The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

TIPYN 0 BOB PETH. ) The Archdeacon of St. Asaph is getting better. Mr. Osborne Morgan, M.P., has been staying at Brymbo Hall. The Rev. W. Morgan, curate of St. Asaph, has been ap- pointed to the living of Pennant Melangell. Mr. J. R. Walker, surgeon, Corwen, has been appointed a justice of the peace. Bach's Passion Music was admirably sung by 200 voices in Chester Cathedral during Passion week. The Llandudno Magistrates have sent a wife beater to gaol for two months. n It is proposed to hold the show of the Vale of Conway Agricultural Society at Conway and Llanrwst alternately. The Rock understands that the aged head-master ofWem Grammar School is about to resign and hopes that a true and firm Evangelical" will be appointed. Oliver, the butler who committed the robbery at Mr. C. Morris's, Upton Lawn, Chester, has pawned part of the plate at Manchester for £ 300. In a sermon at the Congregational Church, Upper Bangor, the Rev. J. C. Bedolfe, said it would be base and cowardly on the part of England to declare war against Russia. The Committee of the Bethesda Eisteddfod want Mr. H. M. Stanley to be their president. But Mr. Stanley has, as yet, shown no anxiety to receive public honours from his fellow-countrymen. A Conservative contemporary is growing so much alarmed lest Mr. Kenyon should be defeated again, that it even suggests to the Liberals the propriety of allowing him to walk over" for the Denbigh Boroughs A family, removing from Dawley, in Shropshire, to Nottingham, the other day, took their cat with them. A few days afterwards the cat re-appeared at the old house at Dawley, having travelled over 70 miles. At a meeting held Llangefni, under the presidency of Captain Hampton Lewis, it was resolved to erect a statue, or to provide some other memorial, of the late Sir Richard Bulkeley. Mr. W. Dew, of Bangor, was elected hon. sec. of the movement. The youthful wife of a Cheshire publican, much her senior, eloped a few days ago with a lodger, taking with her a sum of money, a child, a number of insurance policies, and a child's bank book. The bank book, the child, and the policies, were afterwards returned to the landlord. A contemporary states, and nobody will be surprised to hear, that certain members of the Bangor Detachment of Naval Volunteers, who were for immediate action when it seemed pretty certain diplomacy would settle the European difficulty, made handsome but fruitless offers for substitutes as soon as war seemed probable. They really didn't want to fight," after all. The Rev. W. E. Thomas, senior curate ef Mold, having been appointed fourth vicar of St. Asaph, a meeting has been held to consider the best means of shewing the public appreciation of his life and work at Mold. Amongst the speakers at the meeting was the Rev. D. B. Hooke, Con- gregational minister, and a message of sympathy and sup- port was received from the Rev. Roger Edwards, Cal- vinistic Methodist. At Mold, if we may judge by these proceedings, Christians really seem to dwell together in some degree of unity. A somewhat peculiar case was heard at Holywell County Court. A. arid P. Stevenson sued David_ Williams for money paid by them in tithes on a field in defendant s holding. The field in question was separated many years ago from plaintiffs' farm, and it was not till recently that they discovered they had continued to pay tithes upon the whole. His Honour gave them judgment for E4 2s., the amount paid in six years, any previous claim having been barred by the statute of limitations. It is considered probable that important changes will shortly be made in Howell's Schools at LlancIaff and St. Asaph. The property from which the endowment is re- ceived is in London, and must have increased enormously in value, and it is impossible, we imagine, that anything like the whole of the income can be devoted to the main- tenance of the schools. An extension is proposed, and a scheme from the Endowed Schools Commissioners will be viewed with great interest. Thomas Chesters sued Walter Willett and William John Willett, at Nantwich County Court, for £50 damages for false imprisonment. Plaintiff was charged with obtaining fireworks by false pretences from Mr. Willett's shop, and he was sworn to by defendants, who were Mr. Willett's sons. It was afterwards discovered that it was another boy who had the fireworks, and the present action was, therefore, brought. The judge awarded k5 damages. A correspondent of the Rock having stated that "things were in a shameful condition at St. Mary's, Denbigh, and that the people were recommended to worship the cross and the crucifix (!)," the senior curate has thought it worth while to write a letter of denial to that paper. He char- acterizes the statements as "a tissue of falsehood from first to last." If the senior Curate of Denbigh wishes to put the Rock straight, we should advise him to give up his profession, and devote himself to the task. At Chester County Court Thomas Bolland sued Thomas Chesworth for JE50 damages sustained in consequence of defendant's negligently shooting" the plaintiff. The parties were on the Dee, plaintiff in a steamer, and defen- dant in a boat in tow, when the latter took up a loaded Run, which went off and entered plaintiff's body. For defendant it was contended that he picked up the gun at the request of another person, not knowing it was loaded, and that it was not through any carelessness on his part that plaintiff was shot. The jury gave the plaintiff £ 15. Two sad occurrences happened at Chester on Good Friday Mr. Allen Egan Traenor, of the Liverpool and London Hotel, Liverpool, and a companion who was with him on a day's excursion, hired canoes on the river Dee. They canoed as far as Eaton, and were returning, when Mr. Traenor's paddle fonled with a passing boat, and his canoe capsized. A militiaman who witnessed the occur- rence from the meadows plunged in and endeavoured to rescue him, but without success. An inquest wa.s held on Saturday, at which a verdict of accidental death was re- turned. On Good Friday evening a foreman shunter, named John Ross, employed at the joint station, was superintending some operations on the line, when he Upon the metals, and was run over and killed by a locomotive engine. At the adjourned inquest at Ruthin, on the illegitimate child of Phcebe Davies, a verdict of "died of starvation and neglect" was returned, to which the foreman added "and we find no blame attached to the mother." Some of the jury remarked that she addition was not theirs, and a good deal of discussion followed. When the formal inqui- sition was produced, it contained something about the inclemency of the weather, and several of the jury remon- strated. An alteration was therefore made, and the words died from want