The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

THE FOURTH GREAT TRIENNIAL HANDEL FESTIVAL. In June next, the great national event, the fourth Triennial Handel Festival, takes place. The arrange- ments are on a scale of unrivalled grandeur, and may be expected to surpass all previous triumphs at Syden- ham. Those who have assisted at a Handel Fes- tival in the Crystal Palace can never forget it: those who have not, can form no idea of the magnificence and brilliancy of the scene, of the marvels of music and song which sweep through the incomparable pile. The Festival is worthy a voyage round the globe to witness. It is altogether unique. The Programme truly says, "the world can show nothing like the coup d'œil presented, when the serried ranks of the 4,500 singers and players rise one above another, backed by the organ, which is itself an edifice when an audience outnumbering the population of many a famous city occupies every coign of vantage; and when the eye, carried beyond or above all, rests upon the airy fabric and delicate tracery of a building winch not even familiarity can make less than marvellous. There is every element of grandeur in the picture thus presented, while the moral effect arising from its object acquires greater force by means of the impression made upon the senses. It is emphati- cally a spectacle characteristic of the times now present; an evolution of modern power and mo- dern enterprise. Twenty years ago the Crystal Palace itself was but a thought in the mind of the genius to whom we owe its fairy beauty and less than twenty years ago the notion of giving Handel's oratorios by means of an orchestra 4,500 strong had not occurred to the boldest fancy, save, perhaps, as an impracticable dream. In the Handel Festival, there- fore, is presented an embodiment of latter-day pro- gress, an outward and visible sign of a revolution still going on, which is to end—where ?" Sir Michael Costa retains the post he has held from the beginning as general-in-chief. Numbering not less than on previous occasions, the band will comprise all the leading professional players, including the orches- tras of the Crystal Palace, the Italian Operas, the Sacred Harmonic Society, the two Philharmonic Societies, and members of the best provincial bands. These alone, however, would not suffice and, as heretofore, a careful selection will be made from the mass of ama- teuis, whose services are so readily placed at the dis- a careful selection will be made from the mass of ama- teurs, whose services are so readily placed at the dis- posaL of the directors. That the orchestra thus con- stituted will be equal to its work is beyond a doubt. As regards principal vocalists, the managers appeal for the present to the confidence deserved by the engagements made on former occasious. The public may take tor granted that the highest available talent will be secured to honour an occasion and to interpret work for which it alone is competent. The excellent airangements made by the managers, and their liberality towards the public, will doubtless attract a more numerous assemblage than the building can hold. We would advise all who intend going to the Festival to make application for tickets without delay. The necessary information will be found in our adver- tising columns. _— GOOD NEWS FOR GAS CONSUMERS.—The price of gas in Bristol is to be reduced threepence per thousand from the 1st July next.

ELY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. This excellent institution, founded on the models of industrial schools at London, Leeds, Liverpool, and other places, has now been opened more than seven years, and during that time, under good management, has fulfilled all the wishes of the Guardians of the Cardiff Union. It was well known before the new Poor Law came into operation that pauperism was to some extent hereditary. "Once a pauper and he continued a pauper the rest of his days," was the remark of an old statesman, and it was to break up this continua- tion of pauperism from generation to generation that industrialschoolssimilarto that at Ely were established; but at Leeds, London, Liverpool, and other places the system of training the children up to trades is carried out far more extensively than at Ely, and artificers of various kinds are engaged as teachers in the more ordin- ary professions of life. At Ely, however, the system of blotting out the word "pauper" is carried by the guar- dians to the fullest possible extent. The ordinary dress of the children partakes in no degree of the workhouse character, and when leaving the school for a new home every trace of pauperism is obliterated. The effect of such an arrangement can only be estimated by the fact that formerly these children woujd have been permanent paupers now scarcely a single child returns to the school as a pauper. The school was built from a design by Mr. C. E. Ber. nard, of Cardiff, and has been added to from time to time as the increasing number of children required increased accommodation. There is now space for 320, but at present there are only 244 children at the school. There are schoolrooms, workshops for tailors and shoe. makers, a large piece of ground for cultivation by the boys under the guidance of an industrial trainer, while the female industrial trainer teaches the girls the ordinary useful household work, and the matron teaches them how to make their dresses, &c. The establishment is essentially educational, but industrial pursuits are also carried out even to the smallest, who are taught knitting. To effect this object there are fifteen officers, including the master and matron, be- sides two unpaid servants. There are a schoolmaster a schoolmistress, an infant schoolmistress, an assistant infant schoolmistress, a female industrial trainer, a nurse, a cook, a tailor, a shoemaker, a music teacher, and a male industrial trainer, who are paid salaries amounting to over £500 a year the cost of provisions for the officers amounting also to about .£250 more. The cost of the food, clothing, &c., of the children amounts to £2,316, which, with rates and taxes on the school of £83 a year, bring up the total to about £3,1[0 a year, exclusive of the salaries to the chaplain and medical officer, who hold their appointments in con- junction with similar appointments at the workhouse. In return for this outlay 244 children are at the pie- sent time supported, trained, fed, and clothed, and prepared for some useful occupation in life. The Poor Law Board also remit half the salaries of the officers, or about £250 a year, while the profit on the children's labour also amounts to about £150 a year, reducing the total cost to about £2,650. Since the opening of the school in 1863, 800 children have been admitted, who had previously been inmates of the workhouse, and whose parents were paupers there, or who had deserted them, or that they were destitute orphans. Of these 350 have been sent to service or apprenticed, or sent to some useful occupa- tion, the remainder having been removed by their parents on their leaving the workhouse. Of the number who have been sent from the school 140 were orphans. The larger portion of the total number were girls, who were sent to service. Of the boys 14 have been apprenticed to various trades, and 50 placed under the care of colliers in the neighbourhood of the Taff, where they are paid weekly wages, and receive a month's notice if found unsuitable. Of the girls who have been sent to service from the schools, only one has returned to the workhouse as a pauper for misconduct; and of the boys, two only have been brought before the magistrates for criminal offences. No child leaves the school until able to read well, write fairly, and can work any ordinary sum in the more elementary compound rules of arithmetic. There are some who, having shown an aptitude for mathe- matics, advance much higher, and at the present time there are several who write well. These qualities are much prized by the colliers, who possess but little education, and who get those sent to them to write their letters, and often to read to them the newspapers, which they are unable to do fluently themselves. Be- fore the boy or girl leaves, each has two suits of new clothes, those worn at the school being left behind. Each has also a small trunk, in which the Sunday suits, with a proper change of linen, are placed, a comb