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

light of intelligent developement, it at one and th- same time punishes those who would interfere witl its good work. Further, any rule or statute implie opposition, and in the cause of Education, by reasoi of the array of opposing forces, the regulation which exists to secure the recognition of the government 01 national intention is known as "the Compulsory Clause." Our own records of the workings of national education in Great Britain tell us in un- mistakeable language how necessary such a clause is, and how miserably futile our educational effort would be without it. Unfortunately its appreciation is optional, but when it has been applied the police courts bear ample testimony to its necessity, and its local administrators would as soon think of dis- pensing with School Boards altogether a. to dream of its withdrawal. All this tells us that large masses of the people cannot be entrusted with the education of their children, though we have trusted them at Merthyr, and contented ourselves with propping up the Education Act, as far as its enforcement is con- cerned, like an effigy of straw, simply for the people to knock it down again. This is bringing the law into contempt with a vengeance, but still there is no denying the fact that we have built spacious and expensive schools, and employed an attendance officer to work a large district, and—try to induce the parents to send their children regularly to school. Many of the parents do not as a general thing do anything of the kind, and the unlucky officer referred to finds that they have discovered his lack of power, and do not hesitate to take advan- tage of it We are surprised that our School Board £ 5 been in the slightest degree successful as an j Been 11 & we are gure that were it not foS untiring zeal andlocalinfluence of itemembers, lor the unuriiio orough efficiency of its officers combmed with the J most certainly not and teachers, such result supp0se we must have been realised. But ana nal ^(Kj,r be particular while dealinj^i ■ dislocate the —the ultimate infinitesimal wui words, vertebra of the "ship of the desert, „ the last straw will break the camel's biLck." Now we should not like to state that t e P wag and presented to the Board when t cy • on a mere atom of dolorous complain m the'iinti- "with similar productions called for v-tant, 0f educational spirit existing among some m this town. We should be sorry to say the kind, goodness knows matters are after all the Board has done, to need no exaggcra- tion while in the course of an argument. 1 might be more proper to say that the lengthy list referred to at last aroused the Board to decided action, by the nature of its contents, and so ™ the world that at Merthyr our local admnrush?itoire had not become oblivious to the fact that different character to those they had alrea y c pp were in existence. At any rate the happy result IS the same, and at the moment we write, for wbat we committee is considering the advisability o PP 3> o compulsion in some ot the special cases ro under their notice. We hail this result with un- bounded satisfaction, and only hope it beginning of better days., educationally an There are objections to be urged we admit, especially at this moment, and in this district, whic partially paralysed from the effects of COI?^ei° disasters. If a parent is taken into the po i and it is proved that he cannot pay his child s school fees, the Board or the Guardians must my, and then comes the question of calling" in t e a already heavily burdened ratepayers. But the question still ren.ains, shall our children be educated, and if we see to the conscientious carrying out of our duty in this respect, and the number of children in the schools is increased and the regularity of theu attendance becomes ensured, how far by the crease of fees and grants should we be assisted in is onr most righteous effort ? These are considerations for the members of our School Board, and we leave the matter in their hands, in the meantime giving utter- ance to a hope that as we have magnificent schools built here they will adopt such measures as will en- sure their being fully occupied by pupils. THE BURIALS BILL. MR. OSBOBNE MORGAN recently addressed hi3 con- stituents, according to annual custom at Wrexham The hon. and learned gentleman dealt with a variety of subjects, but the one predominant topic of the Burials Bill must necessarily possess the greatest interest for the public. For several years the mem- ber for Denbighshire has devoted himself to the solution of a problem which concerns not only Churchmen and Dissenters, but those of the com- munity who, like Grimaldi and his family during the No Popery Riots, are of "no religion at all." The right to burial in the churchyards of the country has long been earnestly contended for, and cannot be much longer denied to Nonconformists. The safety of the Establishment is more likely to be secured by concession than opposition on this points In an age when religious equality is aimed at the exclusion of members of any faith from God s Acre is calculated to excite feelings of mistrust, and when to that is added the effects of ill-will engendered by a refusal to permit the friends of the dead to choose their own service, and perform the funeral rites in a way consonant with their wishes, it must be admitted that complications of an irritating kind are likely to ■arise, highly prejudicial to the common weal, and injurious to the cause of Christianity itself It is 'quite time something was done to heal the wounds which prolonged strife has inflicted on members of various religious denominations, and next session we may expect that steps will be taken, if not to recon- cile the differences of opinion existing on the point, at least to put at rest the disquieting influences which have led to many sad scenes in churchyards, and brought discredit upon those who took part in them. Every year the popular mind becomes more thoroughly imbued with a sense of the propriety of putting a stop to the painful proceedings which usually follow upon a refusal on the part of a clergy- man to read the appointed service over the dead, or to allow the ministers of another church to adopt one of their own within the walls of the burial- j ground. The cry that the Church is in danger will no longer avail to prevent a change in the law, and it is beginning to be generally felt that Churchmen are themselves primarily interested in the adoption of a policy of conciliation. Nothing probably has tended so much to embitter the hostility of Dissen- ters towards the Establishment as the quarrels which have arisen out of the opposition of clergymen to their wishes in respect to the interment of the dead. No doubt, in the majority of cases, conscientious scruples have had much to do with the matter, but in many the letter of the ecclesiastical law has been the chief stumbling block. The theory that if once Dissenters have conceded to them the right of burial according to their own notions within the limits ot a churchyard, they will proceed to take possession of the fabric of the church, and claim the privilege of ministering therein, does not hold good The day must come when disestablishment will be accomplished, but such strength as the Establishment continues to possess, lies in concession to dissent. It is only by "caving in" at the right time the church can save even what she may be entitled to secure to herself. Prolonged opposition will lead to disastrous results, and Nonconformists will take what they have a right to, if it is not given them in a spirit of amity and good will. In the eye of the law," says Mr. Morgan, the churchyard is merely so much parish land, vested in the incumbent as to the surface for his own use, and as to the soil for the use of every single man amongst his parishioners. Every person dying in the parish has at common law a.n equal right of interment therein; and so sacred is that right that if a vicar or rector presumes to resist it he could be punished by criminal pro- ceedings." There can be no doubt on this point, and it must be obvious that injustice is wrought where these facts are disregarded. The honourable and learned member also pertinently remarked that "to say, as some people did, that because in some extraordinary or mysterious way the cnurehyard had become the property of the church by onsecratjon was to say nothing at all, because the law recognised no such mode of acquiring property and as to the popular notion that because the church stood in the middle of the churchyard, therefore the churchyard belonged to the church, it had no foundation in tact, because in early times the churchyard, so far irom being close to the parish church, or surrounding it, was at a great distance from it, and the modern custom of having the churchyard near to the church had its origin in the superstition of praying for the dead. There could be no doubt as to the right of burial, and the only thing which was iu dispute was the conditions under which that right should be exercised. This the bill deals with, and it is to be hoped that ti e ConservatiTes will unite with the Liberals in an effort to carry it. it is of the highest •possible importance that the elsh members geaerally should rally round Mr. O. Morgan, as it is evident that an attempt will be made to constitute this bill the |battle-bone of the session, and supine- ness would almost be criminal after the exertions of the past. In due course the question of Disesta- blishment will have to be settled. Meanwhile let it ,be the policy of at least the Liberal party to see the Burials Bill adopted, as ^he law of tta tand.

j LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. MASONIC BANQUET AND INSTALLATION.—The annual gathering of the members of the Loyal Cambrian Lodge of Freemasons took place at the Bush Assembly-room, on Friday evening last, when there was a strong muster of the brethren and visitors from Aberdare, Swansea, Llanelly, and other places. The lodge was opened in due form at 4 p.m., wben, after certain preliminaries, the formal presentation of a most handsome jewel was made to the retiring Master, C. Taylor, Esq., in con- sideration of his valued services during the past year. The presentation was made hy P.M. Mr. J. M. Seddon, in an able manner, and elicited a hcaity response from the recipient, who was much affected by this token of the affection and resptct in which he was held. The impressive installation of the new Master, E. Lawrance. Esq. followed, and the follow ing officers were appointed by him for the ensuing year :—Senior warden, Messrs. C. Wilkins j junior warden, D. R. Lewis; secretary, W. James; treasurer, J. D. Williams; senior deacon, W. J. White junior deacon, T. W. GoodMfow inner guard, J. Junes; outer guard, J. O. Avis. The banquet began soon after six, when the W.M. took the chair. and the S. W. the vice. The arrangements were perfect, and the streams of the substantial as welt sis of the delicacies of the season reflected exceedinly the credit of the worthy hostess, Mrs. McEachern. At 9 p.m the cloth was cleared, and the chairman, in an exceedingly happy manner opene 1 the toasts of the evening with- "To f lady, the daughter of a mason, the mother of a mason, our most Gracious Majesty the Queen," which was honoured with the most loyal and hearty plaudits. From this point the harmony was sustained admirably to the close, the selection of toasts eliciting a diversi y of sentiment, all savouring of that loyalty, brotherly feeling, and high toned moral sentiment characteristic of the Ancient Order of Freemasons. MRS. CBAWSIIAY AND HER PUBLIC WORK.—A corres- pondent of the Western Daily Mercury thus alindes to Mrs. Crawshay and her public work. "Mrs. Crawslity has been speakina very eloquently on 'Cremation,' and in a manner that demonstrates how womanly every sub- ject may be if treated with womanly dignity. This lady has recently been in town assisting at the opening of a business bureau or agency for Lady Helps.' Her letter to the papers on the drama 'All for Her' gave the play quite a lift. 1 hough it is leaving the Mirror Theatre, 1 hear it is to find a resting-place close hy. Mr. F. C. Burnand has not simply taken the Mirror Theatre he has purchased the lease." A CAUTION.—Owners of dogs, horses, and other assessable property are reminded that tho licenses payable thereon have been due since the tirst January instant, and heavy penalties are recoverable for neglecting to obtain such licenses. We understand the Inland Revenue Department have given instruc'ions for the exercise of the utmost zeal in the discovery and summoning of all defaulters. and where convictions are obtained the recovery of the highest penalties. As a result of these instructions several convictions took place at our police court on Monday. All these licenses can be obtained at the Post Office.

ADVICE TO MOTHERS !—Are you broken in your lest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of MRS WINSLOYV'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless and pleasant to taste it produces natural, quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes •' as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, re- gulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold hy Medicine dealers everywhere at Is lid per bottle.— Manufactured in New York, and at 493, Oxford-Street London. 7375

MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD. --1- The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Friday, at the Workhouse Board-room. Mr. G. T. Clark (chairman), presided, and there were also present, Mr. Thos. Williams, of Goitre (vice-chairman), the Revs. Nestor H. Williams, J. M. Bowen, O. Waldo James, Messrs. Daniel, W. Morgan, and Thos. Williams (Duffryn). • The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the following business was tran- sacted :— FINANCE. The Clerk read the report of the Finance Committee, recommending several payments with regard to advances, &c., and the recommendations of the committee were duly adopted. APPOINTMENT?. The managers of Abercanaid schools recommended the appointment of Miss Lizzie Edwards, as assistant mistress, at a salary of Ji45 a year. She was called into the room, and the appointment duly made. Tue managers of Caedraw new schools recommended the appointment of Miss Annie Hughes, as assistant mis- tress in the mixed department. This young lady is a certificated mistress, and the salary agreed upon by the managers was £70 a year. The Board confirmed the appointment for three months. The Abermorlais managers recommended the appointment of Miss Annie Richards, now of Troedyrhiw schools, as assistant mis- tress of the Abermorlais girls' school, at a salary of £40 a year. The Board confirmed the election, and Miss Richards will enter upon her new duties on March 1st, when her apprenticeship will expire. THE ADVANCE OF 3ALAUIE8. —A QUESTION. The managers of Abermorlais schools recommended that Miss Jenkins, mistress of the girls' department be advanced tLO in her salary from January 1st, 1876, and that Miss Edwards, mistress of the Infant school be advanced £5 per year. The Chairman here remarked that these recommen- dations for advances in the salaries must come, and it was very proper that they should, but something had been said about some returns being made by Mr. Stephens (the clerk) by which they might be regulated. Now, if the Board waited until these returns were ready, aud had been reported upon by a committee, it would save a great deal of trouble. He thought they should have some sort of a regular system, so that when any recommendation or application was made they could ask their clerk whether it was according to rule. Mr. Thos. Williams (Goitre) said one of those recom- mended was the oldest mistress the Board had she had been with them since the starting of the school, which was the largest now in the hands of the Board, and while she had held her present appointment she might have had several schools at a higher salary. The Chairman said he did not for a moment object to the advance in her salary. Mr. Williams: No, but I thought I had better mention it. The managers were unanimously of opinion that she ought to have this £5, bee tuse the mistress of Penydarren has £9J, and she has only £ 85. The Chairman Nicessarily you look upon it micros- copically, from your own narrow point of view, with regard to your own school, but we look at it as aSchoul Mr." Williams said it had been so dealt with by the managers, and they had arrived at the conclusion that the services of such mistresses could not be secured unless such sums were paid. The Chairman observed that some masters and mis- tresses would say how much more they could get if they went away. Now he would reply that he was sorry to lose them, but if they could get more elsewhere it was not absolutely necessary that their salanef. shoutd be advanced here. The wisest thing that the Board could do would be to have a scale by which advances could be properly regulated. r Mr. Daniel: The mistake, if it be a mistake, was first of all made at Penydarren, in the case of the Infant mistress there. She applied for an advauce of £5 simply because she was below her predecessor. That was allowed, then the mistress of the girls' school was dissatisfied because the infant school mistresss was advanced; her salary was raised, and now Miss Jenkins and Miss Edwards want the same, and the thing is going round. The Chairman asked whether they could not have a return showiug which teacher was certificated, how many children there were in the school, aud what salaries were paid, so that in the case of a recommenda- tion such as that of Miss Hannah Jenkins they could see at once what position the teacher held ? Mr. Williams But after all, sir, you cannot draw a hard and fast line. Here is the largest school of all, and it is the only one that pays its way. The Chairman l'hat may depend upon the district. Mr. Williams said the school paid f13 over and above expenses last year, so that the Board could not get to a uniform rate of remuneration. They would have to consider the number of years the teacher had been with them. The Chairman said that could be considered. But they might just observe what happened. The managers of a school went to the place, anil the question of salary arose. Now they (the managers) said, We see this mistress or this master frequently, they do their duty well, let us try in good nature to give them the advance, and if we are wrong the Board will have something to say about it." In the majority of ewes the managers did not like to be ill-natured, or to be thought ill- natured, they did not like to refuse, and a good deal of mischief was done by this good nature, it was their (the Board's) duty to be careful about all that. They could not draw a hard and fast line, but -and the-óe remarks might almost appear like a rdlection-they could approach it. Mr. Daniel said their only difficulty was that the advances at Penydarren had been confirmed by the Board, and almost immediately they h,td these other recommendations. He believed there had been a sug- gestion made by Mr. Williams for a return, such as had been mentioned, of all the schools, and he thought the question before them should be postponed till they had the returns before them. Mr: Williams I should be very sorry if you do not sanction this to-day. There is no better schoolmistress (Miss Jenkins ?) in the country, and I should be very sorry to lose her. The Chairman The drift of the remark is to postpone it till we have the returns, Mr. Daniel; tVe have had the application and recom. meadation, and if we postpone them, as we have already sanctioned Penydarren, it may appear to be a reflection. Why not settle this, and see to the others afterwards? The Chairman I would rather do that. What do you thiuk, Mr. James? .The liev, O. W. James: I do not see what reflection there is to be thrown upon Miss Jenkins and Miss Edwards if we were simply to adjourn the matter till We have the returns. The Chairman (after consulting with the clerk): Mr. Stephens thinks that the result of the return will be that they wiil get the increase. The Rev. O. W. James: Then suppose the other teacheM Rend us applications for advances. The Clerk pointed out that the scale would have to be considered, but they could not compare one with another, for instance, one teacher might have 200 scholars and another 100.. The Chairman Yes, but do not let us have it. said that because one with the 200 has had an advance that another with only 100 is dissatisfied. er d After a iurther desultory conversation, it was agreed to give the advances recommended, and a1,,) to confirm the appointment of three pupil teachers for the Aber- morlais Boys' School. THE BRIDGE AT ABERCVNAID. The Clerk presented a letter from the Education Department, and said he had answered a series of ques- tions to which it related, having reference to the erec- tion of a bridge at Abercanaid. The Chairman said Mr. Green, of Troedyrhiw, and the Board disagreed about certain matters of fact. They applied to the Merthyr B >ard of Health to ascertain what they intended to do about this brIdge, and to the Plymouth Company as to the amount ot traffic at present passing over their crossing, and likely to pass. They were informed that the Board of Health was not pledged to make a bridge, but that the subject would come before them at some future time. From the Ply- mouth Co. they had had an extract from the books showing that a very heavy traffic passed over this place, and tlLlt although they were not making iron they had exported a considerable number of tons of coal; further, that there was likely to be a very large traffic. These replies were sent to Mr. Green, and he (the chairman) hoped there would be no further controversy about it. PRECEPT. A precep' of JE1,500, to be paid in three instalments, was agreed upon, and the seal and signatures of the Board attached thereto. ATTENDANCE OF SCHOLARS. COMPULSION SUGGESTED. Mr. Simpson Evans (attendance officer) presented his report, which included a long list i.'f cases which he had visited, where children had not attended school a sum- cient numbcv of times to secure the grant. The report stated that during the previous fortnight he had con. fined his attention chiefly to endeavouring to secure the attendance of scholars at Abermorlais and Penyùarren schools for examination. The attendance at the Cae- draw schools bad fallen off previous to the holidays, but at the beginning of the year had considerably improved. There was a large number of children in the district who did not attend any school, and be had arranged with Mr. Greig, the master, to make a special effort to induce them to attend. The Chairman, in reading through a few of the cases which had been specially noted according to instructions, said there was a boy named Treharne who obviously spends his fee, and if the money could be paid in any other way it would be very much better. It was evi- dent that Mrs. Treharne was anxious to do her duty, but the temptation to spend the penny wai too much for the boy. Mr. Daniel asked whether it was not stated that the report should be considered by a committee? The Chairman thought it was, and it might be that they might decide to prosecute in some of the cases there were several good ones for that purpose in the list. The Rev. 0, W. James I take it, sir, that we must make a selection, taking a few of the worst cases. The Chairman Yes. But what I should like would be that a committee should go into that, and recom- mend us what to do. What do you think, Mr. Daniel Mr. Daniel: I thiuk so, sir. Tin; Chairman This is exactly what we want, and we have to consider now whether we can apply com- pulsion in these cases where we shall not have to pay. rhe Rev. Nestor Williams Must we not aJopt com- pulsory powers before we can do anything ? Mr. Williams (Goitre) That is a question for the committee. The Chairman No one can complain we have given them every opportunity. After a few further remarks, the report was handed over to the General Purposes Committee, who will make a recommendation next Board day. TROEDYKHIW SCHOOLS. The plans of the new buildings at Troedyrhiw were presented, aud handed over to the Sites and Buildings Committee. There was no further business. +. MERTHYR SCIENCE CLASSES. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The annual presentation of prizes and certificates to the successful students in the Merthyr Science Classes took place at the Temperance Hall last (Thursday) evening, when the Rev. J. C. Buckmaster, F.S.A., the celebrated lecturer on cookery, undertook the pleasing office of making the presentations. Mr. C. H. James presided, and there was a large at- tendance. The Chairman in opening the proceedings made a few observations pointing out the object of these classes, which was to elevate the character of the education of the working-classes. He added while speaking of the part that government had taken in the educational scheme, that no matter which party was in power it was always in advance of the people in this respect. Mr. Stephens, Clerk to the Merthyr School Board, under whose auspices these classes are conducted, read a report on the state and progress of this educational effort. In the first place the report stated that the Board appointed a science teacher in November, 1872, and ill the May following Mr. Ireland, B. A., the teacher, presented 39 students for examination. In October, 1873, the present teacher, Mr. M. J. Lyons, was ap- pointed, and clasH; were formed as followsAber- morlais school with 57 students, Penydarren 23 students Dowlais29 students. Troedyrhiw 10 students, and Aber- canaid 23 students total number of students, 142. Of the entire number, however, only 3 from Dowlais 11 from Penydarren, and 27 from Abermorlais presented themselves for examination, the two remaining, Troedy- rhiw and Abercanaid, not sending a single representa- tive. The results, too, were not encouraging, the failures principally being in physical geography' and animal physiology. This was accounted for in the report by the fact that most of the students in these departments were chiefly children from the elementary schools, who were for the most part too young to appre- hend the instructions given, and who joined the classes at the onset more through persuasion than choice and therefore exhibited very little real interest in the mat ers placed before them. After all, five Queen's prizes and 18 certificates were obtained, and the pecuniary aid from the Department JE17, besides the £7 10s. class fees In 1874 the following numbers were enrolled as students • Dowlais, 26 in mathematics and chemistry; Peny- darren, 45 in mathematics, physical geography" and animal physiology Abermorlais, 55 in "mathe- matics, theoretical mechanics, acoustics, light and heat, magnetism and electricity, inorganic chem'iatrv and geology. Total 126. The results of the E examinations were In magnetism 3 presented 2 E 1 and 1 failed. In chemistry 11 presented, 1 advanced with laboratory practice, the highest attainable award except honours 3 E 1, and one with laboratory prac- tice; 1 E 2, with laboratory practice; and 2 E 2 making in all 7 successful out of 11. In mathematics 14 were examined, but only 2 passed, the competitors being for the most part young people. In geology 3 were examined and 1 passed theoretical mechanics 3 came forward, of whom 1 obtained first and 1 second class. This is generally considered the most difficult subject in the department. In acoustics, light and heat, 3 examined, 1 first and 1 second class. I; animal physiology 15 came for examination, 2 obtained ad- vanced second class, and 1 E first, and 2 E second In physical geography 39 were examined, of whom 10 obtained E 1 and 6 E 2. Thus students passed in all the subjects taught. Since the beginning of the session some members of a very promising class, which had been formed at Dowlais for the study of machine draw- ing, and which had broken up owing to the disturbances in local trade, presented themselves for examination The department did not consider the exercises worked sufficiently well to ensure the candidates certificates In the early part of last year a series of lectures on national science were delivered by Mr. Lyons, at the Abermorlais school, and while being well attended, ap- peared to excite considerable interest. A similar series were opened last Thursday evening. Classes are already established on the various subjects at Abermorlais Penydarren, and Twynyrodyn. At present there are about 70 students at Abermorlais, 36 at Penydarren and 20 at Twynyrodyn. By a rule of the Department youths in elementary schools who have not passed the 6th standard of the Educational code are now ineligible to be presented, and consequently those at present at- tending the classes are more advanced than those pre- viously registere 1. In this district, where chemistry plays so important a part in the native manufacture a good laboratory might be thought to be very desirable and if the students were forthcoming the Board mio-ht perhaps be able to arrange for the putting up of the necessary apparatus. For the encouragement of others it may be mentioned that the youth wh. achieved the highest possible results in laboratory practice, except honours "iit this year trying for '"honours. Mr. Buckmaster then rose to deliver his address and was received with loud applause. He commenced by speaking of the mental discipline required to become a successful student in science or ait, and proceeded further by pointing out that those who were not suc- cessful need not be quite discouraged, for the most perfect system of examination was not infallible. He pointed to the necessity of education for people who had grave political duties to perform, and in glowing language pointed the joys as well as the physical and mental profits to be realised by a proper application of science to the uses of every day life. In reply to the observation that the a.nount of knowledge to be gained at such classes must be very superficial, he referred to the want of perfection visible even in the wisdom and philosophy of the most accomplished, and for the en- couragement of young men said that perseverance and thorough self-government would never go without their reward. In the next place he held that the labouring classes had a perfect right to be trained and educate I, and then spoke in strong terms of the growing system of light reading and thinking. In conclusion he ex- pressed his belief that a study of science deepened religious belief. Prizes and certificates were distributed as follows :— Mathematics, Da.vid H. Jones, James J. Lyons theore- tical mechanics, Hugh James (prize), James J. Lyons; applied mechanics, Hugh Jatnea (prize); acoustics, light ami heat, William Rees (prize), Michael Fleming magnetism and electricity, Wm. Rees, Evan Owens; inorganic chemistry, Wm. C. Prosser, Hu<rh James (prize), Cbas. Williams, James G. Rees, Evan Owens (prize), John Tumbrell (prize, 2), John S. Dickson (priza); geology, John Beavis, William Rees (prize) animal physiology, John S. Dickson (prize), William Rees (prize), James J. Lyons, Richard John, Mary A. Lewis (prize, 2); physical geography, David J. Rees, I Joseph Edwards, Martha D. Williams, James yT, Lyons, JohuA, WiUiaias, Em Qweaa (prize),

