Monmouthshire Merlin

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,—May I request the favour of your inserting the en- closed letter in your next paper. ] also beg to draw your attention, and that of your readers, to the observations of the Times'' of this morning, under! the head Money Market and to add, that the Parliamentary Surveys, &<• of the Chepstow, Forest of Dean, and Gloucester f Miction Railway, will be completed according to the stand- g orders of Parliament. I am, Sir, vour obedient servant, W. T. H. PHELPS, Solicitor to the above Company. I London, 28th October, 1845. CHEPSTOW, FOREST OF DEAN, AND GLOUCESTER JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY. I TO THE EDITOR OE THE "TIMES." Observing a paragraph in your paper of this day, under the I head Money Market," wherein you state, A Company of f which the whole deposit was paid, could hardly he a bad or an unsafe one," I beg to state, for the satisfaction of the share- i holders of the Forest of Dean and Gloucester Junction Rail- way Company, that the deposits upon the allotted shares, amounting to ^Cd4,000, have been paid into the hands of the bankers of the company, of which the greater part has been invested at interest,-the unallotted shares being reserved for the landowners on the line, and for other contingencies, as is usual in all railway companies. I have the honourfo remain, Your obedient servant, W. T. H. PHELPS, Solicitor to the Company. 10, Old Jewry Chambers, London, 28th October, 1845. MRS. TREASURE T3EGS leave respectfully to inform her Friends and the J3 Gentlemen in connexion -with the Hunt Club, that the l ANNUAL HUNT DINNER I Will take place at the ROCK INN, BEDWELLY, when their at- | tendance with that of their friends will be esteemed a great I favour. f Hounds to meet at Nine o'Clock in the Morning, on Nov, 11th, 1845. | HENRY GODFREY MARSH, Esq. I MATTHEW ION, Esq. } Stewards. | P.S.—Dinner at Five o'Clock.—TICKETS, 4S. 6d. each. I Rock Inn, October 29th, 1845. | River Usk Preservation Society. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at a meeting of this Association, held at the ANGEL INN, ABERGAVENNY, on the 28th day of OCTOBER, 1845, W. R. Stretton, Esq., in the chair; such meeting was adjourned to TUESDAY, the 11th NOVEMBER, 1845, to be held at the same place, at One o'clock precisely. n_ NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT JOHN GREATHEAD HARRIS, Esquire, or one other of Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Relief of f" Insolvent Debtors will, on the TWELFTH day of NOVEMBER. 1845, at the hour of Ten in the Forenoon precisely, attend at jf the COURT HOUSE, at MONMOUTH, in the county of Mon- mouth, and hold a Court for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors, t pursuant, to the statute. t «B3E3» Bristol, Newport, and Chepstow Steam Packets. THE SWIFT AND USK, ARE INTENDED TO PLY DAILY DURING THE Ensuing Month between BRISTOL and NEWPORT,as follows :— follows :— From the Hotwel/i, Bristol. From Neivport. ? morn. after. I morn. after. 1, Saturday 0 1, Saturday 0 4! 3, Monday 8^ 0 3, Monday 7 0 { 4, Tuesday 9 0 4, Tuesday 7i 0 « 5, Wednesday 10 0 5, Wednesday 8 0 6, Thursday 11 0 6, Thursday 84 0 7, Friday 114 0 7, Friday 9 0 8, Saturday 0 124 8» Saturday 10 0 10, Monday 0 1$10, Monday 0 1 11, Tuesday 0 11, Tuesday 0 2 12, Wednesday 0 3 12, Wednesday 0 3 13, Thursday 6 0 13, Thursday 0 34 14, Friday 64 0 14, Friday 0 4 H Saturday 7 0 15, Saturday 0 44 17, Monday 8 0 17, Monday 64 0 10 £ uesday 84 0 18, Tuesday 7 0 on' Wednesday 9 0 19, Wednesday 7 0 i Thursday 9 £ 0 20, Thursday 7h 0 Friday 104 0 21, Friday 8 0 Saturday 11 0 22, Saturday 84 0 24, Monday 0 1 24, Monday IO4 0 J o2' '^uesday 0 2 25, Tuesday 12 0 ft 7,~> Wednesday 0 24 2o, Wednesday 0 1 T Thursday 0 24 27, Thursday 0 2 on ^"day 0 3 28, Friday 0 24 'SaturdaY:6 U 29, Saturday 0 3J, J Fares :—After-Cabin,2s; Fore-Cabin, Is.; Fore Deck, 6d.; I -^gs.Gd.each Four-wheel Carriage, 18s.; Two-wheel ditto, of I 'sht Pbaiton for One Horse, 8s.. if for Two Horses, 10s.; Horses, I 5s.; Two-wheel Carnage, or light Phaeton drawn by one f lorse only, with One Passenger, 12s.; Horse and Rider, 6s. » ,», Refreshments on Board. 1, Warehouses for Receiving Goods, Packages, Parcels, occ. IiotwelUharf* Redcllff-S,ieet' fe'isto1' and Kownham-wharl, | iJ30^5' Packages, Parccls, &c., for Newport, and the neigh- I char °°d' are Reived and carefully Shipped, free of extra I p^e' ail(l regularlv and punctually forwarded. D a"J°» Abergavenny.—Coaches daily between these yei\and Newport. Bed,Hl!hSar *'ran Works, through Ahercame, Newbridge, and "dailir k y'a"(l a branch fiom Newbridge to Nantyglo.—A Coach y between these places and Newport. THE FAST-SAILING IRON STEAM PACKET Will THE WYE U| Ply between BRISTOL and CHEPSTOW daily during r the ensuing week, as follows: 1 o from Bristol. From Chepstoio. "a*urday 1, Saturday morn f 4' 5?0nday 6s morn 3, Monday 9 morn 5' w J ay 7 morn 4- Tuesday 9a ,norn Wednesday 7 £ morn 5, Wednesday 10 morn tlj?AREs~~After Cabin, 3s.; Fore Deck. Is. 6d. To and Fro €abfan">f day (provided a To and Fro Ticket is taken,) Afer of ^ore Cabin. 2s. 6'd. Children under Twelve Years vy £ (hSe* ^a'f price. Dogs, Is. each. Four wheel Carriage or without Horses, 15s. Two-wheel Carriage, or Light rJg drawn by one Horse, including" Driver, 10s. Horse, AVa I 6 aDd Rider' 6s* itc. for Receiving and Booking Packages, Parcels Wk Wharf, Redcliff-streei, Bristol, and Rownham Ik D *e"S> ,,roP,'etors of the above Packets give NOTICE, that Bor „ii inot be accountable for any Passenger's Luggage, eel /!<• T y bti answerable for any Goods, Package, or Par- or Damaged,) unless Booked at either of then *nTc r Bristol or Newport: and if above the value of 40s. f red a.t its value, and carriage paid at the time of booking. S,e*J0HN8j0N^TgeL: I Packet Offices, Rownha.n Wharf. Hotwells, Nelson-street, I c, Bristol, and Kodney Wharf, Newport- I I845 3TP.A»r COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BRISTOL AND NEWPORT. < THE NEW STEAM PACKET COMPANY'S IHON- fcUH/T SCHOONERS, PROPELLED BY THE SCREW, THE AVON AND SEVERN, Are intended to sail during the month of October us follows: from Beaufort Wharf, Newport. Froin Bathurst Basin, Bristol. morn after. morn after h Saturday 6 0 1, Saturday 7 0 3, Monday 65 0 3, Monday 8 0 4, Tuesday 7 0 4, Tuesday 8 j, 0 Wednesday 75 0 5, Wednesday 9| « I 5. Thursday 8 0 t), Thursd<»y 10 O Friday 9 0 7, Friday 11 0 Saturday 104 0 8, Saturday 1 Saturday 104 0 8, Saturday 12, 0 1 1 he voyages are performed by these Boats usually under *• hours, and no long passages are made. „ tares—After Cabin, 2s.: Fore Cabin. Is. Children under U Year, f age, hali-price Dogs,6d.; Carriages (ineliding ship- *"ng and landing charges) Four Wheel, 18s.; I wo YVhee » •> '8ht Phaston or Gig and Horse, 12s.; Horses each, hs., and gg All Luggage Shipped and Landed by the Company's Servants, f^ee or charge. From Newport, Coaches run da.ly to Pontypool, Abergaveun&y> Newbridse. Tredegar, Nantyglo, Bedwelty, |?,ca. Abercarne, Cwm Celyn, tVc. The Proprietors give notice that they will not be accountable for Pcassengers' Luggage, &c.; and their responsibih y in respec ?{ Goods in general is restricted by the terms of a Notice affixed 'p 'heir Odices, at Bristol and .ppt)T ATCD BASIN Passengers landed and shipped at CV, j ,1 VAi,lJN; An Omnibus to and from Pillgwenlly attends the arrival -ind r of the Steamers. An Omnibus to Usk, Caerleon,and Abergavenny, in connec t,l|n with the Steameis. <ioods are regularly and punctually forwarded by careful Lar- "ers to all parts of the counties 01 Monmouth, Hereford, Brecon atlct Radnor. Storeage and deliveiy at the Warehouses by Canal 0r other conveyance, free of extra charge. For terms and conditions of t reight, apply to the Agents, or terms anu RUCJj.i WAiJHAM. and Co., Bristol. 'F GEORGE SHORTHOUSE, Newport.

