Monmouthshire Merlin

CROESYCEILOG. LUTHER.—A lecture on this celebiated character was lelive:ed by Dr. James, at the Upper Cock, the house )f Mr. George Rowland, on the evening of Saturday .ast. The proceeds were to be devoted for the benefit )f a brother belonging to the 11 Rose of Sharon" Lodge Jf Oddfellows, who had sustained a severe injury in me of his legs, which probably would cripple him for .ife. Nearly 300 brethren and friends attended, which jroves the sympathy manifested towards an unfortunate arother, and speaks highly in favour of the benevolent character of the order. As the tickets were sixpence ;ach a handsome amount would be raised for the sufferer which, no doubt, will have been received with Jecoming gratitude. Mr. George Thomas, Cwmbran, )ccupied the chair, and Dr. James acquitted himself in lis usual successful manner. The audience testified :heir approbation of the disinterested conduct of Dr. fames and Mr. Thomas, as displayed on this occasion,

USK. A lecture was delivered at the Writing School, on Wednesday last, oa Civilization and its Tendencies," by the Rev. W. D. Horwood, incumbent of St. James's, Pontypool. The lecture was given in connection witli the Mechanics' Institute, and the Rev. W. H. Wrenford, B.A., occupiell the clhir.

CHEp.3TOW. On Monday last, C. A. Shaw, Esq., of the College School, Gloucester, delivered a lecture, illustrated by jxperi'ments, oa Llectricity, &c.( in the large room at .he Beaufort Arms Hotel, the attendance was but small, ihougu the lectura was a highly entertaining one, and .he audience were much gratified. The lev. John Rattenbury preached two sermons in the Wesbyan Chapel, on Thursday last, being the third anniversary of the chapel. Collections were made after the service.

CAERLEON. MECHANICS' I.-TSTITUTF,Ol Monday evening last, a lecture on Wickliff, the Morning Star of the Reforma- tion," by the ltev. Dr. James, rector of Fanteg, on behalf of the above institute was delivered to a nume- rous and most respectable audience The locture was announced to take place in the Free School, C'aerleon, where similar lectures on behalf of the institute have usually been given bUI, so numerous was the audience, that, to give them an opportunity of hearing the lecturer, it was necessary at once to adjourn to the National School. The birth, education, and life of Wicklitf were graphically described. The rev. lecturer is well qualified for the task he undertook. A vote of thanks to the Rev. Dr. James was moved by Mr. John Jenkins, duly seconded by Mr. J. E. Lee, and accorded by acclamation. After thauks to the chairman, the Rev. H. P. Edwards, vicar, the audience separated. An outline of this lecture is given under our Pontymoile news.

MERTHYR. SOUTH WALES INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS. A meeting of the members of this very useful associa- tion was held on Wednesday last, at the Castle Hotel, Merthyr. The President, E. Rogers, Esq., of Abercarn, in the chair. A paper on "Thin and Thick Fireii," bearing on the com- bustion of coal, was read by Mr. Cox, of Caerleon, and it was arranged that all discussion on this very important subject should be postponed to next meeting, on acoount of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Fryer, principal of the School of Mining, at Bristol, who had contributed a paper at the Cardiff meeting. A paper by the Chairman, on the rare occurrence of a Metalliferous Vein (containing lead) in a bed of coal at Abercarn, was read, and gave rise to a discussion. Mr. Murphy, of Newport, gave a description of his very useful invention for the security of nuts or screw- bolts, of which the members present expressed general approbation; and Mr. Brough, Government Inspector of Mines, alluded to a recent c (se in which this adoption of the contrivance would have been the means of saving human lives. Mr. Murphy promised to contribute a paper on railway wheels, at the next meeting. After the conclusion of business, the major part of the members and visitors dined together at the Castle Hotel. The room in which the meeting was held was as usual hung round with diagrams and drawings of interest -and among them were several photographs, which at- tracted general admiration, on account of the perfect manner in which the construction of various machines was shown by this wonderful art. BRECON AND MEETHYR RAILWAY.—The deposit money for this line of Railway has been paid to the Accountant-General, on Saturday last, in accordance with the standing orders of Parliament.

