The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

THE RULE FOR MASTER. Why the first of January was chosen for the first day of the year, no- body knows it would have seemed more natural, and perhaps more convenient, if the clever men who arranged our caleudar had taken the longest day or the shortest day, or one of the two days (March 20 and September 23) when the day and night are nearly equal in length, with which to commence the year; and in point of fact, for the calculating of Easter, the twentieth of March is the day which is taken as a kind of beginning to the year. Now we know, as a matter of history, that the day upon which Our Lord rose from the dead was the Sunday following the full moon which came next after the twentieth of March. This, therefore, gives us a rule to determine the true day on which Easter should fall, in order that it should represent the exact, day which it commemorates. First of all it must be a Sunday, and that Sunday must be the one following the full moon which falls upon or next after the twenty-first of March. This accounts for Easter Day shitting about in the curious way that it does- a way which, no doubt, puzzles many people and makes them think that it can hardly ever be kept upon the right d;iy whereas the truth is, that it is shifted about ill order that it may ahcays fall right.—People '.i Magazine. A STATUE OF THE W'LTAN. We learn with surprise that the Sultan has actually given sittings for a statue of himsell to Mr. L r: Fuller, the acomplished sculptor, now resident at t lovence. Hitherto, the Turks have construed literacy a command in the Koran equivalent to that which was issued from Mount Sinai—"Thou shalt not make thyself any graven image, nor the likeness "f anything," &c. The innova- tion will make many ..1 the Sultan's older subjects shudder. It would l,»> difficult to overate the horror with which such au act would have been received half a century ago as much s<> as an attempt to house a herd of swine in Sunt. Sophia, aud would certainly have caused a revolution in Constantinople. The Turks are, however, rapidly approximating to the habits of Christian states, of which this is the latest and tha strongest proof.'—Ai t Journal for April.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. U Advertising is to Business what Steam Power is to Comnurcc." Macaulay. THE CARDIFF AND MERTHYR GUARDIAN has been Estab- lished nearly Forty Years, and is the OLDEST NEWS- PAPER IN THE DISTRICT. It circulates extensively among THE FAMILIES of South Wales—the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, Solicitors, Iron Merchants, Coal Owners, Builders, Estate Agents and Auctioneers, Farmers, &c., of Glamorganshire and the adjoining Counties. ADVERTISEMENTS should reach the Office by Thursday's post, in order to insure insertion in the First Edition. Advertisements are received on Friday and Saturday mornings for the Second Edition, which is published on Saturday at 1 o'clock. TO CORRESPONDENTS. All letters inter ded for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer. We cannot under- take to return rejected communications. Phases of Irish Life" will be continued next week.

THE GLAMORGANSHIRE REFORMATORY SCHOOL. IN the machinery of a State there are many parts of great utility which perform their functions so quietly that they very seldom challenge public attention. It is the dominant portions of the machinery which make the most noise, which attract the people's eye, and which impress it with their paramount importance. Without dis- paraging any figure, or beam, or wheel, of ob- vious necessity to the well-being of the commu- nity, we should not forget the more unobtrusive portions—the rivets and pivots and screws —with- out which all would tend to confusion and go wrong. So it is with the works of Nature, and with the material works of man. God's noblest work is composed of countless fibres and veins, which are not seen, but which are essential to the out- ward form and life. The most elaborate machine would be useless if mathematical nicety were not observed in its construction, or if it lost one of its constituent parts, be it as fine as a hair. We gaze upon powerful action, and admire the result of much ingenuity and skill, without think- ing of the details, of the muscles" which contri- bute towards its strength and perfection. The great steamer or frigate afloat may also be taken t as an illustration of our meaning. The hull, the bows, and the masts are indicative of strength and speed, but take away one of the little things," known only to the engineer or the sailor, and destruction inevitable as that of the Captain in the Bay of Biscay would accrue. The machinery of a State is, or ought to be, best known to the statesman. His business it is to study all its complicated parts, its uses and defects. The surgeon has studied anatomy—the structure of man, which is perfect, and therefore admits of no improvement. But the body politic is built up by human hands, and is conse- quently susceptible of amendment. How vast is the field for philanthropy and benevoleuce, for humane thoughtfulness and Christian kindness These noble attributes of the human mind have exalted the British nation, and established its high and commanding character. It is to voluntary effort that England is indebted for the better part* of her history. It is to the active mind of the good and the wealthy that she owes her status as a great Christian country. Her Christianity is of a practical kind, doing as well as preaching, reap- ing as well as sowing, producing rich and splendid harvests, fruits of inestimable value. If any one ever harboured a doubt of the utility of the Reformatory Schools, a perusal of the report of that of Glamorganshire for the last year would remove it. In the abstract, Reformatory Schools are admirable pendants to the criminal law of the country. Most merciful, as well as most humane, they nip crime in the bud, and in numberless instances save poor erring youths from de- struction. The child is father to the man: if the child is brought up in the midst of evil influences, without