The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

TO SERVANT MAIDS. j WANTED, a GENERAL SERVANT, of ff"od character. —Applv to Mrs. EDWARDS, 55, Thomas-street, Merthyr TydriJ. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. ]Vfl"ESSRS; JONES and STUCKEY, Whole- hlVwT n?ll^Vine and sPirit Merchants, of Merthfr, *n» ri I?ISS0LVED PARTNERSHIP by Mutual Consent. TRvr\aJ,IS?-??il'DSt' ^he Fi'm should be scut in to Mr "TL-CKEY, 33, High-street, Jlcthyr, who intends "wyiny on the Business. 4973 TO BE LET, NQ. 90, Cardiff Road, Aberaman, near Aberdare. A Large and Commodious PREMISES, with every convenience. Fitted up as a Draper's Shop, bllt Is suitable for any kind of Business. Rent moderate, Apply at 3, ictoria-street, Mertliyr, or to T. J. Pearce, Penybryn, Cefn, Merthyr: FOR SALE, ON HIGHLY ADVANTAGEOUS TKHMS, SOME NEW AND VERY BEAUTIFUL PI A NOFORTES Enquire at the Residence of MR. EDWARD LAW RANGE, Pf'('J/ll' "fMltsic and Onanist of St. Dacid's Church. ADBP.ESS:— 400S 2, COURTLAND TERRACE, MERTHYR. TYDFIL SCHOOL, MERTHYR. A MIPDLE CLASS GRAMMAR AND COMMERCIAL SCHOOL. Head MasterEVAS' WILLIAMS, M.A. Assistant Master:—J. WILSON (Certificated ir Science.) The studies are divided into two courses :— I.-The English Caitrte, which embraces the subjects necessary for all Mechanical Engineering and Mercantile Pursuits. 2.-Thc Clatsical Course, which includes the Greek, Latin, And French Languages; the Higher Mathematics, and certain Branches of Science, and prepares for the Middle Class Civil Service, Science, and Professional Preliminary Examinations, and for admission into the Theoligical Colleges and Universities. Boarders (quarterly, weekly, and daily1, as well as Day Pupils, may be admitted at any time during the quarter. Terms, ie., on application, personally or by letter at the above address. 415;)! "The TEA of TEAS." NEW SEASONS" PURE TEA IN PACKETS Is very choice and pungent—and is selected from the Best Pure importations judiciously blended. 2 26 2 8 3 34 38 4/- per lb. Sold in every Town in Great Britain by authorized .Agents-(Chemists, Confectioners, See.) LOCAL AGENTS:— Merthyr-LEwrs, chemist, Georgetown. Aberaman, Sims, chemist P'pnol, Edwards, stationer Aberdare, Thomas, 70, Mill- Pontypridd, Davies, chemist street Pentlottyn, Davies, Post- „ Evans, chemist office Dowlais, Rees, chemist Rhymncy, Dixon, chemist Emmanuel, confectioner Taif's Well, Williams [bbw Vale, Jones, chemist Tredegar, Jenkins, dle»1ist Hirwain, Simli, chemist Troedyrhiw, Knox, chemist Morriston, Bevan, Post-office [4835 JOHNSON, JOHNSON, & Co., TEA ME HANTS, 17. Bloomfield-street, City, Londo TAF.FA WR FI:SHERY J..SSOCLA 'l 10' TWO GUINEAS REWARD WILL be given to any person who will give such information as to lead to the conviction of any person or persons found FIStHX< r on any part of the River Taf-Fawr, between its source and Pontyeapel, Cefu- Coed-y-evmmer, or in any of the following Brooks 'on the Manor of the Right Hon. Lord Tredegar, viz., Llysiog, Nmtddu, Crew, and Uarnant, or in Hepst" River, between Tyr-yr-oncon and its source, or in any of its contributory streams, or in any Brook on Nantgwynne and Abercar Farms. The above Reward will be given on com iction of the offender or offenders on application to DAVID THOMAS, Esquire, Solicitor, Brecon. The Fishing Season commenced on February 2nl. and the Tickets may be had at the Cefn Hotei, Red Lion, Ynysyfelin; Miller's Arms and Crwwri Inns, l/apei Nantddu, MR. THOMAS B. HEPPELL, MINING ENGINEER, SURVEYOR, ESTATE AGENT, av. OFFICES :— 48, GLEBELAND STREET, MERTHYR TYDFIL. TEMPERANCE HW L, MERTHYR TYDFIL. THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY. THURSDAY null FRIDAY El ENINGS, FEBRUARY I it;? and IQth, at 8 o'Clock, and Friday Afternoon at Thne. MR. C. PULMAN, who on recent occasions engaged Thurton, Harry Dobler, and other Artistes, now takes pleasure of announcing to the Gentry and Musical Public of Merthyr Tydfil, that he has suc- ceeded in engaging the Great Trauslantic Musical N'ovslty TRE ALLEGHANIANS VOCALISTS AND BELL RINGERS, Whose execution on the Swis. Bells, and line Descriptive Quartette Vocalization, are listened to by all hearers with Astounding Wonder and Delight For particulars see Small Bills- Xumbared and Reserved Seats, 2s.; Second Seats, Is.; Gallery, (id. Children Half-price to First and Second Scats only- Tickets and Places secured at Mr- C. Taylor's, Music Seller, Market Square, and Mr. C. Pulman's, 17, Victoria- street, where a Plan may be seen. NINE HOURS MOVEMENT. TO THE PUBLIC. IN a DELEGATE MEETING representing Carpenters, Masons, Plasterers, Painters, Plumbers, Smiths, Wheelwrights, Printers, Saddlers, Chandlers, Cabinetmakers, and others in Merthyr, Dowlais, and neighbourhood, held at the New Inn, Penydarren, Feb. ftin, 1872, when an answer was received from most of the Masters, signifying their willingness to grant our request. It was resolved to appeal earnestly to the few Masters that did not give their consent, and the Public in general, not to refuse. nor oppose our just and equitable claim. yfWe intend for the movement to come into operation on April 1st, 1S72. We urge the Workmen of the above Trades, to arrange with their Masters, the terms of working, that 54 hours is to constitute a week, and all additional time to be considered as over-time, and paid for according to the above Standard. On behalf of the Meeting, D. J. JONES, Merthyr. Secretary. THE NINE HOUHS MOVEMENT. A MEETING of the Master Tradesmen of Merthyr and Dowlais, who have received Memorials from their men, onjthe above Subject, will be held at the Owain Glyndwr, Pontniorlais. on Tuesday Evening next, FEBRUARY 20th, at Eight o'clock. The attendance of all employers is urgently requested. Signed, WM. LEWIS, Painter. JOHN WILLIAMS, Builder. The Best and Cheapest Route for Passengers from the West of England and South Wales to the United States is by the "IREAT WESTERN STEAM-SHIP" V3T "LINE. I BRISTOL TO NEW YORK 1 A THE FlyE STE^il^HL~VSS St^'REW 1,300 Tons burthen, William Western, Commander—is intended to Sail on WEDNESDAY, March 13th, W2. To be followed by the Fine New Screw Steamship "GREAT WESTERN," 2,000 Tons, intended to Sail oil or about 24th April— Steerage Passage to New York, Baltimore, Boston, Portland, or Philadelphia, Six tjuineas <;).! lis, including an abundant supply of Cooked Provisions. Passengers may be booked through to all parts of the United States and Canada on very moderate terms. To secure berths, &c., apply to MARK Wiimvui. and Sow, Grove, Queen-square, Bristol; J. T. Morgan, (ilebe- Und-street, Merthyr Tydfil John Morgan, postmaster, Pontypool; G. F. Webb and Co Bonded Store Merchant Cardiff R. Burton and Son, Newport, Mon. Dr to Richard Morris, grocer, Blackwood.