CARDIFF. TOWN HALL.—MONDAY. [Before C. C. WILLIAMS, Esq., Mayor, and R. 0. JONES Esq.] Mary Ann Griffiths, charged with pocket picking, was dismissed for want of evidence. John Humphreys was fined 20s. and costs, or fourteen days' imprisonment, for being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting P.C. Conway. John Daley and James Vaughan were charged with stealing 15s. from the person of James Ross, while taking iiim home in a state of intoxication.—Dismissed. James Casey was committed for three days' hard labour, in default of paying a fine of 20s. and costs, for illegally pawning a pair of sea boots, the property of Pietro Ddritch. TCJESOAY. [Before C. C. WILLIAMS, Esq., Mayor, and DAVID LF.WIS, Esq.] PASSING COUNTERFEIT COIN.— John Dempsey and Patrick Langdon were charged with uttering base coin. -.Ilr. James Dugmoro, of the Railway Inn, Bute-street, said that Langdon called for a pint of beer at his house on Monday afternoon, and put down half a crown, which was a bad one. He said that he had received it at Penarth, on Saturday, for wag. While this conversa- tion wis going on tho other prisoner came in, asking for a light for his- pipe, but hearing what was said about the half-crown, he went out hurriedly. This aroused Mr. L/ugmoie a suspJcions, and he watetied'tneir movements. He saw Langdon go into a house near Bute bridge, while t'le other waited outside. He informed the police, who took them irjto custody. While on their way to the police station,. Dempsey dropped a bag containing eighteen counterfeit halt-crowns an<i a' file. The coins were in the rough state in which they came from the mould. Dempsey said he had found therm—-Mrs. Mar- garet Riley, of the Evergreen beerhouse,, said that Lang- don tendered a counterfeit haif-crown at her house on Monday afternocn, for a piut of beer. lie said he had received it at Penarth for wages.—Mr. Marks stated it as his opi,lt,)ii that the coins found were all from one mould. —The prisoners were remanded lor a week-, in order that the authorities at the Mint might be communicated with. Eugene Murphy, professor of the violinv was ch irged witn assaulting Hannah Fitzpatrick. 1\1r.. Wilcoeks defended. It appeared that complainant lodged at the house of defendant's mother, and that he came in very drunk, and struck her, idlicting a severe blow on her forehead.-Fined 10s. and costs, or seven days' imprison- ment. ————

