The Aberystwith Observer

LOOAL. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, ABERYSTWYTH. Monday, Janll.ary 25th, 1869. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held in the Board Room of the Union Workhouse on Monday last. The guardians present were G. W. Parry, Esq., chairman, Messrs. John Watkins, Richard Morris, John Jones, (Commerce House.) E. H. Morgan, Lewis Jones, Joel Morgan, William Jenkins, David Roberts, Daniel Thomas, Lewis Jones, Thomas James, Isaac James, J. R. Richards, Evan Herbert, Richard Jones, and Jamea Hender- son. Dr. Roberts and Dr. James were in attendance. Mr Hugh Hughes having read the minutes ot the previous meeting, The chairman read the following correspondence to the board :— Strand Union, 6, Bow Street, London, W.C.. 13th January, 1848. Sir, David Jones, a blind man, who was removed under an order of justices from this Union in the month of December last, has been referred by James Vaughan, Esq., the magistrate at Bow Street, again to this Union, having applied to him for assistance. The man states that he was furnished with a railway ticket for London, and 5s. 6Jd. in money to enable him to proceed to London to obtain admission to the Ophthalmic Hospital. That on his arrival he applied at the hospital, but could not obtain admission, and having only the small sum above named, it was soon expended, and is now destitute. The magistrate is of opinion that your board is open to serious complaint fur sending a man in his state, with such an insignificant sum to provide for every contingency, and to expect him to be received into a hospital, without any previous enquiry as to whether he could be received, or any order of admis- sion, is so contrary to the dictates of ordinary pru- dence, that it leads to the impression that your only concern was to get rid of the man regardless of the difficulties he must have to encounter. He requests, therefore, that you will repay to him the 5s. which he has given to the poor man to meet his immediate necessities, and forward to him, ad- dressed James Vaughan, Esq., Police Court, Bow Street, London, a sufficient sum to enable the poor man to return to Aberystwyth forthwith, unless by some means you can obtain his admission to the hos- pital. I am. Sir, Your obedient Servant, JAMES KTLNER. H. Hughes, Esq., Clerk. C1erk to the Guardians, Aberystwyth. To this letter Mr Hughes replied that the pauper. David Jones, had produced to the board a letter pur- porting to be from the authorities of the Ophthalmic Hospital in London, from which it appeared that he would be immediately admitted if he could only ob- tain the means to reach London. On this represen- tation his fare was paid to London, and a small sum of money given him, which the board considered would be sufficient to defray any necessary expenses on the road. The following letter had since been received by Mr Hughes :— Strand Union, 6, Bow Street, London, W C. Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 15th inst., which I have had some difficulty in reading, I have to state that I forwarded it, together with a read- able copy of as much as I could make out, to the magistrate at whose request I wrote to you. The man appeared before him again to-day, when he found that he had been residing in a neighbouring Union, and he decided to send for the relieving offi- cer of that Union to admit him into the Workhouse, I had a long conversation with the man on Wed- nesday last, when he said nothing about having pro- duced a printed paper, signed by some one in autho- rity, for his admission but if he did, I think it was unwise for your board to have acted upon it without corroboration. I am. Sir, Yours obediently, JAMES KILNER, Clerk. The chairman remaikpd that when the board en- abled the man to go to London, it was on the belief that he would be immediately admitted to the hos- pital. Mr Hughes said he should reply by next post to the effect that the board here had been misled by the statements of the pauper, and by a document which he produced, but they were prepared to send for him back if he could not get into an hospitall VAGRAXCY. The chairman read to the board the following let- ter on the above important subject:— Llandilo-fawr Union, Llandilo, Jan. 22nd, 1869 Dear Sir,—It is suggested by the guardians of this Union that a meeting of delegates from the different Unions in the adj8Jin ing connties should meet, to take into consideration the circular of the Poor Law Board, of the 28th November last, on the subject of the increase of vagrancy, with the object of eliciting the views of the different boards as to the best mode to be adopted to check the great evils and expense at present arising from vagrancy. Our delegates propose to meet at Carmarthen at 12 a m. on Wednesday, 3rd February, and I shall be glad to be informed whether your board will co-oper- ate in the matter. I have not yet arranged in what room the meeting will be held, but I will inform you in a few days. I am, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, To H. Hughes, Esq., G. WILLIAMS. Clerk to the Guardians, Aberystwyth. The chairman thought it best to give the plan suggested by the Poor Law Board a fair trial, as no doubt they had well considered the question. No doubt the subject would have the attention of Par- liament next Session. Mr Hughes was instructed to reply to the clerk of the Llandilo Union to this effect. The chairman said he had received a letter cover- ing three sheets of paper from Mr William Joseph Davies, of Trefecban, on the subject of the appoint- ment of a schoolmistress, and he thought it was rather hard if he was expected to reply to these voluminous communications. In this letter the writer stated that since the last meeting he had been speak- ing to some of the guardians, who told him various things, amongst others, that when the question was brought before the board there were persons in the room who held up their hands who were not guard- ians—that it was not the general wish that a mis- tress should be appointed. Now he (the chairman) believed that so far was it from such being the case, that not only was the feeling generally expressed in approval of such appointment, but there was a per- fect unanimity on the point. Mr Jones It was so, sir. The chairman Should you wish to have this let- ter read ? Omnes No, no. The chairman I don't think myself it would be proper to read it, as it contains personalities which ought not to be made public. Mr Morris How does he come to interfere ? The master: He takes the cards from the paupers in the street, and goes about making enquiries Mr Morris: He has no right to interfere. Mr Thomas: None at all; and we must put a stop to his interference. The chairman For what purpose does he inter- fere so ? The master Principally to annoy me, I bt lieve. He tells the paupers he is authorized to make these enquiries, and he publicly calls me a thief through the town. The chairman t If any person so annoys you. or interferes with you in the discharge of your duties, your remedy is to bring such person before the magistrates. Mr Jones This annoyance is intolerable and it must be put an end to. The subject was then suffered to drop

