Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

POLleE COURT. i. SATURDAY. Before Chi. Bfyrde, C. J. Pnrkes, ESQ., and I E. J. Phillips, Esq. POG8 WITHOUT I,ICENSES. William Crockett, Blaenafon, was charged with keeping a dog without a license, on May I€th .Fined 25a. Ezeriali Morgan, Qoytre, was charged with keeping a dog without a license, on 3rd May. Thomas Edwards, excise officer, visited the house on the above-uauied date, and saw a dog in the field adjoinjug the bouse Morgan's father admitted the dog belonged to the son, and said that he would take out a licenqe when | he got into work.Fit;.ed 25s. George Roberts, Manihilad, was charged with a like offence, on May Otb Fined 25s. John Jenkins was charged with keeping a dog without a license, on May 24th.Fined 258. PERMITTING GAMBLING AT BLAEifAFON. John Robert Davies, landlord of the Bell beerhouse, Blaenafon, wad charged with per- mitting gambling on his premises, Oil Saturday, Qd inst. Mrs Davies appeared. ) Mr Grjenway defended. P.c. Walter Price said that on Saturday, 2nd > inst,, about 9.10 p.m., he visited the Bell beer- honse, and saw two men playing dominoes in a room to the left hand side, as he entered re- mained in the room for a short time, and had a pint of beer there during the time he was there a little girl ran in from the door and said to the landlady, Look out;" lie saw the little girl at the door as he came into the house the land- lady ran towards the men and said, Put them pp they picked the dominoes up between them, and pnt them on their knees onder the tuble she (the landlady) then went to the door pnd remained there a Pliort time, and on return- jog to the room said to the men, It'a all right;" one of the men asked her who i: was, and in reply she said, I-Biir,-k and tan," and added, You had better couie into the back rootii one of the men answered, Let us finish this hand, and then wo will go the landlady said, "all right," and sat in the doorway that goes into until they had finished the II band when they finished playing the man that won the game said to the other, You owe me 3d the landlady said, Ncer mind that; go to the back room, he will be sure to corne in, the men the-a picked the dominoes up and went into the back room witness could hear them playing went out of the house and iuformwd P.a. James of what was going on about 10 25 p.m. he returned to the house Blld had another pint of beer he conld Btiil hear them playing in the back room, nod about 10 50 p.m. he heard one man say to another, You have lost that quart heard someone knock the table, apd a little girl passed by with a jug ip her bfttid, and j returned with a jug and placed it on the table the beer bad not been in only a very short time before P.s. James and P.c. Wilmott came in James came into the room where witpess 8at, and when the landlady saw him she ran into the room where they were playing the dominoes and began picking thstp up she got some of the dominoes and the sergeant got some; James told the landlady that he would report her for permitting gambling on her premises, and asked where the landlord was. By Mr Greenway: Witness went to "The Bell" about 9.10 p.m. on Saturday, and bad a pint of beer he remained there till 9.40 p.m. be was, for half-an-hour, in the room where they were playing dominoes could not say who the men were, not having known any of them, but he thought if he saw them again he should know them wittuss had plain clothes on did not drink with the men there were two rpen playing dominoes there, and a third man with a board iiiarkiii-Y i the two men were playing the whole of the time he was in the room oefore he left they ceased playing and picked the dominoes up between them the men who were playing- left the room before witness did, but there were others who remained with bitn did not go into the other room till Jaipee came in remained about five minutes in the room after those who had beeu playing had left; beard one man say to the other, after they had finished the game, "You have lost three-pence;" did not know the landlady's daughter believed the landlady and another sqt at the door; there was a little girl at the door when he came in, and there were three females besides this little girl OQ the premises saw no children there did not see the landlord heard an inquiry made about the the landlord, and heard that he was ill in bad James left them, bnt witness cou!d not say where he had gone heard one man say, t- You have lost three-pence;" that was before they had removed the dominoes and when the landlady was by the door he believed it was that woman [pointing to Mrs Davies] who was preset): the person he saw was in a lighter dress; when James and Wilmot came in, the person he referred to was there, but she bad not a jug or cup in her hand at the time, neither did he see her feach for a jug James was between witness and the female, for the latter began to scramble the dominoes off the table when the former came in James nearly upset one woman he asked her what she want- ed to take the dumiuoes off the table for, and she answered they were only playing for fun, and she was not taking the dominoes James said he would report her she said, Report for what ? they were only playing for fun ?" one of the men who were playing dominoes when wit- ness went in was present at the time there were, he thought, four men there at the time, and they did not all deny having beep gamb- ling one of the men was going to punch James', head. By Supt. M'lntosh In the back-room, he heard one man say to another. Ynu have lost a quart," aud the table was rapped, and a quart taken in. P.O. James said that on Saturday night, the 2nd it)et., iie wan on duty at Blaenafon at about 10.40 p.m. he was approaching the defendant's house, and saw a little girl run across the street towards the front door, and be stopped just at the door, and entered the house before her as goon as he entered the kitchep, the landlady, who was there, ran into the next room witness followed, and found her in the act of scrambling the dominoes off the table he scrambled along and took nine of them there was a bit of a board on tho table for keeping chalk marks there were five men in this little room, four sit- ting down and one standing up there was a quart on the table nearly full of beer told the landlady there would be a charge of permitting gambling in her house, and she said they were only playing for fun asked her why she ran in and scrambled the douiinoes if they were only playing for fun she said she only did it to please her fancy witness then vieitcd the room up-stairs in the house, and found a table simi- lar to a billiard table, but used for playing nine pins on there was no oue playing there at tho time. By Mr Greenway Had not been watching outside the door a single moment, because be saw a little girl rush in he knew she was a spy to watch the policeman the landlady had neither jug nor cup in her hand at the time site was scrambling the dominoes witness said, "You have not got all of them, Mrs Roberts did not say, Now, old Jady, I've got you said nothing of the kind whilst he wae there asked where her husband was, and she said he was bad in dM say, a y"" may go nd see itu charged har with gambling, and she said they were only playing for ftin believed the little girl who rau from the door was the landlord's daughter she was about 12 yeais old there was no female sitting in the back room conld not say how the landlady was dressed he knew that since this affair had oc- curred one of the policemen had received a letter from Mrs Davies. Mr Greeuway wished to have the letter put in, but Supt M'lntosh refused. Elvira Davies, daughter of defendant, was next called, and said that on the date named she was attending to the duties of the house a man named George Phillips asked her for the domi- noes; she gave them to him, and when she did so cautioned him that he was not to play for money or money's worth the men said they only wanted them for amusement they played with the dominoes for about half-an-hour, and she was iu and out of the room during the whole of the time that they were playing when they finis.ied playing she took the dominoes into the kitchen for the children to amose themselves with them the men did not help her to take them in the children continued to amuse them- selves with the dominoes during the remaining part of the night whilst Absalom and Phillips were playing in the front room the witftess Price was there in plain clothes, and she brought him a pint of beer; she had heard nothing said about beer, losing money, or gambling in any way if ehe had she would have stopped it at once she left the dominoes, when they were taken from the front room, with the children Ler uiother WA" not in that ftinm at all the was op-stairs^ and back and fore to the bar James inshed in, and pushed her mothpr so violently that she Nonld have fallen had it not been for the table supporting her; he exclaimed, II Ah, my lady, I have got you at last;" she said, "Got me for what?" and added that they had only been playing for fun, and not for money at the time that James ran to the table her mother bad a pint in her hand and was reach- ing for a quart James asked where the land- lord was her mother said he was very ill in bed, and told the polic man he apighl go up and sep him if he liked James went up-stairs into the long room, but he did not go into the bed- room she was in the house during the whole of the time the men had the douiinoes, and she could say that they had not been gambling they had only onetable in the baok kitchen, and there were four men sitting at it the dominoes were on the table; there was nothing else on the table she had not supplied any of them with beer her mother was supplying beer she had taken in the box with the dominoes, but t there were no chalk marks on it the men kept the score iL memory did not hear one say to the other, You owe me 3d she was in the kitchen at the time, but did not hear that when James came in he caught a few dominoes in his hand she could not say who caught the others. By the Bench There were several men in the front roon. when she took the dominoes off the table, but poue of them went into the back kitchen. By Mr Greenway After playing in the front room some of the men went into back roam, be- cause it was much cooler there. George Phillips, Blaenafon, recollected going to the Bell on Saturday, 2nd inst. he had been there only a short time when Absalom came in they arranged between themselves to have a game of dominoes Miss Davies brought the dominoes, and cautioned them not to play for tponey or money's worth they played two games, but not for money or money's worth they were the only two persces playing in that room on that evening Miss Davies took the dominoes iuto the kitchen when they had fin- ished playing when they were playing in the front room Price came in