REFORM MEETING AT CARDIFF. A public meeting was held at the Town hall, Cardiff, on Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of considering the subject of Parliamentary Reform. At the appointed hour of seven o'clock, the Crown-court was well filled, anti shortly afterwards became densely crowded by a very respectable assemblage, including several of the leading merchants, professional men, and tradesmeu of the town. The chair wan taken, according to announcement, by Mr. John Batchelor, who said that they had assembled to diacuss the most momentous question of the day. He introduced the subject by stating that they had no inten- tion of interfering with the two higher States of the realm —paying a tribute to the estimable Sovereign who adorned the throne. They did not wish to interfere wi!h.any pri- vilege of the House of Lords but merely wished'to pre- vent the peers from interfering with that branch of the legislature which, by the spirit of the constitution, was emphatically the people's house. A majority of that house was elected by. only 2J0,000"voters, who were princi- pally controlled by the aristocracy. Under such, circum- stauces, was it wonderful that they had anincreasingly ex- travagant expenditure ? Worse still was the administrative imbecility productive of such lamentable results during the Russian War. It was to this fact that was to be attributed the existence of a ministry representative of a miserable minority in the House of Commons, and a still more miserable minority in the country. He spoke of Lord John Euseell as a statesman who, whatever his short- comings, was entitled to the respect of the country and said that the effect produced so frequently by a- threat of a dissolution of Parliament was due to a knowledge on the part of the greater portion of the members that they were not the representatives of their supposed constituents; and this was the evil thpy sought to correct. He hoped that all parties would be willing to give way on some points, in order to attain unanimity, for England could not afford to have a resolution every ten years. He there- fore advised the wot-king classes to exercise patience, and to prove themselves worthy of the franchise by striving for increased information. He referred to the postpone- ment of Lord J. Russell's proposed Reform Bill of 1854, on account of the Russian war and said that now the insurrection in India bad been trampled out, there was no excuse for postponing a subject which even Lords Palmer- ston and Derby and Mr. Disraeli had promised to bring forward. He referred to the vast increase of post letters and newspapers siuce 1832 as a proof of the extension of education, as filtiu,' large numbers of the people for the franchise. It was now said that the people did not want reform, because they were peaceable and quiet. Iu 1832 it hall been said that they should not have it because there were tumultuous meetinss. But the people did not now have recourse to violent agitation, be- cause they felt assured that their wishes could be attained by more legitimate and constitutional means. —The Chairman was frequently interrupted during his. most eloquent and brilliant address by loud bursts of applause, which were renewed at the conclusion. The Chairman announced that letters had been received from both the couiry members, Mr. Talbot and Mr. Vivian, stating their regret that other engagements prevented their attending. Mr. Walter Coffin was prevented by ill health, and Coonel Stuart, M.P., for the borough was at present on the continent. J. Xicholl Carne, D.C.L. of Dimlands, was then called upon to move the following resolution That in the opinion of this meeting, Parliamentary Reform is im- peratively necessary that no measure of reform will meet the evils at present existing, or be satisfactory to the country, which does not extend the franchise to every man liable to be rated to the poor in boroughs, anil to every man occupying premises or land of the annual value (,f £10 in counties and which does not protect the voter by the adoption of the ballot." lie said that he not only went the whole length of the resolution, but much farther, for personally he should prefer the Manhood Suffrage." Ht1 agreed with Mr. Freeman's excellent pamphlet, that a dissolution of parliament should not be left to the caprice of a minister, but should take place at stated times. He read a quotation from Junius" with regard to tha repeal of the Septennial Act, He could understand the principle of voting founded on parochial assessment, but was of opinion that every man of full age should have at least one vote. It was trlld that the reform of 1832 had not done much directly for the working man, but it was to that measure they owed the abolition of Negro slavery, the Reform of Municipal Corporations, and more than all Free Trado, besides numerous blessings of a minorcharcter. But the time had arrived for carrying it further—out of a population of nearly 30 millions only one million (deduct- ing duplicates) were entitled to vote, and of these 2 '0,000 voters returned a majority of the House of Commons this was what they wished to see altered. It had been stated that there were 22 boroughs returning 24 members, whose united population did not equal that of Sheffield alone. Dr. Carne then referred to Mr. Bright's speech at Bradford, as reported in the London papers of that day, and gave an outline of his proposed bill, which will be found in another column With regard to Cardiff, he proposed that the borough should still h,tve but one member, but in this result he had been governed by the censuS of 1851, since which they all knew that Cardiff had increased at a rate without precedent ic this country. His principal objection to small boroughs was that they were never free from bribery. Though he wished to get more he was willing to take a modicum of reform, knowing that the time was not far distant when they would get their just rights and privileges. lie was willing freely to trust those working classes who enabled this country to import last year the value of 197 millions, and export 161) millions. He ex- horted them not to be slack in their duty, but to press forward for extension of the suffrage, and above all, the ballot. In the second place he would advise them to keep their representatives under the rod. He concluded a very eloquent speech by stating that adding any further would be superfluous after such a powerful address as they had just heard from the chair. The Learned Gentleman was frequently and loudly cheered throughout his remarks. C. Thompson, Esq., briefly seconded the resolation, which was unanimously agreed to. E. A. Freemtn, Esq M.A., of Llanrumney Hall, was called puon to move the second resolution which he said it oave hilu peculiaJ pleasure to support, because it related to a subject which has occupied a considerable pottion of his time and attention. That subject, the re-distribution of seats, was grouded with another—triennial parliaments, which he would support with equal sincerity. Hhe read the resolution as follows:— "That the flagrant injustice characteristic of the pre- sent distribution of seats of members of Parliament de- mands immediate remedy, and this meeting therefore con- siders that no Reform Bill will be complete or accepted, in settlement of present popular claims, which does not re- arrange the constituencies with the view of more nearly approximating to the principle of giving a majority of members to a majority of voters, and of securing by trien. bnial parliaments a more cert an controul over the represen- t. tatives by the represented." b Like Dr. Carne, he was not afraid of the people, and be- t lieved that the way to deal with them was to trust them. Those who treated them as dangerous were doing their best to make them so. He did not agree with his friend Dr. L Carne in wishing to keep their members under a ro(I he thought they should be representatives of broad principles approved of by their constituents, but not mere delegates ion matters of detail- His friend was rather fond of calling him his honourable opponent," but the time might come when they could stand on that platform, both honoured by the choice of the people of Cardiff, without being oppo- nents. When they stood there together ic 1857, the body of electorp, agreed with him, (Mr. F.) in most things, ex- cepting that he had not quite so high an opinion of Lord Palmerston as they had. At that time very few could have thought that the then popular idol could be the man to bring forward a bill to violate the rights of English hos- pitality to please a foreign despot, or that Mr. Milner Gibson and his friends would be men who should vindi- cate the honour of Britain by turning him out for it in the face of threatened war. He described Mr. Bright as not merely eloquent, but incorruptible, even by popular fa- vour or applause, and though far from pinning his faith on Mr. Bright's sleeve, he did look upon him as the leader of the liberal party. If he had been honoured with a seat in the House of Commons he believed he should vote for a second reading of the Bill, reserving a right to vote on amendments on some points of detail. He then referred to the evil effects of electing representatives for seven years, and proceeded to notice the question of electoral districts, stating his opinion that it would not be possible to adopt them on any equitable footing. He considered it desirable for many reasons to preserve historical and local associations in connection with public duties. Their object should not be so much to secure a certain representation for town population or for county popula- tion, but a full and fair representation of the people of England. To arrange this fairly required a great amount of local knowledge, so as to be able to take a variety of circumstances into account Mr. Freeman then touched upon the position of Cardiff in Mr. Bright's schedule, fully concurring with the previous speakers, and stating his opinion that Canton and ROLth should be included. In illustration of bis remarks he referred to the borough of Shoreham, where as a cure for notorious corruption, the legislature had ad led the whole of the Rape of Bramber to the constituency, thus adding another mem- ber, in fact, to the county of Sussex. A similar measure had been tried at Cricklatie-, but it raised the question why j a £10 householder in one rural parish should vote, while one in the next hamlet who paid £ 40 bad not the privi- lege. With regard to the broad principles of Reform, he believed they were all agreed let them not then disagree about matters of mere detail but each show someconsi- deration for the views of hilt neighbour. Mr. F. concluded bis-able address, marked by argument and reasoning of a eliear and logical character, by expressing lm opinion that the claims of Cardiff to a second member only required to bar firmly set forth to secure a fair hearing. He then "L:tol1 Kio o..a. ™ i 1.1 „1, "oJUU.I'O' Ul. DQH¡,U- A1UI.1-1..IVlI, I,jUt:i'J. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Ensor, in a very able- speech, but its length appeared to try the patience of a portion of the audience. The resolution- was carried with-only one hamf held up agaiost it. Mr. J'ohn Bird (solicitor} was then called upon to move the third resolution, as follows That it is desirable to watch the interests of this borough' in Parliament, during the discussion of the-diffe- rent Reform Bills, which may be introduced in the coming session, and that the following gentlemen be a committee for this purpose Dr. Vachell, Mr. John Batchelorr Mr. John Davies, Mr. Lewis Davies, Dr. Edwards. Mr. John Bird, Mr Charles Thompson. Mr. W. B. Watkinsj Mr. Ed warcS Mason, and Dr. Carne." Mr. Bird stated that he had returned from a journey since the meeting; commenced, but in the course of the aftep- noon had time to glance over Air. Bright's schedules, and observed that there were other elements besides popu- lation which should be taken into account, when settiing the redistribution of seats-for instance, while Cardiff" appeared to be entitled to ouly one member because the population, according to, the census of 1.856; stood at 20,000, it was- proposad that Merthyr should have three members, because it stood at 63;0 )0 but by the other columns in the schedules he found that the direct taxation paid by Cardiff was R20,000, or 20s. per head, whde the direet taxation paid at Merthyr amounted to 129,000, or an average of about say 6s. Sil. (Laughter ) But to go one step further in 1851, among the 2),00 inhabitants of Cardiff, there- were found 824 persons entitled to the present fr -nehis,, while among the 63,000* persons at Merthyr there were only 980 qualified to vote- Dr. Edwards seconded the resolution in a very effective and eloquent speech, agreeing with the other speakers, with the excepti-on-of the universal suffrage advocated by Dr. Carno, expressing his apprehension that until educa- tion was more generally diffused, the intelligent and well- informed portion of the electoral body would be swamped by the votes of the ignorant and the reckless. The resolution was unanimously agreed to- Mr. John Davies (shipbrokeK) moved the following res dution That copies of the resolutions of this meeting be sent to Lord Derby, John Bright, Esq., M.P., and to. the County and Borough Members." And in support of the ne euitj for further reform, of the House of Commons referred to the continual existence of abuses in the Courts of Chancery and Admiralty,, and the Ecclesiastical Courts. He asked whether a Reformed Parliament would bave allowed a. doubt to exist with regard to the division of public cemeteries by a boundary which had given, rise to disputes painful to all, rational Churchmen, and insulting to Dissenters. Mr. J. Elliott seconded the resolution, which- was unanimously agreed to. Rev. A. Tilley (Baptist minister) then rose and said that he did so. with the intention of moving a. vote of thauks to the chairman, but considered that previous to breaking up.tihe meeting they should take some decided step in support of the noble efforts made by Mr. John Bright in pressing forward the question of Reform. He would therefiore move That tbift meeting hereby expresses its confidence in Mr. John. Bright, and recognises the position, he now occupies iaieference to the Reform, movement. The motion was seconded by the Rev. N. Thomas (Baptist minister), and carried amid much cheesing. Thanks-were then voted to the Chairman for his conduct in the chair, and to Dr. Carne and Mr. Freema.n, for their attendance and eloquent addresses. Three cheers were then given for John Bright." Dr. Carne then called for three cheers for honest, straightforward, eloquent John Batchelor. which were heartily given.