ELECTION OF SCHOOLMISTRESS. The chairman then proceeded t9 open the applica- tions, five in number, for the situation of school- mistress to the children in the Workhouse. The first application was that of Jane Evans, aged 20, of Ynyslas, schoolmistress. Enclosed were some very flattering testimonials. Mr Watkins said that Miss Evans was a very respectable and competent person. The chairman: I fear that the terms of the printed notice will exclude her in the matter of age. We advertised for a person not under the age of 25. and in fairness I think we are bound to act in accordance with the terms of our advertisement. The next application was one from Jane Jones, aged 27, Queen's Road, Aberystwyth, enclosing testimonials from Mr Thomas Jones, Rope- walk, and Mr Griffith Thomas. 3rd. Mary Ann Edwards, aged 29, Penglais Upper Lodge, enclosing testimonials from the Rev. John Pugb, Llanbadarn, Capt. Richardes, Penglais, and Mr. J. J. Atwood, Solicitor. 4th. Rebecca Elleman, aged 35, of Gray's Inn Lane, Aberystwyth, enclosing a testimonial from Sir P. Pryse, Bart. 5th. Mary E. Morrell, aged 22, enclosing testi- monials from Mrs. Jane Hanwood, Newport, Salop, the Rev. Thomas Matthias, Borth, and others. Mr Hugh Hughes understeod that this applicant was unable to speak Welsh. The chairman: The knowledge of Welsh for this situation is indispensable. Besides, this applicant, like the first, is disqualified according to the terms of our notice from being under age. The board ought to say at once whether this latter application stands good, so as, in case it does stand good, to spare these young ladies the trouble of attending here again. Mr Jones: Twenty-five was the age fixed upon by the board, and I don't think we can depart from that. Mr Thomas: It would be inconsistent to do so. The chairman: Besides, anyone under 25 would be too young for such a position. A guardian: How far is the other school from here? The chairman: That is not the question now before the board. The question as to whether a mistress shoold be appointed was disposed of at the last meeting; and it would not be right in us now to re-open it. The guardian: I got no notice that it was coming. Mr Hugh Hughes: Nor anyone else specially. It was your duty as a guardian to have attended the meeting, whether that subject was coming on or not. (Hear, hear.) The chairman: Then, at 11 o'clock this day fort- night we will proceed to the appointment of a school- mistress for the house. The two applicants under 25 years of age will understand that their youth excludes them from Competing for the o&ce. ow

INCREASE OF VAGRANCY IN THE LLAN- DILO-FAWR UNION. Return showing the number of vagrants relieved, and the COH thereof, at the Union Workhouse, from the year I860 to 1868. f I | 2 <*>■*» ■ fe Sil v H £ a. d. Year —————————————————— Ending Sept., 1860 44 16 14 74 1 8 7 „ 1861 163 26 37126 4 18 10J » 1862 464 38 37| 539 9 16 3 ,> 1863 483 38 31' 552 11 5 7i „ 1864 529 36 25 j 690 11 13 66 „ 1865 539 44 28 611 12 1 2 „ 1866 341 59 4244210 7 5 „ 1867 998 91 561145 31 14 1:1 „ 1867 998 91 56 1145 31 14 1$ „ 1868 1808 139 66 2013 46 2 7 J TOTAL 15369 487 336 6192139 8 2|

THE TOWN SURVEYORSHIP. Several attacks of late have been made upon our present town surveyor, Mr Vaughan, charg ing him with neglecting certain of the duties of his office. Foremost and most frank amongst the conductors of the imppachmetit is Mr. A t- wood. But it is not from outspoken arguments and public professions that Mr Vaughan, in his public capacity, has most to fear; it is in secret combinations which may be formed to oust him from his office for reasons unknown to the ge- neral public. "Fair play" is an old English maxim-" Y gwir yn erbyn y byd" a Welsh one. Let the light, therefore, in upon the truth what are the charges made against Mr Vaughan worth ? We do not set ourselves up as advocates for Mr Vaughan: we only desire that the town should be allowed to judge for itself whether the charges made against our present town surveyo r can be fully established. If they can be established, then let Mr Vaughan be forced to resign his post; but if, on the contrary, they cannot, do not suffer him to be removed through motives unworthy of the town. Let the town look to its own general interests, and not to those of any individual or set of individuals. If the removal of Mr Vaughan can be shewn to be advantageous to the town, by all means let Mr Vaughan be removed; but it such a proceeding cannot be shewn to carry with it any beneficial result, let it be scouted at once. The chief charge made against 1\1 r Vaughan by Mr Atwood is vague and intangible. The learned and energetic gentleman in a recent meeting of commissioners laid down his dictum with his usual vigour of expression that Mr Vaughan was au excellent road-surveyor, but that he did not attend to the other duties of his office-or words to this effect. Would it not have been well for the enlightenment of the town gonprally if Mr Atwood had specified the particular duties of his office which Mr Vaughan had neglected to perform. Sweeping accusa- tions like the above are valueless and illogical with people of sense, and Mr Atwood knows that perfectly well but they go forth to the public, and by repetition the fable in time becomes accepted as a fact. This manufacture of facts cannot, however, be called a business likely to reflect remarkably agreeable renown on the manufacturers. It is not, therefore, just to Mr Vaughan that such accusations should be made against him, unless the party who makes them is prepared with his proofs. If Mr Atwood, or any other amongst the counsel for the impeachment of Mr Vaughan for de- relict ion of duty had the proofs at hand, why were the not produced? It was a duty to the town as well as to the impeach ed party that the charge should be proved when it was pub- licly made. If there be just grounds for such charges, let the town know them, and let proper action be taken. Some time since in the columns of this paper a strong and special charge was made against Mr Vaughan for neglect of duty in allowing the new sea wall to fall into a state of bad repair. But because the charge was so pointed out specifically, the public were enabled to examine into the truth or falsehood of the matter for themselves, and the consequence was that the statement turned out to be an ignorant or a malicious fabrica- tion. Probably on being put to the proof, M r Vaughan's accusers might point to the nuisances and obstructions existing in the town; but such a line of argument would only have the effect of proving a want of memory for the person who used it. The pig nuisance is about the greatest in the town and the time is not so very remote but many of the commissioners may remember that Mr Vaughan, in his offi- cial capacity, issued about one hundred and fifty summonses against persons for keeping pigs on their premises. What was the effect ? Why, the 150 defendants were dismissed, with a remarkably mild caution from the bench the pigs, in probably equal numbers, now wallow in the cramped-up back yards and foetid enclosures through the town, and the only lasting result of the proceeding is to bring contempt and odium upon the authority I of the town surveyor. As to the obstructions with which the town is disfigured, they have grown of late so rapidly that they appear past all remedy. The constructors of bow-windows, porticoes, and other obstructions in the town have frequently been summoned but to what end? At most a nominal fine is inflicted, and the town officer who did his duty is reviled by the jubilant offenders. Not long since a town commis- sioner was thrown out of the board by an organised system of opposition, because he en- deavoured to have some dangerous and un- sightly street obstructions removed. So long as such terrorism is allowed to be practised unrestrained and unrepressed so long as the hands of the officer are not strengthened by the strenuous support of the town authorities, so long will such officer continue to act without even the semblance of authority, and so loner will causes of complaint aud discontent con- tinue in the town. The remedy for this evil has more than once been particularly pointed out by Mr Atwood himself. Let the town commissioners appoint p one person in authority overall the servants of the town. Let him be solely responsible to the, commissioners for the performance of all public works—the subordinates to be respon- sible to him. At present the town's army of servants consists of all officers and no soldiers every one appears to command and no one to obey, the result being a confusion most bewil- dering and tantalizing to the town. The pro- per person to occupy such an office certainly would be the town surveyor, and the most fitting person ought to be fully invested with the necessary powers without delay. If Mr Vaughan is considered unfit to enjoy such a position, then give it to some one more worthy. On this head, all we need say is that Mr Vaughan is a servant-whom the town has tested, and who has done so much to improve the town's appearance since his appointment, that his services should not be lightly overlooked.