in plain clothes, and was there the whole of the time they played after a while they (Phillips aud Absalom) left the front loom aud weut into the back room they did not play dominoes that evening after- wards there were some children playiug with tne dominoes they remained in the back room till P.s. James came in no one played with the dominoes that evening Mrs pavies came into the back room, and was reaching for a quart, when P.s. James rushed in and shoved against her, exclaiming, Hallo, old lady (or old girl), I got you now she said, Got what?" he an- swered, You will hear of this again Mrs Davies said they had only been playing for fun James then asked for the landlord Mrs Davies said he was ill in bed James then got hold of a candle, and witness thought he had gone up- stairs they had not played for money or mouey's worth. By Supt. M'lntosh No one told them to put the dominoes tip Mrs Davies said nothing to them about going into the back room could not say whether Absalom or he had woo the game they did not keep account with chalk marks there were 7 or 8 of them in the front room together they did not owe each other 3d when James arrived he was in the back room tstanding up there was a quart jug on the table, but there was nothing in it he had paid for a quart, and that was out did not hear anybody say, You have lost a quart of beer," and he did not see the servant take an empty quart away. John Absalom said that when he went into the Bell, at Blaenafon, Geo. Phillips was there, and asked him to play a game of dominoes witness said he did not mind he asked Miss Davies for the dominoes, and she brought them, ( saying that they were not to play for money or mopey s worth they played two games, and there was no one else playing there the wit- ness Price came in and sat near Absalom he was in plain clothes witness knew him very well in Abergavenny there were several others in the room besides those who played some- body took the dominoes back into the kitchen, but it was not witness or his butty the do- minQes were not taken away very long before be left the room they did not play for money or money's worth there was nothing said about losing 3d io that room they left the front room and went into the back, and stayed there till James came in Mrs Davies was in the back room when James came in he cried out, Hallo, old lady [or old girl] I have you now; she said, "At what?" be answered, Playitifc at dominoes she denied that there was any gambling going on, and if there was it was not for money there was nothing said about losing a quart of beer there were chil- dren in the room playing with the dominoes, but no men played with tiiem thefe were some of the dominoes OD the table aud some on the ground none of the uieu had the dominoes iu their hands. The wituess here turned round to P.s. James and said, quite simply, You was not sharp enough to catch the dominoes in anybody's hands (laughter). Mr Greenway (to witness) He would be very sharp to catch dominoes in your hands when you had none (more laughter). Cross-examination continued There was no one playing dominoes in that room. By the Bench They left the front room and went into the back room because it was much cooler. By Supt. M'lntosh: They (Phillips and Ab- salom) had woo a game each, but witness could not say who had won the last game on consi- deration, witness said that Phillips had won the last came, but he did not say anything about losing 3d Mrs Davies did not ask him to put the dominoes up out of sight, neither did she invite him into the back room saw James pick op a few dominoes, but Mrs Davies did not take any of them she had a pint in one hand, and was reaching for another that was on the table; could not say hpw long the quart that was on the table might Lave been empty witness had not had a quart of beer brought to him some one had a quart of beer brought in before James came in witness could not say who served him with beer did not hear anyone say, You have lost a quart therp wAs a quart an the table containing beer. By the Bench Could not say how long be- before James came in the children had gone to bed it would be about five or reu minutes be could not say whether any beer W38 brought into the room after the children went to bed. John Millett, shoemaker, residing next to the Bell, had been taking home some work on the night in question recollected James coming in witness was there sc.. fifteen or twenty minutes before James came in noticed domi- noes in the room, hut nobody used them whilst witness was in the house there were two little girls sitting near the are; there were four per- sons in the room besides witness Mrs Davies was in aud out of the room several times she was in the room when James came in James rushed ic, aud pushed Mrs Davies against the table he said, Old girl, I have got you at last;" she said, "At what?" he asked where was the landlord, and witness answered him, saying lie was in bed ill; there was not a single word about losing beer. By Snpt. M'lntosh Conld not say whether there was a cii^lk-board 011 the table did not see a chalk-board taken by James; there had not beep a full quart of beer brought in there was a jug on the table with some beer in it he bad put some beer that he had in a pint into a jug. By the Bench The landlady did not take 14e dominoes up from the table. Emmanuel Jones, carpenter, said he would have left the neighbourhood on the previous Saturday, but stayed behind to give evidence in this case was at the Bell ou Saturday, the 2nd inst. saw Absalom and Phillips there did Dot see any children was in the room about half-an-hour or three-quarters dominoes were on the table, but not played by any one there was nothing said about losing a quart of beer James rushed in from the door' towards the table Millet, George Phillips, Absalom, and witness were sitting at the tahle Jamea said Hallo, old girl, I have caught you at laqt she said, 14 Canght me at what?" he said,44 You are playing dominoes she denied the charge he then asked where the landlord was, and Mrs Davies said he was 44 bad in bed," and that he might go up and See him if he wished during the time witness was there, there was no gam- bling or anything said about a jug of beer. By Mr M'lntosh Mrs Davies had come into the room and was reachinga quart off the table, when James came and scrambled the dominoes off the table witness had a pint of beer brought in before James arrived, but he could not say whether there was a quart of beer brought in or not. By the Besicti There wna a quart of bper on the tahfo, for Phillips and Absalom bad been i drinking. I Edward Edwards wan in the front room, and saw Absalom and Phillips playing dominoes, but not for money or money's worth. Daniel Thomas and van Griffiths were call- ed, and corroborated the evideuce of previous witnesses. Mary Davies, landlady of the Bell, was next called, and said dominoes were played in the house, but gambling she did not allow she had a board hung up, cautioning parties not to play for money or money's worth saw James on the evening in question, but she had not been to the door the whole of the evening she had a pint jug in her left hand and a quart in her right when James rushed in a little boy and a little girl were using the dominoes, aud nobody else used them in the back-room that evening did not know of any gambling in her house James rushed in, pushed her against the table, and ac- cused her of trying to scram" the dominoes he said, Ha I ha I my lady, I have got you at last;" she answered, "Got me at what?" if they were playing it was far fun, Dot they were not playing at all he took a candle in hia hand, and went up to see the landlord. The magistrates retired to consider their ver- dict and, after some consideration, came into court, stating that they felt satisfied the defen- dant was guilty. They inflicted a fine of 40s., and made an order that the license be endorsed. Mr Greenway gave notice of appeal. COAL STEALING. William Hancock was charged with stealing a quantity of coal, the property of the Ebbw Vale Company. P.c. Humphreys proved the charge. Defendant said he took a piece of coal from the rubbish tip. Sentenced to 7 days' hard labour. RINGING THE CHANGES. Edward Hughes, a cork hawker, and Mary, his wife, were both charged with an act of va- grancy, by ringing the changes, at Abpjsycban, on the 27th ult. The female prisoner, it appeared, had gone into several public-houses, and in each asked for a pint of beer, for which she tendered a two- shilling piece. On receiving the change, she would demand her money back, offering to give a smaller coin and proceeding in this way, by dexterous manipulation of the coins, the publi- can would in the end find hiaisclf a loser by the traLsaction. Israel Langley prosecuted. Prisoners had tried the dodge at four differ- ent places. Sentenced to 7 days each. They were further charged with hawking in the county of Monmouth, and not having their license endorsed. Fined 2s 6d. A SQUABBLE ON THE TRANCP. Ruth Brooks was' charged with assaulting Elizabeth Richards. Witnesses pro and con. were examined, and it became evident there were six of one and half- a-dozen of the other. They were ordered to pay expenses between them. FIGHTING. David Davies and David Bowen were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fight- ing, on the 16th inst., at Panteg. P c. Beanland proved the charge, and the de- fondants were fined 10s each. DOGS AT LARGE. John Price, Pontypool George Wright, and W. P. Denner were charged with allowing dogs to stray without muzzles.Fined 2s 6d each. DRUNKENNESS. Thomas Harris was charged with being drunk and riotous on 16th May.P.s. Basham proved the charge.Fined 10s. Richard Lewis was charged with being drunk at Blaenafon.P.c. Ford proved the charge. Fined 15s. James Power was charged with being drunk at Blaenafon.P.s. James proved the case. Fined 5s. James Edwards, Blaenafon, was charged with being drunk.Fined 10s. Thoaas Edward Richards was charged with a similar offence.Fi.-je(i 10d. SURETIES OF THE PEACE. Edward Ellis was bound over to keep the peace towards each of Her Majesty's subjects, and especially towards John Forrest. FOWL STEALING. Thos. Butler, a decrepid old man, was charged with stealing two fowls, the property of Chas. Hill, at Blaenafon, on the 19th iust. Prosecutor saw the fowls all right on Monday evening, and on Wednesday he missed them. P.c. Smith said that at 230 a.m. on the 19th inst., be saw prisouer with the fowls iu his poa- session. Prisoner pleaded that he had received the fowls from another man, who had given him a shilling to take the fowls to a certain place. Sentenced to three months' bard labour. PROSTITUTION Annie Clark was charged with being a pros- titute.Sentenced to 7 days. BREAKING WINDOWS. Abraham Abrahams was charged with tres- pass by breaking windows, his father's property. Ordpred t,o pay 12s 0d.*