and brush, and other useful articles, and also a Bible and Prayer-book. The boys' suits are purchased, but the girls' dresses are all made at the school, under the direction of the matron. The establishment is made as much self-supporting as the object in view would allow. The girls are taught cleaning, washing, and general household work and they also make up every article of clothing for mg or themselves, the under-clothing for the boys, and the repairs that are required to some of the clothes at the workhouse, which are sent there for that purpose Strict order is maintained in the establishment. No profane word is ever known to escape the lips of any of the children. They sleep in dormitories, containing 60 beds, under the charge of an officer! In the morning the boys and girls are told off to their respective occupations—some to work in the garden, others in the workshops, end others at household work. Not a minute during the day seems to be lost, and were it not for the excellent system laid down and the discipliue maintained, the large amount of work done by the children could never be accomplished. Several hundred pairs of stockings are repaired every week by the girls, and a very large number of articles of under-clothingare being constantly made, while an equally large number of articles are washed, the whqle building being kept in a state of thorough cleanliness by the girls, assisted by a general I servant. The boys cultivate a large piece of ground, repair their own and the girls' shoes, make all the boys' school clothing, and act as porters between the workhouse and schools; and in addition several of them are selected as a school band, and are taught music by a musician paid specially for the purpose. The chaplain visits the school twice a week, examines different classes to ascertain their progress in educa. tion, devotes some time in teaching them scripture history, and holds Divine service in the schools, in addition to the Sunday morning service, when the children usually attend Llandaff Cathedral. The institution is also frequently visited by ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood. The appearance of the children is so clean, while their demeanour is so respectful, that the most favourable encomiums on the management of the establishment are frequently left in the visitors' book.

THE CARDIFF FREE LIBRARY AND THE WILL OF THE REV. DR. WILLIAMS. WHEN a good man bequeaths a good gift to a nation or to a town, it is accepted with gratitude and pleasure. The generous donor is remem- bered for his benevolence or kindness, and his name is surrounded with pleasant memories by the present and future generations. Noble benefactions made by English and Welsh men are scattered over the land. There is no lack of munificence or charity in the British Isles. Riches abound, and hearts full of the affluence of phi- lanthropy are also in abundance. Good men's gifts are various in kind and degree. Land or money, for special purposes, is the form of most bequests left by the benefactors of mankind. Those may be for the purpose of alleviating human suffering or want, or contributing to the healthy pleasure or intellectual enjoyment of the pepple. To many cities splendid parks have been given for the recreation of the inhabitants, whilst there is scarcely an important town in the king- dom without an "institution" founded through the religious motives of some lady or gen- tleman bound by ties of family or property to the place. Sometimes our galleries are enriched by works of art, left by the testator to refine the taste and mind of the nation., Such treasures have been lavishly bestowed upon the capital of the empire. The galleries and museums of London are crowded with priceless gifts by persons who have by their acts rendered them- selves illustrious for all time. Not long since the Rev. Dr. Williams, vicar of Broadchalke, Wilts, bequeathed a valuable library to "a town in Wales or Monmouthshire," on the reasonable conditions that there shall be provided by the recipient of the bequest "a suitable re- pository and means of paying a guardian of it that the library shall be usefully but prudently opened to all creeds, colours, nativities, and rank soever, and that the first offer of the bequest shall be made to Swansea, and the second to Carnar- von." More modest or unpretentious wishes on the part of Dr. Williams could hardly have been expressed. That the books should find a suitable home, that they should be well taken care of, and that they should be accessible to all, are provi- sions which reflect credit upon the testator as a scholar,* a gentleman, and a Christian. The rev. doctor must have had special reasons of his own for singling out Swansea and Carnarvon as the towns to which the offer of his library should be successively made. It does not seem, however, that either town cares about the gift. It may be owing to their transcendent culture, or to theirpos- sessing already all the literature which their sons require. But from their supineness or obtuseness in the matter, we are inclined to say that they have shown by one satiric touch that they do stand sadly in need of enlightenment, and that they are incapable of appreciating the pearls" cast before them. With characteristic energy and zeal, the Committee of the Cardiff Free Library, seeing the torpor of Swansea and Carnarvon, have sent a memorial to the executors of the will of the Rev. Dr. Williams, with a view to the claims of our town being considered. After some intro- ductory remarks, the Committee intimate to the Executors that Cardiff was the first and for many years the only town in the Principality that adopted the provisions of the Public Libraries Act. This fact supplies a key to the literary status of the town, whose soul is not quite ab- sorbed in contemplating shipping and iron and coal. With justifiable pride the Committee point to the Free Library, which contains upwards of 6,000 volumes of standard works, in addition to periodicals and newspapers, and to the fact that 17,000 books were issued to borrowers last year. But they have not told all. They might have added, as a convincing proof of the interest they themselves take in the management of the Library, that the plan of their Catalogue, and the mode of lending and receiving back the books, are in accordance with the most approved methods, and equal to the best practised in the largest provincial towns and the metropolis. It is matters of this kind which furnish a tangible proof of the intelligence of the Com- mittee and their peculiar aptitude for the duties they have undertaken for the public good. With its skilful and practical Librarian, and its well-devised Catalogue—ensuring the best attention to borrowers and the utmost celerity in transacting the business—the Free Library is in admirable working order. In the event of the Committee's memorial to the Executors being complied with, the books would, if so desired, be kept separate from the existing, which is a lending library, and dis- tinguished as The Rowland Williams' Library.' This thoughtful overture will doubtless carry due weight with the Executors, whose reply to the memorial will be looked for with anxiety and interest. Such a library as the one in question would be a real boon to the town. It contains the works of some of the ablest men who have adorned the literature of the world. Divinity" is a rich storehouse of noble ideas, calculated to ex pand the mind and endow it with all that is beautiful and true. The works of a host of bishops, and other eminent divines, are not read by the people, because they are not within their reach, not known to them. Yet the productions of such men contaiu some of the finest passages in the English language. "Libraries," says Lord Bacon, "are as the shrines where all the relics of the ancient saints, full of true virtue, and that without delusion or imposture, are preserved and reposed." In the library bequeathed to a town in Wales or Monmouthshire" the best opportunities would be given of verifying that sentiment of the great philosopher and "warbler of poetic prose." The memorial has received the seal of the Cor- poration, in whom the Free Library property is invested, and we hope it shall be our pleasure to record, before long, that so magnificent an addi- tion as Dr. Williams' library has been made to the one already flourishing in Cardiff.

