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

THE SMALL-POX. NOTWITHSTANDING the vigilance of our modical officer and the efforts of our sanitary authorities, the virulent disease familiarly known as small- pox has been unusually severe in our neigh- bourhood. Fortunately it has not as yet been very fatal, but in some instances the swift winged messenger has followed in its trail. In one instance death has taken a victim somewhat suddenly away—a daughter of our late esteemed townsman, the REV. MR. CROOKES. In families which have happily been spared the sad ex- perience of a fatal termination to the trouble, there has been much anxiety. There have been not a few distressed households while the dis- ease has been lingering at the hearth. We are sure that those who have to wrestle with the enemy in their own homes have the deep and heartfelt sympathy of the whole community, and if friends do not flock to their doors to make inquiries, it is not from want of interest, but from fear of spreading the contagion, and involving large numbers in suffering and dan- ger. We would, however, warn the public against undue alarm. One of the best promoters of plague is fear. Let only fear begin to haunt the breast, and one is never safe. If every one will do his duty, attending especially to the sanitary condition of his own premises, and particularly to the disinfection of foul sewers, he will be virtually building a fortress for his family. Dirt is the handmaid of disease, and when once we have universal cleanliness, the most formidable assailants of human health must disappear. According 10 high medical authorities, the poison of diseases like small- pox is communicated by contact in some way or other with those labouring under them these diseases never arise from any other cause than contagion, exhaled probably by the breath of persons infected, or emanating from their skin, or transmitted by their clothes. At the same time, those who are living near foul sewers, or in or near any filthy place are liable to be brought into a state of health in which the disease has most advantage over them. We have had abundant rain of late, and must there- fore have a plentiful supply of water. We would recommend our readers to use this water freely, so as to keep all drains sweet, to keep closets thoroughly clean, and especially to insist on personal cleanliness in the case of every member of their household. Schoolmasters and schoolmistresses should also compel their pupils to be scrupulously clean, and refuse to admit a child to school who could not endure -the scrutiny of a sanitary inspector. Of course, we are aware that small-pox has not been most rampant of late among the filthier dwellings in our midst, but that some of the most cleanly and respectable of our people have been assailed. This, however, is only an illustration of the evils which befal the cleanly on account of the presence of careless and sordid persons in the community. So long as there is one foul sewer or filthy hovel in the district the most painstaking and examplary householders are liable to be assailed. By means of vaccination and cleanliness small-pox would, in our opinion, be speedily annihilated, if people everywhere would only join hand in hand to secure the faithful and universal application of the remedies. -♦> MERTHYR AND THANKSGIVING. A PARAGRAPH in last Wednesday's Western Mail might lead innocent persons to suppose that Non- conformist Merthyr is exceedingly ungrateful. In short," it says, the loyal demonstrations in Merthyr were substantially confined to St. David's." What is included under the saintly title of St. David's we are allowed by the local correspondent to conjecture, for he informs us, not only that the loyal demonstrations were confined to that church, but that the Bolle Vue Brewery and Vaults and Todd's Spirit Vaults suspended business for tho whole day. We were not aware until we had read the paragraph that these two well-known establish- ments were institutions of St. David's, or that they had any connection at all with that place of wor- ship. We must apologize for our ignorance, but as the Belle Viie Vaults are epen on Sundays, though not on Thanksgiving days, we had never thought of regarding them as a branch—a chapel- of-ease, we presume-of St. David's. It is, no doubt, very reprehensible on the part of the majority of Merthyr tradesmen to opin their shops on a day set apart in honour of His Royal High- ness the Prince of Wales, and yet close them on the Lord's day. What can they mean ? The Government will surely be guilty of unpardonable dereliction of duty, if it do not appoint a Royal Commission to institute an inquiry. Are men to close their shops in honour of their Maker, and yet refuse to close them in honour of the Prince of Wales Passing, however, from this sad state of affairs, we learn from tho same paragraph that "later in the day, the drapers and others closod their places of business." Are theso "drapers and others," then, included in St. David's too ? Who the "others" were we rrj not told. They were, we imagine, a heterogeneous mass not worth specific enumeration in the columns of our con- temporary. Ferther on in the same paragraph we are informed that the town was entirely destitute of any decoration," anl yet we are told in the same breath that the red cross flag waved from the summit of Old Tydfil's tower, and that a small town banner surmounted the police station. It is new to us to be informed that St. Tydfil's Church aud the Police Station are not part of the town but it must be gratifying to all loyal persons to learn that Her Majesty's paid functionaries, the clergy and the police, did not forget to wave their hand- kerchiefs on the great occasion. Not only, how- ever, were the expressions of loyalty wholely and solely confined to St. David's, but, says the para- graph, the Hebrew Church held a special service. These exceptions quite puzzle us. They remind us of the oyster woman who swore that only elevt n oysters had been caught by the fishermen, and perhaps one or two mora "-flip one or two more being afterwards found to number sevrrn' hundreds If the Western Mail had only given all the excep- tions, perhaps Merthyr would have been proved to have been full of uni ersal song and thanksgiving. Well, we need not dwell upon the description of Merthyr disloyalty. We will take the liberty of adding a word or two, and then let