P 0 N T Y P O O L C O L LEG-R. Sir,-Having obtained a list of the voters at the re- cent election of President of the above College, we are now in a position to criticize 14 Scrutator's" letter, and we are sorry to find, after carefully examining the re- port of 1876, that Scrutator" is alike inaccurate in his tMory and inaccurate in his facts. Half truths are very dangerous, and are likely to mislead the public. We shall therefore state the whole truth as far as we can, firmly believing that honesty is the best policy for both parties. ltlaCCllrate in tMory. Fightyone voters (for Rev W. M. Lewis, M.A.) representing," says Scrutator,' a 1total of congregational contributions, £ 215 19s 10d. Fifty-one voters (for Rev T. Williams, B.A.) represent- mg a total of congregational contributions, X177 8s 9d." These two statements contain almost as many blunders as words. They involve confusion of thought, a cross division and a misrepresentation of the electoral system of the;College. Rule VII. says Persons subscribing ten shillings or more per annum, and ministers making yearly collections in support of this Institution amount- ing to one gound and upwards (such collections to be calculated from any money raided from the congregation in sums of LESS than ten shillings), are members of the Society." From this rule, it is clear that no minister can repre. 81 sent subscriptions of ten shillings and upwards, and no layman can represent a congregational contribution. Now, of the 81 who voted for Mr Lewis 17 were lay- men, and of the 51 who voted for Mr Williams 31 were laymen. Having the above rule before him, how could Scrutator" say that these laymen were representing congregational contributions," when the principle of lay delegates is not recognised in the constitution of the College ? And, as a. matter of fact, no lay delegate did vote. Again, of the 64 ministers who voted for Mr Lewis, and of the 20 who voted for Mr Williams, many members of their churches were subscribers of ten shil- lings and upwards and were not present. How could the ministers represent these voters? The laymen that at- tended recorded their own votes, but neither the minis- ters nor the layiren could represent the absent qualified subscribers, as in either case one of thp fundamental rules of the College would be thereby violated. We therefore charge Scrutator" with making a. cross division and of jumbling things together which he ought tQ have kept apart. Inaccurate in hivfaets. We have carefully looked over the list of voters and the repo.rt of the College for 1876. The following is the result of our examination 1- (a) CHVKCHKS, Total amount of congresrutional collections made by tbe 64 churches whose ministers voted for Mr Lewis 39 ig Q Total amount of congregational collections made by the 17 churches whose ministers voted for Mr Williams 33 u 2 (0) VOTERS. Voters for Rev lV. M. Lewis, M.A. 64 ministers representing congregational collections, their own subscriptions and all subscriptiors upder ten shillings.164 0 5 17 laymen contributing 215 0 Total £ 18^ 5 5 Voters for Rev Thos. Williams, B-A. I 20 ministers rep-esenting congregational collections, their own subscriptions and all subscriptions under ten shillings 73 19 4 31 laymen contributing 46 0 0 Total £ 119 19 4 1 We have not been aOle to nna out two names—one who voted for Mr Lewis and the other for Mr Williams. With these exceptions the above figures, we believe, are strictly accurate, and the calculations made in table b are based on the electoral system of the College. These, therefore, should be our^guide. We have not tried to turn and twist the constitution of the College to suit our own purpose. We give the whole facts as they stand and what do they signify ? Why this :-That Mr Lewis was elected by a very large majority-60 per cent. of the voters, and that they con tribute (see table b) 55 per cent. more towards the support of the Institution. In the name of common sense, how can any opponent turn these figures against Mr Lewis ? If they have any signifi- cance, they speak strongly in his favour, and demon- strate the high estimation in which he is held by the Baptist Churches of the Principality. FAIR PLAY. [In a letter signed "Another Scrutator," in a late issue, read monied naerv %nd nqt married men.]—ED. F.P.