MERTHYR TYDFIL GAS COMPANY. Incorporated by Special Act of Parliament, 23th June, 18G8, 31 and 32, Vic. Cap., 77. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the .131 FOURTH YEARLY ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the Shareholders of this Company will be held at the Offices, Pieton Street, Merthyr TYdtil, on Thursday, the 7th day of March, proximo to receive the Report of the Directors, and Statement of Accounts certified by the Auditors, to declare a dividend, and for the transaction of tho general busimss of the Company. The Chair will be taken at Three o'Clock in the afternoon precisely. JAMES WARD RUSSELL, Chairman, AND NOTICE IS ALSO HXREDY GIVES", that the iSooks the Ompany, in which are Registered the transfer of Stmrea, wUl be closed from the -1th of March to the ith March, proximo both days inclusive. By Order of the Directors, JOHN LEES COCKER, Secretary and Manager. Gas Offices and Works, Pieton Street, Merthyr Tydfil, Jgth Fi^ruary, 1372. j, iiUivieiiv iaiii;uaoe=>> >4 jiwW«

TO PARLNTS Ay D GUAIli'lAl-'c- j J L. ) .1. LJ 1" .}.L\. L _i "7\VNTEP, a respectable and well-educated T » Youth as an APPREN 1'ICE to the General Iron- mongery business. 'A lad having a knowledge of both languages preferred.— M'ply to W- T. GBIFEIIHS, Iron- monger, U:gh Street, Mertliyr T- dlil. 4051 SALE BY .MR. TI'nFj JONE8. SALE OF UNREDKKUKi) PLEDGES. MR. TI T U S JONES IS instructed 'h\' Mr. TIAP.RIS ISAACS, Pawn- 9 broker, 23, Victoria-street, Merthyr Tydfil, TO SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION, On MOKDAY, FKURIART 2Cth, 1S72, at Xo. 30, Victoria- street removed for the convenience of Sale the follow- ing Unredeemed Pledges:— A HUNTER SILVER LEVER WATCH Yo. 7,J72 pledge ticket Xo. 22, pledged August 1870 A HCNTER SILVER LEVER WATCH Xo. 5,371', pledge ticket -No, 33, pledged Septemi,er, ISïO. A 1 .F.VF.VA WAlTH, with Gold Albert Chain :\0. 23,225), pledge ticket No. 31, pledged Sentember, 1870. A COAT AND TROUSERS, pledge ticket No. S'J, pledged in July, 1S70. FIVE YARDS BLA' K. CLOTH, pledge ticket Xo. 54, pledged in Fd)[t!,1rr, isiO. In addition to the above Pledges, there will als-i bo Sold a number of other Unrcdeeir.e 1 Goods, consisting of Wearing Apparel, Watches, and Jewellery, and other Articles too numerous to mention. Sale to commence at Two o'clock, and the whole will be Sold without reserve.

COLLIERY MANAGERS^ MR. BRUCE has reintroduced his Mines Regulation Bill, and, to all appearance, in an improved shape. It would be premature to pass an opinion upon it before its complete provisions have been definitely made known, but one feature at least deserves im- mediate consideration. r. BRUCE proposes that all Colliery Managers shall henceforth be certificated. Every one who undertook the management of a colliery for the first time, on or since the 1st of January last, or who shall henceforth become a colliery manager, will be required to pass an exa- minati m, and to earn a certificate. Thoso whose management of collieries commenced before the above date will not be subjected to exam an examination which is to be of a striotly prac- tical character-but they will be bound to procure certificates. The advantage of this system is, that, in event of an accident and a subsequent inquiry, it will no longer be in the power of a jury to acquit a manager of all blame, and, in face of strong evidence against him, to restore him to his post whitewashed and free from blemish. He may lose his certiifcate. An inquiry may be held before a stipendiary magistrate, a county court judg1-?, or a barrister named by the Secretary of State, and if the manager should appear to have been guilty of misconduct, his certificate will be cancelled. Mr. DRCl'r; reason for introducing this arrangement is, that wherever a manager is found guilty by a coroner's jury -of manslaughter, the Bill is invariably thrown out by the grand jury, and, adds Mr. BRUCE, "I doubt whether there is an example of a single conviction of a manager, however gross and patent his negligence." The proposed examination and certificate will un- questionably be a powerful check, but it will make it more serious than heretofore to be a colliery manager. But why hedge the proprietors so care- fully all round ? Every one may surfer but these men, and it is unfair to quit them of all responsi- bility. The proposal, however, in reference to managers is a most important one, and as some- thing must be done to shield the coUkr from the carelessness of those to whose hands his life is daily entrusted, it is absolutely necessary to in- crease the responsibility of managers. We shall, no doubt, have to return to this and other pro- visions in the Bill, and we hope that in the mean- time all pirties interested will bestir themselves, and use their influence to secure a really good measure. MIX lJ V. M ATTE IT. A WEEK to-day the Merthyr School Board was asked once more to repeal the unjust and illiberal bye-law which provides for payments out of the rates to Denominational Schools. True to their instinct, the denominationalists were present in full force The two parsons and the two priests were duly seated in their wonted places. The only absentee was a Nonconformist—Mr. WIL- LIAMS, of DulFryn—whose vote was accordingly lost. Why this gentleman was absent on an occasion of such importance, we do not know, but the people of Merthyr will naturally expect to hear that nothing short of absolute necessity kept him away. Liberals are proverbially careless Conservatives are always on guard but Merthyr cannot afford to excuse any Nonconformist absentee when the votes to be taken are to decide the success or the failure of great fundamental prin- ciples. Wo are sanguine, however, that Mr. WILLIAMS will be able to give such an explanation of his absence as will satisfy all parties, and the sooner he does so, the better. Many of the rate- payers thought, no doubt; that those who had previously insisted on paying fees at Denomina- tional Schools at the public expense would, at least, express regret at not being able to vote in accordance with the opinions of those whom they profess to represent. If the last election did not teach them the propriety of either falling in with the clearly expressed wishes of the ratepayers, or resigning their seats at a Board on which they had ceased to represent the constituency, it might have taught them, at the very least, to be courteous to the parish. From gentlemen like Mr. CLAI K, Mr. CHARLES JAMES, and the Hector of Merthyr. the people have always expected something like courteous treatment and the c nirtesy with which the people have always treated them deserves reciprocation. At the last Board meeting, how- ever, the inhabitants of Merthyr and Dowlais had anything but courtesy at the hands of the majority. N'ot a word of defence or apology was ottered by these gentlemen for their continued opposition to the demands of the people. To the appeal made to them not to set at defiance the clearly expressed convictions of the great majority, they gave no reply, except their silent vote against their constituents. \Ve regret to be obliged to acknow- ledge it, but this course was at once undignified on the part of those who adopted it, and insulting to the community. It may be very easy for men to sit on a Board, and outrage public opinion by silent votes, but it is an unmanly procedure. It proves that those who act i:i th's way have no argument to sustain them, no reason to allege on their behalf, but only a determination to have their own way, whether it please the parishioners or not. Their policy is the pulicy of the despot, "I have the power, and will please myself." The silent vote, we have reason to believe, was agreed upon before the Board met. The majority had con- sulted together, and resolved to go on thwarting the popular will, but not to attempt any defence of their conduct. The fact is, they have no defence to offer. They know that, on this question of payment of fees, they do not represent public opinion, so that to arroie the case was to encroach upon ground on which they would have been sure to be upset. How could Mr. CLARK or Mr. JAMES have said, "Gentlemen, I know that I am not a representative of public opinion on this question, but I do no: care twopeno for public opinion, and mean, on this occasion, to consult my own wishes, and send the public about its business r' The can- dour of such a speech would have been charming, but we can hardly expect the men of this genera- tion to be quite so outspoken. Instead, then, of making a speech in vindication of their conduct, the gentlemen in question merely voted. Then- votes said in silence what the above speech would briefly have expressed in plain English. They knew that