The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

FARMERS' COLUMN. "J- A lithographed plate showing in natural colours the various stages of the growth of the Colorado beetle, has been issued as an extra supplement to the Farmer, The object m txie pre- paration of the plate is to place a simple meaasoi identify His, the beetle, if it comes, in the hands of every british farmei. (ireat pains have been taken to secure that the representations. of the hrvæ and of the perfect beetle should he accurate with tii'it m ™t<f' b«to .t Tinlrpp-lvill Firm containing ifte signatures and remarks of Mr. Mechi's visitors for a period of over 30 years have been offered to and accepted by toe anthoi tics of the Bmi Museum The first, volume, containing tae signatures for the first 15 years, is now in the Museum, and the second volume 1S Three Srs arrived at Liverpool last week from Canada, lhieesteameisnmnber of 472. Of these five were 28 cwt. 14lbs. It is said that this antaiai exwods in weight by 2 cwt. the heaviest beast ever exhibited at the Smithfield Fat Stock Show. There was only one consignment of fresh meat brought to Liverpool last week, consisting of 1 900 quarters of beef and 25 calves m the carcase. -?hP' wve °utr-e of the National Reform Union has passed the following resolution, in view of the protectionist policy which, there is every reasoll to fear, will be adopted by the majority of the Cattle Plague Committee now sitting -"That this committee I,™iWi(-'illv protest against any reactionary or protectionist nolu-v on the subiect of the importation of live cattle into -Prifxi ind which would create an unfair monopoly to the dts advantage of the consumer.; and hereby calls upon all associ- ations and individuals who recognise the folly and injustice of legislative protection, to oppose any policy involving a violation of those principles of free trade 011 which the well-being of the country depends."

ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF CATTLE PLAGUE. A supplement to the London Gazelle was published M .-cn- dav night reporting that cattle plague was detected on MUHLI. July 15, in a dairy at Bethnal Green, within the metropolis. Orders of council were consequently issued [ V in question to be an infected place, and ,/V under certain defined restrictions, theniovement of c, t that part of the metropolis north of the Thames.

THE ROYAL AGRICUVfURAL SOCIETY'S SHCW AT LIVERPOOL. 1. „ exceeded those of Birmingham bv The receipts.on .ihu^excee against 18 6W? on the°corresponding day of last year's show. The againsi o cattle were witnessed by large crowds. The^exhibitors of implements had hard work to keep pace with ine exuioi' 1 nublic, and a great deal of business was ^LenqFve^-thL- pastel off without accident or hitch. the Attendance at the exhibition was rgain the largest recorded for any corresponding day. The turnstiles at fi JP nVloek registered 22,741, being 5,705 more than at Birmnig- h ni There was a considerable falling off in the afternoon arrivals, owing to heavy showers of rain. The parade of horses and cattle again drew large crowds, and the receipts from the Grand Stand, though less than on the previous day, will, it is expected, be a considerable item in the balance-sheet. The anticipations of an immense attendance at the Royal Agricultural Show on Saturday, when the charge of admission was reduced te a shilling, were not fully realized, owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, rain falling very heavily in the afternoon, whilst the day throughout was overcast, btul the number of visitors was very large, 51,513 having passed through the turnstiles, in addition to the holders of season tickets. A most interesting feature of the day's proceedings was a parade of about 320 Liverpool draught horses, the splendid quality of which evoked unstinted approval from good judges. The Show closed on Monday evening, July 16. Despite very unfavourable weather, 31,935 persons paid for admission during the day, irrespective of the season-ticket holders. The aggre- gate attendance at the show was about 140,000, including the purchasers of season tickets.

SOMETHING NEW IN WALKING. (From a Correspondent.) A man named Gale, a barber at Penarth, Cardiff, but not un- known to the sporting world of walkers, is just now going through a piece of pedestrianism that bids fair to eclipse the feats of more distinguished performers in this line. About three weeks ago he commenced his journey under these condi- tions, viz. that he would walk a thousand miles, commencing each quarter of a mile every consecutive ten minutes. Thus, when he performs his little journey in, say, three minutes and a, half he has six minutes and a half for refreshment or rest; but as, at times, he makes quite five minutes of his quarter of a mile lap he necessarily has only five minutes at a time-day and night, for eating and sleeping At the close of the first week he is said to have suffered so greatly that two men had to support him in several of his rounds. But on Saturday, July 14 when I first visited the Canton Running Grounds—where the performance takes place—although the rain was falling heavily the pathway was all but a puddle, and the game little man had been at it, night and day, for more than a fortnight; he was pegging away, unsupported, at a pace that would soon tell on the "freshest of unprofessional walkers. This morning (July 17) Gale was in distress, ctitise(I by t splitting headache, but in the course of the day his condition improved, and at 8 o'clock, p.m., when I visited the grounds, he was doing his quarter of a mile in 3 min. and 40 sees. Medical men who have visited him, say he will perform his task, and one from London suggested the aid of music to help him on his march. Accord- ingly, a band has been engaged, and with the results anticipated. It is said that Gale's friends wanted the use of the Agricultural Hall, London, for this performance, but the proprietors did not see their way to letting the building for a month for what seemed so hopeless an attempt. If the feat is accomplished, no doubt we shall hear more of the Penarth Barber. His time will be up on Wednesday, July 25, on which day I may probably see the finish—assuming he is not finished earlier-when I will record his further doings in your columns.

CRICKET. .r"v,v"y-i" M VCIIY\T,LETTI Y. D0I.GEI.LEY.—This match was played at Machynlleth on Monday, July 16, and resulted in an easy vic- tory for the home team. Score;- LLOI.GEIXEY. w LI. Roberts, c Pemberton, b Tiivies 1 c J. Gillart, b Grif- DavieS fith 3 W Roberts, c LI. Evans, b Griffith lb J. Gillart G Quinton, c Kenyon, b Griffith 0 c H.Jones, b W Davies, c LI. Evans, b Davies 0b jy.ll,:irt 21 LI Pritchard, c. Griffith, b Davies 0 b J. Gillait .» J.B. Jones, run out 3 c Davies, b J. Gil- D. Owen, b Griffith 0 b J. Gillart 1 W. Jones not out 0 c LI. Evans, b Davies 5 A. R. Jones, b Davies 0 not out 0 O. Rees, run out 0 b Davies 0 R. Davies, b Davies 0 not out 0 Extras. 2 Extras. 14 13 68 MACHYNLLETH. J. LI. Tamberlain, not out.. 47 C. Griffith, c Quinton, bj. (j N. Thruston, b Pritchard 10 K Jones 0 H. Jones, b Pritchard 3 T. Davies, b J. E. Jones. 0 G. p Pemberton, b Prit- R. Gillart, b J. E. Jones 0 TVhard 7 B. B. Owen, c Quinton. b J. T Pilhrt, c Quinton, b J. E. E. Jones 0 Tones.. 1 Extras 9 LI. Evans, c Pritchard, b J. — C.1R.^Kenyon; b Pritchard 1 irvwfWFN v LL.YNERCHRUGOG HALL.—This match was played at Corweii on Saturday, July and resulted in an easy victory for the home team by 58 runs The batting of Mr. H. Walker, T V Williams G Warne, and J. May for Corwen was very good tVu latter scoring 43 without giving a single chance. His hits were a 4 4 3"™ 6 2's, and 10 singles. Also the batting of Mr. Du« for tilers was very g00d. LANERCHIIUGOG. w wnitw ,• W Phillips b R. Duce, Ibw, b J. Roberts 15 » 13 T. Lloyd, lbw, b J. Roberts 3 J. P. 'Davies,' ht'wkt, b T. T. Roberts, b J. P. Davies.. 5 Jones 2 P. It. Jones, run out 5 J. Roberts, c T. Lloyd, b T. T. Jones, b J. P. Davies 5 ,Tones 9 J. Phillips, b J Roberts 0 J. T. Williams j b Tavior 13 C. Taylor, b J. P. Davies 3 J. May, c Price Jones, b R. S. Bevington, b J. Jones 43 Roberts 3 W. Williams, b Taylor 0 W. Phillips, not out. fi Allen, b Tayior 0 Powys Jones, b J. P. Davies 0 G. Warne, bT. Lloyd 14 Price Jones, sub., run out.. 0 T Warne, b T. Lloyd 0 Extras. 16 R. Williams, not out 1 E. )Ionil" run out. 4 Extras 13 118 60 MifHYNT.LKiH C.C. v. ABERDOVHT C.C.—This match was nHved at Machynlleth on Saturday, July 14, and resulted in an easy victory for the home team. Subjoined is the score :— ABEHJIOVW- 'MACHYNLLETH. G. GJ!FCMOMFINGS V> T" L TANISIN, £ G Spmibsrton, b'lW.s-$|K.i 8 17 I L ?" 't by T;. Davies, b Jones i J. Hughes, thrown out, 5 c tj b Joneg 1 Roberts.. E„ Gillart not oufc o E. Pemberton, c LI. E\ an., Extras r, b Thruston H. Roby, b Thruston D. Marpole, not out J D. Wood, c J. Gillart, b Thruston 0 %Vm. Evans, lhw., b J. Gil- lart 2 Extras 14 52