of the common necessaries of life" were found to be in it. Several Jurors: Good gracious, Mr. Coroner, that's not our verdict at all. Coroner Don't I tell you the inquisition must be put in proper form ? Con- tinuing to read-" And the jurors say that the deceased came to her death by no violent ways or means whatever." Several Jurors Why there is not a word of our verdict there it is altogether a different thing. After further wrangling, the verdict "died from starvation and neglect" was signed. Preaching at Prees on the late Bishop of Lichfield, Archdeacon Allen said there were three things particularly noticeable in the lamented prelate—his remarkable single- ness of aim, his open-handed liberality, and the help and sympathy he gave to those who were in trouble. An old pupil of mine at King'sCollege workedunder him on the other side of the globe. He married, had a daughter born to him, and died. Bishop Selwyn took the widow and the fatherless daughter to his own house, and made a home for both of them till the daughter lived to be married and was able to find a home for her mother. A friend of mine lost his wife and was in heavy sorrow the Bishop brought Him to the Palace at Lichfield, and kept him there until the burden of his sorrow was lightened. So too I, when I parted with my eldest daughter as she went to Africa. had the comfort of his sympathising kindness. He would have us all go to his house at Lichfield; he spoke cheering words of guidance to us; he gave us the Holy Communion, so that, under God's mercy, our thoughts might be set in the right direction, and that, as we parted, we might be helped to offer ourselves wholly to our Lord." The Archdeacon then referred to the Bishop's labours in New Zealand, and the way in which he won the trust and affection of the people. Among other incidents, Arch- deacon Allen related this :—" Bishop Selwyn on one occasion saw a rough Englishman with his son, a lad of some twelve years of age, attempt to set up a tent. The wind was violent, and the man failed in his efforts. The man swore, and used very bad language. Bishop Selwyn was by, and being in a rough dress was not known to the man to be a clergyman. He offered to set up the tent for him, and did it speedily in a^ workmanlike manner. The man was pleased, and said Well, mate, you have done me a kindness, and if at any time I can do you a kindness, I shall be glad to repay you.' The Bishop paused for a moment, and then took the man aside, and said to him 'You offered to do me a kindness. 1 here is one thing you can do which I shall esteem a great kmdnes.' The man assured him he would do what was in his power. The Bishop said, It will be a great kindness to me if you will never again, in the hearing of your son, use bad language such as has ju,t escaped your hps. The mazi was startled, but s,;iki, Mate, I believe you are right, and from that time lie was an altered man, and was an effectual helper of the Bishop."

TIDE TABLE FOR ABERYSTWYTH, ABERDOVEY, AND BARMOUTH. April Aberystwyth. Aberdovey. Barmouth. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. Fri. 26 i 2 34 3 16 3 3 3 45 2 43 3 25 Sat.27 3 53 4 26 4 22 4 55 4 2 4 35 Sun.28 4 54 5 19 5 23 5 48 5 3 5 28 Mon.29: 5 30 5 41 5 59 6 10 5 39 5 50 Tues.30 6 1 6 18 6 30 6 47 6 10 6 27 Wed. 1 6 38 6 54 75 7 23 6 45 7 3 Thur. 2 7 10 7 26 7 39 7 55 7 19 7 35

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FROM THE PAPERS. Mr. Ruskin's condition has improved so much that no further bulletins will be issued. A New York paper calculates that the amount of money spent in newspaper advertisements in the United States exceeds £60,000,000 annually. The monument erected to the memory of the Duke of Wellington in St. Paul's Cathedral was uncovered for public inspection on Saturday. Apropos of the proposed beatification of Pius IX., a first miracle of his relics is recorded. By the application to her diseased thumb of a single hair of the late Pope, the Baroness Scoppa Greco was cured at once. Cardinal Manning administered the teetotal pledge to over 1,000 persons, on Sunday, April 21, at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Anne, Spicer-street, Spitalfields. About 800 of them were boys and girls. # The Bristol Mercury says a project is on foot m Merthyr to establish a loan society on equitable principles, and the aim is to aid the struggling tradesmen and assist all classes without taxing them ruinously. Mrs. Drewe, the wife of the proprietor of a paper mill, was decapitated on Good Friday night, at the Silverton Station of the Great Western Railway. She was crossing the rails when she was knocked down by the Northern mail train. From a comparison of the prospects of the cricket season with the results of some of its predecessors, it appears that the matches arranged for the present year are in excess of those which have taken place in the busiest season on record. Mr. W. G. Grace has engaged himself to play in eleven-a-side matches only between May and September. The use of the new-fangled term" Criminal Investiga- tion Department" instead of Detective Police (says the Examiner) does not find universal approval. Not long ago a well-known police magistrate said to a witness, who described himself as "a criminal investigator," "you mean, I suppose, that you are a constable ? Yes, your worship." "Then say so." Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont, m his Fast-day proclamation, says:—"Let us especially pray that He will graciously vouchsafe to make and keep us as in- dividuals, and as a State and a nation, inilexibly honest, even in times of financial depression. So shall we fulfill our high destiny, and transmit to our children unimpaired the rioh legacy received from our fathers." The Journal Ofliciel of Paris publishes the new postal and telegraph tariffs which come into operation on May 1. Letters for France and the French colonies are reduced from five sous (2d.) to three sous (ld.) Letters addressed to foreign States will pay five sous (2d.) in- stead of six sous (3d.). Telegrams for France will pay one sou (id.) per word, but every message, no matter how few words, cannot be sent for less than ten sous (5d.). The former high postal charges were necessary for assisting in raising revenue to meet the expenses of the Franco- German war. A Parliamentary return, issued on Saturday, April 20, shows that, although the number of houses licensed for the sale of liquors to be consumed on the premises decreased from 109,421 in 1875 to 109,147 in the following year, the number of them having only six-day licences increased from 2,992 to 3,059; the number having early closing licences from 218 to 231; and the number having licences marked both as six days and early closing licences from 355 to 387. The summonses for assault, by Mrs. Rousby