An Account of Coal and Iron brought down the TRAM-ROAD and CANAL for the Week end.ng OJTOBERJFA. > nAAT TONS CWT. TONS. C'WT. rp, ^,7' 1771 18 100 1 nomas Prothero ]9M ,5 m nomas Powell • • • • 0 Rosser Thomas and Co i Phinips and s°n 849 4 « ^argill and Co %4 i 200 S. Cartwright 1466 16 I The Tredegar Coal Company g | Joseph Beaumont ]g Rock Coal Company 3 Roger Lewis ^0 19 •Joseph Jones 4 John Jones, Victoria James Poole, jun yj John Russell and Company. Latch, Cope, and Company. Lewis Thomas and Company Robert Roe • • • • 35Q R. J. Blewitt 4QO Km JolL" Vipond •••• •• 025 r. Hanson ,> British Iron Company i Gwillim and Webber". f Carr,Cargill,andCompany. | Total 13827 16 1375 IRON. TONS. CAVT. TON. C'O V Tredegar Iron Company 583 15 t»bw Vale Company 1045 14 lymney Iron Company 416 14 uttwell, Allies, & Co 437 1 CoJii Brook Vale Company 135 10 •••• •• SirhWy Ditto Total 2618 U 2749 0

Railway Communication with the Forest of Dean. A public meeting of freeholders, freeminors, find oilier inha- bitants of the Forest of Dean, and gentlemen interested in the development of its mineral resources, was held at the Speech House, on Wednesday week, to consHler the vanuus proposltlOns for railway communication with the Forest of Dean, with the view of ascertaining which was best adapted for the wants of the district and most deserved support. The meeting was called by Mr. Phelps, of Newport, a gentle- man representing the Chepstow Forest of Dean, and Gloucester Junction Railway Company, and Welsh South Midland, or Chepstow, Forest of Dean, and Gloucester Extension Railway, and it was attended by a large number of gentlemen represent- ing Forest interests, besides several free miners, and others. Amongst the company present, we observed—Charles Hos- ser, Esq., of Etloe House, who was unanimously called to the chair; Captain Vaughan; Messrs. Thomas Nicholson, Aaaron Goold, John Trotter, W. H. Jackson, H. and D. Gcthing, Theophilus Trotter, James Thomas, John Thomas, Henry II. Fryer, Charles Gream, Justly Pearson, William Roberts. Thos. Batten, John James, Henry James, E. E. Harrison, Thomas Hawkins, Thomas Porter, William Porter, F. Latimer, — Gol- lop, — Todd, — Hutchings, J. N. Norton, Miisom Harris, John Harris, &c., &c. Mr. Phelps, of Newport, J. C. Ord, Esq., of Harefield-place, near Uxbridge, Sir William Johnston, Bart., of Iton. and George Lawton, Esq., of Ditchley Park, Essex, attended as a deputation from the Chepstow, Forest of Dean, and Gloucester Junction Railway Company; but the three last- named gentlemen did not arrne ttll a short time after the pro- ceedings had commenced. The scenery for some miles .around the Speech House is of the most lovel) description, realising all that the most vivid imagination can conceive 01 sylvan beauty. The house is in the centre of the Forest, which is here not merely a name, but a reality—noole oaks raise their proud heads un high, and stretch their branching arms over a fine verdant carpet of the softest moss hollies rise in family groups of eight or ten large trees, almost rivalling the oak itself in size, hut springing from, and bound together by one parent root, as if their deep green leaves and glossy scanet berries, associated with so many sweet house- hold gatherings at the holy tide of Cristmas, were dedicated to such sacred ties of family rejoicings, from their nature and very lnrth-anu hawthorns, yews, hazels, and multitudes of other tiees and shrubs, :tIl combine to lend their charms to a spot, of which very few of a like kind are now to be found in England. Mr. Ilosser having been elected to preside, took his seat on the ancient bench, and the proceedings commenced. Mr. Rosser, on taking the chair, said—I consider that on this important and most interesting occasion you have conferred no slight honour upon me in placing me in this situation I shall endeavour to do my duty as your chairman, by hearing, with the strictest impartiality, all that may be offered upon the sub- ject of our meeting, and I trust that every gentleman who may address you this day, will have a quiet, calm, and patient hear- ing. You are aware, gentlemen, that the business upon which we are assembled, is to us, as proprietors, or as persons living in thc neighbourhood of tile Forest, one of the most important subjects that can be brought before us. When we consider that the Forest contains coal, iron, and stone, in vast quantity and immense value, and that its resources have not hitherto been called forth to the extent which they might have been, merely from the want of propcr:communication and a cheap mode of traffic,—I say, gentlemen, that under these considerations, any sc'ieme that may be brought before us for taking our commo- dities away in the cheapest manner and by the quickest route and for bringing mercnanaize back in return, must commanl our decided attention and approbation. Y ou are aware, Gentle- men, that one or two schemes have been latterly floating in the public mind—some of them have been rather more than float- ing, and I have great hope that they are sinking into some- thing like solidity. The South Wales Company, for instance, have projected a line of rail way along the coast, from the Hock Crib to Chepstow, with a branch to the Forest of Dean. They have already purchased the Bullo Pill Line, and propose trans- ferring it to Brimpspill, which is in every respect more eligible than Bullo Pill, and well adapted to promote the best interests of the Forest. They also propose either to purchase the Severn and Wye Railway, so as to open other communications with the Forest as well as that of Bullo Pill, or to take such steps as shall make it imperative upon the Severn and Wye Company to open such channels of communication as the wants of the Forest maa require. That one or other of these results will be obtained by the South Wales Company may be considered an absolute certainty. That company have already obtained an Act of Parliament for their line as far as Chepstow, and the only reason they did not obtain their line to the Hock Crib was the opposition of the Admiralty to a bridge across the Severn there. This is a question which I need not enter into now. There is another scheme of considerable importance also, and, as regards the Forest, nearly equal to the former. I mean the Gloucester, Forest of Dean, and Chepstow Junction line, the object of which is to carry off our goods, our coal, stone, and iron' and to circulate them freely, and with the least possible expense. This is a measure which requires our deep conside- ration, and is started by parties of the highest respectaùility- I believe the men whose names are down as the managing directors stand as high in point of respectability and property as any in the kingdom and there is also this peculiar feature about it, that some portion of the members of that company are about to complete the purchase of one of the largest coal works in the Forest of Dean- so thet besides any interest, as railway proprietors, they will possess an additional interest in the well- working of ihe measure, because these gentlemen will be bene- fited like all the other coal workers in the Forest of Dean, they themselves being proprietors of coal works here. Therefore this measure addresses itself to our most earnest consideration, and Mr. Phelp?, of Newport, has been kind enough to call this meeting with the object ot explaining to the I oresters what the views of that company are. He has attended here with some other gentlemen largely connected with the company, and with the purchase of the coal works, to which I have alluded so that upon this occasion you may have presented to you the fullest possible explanation of the measure, and be neither de- ceived or hoodwinked as to its real objects. From what 1 hear, Mr. Phelps desires that the whole measure may be examined