CARDIFF LOCAL BOARD Or IIEALrff. A special meeting of the Local Board was held on Tuesday last, present-Charles C. Willams, Esq., (Mayor); Alderman D, Lewis Councillors J. Batchelor, W. Alexander, R. W. Williams; J. Bird, C. A. Bernard, John Thomas, Lewis Reece, A Langley, W. Nell, W. Mason, Mr. B, Watkins, and C. W. David. The members first sat as a MA.B.K.ET COMMITTEE. A mortgage of the market places, slaughter houses, tolls, &c., for the sum of 116,000, was formally ratified the repayment of the principal to be spread over a term of thirty years. Plans for a new Police-station were laid on the table, but the discussion was postponed in consequence of the committee appointed for that purpose not having in- spected the pioposed site at Waterloo Buildings, near the Hayes Bridge. The Mayor called attention to the fact that since the examination of evidence with regard to the proposed Harbour of Refuge, Mr. G. Grant Francis, a member of the Swansea harbour trust, had forwarded additional statements, with photographs of the proposed places, to the commissioners. Mr. J. Batchelor, amidst much laughter, inquired whether Mr. Grant Francis had forwarded a photograph of himself ? BOARD OF HEALTH. A general district rate of Is. 6d. in the pound was passed and confirmed. Mr. Lewis Reece remarked that it was hardly fair to make a new rate while there were arrears of X700 of the last rate unpaid. It was explained that the necessary forms for making the rate wonld take some time. Subsequently, on the motion of Mr. Mason seconded by Mr. Lewis Rees, it was ordered that a return of the names of the defaulters should be laid on the table at the next meeting. CUSTOM HOUSE BRIDGE. The Clerk (Mr. T. Watkins,) laid before the Board a letter from Mr. Vaughan Edwards, of Swindon, whose tender for this bridge had b?en accepted, in which it was stated that he had omitted to include eight gas pillars and other fittings, which would cost £ 40 2s., in addition, and he requested that he might be allowed to add that sum to the contract. Several members thought this would not only be unfair to the other parties who had tendered, but also form a very bad precedent. It was stated that the difference between the tender of Mr. V. Edwards, if altered, and that of Mr. David Harris, would be only JE33 18s., the figures being £ 1,572, and £ 1,538 2s. Mr, John Bird called attention to the want of proper sanitary conveniences in the Market-house, and on his motion being seconded by Mr. Ljwis Reece, it was or. dered that the Surveyor should report on the best means of remedying the evils complained of. THE CATHAYS PARK. The Clerk stated that Mr. Boyle had, in reply to the application of the Board to the Bute trustees, for per- mission to occupy, at an annual rent, a portion of the Cathays Park for the purposes of public recreation, written to say that his olleague, Mr. Stuart Wortley, would inquire into the question. He had received a letter from the latter gentleman, stating that he would be in Cardiff on Saturday evening but as he would be obliged to leave early on Monday, he expressed a wish that the members of the committee mould meet him at nine o'clock on that morning, to show him the ground which they wished to select for the purpose. This intimation appeared to afford much satisfaction, and it was ordered that the committee be summoned for the appointed time-the name of Mr. Lewis Reece being added. Mr. Batchelor called attention to the time occupied by the scavengers in removing manure from stables- especially those of public-houses—-while the removal of I dust and ashes was neglected. He knew of one stable which had been for months cleaned at the expense of the town. The meeting, after some routine business, separated.

