Monmouthshire Merlin

A FABLE. A silly lark, who oft would roam, Far from its mate and lowly home, Still safe conceal'd by some rough mound, Rejoin'd her on the lowly ground His russet garb misleads the eye Of prying schoolboy passing nigh, When first eqUIp d with deadly gun, Destroys a life for simple fun. It chanced whilst soaring o'er the tide, A graceful swan this lark espied, Whose snowy plumes of dazzling white, Entranced the songster with delight; 1 o Jore he made an earnest pray'r, That he, who made e'en birds his care, NVould deign to change his earth-stain'd vest, That he in WHITE might hence be drest The prayer is heard, the change takes place, Proud of his figure, air, and grace, He rises upwards to the sky, Surveys the meads with haughty eye All other larks are held in scorn, As thus he carols to the morn. Day is fast hast'ning to a close, He seeks his nest, he courts repose, A fowler lurking for his prey, As twilight flung her shadows grey, Beheld an object passing white, Which quick arrests his eager sight; The timid bird too late perceives, That modest tints the foe deceives,— He rises, spreads his snowy plume, That fatal act has seal'd his doom, The murd'rous lead hath trac'd his flight, Seal'd are his brilliant eyes In night: MORAL. This tale a moral may convey To those whom pride and folly sway, If calm content dwelt in each breast, They would in safety surely rest. A sportsman, whilst waiting in the evening for wild fowl, was attracted by a small white ol ject in the air, and discharged his piece at it, and having secured it, it proved to be a white lark, which circumstance has called tor the above fable. Usk, Nov. 29th, 1847.

CHRISTMAS. Though the aged year carries the cloud on his wings, And the breath of his nostril makes yellow the leaves, Who would not rejoice with the joy that he brings, And shout for the triumph his presence achieves ? Though the blossoms and flowers have for coffins their bowers, And Hehe laments that they were not immortal; Though Time's an Othello that kisses and kills. Yet Mirth is the watchman who waits by his portal. The minutes may speed like the fleet battle steed But they trample not down all the sport where they run; No the world hates high priests of the good Christmas creed Who otter burnt ash at the altar of fun. Then shout for the pleasures of Christmas—shout! Which in love with the heart makes the poor man a lord If be hath no gold chalice to poitli wine about, Yet the juice of the brown apple gladdens his board. The time of gay Christmas Is no time at all, For time makes us aged, and Christmas makes young; Even lips that are old half forget they are cold, And with warm ones salute where the misletoe's hung. A truce to salt tears when the white berries come In a prison shut grief, with its flood-making weather j- The Christmas was sent as the dying year's drum, To call all the troops of affection together. Burrington.

THE DYING CHILD. Come near me, mother-for I weep When you are gone,—come near me, mother I've not been long asleep- Oh, where's my brother ? He told me he would come And bring sweet flowers and sea shells home Where is he, mother ? Come near me now I-Yon told me once How Fanny left your side That through long days, and weeks, and months, She pined, and then she died. I've had a dream, Which did so bright and holy seem, That when I woke I cried. I was in heaven, and pretty things, Flowers, birds, and shells were there, And angels, on their golden wings, Played on the sunny air. Aud one sweet child Bent o'er me lovingly, and smiled It was my sister there The little bird I love so well Must seek his own dear sky He must be weary of his cell,— Yes, tired, for so am 1. « Hang a silk necklace round his neck, Mother, it won't his passage check, And let him fly. Is that a star, dear mother, that a star, Which through the glass I see ? Methinks it does not seem so far As once it seemed to be. I'm dying and my forehead burns ;— When George returns Give him a kiss for me. — Ibid.

MURDER OF FOUR CHILDREN AT BATH, BY THEIR MOTHER, AND SUICIDE OF THE MURDERESS. [We last week briefly stated that the above horrible mur- ders had been committed. The following are the details.] The above appalling circumstance took place on Tuesday week, and has naturally created a most painful sensation. The unhappy creature who perpetrated this horrible tragedy was the wife of a jobbing brewer, named Ridout, occupying a small cottage adjacent to the Bradford canal station. The husband, it appears, had been absent the whole of the day, engaged in brewing at the Beefsteak-tavern. The cottage in which the family resided is situated in a garden, and the way to it is so iutricate. and the situation so lonely, that very few of the inhabitants of Bath, perhaps, have ever been on the spot. This cottage is divided into two apart- ments, the one a kitchen or sitting room, and the other a sleeping chamber. A poor woman, named Seers, lives in another cottage not far from it, and was in the habit of see- ing and having a neighbourly conversation with Mrs. Ridout. In the afternoon it struck her as remarkable that she had seen nothing of her for the day. Wanting some water, Mrs. Seers went to the pump on the premises, and while there she thought she would call and inquire how her neighbour was; but on trying to open the door she found it locked. Mrs. Seers was then induced to look in at the window, when the horrid spectacle presented to her eyes was the wretched woman lying on the kitchen floor, steeped in her blood. She immediately called the attention of another neighbour, a labourer, to the shocking sight, who gave in- formation at the police office, and Captain Carroll des- patched an inspector and another officer to the place, when the door of the cottage was forced open, and a scene was exhibited to view at which beholders shuddered with hor- ror. Passing the dead body of the woman, whom they found with her throat cut, and a razor lying by her side, the next objects which met their eyes, just within the adjoining room, were the lifeless bodies of the four children, weltering in blood which had flowed from wounds in their throats. One of the children Ts an infant about 9 months old, and the eldest of the four is about 6 years old, deaf and dumb. A large tub was standing in the room almost full of blood and water, and the circumstance suggests the probability that the wretched mother had, after cutting the throats of her offspring, held their heads over the tub as a receptacle of the vital current as it flowed from the wounds. One of the little victims was found with his legs partly hanging over the step leading to the bedroom, as if he had struggled to get away. The perpetration of the tragic deed is supposed to have been the effect of insanity, as it is stated that the woman had been subject to symptoms of unsoundness of mind for some time past. As a necessary check upon the public curiosity,the mayor, after visiting the scene, gave di- rections to the police to lock the door of the cottage, and remain in charge of it. As to what time of the day the deeds were perpetrated, no certain conjecture can be made; but from the circumstance of the children having been dressed, as well as the wretched mother, it appears probable to have been after they had risen in the morning; and the fact that the grate appeared as if no fire had been made in it during the day, makes it not unlikely that the tragic acts were committed at an early hour. The inquest on the five bodies, was held on Thursday, at the Crown inn, Bathwick.—The Coroner, A. II. English, Esq., in opening the proceedings, stated that a surgeon had so recently as Sunday given his opinion that the woman was insane, and had advised that she should be put under res- traint, and had his advice been observed, the melancholy and horrible event might have been avoided. He had no desire —indeed it would have been cruel to do so-to offer any remarks on the conduct of the husband in this respect. He wished, however, as he knew that there were many persons at large who ought to be placed under restraint, that there might go forth with the particulars of the inquest an expres- sion of his conviction, that is was most cruel and unjust on the part of the friends of such persons, while there were in every county, institutions fitted for their reception, to give them a liberty which they might devote to the sacrifice of their own lives and those of their nearest and dearest con- nections. It unfortunately happened that the publication of crimes of this character, acting on minds predisposed to to the homicidal mania, induced the commission of further crimes. He hoped, however, that the remarks which might go forth in connexion with the present inquest, would induce the friends of persons whose minds might be unhap- pily affected, to adopt the kind and just course in regard to them. The different witnesses proved the facts as above stated, the only additional circumstances deposed to being that, some time ago, the unfortunate woman, who had been for two months suffering from melancholia, took her children to the canal side with the intention of destroying them and herself, but that their cries, to use her own expression, "softened her heart," and she brought them home again; and also that the surgeon who attended her had cautioned her husband to remove all destructive instruments out of her way, and had advised him to send her into an asylum for treatment.—The coroner having summed up, the jury, in the case of the four children, returned verdicts of Wil- ful murder against Jane Ridout," and in that of the mother one of "Temporary insanity."—By the latest accounts from Bath, we hear that the unfortunate husband is labouring under such distress of mind, as it is feared will end in men- tal derangement.

HIGHWAY ROBBERIES AND ATTEMPTED MURDERS. During the past few days the neighbourhoods of Neath, Swansea, and Aberavon, have been disgraced by a series of highway robberies and attempted murders, some of which were equally as daring as that recently made upon Dr. Bow- ring, M.P., in the same district. A few nights back Capt. Lovering, belonging to Neath, was proceeding from Port Talbot, where his ship was lying, to his home, when he was attacked by two men, who demanded his money or his life. He tried to pacify them by saying he had no money about him, when one of the robbers replied that he had got a good coat on his back, and they were not only determined to have his cash but his garment also. Captain Lovering had for- tunately taken with him a loaded pistol, which he had con- cealed in his coat pocket. He, on finding that the rob- bers were not likely to let him go, proceeded appa- reently to take off his coat, instead of which he drew the pistol from his pocket. Having informed the fellows that the pistol was loaded, he told them if they persisted in rob- bing, him he would shoot them. They, however, still de- manded his money, when he shot one of the thieves in the legs. He immediately fell bleeding to the ground. The other then said he had not disabled both, and immediately made an attack upon the captain, beating him with a heavy bludgeon over the head. After a fierce encounter, C«pt. Lovering, by using the butt-end of his pistol, came on victorious. Information was given to the local police, but the fellows succeeded in making their escape. On the same night, two men made a most murderous attack upon a person named Martin Donohough, in the road leading to Neath. They first threw the man down, then kicked him in the head, and rifled his pockets of 36s., after which they left him on the ground. The man, however, was not so badly injured as they anticipated, and he followed them at a dis- tance until lie met with the police. Both delinquents were apprehended, and have been committed for trial.

