The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

LOCAL ITEMS. -1\ PONTYPRIDD. ROTKOUR.—Some who ought to know say that the TWfk Vale Railway Company are going to construct a branch railway from the colliery at Pont-Skon- Norton to join the main line a little above Mr Lougher's tannery. RIT. E. ROBERTS.—The respected pastor of the Tabernacle church, we are sorry to say, is still suf- fering slightly from the effects of the accident he sustained to his foot; bat we hope that rtst, care, and (food nursing will soon restore the rev. gentleman to his usual robust health and strength. A GooD SIGN Just as it ought to be, in large conspicuous letters, so that" he who runs may rsad," fo that of Messrs Crockett & James, opposite the Batchers' Arms. Our enterprising fellow townsmen, evidently mostn business, and no doubt will merit and receive a good share of the auctioneering and appraising to be done at Pontypridd. Their ad- vertisement will be found in another column. THE Wxim or PKATKK.—Some of the churches .r Pontypridd and district observed the appointed Week of Prayer, and some are observing this week as such. The church at Penuel, which we hap- pened one evening to visit, h»d very well attended meetings—young men and maidens being there ill Strong force, whilst the most influential members, elders, and venerable leaders of this active society were nearly all present. Such meetings must result in great good. Us. G. Cvitc.—We are pleased to see our young townsman, Mr G. Cule, among us once more, spend. fog his Christmas vacation. College life, cultivating too close an arquaintance with Plato, Xenophon," Virgil and Cicero, and burning too mnh of the mid- night oil have made his cheek a littie pale. But relaxation from study, and pleasant rambles around the haunts of home will doubtless enable him to re- turn to Llangollen to prosecute his studies with renewed energy and success. CIITDAOH VALIET BKANCH RATLWAY.-The work of demolition and construction is going on briskly 1 in the above valley. That romantic district is being shorn of its loveliness and beauty. Mr Billnpe, with his usual energy and vigour, is prosecuting the work of foiling the forest, levelling the hills, turning the course of streams, and making the hit' erto almost Undisturbed Clydach Valley resound with the ope- rations of about four hundred navvies—the pio. veers of the grand army of civilisation. IfjcxTina or SIGNALMits.—On Sunday a meeting of about 60 of the Tafl Vale Railway Signalmen was Jaeld at the Pontypridd Coffee Tavern, in reference to certain grievances they allege, they suffer under 'the Employers' Eiability Act was also discussed. ■ ST. DAVID'S HALL.-On Monday evening, Jan. 10th, an entertainment was given at the above hall, under the auspices of the Mutual Improve- ment Society. M. R. Williams, Esq., occupied the ohair. The following programme was gone through: Overture, piano, Mr McMurray trio "Ye Shep. herds tell me Messrs. Rees, Ralls, and Williams; mag 61 Somebody's coming tomorrow Miss Morgan recitation The Spanish Champion Mr Andrews song "Bay of Biscay" Mr A. Griffiths; solo I «** Dreaming dangels" Miss Gibbon piano duett Messrs. McMurray and Williams; song Here's to Ike maiden of bashful fifteen" Mr Rees rending Rev. Mr Pnddieombe; long" Merch y Melinydd Miss Morgan, Llautrisant; song ".The Village ..Blacksmith" Mr J. E. Williams; recitation, Mr JllJiott; solo "Never again" Mr G. F. Martin; #oog u Hearts of Oak" Mr A. Griffiths; solo Let the Angels in Miss Gibbon. The hall was not so wen filled as could be expected. ZwmTAixxzxT.-As entertainment was given, Friday, 7th. inst.. at the Graig Chapel, Ponty- Rdd. Mr D. Leyrfhon occupied the ohair; Mr T. V. vies presided at the harmonium. After a pithy address by the chairman, the following programme Was gone through:—Overture, harmonium, Mr T. V. Davies; Dialogue, Welsh and English on the tronble," Mr D. Evans and Miss Maria Evans; Bcng, "Mentra Gwen," Mr John Charles Mills; Beoitation, Going Home," Miss S. J. Evans Re. citation Willie a'r poet." Mr Bartlett Williams Duett, viobs and harmonium, Messrs. H. Mills and T. T. Davies; Recitation, Never say fail," Mr D. J. Loyabon i Song," Some folks say," Mr David Harris; Song, The dream of home," Miss Lizsie Lowip; Recitation, Complaints of the poor," Mr Charles G. Edwards Seng, Guess who," Miaa Mary Mills; Song, "The Lord is my Shepherd," Mr J. Leyshon, and "Wood pecker," in response to a hearty encore; Duett, (violin and harmonium) raeratic mlection, William Tell,' Messrs Mills and Davies. A prize was here offered for the best im- promptu speech on the Hat," which was awarded to Mr J. Leyshon; Song Clychau Aberdyfi," Miss Mary Mills; Selection en the piccolo, Mr Edward Mills. Song, Yn iach i ti Gymrn," Miss Lewis. After a vote of thanks to the chairman for the able I manner in which he had conducted the meeting, Miss Mills sang God save the Queen," accom- panied by the violin siA harmonium DNAIM or Ka. ALTRKD AVBBKT.—M&ny of onr reader# WM be sorry to hear of the deach of Mr Alfred AJBBNQR, of ToogwynUiis. He was for some fears in the employ of the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany, at Pontypridd, where he occupied a position as *4tark f tbe bloom of age, he was taken sway I* the stroag arm of dcatki after a sickness of ^PNI 15 months. A move una—mlagj qaiet aaci nrf—a JINWI map MIet lived, Mid it W88 a mark of Ihototetm and fitvoar he was held in by Hit laqge of his young friends who congregated to him the Isat respect, on Sunday, the day of his JClMral> He was a great admirer of music, and, *pleed, had he lived. wofdd have reached a high JMMbtioB, for he Ijad %lreadf taken t^ro certificates of oBefeney, and when taken ilf was about to be ex- amined for the third. He was also a faithful mem- tor of Pferael Chstr, waere he. worked hard for -oft7 moaths. The Psanel Oheh* mustered op -Araag on Tuesday and walked in front of the corps, Sfagiof appropriate hymns as they marched to the du^el, and at ths grave the reqaieSft." Once more the spot, Ac. was sung. After a short prayer from a Wv. gentleman over tqe grave all dispersed with heavy hearts. TSA AXD ENTSARATHJNTHT AT SAUII.