MARKET REPORTS. 1 "J'V"r.f'V''y' CORN AVERAGES, For the week ending July 14. The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last year:— QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICES. This vear. Last year. This year. Last year. Wheat. 16,785 21,566 62s. 3d. 48s. 5d. Barley 111.. 182 34s. 7d. 32s. 3d. Oats. 1,031 487 2Ss. lOd. 30s. Id. Corn, &c. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.—The wheat trade to-day opened j excitiJKsly, owing to recent excessive rains, but on ths appear- ance of"sunshine, with a drying breeze, the market grew tamer; yet a large business was done at an advance of 4d. to 5d. P cental. Flour closed Is. to Is. 6d. dearer for sacks. Beans and pests unchanged. Indian corn in good demand, at an advanee t-f s.beut 2s. 1'J quarter—quotation for mixed new, 26s. 9d. PRICES (this day). s. d. s. d. American Wheat, Ti cental of 100 lbs. lo 9 to 12 S Ensrlish Flour,.$280 lbs 44 G 500 Foreign Barley,$60 lbs. 3 0 3 5 English Oats, 45 lbs 4 0 4 0 Egyptian Beans,$4S0 lbs 30 0 31 0 Indian corn, American new white 0 0 28 0 mixed American. 26 9 27 S LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—Trade slow for English wheat at steady prices; foreign quiet and unaltered. Flour remains quiet, but steady. Grinding barley Gd. to Is. dearer since Mon- day..Maize rather dearer. Oats firm. Beans and peas steady. —Arrivals: Foreign wheat, 49,810 quarters.; barley, 968 quar- ters oats, 76,420 quarters; maize, 9,040 quarters flour, 1,880 sacks and 2,'COO barrels. No British arrivals. CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT JIARK LANE. Shillings qr. Wheat, new Essex and Kent (white) r^3 to 69 Ditto ditto (red) ,-0 us Wheat, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 58 Ot Barley (Chevalier) *7 Oats, English feed 30 Beans (Mazagan) 30 34 Peas, white boilers (English) 36 40 „ (foreign) 39 40 Maize 2(5 30 Flour, best Town Households, sack of 280 lbs., 51s. to 50s. SHRE¥."SBURY, SATURDAY.—There was only a small supply of wheat, and that on offer sold readiiy. Oats and beans were firm. The current quotatious are s. d. s. d. White Wlieat, 1175 lbs 9 10 @10 3 Red ditto, 99102 Biirley (malting),$3S quarts 0 6 7 0 0,-tts, V 225 lbs 22 0 24 0 Beans, 225 lbs 216236 Nl,tlt, V imperial bushel. 8 9 9 2 CHESTER, SATURDAY. At this market prices of wheat were ill favour of sellers, red being worth 9s.. 6d. to 9s. 8d. c3 bushel. Oats unchanged. WELSHPOOL, MONDAY.—Wheat, 10s. Od. to 10s. 3d. 80 Its.; barley, 7s. Od. to 7s. 6ll Q 40 quarts.; oats, 23s. 6d to 24s. fd bag; eggs, 00 to 12 for a shilling; butter, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.$lb.; fowls, 4s. 6d. to 5s 0d. couple; ducks, 5s. Od. to 6s. Od.$ couple; geese, Os. Od toaDs. Od. each.; turkeys, 00s. Od. to 00s. 0d. each. NEWTOWN, TUESDAY (July 17).—Wheat, Os. Od. to Os. Od. 13 bushel; barley, Os. Od. to Os. Ocl.; oats, 00s. to OOs éJ bag; eggs, 00 to 13 for a shilling; butter, Is. 3d. to Is. 5cl, :t11b.; fowls, 4s. 6d to 5s. 6d.$couple ducks, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 6d.$couple; geese, Os. ad. to Os. Od. each; turkeys, Oe. Od. to Os. Od. each; potatoes, 6 lbs. for sixpence; beef, 8d. to 9d.$lb.; mutton, 9d. to 10d.; veal, 7d. to 8d.; pork, 7id. to gjd. OSWESTRY, WEDNESDAY (July 18).—The following were the quotations: Wheat, 9s. 6d. to 9s. Oel.;¡jJ bushel.; barley (malt- ing), Os. Od. toOs. Ocl.; oats, 4s. 3d. to 4s 9d.; butter, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. ¥ lb.; eggs, 0 to 13 for a shilling; fowls, 3s. -6d. to 4s. Od. f couple; ducks, Os. Od. to Os. Oll. q3 couple; geese, Os. Od. to Os. Od. each turkeys, OQs. Od. to 00s. Od. each; potatoes, 0 lbs. to 3 lbs for sixpence PWLLHELI, WEDNESDAY. Wheaten flour, 00s. to 00s. 13 280 lbs.; barley, 17s. ad. qJ 220 Its.; oats, 27s. Oc1. 1 315 lbs.; oat- meal, OOs to 32s. ad. 1'1240 lbs.; Indian corn, 16s. Od. V 240 lbs.; eo-gs 0s. to 7s Od.$120 salt butter, 0s. Od. to 0s. Od.$lb.; fresh butter, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d, ?! lb.; fowls, 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d. V couple; ducks, 3s. 4d. to 4s. Od. 33 couple; geese, Os. Od. to Os. Od. each; potatoes, Os. ad. to Os. !J hobbet; new potatoes, Id. to lid. J lb.; beef, 9d. to lid.$lb.; mutton, 10d. to 12d. q,1 lb. veal, 5d. to 8d z¡;J lb.; pork, 7d. to 8d. :j¡1 lb.; rabbits, Is. 4d. to is. Od. V couple; store pigs, 00, to OOs. each; suckers, 14s. to 17s. Od eaich; soles, 8d. ¥ lb.: flat fish, 2d.; salmon, 14d. Cattle. BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY.—The supply of beasts was fair for the time of year; sales progressed steadily. Sheep and lambs were a moderate number, which met a fair enquiry. Fat pigs were a limited supply trade slow. — To-day's prices were Beef, Sd. to 9Jd 13 lb.; mutton, 8d. to 9^1.; lamb, 9d. to 10d.; bacon pigs, 8s. Od. to 10s. Od score; porket ditto, 10s. 6d. to lis. Od. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—There was a larger supply of beasts, by about 100, than last week, sheep and lambs about an average'' the numbers being 2,008 beasts and 10,671 sheep and lambs. Trade good, and prices, on account of the bad weather, in favour of buyers. There were 303 foreign cattle on offer. Country buyers rather numerous. No diseased cattle at market.—Prices: Best beasts, Ski. to 9d.$lb.: second ditto, Gd. to 8id.; sheep, 9d. to 10^d.; lambs, 9Jd. to 10}d.$lb. METROPOLITAN, MONDAY.—The general run of first quality beasts may be quoted 6s. 2d. <3 stone, but trade is by no means brisk large coarse oxen decidedly lower. A few very choice home-breds were reported sold at 0s. 4d.; foreign generally good in quality; best American oxen realized 5s. 8d. to 5s. 10d.; supe- rior Oportos fully 6s. Choice Downs unaltered coarse sheep somewhat lower. Lambs dull. Calves lower. Pigs also dull.— Prices; Beef, 4s. Od. to 6s. 2d.;g mutton, 5s. 6d. to 0s. lOd.; veal, 5s. Od. to 6s. Od.; pork, 4s. Od. to 5s. 2d.; lamb, 7s. Od. to 7s. 10d. The stock on offer consisted of 2,890 beasts, 13,4(iO sheep, 40 calves, and 20 pigs; included in which were 860 foreign beasts and 340 sheep. SALFORD, TUESDAY. The show of beasts at market was about the same as last week. Trade for beef ruled slow, and prices tended in buyers' favour to the extent, in some instances, of fully |(1.$lb. About 300 foreign beasts were offered, the best of which fetched 8Ad. lb. The market was well supplied with sheep and lambs, but, with a small attendance of buyers, sales were difficult to effect, and prices gave way id. to Ad. lb. No change in the value of calves.—The quotations were Beef 7d. to 9d. lb.; mutton, Sld. to 101 di lamb, 9Jd. to 10;,kl.; veal, OJd. to 8;,d. LONDON DEAD MEAT MARKET, WEDNESDAY.-The follow- ing were the quotations ZjQ 8 lbs. by the carcase: Middling and inferior beef, 3s. Od. to 5s. Od.: prime ditto, 5s. 2d. to 5s. Sd.; inferior and middling mutton, 3s. Od. to 5s. 0d.; prime ditto, 5s. Sd. to 0s. 6d.; veal, 4s Id. to 5s. Od.; large pork, 3s. 8d. to 4s. 4d.; small ditto, 4s. M. to 5s. Oll.; lamb, 6s. 4d. to 7s. Od. Trade was very heavy this morning, notwithstanding a short supply of meat. Miscellaneous. LONDON PROVISION, MONDAY.—The arrivals last week from Ireland were 1,251 firkins of butter and 4,414 bales bacon, and from foreign ports 21,088 packages of butter and 2,485 bales bacon. Butter has ruled steady during the week, with an ad- vance of about 4s. iq cwt. on best Dutch; but the finest Norman- (lies declined 4s. at the close, and other sorts in proportion. Bacon has sold well, and at the close of the week some sorts of Irish and Hamburg sizeable advanced 2s. 49 ewt. LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.—With the arrivals of potatoes on a modertely extensive scale, the trade continues steady at the following prices:- ,Jersey (round) 200s. to 220s. 11 ton. Jersey (kidney) 210s. to 240s. Cherbourg (round) 200s. to 210s. Cherbourg (kidney) 190s. to 220s. Essex and Kent Shaws 190s. to 230s. LONDON HOP, MONDAY.