they were in a false position, being no longer members of the School Board for the parish of Merthyr Tydfil, but only and simply Mr. CLARK and Mr. JAMES, and yet they were naturally too modest to confess that they meant to act, not in a representative, but merely in their individual capacity. Amusing beyond all description is the trouble of Mr. CHAEXES JA?.IES'S conscience about a five pound note which he used to subscribe annually towards the funds of the school erected on the Newfoundland Tips. Since that school ceased to be a British School, and became a Board School, Mr. James has withheld his annual con- tribution, and what troubles him now is, how to withhold rates from the Catholics, seeing that he no longer contributes to the school in question. The connection between the two will probably not be very obvious even to persons not remarkably thick-headed, but Mr. JAMES sees a connection, and he cannot canter over it with the skill with which his adored Mr. FORSTER cantered over the religious difficulty. If Mr. JAMES means that he saves himself five pounds a year at the expense of the rates, because the school to which he formerly subscribed has been thrown upon the rates, he has only to renew his subscription. As Mr. JOHX- STONE reminded him at the last Board meeting, nobody will object to his continuing to make the annual offering as before, and if it be necessary for the relief of his conscience, the sooner he pays down the money the better for his own comfort. But, in any ctse, does Mr. JAMES mean to say that because he has discontinued his subscription of five pounds, all Merthyr must be compelled to support National and Catholic Schools ? If Mr. JAMES feels aggrieved, it is quite within his power and privilege to relieve his conscience by giving a yearly subscription to the Catholic Schools. Why should all Merthyr be persecuted and fined to ease }lr..JA\rES's conscience ? It is surely a work which he ought to do for himself, and at his own expense. We regret one incident connected with last Friday's voting-Mrs. CRAWSIIAT'S desertion of her party, and the principles which she formerly advocated. From the few remarks which she made we can extract nothing to justify the course which she adopted. When the people of Merthyr said nothing about the sixth bye-law, and even before it came into public notice, Mrs. CRAWSIIAY voted for the principle of civil and religious liberty, but after Merthyr had made it known to the whole country that that bye-law was, in its opinion, offensive, unjust, and persecuting, Mrs. CRAW- SHAY withheld her vote altogether. It would require very powerful argument to defend this course. As for her remark that a parent might feel his conscience aggrieved by having his child sent to a secular school, where is the grievance ? Does Mrs. CRAWSHAY mean to affirm that a parent is aggrieved when he cannot hare religion taught to his child at the public expense ? Who is trying to hinder parents from having their children religiously educated ? Not a single person that we know of. For a parent to complain that the ratepayers will not teach his child religion is not to plead conscience at all, but to demand what no person has the smallest right to have. The vote of the Board has gone once more against public opinion The discussion, however, has not ter- minated. It will be up again before long, and the blundering, obstinate majority will be forced to L ice. give way to the claims of justice.

ADVICE TO MOTHERS.—Are yen broken of your rest bya sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go as once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Yv'inslow' Soothing Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer imme- diately it is perfectly harmless it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the cliild 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 m lie. men; it 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 dysentry, and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for Mrs. VV'iuslow's Soothing Syrup, and see that Curtis and Perkins, New York and London is 011 the outride wrapper. No mother should be v ithout it. —Sold by all medicine dealers at Is. l.^d. per Bottle, Lon- don depot. 403. Oxford-street. 4:ïtil

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The news of the assassination of the Governor-General of India reached London on Monday afternoon too late for publication in the earlier edition of the evening- papers but reaching the Stock Exchange just before the door was closed, not too late to temporarily affect city transactions. This may account for many mischievous rumours being at once put into circulation. Of course, another rising" was predicted, and recollection of the "old mutiny" became in many minds associated with the last sad occurrence. This will account for the signicant allusion made in the House of Commons later on in the evening by Colonel Sykes, to the effect that the act, which men of all parties deplore, must be regarded only as an act of individual fanaticism, and not as a political matter. Lord Mavo was so general a favourite that on both sides in both Houses of l:arliament it was obvious that the melancholy event was felt keenly, not only as a national, but a personal, loss. It had, too, the effect of damping for the night the interest which otherwise would have been manifested in many disputed matters that came on for discussion. The new speaker looks well in his robes, and it is evident that many of the prejudices first entertained against his election are beginning to wear away. It was contrary to general expectation that Mr. Brand was elected to the speaker- ship without opposition. I was never of those who looked with apprehension at the prospect of the ex-Whip's occupying the Speaker's chair. Mr. Brand will disappoint the fears of the purists of the Spectator school, as well as the pardonable apprehensions of the rabidest Tories. He has been well trained, in every sense of the term he is a perfect gentleman, chivalrous and high-minded and, in regard to his knowledge of the forms of the House he has no superior. Whig, Tory, Radical, House-Rulist, and Adullamite may expect perfect fair play at his hands. At the present writing the American question wears a more ro-assuring aspect. The New York press is less bellicose than it was—even the shrieking Herald exhibits a mood that, compared with its recent manifestations, is charmingly judicial. Yet the renegade Scotchman who holds the reins of this paper must be characteristic. This is the latest" Let the Alabama claims stand, and thereby let England be held to bail to keep the peace with the world." Held to bail, indeed' And where- fore ? Because England preserved an attitude of neutrality during the war exactly similar to that main- tained by France ? But for an abiding belief in the good sense of the American people, contradistinguished from the idiotcy of the New York press (which is not the press of America, recollect), one might feel wrath with the presiding genius of the New York Herald. It is to be hoped that the Americans who have been clamouring for war will read the grave utterances of the Gorman press. Germany should by comparison know something about our national strength, and be able to make a shrewd estimate of the chances of it struggle between this country and the United States. Well, it is the opinion of Germany that America would get the worst of it should war be declared. Pressure from without has at last induced Yiscount Sydney, the Lord Chamberlain, to give way in the matter of accommodation in St. Paul's Cathedral on the thanksgiving day. He has already made arrangements for about twelve thousand visitors, and he will probably be induced by continual pressure to provide accommoda- tion for about four thousand more. The Cathedral held this number when the Iron Duke was buried, and the church is no smaller now than it was then, nor have Her Majesty's lieges grown stouter! Along the line of route windows and separate 'seats are being rapidly let. The lowest price I have heard of for a. single seat is a guinea, and two guineas is a common price. Windows are being lot at ten, fifteen, and twenty guineas each. The great point of attraction will be Temple Bar, which is to be elegantly decorated, as it is here that the Lord Mayor will deliver up the keys of the city to Her Majesty. Seats that command a view of the ceremony will probably fetch four or five guineas. I believe the illuminations at the west end and in the city will be re- markably good, and from Charing Cross to the Exchange the flags and decorations will be eriual to anything of the kind that has ever been seen throughout that splendid line of roadway. Nothing, I believe, is yet absolutely knov.