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.—IU the House of Lords, on Monday night, the Duke of Beaufort voted in favour ef the Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, and the following Bishops against it The Bishops of Gloucester and Bristol, Bath and Wells, Hereford, Salisbury, and Llandaff. THE LATE REV. T. W. MELLOR, M.A.—In an affectionate "memorial" adopted by the com. mittee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on the occasion of the death of the Rev. T. W, Mellor, late additional superintendent of the society, and published in the "Monthly Reporter" for April, it is stated that at the time of his retirement he was engaged, with an excellent missionary of the Welsh Calviuistic Methodist body, in carrying through the press the larger portion of the New Testament in the Khasi, a language spoken by one of the hill tribes ill the Bengal Presidency. THE KNIFE AGAIN.—At the Police Court, on Thurs- day, William Stephens, a Cornish sailor belonging to the schooner Jasper, St. Ives, was charged with stabbing George Bloor, mate of that vessel with a knife. It appeared that the vessel, which is a small one of 52 tons register, was on Wednesday lying in the West Dock Basin, ready for sea. In the evening, all the sailors went below to their tea and during the meal some words passed between Bloor and the pri- soner respecting their prowess as fighting men, and Bloor said to the prisoner, If you think you are the best man come on deck. The prisoner then drew his knife, and the mate seeing this took a knife from the table also. The prisoner then drew back, and the mate threw the knife on the table and gave the pri- soner a kick. He turned round on receiving the kick, and stabbed the mate a little above the hip, and imme- diately ran on deck. The wounded man fell down, sayincr I'm stabbed," and on the captain coming on boartf he was conveyed to the Hospital Ship. A certificate from the medical officer of the Hamadryad was handed to the magistrates, showing that the wounded man was in a dangerous state, and quite unable to attend. iThe prisoner admitted that he stabbed the mate, but said he did it in self-defence. Both the mate and the prisoner were shipped at St. Ives, on the 6th of March, and had been frequently quarrelling on their passage to Cardiff, the prisoner being unfitted to rank as an able seaman. He was remanded till Monday.

Jitfellitjtitcf. 4 THE REVISION OF THE SCRIPTURES.—The Athenceum, says that "the revision of the Scriptures by Convocation is not regarded with excessive favour in the United States. It is remarked that although the two com- panies charged with the revision of the Old and New Testaments respectively were directed to call in the aid of other scholars, no matter to what nation or de- nomination they belonged, yet no American has been invited, although America contains some thirty millions of Bible-reading Protestants." It will be re- collected that the Bishops of Llandaff and St. DaVid's are of the distinguished band of scholars and divines charged with the revision of the Scriptures. A GLAMORGANSHIRE MAN.—The London correspon- dent of a Herefordshire paper says: "It is said that sooner or later you meet everybody whom you ever knew anywhere in London. Fourteen years ago I knew a Mr. G. W. Jones, of Swansea. He was a timber merchant, and joined to literary taste, consider- able ability. Some commercial disappointment led to his leaving Swansea. After great difficulties and privations he landed in Canada with his wife and family and three-halfpence Courageous, with lots of physical power and natural ability, he wrestled firmly with fortune. I heard quite casually six years ago that he was getting on.' I met him, where you meet everybody, in Fleet-street. He had come to England on a mission from the Quebec Government. He is the senior magistrate at Richmond, the proprietor of two newspapers, and in a contest for a seat in the Canadian Parliament he was only defeated by live votes. You will probably have a visit from this British colonist. He is a Special Commissioner of Emigration for the Government of Quebec, and the leading paper of the Canadian city says lie is a brilliant speaker, a capable man, and a sterling patriot." LOCAL DIVORCE CASE.—The case of "Firth v. Firth and Thompson" was a husband's petition in the Court of Probate, for the dissolution of his marriage on the ground of his wife's adultery with the co-respondent. The respondent did not file an answer, and the co-re- spondent simply pleaded a denial of the adultery. The petitioner, a gentleman of independent means, was formerly a captain in the Glamorganshire Militia, and was married to the respondent in 1866. There were two children, issue of the marriage. The co-respondent is a wholesale stationer in Long Acre, and was walk- ing out with Col. Addison when they met the petitioner and his wife, and from that time an acquaintance sprang up between them, and they visited at each other's house. During the absence of Mr. Firth from his house at Mitcham, the co-respondent was a frequent caller, and the respondent was often at his place of business. Evidence was given showing that the co-respondent was not unknown at a house of ill-fame in Thanet-street, St. Pancras, and a witness believed that he was accompanied there by the respon- dent. It was also proved that she lived in a house in St. John's wood, and passed as Mrs. Hamilton," and whilst there was visited by gentlemen. Mrs. Firth hauded up a letter to the learned judge, wkich he having read, said that it contained allegations against the husband. The respondent had not answered, though she could have done so, and con- sequently the jury would only have to decide on the evidence before them. The paper handed to him would be forwarded to the Queen's Proctor, who, if he thought proper, would investigate the matter. The jury at once found for the petitioner. Lord Penzance granted a decree nisi for a dissolution of the mar- riage, with costs. CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meet- ing of the guardians was presided over, on Saturday, by Mr. E. W. David. There were also present the Revs. C. Lewis and H. J. Thomas, Mr. C. H. Williams, Aldermen Bird, Alexander, and Pride; Dr. Taylor; Messrs. R. Cory, W. H. Martin, T. H. Stephens, P. Bird, J. Evans, W. Williams, J. M. Akers, W. T. Wright, C. French, T. L. Glaves, A. Bassett, E. Evans, E. Davies, H. Garsed, D. Roberts, J. Huck- well, J. Jenkins, R. Bartlett, T. George, and D. Matthew. The Master of the workhouse reported that during the week 26 paupers had been admitted and 47 discharged, leaving 301 in the house, a decrease of 93 on the corresponding week of last year. The Com- mittee had met to examine the tenders for