind weiv those of the late Mr Howell, known as "The Pottery," at Trefonen, south-west of Oswestry. The writer remembers these in active work forty years ago, and at that date the proprietor had discovered the adaptability of the clays to the manufacture of pipes, tile crests, chimney tops, and many of the other purposes for which, since then, they have been more extensively used. The chief clay worked at Trefonen was the one underlying the four-foot coal of the locality, and which corresponds to the Quaker coal of the section. These works were closed about twenty- live years ago, when the bulk of the trade was re- moved to the works of the late Messrs Croxon, at Sweeney, south of Oswestry. The manufacture of fire-bricks, tiles, and drain pipes has been largely carried on at these works until now, and recently, the concern having changed owners, the present company-the Oswestry Coal and Brick Co.—have made extensive additions to the works to meet the requirements of an in- creased business. Two clays chiefly are used here, the one under the "four-foot coal" as at Trefonen, and that under the "black shale coal," a coal answering to the Drowsal coal" of the section. It was from an old pit heap composed largely of these clays that the bricks used in the construction of the Oswestry sewage works were made. The clays themselves yield a nearly white brick, that looks well in a building, although, perhaps, the absence of warmth of colour may, to some tastes, be a defect. The owners, have, however, on their property a thick deposit of the "red marls," and by a judicious mixing of these with the white clays good results may be obtained. A very important work, full of good machinery and connected with a railway, was some years ago carried on by Mr Thomas Savin, at Coedygo, midway between the two former works. It is now closed and every vestige of it removed, the owner, of the freehold, it is said, objecting to such works as spoiling the rurality of the neigh- bourhood. Six miles to the north of Sweeney are the brick works of the Quinta Colliery and Brick Co. The clay of the "yard coal" was worked here for some years, but latterly the under clay of a lower coal, probably that of the lower yard," has been substituted. The former clay contained an ap- preciable quantity of oxide of iron, which occa- sionally gave a reddish tinge to the bricks. An improvement has ensued with the working of the lower clay, and a nice sound brick with rather more colour than those of Sweeney, is the result. The manufacture here is not confined to bricks, but includes pipes, tiles, &c. Three miles further north, and situated on a promontory formed by the windings of the river Dee, we reach the Penybont Works, belonging to Mr J. C. Edwards, of Trevor. The clay used at these works is obtained in an open excavation from the red marls" of the Permian near the top of the section. Following the colour of the clay, the bricks and other productions at these works are of a deep red colour. Perhaps a better red brick, smoother, more uniform in texture and colour, and more impervious to moisture, is not produced than the best pressed bricks from the clays of these works. In addition to bricks, the manufacture of blue paving tiles is largely carried on, as well as that of rooting tiles, for which, owing to the scarcity of roofing slates, and the revived taste for red-tiled roofs, there is a good demand. Other articles, such as crests, pipes, flooring tiles, &c., are also extensively made here. About a mile and a half higher up the valley of the Dee are Mr Edwards's older fireclay works, at Trefynant, which may be briefly described as among the most complete works of the kird in North Wales. The clay used is that underlying the Llwynenion," or Half-yard coal." This clay is many feet in thickness. The underground workings are extensive, and the coal is left in the ground to form a roof for them. The productions are of a pale buff colour, of great uniformity of appearance. Mr Edwards has from time to time during a long course of years a ided the manufacture of chimney tops, socket pipes, junctions, and all kinds of sanitary ware, to the glaze and finish of which lie has given much attention. Of a very similar kind, and deserving of much the same remarks, are the more recent works of Mr Bowers, and of Mr Seacome near to the village of Ruabon. These gentlemen, with Mr Edwards, have hitherto been the chief producers of sewage, i drainage, and sanitary appliances in North Wales. The bricks from all the works command a large sale. a la little further to the west of the Trefynant works we are at Garth Trevor and on the lower edge of the coal measures. Here from the shaly and iron-stained clays and sandstones that lie between the Chwarele and lowest coals, Mr Charles Mason produces large quantities of good sound and serviceable cherry red bricks, which are well adapted for all or,linary building pur- poses. The clay of the Chwarele coal" occurs abundantly on this property. Its productions are of much the same character as those of the Llwynenion clay, and it is well adapted for ordinary pottery use. It has not, however, as yet, been worked to any extent by Mr Mason, as it has in the adjoining Chwarele works," of which little can be said just now, except that through the vicissitudes of trade operations were recently suspended. Up the hill to the north, and situated about two miles west of the village of Ruabon, are the more recently developed works of Messrs Smith and Thomas at Plaq Ucha. This firm works the clays associated with the wall and bench" seams of coal, which here are adapted for use, and yield good bricks of a pale yellow colour that are rapidly finding their way into the market. More recent still are the works at Plas-yn-wern, the property of Mr G. H. Whalley, M.P., and I which promise to be among the most extensive of the district. Various clays, from the Quaker downwards, are intended to be used at these works. At Ponkey, further north, good, hard, pale red bricks are made from the clays in the refuse heaps of old coalpits, and one or two works are in the early stages of growth. A stretch of six or seven miles brings us to the very edge of the Denbighshire coal field, where it is separated from that of Flintshire by the lime- stone and grit hills of Hope and Caergwrle. Here are the Llay Hall colliery and brickworks, which are just being brought into shape, and where, in addition to the use of the clays from the lower coal seams, the owners intend to work the series of clays and shales that lie in the middle series I between the "Cefn" or Minera sandstone," and the Cefn" or "stinking" coal. The mention of these s hales and clays and a walk of a few miles across the dividing hills brings us to the old and great brick-making region of Buckley mountain. The works on and about the "mountain" are very numerous, and among the oldest are those belonging to Mr Hancock and Mr Catherall. Great open excavations meet us at almost every turn. These are dug in the shaly clays just alluded to, as underlying the "Cefn" or Minera sandstone," which