-TIIe annual Tim and Entttttinment in connection with the distribution of the money deposited in the Sunday School bank of the above placo of worship, were held on the 6th inst. A large number, having sat down to tea, afterwards attended the entertainment, which eommeooed at Balf past seven o'clock; Mr J. Roberts, Bridge House, presiding. The following programme Was gone through Overture, piano, Mr Dan Bees j Glee "Maf" the choir; Recitajol1 Apel at y meddwyn" Mr J. Williams. Duett "I'm saddest when I sing" Miss E. A. Morgnn, and Mr G. Morgan. The wst address on the The dvty althe youngtosuppcyrt the Sunday school,"prize lk Solo, piccolo, "Sweet bye and bye" Mr D. G. WiBkuss Song, Bos J.1an; Recitation Alfred the Osaat" Miea X. Williams, and Masters D. Morgan, G. Morgan, and J. J.:Howelle; Song I- Dublin Bay lk D. Gooawsr. The adjudication on the Essays on the awoutivk of a good teacher," prize 6s. Song Mr Jjwia Edwards, I Tri* pioeolos, Msiiili's Mills, James, and Williams; Song Miss Williams; ^Recitation The Village Blacksmith 1& E. Thomas. competition for the beat nadering of appieM of muso at sights prize Is. Beoitation Mr W. P. Rosmr. The compet tjon for Ike beat singing of any song, prise Is 6d, r Duett "T Teiliwr a'r Crydd" Messrs D. Mprgan and J. Bdwards; Song "Sen wlad y menyggwynion" B«S Llan; Sosg Mr Edtfin Edwards j Glee the obeir., Ac., was given ft MfDalrftol loAkivs, and Mr Phfllip George. The prhw- fw the best singing -owe divided between M* d. Jenkins, Miss Powell, and Mr G. Morgan. fte SOT. W. 1. Morrilt, and Dewi Alaw werb ad. ttitttoB. The usual votes of thanks brought th- iaterasting imd successful proceeding to a dose. On the uiuviuas evening the money that was dee posited m the bank duriag the year 1880 was paid «IM» sum being over £150. PENYGRAIG. Rjtcovmr or Two Bosiss AT PIMYG]tAl(;. Another body, making 99 out of the 101 dead, was ■ dlsrpeered on Tuesday morning at the npcast; it that of William Davies, 26, labourer, wife and thine children. Close by, under a hage faU, was Identified the lifeless form of Benry Brook, Hendre- pwgt 28, collier. Brook, too, leaves a widow and two children. The location of the other corpse has yet to be seen, and when all these bodiea are brought to hank the pit B be free from dead bodies. It is stated upon good authority that a box of lusifer matches wu discovered apout Davies's body. The intelligence has caused much sensation. Lord Dan- laven has contributed X200 to the relief fund. LLANTBISANT. IViuAz.Oa Saturday the funeral of the late Kergeaot Watkins, Ponlypiidd, who died on Wed. tfsfday at Uantoisant, took place at Llanblethian Chtiren. The ofldating clenymen were Canon Jones; Lfaintrisant, and the Kev. Rowland Jones, vinr of Giyataff. There weie forty police ogimts, with Mr Boperhntendeot Matthews, in the prooes- aim

T PIE AFltlCANl r SORCERER: | -'4, A SKETCH IN THE WEST INDIEA:, BY W. H. STEWART, .V CHAPTER I.'liF" Not many years ago there dwelt in one at those beautiful islands surrounded by the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea two people of Portuguese blood,who had been enticed there as im- migrants from the Island of Madeira at a time when famine and disease were rampant in that depen- dency of Portugal. They had left their native shore to commence a new life and a novel kind of labour in the cane flelds of the West India plan* tations, and they came, as many more had come, wholly unfitted for the work; for the man had only been accustomed to the comparatively light labour of the cultivation of the vine, and the woman, young and delicate, had earned her bread by the use of her needle in the well-known embroidery work peculiar to that island. The husbandjoad Enfanuel by name, had arrived at middle life, and was by no means prepossessing in appearance, for he was deformed and crippled in one leg. owing to an accident in youth. hia wife, was many years younger, welt-made, and ex- tremely handsome,with jet black hair and sparkling eyes and the wonder of her friends was how she could have accepted a companion so far above her in years, and so afflicted in his person. Now, though man and wife were obliged to un- dergo much hardship and privation when toiling at an occupation for which they were unsuited, yet they bore their troubles with patience; but no sooner was the term of their contract or appren- tioeship at an end, and they were enabled to save from their earnings sufficient to reimburse the plan- ter for their passage money, than they left cane cul- tivation and commenced shopkeeping in one of the villages, where they were not long in establishing a thriving trade and commenced to save money. It so happened that in the same vessel whieh brought this man and woman to the colony was a young and strikingly handsome youth who was also an immigrant. They belonged to the same mess, and were thrown much together, and the beauty and fine form of Antonio was in striking contrast to that of the deformed Jos6 and made a strong im piression on the young and volatile wife, who con? ceived in her impulsive mind a passion if some- times called tender at any rate in her case of wonderful tenacity. On their arrival in the island fate kept them apart, as the labourers were not permitted to select the estates or the masters they desired, but were located according to the caprice or choice of the planters; and so for' three long years Maria had seen little, if anything, of her Antonio; but his term of service had now expired, and, whether from accident or design we know not, they met once more, for Antonio selected the same village in which Maria dwelt. But if the wife of JOItf had set her heart upon deceiving him, the object of her desires either did not reciprocate the passion or was for a tim# unaware of the interest which he had created at all events he seemed in no hurry to respond to the advances openly made to him by his beantifnl countrywoman. Antonio, however, had no means of subsistence Hard- toil he shrank from, and so when apostwaft offered him which consisted in the easy duty ot keeping the accounts and attending in the absenoo of Emanuel to the store of his mistress, it is not to be wondered at that the young rnan accepted offer, and from constant companionship at last became seduced by her charms, and those advances which few could have resisted. Placed under the necessity as the husbaqd WIll of leaving his business, sometimpi for days and weeks, to resort to the neighbouring islands in search of commodities for his trade, he left free scope to his partner in life to carry on unchecked her intrigues, and had she been satisfied with tiff joint presence of her