THE IRON, COAL, AND GENERAL TRADES. SOUTH WALES.—THE TRADE ON THE HILLS. NO change of moment has taken place in the iron and coal trades since our last. The dullness usually met with at this season of the year is noticeable now, and the past week has been a very quiet one. Prices have under- gone no alteration, and freights are pretty nearly the same as last qu >ted. Some little effect has been pro- duced by the rumours of war but the opinion here, ge nerally, is that the cloud will pass away without result- ing in the evil consequences anticipated by some. A rupture with France would, unquestionably, seriously injure many of our ironmasters but at present there is little ground for entertaining expectations of any such event. The coal trade is somewhat unsettled still; but one or two fresh Government contracts have caused a little more animation. The export business is not on a very large scale at present, and the low freights give rise to numerous complaints. The port of Newport is more dull at this moment than that of Cardiff. — cor- respondent of the Mining Journal. The Cardiff Guardian says: We are happy to stat, that freights are improving at Cardiff, a little, and things are somewhat more encouraging. There is a demand for vessels to the Mediterranean ports and France and freights to the East Indies and Africa are advancing Freights for coal and iron ai e near about the following ° Coal, Aden, 50s.; Bombay, 50s. Calcutta, 50s.; Cape of Good Hope, 38s. Hong Kong, 52s. 6d. Mauritius, 40s. Shanghai, 55s. Malta, 16s. 6d to 17s. > Naplepj 15s. 6d.; Palermo, 16s. 61.; Alexandria, 15s. 6d. Constantinople, 22s. 6d. Gibraltar, 15s. 6d. Ply- mouth, 6s. 3d. London, &s. to 8s. 3d. Portsmouth, ift. to 7s. 6d.; French porta, 11 to 14 francs. Iron, Alexandria, 22s. Constantinople, 22s. 61 Havannah, 25s.; Naples, 22s. 6d.; New Orleans, 18s. 6d.; New York, 17s. 6d. Trieste, 27s. Some improvement is noticeable in the port of New- port this week, in consequence of a more aative demand for coal and iron. GLASGOW PIG lItON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—The market has been very firm to-day, and 54s. cash was paid, and a large business done. The close was steady No. 1 and 3, G.B.M. 52s. 9d. cash. IRONMASTERSr MEETING.—The trade meetings of the ironmasters of the Staffordshire district terminited act Dudley on Saturday night, and although the business transacted at the concluding assembly was rather more limited than usual, consequent on the srp.it n- '1-J UJ iron previously sold, all present concurred in the ex- pression of an opinion that there is much in the present state of the trade for congratulation. The attendance at Birmingham was very numerous, and the quantity s d i was larger than it has been at any previous quarter-day for the last eighteen months this, too, in the face of the fact that the sales previous to quarter-day had been considerable the consequence is that most of the first- class makers are filled with orders for their make up to the end of the present quarter, and in some instances there was an indisposition to accept further orders at present prices. It is almost needless to say, in such circumstances, that the trade quotations for ail descrip- tions offinished iron have not been firmer than they now are for several years and that this healthy condition of the trade has had the effect of raising the pric; for the inferior make of iron nearer to the trade scale, though there is an increasing reluctance on the part' of con- sumers to purchase any but the best descriptions of marked iron. The quantity of pig iron sold in the course of the week was considerable, sufficient to preclude the possibility of any accumulation of st )ck the- price of best hot-blast ranges between £ 3 12s. 6d. and £3 15s. per ton. In various parts of the district furnaces are being got ready, and it is not improbable that in' Febru- ary several will be blown in. The half-yearly meeting of proprietors of the Commer- cial Bank of London was held on Tuesday, Mr. Hunter in the chair. Tha-net profits, including £ 1,391 brou 'ht forward, were stated at X13,822, out of which a dividJnd at the rate of six- per cent. per annum was declared leaving deducting rebate, &e., a balance of £ l,401 to be carried forward. The directors' report was adopted. A meeting of the London City Bank took place on Tuesday, Alderman Sir R. W. Carden, M P,, in the chair, when the report was adopted unanimously, and a dividend declared for the past half year at the rate of five per cent. per annum, free of income tax. A balance remains of j66,983, and this sum is carried forward, it being customary to make only a five per cent. distribu tion in January, and: to deal with the surplus by declar- ing a bonus at the end of the financial year in July.