against Herr Bandmann, and by Herr Bandmann against the prompter and stage manager of the Queen's Theatre, were heard on Saturday, April 29, at Bow-street Police Court, London. After a large amount of conflicting evidence had been given, Herr Bandman was committed for trial at the Middlesex Sessions, and the other cases were dis- missed. An information for wilful and corrupt perjury was lodged on Mrs. Rousby's behalf against Herr Band- mann. It is exactly ten years since the Income-tax first stood at 5d. (says May fair.) Ominously enough, it was then raised to that sum (having continued during the three previous years at 4d.) to meet the charge of the Abyssinian war. It was raised to 6d. for the year 1868-69, and stood again at 5d. between 1869-70. Mr. Gladstone left it at 3d., and, with the magnificent surplus which Sir Stafford Northcote inherited from his predecessor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was, in 1874, enabled to reduce it to 2d. But legacies are soon run through, and in 1876 the tax was raised to 3d., is now again 5d., and may, for aught we know, be lOd. next year. In 1855, the Crimean war being at full swing, it stood at 16d. When Sir Robert Peel invented the Income-tax in its present form, a rate of 7d. produced £5,350,000. To-day a 7d. income-tax would produce more than double that sum, or £12,600,000. Nothing could more distinctly show the advancement of the Japanese under the enlightened rule of their Emperor, than the development given to instruction and the con- sequent multiplication of native books and journals. Out of a scattered population of thirty millions, at the com- mencement of this year, the number of scholars taught was 1,800,005, in 22,000 schools. Translations from English, French, and German works of repute are in great demand. The majority of the educational establish- ments are organised on the European principle, a fact which proves the desires of the leading men of the country to adopt whatever may be found available in Western culture for the advancement of their race. The native journals are beginning to acquire an extensive circulation. As an illustration of the purely mechanical nature of speech, Professor Bell mentioned at a meeting held in London, on Tuesday, April 16, that he received from across the Atlantic, a few days ago, one of Mr. Edison's phonographs, and after placing the machine on a table in his Liverpool hotel, and turning a handle, his friends, who had brought the instrument, were addressed by name, and were thus greeted, "Once for all, I wish you a pleasant voyage and a happy time in England." These words, he said, had been spoken into the phonograph at starting, and rendered faithfully at the other shore of the ocean 3,000 miles off. A firm of analytical chemists in London call attention, in the columns of the Standard, to a danger threatening infant life from a little suspected source. It appears that for some time past there has been a sad epidemic among young children in the neighbourhood of London, ending in many cases with the death of the child, the disease pre- senting every appearance of erysipelas. A gentleman whose child was similarly attacked suspected the violet powder in use in the nursery, and sent a packet to the analytical chemists already mentioned for analysis. They returned a. certificate stating that it contained 25 per cent. of white arsenic. They have themselves since purchased several packets of this powder, which is sold in printed wrappers, with the maker's name and the instructions, "For use in the nursery," printed thereon, and having submitted them to chemical analyses discovered the same percentage of the same poison. Their analyses have been confirmed by the medical men of the neighbourhood. The Copenhagen correspondent of the Pall Mall, Gazette communicates the following interesting story :—"An act of bravery which has received its due reward deserves to be known outside the narrow limits of Denmark. A poor woman, the wife of a labourer, past fifty, observing, a few months ago, three children who had fallen through the ice on a lake, rushed into the water, and at the imminent peril of her own life rescued the children. His Majesty the King decided that this act of bravery should not pass unrewarded. The poor woman was sent up from the country a room was prepared for her in the Royal palace, where she stayed two days to see the sights of Copenhagen; and she subsequently received from the hands of the King, in the presence of the royal family, the Medal and Ribbon for civil acts of bravery, being the first woman in Denmark who has received this honour." A curious case of bigamy was partly heard before the magistrate at Guildford, on Saturday, April 20, a gentle- man named Reid, described as a lieutenant in the army, being charged with intermarrying with a. lady named Saxeby, his first wife being still alive. He went away from Guildford with Miss Saxeby, and in Cornwall was married to her under the name of Martin. His first wife threw hc-scif and her children on theparish, and then he was traced and apprehended. Defendant told the Chief Con- stable, who arrested him, .that his first wife had been un- faithful, and that she had married a second husband. rrQ unravel this complication of allegations a remand w granted. The Lancet (says the Liverpool Daily Post), has turned its sharpness against war and warmongers. fany reasons are urged in favour of peace, but the medical organ re- peats a psychological argument that is somewhat novel. That war begets crime is undoubted, but it is not generally recognized that, apart from the criminality resulting from the weakening of civil authority and restraint, hostilities between nations tend to produce offences to a much greater extent from the force of example." The pro- pensity in men and women that incites them to reproduce in their own actions the crimes of others receives fuller scope at a time when social order is disturbed than under a normal condition of things. Besides, at such periods there are more criminal objects to excite the imitative faculty, and thus wickedness and war progress pari passu. Andrew William Gray, cashier at the branch of the City of Glasgow Bank at Douglas, Isle of Man, gave out on Sunday morning, April 21, that on the previous night he had been attacked by three men, who demanded from him the keys of the bank. He refused them, and was knocked down shot at, and chloroformed, about half a mile from Douglas, and dragged into a ditch, and there remained insensible until four that morning, when he found that the keys of the strong room and safe had been taken from him. An examination of the bank premises showed that the safes had been tampered with, and £8,700 in gold had been abstracted, but the notes were left. The circumstances were altogether