Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

CORRESPONDENCE. THE SINGING AT THE PARISH CHURCH. To the Ed itor of t he Wrexham Advertiser. SIR-In the lively discussion which took place at the last Easter vestry, as to which would be the best position in the Parish Church for the choir to occupy, the Vicar remarked :— That the proper ecclesiastical place for them was the middle of the church. lie did not know whether anyon e remembered the oratorio they once had. It was in 1827. The committee went to great expense in putting up galleries for these professional singers to exhibit—thirty or forty pounds were spent upon them. These hired performers came, entered these galleries, and walked out n,in they could not hear the notes of the organ. It was tried in Mr Mosedale's time, and they all went back again im- mediately to the organ gallery. He felt convinced if they made the change that they would regret it. 1 I was present at the marriage celebration on Tuesday tast, and noticed the excellent effect which the singing of he St. Mark's choir, who occupied the organ gallery, produced in all parts of the church. I noticed also that notwithstanding that there were great disturbances in the church, the responses were taken up with great pre- cision which is rarely noticed in the Parish Church choir. A fact, I think, which fully corroborates the inference of the Vicar, that the organ gallery is the best place for the choir. Musicus. i THE iN-O-POPF,-RY"- CHY. To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. SIR,-I understand that a petition is carried about the township of Broughton for signature, and that many are induced to sign it under the impression that it is against Popery. Allow me through the medium of your paper to caution the public of Broughton against this; the pati- tion is nothing less than a petition against the policy of the Hon. W. E. Gladstone to disestablish the Irish Church, and has nothing whatever to do with the extension or non-extension of Popery. Who ever dreamt of staying the progress of Popery by means of petitions It is all nonsense. I willingly admit that any gentleman or a lady has a perfect right to ask signatures to any petition he or she may deem right; but I do deny the right ot any one to ask signatures to a petition under a false pretence, whatever may be their own private opinion. The majority of the inhabitants of the town- ship of Broughton do highly approve of the policy of disestablishing the Irish Church, and have signified this by a petition to the House of Commons numerously signed. Now, it is unfair to ask illiterate persons to sign a petition against the extension of Popery, when it is intended againjfc disestablishing the Irish Church. Hoping this will suiffce as a caution to the public, I am, sir, yours fraternally, October 27th, 1868. A PROTESTANT. I PUBLIC-HOUSES AND THE YOUNG. I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. SIR,-Will you kindly allow me to point out a social evil, which appears to me to be of vast importance, in reference to the inducements which one or two publicans in this town hold out to entrap youths into drinking and gambling habits. At the brewster sessions some time ago, our active deputy-chief constable very properly drew attention to the fact that bagatelle boards were kept at certain public-houses in the town, where large numbers of youths assembled at nights and engaged in gambling and drinking. Through this official notice of the matter this social snake was for a time "scotched," but now it again holds up its insinuating head and threatens to do more harm than eVtr. At one place in particular in this town where a bagatelle board is kept, I assert, without the remotest fear of contradiction, that often as many as twenty boys, whose ages range from 13 to 18 years, assemble of an evening and gamble and tipple-in fact, it is the evening place of resort for a large number of youths. The influence of such gatherings is certain to lead to deplorable consequences its effect will ere long be felt in robberies of parents and employers. This system was clearly proved to have been the cause of the robbery of an employer before Mr Bradshaw called the magistrates' attention to the fact. Such congregations of youths ought at all hazards to be put a stop to, and efforts to effect this should call forth the hearty co- operation of parents and employers of youthful labour. I hope our deputy-chief constable's attention will be drawn to the fact, and that the bench of magistrates will. in tbpir power, permanently stop this pernicious reciice.—Yours truly; PATERFAMILIAS- THE SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. To the Editor of the "Wrexham Advertiser. Sir.Allow me through the medium of your paper to express my opinion on the subject of the Wrezham slaughter-houses. The ratepayers of Wrexham are too well aware several hundreds of pounds of public money was spent in their erection, which, so far, if not a total failure, has proved a bad speculation, although no doubt they were intended to improve the town and benefit the health of the public. But there they are, and now it is proposed to spend several hundreds more upon them. The late tenants have had notice to quit, and most of them have gone. The surveyor has been ordered to make journeys to other towns, and inspect other slaughter-houses; and I believe he has made journeys to Liverpool and elsewhere, and the scene has commenced. Now, I will thank some person who can see further than I can to answer this letter, if he can shew the ratepayers how they or the town can be benefitted by the proposed further expenditure of capital upon this useless pile of buildings. That the erpenses will fall upon the rats- payers is too certain; therefore, it appears to me the ratepayers will do well to call a public meeting ere it is too late and discuss this subject, and memorialize the Town Council to abandon the scheme. Look for "the probability of a profitable return, and you will find the figures run about as follows in Wrexham market and the town. In the market, butchers 34; in the town, 5.; pork butchers, 2. Of these number 28 of those in the market live out of the borough, and kill at home, or buy carcasses of those in the town 1 kills in the town, 2 live out of the borough, and another has taken premises beyond the borough. Of those in the market who have been killing at the slaughter-houses 4 have left, and made arrangements beyond the borough boundary, and a fifth is doing so. Now, where is the wisdom of further expenditure ? Why should public money be spent in providing business premises for these few butchers more than any other trades, more particularly when the butchers are prepared to find their own buildings ? The law, which has been too freely used, says a butcher must provide a suitable place, and not commit a nuisance, under penalties. The council have made and printed bye-laws at the expense of the ratepayers, and why not enforce them ? I suggest, try them. I have no doubt it will be said by many:—But the houses are built, what are we to do with them ? My answer is, if the authorities are determined to dabble with bricks and mortar, irst visit the dwellings of the poor, and see the dens styled j houses whe. fever has swept away children by scores during the past few months, vrhere, if pigs were kept, would be condemned and removed. Next visit the sheds at the borough yard on Holt road, and remove those stones and drain-pipes which have been there sheltered from the inclemency of the weather for many months II past, and convert them and the slaughter-houses into dwellings for the poor. You will then confer a lasting blessing upon the hard-working man. We shall see no I more of slaughter-house twaddle in the columns of our newspapers our now over-burdened taxation will not be so much complained of, and a profitable return ensured. I must apologise to my readers for detaining you so long; I did not intend writing half so much, but find I am not half done yet; -but having set the subject moving, I trust it will be at once taken up by the ratepayers.