Monmouthshire Merlin

<lp'a:ntonj;ura: \SI (, j 1. CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS TIIE HIS TOUT OF G TEX r AND JfO OAXr/G. (Continued fun the llyrlia of Dee. lltk) But there was another name of a Bishop confirmed by a different testimony. T!io a, irrefragable proofs that there were British Bishops at the Councils of Ailes, in Gaul, A.D. 314, and at the Council of Sordica, in Illyria, A.D. 347. This als) coiVdems the good faith of the Welsh legends, respecting the ascendancy of Chris- tianity in Britain, and cf t .e Silurian See in particular. The names of those who attended from Britain on the occasions arc given by Usher and Spelman, and one of them was Adelfi, as Bishop of Caerleon—" Urbs Ligionis." This Adelfiu< is identified with Cadfrated, whose name we find in Bonedd Saint Ynys Prydain" of the third century. Therefore also R itisll Bishops at the Council of S irdica, a-il they juiue.l in the con- demnation of Aerius and in the vindication of St. Athanasius. 12 Dubricius, or "Dyfug Beneurog." a very cele- brated saint and Bishop of Llandaff He was conse- crated bish ,p by Sc. Gernianus, A.D. 427. He was promoted to the Archbishopric ofCaerleonin 490, which he held with the Bishopric of Lanlaff until 512, when he resigned the latter In the year 519 he resigned also the Archbishopric, and retired to the Island of Bardsey, where hi died in the Far 522. He was the son of Tibian, and his mother was Eurddyl. He founded a college at Caerleon, which contained :200 philosophers. According to "Welsh legen 's, King Arthur was crowned by this primate. Being worn down with years, he resigned the primacy in favour of St David. He died in the monastery of BarJsey (Ynys Enlli) and was buried therein, where his remains laid undisturbed until the year 1120, when Bishop Urban moved them with great pomp and ceremony to his own cathedral. His death and exhumation are thus recorded in the Liber Landavensis :—" For many years the holy man lived solitarily in the Is'e of Enlli, and there he glo- riously ended his days a hermit, with many holy men who lived by the labour of their hands. The island is surrounded by the sea, and its western coast is plain and fertile, with a s'.veet flowing fountain its sea abounding with dolphins and completely free from serpents and frogs. And we commit to writing how he was removed. It was in the time of Colixus PopeHenry'E.nperor of the Romans Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury Henry, King of England; Urban, Bishop of Llandaff; thus- On Sunday, the 14th day of November, in the year of our Lord 612, St. Dubricius, Bishop of the Church of Llandaff, migrated to the Lord. (Later chr mologists have fixed the date to be 522.) On Friday, the 7th of May. in the year 1120, he wasremoved from the Isle of Bardsey, by Urbar, bishop ofth. same church, with the consent of Ralph, Metropolitan of the Church of Canterbury, and the assent of David, Bishop of Bangor. and in his pre sence likewise and of Griffhh, King of North "Wales, and with the applause of the whole clergy and peop'e and on Sunday, the 23rd of May, he was received into the church of Llandaff, when there was a procession, and the h'uy cross, with abundance of relics, was car- ried and there was an abundance of rain, after seven weeks of weather without a drop of rain in Glamorgan. On Wednesday, the 2nd of June, Bishop Urban, after fasting and prayer, called together his canons and his deans, and the relics of St Dubricius being laid on the ground, and the dust separated, and they were washed."—Then the account goes on to state that the bones were deposited before the altar, after several miracles having been made for the glory of God, and the wonderment and edification of the saints.—Lib. Land. 331. In the Liber Landavensis the life of Dubricius is given, and a large number of grants made to him and to his see are recorded. The following is given as a speci- men, and on acc unt of its local interest "THE GRANT OP PFS ALUX AXD LLAXDELO-FAVR," "Xul ap Arthur fulfilling the plan of the apostles, who said Give, and it shall be given unto you,' gave for the exehang, of a heavenly kingdom, in the first place, Pen Alan, with its tenitory (the present parish ofPen..Iy,ne.rTenby) without any payment to mal tal man besides to God and Archbishop Dubricius and the church of Llandaff, founded in honour of St. Peter and also Lhndilo-Fawr on the Towy (Llan,ilo n.aur super ripam Tywi) with its two territories (probably the manors of Llandeilo Villa, and Llandeilo Patria, now held by the Right Hon. Earl Cawdor, by leave from the Bishop of St. David) where Teilo the pupil and disciple of St. Dubricius dwelt and also the territory of the Aqu ilen-:ians on the bank of the river Taf (" Aqui- lensians," Llan ddyfyrgiryr) Nol placed his hauds on the four gospels and committed them to the hands of the Archbishop Dubricius for ever, with all their refuge; and liberty in field and woods, and water and pasture and dignity, under a perpetual curse on those who from that day separate the said land from the church of Llandaff. "Amen. Of the laity Nol is only the witness, with all innumerable company of spectators but of the clergy and Archbishop Dubricius, Arirystyl, and ITfelwy." Then the boundaries are given. "We shall give those of Llandeilo. The boundary of the territory of Llandeilo- fawr from Ffynnon ida to the hea l of Glts-bwH in Towy; and to the other head of the Eytir-mtlin from the Hytir-mdin to tie Enyrdil, and along it to hnlais; from Ihdnis to Cuner, from Cu»>r direct to Xo.iithvyd; from Xantlwyd to Cefn Meirch forwards to Cruc Pdilt Beclvxn; from thence to the hawk stone in Dulais bisweiiiawg from Dulais bisweilang to Xant yr Ei'.in from Nant yr Eiiin to Cruc Oust; from Cruc Cust to Cruc Corneam from then e to the source of Isceiviawg, and along forward to the opening direct of Hen Allt; from thence toCil yr adar to the source of theTauern straight to Pistill Dewi, forwards to Gwcith Tincuur (Dinevor tvork-) from Gwcith Tiueuur downwards to Lletuer Cell on the Towy. (Lib. Llan p 321.) Ynys Enlli, according to the ab-Jve life and death of Dubricius, was beginning to become the retreat of saints and bards as early as the sixth century aad thus it continued to be down to the Reformation. An ode of Hywel ap Icuan ap RhJs, a bard of the year 1460, is stil. extant, which he suag to celebrate that classic ground and the 20,00 J saints buried therein. "c shall add a verse or two in "See the rich and fcrti'e meads, T\ here the Friars count their beads; It is a garden God bath made, Which no robber dare invade. All the images behold In its abbey decked with gold As you enter at the door, View the te.3eilated floor And its marble altar spread Thick with offe riugs for the dead Thus survey it- buiying ground Checkered all with gnves around. At the tolling of the b- 11, Each was laid within its cell, See in coffers wrought of stones Relics old and holy bones. Twenty thousand saint3 of yoro Came to lie on Bardsey shore." 