A SHIP ON FIRE. WEYMOUTH, THURSDAY, SEVEN P.M.—A ship is now on fire in the west bay, about ten miles west of Portland. It was first seen from shore about five this afternoon, and has since been burning with awful fury. From the extent of the flames and their duration, she must be a vessel of considerable size. From what I could learn I think she must be a steamer, as in the afternoon one was seen going round Portland, and bound to the westwaid. When first seen she was about fifteen miles off the beach but she has been fast drifting towards it, and ijrnow probably within four or five miles; The wind is blowing very strong from the west- south-west, so that if any part of her survives the flames an hour or two longer, it will be driven on shore. The great- est anxiety is felt respecting her fate, or rather that of those on board her, as, if a steamer, the number is no doubt considerable. There is a very heavy sea running in the bay, so as to make it doubtful if open boats could sur- vive it. Several vessels have gone to her assistance, but as the wind is strong, it would take several hours for them to reach her. It is thought probable that she may have been seen from the westward early in the evening, whence they could soon run down upon her. I have since fceard that two re- venue cruisers and two or three fishing trawls went out in the afternoon to the aid of a barque which was embayed and expected to drive on shore; but fortunately she got clear of the land. This was late in the afternoon, and it is most probable they might have seen a burning ship. EIGHT O'CLOCK.—She has just drifted clear of the Bill of Portland. The flames are still raging, so as to make it quite impossible for any one to live on board. The Tagus, Captain Evans, arrived at Southampton ori Thursday, reports as fol)ows Dec. 9.-Wind S.W., strong breeze. Bill of Portland, S.W. 10 miles. At 3 A.M. perceived a fire in shore of us. Steered for it suspecting it to be a ship on fire, which proved to be the case; got the boat ready to take crew out should they not have already left the vessel. On nearing, ahe proved to be a ship apparently about 400 tons, wall- »ided, scroll figure-head, masts and deck burnt out of her, but the bowsprit was yet standing. We passed close a-head of her,and perfectly satisfied ourselves that the crew had already left. She had, no doubt, from the progress the fire had made, been on fire several hours. We recon- noitered well around us, and could not perceive any signs of boats, mIsts, tops, or spars floating alougside. We there- fore proceeded at full speed."

CONFIRMATION OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK; The election of Dr. rlusgrave, late Bishop of Hereford to the Archiepiscopal See of York, was confirmed on Fri- day, by royal commisson, in St. James's Church, Piccadilly. The commissioners were the Bishops of Winchester, Exeter Salisbury, Chichester, Ely, and St. Asaph. The ctremony immediately followed the reading of morning prayers. The confirmation was declared by the-Bishop of Winchester, who having directed any opponents of the election to be called, and none appearing, pronounced all such contumacious; and having received the certificate to the Archbishop's elec- tion by the Dean and Chapter of York, he duly confirmed the same by the authority of the Queen's letter. The new Archbishop then took the proper oaths, aud retired with the commissioners.

CLEANLINESS OR CHOLERA.—PRECAUTION OR THE FIRE-DAMP. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SRN, We all, sooner or later, meet with our share of troubles, triI., or perplexities we need not atep out of the common paths of life to find them, much more presumptuously to invite them. If we look over the news of the day, we find something to this effect-The Cholera is coming! sweep your streets, cleanse your alleys, and venttlate your housep. Do, in fac t, what we never ouoht to have left undone, at any time, or upon any occasion. I lecollect a time when the Cholera raged in some parts of the country, proceeding along the rows of houses, where there was a dense population. Ordering the removal of all kinds of filth and decayed sutfaiances, I was, to some of the iumatee, as un- welcome a visitor as the Cholera itself, and my directions and disioteiested advice were causes of offence to many. Sir, we read that if there is good done on the earth, it is God that doeth it. He sometimes brings jjood out of evil, and He some- times scourges a guihy nation by visiting it with the plague or pestilence. Nevertheless, man has his duty to perform, and if that duty is neglected at the expense of human life, he then becomes accountable for it- Other calamities, besides disease, are spreading death and desolation around us. The fire damp, or inflammable gap, found in coal mines, has of )ate years be. come a very destructive agent. It often takes away the staff upon which a whule family depends for support, and greatly adds to the amount of widows and fatherless children. Of these awful visitations, culpable man's neglect is often the cause. The late explosion in part of the Nantyglo coll e y, has made an impression upon the minds of some that all was not right as to precautions, and it appears the prejudiced feel. ings entertained by 0:I.er8 have induced them to to throw out insinuations not very favourable to a particular party; but that is not to be wondeied at in such a place as Nanlyglo, where no change has taken place for so many years. It has been stated by some of the workmen that the air-ways und doors were deficient in that part of the colliery in which the explo- sion took place-that the heating apparatus of furnaces regu- lates the current of air by which the carbonic acid gas becomes expansible, and facilitates the draught by which It is drawn off, were neglected, and that it would require a considerable time before any regular system of ventilation cou d be introduced. If that were the case, the blame could not be fairly laid to the charge of the new comer, who, with other business to attend to, could scarcely be expected, in so short a time to examine every part and bearing of such an extensive colliery as the Nan- tyglo. After the adjourned inquest has taken place this week, I shall feel happy to find that a correct and impartial statement 01 the case has found its way into the columns of ihe MERLIN. Bluenafon, October 30. S. D.

CARDIFF. AccrnENT. On the 6th instant, as Mr. David Lewis was going up Caroline-street, the wind blowing hard at the time, a shutter fell from a window and struck him on his head so forcibly, that his head was cut, and he fell down insensible. Medical aid was immedately procured, and Mr. Lewis is doing well. AMPUTATION.—For some time past, Mr. Aiosley, of the Car- diff Arms Hotel, has been suffering from a severe compound fracture in his leg but on the 9th instant, iu the presence of several medical gentlemen, Edward Evans, jun., Esq., amputed the leg under the knee joint, in his usual skilful manner, and Mr. Ainsley is going on favourably. INIJUEST.—On the 8th instant, an inquest was held at the Buie Dock Hotel, by R. J. Reece, Esq.,coroner, on the body of ohn Allbrooke, seaman. From the evidence of the master and mate of the Ocean steamer, of Cork, it appeared deceased was a passenger on board that steamer but, as he was a seaman, and the wind blowing hard, he assisted the crew to woik the steamer. The night being very dark, no person saw the accident, but it was supposed that a sheet of the fore stay-sail struck deceased on the back of his head, and knocked him down ogainst the spindle of the windlass, which wai forced into his forehead, and he died almost immediately. It occurred on the 6th instant, off llfra- combe. Verdict," Accidentai death." INUUEST.—On the 8th instant, another inquest was held at the Town Hall, by R. L. Reece, Esq coroner, on the body of Michael Heame, who met with his death by being jammed be- tween two trams, on the 6th instant, whilst engaged in loading them on the Dowlais Company's tram road, near the Tuff Vale Railway terminus. Verdict, Accidental Death."

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. We extract the following passages from an interesting work entitled Sketches from the Diary of a Commercial Traveller: by Throne Crick," which well merits the perusal of other classes as well as Gents." The further weight and importance of the commercial body will, I am persuaded, be readily estimated from the statement that, upon fair calculation, the present lowest computation of its number, distributed throughout the kingdom, from two or three up to ten and twenty or more, in proportion to the size of a towo, reaches thirty thousand; that many of its members are from home nearly the whole of their time and that the majority may, on a fair average, be said to be absent ten months out of twelve, or three hundred out of three hundred and sixty-fivedaym, spending their guinea, or in round numbers, twenty shillings each, per diem. This will show no less a sum than nine millions of pounds sterling; and when to this is added the salaries of thirty thousand men, varying, probably, from one hundred to five hundred pounds per annum, or averaging fairly two hundred pounds each, the aggregate amount attains the enormous sum of fifteen millions sterling expended by, or paid to, the body of com. mercial travellers: an amount equal to nearly one third of the entire home revenue of the United Kingdom, and exceeding that of any single department in the State. Whilst forming so important-and yet distinct a class of Her Majesty's subjects, it redounds greatly to the credit of commer- cial travellers, and is especially worthy of notice here, that the more affluent have recently incorporated an institution, likely, from the liberal spirit of its founders and promoters, and the energetic determination of its officers and board of management, to be second to few of its kind in the kingdom. This institution is designed to clo!he, maintain, and educate the orphans of deceased, and children of necessitous, commercial travellers, of both sexes, from the age of seven to the age of fourteen years, upon the enlightened and benevolent principle of including every denomination of the Christian faitb." .0.