the matter drop. Any person who has read an account of the thanksgiving services which took place in Jvondon may easily understand why Merthyr, with the exception of the Belle Vue and St. David's Church, took no part in them. The people of Merthyr aro as loyal as any of Her MAJESTY'S subjects, and when the PRINCE OF WALES was ill, prayers were offered for his recovery in all its places of worship. Yes, Dissenting ministers were praying for him w ien rectors, vicars, and curates were silent, not knowing what to do, until a form of prayer should be telegraphed to them from head-quarters. N onconformista love real prayer and real thanksgiving, but the worship which con- sists of decorations, gold buttons, stars and medals, swords guns and cannons, long robes and flaring crosses, they cannot understand. We will bo bound to say that the service offered in St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday last was to nine Dis- senters out of every ten little else than blasphemy. it was a gilded hypocrisy. We could understand a heathen tribe prese t ng such honours to their gods, or the Israelites of old, ia their economy of rite and ceremony, but we see neither Christianity nor common reverence in it when presented in the city of London in the 19th century. It may seem to a churchman very becoming for the Arch- bishop of Canterbury to march into the Cathedral of the Metropolis with a long train borne behind him by menial clerics, but if a Dissecting minister were to enter his pulpit in this fashion, no one would listen to his sermon. The pious Dissenter would remember that it was not thus that the Founder of Christianity came to earth, or that the earnest preachers of any age conducted them. selves. But such pomp in the Cathedral was only in keeping with the glitter and farce outside when ridiculous efforts at horsemanship were being made by men unaccustomed to any locomotion but on their own feet or on wheels-efforts which, accor- ding to the Daily News, made Her MAJESTY laugh out, made the PRINCESS OF WALES and PRINCESS BEAT BICE wild with merriment, pro- voked even the PRINCE OF WALES himself into a hearty laugh, and so operated on' the risibility of Mr. BnowN-" who was in the rumble of the royal carriage, in a Scotch dress "-tha.t "he guffawed." All this may, in the eyes of a church- man, be a kind of Divino worship and thanksgiving, but when the Nonconformist goes to offer thanks he adopts a different course. With his Bible and Hymn Book under his arm he goes quietly away to his chapel, and without any glitter or display. addresses his Maker. With the tinsel and the flare of trumpets which passed for worship in London on Tuesday last—and which even the loyal Metropolitan press describes with an under- lying sneer which it is vain to hide-the sturdy religion of Nonconformity has no sympathy. Even the Archbishop's sermon was no credit to the church. A leaner and thinner piece of composi- tion it would be difficult to find. Had Mr. BINNEY or Mr. SPURGEON been in the pulpit, he would have preached to some purpose, and without any train-bearers. All this pageantry is well done with. It is disgusting as a religious ceremony. If this be what the church by law established has to offer us as religious worship, we can only say that it must inevitably fail to influonce earnest minds, or to teach the people that it has anything superior to paganism to offer them. A town is surely not disloyal because it does not encourage tomfoolery.

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, THURSDAY. London has behaved well over this thanksgiving- has done well, one should say, i-o respect of making the very most of its grand old picturesque self-almost as well as if the aid of Messrs. Beverley, Telbin, and John O'Connor had been sought to decorate the streets. Fleet-street looked bright; the Strand was positively splendid, and the triumphal arch between Fleet-street and Ludgate-hill, although it wore a_ second-hand air, was worth travelling a considerable distance to see, even by a 'bus that travelled at the furious rate of half a mile an hour. Oxford-street wore a more floral aspcct than the other route. The procession was by far the least picturesque part of the scene. The streets were magnificent; the procession certainly was not—and you know I am It loyal subject. There was little occasion for fault-finding as regarded arrangements made for pre- serving order by the police. The roughs were not very disagreeable to the fore: indeed, both on Sunday and Monday the horse-play and blackguardism of the young ruffians", that so disagreeably leaven a London crowd, was more apparent than on the thanksgiving day itself. As for the general public, never did they come out in greater force. From my position in front of a club in Pall Mall, I could see the pavements and part of the roadway densely packed with spectators, and even then there were crowds far up and down Waterloo-place who had no chance of seeing anything. y hen the ranks were broken, and the roadway was given up to the public, shortly after the procession passed, the whole width of the street was occupied by foot passengers so thickly as to make locomotion inconvenient and tedious. Vehicles there were none, and there was no room for them. I followed in the wake of the procession nearly to the Cathedral, and found the whole rente thronged with people. On passing up to Oxford-street, I found that line just as thickly occupied by spectators so that, altogether, some five miles of wide street were absolutely as full as they could hold of people. After the proces- sion had passed both routes were given up to pro- menaders intent upon seeing the decorations, which were profuse, and, on the whole, tasteful. Indeed, it was evident to any person accustomed to see London illuminations that this time the day-light part of the spectacle was the beat. The weather, which was rather threatening in the morning, held up well, and was as fine as could be expected for the time, although there was a Marchy greyness in the sky, and a chillncss in the air, that told us what time of the year it was. As for thanksgiving, I am afraid London thought yery little of that; but it dressed itself up both showily and tastily,, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy its holiday. Very"little business was done except by the local rail- ways, by refreshment-shops, and public-houses, and this was business