lover and her husband-for Joe6 seemed in no wise to be sensitive on the sub- Ject as* long as he could make mohey—the tragedy which we are about to relate would never have 00- currsd not only, however, must Antonio be hers; but she will no longer be subject to the restraint of Josh's presence; but how is this to be accomplished? Can she not induce Antonio to fly with her ? What ? and leave the store and the money she is hoarding ? No she must secure that also. She knows not how, but she is bent upon her purpose, and so determined is she that she will sucoeed. The means she need we shall see anon. For many days the sole thought which occupied the mind of the restless woman was how to cany out her scheme of ridding herself of the presence ef her husband, and at the same time of obtaining possession of his valuables without placing herself within the meshes of the law. At length Joetf had departed on one of his excursions to a neigh- bouring French island, and it occurred to Maria that she might make these absences the excuse to har neighbooiB should he not return to his home. Still she had thought of no pfam by which she oould put him out of way. Poison was mg- I gefted by the tempter, but sbo ahrank from, s*- gtfeat a orime. Besides Antonio ,must then be let „ into the seortet, and the thought is only dreamed of to be dismissed as impracticable, for she does not, mention the idea to hoc lover; he isao godd and gentle, and, bat for tier, so innocent. She has it I, —Maria has not lived amongsi the Creoles with* having heard of the fortune-teller—the man or Obeah—he who was able to heal disease, being' back fading love, or—as report eald his- devilish art to spirit away those who were oV noxious to, or who stood in the way of, others and this was usually accomplished so secretly as to defy the law and throw off suspicion. And so she; makes up her mind to take the enchanter into her confidence. He will, if gold be given him, carry out her purpose; how she knows not, but has faith that it ean be accomplished by the Obeah, man, the African sorcerer, and some day-how lOOn she cares not—Jos £ will go away again to Martinique, and her neighbours will be told that' he is on his journeying and tben if he return not the fade mil run that he prefers his money bags to his fair young wife and has deserted her, and after a time, so runs the: thought, he will te forgotten; her conscience will be clear, and hot. bliss will be complete, and she will be the wife ai Antonio, her chosen one. And could a woman thus be brought even by. pusion to believe that there Wab such a power as she desired to invoke? Unfortunately the control which the practisera of Obeah had obtained ovec the minds of the ignorant was such that to deny the power was taatamount; to questioning their' own existence, and the negroes of the West- Indies,who wortid; have shrunk as from a deadly serpent from knowingly being the instruments of death, have been induced over and over again to resort to/Obeah in the belief that tha professors of the art exercised a supernatural, authority, and were able to carry out their behests apart from natural causes. Witht this belief, and in pursuance of her plan, Maria, has excused her absence to Antonio, and the young and handsome Portuguese, alone, and-as the suit; goes downjeaves her village home in the lowland4 for she has a long and toilsome path to climb ti reach the dwelling of the Sorcerer, the chief of Obeah. But she has time enoagl4 for she knows it to be useless to approach him until all the world is at 'rest and the day is nearly done-his stance does not commence until towards the midnight hour. Has she the courage to plunge into the forest and follow the mountain path without companion ot guidie ? What she is doing must be wrapt in secrecy, and the passion which is uppermost nerves her to more than this exercise of dariag. In a low and squalid hut, far removed from any of the villages or the negro houses of the plan- tations,and situated in a lonely valley, surrounded by the densely-wooded mountains, with a clear and frothy stream winding. through its glades, and tumbling from rock to rock on its way to the sea, are two perøonø-a man and a woman—and they are evidently there for no good purpose. The man is of that superstition known as Obeahism, and is one of its chiefs the woman, fair and beautiful, it a eupplicant at his shrine. Unlike most of those who deal in the black art ¡ amongst the negroes, the man is powerful and oommanding, instead of shrivelled and tottering with age; but he is nevertheless looked up to as the most unerring of prophets. The suppliant is not of the negro race, as you may tell by her attire,and her fairer skin and straight black hair, but her face, at other times handsome, now wears a look eft painful tension; and well it may, for the ehadows of night are around her, and she is alone with the dar- ing demon of Witchcraft, and her countenance dofifc but portray the mysterious influence which this self-deceived inquirer allows to operate upon her, and the midnighfc incantation does not tendto lea- een the belief that a supernatural power is at work in her behalf. M You nab brought food J" Thus inquires the OttelB; and he pauses for a reply. 4 The trembling woman answers in the negro patois -11 Me bring mafsa plenty dollar 'cause me come for advice. Me know massa read de tars, and me go pay maisa for read for me." The hungry African, for such he was, clutched the money held out by the woman, taking no note of her fair and seductive form,counted the dollars, looked at her half-concealed face only to see if he could extort more, and thf n inquired in an authoritative tone what she wanted from the god of Obeah. His companion removes the handkerchief which she had worn for a disguise, and looking round with suspicious glance, as if she dreaded to unfold her desire, pauses ere she speaks and reveals the fine expressive features of the Portuguese wife. She need not fear that she is known to Nero, and that he will denounce her he has simply mis- taken the cause of her trepidation, assures her that they are alone, and again demands her errand. And then she reveals her slory-first, how much she love-s, rnd next that she must be possessed of the object of it. The cunning fellow who listens to her thinks it at first an easy task, for he knows not as yet that the is already a wife, and deems he has only to