Some scenes that we occasionally witness here (says the Mo- bile Advertiser) would shock the morals of any robber in the States. A few days ago, just at nightfull, a Mexican came run- ning into the hospital, crying most piteously, and making all sorts of gesticulations. We followed him to his house, when a sight shocking to behold burst upon UI. On the floor was lying a Mexican, pierced in the breast by a ball, and the blood gushing forth from the wound. Holding hia head was his wife and little children. He had been shot by a discharged volunteer, because he refused for gold to barter away the virtue of his daughter, a beautiful girl who stood by, her hair dishevelled, and great drops of grief coursing down her olive cheeks. JUST DECISION.—Mr. Justice Pattison decided the other day against the right of a parent to claim the return of a child, under the following circumstance :—Eight years ago, these parents (hawkers) gave up a twin infant to a Mrs. Jackson, of Man- chester, alleging they were unable to keep it. Mrs. Jackson, who had just lost a female infant, took charge of the poor thing -suckled it, brought it up, and sent it to a boarding school. Now, the parents-who had, till lately, never manifested any recollection of their child, sought to get it back from Mrs. Jack. SOO, who -as naturally unwilling to iive. lip an affectionate adopted child to paiaols leading such a course of life. His lord- ship, after leading the affidavits, took time tq consider them till Monday, when the parties again attended, and addressing the child, said, "I suppose you know that these (pointing to the Ctynnions) are your parents, and that th»<pointing to Mrs. Jackson) is your mamma Jackson, and you must now go to which of them you please." The child immediately knelt down, thanked his lordship, and rushed into the arms of Mrs. Jackson. His lordship then said he should, upon the principle of the case laid down by Lord Eldon, refuse the custody of the child to its parents, inasmuch as be did not believe one word of the affidavits filed by John Crynnion the father, every sentence of which had been fully contradicted by affidavits on the other side, made by parties of respectability, who, it appeared, had bestowed every possible care upon the child. On the case being thus disposed of, the father of the child unceremoniously shouldered bis ped- lar's pack, an ) marched away, the child of eourse returning with its old protectors to Manchester. As another proof of the great inteiest taken in the child by its adopted parents, it may be stated that the expense of defending the suit will be somewhere about £ Z0. n w TLA.A So AAA STATES IN I RELAND--JI -I.I..r..W. property ia Ireland which seems peculiarly hampered by the Ia., and which the law ought to set free. On the 2nd lost., Mr. Guin ness explained to the House of Commons that he was a receiver, under the Court of Chancery in Ireland. In this capacity, he had administered one estate of £ 2-,000. a year, in 1 ippersry, and in twenty one years not a single peony bad been expended to improve the condition of the peasantry, or the agriculture of the estate. He had administered another estate of £ 500. a-year, in Mayo and in nine vears only £ 168. had been expended to im- prove the estate. A third estate he bad administered, of £ 10,000 a year, in Westmeath, aod in ten years only £600. had been expended, out of £ 100,000. received, to improve the property. f his £ 600 of expenditure had alllaken place within the last three years, and in consequence of it £ 1,000. in 1845, Xi 000 in 1846, and £ 600. in 1847, had been received above the nsnal rental, being the arrears of rent for former years. Adding to the property under the care of Chancery, and administered in the way ot which Mr. Guinness gave us a specimen, the property mortgaged, ihe property of absentees, who ate only anxious to screw what they can out of the land, the property of landlords, who are compelled by station and their own habits to lire fally up to all the means they can command, and we shall conclude that the larger half of the land of Ireland is virtually adminis- tered by owners and receivers, in the manner described by Mr. Guinness. This is a matter of grave consideration in the condi- tion of Ireland, without manufactures, without a town population, the people and the Government both depending alike on the im. provement of the soil for the means of subsistence and the regeneration of society. So to alter the law as shall liberate all the land from such management and such inthralment is clearly the duty of the Legislature. More than that, we are not dis- posed to believe it can do for the landlords; and doing that, setting them free from any unnecessary restrictions, it must leave them to sink or IwilQ by their own «x«rlioM,^ £ coww»m,