—We have to report a very slow market for all deceptions of English hops. Values are nomin- ally unchanged, although occasionally more in favour of buvers. Advices from the plantations on the whole are not so favourable; the plant in many districts does not make satisfactory progress, and tiy and lice are also reported. Continental markets are quiet, with good appearances. LIVERPOOL WOOL, FRIDAY.—The market during the past week has been rdther dull, and only a moderate amount of busi- ness has been effected, but the prices realized show firmness. -The following are the current quotations: East India, white 6d. to 14d. V ff).; yellow, 4d. to 12d.; gray, &c., 221-cl. to 91 (1. washed Peruvian, lOd. to 17d.; washed River Plats, lOel: to 14d.; unwashed River Plate, 5d. to 9d.; washed Morocco," 3d to 13d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d to 7kl.; Egyptian white, 8d to 14Vd.; Oporto fleece, 12kl. to 14d.; mohair, 2s. lid. to 3s. Id.; alpaca, Is. lid. WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DAY.—Hides, 95 lb. and upwards, OW. lb.; 85 to 94, 5"d 75 to 84, 4Jd.; 65 to 74, 3;]d.; 56 to 64, 3:}d.; 55 and under, 3d.; Cows, 3 £ d. to 3-Jd.; bulls, 2Jd.; flawed ambirregular, 2kl.; kips, Od. to 3jd. Horse hides, 0s. Od. to 12s. Od. each. Calf, 17 lb. and upwards, 4Jd.; 12 to 16, 5d.; 9 to 11, 55d.; light, 5d.; flawed and irregular, 33d. Wools, A-l, 00s. Ocl.; A, Os. Od.; B, Os. od. each. Pelts, A, 2s. Id.; B, Is. 5d. each. Lambs, A, 3s. e)(I.; B, 2s. 6d. each. Fat, 2Jd. to 2Jd$lb.—JNO. S. D'ARCY, Broker, Cleveland-street. LEATHER.—LEADENHALL, TUESDAY. W lb. s. d. s. d. Hides, crop, 28 lbs. to 40 lbs 1 1 @ 1 5 Ditto, 40 lbs. to 00 lbs 1 4 1 9 English butts, 14 lbs. to 24 lbs 1 3 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 lbs 1 6 2 10 Foreign butts, 10 lbs. to 50 tbs 1 1 2 3 Crop bellies 0 7j 1 1 Shoulders 1 0 1 4 Dressing hides, common 1 0 1 c Ditto, shaved 1 2 1 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 7 LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, WEDNESDAY.—Sugar remains very quiet. Rum inactive. Rice strong, in sympathy with the corn market. Nitrate of soda 14s. 3d. to 14s. Od.$cwt. Lard un- changed, at 45s. nominal. Olive oil in limited supply, and prices rather stiffer. Linseed oil 29s. to 29s. Od. q¡1 cwt. in export casks. Rape oil 41s for Stettin. Cottonseed oil, Liverpool re- 'I fined, 32s. 6d. cwt. Tallow quiet, at 40s. to 41s. for North American. Palm oil quiet. Rosin, common,.5s. to 5s. Hd.^cwt. Ashes, pots 22s. 6d. v cwt. Spirits of turpentine 25s. 6d. 13 ewt. Petroleum lid. to 111d. 13 gallon. AGRICULTURAL PROD ITCE. -LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hay, 19 20 lbs. s. d. s d. r0 ton. Old 0 11 @1 3 s. d. s. d New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0@0 0 0it 00 New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0@0 0 Straw— Turnips 0 0 0 0 Wheat. 0101 0 11J ¡ Manuel Wurzel.. 0 0 00 Oat. 0 101 0 11 Manure 4 0 70 Barley 0 0 0 0 Grass,$20 lbs. 0 3.} 0 U

Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.—WEDNESDAY. A drop of 10s. 19 ton in the high-class finished iron of the Monmore brand is announced, but no other alterations conse- quent upon the reduction by the Shropseire smelters last week have heellllotified. Finished iron is, however, more than before open to negotiation, and certain smelters who have not yet brought down their prices are believed to be deliberating changes. Buyers of both pig and finished iron mostly hold off. Coal w;us over-abundant and difficult to dispose of, even at prices wholly unrernnnerative. This afternoon the market was dis- couraged by an official report that the underground floods had begun to flow into the Tipton district. THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE. The Mark-Lam Express saysSunny days, tempered by oc- ^s'ial showers, characterized the weather of last week, and ice blooming time of wheat .has passed vasder favourable «omdi- liens. The acceptable rain has proved of essential service both 1 •1F1?n?i t-om atK' roots. We have already observed tliat it is uuaKely this year's home crop will make a full average, although m. probability it will exceed the short crop of 1,1 VMI- After a period of apathy and duluess, a decided reaction has taket lace m the wheat trade, values having advanced 2s. quarter both at Mark-Lane and iie the country markets. This advance has been due to the sudden increase of demand, espe- cially for Russian wheat from country millers., who are begin- nmg to feel the effects of the scarcity ef home-grown grain. Notwithstanding the fact that England has received from St. Petersburg since the opening of navigation four times as much as during the corresponding period last vear, still the demand apparently equals the supply, as steamers are being clea«5d as ppidly as they arrive Imports into London from Germany ha>e considerably declined, and Russian and Ii,(ji.-)i) arrivals Jjav.S? practically jijade up the total of the supply

THE ARDUDWY CHORAL FESTIVAL. Thursday, the 12th of July, the date fixed upon for the celebration of the tenth annual festival of the ArJmlwy Temperance Choral Union, was the delight of the three or four thousand persons who from various points of the compass crowded the inadequate railway station and the equally inadequate county town of Merioneth. S(; genial and warm, indeed, was the weather, nnd so clear the at- mosphere, that the visitors could lorange at ease upon the grass, and gaze witk intense pleasure upon tiie manr- tinted hills close at hand, the deep blue hazy mountains in the distance, the plain below divided into squares and [bisected by the railway, the sana'y beach and stranded ship, the broad expanse ef ripplimg waters from Banfeey Island to the fair shores <!>f Cardigan Bay on the opposite side and, crowning a-K, the ruins of the still-stately castle Where stands a shattered archway, plumed witii fera And where has frLllb a great. part of a tower, Whole, like a cmg-ihat tumbles from a cliff, And like a crag is gay with wilding flowers And high above a piece of tv.rret stair, Worn by the feet .that now are silent, winds Bare to the sun and inonst rous ivy-stems Clasp the gray Nvnlls with hairy-fibred arms, And suck the .ioiE.ing of the stones, and looks A knot, beneath, of snakes, aloft, a grove." It was in the court y ard of this castle that the festival n Thursday last was held. Passing over a bridge, through three or four dilapidated doorways, into the epen -space which is now thickly covered with grass, the preparations for the festival were seen to be as extensive, if not more so than on former occasions. In fact, a marked improve- ment consisted in making an entrance for the choirs by a side door, and net at the principal gateway, by which arrangement a great deal of crushing was avoided. At the northern end of the court yard was a raised platform with the seats elevated one above the other in "the shape of an orchestra, and at the bottom was a level space accommodating the piano and hazuioiilums, seats for the presidents of the meetings, the esi- dent of the Union, Mr. L. H. Thomas, the vice-president, the Rev. T. J. Wheldon, B.A., and the hon. secretaries Mr. J. Roberts, Portmadoc, and Mr. O. O. Roberts, Dolgelley. From this point ranged the first, second, and third seats, occupying altogether, with the platform, half of the Castle yard, and extending from side to side. A large canvass awning covered in the whole of the seats and the orchestra. So far the arrange- ments were very satisfactory. The Harlech Festival authorities, however, whoever they may be, are appa- rently one of the numerous bodies in Mid-Wales who ex- pect the members of the Press to sit on their thumbs, write on the rim of their hats, and crown the effort by s-, the production of an accurate report. For one or two years no arrangements at all in this direction were made until asked far; and on this occasion the happy idea seems to have occurred to someone that the reporters could best hear the speeches in the midst of casual conversa- tion, coughing, and frequent applause, by placing them at one end of the platform and the speakers at the other. Shortly before half past ten o'clock in the morning, the hour for the commencement of the proceedings, the mem- bers of the choir, numbering about 800 all told, began to take their places, and to present an imposing appear- ance, and also a pleasing appearance when it was seen by close observation that, although there were a few excep- tions in