TRADE Of THE LOCAL PORTS. The following returns, taken from Browne's Export List," show the exports from Cardiff and adjacent ports for the month of December, 18-58 and being contrasted with the same month in 1857, give some idea of the in- jury inflicted by the strikes of the colliers in '57:- Dec. 1857. Dec. 1858. Vessels. Coals. Vessels. Coals. Brib.. For. Tons. Brit. For. Tons. Cardiff 20 56 25272 38 183 67200 Swansea 33- 32 12447 4?5 37 18672 Newport 17 56 26471 4 19 I 9158 The following is the quantity of iron exported from C irdiff and Newport during the month of Duc., 1858 CARDIFF.—Barcelona, 260 tons rail; Bombay, 620 tons bar;. Constantinople, 246 tons, 15, tons bundle; Cape of Good Hope, 30-tons bar; Civita Yeechia, 77 tons rail; Dordrecht, 136 tons bar; Havanna, 400 tons rail; Messina, 177 tons bundle; Naples, 151 tons rail, 134 tons bar; New Orleans, 275 tons rail; Oporto, 8 tons bar, 117 tons bundle; Pillau, 689; tons rail; Palermo, 137 tons bar, 12 tons bundle Rotterdam, 132 tons b ir Salonica, 230 tons bar; rarragoni 330 tons of rail, Theoctosia, 415 to is rail. NEWPORT.— Havre, 106 tons bar, 100 tons pig; Bombay, 1200 tohs rail; Dieppe, 208 tons rail Pillau, 40<) tons rail Rio de Jrnc-iro, 3 £ 0 tons rail; Theodosia, 2613 tons rail; Seville, 133 tou3 rail; Venice, 178 tons rail. The vessels engaged in the over-sea coal-trade for Cardiff are 38 British, 4 American, 23 Austrian, 15 Danish, 3 Dutch, 76 French, 7: Hanoverian, 1 Hansetown, 2 Oldenburg, 1 Portuguese, 9- Prussian, 2 Russian, 5 Sardinian, 12 Swedish, 1 Spanish, 11 Italian, 6 Mecklen- berg, 5 Norwegian; total 22.1. The total number of vessels engaged in the over-sea coal-trade of Swansea are 82, and those of Newport only 21. An account of the number of vessels and quantity of coal and coke sent to London and other ports in the Uuited Kingdom, from the undermentioned places, in the month of December. 1858 Name of Port. No. of Ships. Tons of Coal. Tns. Coke. Cardiff 371 42689 1175 Swansea Ill 10436 1080 Newport. 347 37826 Llanelly 60 7544 Pembrey. 44 3964 Penclawd 6 579 St. David's. 13 754

THE SHIPPING TRADE. The following correspondence has taken place between Messrs. Seymour Peacock and Company, ship brokers, 116 and 117, Fencliiiac-h-steeet, London, and the Right Honourable the Earl of Malraesbury, her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, relative to the opening of the American coasting trade to British shipping :—■ 116 and 117, Fenchurch-street, E.C., 8th January, 1859. My Lord,—We beg reference to the memorial agreed to at a meeting of the ship owners of the United King- dom, held at the London Tavern, on the 15th u'timo. One of the principal complaints at that meeting was, that the Americans whilst participating in all our trades, declined to allow British shipa to load in their coasting trade, and extended the meaning of this term so as t" cover voyages from the Atlantic to the Pacific, say from New York to California, besides preventing our ships from taking cotton from New Orleans to Boston. "In discussing this important subject with an in- telligent American gentleman, he urged as an excuse, that we still prohibitedtheir ships from our coasting trade, and was perfectly astonished when we informed him that all restriction had been removed by this cotintry-Id he asserted that in conformity with the general policy of the Uuited States, they were bound to give to the Biitish or any other nation whatever advantage we or they may give them, and that some of the Northern States of Europe had by this means procured important privileges, even prior to the repeal of the Navigation Laws. This communication having raised a doubt in our minds as to the question being understood by the Ameri- cans-we were induced to inquire at the United States Consulate in this city, and to our astonishment found that a doubt existed there on the subject, and we were told at our interview that an American ship could not load from Liverpool to London, but on their making fur- ther inquiry the Consul politely called at our office, and informed us that this cmld be done. «' Under thesa circumstances we feel it our duty thus to address you, and to ask whether the American Govern- ment is aware that our coasting trade is open to them, and that they arc efusing to us privileges we grant to them. We would also ask whether the fact of the refusal of the United States Government to admit our shipping into their coasting trade being in opposition to their esta- blished policy, has been brought prominently belore them. •' Trusting that the immense importance of this ques- tion, not only to ourselves, but to British shipowners in general, will induce your lordship to give us the infor- mation we require, We have the honour to be, my Lord, Your Lordship's oledient servants, (Signed) SEYMOUR PEACOCK. & CO. "To the Right Hon. the Earl of Malmesbury, U.M. Secretary of State for foreign Affairs." .J- "Foreign 0 January 13th, 1859. G^iu.eman, 1 am directed by the Earl of Malmes* nury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8;b instant, inquiring whether the American Government is aware that the Coasting Trade with this country has bien thrown entirely open to American vessels? and I a,n t ) st.ite to you, in reply, that Lord Malmesbury can nardly conceive that the American Government can be in ignorance upon this point, but that, in view of the facta stated in your letter, his Lordship will instruct her Ma- jes ty's minister at Washington to mike inquiry of the United States Government, and to seize the opportunity of again urging upon that Government the justice and ool policy of conceding corresponding advantages to British vessels in American waters. I am, gentlemen, "Your most obedient humble servant, Signed, "S. HAMMOND. II.Nievsrs. Seymour Pe icock & Co 116, and 117 Fenchurch-street, F..C."