so suspicious that the police soon arrested Gray and two other men, named Roberts and Nix. I The declaration of the poll at South Northumberland election, took place at Hexham on Thursday, April 18th. inere were many hours of anxious waiting, and the votes were counted several times. The numbers were ultimately found to be equal:—Mr. Albert Grey (Liberal), 2,912; Mr. -Edward Ridley (Conservative), 2,912. Two papers signed for Mr. Grey, which made the Liberal figure 2,914, were declared by the High Sheriff to be invalid. That official decided to make a double return, and thus leave the matter for the House of Commons. Mr, Grey was received with tumultuous applause upon appearing at one of the windows of the Town-hall, but Mr. Ridley was scarcely so well received. Mr. Grey, in thanking the electors, stated that Mr. Ridley was perfectly aware that the High oheritf would give his casting vote in his favour, but with the kind generosity which had characterised him throughout the contest, Mr. Ridley waived his claim, and said he would never desire to sit as their member h the casting vote of the High Sheriff. Iq r. Grey was after- wards escorted to the railway station by a band of music and several hundreds of persons waving banners and vociferously cheering. °

"THIIOAT IRRITATION.—Soreness ami "dryness ami -i nrkim^ irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice For b»se symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes! Onlv in boxes fid ami ll, labelled "JAMES BPPS toCoS, HomteoffiS Chemists,^ Threadneedle St., and 170, Piccadilly, Londen." AN EVENING BEVERAGE.— Epps's Caciioine (Quintessence of Cacao) is equally liquid and refreshing as tea, affording more- over a sterling support to the system. Unsweetened tfaeh packet (6d.) is labelled JAMES & Co. Homceopathic Chemists, London." w.a

FROM LONDON LETTERS. It is a. sad coincidence that the death of Bishop Selwyn I should have been almost contemporaneous with that of his old friend and fellow-worker, Bishop Williams. The latter died two months before the former, but the particu- lars of his death did not reach England until after the funeral of Bishop Selwyn. He had actually spent no less than fifty-two years in New Zealand, having arrived in that country as a missionary fifteen years before Dr. Sel- wyn arrived as bishop. In 1859, when the diocese was divided, Dr. Williams was made Bishop of Waiapu, and resigned that post a few months ago. He was seventy- eight years of age.-Liverpool Post. We are expecting a visit from Gambetta, and English Radicalism is preparing to do him homage. He will be the guest of Sir Charles Dilke. Will the Reform Club and the Devonshire fete him ? The man who by his self- restraint and patriotism saved France from a civil war last autumn deserves recognition from all genuinely Liberal bodies.—Liverpool Mercury. I suppose there could hardly be a greater contrast than there is between Mr. Bright and a society" journalist. With faltering voice and pleading tones the member for Birmingham urged on Good Friday the wickedness of going into a needless war, and the folly and cruelty of incurring all its miseries without a just cause. He de- clared that if we engaged in the war now threatening, the great majority of Englishmen would be quite unable to understand why it had been waged. But the "society" journalist has not the smallest doubt on the matter. We shall fight, he says, to see if England or Russia is to be cock of the walk in the East." And I suppose that in due time we shall be told to offer up prayers in church in order that Providence may bless our arms and confound lour foes in this just and necessary war." The Standard publishes a long and wordy article to show that South Northumberland election was not a Liberal victory after all, inasmuch as, for some reason which is not very clear, the Liberals ought to have won by a majority of 300. Seeing that the seat has been held for nearly half a century by the Conservatives, and had not been contested for over a quarter of a century, one is not quite able to follow the Standard's argument. By the way, it appears that under the Ballot Act the high sheriff was bound to give the casting vote in case of a tie but having already declared Mr. Grey elected by a majority of two, he had no right to make a second return. If this be so, a.s Mr. Goldsmid, M.P. for Rochester, affirms, then the Speaker, I presume, will rale that Mr. Grey ought to have been declared elected or will the matter be refeired to the judges?—Liverpool Mercury.

FIRE AT THE CHESTER LEAD WORKS.—An alarming fire broke out in one of the oil stores of the Chester Lead Works on the evening of Good Friday. It raged with great fierceness for a short time, but the exertions of the Chester Volunteer Fire Brigade were successful in checking and extinguishing it in about two hours. The damage done will amount to some hundreds of pounds, and is not, we believe, insured. JOHN HEATH'S EXTRA STRONG STEEL PENS, with oblique, turned up and rounded points, Golden Coated, bronzed and carbonized. Suit all hands, all styles, all ages, and all kinds of work. Over 200 patterns. Sold by Stationers every- where, in 6d., Is., anu gross boxes. The public are respectfully requested to BEWARE OF WORTHLESS IMITATIONS, any o see that they really get John Heath's Pens. Should and difficulty arise, an assorted sample box will be sent per post on re- ceipt of 7 or 13 stamps. Address, John Heath, 70, George-street Birmingham. RECKITT'S PARIS BLUE.—The marked superiority of this Laundry Blue over all others, and the quick appre- ciation of its merits by the public has been attended with the usual result, viz. a flood of imitations the merit of the latter mainly consists in the ingenuity exerted, not simply in imitating the square shape, but making the general appearance of the wrappers resemble that of the genuine article. The manufacturers beg, therefore, to caution all buyers to see heckitts Paris Blue" on each packet. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—Any dyspeptic sufferer aware of the purifying, regulating, and gentle aperient powers of these Pills, should permit no one to cloud his judgment or to warp his course. With a box of Holloway's Pills, and attention to its accompanying "Directions," he may feel thoroughly satisfied that he can safely and effectually re- lease himself from his miseries without impairing his appetite or distressing his digestion. By aiding natural nutrition, this excellent medicine raises the bodily strength to its extreme limits, and banishes a thousand annoying forms of nervous complaints. An occasional resort to Holloway's remedy will prove highly salutary to all sons, whether well or ill. whose digestion ^is slow or im- perfect, usually evidenced by weariness, listlessness, and j despondency.