here is known as the" Hollin coal rock," or sandstone. Im- mediately underneath this rock is a thick deposit of rocky clay, which, mixed with a little of the purer clays, makes a good common brick. Next below is a series of blue and yellow clays, which yield good bricks of a pale red colour. Lower down is a dark clay, which, when burnt, loses its dark carbonaceous colouring matter, and gives a nice pale-coloured fire brick. Underneath the whole of the above clays there is on the mountain" a bed of fine yellow clay which has long been used for the common though useful kind of pottery ware for which the place is famoiis,. A bed of the same character and oc t ll J 1- -1 1 1_ mg just tne same position, nas a-iso ueen worKeu for many years at Cefn, near Ruabon. On the northern slope of Buckley mountain, and lying between it and the river Dee, is the Aston Hall Colliery and Brick Works, on the property of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P. A beautiful, rich-coloured, yellowish brick is made here from the clays of "walls and bench coal," as at Plas Ucha, near Ruabon. These bricks may be seen to advantage in some of the best buildings at Rhyl and other towns on the north coast of Wales thty form a nice con- trast to and in combination with the dark red bricks from the red marls" at Penybont. Such are the principal brick and tile works of North Wales. The manufacture seems to have taken very early root in the district. Owing, however, to the birth and growth of the science of sanitation and the great sewage and drainage works which have resulted from increased desire for cleanliness and health, as well as from the great impetus given to the building trades within the period, the growth of the manufacture of the clays of the coal measures into all manner of use- ful materials and appliances has been most marked within the last quarter of a century. During the present period of depression in the coal and iron trades, the brick, tile, and pipe trade of North Wales has been a most valuable source of employment to the population: and without wishing to stimulate over production, it may be suggested whether elsewhere, where worked alone, a colliery will not pay, a valuable source of income may not be found in the clays that are now thrown on the rubbish heap, or j buried underground.

IN GENERAL DEBILITY AND EMACIATION THE EFFICACY OF DR. I)F, Li(,I[T- wx Con lAVER OIL IS IL.NE(JIALLED.-In cases of debility and defective nutrition, the use of this celebrated Oil has been attended with remark- ably beneficial results. :11'. Rowland Dalton, District Medical Officer, Bury St. Edmunds, writes In giyin my opinion of Dr. De Jongh's Cod Liver Oil, I have no hesitation in saying that I have not the slightest confidence in any other kind. The effects of Dr. de Jongh's Oil are sure anil most remarkable, especially in that broken-down state of health and strength which usually precedes and favnnrs tubercular deposit: and I never recommend any other sort. The Oil I have had from you was for my own use, and it has certainly been the only means of saving my life on two occasions; and even now, when I feel' out of condition,' I take it, and like it, unmixed with anything, as being the most ag-reeable way. I could wish that Dr. de Jongh's Oil would come into general use, and entirely I supersede the Pale and other worthless prepara-' tions." Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Coil Liver Oil is sold only in capsuled imperial half-pints, j 2s 6d.: pints, 4s. 9d.; quart?, !k; with his stamp and signature and the siimature of his sole consignees on the capsule ",i-I the label under wrapper, by all chemists, Sole consignees. Ansar, Harford, and Co., 77. riband, Luadon. ,,c, Ili i 2 '1 2191e

The War. Events since our last issue have followed each other with great rapidity. Having captured Philipoppolis, the Russians entered Adrianople unopposed on Sunday, and are now, therefore, in command of the second city of the Empire, the ancient capital of Turkey. Before the evacua- tion, by the Turks, a constantly increasing panic prevailed in the city. The Turkish governor and the garrison had withdrawn, after blowing up the powder magazine and the ammunition de- pots. General Strukoff heard the explosion from his head quarters. A fire, accompanied by dis- turbances, broke out in the city after the depar- ture of the troops, and five persons of different nationalities came to General Strukoff entreating him to hasten to Adrianople to restore order. Notwithstanding this grave disaster, the Porte refuses to recognise that the defences of the country have been practically broken down. An official statement, published at Constantinople, sets forth that Turkey is still possessed of means of defence. The army under Suleiman Pasha, it states, is composed of the divisions of Fuad, Osman, Kouri, Sabit, and Nedjib Pachas, and they form an imposing force, which is being con- centrated at Drama, to the south of the Adria- nople Railway. In addition to these, there is the army of Eyoub Pacha, strengthened, we pre- sume, by the Adrianople contingent which is drawn up near the latter city to bar the advance of the Russians upon Constantinople and the south. From other sources we learn that the armies of Suleiman and Fuad Pachas have with- drawn from Philipoppolis into the mountains, meaning, we presume, the Kara Balkans, situated to the south of that road, and that they are expected in the direction of Gumuldchina, near the Bay of Lagos. In evacuating Philipop- polis, we are told, the Turks withdrew all their cannon, but abandoned their stores and ammuni- tion and about 1000 wounded soldiers. Besides the armies of Suleiman in the Kara Balkans, and of Eyoub Pacha on the south-east of Adrianople, Constantinople is defended by a fortified line or lines drawn across the peninsula at Tchataldja and Bujuk Tchemedje; and an Imperial iradewas issued on Saturday, calling out all the male popu- lation of Constantinople to assist in defending these lines. Though Suleiman Pacha, it is said, has suc- ceeded in evading his pursuers, and bringing his troops safely through the Kara Balkans, he has met with severe losses. The town of Drama, where lie was last heard of, is situated near the Egean seaport of Kavala, between the rivers Struman and Saryshabandue, south of Philippo- polis, and must be quite a hundred miles from that city. The number of troops Suleiman has succeeded in bringing with him is variously esti- mated at from 30,000 to 108 battalions and 115 guns, including Baker Pacha's division, or say 50,000 in all. These troops in due course will embark at Kavala for Constantinople, and assist in defending the lines of Tchataldja and Buyuk, Tchekniedje, unless in the meantime General Gourkho's pursuing Cossacks should succeed in overtaking them. For the present it is virtually admitted by the Russians that Suleiman has escaped them. An official despatch, dated Kezanlik, January 18, gives further details of General Gourkho's movements and his engage- ments with the Turks from the 15th to the 18th, and announces