—I am, yours respectfully, .JOHN WALLIS. 26, Hope-st., Wrexham, Oct. 20, 1868. "OVER THE BERWYN." To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. SIR,-Although I do not pretend to much in respect of poetry, I am rather inclined to think I can discern real poetry from doggerel verse. I certainly am amused at J. K Kyilaston's" (poetic?) effusion; Over the Berwyn." If it had been left there, so much the better; it might have struck some of the crows, jackdaws, and others of that tribe rather comical, and perhaps have coaxed them into your correspondent's game-bag in com- pany with the pheasants they went looting"— To bag 'em tho' by fair shooting. Your correspondent says he is no poacher, but I rather think he has been poaching into the style of Hudibras. What a pity be has not had the benefit of learning grammar, to save him from having penned the sublime ,couplet- + Distant just short of thirty MILK, The way lay o'er famed Berwyn's pile. Perhaps your correspondent thought when he was at the Berwyn he could inhale the inspiration of Parnassus, invisibly drink of the Castalian spring, take a distant peep at the temple of Apollo in his mind's eye, and see the sacred nine. Poor fellow.! I fear from his effusion he was disappointed. Did not the awful cropper" which befel poor Bet" rather shake the poet's ner- vous system and affect his poetical powers ? What between the cropper," and getting up, dressing Bet's knees, &c., he and his friend must have been rather fatigued. But as to the hostess of Llangynog's Inn," she must have been surprised to see how handy they were at stitching. How she did stare as fhe stood there, To see how quick to sew they were. Probably, however, she soon came to the conclusion that they were tailors," and therefore only fragments of men. After passing through" bell-bell," "the graveyard solemn and grave," it was no doubt very comforting to reach home safe where they meant to stay"—and also I that they found things right (wit being over the Ber. wyn")-in fact, "all pleasant"- Then to work for bird or pheasant. • What a sublime finale to the whole composition • Are we however, to understand by the conclusion that a pheasant is not a bird! The distributive or" would lead us to conjecture so, according to the pheasant- shooting bard. Allow me to give your correspondent a word of advice as to poetry. The next time he goes near a graveyard and feels at all poetically inspired, let him by all means remain there until the sexton carefully buries his effusions to prevent further dishonour to real poetry, and save such doggerel from seeing light. If your correpon. dent has any stock on hand, let him forthwith give it quiet and decent sepulture-" out of sight -ut of mind" that poetic souls may not again be insultefl.-Yolirs; &c., Wrexham, 28th Oct.. I:: MEDIA VIA. ( CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICIANS. I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. DEAR SIR,—I see in your paper that a Mr Martin Smith has been vehemently supporting Mr Mainwaring, the Tory candidate, at Ruthin. May I ask if this gentle- man is the Mr Martin Smith, of the Vale of Clwyd Rail- way, who joined us at Aberystwith in 1865, to help on the election of Mr Davies, a Radical ? And if so, can you explain the apparent inconsistency ?—Yours truly, 22nd Oct., 1868. A CARDIGAN WELSHMAN. CHURCH AND STATE. I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. SIR,-iNIr Gladstone's disestablishment policy having- to a great extent—caused religious questions to become the order and occupation of the day," the time present therefore cannot be considered otherwise than oppor- tune for bringing to the fore" certain anomalies and corruption which not only disgrace the Establishment as a church, but likewise vitally affect the spiritual interests and continued well-being of the people and clergy at large. We mostly, in a broad general way, know that three divisions of Great Britain, viz., England, Ireland, and Wales (Scotland is excluded because she strictly maintains the supremacy of her own church, and has done so ever since the revolution in 1688) are divided through- out into separate well-defined parishes, to each of which respectively-, a living, more or less valuable, is attached, to support which and for other church purposes—moRey tithes (originally voluntary gifts, but now claimed by usuage as compulsory dues) are regularly and rigidly exacted from the different large and small proprietors of the soil. Now, although the people of a parish are thus compelled to pay for a minister-Church law allows them no voice whatever in the matter of his selection or re- moval. They are bound to take and keep whomsoever the bishop in his wisdom and discretion may choose to send. Should the minister so chosen prove to be earnest and spiritually minded (which happily is often the case) then parochial affairs prosper, the church fills, schools flourish, the sick and poor are cared for-because charity is abundant, parish feuds disappear, Dissent waxes feeble —in short, the flock under such a shepherd is without a question immeasurably blessed. But on the other hand, all this is reversed should the minister prove (which he often does) to be worldly minded, caring only for the emoluments of office, or given to immoral tendencies, he knows right well as church law now stands, that as long as he gives utterance to sermons (so called) of some kind or other, and conforms outwardly in other respects to the letter, he can vex his parish in various perverse ways, and disgrace his cloth to his own heart's content, for the term of his natural life, for aught the church will do to remove him. It is, as a rule, useless to apply to bishops, —they have no authority, they say, in the matter, or else quietly shelve it. Ecclesiastical law, that barrier which protects—not the good, but the bad-is too costly even for them to meddle with, they, like other folks, prefer to have none't. So we have, under this state of things, a church professing to be the most Christian and en- lightened one in the world, tacitly compelling numerous parishes throughout the three divisions to support ministers for doing-not God's works, but the very re- verse. Now, can any church present to Christian nations a greater anomaly than this ? The result of such sui- cidal policy—such spiritual tyranny-has long been placed beyond a doubt, for whenever parishes are thus left—without hope-to the tender mercies of unscrupul- ous ministers, they run rapidly to Dissent, and continually become irreelaimably lost to the church. Wales for in- stance, where the Establishment is now-reduced to a sect, is a strong case in point. Ireland also is, and has long been, so dissatisfied that she is even now clamour- ing for disestablishment (which she will probably get be- fore long), and does not the passing by the late