deal with the lover, but he must be undeceived, and go at last she in led to the disclosure that the object of her visit is to be rid of the husband's pre- sence. The Obeah man has no sooner learnt the design she harbours than he is determined to turn it to his own interests. He therefore tells his dupe that he must have more money and plenty time," for he has noted the ardour which bums within her. What she asks is not easy of accomplishment, though great Obi can do anything if he wills it, She consents to bring him more money,for she has given him all she brought, and then by cunning questioning he seeks to ascertain the peculiar weak- ness of the husband. Is it jealousy? Is it love of drink or gambling? No, it is none of these, but his sole desire, his weak point, is con centrated in the possession of wealth—wealth gained quiokly and without toil. Upon this hint the fellow acts; he tell his listener, in language meant to be prophetic, that she must come again for he must consult the great spirit and the Aars,st thesametime informing her that unless she brings more gold the spirit will not answer. He then pretends to mark and trace the lines upon her hand, consulting at the same time a greasy card with cabalistic figures, Spends some time in mysterious incantations, and at length .dismisses her with the assurance that Obi will do her bidding, and that she will ere long be in the undisturbed posses- sion of her lover, for that Obi will send Jos6 far away never to return." She entreats him on no account to harm her husband, only to send him away, which the fellow promises. He gives her a small glass phial filled with nails, bits of bone, and rags of various hues, which he says will help to work the charm. And thus armed and secure-in the belief-that she would ere long be freed from a restraint hardly to be endured, she .is passing forth into the silent night, when she is seized and in the grssp of the Sorcerer, and hia lips are pressed upon her own. He is about to pour forth his admiration of her beauty, when his 'sharp eye observes a crouching form close by. 'With a quick resolve he simply tells her to remember the next young moon, and withdraws finto the cottage,whilst she,intout only on what she has seen rod heard, crosses in, front to gain the path which leads to her home, when a crone, old snd hideous, a fit companion for the monBter 'within, thrusts forth just as mnch pf her body as to perceive and mark her master's visitor but to remain unseen herself. Me know you, me no forget you, you are too handsome;" thus she thought and murmured to herself, and quickly drew back into the shadow. The visitor eager and full of hope, and only dream- ing of the accomplishment of her purpose, and glad to escape from the presence of a being she fears, knows not that she is observed, but hastens down the steep incline and is quickly lost to sight. (To fa continued.)

YSTRADFODWG BURIAL BOARD. The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Thursday, the,6th, at the Porth Hotel, Porth. The itu thw purataae of land from tbq Marquess, 0+ Butto, on the Lledarddu Farm, for cemetery purposes, was agreed to, the price beibg £100 per acre. Also a piece of land belouging to the i'ynewydri Farm had been sold to the Board fcy Mr Griffith Llewelyn Baglan Hall, for X20 in adfli- tion to all tfie legal expense. It was agreed to de- vote, without delay, portions of the cemetery for burial purposes. The Clerk snggeated that the Board should apply to the Bishop for his licence to have a portion of the cemetery consecrated. Until that was done no clergyman would officiate in the cemetery. Eventually the further consideration of the question was deferred until the next meeting. »■ M II

FALL OF A PLATFORM AT EBBW YALE. THE !"UPS AND DOWNS" OF A CHOIR. Ato nMoward afeoiient, happily not attended with "ierioas reauMsr, ocBarrtd a few days ago at tbfe Scientific Institution, Ebbw Vale, where the cantata Esther was being performed. Just as the oon. duotorwafe abotit to commence the performance the platform gave way and. fell, and all tbe performers were thrown ia a confused mass amongst the debris. The hall was crammed to the doors, and the assembly rpahed jty tjbo front, in order to render assistance to any who might be Kurt. Ultimately order was re- etored, and those of the performers who had been precipitated to the floor were extricated from their unpleasant position. No serious casualty had oc- curred, but several of the choir had sustained hdrts frofti out or brtiised legs or feet. The performance was gone through, but certainly under great disad- vantage both to performers and audience.

A COOL CUSTOMER AT SWANSEA. TRADING ON THE PENYGRAIG DISASTER. At Swansea police-court, on Friday, John Taliesin Benjamin, a respectably-di essed man, was charged with begging. Superintendent Holland said that prisoner had been obtaining sums of money by presenting a book, on the cover of which was a printed label, headed Penygraig disaster," and stating that the committee begged the public to assist the widows and orphans who had been left to weep for their dear ones." This was followed by' the signature "Gwilym Williams, chairman." There were in the book the names of several per. socs who said they knew nothing about it. Aniofiga them were those of the Mayor of Swansea for £ 5. Some of the signatures in the book were genuine. P.C. Hallin deposed that at 10.80 the previous morning he went to the gas works and waited there until three o'clock in the afternoou, when the pri- soner came in and asked Mr Thornton Andrews, the secretary, to subscribe to the Penygraig disaster, at the same time presenting the book. Mr Andrews asked him if he had much money. He said he had dB76 last week. Mr Andrews gave him a cheque fer a guinea, and had a receipt from him. Prisoner was searched at the station, and j61 5s. Oid. was found on him. Superintendent Holland said he had telegraphed to Mr Williams, and had received a reply, which he handed to the Bench. The Mayor said the reply was to the effect that Mr Williams knew nothing of the man, and that his statement was entirely false. Superintendent Holland handed to the magistrates another telegram, which he had received from Mr Bassett, who said the prisoner had not, to his knowledge, been appointed a col. leotqr, and that he believed him to be an impostor. Prisoner was remanded until Thursday for further ii.-quiries.