13. St. Teilo is the next Bishop of Llandaff. He was consecrated A.D. 512. He was the son of Enllen ap Hj dwn Dwn, ap Ceredig ap Cunedda Wledig. In his time the yellow plague—" Y fad felen"—broke out in the reign. of Malgwn Gwynedd, and he emigrated to Armorica to avoid the pestilence and upon his return he was made the Archbishop of Menevia in the room of St. David, who died A. 0. 544. St. Teilo removed the archiepiscopal see to Llandaff, and appointed Isaiael to be his suffragan Bishop at Menevia or St. David. He established also a college at Llandaff, which, after his name was called Bangor Deilo. This saint was distin- guished, with Dewr and Padean, with the appellation of the 6; three holy visitors of Bntam, Tri gwesteion gwvnfydedig Ynys Prydain," because bey went about the round of the country, to preach the faith without fee or reward. St, Teilo died at Llandeilo-fawr, and was buried at Llandaff, A.D. 5G3. O:.e of his aphoris:!ls is preserved in "Englynicn y Clyweit." A glyweist ti chwedl Teiliaw Pan ytoedd yn penytiaw ? A Daw ni 1 da. rndarav. The Liber Landavensis, p. 343, gives the following account of the above pestilence, Y fad felen -It was called the Yellow Pestilence, because those who were attacked by it became yellow and it appeared to men as a column of watery cloud, having one end trailing along the ground, and the other above proceeding in the air, and passing through the whole country like a shower going along the bottoms of valleys. Whatever living creature it touched with its pestiferous blast, either died immediately, or sickened to death. It attacked the phy- sicians who attended the sick persons. Maelgwn, Kino- of North Wales fell. It attacked beasts also and rep- tiles, and so great was the havock that the country was almost deserted." This tgrrible plague is also recorded in one of the Triads. The second pestilence was the Yellow Plague of lihos, which was occasioned by the carcase of the slain." The British poets personified the disease under th form of a woman Taliesin says- A strange creature will come from the Marsh of Rhi- anedd.and will punish the crimes of Mael gywn Gwynedd. Its hair, teeth, and eyes are yellow." E ddaw pryf rhyfedd 0 Forfa Rhianedd, I ddial anwiredd Ar Faelgwn Gwynedd A'i dew a'i ddannedd, A'i lygaid yn auraidd, A hun a wna ddiwedd Ar Faelgwn Gwvnedd." (My f. Vol. 1, p. 31.) Tcilo appointed several suffragan Bishops Bishops in his diocese, whose names and localities are gl yen in Lib. Landavensis a Aidm, a disciple of St. Dubricius he resided at Henllan, on the Wye. His name appears in some grants. b. Er vystl, stationed in Ergyng. t e. Lunapeius, toe same Jumbui, the founder of Llan- dinabio. He was stationed in the district of Ergyng. d. Ariryslle. His name is given as a witness to a grant of Iddon, son of Ynyr, King of Gwent, which was best .wed upon Llangoed, in Brecknockshire, in which district he was probably stationed. e. Ufdwy, a disciple of St. Dubricius he appears to have been a Bishop in Ergyng during the reign of Gwr- fodw, King of that district. Meurig, King of Glamor- gan, is recorded to have given him the church of Llan- sillow, in Herefordshire. By a comparison of the wit- nesses to grants in his time, and that of St. Oudoceus, he appears to have been his contemporary. .f. Comer eg, Bishop in Ergyng, in the time of Athrwys, son of Meurig, King of Gwent, who granted him St. Kinemarks, near Chepstow, with its territory, comprising a large portion of Ergyng. g. G crgw, Bishop in the reign of Tewdwr, son of Rhun, King of Dyfed, who treacherously killed Elgystyl, son of Awst, King of Brecknock, for which he was ex- communicated by G.vrgan. His station was probably Ystrady w. h. Gwyddlon or Gucdhin, said to be son of Glywys Cernnv, founder of Coed Cerniw church, near Newport, Monmouthshire, in which district perhaps he was Bishop. It is probable that Cuchein, son of Glywy, who granted the village of Ispant to Gwyddlon, was his brother. 14. St, Oudoci'us, nephew of St. Teilo, succeeded him at his death. In his time Tewdrig, who had resigned his kingdom, was killed. Meurig son of Tewdrig, and his son Athrwys, and grandson Morgan, were Kings of Glamorgan. Ithael, son of Morgan, is mentioned as king in a grant to Oudoceus, which must have been in the lifetime of his father Morgan, in whose reign Oudo- ceus died, July 2nd. His contemporary Gildas died in 570. Einion, King of G-lewyssig, and Awst, King of Brecknock, reigned in his time. Perhaps we should add that the several Kings of Glamorgan and the adjacent districts mentioned in connection with the list, were but Ileguli or Subreguli. The life of Oudoceus is given in Liber Landavensis. He was a person of eminent sanc- tity, and was the son of Budic, a native of Armorica Budic was married to Arianwedd, the sister of St. Teilo. The King Morgan mentioned In connection with Oudo- ceus, had his palace in Margam, and the Margam dis- trict became for some time a suffragan Bishopric. lolo Morganwg gave a list of eight Bishops of Margam, namely, Morgan, Ystyffan, Cattwg, Iago Cawan, Tyfa- dawg, CyfeLch, and Mabon. They resided at Cynffg. 15. Bertkywyn, whose name appears often in grants of land made to St. Oudoceus, was raised to the see of Llandaffin the reign of Morgan ap Athrwys, King of Gla- morgan, and died in the reign of his son Ithael, contem- porary with this Bishop. Clydri and Idwallon are men- tioned as King of Ergyng Gwaednerth, King of Gwent, and Clydwyn, King of Erras their names being given as witnesses and benefactors. Eerthgwyn was Bishop in the latter part of the sixth century. An observation or two could be added here as we enter into the seventh century. First, that there had been a rage for enriching the Llandaff diocese, and the Church in general, during the previous two centuries. The register of Llandrff or the Liber Landavensis, com- piled from autograph manuscripts of her Bishops down to the beginning of the fifth century, is a record of con- stant grants of landed property to the Bishops and the diocese of LIandaff. Extensive immunities were also invested in the said Bishops. Criminal jurisdiction—a market and a mint—free access for ships to the ports- were some of the privileges granted to the Bishops of Llandaff, anJ these privileges and potver were not consi- dered nugatory as when the) were infringed upon even I by Kings, we find Oudoceus and Berthgwyn treating the.ll and their progeny with excommunication.