education, without any means of knowing his duty to God or his neigh- bours, it is next to miraculous if he does not fall into crime. To punish him as an adult is punished, to send him to gaol for a certain term, and let him loose upon society again, would be treatment unworthy of pagans. It is owing to 0 influences over which the child has no control that he yields to temptation. Ill-fed, ill-clad, ill- taught, lie is the victim of circumstances, and so becomes a prey to his vitiated feelings. Most humanely, charitably, and righteously the Reform- atory system steps in, interposes its good offices, and averts the impending ruin. The boy is sent to a school instead of to a prison, and thus re- moved from all contaminating influences is given a fair chance of becoming a useful and respectable member of society. He is taught what he never knew before—the shame and danger of sin—self- reliance—the excellence of honest, good, wholesome conduct. That the principle is a hallowed one a glance at the Report of the Glamorganshire County School incoutrovertibly proves. This institution, our readers will remember, was established in March, 1858-- thirteen years ago—at Hawdref-Canol, near Neath. The General Committee comprises the Lord-Lieutenant, the Bishop of Llaudaff, the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce (the Home Secretary), the Chairman of Quarter Sessions, the Members of Parliament for the several boroughs in the County, those Members of Parliament residing within the County, the Chair men of the several Boards of Guardians in the County, and a long array of other gentlemen of influence and station. With such patronage any institution might be expected to flourish but if it did not contain within itself the germs of a vigorous fruitfulness the sunshine of favour could not save it from decay. Now, we repeat, the Re- formatory system is founded upon truth and religion, upon the broad basis of humanity, and therefore success might reasonably be expected to crown it. The Managing Committee of our County Re- formatory School say they are glad to present another satisfactory report of its work and pro- gress. During the year thirteen boys have been ad- mitted, and ten discharged leaving forty-four in the school, and one on licence, on the 31st of De- cember, maintained at a cost of £ 16 7s.. 5d. per head. Of these boys twenty-two have been re- ceived from other counties. The numbercommitted from Glamorganshire has continued to diminish in comparison with former years. The circumstance indicates most undoubtedly a proportionate dimi- nution of juvenile crime, and by a parity of rea- soning a diminution also of adult crime. Were it not for £ he Reformatory system, ninety-nine of every hundred young criminals would in all pro- bability develop into full-grown culprits, and thus materially add to the incorrigible section of the crime of v the country. It is not only a sovereign cure for the incipient crime, but also a preventive of the mature. The managers may also rest sa- tistied that the School not only reforms many young offenders, but deters others by the dread of a long detention. It descends to the roots of many evils, vigorously plucks them up, and destroys them. It is also of great importance," says the Report, that in every case committed for detention an order should be made upon the parent to contribute something towards the sup- port of the boy." This is only just and proper. Let the parents feel the obligations of their trust," let them be held responsible for the misdeeds of their young children. On politic aud moral grounds it would be wrong to absolve parents from blame when, owing to vicious training, their child ren commit crimes. It appears that during the last four years, sixty- three boys have been discharged from the School that of these four have been re-convicted, four are of doubtful character, and two have not since been heard of. Tlte remaining fifty- three are now earning an honest livelihood in various xoays. We italicise the sentence, because it contains the pith of the whole Report, and makes manifest the good fruit borne by the Reformatory system in the County. Another pleasing feature should not be allowed to escape observation the balance-sheet shows that the income from all sources is at present in excess of tue expenditure. This completes the satisfactory nature of the Report, and leaves nothing further to be desired. There is a pastoral touch in the picture which it would be a pity to pass over, and from which beneficent results may be expected. It is this: "At the close of 1869 the Committee secured the possession of the whole of the moun- tain land which they had previously underlet for several years. A flock of sixty sheep was pur- chased about that time," and a profit of £ 19 has accrued from the transaction. Apart from the monetary profit, the moral weight of the mountain land and the sheep, the expanse of ground opened up to the boys, and the wholesome and sooth- ing character of the employment of tending the flock, cannot fail to produce a salutary effect upon those who have gone astray," but are not lost." The Report stages that the conduct of the boys, who are for the most part younger than in former years, has in general been satisfactory. It has been found from experience that the detention of "boys" up to eighteen or nineteen is often inju- rious to the School, and they now do not receive them over fourteen unless they are committed from Glamorgan. The period of adolescence may in- clude nineteen," but we believe it is a prudent course on the part of the managers to draw the line at fourteen. The minds of many "fallen" young men of eighteen or nineteen are hardly duc- tile enough to be enlightened by the discipline of a school. They may be in some cases, but as a rule they are not. It is, therefore, best to keep the institution exclusively for boys, and not. for young men, whose admission would alter its conditions, and in a great measure stultify its legitimate functions. On the whole the Glamorganshire Reformatory School is doing a good work, and its managers and supporters are deserving of public thanks.