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BIBLE SOCIETY 8 MEETING. On Tuesday evening the annual meeting of the Pontypool Branch of the above society was held at the Town School,—$. J. Phillips, Esq., J.P in the chair. The chairman, after a few introductory re- marks, called upon the treasurer to read a state- ment of accounts. The treasurer read a statement showing that at the last annual meeting the collections amount- ed to £4 4s 4d received in annual subscrip- tions, £14 9s 611 ladies' association, £13 6s 6d; sale account, £919s 4d. The balance now in hand amounted to £18 2s. Rev R. C. Page was called upon to move the first resolution, which was—"That the state- ment of accounts he taken as read, and printed and circulated among the subscribers." The Rev. T. L1. Jonea seconded this resolu- tion, which was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The Rev Mr Walters proposed the following resolution—"That tbe following names be added to the committee: The Rev W. R. Thomas, Abersychan Vicarage Rev R. C, Page, Pontypool and the Rev p. O. Davies, Pont- newynydd." The resolution was seconded by the Rev. W. Dickens Lewis, who attended as a deputation from the parent society. The rev. gentleman said he felt great pleasure in meeting them on that evening to advocate the claims of the Bible Society. It was nearly eleven years since he had had the pleasure of appealing to them for the first time in that room and he had attended from time to time since, but the pre- sent meeting was the largest that had been held in that room (hear, hear). The Bible Society had been in existence 73 years, and had since that time worked well and successfully, but had as much work to day as it had then, and greater opportunities to do it. The Bihle Society had expended over 7 millionR on the work of print- ing and translating the Bible. The Bihle had been translated into 211 different languages, and over 80,000,000 copiejhad been distributed. There was hardly a country of any extent throughout the whole of the globe but had felt the power and influence of this society. Not only had this society agents, correspondents, and contributors throughout the worhl, but it had been a most efficient aid to the various mis- sionary societies of almost every denomination. Not only was it an aid to missionary societies, but schools, workhouses, prisons, reformatories, ships, railway stations, &c., had experienced the benefits and liberality of the Bible Society. The speaker, after other remarks, dwelt upon the financial condition of the society. At the end of March, 1873, there were two distressing facts in connection with the finances of the society the first was that the receipts had been £3ÓOO less than in the previous year; the second was that the expenditure had exceeded the receipts by £16,000, so that the society were forced to begin their year of labour with a heavy debt resting upon them of uot lesB than £19.000. The warmest friends of the society hesitated some urged them to make a special appeal to the country at large, and lay open their circum- stances to them others thought the society had better curtail its operations in Asia whilst others again suggested that the cumber of colporteurs in Europe should be curtailed. But there were men who suggested that the society should go on for another year, and to have faith. They did and he was present at a meeting held in Loudon in May, 1874, and theje he heard a report read stating that the receipts for that year exceeded those of the former year by the sum of £24,000 (applause), so that they had sufficient to wipe away the burdensome debt and a clear balance of £5000 to go on with the work of the coming year. False prophets had come forward and said that the society had reached the heyday of its prosperity but how vain was the prophecy. The speaker was"pre- sent at a meeting held in May, 1875, and they were told that the receipts for that year ex- ceeded those of the former year by and in 1876 the increase of £150 upon the receipts of 1875 was reported. He had for the year 1877 a different story to tell, for the receipts were £15,000 less than those for the year 1876 but he had an explanatory note to make this de- crease was due chiefly to the legacies, and lega- cies were a fluctuating source of income. But if free contributions were any criterion of the kindly feeling of the oountry, he was glad tc tell them that the free contributions bad been as high as before and they had reason to be of good cheer and to take courage. The Bible Society was not an institution merely for the purpose of supplying England and Wales with Bibles its field was the world. The speaker, after mentioning the death of M. de PresseMee, an ag«mt wiw» had worked in the interest «f fh* society in France, and how his place had been filled up, went on to detail the system by which the distribution of Bibles was carried on in France. This was by means of colporteurs whom the speaker described as wonderful and extraordinary men, who had to overcome a great many difficulties in the prosecution of their tasks. These colporteurs were men who had been convinced of the errors and supersti- tions of the Catholic faith and embraced Pro testantism. The speaker then gave instances of how the colporteurs worked. The colporteur, he said, would go to a village: immediately, the Roman Catholic priest goes to every house, and instead of urging the people to take eaeh of them a copy of the Word of God, he telle them that it is a dangerous book that they should not read it except he ia at their elbows to help them. When the colporteur sets hi pack down and raps at the door, it is slightly opened and the man of the house, seeing who is there, bids the eolporteur to pack up, that he does not want the Bible because it is a dangerous book. The colporteur opens a Testament, and begins to read the first chapter of the Gospel of 8t. John. The man becomes astonished at the beautiful words and sentiments; the door gra- dually opens, and finally the colporteqr, who began reading the chapter outside the door, finishes it in the arm chair, with the man, his wife and chil iren, sitting round him, and many of the neighbours eagerly listening; a few copies of the Bible are sold, and the colporteur goes on his way but on his return, in twelve tnonths' time, he finds that a Christian Protes- tant community has been established in the valley,—(loud applause),—and all through the simple reading of the Word of God. Thus, not withstanding all the hindrances, 98,000 copies of the Word of God had been circulated in France by this society. The speaker then went on to detail the progress of the work in Spain, which had been closed to the Bible for genera- tions, until the late Queen Isabella bad been driven from the countiy. A depot had been es- tablished at Madrid, and open Brbles were now placed in the windows. Hundreds of the poor Spaniards would, during their dinner hour, stop at the windows to read the Bible and many, very many, would stay outside reading the Word of God instead of going to their midday meal, and return hungry to their work One morning a mandate came from the highest au- thority in Spain that the Bibles should betaken out of the windows. This was protested against, but protesting was all in vain the order had to be obeyed. Daring- the night someone came with a ladder and a pot of paint and daubed over the sign above the door of the depfit, and in the morning the place presented a melan- choly appearance. But peisecution always de- f'oa18 its own object. There weio morf Bibles and Testaments sold daring three days at the depot than had been for months before. Then came a command that they should place the Bibles in the windows and now there was per- fect liberty for the circulation of the Bible in Spain, where 600,000 copfes of the Word of God had been sold. The society had circulated amongst theFrench and German soldiery during the Franco-German war 100,000 copies of the Scriptures. They had also taken in hand the supplying of the Russian and Turkish soldiers with Bibles during the present war in the East. Eighty thousand copies had been already circu- lated amongst the Russian soldiers, one officer having himself bought 100 Biblea and distri- buted them amongst his men. Similar work was in progress among the soldiers of Turkey and the English people, who walked in the light, tshould do their beat to scatter its beams through the four quarters of the globe, (Ap- plause.) The resolution was put and carried. Rev.1. C. Llewellin moved the third resolu- tion, "That the thanks of the meeting be pre- sented to the ladies' committee and that they be requested to continue their labours for an- other year." Mr Lleweliiu suggested that in all the churches and chapels, on the Sunday pre- ceding the annual meeting, a collection should be made in aid of the funds of the Society. This was seconded by Rev W. N. Q, Eliot, and carried unanimously. Rev J. C. Llewellin#proposed a vote of thanks to the onairman, which was carried unanimously. Mr Phillips having suitably acknowledged the compliment, a hymn was Blln, a colleetion 1 was niade, and the proceedings were brought to c)°se-