the supply of provisions, &c. There were several tenders for coal, but the tender of Mr. Richard Ellis for 8s. 8d. per ton was accepted. There were three tenders for meat—Messrs. Whale, Clode, and Gibbs. The tender of Mr. Whale was accepted. Boots and shoes—Mr. I W. David's tender was accepted. There were five tenders of flour-Messrs. Collins and Ross, 37s.; Mr. Hibbert, 39s.; Mr. J. David, 40s.; Messrs. Spiller and Co., 39s.; Mr. Colemau, Llandaff, 40s. The tender of Messrs. Collins and Ross was accepted. Milk Mr. Coslett's tender, and for wine, spirits, &c., Mr. Nell's tender, were accepted. The tenders for grocery and drapery were referred back to a special meeting of the committee. For clogs, Mr. Halewood's tender was accepted. The Clerk said he had received a communi- cation from the Poor-law Board with reference to the prevalence of small-pox in Ireland, and recommended all boaros of guardians throughout the country the supervision of the removal of Irish paupers to Ireland. The Clerk said there were very few paupers in the union now removed to Ireland, but it might be as well, when necessary, to adopt the suggestion of the Poor- law Board. The Chairman I believe it is contem- plated to do away entirely with the removal of paupers back to Ireland. Mr. Evans It is to my mind a waste both of time and money, for they are soon back again. The Clerk also read a circular from Dr. Simon, the medical officer of the Privy Council, with reference to the carrying out of re-vaccination as extensively as possible, and impressing on boards of guardians the desirability of encouraging re-vaccination among all persons over 15 years of age who had not been vacci- nated since that age. The Clerk also mentioned that, with regard to primary vaccination, it was progressing very favourably, and he believed that very few of the infants who were reported by the registrar a short time since as being unvaccinated were so now. With regard to re-vaccination, it could be done by any private medical man, but he did not think that much had been done by public vaccinators. The Chairman It has been understood that the board is willing to pay for re-vaccination. Dr. Taylor was of opinion that this fact was not sufficiently well known, and suggested that advertisements should be inserted in the local papers that any person could be re-vaccinated by attending at the Stuart Hall on any vaccination day. It could not be too widely known that persons could be vaccinated irrespective of age. The Clerk said a circular containing that information had been widely circulated among the lower districts of the town by the inspector of nuisances. He had had 1,500 printed, and another 1,000 could be struck off if it was thought desirable. Dr. Taylor said he should suggest that one be left at every house in Cardiff. He men- tioned the case of a small-pox hospital in London where 800 persons suffering from this disease had been admitted since January. The officials had all been re-vaccinated, and, though living in an atmosphere im- pregnated with disease, not one of them had contracted it. It showed the benefits derived from re-vaccina- tion. The Chairman thought the circulars of the Clerk would be sufficient, and the board then sepa- rated. THE GUARDIANS FOR 1871.Thelast dayforthe nomi- nations of guardians for the Cardiff Union was on Mon- day last. Nearly all the old guardians are re-nominated and without opposition, and they will therefore remain in office. In St. John's parish, Mr. James Trotter Barry has been nominated in addition to the old guardians. St. Mary's remains without alteration. Roath, Mr. J. Thomas and Mr. Rees Enoch have been nominated in addition to the old guardians. At Penarth, Mr. Valentine Trayes in addition to the pre- sent guardian. Whitchurch, Mr. George Brown, Forest farm, and Mr. Thomas Williams, Tyclyd. At Wenvoe, Mr. David John, in addition to Mr. Evan Thomas. In all the other parishes in the union the old guardians are nominated, and will therefore be returned without opposition. In some of the other parishes one or more of the parties nominated, whether old or new, will pro- bably withdraw to save the parish an expense of election. This will be the case at Roath. M. SCHNEIDER.—This distinguished man, who held such a prominent position in connection with the late French Government, has just paid a visit to the iron- works in the neighbourhood of Dowlais, and been en- tertained whilst there by Mr. G. T. Clark and Mr Menelaus, the engineer at the Dowlais W orks. M. Schneider is proprietor of the Creuzot Works, con- sidered the largest works on the Continent, perhaps the largest in the world. ST. PETER'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROATH.— At this church on Sunday there was a confirmation service at which the sacrament of confirmation was administered to about 600 persons, by the Most Rev. Dr. Errington, Archbishop of Trebizond (in partibus). The rev. doctor officiated in the place of the Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese, who was unavoidably absent. The sermon was explanatory of the Roman Catholic doctrine of the sacrament of confirmation, and concluded with advice specially given to the young. The Archbishop was assisted by the Very Rev. C. Caccia, Revs. F. Signini, H. Clark, and A. Maguire. The sponsors for the males were Dr. Buist and Mr. J. J. Murphy and for the females, Mrs. Buist and Mrs. Murphy. At intervals appro- priate verses and hymns, having reference to the cere- mony of the day, were sung. It is reported that many Protestants were amongst the assemblage. THE POLICE FORCE.—The Borough Treasurer, Mr. W. Davies, has just received from the Paymaster- General the sum of £863 15s. 6d., being one fourth of the expense of pay and clothing for the Borough Police Force for the year ending the 29th of September last. LLANDAFF HIGHWAY BOARD.—The monthly meet- ing of this Board was held on Saturday, presided over by Mr. E. W. David. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. David Edwards, of Gilfacli Glyd, enclosing a post-office order for £1, in aid of the French Peasant Farmers' Seed Fund. The question of improving the Llanishen-road near Blue House was adjourned till the next meeting, as was also the question of improving the Pencisly-road. The Surveyor was requested to communicate with the trustees of the chapel at St. Brides, to inform them that they had taken improper steps to drain the graveyard into the main road. The usual tenders for the supply of materials, and for repairing several parish roads in the district of the Board, were then accepted, and the meeting closed. THE LATE AUSTRIAN CONSUL.