each choir, the majority of the members, like Prince Llewelyn's army, had come from mountain, mead, and moor," to display at the festival the results of useful occupation of leisure hours at home. First of all came the Portmadoc Choral Society, numbering 112 members, conducted by Mr. J. Roberts, and then the Idris Choral Society from Dolgelley, 90 members, conducted by Mr. O. O. Roberts; the Machynlleth Choral Society, 75, Mr. David Davies; the Bethesda Choir, 75, Mr. David Davies; Penllwyn Choir, 65, Mr. J. Morris Corris Choir, 80, Mr. H. L Jones; the Pwll- heli Choir, 38, Mr. J. Williams, and the Talsarnau Choir, 34 members, conducted by Mr. Robert Roberts. The Rhiw Choir, numbering 100, conducted by Mr. J. Griffiths, and the Llan Festiniog Choir, numbering 80 conducted by Mr. J. C. Jones, were unable to be present in the morning in consequence of the ordinary up- train on the Festiniog line having got off the rails, thus delaying the train containing the choirs. The assembly in the morning, larger than that of the past three or four festivals, including many old friends of the gather- ing, had not long to wait before they had an opportunity of"taking notes as to what progress had been made by the different choirs during the past year and of compar- ing the singing of the United Choirs with its perform- ances on former occasions. Undoubtedly the first im- pressions were disappointing. Whether from the ab- sence of the choirs from Rhiw and Festiniog, or from having attempted to do too much at the festival, it is not known, but certain it is that the performances, not only at the commencement of the day but throughout, did not quite come up to the standard of former years. A defect, more apparent, perhaps, on this occasion than before, lay in the absence in nearly every one of the choirs, of a sufficient number of female voices to balance the tenors and basses. So strikingly painful was this in several of the smaller choirs that sweetness in the soprano and contralto parts, the former more especially, was almost entirely sacrificed in the attempt to be heard, five or six sopranos straining their voices to the utmost in the endeavour to equal the singing of three times their numbers of tenors and basses. On all occasions of this kind, it may be said, the lady singers should take the hint thrown out in a kindly spirit to pay greater attention to sweetness and rotundity of tone than has evidently been the case hitherto. The conductors and the friends of the choirs should also do their best to enlist in the different societies a much larger number of female voices; or, failing that, to tone down the over powering voices of the male singers. A word or two respecting the programme, upon which the success of the festival to a very great extent depends. Although there is a manifest improvement in the introduction of the "Messiah to occupy the whole of the evening meet- ing, there is still room for beneficial alteration. The audience, no doubt, enjoyed the festival to a greater de- gree this year than before in consequence of having a book of words, provided at a moderate charge, by the enterprise or Mr. D. H. Jones, Dolgelley. This, no doubt is an important element of success, but if the fes- tival is to be as successful as its promoters most likely desire, and if it is to h at all progressive in its results or educational in ii; aims, there must be more English songs inserted in the programme not, cer- tainly, to the entire exclusion of the Welsh language or Welsh music, but in order to lead the young men and women forming the choirs in the country districts to a better acquaintance with a language which even in their native land is more absolutely essential than their own, beautiful though it may be in its power of expression and rythm of composition. Then, there is also another point. Judging from the words of some of the songs—songs not composed centuries ago but at the present time when the Welsh are noted for their loyalty to the English throne- a chance reader who did not know better would imagine the Cymry the most warlike instead of being the most peaceful of nations. In words, at least, they deal death and destruction to the innocent and friendly Saxon, who, leaving the things that are behind, are pressing forward to the higher marks of their calling in social and political life, and not only so, but, like the Jackdaw of Rheims, are not one penny the worse for all that is said or sung against them. If, however, the appeal for more English songs on this ground is not entertained, perhaps if it be made on the score of variety it will be more successful. Whatever may be said of the execution of the music there can be no doubt that too many of the compositions were of the same description. Why not vary the programme by the insertion of a chorus from some of the great universal operas, sparkling with life and brilliancy as many of them are, between two pieces of music by Welsh composers ? It would make both the operatic selection and the choruses appear the 3, ,a better. Why, again, if English songs are inserted, should they bear the same imprint, the same style of composition and colouring, as the Welsh ? And why, even supposing 9' a selection of Welsh music is entirely chosen, to the ex- clusion of the German, Italian, and English music, should not the best singers from the different choirs in union be allowed to vary the proceedings by the performance of well-selected and well arranged solos, duets, trios, and quartetts ? Having said as much as this on the choirs and the programme, it is pleasing to turn at once to the brighter side of the Ardudwy Temperance Choral Festival, and notice how it tends to the cultivation of a taste for music, provides an enjoyable and innocent occupation for the leisure hours of the young in the villages and towns where the members of the choirs reside, as well as a day's enjoyment to the thousands who annually attend the anniversaries, and is, moreover, the means, if wisely directed, of educating the youth in the part of the Princi- pality over which its operations extend, to say nothing of the promotion of temperance and many other collateral advantages. It is likewise pleasant to notice that, with a balance at the bank, small though it may be, and with increasing prosperity, there are corresponding benefits given to the public, in the shape of the engagement of more artistes than usual. Eos Morlais, as a matter of course, was pre- sent as conductor of the united choirs, a post he has occu- pied in the past with credit to himself and satisfaction to the festival authorities. There were also present Miss Marian Williams, soprano, and Miss Martha Harries, contralto, both from the Royal Academy of Music, Mr. Levi Roberts, tenor, Mr. J. L. Williams, R.A.M., bari- tone, Mr. John Pritchard, pianist, and Mr. Rowland Davies, U.C.W., harmonium. The proceedings of the morning meeting began with the peformance of a selection of music by the Harlech Brass Band, a band of instru- mentalists who have much improved since the last festival. Their playing showed a greater attention to expression and harmony than usual, though the first cornet was still a little harsh. Eos Morlais then ascended his conductor's etand, and the united choirs sang a, congregational tune, Mawredd," after which Mr. L. H. Thomas addressed the assembly in Welsh, explaining that Mr. Edward Breese, Portmadoc, who was announced on the programme as the president of the morning meeting, had been detained in London, and was consequently unable to attend. Con- tinuing his observations, Mr. Thomas dwelt briefly on the beneficial results arising from a temperate life, remarking, en passant, that something could be done with every man, except a drunkard. With him they could do nothing. The Portmadoc Choral Society then gave Mendelssohn's Be not afraid," from "Elijah," a chorus, the perform- ance of which revealed the fact that although the Port- madoc Choir just maintained^ its place at the head of the ehoirs, yet it had made 110 improvement since last year. The Pwllheli Choir, a mere handful of singers, mostly male voices, and discreditable to the town, considering its size, followed by singing Mr. J. A. Lloyd's anthem, Y Ganaan Glyd," accompanied 011 the pianoforte by Miss Williams, of Pwllheli. So far nothing particular had marked the festival. It, therefore, fell to the lot of Mr. J. L. Williams, who made his first apliearance at Harlech on Thursday, to rouse the interest of the