Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

-r Reviews. The DAY oF DAY'S Tablet Almanack (Id) for 1884 is aa admirable one, and should be in the hands of all. |.K FOLIJET (IS 61) gives the latest and most re- liable information respecting the fashions for the winter season. YOUNG ENGLAND (4d) has a great variety of sub- jects to ainusl, and instruct its readers. The stories are exceedingly good, and the magazine as a whole is excellent. LITTLE SNOW FLAKES (6d)-The children's Christ- ina number contains some admirable illustrations while the stories, Pi)ems, &c are such as will give unbounded satisfaction to the younger members of every household. MKS LEACH'S PRACTICAL FAMILY DRESSMAKEB (2d) contains oO illustrations with plain descriptions how ■t<« cut out and make neat, economical and fashionable winter costumes, and it is certainly a very useful w oil: on h »me dressmaking. THE SUNIJAY MAGAZINE (6d), as customary, is re- pieti; with all that is requisite to make up a first-class magazine. The opening chapters are given of Lord of himself, a story that promises to be of more than usuzt! interest. The subjects provided for Sunday reaiing impart valuable instruction. THE SUNDAY AT HOME (61), contains admirable reading matter, including articles on Luther at the Diet of Worms," "The Tetzel Indulgence, with facsimile, a paper by ti-e Rev. E. Paxton Hood on 'i he Mysteries and Tragedies of History. "The Fislier Village is an excellent serial story. THE 11RESIDE (6d) contains the continuation chap- ters oi Beryl au l Pearl, ati,l biri Willouzhby's Octave." wliicli are two of the best aerial stories that call be found in ativ i)(-Pii)tlical. Tha attention of the reader is successfully retained, while many a useful ;less )n may be learned from a perusal of the narra. tives. The other matters dealt with embrace a variety of subjects of general interest. CASSELL'S FAMILY MAGAZINE (7d) has a charmine frontispiece, entitled Iva's First Day-dream." The concluding chapters are given of Pardoned" and Co-heirs" in the present number, which also con- tains the instructive and readable paragraphs found in The Gatherer," papers on 11 What to Wear." "Remuoerative Employment for&enttewomen On Poisona in the House," Our Garden in Novem- ber, &c. lii the LEISURE HOUU (6d) is an excellent portrait and biographical notice of the late Di-. Moffat. There is an interesting pauer on "Courts of Justice in British India," the subject dealt with in the present number being "Notices of some Native Officials." The third paper is also given on "S ome of the men of the great Reform Bill." "Christopher: A Story of Life in Texas will amply repay a perusal. CASSELL'S ILLUSTRATED ALMANACK for 1884 is wonJerfullycheap at the price at which it is published (lid). It contains abundance of valuable information. There is a chronicle of events, notable men of the year, obituary of eminent persons, a record of the parliamentary Sessions, live ipets and fancy stock notes, a naturalist's calendar, gardening and house- hold notes, an excellent story entitled Gerard Lisle's fcrror. &c. The illustrations are numerous and g. od. AUNT JUD-IS MAGAZINE (6d) will, by the excel- lence of its contents, and by its amusing frontisepiece, entitled And are you always so smart? "greatly please its young readers. Lady Lindsay (of Balcarres) contributes a story on "Lizzie's Miue Poplin;" Lady Dunboyne writes on the "Friends of Everyday Life." There is a characteristic song by A. Scott Gatty entitled Casual Joseph and other attractive reading for the admirers of this deservedly popular magazine. THE LADIES' TREASURY (Gd) has its usual interest- ing letter on "Parisian Gossip," together with use- ful notes on dressmaking, fashions, engravings, on- dit-s and facts of the month," "Useful notes for Little Folks," "Hints for Young Ladies," "Cookery," "Hints for Ladies upon Gardening Matters," in addition to which readable tales and sketches are given. There are also a large colored fashion plate, a bride's and bridesmaid's costume, and a needlework engraving—design for side of corner bracket in em- broidery, and applique of gauze and silk. A new periodical, published by Mr David Bogue, London, has appeared under the title of THE SCIENCE MONTHLY. As its names implies, it deals almost wholly with scientific subjects. The articles on "The November Star Shower" and "Insect Depredators" are well worth reading. Mr William Ackroyd, F.I.C., contributes an interesting paper on How the teeth are set on edge." Amongst the other contents is a biographical notice, with portrait, of Sir G. B. Airy, papers on Some Historical Floods." 41 Forestry at Some and Abroad," &c. The magazine, whieh is an excellent one, is illustrated and is published at 6d. GOOD WORDS (6d) for November is an admirable number. There is a very instructive paper on Luther and the Reformation with four illustra- tiona. THo otkor subjects dealt with Include A Boarding School Afloat," Out of doors in Novem. ber," What is True Religion," "Dust and Fog," Weimar and its Heroes," &c. The maga- zine is profusely illustrated. The Christmas number GOOD CHEER (6d) will certainly not dis- appoint the expectations formed concerning it. It is beautifully illustrated, and the stories, "A Maiden Fair and The Ducie Diamonds," will delight their numerous readers. IT GENINEN, Part IV., price Is, Carnarvon, D. W. Davies and Co.—We would call the attention of all our Welsh readers to this quarterly publication. The three parts which have already appeared have con- tained matter of ifrst-class quality, combining amuse- ment, knowledge, and instruction, and part iv. just issued equals, if not excels the others. The first part of vol. II will be issued Jan. 1st, and among those who have promised to contribute to it we find the principal literary men of the Principality. All who wish to Obtain the second volume should send their names at once to the publishers at Carnarvon. LETTS' ILLUSTRATED HOUSEHOLD MAGAZINE (7d) has fully borne out its claim as being a complete en- cyclopaedia of domestic requirements. The November part is, if any thing, even better than its predecessors. Solicitudes, a domestic science story for youag matrons, deserves to be widely read. We also find in the number a calendar of work to be done in the garden for November, the other contents comprising The Boudoir," The Household Handy Man, "The Nursery Household object lessons," "House- work The housemaid," The Sick Room Nursery ailments." Fashions of the month," The Dining liooui Our housekeeping and bill of fare for Novem- ber, "while in addition to these, amongst other items, is given a supplement containing a set of accounts for housekeeping and laundry expenditure. rill C T/NnlTM iI" A T-V I iict) me iNovemDer pare 01 111.1;;1 UUi11!UAUu;. •louiiXAL (9d) has many features of interest to ladies. First, there is a superb display of winter Paris fashions both coloured and uncoloured variety in this respect is not wanting, as there are at least 150 different illustrati ins of dresses for ladies and children to select from. Fancy-work of a very seasonable de- scription will be found in the pages and supplements. lrhe coloured sheet of Applique embroidery designs will serve to ornament a variety of fancy articles some of these designs are very quaint and novel. There is the usual gigantic supplement. with its cut- out patterns on the one side, and fashions on the other and another instalment of The complete guide to the Work-table." Judging from the opening chapters, the new story From over the Water" wul be a universal favourite." THE Boys, OWN AND THE GIRLS' OWN PAPERS (lid each) commence a new volume this month. With the former are presented a highly-colored illustration of the "Wreck of the Medusa," from the well-known picture by Gericault, and a sheet containing colored representations of the flags of the various yachting clubs of the world. In addition to three new serial stories, specially written for boys, viz.. "The Silver Canon, ?$ a story of adventure in the far west, by G. MandlleFenn" For James or George by the Rev H.C. Adams, M.A., and "The Willoughby Captains, by T. B. Reed, there are several complete tales, an article on th breeding and rearing of rabbits, instruc- tions in pottery painting, how to play hockey, «c. 'I'tiE GIRLIA' OWN PAPER has for its frontispiece a beautifally-colored lithograph, "The Elder Sister, from an original drawing by M. E. Edwards. The nsw stories which commence this month are Can-lalaria, a story of the Rocky Mountains, by Mrs J. A. Owen, and Esther," by Rosa N. Carey. Lady Macfarren contributes an article on the cultiva- tiun of the voice. Mrs Mary Pocock contrasts French cookery with English and the other contents include directions as to keeping of apples; on good 11. _L- ibi eediii- as shown in conversation, and other supjecss which ca.nnot fail to be a source of attraction and and interest to young ladies. THE QUIVER (Gd).—A new volume of this widely- known magazine is quite a little library in itself. The papers by the Rev. Daniel Moore, M.A., prebendary of St. Paulls. on Old Testament Patterns of New Testament Virtues," are written in a mort graphic and impressive form, while those on West-end poverty in London will be a revelation of to many of a subject on which they are not only profoundly ignorant. but apparently not too anxious to enquire. One ot tne most useful sections in the volume is that entitled "Scripture Lessons for School and Home, particu- larly those on the parables, while the more elaborate exposition of some of the parables, such as that Of "The Unfaithful Steward," by the Very Rev. H. Martyn Hart, M.A., Dean of Denver, uolorado, is singularly fresh and suggestive. The Rev. James Sibree, jun., has a series of well-written papers on the Martyr memorial churches of Madagascar, and the section entitled Short Arrows," presents us with a great fund of illustrations of Christian and Philan- thropic work at home and abroad. We have some excellent new hymns and hymn tunes neatly arranged and iprinted. while the high-class illustrations to be found in this magazine are so familiar that the merest reference is enough. We desire to call special attention to a valuable series of papers on the art of Sunday School teaching by the Rev. Gordon Calthrop, M.A., as well as to the articles from the ^nofthe Kev. Robert Shindler, entitled "iGood Wives of Great Men," which are all extremely interestrng. it >8 a real pleasure to speak in commenationof a volume such as this, at once practical and hberat. tun If good writing, good reading, and good sense. t JSK?mM  »written and mm. tr^ed wcount of the autum" excutsion the Scottish Arboricultural Societv toestate of Bow-hill, in Ettrick Forest the PrOPertY of the Duke of Buccleueh Fn™fi>Pr0Sfof the Doke of Sherwood Forest?nd^^J"hfe TIn^dustnes of J!.Tbrough eupplv m tddttme. abundant material to the lover of trees THE SPORTING MIRROR (6a) Contains p&o.rtraits and aphieaf\°rdaUDt Bisset, M. P., F. S. B^set, P F. S. Guiston, C. E. T and JfV D. Sadler. There is Gufston C 'id^fc coursing sketch entitled Black Tluueessddaayv "«thfe » otthk er contents including Leaves frSom2 my American Diary,, 66 Football at the filUf the q.