funy, and that the Foresters, even should they not be satisfied with the sehcUlP. may, at all events, be satisfied with the full and candid explanation which he is ready to give of it. I will not now detain you longer, but will call upon Mr. Phelps to state his views to the meeting. (Cheers.) Mr. Phelps said he would not attempt to follow the eloquent speech of the gentleman who had just addressed the meeting, but would give a p1ain unvarnished tale x>( the objeet he had in view ill caning that assembly together. In the first place his ¡Eround of doing so was, that owing to a severe accident cmrtijtr Great Western Railway, he was delayed two hours and a half, and was thereby unfortunately prevented attending a meeting called by a private circular only, which was held oji Friday last. He thought it was right also to mention, as one of the parties about to be interested in the Park End Collieries, that they did not receive any regular intimation of the meeting, and then only by accident the day preceding. He now appeared before them in consequence of not having been able to attend that meeting. Since that a resolution was passed there which seemed to him to be rather premature, he thought his best plan was to call a meeting of the Foresters, so that each individual might appear and state his own views, after hearing what so humble an individual as himself had to say. The resolutions which were passed at the last meeting referred to certain rail- road companies; and he only hoped that the Foresters would weigh well their own position, and that before pledging them- selves to any line, they would iirst satisfy themselves that such line was most advisable for the interests of the Forest. As he should, as he before observed, shortly be interested in a very considerable property in the Forest of Dean, it was hardly t« be supposed that he should be satisfied with the primitive state in which they now appeared to be, and he was induced yester- day to make a purpose visit to Bristol, in order to'have an in- terview with Mr. Cooksun, the chairman ot the Severn and Wye Railway Company. He told Mr. Cookson that the views of the parties which he (Mr. Phelps) represented were to re- quire a comprehensive and cheap mode of transit tor the pro- duce of the Forest—that they had no intention of interfering with existing interests provided these views were carried out; but that if this did not meet, the views of the Severn and Wye Company, or if they were not able to carry out a plan such as the wants of the Forest required, then he suggested whether y. Cookson could fix upon any sum in reference to the interests the Severn and Wye Railway. The answer he received was morely that the subject would betaken iuto consideration. He went on further to state that the individuals he represented were determined to have good communication with the Forest, and would go to parliament for that road, which they considered the district required If the Severn and Wye proprietors did not feel it to be their interest to meet these parties, they were prepared to meet the Severn and Wye company, in committee of the House of Commons, and put the question there whether the important district of the western side of the Forest should not have the most improved means of communicating with the markets of the world. He had also an opportunity of seeing several influential parties in Bristol of the Forest of Dean, and their opinion wes decidedly that now was the time for the Forest to eommand the attention, and to obtain every facility to which they were entitled. (Hear!) The South Wales Com- pany had been on the ground before the company with which he was connected, but'their views were somewhat obscure, whereas the company were prepared to ofier that railway accommodation which the district required, and also to supply a link in the communication with the South of Ireland, South Wales, and Gloucester, with the view to a direct road to London. The line to which he alluded was the Chepstow and Forest of Dean. It would commence at Gloucester, traversing the Forest of Dean, cross the river Wye, and meet the South Wales Railway a[,ChePst0W' but the project was extended with the yiew of effecting the best possible communication between the mineral districts of Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Glamorganshire; rT furyeys were being made from Chepstow to Pontypool, and Quaker s Yard, so as to traverse the heart of those mineral district" and form a junction with the Taff Vale Railway somewhere near Aberdare Road. The advantage of that road to the rorest, would be to open an almost unlimited market for the consumption ot its red ore. The consumption of that des- eiiption of ore in the iron works of those districts was enormous, and it was at present obtained from Cumberland. Lancaster, Devon, and some small portion from the Forest of D -an. The reason why the Forest of Dean supplied so suiall a portion arose from the want of railway communication, and from the enormous expense of transmitting the ore to the spot where it was required to be used. If taken to one of the ports here it would have to be shipped and transhipped, and to b? loaded and unloaded four times, which, in such a heavy article as iron ore, occasioned a very great expense, but if it could be sent by railway direct, the expense of carriage would be so much reduced, as, independent of quality, to ensure for it the entire command of the market. It will open a direct channel for conveying the farm produce of the agricultural districts of the Forest to the same populous district. The port of Chepstow was the proper port of the Forest—it was their legitimate port, and was the one to which the Forest was entitled—that would form a vtery prominent feature in tde plans of his company. It might appear to some gentlemen that other ports were nearer, and might be used with greater advantage; but he would ask wnether vessels of the class and character which he hoped to see some day carrying away their produce could use these neigbouring ports on the Severn ? At this stage of the proceedings, Sir William Johnston, J. C. Ord, Esq and other gentlemen arrived, and after introducing them to the meeting, Mr. Phelps continued- Looking to the projected railway as a railway from Gloucester, 1t^le to Chepstow, and from Chepstow to join the Taff Vale Railway, he thought they stood in a very different position from every other railway project that had been brought into the district. As a means of communication with South a es, no other project went to anything like the same extent of accommodation as they offered fromCliepstow to theTaff Vale. The present rate of tonnage on coal was most inordinate and excessive, being ls. 9d. from Park End, to the port of Lydnev, a distance of five miles, whereas by a railway charge of one penny a mile tor five-miles, they would save ls. 4d. per ton, which would be a handsome profit on an article where the pro- fits were generally on so moderate a scale as on coal, and the railway would consequently increase the value of their property to that extent I hey were connected with no other company, although overtures had been made to them; but they thought those interests were at varience with the interests of the dis- trict; they looked forward to the time when they should appear in a very satisfactory position before parliament, when each scheme should have. its merits calmly considered, and when parliament should be called upon to decide the question as to which line was most beneficial, and to which it ought to Ave its countenance and support. He felt satisfied that the geiule- men who zeside in the Forest would have given their cool, calm, and deliberate consideration to the project, and that parliament would see that its promoters came forward in a bona fide and legitimate character. Two of the gentlemen who