ACCIDENT ON THE RAILWAY AT PONTYPRIDD. To-day (Thursday), as a mineral train, from Car- diff, was passing the Station, a platelayer, named W. Scott, who was working on the line, was very much injured. He tried to escape but turned to the wrong side and was struck by the train, by which his arm was broken and his head seriously wounded, but, it is hoped, not mortally. He was taken to the station and was promptly attended to by Drs. Hopkins and Dickson.. After writing the above we have been inlormed that there must be an amputation of tho arm above the elbow. He has been conveyed to Cardiff In. firmary. W. Scott is a steady and industrious man and has worked on the line for a great number ot jaars. He is about 51 years of age. I

AGBARIAN OFFENCES IN IRELAND. A Parliamentary return jus issued shews that the number. of convictions fr agrarian offences in Ireland from January 1 to November 80 last year was 73, and that ti petaons charged j. such offences were Matted. The caSes I, tirwhich the charges aresusta\e<i are thus classi- fitd :—Homicide,2 firing at the^on, 2; assault on j: ttdtce, 4; aggravated assault, 13 assault endangering jue, 3; assault pn bailiffs prooees-serverB, 7; • putting or maiming the |ter8n,p; burglary and t -robbery! f > taking and holding possession, 8; dots and affrays, 5 adminislnog unlawful oaths, 1 Ii intimidation by threatening letters and notices, j 2; otherwise, 4; attacking hot^ lj resistance to rMfal prooess, 9; injury to projxty, 1. On the 30th M November there were still j awaiting trial, and djHg "number of cases in whicl tbe offenders were^ ) (Hither convicted nor made ai^ftble were within TOesame period 1,481, making thtotal number of out- reported 1,718.

= MARRIAGES UNDER ItfFlCULTIES. jflt is said that "love laughs.t locksmiths," but* ibwever_ that may bej love hai jpet and overcome Sine serious obstacles in ScotlaiJ. Three marriages Jgtve taken place iti Strathdearn,|i of them attended ^ping to the severity, of the 8noafconn, with circum- J Manoeqof an interesting charact^, A marriage was 1 K-ranged for Wednesday week t a house at Strath- } X*rn, about 20 miles from Invtne88, a spot high- Sing and unprotected. The bidegroom reached the,! Bouse on horseback, and the lergyman and some gnests also reached it, althouh with difficulty and 1 much labour. The happy coups &fte, the ceremony J-ere to go to Boat of Garden Railway station, but: ow was the Journey to be acCmpliahed? To the Mouth the road was blocked, ando the Ilprth the road: was blocked—everywhere ther. WSB snow so deep that no vehicle could be drafced through it. At length the bride volunteered to \ke the saddle, and to face the storm and the road horseback, and on horseback accordingly the coule set out on their honeymoon. The journey to t of Qarden proved a long and difficult one, but it WAS accomplished in safety, and the bride an< bridegroom were none the worse for their difficit ad, doubtless, t anxious undertaking. Anothei^rri^ge took place pn Friday in the same locality. brine was there, but the bridegroom lived in IiWnesf For days, It may be presumed, he had hi own fears about Sfche difficulties that lay before 111 in bis contem- plated journey from Inverness (Stratbdearn. The 1 bridegroom, however, was not t< be kept at home, or to be stuck in the snow. Hhired two sleighs .well yoked, one dog-cart well Y<>9d, add one saddle, o and with these he gift- out mined that, ehould one or of these means prove unequal to the journey,foe Would go on] hi4 way with such as remained* He reached the bride's house, the wedding took|aCe» tod the bride and bridegroom arrived in Inveri^3 the same night in a sleigb. There was yet ajoth?* marriage in 1 Strathdearn attended with slmHr d»%ulties. The weather was so threatening that (h^ were negotia- tions for the postponement of th&w^^lng, but these fell through. The bridegroom am a COmpany of 13 oame from the west of Boss-sbi^ .n4 In spite 011 snow-blocked roads and storinj either reached the bride's house, five-and-t«tty miles from Inverness. Thus in all these case» ju Spite 0f difficult ties, the parties were united. n

Sir Wilfrid Lawson, it is stated, ^111 not Introduce the Permissive Bill during the tession of ar. liament.—The Government will 8\plO the second ifeading of the bill for the closing of Public-houses in Wales on Sundays, which stands w th$first order of flie day for Wednesday, the 4th oUiitfhext. At Harlingdon, near AccringtOtt., four Irishmen; charged with cutting and woUHjiug a number of Englishmen, have been comIDitted fOr trial. The I prisoners, it was alleged, rushed info a ^er-house and, Without any provocation, attack^ thg compahy in tie kitchen, They shouted, the English 1" and struok right and left with i"e8 and weapons. Several persons were Btabbed, 0Ie bei^g dangerously injured, while four or five recced >ounds on the head which incapacitated them ft has been decided by the Je\e1 IJous?f States to register the English Burials thlls giving it thai force cf law in the island, Portsmouth has now caught Fenian "scare." Tte aaval authorities, a o0rIWp0nient says, do net attach any importance to the alarming rumours of contemplated upon the! ships in harbour and the Government estab- lishments, but, as they h&A revived various anonymous warnings, written f<\ the most part in execrable Engbsh and upon wreyjgd paper, it has deemed expedient to bo oc Ae safe Bide. Various precautions have accor^gly been taken in conjunction with the MetroP4ifc»n police, and, as tj»e Koyal Clarence Victualling ^trd tt Gosport has been specially named for attaoK, He Police force there has been strengthened.

Can a housemaid, dtwtW the of an inn, coo. alitor herself most ina-dua^rioaalf • tployed ?