MERTHYR POLICE COURT. SATURDA Y .-( j; fore Å. De Rutun, Esq.) INLAND REVENUE PROSECUTIONS.—John Jones was summoned for havin kept a dog without a license. Mr. Lewis (Williams and Lewis) appeared for the defendant, and stated that he h t spoken to Mr. Supervisor Priest, who prosecuted, with respect to this matter, and they had agreed to the ir.'fijtion of one.fourth of the usual penalty. There was .some informality with respect to the summons, but tins would not be taken advantage of. Mr. De Rutzen imposed a fine of £15s., costs in- cluded, which was at onoe paid. John Moses, innket per, Caepantywyll, was summoned in answer to a similar charge. Mr. Priest stated that this was a rather aggravated case. Defendant was in good circumstances, :md had kept the dog nearly a year without taking out a license. His Worship imposed a fine of £2 10s., costs included. Defendant's son paid the money. Thomas Price, Georgetown, who did not appear, was summoned for a similar offence. Service of summons was j roved, and evidence in support of the charge was given by Excise-officcr Lloyd. A penalty of £1 5s., inoluding costs, was imposed. A letter from the defen- dant to the Com mi.-non ers of Inland Revenue was handed in by Mr. IMest to the Bench, from which it appeared that the man was under an impression that the license was transferable, he having obtained the dog from a person who had taken out a license. DKDNKAKDS. —Hannah Daley, married, her second appearance, charged by P.C. Jenkins with drunken and riotous behaviour at High-street, on the 5th inst., was fined 5s. and the costs.-—AVm. and Edward Power, brothers, summoned at the instance of P.O. Lidenton, for similar conduct at High-street, Penydarren, on the 22nd ult., were similarly dealt with. The money was i paid in every instance. REFUSING TO QUIT.—Mary Ann Macmahon, single, was brought up charged with having refused to quit the Lamb Inn, Glebeland, when requested so to do by Mr. Evan Nicholas, the landlord, on the (jéh inst. It ap- peared that the woman had been loafing about the house for the greater part of the day, and was ultimately turned out for bad conduct. When outside she became so violent that the landlord had to br.ng her in again for fear she would smash his windows. P.C. Jenkins was then sent for, and she was given into custody. His Worship, who doubted whether the section of the Act would strictly apply to the defendant's case, cautioned, -and then discharged her from custody. He also told Mr. Nicholas that he was quite right in brin<dn°' the case forward. ° ° CHARGE OF INDECENCY.—Ann Todd, married, was placed in the dock charged with indecent behaviour at Red Cow.lane, Merthyr, on the night of the 6th inst., she being then a common prostitute. Defendant con- tended that the act spoken of by P.C. Jenkins as havin" been committed by her had been exaggerated. She had been assaulted by a man who offered her a shilling. She denied that she gained her livelihood in the way in which she was charged. The Stipendiary nfter ad- ministering a severe caution, told her that there mi-'ht be some doubt as to whether the latter portion of the charge had been made out, consequently she would be this time dismissed. A WINDOW SMASHER —Ann Richards married was brought up charged with wilfully damaging 'some squares of glass and a window sash, the property of Benjamin Hitchings, labourer, Twynrodyn It appeared that the woman's husband lodged at the complainant's house, and this was a favourite mode she had of giving complainant annoyance. Defendant, who oonfpniW that Hitchings, who was doing his utmost to^prevent her husband and herself from coming together had thrown a bucket of water over her, was fined 2s 6d and the costs. COAL STEALING AT DOWLAIS.—Mary Ann Lloyd, married surrendered to her bail charged with stealing rfOlbs. of coal, the property of the Dowlais Co on the 6th inst. Evidence was given by Mr. Henry YVilliams an effice clerk, and P.C. Evans, one of the Company's constables. Defendant, who appeared to feel her posi- tion acutely, was, owing to certain peculiar circum- stances in the case, discharged with a Caution only A BIGAMIST IN TROUBLE.—Charles Finch Bellamy was brought up on remand charged under warrant with feloniously marrying Mary Phillips> ^ia former wife Margaret Bellamy, being then alive. Mr T Phillips' solicitor, Aherdare, appeared for the defence. Tae first witness called was Levi James, labourer Quarry-row Merthyr, the step-father of the prisoner's first wife who was present at the marriage of his step-daughter to the prisoner at the RegIstrar s Office, Merthyr in April 1871, and was one of the witnesses to the'ceremony.' He gave other evidence to the same effect as that given by his wife at the previous hearing, a report ()f ^hich appeared in our last issue. He was cross-examined at some length with a view of showing that subsequent to their marriage the prisoner and his wife had agreed to live apart, and that a visit had been paid to a solicitor's office, in order that a deed of judical 8eparation might be drawn up between them. Elizabeth wife of Wm Griffiths collier, Llwynypia, who wa,' next called', stated that on the loth March last she was nre.cpnf, at Sardis Chapel, Pontypridd, at the marriage (Tf the pri- soner to her sister, Mary Phillips. Witness and her husband signed as witnesses. The married couple lived for some time at witness's house as husband and wife. Sergt. Caleb Davies, who produced the certificates of both marriages of the prisoner, deposed to arresting the latter at St. Helen's, Lancashire, on the 4th inst. Upon being told the charge against him, prisoner admitted that he had contracted a second marriage, giving as a reason that he could not live with his wife who was always running him into debt. The accused, who under his solicitor's advice, reserved his defence, was com- mitted for trial at the assizes. His Worship consented to take the same bail as before, but the prisoner not being able to procure it, was removed in custody WOUNDING A PARAMOUR.—Joseph Vaughan, labourer an elderly well-Known customer, was charged with maliciously wounding Mary Thomas, a woman who had co-habited with him for the last 13 or 14 years at Ynisgau. The evidence disclosed circumstances of great brutality on the part of the accused. It appeared that on the previous Thursday his anger was excited owing to her having charged him with stealing a florin from her pocket. After declaring he would finish her that night he, immediately he reached the house, endea- voured to throw her on the fire. Failing this he took up the chair on which she had sat, and struck her on the head with it, then he gave her two or three straight blows in the stomach with his fist, and he was after- wards seen standing over her insensible form with a poker, the point of which was bloody, in his hand. P.C. Jenkins took him into custody, and conveyed the woman to Mr. Biddle's surgery, where her head was dressed. He was committed in custody for trial at the assizes A WAGES CASE. -Edward Browning v. Wm. Jones. Mr. Plews for the plaintiff, who claimed lIs. 10d. for setting up a quantity of type for a newspaper, of which the defendant, who resides at Troedyrhiw, is the pub. lisher. It appeared that some time in August last a fire broke out on Mr. Jones's premises, and did considerable damage, and the plaintiff was then appointed salvage agent to the Insurance Company. His conduct on that occasion did not seem to have satisfied the defendant who one day last week gave vent to certain expressions concerning it, which seemed so highly to displease the plaintiff that the latter declared lie would leave on the spot. He carried this intention into immediate effect and the present summons was applied for. Defend-ctnt, who contended that the plaintiff had, by his words pro- voked the charge which he (defendant) had made, and which he could verify, if necessary, did not, practically, raise any question as to the amount in dispute. His Worship, after ineffectually attempting to effect a recon- ciliation between the parties, gave judgment in plain- tiff's favour, with costs. MONDAY.— (Before A. De Rutzen, Esq.) A RETURNED CONVICT IN TBOUBLE.