had just ar- rived (Mr. Ord and Mr. Lawton) were the purchasers of the extensive property in the Forest, and were also interested in other property there, and he hoped therefore, they would before long become more intimately acquainted with every gentleman present. He believed he had now stated all the main facts of bis case, and all he asked of the meeting was to suspend any positive expression of opinion till they had the other schemes equally explicitly laid before them, and then form their judg- ment on a. deliberate comparison of the different lines. He should be happy now to hear the sentiments of any gentleman connected with the district. to> The Chairman said, that after the clear and candid manner in which Mr. Phelps had explained his measure, it was almost necessary that some comment should be made by parties in- terested in the Forest. ~Mr. Nicholson being called for, said, they all felt much obliged to Mr. Phelps for the explicit information he had been kind enough to give them, and he was sure that the gentlemen con- nected with Mr. Phelps would erelong be entitled to their most respectful attention, as colliery proprietors of the Forest of Dean. They had purchased a magniiicent property, and if that property were worked with judgment and spirit he had no doubt it would prove most lucrative to thenlselves and highly beneficial to the population of the Forest generally, and to the railway interests connected with the Forest particularly. He had no intention of occupying the time of the meeting with a set speech, but he would just give a little information upon some points touched upon by Mr. Phelps. He trusted there would be no division of opinion that day, no expression of con- trary opinion, so as to weaken the force of any application which they might afterwards see fit to make to parliament and the government for an improved railway communication with the Forest. For his own part, he felt 'decidedly in favour of the South Wales Company. (Hear!) He was of opinion, ac- cording to the resolution some of them had already passed, that the providing a. complete railway communication with the whole Forest could be best accomplished by the South Wales Company, under the sanction of the Great Western Railway Company, and in connection with the Monmouth and Hereford and the Gloucester and Dean Forest Railways. (Hear.) He believed that the Severn and Wye Railway Company had pos- session of the best outlet for the Forest produce, and he was glad to find that Mr. Phelps agreed with him that it was desi- rable that some arrangement should be entered into with that company. He was certainly of opinion that government and parliament would not allow the Severn and Wye Company to lock up the produce of the Forest. (Hear, hear.) He had some little doubt on the subject of the proposed communication with the rainerardistriets of Monmouthshire and Glamorgan- shire, and was disposed to think that these advantages had been somewhat overrated. They had a great demand for the best and richest iron ore produced in the Forest, and the ex- pense of transit was not quite so great as some gentlemen ima- gined. He thought the rich iron ore of the eastern side of the Forest could be taken to Wales by water cheaper than by land carriage. He did not look upon Chepstow as the ligitimate port of the Forest, but thought they would do better with Grange Pill or Brimspill. (Have both.) Yes, have both, by all means if they could and some persons had asked—why not have both railways—why not the Foresters support both schemes. He saw no objection to that, except that perhaps the 1< oresters may. lU that ease, find themselves ill a similar perdi- caracnt to a lady of his acquaintance, who had two sweethearts, but owing to her giving encouragement to both, she was now very likely to have neither, and wonld probably die an old maid (Laughter.) Mr. Phelps had stated that the present tonnage of coal was Is. 9d.; now the actual charge was Is. Gd. for low del; coal, and 9d. tonnage upon high delf. Mr. Pirelps I rather asked a question I said I believed that "s the amount. ,tlr. Nicholson: The charge is Is. 6d. per ton on low, and 9d. p ~r ton on high delf, but in addition to that, there is the ex- pense of hauling, which is 9.1, per ton more, so that the actual gain woulrl be quite as much as that st;¡,ted by Mr. Phelps, who had not, in the slightest degree exaggerated the difference The gaill would be at least as m'lch as Mr. Phelps had stated, and would m tint to a h uidsome profit Speaking of the con- nection with Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire, there was one thing in the prospectus which did not seem to have a very favourable object towards the Forest of Dean. It was stated that steam coal could be brought from the neighbourhood of Merthyr, through Gloucester, to London and other places where steam coal was used. He did think that the value of this steam coal, as compared with the coal of the Forest was some- what magnified and 111< as one of the Foresters, was inclined to believe that they had as good steam coal as any to be found in the kingdom. He remembered, before the Great Western steamer made her first voyage across the Atlantic, ten different descriptions of coal were tried; and he was told that their coal from the Forest stood at the top of the list—that 97 lbs. of it were equal to 103 lbs. of the next best, and equal to 147 lbs. of the coal that stood lowest on the list. Afterwards, when the Great Western was removed from Bristol to Liverpool he (Mr. N.) sent two barge loads of coal to Kingroad, which coal was tried after the boilers were altered, and the result was that Mr. Bennett, the secretary, came over to him in the Forest, to endeavour to make terms for future supplies, and gave him'an order for 400 tons to be sent round to Liverpool- but in con- sequence of the difficulties of the navigation, and the high rate of tonnage, the expense of transit was so great that it was im- possible to meet the price of the Welsh coal in that market, and the cargo could not arrive in time to meet the Great Western. But if they could have cheap railway communication, and a good port in the river Severn, they could provide coal for steam purposes equal to any in the kingdom. He felt grateful to Mr. Phelps for the information he had given, and his own idea was, to get the best railway communication they could for the Forest, and if they could not have the best, that then the inhabitants should fall back upon the next best. Mr. Phelps believed he was quite right, in staling that the produce ot the Forest could be taken away at a much cheaper rate by railway than by water. The steam coal which Mr. JNicnolson alluded to was a peculiar coal found at Aberdare, and worked by Mr. Powell, and he believed that there was no other ♦1 CtK In tlle 1<110wn world—it partook of the bituminous and the anthracite, and produced flame without smoke—it was in vf.'J e^tensive demand; indeed, more so than could be sup- plied 1 fie absence of smoke was a great object in steam purposes, and the smoke produced by this Aberdare coal more resembled steam itself. From that circumstance, it must find a market c-istinct from others; but with this exception, there was no other steam coal that could compete with the Forest coal-in- deed, from the nature of the ordinary'steam eoal of South Wales, and the mode in which it was worked, so much small was pro- duced, that it was found necessary to abtain a supply of hard Forest coal to mix with it. But this Aberdare coal was of a particularly hard description. Mr. Nicholson That is not a recommendation to the Forest of Dean. Mr. Phelps The coal he alluded to was peculiar to that one Particular district, and was found in no other. Mr Phelps: It must cut out e."ery other coul that comes in competition with it. With respect to Forest coal, it was well