THE BALLOT ON ITS TRIAL. Of late an unwonted amount of public atten- tion has been directed to the ballot. The Bal- lot Society very recently inaugurated a renewed movement in its favour by making arrange- ments tor a large public meeting in London, at which, rather remarkably, as it turned out, Mr Milner Gibson took the chair. There is one important inference to be drawn from this meeting, and that is, that the advocates of the ballot are progressing in numbers and influ- ence, and that, therefore, the idea of the ballot is becoming developed. We are not aware that any new argument in favour of the ballot was advanced by any speaker at this meeting, but new arguments are not required while the old ones remain in full force, unanswered, and as applicable to the present day as they ever were to the days of our fathers and grand- fathers We need not go very far back in our history to find practical arguments in favour of the ballot. We find them abundantly in the re- cords of the recent general election, and they are indeed at this moment being presented to us in the reports of the proceedings during the election petition inquiries. It is clearly proved that in many cases people qualified to vote have abstained from voting for fear of giving offence; that others have been bribed, intimi- dated, or in other ways induced to vote differ- ently to what they would have done had they been free and unfettered; and that unpleasant personal consequences have arisen from electors beinu determined to vote as they like. Whether electoral corruption has been on the whole greater or less than during preceding general elections is little to the point We believe that it has been less, owing to improved legislation, but that it would have been scarcely existent at all had a good system of ballot been in oper- ation. Now the tact of electoral corruption existing at all is lamentable. The franchise has been largely extended, but unless electors are free to exercise this franchise conscien- tiously, we say deliberately that they had bet- ter be without it. Fettered and corrupt voting demoralises electors and non-electors, and ex- ercises a wide-spread influence for evil upon representatives and represented, or the nomi- nally represented. Give a man a vote, with perfect freedom in using it, and ample security that he can keep that vote secret if he choose, and the tendency naturally is to vote on what he considers high patriotic principle Leave him open to corrupt influence before giving his vote, and liable to injury of any kind after- wards, consequent on the way in which he has voted, and you lower the moral and political standard up to which he would otherwise act. The Conservative argument is that the vote is a trust and a responsibility, and that how a man uses it ought to be known to others; while it is also urged, despite of the practice in clubs and societies, that secret voting is un- English, and that it would not ensure free and honourable election. But it has been said that one fact is worth a thousand arguments, and certainly the great fact of the ballot experi- ment at Manchester is a most important chap- ter in our political history. Let us see how the experiment worked. The electors of Manchester, in view of Mr Birley being possibly unseated, decided that they would try by a voluntary ballot which of two gentlemen—Mr Milner Gibson and Mr Ernest Jones--they would run," as the Ameri- cans say, for the vacated seat. It was agreed that the balloting should be confined to those who had voted at the recent election either for Mr Jacob Bright, Mr Bazly, or Mr Jones.. We elsewhere give an account of the mode in which this voluntary ballot was conducted. We may here repeat, however, that the names of the two provisional candidates were printed on a card, and that the voter had to strike out one name and drop the card, placed in an en- velope, in the ballot box. The reporter of the London Standard, a Conservative journal, thus describes the process of voting :—" The voter, being furnished with this card, was admitted by an officer, through a wicket beyond, into the ballot-room, which is only partitioned off by a rail un ier three feet high, and where he is still within sight of all in the place, but into which no one is allowed to follow him there he advanced to one of four recessed tables, and standing with his back to the returning officer and every one else, and further screened by the partitions of his 'recess,' he took up a pencil, with which he obliterated one of the names from the card. He then inserted the card into the envelope, and returning towards the place where the returning officer sat, he dropped tne envelope with its enclosure into the mouth of the ballot-box, which is a box of considerable dimensions. He made his exit through a wicket leading out behind the returning officer's seat, as the next voter entered the ballot-room." The same writer, evidently desiring to take a fair view of this great experiment, mentions several circumstances, which together tend to show that Sump such system as this would be infinitely preferable to the present system, which produces uproar and confusion, as well as greater political evils- It is understood that during the session that is about to re-commence, a great effort will be made to carry the ballot, and of course the Manchester experiment will be used as a gruat argument in its favour. It is difficult indeed to conceive what valuable arguments can, in face of this trial, be adduced against it. We maintain that it is not. or ought not to be, a party question at all. The ballot would simply secure freedom of voting to electors of all opinions, and this is just what every voter has a right to possess.

POLICE ARRANGEMENTS FORTABEU- YSTWYTH. The mayor has favoured us for publication with the subjoined satisfactory letter from Gapt. Freeman, in reply to the memorial in favour of the appoint- ment of P.O. Evan". published in our last:— Chief Constable's Office, Aberayron, :ntl January, 1869. Sir,— I have been favoured by the receipt of the memorial, dated the 1 *Jth inst., and signed by you and several other gentlemen of -Aberystwyth, re- commending P C. Evans for promotion to sergeant, and requesting that he might b, appointed as suc- cessor to the late Sergeant Thomas. It affords me great gratification to find that the services ot the late sergtant wtrc-so highly appre- ciated by you aU, and 1 feel that the county and the police force have lost in him a faithful and valuable servant. It also gives me great pleasure to hear that P.C, Evans has conducted himself so well during the time he has been stationed in Aberyst- wyth as to induce you to wish that he might be flre- moted, and become the late Sergeant Thomas's suc- cessor, and I am happy to be able so far to comply with your request as to place Evans as acting-ser- geant to the police force in your town, which I trust will effect the object you desire. There are three constables senior to Evans in his class, and as long as either of them is equally eligible for promotion, it would be an injustice to put another over his head; and as I am confident you would not wish me to do that which I should consider wrong, I am sure you will excuse my declining to promote Evans now, but if he continues to do his duty satisfactorily, it will give him a claim at another time. I beg you will so far oblige me as to make known the contents of this letter to the other gentlemen who signed the memorial. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, W. C. FI-.EEMAN, Chief Constable of Cardiganshire. John Matthews, Esq Mayor, Aberystwyth. «