THE GLAMORGAN COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUM. IN the Sixth Annual Report of the Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum we find a suggestive paragraph. The Commissioners of Lunacy speak highly of the institution, and observe that as they passed through No. 4 male ward, a man of very dangerous and impulsive character was, in accord- ance with the daily practice, in seclusion the door was unlocked on theirjarrival. This patient, who some time since made a murderous attack upon the night attendant, is not taken to the din- ner in the hall, and as during the meal the ward in which he lires is left with one attendant only, it is thought necessary for the safety of others thus for a short time daily to separate him from the rest; 'on the return of the other attendants to the ward, the door of his room is at once unlocked." The Commissioners add that this was the only patient in the Asylum who had been secluded since their previous visit, and that the only instance of restraint had been when a male patient wore gloves on nineteen occasions, to prevent him from destroying his bedding. This certainly is reducing "seclusion" and "restraint "to a minimum, and speaks volumes for the judicious, mild, and humane treatment of the patients in our County Asylum. In reading the passage we are forced to remember the general treatment of the insane not many years since, and to look at the contrast between then and now. Why. it is within the memory of men in the prime of life that madmen and madwomen were looked upon as demons or wild beasts, and treated accordingly. Nothing more strongly marks the cruelty of a bygone time than the harshness with which the insane were treated. Deprived of reason, they became subjects for the whips and scorns of time," for all the tyranny and wrong that could be heaped upon them. The horrors of Bedlam have been revealed. But the public never knew, never will know, a tithe of the tortures practised upon lunatics, the cruelties and hard- ships to which they were subject, by gentle and simple alike. Before Asylums were built in some counties of the United Kingdom the insane were thrust into gaol, where they were treated as criminals of the blackest die. Absolutely alien- ated from human kind, except the doctor and gaoler, pitched into dark condemned cells, with straw to lie upon, they were subject to the coarse control of muscular officials, who made free use of cords and irons and strait-waist- coats, "to tame them" and keep them down. When these luckless creatures were let out in the gaol yard for fresh air, they were looked upon as unnatural curiosities by officials and the governor's" children, and visitors who might happen to be present, when everyone had a "fling" at the raving wretches, and when the tor. ment was relieved only by mockeries and jests. The wonder was the insane were not murdered out- right. That passage in the Lament of Tasso" would not exaggerate the state of many a poor lunatic in English dungeons and cages not many years ago Above me, hark the long and maniac cry Of minds and bodies in captivity. And hark the lash and the increasing howl, And the half-inarticulate blasphemy There be some here with worse than frenzy foul, Some who do still goad on the o'er-labour'd mind, And dim the little light that's left behind With needless torture, as their tyrant will Is wound up to the lust of doing ill." Death in many cases would have been more mer- ciful than the lingering and horrible barbari- ties practised upon them. In any civilized country such conduct on the part of the authorities would be shocking but it seems unaccountable that it should have been in- troduced into and countenanced byaChristian com- munity. The remembrance of the custom forces upon us the truth that it was but yesterday that savage propensities permeated all classes of British society. It is difficult to trace the origin of the wild treatment of the insane in this country. The common instincts of our nature tell us that of all afflicted creatures none are so unfortunate, none so helpless, none so forlorn, none so calculated to awaken commiseration and pity. Yet nothing of the kind was accorded them. On the contrary, "sane" men and women frowned upon them, and as demons and wild beasts they were thought of, looked upon, and treated. Happily the times are changed. With ad- vanced civilization have come more charity and kindness, and the insane are now treated with science and skill and a tender regard for their sad condition. Some of the ablest physcians of the age have made lunacy their principal study, and their righteous labours have been signally blessed. The utmost tenderness and care are now bestowed upon the inmates of all Lunatic Asylums, and the provision made for them—the arrangement of the building and the numerous adjuncts and appliances needed—is the result of enlightenment and humanity, of advanced know- ledge and Christian feeling. The report of the Committee of Visitors men- tions that on the 22nd December, 1870, the nutii- ers ou the books of the Asylum were 21-1 males and 194 females, making a total of 408; against 19/ males and 163 females, total :361. at the cor- responding period of the previous year. In order to meet increasing demands upon the resources of the estabhsinent. an addition of forty beds in the jemale department is recommended, and has this week been sanctioned by the magistrates at Quarter Sessions. During the year thirty- six were discharged—of whom twenty-five were "recoveries" -and thirty-three had died, being five fewer than last year. It appears from the report of the Chaplain, the Rev. Charles Jones, B.D., that the behaviour of those patients who have from time to time attended the Holy Com- munion has, with one exception, been charac- terized by strict decorum and apparent devo- tion. Some of my clerical friends," says Mr. Jones, "whom I meet, look at me with a certain amount of astonishment when I tell them that the behaviour of my congregation is much the same as that of other people, yet so it is many of the patients take part in the service by making the responses in an audible voice, and joining heartily in the singing. To encourage them in this, and to make the singing as congre- gational as possible, care is taken to use chants and tunes which are well known to the majority of the people. The winter nights' entertainments have been varied this season by the occasional ex- hibition of a magic lantern, and the delivery of popular lectures by Dr. Yellowlees," the medical superintendent. After reading this Sixth Annual Report, we have no hesitation in saying that ) the Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum at Bridgend seems to be one of the best-managed institutions in the kingdom.

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. IN common with all other seaport towns, Cardiff owes much to the mercantile marine. Docks would be useless without ships, ships without sailors. Sailors, therefore, well deserve the con- sideration of those cities and towns which derive their sustenance and prosperity from shipping and commerce. Although the sailor sees a good deal of the globe, he knows very little of the world. He may indeed be looked upon as a big boy, hardly able to take care of himself when dis- missed from school. Subject to strict discipline, mixing only with those of his own craft, while at sea the British sailor is a model of manliness,— brave, active, and ready at all times to rush into danger at the word of command. Free from all temptation, he is safe whilst on the voyage, but on shore he is a generous simpleton, and easily falls a prey to the wicked. The wages of seamen of necessity accumulate, and with more money than wit seamen soon become victims of treachery. Soldiers are more on their guard. These are also subject to discipline, like mariners, but then they associate with the public, and become used to the ways of life. They never have much money. As a rule they are able to take care of themselves. Sailors are not, without good seasonable advice. Missions to Seamen speak for themselves. Es- tablished for purposes of protection, they meet the sailor at the threshold of danger, and give him advice, sound, rational, and religious. They re- mind him of the perils he will encounter on shore, of the "sharks" of society which await him, of the numerous devices and snares laid for his ruin. Some of the most reckless listen to the words of wisdom, take the advice so freely and righteously given, and are thus saved from misfortune. Had we no missions to seamen, what a fearful amount of crime would be added to that already com- mitted If at every British port the sailor, fresh from his voyage, were to be flung on shore without a word of advice, the havoc amongst the class would be fearful to contemplate. Let us take Cardiff, and suppose that the Mission did not exist, would not the crime of the port be increased to a serious extent ]—would not the present chan- nels of riot and debauchery and robbery and violence be swollen to a degree of which happily as yet we have had no experience ? Sailors have good hearts, but they are wrong- headed and simple-minded, and are easily led astray. They are also, many of them, easily led into the right path. Seeing the disinterested motives of clergymen and others, the most aban- doned of sailors are not always invulnerable to the force of good words. The sailor mind is of a plastic nature. It is susceptible of good influ- ences no less than of bad. Brought continually in contact with the most striking phenomena- the sea and its wonders, the heavens and their marvels — with the infinite variety of form and colour and kind in the fields of Nature, if the sailor is disposed to be superstitious, he is also disposed to be religious when Evangelical truths are brought before him by Scripture readers or ministers of the Gospel. Of the use of missions to seamen a fair notion may be gained from the report in this impression of the annual meeting of the friends and pro- moters of a Seamen's Mission, held last Friday evening in Cardiff. The Thisbe is the centre of a zealous regard for the welfare of the seafaring class, and the Rev. Mr. Mellis, the chaplain is most active in his endeavours to ameliorate its condition. He is doing much good, but with increased public support he would be able to accomplish much more.