known that it was being sent to markets where it had never "been before, aud it was used, as he had stated, for steam pur- poses and to improve the quality of the South Wales coal. With reference to the company which he represented, their capital was paid up, their deposits were in the hands of their bankers, and they were preparing to go to parliament; and all they asked was to have fair play, so that they might appear be- fore a committee fairly and honestly, and that parliament might decide which railway was best for the Forest. Mr. Jackson considered they had to thank Mr. Phelps for having introduced this measure to the meeting; and he quite agreed with Mr. Nicholson that if they could not have the one line, they ought to try for the other. At the same time he was himself in favour of rthe South Wales Railway Company. In fact, he was the mover of the resolutions to that effect at the late meeting. Under these circumstances, he could not give that support to Mr. Phelps's scheme, which he should most cer- tainly have done had he brought the matter before them sooner. At the same time, should the South Wales Company not take up their project in a wav which would best meet the IIIterests of the Forest generally, they would then thank Mr. Phe ps for bringing his scheme into the market, unless that gentleman should be offended with them for having first p edged them- selves to th«» South Wales Company, and leave them altogether rr n rtfthptn for refusing their sanction to his He could South Wales Company should* measure until the decision ot uie ™ be known. Until their i0Mhep\tVanCt;rtha7h°aVing explained to'them the reason Mr Phelps their meeting of last Friday to repre- why he aid not app jiav;ng stated to them that he only re- sent what he now jon b chance in the afternoon of Thurs- ceived the com < jef(. tjle f0uowjng morning by the day, in London, c detained 011 the road through an acci- dent'on the 'Great Western line which prevented his reaching the Forest till the meeting had broken up, he was quite sure all present would give him for not treating that meeting with fli\resnect and that it was irom no neglect of his own that he was prevented attending it to state then, what he did now, of the views of those whom he represented. It was his misfortune that at that meeting resolutions were passed, and that circum- stance induced him to call the present meeting. Possibly had he been present at the former meeting, and given his explana- tion then those resolutions might not have been adopted. It was unfortunate also that the deputation had gone so hastily to town. He could now only await the result, and ask the meet- ing not to pledge themselves further than they have done till it was ascertained whatjvere the bona fide intentions of the par- ties with whom they were in communication. (Hear, hear.) J. C. Ord, Esq., one of the new proprietors of Park End, said he hoped he should frequently have the opportunity of meeting the gentlemen then present, and that they should all be united for the purpose of carrying out that project which would be most advantageous to all parties interested in the Forest of Dean. for his own part, and the part of those with whom he was asso- ciated, h" could only say that they would do everything in their power to carry forward that project, which should be best calcu- lated to develope the resources of the district, either in their character of colliery proprietors, or as connected with the Chep- stow and South Wales Junction line. Their object wast to pay their respects to the meeting, and to explain that their wish was to obtain the best railway communication, and he did believe that if that line was calmly considered, it would be found to comprise objects which were comprehended in no other scheme. Mr Nicholson then proposed that the thanks of the meeting be given to Mr. Phelps for the information he had laid before them. Mr. Aaron Goold had much pleasure in seconding the motion. They ought to feel much obliged to Mr. Phelps and to those. gentlemen who had accompanied him, for their endeavour to bring a railway of some description into the Forest of Dean. He need not say to the proprietors of collieries then assembled that they wanted such a road, and that they had long wauted it. Ever since, he had becn in the Forest for the last twenty or thirty years, good roads for theiÍ- produce had been the great matter thc waut of which they had always felt. They did not at that very moment know what the South Wales peo- people were going to do for them. (Hear.) They met last Friday, and they had now a deputation gone to London to as- certain this matter but if they did not give a good road to the Forest—(hear, hear)—if they did not give a very cheap road out of the,Forest-(hear, hear)— then he would say let us take up with Mr. Phelps. (Hear, hear.) It was the best and cheapest road which they wanted, and he would hold up his hand for it whoever brought it forward. (Cheers.) If Mr. Phelps and the other gentlemen should come and take possession of the Park End works, he, as one of the proprietors of the Bilson and Crump Meadow Collieries, should be ready to hold out the right hand of fellowship to them as he was now happy to second the motion before the meeting. The vote of thanks was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. Rosser, was also carried by accla- mation. Air Rosser said, it gave him great pleasure to assist in any wav in furthering the best interests of the Forest. He could not but congratulate the Foresters upon the almost certainty that by one means or other, their resources must now be deve- loped and their great and inexhaustible treasures be opened to the demands of the world,—that they would no longer be shut in hemmed in, hedged in, as they had hitherto been. Whether this should be done by means of the Great Western Company or by means of the line now proposed by Mr. Phelps, it was im- possible for them to say at present; but one of the lines must pass and whichever that should be, the Forest would be bene- fitted For many reasons his predelections were in favour of theVouth Wales "line; but the other line was of so great and important a character, that it deserved the most mature consi- deration of every person interested in the well being of the Forest He was also much pleased with what he had heard from Mr Phelps to-day, and should be happy to meet himagain to compare the respective merits of the two schemes for the advantage of the Forest of Dean. (Cheers.) The meeting then separated.

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Monday last, as a man of the name of Wm, Abraham, a col- lier in the employ of John Parson3, F.sq., Neath Abbey, was descending in a bucket through an air pit, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of the ait; ways, shocking to relate, the rone that was attached to the bucket, broke, and he was pre- dicated to the bottom, and his head was so much shattered that it was necessarv to bandage it with handkerchiefs in order to keep it together! Other parts of his body were severely bruised, one of his legs having been broken in three places. He was a man much beloved by his fellow-workmen, and has left a widow near her confinement, and three children, to la- ment his appalling fate,

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Our Agents are requested to send bach any unsold papers in their possession within seven days after their date. Certain literary I hugs have been cit Itiiig the cotizillitiiicatioll between some of our subscribers and the MKRLIN in Pontypool, and other quarters. We have instituted an enquiry, and shutt show no mercy to any ascertained delinquent. An IIble letter, on the exhumation of the dead lchich has reference to a recent malevolent proceeding against a highly respected prac- titloner in Brecon, shall appear in our vext.