& C,L, y double catch at Margate an<1 Turf Siftingil." ^RU"BE",G an excellent nnmber. .„ 6. E. Cornish). We are i)lelsed to see from a state- ?ment made by hincipal Edwards himself that in no previous year has he ^n to present a more satisfactory report on the state of tPh; Un^eZty College of Wales, at Aberystwttb, SJZZZ™ mencementof the present session. The students are better prep,%red at entranc, while the professOT ge"SafTBS8 ?!^ of their teaching is likeJy to Las twm w^ as 94 hS* new students at Michael- mas term was 24, being an increase of fi^e upon the previous year, the to-al number of etudents at nresent :h..o. "'1 "UK ,L, ana T?neir average age 20 years. The recent examination for 'exl hlblt,on! has been spoken of by thewS the examiners in terms of warm com- mendatJ ion -j^f 8Peciallv worthy of not,everyone <nendat.on, asnedss. ?ional scholarships compeS ?r ? ?classics neural 8Cience, maShematics and pMosophy, has been awarded. The su?eS of s?o?ne of the students at Cambridge and the London Uni- 6 bas also been '?yconsp:cuou., and reflects :the :hlghest credit on the officers of the college. The calendar .is remarkably well arranged, wl?ileth?. the T^10^ papers appended abundantly show that the standard of teaching must be of a high order The cost of education is certainly ?ry moderate, the S6 fo7 thl iih^ o being 916 and the sum charged for board and lodging in the college for the whole session only ?5. The whole career o? the Aberystwyth College which we have watched from  with much interest, is an excellent illustra- tion of the words of Mr Matthew Arnold in relation to secondary education, viz.. the duty of taking this kind of instruction directly to the students, in place of hoping to bring the students to the instruction. H C'ANEUONCADVAN. LLYFR II., DOLGELLAU, W. HUGMS.-i..here is no modern Welsh poet more heartily welcomed on our table than Cadvan he is the favoi-ite coinpanion of our leisure hour. The intrinsic nierit of the first book made us anxious for the second, and we peruse it with zest. If we are prejudice(I in favor of book II., it has been created by book iLThe general execution of this volume is most praiseworthy, the printer has nerformed his part in an entirely satisfactory manner. The book is externally neat and taking, with no printer's blotches as perpetual eyesores, such as we are often tormented with in cheap pub ications. It is dedicated to Rev. William Rees, D.D. (Gwilyra Hiraethog), than whom we know no worthier in the Principality. His exertions over half a century on behalf of the intel- lectual and spiritual advancement of our country have been equalled by none, and Cadvan has honored him- self in doing honor to Dr. Rees. The table of contents proves that our author believes in variety, and he has catered here for every taste not the delicate confec- tiontry of the day, but substantial, nutrituous food. We devour it with avidity, for there are poems in this book which must be eaten. Taken as a whole, the book is one of rare excellence, but it is not without serious blemishes. We shall dispose of the latter at once, reserving the more congenial task of notifying its beauty and exceptional merit, until we have abandoned its faults to refer to them no more-" There are evidences of unpardonable hasti- ness in the composition of some of these poems. A poet should never be in a hurry. It is neither just to the author nor to the readers. To this we ascribe the indiscriminate fashion in which the most poetical ideas are huddled to.-etber in one of the longer poems Y Gwhth. ihe falling of the dew upon the flowers, its silent effect in beautifying the grass of the field, with its pearls, the general expectations of ?M?odau a'.r? dai.lP" !? ? general expectations of lfcd! aimlr_ heiJVl?li. on teg, the poet treats with a master hand. ?"? he specifies Y Iiii wen, Y briaHdel," "YmeiHionteg." &c., &c., but no sooner is this done than he generalises again, and we are carried to and fro infatuated with the beauty of eacb portion independent of the other, but dissatisfied with the general impression. A poet should be a strategist. All his maneu vering ought to be done according to strict rules, with a definite aim in each reconnaissance, and the combined effect ought to captivate the reader. This is not always the case in the volume be- fore us, we are aroused by the dash, the brilliant sallies, and the bold adventures made, but one is in- dependent of the other. and we escape. Another conspicuous element which detracts from the merit of this book is the poet's inability to reject. He is a platonic lover; all his ideas he cherishes with warm affection. It is a blessing to his readers that his ideas are but very seldom commonplace, that there is as a rule a freshness, and beauty about them, which is most attractive. But there are some ideas as old as Job, and they have done good service to second and third rate poets for generations, and if Cadvan had been amongst those we should not grudge him their service, but he can be independent of them; generally he is, and he ought always to be. His own creations have a peculiar fascination for him, he dresses them in coats of many colours, until we scarcely know them. Their dress is changed, but not their identity. A few illustrations will suffice. In Machludiad yr Haul," page 35, we have A'r don a ddaeth I wylo lilchalon ar y traeth. AndinuYGwlitb," paze 57, we had A thonau'r mOr a syrthiant I wylo ar y traeth. Again page 57, 'Mae'r eymyl ya ou porpbtr. Yn gwylio'r huan claer; Yn UachiWi aur berwedie. Fel dylif dros y gaer. Compare with page 58 Pan dilftur haul melyn mor Hon ag erioel Ki gyfoeth yn ol dros y gaer. On page 31 we have wyddfa g'ef —Y wyddfagref A'i phen yn Cvnrychioli, Y ddaear yn y nef. And on page 100 in the cantata, Y Cynhauaf," we fir.d- Y Wyddfa mam mynyddau. A'i phen yn ymyl Duw. But we will not multiply illustrations, the reader can do this himself. Three elegies are too many in a book of this size. The subjects were good and useful men in their sphere, but we fail to see anything in them de- serving of more than local fame, or passing remark. There are hundreds who are equally good and useful, but with no distinction of character to guarantee the perpetuation of their memories by song. The poet who sends forth his elegy to the nation ought to have a national character to describe, and not one who has lived all his life in, and whose influence did not extend beyond the circumscribed limits of the Vale of Maelor, or who had been vice-president of the Union of Quarrymen at Bethesda. If we must have here. worship, shew us the heroes. Some few linesgpresent an aged appearance Gwerinodd y wroniaid A galanas gelynion, Y byd ai edwyn ei bedd. And some weak lines such as- Tra 'r canai 'r awelon, alawon mor Mf. But these are all accidents in the work, not one of these blemishes, culpable though they may be, are inherent either to the poet or to this book. They are spots, but not like the sun's, either in magnitude or essentiality. Remove them all and the book will re- main brimful of the most poetic conceptions, running I over with exuberance of imagery, and a book that long will live to testify to the genius of the author. First, conspicuously first, our author is a lyric poet; we had almost said unequalled among all his com- peers. There is no writer who resembles Burns more than Cadvan. One is the unpolished, ungarnished child of nature, so is the other; one possesses a tender- ness and pathos seldom seen in the world, and never apart from the true poet, so does the other. One has passed away as Caledonia's greatest lyric, the other approaches his zenith as Cambria's song writer. Burns' poems are the overflow of his heart, he sang be. cause he could not help it, and "A mountain daisy," "A mouse," "A wounded hare," would always move him to tears and to song. He perpetuated Old Scotia's lays as none other could, and whilst Cadvan sings his Mentra Gwen" or Doed a ddel." we feel that we are reading from a companion of Burns. Would that Cadvan would always write songs. Whoever reads his Gwlad y Gan," and Bugail Caru Hafod Oer," with those already mentioned, will find sufficient justification for this eul i-The et)ic in Ioan Fedyddiwr" Is unique. Here our author is infused with all the genius of the goddesses of the Sacred hill, and as he moves majestically along the dizzy heights, he incessantly pours down sweet strains which fill our heart with gladness. This is the prize poem at Llanelli Eisteddfod in '81, for which the author received the Bardic chair. The cantata .6 Debora" has been justly popular for some time, Pencerdd Maelor having written music for it. We are pleased to find that Alaw Ddu is also writing music for the other cantata in this book, Y Cynhauaf. The poet has been very happy in this production. Perhaps that nothing is more characteristic of the poet than Y Gwlith." It over- flows with poetry. We despair of quoting because we know not where to begin. This is only equalled by one of the most successful descriptive Pieces in the language Machludiad yr Haul." We give one stanza taken at random as a specimen of the whole piece Y gwawl byst tez, trar haul a enwaraa, Sydd acw'n rbes orpbenol gref— Colofnau o fermilion hardd, A roed i gynal bondo'r nef. Pob colofn sydd, o'r nen i Jawr yn ddernyn o arddunedd byw, Tea gylch eu tmed mae'r eigion mawr, Yn dawel fel ewyllys Duw; A'r tonau man bob un am gael, .Vmwisgo-a wych ai, gc)st yr haul. A more beautiful description we never read, Time would fail to write of Ffoedigaeth Mair a'r lesu i'r Aipht." This is full of pathos throughout, and most faithfully executed. We were strangely touched by the description of Abraham's grave where Canfyddwyd miloedd o Israeliaid mad, O oes i oes uwch llwch eu henwog dad iond heddyw wele'i fab a'i ferchmewn bedd Yn dal yr Adgy/odtad uwch ei fedd. Again the sun rises on the second day of their journey- jjUan mawr Dyddeilwaith wawriai-codai'r buan mawr 0 wely Tithon megis ihoenus gawr, 1 redeg gyrfa'r nef, a'r oriftu lion Fel teg wyryfon, ddawnsient ger ei iron. The humorous semi-comic pieces at the end of the book shew that our author is peculiarly adapted to popularise facts and fancies. Finally, let our readers Dot failtoiavailthemselves of the first opportunity of buying and reading this book, and of judging of its merits for themselves. We have also received LITTLE FOLKS. T?BB?n WORMAN, BA?D OF HOPE REVREW,CHILD S GRMINGS, COTTAGEM AND ABTISANS, ^GAZINE, K?MPANtON MUSICAL BUDGET, TBACT IINE. DA? O? ?YS.HOME WOBDS, CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPEEANCU CHBONICLE, CHAD'S OWN MAGAZINE, &c.