THE USK GRAMMAR SCHOOL. I Mr Robert Farqubar M'Kerrow, of 91, Finsr borough Road, South Kensington, London, son of Mr M'Kerrow, of Nicholas-street, Pontypool, was last week uuanimously elected Master of the above school. On Monday last a meeting was held, under the presideqey of his Honour Judge Falconer, to consider the provisions of the proposed new scheme which the Endowed Schools' Commis- sioners had sent down. The chairman gave a full and lengthy account of the school for many years back. He stated that the Usk Grammar I School, with an income of only £100, could not possibly compete with the Monmouth Grammar School, which had an income of £2,500. He had been informed that morning that a memo- rial had been hawked through the town, in a dirty, low, and mean way, agains scheme in question. (Shame.) the promoters of that memorii in a manly and open way, by cal. and explaining their views? (Hear, tie&i.j dis. Honour then reviewed tne new scheme, and pro- nounced it a really good one. (Loud cheers.)— Col. G. R. G. Relph went over the various pro. visions of the scheme, dwelling at considerable length on those parts of it which were consi- dered to be of very great interest to all. The school, in his opinion, had been very badly con ducted (hear, hear), but if the new scheme were adopted it would never again fall into such a state. (Cheers.) There were sonje provisions in the scheme which he should like to see al- tered. Instead of the tuition fees of any boy being not less than £4 per annum let it be not less than .£2 per annum. (Cheers.) Instead of admitting boys into the school under the age of seven years he should like it to be not under eight years. (Cheers.) Instead of the govern- ors being elected for five, six, or seven years, he should like it to be for three, four, and five years (Hear, hear.)—These amendments were put to the meeting separately and were carried unanimously.—The following resolution was then carried :—" That the resolution be signed by the chairman, and forwarded to the Charity Commissioners."—The Rev J Matthews said the school had been so miserably conducted that it had been of no use whatever to the town. It was not for him to say where the fault lay. The trustees (who were the governors) blamed the master, and the master blamed the trustees. But now that they had a new master, let them have new governors. This could ouly be done by adopting the new scheme. In the adoption of the new scheme the meeting had acted wisely. The rev gentleman moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding, which was seconded by the Rev W. Morgan, and carried with ac- clamation.

OUR OLD INHARITANTS are fast departing. Since we recorded the unexpected death of Mr George Fothergill, another well-known and respected townsman has passed away with startling suddenness. Mr William Potter was apparently in his usual health on Saturday last. On Sunday he complained of being somewhat poorly. He retired to bed at half-past ten and slept until about one o'clock, when he became restless, and at eight in the morning Dr Thomas was called in, who did not perceive any immediate danger. At about half-past ten, how- ever, he became suddenly worse, and died almost imme- diately. The cause of death was certified to be apoplexy. The funeral will take place to-day (Friday) at Trevethin. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs Potter and family under their painful bereavement.

THROAT IRRITATION.—The throat and windpipe are especially liable to inflammation, causing soreness and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use glycerine in the form of jujubes. Glycerine, in these agreeable confections, being in proximity to the glands at the moment they are excited by the act of sucking, becomes actively healing. 6d. and b. boxes (by post for 14 stamps), "labelled JAMES Errs & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, 48, Threadneedle Street, and 170, Piccadilly, London."—Depot in Cardiff: R. Drane, 8 Queen-street.