WORKSHOPS FOR THE BLIND. About seven years ago a commissioner was sent from London to inquire into the number of blind persons in this county, and the result of his visit showed that there were then forty in Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea. By the efforts of Miss Shand, a lady whose name stands high in connection with many other charitable institutions in the town, an association was formed for improving the social condition of that unfortunate class. At first a house was opened in Olive-street, Roatli, where they were taught reading and writittg but the great want appeared to be the pro- viding them with some means of obtaining a livelihood by industrial occupation. The blind who came under the notice of the commissioner were of the poorer classes who, unable to earn anything themselves, were either dependent on the charity of their relatives, or recipients" of Poor Law relief. A strong effort was again made by Miss Sliand to obtain subscriptions for the erection of workshops, and two years since a building was erected in Splottlauds- terrace, Newport-road, where basket and mat making could be carried on, and where also a store could be opened for the sale of the articles manu- factured. The premises are well adapted for the pur- pose, the lower floor at the rear of the shop consisting of a large room, where looms are fixed for making cocoa matfcing, and where also the making of door-mats is carried on and the upper one affords accommodation to about twelve blind men and boys engaged in basket making, a large store of willows standing in the yard to be used for this purpose. The building is lofty, well ventilated, and during the winter the lower rooms are warmed by means of hot air. Two skilful teachers in basket andmatmakingwereengaged, and the institution thrown open to the blind in the Principality, who are received .1 here and trained in both these branches. At present there are also three apprentices to the basket making, who are taken on the most easy terms, a promise being also given that if they conduct themselves with propriety, work will be provided for them when their ap- prenticeship expires to enable them to earn their living. Sixteen blind persons are now engaged in the occupa- tion of mat, matting, and basket making. They have come from various parts of the county, and reside in the neighbourhood of the workshops. They attend to their labours with the same regularity as other artificers, and with skilful training they are enabled with diligence to earn on the average 14s. a week. The work done is of a plain and substantial character and would bear comparison with the work of any similar institution in the country. A visit to the workshops would be well repaid in noticing how the sense of feel- ing is made to take the place of that of sight, and also what a great boon the association is to those who are now engaged in work there. Not one of these workmen was born blind blindness having resulted from acci- dent, and in some cases the injury had been caused by explosion from lire-damp or other causes in the mine. These persons would therefore be entirely dependent on parochial aid were this association not supported, and the injured enabled to become through its aid again self-supporting. The income of the institution is derived from sub- scriptions and donations, which last year amounted to £ 183 2s. (hI., and the goods sold, which then amounted to £5!H 13s. 8d. During that time the wages paid to the blind was .£204 lis. 3d., £333 5s. 6d. having also been spent in material. The cost of material and labour nearly equalled the amount received for the articles when manufactured, and would probably have exceeded that sum, but several very liberal donations of fire- wood, which is also an article sold at the workshops, were made by the Trustees of Lord Bute, the Taff Vale and Rhymney Railway Companies, Messrs. Bland and Co., and others. The charitable nature of the institution is shown in the sum paid to the manager of the institution and to teachers, which amounts yearly to j6184. This amount, with other incidental expenses, have therefore to be recouped by voluntary subscriptions. The annual subscribers to the associa- tion last year, independent of donations, numbered 254, of whom 110 were subscribers of from 5s. to Is. The institution is therefore mainly dependent on very small subscriptions, the only donors above 42 2s. being the Trustees of the Marquis of Bute and Messrs. Nixon, Taylor, and Cory. The task of personally collecting these subscriptions and donations devolves on one lady, who has taken from its commencement the most lively interest in its success. With but a small amount of capital obtained by donations, this lady undertook the erection of the present workshops at a cost of about jE 1,400 and there is still a debt upon the building of about £ 130, which to some extent clogs the efforts of the committee, and which it is hoped will be shortly removed. Compared with the £ 1,270 which have been paid towards the building within the last three years, the effort to remove the present liability is but a small one, and when known no further appeal to the benevolent will probably be necessary to procure its removal. The aim of the association is to prevent the blind obtruding their mis- fortunes in the streets, or becoming useless permanent paupers, for were it not for such an association those who are now working at the shops would be unable to help themselves. It is tõ be regretted that an institution having such an object in view should be in debt, that with the most rigorous economy its income should be insufficient to meet its ordinary expenses, and that extensions or improvements cannot be undertaken for want of means. There are many ways in which such an association can be supported independently of annual subscriptions. The basket- making and mat-making departments are now in a most efficient state, and the articles made are equal in every respectto those made at theusual manufactories of those goods, and they are also sold at the same price. Large numbers of baskets in ordinary use at the collieries can be made at the establishment weekly, and if colliery proprietors and managers were to send their orders to these workshops they would, without any loss to themselves, materially contribute to the sup- port of an excellent cause. The public in general might also more liberally aid the committee in their efforts. The whole of the business is managed on the ordinary commercial principles, and no one is expected to contribute one farthing towards the support of the workshops out of charity to the blind, but every article is sold at the price at which it can be ob- tained at other places. These workshops have now been in existence two years, their usefulness have been sufficiently tested, and they deserve a larger measure of public support than they receive. In aiding such an institution pauperism and mendicity are diminished.