that the latter had been finally driven into the despot Dagh or Khodope Moun- tains, to the rear of Emikio and Laskowo, with the loss of 4,000 men and o'J guns. The number of prisoners taken by the Russians up to the de- despatch of the telegram was 3,000. It is added that General Gourkho's troops are now ad- vancing on all sides," so that the issue is not yet finally decided. The fighting must have been of a severe character for Suleiman to have lost 4,000 men in killed and wounded alone. A report was circulated on Tuesday by the Daily Telegraph that the Russians were advanc- ing from Adrianople on Gallipoli, the key posi- tion of the Dardanelles. The report is not officially confirmed, though the news is reported in a more positive and definite shape by the Daily Tekyraph correspondent at Gallipoli. Ac- cording to this correspondent, the Russians ar- rived at Usun Kupri, thirty miles south of Adrianople, on Monday afternoon, and are still advancing. The defence of Gallipoli, we are told, are very imperfect, being deficient both in men and stores but ships of war have been ordered to bring thither a, portion of the army of Suleiman Pacha, which is reported to be not at Kavala, but at Dedeagatch, on the same coast. The Russians are reported to have occupied Demitoka, at the junction of the railway lines- from Miri and Constantinople. The inhabitants of Rouinelia are suffering all the horrors of war. As the Russians advance, the Mussulman people everywhere take to flight, many of them abandoning their all, and rushing from the death they dread to a more certain and lingering death from cold and starvation. In describing the arrival of a train full of refugees from Adrianople, the Pera correspondent of the Telegraph says these unhappy people had been in open cattle trucks during three days, and a great many of them had perished from cold. "Last night," he adds, "fifteen were found dead in the trucks. The sufferings of all are described as awful. Mothers are reported in their frenzy to have thrown away their living babies rather than see them die in their arms. As the train moved away at the outset of its journey numbers tried to cling to the outside and framework of the carriages, many actually attempted to ride on the buffers. At one station, where many hundreds of people had congregated and remained without food for two days, frantic men threatened Mr Master with violence if bread were not given them. On Tuesday, there were known to be 15,000 women and children out in the snow at Chorlou, and three trainsful more were hourly expected to arrive at Constantinople. The snow lies several inches deep on the ground, and Is still falling. The cold is intense" Another corres- pondent, writing- on Tuesday says :—"Thousands of refugees arrived at Constantinoplein aterrible condition. They bivouacked in the falling snow, receiving rations of soupandbread from the Com- passionate Fund. The majority consisted of women and infants of tender age, almost destitute of clothing. The spectacle was indescribable in its wretchedness." The Servians and Montenegrins are adding to thier conquests in the west, and have taken several important positions. There is news of further fighting in Armenia, though not near Erzeroum. On the 13th inst. General Komaroff's detachment advanced from Ardanutsch against Artwin, encountered a large body of Turks holding strongly entrenched posi- tions, and ?fter some fighting carried the heights of Gorchotan. The Turkish losses were he vy. The Russians lost 10 men killed and 11 wounded. THE ARMISTICE XEGOCIATIONS. We are still without any definite information regarding the progress of the armistice negocia- tions but in this respect it would seem we are not worse off than those who are more nearly interested in them. At Constantinople, also, there is said to be a total and provokiiig dearth of intelligence on the subject, even in official circles. All that is positively known on the authority of the delegates themselves is that they arrived at Kezanlik on Sun- day night. There is naturally a good deal of anxiety with regard to the Russian terms at Constantinople; and, if we are to believe the Pera correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, the Porte has given expression to that anxiety in a somewhat unusual manner. A telegram, we are told, has been addressed by the Turkish Government to the Grand Duke Nicholas asking the reason of the delay in communicating the final terms of Russia, the enquiry being made, it is added, in consequence of the continued ad- vance of the Russian troops. It is believed at Constantinople, says the same correspondent, that the Russians are only playing for time, and deceiving the English Government, while makin tremendous efforts- to occupy important points." This correspondent s previous com- munications, however, have not been so invari- ably accurate as to induce us to place much faith either in his facts or his judgment; and until we have better warranty for it we shall decline to believe that the Russians are purposely retard- ing the negotiations in order to gain time for a march on the Turkish capital. The German Ambassador at Constantinople, who is likely to be quite as well informed as the Daily Telegraph correspondent, is reported to have expressed his opinion that the Russians would, if possible, avoid entering the capital, at all events until peace was concluded, out of consideration for the strong English objection to even a temporary hostile occupation." On the other hand, several newspaper correspondents speak of the studied reticence on the part of the Grand Duke with respect to terms, and express what is probably only the popular opinion on the subject—that his Imperial Highness has been instructed to decline to mention at present the eventual terms of peace, so as to give the Russian troops time to menace, if not actually capture Constantinople. In explanation of the backwardness of the delegates in communicating with the Porte it is stated that the telegraph wires being in Russian hands, they have to rely on messenger couriers in communicating with Constantinople. As soon as the Turkish plenipotentiaries entered the Russian lines, says one correspondent, they were informed that the Russian commanders could not themselves enter into direct negotiations with the Porte, and therefore could not permit the Turkish Plenipotentiaries to do so, so long as there was no supension of arms agreed to. C, A somewhat similar report comes from Vienna. There can be no doubt that at Constantinople, rightly or wrongly, a very gloomy view is taken of Russian motives and intention. The Standard's correspondent at Constantinople states that the Government of the Sultan is to leave Constantinople as soon as the Russians arrive at Tchataldja; and an aide-de-camp, he states, has been sent to covey to the Plenipo- tentiaries orders to sign a treaty of peace on any terms, there being no longer any hope of help from England." Help from any other quarter, and especially from their own armies, seems to he equally out of the question for Turkey.