-n about the day being observed as a general holiday here, but I have no doubt it will come to that. In fact, it will be absurd to attempt to do any business. Along the route of the procession the trades- men can afford to forego ordinary profits, considering what they will make by letting seats. As the train from Birmingham to Sutton Coldfields, on Saturday last, was running at full speed, a little girl leaning against a carriage-door fell out, to the horror of herparents, See. As the little child was not much hurt, this exciting accident is likely to pass unheeded, except by those who witnessed It. But allow me to call attention to two facts-first, that all attempts to attract the notice of cither the guard or the driver were useless and, secondlv, that the guard, who happened to see the child fall, immediately (it is said) applied the brake, but to no purpose, and the tiain could not be stopped till it had run a mile beyond the place of the accident. What can show more clearly how much we need compulsory rail- way reform r There arc in existence many practical plans of communication between passenger and officials, and also railway brakes which will stop a train-I am afraid to say in'how short a distance-and yet neither is adopted on this line, ncr on several others. Pending the report of the Megaira commissioners (which will be nothing more, on dit, than a recom- mendation to have an enquiry into the several depart- ments of the Admiralty), we have indirectly obtained some benefit from the two previous inquiries. The Admiralty have just issued an order assessing, if the word may be employed, the relative responsibility of the various oflicials in respect to the survey and inspection of ships for the future. Can it be that this is done to stave off the recommendation to which I have alluded? It looks marvellously like it. Here is a strange invitation to a dead man :—" Mr. John Moon, of New South Wales, who died in 1858, his widow, or any other relative is required to prove his decease, and will much oblige by communicating," &c. And this advertisement in the Times emanates from a lawyer How can the departed person prove bis own decease ? There is no other way but by table-rapping through a medium. Pity that lawyers cannot write j their own language. The judge who tried the against the proprietor of ) the Difis Doii/ys, and who iinp-'sec! a pin .liy of £ .10, subsequently that the treasury should hand over the money to the society for the suppression of vice, towards the expenses incurred in the prosecution. The treasury will not be in a hurry to do that, if it does it at all, and I cannot see that the society deserves the gift. It lies dormant as a rule, and only wakes up as a rare exception. There is- another publication quite as bad as that which is now suppressed, and yet the society does nothing in the matter. And how scandalously it has failed in its duty with regard to the valentines which have outraged common decency this year as much as ever. If the society would really do what it professes to do, it would not want for funds. It may seem rather ungracious to say this now that a prosecution has been successful, but I refer to the matter for this very reason. It is the exception which proves the rule. There is no real difficulty and very little expense about a prosecu- tion under Lord Campbell's Act. When the Government come to advocate the abolition of nomination, they might well adduce the scenes that took place at the Galway nomination, but the fact is that scenes of riot and disorder at the nomination of candidates are so common that there is no want of material for illustrating the evil of the system. But if nominations are to be abolished, as is thought probable, there must be some substitute for them. In the case of uncontested elections, something like the existing system is indispensable. Apropos of elections, I will give you it as my opinion that a peer boasting the illustrations lineage possessed by the Duke of Newcastle should be far above Eatanswill and its tactics. It might be said that a peer with such a lineage would preserve that state of isolation which properly belongs to his rank, if he consulted the traditions of his own family, and paid some attention to the political signs of the times. But the present Duke of Newcastle is not a political peer. He is better known at Newmarket, and Goodwood, and Don- caster, and Epsom, when the frequenters of those places are indulging in the pastime of racing, than he is in the House of Lords, even on "great nights." He has issued a manifesto whose tone is amusing. He does not tell his tenantry how they must vote, but how lIe would vote. His proclamation is not dissimilar in casuistry to that famous speech of Tom Styles's in Society." Gentle- men, don't put him under the pump don't duck him in the horse-pond I doit't tear him limb from limb!" &c. His grace of Newcastle has at length distinguished himself. His address to those Notts electors will not soon be forgotten. Although it was a disappointment to many that the Queen did not deliver her own speech at Westminster, Londoners are being comforted by the promised State visit to the city. Very great preparations are being made in the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral for the thanksgiving service, and after attentively reading the account of the arrangements, they appear to me to be far from necessary for a service which will only occupy an hour or two. Great dissatisfaction is being expressed by the city companies,and by many civic officials, at the contemplated limitation of the accommodation to 8,000 persons, whereas the Cathedral would probably hold double that number. Though I see nothing of the kind stated, I am certain that jealousy must exist betwaen the Lord Chamberlain and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. There is ample precedent for the former officer of State arranging the sittings on the occasion, but Viscount Sydney is evidently bent on making the attendance small and select. At present there is only the muttering of distant thunder; but ere long the storm will burst out, nnleu the Lord Chamberlain gives way to the representations that are privately made to him. Meanwhile, people are expressing surprise that the Prince will accompany the Queen to the Cathedral if the state of his health permits of his undergoing the fatigue. That looks preparatory to the announcement that he will not go, reminding us of the omission of the character of Hamlet from the play of that name. Surely such a hiatus valde deflendm as this cannot be contem- plated. There seems, indeed, to be a strange un- certainty about all the arrangements, and the public are scarcely allowed to know anything. Whether the Queen will go in state or semi-state, and at what hour and by what route; by what route Her Majesty will return—these and many other points are at the present time not made clear in the public announcements. It is all, however, tolerably well understood, and the shop- keepers along the Strand, Fleet-street, and Ludgate- hill, are reckocing on being able to let their windows at high figures. The few windows that will command a view of Temple Bar will bring fancy prices. We have not yet come to "prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans," though we virtually had "sweet girl graduates in their golden hair," and the employ- ment of young ladies as clerks in telegraph offices and commercial establishments makes progress. The ladies will feel interested in hearing that there is a probability of young women being employed as clerks in some of the London banks and insurance offices, but I confine myself to the statement of this as a probability. I shall not believe it till I have stronger evidence of it.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. THE TRUCK SYSTEM.—Mr Mundalla did good service on Monday night in the House ef Commons, by calling the attention of the Home Secretary to the paramount impor- tance of taking steps to put an end to a system fraught with so much evil to the community. It is gratifying to learn that Mr Bruce has promised to introduce a measure at an early period. SAD CAB ACCIDENT.