necessarily connected with the holiday— Mn the estimation of Cockneys. If we may credit Madam Rumour, the Reform Club is shortly destined to become a political agency—which it certainly has not been ever since it was organized. Colonel Akroyd and Mr. Bass have been censured, says Madam Rumour, the former for having given his adherence to the West Riding moderate Liberal mani- festo, and the latter for having undertaken the conduct of the Conservative candidate's case at Devonport. The sticklers fur the ct proprieties have taken umbrage at the backslidings of these two conspicuous members of the Liberal party, and have expressed themselves accordingly. So poes the rumour, but I am in a position to flatly con- tradict it. That Colonel Akroyd and Mr. Bass have trimmed may be admitted; but the Reform Club remains what it was when it was the most accessible club in London—non-poli'ical. That amazing statesman, Mr. Vernon Harcourt, is exercised in his mind because the Land and Labour Leagues, Fenian brotherhoods, and pot-house politicians in general are to be deprived of the right of howling sedition and blasr-h. my in the public parks. i'oov Ristorieu« Pi 1 he ever assist at one of these meetings, winch periodically take place around the Reformers' tree ? Did he ever hare his hat knocked over his eyes for politely declining to bare his head 'in memory of the Manchester martyrs-the ruffians who shot a policeman, and were righteously hanged therefor ? This outcry against the Parks Bill is worse than absurd- is sickening. If there were not hundreds of other places suitable for public meetings, one might excuse the clamour against putting them down m we parks but there are. A. debate (!) on the Parks Bill which occurred last week, eventuated in a war of words that, saving the presence of the debaters, differed very slightly from what in the vestry-hall of St. Pancras would be de- nominated a "row." The Spectator is grieved. "The countercheck quarrelsome was freely bandied about. Mr. Gladstone lost his temper. He must, it would seem, kick away calumny, and, of course, like everybody else who kicks at nothing, he hurts himself." The Tichborne case is now becoming deep]}- interest- ing, and it is certain that the present phase of the case bidfó fair to enable the jury to make up their minds, if they have not done so already. This cause ce.Ubre has during the past few days been much talked of; it has divided public interest with the Queen's visit and the Alabama claims; and I feel confident that there is a, decided preponderance of opinion on one side. I judge this by having turned the conversation in this direction on several occasions, and by finding opinion almost uniformly on one side-on which side it may not be advisable to say. A strong Conservative feeling in the County Palatine is a great fact. How far Liberal opinions may pervade the Lancasterians I will not pretend to say, but that there is, at all events, a strong leaven of Conservatism is beyond dispute. This is evidenced by the representa- tives of no fewer than ninety Conservative associations having met in^^MK^ater to make arrangements for giving Mr. DisnBTa*iitting reception. Tuesday and Wednesday in week will be great days for the darty that this distinguished statesman represents. He ( will be fully reported, and his extra-Parliament a'-v utteranccs will be flashed all over the kingdom, and his salient remarks all over the world. Tho Newspaper Press Fund now consists of 2G2 members. There are 1,456 newspapers in the United Kingdom and British Tsles, besiles between GOO and 700 magazines, &c, So that scarcely one newspaper out of six sends a representative to this society What can be the reason for this ? A report has been pretty widely spread in print that the Lord Mayor was knighted on the occasion of the civic address to the Queen at Windsor. The report is altogether without foundation, but there is little doubt that he will be knighted. I venture to say that Lord Mayor Gibbons counts upon this honour, which he may faiily expect in honour of his happening to be Lord Mayor—not very complimentary this — on the occasion of the Queen's visit to the city. If the Queen's Re- membrancer has any duties in accordance with his title, he will doubtless remind ITer Majesty of the Lord Mayor's probable wish in this matter. The determination of that very rich foundation, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, to establish a convalescent hospital at Highgato is sa. far important that it indicates a growing desire on the part of our hospital authorities to take their convalescent patients away from tire smoke of London, and the fetid atmosphere of crowded wards. It is a great pity that more is not done in this direction. The convalescent would more speedily recover, and funds would thus be spared. One of the very worst and most dangerous neighbour- hoods in London was, not very long since, that in which the well-known St. Alban's Church was erected. The other evening I made a perambulation of this locality, and find it marvellously improved. To say that the establishment of this far-famed ritualistic church is the sole cause, would be to say too much, but it has un- doubtedly had a bcnencial influence. It is not a mere Sunday church, but it opens every day, and nearly all day, and you may often see silent v.-orshippers there just as you would in a Catholic Cathedral. The various lay agencies connected with the church, and the continuous labours of the clergy among the poor, arc evidently pro- ducing' a very humanizing effect. The St. Alban's district is to a very great extent reformed, and a neigh- bourhood once notorious lor its thieves, prostitutes, and receivers of stolen goods, has become civilized and respectable. The opinion that may be entertained as to the character of the services at St. Alban's is, of course, a very varied one. When a gentleman invites a few friends to dinner, it would be very ungracious to accuse him of having a political object in view, and we have no right to say that Mr Gladstone is an exception. But still when we read that the Premier has been entertaining the United States Minister and Miss Schenck, among others, at dinner in Carlton House Terrace, it is difficult to avoid the reflection that the" indirect claims must have turned up during the conversation. Whether this be so or not, this friendly dinner party is of good omen in the Alabama affair.