rThe correspondence published in this column must not he ahvays considered necessarily in conformity with the prin- ciples or opinions of the journal.] MAINDEE NEW CHURCH. [TO THE EDITOR OF THE MERLIN AXD SILURIAN.] SIR,—As I find that the somewhat curious proceed- ings in connection with the competition designs f;r the Maiudee Church, have been the cause of a good deal of conversation, and as it may be probable that to those unacquainted with the circumstances, and yet taking an interest in the matter, some explanation may be accept- able-I beg to borrow the columns of the MKKLIN for that purpose. I also think that some explanation is desiiablc in justice to my professional character which might p ssibly suffer under the imputation of having my designs unanimously approved by one committee, and unceremoniously rejected by another eommittee, made up of nearly the same members. At a meeting of the committee, held on the 23rd Oct., the designs of Messrs Prichard and Seddon and myself for the proposed church, were submitted :o the committee, and the result of their careful consideration of the designs, and also of the proposed site, was a resolution of the committee, with only one dissentient, Mr. Llew- ellin, (who, however, did not record his vote) in favour of my designs, subject to a complimentary reference to Mr. Logan, who was the largest contributor to the funds. As Mr. Logan was duly summoned to the meeting, no idea was ever entertained of any objection being made on his part to this result, (a full report of the meeting was duly inserted in the Msin.iN, evidently by some gentleman who was present), and I duly received the congiatulations of my friends on the '■ happy occasion," without a thought of being "jilted." But I reckoned, unfortunately, without my host, or rather without Messrs. Rennie and Logan, for it seems that thest gentlemen had expressed a very slight pre- dilection for the designs of my competitors, and having so expressed themselves, Mr. Logan did not scruple to set aside the decision made by eleven out of twelve of the committee. I was, therefore, not a little surprised by .Mr. Llewellin, who, instead of the secretary of the committee, seemed to consider himself as secretary for Messrs. Rennie and Logan, coolly telling me one fine morning, that those gentlemen and himself had resolved to submit the designs to Mr. G. G. Scott, a well-known architect, for report and decision. No new meeting of the committee having taken place, and no authority having been given to the secretary, I must say that I considered it rather a misuse of the privilege accorded, but of course it was not for me to object to my designs being shown to any qualified architect, although Mr. Scott was not exactly the architect I should have selected to decide in a eompedtioa between myself and Messrs. Prichard and Seddon and I could not help thinking, as I now do, that it was only a manoeuvre to get rid of my designs in favour of my competitors, and one to which, had "1\1r. Scott beign cognizant, he would not have lent himself. I will now deal with the objections brought forward by Mr. Llewellin and Messrs. Rennie and Logan to my designs, and which served as reasons (?) for deliberately acting in such a manner towards a body of gentlemen, many of whom are persons of taste-and judgment, and far betier competent to form an opinion on archi- tectural matters than themselves. The first objection made was to the accommodation, Messrs. Prichard and Seddon having stated that their church would have sittings for 500 on the ground floor. This was fairly met at the first committee meeting by a gentlemen present, who measur ed the area of both plans, and found that my area was within a trifle of that of my competitors, although my accommodation was but for 430, exclusive of children. Either Messrs. Prichard and Seddon must have overrated the accommodation of their plans, or not have allowed the same sitting room as myself, or such a difference of course could not have arisen. The second objection made was to the ornamental and expensive character of my roof over that of my competitors. This was a fallacy which any carpenter could have corrected. My roof was in one span, and that of Messrs. Prichard and Seddon in two spans, and every builder knows that the first, although of larger span, is always far cheaper. I have calculated the value of the ornamental work-the whole of which I undertake to say would not cost £ 35, and that sum would be very much more than saved by the cheaper construction. The third objection was, that Messrs. Prichard and Seddon had provided for future extension of the church, whilst I had proviaed none. This objection could only have been made by a person who had not properly studied the subject. Maindee is a peculiar and compact district to the northward and to the north eastward lie the districts of Caerleon and Christchurch, each well supplied with chnrcli accommodation to the eastward F lie the park-like estates of Messrs. Rennie and Logan, who I presume, have no intention of making building land of their properties. The only extension that can possibly take place will be to the westward towards Newport, in which there is likewise plenty of church accommodation, or southward towards the Lsk. this last is therefore the only extension to be considered and I would remark that if at some future period a railway should be carried along the east side of the Usk, and a large population arise opposite the Newport docks, this would be an excellent reason for building a new caurcli there, but not for enlarging Maindee chuicu and I think it would be far better to leave that to be settled between the great grandsons of Messrs. Rennie and Logan and those of Messrs. Prichard and Seddon, and not to leave the Maindee church a one-sided aíLlÍr in the meanwhile, to supply a contingency very remote and very improbable. I well considered the circum- ) stances in my design, and decided that with reference to the proposed site, a village church, with nave and transepts, would be far preferable in picturesque ap- pearance, design, and architectural construction, to any