I G-eneral News. 'J-r"J'r-r- fn fL Paris belief is entertained of an early and peace- SprinefieW M- dl8Pute, wifch Madagascar. Springfield, Missouri, has been swept by a tornado,   injured many others, and ^JS a hui« &"nIUred —» Fifteen vessels have gone ahQre on the Kentish Knockthlrfit i new light on L6ngisand He Herr Krupp. A new projectile has been invent"d by Herr  which^ pierce an ironclad below tbe level w?tae e water, and thus cause its immediate destrncHnn n. Bismark, Reuter':3 Berlin correspondent Se: graphs, has entirely regained his strength, but com- plams that he nn longer P088e3^e8 his former capacity for work. q, Denial is given to the report that the French naval SSSdSHt ? WeSt African wa^3 had be °n In- of the coast between the Gaboon and the Congo   Leeds district a great strike of colliers is imminent, the  having resolved to give notice for an advance of 15 per cent. in their wa?es which the masters are disinclined to grant. A youth working in the Do!coath mine has been crushed to death by the falling of a p?ceoiJrS weighing about a ton. The rock had to be bored and blasted away before the body could be recovered. In Pondoland, a mail despatch from Capetown reports, a witch-doctor, accused of making Chief Diko sick, has been flung oVr a cliff, two other rmnlen » ibfeatr en to death, and one man eaten alive bv auto. measrs Moody and Sankey, the American re- vivalists, coinmenced a mis,ion in London on Sunday, the services being well attended. Special halls have been erected for their services in various parts )f the metropolis. The late Bishop of Natal's will has been proved by Ilia son, Mr F. E. Colen so. It is stated that the de- ceased has left little beyond the proceeds of the three iinghsh policies which form the bulk of his propertJy in England. Sir Stafford Northcote was on Saturday elected Lord Sector of Edmburgh University in the place of Lord ltosebery. He polled 1032 votes, againt 983 re- corded for Mr lrevelyan and 236 for Protessor Blackie. Lord Coleridge, who arrived in London on Monday from America, sat on Wednesday morning in his private rooms at the New Law Courts, where he was visited by numerous leading members of the bar, and congratulated on his safe return. According to the Board of Trade returns for Octo- ber the exports amounted to 921,138,859, an increase ot F£ T-,Jbl,146 as compared with October last year. The imports for the month were valued at £ 35,833 755, an increase of Bl.681,740 over 1882. A meeting of the General Committee of the National Eisteddvod of Wales was held at Liverpool on Wednesday night, at which the gentral conditions of the competitions at the eisteddvod to be held in that city next year were agreed to. John Alfred Burgan, lately the manager of the Union Bank of Birmingham, was on Wednesday charged before the stipendiary magistrate in that town with having forged two bills of exchange and falsification of the accounts, and was committed for trial. The Marquis and Marchioness of Lorne arrived in Liverpool on Monday from Canada. They were re- ceived by the Duke of Albany, and an address of welcome was presented at the Town hall, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Mayor, and subsequently left for London. 21,000 damages were awarded in the Queen's Bench Division on Wednesday to the widow and children of a commercial traveller who was killed through being thrown out of a trap which skidded on one of the lines of the North Metropolitan Tramway Company, who were the defendants in the action. A further adjournment till the 22nd instant has been arranged in the coroner's inquiry, in Liverpool, touching the death of Thomas Higgins, who is sup. posed to have died from arsenic administered by his wife and sister-in-law. The Home Office has been applied to for the exhumation of a body, believed to be that of Margaret Jennings. The commander of her Majesty's ship Dido has exacted from the Government of Hayti an apology to the British Government, a salute to the British flag, and an indemnity of JB600 to the owners of the British steamer Alps, which was shelled by the guns at Port- au-Prince during the insurrection there, and while she was taking on board European refugees. Shoitly after the arrival of the mail boat at Jersey on Tuesday, an elderly man named Vermer, who had just arrived, walked into an eating-house belonging to a Mr Wright, drew a revolver, and shot him, the bullet entering Wright's lung, who now lies in a very precarious state. Vermer is a master gunner in the ltoyal Artillery, and was lately stationed at Jersey. The village of Kilham, near Driffield, has had a re- markable death-rate for the last ten months, only nine persons having died, four adults and five infants, out of a population of 1,200. There are living in the village more than 20 octogenarians, and there is one old lady who has resided in the same house for 87 years; in a few days she will have reached her 99th year William Roan, cattle salesman, Warrington, was charged at Prescot on Tuesday, with illegally remov- ing 4,472 sheep and 93 bullocks from Scotland to Prescot, and the fines imposed, including costs, amounted to over JE130. The London and North Western Railway Company were fined jE5 and costs on each of the three informations, for carrying the animals. The sale of the effects of Marwood, the late executioner, was concluded at Horncastle on Tuesday, in the presence of a large number of people. Amongst the lots were two old saucers, which fetched 10s 6d; a purse. 29s a pair of spectacles, 15s; Gladstone bag, S3; Marwood's favorite rope, 24 10s; a dirty old carpet bag, a guinea a pair of old stockings, 5s; a dirty old necktie and cuffs, lis. According to a letter from Askabad, an Afghan named Ameer Shah has submitted to the commander ot the Russian Expeditionary torce a petition addressed to the Czar. in which he says that fearing British influence he has placed himself under Russian protection. He furthermore states that most of the inhabitants of India we enemies of England, and that fifty large towns are ready to revolt whenever Russian troops arrive at Herat. The question of constructing a second Suez Canal is occupying the attention of the Egyptian Government. TIVUIP!Zegller and Cavalli, the acting advisers of the Khedive in this matter, have had a case submitted to them as to how far the various conventions between the Egyptian Government and M. de Lesseps confer upon the latter any kind of monopoly, and the result of this inquiry is that these gentlemen, the Observer is informed, have reported that no such monopoly exists. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught left Charing- cross on the evening of the 2nd inst. for Dover, en route to India, where H.R.H. will take command of the Meerut division. Owing to a letter having been received warning the Privy Council that an attempt would be made to wreck the Royal train, extraordi- nary precautions were taken to ensure its safety. On the arrival of the royal party at the station and on its departure there was a great display of loyal en- thusiasm. Several members of the Royal Family and many noblemen and gentlemen witnessed the depar- ture. A spirited discussion on the subject of the marriage laws took place on Wednesday, at the Liverpool Diocesan Conference, ensuing upon a motion brought forward opposing the legalisation of marriages for- bidden in the table of prohibited degrees, set forth by authority and printed in the Prayer Book, and declar- ing these degrees to be in accordance with the Word of God, and an important safeguard to domestic happi- ness. An amendment was moved by the Rev. R. Cronshaw, of Wigan, to the effect that the table was in accordance with the Word of God with the ex- ception of the prohibition with a deceased wife's si ster. This was seconded, and a further amendment was moved by the Rev. R. G. Matthews, of Wigan, declaring that it was inexpedient to disturb the pre- sent marriage law, as it is based on a clear principle, which could not be said of any proposed amendation. This amendment was carried, and Mr Cronshaw's lost by an overwhelming majority. Experiments were made on Wednesday at Wool- wich in connection with the recent explosion on the Underground Railway, in the presence of Sir Frederick Abel, Dr. Dupre, Colonel Majendie, Capt. Cundill, and other Government officials. A position was found for the experiments fairly representing the interior of a railway tunnel. Part of a disused and dismantled emplacement, erected for the trial of the 100-ton guns, sufficiently answered the purpose. Charges of dynamite were fired by means of fuses, under circumstances such as are supposed to have attended the explosions at Praed-street and Charing- cross. Portions of the gaspipes damaged on those occasions, and other remains suitable for experiment, were operated upon. in order to ascertain the quantity of dynamite used by the perpetrators of the outrages, and it may be inferred from the comparatively small charges employed by the investigators that they do not entertain very extravagant ideas as to the formid- able character of the two outrages. Mr Thomas Collins, the secretary of the Man Chester Unity of Oddfellows, has just completed the intricate calculations necessary to ascertain the financial position of the Order. The total capital at the beginning of the year was 25,594,331, an increase during the year of £ 302,440. The amounts making up the total are :—Lodge sick and funeral funds. 