ILMLSOT1 HIGH WATER. AT NEWPORT. HIGH WATKK NSRM AT DAVS. MORN. EVEN, DOCK GATE NOVEMAER H. M. H. M FT. IN. 2-Sunday 7 50 8 11 33 1 3.M°nJay 8 31 8 52 32 7 4, ,Ti 'i 9 12 9 34 30 7 5, Wednesday 9 68 10 23 28 (j (j, 1 liursday 10 52 11 23 26 3 7, hi(by II 30 11 55 24 5 8,Saturday 0 4L I 22 24 1 The MONMOUTHSHIRE HOUNDS will meet on Saturday, Nov. 1st Lanover Lodge Monday, 3rd 'Colabrook Park Thursday, 6th Graig Finger Post At Ten o'clock. *■j MR. MORGAN S HOUNDS will meet on. W ednesditY. Novemper 6th Tredegar House Friday, November 7th penyland White Gate At Eleven o'clock each day. WEEKLY CALENDAR Nov. 2.—Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity. All Souls. Michaelmas Term begins. Lessons for the Morning Service, Proverbs 13, Luke 18. Evening Service, Proverbs 14, Collossians 2. 3.—Princes Sophia born 1777. 5.-Gunpowder Plot Moox's AGE-First Quarter, Nov. 6th, 15m. after 6 aftern.

THE SINGLE ELECTIONS. THE single elections now occurring do but little to relieve the monotony which pervades the political world yet they are not without suggestiveness to 'n L those who reflect on what they observe. The death of the Conservative protectionist member for South Warwickshire, was followed by the appearance of a Whig monopolist, Mr. Bolton King, as a candidate for the vacant seat. It could not be expected that the great Conservative pEtrty would thus quietly give up one of its strong-holds, and some amusement was anticipated in the contest be- tween two pro-Corn-law gentlemen, wearing different colours. No sooner, however, did the obsequious followers of my Lord Warwick name the nobleman's son, Lord Brooke, than Mr. King- politely intimated his unwillingness to enter into a contest with him, and, in terms which showed that he regarded the 4000 electors of the division (not to mention the 67,000 inhabitants) as the nvere puppets of any great patron who might condescend to receive their suffrages—handed over the representation to his titled antagonist. 0 In Woodstock, the farce of an election is about to take place, and a son of the Duke of Marlborough is going through the hypocritical rehearsal of soliciting the voters' suffrages. While many noblemen spend large sums in securing political power, the owner of Woodstock hands over that borough for a "consider- ation," except when one of his sons is in want of a seat. However this may be, the so-called electors are creatures of his will,and the members his nominees. Here Amurath to Amurath succeeds," in one unbroken line—a biting satire on our glorious constitution." The manufacturing borough of Wigan has also lost a Conservative representative and here we might have hoped a change for the better, though the name of the borough is associated with scenes of stupidity, corruption, and violence. It seems, however, that the League have been able to make little or no pro- gress with the registration, and though only 484 o ,a electors voted, the "protectionist" candidate Captain obtained his majority of 62 (comparatively a large one) over the Free-trader, Mr. Tbicknesse. Here we have plain proof of the necessity of an extension of the franchise. For 484 electors to return a member (or two, if both seats were vacant) for a population of 20,700, is in itself unjust. And though this is obviously a place where political en- lightenment is much needed, yet, if a large number of those who must suffer by bad laws possessed the franchise, a different result would, we doubt not, be exhibited. The 50 or 100 said by the -Reform prints to be purchaseable would be of less value, in propor- tion as the constituency was enlarged and a system by which tbeir votes became uncertain would much diminish the inducement to corrupt, them. The successful candidate appears to have polled exactly the same number as the other Conservative member did in 1841, viz., 273 but the defeated one did not obtain so many votes by 62, as the lowest of the Liberal Candidates on that occasion. Such are many elections, and such they will be, until the Constitution shall have been renovated by an infusion of popular influence. — «

CAUTIONS TO RAILWAY SPECULATORS. THE power exercised by the Bank of England in raising the rate of discount from two-and-a-half to three per cent,, has caused considerable distrust among speculators, and a depression in the Railway- share Market, particularly of those lines, the termini of which are not very clearly to be ascertained. Its effect may, however, in the end, be salutary. In the meantime we caution speculators to be very wary. The immense number of new undertakings, the allotments in which have been greedily sought after, has constituted a vast body of shareholders, whose only purpose is to sell. From the very number, however, it is difficult to find buyers, and, on any panic occurring, the rush into the market to sell, brings down prices generally, as well as render- ing the shares in the inferior lines worthless. From these considerations alone, caution is obviously necessary. But there is another reason for it, to which we invite especial attention, and that is the 30th of November. By that day, all the surveys, calculations, and documents required by Parliament for lines to be decided during next session, and with- out which they cannot be considered till the following session must be deposited in the proper Govern- ment office. Now, very many of these schemes will not be ready by the time. Some are never intended to be so. The lawyers have secured their fees engineers have been paid for the use of their names; certain individuals have had large allotments, and have sold them at premiums and the ends of the promoters have been obtained. In other cases, where there is a bona fide intention to proceed, it will be impossible to be ready in the time. Now, it is clear that the shares in all lines which will not be ready for next session will fall greatly against the losses impending from this source, we warn the public. We have not the slightest reference to any individual line within the sphere of our circulation; but parties now apply for allotments in all parts of the United Kingdom and, knowing that the facts are as we have stated, we deem it our duty to lift up again the voice of warning. ♦

POST OFFICE. THE Sentinel, a print distinguished for its exposure of the numerous abuses in Ihe public departments, in these days of supposed reform—exposes some of the anomalies in the salaries and appointments. In the Receiver General's office it states,—" The chief clerk was appointed in 1805, with a salary <>f £ 600., whilst the present receiver's appointment, with a salary of £ 800., bears date nearly thirty years afterwards, viz., ii) 1834." The custom of placing fresh and inexperienced officers over the heads of those who have been em- ployed for many years, prevails throughout all the y 0 public departments, and will continue so to prevail, until, through Parliament, the people possess a sufficient control over the Executive to have their interests attended to in the various appointments, instead of the personal or political aggrandizement of those who may be in power. The remaining salaries in this office are A" first clerk(next to the chief) appointed in 1814 R400 Second ditto 1816 280 Third ditto • 1815 200 Fourth ditto • 1829 160 Fifth ditto 1837 130 Sixth ditto. 