elaboration of nave and aisles and this opinion I hold still. I would also remark that 430 adults, exclusive of children, as provided in my design, would supply the wants of a district like Maindee for the next century the more so as it would be difficult to reckon 70 members of the church now resident in the district. I also have heard of other small objections made to my designs but as they are simply the results of a de- termination to find fault, if possible, I do nit think it necessary to take notice of them, as the architectural beauty of my designs has been all through admitted as superior to that of my competitors. I likewise do not think it necessary to defend them, as on that ground they have not been attacked. After a delay of two nunths a meeting was held on December lOëh, at which Mr. Logan brought forward the report of Mr. Sco't on the plans forwarded to him- and read the report to the committee, who had never asked for it, so far as I can understand, for the secretary has, against all rule and precedent, denied me copies of any documents. Mr. Scott's report amounted to this That as to the architectural fitness or taste of the designs submitted to him, he considered that either of them was well worthy of adoption; that as to the re- sp ctive estimates, he did not consider himself compe- tent to form an opinion, as he was entirely unacquainted with the local peculiarities, and he also considered that every architect should be responsible for his estimate; but so far as he could judge, the cost of each design would be about equal. In conclusion, he stated himself as rather preferring the design of Messrs. Prichard and Seddon for its architectural simplicity" This decision of Mr. Scott's was therefore given on none of the issues raised by the objectors to my de- sign, and, I would respectfully submit, amounted to nothing at all, except as a sufficient handle to Mr. Logan to require the committee to stultify themselves and re- verse their former decision, and accept the designs of my competitor. I feel at a loss to understand in what the architectural simplicity" of the accepted designs can consist: not in plan, fur my ground plan, as a cross church, must be the simpler of the two, and I will let the elevations speak for themselves. I would now remark that whilst every vote at this seeond meeting taken against me was recorded-of those members of the committee who were unavoidably absent no notice was taken, although their votes, recorded in my favour at the former meeting, were undoubtedly due, and would have added to the number of the three gentle- men who refused to submit to such all extraordinary dictation. I must conclude by saying that I have bc]n engaged in many competitions—some I have won, some I have lost, and I have never expressed an undue feeling at the result; but in the case of the Maindee church, I cannot but feel that injustice has been done me, and that although my designs on their own merits are unani- mously preferred, they have been rejected entirely through overbearing influence on the part of one of the contributors, and weakness of the majority of the committee. As a parishioner I felt great interest in the proposed church, and I cannot but feel the decision so given the more. As an architect, I am the last who wuuld refuse due consideration to the moneyed portion of the commonwealth but I must say that pecuniary pressure has been used in this instance without much regard to justice or good taste and so I leave the Maindee Church. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, R. G. THOMAS.

.„ THE WELSH PRESS. [TO THE EDITOli OF TIL f! MERLIN" AND SILURIAN. J Silt, -It is some years since I wrote at length in your paper. I have long been breathing the smoke of London, and scribbling for cockneys in the capacity of an editor. Accidentally a few minutes ago, I clapped my eyes on your number for Dec. 18th, 1858. I soon saw your "Letter Box," and an epistle on the "Welsh Press," written by one who modestly (?) assumes the anony- mous as "Gwrnerth Ergydlim." If he mean that his le,ter is a specimen of a ''keen blow" description, he may find that his cognomen d la bardic is most unmis- takebly applied to the wrong person. He begins by assuming that the press has gained an ascendancy in Wales. Why, any boy in his teens, who knowns anything of Calvinis ic Methodism in Wales- by far the most influential and popular body—would be able to contradict such an assumption. Even the D/ytorfa and the Traethodyfd are not so much as read by a tithe of the Welsh Methodists. Then he refers to some Puritanical era" in Wales, whereas it never had such an era. He confounds the Methodistical with the Puritanical. He says that during that era the pulpit was the only force that formed the sentiments and the character of the Welsh people." leaving out altogether the fact of the effects of Williams of Pantycelyn's poetry, and that of others associated with the pulp:t. He says also that the dicta of the pulpit were final and infallible." Then how came it to pass that at that time it failed to extinguish the dormant Baptists and Inde- pendents, and the almost effete Church of England ? Again, he avers that the Welsh pulpit became "noisy, unlettered, and factious." Why, the Methodists them- selves were a faction and most of the preachers more unlettered than they have been ever since and certainly they were more noisy. What was the lettered distinction of David Cadwalladr, and John Evans y Bala, and a host of others who formed the bulk of Calvinistic Metho- dist preachers during the time of Jones of Llangan, and others, who had been educated for the Church of Eng- land ? And if, as this scribe affirms, the pulpit era has failed in its mission in Wales, because sectarian, so it has failed throughout the whole world and in all history, not excepting the days of the apostles, when one said I am of Paul, another I of Apollos, another I of Cephas &c." Mr. Editor, I have no more time nor patience to analyse the jumble of contradictions and the chaos of confusion found in every line of your correspondent Gwrnerth Ergydlim's" letter. Yours, &c., HEN LAW.