CONDITION OF IRELAND. A proclamation has been issued prohibiting a land meeting announced to be held at Letterfmk, county Galway. A correspondent states that the colonels of all the regiments now in Dublin received threatening letters a few nights ago. A body of armed and disguised men visited several tenants in the vicinity of Castle Island, near Tralee, and took away all the arms they could finil. Mr. Simoi Fury, president, and 10 prominent mem- bers of the Armaghdown branch of the Land League, have been arrested and remanded without bail. Lord Dunsany has given notice in the House of Lords ot a motion for a series of papers and returns relating to Land League meetings, agrarian outrages and evictions in Ireland. A process-server attempted to serve notices near Rostrevor, county Down, but, being followed by a hooting crowd and anticipating violence, he ultimately found it necessary to withdraw. Sergeant Curtis, of the Wednesbury police force, who apprehended the prigoner Hennelly on the charge of murdering Lord Mountmorres, has received from Ireland a letter threatening his life. A night attack has been made on the office of Mr. Moon on the Bantry Extension Railway, the watchman being stoned and compelled to fly. The building was wrecked and a double-barrelled gun'taken away. A shot was fired at the train for Skibbereen. According to a correspondent of a Dublin paper, Mr. Parnell is tenant of a farm at Rathdrum, Wick- low, and though the rent is far above Griffi;h's valua- tion the hon. member still continues to pay it. It tpsarcastically proposed that he shall be "Boycotted" for not complying with the rales of the Land League. William Kennedy, who was admitted to North Cork Infirmary a day or two ago suffering from inflam- mation of the brain consequent upon a conical wound on the back his head, has since died. It is believed that he was engaged in the attack on th& police o. Christmas Eve,and the wound was caused by a bullet. The constabulary engaged in the construction of an iron hut at Islandeady were refused lodgings and entertainment in the locality, and have to drive to Westport, a distance of six miles, every evening, to procure beds. The local car-owners have now resolved apon refusing to convey them, and in future they must walk to and from Islandeady every day until the work is completed. A number of herdsmen employed at Irishtown, eo. Mayo, have been warned by a party of armed men to give up their employment and leave the land waste, as it would be required presently by the people. They were threatened with death should they fail to do so. All the men complied with the notices, and Sledged themselves never to look after a beast. The ,rms on which they worked are now waste and the ttock driven off. At a meeting of the Ballymoney Tenants" Defence Association it was resolved—" That no land bill will be accepted by the farmersof North Antrim as a satis- factory settlement of the question which does not grant in the fullest extent fixity of tenure, fair rents, and free sales; and that should the land bill not em- brace each of these principles the association will be Sompeiled to divest itself of all responsibility as to the Inture social and political condition of the district." At Waterford petty sessions 70 persons have been summoned to shew cause why they should not be avicted for non-payment of rent. Following the ex- ample of the LanA League, they had tendered only Griffith's valuation, which the landlords refused. De- srees were granted for possession in every case. The action of the landlords has created the greatest excite- ment.—About 100 tenants on the estates of Mr. Henry Adair, in the Ballymena district, have informed their landlord that they will not pay more than Griffith's valuation, which is 50 per oent. below some of the sents. Mr. Adair offers a redaction of 12i per cent. A man narked Constantine Flynn, who was evicted three years ago frem a farm at Clonsharry near Tullemore, has been reinstated, a hut being built close to the farm, but not on the landlord's pre- mises. At night the Clara band, with about 2,000 people marched to the place, and havina serenaded Flynn, speeches were delivered and bonfires lighted. A number of polioe were in attendance, but no dis- turbance occurred.—A mob of of about 600 men assembled with banners and bands, near Farney Bridge, Thurles, in order to reinstate a Miss Mary Long, aged 31, In a farm which her father surrendered in 1851, and a man named Meagher in a field of which his father had given up possession in November, 1843. They were proceeding to the house of Mr. Armstrong, the present occupier, to demand Sossession, but seeing the police inside they with- drew, saying they would return. A large force of police, under the Hon, J. French, has proceeded to the place to protect the occupiers. Determined steps are being taken by the Govern- ment to put down Boyootting. The constabulary have received instructions to attend at fairs and market, and prevent persons who attempt it.—At Golden potty sessions, county Tipperary, 24 persons have been committed for trial, for Boycotting cattle at the recent fair. The Crown pro- secuted.—Ftrar principal shopkeepers of Clogher, Tip-* perary, have been charged at the sessions with Boy- cotting a farmer who had taken land from which a tenant had been evicted. The defendants had refused to sell him goods or have any dealings with him. One was committed to Clonmel assizes on a charge of con. spiracy and intimidation, bail being accepted, and the others were remanded.—At Limerick sessions four men have been fined B5 each, or in default two months' imprisonment, for having Boycotted a farmer named Mellane at Limerick fair. It appeared Mellane came from Clare with some pigs, which he attempted to sell, but the defendants gathered a mob and shouted II BOyoott" at him, and he was hunted out of the market and had to be protected by the police, and the pigs were hunted about the streets. The reason was that he had paid his rent. An inquest has been held at Claremorris on the body of Quinn, one of the men mortally wounded in the recent encounter with the police. Sub-Inspector Fitzsimon deposed that there were 105 constables guarding Henderson, the process-server, when he went to Clareen for the purpose of serving ejectments. On approaching the village witness found that an em- bankment had been thrown up across the road and a trench dug 12 feet wide and five feet deep. A large mob arrived with sticks and stood behind the, embankment, prepared to resist the ad* vance of the police. Witness was behind the men, and did not see how they got across the trench, but he saw struggling going on between the men and mob, biit he did not hear that anyone had been seriously injured, nor did he see anyone on the ground, but several of the policemen received severA wounds about the head, and one of them nearly lost his eye.