18-8 120 Seventh, eighth,' ninth, and tenth ditto, each 100 Eleventh and twelfth ditto, each 80 H tlere, seniority is observed, thougn there is a dis- proportion in the salaries exceeding that of the duties and responsibilities. the Accountant General's office, the same authority remarks as a matter of special wonder, that the head of it'is actually senior to all beneath him." The salary of this functionary is £ 600. per I annum; he was appointed in 1803; his duties are I officially stated to be the "general control and superintendence of accounts and cheques relating to the revenue, expenditure of the departments, and of the annual accounts of the audit office." To assist in these duties, twenty-two persons are employed and it is observed of the office Now, when we recollect that the Receiver General is directly accountable to the audit office, that his whole department is one of accounts, we may be pardoned for doubting whether the office of Accountant General could not be dispensed with, and yet the public sustain no injury." One or two entries justify such an opinion such as the employment of two junior clerks, the first in nothing else than checking the receipts and payments of the Receiver General, and examining the computations of bills relating to expenditure ? and the second in entering the warrants and drafts of the Receiver General, and reporting arrears due from postmasters. In fact, there is not a single duty that could not be included in the office of the Receiver General. We have next a notice of the confused manner in which various duties are jumbled together,and for no good purpose :— n Passing by one senior clerk, appointed in 1832, and enjoying a salary of £ 150., we come to another, appointed upwards of two years afterwards, in 1834, taking the same amount as those employed in the foreign branch of accounts," but receiving £50. extra, for checking the London money-order cash accounts daily." Rather a singular item for addi- tional payment, seeing that it is strictly in the duties of the Accountant General's office. Then, why is the gentleman here employed selected for this duty, to the exclusion of older men ? The same remarks will apply to a like entry in the case of a junior clerk, with a salary of £110., who receives £420. for extra duty in reporting arrears due from post- masters," when the very duties of his situation, as returned, include such reporting. There are 110 less than six junior clerks above him at the same salary. Why is he thus favoured ? The next one is still more fortunate appointed a year-and-a-half later, viz., September, 1838, and employed in reciving accounts relating to postage stamps he receives £50. for checking the London money-order cash accounts daily." But more fortunate vet are two other junior clerks, appointed two and three years later still, viz., in 1841 and 1842, who are favoured with the extra duty of checking orders with post- masters' accounts in the money order office," for which they are remunerated by £54. 12s. each. Let not our local readers regard this as a matter uninteresting to them for the General Post-office is not a .municipal but a national institution, the expenses of which are defrayed from the national resources. And in the particular cases referred to, an N. B. carefully records the fast that all these payments for extra duty are made from the revenue." An extensive reform is needed in the Post-office, as in many other public departments. Mr. Rowland Hill is the man who ought to be placed in the posi- tion of Postmaster General, in order that he may carry out his admirable plans, instead of rendering that office a sinecure by the appointment ol a Peer; for every one must admit, that persons in such an exalted rank in life are not, from their habits and associations, men of business.

NEWPORT CATTLE MARKET—WKDNESDAY, OCT 29. Price per lb. to sink the offal. Price per lb. to sink the offal. s. a. s. ct. Beasts. 9. 0 5 to 0 5i Beasts 0 5 to 0 5J Sheep 0 5| 0 6 Calves 0 6J„ 0 7 Pigs (per score; 8 0 9 0 r A very limited suppjy or stock appeared this week, with the exception of pigs, ot which there was a considerable number, and of excellent quality. ant of steam conveyance between Ireland and this port is a subject of general complaint amongst cattle dealers and butchers. 1 o this cause, and the approach of the Newport annual fair, which will take place on Thursday next, the smallness of Wednesday's market is attributed. BONDED STORES.—The Board of Customs have approved of Mr. Townsend's freehold warehouse, situated near the Old Green/by the Canal side, as a bonded store for the reception of all goods that may be legally imported. The lovers of music may anticipate a rich treat in the early part of December, as Signor F. Lablache, with a talented party, are engaged for Mr. Price's concert, of which full particulars will appear in the MERLIN. The annual sale of superior farming stock, the property of William Jcnes. Esq., Clytha, took place at the Chapel Farm, on Tuesday last. There was a numerous atten dance of farmers and dealers, and prices ruled high. That useful article, pipedraining-tile, was brought forward in quan- tity. Cbeese sold well. The beautiful steamer Tintern, intended to ply between Newport and Liverpool, has left Bristol for Liver- pool with a general cargo after discharging which, she will be dispatched to this port. "Julius," of Isca Silurum,has handled an impor- tant subject well, and will be read'with interest in this day's paper. We are happy to be able to announce that Samuel Lover, Esq., the distinguished Irish author, will give one of his exquisite entertainments at our Town Hall in the course of the ensuing month. It will ceitainly be no ordinary treat to hear the author of the delightful melodies of the "Land of the West," "Angel's whisper," Molly Bawn," &c., appear in his own compositions. The programme (which will embrace some of Mr. Lover's best comic songs), together with the bills, will appear in a few days. Ever anxious to keep a watchful eye over the interests and welfare of our fellow-townsmen, and conceiving that the anomalous fiction, that all persons are bound to know the laws. "however multifarious," can only be entertained reasonably where those who are subject to the pains and pe- nalties are put into possession of laws, in print, we have re- solved, for the benefit as well of those readers for whose pro- tection the bye-laws of this town were made, as those who may, through ignorance, subject themselves to their penalties, to give to out readers the whole code in a broad sheet, gratis, in order that they may be placed where all who run may read. The Worcester and South Wales, and Worcester and Merthyr Tydvil Railway Companies are about to be amal- gamated and placed under the superintendence of the same board. This is, we understand, the preliminary step towards the completion of certain arrangements highly advantageous to all parties, which are pending between the directors of these companies, and those of a popular and influential company connected with South Wales. HOOSE-WARMING SUPPER.-On Wednesday evening last, a numerous and respectable party, comprising many of the leading gentlemen of this town, assembled at the establishment of Mr. Charles Desmond, to encourage an ho- nest and enterprising townsman on taking up his abode in the west. The chair was ably filled by Mr. Heynolds. merchant, and the good things which spread the table were admirable in quality and superabundant in quantity, doing the greatest credit to the taste and liberality of Mrs. Desmond-. The even- 109 passed wfch the utmost hilarity-in song, sentiment, and good feebng; and the company separated with three hearty cheers foi the long life and prosperity of the good little host, and amiab'e hostess. ODD-FELLOWSHIP.—On Wednesday last, the Mayor of Newport was initiated a member of this greatly and widely extending order. The interesting ceremony took place at the lodge room, Old Bush Inn, Commercial-street, and was witnessed by a large number of the districc officers and breth- ren, who appeared in full regalia, and the lodge was decorated with flowers, evergreens, banners, bannerets, &c. &c., the whole presenting a conp-d'cetl which has not been excelled in any lodge of the unity for a number of years. The interesting and solemn ceremonial having been closed, the brethren, to gether with many respectable visitors, sat down to a sumptu- ous Dinner, provided in the best style of the worthy hostess Saunders, Mr. B. Baker presiding. After the usual loyal and chartered toasts of the order were given and responded to, the Chairman introduced, in a very tasteful and complimentary manner, the health of the newly initiated member. The toast was received with applause which startled the nerves of all present who were unaccustomed to the enthusiastic reception given to well-esteemed newly-made brothers, and which was reiterated until the Mayor rose to address the assemby, which he did at considerable length, but we have not at present space for even an abstract of the speeches. Mr. James Walker, an- other new member, was also honoured on the occasion. The pleasures of the evening were increased by several delightfully. sung songs, by Brothers Baker, Folk, Buckland, and others, accompanied by the skilful fingers of Messrs. Pollock and Davies on the violin and harp; and a memorable evening for the Temple of Peace Lodge" passed with unalloyed plea- sure.