25.198,279 district funeral fund, 2133,331 widows' and orphans' societies, £229,966; past grand lodges, 24,975 juvenile branches, 1!19,912 and benevolent and other funds, £ 7,864. During 1882 the returns also show that 2431,171 was paid for sick benefits, an increase of 211,000 and 2116,247 4s 3d for funeral benefits, an increase of 25,000. The quinquennial re- turns of members at various ages give the following results :—Under 25 years, 93,331; under 30 years, 82,929 under 40 years, 138,648 under 50 years, 95,931; under 60 years, 47.839; under 70 years, 28,008; under 80 years, 9.636 and over 80, 893. These figures of the ages in the different decades give a total or 497,015. There are three members 91 years of age. Owing to the great proportion of young mem- bers initiated, the average age of members is very little higher than in 1878. THE CROWN AS A LANDLORD.-The total amount paid into the Exchequer on account of rent and royalties and other revenues of the Crown lands for the year ending March 31 last was 080,000-a less sum by £30,000 than in the years 1877-8-9, down to which time the amount had for some years steadily increased. In 1853 it was only £ 252,000. These sums are estimated after deducting all expenses of manage- ment, except the salaries and expenses of the official establishment, which are paid out of moneys voted by Parliament. Allowances were made to tenants during the year amounting to 219,519, or nearly 21! per cent. on the rentals, principally in consideration of the losses sustained from a succession of adverse seasons during the past seven years. It appears that the arrears of rents and royalties nevertheless amount to the large sum of £ 36,751. In several instances it is stated that it has been deemed advisable in the present depression to assist agricultural tenants by allowing the rent to remain unpaid for various periods. For the same purpose of assisting the tenants, and in order to enable them to cultivate their farms to the best advantage to themselves, nearly 2146,000 has been ex- pended by the Crown in the past seven years in under- drainage, and in the construction and enlargement of farmhouses and farm buildings, and cottages, and in other works of permanent improvement of the land.

CHARGES OF FRAUDULENT BANKRUPTCY AGAINST A MONT- GOMERYSHIRE MANUFACTURER.  fcThe Chester Assizes, on November 1st, before LT ordJmhM TB^alw, Henry Morgan, wool dealer, &c., of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, whose a?ai? were in liquidation, was indicted for not delivering ?o the trustee of his estate certain money, bills of ex. change, and other personal property; for making material omissions in his statement of affairs, and for concealing, destroying, and mutilation, or being privy to the concealment, destruction, and mutilation of cer- tain books auddocuments. Mr Marshall and Mr Hiiririna appeared for the prosecution, and Mr M'lntyre, Q.C., Mr J. S. Grain, and Mr C. Williams for the defence. From the opening statement of Mr Marshall it appeared that the prisoner, when he failed in January last, showed debts to the amount of about 00,000, but when his affairs came to be investigated they showed a deficit of about 226,000. It was alleged that at the first IDeeting of creditors the prisoner represented he had 2240 cash in hand, but when the trustee inquired for it he said he had given 9100 to his brother Edward, another portion he had given to his wife, retaining the rest himself. The next charge was that the prisoner did not discover or deliver to the trustee certain shares and bonds in mining and waterworks companies, of which he was possessed. Then it was alleged that he had kept back a bill for JE200. and that he had sold a firm near Newtown for about 21,100, receiving the money in three bills, one of which he gave to his mother, and the other two to a firm of solicitors to be invested on her behalf. The conten- tion of the prisoner was that the farm and stock were not his, but belonged to his father. The prisoner was further charged with destroying, mutilating, or con- cealing his books, for though the business was carried # tI on for a long period there were no books to show how it was conducted. On the 16th December, the prisoner being then in London, a fire took place in the office at Newtown, where all the portions of the books which contained entries were destroyed. The fire was a small one, and a fire having been noticed in the backyard on another occasion, the theory of the prosecution was that some combustible material had been poured into the books, and they had been then set on fire. It was impossible that they could have been burnt as they had been in any other way. The prisoner was also charged with making false entries in his statement of affairs by inserting as part of his own estate wool that belonged to his father. Several witnesses were examined, and the Court adjourned at five o'clock.— On Friday the Court sat at ten o'clock, and resumed consideration of the case. The examination of wit- nesses for the prosecution engaged the attention of the Court till evening, when an adjournment was made. On Saturday, the case for the prosecution having concluded, Mr M'Intyre addressed the jury, explain- ing the nature of the defence which would be set up. As to theC240 which the prisoner had been charged with having withheld from the trustee, it was received when the prisoner was in London, by his brother, Edward Morgan, who was acting as assistant manager of his business, at a salary of JE300 a year; and with the consent of the prisoner he retained .£100 of the money as wages. To meet the necessary household expenses he gave the second £100 to his wife, and the remaining £-10 he spent in travelling, having had to make journeys to London in connection with his affairs. Next, with respect to the three bills which he had received on the sale of Cefnaire Farm, he had given two of them to his solicitors (Messrs. ft ash and Field) pending the result of the Chancery suit instituted against him by his mother and brothers. The third he had given to his mother, who was entitled, under his father's will, to £1,200 to be raised out of the estate, and J6500 secured by a policy of assurance on his life. The prisoner being exfcutor, and having proved the will, entered into possession of the whole estate, being responsible to those who were entitled to anything under the will. The shares, the existence of which the prisoner was charged with concealing were purchased by his father and belonged to his father's estate. Cefnaire Farm was also part of his father's estate, and the furniture of the house was paid for by his father, who allowed the prisoner the use of it. The prisoner's name cer- tainly did appear in the rate books, but it must be remembered that prisoner was manager for his father, and one could easily understand how, under such circumstances, his name crept into the rate books. With regard to the alleged mutilation and destruction of the prisoner's account books, the suggestion was that they had been purposely set on fire by the prisoner; but to have done so he would have had a very long fusee, as he was in London when the fire occurred at his premises. He was further charged with having withheld a biil for £200. but the prosecution must have known that that had been kept by a man named Barratt, to whom money was due. Then, again, he was accused of having secured quantities of foreign wool with fraudulent intent, but nothing was said as to quantities of English wool which he had obtained in the same way. The state of the wool market at the time the prisoner secured the quantities of wool in question showed that he obtained them as an ordinary commercial speculation. In conclusion the learned counsel said the proper place for investigating the whole circumstances of the case was not a criminal court, but the court in which the chancery suit against the prisoner would be decided.—William George Withers, a partner in the firm of Nash and Field, solicitors, London, was then examined for the defence, In the course of his evidence he said the prisoner came to him crying, on the 16th December last, in London. He held in his hand a telegram from his brother at Newtown stating that a fire had taken place in his office, and that the books had been partly destroyed. The prisoner said This is the worst blow of all." The Court adjourned at four o'cock, and the further hearing of the case was postponed until Mon- day next, when the judge will return from the assizes at Swansea.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN LANCASHIRE. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Lancashire, after a comparatively brief immunity flom great mining catastrophies, was, on Wednesday, once more the scene of an appalling colliery explosion. The locality of the present calamity was the Moor. field Colliery, situate at Altham, near Accrington, which is owned by the Altham Colliery Company. The Company are also proprietors of the Whinney Hill coalpit, and the shafts of the two pits are only about twelve hundred vards apart. The Moorfield pit is right on the canal bank, and has been working nearly two years and a half, while the Whinney Hill has been worked for nearly 12 years. The Moorfield pit, at which the explosion occurred, is 283 yards deeD, and has hitherto been comparatively free from ex- plosive gases, a fact which gave it a good reputation amongst the colliers, and increased the consternation felt in the district at the news of the catastrophe. It appears that at five o'clock in the morning the fore- man, as is customary amongst the officials, went down the pit to examine the workings, and the miners, about 110 in number, started work at seven o'clock, the foreman having found things as usual. This number is about the full.complement of the day shift, and the work went on in its usual course until shortly after half-past eight, when suddenly a tre- mendous report was heard, not only by those in the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the shaft, but by people residing more than a mile distant. The solid ground was violently shaken, and trembled as if in the throes of an e-rthquake, several men on the surface being thrown to the ground by the violence of the concussions. Dense masses of sulphurous smoke at the same time rolled up from the shaft. Scores of workmen were speedily at the pit's mouth, and were reinforced every minute by anxious men and women 111 wno nocKed to the spot from the surrounding country. Willing workers were there in plenty, and at once directed their efforts to ascertaining how far the en- trance shaft had been damaged. Unfortunately, it was speedily learned that the force of the explosion had damaged the engine, the sudden stopping of which had caused the cage to become entangled in the shaft. Desperate but unavailing efforts were made to release the cage, so as to enable an exploring party to descend. To add to the difficulty, it was found that the iron plates forming the platform at the top of the pit were upheaved and bulged by the terrific force from below, necessitating the immediate construction of a temporary platform before any operations what. ever could be commenced. As soon as the fact was thoroughly realised that communication with the men below could not be effected by the usual channel, attention was directed to the adjoining Whinney Hill Colliery. Happily there is ample communication between the two pits, and it was resolved to get into the Moorfield pit through Whinney Hill. With none but the most absolutely necessary delay, a strong exploring party, composed of most willing and eager volunteers, de. scended the Whinney Hill shaft. Every man knew full well the deadly perils of the after-damp, but most providentially comparatively little of this was en- countered, and what there was only caused temporary inconvenience to the gallant band. Proceeding along the main roadway the explorers were overjoyed to find men and boys making their way to the Whinney Hill shaft. Most of these fugitives were more or less seriously burned or injured, but the fact that they were alive was hailed as a happy omen, and ,it was thought the loss of life would not turn out as dreadful as was at first considered certain. Learning from some of the fugitives that a number of men had been blown by the force of the explosion into a hole half- full of water, the explorers at once made their way to the spot, and succeeded in rescuing the bodies of the poor fellows, which were at once sent to the surface. Here in the meantime an enormous crowd of anxious inquirers had congregated, and most harrowing scenes were taking place. Wives and mothers and other relatives of men known to be in the pit were giving full vent to their anxiety, the distress of some of the poor people being terrible to witness. Naturally the excitement was very great, and the crowd was a diffi- cult one to manage; but by the strenuous efforts of the officials and local leaders, good order was main- tained, and the workers were able to continue their labors without impediment. About a dozen medical men had arrived on the scene, and attended to the sufferers, who, as they came to the bank, were carried into the engine-house close to the mouth of the pit. The operations on the pit bank were superintended by Mr Macalpine, the manager, who was driving to the pit when he heard of the calamity. Mr Alderman Barlow, the head of the firm. was also summoned, and valuable assistance was rendered to the wounded by his two daughters. Tea and other stimulants were administered to the injured, who were wrapped in blankets. Nearly all of them were in a a semi- nude condition, and most of them severely injured either by the shock or burning. Among the early arrivals from the pit's bottom was a boy who, although uninjured elsewhere, had lost his sight. He answered the various questions addressed to him very readily, but was naturally distressed about the loss of his eyes. He was somewhat consoled by an assurance from the doctor that he might have his eyesight restored. Another boy, who had been dreadfully frightened, seized the blanket by which he was covered and pressed it to his face, and would not on any account release his hold, notwithstanding the coaxing of the doctor. A third youth rertj that in order to get to the pit-shaft he had to trample over the dead bodies of the men, which were strewn about the bottom of the mine in all directions. The work of recovering the injured was carried on very slowly owing to the distance which the unhappy men had to be carried, and there was the greatest suspense among the crowd gathered at the pit's mouth. Dur. ing the first three hours very few of the injured were brought up, but from twelve to two o'chck the opera- tions were more successful. Up to that hour nearly fifty miners, men and boys, had been recovered, about thirty-six of whom were hurt and tec dangerously injured. For over one hour afterwards no more bodies were brought up, and the report went round that the injured had all been recovered, leaving sixty unaccounted for.

Correspondence. All letters intended for publication must comply with the following: zonditions- I. They must be on public questions only, and not personal in character further than is necessary for the discussion of the subject. IT.-They must be written carefully and conciselv —on one side of the paper only-ready for the press, as we have not time at our disposal to re-write cor- respondence, and do not wish to publish effusions in the garb in which they are some times presented nor space for long rambling letters. Ill.-They must ue authenticated (under cover if wished) by the real name and address of the writer accompanying the M.S. lv"—If received after mid-dav on Thursday, their insertion will be precluded for that week, 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. LICENSED VICTUALLERS. SIR,-Your report of a couviction against the laud- lady of the Butcher's Armi Inn, Llangollen, in your last issue, was quite erroneous. It U stated that it was a case of permitting drunkenness on Sunday, September 30. The information was for permitting drunkenness on Wednesday, October 3, and it is but riijht to state that it was the most trivial case imaginable. A well- known character, a noted street iin-,er, knowa hv the name of John Glangors," was taken into the abeve hostelry in the afternoon of the above date by a person who casually employs him, and was treated with two glasses of beer. The., police happened to turn in when he was there. When he went out he came in contact with the police officers, and it appears he got irritable and was consequently locked up and mulcted in a small fine. Why the magistrates should endorse the license, and make such sarcastic remarks over such a frivolous charge is a mystery. The defendant's solicitor pleaded guilty on her behalf; not through her own wish, a< she woull have much preferred having the case tried on its merits. It may also be stated that she held testimonials from her neighbours, who are some of the leading trade-iineu in the town, certifying that the house is proye«ly con- ducted.—I am, &c., JUSTITIA. THE COUNTY MAGISTRATES. I 81R,-ln your last issue a writer, under the nomine de planie of one of the suffering public," evidently laboured under a misapprehension with regard to the practice of the county magistrates. The Monday re- ferred to by that writer was not the usual Petty Sessions day, but merely a bye-day, and one of the suffering public," if he did wait at the County Build- ings on that Monday, froir. 11 a.m. until 4.30 p.m., had only himself to thank. The Petty Sessional Courts in the Division of Bromfield sit, as a rule, upon the first and third Mondays in every month, except in September, when two special sessions are held on the first and last MoudayB for licensing busi- ness and settling the jurors list, hence in October, the Mondays fixture falls upon the second Monday as a rule, and only one court is held. The County Justices do most conscientiously consider the time of the public. and only once in the last forty years have the Magis- trates failed to attend on the Sessions day, and since the establishment of the Rota System" the wants of all suppliants have been well attended to by that bench of Magistrates which the writer in your issue of last Saturday (3rd November) seeks to malign. It is to be hoped that that writer will never again indite a letter in your columns unless he is master of the facts of the case.—I am, &c., LEX. DENBIGH MAGISTRATES. -1 SlEt.-It is happily not often that we feel compelled to discuss the doings of our local magistrates, but a case that has recently occupied their attention presents some features which can hardly be passed by in silence. An unfortunate watch stealing case occurred last week at the Denbigh Grammar School, and the able master of that establishment was giving evidence, the Court was crowded and the Bench full. Mr T. Edwards was detailing how he had told the young man that if he would give up the watch, as far as he (Mr Edwards) was concerned nothing more should be done. Now to an ordinary unsophisticated mind this was a perfectly innocent speech, and from questions asiced Air Udwards did not know it was wrong but there happened to be a lawyer on the Bench more wise than discreet, and he smelt a rat, and desiring to have him out and perhaps to gain a little applause, he asked the luckless witness if he did not know that thereby he was committing a misdemeanor and attempting to compound a felony ? The witness did not know, but the end was gained, the rabble at the back of the Court applauded the wise man's utter- ances, and the sedate teacher of youth was covered with confusion. If the magistrate had possessed dis- cretion as well as wisdom, he would have held his peace before all those roughs and have told Mr Edwards privately that he had done wrong. There is a true saying, somewhere, about more evil being wrought by want of thought" which I would strongly recommend to the Magistrates Bench at Denbigh.