PONTERWYD. CATASTROPHE IN A LEAD MINE.—On Thursday week, about 10 p.m., great consternation was created in the village around the workings of the Powell United Lead Mine at Ponterwyd, about 11 miles east of Aberystwyth, owing to a particular opening where the lead ore had been taken out of a lode from surface down to the 45 fathoms level having run together, and that while 10 or 12 miners were underground. Happily no loss of life occurred, for the men were enabled, by means of the numerous ''cross-cuts" and passes" which are opened, and stalls, (timber head- ings), which are always put in, to creep through these now crushed passages, and by degrees, though at imminent risk, to effect their own deliverance up the main shaft. The cause of the accident is ascribed to injudiciously taking away the whole of the lode, or lead-bearing strata, which in its passage through the rock had a certain dip or underlie, and of course the deeper the workings were prosecuted, the greater became the superincumbent weight of rock over- hanging the fissure thus created. It is usual in all well-governed undertakings of this sort to leave sup- porting arches of the lode standing at intervals, (sacrificing as unavailable the lead-ore contained therein,) which effectually keep the rock abroad; but it is reported that this necessary precaution had been neglected in this particular case. PAUPERISM.—There were 41 paupers relieved at the Union Workhouse on Saturday, the 23rd inst., distributed as follows through the various parishes of the Union :—Aberystwyth, 28 Llanychaiarn, 1; Llangwyryfon, 4 Llanrhystid, 2; Ceulanymaes- mawr, 1 Clarach, 3 Cwmrheidol, 1, and Llanilar, 1. Eleven vagrants received shelter during the week.

MINING INTELLIGENCE [From The Leeds Mining Circular ] Probably there;s more life in lead mining in the Montgomeryshire district at present than in any other part of the Principality. The Dylife mine, belonging to the Right Honourable John Bright and Company, is returning, as usual, about 200 tons of lead per month, an amount of production which leaves a very fine profit. With some improvements in dressing machinery, which will be completed early in the spring, it is expected that the returns will be increased about 40 or 50 tons per month, by dealing with poor ores which are now little available. The Van mine, which principally belongs to the re- presentatives of the late Mr Morris, of Oswestry, is now returning close upon 150 tons a month, giving a profit at the rate of upwards of 12,0001. a year, which returns and profits, however, could be largely increased, as, in proportion to the returns, the reserves are said to exceed those of any lead mine in the kingdom. It was rumoured last autumn that the Van mine was about to be purchased by Messrs. Taylors, for the purpose of being formed into a com- pany. Report says that 60,0001. was offered and refused indeed, competent judges value the mine at fully loo,OOOl. The whole expenditure on this mine, up to the time of its making profits, scarcely reached 5,000/ a specimen of the nature of the success that may be expected from Welsh lead mining. Twenty years ago, Mr Le Faux, a local gentleman, similarly realized a fortune of about 40,000/. on an expenditure of a few hundreds, in working the Penclyn mine, on the same vein as the Van. Brynpostig is returning about 40 tons of lead per month, and blende in proportion, which leaves a fine monthly profit. The increase of water here will probably necessitate a new engine, and conse- quently some increase of capital; but after this is done, Brynpostig ought readily to be able to pay the shareholders 50 per cent, on its capital. It is said the well-known ancient mines on the left bank of the Dovey, near the borders of Montgomery and Cardigan, are about being re-worked, under th name of the Glan Dovey mines These mines, which may be considered as belonging to the Dylife dis- trict, made great returns of lead in the ancient times, and have this great advantage that they can be drained for 30 fathoms below the present bottom by adit levels. The Plynlimmon mine, similarly situated, owned by a wealthy private Birmingham company, seems likely to turn out as fine a mine as the Van, a lengthened run of rich ore having been gone through in the deep adit. LEAD MINING.—We have to report a considerable renewal of activity in the lead-mining districts of the United Kingdom, due partly to the improved pros- pects of trade, which are slowly but surely sending up the prices of this metal, and partly to the greatly- improved prospects of mining enterprise in almost all the lead-mining districts. In Cornwall, West Chiverton paid last year 24,000l. in dividends close upon cent per cent. on the paid-up capital. In the Isle of Man, Great Laxey divided 30,000l. profit being at the rate of 50 per cent per annum on the nominal capital. In Wales, the Minera paid 27,000/. for the year being at the rate of 60 per cent per annum on the paid up capital. The Lisburne Mines, as usual, divided their cent. per cent. and hosts of other important lead mines, such as Snail- beach, Maes-y-safn, Wheal Mary Anne, Herodsfoot, Wheal Trelawny, Cwraerfin, Cwmystwyth, Mining Company of Ireland, the mines of the London Lead Company, Foxdale, East Darren, Mr Beaumont's mines, and some score or so of others, have given to their fortunate owners profits averaging on the whole about 60 per cent. on the invested capital. The new mines also are in all directions turning out rich. The Van mine and the Plynlimmon mine in Wales—which have only come into existence quite recently, and are owned by private companies—are turning out magnificent successes the former pay- ing, it is said, between 200 and 300 per cent. profit on the capital expended. Indeed, in every direction lead mining is asserting its traditional character of being at once the most profitable and least uncertain of any branch of British industry, which is scarcely to be wondered at when we consider that England yields from a few mountain districts annually between one-and-a-half and two millions, in ultimate value, of lead and argentiferous lead, at a cost compartively trifling, as lead mines are rarely very deep or very expensive to work. [From The Mining Journal. ] BRONFLOTD.—The wonderfully productive charac- ter of this mine—the year's results of which we gave in this Journal of January 2nd—is still further developing itself; and, gratifying as the value of the lode in the 62 appeared by last week's report, the agent in that of this week states.—We are opening on and stoping down about 15 feet wide of the lode west of the cross-cut in the 62, and it is worth for the whole b-endth three and a half tons of lead ore per cubic fathom." He adds,—" This looks well for the 73 when it gets under the same point."

TREGARON PETTY SESSIONS. These sessions were held on the 2Rth instant, at the Talbot Hotel, before J. E. Rogers and T. J. Hughes, Esquires. Richard Hughes, Glanyrafon, Blaenpenal, charged William Jones, of Nebo Factory, with having, on the 5th of October last, absented himself from his service Dismissed, complainant ordered to pay costs. Mr Hickox, supervisor, charged David Davies, of Werncoly, Llanddewibrefi, farmer, with keeping a dog without having obtained the necessary license. Fined in the mitigated penalty of 1/ 5s., with a recommendation that the fine be further reduced- Mr Ilickox also charged David Jones, of Cwm- berwyn, farmer, with keeping a dog without a license. This case. which stood adjourned from the last petty sessions, was now, upon the application of defendant, further adjourned till the next petty sessions. Mr Miller appeared for the defendant. The same complainant charged Mrs. Lloyd, of Brynhope, Carron Uwchclawdd. with keeping a dog without a license. Defendant did not appear. Upon proof of the service of the summons and the neces- sary evidence being given, a penalty of Il 5s without costs was inflicted. Defendant's servant-man sub- sequently came forward and paid the fine.