great assembly by a careful rendering of Gounod's sacred song, "Nazareth," accompanied on the pianoforte by Mr. Pritchard, and in the last verse on the harmonium by Mr. J. Roberts. A success attended Mr. Williams',< efforts in an enthusiastic and well-deserved encore. A requiem composed by Mr. D. E. Evans having been passed over owing to the absence of the Llan Ffestiniog Choir, the Talsarnau Choir sang Mr. J. Thomas's anthem' 'Moeswch i'r Ar.glwydd," with no particular eSrect, and then the united choirs gave the late Ieuan Gwyllt's congregational tune, entitled Gwakoddiad," whic&t, acting upon the religious feelings of the audience who understood Welsh, made a deep impression. Haydn's chorus, "Awake the harp," by the Machynlleth Choir came next upon the programme. At one time the Machynlleth Society bade fair to equal if not the Portmadoc and Dolgelley choirs, but Ju ving opened the door tu the "cythraul y cauu," he made sad havoc among them and "hurled them from their pride of place." Their singing on Thursday, although it,containee, the elements efficiency, was much inferior to their performances on former occasions, the forte passages being a continued shout for the mastery, «as one would suppose, between the male and female voices. The next to stand up was the little efficient choir from Penllwyn, the birth place of Ieuan Gwyllt. Their singing of Mr. J. Thomas's anthem, Fel y brefa'r hydd," was given with much taste nd expression, though .there was a lack of freshness in the piano parts. The twelfth item on the programme, LC Dyna'r GwyntoecLL" standing^), the name of the Rhiw Choir, had to be skipped in consequence of the sbsence of the singers. Following came a good rendering of the anthem "Molwch yr Arglwydd," by the Corrie Choir.; and afterwards Mendelssohn's Chorus, Why my soul ? by the Idris Charal Society, who began with a severe, clearing of voices and scraping of throats/' The singing of a large number of beys in this society had a good effect, and would have greatly improved the sing- ing, already very good, if the female voices were in greater force. Miss Martha Harries then ascended the platform, and, when the applause which greeted her first ap- pearance at Harlech had died awty, commenced in a powerful, rich, and penetrating contralto voice, full of melody, Sulivan's descriptive song "The Lost Chord." From end to end of the Castle yard Miss Harries's voice commanded an impressive silence, co that the beautiful words of the poet could be distinctly heard, as he described his reverie at the oran, until he Struck one chord of H usic Like the sound of a great Amen. At this point the harmonium accompaniment began, and went on with the singer in describing the effect of the mysterious chord- It fioode(I the crimson twilight, Like the close of an angels pSLJm, And it lay on my fevered spirit With a touch of infinite calm. It gilded pain and sorrow, Like Love overcoming strife, It seemed the harmonious echo From our discordant life. It linked all perplexed meanings, Into one perfect peace, ? And trembled avray into silence As if it weoth to cease. Scarcely had Miss Harries finished the last word, when there arose a perfect storm of applause and cries of encore. She obligingly responded by giving a repetition of the song. An anthem and solo" Goruchafiaeth ar Angau," by Mr. Levi Roberts and the United Choirs, and the per- formance of a selection of music by the Dolgelley Brass Band, terminated the morning meeting. At two o'clock in the afternoon a still larger number of persons than in the morning assembled in the marquee, and the Corris Brass Band introduced this part of the festival by a selection of music. The United Choirs, in- cluding now the missing societies from Rhiw, Festiniog, and other places, followed by giving, with much greater effect, the congregational tune. Llan- sanan." Then the Chairman of the meeting, Mr. W. E. Oakeley, Tanybwlch, rising to address the audi- ence, announced that he had long had the interest of the Choral Union very strongly at heart, but, unfortunately, he had never been able to be present at one of the festivals until that year. He could not say how gratified and astonished, he might say, he was to see such a gathering as the one he saw before him within those old walls. That Society had become an institution in the country, for he saw that it was now celebrating its tenth anniversary. (Cheers). Under the management of his friend, the Pre- sident, and others, it had become an institution founded on a rock-a rock as firm, perhaps, as that on which that old castle stood. (Applause.) He hoped and trusted that the good work the institution intended to promote would go on for years. (Cheers.) It was a thing for any coun- try to be proud of to see such an assembly as the one then before him, gathered not so much for festivity or anything of that sort, as to hear the performance of music, and, perhaps, to meet their friends. A meeting of that de- scription must essentially be of the greatest advantage to the country. He did not think there was any other coun- try in the world that couldfproduce another such a meeting. It might be so in Switzerland or Germany, but certainly not in England, Scotland, or Ireland. (Cheers). It was true that in London large meetings bearing some resemblance to that one were held, but the people who took part in the performances were mostly paid for going there. The object was festivity, and, perhaps, a great deal of brandy and water. (Laughter). It was sheer love of music that prompted the attendance of the assembly he was then addressing and a cup of tea or a cup of coffee was what the majority of them drank when attend- ing the festival. (Applause). The President having apologised for not having prepared a speech in conse- quence of an understanding that he would not be called upon, he resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr. L. H. Thomas then remarked that although Mr. Oakeley had not been present at any previous festival, he had substantially supported the Union since its com- mencement. The cheers which greeted the President's announcement having subsided, the programme was pro- ceeded with. It consisted of four Welsh airs, "Glan meddwdodmwyn," "YnynysMon," "Gwenithgwyn,"and "The march of the men of Harlech," by the Jlolgelley Idris Choral Society; "Dyna'r Gwyntoedd," by the Rhiw Choir; "Y Wybren dlos," by the Talsarnau Choir; "Y Gwanwyn mwyn," by the Penllwyn Choir; Mae canu yn llon'd yr awel," by the Pwllheli Choir; Gwalia wen," by the United Choirs; Rhyfelgan y Myncod," by the Corris Choir; "The men of Wales,5' by Miss Marian Williams, encored; "Hark away," by Mr. D. Ellis (Eos Dyfi) and the Machynlleth Choir; and a glee, Tyr'd foreu teg," by the Llan Festiniog Choir. Before singing the requiem composed as a mem- orial of the late Ieuan Gwyllt, the Rev. T. J. Wheldon proposed that the meeting should express its deep feel- ing of regret at the loss Wales had sustained in the death of the Rev. John Roberts (Ieuan Gwyllt), who had labourud for many years in raising the musical taste of his country, especially in sacred music, and who in con- junction with a few others, formed a new opoch of music in Wales. Understanding also that there was a move- ment on foot to memorialize his life and activity by a scholarship at the University College of Wales the meeting heartily appoved of the proposal and hoped that all those interested in music in the country as well as the admirers of the rev. gentleman everywhere would co- operate in order to carry out the proposal." The motion was seconded by the Rev. J. E. Jones, Llanrug, Carnarvon, and agreed to unanimously. The Requiem, and also the congregational tune "Moab," was then sung by the United Choirs, the large assembly uncovering their heads and standing meanwhile. The programme was thus com- pleted. In the evening the concourse was immense, every seat being filled to inconvenience, and a large number of persons having to stand outside the canvas awning. Mr. Owen Evans, of Broom Hall presided. The Messiah," the performance of which occupied the whole evening, is so well known, that it is unnecessary to dwell upon it, ex- cept to say that the soloists sang remarkably well, and the United Choirs, arranged according to the voices, sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, in separate groups, recovered to some extent the position they had attained in former years, singing the choruses with much finish, taste, and expression.