THE CESTRIAN LODCE OF FREEMASONS cele- brated the festival of St. Jnhn, last week. Bro. F. A-. Dickson, was installed as W.M. THROAT IRRITATION.—Soreness and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and effect- ing the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes. Only in boxes Oil and ls;, labelled "JAMES EpP"; & Co., Homeopathic Chemists, 48, Threadneedle St., and 170, Picca- dilly, London." Ax EVENING BEVERAGE.—Epps's Cacaoine (Quint-essence of Cacao) is equally liquid and re- freshm? :? tea, a??rdh?' moreover a sterling' sup- port to the "ystem. Unsweetened. H?ch packet ((3d) is labelled .LAMES EPFS & C,)., Homœo- pathic Chemists, London," 1828

Imperial Parliament. HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRIDAY. The select committee, of which the Ihike of Westminster is chairman, to inquire into the pre- valence of intemperate habits, and the manner in which those habits had been affected by recent legislation, was re-appointed. HOUSE OF COMMONS-FRIDAY. New writs were ordered for Greenock and Leith. Replying to Mr Sullivan, who asLed what course Government intended to take in re- spect of Sunday closing in Ireland, Sir M. H. Beach said, supposing the new bill proved to be identical with that of last session, Government would support it in its earlier stages, reserving the right to move amendments in committee, and would afford facilities for the early settle- ment of the question. The adjourned debate on the address was resumed, the Home Rulers monopolising the time by a reiteration of de- mands for justice to Ireland. On a division the amendment to the address, moved on the pre- vious night by Mr Mitchell Henry, was rejected, the numbers being—for the amendment 4S, against 301. The address was then agreed to. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Marquis of Ripon called attention to the report of the Select Committee of last session on Conservancy Boards, &c., and asked whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce in the present session a Bill founded upon the recommendations of that report. He quoted extracts from the report to -how that the damage annually resulting from floods is in- creasing, and said the existing law was wholly inadequate to meet the evil. After a few words from other speakers, the Duke of Richmond said the subject had been and still was under the con- sideration of the Government, and they hope to be able to deal with a portion of it this ses- sion. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. A new writ was ordered for Perth, in the room of Mr Kinnaird, now Lord Kinnaird. In an- swer to Mr Cartwright, who asked for the pro- duction of the correspondence with the Greek Government respecting its attitude towards Turkey, and the text of the remonstrance of Lord Derby, made at the request of the Porte, Mr Bourke said that in the present critical state of affairs there was no intention to lay these papers on the table. Mr Cartwright strongly urged a policy of neutrality. Mr W. E. Forster expressed his regret that the Government did not feel at liberty to publish the correspondence between the Foreign Office and the Greek (o- vernment and Turkey with referenca to the affairs of Greece, because he considered it neces- sary for the House to know what obligations had been incurred to any Power. They had gathered from common sources of information that the Greeks were desirous to take advantage of the war between Turkey and Russia for the assertion of their own rights, and that it was very much owing to the influence exercised by the British Government that those steps were not taken, which, if they had been taken, would have placed the Greeks in a better position for ob- tabling what they considered their rights. Mr Dillwyn asked if it was true that a communica- tion had been addressed by the Queen to the Emperor of Russia suggesting that he should re- strain his victorious armies. The Chancellor of I the Exchequer had seen the statement, but thought the question one that should not be put without notice. The Government had not yet heard what the Russian terms were, but there was good reason for knowing that those given in that morning's journals were not correct. He had no doubt the Government would very shortly be in a position of fuller knowledge, and it was better to abstain from hypothetical discussions in a matter of that kind. He did not desire that there should be anything ambiguous in the atti- tude of the Ministry, but it was necessary, of course, that their should be an amount of reserve in speaking on the subject. The second reading of the Union Justices (Ireland) Bill was moved by Mr O'Sullivan, but the Bill was thrown out by a majority of 100. The O'Conor Don then moved the second reading of the Sale of Intoxi- cating Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) Bill, which met with strong opposition, but ultimately the second reading was agreed to. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. The Lords sat only a few minutes, during which the former message of the Queen in answer to their address in reply to the speech from the throne was read. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TuE.snAY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he would now state exactly what had taken place with reference to the communication made by the Queen to the Czar. Having received a dir- ect and personal application from the Sultan, her Majesty, on the advice of her ministers, sent the following telegram to the Emperor of Russia ;-1 have received a direct appeal from the Sultan, which I cannot leave without an answer. Knowing that you are sincerely desirous of peace, I do not hesitate to communicate this fact to you, in the hope that you may accelerate the negotiations for the conclusion of an armistice, which may lead to an honourable peace." In reply to Mr Dillwyn, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer declined to state the reply of the Em- peror of Russia, the communications being of a private and personal nature. Lord John Man- ners, replying to Mr Anderson, gave an explan- ation of the recent arrangements with regard to the American mails but, as the answer was not deemed satisfactory, Mr Anderson said he in- tended to call attention to the subject. Mr. Bourke said Government had no authentic in- formation as to the alleged advance of a strong Russian force on Gallipoli. Lord George Hamilton moved for a select committee on the expediency of constructing public works in India with money raised by loans. Mr Fawcett moved an amendment extending the enquiry to the best means to prevent the recurrence of famines, and the providing of a fund without resorting to Bright sai(i the scope: burdensome taxation. Mr Bright said the scope of the motion was too large and that of the amend- ment too narrow he argued in favour of a full inquiry on the spot, to ascertain what might be done by means of irrigation to prevent future famines and complained of the narrow and jealous spirit which prevailed in the policy of the Indian Government with respect to public works. The discussion was brought to a close by Lord George Hamilton agreeing to enlarge the instruc- tions to the committee by adding the words both as regards financial results and the pre- vention of famines." The amendment was there- upon withdrawn and the motion agreed to. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-WEDNESDAY. A new writ was ordered for Perthshire. The Public Parks (Scotland) Bill wa,s read a second time. The second reading of the Hypothec (Scotland) No. 2 Bill was moved, but on its being- shown that it was materially different to that originally introduced, the bill was withdrawn. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. The Duke of Argyll, referring to. "a com- munication of great gravity, which it was under- stood had been made on the part of the Govern- ment to the other house," asked if the Opposition were right in their understanding that no change was likely to take place in the attitude of the Government till the Russian conditions of peace were made known.—Lord Beaconsfield said at the time the understanding was come to. that no step of the character of which notice had been given in the other House would be taken by the Government till the terms of peace were known, there was reason to believe that those terms would be made known immediately. He added that the course her Majesty's Government might feel it their duty to recommend could not depend upon the will of any foreign government in keep- ing back information. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave notice that on Monday next lie would move the supple- mentary estimates for the naval and military ser- vices and, in reply to the Marquis of Hartington, said this precautionary step had been taken in con- sequence of the unexpected delay in the transmis- sion of the Russian terms of peace, and the rapid advances on the part of the Russian forces. Subsequently, Sir Stafford Northcote moved for the appointment of a select committee to consider the best mode of securing the despatch of public business. After a long discussion, and the rejec- tion of amendments, the motion was agreed to. Mr Mowbray's motion, that no opposed business except money bills be taken after half-past twelve o'clock at night was also agreed to after a protracted debate. The Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Bill passed the second reading.