—Sub-Inspector M'Cardle deposed that the police advanced with fixed bayonets, and that the crowds were smaller than he had seen on similar oo- cations. There were three or four hundred able- bodied men. The police were received with volleys of stones; witness had heard that a man was injured and had given directions for a doctor to be sent for, but that did not appear to have been done. Evidence was given by some of the mob that Constables Stephen and another whom they did not know sttruck deceased on the head with their rifles, and the jury, which consisted of small farmers in the district, re1 turned a verdict ofmanslaugbteragainstthe constables. A party of men a few days ago entered the bouse of an old man named Charles Carty, near Bal- Mnamore, about 11 a.m., dragged him to the road- side, beat him, and made him swear on his own Bible, which he was reading, when they entered, to give up his situation as bailiff. This situation he has held for 30 years. They then beat his wife, who has since been seriously ill, broke the furniture, shot his two dogs, and took his double-barrelled gun and powder-flask. The leader of the gang said they were acting under orders, which must be obeyed, or worse might happen to themselves, and that all landlords, agents, and bailiffs would be done away with. A day or two later, in the evening, a tenant of Mr. Anderson, named Matthews, who had been falsely accused of paying his rent, was also visited, and similarly treated. His wife and son were beaten, and hu gun was taken. Mrs. Matthews was so seriously assaulted that she is in a critical sta* e. The Eolice patrols are very active in their districts, and aving soon discovered what had happened at Mat- thews s, went to the house of another bailiff, named Magooghan, as it was likely he would be the next attacked. They could not, however, remain long with him, as they wanted to return to Matthews. Magoog- ban and his wife thought they would be safer outside the house than inside, and accordingly concealed them- selves about the grounds, leaving only their children indoors. In a short time they saw a man looking in at the window and others lurking about but the tramp of the patrol being heard at the moment, the ruffians went away, and could not be recognised. The Marquis of Oranmore has written to the Kil- kenny Corporation stating that the Empress of Austria had, in view of the disturbed condition of the coun-, try, been obliged to forego her visit to Ireland this year, but will, it is expected, viait Kilkenny next year. Pope Leo XIII. has addressed a Pontifical letter to the Archbishop of Dublin for immediate publica- tion, in which, while expressing sympathy with the Irish Catholics, and a desire for the improve- ment of their condition, he exhorts them to do nothing contrary to law. He declares that Ireland will more readily obtain what she desires from the British Government, in the justice and political ability of which he expresses every confidence, if she keeps within the strict limits of legality. In conclusion, the Pope urges the bishops to take measures in order that the Irish people at such a critical period as the present may act in accordance with these exhortations. Two months' imprisonment have been awarded to the man Patrick Timmins, who assaulted a drover in charge of Mr. Bence Jones's cattle in Dublin. A well-known member of the House of Commons has received the following letter from Bristol:— "From the Sovereign People! Justin M'Carthy reminds us that our so-call'd rulers are apt to turn a deaf ear to our claims until force is used, when, under the influence of terror, they yield at once Wepull'd down Hyde Park railings, and so got the Reform Bill passed. That bill has won for lid sovereignty, and we intend to use it. It is by our sovereign will that you sit in Parliament. Beware of ruffling us, for in that case we will send you pack- ing. As a sovereign, we select our own rulers. These are Gladstone, Chamberlain, and Bright for England t Parnell for Ireland 1 Oppose them if you dare! f

OUR LADIES'COLUMN. LONDON, Wednesday EVENING* In midwinter ladies are not supposed to have much shopping to do. Unless for meeting such emergencies as unexpected evening invitations, nothing new is re- quired—no dresses, mantles, nor bonnets besides those purchased when the cold weather first set in. 'More than two months must vet elapse before furs can be discarded and light muffles substituted for heavy ones. But this week and next special inducements draw ladies to the large shops in the great thoroughfares, and business is as brisk as the wants of desponding tradesmen could possibly desire. The great linendrapers and silk-mercers are holding their annual cheap sales, when their surplus stocks are offered at a large reduction for ready-money. Most women lova bargains, or at least rejoice to think they have made thMn; and the sight of one of the large shops on the first morning of a cheap sale is a striking one. By 10 o'clock the stream of customers begins to pour in, each anxious to be early in the field, to have a first turn over of the piles of Blockings in odd pairs, the selections from the gloves, the most useful short lengths of velvets and serges, the dainty little remnants of lace, the tempting coloured ties, and cobwebby handkerchiefs. The dresses of last season that were rather too fashionable for everyday in a quiet suburb will be exactly what would be right next year, especially with the recommendation of being had for half the cost of last year's patterns. It is almost a duty to buy two dresses rather than one, when they can be had so reasonable. Then mantles, with sparkling trimmings, that made-women almost die with envy on seeing them, worn by richer sisters, are now likely to come within measurable distance of their purses; so it is not matter of wonder "that haste is made to be early on the scene of action. But the strangest feature of the cheap sale season is the string of carriages that lines the adjoining streets awaiting the pleasure of their owners. A carriage is not a oheap luxury in London, taking into account stabling, horses, and servants. Ten years ago a com- fortable carriage could be kept for £200 a year; now double that- amount will only do things in a semi-shabby fashion. Footmen are a serious item —wages, board, and livery inclusive. Yet ladies who keep these costly domestics seem to love bargains as well, if not better, than their 'neighbours- who- avail themselves of a cheap omnibus service, or a second- class ticket on the Metropolitan Railway. It would be a curious calculation how much towards the foot- msn'a wages ladies save at one of these annual sales of dresses to which they and their friends throng, with such eager feet. Footmen are becoming' quite aa troublesome as cooks have been for years past, and as housemaids are Always likely to be. Window cleaning is the bone of contention between mistress and-man. In olden times, when glass had a heavy duty upon it, the tax mpon light was in the footman's favour, for the win- dows were few in number, and being cleaned one small pane at a time, the work was easy. In time came larger panes, higher windows, succeeded by large sheets of plate-glass, and our pluto- crats had by this time found it ■ pleasant to live in those large stone-fronted houses at South Kensington having an'imposing frontage. "Madame, I declines your situation, wrote a footman the other day, having called to survey the premises before entering upon negotiations. I find your house has 30 windows, upon which I never enters." A young married lady, recently