AGRICULTURAL NOTE. (COMMUNICATED. ) All hail to the glorious sunshine that inaugurated the latter end of March and beginning of April! Surely the agriculturist will be prepared to join in the Easter festivities with glee and gladness, for the con- stant strain upon his mind as to how stock was to be fed with roots all rotten (and the price of feeding stuff at a figure that precluded any chance of its remune- rating the purchaser) will diminish in proportion to the amount of sunshine. Rain is however wanted to sti- mulate the growth of seeds, &c. Autumn wheat looks very blind, and in many instances a considerable breadth has been ploughed up and re-sown, and the failure has occurred principally on the early sown wheat; that which was planted later with a moist furrow has stood better. From what we learn the failure of winter barley and winter oats has been general throughout the kingdom, the sudden and severe frosts proving too much for these plants. Spring corn has gone in splendidly, it being without exception the finest sowing season we ever remember. A large area of barley has and will be planted this season. Stock is realising good prices, and we anticipate higher prices further on, for the shortness of keep is driving vast quantities of stock into the market, which must tell upon the supply intended for the summer months. Intact wehaveheardof Cotswold yearlings sold weighing 121bs. per quarter these sheep in the ordinary course of events would have been kept till June or July, weighing then probably ISlbs. per quarter. All the supplies for the works are drawn from the home flocks, as we have no foreign supply by reason of the Orders in Council. It is to be hoped that these orders will effectively prevent disease from being imported into the kingdom, for, from the low condition and im- poverished state of the blood of our flocks and herds, the animals would easily fall victims to the ravages of disease. We expect to see a nice little account to be paid by the country under the Cattle Plague Orders, though it appears to us from the manner in which they are carried out, they afford no security against the in- troduction of disease. The loss amongst the ewe flocks in some parts of the country, arising from under-feeding during the autumn, has been frightful in some instances we have heard of fully 70 per cent. of the lambs being lost, and twenty per cent. of the ewes likewise. Breeders would do well to bear in mind that unless breeding animals are supplied with good and nutritious food to keep them in a strong, healthy state, heavy losses are sure to be incurred. We hear a good deal of specula- tion as to the destination of the Royal Agricultural Show for 1872. Doubtless, had Cardiff complied with their rules, which could not be altered on the instant, it had stood a fair chance; we, however, think the Royal will stand on its dignity as well as Cardiff, and give the preference to those towns which have com- plied with its rules. We also think the town of Cardiff should have consulted with the County, Merthyr, and other important towns, before declining to apply for the Royal Show, because, if chosen as the site of the show for 1872, we apprehend it will apply to the County and to other towns for subscriptions towards the sum required by the Royal Agricultural Society.

ROYAL GLAMORGAN MILITIA. The streets of Cardiff have been enlivened by red- coats during the week. A large number of recruits of the Militia have assembled for a month's drill before the arrival of the regiment. The men are daily marched up to the piece of ground in front of the stores, where they are drilled by the staff sergeants. They are billeted in the town as formerly, and up to the present time their conduct has been irreproachable.

GREAT STRIKE IN THE RHONDDA VALLEY. A large body of colliers working in the steam- coal measures in the Rhondda Valley, are now idle. The cause, we believe, is owing to the hauliers- striking against what is considered to be the oppres- sive tenus of the masters in connection with the re- duction. It is to be hoped that arrangements will speedily be made for resuming work.

PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. Rev. J. A. Aston, Vicar of St. Stephen's, South Ken- sington Vicar of St. Luke's, Cheltenham. Rev.* Henry William Carew, B.A. Curate of Compton Bassett, Wilts. Rev. Thomas Cox; Vicar of Aldringham-cum-Thorpe. Norfolk. Rev. Theodore H. C. Day; Vicar of Southwood, Norfolk. Rev. W. S. Ffrench Curate of Clevedon. Rev. Francis Guruey Girdlestone, B.A., Curate; Rector of Landlord, Wilts. Patron, Earl Nelson. Rev. W. F. Handcock, Vicar of St. Luke's Chelten- ham Vicar of St. Stephen's, South Kensington, London. Rev. John Thomas Hyde, M.A. Curate of Eggesford, Devon. Rev. Lloyd Isaac Vicar of Llangammarch, Brecon. Rev. R. li. Kirby, M.A., Curate of St. Mark, Lower Easton, Bristol; Vicar of Chapel Allerton, near Leeds. Patron the Vicar of Leeds. Rev. Charles Tyrell Knapp Assistant-Curate of St. Agnes, Cornwall. Rev. Malcolm MacColl, Chaplain to Lord Napier; Rector of St. George's, Botolph-lane, London. Patron, the Crown. Pav. Henry Farwell Roe. M.A. Rector of Revelstoke, Devon. Patron, the Bishop of Exeter. Rev. G. J. Schrader, LL.D., Chaplain at Point de Galle, Ceylon Rural Dean and Surrogate for the Southern Province of the Island of Ceylon. Rev. John Vowler Tanner, B.A. Curate of Chawleigh, Devon. Rev. F. J. Tracy Rector of St. Martin, Chichester. Rev. R. S. Turner; Curate of St. Paul's, Marylebone. Rev. A. D. Wilkins, Vicar of Dewsbury, Yorkshire Vicar of Lullington, and Rector of Orchardleigh, I near FrOPle Selwood. ;1.