—William Jones, labourer, was brought up on remand charged witb having broken one of the conditions of his ticket of leave by associating with reputed thieves and prosti- tutes. The prisoner, it would seem, had been indicted at the last sessions in company with a man named Thomas, with having defrauded a shopkeeper of six- pence, by practising upon him a trick knogvn as ringing the changes. The prisoner was acquitted, while Thomas got six months, and it was now sought to bring home against the former a charge of complicity with Thomas in an attempt to cheat a tradesman's wife, Mrs. Walters. of the General Picton Inn, Caedraw, of sixpence in the same way. The evidence, however, did not come up to the required standard, and the prisoner, after being cautioned, was discharged. DRUNIr AND RIOTOUS. -John Griffiths, engineer, was charged with an offence of this kind at Penywern on the previous (Sunday) morning. P.C. Williams gave evidence, and a fine of 5s. and the costs was imposed, and at once paid. SUNDAY TRADING AT DOWLAIS. — Jeremiah Cashman, landlord of the Green Fields of Erin beerhouse, Cae Harris, was summoned for opening bis house for the sale of beer at an illegal hour on Sunday, the 5th ult. The case was gone into on Saturday last, when Mr. Lewis (Smith, Lewis, and Jones) defended, and it was then adjourned for decision, and the production of the defen- dant's license. It appeared that a short time ago defen- dant and his next door neighbour, a man named Williams, fell out—in consequence, as was then stated, of an objection raised by Mrs. Williams to the con- tinuance of the practice to which we are abont to refer -and summonses were issued on each side for assaults and damage to windows. At the hearing of these it was stated by the Williams s family that on the Sunday in question defendant had supplied through a boarded window, common to both houses, several pints of beer at and out of proper hours. The police, acting upon that information, obtained the present summons, and also issued .sufc icenas to the Wiiliamses to give evidence in support of the charge, lheir previous statements were now reiterated on oath, and defendant's solicitor was obliged to acknowledge that he could not utruggle against the evidence thus adduced. Hia Worship, after pointing out the danger which might accrue to his license in the event of another conviction, imposed a tine of £3 and costs (an additional £1) and ordered the license to be endorsed with the conviction. STALL ROBBERIES AT DOWLAIS MARKET.-Richard Vaughan, 13, and Richard Rowlands, 13, were brought up charged with stealing halt-a-dozen cloth caps, one pair of leggings, and one vest, the property of Samuel Cliffe, cap maker, who has a stall at the Dowlais Market House and Catberrne Vaughan,Cwmrhydybedi'g the mother of the prisoner Richard Vaughan, was charged with receiving the waistcoat and leggings, which her son and the other lad were charged with stealing. Prosecutor deposed to having locked up his stall in the usual way on the night of the 24th ult., and to finding on the morning of the 1st inst. that it had been entered through a hole in the top, and the articles mentioned in the charge missing.—-George Nelson, a lad employed at the Dowlais works as a shearer, de- posed to giving tin prisoner Richard Vaughan two slices of currant cake in exchange for a cap (produced and recognised by the prosecutor as one of those he had missed.)—Edwin O'Neil, another juvenile, deposed to e&etuwgiug big own cap foe the cue mentioned hy the last witness.—John O'Neill, the brother of this youth, stated that he took the loan of this cap and wore it to the theatre, where P.C. Chorley took possession of it. That officer stated that aftor taking I he cap from the previous witness he arrested the younger prisoners, who each made a full admission of having hroken wto the stall, and abstracting the articles named in the charge. Witness then proceeded to Vaughan's mother's house, and told Mrs. Vaughan that he had come to make a search, and that she had better be cautious or perhaps she might find herself charged with receiving with a felonious knowledge any of the things found. She declared that she had nothing dishonest in her house Witness, however, searched, and after prising open a nailed up drawer with a hatchet he found the leggings (which Mrs. Vaughan stated she knew nothing about.) He then noticed her passing the vest to a neighbour, and at once took possession of it. This article the woman said she had bought in Ireland some time pre- viously. The prisoners Richard and Catherine Vaughan were then charged, the former with stealing, and the latter with receiving with a felonious knowledge, 6 brooches, 24 dress-holders, and 4 pairs of ear-rings, the property of another stall-keeper, named D.vid Evan*. The younger prisoner a'1mitted having entered this stall m the same way, and also stated that he had taken three brooches, a pair of ear rings, and three dress-holders from a glass case therein. The whole of these articles were subsequently found by the constable in the mother's house, although the woman denied stoutly that there was nothing of the kind there. His vVorship ordered a committal to the adjourned sessions in both cases.— Mrs. Vaughan was admitted to bail. WEDNESDAY. — (Before the Rer. John Griffith and Dr. Edward Davies.) A PUGNACIOUS PAIR.—Mary Ann Welsh, her fourth appearance, an1 Elizabeth Williams, her first appear- ance, were brought up charged with riotous behaviour at Y uisgau, on the previous Monday, they being common prostitutes. According to P.C. Jenkins the women had fought a pitched battle, surrounded by a crowd of 200 or 300 people. Welsh, whilst being carried nolens volens to the police-station, hit P.C. Burke rather severely in the hand. The Beuch, after stating that there were constant complaints of the conduct of women like these in the particular spot now under notice, and that they (their Worships) were determined to put down scenes of this character, sentenced Welsh to a month's and Williams to ten days' imprisonment with hard labour at Cardiff House of Correction. ANOTHER DISREPUTABLE CHARACTER.—Martha Jane Protheroe. an unfortunate, was brought up charged with drunken and riotous behaviour at Fenry-street, on the 10th inst. P.C. Jones gaveevidencc. and defendant, who had nothing to say for herself, was sentenced, in default of paying a nile of £ 2 awl the costs. to two calendar months' imprisonment with hard labour at Cardiff House of Correction. THEFT FROM A PUBLIC-HOUSE. — Ann Richards, married, was placed in the dock charged with stealing a flannel shirt, the property of Air. Benjamin Jones, landlord of the Three Salmons Inn, Three Salmons- street. It appeared that the article had been placed on a line in a back room of the house on the previous Mon- day, to dry. A servant girl nam-d Hammond saw it there on the following day, but in a few hours after- wards she missed it. Prisoner, who was in the house that day, took it-such was the case for the prosecution —to Mr. Cohen's pawnshop at Pontmorlais, and pledged it there for 2". Mrs. Richards, however, denied having had anything to do with the shirt, and contended that Miss Levinson (who had taken it in pledge, and who appeared to have no mannerof doubt as to the pledger's identity) had made a mistake. She was committed in custody for trial at the adjourned sessions. ANOTHER. —Margaret Evans, married, an elderly woman, whose address is Ynisfaeh. was brought up charged with stealing a basket con taing a pair of flannel drawers, diaper towel, two turnovers, three handkerchiefs, and two Holland jackets, valued at £1" the property of Mr. Wm. Thomas, landlord of the Britannia Inn. Bethesda-street, Merthyr. It appeared from the evidence that the basket and its contents were missed by the prosecutor's wife from the back-kitchen table on the 5th inst. Information was given to the police, and Sergeant Jennings, after ascertaining that a woman answering the prisoner's description had been endeavouring to dispose of a basket and some clothes at Pontmorlais, went and arrested the prisoner, who, after making a denial of the theft, subsequently admitted it. She also admitted having disposed of about the half of them to a woman named Murphy, residing at Lower Taff-street, for Is lOd. This woman, who was now called to give evidence, was censured by the Bench for her part in the transaction. The prisoner, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to incarceration with hard labour for two calendar months at Cardiff House of Crrection. REFUSING TO QUIT. —Michael McCarthy, puddler, Dowlais, was charged with having refused to quit the Bird-in-Hand Inn, Merthyr, when requested so to do on the previous Monday. Evidence was given by Mrs. L. J. Davies, the landlady, and also by P.C. Nicholas. Defendant was let off with a one of 5s. and the costs, and was allowed until Staturday next to pay. THE PEDLAR'S ACT.—Robert, Wilson, an elderly per- sonage, who stated that he was a nativs of Middles- boro, was brought up charged with having been found hawking without a license at High-street, Dowlais, on the previous Monday. P.C. Chorley gave evidence. Defendant, upon promising not to break the law again, was warned of the consequences, and then allowed to go.