—A sad and painful incident oc- curred on Saturday last about mid-day on the Market- square, which indicated, on the one hand, great negligence on the part of a cab-driver, and on the other hand, a re- markable and almost miraculous escape from immediate death to a much-respected gentleman now on a visit in the town. Captain Smyth, of Narberth, formerly of Llanbleth- ian, an old Peninsular officer, eighty-four years of age, father of Mr Walter Smyth, chemist, Merthyr, was on a visit to his son, and in the afternoon, whilst taking his ac- customed stroll through the town, and walking leisurely along the pathway in front of the Market-square, a cabman from the stand in the Square, and who was driving a two- horse cab, carelessly drove up against him and struck him with great force, until he fell between the horses. Although the cab passed over him, yet, most singularly, he escaped being trodden upon, nor was he touched by the wheels, otherwise, in either case, he would most assuredly, in his feeble state of health and advanced age, have been in- stantly killed. The incident was witnessed by hundreds of people, who thronged the High-street and Market-square, and the excitement produced by the occurrence was of a most intense description, and led te involuntary screaming, that, for a moment, produced the greatest alarm. Un- fortunately, Captain Smyth had for many years suffered from lameness, produced; from a shot wound he received whilst serving with his regiment at Pampeluna, and latterly the pain had considerably increased, so that this accident, though in itself not serious in its immediate result, it is feared will have produced such a nervous shock as to greatly affect his general health. He w.as immediately after the occurrence carried in an unconscious state to the shop of Mr Gay, chemist and dentist, where Drs Probert and Ward were quickly in attendance. He was bleeding from several surface wounds on the face and head, and after consciousness had been restored these were dressed by the medical gentlemen, who, in conjunction with Mr Gay, did all that skill and kindness could do under the sad circumstances. The cabman, we hear, was unaccustomed to driving, and was only temporarily engaged in conse- quent of the illness of the regular driver, and probably it is owing to this circnmstance that the sad accident occurred. May we suggest that the Market-square be no longer used as a cab stand. It is unauthorized by the Board of Health, aud we hope the proprietor of the Square will not again sanction its use for that purpose. We scarcely need add that much sympathy is felft for Mr Smyth in the sad circumstance which has befallen him. THE LATE EXPLOSION AT THE PENYDARREN WORKS.— INQUEST ON THE DECEASED.—An inquest was held on Saturday at the Black Bull, Bethesda-street, Merthyr, before Mr George Overton, coroner, on the body of Sarah Hewett, who was killed at the late explosion at Penydarren. The first witness called was Benjamin Evans, who said he was a refiner at the Penydarren Works. He knew the de- ceased, who was employed for a fortnight at one of the re- fineries. She had been previously employed at Cyfarthfa, but witness did not know in what capacity. Her employ- ment was to fill cinders into the trucks and carry coke for the fire, and any other labour that was required to be done. It was customary for the refiner to employ his assistant in the day. On Thursday morning last, about four o'clock, he was tapping his furnace, when the molten iron got between the joints of the metal moulds, and passed through into the water tank below, cousin* the explosion. The mould had been propurly covered with clay in the usual way before be tapped the furnace, and was in proper working order. He believed the cause of the occurrence wa.s that the hot iron had washed away some of the clay from the joints. The explosion blew up the mould, destroyed a portion of the roof, and created a loud report. Witness was standing by the furnace tapping it at the time of the explosion, and he saw deceased a short time previous standing near another furnace. Witness was struck down by the ex- plosion and injured considerably by the bricks and hot ashes.—John Roberts, another employe, was at work when the explosion occurred. He went to the place as soon as he heard the report. Found last witness sitting down. Two me:), named John Ditviesand Evan Davies, were also in. jured. l'va.l 1 dcec.s^-l <ying down with her clothes on fire, and part of the mould resting on her body. Some men raised the mould off her body and carried her home. The doctor attended her, but she lived only half an hour.- Edward Campbell, of the same place, step-father of the deceased, said she ought not to have gone to work before six on the fatal morning, but the clock in the house had stopped, and he believed she made a. mistake and rose too early. She was 17 years of age.—Mr Mostyn, the Govern- ment Inspector under the Factory Acts, attended the in- quiry to watch the proceedings, and intimated that from the first report of the deceased's fate it appeared that she had been employed during the night, which was illegal; but, after hearing the evidence, he was convinced it was not the case.—The jury, after consideration, returned the following verdict:—"Accidental death from the explosion of a refinery furnace and we believe there is no blame attacnea to anyone. PAYMENT OF DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOL XEES.—-Mr R. Foulkes Griffiths, secretary to the Llangollen School Board, writes to the Daily News as follows I have received a circular from the Education Department, dated January 1, 1872, and bearing a printer's date January 9, which shows in a striking manner the contradictry nature of the explana- tions of My Loids. I had proposed that one of the terms of the transfer of a good school-room and a. house worth X7 per year to the School Board of the parish should be the payment of the expenses incurred by the existing managers, such payment not to exceed £ 25. The department objects, possibly it is well that it does go, but I would wish the ground of objection to be noted. I quote from paragraph 4, of "Letter explaining Minute, dated July 17, 1871."— "According to the Elementary Education Act, 1870, the ratepayers cannot be made to contribute towards the ex- penses of any elementary school, unless it be a school' pro- vided by a School Board,' which means (sec. 14), a school conducted under the control and management of a School Board, so that until the date of transfer, a School Board cannot undertake to contribute towards the expense of its maintenance." This explanation seems to have been drawn up by a man of the law." May I ask what becomes of the power of the Board to pay fees in schools not provided by tne Board, which was a few months ago on# of the pet hobbies of My Lord* BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, Mr Clark in the chair.—The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.—The Master reported the number in the house to be 28G corre- sponding week of last year, 333.—The notice of appeal against the surcharges on certain guardians, made by the auditor some time since, was read. It set forth the repairs carried out, for which the pavinents in question had been made. It was jocularly urged that if members of the Board wer* to be plagued in this way. they had better get a couple of insolvents on the Board and let them sign all the cheques. -The report of the Vaccination Inspector was read, from which it appeared that small-pox had increased.—It also transpired that out of the 30 applicants for re'.ief ordered in'o the house last week, three only complied. INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Wednesday at the Prince of Wales Inn, before Mr George Overton, coroner, on the body of Edward Williams, who was accidentally killed on Monday, on the railway at Llwyncelyn, by falling under trucks in motion. After hearing the. brief but clear evidence adduced, showing the accidental circumstances of the poor man's death, the jury returned a verdict of °' Ac- cidental death through falling under railway trucks." THE .b.mnT BILL. The Parliamentary and Municipal Elections Bill has been printed. It consists of 28 clauses, the first 18 of which relate to parliamentary elections, four to municipal elections, and the remainder to miscel- laneous points of detail. The mode of voting is thus described in the second clause — The ballot of each voter shall consist of a paper (in this Act called a ballot paper) showing the names and description of the candidates. At the time of voting it shall be marked at the back with an official mark, and delivered to the voter within the polling station, and the voter, having secretly marked his vote on it, and folded it up so as to conceal his vote, shall place it in a closed box in the presence of the officer presiding at the polling station (in this Act called "the presiding officer"), after having shown to him the official mark at the back. Any ballot paper which has not on its back the official mark, or on which votes are given to more candidates than the voter is entitled to vote for, or on which anything is written or marked by which the voter can be identified, shall be void and not counted." Infringement of secrecy by any officer, clerk, or agent in attendance at a. polling station, is to be punishable by imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour. Clause .5 provides that every resident county elector, so far as is reasonably practicable, shall have a polling place with- in a distance not exceeding four miles from his residence, but a polling district need not be constituted in any case where there are less than 100 registered electors. The 12th clause provides that no voter shall, "in any legal proceed- ings to question the election or return, be required, or with- out his previous consent be asked, to state for wham he has voted." The schedules to the Act contain a number of re- gulations for the conduct of Parliamentary and Municipal elections, and forms of ballot papers and various notices required to be given under the Act. THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT.—A meeting of the master tradesmen of Merthyr and Dowlais has been convened to be held at the Owain Glyndwr next Tuesday, to consider the memorial of the workmen recently presented, praying for the concession of the nine hours limit on the 1st April next. It is not believed that there will be any objection offered by any master to the concession, but the masters will stipulate that the regulation of the hourj must be a matter of detail, to be left to each trade or shop. PROPOSEDMEMORIAL TO THE LATE MR MORRtS. —Arrange- ments are being set on foot by a few friends of the deceased gentleman, for getting up a testimonial to Mrs Morris, in memory of her late husband, who, we believe, was unfortu- nate in the way in which he effected his heaviest insurances. We have no doubt that the hundreds, nay thousands, of friends which the deceased gentleman made will rejoice at the opportunity of giving some practical and substantial proof of their regard for him who, in all charitable things, was so open-handed. THE ALLEGHANIAN VOCALTTS AND SWISS BELL-RINGERS gave their novel entertainment on Thursday night, and which will be repeated to-night (Friday ) They were greatly applauded, and those who were present declare that the entertainment was thoroughly deserving of patronage, and that the artistes indicated talent of a very rare order. CORRECTTON.-In the list of pupils published in our last as having obtained certificates of merit from the South Kensington Museum, the name of Master Tom Forrester, son of Mr James Forrester, draper, late of this town, and now of Swansea, was somehow omitted. We understand that this young lad passed in mathematics and physical geography, and remembering his youthful age he deserves to be complimented on his success, and we hope it will prove an augury of his future progress. He was a pupil in the science and art class of the Merthyr British School. The following names were also inadvertently omitted in our last week's list of successful pupils :Mathematics Mr David Evans, 1st grade, 2nd division. Practical plane and solid geometry Mr P. R. Bedlington. elementary. 2nd division.—These pupils were under the tuition of Mr E. Williams, M.A. DUNVILLE & Co., Belfast, are the largest hoers fold whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is recom- mended by the medical profession in preference t( French brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or ex- portation. Quotations on application to MESSRS. DUN- VILLE & Co., IRISH ROYAL DISTILLERIES, BELFAST. 471

BIRTHS. On the mh inst., at Pentrebaeh House, Merthyr, the wife of T. H. Hosgood, Esq of a son. On the 8th inst., the wife of MrJ. Fergusson, insurance agent, New Castle-street, Merthyr, of a daughter. MARRIAGE. On the 3rd inst., at St. Mary's Church, Reading, by the Rev J. H. Jenkinson, Mr Robert Dugdale, of Newport, Mon., to Annie Sarah, youngest surviving daughter of Mr James Brown, of Reading. DEATH. On the 12th inst., Mrs Morgans, Vaynor Cottage, Pont- sarn, at an advanced age. The deceased lady was widely esteemed for her many virtues.

THE MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD. The usual fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Friday; present—Mr George Clark, in the chair, Mrs Crawshay, the Revs F. S. Johnstone, Cornelius Griffiths, O. W. James, John Griffith, William Green, Fathers Millea and Bruton, and Mr Charles James. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con- firmed. Certain bills recommended by the Finance Committee were ordered to be paid. Mr Buckmaster, from the South Kensington Department, appeared before the Board, and said he thought as he was in the district he would, with their permission, wait upon them and see whether he could urge some closer connection between the elementary schools and the science and art evening classes in connection with the South Kensington Museum. If they would introduce into the elementary schools some instruction in the laws of health and the gen- eral outlines and principles of physiology, it would have a beneficial influence on the character of children, and in the after-life of men and women. It seemed to him a sub- ject of immense importance not beside the functions, and power of this Board. There had been abundant instances in different parts of the country of the utter uselessness of attempting to instruct children in science who had not the remotest notion ef what science meant—who had not heard even the common language of science. The department was anxious to push the matter as much as they could with- out being too importunate. He hoped, in time to come, there would be some connecting link between the whole of the elementary education of the country and this more ad- vanced teaching. The Chairman remarked that there was this difficulty. They would, under such an arrangement, be dealing with two departments that did not recognise one another officially, and were not in connection with one another. Mr Buckmaster assured the Board that although there was at one time a non.recognition of one department by the other, yet that was no longer the case, but that at pre- sent there was the heartiest co-operation between the two departments. Mrs Crawshay alluded to a visit she had recently made to a school at Peckham, in London. Though an elementary school several of the subjects taught in art classes were there brought under the regular attention of the pupils. The most prominent subjects were those bearing most intimately upon the interests cf the working class, such as the laws of health, physiology, and other branches of natural science. She was greatly pleased with her visit to the school, and with the progress made and the interest taken by the children in these science classes. Some little discussion followed, and Mr Buckmaster was assured before leaving the room of the favourable manner in which his proposition was entertained. REV MR JOHNSTONE'S NOTICE OFJMOTION. The Clerk read the following notice of motion given by Mr Johnstone a month since That bye-law No. 6, page 9 in the printed copy, be amended so as to read as follows 'Where the parent, of any child of school age, and not attending a public elementary school, or receiving an effi- cient education elsewhere, is, in the opinion of the Board, unable from poverty to pay the whole or a part of the school fees payable at a Board School by such child, the Board may remit for a renewable period, to be from time to time fixed by them, not exceeding six calendar months, the whole or such part of the fees so payable at a Board School as in their opinion the parent is unable from poverty to pay but the Board shall not pay fees for any such child on account of its attendance or instruction at any school not under the management and control of the Board.' The Rev Mr Johnstone said that it was to him exceed- ingly unpleasant to have to submit this resolution to the Board, that the subject had already been discussed, and that it would be impossible to re-open it without encroach- ing upon questions which no one would willingly raise. At the same time, the bye-law to which he took exception was a bad one, and one to which it was impossible for the parish to submit, and he could assure the Board that those whose principles he represented would not submit to it, even if it were forced upon them. Unpleasant as the task of moving his resolution might be, he had no alternative but to per- form it. The burden had been laid upon him, and he could not shirk the responsibility. He reminded the Board of the circumstances of his candidature, and of the steps which had previously been taken by the ratepayers, both by means of deputations and public meetings, to let the Board clearly understand what the people of Merthyr thought about the sixth bye-law. It was after they had failed to convince the Board and to obtain redress by these ordinary means, that they resolved to give their convictions an unmistakable