The Agent GeueraNor SoutbT Australia, Sir Arthur Blytl, K.C.M.G., received the following telegram dated Adelaide, 18th June, 1877 :—" Parliament opened 31st May season excellent; arrived 4 Airlie,' all well, with SOUTH AUSTRALIA.—The Agent General for South Australia, Sir Arthur BIrth, K.C.M.G., has received a telegram from Adelaide, ordering him to despatch an extra emigrant ship in the month of August BO as to arrive in time fcr the harvest. At the Central Criminal Court on Wedncsday, Richd. Marsh Watson, a clerk in holy orders, who was brought up for sentence on a plea of guilty to the charge of de- manding, with menaces, £250 from bis sister-in-law, was sentenced by Mr Justice Lush to 12 years' penal servitude. The ship" Fritz Reuter" sailed from Hamburg on the 15th instant, having on board the following number of passengers bound for Rockhampton, Queentland, viz., 93 single men, 29 single women, 146 married people, 123 children between the ages of 12 and 1, and 15 in- fants, making a total of 40C souls equal to 329 adults. The single women are under the care of Mrs Trodel, Dr E. A. Koch acting as surgeon-snperintendent. CAUTION.-MESSRS. RECKITT & SONS beg to caution the public against imitation squareBlue of very inferior quality. The Paris Blue in squares (used in the Prince of Wales' Laundry) is sold in wrapper, bearing the name and Trade Mark. FITS-—EPILEPTIC FITS OR FALLING SICKNESS.—-A certain method of cure has been discovered for this dis- tressing complaint bv a physician, who is desirous that all sufferers may benefit from this providential dis- covery it is never known to fail, and will cure the most hopeless case after all other mp-qns have been tried. Full particulars will be sent by post to any person free of charge.—Address :—Mr WILLIAMS, 10, Oxford Tertace, Hyde Park, London. WATERS' QUININE WINE for sixteen years has been universally admitted to be the best Tonic known, and a useful and agreeable accompaniment to Cod Liver OIL We can bear personal testimony to its value as a tonic." Standard.—Local Agents- JOHN KNIPF>&SON,Family Grocers, &c., Crane-street, Pontypool, and Griffithsr town and Messrs JONES & WHITNEY, Tea Dealers, Family Grocers, &c., Blaenafon. Wholesale: Waters and Son, 34, Eastcheap,London; Lewis&Co.,Worcester. and Son, 34, Eastcbeap, London; Lewis&Co.,Worcester. FLORILINH !—FOB THE TEETH ARS BREATB few drops of the liquid "Floriline" sprinkler wet tooth-brush produces 9 pleasant lather, winch thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness, and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all uapleasant odour arising from decayed teeth or tobacco smoke. The Fragrant Floriline," being composed in part of Honey and sweet herbs, is deli- cious to the taste, and the greatest toilet discovery of the age. Price 2s 6d, of all Chemists and Perfumers. Prepared by HeMy O. GIoLL", 493 Oxford-street* iVmdon. Avpzcnoirs AWD suf- fering from irritation of the throat and hoarseness will be agreeably surprised at the almost immediate relief afforded by the use of Brown's Bronchial rrcc-hes." These famous lozenges are now sold by most respectable chemists in this country at Is lid per 1:, ¡¡x. People troubled with a "hacking cou^h," a "aii-ht cold;" or bronchial affections, can- not try them too soon, as similar troubles, if allow ed to Jrore, result in serious Pulmonary and Asthmatic affections. See that the words" Brown's Bronchial Troches" are on the Government Stamp around each box.—Manufactured by JOHN 1. BROWN & SONS, Boston, United States. Depot, 493 Oxford-street, London. ADVICE TO MOTHERS!—Are you broken In yoov rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mus. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harm. less and pleasant to taste, it produces natural, quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "/is bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the bast known Remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by Medicine dealers everywhere at 1P Hd per bottle.—Manufactured in New York. and at 493 Oziord-street, London.

HOL^OWAX'^ PILLS.—In general debility, nervous tremor, and mental depression, these unrivalled Pills have a marvellous effect. They have won the confi- dence of millioRS in all parts of the civilized world. Constitutions shaken by sensual excesses, or by long re- sidence in unwholesome climates, or by sedentary habits, are wonderfully renovated by a course of this extraor- dinary medicine, which, powerful as is its action on the whole system, is perfectly harmless to the tenderest frame The Pills are composed ot rare balsams, without the admixture of a grain of any mineral whatever, or of any other deleterious substance. They operate directly, powerfully, and beneficially upon the whole mass of blood nor can we question the fact when we see indi- gestion cured, liver complaints arrested, the oppressed 1 lungs brought into healthful play, and every physical funoiion renewed aud Strengthened by their ageucy. ) On Sunday anniversary services were held in connec- tion with the Baptist Chapel at Cinderford, when Dr Thomas, ol Pontypool, preached the sermons. HAYMAKING has commenced in Pontvpool Park—so far without the provetbial rain that is commonly said to attend that opprati on. H AN BURT CORPs.-Lieut. Bevan, and Corporals C. Davies and J. L. Morgan have been chosen to represent this corps at the Wimbledon meeting. INOURST.—On Friday an inquest was held by E. D. Batt., Esq., coroner, at the ynioT) Inn, Abersychan, touching the death of Francis Rees, collier, who was killed on Tuesday, 19th inst., at Cwrasychan Pits, by a lump of coal about 1;1 tons in weight falling on him. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death." The Queen has expressed her desire that the Albert medals awarded to those who distinguished themselves at the Tynewycjd inundation should be distributed by Lord Aberdaro. His Lordship is at present indisposed, but immediately 40 recovers the distribution will take place. The members of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Collieries Association held a meeting at the Roval Hotol, (I 'v, and sed a resolution jr "iendly re- t to give -.i of weak intellect, named Johti ^tiick, succeeded in eluding the surveillance of his keeper, and threw himself over Clifton suspension bridge. He was rendered unconscious, and died in the course of half an hour. Deceased, who was a retired fishmonger, living at Taunton, is said to have accumu- lated L30,000 in twenty years. THE PROPOSED Npw ROAD FROM TONTYPOOL TO PONTNEW"YNYDD.- We understand that the jaint com- mittee appointed by the Local Government Boards of Abersychan and Pontvpcol to carry out the above im- provement, held a meeting oil Friday se'nnight, when it was decided to adopt a route marked upon plans pre- pared by Mr Ernest Deacon. The feeling of the com- mittee was unanimously in favour of steps being taken for thedunmediate construction of the new road. The extraordinary feat of walking a quarter of a mile at the commencement of every 10 minutes until the distance of 1,000 miles has been coverpd, by Wm. Gale, of Penarth, was commenced at one o'clock on Thursday morning on the Canton running grounds, Cardiff. The course is 220 yards in circumference, two laps making a quarter of a mile. The feat has never been attempted by anyone. Captain Barclay and others have walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours. But in such cases it was possible for the walker to obtain periods of rest of 40 minutes' duration or more. Gale has determined oa eclipsing nil such exhibitions of endurance by walking a match which will extend over 27 days 18 hours 40 minutes, or 666l hours, without once resting a longer period of time than that which can be secured out of 10 minutes, after he has walked his quarter of a mile. L1