To CONSUMPTIVES,—CONSUMPTION IS CURABLE. —A certain method of cure has been discovered for this distressing complaint by a physician, who is desirous that all sufferers may benefit from this providential discovery. It is beyond all doubt the most remarkable remedy of the Age. Thous- ands have been cured by it. Full particulars will be sent by post to any person free of charge.— Address:—Mr WILLIAMS, 10, Oxford Terrace, Hyde Park, London. 2841e WATERS' QUININE WINE for Sixteen Years has been universally admitted to be the best Tonic known, and a useful and agreeable accompani- ment to Cod Liver Oil. We can bear personal testimony to its value as a tonic."—Standard-. 1 Accent for Ruthin, E. Hughes, grocer, London House. Wholesale: Waters and Son, 34, Eastclieap, London and Lewis and Co., Wor- cester. 148g HOLLO WAY'S PILLS.—Somewhere or other di- sease is ever rife everywhere its surest opponent, this purifying medicine, is to be found. When symptoms of sickness first set in, they may b;; easily subdued by this grand remedy, which gives great and prompt relief to every oppressed organ and disordered function. These Pills regulate | and strengthen digestion more readily, efficiently, i and with more certainty than any other combina- tion of drugs, be it ever so scientifically pre- scribed. Nothing can exceed the ability nf i Holloway's medicine to secure natural functional action, whereby thousands of life-long maladies have been prevented at trifling expense and no detriment to the constitution. An acquisition so priceless should be at hand in every household. VALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THE HAIR.-If yoiir liair is turning grey or white, or falling of, use "The Mexican Hair Renewer," for it vpl-poxi- tirrty rcHore in every case Grey or White hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable smell of most "Restorers." Tt makes the hair charmingly beautiful, as well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald spots where the glands are not decayed. Ask vour Chemist for the MEXICAN HAIR REVEWER prepared by Henry C. GALLUP, 493, Oxford- street, London, and sold by Chemists a;;J Per- fumers everywhere at 3s 6d per bottle, 2Qn

Correspondence. All letters intended for publication must comply with the following conditions I.-They must be on public questions only, and not personal in character further than is nectssary for the discussion of the subject. II.-They must be written carefully and con- cisely—on one side of the paper only-ready for the press, as we have not time at our dis- posal to re-write correspondence, and do not wish to publish effusions in the garb in which they are sometimes presented, nor space for long rambling letters. IJ I.—They must be authenticated (under cover if wished) by the real name and address of the writer accompanying the M. S. IV-—If received after mid-ilay on Thursday, then insertion will be precluded for that Iketk, and they cannot be always guaranteed to appear even when received before that time. V.—Letters which have previously appeared in other papers will not be inserted. BOROUGH OF RUTHIN. Sin,—I was very much pleased to see Rate- payer," in your last week's paper, calling our borough officials to book about the very offensive manner in which our streets are kept. I fancy that it cannot be much worse on the dreadfully trodden .Ground of Schipka Pass after the desper- ately contested bayonet assault than it really is on o:r streets, especially Penbairas, lower Clwyd-street, and the grand opening to our quality square—Castle-street! The sludge in those parts, I can assure you, makes very sm;tlll the pride of our shoemakers. Actually, a I little boy got fa-st in the sludge on the middle of Well-street on the night of the 22nd, and to stick in the mud in one of the principal streets in our Corporated town" speaks very harsh against our "men in office." We have our Town Council, it is true, but as "Ratepayer" says, where are they ? and what are they doing ? Why should they be as dummies where their electors expect them to act as men ? Surely the surveyor, scavengers, and all the rest are at their control, and unless things work to the satisfaction of the public we must remember them when opportunity comes. I hear that it was agreed to" in the Council to borrow £ 1,000 in order to set up the town with parapets, and if such is the case, it struck me as very childish indeed that one of the young Councillors the other day should go round the town for signatures to memorialise the Mayor against such scheme!! Why couldn't he oppose the plan in the council if he thought proper, in- stead of harking like a little lapdog at a bull after he had turned his back. It is very ugly to see menactingthe part of "little boys" in a board of representatives It is also true that we need much more necessary steps taken in Ruthin than spending money on parapets. Would not arousing and furthering the Cerrig-y-druidion Railway scheme, or trying to influence the Denbigh Ruthin and Corwen Railway Company to run more advantageous and cheaper trains to our toi.,2i, &c., be much more advisable just now ? Common sense says it would. That Com-j pany studies no more the interest of our town than it does Eglwyswen or Pandy'r Capel! And their rates of charges are somewhat extortionate, What Ruthin really wants IS to regain its old standing trade, which, to our sorrow, has been on the decrease for the last fifteen years, simply owing to the stupidity of trains, councilmen, and her own people Heavy rates, and bother the trade," have been too long their motto, but nvire trade and lefts rates would be much more agree- able, and a thousand times more sensible from our Councilmen nowadays and I hope that our present honourable Mayor will be our pioneer to achieve that end, and will also see that Rate- payer's complaints will be at once looked to and set right. To study the interest of the town its Council must take its affairs to heart, and with manly actions all will be right. Now, while I am writing, I