THE MONMOUTHSHIRE CANAL CO. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sin,—The observations and statements which have lately ap- peared in your paper respecting the Monmouthshire Canal, from their inaccuracy and hostility to the Canal Company, and from the injurious effects they are calculated to produce upon the property of the concern, and from their thereby involving the comforts of a numerous class of individuals, who, unable to pro. tect themselves, derive their chief means of support from invest- ments made on their behalf therein, call for a reply. As a canal proprietor of long standing, I cannot but feel deeply interested in its stability and success, whilst in other rela- tions in which I stand, I cannot but feel an equal, or perhaps a greater, interest in the prosperity of the mineral district with which it and its roads are connected, and which district, within the active period of my own life, has, from an all but uninhabited waste, become, from the developement of its minerals, through the means of the canal, one of the most thickly populated por- tions of the empire. The Monmouthshire canal, with its rail roads, which roads constitute the most important part of the concern, as it is well known, is one of these original undertakings which was formed when works of its nature were in their infancy, and but little experience had been had, as to their manner of execution. It was however constructed at an expenditure of many hundred thou- sand pounds in the best and most efficient way which science and the then state of engineering knowledge could effect. Previous to its construction, only five furnaces, producing less than 200 tons of pig iron per week, existed in the whole district, and not a single export colliery but constructed as it and its railroads were, they served to develope and put into activity the mineral riches of the country, so that in the last year 233,000 tons of iron, and 607,000 tons of coal were produced and conveyed to Newport upon them. Improvements in the construction of canals and railroads have kept pace with the extension of the iron works and collieries; and as far as their means have served, or could be made applica. ble, improvements have been introduced into the works of the Monmouthshire canal. The roads were originally formed with cast iron rails, three feet long, kept together by iron sleepers, running across the road. The first improvement was the substi- tution of heavy stone blocks, instead of the iron sleepers. This substitution was effected at a very considerable cost on the roads of the company. A second and important improvement was the substitution of the tram plate for the three-feet rail. This im. provement was also adopted, at a very considerable cost, on the company's roads. Improvements in the construction of railroads, still went on, and it was found that rails of wrought iron, on an entirely new principle, were far superior to the old roads. This improvement was accordingly introduced into the company's roads. These extensive improvements, it must be evident. could not be effected without a very great outlay of money. By the acts of parliament, the capital of the company on which they could divide dividends, was fixed and limited. They could there- fore only be effected out of the income or profits of the company, and from this source they were executed, for for several sucessive years, the whole income of the company was expended upon the undertaking, and no dividends were made to the proprietors. At later, and at recent periods, the principle of improvement has continued to be acted upon, and is so at the preseot moment, and to an extent hardly to be paralleled by any similar concern in the kingdom, for at the general assembly of the proprietors, held in July, the sum of £ 12,831 2s. I Od. was transferred from the trade account to the deposit amount to be expended in improvements, and a sum of upwards of £ 40,000., of the profits of the concern, divisable among the proprietors, and which they might therefore have put into their pockets, ball, within the last few years, been applied to the improvement of their works and roads, by means of which, facilities have been given to the trade of the freighters, and to the conveyance of the mineral produce of the country, which may well account for the vast increase therein, as above stated. It is not denied, that in the progress of these proceedings, questions of great importance between the traders or freighters on the canal and roads, and the Canal Company, have atisen- that much collision and discord have occasionally taken place, and competitions threatened, which experience has informed us too frequently attend discussions, where interests of so much ini. portance are involved. The rates of freight or tolis authorised to be taken by the acts of parliament, have also always formed a prominent subject in these discussions. The reductions which have from time to time been made in them, have, by the traders, and even by some influential canal proprietors, been thought to have been too tardily made. Their adjustment has therefore in conne-lion with the improvements of the roads, been the frequ'en subject of exciting and conflicting opinion. In this state, then, of occasional collision and of occasional harmony, matters stood, when the introduction of locomotive power, gave a new turn to railway conveyance. Improvements of the most gigantic character, placing the intercourse between man and man, and all the relations of social lift, on a new foot. ing, sprung up as it were by magic, connecting in an equally new and an improved way, the minerals of the kingdom and the dis. tricts in which providence has deposited them, with distant towns for the increase of individual comfort, and with the seapoit towns for the promotion of domestic and foreign commerce. Could the Monmouthshire canal company,with cnals and roads of morethan seventy miles in length, and extending into the heart of one of the richest mineral districts in the world, consent to stand s ill and rest content with the improvements, important as they were, which they had already made in their works 1 They determined not to do so. They resolved to afford to the mineral and populous dis- trict with which they were connected, the best possible communi- cations which the matured state of science and of engineering skill could afford and as this object could not be obtained, but with the sanction of the legislature, they determined to apply to parliament for the necessary powers, and for powers to raise the necessary funds. The application was accordingly made, and hereupon were revived all the excited feelings between traders and the canal company, as to the rates of tolls the latter should be entitled to, for the improved concern. The canal company sought no higher rates than such as would enable them to con. tinue to divide among the proprietors the same amount of divi. dend which, for several preceding years, they had enjoyed, viz.- from £8. to EIO. per share. The traders, on the other hand, insisted upon lower rates than existed on any other railway or canal in the kingdom. The parties met io parliament. The most determined opposition was given to the progress of the bill. Statements the most inaccurate-specul at ions the most unfounded (as they have since, from the actual results, been proved to be) were made to the parliamentary committee which sat upon the bIll: Unfortunately for the canal company, the railway fever which then prevailed in the country, had not only found its way into parliament, but bad attained such an ascendancy there, that, intoxicated with the frenzy, the legislature added stimulants to the delirium. Of the pernicious effects of this course, the late rl and still existing crisis bears record. But to return. The com- mittee gave ear to the demands of the traders. They would lis. ten to no representations of the canal company. The old and vested interests of existing concerns, which had been created by former parliaments, were treated with contempt. The estimates of tbe costs of the projected works and improvements were cut down to the lowest minimum and upon the estimates, the rates of the tolls were calculated and fixed, and fixei at a lower rate than bad been established in any other concern in the kingdom. With this adverse feeling, and with these proceedings of the committee against them, the canal company deliberated upon withdrawing their bill, aod would, in all probability, h ave come to that conclusion, had they not been assured by some of the most influential traders, who had, up to this time, opposed them, that if they would accept it, they might rely upon every assist- ance, co-operation, and support, in their power to afford. This pledge has, however, been since entirely forgotten or forfeited. They have lent the company no aid, either in money or otherwise -on the contrary, they have rather thwarted them in their proceedings. By this act, the canal company are empowered to raise the sunt of £ 196,000. to complete the projected works and improve- ments, and to become carriers. The works were to be executed in three years, at the expiration of which time they are to become carriers. The tolls they are then to be enlitled to receive, are, for iron, Id. per ton per mile for eoal, id, per ton per mile for carriage and locomotive pt wer, jd. per ton per mile being a reduction of 50 per cent. on one half of the tolls they were re- ceiving under their former acts of parliament. Could the works and improvements be executed at the esti- mated cost on which these new rates of toll are calculated aod fixed, the canal company have grounds to expect that fri>m an increase in the trade, which may be reasonably expected, they would have been able to divide among the proprietors an annual dividend of from 17. to £ 8. per shaie on their capital but it is now found, that from the advanced price it has been necessary to give for the land purchased—from the actual cost of that portion of the works already executed, and from Ihe coutracts already actually made for those in progress, and to be he'ea/ler undertaken, the parliamentary estimates were altogether in. accurate and insufficient, and that instead of the sum of £ 190,000. being enough, there will be required a further sum in addition thereto of at least £ 350,000. The canal comp. ny, therefore, think it not unreasonable, in applying to parliament !o empower them to raise this sum, to submit at the same time the justice and necessity of revising and increasing the follf, to meet ihe increased expenditure. Trns increase they propose to limit to £ d. per ton per mile on iron, and to the half a farthing per ton per mile on coal. From the present altered state of railway undertakings, and from the exhaustion of the national resources upon them to the detriment of all other interests and pursuits, tlu canal company entertain the most serious doubts of the possibility, under any circumstances, of raising so large a sum of money as above. mentioned, and, therefore, as the cost of becoming cairiers will require a capital of 1250,000, part of that sum, and as they believe, from their now acquired information, that the carrying can be much more advantageously done by the individual traders and freighters themselves, than by them, the canal company—for which belief they apprehend substantial reasons can be adduced— they are desirous of being released from the obligation of under- taking the carrying trade. Should this be conceded by parlia- ment, the required capital will be reduced in proportion, and they will then have occasion to raise only the sum of Eloo,ooo. In this case they will not think it necessary to ask for any increase in the present parliamentary tolls. Having now stated the facts of the case, as connected with the intended application to parliament, it may be proper to notice what are understood to be the objections of the traders or freIghters theieto. They are understood to say that they mean to stand upon what they call their vested rights, as established by the present act of parliament, from which they will admit of no deviation that with or without the funds, and be the expen- diture what it may, which is to them a matter of no concern. ment, they will compel the canal company to execute all the works for which parliament has given its sanction that they will permit no increase in the tolls; that they will not consent to release the canal company from the obligation of becoming car- riers; but that they will not object to the grant of power to raise a further sum of money. Previous to their urging these points before a parliamentary committee, it may be well to caution them seriously to consider what they are about to remind them that the railway fever has now abated, and a reaction taken place, although the injurious effects of that fever are still operating that parliament may have recovered its senses, and may be expected to listen to reason and to the demands of justice that the erroneous estimates which a former parliament adopted, and upon which, as data, the tolls granted were calculated, may be reviewed, and the erroneous conclusion, as to those tolls, to which those erroneous estimates led, may be corrected. It may also, by a parliamentary com- mittee, in 1848, be thought a little harsh for one set of men to call upon and compel another set of men to find and spend enor- mous sums of money for their beotfit, and to enable them, Ihe claimants, to carry on their trade in a more advantageous man- ner than heretofore, and, at the same time, to deny to them, the money fiodeis, any ( hance of remuneration for the money so found and spent. Other considerauous mav also be worthy of notice before adventuring upon a parliamentary content, such as, that a commiitee cf the House of Commons may think it ex- pedient and called for, by a regard to the national welfare, to limit, as far oil practicable, the further drain upon the country of large sums of money, by railway companies, to be expended upon works and to carry on trades, which can be far better exe- cuted and carried on by others, in their individual characters, than by railway companies; and that if such can be shewn to be the case in regard to the carrying trade of this concern, it may be somewhat hazardous to oppose the removal of the obligation imposed on the canal company. Ought also the cost, the profli- gate cost, of a parliamentary contest to be lost sight of, the time which must be occupied in it, and its uncertain result. But should these considerations fail to influence, and should the op- posers of the bill persevere and be successful, it would well be- hove them to reflect on the situation in which they will then be placed. The canal company have distinctly declared, that with a reduction of one half of their present rates of toll, and a conse- quent reduction of their future income, it would be utterly im- possible fcr them to raise the additional capital required, and that they would not, therefore, attempt it that, as a conse- quence, the further prosecution of the works must be abandoned, and the improved conveyance they are desiious and willing to introduce into the county, be given up. It may, without impro. prieiy, be also here remarked, that the threats heretofore held out to the caual company, of rival and competing roads, called, it would appear, bamboozling, have no longer their influence; that, denied the means of improving it, the canal company will maintain and protect their property as it is and that, although that property is not so perfect as they are desirous of making it, it is still fully equal to the conveyance of all the produce of the country. But, is this the language, or are these the considerations, which, on such an occasion, ought to be resorted to ? On the contrary, ought not all parties cordially to unite in promoting the improvement of the county in which they have so deep a stake—ought they not to confer with kind feelings and en- lightened liberal views on the means by which that improvement can be best effected, and to endeavour, by their joint efforts, to reader the bill, abont to be tendered to the legislature for that purpose, as perfect and as practicable as possible 1 As a canal proprietor, and having otherwise an interest in the prosperity of my county, 1 tender this course for acceptance—if accepted, no effort on my part shall be wanted to render it succe- sful if de- clined, I will persevere, to the last moment, in the legitimate de- fence of the Monmouthshire Canal. A CANAL PROPRIETOR. December 8th, 1847. NEWPORT POOR RATES. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sin,— I have just been applied to for a poor-rate of Is. Gd. in the pound, authorised on the 18th September last. This increase of 6d. in the pound upon the poor rate arises, I judge, from the circumstance, stated by one of your correspondents, last week, of a defalcation of £400. having been discovered by the District Auditor in the accounts for Newport. May I take the libeity, Sir, of inquiring whether any steps have yet been taken by the Guardians, or any other body to whom the duty may belong, to ascertain and make known the reasons for this deficiency or are the rate-payers to be burdened with an increase of 50 per cent. in their rates, without being permitted 10 know why it is so 1 Are collectors of rates required to give security for the faithful discharge of their duties 1 I am, Sir, yours respectfully, A RATEPAYER. Newport, 14th Dec., 1847. ABERGAVENNY RAILWAYS. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sm .-Altbougb so many schemes were before the public in 1845, to afford railway communication to this place, and although the government granted powers to carry out some of them, yet it appears we shall have to begin again present appearances do not promise much. If we can believe the state of the two corn. panics to be as represented in the case of the Newport and Pon. typool line, we unfortunately find them at a stand still for want of capital, arising from the calculations of the engineer being so different when put in practice, to what they were in theory. 10 the case of the Hereford, Abergavenny, and Newport line, we find an advertisement in the London daily limes, for a meeting to consider the propriety of dissolving that company, although they promised so much. Now, sir, what is the cause of all this ? Is it by the locslity through which these lines were to pass, and the little convenience they would give to the iron works and col. lieiies of Ihe mineral district ? or is it from want of c„ofideoce in the promoters of these measures 1 If this is the public opi- nion, the field is open and wide still; and I have no doubt but you can find in Monmouthshire many practical engineers, who could not only choose the proper locality, but who could estimate the construction of a line of railway to very nearly what it would ultimately cost. The Aberdare line is one proof, sir, that the engineers had practical men to deal with, and men who could get up an estimate correctly from their own experience. Now, air, it too frequently happens that a man may be possessed of a knowledge of the trade and commerce of a district, and be able to point out the best line of road, but if his ideas are not entertained by those immediately interested, of what value to the public is his judgment! If Mr. Crawshay Bailey, and other gentlemen of his stamp, were to promote a railway from N aoty- glo to Newport, or lo Abergavenny, you might safely calculate on its being made. We have good hopes of a line being made at no very distant date, projected by NIT.James l'odd,engineesing surveyor, who has taken much interest in the promoting of a railway from Abergavenny to join the Vale of Neath at Mer- thyr, thus affording a direct communication with South Wales and Ireland. Mr. Todd proposed to form a juoction witli the Hereford and Abergavenny railway, at Abergavenny, passing close to Llanfoist, up Cwin Llanwenarth, and tunnel under Blaenavon works. The station there would be on such a level that the Newport and Pontypool Company could approach it, and by this means we should have a direct liae to Newport. The line will proceed from Blaenavon by tunneling from near Blaenavon to Cwm Tilery valley, thence to Cwm Celyn, Blaina, and through the forge at Naniyglo works, passing close to Beaufort and Ebbw Vale, Tredegar and Mertbyr. This is cer- tainly the line that would accommodate the works, and produce a traffic that would pay a large percentage. It has been examined by one of the first engineers in London, who has reported very favourably on its perfect practicability, at a moderate cost. A strong feature in its favour is its going through the works, instead of passing them at a distance as if they were unworthy of notice. It is, I believe, warinly taken up by men of capital, who mean to bring it prominently before the public, at the proper time. It will confer on Abergavenny one advantage, which we much want, viz., cheap coal at present we are paying lis. 6d. for not the best coal in the country. In conclusion, I and many of my townsmen heartily wish it success. IMPROVER. Abergavenny, Dec. 7th, 1847. ♦