EISTEDDFOD PRIZE POBMS.- We understand that M r J. C. Manning, of Swansea (Carl Morganwg), has in the press, and will shortly publish, a volume of his poems, among which will be included The Death of Saul," and Palm Sunday in Wales," two poems which took first prizes at the Wrexham National Eisteddfod last year. The volume, which will be handsomely bound, and will contain upwards of 250 pages, will also contain the elegy on the death of the late Mr Crawshay Bailey, for which was awarded a prize of £ i0 and a bardic chair at the last Abergavenny Eisteddfod elegies on the latb Mr Nash Vaughan Edwardes Vaughan, of Rheola; the late Mrs Nicholl Carne, Mrs Grenfell, Mr John Jobnes, of iJolaucothy; the Rev Canon Jenkins, of Abeidara, and others. A poem, Nature's Heroes, will also be included, having special application to the Tynewydd Colliery disaster. The work is dedicated, by special permission, to the Most Honourable the Mar- quess of Bute; and, judging from a perusal of some of the proof sheets with which we have been favoured in advance, it will constitute an acceptable addition to the English literature of Wales, many of the poems havitg special and local reference that cannot but enhance the interest of the work to local readers.

ABERSYCHAN ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—The Sunday- school anniversary services in connection with the above place of worship were held on Sunday, June 15th, when three able and impressive sermons were delivered by the Rev J. Matthews, ofUsk. The services throughout were well attended; and both the tunes and recitations were well rendered by the children. Considering the de- pressed state of the neighbourhood, the collections were exceptionally good, the sum realised being zCl3 3s. It is highly gratifying to report that in spite of the de- plorable state of the neighbourhood in consequence of the works being so long idle, and so many families re- moved to other localities, there has been a gradual in- crease of scholars throughout, and the school is larger at present than it has been since its formation. ENGLISH BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.-The anniver- sary services were held on Sunday, when the Rev J. Williams, of Dowlais,~ preached three very impressive scmons. The attendance was good, especially in the evening; and the collection, amounting to about 410, was quite as much as could be expected, considering the commercial state of the peighbourhood. The singing of the children, under the conduct of Messrs Jones and Hall (the latter at tho organ), gave much satisfaction, 10 which was not a little aided bv the presence of the old leader, Mr Conway.-Tbe children had their annual treat on the Monday. They all met at the Baptist Schoolroom at one o'clock, and walked in procession to Sunny Bank, where, by the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Lewis, they had their tea as usual on the lawn. As there was no newly-mown meadow within reach, after tea they repaired to Twynyffrwd to a field kindly lent them for the occasion by Mr John Williams, where they enjoyed themselves until dispersed by the shades of night. The weather being fine, the young ones enjoyed themselves to their heart's content.

GARNDIFFAITH. The anniversary services in connection with the Primitive Methodist Sunday School were held on Sun- day last, when three impressive sermons were preaohed by the Rev J. Whittock, of Blaenafon. The children recited a number of suitable pieces, and some anthems weie well rendered by the choir. On Monday the chil- dren had their treat of cake and tea and in the even- ing a public meeting was held, and addressed by Messrs Thomas, Sainsbury, Cordy, Sharpe, and the Rev J. Whittock. The chapel was filled each service, and the proceeds in aiduf the school funds amounted to £ 10.

I BLAENAFON The foundation for the new Primitive Methcdist Chapel has been dug out, and the great event of "stone- laying" will shortly take place. The anniversary services of the Sabbath School in connection with Horeb Baptist Chapel were held on Surday last. Three able sermons were preached by the Rev J. Morgan, of Bassaleg. The proceed* in aid of the school funds amounted to £9. On Thursday week the children attending the Eng- lish Baptist Sunday School had their annual treat. After marching in procession round the town, they re- paired to the park, where they were well regaled with tea and cake. In the evening the weather proved very unfavourable, and the rain quite "spoiled the fun."

DEATHS. June 19, at Trosnant, aged 25 years, Mr Henry ;r Price, uune 19, at 1 jvL.n, aged 23 years, Mr Francis Rats, collier. June 20, at Garndiffaith, aged 68 years, Mr Job Ed- wards. coal miner. June 23, at Malthouse-lane, Pontypool, aged 41 years, Jane, wife of Mr Worthy Camborne, labourer. June 24, at Club-row, Pontnewynydd, aged 60 years, Mr John Cokely, hatter. June 25, at Pontypool, aged 57 years, Mr William Potter, draper. June 23, at Llanvihangel-Pontymoil, aged 50 years, Mr James Oldbrook, labourer.

THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. To the Editor of the Free Press. Sir,—The Rev R. C. Page has, it appears, thought fit to sanctify Crane-street Baptist Chapel by the utterance of a discourse upon The Moral Atmosphere of a Con- tested Election." Blindly allow me, for the guidance of the revd. gentleman and those of his co-religionists who apparently consider chapels as buildings built for all conceivable purposes, to suggest a series of lectures (upon the Lord's IJay) yclept The Immoral Atmos- phere of a Contested Election," and to most humbly furnish them with the firstly, secondly, and thirdly divisions thereof:— 1st, The promulgation by so-called non-sectarians of the theory of religious training as the vital point in the fitness of candidates—whereas they knew such a theory to be false—and utterly unconnected with the matter. Query—The morality of this measure ? 2nd. The defamation of places of worship ostensibly set apart for purposes higher and nobler than the elec- tion of School Boards by meetings convened by the ron- sectarians, after the usual religious Lord's Day services —and in which the pastor, deacons, &c., instructed the members and hearers how to vote, who to vote for-and in many cases illustrated their Sabbath teaching by shewing an unenlightened religious community how to make and figure 4, 5, and 9. j Query—The morality of such pastorship ? 3rd. The barefaced manner in which countless agents of the never-to-be-iforgotten non-sectarian candidates cajoled, bullied, talked at and talked over bewildered voters at the several polling stations in the district— numbers of whom came, voted, a.nd walked away, cer- tainly sadder, but certainly not wiser, men than they went—and who by incessant canvassing and misrepre- sentation of the truth of the case were led to believe that they by their heroic acts had put their footmarks upon the sands of time--uprooted the Church, overwhelmed sectarianism—andt to use the gentlemanly language of the chairman of the Board, "assisted at a funeral c/ In- tolerance and sent Priestcraft into mourning." Query—The morality of such conduct ? Let electors be characterised by truth and honesty of purpose, and the Rev R. C. Page can then afford to lecture upon the morality" of contested elections. Until j this is done, allow me to remain, Yours faithfully, Talyw-ain.