CAPTURE OF AN ABSCONDING MANUFACTURER.— William Canley, manufacturer, of Stockport, who some- time siuca abscouded from that town with property to the amount of £ 4,;K)0, and against whom a fiat of bank- ruptcy has been issued, was apprehended at Birkenhead on Monday, and taken into custody at Manchester. Tiie London Gazette contains a notice from the Medical Registration Office, Bolton-street, Piccadilly, calling at- tention to the provisions of the Medical A :t, 21 and 22 Vic'oria. By ooe of the sections of this Act no person i3 entitled to recover any charge in any Court of Low for medical or surgical advice and attendance unless he be registered undtr the Act. Bv section 40 it is provided that any persou who shall wilfully and falsely pretend ) to be, or take or use the naaie or title of a physician, doctor of medicine, licentiate in medicine and surgery, bachelor of medicine, surgeon, general practitioner or ap>thecary, or any name, title, addition, or deacriptiou implying that he is registered under this Act,or that he is recognised by law as a physician, or surgeon, or licen- tiate in medicine and su gery, or a practitioner in medi- cine or an apothecary, shall, upon a summary conviction for any such ofltnce, pay a sum no' exceeding t20. THE PRINCE IMPERIAL'S HIGHLAND DRESS.—The Highland dress prepared at Inverness for the Pr nee 1m- .?, r i, perial of France has now been completed. The kilt is of shepherd tartan, with belted plaid and hose to match; the jacket b ack velvet, ornamen'ed with cairngorm buttons and silver embroidery the waistcoat of brilliant crimson, suitably adorned. Wherever it was possibie Highland ori^menrs only were used, and the designs are al-o characteristic of the north. Thus, the shoulder- brooch represents a rock, on which d, er"s gras and the cranberry spread their picturesque tendrils, and be- neath the huge cairngorm are sheltered a number of deer, beautifully carved in silver, which seem also to support and set off the stone. The dirk, skian-dirk,&c., are ill furnished in miniature complete. A number of remarkably fine lin ;ey-woolseysare also being despatched for the Empress. They are made specially for Her Ma- jesty and partly from her own designs. The colours are very brilliant, but harmonize admirably. Along witn the under-clothing are sent a few choice tartan silks of the Iloyai Stuart pattern, also for the Empress.—luver- IILSS Courier. IILSS Courier. AMERICAN SLAVERY.—AH atrocious murder was re :a, cenrly perpetrated in Northumberland County, Virginia, under die following circumstances as narrated by the Al xfir.dria Sentinel" There had been a party of per- sons engaged in trafficking with servants for stolen goods and they carried it to such an extent that the commu- nity, in self-defence determined to put a stop to it, and held a public meeting and passed resolutions no,ifyillg I to the perpetrators of so much evil to dispose of their property, and leave the couuty in a limited time, and generously providing to secure them against loss in case they had to sell at a sacrifice. Tiie ti i.e appointed ar- rived, but they still remained, when a number of persons repaired to the premises of one of the party, and in ap- proaching the house discovered signs of a scuffle having taken place, and upon examination found, a short dis- tance on, the remains of a coloured man iu a horribly lacerated condition, covered over with dirt. After the body had been found, a man who liv. s in the neighbour- hood testified that he had been a witness of the murder, and had been deterred from revealing it by the threat of the murdereTs. He said that several days before, as he was. passing by the place, he heard the cries and groans of a person apparently in great agony, and upon leaving his waggon and going to the spot whence they proceeded, he found the coloured man suspended from a tree, and the persons mentioned cutting him to pieces with branches of switches, and at the same time, a fire burning under him and that he cut him down as soon as he coald, but too late to save his life, as he died soon after, suffering intense pain. He also said that there were some free n-gro accomplices, who cut the B-.Vitches with which he was scourged. They were immediately arrested, and given oJ on their bare backs, and ordered to leave the country, ihe excitement was so great that many were in fuvour of lynching the demons who com- mitted the foul act, but law and order prevailed, and they were handed over to the authorities, who committed them to gaol to await the judgment of the law. The reason given for the commission of the deed wai, that the negro, with whom they had been trading, had in- formed against them. His name was Bill, and he be- longed to Mr. George Brent. The coroner's inquest brought in a verdict, that the deceased was whipped to death, and implicating four men named Blackerly, aqd two others named Coleman and Marshy in aidipg P,44 abetting in his death."

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION POR THE SUPPRESSION OF DHUXKENXESS. The first annual maoting of tho uunabjrs of this asso- ciation, whose pmuip! ,5 ha?: on several occasions been explained in the oluinus of this journal, tooic place on Tuesday evening, in the theatre, that spacious structure haying been ki idly and gratuitously lent for the occa- si in by the owner and builder, Mr. II. P. Bolt. The whole of the proceedings were of the most gratifying and encouraging kind. Long before the hour for commencing the business, hundreds of men and women and the youth of both sexes had taken their seats, and ultimately there must have been from a thousand to twelve hundred per- sons presen1. These consisted chiefly of the lo Ncr orders of Irish Roman CithoHcs. Numbers of them were respectably attired, while all manifested the greatest order and decorum during the evening. Tue brass an 1 drum and fife bands connected with the association and the schools were in attendance; and their performances between the speeches were greeted with much applause. The chair was taken by the Mayor of Newport* Senry Sheppard, Eiq., among the gentlemen supporting him upon the platform, or rather the stage, being the Rev. R. Richardson, the Rev. D. Cavalli, the Rjv.J. Ackeroyd, the Rev. M. Gavelli, the Rev. A. Leary, the Rev. J. M IX- well, Mr. W. H. Brewer, Dr. B ust, Mr. R. F. Woollett, Mr. J. Murphy, Mr. A. Murphy, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Harleyj Mr. Sandy, Mr. H. Williams (Orindau), &c. Tiie meet- ing having been opened with music, The Mayor, who was hailed with repeated cheers, said he felt much pleasure in presiding over the meeting, in accordance with the request conveyed to him by the Rev. Father Richardson; but in order to the business bein' systematically conducted, his Worship declined to mike any further remarks at present, and called upon the President of the Association to read the report.