MARRIAGE. On the 20th ult., at Pontmorlais Chapel, Merthyr, by the Rev David Griffiths, Pant tywyll, assisted by Mr Morgan Williams, registrar, Mr John Roberts, Cyfarthfa Office, to Miss Saralt Harries, Brecon-road, Merthyr. Jan. 27th, at Christ Cl-.urch, Gcelong, South Australia, by the Rev G. Goodman, M.A., Benjamin George Davics, Esq.. M P. (formerly of Merthyr), to Emma Sarah, sixth daughter of T. W. Meredith, Esq., formerly of Rhos-ferrig- fawr. near Builth, South Wales, and relict of T. S. Suther- land, Esq., of Raugoor, Burmah. DEATHS. On the 26th ult., at 2, Union-street, Thomas Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Bedlington Cook, acred 41 years, son of the late Mr George Cook, of Ynyspenllwch, Glamorgan. On the 27th ult., Emily Sarah. wife of Mr Thomas Davies. Manager of the West of England Bank, Aberdare, aged 45. On the 26t,h ult., at Penyradwy House, Vaynor, Mary, relict of the late W, Williams, Esq., asjed 67. Recently, at Mountain Ash, Mr D S. Davies, at the advanced age of 94, formerly of Pond Side. Merthyr. On the 27th ult., at Thouus Town, Merthyr, after a brief illness, Miss Crookes, daughter of the late Rev Mr Crookes, Wesley an minister. On the 25th ult., after a long illness, at Ciynmil, near Merthyr, Mr William Lewis Jones, formerly Grave Yard Inspector under the Burial Board, M'rthyr. On the 24th ult., of consumption, Mr Thomas C. Thomas, only lion of the late Mr Ilenry Thomas, master moulder, Dowlais, aged 24. On the 21st ult., at Duffrjn St. Nicholas, M.s Bruce Pryce, aged 76. On the 17th ult., at Colchester, Serjeant Major Jones, Drill Inspector of the 1st Essex Artillery Volunteers, aged 38.—On the same day. :1 46, Thomas-street, Thomas Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Mr Henry Jones, clerk at the Blaina Shop, aged 2o. The two were brothers, ahd it is a singular and melancholy coincidence that both died on the same day—the one at Colclietter and the o'her at Merthyr and both were interred at the same time and in the same grave.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT.—The master cabinet- makers and upholsterers of this town h.,ve vouchsafed the nine hours system to their men, and also conceded the ten per cent advance demanded by the pieceinen, to commence on the 1st of April next. The men have determined to commemorate the occasion by inviting the masters to a supper. OUR BALLOT CHAMPION.—Mr William Gould, who for so many years has zealously urged the adoption of the ballot, and soaght to demonstrate its practicability by producing an ingenious box for the purpose of conducting secret vot- ing, is anxious that the coming measure shall be widely applied, and, at the meetiag of Guardians on Saturday, gave the following notice of motion That this Board do petition Parliament to extend the provisions of the Ballot Bill to the election of guardians." THE TAILORS AND THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT.—The tailors appear fully alive to the progress of the times, and, like other trades, are looking to themselves in the way of shorter hours of action. A few evenings since they assem- bled at the club-room, Glamorgan Arms, and selected delegates to draw out a log. Every shop in the town was represented, and the men hope to meet their employers ere long in an amicable spirit. ABSENCE OF SMALL POX AT TROEDTRHIW.—It is a signifi- cant fact that althcugh this loathsome disease has alarm- ingly prevailed in the upper part of the parish—Merthyr and Dowlais—not a single case was known here till Mon- day, and in that case it happily occurs about two miles below the village. The immunity hitherto is somewhat mysterious, for, upon taking a survey of the neighbourhood, no exceptionable circumstances are discernible to account for so gratifying an escape, when it is remembered that pigstyes, &c.. abound plenteously in our midst, although, thanks to the Board of Health, at a more desirable distance from human habitations than formerly. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY DIVIDEND.-The dividend which has been looked for with more than usual interest and anxiety, was made known on Wednesday. It is at the rate of 5f per cent with a balance carried forward of £18,000. The dividend for the corresponding period last year was at the rate of 3i per cent., with a balance of £19,000 carried forward. There has been a good deal of speculation in Bristol in Great Western stock, and it is reported that one who ventured largely, with a view to a rise ia the market, has had to meet differences in the settlement of the account of about £ 2 !,000. A SCAVENGER AND HIS DUTIES. -No one will be surprised to hear that the filthy condition of the Dowlais streets formed a subject of comment at the Merthyr Board of Health on Wednesday, and without further ndo, the re- sponsible person—John Davies was, upon the recommen- dation of the Surveyor, fined £1 for not exercising his scraper according to contract. The defaulter's plea. was interpreted bya member of the Board, who said that Davies found a want of co-operation on the part of the inhabitants in neglecting to deposit the refuse for removal until an ad- vanced hour of the day, long after his round was finished. This allegation at once exposed Inspector Williams to criticism, and from the sentiments of some members, which were given expression to in no measured terms, it was evident they considered Williams not sufficientlyassiduous in discharging the duties of his office. Ultimately the clerk was requested to advertise fir a fresh Inspector, and Wil- liams will, as soon as practicable, be transferred to the sewage farm. DEATH OF MRS WILLIAMS, OF PENYRADWY. — We regret to announce the death of this lady, which took place on Monday last. The sudden and melancholy announcement caused no little shock in the neighbourhood, from the fact that the deceased had till recently been in her usual health. On Sunday morning, whilst preparing for church, she was suddenly seized with a fit. Medical flid was as soon as practicable despatched from Merthyr, but proved of little avail, owing to the severity of the attack and the advanced age of Mrs Williams. DEATH OF MRS DAVIES, OF AISERDARE.—We regret much to announce the death of Mrs Davies, at the West of England Pank, Aberdare. The deceased lady was the wife of Mr Thomas Davies, manager of the West of England Bank. and daughter of Mr Roach, of the Castle Hotel, Merthyr. THE LATE 1\ln8 BRUCE PRYCE.—The remains of the late Mrs Bruce Pryce (step-mother of the Home Secretary) were interred on Wednesday morning at St. Nicho'as. There were present at the funeral —the Right Hon H. A. Bruce (Home Secretary). Mr Alan Cameron Bruce, Mr Robert Oliver Jones, the Rev Roper Trevor Tyler, Mr Bashby, the Rev Walter Evans, Mr Bradley, and Dr Paine. A large number of tenants and workmen also were present. The burial service was read by the Rev W. Conybeare Bruce, rec'or of St Nicholas. DEMISE OF A, NONAGENARIAN.