—We observe from our contemporary the Liverpool Daily Post, of Satur- day last, that Dr. Ferdinand Krapf, the Austrian Consul-General in Liverpool, has, in consideration of his long and distinguished labours in the public service, received the order of the Iron Crown from the Emperor of Austria. This dignity entitles the bearer and all his posterity to the rank of hereditary knight- hood. Our contemporary adds that those who have experienced the courtesy, and had opportunities of estimating the high character, sound judgment, and practical information of the Consul-Gcneral, will re- gard any honours which his Sovereign can confer upon him as thoroughly well deserved. We feel quite sure that our Cardiff readers will hail with delight this information, because no one more than Dr. Krapf earned the esteem and regard of every person with whom he came into contact. His urbanity, his careful attention to his duties, his extreme desire to promote the commercial interests of all parties, whether subjects of the Emperor of Austria or of her Majesty the Queen of England, attracted the notice of everyone and Dr. Krapf's friends in Cardiff, who are exceedingly numerous, will greatly rejoice at the dignity which has been conferred upon him. CARDIFF NATURALISTS' SOCIETY.—The paper en- titled "The Correlation of Meteorology and Solar Physics," read by Mr. George C. Thompson at the meeting of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society on March 21st, and mention of which was made in our impres- sion of last week, suggested the possibility of the vary- ing character of terrestrial weather being dependent on changes taking place in the actual state of the sun. The periodic motions of the earth, and local causes, he thought insufficient to account for the course of the weather in our latitudes, which often appears to adhere more or less to a certain type, sometimes through several consecutive seasons, as was illustrated by a brief review of the leading features of the last four or five years. Though the sun's heating-power is the most obvious element to be taken into account in con- sidering the weather, subtler influences, of which our knowledge is very imperfect—such as the electric state—may also be dependent on solar changes. Turning to the physical constitution of the sun, the luminous envelopes with which he is surrounded are in a state of constant agitation; and that these dis- turbances are related in some way to terrestrial phenomena is shown by the marked connection be- tween the appearance of sun spots and auroral dis- plays. The solar system contains numberless groups or streams of meteorites, revolving round the sun, for the most part in long elliptical orbits and the sun's heat has been supposed by several physicists to be maintained altogether, or in part, by the arrested motion of these bodies falling on his surface. From observation of the meteor stream which the earth encounters about the 14th November in each year it is known that the meteors are not equally distributed along all parts of their orbits; and Mr. Thompson conjectures the sun's temperature may be raised when the meteors which are coming in contact with him are more than usually numerous, and lowered when the reverse is the case. The paper concluded with a suggestion that the time might come when the con- figuration and periods of the meteor streams would be ascertained, and the cycles of the weather found to be related to them. VICE-CHANCELLOR SiR JOHN STUART.—Inannounc- ing the formal retirement of Vice-Chancellor Sir John Stuart from the position which he has held for nearly 19 years as one of the Judges of the High Court of Chancery, the Times takes the opportunity of giving a short review of his career. The Viee-Chancellor is a Scotchman by birth and descent, and was born in 1793. He was, like his contemporary the late Lord I Justice Knight Bruce and many other successful lawyers, a younger son, being the second son of Dugald Stuart, of Ballachulish, Argyleshire and was educated at the High School and at the University of Edinburgh. In 1813 he married Jessie, a daughter of Mr. Duncan Stuart, a lady by whom he has two sons and a daughter, the latter married to the Rev. G. R. Gleig, tie Chaplain- General of the Forces. He was called to the bar at Lincoln s-inn on the 23rd of November, 1819, his pro- poser being the Master of the Rolls, Sir Thomas Plumer. With him were called Mr., now Sir, William Goodenough Hayter, Mr. Wyndham Lewis, the first husband of the Viscountess Beaconsfield [also the uncle of Mr. Wyndham Lewis, of the Heath, Cardiff], and Mr. Charles Thackeray. Three years afterwards he began reporting, in conjunction with Mr. Simons, in the Court of Vice-Chancellor Sir John Leach, whose decisions during five whole years were compressed into two volumes, as valuable for their brevity as their law. His contemporaries at the Bar were Lord Cottenham, Lord St. Leonards, Lord Westbury, Sir Anthony Hart, Lord Justice Knight Bruce [brother of Mr. Bruce Pryce, and uncle of Mr. H. A. Bruce, the Home Sec- retary], and Sir John Rolt—men among whom no man whose abilities were not of the highest order could have attained eminence. OPENING OF THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL BY THE QUEEN.—The Mayor of Swansea and the High Con- stable of Merthyr Tydfil were amongst the provincial dignitaries present on Wednesday. THE CIRCUS—The clever performance of M. Niblo on the trapeze has been the chief feature of the enter- tainment during the week, and notwithstanding the attraction of an excellent menagerie adjoining, the building has been well filled every evening. Since his last appearance at Cardiff Niblo has introduced additional feats on the trapeze, and he seldom leaves the ring without an encore. The remainder of the entertainment is as pleasing and amus- ing as ever. M. Niblo takes his benetit on Friday evening, being the last night but one of his engage- ment at this Circus, His flights on the flying trapeze are such as have never been before seen in Cardiff, and as he leaves shortly for America, this night, when some daring feats will be introduced, will be almost the only opportunity the public will have of witnessing his performance. Joey Haines" will take his benefit on Monday evening. As a circus clown no one has been so popular in Cardiff, his humour, mimicry, and pantomimic gesture keeping the audience in a roar. So popular and talented a performer will no doubt have a crowded house on Monday evening. The engagement of M. Niblo ter- minates on Saturday, but he has consented to remain in Cardiff till Tuesday, in order that he may appear for the last time on the evening of Mr. Haines' benefit. An entirely new programme has also been arranged for that evening. A FALL INTO THE DOCK. — On Wednesday afternoon, a man named Herbert Herbert, of No. 10, Sophia- street, while at work by the side of the West Dock, accidentally fell in. He was got out and taken to the Bute-street Station, where some dry clothes were sup- plied to him, and he returned home but little the worse for his mishap. THE GLAMORGAN COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUM.—The sixth annual report of this institution, for the year 1870, has been issued, showing that it is in a highly satisfactory condition. INVALIDS' DINNER TABLE. — A basket of vegetables, received from Mrs. E. Dawson, Windsor-place, is acknowledged with thanks. BACCHUS-AND-MARS.—At the Town Hall on Tues- day Charles O'Keefe, an Irish boarding-house-keeper, was charged with being drunk oiv the previous even- ing, and causing an obstruction in Bute-street by challenging everybody in the street to fight. There were twelve previous convictions against him for the same offence, and he was fined 20s. and costs, or 14 days' hard labour. JUVENILE THIEVES.—John Donoghue, aged 16, and Edward Riley, 13, convicted thieves, were charged with loitering about the Bute Docks for the purpose of committing a felony. They were seen on Monday by Police-sergeant Sutton, without shoes or stockings, watching the vessels as they came in. Donoghue boarded several vessels, and searched about, Riley remaining on shore and giving a signal on seeing the police approach. They were last found in Messrs. Batchelor's yard, rummaging for small pieces of metal. There were several couvictions recorded against both prisoners. The whole family of Riley were thieves, all the elder brothers being in gaol or on board the Havannah School-ship. They were each sentenced to hard labour for three months. THE CENSUS.—Our readers are reminded how neces- sary it will be to have their papers ready for delivery when called for on Monday next. THE MENAGERIE.—Mr. Edmonds, the proprietor of the menagerie now exhibiting at the back of St. Mary-street, admitted the children of the Ely Indus- trial School on Tuesday gratuitously. The inmates of the Cardiff Workhouse were also admitted on the same day. The visit to Cardiff terminated on Wed- nesday. During its stay hundreds of persons visited the collection daily, and it was generally admitted to be the largest and best that has been brought to the town. THE GLAMORGANSHIRE INFANTRY MILITIA.—The recruits belonging to the Glamorganshire Infantry Militia will assemble in Cardiff for fifty-five days' drill on Monday next. Those who have undergone a year's training will assemble on the 1st of May for twenty- seven days' drill. TRADE OF THE PORT.—The slight reaction in busi- ness at the Docks is becoming still more manifest, and the business transactions are evidently on the increase. The easterly winds of the last few days have made the Channel bare, and the Roads are almost entirely deserted, the few arrivals being rapidly docked. The lower parts of the docks have also been cleared of loaded vessels, and but for the number of arrivals the docks themselves would look very empty. The orders seem on the increase, and most of the coaltips are in operation. The arrivals up to the present time num- ber 530, and the departures 580. Among them are 14 vessels over 1,000 tons register, and 36 between 500 and 1,000 tons. The proportion of vessels with car- goes is large, the principal items of import being iron ore, pitwood, Esparto grass, and grain. The shipment of coal to distant ports seems oil the increase, and the quantity of iron shipped is quite equal to that of last month. The shipments to France have again received a check, but the spring demand at the packet stations compensate for any falling off to France. No doubt the month's exports will be found in excess of that for February. The East Dock still contains some fine vessels, a large proportion of which are consigned for iron.

CARDIFF CORPORATION. The adjourned quarterly meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday the Mayor, Alderman C. W. David, in the chair. There were also present, Aldermen Bird and Alexander Councillors T. Evans, D. Jones, H. Bowen, P. Bird, 8. D. Jenkins, E. Whiffen, C. Thompson, Dr. Taylor, L. Davis, and J. P. Ingledew. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting and of several special meetings of the Council held since were read and confirmed. THE FONMON CASTLE. The CLERK read a report from Captain Frazer, the harbour master, respecting the schooner Fonmon Castle which was sunk in the Channel some time since. Captain Frazer stated that a contract had been entered into between a Mr. Baker, of Cardiff, and Mr. Johns, the owner of the schooner, for raising her. An effort I was made on Tuesday last to do so, but the rope slipped in consequence of the force of the tide, and another effort was to be made on Wednesday. The diver reported that she had not sanded," neither had any bank been formed. The MAYOR said, in accordance with their instruc- tions at the last meeting, he had forwarded an address to her Majesty on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Louise with the Marquis of Lome, and had received a reply from the Home Secretary. [Both will be found in another column.] THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The MAYOR also said that he had filled up the queries sent down by the Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society, with respect to the visit of that Society to Cardift in 1872, and had forwarded the same to the Secretary, but had not received any reply. Some conversation followed on this subject, and it was thought that the Society would neither visit Car- diff nor Newport, but that Cheltenham would be the favoured town. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. The MAYOR said that the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Freeman, had applied to him for the use of the piece of ground at the back of the New Post Office as a garden, in the same way as it was used for that purpose by the late Superintendent of Police. He was most willing to let him have it, but did not wish to give his consent without obtaining that of the Council. It was at once agreed that Mr. Freeman should have the garden. THE WILL OF THE REV. ROWLAND WILLIAMS, D.D. The MAYOR said he had received the following memorial from the Free Library Committee To the Executors of the Will of the Rev. Rowland Williams, D.D., Vicar of Broadchalke, Wilts, de. ceased. We, the undersigned, beg respectfully to bring under your notice the claims of Cardiff to the valuable library bequeathed by the Rev. Dr. Williams to a town in Wales or Monmouthshire. The testator's will directs that there shall be provided by the recipients of the bequest" a suitable repository and means of paying a guardian of it" that the library shall be usefully but prudently