- Tiie Rev. Father Richardson accordingly came for- ward, and said There is an old saying that when you go to Rome yoi must do as they do iu Rime. (Queers.) Some of our friends here to-night are come amongst the Romans (cheers) and it shall be our task to proye to them that our breasts are full of charity and friendship for all. (Renewed cheering.) And if they should hear aught that may seem to offend their own feelings or prin- ciples, then I trllst they will pass it over with as kind charity as we will do, should anything fall from them that may seem unorthodox to our Roman ears. (Loud cheering.) I will not longer delay, therefore, than to open this meeting as wo have opened every me :ting of the association since its commencement. Will yoj please, members of the association, to stand up. Remem- berwhatyonareabout. You are going to sound your war cry.-The assembly, rising, repeated after Father Richardson the following words:—"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. We h ave an enemy, not drink, but drunkenness, and we will not rest till we conquer." Much applause en- sued, the enthusiasm of the meeting being still farther raised by the Rev. Father calling for three cheers for Ireland and a cheer for Daniel O'Connell. Father Hichardson then remarked that the stewards of the dis- tricts were liable to a fine of 2.s. 6 1. for every case of drunkenness they failed to report; and he called upon them seriatim for the number of cases reported. In the whole nine districts, b it half-a-dozen were named. The Rev. Father Richardson then read the report, being fre- quently interrupted with manifestations of assent and approval. REPORT. In presenting to the members of this association th.) urst annual report, it will scarcely be uecessiry to remind you of the doings of drunkenness in this town prior to its establishment. Most of you will remember the hoart- reading scenes of wife-beating, disturbances with the police, and the constant crowll of idle women witnessed every Monday morning round the court-house, waiting either for the reloase and fine of their husbands or to learu that they had b en deprived for a long time of their sup- port, by the men being sent to Usk. "Fully convinced of this evil, which seemed to baffle every ordinary effort, your clergy represente I to you the necessity of united exertions against this common enemy, and knowing well, that whatever might be the failings of the poor Irish, there was stid a deep fund of religious feeling -a profound reverence for their Sogotb, a strong devotion for the Immaculate Mother of God, together with an undying attachment to coautry-it was proposed to establish all association by which all these good qualities might be brought to bear down upon the evil. The endeavour was 1st. To make the association essentially Catholic, by placing the members under the protection of our Blessed Lady conceived without sin, and miking the success of the undertaking depend upon the graces detived from the sacraments and the intercession of the Mother of God. "2ndly. Toeuiist all classes, especially the good, against the enemy. "3nlly. Not to exact mora from the members than they should be able faithfully to comply with. 4thly. To prevent the relapse of the members, by in- ducing them to their goo I resolutions before the Altar four times in the year. 5thly. To hold each member to his promise about drink, even when broken, so that he way never lose the moral restraint of his good resolution. Gthly. To encourage the !119uben, by raising them each year to a higher dignity until after a few years they become veterans," and to distinguish them by a diffe- rent insignia each year, i.e the first year a large miracu- lous medal second year a larger medal of the association struck for this purpose third year, a bar like the mili- tary medals, with these words-' By the help of Mary Immaculate the fourth year a second bar with veteran' upon it. 7thly. To agitate and keep well before all the great evil of drunkenness. To rouse and smite the mass of our Catholics against the evil, and never to rest until there is a strong popular feeling against intoxication. And we have now to record with what success ijjiis work has been ero w tied, a n(I thus to give proof tua' your clergy had not at all overrate I the good qualities of the poor, and that our confidence in the iutercassion of our Blessed Lady has not been in vain. At the first enrolment of the mernbers on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 1857 420 knelt to receive the medal of the Blessed Virgin, and bore away with them this badge of warfare, .this pledge of certain victory. Only a few weeks later, the 1st of January, the mambers increased to 750; in April, to 1097 at Whitsuntide, 120); in August, to 1400 and in October last to 150Q these, together with about 700 elsewhere—Treforest, Swansea, &c.—make a to al of above 2000 who had received the royal bounty, and enlisted in the, ranks of what had now become a little army of devoted men and women, desperate with the resolution to contend to the last -their war cry bein^ I We have one enemy-not drink, but drunkenness—and we will not rest until we have overcome.' It is true that about 50 or 60 of our members have failed, but most of them have returned, showing the greatest contrition, while some few have hung back. Gradually, as was to be expected, the eifects of such a movement were evident. Whitsuntide, St. Patrick'# day, and even Stow fair day changed their aspects, and made the police look into the calendar to see if there were not some mistake as to the date upon which these days fell' and the police report, although it does not include the whole year of the association's existence, and embraces all classes, shows that neither they nor the magistrates were- mistaken in believing that there was a marked im- provement amongst the poor Irish. In the report of the head constable, which seems to have been compiled with great care, it appears that in 1857, the cases of d unken- ness brought before the Bench were 370 in 18o3, only 313-showing a diminution of 63. The number of assaults upon policemen in 1857 were 71; in 1858, 51 whilst the number of cises of assaults upon women in 11857, were 9.) in loi58, only 56; and there can be little doubt from the facts that have come before us siuee the establishment of the association, if the report had marked the number of Irish offenders, there would have been a diminution of more than half the crime. Let the hun- dreds of poor women who are here to-n'.ght bear testi- mony to the peace and happiness of their homes, which have come to them, we may say, through the hands of Mary ever blessed. To God alone be all the glory. We should do wrong were we to oma an men- tion of our first attempts at popular amusements. The monster pic-aic, so trying to patience and yet so crowned with success, that we must announce another for the approaching seeson, hoping that some one will lend as a few acres of green grass to race, dance, and jump upon. The Ciytha /die brought tho poor in happy contact with the rich, and neither lost aught on that occasion. How many hundreds returned filled with ad- miration for the kindness and condescension of the in- mates of Clytha house; and how truly delighted wan that excellent family with the propriety, good 0 sense, and honett cheerfulness of the members, on that day of rain, heavy, steady, pouring, persevering, drenching rain Nor must we forget tbo first attempt at a penny con- cert for the poor, when, almost by a miracle, so many escapelI unhurt from the most imminent peril. Goo,l. however, seems