Joqal Jittcllijencc. ST. DAVID'S CATHEDRAL.—At Gloucester Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Bovill and a common jury, the case of Propert v. the Dean and Chapter of St. David's has been heard. It was an action to recover arrears of salary as organist of St. David's Cathedral. The defendants paid JE31 into court. Mr. H. James, Q.C., and Mr. Sawyer were for the plaintiff; Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., and Mr. J. O. Griffiths were for the defendants. The plaintiff was verbally appointed a lay vicar and organist of St. David's Cathedral by the Dean and Chapter in 1851. His salary aa-organist was, according to his statement, fixed, unconditionally, at £31 a year. His salary was paid at that rate till 1864, when the cathedral was begun to be restored, and the organ was removed and taken to pieces. The cathe- dral is still under repair, and the organ not in use but choral services are performed by the choristers, who are instructed by the plaintiff. In July, 1865, the Dean and Chapter refused to pay more than £6 as the year's salary of the organist, alleging that the rest of the £31 was made up of a sum of £ 5 in respect of tuning the organ, and of ,£20 which was a gift of the Dean and Chapter, but which they were no longer in a position to continue. The plaintiff objected, but ac- cepted the £6, and has received that amount yearly from that time. The defendants alleged, but the plaintiff denied, that he was informed on his appoint- ment how his salary was made up, but he admitted putting his initials to a paper on receiving his salary from time to time which did show it. The defendants now alleged that the appointment, to be valid, should be under seal. In the end the parties consented to a juror being withdrawn upon a certain further sum being paid to the plaintiff. THE NEW RHYMNEY RAILWAY.—The new line be- tween Cardiff and Caerphilly was opened on Saturday for public traffic. The stations at Cardiff and Caerphilly and the locomotives were plentifully decorated with bunting, and as the early morning trains left Cardiff some fog signals were placed on the rails to give a little eclat to the event. Saturday was the commencement of the new quarter, and on Friday the Rhymney ceased pay- ing the Taff for running powers over their line from Walnut Tree Bridge Junction. The new line is greatly admired, and the first two miles from Cardiff is per- fectly straight, and with but a slight up-gradient. The distance from Caerphilly is less, and will be travelled in a much shorter time, owing to the greater speed that will be attained on the new line. The extension of the railway north of Caerphilly is progressing rapidly, and when completed will open a direct com- munication between Cardiff and Merthyr, Tredegar, and Rhymney, and thence through the London and North Western line to all parts of the north and west of England. The Caerphilly tunnel is one of the finest in the country. CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meet- ing of this Board was held on Saturday, presided over by Mr. E. W. David. There were also present Alder- men Pride, Alexander, and Bird; Drs. Paine and Taylor; Messrs. VV. H. Martin, R. Cory, J. Cory, P. Bird, C. French, R. Bartlett, J. Bassett, and M. Mor- gan. The Master of the Workhouse reported that 30 paupers had been admitted during the week, and 28 discharged, leaving 305 in the house, a decrease of 95 on the corresponding week of last year. There bad been 49 tramps relieved, at a cost of 4s. 2d. The Chairman called the attention of Aldenr.an Bird to the rapid increase in the number of tramps. Mr. Bird was of opinion that it was owing to the remarks of Mr. Cory, which had been conveyed, no doubt, to all the tramp headquarters in the country. The Master of the Schools reported the number of children at that institution to be 243, a decrease of 22 on the corres- ponding week of last year. The Rev. J. Griffiths, Rector of Neath, had visited the Schools during the week, and left a report in the visitors' book highly complimentary to the management of the institution, and expressing a hope that before long a similar insti- tution would be established in the neighbourhood of Swansea and Neath. The Clerk mentioned that, m consequence of a letter from the Poor Law Board complaining of the manner in which Mr. Thomas, the collector for Llandaff, discharged his duties, and which complaint had been made on a report from the auditor that a large amount of arrears were due from Llandaff, he had examined Mr. Thomas s books, and found that the arrears at the time complained of were fl72 17s. 6d., which had, however, been now collected, so that only :£52 10s. 8d. had been carried forward, a portion of that sum bein" irrecoverable. He was surprised at the complaint made by the auditor, as the amount of arrears bore but a very small proportion to the rate, and it was less than it had been for several years. III 1S68 it amounted to .£245. Taking into consideration the fact that Canton and Grange- town were included in Mr. Thomas's district, where there was a large amount of cottage property, and a large number of a class of persons unlikely to pay their •rates, the amount collected was certainly very credit- able to Mr. Thomas. The guardians would be re- quired to say what report they would send to the Poor Law Board with regard to the collector. By the monthly statement handed to him by Mr. Thomas he found that the account for the present half-year was still more satisfactory, the amount carried forward being only £96. He did not know that he had ever seen a more satisfactory monthly statement. The Chairman Will you communicate to the Poor Law Board the result of your examination? Dr. Paine thought it would be better to propose a resolution, that it might emanate from the Board. He proposed, "That, having heard the statement of the Clerk, and considering the class of ratepayers which he had to deal with, they considered the Collector had discharged his duties in an efficient and satisfactory manner." Alderman Bird seconded the proposition, which was agreed to. Dr. Paine referred to an outbreak of small- pox at LlandafF, and mentioned that he had spoken to Mr. Evans, the medical officer of the district, who considered that under present circumstances it would be desirable to open a public vaccination station at Llandaff, where he could attend twice a week to vacci- nate or re-vaccinate persons who might apply. The Chairman said he had been informed of the outbreak of smallpox at LIandaff, as many as four persons in one family being stricken with it. The inhabitants were very much alarmed, and