legisla- ture of so many measures tending towards religious equality prove that Church and State inffuence-even in Enghnd-is by no means in the ascendant. Without a doubt the Establishment is fundamentally spiritual and Christian, but in some details and practices, la- mentably not so. Now if bishops and other church dig- nitaries would combine in goodly earnest for thorough church reform, Churchmen long faint-hearted and de- sponding would have a rallying point—something in the future to hope for, but as matters now stand church pro- spects are ominous in the extreme— How fierce the gale; still thro' the dark'ning gloom A storm toss'd ship I watch—Hark there's the boom Of guns for help—Oh, what will be her doom.? Will she escape and breast the seas once more; Or strike the rocks—and lie a wreck ashore. CHURCH REFORMER. I WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. SIR,-Observing in a recent number of .your journal the proceedings relative to weights and measures, I take the liberty of writing, and have to beg the favour of your kindiy inserting my letter. I propose to make a few remarks first on the convictions referred to in your journal, and secondly on the general question of weights and measures. It appears the inspector for District A of the county of Denbigh has thought proper to summon a number of respectable tradesmen for having brass balancing balle attached to their beams and scales, which balls are freely used in the City of London, and a great -variety of other places, without let or hindrance, and have been invented for the express purpose of adjusting the beam and scales, and not for any fraudulent purpose. It is a well-known fact that that this means of adjustment is recommended by all the most respectable scalemakers, and adopted by tradesmen throughout the kingdom, and that it is far the most correct system that can be adopted.; in fact, the only thing that can be done to keep scales correct if these balls are not allowed is to stick or patch a piece of lead in one of the scales, or cut it off the other, which not only disfigures the scales, but is a bungling and incon- I venient mode of adjusting, especially when the parties are obliged (which is frequently the case) to do it themselves. j I attach no blame to the magistrates who convicted, and who could do no other, as the parties, although complying in all respects with the spirit of the act, had nevertheless technical.y violated one of its absurd provisions. But I shall leave others to approve the conduct of the inspector, who must have known full well that the tradesmen by adopting this mode of adjustment had actually given proof of their honesty. The party most to blame is Mr Justice Cockburn, who not only decided in a case of appeal brou iht before him that brass balls were illegal, but gave it as his decided opinion that they were used by trades- men for the express purpose of fraud, thus libelling the character of some 20,000 or 30,000 persons, whose whole conduct through life repudiated sueh an insinuation. But his lordship shewed great weakness and want of practical knowledge in his remarks. For instance, in the  case referred to the use of the balls was considered I fraudulency, because they were made to lift on and off at pleasure; but suppose for the sake of illustration his lordship went into a shop to buy tlb. of butter, and the shopkeeper seeing him coming lifted off the hall, weigh- ing (which is not un-asual) ilb., then his lordship would get just jib. less than nothing. The point at issue is really too absurd to require arguing, and it only shows how great men canrr in small matters. I think the magistrates of your county have read his lardshir- r, lesson in imposing a mere nominal penalty i and as the inspector is their nominee, I hope he will be instructed in future to look after fraudulent eases, and not harrass and perplex honest and respectable people on mere technical points. But with regard to the general question, I can only give a kind of summary. Let me say, then, that much if not all this ado aboat weights and measures has originated in Lambeth, and that a strong and most unjust prejudice has beec created from one end cf the kingdom to the other by the numerous conrietions that had taken place in that borough; the truth is the district contains about 1<000 shops, and only .one inspector did the work for more than 30 years. He had a fixed salary of 300 guinea.s a year and half the penalties, but made only a very few ealls, and those only occasionally, so that the work was greatly neglected, and doubtless the weights, &c., got into great disorder. At his decease- some two years ago—two young active men were appointed at .£250 per year each and half the penalties. These men (as might be expected) have not fa-lel to make hay while the sunohone, and they managed last year to net £ 550 per year each (including their salaries). But after all when it is borne in mind that they have so large a number of shops to call on, and when the fact is known that with all their vigilance each inspector only managed to get hold of one defaulter per day oat of probably 30 or 40 calls, I say when this is borne in mind, I must be permitted to suggest that the tradesmen of Lambeth are no more dishonest than others, and mere especially when I state that a very large proportion of those convicted are admitted even by the magistrates to be entirely devoid of any fraudulent intention. The real gist of the question is, that the law requires perfect and undeviating accuracy, which never can be attained in weights and measures used for ordinary purposes. In proof of the manner in which tradesmen are sometimes victimised in London, a petty session was held a short time ago at Islington, when 106 tradesmen were all convicted in 4 £ hours—being one every 2t minutes-and 26 of these cstses were actually fined because their weights were a little too heavy. According to the Standard it turned out however on investigation that the standards themselves were illegal (not having been tested in conformity with the act), and not only so, but all the convictions were also rendered illegal for another cause, viz., through the convictions taking place in private, whereas the law absolutely demands that no conviction shall take place with closed doors. I might state many other facts to show the lamentable position in which tradesmen in all parts of the kingdom are placed, and the cruel injustice that is done them, by the stringent manner in which the law is enforced for the sake of the penalties. I must, however, conclude by stating that the original standards are in a most imperfect and inaccurate state that the copies used by inspectors in every part of the kingdom are at variance both with each other and the original; that in very many cases great carelessness exists at the stamping office; that the tiadesmen's weights, &c., are stamped without having their accuracy in any way tested; that the men who go round under pretence of adjusting tradesmen's weights &c., are in the constant habit of doing them wrong (for, which the tradesmen have to suffer); and that the law as it stands is absurd, unjust, and impracticable. As, however, there is a royal commission now sitting at No. 7, Old Palace-yard Westminster, tradesmen should not delay to write and make their cases known, and not only liO, but should call the special attention of every candidate for a seat in parliament to the disgraceful state of the law, and the absolute necessity for its immediate amendment.