TOWYN. LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF TOWYX PIER. There is a story told of a man in America who said he would build a steamer near where he resided on the banks of a river. It will never be built," said the wise men of I the district. He build a steamer: nonsense." The man set to work, and by degrees the steamer assumed shape. The engine and boilers were fitted in, and every day it drew nearer completion. It will never sail. Did any- body ever see a boat of that shape sail?" and the wise men of the district laughed knowingly among themselves. At length steam was got up, and the much talked of vessel sailed away. As she turned one of the curves of the river the wise men exclaimed, Good bye to her she will never come back again. We have seen the last of her," and they went about their business. The steamer came back, however, and sailed regularly ovjr the ap- pointed course, but, said the wise men, She can never pay it is impossible and the best of success is to make a thing pay." Good dividends were declared in due course, and then the wise men turned round and said a steamer was just the thing they had always advocated, and that nothing in the world was plainer than that a steamer above all things would be a great success and pay good dividends. The spirited promoters of Towyn Promenade Pier have had to undergo something like othe experience of the builder of the steamer. The work has progressed from stage to stage, amid a good deal of scepticism that is com- pelled to shift its ground continually, as the ruthless logic of events makes old positions untenable. The moving and sustaining spirit of the undertaking is Mr. C. Elliott, who by the sheer force of his own will has already car- ried the scheme to a point where the most confirmed pessimists are compelled to admit they never thought it would reach. They are far less confident now as to its non-completion than they were at one time that it would never be commenced. Before three months have passed away they will be driven to their last stronghold, in its turn to be abandoned, that the Pier can never pay. One thing is certain, that few companies with a capital of £ 12,000 have obtained the Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament without the expenses for engineers, solicitors, plans, and everything connected with it from first to last exceeding the modest sum of £ 150. This is the small amount which the Towyn Pier Act has cost, owing to the exertions of Mr. Elliott. As a rule public companies are burdened with heavy liabilities before ever a shilling is spent in the undertaking, but at Towyn it may almost be said that the only capital expended will be laid out on remunerative labour, the designs and engineers' work having been done throughout by Mr. Elliott, without cost. The site fixed for the pier is at the termination of the road, which is a continuation of High-street. The entire frontage includes a space of sixty-two feet, and the Pier buildings to the north and south of the entrance have a depth of thirty-five feet. The pier will be approached through handsome iron gates, and there will be a glass verandah. The buildings, consisting of two blocks, con- j tain a considerable amount of accommodation. The south building is arranged.,as follows :—Two refreshment-rooms, attendants' bedroom, kitchen, cellars, lavatories, &c. The north builaing^—ladies' and gentlemen's waiting-rooms, pier master's sitting-room, bedroom, kitchen, Pier Com- I-riy s private office, and two cellars. J The material used by the contractors, Messrs. Henry Jones and Humphreys, Towyn, in the erection of the buildings, is concrete, composed of five portions of shingle to one ef cement. The usual proportions are seven parts to one of cement. The usual proportions are seven parts of shingle to one of cement. This material sets hard as solid reek, and riEgs on being struck like a piece of iron. Tie flMrs of the buildings are lifted out ef the way eif the highest tides. The projecting walls from which the pier will spring are to be backed with concrete, and filled up with thss material, so that a solid wall be present-sd to the sea. At Brynmor, within sight of the pier, there is a concrete wall WKi ft. in length, aad €.3%. 6 in. in h-eight. This wall, built early in the spriise. stands well. To tbe north of the pier, for a quarter of a mile, the property be- longs to the Marquess of Londonderry, and there M" we and. some probability that a concrete wall will be continued in front of this property. Whatever may he done at present there can be no question that in time the whole of the land on the shore in the neighbourhood of Towyit will be protected, and laid out as building sites. The Towyn Pier Company has a capital of £ 32,000 di- vided into 2,400 shares of £ 5 each. The chairman is Mr. C. Elliott, and the other directors are Mr. J. F..Tonef, surgeon, Mr. W. Parry, Mr. Owen Deniel, Mr. J. Hughes Jones, Aberdovey, and Mr. R. Jones Roberts. -Afr- Pryse Hughes is the secretary. The 'intention of the eom- panyis at present to run out the pier a distance of about three hundred feet. partly with concrete and partly on iron pillars, and it is further intended to finish the work in less than tvo months, -so that the opening of the pier will foe celebrated at the end of August." Saturday last was the day appointed for laying the memorisl stone of the new pier. The morning was remark- able for a downpour of rain from elk. Lids which shrouded.- the hills from sight. The prospects of the ceremony at one time looked black indeed, but towards noon there were rifts in tu clouds and spells of fair ws ather. The visitor who availed himself ex these intervals to walk about Towyn could not 'fail to be struck by the number of substantial new houses erected in different parts. Towvn is growing rapidly, and no doubt the land between the sea and the railway will in a few years be covered with streets and terraces. In many towns the first tiling that strikes the attention is an appearance of decay and dilapidation. The pathways are broken and crooked, the shops mangy, the inhabitants listless and out-of-elbows, and here and there are desolate waste places covered with broken crockery and old tin kettles. However true this might have been of Towyn in old times it is true no longer. There are signs of briskness everywhere, and happilyitis a briskness that will increase as the town becomes better known, and the inhabitants multiply schemes like that of the Pier. The p&rtially ex ecuted pier buildings were gaily decorated with flags, banners, &c., supplied by the chairman of the company. Among them was the ensign of the Roval 9 Naval Reserve of which Mr. Elliott is a lieutenant. The hour fixed for the ceremony was half-past two. and at that time there had assembled four or five hundred people, among whom were—Mr. W. W. E. Wynne, Mr. C. Elliot. Mr. J. Webster, Mr. C. E. Kettle, Mr. O. Daniel, Mr. E. Newell, the Rev. T. Lewis, vicar, and Mrs. Lewis, Mr. W. Pemberton, Aberdovey, Mr. Ellis Edwards, Aberdovey, Mr. F. Cockin. Bryndovey. Mr. E. Rowlands, Bryngwyn, Mr. R. G. Price, Mr. H. Price, Mr. P. Jones, London House, Mr. Henry Jones and Air. E. Humphreys, contractors, Mr. Edwin Jones, The Academy, Mr. J. Jones. Brvndedwydd, Mr. P. H. Hughes, Mr. Rees Daniel, Mr. D. Humphreys, Mr. William Richards, Rhydyronen, Mr. W. W. Parry, Mr. H. P. Jones. Mr. Morgan Jones, Dolangwydiau, &c. Mr. W. W. E. WYNNE, who kindly consented to lay the memorial stone, was on the ground at the appointed time, and the proceedings were commenced punctually. Mr. ELLIOTT said they had met there that day to wit- ness the laying of the memorial stone of the Towyn Pier. (Applause.) As the time dre near when the ceremony should be performed, the directors began to enquire amongst themselves who should perform it. He need hardly tell them that they unanimously resolved to ask Mr. Wynne, of Peniarth, knowing as they all did, the esteem in which he is held not only in Merionethshire, but throughout the Principality. (Applause.) It would have been impossible to have found anyone more entitled to lay the stone than himself. A deputation consisting of Dr. J. F. Jones and the speaker, waited on Mr. Vlynne, and he kindly consented. (Applause.) He (the speaker) thought they would all admit that Towyn had made great strides within the past year, no less than fifty houses having been built within that time. Amongst them were many elegant and sub- stantial buildings, and it was greatly to the credit of Towyn that they had all been erected through local enterprize, and by local builders. (Applause.) The gentleman who had purchased the greater portion of the Ynysymaengwyn Estate, had decided to lay out the land between the rail- way and the shore as a watering place on an extensive scale. Before another year had passed they would see built, or in course of building, many