ex- pression by carrying the question to the decision of a poll. The Nonconformists had chosen him as their candidate, and returned him by a large majority, and the question on which the whole election turned was that which was involved in the bye-law which he now wished to amend. The Board had had ample evidence before the contest that the sixth bye-law was hostile to the convictions of the great majority of the ratepayers, but if there was any room for doubt as to the opinion of the majority previous to the election, it was impossible to be in any doubt after the contest closed. It would be utterly preposterous for any one to argue now that the opinion of the constituency had not been clearly ex- pressed. Thatoplnionhadbeenmostemphaticallyand uxmis- takably expressed, and it was now for the Board to decide whether it would legislate with the people whom it pro- fessed to represent, or against the people. Mr Johnstone went on further to state that he felt some anxiety as to the result of the discussion, lest, in event of the Board still ad- heiing to its former decision, the failure should be due to his inompeteney rather than to the weakness of his cause; yet he had this consolation, that he knew he represented public opinion. No member sitting at that Board had been returned by the votes of so many electors as had sent him there, and it was not in parts of the parish alone that his candidature had been victorious, for every ward had given him a decisive majority. He did not say this exultingly, but to remind the Board that there was a clear issue before the public at the last election, and that it was vain to atiect ignorance or doubt as to what the constituency demanded. He also reminded the Board that the Merthyr election was not a solitary case-that Wolver- hampton, Halifax, Dewsbury, Liverpool, and other towns and parishes had yielded similar results, and even at Burnley, where it was deemed only fair to elect a Roman Catholic to succeed a Catholic member who had died, the people would not consent to the proposal except on con- dition that that Catholic should pledge himself to oppose the payment of fees to denominational schools. He (Mr Johnstone) had recently attended a conference of Noncon- formists in the city of Manchester, such a conference as no generation could expect to look upon twice, and he would assure the Board that the vast crowds of representative men, collected from all parts of the country, spoke with a firmness, and with a oneness of mind and speech, which left no room to doubt that the Nonconformists of this country meant to be trifled with no longer, that they would no longer submit to the unrighteous legislation by which they were oppressed, and that they would not rest until they had received that fair and just treatment to which they were entitled. He might mention as a highly signifi- cant fact that scarcely one resolution was presented to that conference which was not greatly strengthened before it met the requirements Of the determined men who had assembled, and he was satisfied that it would be ruinous to any administration to turn a deaf ear to those demands The payment of fees out of the rates to denominational schools was, Mr Johnstone contended, religious endow- ment. He was not prepared to listen to any more quibbling on this subject, but thought all such quibbling worthy of nothing better than scorn. Denominational schools had been established for denominational purposes. He might refer them for proof to the Charter of Incorporation of the National Society with which the national schools were con- nected. In that Charter it was distinctly avowed that the said soiiety had been "instituted principally far the purpose of educating the children of the poor in the doctrines of the Established Church, according to the liturgy and catethisro provided} for that purpose;" and was it not insulting to one's common-sense to be tol I that schools established principally for educating children in such doctrines, could be aided from tho rates, and yet hot receive religious endowments. The Roman Catholics had been more honest, he thought, than other de- nominations, for they had never made any pretence of concealing the denominational character of their schools. They had no Wesleyan schools in Merthyr, but even in Wesleyan schools the same denominational character was upheld, and, according to the plan issued by the Wesleyan Committee of Education, the schools were required to be avowedly and practically connected, as to their govern- ment and denomination, with Wesleyan Methodism," and to have the Wesleyan catechism taught in then:. How, then, could any one, having any pretence to honesty and straightforwardness of speech, and not sinking to mere paltry quibbles, assert that rates paid to such schools were not paid in support of denominational institutions, or that they did not go to aid denominational projects ? If those who spoke in that way were disposed to make an experi- ment, they could easily do so. Just let them consent to have all grants and rates now given to these schools pro- fessedly fer secular teaching withdrawn, and what would become of their religious teaching, their catechism, and their staff of religious teachers ? Teachers, grants, and rates, secular teaching, and sectarian teaching, would all vanish together, for had it not been for the public money these people had received and still received, they could never have bolstered up their denominations as they had done. He spoke within the knowledge of some who were present when he reminded them that the Catholic Bishop of Liverpool had stated that the Catholics could never have accomplished what they had accomplished, in the way of charitable and educational institutions, had it not been for State grants. Nor should it be forgotten that the rates proposed to be paid would go chiefly to a denomination already endowed beyond all reason, to the schools of the Established Church, to a church which had done less than any other church for the religious welfare of Wales, and yet was insatiable in its demands for money. Was the time never to arrive when that church would cease crying, Endow us, endow us?" They might depend upon it that the people would not put up with this unrighteousness, and it would theretore be well tor the Jioard to retuse its countenance to this clamour for public funds, by passing this resolution. It would be quite unworthy of the Board to seek refuge in a quibble, or to turn a deaf ear to a just demand. Nonconformists, he went on to say, were often taunted for not having built schools of their own, and thus entitling themselves to a large share of State grants. Those who taunted them took care to conceal the fact that Nonconformist never wished to have public money for denominational purposes, and it was not until very recent'y that Government would consent to give a grant to any school, except on condition that religious instruction should be given in it. Passing to another aspect of the case, he should like to know what religious instruction was given in the schools to which they were asked to pay away the rates. That was a matter, however, in which he, though a mem- ber of the Board on which the claim would be made, had no power or right to inquire. The Board would pay the money, and yet it would not have the liberty so much as to ask what was being done with it. He could not, however, but feel anxiety as to the kind of religious instruction which they would give. At a public meeting the rector of Merthyr had stated that he had informed the National Society that the Church catechism would not do for Wales, and that he must be allowed to dispense with it in his schools at Aberdare and yet at the very time the rector was making that statement, the Church catechism was in daily use at St. David's school. He could hardly under. stand why the catechism would not do for Aberdare, and could yet be usefully employed in Merthyr. But, again, he would like to know what explanations were given in teaching that catechism to the children. He held in his hand a small production professing to be an explanation of the Church catechism, by the Rev F. A. Gace, M.A., Vicar of Great Barling, Essex. It was sold for twopence, and he thought it was not worth much more. In that contemptible little work, intended for the use of families and parochial Schools, many of which were in receipt of public money, he found dissenters branded as heretics and their worship as idolatry. Dissenters were denounced in it because they worship God according to their own evil and corrupt imaginations," and therefore dissent is called "a great sin," the children of churchmen, however, being, with great kindness and liberality, allowed to pray for and even to assist