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. j Frederick the Great said a shrewd thing when he described a war between England and Germany being as absurd as a conflict be- tween a fish and a dog. But a war between Turkey and Russia was a very different affair, and this he described as a fight between a one- eyed man and a blind one. The comparison was just enough a century ago, and I do not suppose that contemporary events are likely very materially to modify it. It is a duefcjjft- tween a huge unwieldy power that only half spgs its way to victory and a power which does not see at all. There can be little doubt what the end of such a conflict must be; only that it will not be decided so quiokly as if Russia were organized in the way that Germany is. However, in spite of many delays, the end is drawing on, and there is not a second opinion at present as to the issue of the strife. It is a pity that the public are not aware of the names of the occasional correspondents who sometimes contribute to the TÙnea. For in- stance, the majority of readers have passed over unread some remarkable letters from Athens, to which they would have paid more attention if they had known that they were from the pen of the eminent historian and au. tiquarian, Mr Edward A. Freeman. The wri- ter makes out a stropg ease for the Greeks and pleads hard that we should look with more fa- vour on the race for whom there wai such a Phil-Hellenic furore some forty or fifty years ago. The unfortunate Greeks hftre never been forgiven their repudiation of bonda obligingly thrust on them at compound interest by Jew money-lenders at the time of the war of eman- cipation. It was accommodation money, like that advanced on a post obit to some impcouui- ous heir. Such debts are seldom regarded M debts of honour yet tbe Greeks are considered defaulters because they do not pay interest on theirs. Mr Freeman pleads hard for hie lWt;t.1 ges, but, we fear, to deaf ears. There are two Mr Edward FroomaQthç greater and the less, as we may describe thorn —both writing.on the Eastern Question; and," as they are sometimes oonfounded, hasten to. clear up the confusion. Mr Edward FroemiUft the greater is the eminent historian, whoae ifa defatigable pen is never weary of writina. âr1 the wrongs endured ty the Greeks and SlaTV, of whom he is the warm partisan. MrE. Free- man the lesser is our vice consul in Bosnia, and (like Consul Holmes) is as active as his name- sake, but on the other side. Mr E. B. Frae* man cordially blames the non-Turkish raoea, and assures us that their action is entirely a factitious movement got up by the Omladina and other Sclavophil societies, A whisper has got abroad from the United States about a contemplated surprise that would, while in its nature strictly constitutional, put out of sight even such tactics as latterly have been developed by Marshal Macmahon iu France. Mr Hayes, it is known, was installed in the Presidential Mansion at Washington by a count," when the election legally consi- dered had gone against him and although the House of Representatives are of quite a differ- ent complexion in politics, no necessary oon- flict has arisen because, when the President comes in, the House goes out. Now it is on the cards that the ensuing elections will bring the Senate into harmony with the lower House; and then, it is said, supplies will be refused to a Government not legitimately seated, and steps taken to place Mr Tilden at the head of the State. I give the story for what it may be worth, simply adding that circumstances seem to give countenance to it. On the other hand, proceedings commenced by General Grant's advisers against Mr Tilden for defaults to the income-tax are eing prose- cuted with vigour. The amount claimed tof eleven years is no less than £:>0,000. The ex- Governor of New York is, however, a shrewd lawyer as well as an astute politician and wire- puller. He demurs to the claim on three grounds first, that proceedings to be valid must be taken within five years of any default, which would exclude ten out of the eleven years; second, that he made no return, and can therefore have made no false return and, third, that as he was assessed by the Government of- ficials upon their own estimates of his incomes, their action bound and binds tho Government. I should be somewhat astonished if there were means of disposing of so effectual a demurrer which is sound in luw as the answer to the claim arising out of damage to some household utensil: first, That it was cracked when do-* fendant borrowed it; secondly, That it Wa9 whole when defendant returned it; and thirdly, That defendant never had it. A marriage is arranged between the Hon.. Sydney Herbert, the Conservative Member for Wilton, and the eldest daughter of the Earl of Durham, who is a great Whig peer, and the owner of ever so many collieries. As Mr Her- bert is next in succession to the Earldom of Pembroke, and his elder brother, the Earl, is in delicate and declining health, his chances of succeeding to the title and estates are more than presumptive. Mr Gladstone is still coquetting with the Dissenters for .political support. The Rev New- man Hall, who considers himself a kind of ec- clesiastical middleman betwixt Church and. Dissent, has invited a number of representative, men to meet Mr Gladstone for a free talk and tea-fight at his residence on Hampstead Heath. Tho success of the Triennial Handel Festi- val is one of the most remarkable events of the time. The compositions of the immortal mu- sician are, it is true, like the angels, ever bright and fair," and their force and felicity of expression in time and tune may well ac- count for the freshness with which once in three years the musical world betakes itself to hear them given again at the Crystal Palace. If we are not a musical people, at all events we have a considerable appreciation of sweet sounds, and I fancy, too, that a successful celebration depends very much on the recognition we yield to rising musicians. In the present instance novelty is imported into the programme ar- ranged under Sir Michael Costa by the appear- ance of Herr Henschel, a recently heard-of favourite in musical circles, and whose render- ings of the recitative and air, "For, behold, darkness," and The people that walked, were strikingly effective in the Messiah. Mdlls. Albani also appeared in the same oratorio fóp. the first time in connection wifh these featk vals, and her purity of intonation and clearness of delivery in the recitativea There were Shepherds," And lo! the Angel," And the Angel," "And suddenly," and theatre "Rejoice greatly," "Come unto Him," and How beautiful are the feet," produced a won- derful impression upon the listening crowd" that filled the Palace. Mr Cummings,, Mr Tom Harper, Madame Patey, Mr Vernon Rigor, Mr Santley, and Madame Edith Wynue hav* also rondered their parts with signajIT empit^t. tic success. In verity the Royal Academy is beceming a popular institution. The last electionjtf ASIO-o ciates and Academicians is creditable to ita discernment and conciliation of the popular ideas. Mr P. R. Morris (the discoverer of The Shadow of the Cross" idea), a gold- medallist long since, earned his Associateshifi long ago. It seems but yesterday that I heard him in Auless's studio give that young giant It a few tips" about his gold-medal picture. Well, the whirligig of time brings things level There is no fault to be found with the eleva- tion of Mr Davis; but why was not Mr Marks, elected ? Mr Burgess's elevation will please and displease many architects. Tho Rev Hugh Allen, rector of a large London parish, is just dead. Although both M.A. and D.D. of Dublin, he was known more widely for the fervour of his Hibernian elo- quence than for profound erudition and scholar- ship. He will be remembered for the part taken at St. George's East in the famoua Ritual Riots. Printed and Published by DAVID WALKINSHAW, at hig GENERAL PRINTIXG OFFICES OVER THE HCTTBB MARKET, Pontypool, in tbe County of Saturday, June 3.0, 1S77.