BYE-GRONES. NOTES, QUERIES, and REPLIES, on subjects interesting to Wales and the Borders, must be addressed to" ASKEW ROBERTS, Croeswylan, Oswestry." Real names and addresses must be ven, m confidence, and MSS. must be written leyibly, on one side of the paper only.

APRIL 24, 1878. NOTES. REV. J. A. COTTON OF ELLESMERE.—The inhabitants of Ellesmere marked their appreciation of the nearly half century of service of this gentleman as the Vicar of the parish, by the presentation of a silver service j of plate weighing 400 ounces, and the result of 452 subscriptions. The presentation was made on Feb. 8, 1836, George Stanton, Esq., bailiff, being the spokesman. The following inscription was engraved on the principal salver :—"A.D. 1835. To the Rev. Joseph Aldritch Cotton, M.A., Vicar of Ellesmere. This salver, together with two smaller ones, and four covered dishes, is most respectfully presented by his parishioners, as a memorial of their respect and esteem for his public and private worth, exemplified in the faithful discharge of his duties among them during a ministry of five and forty years." NEMO. SHROPSHIRE LINGO.—Any one interested in jotting down Shropshire words and sayings cannot do better than watch boys at play, and hark to their talk. The last time "Marabels was in" I did so and culled the following:— It innayore turn, Bill, yoave gone No I hanna, s'help me But yo have, I seed yo Wish I may never, if I have." Cross your throat, then." All this, and more, took place in the neighbourhood of Oswestry. The S'help me" and the crossing of the throat are equivalent to kissing the book after the "So help me God of the witness box, and the Wish I may never is a contraction of I wish I may never stir if I am not telling the truth." The S'help me" is a popular form of oath, and a boy must indeed be "a 'nointed rascal" who would lie after the formula. Boys, I fear, do not consider their yea to be yea and nay nay, any more than do their elders; and it is by no means an unusual thing to hear a man or woman in the witness box say under cross-examination, I would'nt have kissed the book and said it if it was'nt true." From a similar feel- ing ignorant plaintiffs and defendants will sometimes ex- claim, after a witness has been sworn, He (or she) did'nt kiss the book, gentlemen and make sure, by their own eyes, that more than the thumb was saluted. JARCO. ANCIENT BRITISH FENCIBLES. — The Salopian Journal of Dec. 9, 1801, published the following letter from the Courier of the preceding week, because "it entirely took off the stigma, thrown on the Antient British Fencibles To the Editor of the Courier. Sir. Having lately read a publication entitled A History of the Rebellion in Ireland in the year 1798, Ac., by the Rev. J. Gordon, which contains among many other misrepresentations and in- accuracies, the following paragraph in page 212, viz. Some soldiers of the Ancient British Regiment cut open the body of Father Michael Murphey, after the battle of Arklow, took out his heart and roasted the body, and oiled their boots with the grease that dripped from it;" I feel that I should be wanting in gratitude to those brave men whom I once had the honour to command, and with whom I personally served during the whole of the battle of Arklow above-mentioned, did I not take the earliest opportunity of declaring, that no soldier of the Ancient British Fencible Cavalry ever touched any part of the remains of Father Michael Murphey and consequently the whole of the above anecdote is a gross calumny, totally destitute cf any foun- dation. WATKIN WILLIAMS WYVN, Late Col. of the Ancient British Fencible Cavalry. The regiment was popularly known in Ireland as the Bloodv Britons," and Sir Watkin's Lambs." N.W.S. QUERIES. WELSH FUNERALS. "Bell-Com is a small perquisite belonging to the clerk in certain parishes." So writes Mr. Pennant in 1796, in his History of Whitford. He could not learn the origin. He does not say what Bell-corn was. Perhaps some reader will tell us. He also says, that in some churches, the disgusting" custom prevails "of the corpse being brought into the church during divine service, and left there till the congregation is dismissed." Does he mean at other than ths funeral service G.G. THE FEMALE FREEMASON.—There are few- people who have not heard of the adventurous woman who concealed herself in a Lodge Room in order to learn the mysteries of masonry and who, being discovered through her screaming during the awful ceremonies she witnessed, was at once made a mason" by the brethren, and accordingly bound by horrid oaths to keep the secret." It will surprise most of your readers to learn that the lady was a Welshwoman Her death is thus recorded in the papers of May, 1802;—"Died, May 18, aged 85, Mrs. Beaton, in St. John's Madder-Market, Norwich. She was a native of Wales, and commonly called The Free-Mason, from the circumstance of her having contrived to conceal herself one evening in the wainscoting of a lodge room, where she heard that secret, the knowledge of which thousands of her sex have in vain attempted to arrive at.—She was a very singular old woman, and as a proof of it, the secret died with her Can any reader of Bye-goncs say where in Wales Mrs. Beaton was born, and what was her maiden name ? FIDELITY. REPLIES. OSWESTRY THEATRE (Ap. 3, 187S).