EPPS'S ■ OCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORTING.—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws whii'h governs the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful appli- cation of the fine properties of weli-selected cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tahles with a delkately flavoured beví1rage which may save us many heavy doetors' bills. It is by the judicious nse of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until! strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attact wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and properly nourished frarne.Civil Service Uazelfe. 7J81

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDA.Y-(Bef01.e A. De Rutzen, R. IT. Rhys, and D. E. Williams, Esqs.) INEBRIATES.—Edward Jones, said to be a gentleman of independent means, residing at Cwmpennar, charged by P.C. Rees with drunken and riotous behaviour at Commercial-street, Aberdare, on the previous (Monday) night, was fined 5s. and the costs.—Thomas Morgan, labourer, found by P.C. Williams in a state of drunken- ness at Jeffery-street, Mountain Ash, on the 18th ult., was fined 2s. 6d. and the costs.—John Blake, collier, summoned at the instance of P.S. Rodman for drunken and riotous behaviour at Ffrwd Crescent, Mountain Ash, on the 4th ult., was fined 5s. and the costs as also were Josiah Brown, a haulier, summoned at the instance of P.C. Williams for drunken and indecent conduct at Oxford-street, Mountain Ash, on the 1st inst., and David Edwards, a blacksmith, brought up under a. warrant issued at the instance of P.C. Whitney charging him with an offence of a similar nature at Fforchaman-road, Cwmaman, on the 14 h March, 1874. PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS —John Evans, landlord of the Pelican Inn, Commercial-street, was summoned for having permitted drunkenness to take place on his licensed premises, on the 22nd ult. Mr. T. Phillips appeared for the defendant It would seem that on the day in question a Trecastle carrier brought a cargo of geese to this town, and the house kept by the defendant, which seems to be rather a favourite resort for persons of his class, was made his head-quarters. In attempt- ing to drive a bargain with a man named Phillips, he (the carrier) fell foul of an old enemy, a blacksmith, named Lewis, and a fight resulted, which the landlord failed to put down, but which Constable Mapps even- tually did. Both combatants were marched to the lock- up, and were afterwards fined a good round sum for for their pugnacity. When seen by the police each was found t > be in a very advanced state of intoxication, and the defendant, when spoken to, admitted the fact, with the reservaiion, however, that it was not until they had finished the fight that he fully comprehended the degree of drunkenness into which they had fallen. It was now contended on Mr. Evans's behalf that the men would, after a round or two, feel and appear more "groggy" than before, and that their state up to then might very well have escaped the defendant's notice.— The Bench, who thought that if no fight had taken place defendant would have gone on supplying them with beer heedless of their condition or anything else, imposed a fine of £2 and the costs, and ordered the endorsement of the license with the conviction. DISPUTED AFFILIATION CASE.—John Barclay, a collier, was summoned as being the father of the illegi- timate child of Charlotte Davies, a single woman, residing at Hirwain-road, Trecynon. Mr. Plows ap- peared for complainant, and Mr. T. Phillips defended. Complainant stated that she would be 16 years old next April. On the 1st ult. she gave t'irth to a male illegi- timate child, of which defendant was the father. The young man had kept her company from a short time before Christmas twelve months until up to Whitsun- tide. She had not informed him of the fact of her pregnancy, because her grandmother, with whom she lived, had shut her up in the house, and wculd not allow her to go out of doors. In cross-examination by Mr. Phillips, she denied that anything improper had ever taken place between her and any other young man than the defendant. Having heard the evidence of thr.e witnesses in corroboration, one of whom, a youth named Abednego Lewis, admitted that some rumour had been afloat, attributing the paternity of the child to him. Witnesses were al o called for the defence, one of whom deposed to having been a spectator of grossly immoral conduct on the pait of the complainant and a number of young boys. The Bench, who didn't believe this witness, made an order for 3s. per week from the birth, 5s. midlife, and the cists. The Court, which was crowded to excess, was cleared of women and boys during the hearing. ANOTHER AFFILIATION CASE.—Elizabeth Evans v. Benjamin Lewis, collier. Complainant in this case, who resides at Abernant, sought to recover a sum of 24s., due under an affiliation order made in the early part of last year. The Bench made an order for imme- diate payment of the amount, with a month's imprison- ment with hard labour in default. The money was found by the young man's mother. A WARM DISPUTE.—Janet Evans. single, was sum- moned for having assaulted Mary Jones, single, on the 21st ult., at Cynon-road, Mill-street. Mr. Beddoe pro- secuted, and T. Phillips defended. The dispute in this case was about an oven. Defendant's mother contended that it was her turn to bake, while complainant's mother denied it. Ultimately defendant used a stick, but the Bench, believing that under the peculiar circumstances of the case she was to a great extent j ustitied in so doing, dismissed the summons.

A REWARD or B20 is offered by Messrs. Reckitt and Sons, of Hull and London, for information that shall lead to the conviction of any person selling imitations of their Paris Blue in Squares. It is easy to detect the cheat, as the Paris Blue "wed in he Prince if Wales' Laundry," is only genuine when sold in squares wrapped up in pink paper, bearing I. ftwiatt §90*' mm gd trade mark, 7377

INFANTS' POWDERS.—Thousands can testify tiiat the Eiiropa Infarcts' Life Preservers," have saved life, after all oth ;r adeertiscd remedies, and the best medical skill, half be;n tried in vain.—They contain no Opium, or anything in uncus to the youngest Infant, therefore are the only ta/e M'Hciin to give Infants while Teething, &c, —For Measles, S arlatina, Inflammation, Fits, Costiveness. Bronchitis, and all disorders of Children from one week to 12 yean old, they are In the most severe attacks, it a dose be given every four hours or so they never fail to check the disease, and thereby arrest danger. Mother8 by ruing them tave their Ojfupring and escape tM dreaded Doctor'e bill:ø. -Testimonials, direëthns for use, and other particulars enclosed with each packet. Sold by all Chemists and Medicine Vendors at Is lid and 2s Hd per packet. Caution —Avoid all Soothing Syrups, ani so called Powders. They kill more Infants than all the dis sases of Children put together.—Notice.—When you ask for the" Europa Life Preservers," eee thút you get them, as other cheap, but worthless, and perhaps dangerous substitutes may ba offered by unprincipled parties.- Wkoleeale 4.qenil- Ijondjn—Barclay and Sens, W. Sutton & Co, Mather Ac !iri.!ol. J. A. Reper & Co; Cardiff, S. P. Kernick most whol sale houses, and from the sole Proprietor B.A. George Fami y Chemist, Pentre, Pontypridd.—A packet free per poet lor 16 or 34 stamps. 7379