I BRISTOL EYE HOSPITAL LOWER MAUDLIN STREET. Founded A.D. 1810. Admission Days-Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Half-past Eleven to One. Number of Patients attending this Weak 189 Fresh Cases Surgeon—Dr. BARTLEY.

THE TREDEGAR HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday Jan. 24th at Bussilleg Garth Wednesday 26th at Castletown Friday 28th at Goitre At balf-past eleven o'clock.. THE MON MOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday, Jan. 24th at King of Prussia Thursday „ 27th at The Hmds. Llansoy Mon lay 31st Llantillio House Thursday, l'eb. 3rd at Pwltyduon Wood At half-past ten o'clock. THE ITTON HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Tuesday, Jan. 25th at Crick Village Friday 11 28th at Trevella. ° At half-past nine o'clock.

RAILWAY TBAflflU KKTU RNS. MONMOUTHSHHIR RAILWAY AND CAtfAL. Week ending January 15th, 1859 £ 2062 1 2 Corresponding week, 1853 £ 1S97 14 1 NEWPORT, ABERGAVENNY, AND HEREFORD. Week ending January IGth, 18.59 j61353 13 9 Corresponding week, 1858 £ 1002 15 4 SOUTH WALES. Week endint: Jauuary 15th, 1859- £ 6219 6 7 Corresponding Week, 1853 J0S362 8 9 TAFF VALE. Week ending January 16th, 1859 1 6 Corresponding week, 1358 £ 2615 19 10

AGENTS FOR THE MERLIN' IN LONDON. Dbi.vcoN, S —150, LeadenliaU-street. HAMMOND AND (JO,—27, Lombard-street. JONES, J. f AND (JO.—2, Crescent Villas, Canonbury Park North Islington. MITCHELL, C.-Red Lion-court, Fleet-street. NEWTON AND Co.-2, Warwick-square, Newgate-street. KEYNKLL G—42, Chancery-lane. WHITE,R F—33, Fleet-street. The paper is tiled at PEBLK'S :I.lld LLOYD'R COFFEN ROOMS. Xe/oport and Cardiff, Saturday, January 22, 1859 Printed ior the Proprietor, by WILLIAM CHKISTOPH RS. of No 7, Commercial-street, in the Borough of Newport; ana published at the MEHLIY Goneral Printing Office, No. 15, Com- mercial street, Newport: aud at No. 21 at, Mary's tnot, Cardiff.

A GAMEKEEPER SHOT BY A POACHER.-On Sunday morning, about three o'clock, three keepers in the ser- vice of the Marquis of Ailsa encountered two poachera, named Ross and Withers, belonging to Maybole, on the farm of Park, between Ktrkoswald and Turnbury. As he keepers were some distance from each other, one of hem, named Jones, who was in advance, came first on the poachers. He had a dog on the string, and was ad- vancing in order to seize them. When within a few yards, both poachers deliberately, and without provoca- tion, levelled their guns and fired-the one aiming at the log, the other at Jones. Each shot took fatal effect. J ones was shot through the heart. When he received ;be deadly discharge, he leaped up, exclaiming Oh and then fell lifeless. Another of the keepers, named Micholson, coming up seized Withers, who said, I'm no caring. I only shot the dog; but Ross shot the man." unsmt was given as soon as possible and two police- nen were set to watch the house of Ross, if possible to mow when he entered. As daylight approached, the watch was given up. On entering Ross's house they found him in, and his boots cleanly brushed. He denies all ki.o.vledge of (he affair. One of his boots was taken back to the scene of the tragedy, and it coiresponds with the footprints exictly. Jones, the keeper who was shot, has left a widow and three or four of a family. The two poachers were brought down to Ayr and lodged in --lol. Ross is kno.vn as a notorious poacher. This sad A -vent has created a great sensation in the district.— (xlasqow Bulletin. Ma. BRIGH r's BILL.Mr. Bright adopts the standard of population, and applies it fairly enough to adjust the number of members as between Borough and Borough but as between Boroughs and Counties he repudiates it altogether. Just as in his favourite model-AnieT"- five" niggers," count for three free men in the regula- tion of the electoral districts, so it takes we know not how many inhabitants of a County, -for Mr. tiriaht despises them to much to attempt too establish any definite proportion,—to equal the inhabitant of a Borough. We have had many faults to find with Mr. Bright lately; but certainly, after all he has said of the evils of inequality and the necessity of a fair and honest distribution of electoral power, we did not expect to- find him proposing a scheme framed in deliberate viola- tion of all notions of equity and fair play, and to detect under the name of a Reform Bill, a gigantic fraud to be practised on one half of the nation for the alleged benefit of the otiler.-Ti))tes.