—In con- nection with this subject let me ask if any of your readers remember a dramatic performance, in the year 1836, in the Boys' National Schoolroom, which was then held in what is now our Guildhall. The only allusion to the affair I have seen is a letter quoting from a letter in a Shrews- bury newspaper in which occur these words :—" There cannot be any difficulty in yielding the palin when urges the superiority of the melo-dramatic perform. ances at the Boys' School Room, over those of Mr- Stanton's buskined strollers." NEMO. CHURCH BELLS (Sep. 26, 1877).—I am not sure whether the following record of bell-ringing has appeared in Bye-gones on not:— On Monday evening (Dec. 6, 1802) in St. Chad's Tower, Shrews- bury was coirpleted iD a correct and mUsterly stile by the Union Socie'ty a peal of Grandsire Cators, containing 5058 changes, in 3 hours 39 minutes, forming a selection of the most harmonious courses with 5, 2, 4, 6, behind the 9th in regular succession; beini? the first true 5,000 ever rung on those bells in the above method.—Composed and called by Mr. William Bull. I do not profess to understand the paragraph, but I send it presuming it will find readers more enlightened. SCROBBES BYRIG. The following inscriptions on the six bells of Llan- badarn Fawr Church, a part of which is now undergoing restoration, may be of interest to your readers :— First Bell: When you us ring, we'll sweetly sing. A.R. 1749. Second Peace & good neighbourhood. A.R. 1749. Third: Prosperity to the Church of England. A.R. 1749. Fourth: We were all cast at Gloucester by Abel Rudhall, 1749. Fifth: Thomas Powell, Esq., Lewis Williams, gent: churchwardens. A.R. 1749. Sixth: I to the Church the Living Call and to the Grave do summon all. The tower is as strong as a rock, but the wood work of the interior is very dilapidated, so much so, indeed, as to render it somewhat dangerous to make the bells sweetly sing." The legend on the first bell is by no means exaggerated, and therefore it is to be hoped that the work of restoration will include the wood work of the belfry. W.R.H. [We gave the inscription on these bells on June 12,1S72, but as the foregoing varies in some particulars, we gladly insert the paragraph.—ED.] DR. CHA.RLES BURNEY (Mar. 6, 1878.)— Mr. HUGHES will find on p. 90 of vol. 1 of Transactions of Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society," in the very interesting extracts by Mr. Leighton from the Parish Registers of the Abbey Church, Shrewsbury, the following:—"1721, May 6, married by license, James Mackburney and Anne Cooper, both of S. Chad's parish." To this Mr. Leighton appends the following note :—" This records the marriage of the father and mother of the learned Dr: Charles Burney, the historian of Music, and grandfather of Madame D'Arblay, author of Evelina." H.W.A. RUYTON CASTLE, {Apr. 10,1S78).—"DidRuyton- of-the-EIeven-Towns, Salop, ever possess a castle ?" To settle this question I may briefly state that the founda- tions of the Tower of said castle are being now laid bare it is forty-eight feet square and the walls are twelve feet thick. I give also two quotations from Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire" The Castles of Oswestry, Knockyn, Carrechova and Whittington were the more advanced posts of border wa.rfa.re, while the castles of Shrawardine, Ellesmere and Ruyton lay more in the rear." The Seigneuries of both Fitz Alan and Le Strange are to be recognized in the statement that the deceased had held half Withyford of the Earl of Arundel, by service of half a knight's fee, returnable at Ruyton castle (which was Le Strange's.)" The castle was standing in the year 1336. It was probably destroyed a few years later and furnished materials for building the church tower evidently of that date. F.P. W.

A report which has just been issued by the United Order of Oddfellows states that the deficiency of £1,343,446 in 1871 has been reduced to the small prospec- tive deficiency of £372,168. The report further shows that on the 1st of January, 1876 there were in this king- dom over 465,000 members, and that the annual contri- butions, included in the annual valuation, amounted to £472,330, or lid. per member more than in 1871. The present value of contributions and capital in hand gives a total present value of all the assets of the society amount- ing to £11,584,111 Os. lid. making the average present! value of assets £24. 19s. 8d. per member;" and accord- ing to the present sick and funeral benefits as given in the returns, the total present value of all the liabilities of the society amounts to £1,936,270 17s. 2d., which gives an average present value of liabilities for each j member of £25 15s. 9cl. The report concludes :— The present value of the avrrage liability has therefore been reduced £2 His. Old. per member. The satisfactory results of these valuations will show the necessity there is of particular attention being paid to the investment of capital, and to the revision of the scales for contributions and benefits. In a great many instances this has been done, and to these causes, nnd to the four per cent. valuations, may be mainly attributed the improved position of the society. It is still, however, to be regretted that many lodges, which by the late valuation were shown to have large deficiencies, have not only f ailed to take steps to remedy this, but have absolutely increased their deficiencies, and it is to be limped that all these lodges will at once adopt measures which Irill tend to plaee theui ill a solvent loositiun. )