settled in London, complains of the servants addressing ber as "Mrs. Smith," and speaking of their master as Mr. Smith." In the country where she had been brought up the villagers pulled their forelocks when they passed the gentry, and the children bobbed little curtseys. The gardener took off his hat when he came to the mistress for orders,, and was not too proud to admit that the gentleman from whom he received Wages was his master. But in London we have out- grown that sort of thing, though the yotuig mistress alluded to did not know how old- fashioned she was. Servants' balls are a great plague to the mistresses at this Season. What between the preparation of the dresses and the late hours, not to speak of being left without attend- ance for a whole evening, it is a relief when the Christmas festivities are over.. ,It is quite bad enough having the boys home for the holidays, but to have the domestioa going out for theirs is worse still. Slang is always objectionable on a woman's lips. But now and then our masculine friends intro- duce to us a word or phrase so apt that the temptation to appropriate it overcomes one's setfm of propriety. The latest current term to apply" to people to whom Thackeray would have done ample justice is a case in point—" on the swagger." We hays heard of people moving in good society being described as in the swim." It is forcible, but not elegant English. But the struggle for prominence has brought up a new race of pretenders, who are neither in the world Dor of it, yet desire the reputation of beitig crfeie de la crême. These people buy society journals, read them, and retail the paragraphs after- awards as if the incidents had come within their ownonal expevteneeE Sfcese, are those who, not being "in the swhijjp are on the swagger." But it is surprising how art- lessly some of those ambitious people apply the terms to themselves, quite playfully, allunconacious of the sarcasm it implies on their own good taste, The new silver brooches which were given to wte Queens who were so happy as to draw the bean on Twefth Night this year are not over-refined. It is not that they are vulgar, but there is an absence of that poetry which ought to be a part of a Twelfth Night Queen. Two silver letters intertwined, O. and U. make a monogram, and across them is- a little silver, animal, which implies 0 you pig," "O yoti duck," ot 0, you deer (dear)," but those with 0 you ape,"pr II 0 you devil," are in questionable taste. We are threatened with the invasion of our ball- rooms by anew American danoe, "The Raquet." The name would not predispose U8 to welcome it,especiatly when we bave banished tbø deux temps waltz à. too rough, and are reviving the graceful old minuet 01 the last century. The present waltz has been some- thing of a return to that first one that came over frofri France 50 years or more ago, described by Lord Byron in language more expressive than indulgent." The raquet is between a waltz and a polka, and the de- scription, being much condensed, probably front deference to editor's feelings, leaves much room for further details. First the couple struggle, then dodge, crush to one another, dart^back, try to drive through the floor, get mad with being unable to succeed, and all is over. All the fashion prophets tell ns that we are doomed to have crinoline introduced again. It is needless to cry out until we are hurt. The:panic has arisen from inquiries by a few leading modistes for some coils of flattened steel covered with paper ormuslin, of which crinoline skirtB used to be made. The use for which these are designed is not a new one, but only an ex- periment to try if steel would be less impressionable and refuse to warp than whalebone. Dresse8,eapecially for evening wear, are expected to be bouffante at the back of the skirt.. Horse hair, stiff muslin, and various other devices were tried to keep the dress from falling in. At last it was found that the only success that could be had was from running into a casing of the petticoat a piece of steel, cane, or whalebone, and allowing the draped skirt to fall gracefully over it. Out of this simple and clever little scheme has come the orinoline scare, which created a panic in feminine- circles. An agent of the French Government has been. during the last two or three weeks, visiting all the old bric-a-brac shops in London searching for ajaiece of tapestry that once hung in the Elysee, and has been missing since the days of the Commune. The sub- ject was the "Apotheosis of Adonis,' and the hanging was made for the Princess Pauline Bonaparte, who herself sat for the head of Venus. It is this figure of Venus that has been tørn from the canvas, and the Agent de Beaux ArtUa of opinion that it has been rmoved.dt8igned1 order to. mount -it as asapa*- rate picture, and would most hkly be brought to England for sale. It is quite possible that this is correct surmise, and that someone may have pur- chased it as a portrait in tapestry witnout having the least idea cf its previous history or ot its value. The floral fan has been much talked about, specu- latively and sentimentally, oome people insist on taking everything au pted at la leure. ^he fan is floral, it is true, but it does not nil the place nor discharge the office of a fan. It is merely a bouquet of flowere arranged in a fan shape, and suspended at the right side by a girdle that passes round the waist. It may be made of real or of axtincial flowers, but it is possible, nay more, expedient, to make it of the two mixed together. A framework a made of wire, 10 or 12 pieces, one set of ends brought together, and bound round to serve as handles, the opposite ends widened out then sbad. The Bowers must have been previously mounted on wires exactly the length of each division, a spray for each, of roses, heaths, bunches of violets, or any other kind suitable in size and form. These sprays are then mounted upon the fan frame, bending a few leaves and buds back so 88 to conceal the wire should the reverse side be seen. Upon the handle a nosegay is bound, and tied with a bow of ribbon. If neatly made, the floral fana are a pretty decoration for an evening dress. It not biing possible always to find flowers that are quite suitable, a frame of artificial greenery can be made, into which some chrysanthemums, Christmas roses, sweet violets, &c., can be introduced for an occasion and removed afterwards. When boots came into use for evening wear for ladies the shoe with sandals vanished. At best, the shoe held on by a narrow piece of elastic crossed upon the fool was comfortless; but still worse was the ribbon sandal of narrow black lutestring that was tied on the instep in a bow. It was so becoming to the foot, say our grandmothers; but then it was so inconvenient to the wearer. It was always. getting untied, or giving way at the sides, or otherwise proving itself a delusion and a snare. But all these little failures are old, stories, of which the-present generation know nothing, and the sandal-ribboned shoe is already footing it at balls in Paris, and is expected to arrive here long before the London season ovens J /I —r-z— Printed and published by B. Davies, 23 and 24i, Mill)Street, Pontypridd, in the county of Glamorgr.n^