I3ntll6. On the 10th inst., at Caroline-jtreet, Newport, the wife of Mr. George Booth,, of a son. On the 16th inlit" in Tudor-street, Abergavenny, the. wife of Mr. John Dinner, of a son 0.0. the 8th inst., in Cross-street, Abergavenny, the wife. of Mr. J M. Me. Farlaiue, of a daughter. iBarrfagfs. On the 13th inst.. at the Parish Churah, Swansea, by the- Rev. E. B. Squire, vicar, William, son of Mr. Benjamin Howell, victualler, to Anne, daughter of Mr. Evan Jones, victualler, both of High-street, Swansea. On the 14th iust at the same Church, by the Rev Wil- liam Johnston, curate, William Johnson, shipwright. Swausea, to Susannah, daughter of Mr. William Griffi joiner, Llauelly. Deatfis. On the 18th inst., at "Vernon House, Briton Fen?y, Misa Elizabeth Poulton* for many years a resident of Newport. On the 19th inst. at Risca, Richard Owen Morgan," infant son of Cap'ain Russell. On the 18th iust.. at Stow-hill, Newport, Charlotte, the beloved wife of Mr. Alfred Warr, undertake?, aged 38 years. On the 15th ins' at Crockherbfown, Cardiff; Mr. Alder- man Charles Vachell, aged 76 years. On the 14th iust., at Canal-parade, Newport, Ellen, nfant daughter of Mr. Aplin. On the 16th inst., at Reform-buildings, Newport, Mr. William Holdham, aged 64 years. On the 18th iust., at Alma-street, Newp&rt, Sarah Jane daughter of Mr. Richardson, aged 6 years. On the 18th inst., at Thomas-street. Newport, Jane, infant daughter of Mr. Dyer. On the 19th inst., at Jone3's-3treet.( Newport, Mrs. Matilda Taylor, aged 26 years, On the 14th inst., at PUlgwenlly, Mr. George Attwell, pilot, aged 44 years. On the 14th in3t., at Pillgweally, Johann.ih, infant daughter of Mr. l\Ic'Cuty. On the 14th inst., at the residence of her father, Miy Gay, boot and shoemaker, Pillgwenlly, Mrs. Charlotte Littlejohn, aged 24 years. On the 17th inst., at Pillgwenlly, Mr. John Hawkias* butcher, aged 70 yea's. On the 18th inst., at the Xhree Horse Shoes, Newport. Alice, infant daughter of Mr. Rees. On the 19th inst., at Newport, Catheiine, wife of Mr. James Carpenter, aged 75 years. On the 19th iust., at Barracks Hill, Newport Georga, son of Private Ballantine aged 3 years. On the 13th at Risca, Martha, infant daughter of Mr. Coles. On the 16th inst., at Pentre Basket, Llantarnam, Mr. John Jones, aged 77 yeirs. On the msfc., at Machen, William, son of Mr. Taylor, aged 9 years. On the inst, at Cross Keys, Risca, Mary, daughter of Mr \V iUon, aged 7 years. On the 18th inst., at Cwmbran, Hannah, daughter of Mr. Edwards, aged 9 years. On the 19th inst., at Risca, Mrs. Ann Dorset, aged 65 years. On the 19th inst at Pontymister, Francis, son of Mr. Junes. On the 14',h inst., at Llantarnam, Wil iam Christapher, infant son of Mr. Smith. On the 14th inst., at Shirenewton, Mary, infant daugh- ter of Mr. Lewis. On the 16th inst., at Risca, John, son of Mr. Thomas Thomas, aged.7 years. iii Ou the 16th inst., at Penner Colliery, Mynyddyslwyn, t) Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, aged 80 years. On the 16:h inat., at Undy, John, iufant son of Mr. Morgan. Ou the 16th inst., at his residence, Mr. Charles J. Hamp- toD, manager of the Llynvi Vale Iron Works, in his 48th year. He was justly steerul by all who knew him. Lately, at Blaenaton, Ellen, infant daughter of Mr. Thomas Jordan, engineer. On the 16:11 inst., Agnes, eldest daughter of Mr. James Skyrm landlord of the King David Inn, Frogmore-atreet, Abergavenny, 13 years. I-