—We have to record the demise of Mr David S. Davies, Pond Side, father of Dr E. W. S. Davies, Mountain Ash, at the ripe age of 94 which took place at his son's residence, Duffryn Cottage, at seven o'clock on Tuesday morning. The deceased gentle- man was an old inhabitant of Merthyr, where he had. in bis earlier days, filled many important public offices. He was chief constable of Merthyr at the time of the Merthyr riols His intellect sustained him to within a week of his death. Though he had reached this extraordinary age he used to take in regularly the daily papers, and seemed to take more interest in the public questions of the day than many people 60 years his junior. SMALL-POX. — This dreadful disease continues to spread rapidly. On Wednesday Miss Crookea died after three or four days' illness, of this disease. She was a young lady greatly respected, and great sympathy is felt for the be- reavement to which her friends have been subject. RAILWAY APPOINTMENTS.—The Taff Vale Railway Com- pany have removed Mr Morgan flate station master at Troedyrhiw), to their station at YMtrad, in the Rhondda Valley, where he will act in the same capacity. During theltitne he was in Troedyrhiw, he won the esteem of all classes, for his uniform attention and cour-'esy. He is suc- ceeded at Troedyrhiw by Mr Masters late of the A berdare station. WARNING TO^SHOPKEEPERS.—SHERIFF COURT GLASGOW. —WOTHERSPOON v. "TEYL ALn application for interdict at the instance of Messrs. Wotherspoon & Co., the manufac- turers of the Glenfield Starph, against Matthew Steel, grocer, Buchanan-strect, Glasgow, the Sheriff-Substitute on the 2nd day of February, granted perpetual interdict against Matthew Steel, the respondent, representing starch not manufactured by the petitioners to be Glenfield Starch, or selling or attempting to sell the same by that name or by any other name in colourable imitation thereof, and from selling the same packets having thrivon the name Glenfield or any other name in colourable imitation therecf, and found the defender liable in expenses.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. Afirr.BSSED TO TUB EDITOR. The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of 1113 Correspondents THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT. SIR, -Tlie nine hours have become almost the universal day's work throughout, the country, ;nd the employers and the cmyloyes of Merthyr and its neighbourhood have been very fortunate in being spared a contest which in many otker places has cost a. very large amount of sacrifice on both sides. However, we have in Merthyr come to an amicable understanding, that instead of sixty hours, as at present, fifty-four hours sliall constitute a week's work for the future—the new arrangement to come in force on the first of next April. This reduction will be equal to one hour per day from our labour. Now, the question which may be asked of us is, to what use are we going to turn this hour which is. added to our leisure time ? Are we prepared to utilise these extra six hours a week to the improvement of our minds and to the acquisition of knowledge, and to learn the principles of cur crafts, each in his own depart- ment, so as to become abler men and better workmen? or shall the extra leisure time he thrown awav in frivolity, or piven to standing sentry, as it were, about the corners of the streets—a habit which a respectable working man would not be guilty of under any circumstances. Should our extra hours of leisure be thus thrown away they will, instead of being a blessing to us, become an additional source of our degradation. Therefore, Mr Editor, I beg your per- mission to appeal to the young men of various trades to utilise their leisure hours by availing themselves of the opportunities now open for them in the Science Classes which are conducted in the town. and assisted by Govern- ment grants. In these classes, both young men and men advanced in years, may learn the principles of their respec- tive trades, and qualify themselves to become first-class men in their own departments. I am persuaded that there is no district in the United Kingdom which stands in more need of technical education tha> this district of Merthyr Tydfil, which is a centre of industrial productions, second to none in the iron and coal districts ill the kingdom yet how slow we are in embracing the opportunities now brought to our doors in the shape of Evening Classes, which have been carried on for the last two years. Instead of the attendants at tliene classes being reckoned by tens they ought to be by hundreds, as they are in districts not so populous as ours. Working men of Merthyr do not allow it to be said that we are standing still while others are marching with the age. Cardiff and Swansea are taking up the work with much better spirit than Merthyr, and as a matter of course the men of those towns will look upon us as an inferior class of workmen, and very naturally treat us with disdain when they come in contact with us. If the people of Cardiff and Swansea, who are mere re- ceivers and distributors of our produce, consider it neces- sary to acquire technical and art knowledge, how much more necessary must it be for us, who are th? producers of wealth, than for those towns which are mere channels for distribution. It is very true that in years gone by we were so well off that neither employers nor employes had paid but very little attention to technical education—the one being taken up with accumulating wealth, while, unfortun- ately, too many of the others were wasting their strength between the tap-room and their political agitations. How- ever, the advantages which we once had are gone for ever. And if we are to keep on a level with our fellows in other parts of the country, we must not fall behind them in pre- paring ourselves for the work which we have to do, other- wise we shall be obliged to enter the competitive list very much the same as a regiment of brave soldiers armed with "Brown Bess" would be in entering into a contest with another, possibly not so brave as themselves, but armed with hrccch loaders, and well drilled in their use. In such a oontijst no one for a moment would he in the least doubt as to the result, however brave the Brown Bess men might be. Therefore, Merthyr men let us take to our brcech loaders, and to our drill, which in our case should be technical knowledge, and science and art classes. Yours very truly, Merthyr, Feb. 27th, 1872. L. R. LUMLEY. -— THE BOARD OF HEALTH ELECTION. Sin, I was pleased to see in your last issue the able remarks on the coming election, and feel it my duty (with your permission) to draw the attention of the ratepayers of Merthyr to a great want in the Board of Health, and for which we have suffered in the past. In looking over the names of the remaining members on the abovcBoard I find that there is not one able to examine the practical matters which are brought before it, tfuch as the estimates, plans, and materials used for the requirements of the town. Should, such an one be there I strongly believe that he would be the means of saving a great deal of expense. Many of the most important matters that come before the Board are those that require the opinion of a shrewd practical man. Trusting that such a candidate will stand at the coming election and be well supported by my fellow ratepayers, I am yours respectfully, Feb. 28th, 1872. A RATEPAYER.