BUSINESS ADDRESSES. ^ABERYSTWYTH? — E. JONES, COACHBUILDER, Moor Street, Aberystwyth. CARRIAGES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION MADE TO ORDEIi Repairs executed by First-class Workmen. JOHN BAKER; B Bhydypenau Farm, Bow Street. Y the request o? numerous friends has been in- duoed to take a VALUER'S LICENCE, and he will be happy to attend to the commands of gentlemen leaving their farms or requiring a Valuer's services con- nected with land or stock. BINDING OF ALL KINDS CHEAPLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY EXECUTED. ORDERS RECEIVED BY J. GIBSON, 3, QUEEN'S-ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH AGRICULTURAL SEED, 1877. EDWARD" ELLIS, 7 & 8, PRINCESS-STREET, ABERYSTWYTH, BEGS respectfully to return thanks for the kind support given him during the last 25 years in the seed trade, and calls particular attention to the splendid stock he holds this season of all kinds of Agricultural Seeds, Seed Potatoes, Early and Late. E. E. begs to acquaint the nobility, gentry, agricul- turists, householders, and others, that he holds an Auc- tioneer and Valuer's Licence. SALES AND VALUATION UNDERTAKEN WITH CAKE. £200 to £400 may be had on mortgage on freehold property.—Apply to E. ELLIS, Auctioneer and Valuer. FOR SALE, 800,000 BRICKS, Ready for delivery at any station on the Cambrian 0 Manchester and Milford Ralways. Also GLAZED AND COMMON DRAIN PIPES, RIDGE AND FLOORING TILES, COAL AND LIME, & C. & C. APPLY TO WM. THOMAS, Wholesale Merchant and Commission Agent, STATION YARD, ABERYSTWYTH. Sole Agent to the Powell Dyffryn Coal Company, whose Coal will be forwarded to any Station on the above Railways. A Cargo of WHITE'S CEMENT will arrive shortly. MRS. E. EVANS'S DINING AND REFRESHMENT ROOMS, 8, Market-street, Aberystwyth. Hot Dinners daily at one o'clock. Roast and Boiled Joints, Chickens, Ducks, &c., always ready. Mrs. Evans begs to call attention to her Pies, Puddings, and Tarts, made daily or to order. Oyster and Veal Patties, Fruit and Preserve Tarts, Cakes, Buns, &c., fresh daily. Tea and Coffee at any hour of the day. GOOD NEWS. CHEAP COAL. Owing to:a favourable contract PETER JONES, Railway Station, Aberystwyth, Is now able to sell for cash on delivery BEST NEWPORT, 16s. per ton. BEST RUABON, :6s., Booking Price, 2s. extra. PAPER HANGING WAREHOUSE. T. THOMAS, PAINTER, &c., 12, Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. A CHOICE STOCK OF PAPER HANGINGS, From the Best Manufacturers. CHIMNEY AND OTHER GLASSES. A Good Assortment of OLEOGRAPH PAINTINGS, PHOTOS, &c. Pictures framed in Gold, &c. All kinds of Moulding for Frames Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Glass, Lead, Closets, &c., &c., at very moderate terms. T. & W. BUBB, PAINTERS, PLUMBERS, GLAZIERS, GAS- FITTERS, HOUSE DECORATORS, PAPER HANGERS, & GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHERS, Terrace-Road, Aberystwyth, and Newtown. Agent for Broner's BURNERS, and Wright's GAS STOVES. ESTIMATES FOR WORK OX APPLICATION. Agents for Atkins & Co.'s Patent CHARCOAL BLOCK WATER FILTERS. GADD'S PATENT REVERSIBLE HANDLE PERAMBULATORS. BATHS AND PERAMBULATORS ONi'HIRE. DOLGELLEY. JAMES B. MEE, FISHMONGER, GAME DEALER, FRUITERER, &c., &c. Bridge End House, Dolgelley. Constant Supplies of various kinds of fresh Fish, Game, &c. according to Season. ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO, And anything not on hand procured on the shortest notice. Ice always on hand, and supplied by the pound and Upwards. JKS" Note the Address:— Bridge End House, Dolgelley. RICHARD ELLIS, Unicorn Lane, Dolgelley, GENERAL BILL STICKER, POSTER MESSENGER, &c. Contracts may be made with Auctioneers and Publishers MR CROSSLEY, Organist of the Parish Church, Dolgelley, RECEIVES PUPILS. Organ, Pianoforte, Harmonium, Singing, and Harmony. Bank Buildings, Dolgelley. When you ask for Reckitt's Paris Blue l Seethatyougetit, j as bad qualitie s are often substituted. I > j| SmpPINGv LLAN LINE SHORTEST OCEAX PASrAG.1 TO M E R I C A HALIFAX, CANADIAN, AND UNITED STATES t MAIL. COMPOSED OF TWENTY FIRST-CLASS STEAMERS. • lfnvrapw everT THURSDAY, and LON- S for HALIFAX. QUE. BEC PORTLAND and BALTIMORE. Through to BOSTON, NEW YORK. PHILADEL PHIA, and to all points in CANADA and the STATES Low lares and excellent Accommodation. Passengers who secure their Tickets before leaving home are met at the Railway Station by an appointed Agent of the Company, who takes charge of them until they go on board the Steamer. PASSAGES^ ASSISTE» Tjr<r Write for the Pamphlet "LORD DUFFERIN IN MANITOBA." Apply to ALLAN BROTHERS and Co., Liverpool er Londonderry, or to Or to the Agents- EVAN JONES, Builder, Bala. 1. T. PARRY, The Bazaar, Cross-street, Oswestry. "WHITE STAR" LINE ROYAL AND UNITED STATES MAIL STEAMERS. NOTICE.—The steamers of this T ling take the Lane Routes recommend- ed by Lieutenant Maury, on both the Outward and Home- ward passages. LIVERPOOL to NEW YORK Forwarding Passengers to all parts of the United State and Canada. These well known magnificent Steamers are appointed to sail weekly as under, carrying her Majesty's and the U llited States Mails From LIVERPOOL. BALTIC Tuesdav, April 30 ADRIATIC Thursday, May 9 Thursday, May 16 CELTIC Tuesday, May 21 GERMANIC Thursday, May 30 From NEW YORK. ADRIATIC.Thursday, April IS BRITANNIC Thursday, April 27 From QUEENSTOWN the following day. These splendid Vessels reduce the passage to the shortest possible time, and afford to Passengers the highest degree of comfort hitherto attainable at sea. Average passage 8 davs.in Summer. 