superior villa resi- dences. (Applause.) The promoters of the pier, seeing the rapid progress Towyn was making, thought the time was a favourable one for making a start, and they had so far succeeded that they had obtained an Act of Parliament authorizing the erection of a pier. The promoters in doing this had regarded it not purely in the light of a dividend- paying speculation, but more as a valuable impetus to the progress of Towyn, and an attraction to visitors and ex- cursionists, thereby benefiting the town and trade of Towyn, a result which, in his opinion, it could not fail to have. (Cheers.) As the Chairman of the Town Pier Company he presented Mr. Wynne with the silver trowel to enable him to lay the foundation-stone, and trusted he might be spared many years to look upon that trowel as a pleasant reminder of the events of that day. On behalf of the directors of the Company he tendered their grate- ful thanks to Mr. Wynne for the honour he had done them in attending there that day. The stone bore the inscription This stone was laid by W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., of Peniarth, 14th July, ISH," and the trowel of solid silver, chased in most elegant design, with carved ivory handle, bore the inscription "Presented to William Watkin Edward Wynne, Esq., on the occasion of his laying the foundation of the Towyn Pier, 14th July, 1877." The stone having been duly laid at the north-east corner of the building, Mr. WYNNE said, on being "requested to lay the founda- tion stone of the pier he could not for a moment hesitate to do so. (Applause.) A pier would be of great advan- tage to the town and neighbourhood, and would be a great attraction to visitors. (Applause.) There was not a finer beach anywhere, scarcely, than that of Towyn, nor was there much more attractive scenery. (Applause.) All that was wanted to bring visitors and to greatly increase the prosperity of the place was a larger number of good houses. (Applause.) There was a fine open space for building purposes before the station, and he hoped to see Towyn spread from the sea to the present town. He had much pleasure in being present, and in taking part in the ceremony that day. The Rev. Joll-, TITUS LEWIS then read the first five verses of the 93rd Psalm, the last two verses of the 90th Psalm, and offered prayer. Mr. WYNNE said he thought they ought to give three cheers for Mr. Elliott and the success of the pier, and said that they must not forget that Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it." Three cheers were given, and at this point the irrepres- sible bard of the district came forth and insisted on read- ing englynion. He broke out three or four times before the ceremony was over, and most likely distinguished him- self. Mr. ELLIOTT thanked those present for the compliment, and said he trusted the Pier would not be the last enter- prize started in Towyn. He hoped a market hall would be the next move. (Cheers.) Mr. O. DAIEL said, as one interested inlhat under- taking and in all that affected the welfare of inwyn, he wished to say a word or two. The scheme which had brought them together that day had been ridiculed by many, and at one time he himself had been amongst the scoffers. (Laughter). But he had been converted. (Cheers). They had a fine town, six miles of the finest beach in Wales—from the Dysyni to the Dovey. They wanted a landing place for boats—(cheers)—and a promenade pier for visitors. The pier was undoubtedly of some consequence, as it had been opposed in Parliament by the Steam Navigation Company—(laughter)—and Mr. Elliott had had to make an alteration of a penny a ton, or something of that kind in the rates. (Laughter). He should be glad to see steamers plying, but the great object was to obtain a promenade pier, and he would be satisfied if the steamers only got there once a week instead of once an hour as some people seemed to anticipate. (Laughter). There were only seven shareholders in the company at present, but they saw the work was going on. (Cheers). If Towyn had a landing stage Aberystwyth would not be able to compete with it in some respects. (Cheers). He thanked Mr. Wynne, on behalf of those present, for his presence there that day. Mr. WYNNE said no credit was due to him for being there that day, and taking part in an undertaking that promised to be of such advantage to the town. He was amused to hear that the Pier Company's Act was opposed by the Steam Navigation Company, of which he was a member. He had never heard of the opposition, but he might tell them that the Steam Navigation Company was building new vessels, and perhaps they were being built in view of the business that would be done at the Towyn pier. (Loud laughter and cheers.) Three cheers having been given for Mr. Wynne, Mr. ELLIOTT read a telegram from Mr. George Lewis, secre- tary of the Cambrian Railways Company, regretting his inability to be present, owing to business, which kept him in London. After this part of the ceremony was over, foot races were got up, and Air. R. G. Price took great interest in them. The Aberdovey Brass Band, No. 1, under the leader- ship of Mr. Joseph Hughes, and the Towyn String Band, under the leadership of Mr. Edwin Jones, played selec- tions of music during the day. The String Band is a great acquisition to Towyn, and has made great advances since its first public appearance about a year ago. The proceedings terminated with a beautiful display of fireworks in the evening.

Mr. Speakman solicitor, of Crewe, hns l,-on unv Y -ir elected clerk, in the place of Mr. James Beck -t- 5 meeting of the >antwich Board of Guardians *e "na RECKITTS PARIS BLUE. The marked superioritv of this Laundry Blue over all others, and the quick air-re- ciaaOil ;;jTits by the public has been attendedVdth ♦J6 Vlz- a flood of imitations the merit of the latter mainly consists in the ingenuity ej;ert"d simply^ ln imitating the square shape, but making tiie general appearance of the wrappers resemble that of the. genuine article. The manufacturers beg therefore to packet' aH bUyerS tU "ee "E'eckitt?s Paris Bhe" on each

SPORT. THE UPPER SEVERN AND VERNIEW, &c.-The Verniew has run so low that anglers have ceased to visit it for trout, but chub and dace can be taken with fly, and pike spinning or with gorge bait. The storm last week brought several nice freshes down the Severn, but the rain did not touch the Verniew valley. The Tanat thoughlow, is still iishable, and I have been a lew trout taken'into it. A trout of 41b. was some time ago taken 111 the Verniew in a salmon net. Very recently an angler took three srravling with fly in the Severn iust below Pool Quay weir, the fish beins close on a pound a piece. It is very unusual to get grayling in the Severn as high up as Pool Quay. The grayling in the Verniew seem to be increasing, and several have been taken in the lanslt above Abertanat weir, and I regret to say basketted, instead of being returned to the river. These fish must have rue up out of the Verniew, and got over Abertanat weir. It is unusual for grayling to surmount a weir, but the pass in this weir is so easy that any fish can negotiate it. I would suggest to anglqfp that any grayling they happen to catch in the Tanat should be returned to the water again to increase and multiply, and if a few more could be introduced they would soon increase and stock the stream. Such a gamesome fish, and so valuable for the table ought to be encouraged,coining into season as it does when the trout goes out. I feel sure, if encouraged, there would soon be a fair stock in the Tanat, as the river is suitable for them. To my own mind there is no prettier sport than a day's fly-fishing for grayling on a September or October day, and they mav be taken with a fly up to Christmas, and a dish of grayling at Christmas, when they are in their prime, is a treat not to be obtained in every riyer.-A. (July 12), in The Field.

Mr. Jasper More is. says the Athenmnn, about to publish a narrativejof his experiences in Bulgaria. Mr. More, it will he re- membered, accompanied Lady Strangford during the earlier part of her philanthropic mission to Eastern Europe. On Tuesday and Wednesday, July 10 and 11, a new chapel built for the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, was opened at Mvnydd Isa. The chapel cost about £ 1,000, and will seat 40( persons. Dr. Atkinson has been elected the first Mayor of Crewe. h the casting vote of the Returning Officer, the other candidate being Alderman Heath. Considerable party feeling was dis played in the election. According to his proposer the new mayo has the following qualifications for the office-" an establish- ment second to none in the town," and a wife who will" grace the position of Mayoress," in addition to which" his selection will please the London and Xorth-Western Railway Company, who have so large a stake in the town."