—I remain, sir, yours, &c., London, 19.th October, 1868, JAMES BATMAN. J THE MAYOR OF RUTHIN AND UNIVERSITIES. I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. ) SIR,-In your paper of Saturday I observed a state- ment of Mr Lloyd, the Nonconformist Mayor of Ruthin, who, in defending Toryism, said that The Universities are open to Dissenters-a Calvinistic Methodist took his drgree of B.A. there'two years ago." Some may by this be led to think that there is no great work to be done in connection with Oxford and Cambridge. The fact is, a man may graduate M.A. at Cambridge without signing I i xxxix articles, or may graduate B. k. at Oxford in the j same manner. But at neither can they go higher. Now, when we consider the immense revenue of Oxford and Cambridge, and the fact that Fellows of the College, when president or non-resident, receive good salaries-for doing nothing, and when we find that the Bampton, Boyle, and other lecturers are paid many pounds for each lecture, we discover that the Church folks have carefully kept the university kernel for them-elves and offer us- Nonconformists-the unprofitable shell and husk. The large number of Nonconformists who have graduated with high honours at the London University (which does not offer such pecuniary ad vantages) show that many Dis- senters are intellectually able to fulfil high positions in the glorious seats of learning on the Cam and the Isis. I think Liberals have a right to ask Why shall not Dis- senters' learning ba encouraged by the emoluments of these universities ?"—Yours, &c., Oct. 17,1863. A STUDENT AT COLLEGE. I THE IRISH CHURCH.  I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. I SIR,-I beg to send you the following important fact s i derived from a letter published in last week's Church Opinion, believing them to be of great importance at the present time when Romanists are trying to carry out their plans with so much cunning and energy. Last June Shaw Wallis" published a letter affirming that he heard Archbishop" (now Cardinal) Cullen preach a sermon, in which he treated the very idea of English conciliation with scorn, and actually likened all the advances of the English peoDle and government towards better terms with "Catholic Ireland" to the temptations of Our Lord by the devil in the wilderness. The concluding words of the preacher were-" Away with English conciliation We will have none of their ¡ conciliation! The two faiths are incompatible; the two countries never wiil be reconciled!" &c. The present Cardinal Cullen immediately answered in an Irish paper that this was only another Protestant falsehood, and that ¡ the sermon was not even preached by him but by Dr. O'Brien. Whereupon Shaw Wallis" hunted over old < newspapers ten to fiftecn years ago, and discovered that on Monday, May 22nd, 1S54, Dr. Cullen did preach at St. Xavier's Church on the occasion named-the Bentifica- tion of two Saints—the report intended for the public had the strong passages expunged, but the contest proved the sermon as well as occasion to be the same. Upon publishing a second letter stating this, the archbishop" and dean" remained silent. Without dabbling in politics, I would suggest do not I be in a hurry to please the Romanists of Ireland in j religious matters; if in 1854 Maynooth had become an ineffectual sop, will a suspensory or a disestablishing measure be more ffectnal even in 1870 f- Your obedient servant, I October 27th, 1868. A HOUSEHOLDER. I To the Editor of the Wrexham Advertiser. I SIR,—I have seen three letters in the newspapers in answer to my letter on this subject. Two of the writers are evidently ignorant of Ireland and its history, and instead of argument, throw doubt upon what are historical facts, and ramble away into groundless statements and charges. One writer charges the Irish Church with ritualism, ) which is nowhere practised in Ireland, and with teach- ing the creaky doctrines of baptismal regeneration." The other writer in equally choice language says that the details of the "manner in which Protestants came by their possessions makes him perspire." I have neither time nor inclination to continue such a newspaper correspondence. The third letter appeared in the Carnarvon Herald of 26th September, signed "Dion," the writer of which is of a different stamp; and I must beg you will allow me to answer a few of his arguments. I maintain that I was correct when I stated in my former letter that when the bishops and clergy of the Church of Rome appeared, they intruded as members of a foreign communion." All the bishops in Ireland (except two, who resigned) and the chief families of the laity openly acquiesced in the acts of Henry VIII., which established the reformed religion, and the bishops and clergy retained the church property. The present Roman Catholic bishops and clergy can only claim their succes- sion from the bishops and clergy intruded upon Ireland by the Pope in the 17th century, contrary to law. Ware's History of England, vol. I., published A.D. 1739, contains an account of all the bishops of the several dioceses in Ireland from the time ot St. Patrick to the date of publication. Change of creed did not invalidate the title to the endowments granted from time to time for i the service of God. They were not granted for the main- tenance of the present doctrines of the Church of Rome, because many of those tenets against which we protest were not promulgated until many years after tithes were granted by Henry II. But even if they were, as Edmund Burke says-" The church, like every body corporate, may alter her laws without changing her identity." The highwayman, in robbing Mr Gladstone, might as well justify his act on the ground that the right hon. gentle- man had lost his identity, and forfeited his right to that property by the late sudden change in his political opinions. The question-Where was the church before the Reformation ? is met by the homely question- Where was ycour face before it was washed ? Dion" asserts that the claim of the Irish Church to hold its property as private property was destroyed by the acts of 1833 and 1838." But it was not the object of either act to alienate the revenues of the church. The preamble of that of 1833 among other things states the objict of the act to be that the revenues of certain bishoprics should be applied to the building, &c., of churches, and such other purposes as may conduce to the advancement of religion, and the efficiency, permanence, and stability of the United Church of England and Ireland; and that the tenure by which church lands are held in Ireland are inconvenient, and it .is expedient to alter the same in such manner as may tend to the ease and security of the church." The Tithes Act of 1838 in the same spirit has in the preamble that it is expedient to abolish composi- tions for tithes, and in lieu thereof to substitute rent charges, payable by persons having a perpetual estate in the lands." The object was to relieve th3 clergy from the I disagreeable position of having to collect the tithes r directly from the occupying tenants. The landlords who were obliged to pay the j ithes were allowed to deduct 25 per cent to cover losses and expenses. Surely this cannot be considered as interfering with the claim of the Irish Church to its property. Dion" argues that because the Wesleyans were included in the census of 1834 among the Established Church, and were not included