CEFN PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.—(Beft.rc D. E. Williams, Esqr.) RUINOUS EFFECTS OF DRINK.—A respectable farmer in the district was fined 5s and costs for being found drunk. and incapable on the highway the previous day, near Cwm Tafl' Farm. The apparently helpless victim to Bacchus has only within the past day or two disposed of the whole of his farm and stock at valuation, and. when discovered by the Sergeant of police, had nearly X:300 in his coat-pocket. Let us hope that the salutary advice given to the unfortu- nate man at the private hearing on Wednesday will bear good fruit. -— G — MERTHYR POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.Before J. C. Foivler, Esq.) DRUNK AND DrSORDERLY. -Catherine Leary was charged on the information of P.C. 75 with these offences and fined 5s and costs.—James Pickard, ostler, a vulgar and shame- less fellow, was charged with drunkenness and indecently exposing himself, and fined 5s and 0s 9,1 costs, or seven days' imprisonment.—Thomas King, the driver of the mail cart between Merthyr and Tredegar, was charged on the evidence of Inspector Thomas with being drunk and in. capable on Thursday last. The defendant was returning from Tredegar in the mail cart, and was so drunk when lit ariived at Dowlais that he could scarcely retain his seat in the vehicle. His master met him there, and put another person to drive to Merthyr, and defendant was placed in the 'bus. His Worship told him that he was greatly to blame for his conduct, for besides having the charge of the mail bag he might have caused a serious accident. Defen- dant said that a glass of rum had made him stupid. Fined 51 and 8s 941 costs.—Morgan Jones, charged on the informa- tion of P.S. Jenkins, with being drunk at Pontlottyn, on the 13tli instant, was fined 5s and costs.—John Coleman, of Dowlais, was similarly charged, in addition to which it was stated that he wanted to fight the landlord of the Belle Vue. Fined 5s and 8s M costs.—Mary Ann Carroll was charged with being drunk at Dowlais, and Patrick Welsh with creating a disturbance, and refusing to quit a public house. P.C. 51 and a Mrs Powell gave evidence, after which Carroll and Welsh were fined 10s and costs each, or 14 days' imprisonment. CHARGE AGAINST A PUBLICAN.—John Parry, landlord of the Anchor Inn, Merthyr, was charged with selling beer on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock.- P.C. Charley said he saw a man coming from the back of the Anchor under the influence of drink, and he then went into the house, and found a man in the back room with a pint of beer before him. The landlord and landlady said he was a lodger, and he gave his name as Morris from the Rhondda Valley. Suspecting that he gave a wrong name he took him down to the station, and he there said his name was Benjamin Evans, and that he resided at Bryant's Field, Merthyr, and that he was one of those recently injured by the explosion at Penydarren Works. He (the officer) then went back to the Anchor, and the landlady said she had given the beer, and she hoped the offence would be overlooked.—Mr Parry now said that the beer was given because the man had recently been injured, and the doctor had said that a gentle stimulant would be beneficial to his recovery.—Adjourned for a witness. A LANDLORD CONVICTING HIMSELF.—David Davies was charged with refusing to quit the Railway Inn, Pontlottyn, on Sunday evening. The landlord said the defendant was very wicked—more wicked than drunk—and refused to go out of his house when ordered. He got him up from the settle, but he would fall on the floor, and at last be had to call in the aid of P.C. Jenkins, who got him out.—In reply to his Worship the landlord said that he had had a few pints of beer in his house, but that defendant was "more unruly than drunk."—Defendant was fined 10s and costs, and the landlord was informed that he had done very wrong to have supplied him with so much drink, especially on a Sunday night. He would probably hear of the case again. THE REGISTERED LODGING-HOUSE CASE.—George Hughes was to-day convicted and fined 4Us and costs for having 24 lodgers in his house, being 12 more than it was licensed for. The necessary notices, and official sanction of the bye-laws, were fully proved by Mr Ollard, on behalf of the Board of Health, Mr Simons admitting that in this matter they had complied with the requirements of the law as by a "fluke." "GREATCRY,"&C.—The great Dowlais embezzlement case fell flat to-day. His worship said that it would be useless to send the case for trial, for, as presented, it rrust ter- minate in acquittal, as there was a step short in the case to bring it home to defendant George Lewis. He would there- fore be discharged. CHARGE OF INDECENT ASSAULT.—A respectable looking man named John Parsons, a fruiterer in the Merthyr Market house, was charged with indecently assaulting a little ginl named Mary Knight, 13 years of age. Excepting the evi- dence of this precocious girl there was nothing to prove that any assault had taken place, and the medical testi- mony showed that no assault had occurred. On her own evidence she wacs a thief, having not only borrowed money on the credit of her mother, but actually stole 3s. 2d. from defendant's house, when he had kindly taken her ir, and supplied her food and lodgings because she was afraid to go home. In return for such generosity she triunped up a charge of indecent assault.-The case was of course dis- missed, and we have no doubt after this experience it will he a long time before the defendant will again act the good S imaritan. FEAR OF A SICK MAN.—F. L. Atkins, of Aberdare, complained to the Bench that Richard Griffiths, a sickly man, too ill to attend the court, had threatened to kill him, and that in consequence lie was afraid of him. They had a row about the possession of a public-house. Mr Fowler told defendant's sister (who was present) that her brother must not frighten so timid a person as Mr Atkins, and that when he is well enough to appear in court he must be bound over. MONDAY.—{Before J. C. Fowler, Rq.) Timothy Lynch, a name familiar to the public of Merthyr, that of a youhg man who has saddled himself upon the parish for a number of years past, was brought up in custody on a charge of creating a riot and disturbance in the Workhouse on Sunday night. It appeared that the prisoner had been sent up from the house to the infirmary to act as wardsman, but having heard that an acquaintance of his had died of small-pox, Tim must needs pay his re- spects to the memory of the deceased by attending the wake," but instead of going out through the ordinary channel he got over the wall, and at midnight returned in a state the worse for liquor. He hammered like a madman at the Infirmary doora, frightened the nurse into terror, and alarmed all the patients. Mitchell the porter was sent for, and he had a violent tussle with Tim, but a constable having been sent for he was taken into custody. His Worship sentcncod him to two months' hard labour in Garoiff gaol, from which he returned only a few weeks ago. DISPUTED RATE CLAIM.