opened to all creeds, colours, nativities, and ranks soever, and that the first offer of the bequest shall be made to Swansea, and the second to Carnaivon." These conditions, it is believed, can only be secured on the provisions of the Public Libraries' Act, and your careful consideration of it is respectfully solicited. Though well aware of the importance of the bequest, we have hitherto refrained from making any applica- tion uuder the impression that either Swansea or Car- narvon, if not both, would have asserted prior claims, The offer has, however, been before the towns for twelve months, and, so far as we can learn, neither has taken any steps in the matter indeed Swansea has twice de- liberately refused to adopt the Public Libraries'Act; on the second occasion the decision was arrived at with a knowledge that its chances of securing the valuable bequest would be perilled. It is true that at the second public meeting held to discuss the question the Chair- man ruled that the meeting was in favour of it. This was subsequently questioned in the Council chamber by gentlemen who had been present; at any rate it is a fact that at the following municipal election two respected members of the Council were turned out of office expressly on the ground that they had supported the proposal. This may be accepted as a decisive indication of the feeling of the town, and at a subsequent date the Council gave effect to that ruling by deliberately refusing to adopt the Chairman's ruling. We therefore submit that Swansea has tacitly if not formally rejected the offer thus liberally made. It does not appear that the town of Carnarvon has shown any willingness to incur the expeti-e which a compliance with the conditions of the will necessitates, and indeed, however desirous the inhabitants may be to accept the offer, it has probably been found to involve too heavy a burden for so small a town. Still, if it should be deemed essential that these towns should formally as well as tacitly reject the bequest before it is offered to another, we venture to suggest that they should at once be chal- lenged toput in force the Public Libraries' Act within a specified time, or forfeit all claim to the bequest. Pending the result of such a challenge, we submit that no other town in Wales or Monmouthshire has such strong elaims as Cardiff. Cardiff was the first and for many years the only town in the Principality that adopted the provisions of the Public Libraries' Act. This Free Library has now been in existence for about nine years, and that it stands high in public favour is sufficiently proved by the fact that last year upwards of 17,000 volumes were issued to borrowers. It is daily open, free of charge, to all crecds, colours, nativities, and ranks," and it possesses a suitable repository and guardian. All its property is vested in the Corporation of the borough. It contains upwards 6,000 volumes of standard works, in addition to all the leading periocIicalsand newspapers, which may he daHy inspected in the rooms especially appropriated for that purpose. The entire expense of its support is met by the borough rates, the Corporation having voted a sum of £550 for the present year. Further particulars may be gathered from the Report and Catalogue, an inspec- tion of which will, we venture to think, prove it to be a perfect realisation of the testator's ideas. In the event of the petition being complied with. the books would, if so desired, be kept separate from the existing, which is a lending library, and distinguished as the Rowland Williams Library." It may, however, be mentioned that the very valuable library and museum of a local society now defunct, of which the late Bishop Copplestone was one of the originators, has lately been deposited with the Cardiff Free Library, with the conviction that the public would derive the full benefit thereof. In con- clusion, we assure you that we are keenly alive to the importance of this bequest, and fully appreciate the patriotism and catholic spirit of the donor. It would be to your petitioners a great satisfaction to assist in realising the late Dr. Williams's eulightened views and to contribute by so doing to the erection of an enduring monument to his learning, generosity, and public spirit." The MAYOR said the object of laying the memorial before them was to obtain their consent to the common seal of the borough being affixed to it, in order that they might obtain the bequest if they could. Mr. EVANS Have you any knowledge of the num- ber of volumes contained in the library ? The MAYOR Not in the least. It is a very valuable library, and I have no doubt that it is decidedly worth having. Mr. THOMPSON That it is worth having there cannot be two opinions about. The Town Clerk was requested to fix the seal of the borough to the memorial. TENDERS. Three tenders, for the construction of some iron rail- ings and fixing them on the north side of the Town Hall, had been received. Messrs. Newbery, £75; Smith and Pring, f75 6s. 2d.; and Mr. C. J. Jackson, jE73 10s. Mr. Jackson's tender was accepted. MISCELLANEOUS. The reports of the Watch, Property, and Market Committees were then read and adopted. Mr. BOWEN hoped that the Market Committee would not lose sight of the improvement to the entrance to the Market, an improvement which had been deferred in consequence of the lease of the Market not having expired. As the lease had fallen into the hands of the Corporation the improvement could be done at once. Mr. P. BIRD referred to a water fountain which was proposed to be erected at the entrance to Westgate- street from the Canton-road. The subject had been brought forward at the Public Works Committee, and it had there been carried by a majority of only one that there should be two lamps only, instead of three as suggested by the surveyor. The objection made to the third lamp was only done on the score of economy, but as it was the principal entrance to the town, and they also proposed to do away with two of the present lamps, he thought it was a pity, for the sake of so small a sum, to spoil the appearance of the fountain by having only two lamps, especially as there were three streets meeting at the point, two of which would be lighted and the other not. The surveyor also was strongly in favour of three lamps. They had been to the spot, and thought that for the best entrance to the town they ought not to be so narrow- minded as to object to pay for the additional lamp. The MAYOR said the subject did not properly belong to the Council, but he recommended Mr. Bird to bring it before the Board of Health on Friday. A meeting of the Burial Board was then held, but the proceedings were only of a formal character, and occupied but a very few minutes.

SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB, LLANDAFF. Mr. Melville begs most gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of the following donations in aid ot the funds of the school Mr. W. P. James, The Lindens, Romilly-crescent, 10s.; collected by Mrs. Sands, 3s.; ditto, by Master T. Williams, Fredenck-street, Cardiff, 4s.; Mrs. Purchase, Ynysagorad, per Rev. D. Howell, Hon. Sec., £1; Mrs. Bassett, Dimlands, Cowbridge, £1 Is.; a Friend, jE2; Mr. F. S. Lock, builder, Cardiff, £1 6s.; ditto, building fund, £1; collected by Captain D. O. Davies, of Lampeter, master of the ship Lenore, per Walter Hughes, Esq., North Wales Bank, Car- narvon, £ 32 8s. 9d.; waggon load of fi re wood, Messrs. Daniel' Jones, Brothers, builders, Cardiff; basket of kitchen vegetables, Miss .Tenner, Wenove Cottage, Wenove; basket of ditto, Mrs. Rogers, Canton; parcel of clothing, from Mrs. Locke, Roath. Further aid is respectfully and most earnestly invited. THE LLANELLY RAILWAY AND DOCK COMPANY.—The Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to consider this Bill resumed its sitting on Wednesday morning, Mr. O'Reilly iu the chair. Mr. Cripps, Q.C., appeared for the promoters Mr. H. Lloyd, Q.C., and Mr. Michael for the petitioners; and Mr. Granville Somerset, Q.C., for the Duke of Beaufort. The re- maining clauses having been examined and opposed, the Bill passed through committee.

rebels He is a great statesman who has surveyed every inch of the Constitution, who believes there is no better in the world, and who will leave it not only unimpaired but strengthened to succeed- ing generations Seriously speaking, with regard to the Repub- lican movement, we cannot exonerate the Prime Minister from blame. We do not suppose for a moment that he has any connection with Mr. George Odger, that there is any understanding between these two public men. But do not Mr. Gladstone's acts go far to justify the uneducated and the lower classes in advancing any schemes however Utopian or visionary they may be 1 From the antecedents of that Minister, it does him no injustice to say that he seems at all times willing to wound the Constitution, yet afraid to strike, until the pressure of wrong and foolish opinions" is brought to bear upon him. To the mind of the country—to the men of in- tellect and of property, Mr Gladstone was swayed by wrong and foolish opinions" when he under- took the destruction of a portion of the Esta- blished Church. And what guarantee has the nation that he will not succumb to similar in- fluences so long as he has numbers at his back 1 What is he not willing to sacrifice, what is he not willing to give up, in order to prolong the power of his party 1 What fixed principles does he hold 1 We have said that he is loyal, and that he may be expected to ward off the assaults of the enemies to the Throne. But those who believe in his fidelity have no faith in his firmness. The Church and State were bound up together, and under their cegis the nation became glorious and great. If the Constitution as it was had been held sacred by the Liberal party as by the Conservative, the empire would have con- tinued its march of civilization unchecked. But the heavy blow and great discouragement it has received at the hands of clumsy adventurers and soi-disant statesmen have made it halt in its triumphant career. Mr. Odger and the various Radical and Demo- cratic Associations throughout the country may feel perfectly safe in their new agitation. The Prime Minister is not alarmed. Why should he be 1 If Mr. George Odger, shoe-maker, looks on the State as a rotten system," how has Mr. William E. Gladstone, cabinet"-maker, looked on the Church 1 If the Head of the Government has shown no reverence for the institutions of the country—if he has been the means of utterly and irretrievably destroying one of them, is it surprising or strange that the example should be followed by an oratorical member of the industrial classes] Whatever the Prime Minister may mean towards the Consti- tution, whatever he may say, he has acted toward it as only a deadly enemy could have acted—he has, in the language of Mr. Disraeli, been the chief cause of confiscation and sacrilege. If, then, shoe- makers or tailors, with a stronger taste for statesmanship" than for their last" and "goose," cross the Radical borders and land in Re- publicanism, have they not illustrious prece- dents to quote when they are challenged] Un- fortunately they have, and herein lies the chief danger of the obnoxious Democratic or Repub- lican movement. Mr. Odger, who presided at the recent meeting in London, was of opinion that the working men of this country were never better prepared to take part in a Republican movement than at the present, and he had letters in his possession from leading working men in all the large towns in England, stating that as soon as the movement was started in London they were prepared to co- operate." If the seeds of the new English politi- cal creed become disseminated amongst the trades unions of the kingdom, the harvest by and by may cause trouble to the true and steadfast friends of the Monarchy. In every community will be found men of extreme opinions— opinions not in harmony with the institutions of the country. This is only to be expected, and so long as they do not interfere with the public peace it would perhaps be unwise to suppress them. Were the recognised statesmen of the country friendly to its institutions, all adverse opinions would be ac- counted ephemeral and perfectly harmless. But when the overt acts of the Government have been such as to warrant an extreme form of political opinion, the fact of an association avowedly antagonistic to the key-stone of the Constitutional arch being established is a matter of peculiar gravity to all loyal men. What with Liberation Societies and Republican Societies, and Ministers experienced in the art of pulling down, instead of building up, it is not difficult to see what we are coming to, if a decided reaction in the public mind does not soon take place. There never was a time when England stood more in need of Conservative aid. The Constitution is treated as a piece of machinery antiquated and effete. From Liberalism to Radicalism, and from Radicalism to Republicanism, the slopes are gentle and not very far apart. Liberals are pro- fessed Reformers, and acquiesce in, if they do not originate, measures of a revolutionary kind. Sanctioned by the Queen's Ministers, such mea- sures give rise to others which involve nothing less than a reconstruction of the whole fabric of British society. Liberal Ministers say, "You may aim at the overthrow of the Church, and if you get numbers to back you, we shall complete the sacri- fice. For this we are quite prepared. In fact, we (or many of us) hopefully wait your com- mands." Well, from the Church they derive no place or pension. From the State they do. There- fore the Prime Minister says of Republicanism that it is wild and foolish. The Monarchy must not be touched. Everything but that I This, in effect, is the statesmanship of the First Minister of the Crown. It may be an easy mode of governing a community—turning like a vane to the wind of popular favour. With a Cabinet without respect for the Constitution, save that part of it which dispenses honour and pay, what may we not expect to become in the next ten years All loyal men, all men of property, had better consider.