in that of 1861, they are to be "considered as a decrease to that extent among the adherents of the Establishment." But if he refers to page 5 of the report of the Census Com- missioners of 1861, he will find a remark that "the Wesleyan Methodists very generally declined to be reckoned as Dissenters, and were therefore included by the comtnissioners of 1834 .among the members of the Established Church." In thetensus of 1834, Protestants were classed under three heads-Established Church, Presbyterians, and other Protestant Dissenters. In the I census tables of 1861. the several religious bodies had I separate columns, the Wesley-rrs having of course their own column. The great majority of the Irish Roman Catholics do not desire the destruction of the Established Church. At a meeting of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, held last year, they published a declaration which contains this passage—" Wc solemnly dcclare :that the only means of tranquilising Ireland is hy a restoration of her nationality." A Fenian writer in a popular magazine states that what the Fenians desire is Ireland for the Irish, and they look upon the promised reforms as bribes j to seduce true patriots from a righteous cause." It is clear, therefore, that the attempt -to appease Fenians by the sacrifice of the church will be as ineffectual as it is unjust, and likely to lower the character of Great Britain in the eyes of the world. In corclusion, I adopt the words of Mr Gladstone himself in an essay published some years ago—" Upon us of this day has fallen (and we shrink not from it, but welcome it as a high and glorious, though an arduous, duty) the defence of the reformed Catholic Church in Ireland as -the religious establishment of this country." And I must express my astonishment that the right hon. gentleman who wrote these words should now be endeavouring to step into power over the ruins of that church of which he professes to be a member, and of which he was once the champion. —Yours obediently, C.T. i

Captain Roberts, of the 4th Foot, was the only officer who was seriously wounded in Abyssinia. For the gallantry with which he led the two companies under his command, on the occasion of the first meeting with Theodore's troops, Captain Roberts is to be appointed to the paymastership of the 51st Foot, after having been permitted to realise the price of his present commission. INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.—Place on the upper bar I of a grate, with the heads projecting about one inch I inwards, some ordinary Lucifers-in a few moments they ignite. Then in the same position place a few of the Patent Safety Matches of Bryant and May, London, (WHICH IGNITE ONLY ON THE BOX), and it will be found that they may remain for hours-in fact, until the wood becomes literally charred-without taking fire. We look on this as a singularly interesting confirmation of the Safety of the New Match. Care must be taken in both cases to avoid ACTUAL contact with flame. ADVICE TO MOTHERS.—Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist, and get a bottle of MRS WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately; it is perfectly harmless; it pro- duces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." It has been long in use in America, and is highly recommended by medical men it is very pleasant to take; 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 diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for MRS WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP, and see that Curtis and Perkins, New York and London is on the 'utside wrapper. No mother should be without it.- oold by all medicine dealers at Is. lid. per bottle, London Sepot, 205, High Holborn.,

IRON TRADE. n n MIDDLESBOROUGH, Tuesday.—There was a pretty good attendance to-day. There is a large quantity of pig-iron being moved out of the district at present, both by rail and shipment, and many makers report their prospective make as taken up for some time to come. The tone of the market is scarcely so firm, however, as was the case two or three weeks ago. Prices, on the whole, cannot be quoted or altered. They are placed at present at No. 1,46s No. 3, 43s No. 4, 42s 6d lower, however, is taken in some instances. Rail makers' books are not filling up with winter contracts, though some inquiries are reported which it is thought may be secured in the district, but they are not of any magni- tude. Shipbuilding seems unequally placed, some being very busy, others slack. Plates have lately been rather inquired after. Bar-iron is in small demand. Generally the rates of manufactured are unchanged. WOLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday.—The meeting was Dot very numerously attended, nor was there a great deal of business done. On most hands, however, there was a steady trade reported. Large orders are still out of the market, but small lots continue to be sold alike for foreign and for home consumption. II BIRMINGHAM, Thursday.—There is a moderate de- mand for iron, at late rates. Business is quite as active as it was at the close of last quarter, and a safe trade is ¡ pretty well assured till the close of the year at least. Prices are firm. I From Rlllaiid's li-on Trade Circular. ) The demand for manufactured iron is steadily main- i tained, and from the principal iron-making &districts of the country we Lave reports of forges and mills fairly, if not fully, employed. Scotland marks a slight recovery this week in prices of some descriptions of finished iron —plate mills being well employed, and shipbuilding iron going off in very fair quantities. The pig trade in the Scotch districts is steady, and more furnaces have lately been put in blast.

THE COAL TRADE. The ghastly work of searching for the remains of the ¡ Oaks Colliery victims still continues. 1-ive more bodies were recovered on Monday, but they were in such a shocking state as to render identification almost im- possible. A COLLIERY PROPRIETOR FiNED.-At the Police Court, Oldbury, on Tuesday, Joseph Nock, late of the Hillyfield Colliery, near Oldbury, was summoned by Mr J. P. Baker, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the districts of South Staffordshire and Worcestershire, for neglecting to frame and transmit to one of her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State special rules for such colliery within three months after the working of j such colliery was commenced." Mr W. Shakespeare appeared to prosecute. The defendant admitted the charge, and upon the recommendation of Mr Baker, the Magistrates mitigated the fine to 40s and costs. The full penalty for such an offence is X20.

AGRICULTURAL. I THE CORN TRADE.—From the Mark Lane Express The wheat trade has still been tending downwards, the conviction that we have a good crop tending to keep every miller in reserve, and so we have lost another shilling during the past week, some markets making the decline greater and some less. The same sort of feeling seems to have pervaded the nearer continental markets- France, Belgium, and Holland-which have severally given way as to the value of wheat; but Spain is still a customer at Marseilles, and that port has kept firm, while but little difference has to be noted in Germany, and Dantzic has made no change. The panic, too, at New York has given place to a firmer feeling, and wheat, I barley, maize, and rye have all severally advanced some. what, especially the latter, from its scarcity.