HI » DOLGELLEY. VERY ARTISTIC.—The Precipice and Torrent Walks are in their glorious summer dress, and artists by the score— amateurs, daubers, and professionals—are busy in picking outthe tit bits of foliage and water scenery and putting them upon canvas for picture loving Saxon. A rather good thing" is toli by a profe-ssioiial artist who has been labouring at the composition and filling in of a p'^tur^ recently. He observed a young lady "and her parents taking a great interest in his work, and eventuallv the former pitched her tent almost immediately behind him and commenced sketching. "Well," said the artist to Kimsclf, she caanot be painting the same scene as T "Tii for I am directly in her way." So on he went pail:ting. nmshed his day work, packed up his brushes and naint, and went away. But what was his sumrise the next drv to be informed that his fair companion had defibe-atelv copied his composition and general effect, the former binb the most difficult thing in painting. His consolaVoif however, was that those who are mean enough to from others and pass it off as their own will never make''a success. A second "good thing" is told by another artist. At the Torreirt 'Walk there is an old mill and bridge' sketched a tlnjs-sand times most likely since their erection, and near this mill lives a lad who takes a great interest in artists and their work, often standing behind them for hours and giving his not very lucid opinions at intervals. A young artist, wishing to get a good point of dew d the mill and bridge, and desiring, perhaps, to tread in the steps of painters older and better than himself, requested the lad to tell him if there had been any painters lately; > Oh, aye," drawled the lad. "Well, can voir teUme where they sat then ?" "Oh, yes" answerel he ol the mill tfcey put a plank across there," pointir~ to the mill and so got at their work." Further questl. ng elicited the fact that the rustic vouth referred to "some house painters, who had been engaged in painim- the wood-work of the mill. BOARD OF GLARDIANS, SATURDAY. JULY U- Present Mr. John Yaughan, chairman. Mr. DavicI Jones atidMr. Edward Griffiths, vice-chairmen. Mr. Lewis Williams, Mr Charles Jones. and Mr. Griffith Williams, ex-officio, tiie Eev. W. Hu«hes Messrs R Davies, K D. Evans Rd. William^ Owen Owen.- Robert Evans, Richard Jones. J M Jone« I Humphreys, Evan Jones. Griffith Pu;he, John Jones! lalyllyn, John Scott, Daniel W illiams Huidi F— ns and Joseph Roberts, clerk. Statistics —The Master, Mr. W. Williams, reported the number in the house to be 28. corresponding period last year, 19 vagrants relieved during the past fortnight 26, last year, 18. Out-relief Barmouth dis- trict, per Mr. John Jones, 4:102 12s. 10d.. to 414 paupers Talyllyn district, per Mr. Morris Jones £ o > 19s- 2d., to 242 paupers. Balance in bank, £ 842 "4s The Charges againM the Master.-The Chairman said with regard to the charges against the Master and Ma'ron a letter had been received from the Local Government Board, dated the 12th July, requesting that befo-p an enquiry was instituted they should be made acquainted with the precise charges preferred. The Board would then pro- ceed to take the necessary steps for enquiring into th e matter, —Mr. W illiams asked if the Guardians could rot hold an enquiry by themselves ?-The Chairman said that the solicitor who; appeared on behalf of the Master, objected to the Board s holding an enquiry. He (the Chairman) thought it was competent for the Board to make an enquirj. Mr. Scott thought the solicitor wrong entirely. What he had said was that the Board had no power to hold an epquiry.— The Chairman rem." rk*d that when the representative of the Local Government Board attended the Board he (the chairman) should out the question to him.—In answer to a auction, Mr Caries Jones said, so far as he could see, the Guardians had'.Me- gated their rights to other people in asking for all en- qiurj. The Chairman thought the parties concerned in the matter might take exception to the ruling of the Board and then thev would appeal to the LocafGovern- ment Board for another enquiry. The inquiry in t'- -r-f instance by the Local Government Board would therefore settle the matter.-Mr Lewis Williams proposed that tne thing be quashed altogether. If they who made the charges were in the wrong let them acknowledge it. and so let the matter drop.—Mr. Meyrick Jones seconded the proposition, adding that as the Guardians had entered upon the matter they had no cause to go to the Local Government Board. He also thought it unfair to k*1 en the matter hanging over the officers all the whi,e.-A Guardian remarked that it was too late to withdra-i. now the Board s attention had been called to the case -Mr Meyrick Jones did not think it was too late. If there were no cause why go on with the enquiry. He did not t-Jnk there was a case.-The Chairman' said the thing was denied. — The Master remarked that he was" -ry anxious to put P.C. Vaughan upon his oath. The Rev. W. Hughes said the Board could not quash their former resolution without notice.—Mr Lewis Williams suggested that the Board should let the matter drop, and if the Local Government Board thought proper to carry is on let them do so.—Mr. Scott said it was in- tended at first by the Guardians that it should be a private enquiry, and not to have legal gentlemen in the Anm He did not think it right that the master should have bad a legal gentleman to defend him. It showed bad on the face of it. If the master could have cleared himself before the Guardians, it would have been better to have > ad -1 private meeting Instead of a private meeting it would now be public. It had now gone all over the country that certain charges had been brought against the master, and if the case were^ not investigated the ratepavers would say, "\Vhat a nice lot of Guardians thev are to be sure The Chairman remarked that that course would not do at all. as it would meet with universal censure. Mr. CharlesJ ones said the Board would perhaps allowhim b say a few words. Unfortunately he had been in a measure compelled to bring the subject under the notice of the Board. He considered that tbev as Guardians were perfectly competent to investigate the allegations a-d if they thought there was anything- in the way of cen-'ure due to the master, the Guardians couJp administer it but when the members of the Board were told that they cOlÙl not get at the truth without legal assistance, and that the proceed- ings were irregular, and that it would be better to have an enquiry, bv an inspector from the Local Government Board, ne, for one, did not wish to go on with the encuiry. As, however, the matter had taken the peculiar turn it had assumed, and seeing that a resolution appeared on the books asking for an inspector, as far as he was con- cerned he thought that sufficient information should be gi\en at once. As the matter was before the Local Government Board, he believed the Guardians could not withdraw it. He end not think that having taker. +he steps they had, the Guardians should allow the matter to drop.—Mr. Griffith Williams did not think Mr. Charles Jones should have used the word unfortunately He thought the Board were very much obliged to hin- for bringing the matter forward.—After further conversation the Chairman said he did not think he could put -Ilir. Lewis Williams's proposition to the meeting because it was not agreed with by the master. Mr. Lewis Williams said Let them confers that they are in the wrnng. and let them start afresh if they want to co on with it '^They said. "We are not in the wrong." "The Guardians had therefore better go on with the matter. Mr E. Gti^th said he supposed the Guardians could consider that the enquiry was still in the hands of the Guardians and That the Inspector would act as an assessor.—Mr. Griffith was answered in the affirm ati ve. -The Clerk was then directed to inform the Central Board what the precise ch2.rgeR against the master and matron were. Appointment of Inspector.— TheSClerk stated that there were four applications for the office of Inspector of Nui- sances.—The Chairman said one of the applications was from Mr. R. Jones road surveyor, offering to do the Vork for £ 40 the second from Mr. W. Jones the la+e Tn-^r tor, at £ 50; the third from Mr. Lewis 11-illianis tioneer, and the fourth from Mr. Thomas Sear ell. Cam- brian-terrace. Mr. Richard Jones and Mr. Sear-T«: names were proposed, but afterwards withdrawn Mr David Jones proposed, and Mr. Evan Jones seconded." the appointment of Mr. Lewis Williams and Mr J M. Jones proposed, and Mr. Lewis William's seconded the appointment of Mr. William Jones. On being put to the meeting Mr. William Jones was appointed for three years at £ 50 per annum, subject to the approval 0f the Local Government Board, eleven voting 'for and seven against. Assessment.—Mr. David Jones said there ought- to be an assessment meeting every fortnight, as there were new houses in Dolgelley for which the owners were not ~;av- ing a penny. It was accordingly agreed to hold the meet- ings fortnightly until the new valuation lists were got irfto working order.—Mr. James Gillart attended the meeting and stated in answer to questions that he had completed the valuation of the union, including railways, woodlands and sporting.—Mr. Gillart having applied for an instalment of money the Board decided to postpone the paVn^nt until after their special meeting on the following Thurs- day. LI a nvhiawddwn Rates.— Mr. E. D. Evans "informed the Board that the case of the non-payment of rates in -he Llanymawddwy parish and the decision of the madst!te seriously interfered with the collection of rate?~in "that parish. He and the overseers wanted to know case had not been brought under the notice of the Local Government Board as had been decided hvthe Ga'arriiV-n^ -Th £ Clerk replied that it had been laid before the Locai Government Board.—After further conversatior. it av- peared that the Clerk's letter had not been sent until the 4th July, whereupon Mr. Evans remarked that th-* fact ex- plained the whole matter.—The Clerk repeated his asser- tion that the matter concerned the overseers and not the Guardians, but ultimately he was directed to request an answer from the Local Government Board.

TIDE TABLE FOR ABERYSTWYTH. ABERDOVEY. AXD BARMOUTH. July. Aberystwyth. Aberdovey. Ba:— h. a. ni. in. M6 !).ni,. a.11'. -a-nL¡ p.m. I a.m. ¡p:m:- Fri. 20 2 40 3 20 3 9 3 49 o 4. {/: £ Sat. 21 3 59 4 38 4 2S 5 7 4 i, 4 T7 Sun. 22 5 15 5 32 5 44 0'4 M011. 23 5 49 6 16 6 IS f, 45 5 Tues. 24 6 42 7 5 7 11 7 S4 6 g *2 £ W ed. 2o 7 20 7 45 t .> s li 7 3-, Thur. 20 8 3 8 20 S 32 g 49 8 12 S 'n