to have come even out of this. It had loni* been found inconvenient that there was no room or buildin^ in Newport capable of holding all the members, and this event did but give an impetus to the conviction that we ought to have a large room, or hall, if possible, erected between this and Pill, where the members might be brou 'bt together into one that the different bauds of music mi<Tht°have somewhere to practise, and not be driven from place to place, and not, as at present, go to practise iu a wine and spirit vaults. Indeed, had we had ,st. Mary's Hall to-nigbt, well roofed 10, and capable of containing from one to two thousand, we should have had a greater "number present, and not have been driven to this stage to read our first report, nor you to pit, boxes, and gallery to listen to it. Time will not allow more than a passing notice of the beau iful new medal of the Association, got up so well by Mr. Hardman, of Birmingham, and which, it is hoped, will glitter on many a breast at our next pic-nic, and prove in our monster procession through the town, that though our numbers are so strong, there are many who have stood firm during the past year, and not given way for a moment to the enemy. "And last, though not least, comes the Penny Banlc, demanding a few words. "Perhaps nothing presents so strong a temptation to the poor as the possession of spare money. It is when wages are good, and work plentiful, that drunkenness pre- vails to a greater extent but if once the members can be induced to lay up all they can spare of thair hard-earned savings, they will in a great measure remove the occasion of. sin, and be provided against a rainy day,' which too often sends them to the pawnshop and then, having no clothes, the parents we kept away from mass and gacra- ment, aad their children from the school, anl acquire in a few wee'ss' idleness habits of street vices, which even- tually prove their ruin. On nothing, therefore, after the blessing of God, does the welfare of this association so much depend for success as on the well-working of its penny bank. We have to report that in the fev months of its existence about gIG) I have been placed in it, beyond the reach of the publican. 'e ( It now remains for us to offer our best thanks to all who have so generously lent us their support. First, to the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Dr. Brown, who is not only a member himself, but everywhere speaks in the kindest manner of the association. L Next, to Mrs. Washington Hibbert, the kind friend and patroness of the association from its very foundation. Next to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of Ciytha, and their family, all of whom are members, and who treated us so liberally at Ciytha house. Nor must we forget Mr. "Woollett, the tuvn clerk and Mr Murphy, who in the most liberal manner accapte 1 the trusteeship of the pennybank. To tilese we must add Mr George Homfray's name, who has on several occasions shown us the greatest kindness; Mr.Vemon, the manager of tho West of Engl.ind Bank, who offered'to co-operate with us most kindly in working the penny bank Mr. Spriit, who lends us his large room for our bands to'prac- tise in the police, who always come to our assistance cheerfully at all our public meenugs llr. Bolt, who has lent us this place to meet ltl to-nigh', free of charge; in short, to all you gentlemen who are here to-night, to^thro .v the weight of your iufluence into the struggle—in which if we do but succeed, all will be able to exclaim most heartily, Eriu-go-bragh The Mayor then rose and s nd he should indeed be wanting in truth, did he not say he felt deeply the re- marks made by the RJV. Father Richardson, whom he felt bound to thank for the large amount of Christim charity exhibited in his address. He was compelled to admit that neither religious nor political differences ought to create ill feeling, or prevent our doing good to each other. Hence the pleasure he experienced in being ) present. (Cheers.) Wneti requested to preside, he was informed that the larger portion of the audience would be Irish; and that he considered was a guarantee for a large amount of sympathy in the positi >n he nonr occu- pied. (Hear, h ar.) Those who knew him were aware that that was not a mere idle remark. He remembered scenes in Ireland from which ho hal derived intense pi-asure. Daring a tour of five or six weeks in that country few, perhaps, f)r the time, saw more than him- self; and one thing had just been vividly recalled to his memory. Wuen they gave a cheer f)r that cl,-ce ised immortal man, Dmiel O'Connell—(cheers)—he could not help feeling somewhat affected thereby, havin" seen and heard him, not once, but many tilu 's and further h' (the Mayor) had seen his tomb in the cemetery whore he lay side by side with honest Turn Steele. (Applause.) Under these circumstances, he (the Mayor) did not envy the man who could suppress all em )Uon at such a moment, or him who could without being moved witness the last memento of that great man. (Cheering ) He would, however, not further trespass upon their time, but at once request any gentle- man who felt inclined to do so to speak upon the establishment and progress of the association. The Mayor was varm'y applauded on resuming his seat. Mr. R. F. Wo dlett spoke upon the subject specified, lie congratulated the members upon the course they h id adopted in banding themselves together for the suppres- sion of drunkenness, and upon the advantiges already achieved, which he augured would be still more widely diffused. He looked forward to the tirno when lectures and other elevating entertainments should be provided for the members and concluded by complimenting Father Richardson upon his untiring energy and success- ful exertions in the cause. Tho Mayor said the n-xt matter to be spoken upon was the poiiee reports, but that could not be gone into, Super- intendent Huxtable being absent. The magistrates, how- ever, were pleased to witness the diminution taking place in the cases of drunkenness brought before them. On the previous day, notwithstanding the Christmas festivi- ties, only one single case of drunkenness was brought be- fore the Bench, and further,, the defendant was not an Irishman. (Loud cheers.) Mr. James Murphy then said a very pleasing du'y de- volved upon him, namely, the presentation of a pair of beautiful gilt silver medals to Mrs. and Mrs. Jones, of Clytha and family. (Cheers.) Mr. Jones was prevented attending, but he had deputed his estimable chaplain, Father Ackeroyd, to receive the m dais, the address to accompany which was as follows "Themombers of the Catholic Association be? most respectfully to present Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of Ciytha, with the accompanying memento of gratitude. TheoEFar- ing, though small, the members hope will be accepted as token of their esteem, and a little memento of their late vinit to Ciytha House. (Signed on behalf of the. members) "R, RICHARDSON, President. "Newport, 8th December, 18.53." (Loud cheers.) In presenting those medals, he need scarcely refer to the circumstances that g-tve rise to it, namely, the fete at Ciytha. The events of that day would form a family story ill many cirbles f)r years t > come, aud the kindness, courtesy, and urbanity displayed to- wards the members of the association would never be for- gotten. (Cheering.) He trusted Father Ackeroyd tvould convey to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and their .amiable and worthy daughters, as well as to the Flon. Mr^ Washing- ton Hibbert, the gratitude of the association, whose real feelings were slightly manifested in the gift he had been deputed to present. (Cheers.) Mr. Murphy then handed the medals, which were enclosed in a case, the cover bearing a suitable inscription, to Father Ackeroyd. Loud cheers accompanied the presentation. Father Ackeroyd, in expressing the acknowledgments of .the family of Ciytha, said, when he showed the medals to Mr. Joies on Christmas day, that gentleman spoke very few words, but those few evidently CHile from his heart; and he desired him (the Rev. Father) to return the most sincere thanks of himself and worthy lady. (Cheers.) Not only for the fete at Ciytha, but for other matters also was the presentation deserved. LIe (Father Ackeroyd) had visited many of tlem upon sick beds and been able to relieve them, but not from his own pocket, for he was as poor as any of them.: the money came from Mr. Jones's. (Cheers.) If he (the Rev. Father) had a case of want or destitution, or any- thing in the shape of serious sickness, he merely had to mention it to Mr. Jones,, and invariably a sovereign was placed at his disposal. (Cheers.) What they presented to Mr, Jones were silver medals, but many and many a solid piece of gold for the poor had he placed in his charge. (Renewed cheers.) Having mentioned an instance of Mr. Jones's liberality in paying a poor woman's passage to Ireland upon her leaving the hospital, and putting a sovereign in her pocket, Father Ackeroyd read the subjoined letter addressed to Father Richardson, and through him to the meeting :— Ciytha, Dec 28-th, 1858. Dear Rev. Sir,-Have the goodnff-,s to express to the members of the society to be assembled at your meeting this evening, a.ud to which I am proud to. be affiliated- express my warmest thanks, as weii as. those of Mrs. Jones, for the very handsome token of regard presented by you to us in the name of the society, a token that will be always held in the highest esteem, as expressing the good wishes of a body to which I am prorul to belong, and which I hope, and iudeod feel confident, will not ooly rescue many from habits of intemperance, but prove to our fellow-townsmen that when united together in the bond of union and religion, and in so good a cause all associates, however they may have exceeded in their former lives, the bouuds of moderation and temperance, they can, by the giace of God, the virtue of their holy religion, aud by constancy and perseverance, prove them- selves capable, not ouly of overcoming vile and intempe- rate habits, but become shining examples of sobriety, leading not only to their own reformation, but also that of many of their companions and fellow-citizens. Again, let me beg yon, dear Rev. Sir, not only ta express to our fellow-members our warmest thanks for their kind re- menabrr.nce, but also we beg you to receive personally the same, for the active exertions you have so constantly made in behalf of our society—exertions which have not only called it into existence, but been the main cause of the flourishing condition in which we find it Let me, then, request you, in my own name as well as that of every member of the society, to continue your kind offices, and not relax, through good or evil report, iu giving your counsel, and watching with anxious care the growth of a plant which has taken deep root, but will still require your assiduous and persevering exertions to maintain it in full vigour. Pray express also my best wishes for the success of the Savings' Bank, which, under your fostering care, will also prove, I am sure, an inestimable advantage to all those who will take part in it." (Cneers.) Father Ackeroyd then referred to the savings oank, the benefits of which he set forth, and sat down after wishing his audience a merry Christmas and happy new year. The Mayor said the gentleman who was expected to allude to popular amusements, concerts, &j., was not present; and be invited some gentleman to speak upon upon the fifth subject-" The medal and bars." The Rev, Father Richardson did so, explaining that the bar and larger medal showed at once the po^itio^ dignity, and character of the person. When entitled to such distinctions, he hoped all would get them as speedily as possible. 1 Mr. A. G. Pollock, the leader, on behalf of the band, then presented a silver association niedal to the Rev. Father Richardson. An address, printed on white satin, accompanied it. Having placed the niedal ujion his breast, Father Richardson presented himself amid a burst, of applause, and delivered an energetic sppeech. It would atiord him much pleasure to wear the medal; but with pain also he should regard it, as every time he placed it. upon his breast it would tell of a work only just begun. Oh, if they only knew what a monster they were con- tending against. Oh, that he could make to sink deeply into their hearts a conviction of the sinfulness of drunken- ness, and induce them to a thorough hatred of their enemy. That enemy waa beating wives, stripping chil- dren of their clothing, and sending them forth in beggary and in vice that enemy followed them from their birth to the grave, would never allow them to rest in innocent enjoyment, but continually sought to make them his slates, That foul fiend-that hideout) monster, drunken* I ness, entered families, disturbing their peace, and blast:? the characters of their members and not only so but also interfered with the ordinances of the church and e sicred rites enjoined by it. That enemy he called upon them to resist oy everv means in their power— tnmple under foot-to do their uMn .st to free tbemseires frinil his toils, and at tne sri-ni time to assist and i-due« oJiers to successfully ope with him. Tne consequence would be, tae national chineter in this country would raised and Irishmen would be no longer looked upoa as on.y fatted to perform the lowest offices. In erjrv qa.rter of the globe, Irishmen had risen to eminence; aud so they might in this kingdom, would they free theni- selves from the degrading vice to which he had referred fnree cheers having been given for Fattier Leary tae meeting was addressed by him. Mr. R, F. \Vo)Hett called for three cheers for "The Key and good Father Cavalli." (Heartily responded to.) Mr. Junes Murphy th.in spoke UL)):), .Hi); banks, citter which Mr. R. F. "WojiLtt proposal a vote o thanks to the Mayor for his kindness in pre d l og, his liberal views, and his able conduct in the chair. The Mayor, in acknowledging toe compliment, which was carried bp acclamation, remarked that he could not but look with interest upoa the progress of the associa- tion. All must feel that whether achieved by it or by teetotal societies, the suppressi m of drunk ;nuess was a circumstance to be regarded with gratification. riie National Anthem was hen pl ayed by the band and the meeting afterwards dispersed without '.he Lest confusion. o

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