might further say that I was glad to see your correspondent, in his I Notes on "Ruthin," calling our attention to the forthcoming School Board election. If we had a more economical Board I should think that the rate last year should not have been as high as 3d in the pound It is an easy matter to handle a public purse, and I hope the ratepayers will be up to the occasion this time, and elect men ou the new Board who will see that their money will lie rightly and properly spent. Jan. 23rd, 1878. D.O.P. MOLD REREDOS. SIR,—Rumour, with her thousand tongues, is rife that the Vicar of Mold has determined, miens ve/lens vox popuU, or cox congrcgationis, to have the reredos erected in the parish church. It is not too late yet for the voice of the people to he heard, in and outside that church. As stated in the placard posted inside the porch of the church, this reredos is to be composed of graven images, cut out of a piece of stone repre- senting a man nailed with stone nails, withastone crown on his head, on a stone tree made to resemble a wooden cross, all which is condemned in express terms in the laws given by the Almighty to Moses, and through him to the Vicar of Mold, who, by his actions, repudiates the second of the ten commandments, I suppose, on the principle that it is omitted in the Douay Bible, therefore is consistent with his ideas, though he sometimes, as the fit takes him, reminds his fellow worshippers of that law. As he is determined to Romanise his parish church by introducing the customs and practices of that sect, why not be honest and true to the girl he now loves best" and go over at once, body and soul to that church whose practices he is so fond of imitating, where he will have the privilege of bowing down to, and praying before, the graven images of all Earthly Saints in the Roman Catholic calender, without let or hindrance, even those who have and have not obtained a certificate of Saintship from the Evil One's Advocate General in Rome. As he is so fond of the visible cross, two of which are now to be seen in the parish church—one a fiery red, the other ydhw, to represent the colours of gold, though all is not gold that glitters, we must remind him that the Roman Catholics have two special festival days relating to this wooden or stone crost, viz., September 15th, called the exaltation of the cross, and May 3rd, the find- ing of the cross. The stone crowns ami thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain: < Jates of hell can never Cainst that Church prevail: We have Christ's own promise, And that cannot fail. WTe shall now give the history of the hunt and finding of this cross for the benefit of all whom it may concern—" Helena, (a woman must be at the bottom of all the mischief, they are such ready tools in the hands of the priests,) the wife of the Emperor Coustantine who then reigned in Constantinople fancied herself inspired by heaven or hell, determined to search for the cross in the eastern part of Calvary, when she got there, she thus prayed, Here is the place of the combat; hut where is the sign of victory ? I seek the Standard of Safety, and find it not, what 1! am I on the throne, and the Cross of Christ is hid- den ill the dust I dwell in the palace, and the instrument of triumph is interred in the ruins How shall I believe that I am redeemed if the Sign of Rede: ition is sealed from all eN?e?l,,e Devil, Evil Spirit, it is thou who hidest the powerful sword which smote thee. Let these ruins be taken away in order that the source of life may appear. Let the light of the day fall upon that scimitar which beheaded Goliah. Let the bosom of the earth open, that the Instrument of Safety may shine before all eyes. Father of Lies, thou hidest the holy wood in the hope of still vanquishing us. But Mary overcame thee, she brought into the world the Victor, and with- out ceasing to be a virgin, she became the mother of Him who subjected thee from the light of the cross—thus shalt thou be vanquished again to-day, another woman shall unveil thy Snart'S." This boastful prayer strongly reminds us of Julius Ciesar, who sent the following mes- sage to Pagan Rome—" I came, I saw, I con- quered." So with Helena, I came, I saw, I conquered," and made the earth bring forth her dead, and the stony rock to bring forth the wood. The history proceeds, "the workmen laboured with saintly ardour and at length found at the bottom of a deep grotto, Three Crosses, The Title, the Lance, and the Nails. As the title and tablet which Pilate has written was detached, the Cross of our Saviour could not be recognised." I shall continue in my next letter. with your permission.—Yours &c., Mo EL FAMMAU. THE RUABON SEWERAGE QUESTION. DEAR SIR,-Bey.md doubt, this question has its comic side. In H. D.'s last letter, the farce is continued with increasing gusto, he enters, a perfect blazing pantaloon, walloping his bladder sword with the frenzy of an injured lover preparing for a mortal duel, challenges P. M." or any other person. After fighting the buoyant air, he scales the rostrum of the mighty domine soliloquizes on his excellent I "learning" and the etymological medley" of P. M. All at once he flops" and assumes the attitude of the sponge-faced old woman, with dasped hands, turning up the whites" of his eyes, whines "alas for the departed g lory." Again he maddens to revenge, ,eize?: his insult- ing "dUll, grasps his gully" knife, and with pious benedictions expressing sorrow" for such a pass, with one blow decapitates the offender. (Picture his dismay when he finds the wrong head in the basket). Exeunt H. D., and im mediately rolls in a native" clown to the staae spluttering, stuttering, and expectorating, nib- bing- his eyes. and with the grace of a Lord Dun dreary, e xclaims "l-on"ou-I-H D. P 'I l> 1 _I ,) P. Al.