EXPLOSIONS OF FIRE DAMP. To tltz Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. Sri!, —On the 17ih of February, 1845, I wrote to the editor of the Mining Journal the following viz., As 3ou are a zeal- ous advocate for ameliorating the present con iiion of ie mining population generally, and of coal miners In particular, I would a I cal draw your attention and the attention of cca overseerseepecially, 10 a new view of the effects of explosions of fire damp. It is a supposed fact tht wany more lives are lost in conse. quence of what is termed the after damp, than from the immediate effect of the file. That this after datilp contains a large portion of carbonic acid gas (often termed sulphur by the wor mgco ier) there can be no dispute but, with all due su mission to the opi. nioos of those experienced in such matiers, I wou say, t at on the explosion of fire damp io coal levels there is a per ect vacuum formed in the centre, as it were, of the explosion, similar to the vacuum produced by the explosion of hydrogen and oxygen in Brown's gas engine; and the effect upon all living animals, iac*uliously expoied to the influence of lhi» vacuum, is «n tnstan* ,v V taneous and total exhaustion of the lungs, and life consequently becomes extinct. Now if it were possible (and, from inquiries made on the subject, I believe it to be so) for persons, exposed to this vacuum, to hold their breath and firmly close their mouth and nostrils for a few second-, till the air returns, I think they would have a great chance of escaping with their lives; for, although the after damp, or teturning air, will, in almost all cases, certainly contain a large portion of carbonic acid (and, probably, some sulphurous acid also), yet there may still be a sufficient quantity of oxygen rushing into the level along with it to enable persons to breathe, and to exert themselves so as to remove from the scene of danger. That this view of the effect of explosions of fire damp, in coal mines, may lead to improved means of safety to the collier, is the firm belief and the sincere wish of your humble servant." On the following week after this announcement appeared, Dr. Murray, of Ball, sent a letter to the same journal to say, "I may rest quite assured that all persons who may die from the after effect of explosions of fire damp, did so entirely from being thrown into a state of asphysia, and not, as I had suggested, from exhaustion of the lungf." 1 am, however, by no means con- vinced that my suggestions are erroneous ones, but, on the con- trary, am more than ever of opinion of their containing a great deal of-if not the whole truth on the subject, to get at which is my sole reason in making this communication for, although ex- plosions of fire damp, or the burnings consequent thereon, may not be prevented by following out what I have proposed below, yet many lives may be saved and much misery avoided, should it be fully established that death, in the cases alluded to, follow from exhaustion of the lungs, and not from suffocation because it would, I slill think, be possible for individuals exposed to the vacuum of a fire damp explosion, if previously propeily instructed, to prevent the exhaustion in question and also, becausa I be- lieve it possible to reinflate the lungs, even had such an exhaus. tion taken place. But supposing Dr. Murray's assurance in the matter to be correct, there can be no doubt in his, or any other rational mind, of persons in a state of asphysia, being reani- mated, were proper means put in action without delay, as u. merous instances of recovery from apparent death from drowning amply testify the difference between suspended animation from drowning and choke damp, is (I name it with all due submission to the opinion of others) being, in the first instance, suffocation with water, in the latter with caibonic acid. Caustic ammonia- at vapour would instantly neutralise, and thereby remove nil the ill effects of caibonic acid, if speedily,applied, and the Humane Society have been the means of eliciting many effective modes of recovering persons drowned or suffocated in waler. What 1 would suggest, therefore, is, that at inquests on the bodies of those who may become victims to the exhaustion, or. after damp of explosions of fire damp, if the presiding coroners were to order a few post mortem examinations to be made, the real truth of the matter would soon be made to appear, and it would be settled forever whether the deaths in question were in consequence of exhaustion or of suffocation for, with all due deference, I would say, that if suffocation should be the cause, the lungs would be inflated, and in precisely the same state as if the parties hand been drowned in water, for which many remedies have been successfully applied and, by analogy, should the drowning have occurred in carbonic acid gas, caustic ammonia, and probably many other restoratives, may no doubt be administered with success; but if exhaustion should have been the cause of death, then the lungs would be completely drained of air, and the only probable means of recovery in this case, would be a reinflation of them as quickly as possible. Perhaps, Mr. Editor, I may not have expressed myself so cltarly in this matter as may be desired, in consequence of the subject being, in a manner, new lo me: I, therefore, submit the above suggestions in the hope, as I said before, ihey may lead to improved modes of safety to the collier, and be the means of originating inquiries, tending to rescue many persons from the jaws of death, as it were persons in the very vigour and prime of life, and upon whose labour large families often depend for a subsistence. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, S. B. ROGERS. Nantyglo, Dec. 13th, 1847.