WHAT THE WOKLTT^AYi. (Notes by "Atlas.") Some Bayswater burglars have made rather a bad shot of it. Having broken into the house of a well- known doctor in the neighbourhood, they were dis- turbed in the net of attempting to break open the plate-chest, and had to make off with the first tiling they could lay their hands on—a suit of clothes. Un- "fi-riunately for the thieves, the suit was one specially kept by the doctor to be worn when visiting cases of malignant fever, and if, ignorant of this, the burglar* have been trying it on," the police will not have much difficulty iu securing them. There is, I understand, a hitch in the arrange- ments regaiding the decision of the Royal Academy to create additional associates, which may, however, be solved before the end of the month, the time for election. Meantime the law officers of the Crown are being consulted on the point. It is said that Mr. Water- liouse, the architect, has a good chance for one of the vacancies. A really well-deserved promotion Major C. B. Brackenbury, R.A., of the Intelligence Department, is, I see, to. be made a lieutenant-colonel. There is, I hear, not a little grumbling at the Carl- ton and elsewhere at the recent additions to the peerage. People are saying that whilst the new peers are men who have doue little or notbing for the Oou- servative party, those who have worked and fought hard, some of them for more than a quarter of a cen- tury, in the Conservative ranks, and hnve spared neither time nor money in the service of their party, are passed by unrewarded. The Premier should re- member that there is a powerful section of the Conser- vative party that would like nothing better than to see another member of the Cabinet become First Lord of the Treasury. The New York detectives are very much exercised over the whereabouts of Boss Tweed. One report represents him as having taken refuge in the Adiron- dacks and another as having been seen in Havana. I have heard a rumour, which I give under reserve, that he is in Madrid actively engaged with JUnes Stephens, ex-Head Centre, andAchtlle IJazaine, ex Field-Marshal, in forming a Co-operative Society for the Introduction of Patent Escape Movements. There will naturally be a branch in Geneva,of which M. Henri llochefort is the prospective manager and as Mr. Alexander Collie is also said to bein Spain, his experience might be availed of. The_"e is an individual in London zealously quali- fying for a partnership. That was a curious scene which was presented on New Year's Eve at St. Alban's, Holborn. There is a disinclination among the Ritualists to celebrate what they call "Mass "at these midnight services, chiefly on account of the impossibility of keeping out people who, after carousing at some neighbouring gin-palace or other, are apt to stumble into some of the < pen churches, aud commit very displeasing vagaries. Mr. Stanton accordingly invented a short service for the occasion, consisting of hymns, prayers, and a sermon on the subject of death, which he deli- vered to a congregation composed almost entirely of working-people — artisans, costermongers, out-door toilers of every class, and pi inters' devils," who scam. pered into the church in their inky blouses and grimy faces. All were welcome. There wasneitherchoirnor organ only an harmonium, on which Mr. Stanton played the melody,of each liy inn and then led the singing. The preacher, who is a typical Ritualist, wore only a cas- sock, and spoke to the people present much as he might have addressed tliem in their own homes. Gifted with marvellous eloquence, "Father" Stanton, as the congregation call him, offered to the spectators' gaze a singularly-striking figure as he dramatically depicted the fearful uncertainty of life, before abruptly con- cluding his sermon by saying, "I wish you all a very happy new year." Miss Elizabeth Thompson is not alone in the design of giving us a painting representing that episode ot the Crimean "War of which we have lately had such & surfeit—the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava. Sir. T. J. Barker, whose picture of The Allied Generals before Sebastopol" and The Relief of Lucknow are well known, has taken up afresh a sketch of the charge which he commenced five or six years ago. He will introduce Butcher Jack and other celebrities into the work, and I understand that the President of the Royal Academy has seen and approved of it as far as it has gone. Among impending cases in Sir James Hannen's dingy little court at Westminster is one in which the co- respondent, who holds high military rank, is said to be nearly ninety years of age.

The Globe is informed of the equipment of a Spanish expedition for the Sulu Archipelago, the object having connection, it is believed, with some indignities suffered by Spanish subjects. Dr. G. H. Davis, the Secretary of the Religious Traot Society, has been compelled, on account of impaired health, to retire for the present from all engagementsr and to seek rest on the Continent. The TimC8' Paris correspondent states that anxiety is felt as to Queen Isabella's health, the measles she has just had having left her in a state of prostration from which she seems to hare a difficulty in rallying. The Deutsche Zeitung says that on the Exchange at Trkste it is asserted that England is persuading the Khedive to purchase Tunis and Tripoli, paying the Porte one hundred millions of francs for them. At the Nottingham quarter sessions, a miner in the employment of the Clifton Colliery has been charged with defrauding the Colliery SickSociety. The prisoner was a member, and some time ago obtained a certificate of illness. He was then put on the sick list; but it turned out that while receiving the money he was working elsewhere. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. The Scotsman gives an account of the condition of the Scotch coal miners which contrasts strangely with the condition of the same class two years ago. Most of the unions are broken up several ex-secre- taries have had to resume work in the mine," when work was to be had; hundreds of men are unem- ployed and those who are still at work are restricted to half time. In order to avoid the discharge of the men now employed in the dockyards, the Treasury has now sanctioned the expenditure necessary for the retention of artisans now engaged in carrying out work on vessels already in hand, although such expenditure may cause an excess over and above the sum for labour which was voted in the navy estimates for the present finan- cial year. According to the John Bull, the new Society for the Rejection of the Burials Bill" is already a great success, a very large number of clergy and laity in all parts of the country having joined,and expressed their hearty approval of the movement. At the Mansion House Police-court, London, a case of theft under peculiarly distressing circumstances has been decided by thf Lord Mayor. Thomas Allsopp was charged with stealing two geese from Leadenball Mar- ket, and evidence of the robbery having been given, it transpired that the prisoner's wife had only just been discharged from a lunatic asylum, that lie had been reduced from domestic affliction and other causes, over which he had no control, from master to a journeyman butcher, and by degrees to a state of starvation. The Lord Mayor discharged the prisoner, and allowed the wife a sum frofl^ ihe BMT Utf to relieve their imme- diate wants,

EXTRAORDINARY CURE OF A COUGH.—" Her Ma je'ty's Gun Boat, Netley,' Wick, North East Coast e Scotland.—Dear Sir,—Having had a most distressing Cough, which caused me many sleepless nights and restless days, 1 was recommended, by His Lordship the Earl of Caithness, to try your most invaluable Balsam of Aniseed, and 1 can assure you, with the first dose I found immediate relief even without having to suspend my various duties and the first small Bottle completely cured me, therefore I have the greatest confidence in fully recommending it to the million. Most respectfully yours, W. Linzell, H.M.G.B. Netley.'—To Mr Powell." Powell's Balsam of Aniseed can be had of all Chemists. In Bottles at Is ljd and 2; 3d. Warehou e Blackfriars Boad, London. Ask for Powell's Balsam o/ Aniseed." s 37

FLONITME I—FOR THE TEETH AND BREATH.A few drops of the liquid Floriline sprinkled on a wet tooth-brush produces a pleasant lather, which thorongbly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness, and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour arising from decayed teeth or tobacco smoke. The Fragrant Floriline," being composed in part of Honey and sweet herbs, is deli- cious to the taste, and the greatest toilet discovery of the age. Price 2s 6d, of all Chemists and Perfumers. Prepared by IIMlJ Q. GALJm, 198 Osfwd-tfteet

SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT. A man, aged 38. named Israel Brown, has met his death in the Manor Colliery, Sheffield, under pecu- liar and shocking circumstances. He was standing at the bottom of the pit shaft, when a small bolt became detached from the cage, which was 200ft" from the bot- tom,and,facing with great velocity, penetrated the poor fellow's head, causing death shortly afterwards.