CORRESPONDENCE We do not hold ourselves responsible jor the opinions and sentiments of our Correspondents.

THE TOWN PROPERTY. TO THE EnITOR OF THE ABElihTWYTH OB-ERVEh. Sir,—There is one part of Mr Pell's otherwise ex- cellent letter which appeared in the ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER of Saturday last, on the question of the town property, which will tend to mislead the towns- people very much, and, if carried out, will involve them in a heavy and useless expence. Although the scheme looks well on paper, thus, It is, more- over. deemed desirable that in the event of the town deciding to adopt the late Mr Thomas Duncan's plan for bringing for nil future time the water for the town from Domen, it would be a safe course to obtain these powers under an Act of Parliament, and for this purpose both representative bodies in the town should coalesce' Yet/when brought to bear the test of facts, I think none will be so ready as Mr Pell to acknowledge that a totally wrong view has been taken of the question fo supplying the in. tended Smithfield market and the town with a con- stant stream of pure water from a place called the Domen. This is a part oftheLIyn-Ilygad-Rheidol scheme, which I exposed in your paper in the course of last summer, and which scheme ought there and then to have been buried in oblivion, and would have been so bad not the weather been so very unpropitious the day when the late Mr Duncan (unfortunately for him, for on that day he caught the severe cold which carried him to a preiHatnre grave) inspected the place. Although he walked a little about the fields in the immediate neighbourhood of the Domen, yet he could neither go to or see the source of the rill of water running down -this small valley, or he would at once have seen that the water springs from the large lead vein above Darren farm-house, which vein has been extensively worked upon, and at one time yielded 250 tons of lead oie per quarter. Al- though this part of the mine has not been worked for the last 80 or 40 years, yet the probability is, it will be re-worked again in a few years for as soon as the deep level is drawn under the spring, a new shaft will be sunk in this field and the surface water required for mining purposes. Then what becomes of the town ? will the inhabitants be satisfied to drink the lead water passing through the Domen from the Darren mine after rejecting the copper water from Llyn-llygad Rheidol ? If so, then adopt this scheme by all means, or they may prefer the lead water from a new mine now being opened on Rhosgoch farm or, perhaps, the town commissioners would stop this mine altogether by buying it up, thus shutting its mouth for ever, as they also will have to do with the old water corn-grist mill called Felin- hen. Again, by adopting this plan of getting the water from Domen the pipes will have to be laid through no less than thirteen distinct properties, with a distinct rental on each, thus giving a sweet nut for the ratepayers to crack. Yours, &c J. G, WILLIAMS Glo'ster Hall, Jan. 26th, 1869. 4

THE TOWN PROPERTY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—In and out of the council Mr Pell has the happiest possible knack of knocking big figures about. But as pounds are made up of pence, would it not be desirable to begin at the beginning? If Mr Pell would condescend to drop the tens of thousands of pounds which he is willing to expend upon the town in the execution of new works, and tell us how the rate-payers are to be relieved of their present burden of some hundreds of pounds due for money already advanced, he would be doing a prac- tical benefit to the town, and justice to many, who, like myself, if they addressed you, could subscribe themselves, Your obliged Servant, AN UNPAID MORTGAGEE.

THE TOWN PROPER 1Y. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERTSTWTTH OBSERVER. Sir,—There is a long letter on this subject in your last issue which touches upon various questions of interest to those both within and without the town boundary. It is not my intention to enter generally upon the subjects so introduced, but an important element of that letter re-introduces to public consi- deration as a novelty (so far as this town goes) "the granting of leases of the corporate property in perpetuity." Now, although some few years have passed, I can incontestably prove that it ia not a new question to the corporation or to your readers, and if you will refer back to the file of your paper of September, 1864, the plagiarism will be sufficiently exposed. Although at that time I had notlong been a resident, I began to feel that my interest in the town would most probably be an accumulative one; this big build- ing was then only about ten feet above road-level, and we had only just celebrated with due honours the affixing of the Inscription Tablet" over its facade, by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County. By degrees I became aware that the corporation pos- sessed large freehold properties subject to leases, to fall in at various dates, and day by day I became more and more impressed with the conviction that this great building (notwithstanding its premature birth) would with its growth tend vastly to enhance the value of the corporate and other property adja- cent thereto. Thus, when in September, 1864, a notification on the Town-hall apprised me that a special meeting of the council was to be held to consider, amongst other things, the propriety of granting leases of a portion of corporate property still on its hands, I thought the subject of sufficient importance to induce me to address the council by letter, as follows :— To the Mayor and Council oj Aberystwyth. GENTLEMEN, Having a large and growing interest in the welfare and future of this town, I have been induced, from the notice of your meeting, to consider the present requirements of the town, and the possibility, of those requirements being met between this and the next season. The adoption of the plan for the extension of the Parade, settled by your surveyor (Mr H. I). Davis), and approved, as I understand, by the council ;—the construction of an esplanade waU the levelling and turfing thereof will entail considerable outlay, j These I apprehend are the first works to be done and as the council are about to consider the pro- priety of letting its land for building, I beg to sug- gest that the future leases of the corporation shall be granted for 21 years only on a money payment down such money payment being equivalent to and free from ground-rent for that term that such leases shall be renewable at the option of the lessee at a fixed annual ground-rent, and on payment of a fine of one year's estimated rental, and so on for ever. each term being 21 years. ,I The advantages of this course will be Firstly, that of placing the corporation in funds wherewith to meet the requirements of the town :—Secondly, as the custodians of public property, and, subject to public trusts, they will be making that property available as well for the present as for future genera- tions :—Thirdly, they will ensure the proper resto- ration of the property from time to time, and the consequent avoidance of dilapidations—thus greatly upholding the character and respectability of the place :—and. Lastly, they will be adopting no new or untried scheme, but simply the principle now so prosperous at Liverpool and other towns with respect to corporate property, that of large public bodies, such as the Goldsmiths and other London corporations, as well as most of the collegiate chap- ters in the kingdom. Apologising for these remarks, I am, Gentlemen. Yours faithfully, 48, North Parade, J. B. BALCOMBE. Sept. 9th, 1864. The usual fate of letters to public bodies awaited the reception of this particular one it was quietly shelved, and is, of course, forgotten—indeed, I can almost venture to speculate that it it not on the corporate minutes. Between the period of that communication and the present time is a gap of over 4 years, and I shall take the opportunity ofreviewing the interval. 1'11.. Queen's Hotel has become a big fact, and the ground pro- perty around it has quadrupled in value but can we say as much for the buildings ? One piece of good work, the sea wall extension, under the super- intendence of the late surveyor, Mr H. D. Davis (the architect of the Queen's), has been done, and I cannot help saying that had the corporation been alive to the prospective growth of the place, we should still have retained his services, and as a con- sequence we should not have had our spiteful alleys," or our "tottering honses," nor should we have had the natural line of frontage of the Terrace destroyed for the sake of uniformity, as it was con- veniently called. The effect of this is now apparent to everybody, and, happily, that fact may act as a safety-valve for the town in future ;—but, sir, let me ask through your columns whether the arbitration of the freehold value of the frontage of the public property so given up to Mr John Davies (then mayor) has been settled and agreed upon by the two other members of the corporate body to whom it was referred, and has the treasurer received the money? It should be considerably over 1501., and as such is of importance to the town. By dint of great pressure I managed, as one of the council, to secure in 1866 the presentation and issue of the town balance sheet—it was then three years due. Come, my dear Mr Treasurer, give us another edition, for then you know I should not have to ask these very pointed questions, as the figures would tell their own tale. I may as well make a clean breast of it now, and ask the Town Clerk whether he will kindly let me have the title deed of the ground which has been promised for three years, and for which I have paid qwtefour years ago- I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, The Queen's Hotel, J. U. BALCOMBE. January 28th, 180!),

INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—The office of inspector of nuisance, vacant by the death of Sergeant Thomas, ought, I think, to be filled up without delay. And I do not know anyone so competent to occupy the post as Police Constable Evans. whose appointment here as ser- geant, so properly urged last week, would be so acceptable. It is an office which, for the town's sake, ought not to be vacant for a day. I hope, therefore, that the commissioners will make the appointment at their next meeting. Yours obediently, A RATE-PAYEE. 4.

POOR LAW RELIEF. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER Sir,—If those busy-bodies, who make it a point of interferThg in matters which do not concern them, would but mind their own business, they would not make the blunders they now do. In your report of the last meeting of the Board of Guardians of the Aberystwyth Union, a glaring instance of this occurs. There was a written com- plaint read by the chairman that the paupers were not regularly paid their weekly relief. It is well known that this payment is made out of the poor rate, which, if not paid up when due by the rate payers, it is impossible for the overseers to meet th calls made upon them; and, being myself a ratt-e payer, I had the curiosity to look into the poor rate book for the parish of Aberystwyth, to ascertain the cause, and, to my utter astonishment, found that the very person who made the complaint was himself, amongst many others, in arrear with his rates, and consequently partly the cause of the offence he laid at the door of others. Having said this much, I am, as usual, able to subscribe myself A REGULAR PAYER OF HIS RATES. Jan. 25th, 18(59. ♦-

THE TOWN HALL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERT8TWYTH OBSERVER. Dear Sir,—Of the sentiments contained in the letter of Mr W. T. Jenkins, which appeared in your last paper, and your editorial remarks upon the same subject, I heartily approve. The curse of this town has always been—procrastination on the part of the council and commissioners. They make no end of promises but what do their performances amount to? Why—involved state of finances-debt to the town—inextricable difficulties and danger to the public health. If any action is to be taken in the repairing of the Town Hall, it must, I fear, be done through public agitation, and I am sure that your powerful agency, hitherto so active and successful, will not now fail us. Believe me, dear Sir, A MAGISTRATE.

PIGS. T* JlE LlJHOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—1» your impression of the Week before last, you report Mr Pell to have stated at a commissioner's meeting that Dr. Williams was opposed to the re- moval of pigs from the town. Surely Mr Pell must I have been either jesting or mistaken. If jesting, it was a jest that Dr. Williams ought to have insisted on Mr Pell's explaining, because that any medical man should be guilty of flying in the face of science and common sense is more than I can possibly believe, more especially of a gentleman who has taken, as Dr. Williams has, so active an interest hitherto in the health and welfare of the town. Dr. Williams, I believe, was one of the memorialists to Government, who procured us the visits of Mr Arnold Taylor, the Government Inspector, and one of the chief faults Mr Taylor found with the management of the town was that of allowing pigs to be kept within its precincts. Your obedient Servant, A MEDICAL STUDENT.

TOWN PROPERTY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Dear Sir,-Although I last week wrote you a very long letter, I did not exhaust the subject. I wil not therefore apologize for reserving the discussion. Se- veral years ago alderman Thomas Jones saw the ad- vantage which Liverpool enjoyed from the facility of tenure allowed by the corporation, and was desirous of introducing the council to adopt a similar course. As the time has now come when some comprehen- sive plan is in every way desirable, these letters will, I trust, elicit the views and opinions of many of your readers. It is scarcely within the province of one of the body to enter the field and discuss in public ques- tions, which will be duly considered by the represen- tatives of the town in council; I don't, therefore, desire to enter into minute details as to markets, smithfields, &c., as it is intended by the council to go fully and carefully into these questions, and the same remark applies to the commissioners, who will soon have to determine which of Mr Duncan's sug- ?;estions shall be adopted. I will therefore avoid urther trespass on your space, briefly referring to these subjects as fair grounds for the council and commissioners to coalesce. One Act of Parliament should properly embrace all the requirements of our town for some years to come, and if, in addition, the enlargement of the municipal boundary caa be obtained, the expense (some 6001., I am informed,) is not a large sum to pay to secure these advan- tages. I have not yet obtained a full list of towns which are already availing themselves of the system of perpetual leaseholds, but I believe Huddersfield, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Leeds, Halifax, and to some extent the Liverpool corporation have acted upon it, with very great advantage to the town, as it affords the utmost possible incentives to leaseholders to go on improving and enlarging their premises until they are in every way best fitted to meet the requirements of trade and occupation this, it is evident, is not what is now done by our corporation leaseholders and unless some such course as the one now pro- posed is acted upon, what will be the value of the buildings at the expiration of the leases ? It is true every occupier is assumed to hand over his premises at the end of the term in tenantable condition that is to say, he must not wilfully destroy or pull down but for what further term of years can such struc- tures be calculated to stand, such as are now erect- ing! I cannot but see with regret our builders compelled by the nature of the case to expend money without regard to the interests of the corporation. There must be some better course open by which their mutual relations can be improved. It has been suggested that I should cite special cases to prove the advantages to the perpetual lease- hold s other than the general good to the town, which, I assume, is clearly understood by everyone. On short leases it is impossible to borrow money at a lower rate than 51. per cent., but under perpe- tual leasehold, I am told that this class of property is so much better built that it is a common rate at 4| for 40 to 50 years, and 4 per cent, when the term has from 50 to 75 years unexpired. To speculative builders, who are compelled to borrow money, this would be an inducement to build first-rate houses, whilst a permanent occupier or investor needs no inducement besides permanency of tenure, which this plan would give him. To those wealthy men who have no reason for becoming residents a- mongst us, it would be a great inducement to find here ready built good, substantial dwellings, instead of the existing class, which, I have reason to know, deters m my wealthy persons from settling amongst us. As I shall have on future occasions to write to you -for I don't anticipate these letters will pass un- noticed-I will reserve myself. Thanking you for your courtesy, Mr Editor, I remain, Faithfully yours, JONATHAN PELL.