Review of the British Corn Trade. We have had very changeable weather throughout the week- end an immense quantity of rain has fallen, so us completely to flood some of the low lands the temperature has also been unusally high for the time of year, and the weather altogether unseasonable. Ihe humid state of the atmosphere has prevented any improvement taking place in the condition of the corn of last year's growth, and faimers are naturally unwilling to thrash their grain under circumstances so ill suited for that purpose* it is, thereloie, piobable that the markets will continue to be moderately supplied until an interval of frost shall have been experienced. There is, consequently, little prospect of pr:ces I giving way at present indeed, the prevailing opinion appears to be that the value of wheat has touched the lowest point. This impression has recently become so general that merchants, mil- lers, and dealers, after having for months confined their opera- tions strictly to what they have required for immediate use, have at length maoifested a disposition to add to their stocks and the trade, though stilt far from lively, has assumed a more active tone. 1 be late reduction in the rate of interest, and the belief that money will become easier, may have had some influence in bringing about this state of things; but that the inclination to buy wheat has increased, and that holders of the article have shown less anxiety to realise, is certain. At Liverpool, on Tuesday, wheat was improved in request j old foreign, of almost all sorts, moved off at quite the terms of that day se'nnight; whilst new Irish, which, it will be recol- lected, bad previously been somewhat unduly depressed, ad- vanced 2d. per 70lbs. Flour was likewise in fair demand, but it was not possible to exceed 29s. per brl. for Western Canal, and some holders insisting on 30s. for the best brands, tended in some measure to check the sale. The coarssr kinds of. food, such as oats and Indian corn meal, scarcely sold so well as be- fore, in consequence of the advice of lower prices from Ireland. Later in the week the wheat trade assumed additional firmness and on Friday a further advance of 2d. per 701bs, was realised' for really good-conditioned samples. The accounts from the other large consuming towns are of a similar character; an attempt has been pretty generally made by sellers to establish an advance, but in this they have only succeeded very partially, From Scotland we learn that only moderate supplies of new wheat had come forward; and at Edinbuigh, on Wednesday, the best qualities of home growth were quoted Is. 6(1. to 2s. per qr. dearer, whilst old foreign moved off slowly, at an abatement of Is. per qr. By the reports from Glasgow it appears that little or no alteration had occurred there in quotations, but that the wheat trade had assumed a firm tone. Our advicfs from the sister isle inform us that rather increased supplies of grain had been brought forward at the principal markets, and that the tendency of prices had been downwards. Of Indian corn the quantity offering at Cork, Dublin, &c., had been more than sufficient for the demand, and the previous value of the article had not been maintained. We have again to report a very small arrival of wheat. The extreme insignificance of the supplies has prevented much busi- ness being done, but there has certainly been much more dispo- sition to buy rather more money was realised for good fresh., thiashed qualities towards the close than could have been ob- tained in the commencement of the week. The arrivals of wheat from abroad have amounted to 3,257 qrs.; and though some further small lots late bought at the near continental ports may yet come to hand, the total quantity likely to reach us before tne winter sets in, cannot be large. A tolerable extent of business has been done, at fully previous prices. The inquiry has been principally for secondary qua) ties, and the buyeis have been mostly from the neighbourhood of Bristol; the low lates at which Russian and similar sorts have lately been selling appear to have excited attention, and to have brought forward purchasers. In fine qualities comparatively little has been done but, unless the condition of the new wheat improves mateiially, our millers will have to employ the finer sorts of old foreign for mixing more extensively. The little business tiansacted in Danzig and fine Lower Baltic red has been at fully last Monday's quotations. The top price of town manufactured flour has undergone no change, but the ar icle has been taken more freely by lb., ba ers, who are evidently disposed to add 10 their stocks. American flour has been in good request, and on Friday the finest marks of Western Canal were hardly obtainable on as easy terms as in the beginning of the week. 't Though the maltsters and disHll^js have conducted their operations with extreme caution, the receipts of barley have barely been sufficient to satisfy the demand and the tendency of prices has been upwards. Both on Wednesday and Friday rather enhanced terms were insisted on, and, in partial cases, fine qualities brought a small improvement. Grinding barley has been in fair request, and as sold fully as well as last week. The demand for malt has not been particularly active, but the somewhat improved tone of the barley trade has caused the article to be held very firmly, at. former rates. The total arrival of oats has amounted to only 10,613 qrs Notwithstanding the smallness of the supply and the certainty that no further receipts of consequence can reach us from abroad tor several months to come, the dealers have manifested no dis- position to buy beyond what they required for immediate use, and we can note no improvement either in the demand for, or the value of, this grain. Beans have excited very little attention, but the recent decline has had the effect of checking supplies, and there were but few samples fresh up either for Wednesday's or Friday's market; no further fall was, therefore, submitted to. Egyptian beans have been held pretty firmly, at Monday's quotations. The demand for white peas has been exceedingly languid, and much difficulty has been experienced in effecting sales, at pie- vious prices. Grey and maple have moved oil' in retail, at about late rates. There has been little passing in Indian corn on the spot, but a cargo or two afloat have been sold to go to Ireland.-Illiti-k Lane Express.

Review of the Foreign Corn Trade. Owing to the boisterous weather the flambuigli mail of Tues- day has not anived, and our advices from the lialtic are conse- quently not of very recent dates. The general tone of the ac- counts from that quarter indicates that thevalue of wheat would not be maintained during the winter, untesa a demand on British account should he experienced. The growers were beginning to bring their supplies forwaid rather more freely, and, as mer- chants were not disposed to hold large stocks, the tendency of prices had been decidedly downwards. the letters from Danzig only reach to the 30th inst. The supplies of wheat from the neighbouring farmers had rather increased but the receipts down the Vistula had been unimpor- tant, nor was much expected before the setting in of winter still prices had rather given way. At Konigsberg, on the 1st of December, business was very quiet, and little or nothing was being shipped to Great Britain. The potatoe disease was said to be spreading, which had caused peas to be held at enhanced terms. From Rostock we have advices cf the 2nd inst. no increase of consequence had takt n place in the supplic; of grain, and, though the inquiry had been slow, full terms had been asked by sellers; for good quality 47s. 6d. per qr., free on board, had been insisted on, and the very best samples had been held at 50s. per qr. Vessels were scarce, and freight to London .)i.. od. to 6s. per qr. Barley was quoted 25s., and peas iJSs., per qr. free on From Hamburgh we learn, under date of the 3rd of Dec., that good supplies of Upland wheat had been received there and less inclination having been manifested to buy, sales had proceeded slowly, at a decline of Is. per qr. The reports from Holland and Belgium represent the wheat trade as having assumed a firmer tone. From Amsterdam our letters are of the 6th inst.; the inquiry for fine Polish wheat was then so lively as to enable sellers to establish an advance of 20 fl. to 25 fl. per last. At Antwerp there was also an improved inquiry for wheat on the Cth, but prices were not higher than on that day week. „ The reports from the leading Mediterranean port3 are of much the same character as before. From Marseilles we have letters of the 6th of Dec.; wheat was held firmly, but the transactions had been principally for local consumption. The best Polish had brought equal to 41s per qr. free on board, and other des- criptions at coriesponding rales- The stock on the spot was, on the 1st of December, 200,000 charges, or about 120,000 qrs Indian corn was quoted from 2;>s. (id. to 27s. per qr., according to quality there were only about 8,000 qrs.on thespot. Freights were very high, say 7s. to 8s. per qr., with 10 per qr.-ibi,i.

A veterinary surgeon at Haddington, has successfully used chloroform to render a horse insensibile to pain, while the opera- tion of cutting the nerves of sensation 10 the forefoot was being perfoimed,

r,I.' 'r fIJI RISCA. ROBBERY.—Early on Tuesday morning, the 7tji instant, a robbery was committed at the shop of Mr. John Evans, RiscH, near this town. It appears that the thieves first broke iuto the warehouse, and then proceeded to the shop, where they stole a large quantity of tobacco, a piece of check, See. There is every probability that tl e robbers would have perpetrated a more ex- tensive plunder, but for their having been disturbed by a boy who was working an engine near the house, who, on perceiving a light in the shop, went up to the door, and asked the time. He received no answer, and the light disappeared. The holes tut in the window-shutters and door afford strong proof that the dep-edarors were not unused to their work. Strong suspicion is attached to a party and but for the serious indisposition of the active police constable of Risca, Mr. Cormack, it is probable the thieves would, before now, have been in custody. A few nights previously a similar attempt was made upon the house of Mr. Richard Johnson, Risca hut fortunately, a small dog which was in the house aroused the inmates in sufficient time to pre- vent any depredation from being committed. Mr. Johnson, on reaching his bedroom window, saw the fellows who had ct- tempted to enter the house, making off into a small wood ad- joining.