NOT GOOD-LOOKING ENOUGH. A very amusing case has been heard by the Sheffield magistrates. Louis Koening, a Jewish gla- zier, had arranged with Jacob Canter that he should marry Canter's daughter, Fanny,' aged about twenty, then living at Riga. Koelling accordinglYPlid Fanny's fare to Sheffield, but when the lady saw her intended, she said he was not good-looking enough, and de- clined to become his wife. Koening became violent and assaulted her; hence the summons. He was bound over to keep the peace.

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (ANIMALS) ACT. The General Steam Navigation Company have beetv summoned before the Lord Mayor and Alderman Sir R. Cardenatthe Mansion Honse, L(\nd0n, to answer a summons which charged them with having infringed one of the regulations of the Pi ivy Council, relat.ing to the cleansing of the lairs and gangways along which foreign cattle brought to this country in the company's vessels passed on their way from the vessel, whereby they had incurred penalties of £ 5 for every animal imported which passed along the gangways and into the lairs after such neglect.—The Lord Mayor or- dered the company to pay a fine of Is. per head for every animal, 1,684 in number.

SIR JOHN MANTELL AND VAGRANTS. At the Salford Borough Police-court, William Davis, 37, and John Gibson, 36, have been charged, under the Vagrant Act, with sleeping in a bric!<croft in Ellesmere-street, Regent-road, Salford, on the 7tli Inst. At an early hour on the morning named the prisoners and another man (who has since been brought up and discharged) were found by Tolice- constable White sleeping in the brickcroftin question. The owner, Mr. Pritchard. having frequently been troubled by tramps resorting to his premises, had given instructions that they were not to be pei nutted to remain but Gibson asserted that he had leave from the men in charge in consideration of his having given them some tobacco. A remand was granted from Saturday in order that the men in question might lie called, and they now denied Gibson's statement. With regard to Gibson, all that was known of him was that he was a mule-spinner out of employment and in a. destitute condition, and that he came from Bol- ton. The police had no record against him.—Fir J. I. Mantell asked Gibson why he was out of employ- ment- and sleeping in the brickcroft.—The prisoner I can only work at certain things I am lawie. I could not get an]' work in my !ine.-Sir John I shall give you three months, with hard labour. As long as I sit on this bench popular clamour will not deter me-from doing- my dfity.—With regard to Davis, it was stated that he worked at the brickcroft, and that having had a quarrel with his wife on the night in question, he had gone there to escape her. Police- 80nstable White stated that he knew Davis as a drunken, idle fellow.—He was discharged. —Sir John Mantell was the magistrate who sentenced a man named Bennettto three months'imprisonment for sleep ing before a brickcroft fire on a cold night, and whose sentence was a day or two ago remitted by the Home Secretary.

THE GLADSTONE DIVORCE SUIT. In the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, further proceedings in the extraordinary divorce suit of Gladstone v. Gladstone have been taken before the Right Hon. the President, Sir James Hannen. It will be recollected that some time ago Mtfs, Gladstone, who, previous to her marriage, resided with her father, a gentleman of considerable property, named Taylor, at St. Lawrence Lawn, Exeter, pre- sented a petition to the court for dissolution of her marriage with Captain Gladstone, of the Royal Marine Artillery, on the ground of adultery. After the mar- riage the parties lived at St. Simon's-road, Southsea, as proved at the first trial, on very unhappy terms. After a very lengthened inquiry the result was in favour of Mrs. Gladstone, and his lordship made a decree nisi. Previous to the time at which it would have been open to Mrs. Glad- stone to apply to his lordship to make the decree ab- solute, the Queen's Proctor intervened, and then another long trial took place, it being allege 1 that Mrs. Gladstone had committed adultery with Captain Durnford and Captain Bridgford, brother offic< rn of her husband. Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., appeared at that trial for Mrs. Gladstone, and, although the suit was car- ried on with the greatest determination and energy, Mrs. Gladstone again was successful in proving the allegations against her were false and the jury returned a verdict to the elfectthat the lady had not committed adultery with either of tile officers men- tioned, and, on the application of Mr. Hawkins, his lordship made the decree absolute. The application in the present instance, which was made by Mr. Inder- wick, Q.C., was for an order for varying the marriage settlement. The report of the registrar set out that Mrs Glad- stone should have the £200 per annum she brought with the settlement, and that her husband should allow B100 for the education of their child, and all other rights and interests Captain Gladstone had in the settlement should be extinguished. Opposition was raised by Captain Gladstone to the arrangement, but after a discussion between Mr. Inder- wick and Mr. Bayford,the latter of whom appeared for Captain Gladstone, the learned judge confirmed the registrar's report.

THE COMIC PAPERS. (From Punch.) ADVICE FOR THE NEW YEAR.—Think before you Rink. WHAT HERZEGOYINIANS FIND, BCT LONDON STOCK- BROKERS DON'T.—Turkish Bonds hard to Bear. THE PRINCE AT CEYLON.—Mr, Punch is authorised to state that.in commemoration of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to Ceylon, Point de Galle is, in future, to be known by the name of Point de Prince de Galles. (From Fun.) ARCH ARCHERY.— Nellie: "Well, Hilda, and it Charlie Smithson doesn't propose, I'm sure of Harry Ramsay. I always like to have two strings to my bow !"—Hilda Indeed well, it seems to me more like having two beaux to your string A DIVIDED DUTY.—" I say, Jimimer, you know what teacher was a say in about we must watch and pray. S'pose you stop 'ere and pray, while I watch at the end of the court for Billy Purvis and chump 'im over the 'ed with 'art a brick as 'e goes by LOVE ON ONE SIDE. As the moon, "cold and chaste," swells the bosom of ocean, And the sirens sing songs that seduce us to sea, So the woman I love fills my heart with emotion, Though I know that she cares not a button for me Why should I be foolish and waste my affection On a bright and cob) moony and sirenlike bride ? The best that could happen would be lilY rejection— For I know that our love would be all oil one side r It is strange how a love, with its wild fascination. Will so utterly obfuscate reason and sense, That 'twill run you away into infatuation, There to conjugate Love" to its ultimate tense I But I won't be a victim, and marry a statue That I can't to the British Museum confide (pould you bear loveless Fyes staring stonily at you ?) No I won't be a husband with love on one side 1 (From Judy.) SHORT MEMS. FOR SHORT MEMORIES. DISTINCTIONS AND DIFFERENCES.—Statements have recently been made that "differences exist between the Khedive of Egypt and Mr. Cave, M.P., who has been sent out to Cairo by the British Government to give the ruler of Egypt advice on financial matters." These differences have now disappeared, and there reo mains only the distinction-proverbially without a difference—which the Premier has conferred upon Mr. Care. NAUTICAL MEM.—It is not generally known that when the captain of a ship orders Silence, fore and aft," even the vessel is not.allowed to answer her helm. ON BALLOONING.—The flying machine which has been tried at Woolwich, with a view to utilise such machines for military purposes,has not hitherto proved a success but whether the inventor will eventually make it fly or not, is naturally a matter of a pinion. CONTRADICTORT.—A prisoner, who was unexpectedly discharged by the magistrate at Bow-street the other day, shewed his delight, according to the report, by absolutely jumping for joy." Of course, he vas very pleased, and yet it can hardly be said of him that his joy knew no bounds," could it?

In the obituary of the current number of the Illus- trated London News is recorded the death of a lady who had been the mother of 28 children. She died in her 84th year. Lord Derby, has arrived in London from Knowsley. It is expected that he will remain in town for some time. Mr. John Holms, M.P. for Hackney, addressing a large meeting at Sheffield on the subject of army rc- form, said the new scheme was unworthy of a Geiman schoolboy. The result of each alteration seemed simply to produce an increase of officers. If they did what the Duke of Cambridge proposed, they must add at least seven and a-half millions to the army estimates this year, aud afterwards four millions per year. As to conssription~ there was not the smallest clianc» of its being acceptable to the English people

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