-P. D. -You are outside the sewage. It s I who is amongst the "sewage." After pumping a little more wind and counting his digits, he hav, Is out it's beating about the bush, you are:" They both appear on the stage and with gesticulations begot by Luna's influence point in the direction of their borrowed light (the Sanitary Board) and collapse. After strutting and fretting on the stage" of sewage i-eforiii, the "N ative" and H.D." appear in the only garb they are capable of wearing, viz., rodomontade. From their intellectual effusions, my impression is that neither of them is capable of constructing oven a fen ditch, let alone work- ing out ni}v plan for the sanitation of a small village, an (IT think when the only plan they can ■ advocate is the comparative plan of the old woman throwing her sewage out at the window, caring not where, or oil whom it may fall, SO long as she gets rid of it in the easiest way, they r"J tJ I I f tl' tt | may lie let alone in the "glory of their ut t er collapse. Nor will it he worth while to answer H.T). nu'ch frrtVr, when he has candidly and [truly said that he is as impervious to common I sense as rp-in on a duck's back," and that to try to "enlighten him will be labour in vain/1 Be. fore H.D. rolls himself up in his "little learning" I would remind him of its consequences i»ecoifl- ing to the old saw, also let me inform aim that I often thr(s)ow stones in glass houses, nut vailike his stones of gas, they sprout. grow, Loom, and bring forth fruit pleasant to the eye, sweet to the taste. H. D. repudiates being either the promoter or architect of the splendid sewage T^ufactcry proposed to be erected in the nciddie of the pleasure ground s at Wynnstay. AA that h4: knows" is that there is such a Khet w, rt that is all he knows. He-does not say he is .I\ engineer. It is as well he has got "impracti- IJility" in his lexicon, and his.incorigi:^ vii; ide-is of "Nature, Art and Sewage to* does not betray him as a Landscape Architect, and his notions of Chemistry have not ieuhe,3 th rudi- ments of that science, and his Ma<?m<?I? ?e of an equal standard. He ridicnte-s c. Litr&dicts, Iand &sserts-btit is he capable of <4<7ie:ifiing reasons and proofs. He saY 1 am pr^wied to discuss it fairly." As lie 'lip.; been so i<«g i n, "preparing," I ask on what datum ::t' is pI e- pared to discuss," for certainly his in i-oiierent effusions have given me no clue. But when be is a little more ''crammed on the qv.^ticr., (i»r practically he is not), I shall also fairly dis- cuss the matter. All that H. D. [at present hits done, has been to point to the i t, i y Authority." Well, I have every r-i-oeci for the collective wisdom of that Authomv. ont even they are often misled unwittingly in the ah^em e of fuller detail, by the influence of i;:t -rested ami prejudiced individuals, whose love ci iairplay h always subordinate to their selfish interests, the prattle of H. D. would lead one tt. yuppont! he had never (been) heard of h;dl"-a-rj?)ie him home." Or, if "tnwellell," his eyes have been in his pocket to find somethi. •* ne-.tr under the sun, and that novelty" «, t-rk 0.1 wheels Allow me to pit eit) against it in that rara aris H.D. I have still to point out that the ¡'}:JIS anil suggestions advanced in my previous 1 i/les are aLl practicable, efficient, and comparatively in- expensive. And I still say that the fhyaeh closet" system is the best, most whitienome, m«;A simple, most inexpensive and efficient ir>: Ruabon. The establishment of this system c> aid he II. burden to the ratepayers as the proprietois would have to erect the furniture, a.ed it has been proved that Ruahon is efficient.y drained, and therefore a heavy sewerage system is i -fit re- quired. Especially after the big" T, I periunce of the Rho, and other parts of the parish, would it be wise to remedy a:,y ruisame on simpler plans before we are forced to accept such as will cause heavy expenditure. AIMI thereby increase their already heavy biu dt^c «;f taxatiw. I shall, with your kind permissiow, offer a few i remarks on the application of >ewage i- J cottages, gardens-, and farms, 011 some ft:;);re C4 pl). Yours respectfully.

-Jan. 2-?-il, ?. M. _1, ('0. J-: FLINTSHIRE DISTRICT Lf-i'o ? ov UOOD TEMPLARS. Oil Monday, the English Gocd '"iuiplar Lodges of Flintshire (with Denbigh) hold the-ie Quarterly District Lodge at Rhyl. b rh c Morning there was an important meeting of the District Executive and of the Temperance Mission FrunI Committee for Flintshire. After !UTJ-.)I, the District Lodge was opened with the ••jsarJ cen- inonies by the It ev. I). Bin-ford the District Chief Templar of Flint-hh^ £ Hd G.W. V.T. of Wales. The other officers presert included; Bro. T. Moves, D. V.T., IVrjbich: Bro. J. C. Griffiths, W. Sec., M'hd; Pro. T. Miller, D.S.J.T., Denbigh: P.D.C.T., Sandycroft; Sister A. Elii*, Mold Bros. Williams and Amos, 1). Gutiafls, Rhyi. Representatives were present iron.;II pnrt->r the county, and alo Ir C. Hill, London. After the minutes had been read, ;jt:: ?_>.O.T. read the following quarterly r<which, after wishing the members a Happy New Year, vaiii they meet as a District Lodge liopt n j]y, for they had to chronicle work of progress. Lerx .ti! had been received from almost fveyv 1 arid in nearly every case there was an in membership. The Temperance Mission Fund ;f Flinissire had been in a measure .successful. Tie "D.C.T. had lectured on its behalf in (\'Hilar'- Q'.iay r-nd Rhyl, while some of the lodges, notably Mold and Denbigh, had heartily taken it -.ip. Dai b.g the present month Bro. Charles Hill, Li nden, one of the lecturers of the U mild Li dge of England, had been actively engaged in the trict. Offers of his services were noole to ev £ ?y Lodge, but in few cases were very he .rtjly taken up. Meetings had therefore been held -/ithnt reference to the lodges in some towns, vhile Mr -,onie -,v ,Ii i le T;Tr Hill hall spoken in places where ti.eh F4 d had not previously been planted. In addition to meetings in Chester and Wrexham, Mr Hill had ?- already lectured at Northop, Mc.li;, CynnaJr.