TRAFFIC RECEIPTS. I The following are the receipts for the past week:- 1868. Great Western ") £ 79,352 Great Western .1 .1867. West Midland ? 1867. South Wales .280,144 1868. Lon d on and North Western I 1867. London and North Western "J £ 130,623 Shrewsbury and Hereford ? 1867. Shropshire Union ) £ 129,492 CAMBRIAN RAILWAY.—(176 miles open.)-Traffic for the week ending Oct. 18, 1868. Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, .£1851 Os Od; mer- chandise, minerals, and cattle, £1425 Os Od; total, .£3276 Os Od. Corresponding week last year (176 miles open) :—Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, X1691 Os Od; merchandise, minerals, and cattle, JB1339 Os Od; total for the week, X3030 Os Od. Aggregate to this date, < £ 5,276. Ditto corresponding week last year, £ 45,594.

THE BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS' STRIKE IN LIVER- POOL-After lasting for upwards of 20 weeks, and cost- ing about Xl,000, the strike of the Liverpool operative boot and shoemakers terminated on Wednesday. By the terms agreed upon the men return to work at the old rate of wages, and the masters have the right to employ whom they please. For the future all disputes are to be refefred to a select committee of workmen and employers. THE BRICKLAYERS' STRIKE AT LIVERPOOL.—The dispute between the operative bricklayers of Liverpool and their employers is not yet arranged. Some few weeks ago warrants were applied for against men who had interfered with some non-society men sent down from London by the Free Labour Association, and it was then stated that the officers of the trade society had given an undertaking that the non-society men should be permit- ted to work without molestatian or hindrance. This undertaking seems to have been disregarded, for on Wed- nesday, at the police court, warrants for the apprehension of two men for illegal interference with the workmen in question were applied for. The solicitor who made the application said there was no doubt a formidable con- spiracy in the town to drive the men away. The warrants were granted.

The Figaro makes the startling announcement that Queen Isabella has been in Paris incognita for the last two or three days. The earthquakes have begun, in an insignificant way, to make their appearance in this part of the world; and Ireland, with its usual luck, has received the first shock. A correspondent of the Manchester Guardian telegraphs that on Saturday severe shocks of earthquake, followed by a loud rumbling noise, were felt at two places near Mallow, in Cork county. It is stated that houses were much shaken, furniture was broken, and the occupants of the houses were greatly terrified. At the time the shocks were felt it was blowing a hurricane. The alarm created by the intelligence, which reached Cork on Sa- turday afternoon, was intense. Some gentlemen who were hunting near the place at the time, state that the shock was followed by a loud rumbling noise and an oscillation of the earth. In other places between Mallow and Kanturk, a distinct shock of earthquake was felt. Houses were shaken from their foundations, and in some instances the furniture was thrown down and broken. The shock passed from north to south. What appears to have been a genuine case of "suicide for love" happened on Saturday last, in the unromantic neighbourhood of Bethnal Green. A love-strieken boot- maker named McMillan was informed by his sweetheart that she was about to leave for Australia; and so much did he take the news to heart, that finding he could not alter her resolution, he went straightway home and hung himself. The valedictory observations, addressed by McMillan on Friday evening to his landlord, are quite touching in their way. "I am going away," he said, and you will never see me again. I owe you something, and I wish to settle with you before I go. I have ten pairs of boots made. Take them and sell them. You will also find two more at a beershop that will make twelve. In the back yard I have a goat. Next Saturday week raffle him, and what the goat and the boots will bring will pay you all. Good bye." He then, we are told, went up stairs to his room, and was not seen alive afterwards. During the night he was heard walking about his room, and on Friday morning it was discovered that he had hanged himself. A young man named Martin Brown, only twenty-two years of age, is in custody at Lewes, charged with the murder of David Baldey, a farm labourer. The only motive for the murder seems to have been to get posses- sion of the wages of the deceased, 21. 11s, which Brown knew he was to take home. Although so young, Brown is & notorious poacher, and a deserter from the army. The evidence against him is, that on the night of the murder he left his lodgings with a gun, which he never brought home, but which has sinee been found near the < scene of the murder; that bullets were found in his box corresponding with those with which the victim had been shot; that he made various statement as to his conduct, and as to the disposal of the gun, which have been proved to be false; and that, finally, he absconded. Among the things found in his box were a six-barrelled revolver, a life preserver, a quantity of bullets and powder, poach- ing tackle, blood-stained paper and clothes, and a rough drawing representing a man shooting another man through the back, the very thing he is accused of. Now and then we hear something of the perils which ladies risk in their very natural desire to perpetuate that beauty which we should gallantly suppose all possess. A lady, name very properly suppressed, but described as "apparently about thirty years of age," presented herself before Mr Mansfield, the magistrate, at the Marylebone police court, on Friday week, under the following circumstances :-She wanted a summons against her hairdresser. According to the lady's statement, she went last week to his shop to have her hair dressed, and on returning home her maid discovered that a portion of the hair on the right side had been cut off. A few days subsequently she went to the shop again, and was at- tended by the assistant. On reaching home she found that she had been denuded of some of her tresses on the other side. The magistrate regarded the application as the most extraordinary he had ever heard, and sug- gested that if the applicant had sustained any injury or loss, she should go the county court. But," said the lady, it is stealing. You see, sir, these hairdressers take a piece of hair off one lady's head, and a piece off another, and these they make up into curls and sell them." (Laughter.) The magistrate, though sympathis- ing with the nornblc tale," could not grant the sum. mons. = .< .?