9^ days in Winter. Each Vessel is constructed in seven water-tight compart- ments. The Saloon, Ladies' Boudoir, State Rooms, and Smok- ing Rooms are amidships, and are luxuriously furnished and fitted with all modern conveniences pianos, libraries, electric bells, bath-rooms, barber's shop, &c. Saloon Passage, 15, 18, and 21 guineali; Return Tickets at reduced rates. The Steerage accommodation is of the very highest charac- ter, the rooins are unusually spacious, well lighted, ventilated, and warmed, and passengers of this class will find their cvrr". fvrt carefully studied, and the provisioning unsurpassed. Stewardesses iR Steerage to attend the Women and Children. Drafts issued on New York free of charge. For Freight or Passage apply to J. D. HUGHES, 1, Railway Terrace, Aberystwyth. ISMAY, IMRIE -ND Co., 10, Water-street, Liverpool, And 34, Leadenhall Street, LONDON, E.C. BUSINESS ADDRESSES BARMOUTH. — HUGH OWEN, GOMERIAN HOUSE, BARMOUTH, PHOTOGRAPHER. BEDFORD'S AND OTHER ARTISTS' VIEWS. WINDSOR AND NEWTON'S ARTISTS' MATERIALS AND COLOURS. STATIONERY. LADIES AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING. DRAPERY- A GOOD STOCK OF HATS, BONNETS, & MILLINERY Always on hand. PORTMADOC ————* ROBERTS, LEWIS, & CO., GENERAL MERCHANTS, PORTMADOC. ROBERTS, LEWIS, & Co., beg to announce that they have opened new and commodious premises near the Cambrian Railway Station, Portmadoc, where tbey have a large assortment of goods. The Builders' Department. consists of :—Kitchen Ranges—close and open fire, Regis- ter Grates, Sham Registers, Mantel Shams, Mantel Pieces, Marble Chimney Pieces, Cast and Sheet Iron Ovens, Sash Weights, Eaves Troughs, O.G. and other Ornamental Guttering, Rain Water Pipes, Stove Pipes Wrought Iron Pipes—black and galvanized, Sheet Lead and Zinc, Glazed Sanitary Pipes, Bricks. Paving and Ridge Tiles, Chimney Tops, Cement, Plaster Paris. The Agricultural Implement Department. consists of :—Mowing and Reaping Machines, Haymakers, Horse Rakes, American Rakes, Chaff Cutters, Turnip Pulpers and Slicers, Machinery for bruising, grinding, and splitting Grain, Winnowing Machines, Ploughs, Cul- tivators, Chain Harrows, Zig-zag Harrows, Clod Crushers, Field Rollers, Mangold and Turnip Drills, Wrought Iron Gates, Hurdles and Continuous Fencing, Waggons, Carts, and Market Cars, by all the leading makers. The Mine And Quarry Department. consists of — Circular Slate Saws, Files, Octagon Cast Steel (L), Blister Single and Double Sheer Steel, Cast Steel and Iron Hammer Moulds. Crucible Cast Steel Waggon Wheel and Axles, Bar, Rod, Hoop and Sheet Iron, Pumps, Crane and Rock Chains, Wire Ropes for inclines, Anvik, Vices, Smiths' Bellows andyu-e Irons, Portable Hearths, Machine Belting, Oils for Machinery, Fuse, Dynamite. AGENTS FOE NOBEL'S EXPLOSIVES CO. Applications for quotations are invited. Second Hand Quarry Materials bought and for sale. BENSON'S WATCHES. Watch and Clock Maker -L' to the Queen and Royal Family, and bv Special appointment to the Prince of Wales and Emperor of Russia. Old Bond-street, and (Steam Factory) Ludgate- hill, London. BENSON S WATCHES of every description, suit- able for all climates, from £ 2 to 200 guineas. Chrono- graphs, Chronometers, Keyless, Levers, Presentation, Repeaters, Railway Guards, Soldiers, and Workmen's Watches of extra strength. ENSON'S ARTISTIC ENGLISH CLOCKS, decorated with W edgwood and other wares, designed to suit any style of architecture or furniture; &Lo, as novelties for presents. Made solely by Benson. From £558. B~ ENSON'S PAMPHLETS 011 TURRET CLOCKS, Watches, Clocks, Plate, and Jewellery. Illustrated, sent post free each for two stamps. Watches seat safe by post. Benson's new work, Times and Time Tellers,? 2s. 6d. "SANITAS." This incomparable colourless Fluid is the most powerful, cleanly, and agreeable Disinfectant and Antiseptic known! A REALLY MARVELLOUS DISCOVERY." SAl\ IT AS" is the best preventive against the k3 spread of Small-pox, Typhoid Fever, Scarlet Fever, Hay Fever, Foot-and-mouth, Cattle, and all Infectious Diseases. IT IS NON-POISONOUS, and has no injurious action on the finest clothing, fur- niture, carpeting, &c. It is strongly recommended by the highest medical authorities. I" SANITAS" is the only presern-ative of BEER kept in the house two fluid ozs., costing a few pence should be added to the 9-gallon cask. SAN IT AS should be used in every LAUNDRY to kJ bleach the clothes and prevent the spread of infec- tion. Half apiiit should be added to every 20 gallons of water used in rinsing the clothes. Prices.—Bottles, 1st Quality only. Is., Is. 6d. 2s. (;(L: or in bulk, 1st Quality, 20s. per gallon, 2nd Quality,'5s. TOILET "SAX IT AS" This preparation is the most luxurious of its kind; it removes the odour of tobacco, sweetens the breath, im- proves the complexion and the growth of hair it whitens the teeth and prevents dental caries. In EWant Bottles at 2s. 611. 0 11 i with all particulars free on application to the COMPANY, 57, Moorgate-street, London. E.C. OAJNIIAS may be had of Chemists and Wholesale Druggists, or direct from the Company. THE LEADING PAPER FOR CARDIGANSHIRE, MERIONETHSHIRE SOUTH CARNARVONSHIRE, &c. DELIVERED by Post, or at any Station on the D Cambrian, Great \\estern, or Manchester and Milford Railway, for iwelve Months, for 8s. 8d. in ad- vance. THE CAMBRIAN NEWS. Delivered by agento (through whom it may be ordered) on Friday morning, for twelve months, for 6s. 6d. in ad- vance, &t all the places mentioned in our List of Aeente on page 7. Published by J. GIBSON, Aberystwyth; JACOB JONES, Bala; D. LLOYD, Portmadoc.