— I am, &c., OBSERVER. WREXHAM MUNICIPAL CONTESTS. Sm.-The question has been repeatedly asked were the late municipal elections fought on political grounds. As I am a Liberal I have answered the question to my own satisfaction in this way. At the beginning of the contest, at least, no such battle ground as Liberal or Conservative, was thought of by either of the contending parties. The form the con- test took, as I understand it, and which was the opinion of the ratepayers generally, that it was really a fight between the brewing interest and abstainers. If there was anything of a political character about it, it was imported into the struggle afterwards. I believe this opinion to be a correct one. By the result no doubt the Tory party claim a victory, but this was an after thought. On the part of many the feeling was that there was no justification for attacking Mr Samuel's seat. This gentleman had by very careful and constant attention to his duties as councillor, given very general satisfaction to the burgesses of the ward he represents, and to the town at large. I am aware that any ratepayer has a perfect right to be nominated for the Council if he thinks proper, at the same time there are reasons why good men should not be opposed if they again consent, as in this case, to continue their services to the ward. Of course, from the position of Mr Rocke in the town, as a large ratepayer and em- ployer of labor, together with first-rate business abilities, he was in every respect a fit and proper per- son to be put in nomination. What is said of Mr Rocke may with equal truth be said of his partner, Mr Jones. There can be little doubt that if Mr Samuel had been left unopposed that Mr Jones would now have been one of the members of the Council. I repeat it was not a Liberal and Conservative fight, but in the public mind one of Abstinence versus Beer. -I am, &c., A LOOKER Os. THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER DEE SIB,-I did not think, when writing to you, a short month ago, upon the navigation of the River Dee, that Mr Robertson was about to launch so noble and bold a scheme, for carrying into practice some of the great objects I had called attention to. The scheme which he expounded to the River Dee Commissioners, will if carried out, not only benefit Chester, and all the traders whose interest it is to utilize this fine river; but it must add greatly to the importance of ?Trexhgm and its neighbourhood by giving your great mineral owners, a good dock at Connah's Quay; but it will give them by means of the Great Western Railway, another port at Saltney for the convenient interchange of traffic, and it will also relieve the latter Company from the ever increasing block, arising upon the railway between Saltney and Birkenhead. The advantage it will be to the London and North- Western Railway is manifest, when we remember that they own the Shropshire Union Canals and if I understand Mr Robertson's plans correctly, his dock will give the canal boats the full advantage of getting alongside vessels at Cheater to take in, and to deliver to, the inland traffic which naturally belongs to the canal systems. The completeness of the scheme commends it to public notice, and of course Mr Robertson's engineering and commercial know- ledge has been of great service to him when grasping in this way all the interests which would be affected by it. I hardly know how it would have been possible to combine BO much in so small a compass, if the matter had been taken in hand by a mere engineer; for whilst he would have looked at the sources of traffic as the end of his design Mr Robertson has evidently taken all that into account as a means to an end and so far as the public is concerned, that no doubt is a decided advantage in every way. The improvement of the channel of the Dee between Connah's Quay and the sea, will naturally grow out of the construction of a moderately deep water dock between Connah's Quay and Chester; for all the companies, and the traders who use the latter will in their own interest combine to improve the former. Mostyn, Greenfield, Bagillt, and Flint as centres of a traffic all far better adapted for coasting vessels, than for railways will each in their turn derive great good from this proposed Dock Scheme. All traffic from inland towns in Wales will go by rail as at present; but a new traffic with Ireland, and Coastwise, and with Spain and France will spring up, when ships of four or five hundred tons can come uDthe Dee with safety. We have lost all that traffic -for years, but it will come back and with it, all our chief towns will derive profit, througa the greater development of our national resources. In short, all interests will be advantaged, none injured and I know of no proposal of a local character which has so much to commend itself to the public as this one has and of none so likely to be commended universally.—I am, &c., F.W.R. THE DENBIGHSHIRE ELECTORS OF 140 I YEARS AGO. SIB.-The following is copied from the Gentleman's Magazine of 1742. No names are appended. It is addressed to the first Sir Watkin. who died 1749. "The Grand Corruptor" would be Sir Robert Wal- pole, who retired from power in 1742. In what way did he show his malice against Sir Watkin ? Perhaps some other correspondent can explain. The para- graphs about standing armies and triennial Parlia- ments are worth notice. One of the Tools of Cor- ruption was probably William Myddleton. High Sheriff of Denbighshire, who made a false return to Parliament that John Myddelton had been elected, whereas Sir Watkin had obtained the majority of votes. The High Sheriff was sent to Newgate. Mr Edward Rowland has a burlesque engraving of him sitting cross-legged by the fire in the cell.—I am, &c., F. M .T I To Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Knight of the Shire for tA. County of Denbigh. SIB,—We should think we were wanting to ourselves, we should think we were wanting to our country, if we did not take this oppoitunity of returning you our grateful acknowledgments for your constant attendance to your duty in Parliament, as well as for the share j ou have taken in the glorious struggle that hath been made since the beginning of this se-sion. We join with the voice of the nation in rejoicing for the succes4 that bath attended your endeavours; but we have a more than common reason to rejoice, because of the most arbitrary methods that have been put in practice to deprive us of the very birth-right of Briton., that of causing our own representatives. It is to the success of your endeavours that we owe our bei"g represented in Parliament at all, as the Grand Corruptot aistinguish'd you hy exerting all the force of corruption against you it is because he knew your attachment to the true interest of y-ur country. He despar'd of being able to prevail up-n you to betray us by whom you was trusted, therefore was you honoured with his more particular malice We take it sir, that you suffered fur our sakes, which must recommend you to us more than ever. Al- .though we a?e no reason to doubt your endeavours to i a.Haws that ma>' tnd to the security of our liberties, yet you will give us leave to recommend some things to you that call for immediate redress to procure an Act for limiting the number of Placemen to sit in the House of Commoas-thewho!. world is sensiMe that the want of such an Act in our late Parliament brought us to the brink of ruin. We likewise rt quest of you. that you will endeavour that a law may be obtain'd to prevent the villainous practices of returning officers, and that some punishment may be provided equal to the beioousDeu of the crime. We have reason to know, sir, that the freedom of Par lament may be lost without s ch a law. We must desire you likewise to oppose standing armies in time ot peace, a usete?s burthen ?)?<.t.?.?*? 4, 8" "AU.. our ancestors, that of late are btc me so numerous, that like the locusts of Egjpt, they cover the face of the land, living in s.oth and idleness, and devouring the labours of the industrious, that have cost the n-itions millions. and in twenty years have not done one day's service for their country. We also in treat jou to do what you can do towards heal- ing that wound made in the Constitution by the Septen- nial Act; that we may be restor'd again at letst to Triennial PArliaments, that we and our representatives may n?t have coua&ry time to become strangers to each other. Above all, sir. we must press you to push for a fair and impartial enquiry into the shameful conduct with respect to the affairs abroad, as well as the corrupt management at home. Things which cannot be thought of without in- dignation. You have been instrumental in bringing one of the tools of c. irruption to shame so we hope you will be instrumental in pursuing him who set such tools to work. It is fit that you and we should understand one another. We nave a right to speak plainly to you, and we must teU you, sir, that if the man that rained our trade, disgraced our arms, plundered our treasure, negotiated away our in. ter.,st-, impoverish!d the land-in a word, the author of all calamities and disgraces of twenty years, should (while the whole nation is calling out for justice asainst him) tnumph in impunity, we should be apt to think our Con- stitution is lost. Instructions have likewise been sent to Sir John Giynne, &rt.. from Flintshire to Robert WiUiams. &q., brother to Sir Watkin, from Montgomerysbire; to Sir WitMam Courtenay and Th..ophelw. tfortsecue, Esq., from Devon- shire; to Thomas Carew an I John Periam, Esqrs., from Mine head to ,;ir James Hamilton, from Lanarkshire to the Hon. Jamei Erskine, Esq., from Stirling to Lord Bulkeley and John Owen, Esq., from the Freeholders of the County of Anglesea and the Burgesses of Beaumaria. [NoTE.-As spelt in the original copy.]