CARDIFF POLICE.—MONDAY, DEC. 6TH. Before James Lewis, Esq., mayor, and Rev. James Evan!. Thos. Williams and James Lyons, two boys about fifteen years of age, were charged with creating a disturbance.—Reprimanded and discharged, Margaret Clampit was charged with stealing sundry articles, while in his employ as a domest c servant, of Mr. James Fredk. Arnold, stationer.—Committed to take her trial at the Quarter Sessions; but admitted to bail. Wit. Collins, sixteen years of age, was charged with disturb- ing the congregation in the English Baptist Chapel.—Repri- manded, and discharged on promising not again to offend. James Holland and Geo. Milsorn were charged with showing horses in the street for sale, contrary to the Street Act.-Fined, 53. each, and 4s. costs.— Holland became very violent in the court, threatening to strike Mr. Stockdale, and was bound over in his own recognizances of £10. to keep the peace for 6 months. Mr. Stockdale stated that the widow of Morrison, the man who was lately killed in Whitmore-lane, had been tampered with. She left her lodgings, and he (Mr. Stockhale) procured her another, for which he promised to pay. She stopped there two nights, and then left. He also said that Meyiick's mother, and the mother of one of the other prisoners, had been with her and offered her money to leave.—The Bench said they would look info the matter. TUESDAY. Before James Lewis, Esquire. Thomas Green, John Murphy, James Green, Michael Daley, and Malcolm Me. Donald, were churged with refusing to work while in ihe Cardiff Union house.—Committed to the House of Correction, with hard labour T. Green, Murphy, and Daley, 30 days and J. Greeu and Me Donald, 14 days. THURSDAY. Before R. L. Reece, Esq., mayor, and Rev. James Evans. Elizabeth Freeman was charged with being drunk and disor. derly.—Fined, 5s. and 4s. costs, or six hours in the stocks. William Morgan was charged wish infringing the bye-laws of the Bute Dock.— Fined 40,. and costs. Paid. John was charged with stealing a quantity of rope, the property of Paul Sharp.— Michael Maldoney. a marine store dealer, said he bought 1 cwt. 1 qr. 611>5. of rope of prisoner, for which he gave him 9s. 6rJ.; and ghowed the rope to Mr. Sharp. —Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. John Mc Donald was charged with having solJ some rope, also the property of Mr. Paul Sharp.—Daniel Shaughoessy, ma rine store dealer, proved having bought lqr. 4lbs. of rope, for 2s., ofprisor.er, who gave his name as William Edmunds; and prisoner had been wilh him as olten as five times in the course of five days.—Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. Mr. Bird said he thought he could show to the Bench that Shaughnessy received things, knowing them to be stolen; and ha would call Serjeant Aubrey, to prove the same, who said be went to Shaughnessy'a house, last week, in search of lead that had been stolen from Lewis-street, and asked him if he had bought any lead and he showed witness all the lead he had, which was recently mehed down, Witness asked him wLeie he had it from, and he showed witness his book, in which was an entry to Wm. Edmunds. Caroline street, for lead; but since then it had been altered to Dec. 1, Wm. Edmunds. Caroline-street, rope, 1 qr. 231bs., 3s. 6d.Mr. Stockdale said the constable gave him the book, and he (witness) pointed out the alteration to Shjughnessv, and told him that if Wm. Edmunds came to him again, to have his light name, and inform him, because he waa suspected of robbery.—P*ul Sharp remembered meeting Mr. Bird and Shaughnessy coming from the gaol, when they went to identify a man who was there charged with stealing lead and he heard Mr. Bird tell Shaughnessy that he should ask him some questions, which he need not answer as they might be used against him.— Mr. Bird askedjthe Magiitrates to bind him over in sureties, for the case to appear at Sessions, as he thought he had satisfied the Bench that, after the caution Shaughnessy had received from Mr. Stockdale, then having four or five trans- actions with the man who called himself Wm. Edmunds, but whose name was John Mc Donald-he must know that the pro- perty was not his own.—Shaughnessy denied his knowledge of the goods being stolen.—Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, and bound over in his own recognizances for £50., and two sureties of £ '25. each. Paul Sharpe was charged with breaking a pane of glass in the station-house window, on Sunday night.—Mr. Stockdale proved that prisoner broke the window, and had it repaired on the next day.-The case so ended. MONDAY, Dec. 13. Before R. L. Leece, Esq., mayor, Rev. J. Evans, and James Lewis, Esq. Michael Muldownev, a marine store dealer, living in David- street, was charged with not entering in his book the stores purchased, and the names and residences of the persons selling the same.—Mr. Stockdale produced the book, and many named appeared in it, without the residences.—Fined 10s. and costs. Paid. Eliza Jones, Elizabeth Smith, and Wm. Richards, severally charged with being drunk in the streets, were fined 5s. and CJst: Time allowed for payment. William Jenkins, ship carpenter, and Daniel Beddoes, were charged with fighting in Caroline-street.—Jenkins being an old offender, was fined 40s. and costs, or two months imprisonment; Beddoes, 20s. and costs. Paid. Cornelius Driscoll, charged with beating Catherine Hurley, was fined 20s. and costs. Paid. Richard Lewis, a boatman, charged with beating Ann Daniels, was fined 20s. and costs. Time allowed for payment. William Perry, charged with being drunk in the streets, was fined 5s. and costs. Paid. Morgan Thomas, a carpenter, was charged with being drunk. Fined 5s. and costs, or six hours in the stocks. TUESDAY. Before R. L. Reece, Esq., mayor. Morgan Davies, master of the Hope, of Newport, was charged with being drunk and obstructing the police while in the execu. tion of their duty.—The prisoner admitted that ho had taken a drop too much, and was fined 5s. and costs, or six hours in the stocks.

'oJ. MERTnYR. DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT.—As the five o'clock train was coming fiom Cardiff to Meilhyr, on Wednesday evening 11151, when nearly opposite Aberfan, the passengers weM greatly alarmed by finding that the train was gone off the rails. The engineer stopped the engine with the greatest promptitude, but not before it had run against a high embankment on the upper side of the line. Though the shock WIIS severely felt, fortunately there was no one hurt. Upon examination of the cause it was found that two of the rails, one on each side, had been detached aod taken away, and thrown upon one side, thus leaving a vacancy from one rail to the other. It is confidently asserted it must have been the work of some one experienced in railways, as the various fastenings had been most cleverly removed. The escape is miraculous, when it is stated that on the other side below are the tramroad and the river J'nff, and had the engine and train overturned on that side, the loss of life would have been fearfu as the height is some sixty or seventy feet. The engine sus- tained considerable damage, but nothing else. CURIOUS En-Ecn OF DIUNK.— A FACT FOlt TEETOTALLERS. —It appears that three men had beeu takiog a wee drap—a quart between them-no great diinking it is true—and in pro ceeding homewards, found themselves, totally incapable of any exerlion, and falling oil" their legs in a syncope. MedICal aid was sent for, and, by aid of the stomach pump-not water-a good rub of exercise, and other like means, they roug ° a state of consciousness. It was greatly feared b t Ie me Ica gentlemen, Messrs. White and Davis, at one time, that the case would prove fatal, but the patients have now recovered, and state pretty strong!y that they will drink no more beer at the sign of the W- NOTICE TO THE Dowers MI.VEKS.-A notice has been given 10 the above body of woikmen employed at these large works, that they will be discharged in the course of a few weeks. It has, as it might be imagined, caused the deepest regret, not only to the men themselves, but also to the great bulk of the trades- men living at the above place.

ABERDARE- The'mineral resources of this once very pretty and picturesque valley, seem to be only just developing themselves. Though there are very large coal works now in work, we understand that operations are going ou by Mr. Llewelyn, on the Fforest Uchal farm, (a part of the Creselly estate.) towards working the coal which it is known the estate abound* in. The facilities of its transit cannot be well surpassed, when it is known thr<t the ASier- dare eanal is within fifty yards of the pit's mouth,and thermit way within a quarter of a mile. In addition to this, sinking operatioos are going on npon the estate of J. Bruce Pryce, Esq., near a place called Bullfa, and when all these works come into full operation, the valley of Aberdare and its tributaries will be able to boast of mineral resources equal to any place in the king- dom for the number of its acres. It may also be remarked that lor quality the coal is unsurpassed, commanding, for steam pui- posgi, the highest price in the Loudoa market*.