—William Munroe appeared in answer to a summons charging him with non-payment of rate-. Jones said that to enable the defendant to get a licence on his house (the Pride of Erin, Quarry-row), the next door was adde I to it. The next door was a shop, now in the occupation of defendant Some time after the licence was granted defendant divided the house, thereby commit- ting a. fr.iud upon the licence. The house and shop have sincc been on one rating. Mr Jones called upon him on the 17th November, 1871.-Defendaut, in defence, said the rate had been made on the 15th October, 1871, and he had left on the 10d1 October.—Mr Jones said he left the public- house and went to the shop.—The case was adjourned to enable the defendant to procure a solicitor. A GERMAN VISIT TO CHINA AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.— Gwenllian Thomas, an unfortunate, was charged with stealing 113. 6d. from the person of Daniel Barts, a Ger- man. It appeared that complainant met the prisoner at a noted rendezvous near the Patriot, and after having a little parley he adjourned to the woman's house, where, after giving her a shilling, ho got fleeced of an additional lis 6d. Barts had taken the precaution of seeming his pockets before ontering the house, but in spite of ;,11 security she managed to extract his purse from his pocket, which had been fastened with a handkerchief. —Prisoner Did you not tell me you had only eighteen-pence about you ?—Barts To be sure I was not going to let you know vat monish I had vid me.—Prisoner: Well, I must have been clever to untie the handkerchief, take out your purse, and again put it back without your knowledge. It was adjourned till Wednesday, upon which day she was acquitted. VAGRANCY.—Evan Edwards was charged with wander- ing abroad and sleeping in the open air.-P.C. 186 gave evidence, and prisoner was sent to gaol for one month with hard labour. GIVING HER A CHALLENGE.—Eliza Jones was summoned for assaulting Sarah Hire on the 17th inst. Mr D. R. Lewis prosecuted. Complainant stated that on the day in question she was going to Dowlais when defendant came out of the Dowlais lodge, and followed her up High-street and gave her three blows, saying, Take this for a. challenge." Never did anything to provol-e her. Hannah Davies was called for the prosecution, who stated she heard defendant say to Sarah Hire that she buried a child of hers in a blacking-box on the tips."—Fined is. and costs • allowed a week to pay. WEDNESDAY.-{Before J. C. Fowler, Esqr.) VIOLENT ASSAULT ON THE POLICE ATRHTMNBY.—A rough fellow, named Thomas Leigh, was charged with assaulting Police-constable Jenkins whilst in the execution of his duty -The injured officer, who bore traces of severe manipula- tion on his nasal organ, said that on Monday evening about eight o'clock, he was on duty near the Blast Furnace Inn at Pontlottyn, and was called in by the landlord to.ejeet prisoner, who was most riotoua in his conduct. After rain persuasion, during which prisoner declared be would have a glass of beer if he incurred twelve month. in Cardiff gaol, witness pushed him out, urging him several times to go to his lodgings. After fruitlessly attempting a second time to get some beer, he knocked at the door of the house and assumed hostile manifestations towards the officer, upon whom, after a third tussle, he made a cowardly attack picking something from the road, which was assumed to be a stone, and striking witness severely across the nose vigor- ously following up this assault with heavy kicks. After a violent encounter, and just as the infuriated specimen of humanity had been cowed by the officer, Sergeant Jenkins came to the relief, and assisted P.C. Jenkins in conveying his prisoner to the lock-up at Pontlottyn, whence he was transmitted to the Dowlais police-station. His Worship characterised this as a most vicious assault, and sentenced Leigh to four calendar months' hard labour at Cardiff gaol. NOVEL CASE OF NEGLECT.-A woman named Mary Lloyd, of Aberdare, was charged with neglecting her offspring, whereby its life became endangered, or was liable to permanent injury. It appeared from the evidence of Ann Jones, wife of a collier, living in Morgan-street, Aberdare, that on Tuesday afternoon the prisoner ac- companied by her aunt, came to witness's house, asking what they were to do with the child then in prisoner's arms Subsequently they placed it on the door step, and at once walked away. Witness took charge of the child and afterwards gave information to the police. It transpired that the ehild in qustion was the alleged illegitimate offspring of witness's brother, and in consequence of her inability to get the young man to pay his just dues prisoner sought to relieve herself of this unpleasant burden by placing it where witness found it. The witness, in giving her evidence, incautiously admitted the paternity of the child by saying that her brother had admitted an improper intercourse last July.-His Worship, quoting the words of the charge against the prisoner, said it was evident she had no wilful intention to in any way commit such an offence and having passed a severe reprimand upon such unnatural and foolish conduct, dismissed her with a caution. Sophia Boswell was charged with assaulting Mary Ann James and Ann Williams. The parties are prostitutes at the River-side. Fined 5s and costs in each case, or 20 days' imprisonment.—Mary Griffiths, for being drunk and indecent, was sent to gaol for 21 days. DOMESTIC QUARRELS.—Edward Ashton, of Dowlais, was summoned by his wife. Jennet Ashton, for assaulting her. The husband wanted the wife to come and live with his mother, whilst the wife wLhed the husband to come and live with her mother, and hence a considerable amount of quarrelling since their marriage. Defendant at last struck his wife whilst she was dressing her infant child, until they were both on the floor, and the wife bled from the violence of the blows.—Mr Fowler said it was a most cowardly assault for a man to strike a womanf and especially un- natural to do so under the circumstances. He would be imprisoned for 21 days, and he hoped when he returned he would live with his wife without the interference of the mother on either side. CHARGE OF KEEPING A "CWRW BACH."