many persons desired to be re-vaccinated. He thought the suggestion of Dr. Paine a very good one, and should be carried out at once. He should also suggest that bills should be posted about LlandatF, stating when and where persons could be vaccinated. Dr. Taylor And Ely also. The ( Chairman Yes, certainly. The Clerk said the sub- ject was brought before the Sanitary Committee that morning, and the necessary steps ordered to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The Chairman Mr. Evans, the medical officer, has ample powers to do what, is necessary. The Clerk read a letter from Mrs. W. Mason, widow of the late tailor to the Industrial Schools, asking for assistance owing to being left destitute, and on the motion of Dr. Paine a grant of £5 was made to her on the sanction of the Poor Law Board being obtained to it. The Clerk also reported that the overseers of Rumney had paid up the arrears, so that proceedings against them were no longer necessary. The meeting then separated. TRANSFER OF LICENCES.—At the special sessions on Monday the licence of the London Tavern, Crock- herbtown, was transferred frdm Mrs. A. Knibbs to Mr. David Williams. The licence of the Gardener's Arms, Plucca-lane, from Mr. W. Bucknell to Mr. James Henry Harding; and the licence of the Windsor Hotel, Bute Docks, from Mr. Thomas John to Mr. William Armstrong. OUTWITTING THE HEBREWS.—At the Police Court on Monday several Jews attended to obtain a warrant against some person for obtaining money under false pretensions. It appeared that they had all been the dupes of a rather clever swindle. During last week, a man very fashionably attired called at several pawn- brokers' establishments in the town, and pulling out of his pocket a gold watch, to which was attached an albert chain, stated that he was temporarily in want of some money, and asked them to lend him £4 on his "gold chain." The chain is a massive curb one, having a small fancy compass attached to it, and every link bore the regular stamp, and was marked 15 carats. The chain was examined and found to be of agood colour, weighed, and if gold, the value of it would be from £8 to £9. In some cases jS3, in others a still larger sum was lent on the chains, for the "gentleman" in the same way disposed of several, all of the same pattern, at different establishments. The singularity of the act, and the chains being of one pattern, caused suspicion. They were then filed, and afterwards taken to a jeweller, who said they were only worth a few shillings each. They were made of platinum, plated with a material to resist the test, but contained no gold. After the "gentleman" had successfully duped several tradesmen he left the town, and had been traced to Birmingham. The Bench advised the parties to proceed to Birmingham and take a warrant out there for his apprehension. MR. AND MRS. HOWARD PAUL.—These artistes bring with them a world-wide reputation, having performed for years in the United Kingdom, met with marked success in two American tours, and occupied a high artistic position in France and Germany. Next Tues- day they perform in our Stuart Hall, and will then introduce a programme brimful of novelties—notably Mr. Howard Paul as "Captain Vane, of the Life Guards Pink," a new semi-doggy representation, "The Impudent Puppy a new song, "Beau Belles;" and the popular Yankee song, "U-Pi-Dee." Mrs. Howard Paul will sing selections from the opera of Gil Bias" which she has been playing for some time in London; "The Marseillaise Hymn," which creates enormous cllthusiasm; deliver her red-hot lecture on "Woman's Rights;" sing "Bother the Men give selections from Offenbach's opera, "Genevieve de Brabant," and several other song", concluding with the representation of Mr. Sims Reeves. Miss Fanny Sara will sing several songs in costume, and Miss May Mander will preside at the piano; so their present programme will exceed all previous efforts as regards variety, quantity, and quality, and a brilliant assem- blage may be expected in the Stuart Hall next Tuesday. OPENING or THE NEW SYNAGOGUE AT NEWPORT.— The opening of this new edificie for Divine service has already been noticed in our columns. The Builder's view of it is as follows It is situated at the junction of Lewis-street and Francis-street, the principal front being to the latter, and forming a facade of Romanesque character, of which the centre comprises the entrance porch, lobbies, and stairs, the left wing being the minister's house, and the right wing the synagogue. The exterior is of black rock limestone, having a rock- work face with quoins, strings, reveals, and arches of grey brick, and Bath stone coping, corbels, and key- stones. The front in Francis-street presents a some- what irregular elevation, of which the gable of the synagogue is the highest part. This has a group of four small ornamental windows in the lower part, lighting under the gallery set apart for ladies, and another group formed by two semicircular-headed windows, with a circular one above them, confined under a large semicircular arch, the tympanum or in- terval being filled with diaper mosaic work, in bas relief, of five-point stars and pellets. The minister's house, forming the left wing, is of the same character. The interior of the synagogue is 460 ft. from east to west, and 30 ft. wide, and is divided into eight bays by the corbels and elliptical arch-ribs of the roof and ceiling, which is of red pine, stained light oak colour, and varnished. The cost of the building, including all expenses, has been £1,0:23. The builder was Mr. Chacko Mr. James supplied the marble-work. The architect was Mr. Lawrence. CAKDIFF CORPORATION.—A special meeting of the members of the Town Council was held on Thursday, to consider a reply which had been received from the promoters of the Cardiff street tramways, enclosing a draft of provisional order which had been prepared for the Board of Trade, and which contained some altera- tions not approved of by the Council at a former meeting. Messrs Alderman Bird; Councillors H. Bowen, N Plint, P. Bird, D. Jones, R. E. Spencer, and E. hiffen were present. The number not being sufficient to form a quorum, the meeting was adjourned. SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB, LLANDAFF.—We beg to direct attention to an advertisement from this institution, in another column, by which it will be seen that the purchase money of the school premises, and all liabilities thereon, has been paid, and the legal transfer effected. W e believe this is owing to the generosity of Mr. J. B. Lawcs, the eminent agricultural chemist, who is distinguished no less for his benevolence than for his scientific attainments. TRADE OF THE PORT.