I MARKETS. I WREXHAl.- TuuRsDH. Pr Measure: s. d. s. <L Per Pound: s. d. s. d. White Wheat. 8 0 8 dc. ? h?mb 0 7 08 0 7 0 8 Bed Wheat 7 9 „ 8 0 pork 0 (i 0 7 Oats 4 6.50 Measure: Malting Barley 7 0 „ 7 3 Totatoos 2 c „ 3 0 Grinding ditto.. 0 000 IV-r score: Per Pound: p. 10 Butter 1 4 1 p Beef 0 710i Fowls 4 0 „ 4 6 Mutton. 0 7 0 iKidc* 4 0 5 0 Veal. 0 7 „ 0 S E-10 for a Shilling. MOLD. COR.- Wednesday: Wheat, 18:3 to 10" 6d; barley, 13i! Od to 13s Ccl; oats, 8:3 Od to 9s 6d; butter, is ûd. to Os Od. OSWESTRY. I CORN.-Wednesday: Wheat, 7s 6d to 83 Od; barley, malting, 6s 6d to 7; Id ditto, grinding, G3 Od to 63 6d; oats, 4s 6d to 5s 6d. It UT IT I NT. CORN.—Monday: Wheat, ISs 0d to 19s 6,1 per hob; barley, 13s Od to 13s Gd; oats, 9s Od to 9:3 6d; butter, Is 4d to Is 6d. CHESTER. CORN.—Saturday: At to-day's market there was a fair attendance, and a moderate supply of wheat, but small of other grain. Wheat was firm at last week's quotations. Oats and b'Niris were unchanged in value. Indian corn was 6d per qr. lower. 1%, v w. Old. Wheat, white, per 7.51b. Rs O i to 8s Oil Os Od to Os Od Ditto, red 7s !)d to Ss Od O.s 0d to 0s Od Barley, malting, per 3Sqts. (j, !M to 7s 31 0s 0d to Os Oil Ditto, grinding, per 601b. Is (id to (is Od 0s Od to 0s Od 01 Oats, per 461b 3? .1( LIVERPOOL. CATTLE.-Monday: The supply of stock at to-day'a market was considerably less than on last Monday. The demand for both cattle and sheep was fair, without much change in prices. Beef, 4jd to 7d per per Ib; mutton, 4,1ld to 7d per lb. Number of cattle at market, 3,387; sheep, 13,235. CORN.—Tuesday: There has been a moderate business during the week in wheat, several parcels of Chili being taken for- Spain. Beans and maizi: have both hardened in value to the extent of (,it per quarter, with a. fair de- mand. This morning's market was rather thinly at. tended, but a fair demand for white wheat was experienced at extreme rates, red sorts being dull. Flour w.13 quiet. Oats were held for Id per bu<iiel a i vance, which ch 'eked the demand. Oatmeal w,t-z I per load dearer. Boana were 6d to 9d per quarter higher. A steady consumptive demand for Indian corn was experienced, at 6d par 4301bs improvement. Per Cental Per Imperial 1001b. Quarter. WHEAT s. d. s. d. TSI-.AN-S s d. s. d. English, white 0 0 to 0 0 English 43 0 .50 0 0 0 new 11 8. 120 red 0 0. 0 C;midiau 43 () 50 0 American, white. 0 0. 0 0 IN DI AN-Conx Per 4S01b. red 0 0 0 0 American,white .40 0 .40 6 new.10 6 .i: 0, mixed .38 0 .38 6 OATS: Per 4.3 lb. Fi.ovit: Per 2-iOlb. EnglbhkScotch. 4 9 •"> 0 Eaj;li<h .41 0 480 Banat,new. 3 10.? Fivm-li 48 0 .51 0 Barj.kv Pt-R Imp. Qr. Oatmkal Per 2401b. BAM.KY: P?rImp.Qr. ()ATMt:AL: Pt;r240tb. 6 English, malting. 0 0 0 0 Irish 32 0 .32 6 Foreign (601b.) 0 0 0 new 33 0 .33 G new 4 6 4 10 fini cut 33 0 .31 6 MANCHKSTEE. CORN.—Thursday: No improvement has occurred in the state of the trade during the week, the demand for all articles having been on a re tricted scale, without any material change in values. At our market this morning, English wheat brought the currency of this day sc'nnight, with only a moderate demand, while foreign met a slow sale, but was not quob b!y lower. Flour, except or choice quality and approved marks, was 61 to Is per s-tck lower. Oats were Id to 2d per 451b, and oatmeal 6,1 per load dearer. In beans or Indian corn no change wts obsert- able. HAT AND STRAw.-l%londay Hay, 9d to lid per stone; straw (wheat) 5id to 6d; ditto (oat), ofd to 6td per stone. POTATOES.—Tuesday Potatoes, Cheshire 8s Od to 12s per 2521b; Yorkshire, Its to 20s carrots, 10s to 14s per 2521b; turnips, 10s to 20s per 16 pecks; onions, 20s to 2 Is per 2401b. POTATOES.-Thur8day Cheshire new potatoes, 8s to 12s; Yorkshire ditto, 145 to 20s per 2521bs. Turnips, 10s. to 18s per 16 pecks. Onions, 20s to 24s. Carrots, 10s to 14s per 2521b. SHREWSBURY. CORN.—Saturday: The downward tendency in the price of wheat, reported from this market during the last three weeks, continued to-day, and farmers were more anxious to effect sales than they have been of late. White wheat ranged from 8" 41 to 8s 101b per 75bz- and red from 7s 6d 8s 4d ner same weight. Inferior samples were difficult to dispose of. except at a decline relatively lower than that at which prime lots were sold. An active enquiry for all sorts of fee. ling stuffs continues, and oats readily bring fro.n 22s 6d to 23s Gd per sack of Ilse 10lbs. Peas sell at from 2 Is 6,1 to 2Is per sack of Use lOlbs, and beans at from 22s 6,1 to 23s per sack of 12sc. Barley was in good demand, malting realising from 6s 8d to 7s 21b per 3S quarts, and grinding from 23a to 24s per sack of 13sc 101b. WOLVEli HAMPTON. CORN.—Wednesday: There was a good attendance, but little disposition for business. Wheat sold at last week's prices. Beans barley, oats, and peas maintain their value. CATTLE.—Wednesday: A large supply of all sorts of stock, with a full market of half-meated beasts and mid- dling sheep, which met a very flat trade. Many left unsold. Beef, 5d to 7d wether mutton, 6 li.1 to 7d ewe 5d to 6 £ d; veal, 6d to 71d; porket pigs, 10s ud to 1 Is. BIRMINGHAM. I HAY AND STRAW.-I%Ion(lay Old hay from < £ 6 0" to £ 6 10s per ton; new ditto, £ 5 10s to XG 0s straw, 2s 9d to 3s Od Der cwt. I CORN.