STREET OBSTRUCTIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,-A certain blatant busy-body baker, who has forced his way into Little Dark-gate-street, desires the destruction of a wall, the property of a neigh- bouring tradesman. The town commissioners—or one or two amongst them-have backed him up in his preposterous pre- tensions to dictate to the town. We have heard nothing more of the complaint since Mr F. R. Roberts, as the representative of Mr Bonsall, set the threats of the bold baker at defiance. Suppose the owner of the wall and premises in question had been a poor man, probably the baker might have been successful in his attempted assault, and the butcher have been deprived of his property. I am, Sir, ONE WHO KNOW S THE WHEEL-A Pembroke Dock, TICKET MAN. January, 1869.

COUNTRY COURTS. JFEBRUART. Llanidloes Thursday 4 at 1 Newtown Friday 5 at 10 Saturday 6 at 10 Aberystwyth Tuesday 9 at 10 „ Wednesday 10 at 10 Machynlleth Thursday 11 at 10 Friday 12 at 10 41

A IIINT TO ABERYSTWYTH. The little town of Llanfyllin, the insignificance of which important Aberystwyth would, of course, treat with lofty contempt, sets an example, not- withstanding, in the matter of enforcing cleanliness, which the "Brighton of Wales" would do well to f"llo\v. In a report of the police business for Wed- nesday week, published by a contemporary, the following cases, amongst others, heard by the Llan- fyllin magistrates, appear:- Nuisances —Mr James Anderson, sanitary inspec- tor, summoned David Davies for having three houses without privy accommodation. The defendant said that he had commenced a building, but could not get the workmen to come to it Ordered to pay 9s 6d. costs, and allowed time to erect the building until the 1st March next.—The same complainant charged Jane Rogers, Bull Inn, with keeping swine so as to cause a nuisance, and having an accumulation of filth in the yard. Ordered to pay 9s. 6d. costs, and to remove it in 24 hours. THE MANUFACTURE OF WATCHES AND CMCM.—A more interesting and instructive little work, describing briefly, but with great clearness, the rise and progress of watch and clock making, has just been published by Mr J. W' Benson, of 25, Old Rond Street, 99 Westbourne Grove, and the City Steam Factory, 58 and 00, Ludgate Hill. The book, which is profusely illustrated, gives a full description ot the various kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices, and no one should make a purchase without visiting the above establishments or consulting this truly valuable work. By it? aid persons residing in any e part of the United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies, are enabled to select for themselves the watch best adapted for their use, and have it sent to them with perfect safety. Mr. Benson, who. holds the adpointment to the Prince of Wales, sends this pam- phlet to any address on receipt of two postage stamps, and we cannot too strongly recommend it to the notice of the intending purchaser. .Luxuriant and Beautiful Hair is the distin- guishing badge of Youth." Mus.S. A.ALLBN's WORLD'S HAIR RESTORER OR DRESSING never fails to quickly restore Gray or Faded Hair to its youthful colour and beauty, and with the first application a beautiful gloss and delightful fragrance is given iu the Hair. It stops the Hair from falling off. It prevents bald- ness. It promotes luxuriant growth; it causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all dandruff. It contains neither oilndrdye. Ih large Bottles—Price Six Shillings. ZYI,OBALS<». MUM (MRS S. A. ALLEN'S) far excels any Pomade or Hair Oil- To those whose Hair is naturally dry, requiring frequent dressing, its cheapness and great value will'be proved. Its early use on Children's Hair will insure an abundant and bountiful supply frum Youth to Old Age. In large Bottles Price Three Shil- lings. Sold by most Chemists and Perfumers. Depot, 266. Holborn, London. Advice t > Motbers.—Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with die pain of cutting teeth ? Go at ones to a chemist, aid get a bottle of MRS. W INSLOW S SoorHixo SYRUP. It will re'ieve the poor sufferer immediately; it is perfectly harmless; it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes as bright as a button." It has been long in use in America, and is highly recommended by medical men; it is very pleasant to take; it soothes the child; it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates, ti, bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentry and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SVBTIF, and see that "Curtis and Perkins, -New York and London," is on the outside wrapper. No mother slioiild be without H.-Sold by all medicine dealersat Is. lid. per Bottle, London Depot, 205, High Holborn. THE MANUFACTURE or JEWELLERY.—The striking deve- lopment of Fine Art productions in this branch of the industrial trades since the period of the great Exhibition is admirably ex- emplified in a most interesting little work just pubushed by Mr. J. W. Benson, who holds the appointment t) H-K-H the Prince of Wales, and H.H. the Maharajah of Burdwan, of 25, 014 Bond Street, 99, Westbourne Grove, and the City Steam Factory, 58 and 60, Ludgate Hill. It is profusely illustrated with the most beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, Earrings, Lockets, &c., &c., in every conceivable style, and with prices attached and thus the intending purchaser is enabled te make a selection suited to his taste, and have it forwarded to any part of the United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies. The price of this most useful guide is twopence, for which it is forwarded post free, and to any one whe contemplates a purchase, either for per- sonal wear or for a wedding, birth-day, Christmass, or other present, it wiU be found of the very greatest service.

ABFTRYSTWYTH LITERARY INSTITUTE & WORKING MEN'S READING-ROOM. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that a public meeting in connection with the abore institution will be held in the reading-room of the Institute, on the afternoon of Tuesday next. The president, the Rev. E. Owen Phillips, vicar, will occupy the chair.