BLACK PARK V. HOPE DISTRICT.—These clubs played a friendly game at Black Park on Saturday, when the home team won by two goals to none. CHIRK v. LLANGOLLEN.—These clubs met at Chirk on Saturday for the first time for several years, and a good and pleasant game terminated in favor of the home team by seven goals to one. RED CROSS (WREXHAM) V. MAELOR RAKGEIS (R Hos).—This match was played on the ground of the former on Monday, and after a pleasant and weU. contested game resulted in a draw, each side obtain- ing two goals. SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE Cup.-The Oswestry and Ellesmere clubs met at Oswestry on Saturday in the first round of this competition. The home team scored an easy victory, defeat- ing their opponents by six goals to nil. GROSVEXOR (WREXHAM) V. PLAS POWER AND DISTRICT.—These clubs met on the ground of the latter on Saturday, when the game ended in a draw, each scoring four goals. For the visitors, S. Jones and J. Griffiths (backs), and Arthur Lea and C. Vaughan (left wing), played exceedingly well.

THE WELSH CHALLENGE CUP. FIRST TIES. RHOSTYLLEX V. CROWN (WREXHAM). These clubs met on Saturday on the Recreation Ground, Rhosddu, for the second time to decide who should play in the second round for the Welsh Trophy, they having on the previous Saturday played at Rhostyllen, when each team secured one goal. The game commenced about half-past three, F. Owen setting the ball in motion for Rhostyllen. and the right wing getting possession essayed a run but the ball was eventually kicked out of play. From the throw in the strangers again got possession of the leather, but Davies soon played the globe in more neutral ground. The home forwards now made a run but their efforts were frustrated by Moulden in splendid style. After hands had been obtained in succession by both teams, Jones and Paddock got to work for the Crown, and after some neat passing Paddock attempted to score, the ball going over the posts. From the kick off the strangers got off with the leather but were repulsed by the half backs, and Hayes getting on the ball made a shot which went wide. From the goal kick Rhostyllenr got the leatfcer into their custody, and after some good passing Owen made a nice shot, the ball going outside the posts. Thev again got to work but the splendid play of Wilding and Clutton soon cleared their goal, and Fisher and Humphreys getting the globe trans. ferred the fight to the vicinity of their opponent fortress, Fisher making a shot which went over the crossbar. After another shot at goal by Paddock the Rhostyllen forwards again showed some neat passing, Hill finally making a slot which went wide. The home forwards now made a raid on to the enemy's territory but were soon repelled by the fine play of the backs, and the Rhostyllen forwards getting the globe made a good attempt to lower their opponents' colors, Rowe, the goalkeeper, having to use his hands to save the goal. Fisher and Hum- phreys of the home team were now busy on the right wing and passing the ball over to Jones the latter made a splendid shot which was fisted out by the goalkeeper in good style. The globe being again set in play the strangers got it away, T. Hughes making a shot which went outside the up- rights. Shortly after, the home right and left wings exhibited some good passing and Paddock getting the leathercentereditsplendidly in frontof goal, and Fisher being on the alert was successful in placing it between the uprights. Halftime being called ends were changed, and Hayes set the ball in motion, the Crown making a raid into the strangers' quarters, where they obtained hands near the Rhostyllen goal which was I'. however cleared by the backs in first-class style. The Rhostyllen forward getting in possesion made a smart run but Clutton stopped them in their career and placed the ball in neutral ground. The visitors still tried hard to equalise matters, Rowe having to use his hands to save his goal from disaster. Ithostyllen next obtained a corner but it came to nothing, and from the goal kick the home forwards made another raid, when Paddock made a shot which went wide of its mark. The strangers now got the globe and they again compelled Rowe to use his hands. Fisher attempted several runs but was frustrated, and the Rhostyllen forwards pressed their opponents in good style, and were eventually rewarded by forcing the ball between the sticky thus making matters even. The game now became very rough, each team storming one another's fortress in succession, the backs and goalkeepers having plenty of work to save their colors, and when time was called each team stood, as in the previous match, one goal each. For the Rhostyllen club Hughes, E. Owen, Moulden, and Roberts showed best form; and for the Crown, Wilding, Clutton, Fisher, and Paddock deserve special mention. The following composed the teams:— Rhostylien.-Goal, A. Pugh; backs, W. Moulden and R. Roberta; half-back- E. Owen, T. Clutton. and G. Phoenix right w ing, R. Hill and J. Phoenix left wing. T. Hughes and T. Beirne; centre, F. Owens umpire, Mr T. Hughes. Crom&Goal, O. Rowe; backs, J. Wilding and C. Clutton half-backs, J. Davies, E. Carty, and T. Hobson right wing, J. Fisher and U. Humphreys; left wing, O. Paddock and J. Jones; centre, A. Hayes; umpire, Mr G. Tagg; referee, Mr J. Jones.

WREXHAM v. CORWEN. I The Wrexham club journeyed to Corwen on Saturday to play off their tie in the first round of the above competition, and for the first time this season placed a fairly representative team in the field, only being minus their goalkeeper, but fortunately his services were not required, as Phennah, who acted as substitute, was not called upon to use his hands during the whole of the game. The visitors arriving rather late, play did not commence until a quarter to four, when, having lost the toss, Corwen set the ball in motion. It was quickly returned by the Wrexham backs, and the home team were at once called upon to defend their goal. The first attack passed off for nothing, but coming up again with a rush, Sisson, with a clinking shot from the left, scored the first point for the visitors after two minutea* play. Having started onca more from the centre, the Corwen forwards attempted to break away, but were speedily checked, and had to beat a hasty retreat to assist their comrades in the rear. Do what they would, however, they could not stem the onslaught of the visitors, and before half-time was called J. Jones and J. Davies had each added to the score. On re- commencing in the second half, Wrexham forced the game very much, and made matters most uncomfort- able for the howe team, who, now giving up all attempts to score, crowded round their goal in defence. The visitors' forwards were not to be denied, however, and J. Jones scored the fourth point, and another was, made immediately afterwards from a free kick by H. Edwards. The game was now one of continual scoring on the part of the visitors, as no sooner was the ball placed in the centre than it was brought up the field and rushed through-" Joe" placing the next two to his credit, and R. Davies, who had been putting in some splendid work on the right, the two following. W. Jones secured the next, and W. Davies, one of the full backs, wanting to be in it with the rest, put the eleventh through, R. Davies scoring the last, and makirg up the dozen just before time was called. For the home team, W. E. Jones, Hughes, and J. Roberts worked hard throughout, and it is a pity they were not better backed UPI; the, visitors all played fairly well, but still theie is room for improvement. The teams were as follow8:- WREXHAM a]. E. Phemiah: backs, G. Thomas and W. Davies; half-baeks, T. Burke, B. Griftiths..4 H. Edwards (captain); right wing, R. Davies and W. Jonas; left wing, H. Sissoa and J. ViLita; catres J. Jones. Umpire. J. Taylor. I CORWEN.— Goal. R. Williams: back. W. B Jones Wf- backs, E Davies, D, Hughes, T. Edwards and R. Jones: righp, wing, R. Roberts and E. Edw-trds left wing, J. Roberts and J. Parry; centre, H Parry. Umpire, R. Williams; referee, Mr Thomas, Chirk.

DAVENHAM v. HOLYWELL ROVERS.  Welsh Cup tie was played at Davenham om I Saturday, and resulted in a victoey for the home team by 16 goals to nil.

I GWERSYLLT FORESTERS v. HARE AND HOUNDS, WREXHAM. ihe above match was played on the ground of the I Foresters on Saturday, and resulted in a victory foe the home team by six goals to five.