dissenters in distress. It was also stated in the same miserable production that many dissenters are unexceptionable characters in a moral point of view, but they are not holy men," and the poor children are taught that it is wicked to enter a dissenting place of worship. In fact, he had only been able to find one doetrine in the whole of this catechism with which he thought the Board would agree, and it was the marvellous announcement that matrimony is not necessary to salvation (loud iaughter.) He thought there were two gentlemen on the Board who would be exceedingly pleased to hear this (renewed laughter), as it must assure them that there was hope for them yet in the future, notwithstanding their vow of celibacy. Was this, then, the sort of religious teaching for which they meant to compel a Nonconformist community to pay ? It might be argued that Mr Gace's catechism was not used in Merthyr. He did not know whether it was used or not, but he would remind the Board that they had no power officially to inquire. He had no doubt that the rector of Merthyr would scorn the proposal to teach such pitiful rubbish to little children, but they must remember that they had no guarantee against the introduction of such a work, and besides, that catechism of Mr Gace's was published as an explanation of the catechism now in use in church schools in this parish, and there was nothing to prevent teachers from adopting its utterances as their own. Then, coming to another set of schools -Catholic schools, he should like to know what sort of religious teaching was given in them. That was a still greater mystery. He had seen several Catholic catechisms. On the title-page of one of them, framed for the use of two Irish dioceses, he read the words, "This is the way; walk ye in Anxious to know what the way was, he had turned over the leaves, and found some very remarkable instruction about the ten commandments. He found that no one could break these commandments, unless he committed a mortal sin that if the sin was only venial, the command- ments were not broken. Turning, then, to the question, When is theft a mortal sin?" the reply which followed was, When the thing stolen is of considerable value, or causeth a considerable hurt to our neighbour." Now, he often saw from the local papers that children were taken up for stealing pieces of coal and old iron, and, for aught he knew they might regard these as only venial offences, though, unhappily for the culprits, the magistrates evi- dently treated them as mortal. Whether such teaching was given in any school in Merthyr he could not say but who could prevent it ? They could not, and yet they might be guilty of paying for it. It had been argued, however, that the bye-law which he was opposing was necessary in order to give parents a choice of schools, but that was an assertion quite contrary to fact. It was an argu- ment of which the gentleman opposite him (Mr. Green) could make no use, for he was doing all he could to prevent the people at Abercanaid from having any choice of school. They (the Board) knew perfectly well that in many parts of the parish there would be no such choice. Did they mean to build schools for Independents, for Baptists, for Calvinistic Methodists, and give the ad- herents of these denominations instruction in their own de. nominational views ? For if not, was it not sheer hypocrisy to speak of giving the people a choice of schools ? Coming to Mr James's resolution to which the Board had agreed, Mr Johnstone went on to observe that that resolution pro. vided that the fees should be paid for those children only who passed the Government examination. He contended that Mr James had overlooked the fact that Nonconformists had rejected the quibble by which it had been sought to convince them that grants in aid went for secular purposes only, that it was useless to tell them any longer that money given to denominational schools could be given for any but sectarian ends. He strongly denounced the plea of those who argued that as Dissenters had already borne with the grievance of having their taxes paid to these schools, and with Denison's Act,.they should not murmur at the further burden of having their rates taken from them too. The Egyptian taskmasters, he said, probably urged the same plea. They, no doubt, said to the poor Hebrews, "You have been making our bricks with straw, and why do you cry out now, when we compel you to make them without straw ?" Besides, continued the speaker, Mr James's solu- tion of the difficulty is impracticable. The Inspectors of Schools would not tell the Board what children had passed, and even Parliament was not in possession of the informa- tion. They had therefore devised a remedy which could never be applied. Mr Johnstone strongly denounced the Government for its breach of faith, assuring the Board that Mr Gladstone had given a pledge that the denominational schools would be severed from the Boards so as to exact no payments from them, and had yet broken that pledge in the face of the whole country by enacting the 25th clause. Were they, then, he asked, to be accomplices in this violation of a pledge, or were they to denounce it by refusing to avail themselves of the power which that clause most unjustly gave them ? He also reminded the Board of the pauperizing effect of their bye-law in places in which it had been tried, and cited Salford in particular, in which after paying for 1737 children, the attendance at school had diminished by 713. He urged the Board to resist the im- politic principle of paying money to irresponsible bodies, to institutions over which it had no control. He still further reminded them of the determination of the ratepayers as shown at the last election, and of the resolution of those working men who worked all night rather than lose the. opportunity of voting. May I remind the Board, continued Mr Johnstone, of what was done in Dowlais alone. There is no employer more highly esteemed by his workmen than our chairman. (Hear, hear, from the Rev O. W. James.) Wherever I have heard them speak of him I have heard them speak with the greatest respect, and I am sure that in all cases in which their principles will allow them they will be ready to give him cordial support. But when the contest came on, how did these men act? They knew how our chairman had voted on this question, and that my vote would go in direct opposition to his yet they did not hesi- tate. With them the question was, Shall we vote for Q-dr principles, or shall we be traitors to our principles ?" and we all know how they decided. At the Dowlais booth alone, I polled 85 per cent of the vote3 recorded. (Hear, hear.) I do not wish to detain the Board longer. I feel as if I owed an apology for the length of time I hav^ spoken, but I can- not sit down without appealing to the Board not stubbornly to resist the well-known wishes of the people. Is this Board to say to the people of Merthyr, We know your principles, we are quite aware of your convictions, but they are nothing whatever to us ? You may say what you please-we have the power to enact this bye-law, and are determined to force iu upon you, whether you like it or notr Is the Board prepared to assume this attitude, or to adopt this tone? For I would warn you that it is impossible to legislate against the popular will. Every Government or Board that attempts that dangerous experiment is sure to bring itself to grief. You cannot enforce laws, but with the consent of the majority of ftie people, and therefore I implore you to listen to the just claims of the parish by passing the resolution which I now move. (The rev. gentleman spoke for nearly an hour and a half.) After a short pause the Rev. O. W. James rose, and said that he thought it unnecessary to make any further remarks after the able and exhaustive speech to which they had just listened. He seconded the resolution with all his heart. Mrs Crawshay, in expressing regret at her inability to support the Nonconformists, said it was entirely in consequence of purely secular education having beee made the great point in their programme. Saving read her letter to the Times which appeared last Monday and sub. sequently in these columns, setting forth modifications in her previous selection from the Bible for religious teaching, she continued It seems to me we should aggrieve the conscience of the indigent parent if we send his children to school where education is purely secular. Whilst in town recently, I heard a very good conundrum, which I should like to mention here. It is, What is religion ? and the answer was, It is an insurance against fire in tho next world, in which honesty is considered the beat policy." Now. 1 will not give countenance to any system of religion