—The business for March, as was anticipated, shows an excess over that for February and January, and this for April will show a still larger increase in consequence of some repairs which necessitate the closing of the docks at Newport, vessels formerly trading with that port being now com- pelled to come to Cardiff. The arrivals for March number 596 and the departures 617, making a total for the year of 1,577 arrivals and 1,609 departures the corresponding numbers for last year being 1,783 ar- rivals and 1,779 departures. The falling off in busi- ness is greatly to be attributed to the war between France and Germany, which has stopped for some time commercial relations between this port and the two countries engaged in war. A few weeks since hopes were entertained that the war on the continent had terminated, and vessels were being once more chartered to France but the disturbed state of that country at present has again stopped to a very great extent our coal business with it. To most other ports business is a little more active than has been the case for some time, and shipments of coal are being made to many countries, and especially to the mail-packet stations. The docks are well filled with vessels a tolerable large fleet of light vessels lay at anchor in the loads, and the stem extends from 24 to 48 hours, and in some cases longer. The favour- able winds have cleared out the loaded vessels, and the lower parts of both docks are no longer crowded. A considerable business is being done in the shipment of iron, especially since the closing of the Newport Docks, the iron from the Forest of Dean, as well as that from the Rhondda and the Tatr, being sent to Cardiff for shipment. The principal items of import are pitwood and iron ore. Of pitwood there have been received during the month 5,037 tons; iron ore, 12,781 tons; pig iron, 3,345 tons iron cinders, 335 tons potatoes, 3,989 tons cogwood, 72 tons Esparto fibre, 2,204 tons; artificial manure, 412 tons China clay, 62 tons; pitch, 360 tons; bricks, 149,500; hay, 462 tons wheat, 560 tons, 250 sacks, and 7,800 bushels barley, 567 tons oats, 1,.855 quarters Indian corn, 100 tons besides several ship loads of timber, and a number of vessels containing miscellaneous cargoes. Within the last few days the activity in the shipment of coals has increased, and nearly all the coal tips are again in operation. APOTHECARIES* HALL.—The following gentlemen have passed their examination in the science and prac- tice of medicine, and received certificates to practise William Lloyd, M.B., University of Dublin, Carmar- then, South Wales, of Trinity College, Dublin: Bentham Paynter Morison, Portclew, Pembroke, of Guy's Hospital. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW.— Cheltenham, as well as Cardiff and Newport, is eager for the Society's Show next year. The local committee for promoting the visit to that town having already guaranteed the required amount of £3,500, the most strenuous efforts are now being made to induce the council of the society to accept the invitation. A large and influential gathering of the Cheltenham local com- mittee just held, uuder the presidency of Mr. George Parsonage, high bailiff, have unanimously passed the following resolution :—"That tbis meeting, having heard the explanation made by the high bailiff as to the result of the efforts to induce the Royal Agricul- tural Society of England to hold their annual meeting in Cheltenham in 1872, is of opinion that such explana- tion is highly satisfactory and it hereby requests and authorises the high bailiff on its behalf, and that of the town and county at large, to sign all necessary docu- ment, and enter into all requisite arrangements to comply with the requirements of the Society." THE VOLUNTEER AivriLLV.UY.—It has been decided to arm the volunteer artillery with the 40-pounder breech-loading Armstrong gun, and to place it, as well as the militia artillery, under the command of officers of the Royal Artillery in the different districts. THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.—The annual meet- ing of the Cardiff Total Abstinence Society was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The chair was taken by Mr. JohnCory. There was but a small attend- ance. Mr. Curtis, the secretary, read the annual report of the Cardiff Society, which regretted that, not- withstanding the efforts put forth by the various reli- gious bodies of the town., drunkenness still prevailed to an alarming extent. It also advocated the permis- sive principle, and urged ou the electors the necessity of obtaining representatives in Parliament who would vote for removing all temptations to drink from the people. The report also stated that during the year 150 Bands of Hope meetings had been held, aud 16 open-air meetings in connection with the total absti- nence movement. Two thousand temperance tracts had been distributed, 1,000 visits paid by the Home Missionary, and 300 pledges taken. The donations received during the year amounted to £ 40, but there was still a balance due to the treasurer of £39 18s. The report was adopted, and addresses in favour of total abstinence were delivered by the Rev. A. Tilly, Mr. n. Cory, jun Mr. Tregaskis, and others. The usual vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the proceedings. CAPSIZING OF A VESSEL. On Monday morning, the large French bark, called the Mentana, which had been undergoing repairs in Messrs. Batchelor's dry dock, was successfully floated off the blocks, but eventually settled down on her starboard, in conse- quence of a deficiency of ballast. The crew were in their bunks, and had a narrow escape. THE BODY OF A CHILD FOUND.—Early on Wednesday morning, some workmen passing through North Church- street found a bundle lying on the footpavement near St. Mary's Church, which on examination was found to contain the dead body of a newly-born female child. The body of the child is fully developed, and bears no marks of external violence, but there were indications that the mother in her confinement was not attended by an accoucheur. The police are en- deavouring to trace the mother. THECIRCUS. —Tne celebrated clown, "Joey Haynes" took his benefit on Monday evening, and on no previous occasion had the building ever been so crowded. The evening's entertainment was ef a humorous character, and the popularity of "Joey" was shown in the very warm manner in which his ad- dress of thanks was received. The season is evidently drawing to a close, but the attendance each evening appears to have fallen off but slightly.