* Quay, Flint, and had yet to vM': :J?;]hi?'h, I Buckley, Sandycroft, Caergwrle, ami othev ;;?c? in the district. The report then remarked that it was nearly three years since last they In llhyl. "What progress their principle. m:1tle since then That day we might trrir; thank God and take courage." The medical wuld was sending forth a very different sov.d to that which some of those present were accustomed to hear when they first became total atstainei.i. Sir Henry Thompson, Dr. Richardson, anil others had rendered the cause much valuable service their utterances had pri an hn- pression that would not soon pa-* awry. The religious world had also awakened from its slumbers, and hy its ecclesiastical tenrperancft societies is doing a noble work. Yi-,?, e is not a Christian denomination in (4re.it Britain of any magnitude but has its Temperance .Society. Then work is easier now than ever. One fallacy after another was being swept- n /y, m.d men were getting to see that intoxicating drinL-! were not needful to strengthen the h..1y, to im- prove the mind, or to aid the s .rd, that total a bstinence was the duty of the citizen, ard prf)- hibition the duty of the state, fur that which they regard as morally wrong could not he legally, right. In conclusion, the ex- pressed a hope that they would go back* to their Lodges strengthened in their great purr, -.e, de- termined to do their utmost to advance the cause of temperance this not only in, but aJso out of their Lodges. He sometimes thought they stayed too long inside the Lodge-ro: .jnd if they were to do more aggressive work it be done outside. Every Lodge should hold its pleasant evenings throughout tlie winter Month*? that outsiders might be induced to enter the Order, while in the sunmiertide they .sho-.j'hl seek by open-air meetings, tract distribution and ;,11 forth, to add to their roll of membershh Tilth- obligation pledged them not merely to abstain from the use of intoxicating be verages, hrit also to do all in their power to promote the go--d of the Order and to advance the cause of temper- ance. May they remember their obligation, "0 forward," in this great enterprise. May they seek its promotion with "both hand-, earnestly," and by their renewed energy, 11:- creased liberality and intenser faith, amy they hasten the day of victory. (Applause.) On the motion of the D.V.T., this r■yty.ri v;a:i most heartily adopted. The D.S. then gave the returns from the lodges, and it rejoiced the hearts of a]! to know that there iq ,in increase of membership in the districts. Only three lodges failed to report. The D.S.J.T. reported the existence ..f at lea: t twelve Bands of Hope or Juvenile Temples, several of which were doing admirable work among the young a most important and almost unopposed part of the Temperance -%v,rl- and one which amply repays the labour bestowed upon it. Four of these Bands of Hope are in Rhyl.—1 he M?sion ?und wax reported to have reached t.) Od, and more wa, ? promised ?n the room.—Mr C. Hill, the lecturer, gave the lodge & short account of his visits to the <!itM mt tc wvi he had visited, saying he had been e\ wdingly well received everywhere. -T] if-- D.C.T. troduced the subject of the proposed Sunday Closing Bill,, which are now before Parliament, and Bro. Peate, in moving the adoptiup ,1 petition in favour of those bills, mentioned that out of the forty-two public-houses in hhyl twenty- six had actually signed petitions ii? favour of Sunday cloing, whil only six had realty .ef?sed to sign. The resolution was passed luianrmmsly, and a petition in favour of the English Irish j Sunday Closing Bills was signed by the f hair- cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro. Reney, of Connah's Quay, and Mr Owen, the two Guardians of Holywell Union, who in- troduced a motion against giving beer to the in- mates of the house on Christmas Pay, that motion being defeated by the Rev. Z. Davies.— Conversation upon the good of the order f, -1Jowetl at some length, the state of the lodges and the prospects of extending operations being fully dis- cussed—The next District Lodge was agreed to be held at Mold, on Easter Monday.—Thanks were voted to the G.W.V.T. and to the brethren at Rhyl for their hospitality, and the e was duly closed by singing and prayer. In the evening, at seven o'clock, a flhlj, meeting was held in the Town Hall, the Veil Archdeacon Morgan, M.A., in the The speakers included the Very Rev. the Dean of Bangor; Rev. J. Ogwen .Tones, B.A., Rhy) • Rev. D. Burford Hooke, Mold; Hev. "D. MacGregor, Rhyl; and Mr Clias. Hill. London.

THE CHINESE TROOPS have overrun Kashgar. They captured the capital hy a con' n de main. A telegram from Tashkenil states that the Ameer has appealed to the Russians f..r aid to expel the invaders. NEWS FROM SYDNEY to December, San Francisco, gives some details of the recent Ministerial crisis in New South Wale-, already reported by telegraph. The New Zealand Legis- lature had rejected a bill introduced by Goverr- ment to reduce Ministers' salaries, and had de- dined tel avail itself of the services of Sir W. Jei-voi., for the organisation of its e\tema! de- fences, 011 the ground that the condition of the fiiiinces of the colony did not warrant such .i I "erl Parliament alsorohieed the proposed ]o;;o from four millions to two millions. GREDINGTON C-oriwiXG MEEm«.Thi.«n".eet- ing came off on Friday and Saturday last, the meet being at the Hanmer Arms Hotel, Hanrne: Sport was slow to begin with, but 011 getting t•> Horseman's Green, things improved, some good S trials heing run off there, but darkness set in be- fore the cad co?d be Unished. It was then de- cided to meet on Saturday morning to msh but hares being scarce, the stakes had to Ve divided between Mr Large's Revenge and Mr Shoue's Victor. The former had won dJ jjj. courses in grand style. Beleaguer ran very liidlv to the disappointment of his wne- Many thanks are due to the Houir. C.f C,re(Lngton for giving Wh band- prize, viz., £?; added to the entrap. e and i f10 it,r ^Penses. Mr Warwick juried wen. ;Ind Iramck, the head keeper, did all hecouhuLw,' spon After the coursing, m.wavds of si-v I down to an excellent dinner at the Hotej