—Ellen Price wife of Richard Price, labourer, Rhywney, was charged with selling beer without a license.-P.S. Rutter said that in company with P.S. Richards, of the Monmouthshire constabulary, and P C. Smith, he visited defendant's house near the Rhymney Inn, on Saturday evening, the 17th inst' He found four men sitting playing cards. In the next house (defendant occupying two houses) he found a cask of beer, and under the stairs another nine gallon cask on tap, whilst in a corner of the room there was a nine gallon oask untapped, and also two empty liquor jars. He charged her with selling beer without a license, and she replied I don't think you can prove it. No one saw me selling beer and what I got is for my lodgers."—Cross-examined by Mr Simons The men said they were lodgers in the house. The barrels were from Messrs Pearce and Shapton's brewery! —Mr Simons How did you get the information respecting this defendant ?-P.S. Rutter: TLe Rhymney Company complained of these illegal drinking practices.—Mr Simons The Rhymney Cnmpany, indeed Well, well! That pure Company, with its truck shop and brewery, complaining The learned gentleman then, in the most unsparing manner, denounced the Rhymney Iron Company as flagrant violators of the law, day after day, by their truck shop and brewery, and he also referred to certain statements of Mr Hubbuck, who was formerly a manager at the works.—Upon the merits of the case, Mr Simons raised two legal objections the first that if there was a conviction to be at all it must be against the husband, and not against the wife, as she was under his control. The offence was in the nature of a neglected fiscal obligation, and not of a criminal character, and there- fore the question of agency had to be considered. Secondly there was no evidence of sale, and as the offence had a. penal consequence it must be proved by evidence as clearly as in a charge of murder. The bench must not make violent presumptions, but must be guided entirely by the evidence of facts. Indeed, if the bench was to be guided by pre- sumption in this case, the inference would be that the four men being ledgers had simply provided such refreshments in their house as they might have obtained in a pubJie- house. The object of modern legislation was to discourage public-house drinking, and to encourage as much as possible the habit, among those who drank at aU, of eniov- ing themselves in their own houses, and among their own families. The advantage of this was conceded by everybody excepting of course by those curious and disinterested people who think that forsaking a healthy glass of beer and taking to Dandelion extract would be better. (Laughter.)—Mr Fowler said he would consider the legal objections raised, and give his decision on Saturday, but he must state that he took a different view from the learned advocate on one point incidentally alluded to. He thought that those who paid licenses had a perfect right to com- plain of the surreptitious sale of excisable drinks, as it of course placed them in a great commercial disadvantage Besides, these "cwrwbachs" were fraueht with evils greater than those usually associated with" kiddleywinks." — MRS. CRAWS HAY ON SUICIDE. A letter on this subject has recently appeared in a daily contemporary from the pen of MrsCrawshay, of Cyfarthfa Castle. We have been solicited to give it publication, which we do, omitting that portion of it only which does not directly affect the question under notice. But whether the book referred to [' Euthanasia *1 be good or bad, surely the public may be allowed to judge for itself; and if anyone suggests that the subject is one not worth troubling our heads about. I reply, that a subject which gave rise to some of the finest reflections of Seneca, and was supported by one of the best of Emperors and of men, Marcus Aurelius (who is said to have shortened his life by abstinence in his last illness), is well worth a passing thought from us giddy 'moderns.' These who would set such reflection aside, saying, 'These people were only Pagans, should call to mind that Sir Thomas More exaoiiv 6 y advocated what the author of 'Euthanasia' does nether more nor less. His view will be found in the work called Utopia,' written about 350 years ago, and as t.o of the matters which he there advocated are now <,n the eve of "PlisJrent< viz.: IV,)ni(t it's Sitffi-atle .^d the Vote by Ballot, allowing for the ten times increased rapiditv with which thought now moves, those who Uve 35 years h.nger may perhaps hear his views on euthanasia and on the encremation of the bodies of the foaA i r burial (which lies perchance at the root nf »U °f reform), discussed with as much V -unitary which we now discuss the other two subjects on which he ment weTni^To and ^lighten- generations ™ i e outePokenness of former sow the seeds of thmi Tt "^grudge each in our turn to some far-off day B which may bloom perchauce at case^f"fa t0 ;l'"onr ,our sjck P°or! one dreadful continL S attenTded rendered it impossible I should 27 t0 d? In A t'Ay house, lay the mother- t f' d)'m" of thla complaint; the whole atmosphere of the house was poisoned and one day I found her daughter h?,i i .K"V chlldren m. the depth of distress, for the husband had run away saying he could bear it no longer.' 1 he poor creature herself was daily and hourly praying- for death at last she piteously said, < Indeed, ma'am f do think death has forgotten me.' And yet, any doctor who should have dared listen to her agonised prayer, and brought her swift and sure relief, would have been in danger £ hanging. ] was daily sending her nourishment, wine, &c., while all the time my heart ached so that I felt I never could witness such suffering again and at last the dreadful question came, Was 1 not by cruel kindness adding to her awful sufferings ? And when the review of 'Euthanasia' appeared, I thanked Heaven someone had been found brave enough to speak out on this moat difficult question and I determined my help should not be wanting to direct thought to it—and who knows ? perhaps in time we shall not den y:o our own kind (when entreated as the only boon we can grant) the relief which every tender heart accords to a suffering insect ? There is even now a sign of relaxation in public opinion on the subject, else why the motion announced to come be- fore Convocation that a short form of prayer be read over non b"dieS °f suicide?» whereas, up to this time, there is 1 am in favour of the abolition of capital punishment • 1 would, at the same time, do away with a little of