"II ■■ ..■■-■PII -4 | LONDON MARKETS. m ) CORN EXCHANGE, MARK-LANE, MONDAY, DEC. 6. I The quantity of wheat on sale by land carriage samples from I the home counties was moderate and from more remote parts of the kingdom there was hardly anything fresh up. The mil- lers were evidently inclined to purchase the finer sorts, and the best dry parcels brought Is. to 2s., whilst the common sorts may be quoted Is. per qr. above the currency of Monday last. rne transactions in fjreign wheat were on rather a restricted sea e but pnees were Is. per qr. higher than on this day se'n- night. The nominal top price of flour was put up 2s. per sack, audi otber sorts were likewise somewhat dearer., I The display of barley samples was trifling. The best malting qualities were Is., and other descriptions were the turn dearer with a more free sale for all sorts. Malt was held Is. to 2s. per qr. higher, which tended to check the demand. There were not many oats fresh up from any quarter, but there was no improvement in the trade. New beans were very unsaleable, and decidedly easier to buy. Peas of all kinds hung heavily on hand, and the turn was again in favour of the buyer. There was not much passing in Indian corn or meal, and quotations of this article remained much as before. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. Shillings per quarter. „ lnew Old. WIIF.AT, Ehsex & Kent, white 51 57 56 59 Ditto red 47 51 51 54 Norfolk and Suffolk 48 50 l,incolnshireand Yorkshire. 61 5,5 Northumberland, Berwick, and Scotch.. < RVE 31 34 BARLEY, Essex, Kent I com. Malting 31 33 Norfolk,andSuf- > Distillers'&Grinding 25 30 folk.. Chevalier 33 34 Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. — — 58 60N Kingston, Ware, and town made — 60 G:) OATS, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, atid Yorkshire, feed 20 22 Ditto, Poland and potato. 25 26e Northumberland, Berwick, and Scotch P°,aV° — — 27 29; Ditto, feed 24 26 Devonshire, and West Country feed or 'I black 11 20: Dundalk, Newry, and Belfast, potato — — 24 2-» t)itto, feed — 21 23 Limerick, Sligo, and Westport, potato — — 23 25 I)ttto, feed — 20 23 Cork, Waterford, Dublin, Youghal, and Clourflel, black iff 19 I)itto, white — 18 2t Galway 13 15 BEANS, Ticks 35 37 40 44 Harrow and small 38 42 45 50 = PEAS, boiling 44 Hog and gray 38 42 .7 FLOOR, town made (per sack of 2801bs.) — — 43 4^ Norfolk and Suffolk, household (ditto). — 37.u FOREIGN GRAIN. 37 4 Sliillin-s per quarter WHEAT, Dantzic and Konigsberg, finest high Free. £ mixed, white 53 57 ?• Ditto, good mixed. 52 55 Ditto, red mixed 50 54 Stettin and Rostock 55 Danish 52 jJ Hamburgh and Pomeranian 52 54 ■». Black Sea (nominal) hard to soft 40 46 X". Riga, St Petersburgh, and Liebau, soft 40 45 jfv Canada 56 { Hamburgh and Pomeranian .52 54 Black Sea (nominal) hard to soft 40 46 X". Riga, St Petersburgh, and Liebau, soft 40 45 jfv Canada 56 { Spanish 55 58 4 Buck or Brank 33 35 ) INI)TAN CORN o. 28 32 BARLEY, Hamburgh,Dantzic,Konigsberg,&Riga 25 30 Ditto, grinding 21 26 i Danish, Mecklenberg and Pomeranian 21 25 f OATS, Dutch, brew, and Poland, Friesland, and Groningen 24 26 Danish and Swedish 19 22 Russian 20 23 BEANS, Tick 36 40 Small 45 Mediterranean 28 30 PF.AS, white boiling 40 42 TARES 1 III — I 5 Fi.ouit, United States 23 27 t'5 Canadian 22 26 I SEED MARKET. SEED MARKET. f' Cloverseed continues neglected, and with scarcely anything" passing in the article, it is hardly possible to give accurate qu 1 tations. Oil cakes maintain former rates: there are olf'ers lrou% Marseilles at £ 8. 12s. Gd. per ton, freight included. Canaryseece? sold quite as well as to day. fi BRITISH SEEDS. It Linseed (per qr ) .sowing 60s. to 63s.; crushing 48s. to 50 Linseed Cakes (per 1,000 of 31bs.each) £ 13to £ 13 ]0sEf|i Trefoil (per cwt.). to 2g3§1 Rapeseed, new (per last) ^q tQ Ditto Cake (per ion) £ g t0*V»g Mustard (per bushel) white 7s. to 8s. brown 8s. to Caraway (per cwt ). TO 38S- NEW 38S- Coriander (per cwt.) .18s. to 2lH Hempseed (per quarter) tn <t«Ss Canary (per qr.) 70s. to 72s.Vfine74sl to 77*1 FOREIGN SEEDS, &c. PI Linseed (per qr.) Baltic 48s. to 52s.; Odessa 50s. to 52F 1 Liuseed Cake (per ton) £ 9 0s. to £ 10 0tt|ijjd Rape Cake (per ton) £ 6 to £6 loSS LONDON PROVISION MARKET, MONDAY, DEC. 13. The arrivals last week from Ireland were 3,380 firkins butte and 400 bales bacon; and from foreign ports 6,680 ca The transactions in Irish butter during the past week were vHtf- a moderate extent, and notwithstanding the smallness of t stock, caused by the vessels being detained by th-j boistero weather, holders generally were disposed to meet the views buyers, and price- receded about Is. per cwt. Byi,! The bacon market was very dull, the dealers only buyjjflEpf when they are really ill want, and prices gave way about per cwt.—Lard meets a steady sale. y InlSH BUTTBR (new)s s. CHEESE, per cwt. s. per cwt. nominal Double Gloucester 58 Cdrlow, new, on brd. 90 96 Single ditto 58 £ r. Siigo 86 88 Cheshire 56 w Cork, 1st 88 90 HAMS. F ENGLISH BUTTF.R. Irish 40 ft 1 Dorset, per cwt. 108 112 Westmoreland 88 #v FOREIGN. York 94 ENGLISH Btjii En. Irish 40 ft 1 Dorset, per cwt. 108 1I2 Westmoreland 88 FOREIGN. York 94 Prime, Friesland, ct 106 1101 BACON, new 68 Ditto, Kiel 94 1021 Middles 58 < SMITIIFIELD CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY, DEC. 13, The supply of beasts being what may le termed a moderajlh one, and the attendance of both town and country buyers lardt:, the beet trade was somewhat active, and in some instances quotations ruled high. II With sheep we weie scantily supplied tor the time of y1. owing to which the mutton trade was firm, at an imorovem^t in the currencies obtained on this day se'nnight of 2d: per filhi The supply of calves was tolerably extensive, yet the vifct trade was steady, at last week's prices. ft In pigs comparatively little business, but late rates werelI supported. The great Christmas Market was held here to-day. Per elbs., to sink t lie oflral. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. vl. Coarse and Inferior Prime coarse wool- Coarse and Inferior Prime coarse wool- Beasts 4 0 4 4 led Sheep .4 8 5 JD Second quality do.4 6 4 10 Prime South Downs Piime large Oxen.5 0 5 4 ditto 5 2 5 A Prime Scots, &c..5 6 5 8 Large coarse Calves3 8 4|fi Coarse and Inferior Prime small ditto..4 8 4rwf) Sheep 3 8 4 0 Large Hogs .4 0 4 [0 Second quality do.4 2 4 6 Neat small Porkers.4 8 5^2 Sheep 3 8 4 0 Large Hogs .4 0 4 [0 Second quality do.4 246 Neat small Porkers.4 8 5^2 Suckling Calves, 19s. to 28s.; and quarter-old Store Pigs,-fcl to 26s. each. Beasts, 4,282 Sheep, 18,170 Calves, ife; Pigs,320. 7* —— "j" LATEST CURRENT PRICES OF METALS. J LONDON, DEC. 10, 1847. £ [UON—Bara Wales.ton 8 OjO London 8 16*0 Nail rods 10 OriO Hoops (Staf.) 11 Sheet „ n Bars JO ]04.»A Welsh cold blast foundry nie tt ft Scotch pig b Clyde 2 *'0 Rails, average 1.1* 7 IC/0 V',air.s 5$0 Russian cCCND 0 0 PSI.. 0 tf'o Gourieff 0 ff 0 Archangel. 13 Iff 0 Swedish d, on the spot 11 fi, O Steel,fagt 16 ft O kegs e 14 C 0 CoppEn -Tile f .o.I 97 ir0 'lough cake 98 O Best selected lOl O 0 Ordinary sheets lb. 0 ti ll bottoms 0 9.12 YELLOW METAL SHEATHING 0 ,6 9$i Tljm-Com. blocks g., czvt. 4 bars 4 # 0 Refined 4 'Q q Straits It 4 0 Banca.M 4 TIN PLATES-Ch., IC.i .box 1 iff O „ IX 1 M O I Coke, IC 1 4 0 IX lio LEAD—Sheet h jy « q Pig, letined 19 Mi 0 common.Ill* 17 0 Spanish, in bd .1.1* 17 0 ?.ED IIINIIRRRRII I .RR 19% 0 \I Dry White 24 Go Shot (Pateut) 20 16 n SPELTER—(Cake) on spot .[ 19 "fl 0 y £ Jt for arrival 0 4> 0 ZINC—(Sheet) »« export 27^ 0 QUICKSILVER n L I j2s> Per cent. *6* Net'cash. c* D&B&ont per cent n o°' c In ke88 i and f-»»ch. Discdrtit 3 count 5 o per cent. h. Net cash, in bond, m k D,tt0 2i Per cen,> 1 wet cash. Ind » Discount 1 £ per cent, n discount 11 per cent. ifaFor home use it is £ Z2. per ton. P REMARKS. Wi linn N".L Staffordshire continue at our last h«^i, V very 8reat b"siness—it is probable £ 7. lOs.^ouTiJ' LrpJ a c,aiS°es of bars in Wales. Scotch pigs aifeistiU P sed, and may be had at a shade below prices of lasyy«ek» J ported1*1"' FKATEI, and LEAD remain precisely as 1" SPELTER an improvement has taken place, anditl& now ■it sellers, and £ 18. buyers.

AGENTS FOR THE MONMOUTHSHIRE MERLIN. LOCAL AGENTS:— A be)-(,"C?iity-Mr. J. II. Morgan, I Chepstow— Mr. Clark ar J ifr. & Messrs. Kees & Son, stationers. Taylor, stationers, &c. Abtrsychan — Mr. Soiners. Monmouth~M.r. Cossens, t- AbcrUare—Mr. I'rice, chemist. I office. litackii-ood-.Nlr. Jones, post-office. Merthyr Tydvil-Mr. Wbite and Jirynmatvr Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Wilkins, stationers. printer. I PontytJool-Mr. Hughes, printer, Bridgend Mr.^lslru,stationer,&c. and Mr. Sloper, surgeon.' Cardiff Mr. Bird, post-office. Tredttgar—Mr. Davies, (taiioner. l/sk—fir. Clark, printer.* LONDON AGENTS :— i Messrs. Barker and White, 33, Mr. Charles Mitchell, 12, BeriLion Fleet-street. Court, Fleet-street. > Messrs. Newton and Co., 2, War- Mr. Munden Hamiwfttd.i&Lom- wick-squarc. bard-street. -iTt Mr. George Ueynell, 42, Chancery. Mr. Samuel Deacon, 3, WWJirook. lane. Mr. George lteytiell, 42, Chancery. Mr. Samuel Deacon, 3, WWJirook. lane. By whom this paper is regularly filed. The MUSLIN is iiWfilcda Lloyd's Coftbe Room, City. Newport, Saturday, December 18, 1847.