I FOOTBALL NOTES. The Wrexham team, and their supporters that went with them to Corwen on Saturday, were quite dismayed when they heard that Trainer had mused the train, and the question—" What shall we do ?" was asked more than once on the journey, as the result did not appear to he such a certainty. How- ever, Phennah happened to be going down with them, and, although he had not handled the ball for about three or four years, he was thought to be the best,, substitute. The game, however, turned out quite differently to what everyone expected, as throughout the whole of the time Phennah was not called upon to use his hands once, and the question asked him before commencing—" Did he think he would be able to manage it "seemed a very ridiculous one after- wards; Things have come to a pretty pass when a club, after winning their tie, Bets stoned off the ground. Such was the case, though, at Coedpoeth on the occasion of the match between the Druids and the club from that place. Hooting and yelling at players during the match is bad enough, but when it comes to getting chased off the ground with bricks, stones, and sods, 1 think that is carrying it too far. That such was not the case I don't for one moment believe, as the Wrexham team were treated the same way when they played their tie there last season, and, if I remember aright, had to do some "taU walking to escape the shower of stones that came after them. I am glad to hear that the matter was brought before the Association at the meeting on Wednesday night, and although nothing definite was come to in tb. matter, as Coedpoeth is out of the competition now, still it seemed to be generally understood that they would either be debarred from entering next season or the club that was drawn against them should have the, choice of ground. Wrexham, having entered the English Association for the first time in the history of the club, plav off their tie with the Liverpool Ramblers on Saturday,, on the Racecourse. The following I believe, vro tll., correct teams :-Wrexham--Goal, J. Trainer backs, G. Thomas and W. Davies; half-backs, T. Burke, B. Edwards (captain), and E. Griffiths right wing, R. Davies and W. Rl berts left wing, H. Sisson and, J, Davies centre, A. Eyton-Jones. Ramblers- Goal, H. A. Bailey back, J. B. Ism ay and H. Bewley half-backs, G. W. Turner, R. M. Pilkington, and A. R. Midwood; right wing, H. Stewart- Brown and G. Smith left wing, W. Rayner and R. Winter centre, S. G. Smith. RzKmNt. FOOTBALL FIXTURES; Nov. 10th, v. Liverpool Ramblers (English Gup Tie), ai, Wrexham. Nov. 17th. v; Davenham, at Davenham. Nov. 24th, v. Everton (Liverpool), at Wrexham. Dec. 1st, v. Bootle, at Wrexham. Dec. 8th, v. Oswestry, at Oswestry. Dec. lfitb, v. Shrewsbury Castle B ues, at Wrexham. Dec. 22nd, v. Excelsior, at Birmingham. Dec. Mtth, v. Chirk, at Wrexham. JaIl. 5th. v. M'al-all Swifts, at Wrexham. Jan. 26th. v. Bootle, at Bootle. Feb. 2nd, v. Cbiik. at Chirk. Feb. "tb" v. Everton, at Liverpool; Feb. Ifith, v. Excelsior, at Wrexham. Feb. 23rd, v. Davenham. at Wiexham; Mar. lat, v. Astlfy Bridge, at Bolton. -or. 8th, Y. Hartford; at Hartford. Mar. 22nd, Y. Shrewsbury Castle Blues, at Shrewsbury.

■ —" MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCES AT A FARMHOUSE. EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENTS. THE FARMHOUSE PARTIALLY WRECKED. Considerable excitement has been caused in the neighbourhood of Ellesmere, Wem, and Shrewsbury by some remarkable occurrences which are reported to have taken place at a farm called The W, where a farmer named Mr John Hampson resides*. The Woods" is situated about five miles from Welshampton, a mile and a, half from Lappington, and nine or ten miles from Shrewsbury. With the exception of a farm about one hundred yards distant, there is no house within half a mile. It appears that just as dusk was closing in on Thursday. November 1st, Mrs Hampson was about to get tea ready, and put a saucepan of water on the fire for the purpose of boiling an egg. When the water began to boil Mrs Hampson placed the egg iLi, as usual, but the sauce- pan suddenly "shot," as the servants, declare, off the fire into the middle of the kitchen. The cups andi saucers had been arranged on the table, and one of them, fell on to the floor and smashed. Of course Mlrei Hampson was a little surprised at this, but not very much so, as she thought the cat had been pulling at the table cloth, and had brought the cup over the edge of the table; but directly afterwards, when she saw the table partiallv, turn over, apparently without being touched, and all the cupsfall, she was thoroughly frightened, and ran up to Me Lea's farm. Mr Hamp* son had not at this time returned home from Bagley Coursing Meeting. Mr Lea at once went down., and when he arrived near the house he saw, as has describes it, "a light in all the uppee win? dows, just aa if the home ww on fire," but oa entering the front door and going up the stairs aH wae dark. Meanwhile something had set fire to im* ?glothes in the kitchen, and Mr Lea went in to try and put out the Rames? Just then there waa a? n." like the report of a pistol, and the furniture and other things in the kitchen began to jump abouti in a manner which seemed altogether inex- plicable. One of the farm servants says, "The things began to fly about smick, smack, the very same as if there was war!" Mr Lea. decided to get some of the things outside, an they were being damaged; and accordingly he took hold of a barometer and carried it out. j:te returned, anct was in the act of reaching the gun, when he was struck by a loaf of bread, and at the request of him wife he left the house. A little cupboard in the- kitchen burst open, and a bar of salt was thrown out of it on to the middle of the dairy floor. A mall; time-piece which stood on the mantel-shelf was thrown, on the ground near the door. When Mr Hampson came home, finding it there, he placed it on a chair and one of the servants afterwards placed it where it had stood before and after being knocked about in this fashion it is asserted that it was not. damaged, and that it did not stop. Mr Lea, with assistance, succeeded in getting a number of articles out of the house, and once, when he was coming out: a large kitchen table which stood under the window followed him to the door, and it, it is asserted, prob- ably would have gone further if the width of the door would have allowed it. On the table there stood-, double-wick paraffin lamp with a globe on it, and the globe was lifted" off and thrown across the room.. and the other part of the lamp was left standing on the table. Meanwhile things in the parlour had been taking pretty much the same course, for a volume of the Pilgrim's Progress" came flying through the parlour door and out to the walk OR" posite the front door; whence, affter lyine there a short time, it jumped up on the window sill t When the mysterious affair began, a little servant girl, aged thirteen or fourteen, whose home is at Weston, near Baschurch, was in, the kitchen taking care of the child. Their clothes immediately began to singe and smoulder in patches; and the child's face and arms were burnt. The fire in the clothes of both the girl and child were extinguished, and they set off for Mr Lea's farm, the girl taking with her two shaws which also had been burning. When sho reached the farm her clothes broke out into a mass of flames, and they were torn from her body by Mrs Lea. The clothes of the child also took fire again, but it was soon put, out. The two shawls began to burn again, and they were placed by some one in a small which was about half full of water; but they immee diately sprung out again. and were eventually kept, in the tub by the weight of a pan-mug. Mrs: Lea wa» carrying a cream jug which Mr Hampson had won in a cavalry competition, when it suddenly leapt from; her hand on to the causeway. Strange occurrences are said to have taken place at the neighbour's house during the evening. A plate she touched while eat- ing her supper was apparently thrown on the floor* and the pieces were picked up t some unseen agency and placed in the centre of the table! Thenowee pots were carried out of Mr Hampson's house, and being placed on the, grass-plot they all began to move and jostle against each other. During the evening Mrs Lea went down to the house to fetch a bottle of brandy, which Mrs Hampson told her she would BncJi: in a certain cupboard; and immediately she opened! the door a large dish was hurled out into the centroz, of the kitchen. Mra Lea having not the liottlo at once, shut the cupboard door, for, as she says, "the other things were clattering." Other pieces of furni- ture were hurled into most curious places, and a* pepper box was found the next morning on the top of the clock, while a large sewing machine in the parlour was found very much damaged, at the opposite endl of the room to that in which it formerly stood; About the time of the disturbance one of the i. nmates of thei house was kneading come dough for baking purposes*, and when things had settled a little, she was taking it to to the oven when some of the loaves were sud- denly removed from the tray. The loaves were left in the oven all, night, and although they were quite hard the next morning they were not baked brown, and the servants say they tasted sulphry A. Slieeman subsequently arrived and atayed with. Hampson at the house all night. On Friday a large number of persons paid a visit to the h0Q88,d, foMf policemen were there during the day making fulli enquiries. Thinking there might be some kind of explosive material in the coal, they ordered it to be consumed in the open air; but it burned quietly away. On Saturday, just about dinner time, the servant girli threw some coal on the boiler fire in the dairy, when it was all thrown back again on the floor. Thomas Williams, a young farm servant, then went to replace it, when a brick flew out from the back of the grate right across the dairy. The place was visited by scores of persona on Sunday. On Tuesday the farm was found to have: been deserted by the family, and paper-hangers were busy in the kitchen. The front windows were all broken, and there was: heap of broken pitchers andglaas in the yard.

SALE OF HoRssa.-Mosrs. Tattersall hold them next country sale of hunters and other horses at Rugby on Nov. 13th. The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and Frincea Louise of Vt, alesi will be among the exhibitors at Norfolk Fat Cattle Show this month. IMPORTANT TO FARXEBS.—J. F. EDISHUBY is the authorised agent for the Pix Compo, Downrs Farmer's Friend, and manufactures the celebrated Wheat Drrasing for destroying slug, grub, and wise worm, [ and prevencin- the ravaeeis, ot birds, | Wrexham,$)&