—Thursday A fair supply of English wheat, which was taken at fully last week's rates. Foreign difficult to dispose of. Barney maintained its value. Oats in limited request, but firm in value. Beans slow of sale. I Peas in demand. CATTLE.—Thursday We received a very good supply of middling quality of beasts on offer this day the de- mand slow. The supply of sheep was good in numbers, but very deficient in quality late prices barely realised. Calves a fair time of year supply; no alteration in quo- tations. Fat pigs a fair supply. LONDON CORN.—Monday: The supply of wheat was small, and it sold slowly at the prices of this day week. Russian qualities met a good demand, at the extreme rates of that day week. Dantzic neglected, although offered at a decline of 2a. Barley of all descriptions brought an ad- vance of Is. Beans and peas unaltered. Oats, 6d to Is dearer. Flour unaltered. Current Prices oj British Grain and /;<' Jar/; Lane. Per Quarter. Wheat, Essex and Kent white.old, 00s to 00s.new, 56" to 60E „ „ "red. OOs to OOs. 53s to 55& Barley .36 to 3Ss Chevalier, new, 4JS to 51s Grincling.3H to 3ïs.Distilllng. -i^s to 5110 Malt, Essex, Norfolk, and SutL.k.G!)'; extra, 70s to 75s Rye. 40s to 42s Oats, English food 28s to Potato 32s to 37s Beans, Mazagan.15s to 47s Tit ks -15s to 47s Peas, white .4!s to -t"" Maple, 46s to 18s, Gray. 44s to 46s Flour, per sack of 2801b Tij ii, Households -its to 30s BRITISH. FOREIGN. Wheat. i,OO-Barley. 3,25!) ) Wheat.22,bariey. 6,065 Oats 474—Flour .2(,t2S Oats. 22,o5J— Flour 808 CORN.—Wednesday Few sales were made either in English or foreign whea., and prices 1 ^main nominally the same as on Monday. S n-ing of all descriptions irm, at that day's quotations. CORN AVERAGES.—Weekly average price and quan- tities of British corn sold during the week endin" October 24th:— Quantities Sold. Average Price. Wheat 68,106 ,j3 44 Barley. 55,503 4).; lld Oats 2,209 28s lid I CA.TTLE.Ionday: Supply of choice beef limited. I Prices maintained. Foreign in short supply, and trade brisker, although there is no alteration. Mutton heavy. Choice breeds firm other descriptions move off with difficulty. Veal trade heavy, and prices lower. Pork as last noted. Prices Beef, 3s 4d to 5s 8d mutton, 3-i 2d to 5s 2d; veal, 39 4d to 5s 8d; pork, 3s 2d to 4s 8d. Number of beasts at market, 4,970 sheep and lambs, 18,920; calves, 101; pigs, 350. Arrivals Foreign beasts, 2,633; sheep and lambs, nil; calves, 87; pigs nil. Scotch beasts, 48 Irish beasts, 277 English beasts, 2,012. CATTLE.—Thursday: A few good beasts are being sold pretty readily, but trade generally in both beef and mut- ton is at a standstill, and prices are the same as on Mon- day. Calves command full rates. Nothing doing in pigs. WOOL.—Monday No feature of importance can be noticed in the market: The demand for low wools on American account has abated, but prices show no great change. English wool has been quiet on former terms. Current prices Fleeces, Southdown hoggets, Is 2t:1 to Is 3d; half-bred ditto, Is 4,1 to Is 5d; Kent Fleeces, Is 3d to Is 3id; Southdown ewes and wethers, Is 2H to Is 31d; Leicester ditto, Is 3d to Is Sorts Clothing, 18 2d to Is 7d; combing, Is to Is 6 £ d per lb. TALLOW.—Tuesday: i'he market remains steady Town tallow, 52s 6d; Petersburg Y.C., on the spot, old, 53s 3d; new, 00s Od; October to December, OOs Od to to OOs Od; December, 53s 6d; January, 54s Od to 0s Od; March, 54s 6d. METALS. From the "Mining Journal," Bars, Welsh, in London £6 10 0to 96 12 6 Nail Bods 6 15 0 7 0 0 Bars 7 10 0 9 10 0 Hoops 8 2 6 9 15 0 Sheets, single 9 0 0 11 0 0 Pig, No 1, in Wales 3 15 0 4 5 0 Refined metal, ditto 4 0 0 5 0 0 Bars, common, ditto. 0 0 0 0 0 Ditto, Railway, in Vales. 6 0 0. 0 0 1 Ditto, Swedish in London 10 0 0 o ? n Fig.No I. Clyde. 213 6 z? 0 GLAscxow.-Iron.-Mond,,ty There were sellers at 53s Od cash, and buyers at 52s lid. GLASGOW.-Iron.-Tliiir,,('i,L.v There are still sellers at 52s lOd cash, and buyers at 52" 9d.

Further news has been received from HaytL President Salnave preserved his recently obtained advantages over the insurgents, and had successfully bombarded the town of Goave. A telegram from Philadelphia states that two more earthquakes are reported to have taken place at San Francisco on the 22nd and 26th, and that the people excitedly thronged the streets during the night. Not much damage was done. From Peru we learn by the East mail that slight shocks of earthquake were still felt. At Iquianr lfi7 wm quintals of salt were destroyed by the great shock • and owing to feats of further disasters, business Was done in the country. It is officially reported that 54,000 deaths were caused by the earthquake in Ecuador. An English church erected in Constantinople by public subscription, to the memory of the British soldiers and sailors who died in the Crin.ea, was consecrated by the Bishop of Gibraltar on Thursday last. The Greek Pa. triarch sent his vicar and a bishop to be present at the ceremony, a. compliment which is described as "unprece- dented." Preparations are already being made for the Great Exhibition which is to take place at Brussels, in 1870. An immerse palace, which promises to sursss any building for similar purposes that the world has yet witnessed, :s to be erected in the Champ-de-Manccuvres and the Belgian Government is just now busily engagovl in considering the plnns which the numerous competing, architects have submitted for approval. J