SPRING CIRCUITS OF THE JUDGES.—North Wales: Mr Baron Channel. South Wales: The Lord Chief Baron Kelly. GOOD NEWS.—There was no business to occupy the attention of the magistrates in petty sessions this week. MEN often think that they guide themselves when they are guided by others; and while their minds are Intent on one object, their hearts lead theio insensibly towards another. MR MILL AND MR TSKHTBON.—Mr Shepherd's little volume contains a number of Interesting inci- dental particulars, comprising opinions of contem- porary writers and other matters. He brings out the curious fact, which was, at least, not very generally known, that Mr John Stuart Mill was the first critic to discover the great power and promise of the poet, Mr Mill being at that time—January, 1831 a youg writer in the Westminster Review, then the property of his father's old and illustrious friend, Jeremy Benthan. Mr Shepherd also gives an account of Tennyson's prize poem on the exciting topic of Timbuctoo, which be wrote at Cambridge in 1829; but he does not appear to be aware of the fact that a very clever parody upon it appeared in The Snob, a facetious magazine then appearing at inter- vals at Cambridge, which was edited, if not entirely written, by another young Cantah, since become famous in the world of letters-williatn Makepeace Thackeray.-New York Round Table. HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS.— None except the uncommonly hardy can hope to escape continued, unsettled, and unusually wet weather without some bodily discomfort or actual disease. Holloway's remedies have won a name and fame previously unknown in medical science for their ability of successfully contesting with colds, coughs, quinseys, rheumatism, and neuralgia. This formidable list of dangerous and painful affections, is completely under the control of these inestimable specifics; which, used according to their accompanying directions, will soon mirigate the tortures, suppress all inflammatory ten- dencies, and secure the soundest health. The very moderate price charged for these never-failing remedies, places them within the reach of the most humble sufferer, whose ill-health by pro- ducing poverty exaggerates his personal pangs.

A PROBLEM IN NAVIGATION. Suppose the Rory O'More, steaming from Cork for Terceira, was observed and chasrd by the Ala- bama, to Baltimore, a strategy being used by the officers of the latter for destroying the former, by putting a man ashore at Cape Clear to telegraph to another at Penzance. The Alabama was taken to Cherbourg to be reported. The Rory O'More steams from Cape Clear, in lat. 51° 25' N., and Ion., go 29' W., at the rate of 8 knots per hour, and in 35 hours afterwards the Alabama, from the Long Slip, in lat. 50° 41 N., and long. 5° 441 W., steams at the rate of 12 knots persue to her, and came up with the Rory O'More on the 21st day of December, at 11 o'clock a.m. (the Alabama being a cruiser). At noon orders were given to keep the Alabama's h -ad continually tnwards the sun till sunset, at the rate of 10 miles per hour, and at sunset, no ship being in sight, the Alabama shaped her course for Cape Clear, to take on board the man put ashore there. Required, what course must the Alabama steer, and what distance must she run to come up with the Rory O'More also the time at sunset (December at sunset 23° 281 S.), and the direct course and distance to Cape Clear. A JACK TAR.

THE LAY OF THE LABOURER. A spade a rake a hoe A pickaxe, or a bill A hook to reap, or a scythe to mow, A flail, or what ye will- And here's a ready hand To ply the needful tool, And skilled enough, by lessons rough, In Labour's rugged school. To hedge, or dig the ditch, To lop or fell the tree, To lay the swarth on the sultry field, Or plough the stubborn lea The harvest stack to bind, The wheaten rick to thatch, And never fear in my pouch to find The tinder or the match. To a flaming barn or farm My fancies never roam The fire I yearn to kindle and burn Is on the hearth of Home Where the children huddle and crouch Through dark long winter days, Where starving children huddle and crouch, To see the cheerful rays, A-glowing on the haggard cheek And not in the haggard's blaze ,,g To Him who sends a drought To parch the fields forlorn, The rain to flood the meadows with mud The blight to blast the corn, To Him I leave to guide The bolt in its crooked path, To strike the miser's rick, and show The skies blood-red with wrath. A spade a rake a hoe! A pickaxe or a bill! A hook to reap, or a scythe to mow, A flail, or what ye will- The corn to thrash, or the hedge to plash, The market-team to drive, Or mead the fence by the cover side, And leave the game alive. Ah, only give me work, And then you need not fear That I shall snare your worship's hare, Or kill his grace's deer Break into his lordship's house, To steal the plate so rich Or leave the yeoman that had a purse To welter in a ditch. Wherever Nature needs, Wherever Labour calls, No job I'll shirk of the hardest work, To shun the workhouse walls Where savage Jaws begrudge The pauper babe its breath, And doom a wife to a widow's life Before her partner's death. My only claim is this, With labour stiff and stark, By lawful turn, my living to earn, Between the light and dark My daily bread, and nightly bed, My bacon, and drop of beer- But all from the band that holds the land, And none from the overseer I No parish money, or loaf, No pauper badges for me, A son of the soil, by right of toil Entitled to my fee. No alms I ask, give me my task Here are the arm, the leg. The strength, the sinews of a Man, To work, and not to beg. Still one of Adam's heirs. Though doom'd by chance of birth To dress so mean, and to eat the lean, Instead 0" th J fat of the earth To make such humble meals As honest labour can, A bone and a crust, with a grace to God, And little thanks to man ? A spade 1 a rake 1 a hoe A pickaxe or a bill A hook to reap, or a scythe to mow, A flail, or what ye will- Whatever the tool to ply, Here is a willing drudge. With muscle and limb, and woe to him Who does their pay begrudge Who every wf. kly score Docks luliour's little mite, Bestows on the poor at the temple door, But robb'd them over night. The very shilling he hoped to save, As health and morals fail, Shall visit me in the new Bastile, The Spital, or the Gaol I THOMAS HOOD.

HUNTINGAPPOINTMENTS. THE VALE OF AYRON FOXHOUNDS ( Capt. Vaughan'sy WILL MEET ON Monday, 1st Feb Llanfihangel-ar-Arth Bridge. Saturday. 6th February South Gate, Aberayron. AT 10-30 O'CLOCK.

Strtt) On the 26th. inst., at Gl mpaith, London, the wife of C. A. Schmidt, Esq., of a daughter. iffiarmsf- On the 27th inst.at Aughton Church, by the Rev. W. H. Bolion, M.A Rector, Richard Web- ster, Esq., Manager of the Norih & South W ales Bank, in this town, to Margaret, only daughter of the late John Martin, Esq of Ormskirk. lJIJeatfJø, Last week, aged 69, in London, after a short ill- ness, C. T. Woosoaun, Esq., Solicitor, Newtown. On the 24th instant, much regretted, aged 60 years, Etist. wife of Mr Humphrey Williams, Post- master, Bowstreet, near this town.

MONUMENTS for Churches, Churchyards, and Cemeteries, executed in SttJlle, Marble, and Granite, may be inspected in the Show Rooms, at R. DODSON'S Marble Works, Swan-hill, Shrewsbury. Printed and Published by the Proprietor, DAVII> JENKINS, at his Machine Printing Works, Pier- street, and Great Dark-gate-street, Aberystwyth.