VESSELS IN NEWPORT DOCK.-OCT. 29, 1845. Register. Barque Joseph Cannard .740 tons.Not chartered. Brig Mary Isabella 279 ditto Barque Alderman Thompson..293 .Grenada, coal. Brig Frederick William IV. 192 with timber. Cassanara. 215 Barcelona, coal. Barque Carl 324 Hamburgh, iron. Brig Boyne 239 .Africa, coal. „ Severe 211 Marseilles, ditto Schooner Stamboul 142 Not chartered. Ship Doedius.396 .to Trieste, coal. Ship Wanderer 404 Ceylon, ditto Brig William.240 Grenada, ditto Brilliant 272 .Malaga, ditto Schooner Mermaid ..155 Salonica, ditto Brig Commodore 292 Bermuda, ditto Schooner Observer 153 .with timber. Barque John Battlett.381 Africa, coal. 11 Caroline .370 .Ceylon, ditto Brig Aerial 280 Not chartered. „ Torvo 220 FernandoPo,coal „ Commerce New York, ditto. „ Meg Lee 196 Malaga, ditto M Emma 167 St. Thomas, ditto Terrier .303.Bermuda,ditto Barque Catherine Jenkins.399 .Grenada, ditto Brig Hannah Isabella 177 Messina, ditto Schooner Swallow..••••«••••• 124 .Grenada ditto Brig Hind HI Acera, ditto Barque Fair Acadian 310 with timber Schooner Unique 156 Smyrna. Ship Margaret 792 with timber. Brig Appela .1! Mediterranean,coal Barque Palace. 316 with timber- Brig Sandwich 194 Malaga, coal Ship Freden 312 Constantinople.coal Brig Dorothy 248. with timber. Brig "Wilberforce' Palermo, coal. FROST, WILLIAMS, AND JONES.—In a tetter, received in Newport this week from Hobart Town, the writer states that he has seen Mr. Frost, who was in good health, but was looking very many years older, and with hair com- pletely whitened. He calmly made many inquiries respecting the members of his family and former acquaintances in this locality, and stated that he was reconciled 'to his situation, that of clerk in a store. The writer adds that Williams is over- seer of a colliery, and Jones guard of the Launceston mail. NEWPORT ALMS-HOUSES.—The benevolent who pass by the chaste and beautiful building now advancing towards completion on the ground where recently tottered the ruinous and unsightly pile-the dilapidated Aims-Houses on Stow Hill, must be gratified at the phoenix-like change and we have pleasure in adding to such feelings of gratification, by announcing that, at the suggestion of a gentleman who is never tired in the performance of good works, an admirable oppor- tunity of affording an increased extent of accommodation for the residence of poor persons is about to be availed of. Pre- viously to placing on the roof, the gentleman to whom we refer, suggested that two additional dwellings might be added at compaiatively small expense- The proposal was embraced by the trustees, and a subscription is now on foot for the accom- plishment of that benign purpose. We shall give the subscri- bers' names, with other particulars, in our next.

SAINT MELLONS PLOUGHING MATCH. On Fi iday, the 24th October, the annual ploughing match for this parish took place on a field on Vaindre Vawr farm. The weather was upon the whole fair, and we were happy to observe a numerous attendance of tenant-farmers. Thirteen ploughs entered the list of competition, and at half-past nine o cloek the operations commenced. The judges of the plough- ing were Mr. Roberts, ofTyny Park farm Mi. Wm. Davies, of lyla Mawr farm and Mr. Isaac Timothy, of Pilidae farm, referee. The ordinary took place at three oclock, an hour after the appointed time. Many of those who had taken part in the day's proceedings dined at the White Hart Inn, where an ex- cellent dinner was provided by the hostess, Mrs. Pearce, in her usual bounty and style. After the removal of the cloth, the chairman, Thomas Richards, Esq., gave the ukual loyal and constitutional toasts; after which, that gentleman sum- moned into the room, the competitors then the judges gave their numbers of the first, second, and third prize. The award was read by the chairman as follows:- First p) ize.of.Ci. U)s., to Daniel Jones, son of Wm. Jones, Penype'e!. Second ditto, of Cl. 2s. 6d., to Isaac John, servant to the Rev. Thomas Price, Vicar. Third ditto, of 17s. 6d., to David Williams, servant to Thomas Richards, Esq. And each ploughman and driver received 5s. each. The ploughing was executed in most admirable style within four hours, being half an acre of ground allotted to each.

ABERGAVENNY. On Wednesday evening, as John Rogstan, con- stable, was conveying a prisonei, named Henry Bowen, to the louse of Correction, he was rescued by a notorious gang at r the Horse and Jockey. On Thursday morning, the prisoner sent for the constable and gave himself again into custody, and V. walked peaeeablv to Usk, in default of not paying £5 and costs, for which the prisoner was committed for three months

ABERGAVENNY PLOUGHING MATCH. Dla^eoneXd,?r!fUa/.Ir!1,.ee1ti"g 0f the Abergavenny Association took place on the 23rd of October, in two fields belonging to the Maindiff court, and one on Trebinkin farm one part of tLteamsstarthmlt nine, and the other at eleren o'clock. teams starting at After the field labours of the day were concluded, the gentlemen on the ground adjourned to the ordinary, at the Angel Hotel where as usual on such occasions the host, Mr. Morgan, had provided a sumptu ous banquet, of which about sixty gentlemen partook. F. H. Williams Esq of Cold brook Park, presided, supported on the right by R W* Purehas, Esq., hon secretary of the Monmouth Farmers' Club, and on the left bv W. Steele, Esq. In the absence of W. H. Little Esq the vice president of the club, H. W-VValbridge, Esq filled the vice chair The cloth having been removed, the usual loyal toasts, The Army and Navy," The Lord Lieutenant of the County," The Members for the County," and The Members for the Boroughs," ,were responded to. The President rose, and said he was sure that the toast he should then propose would be heartily and cordially responded to by every one present "Success to our Agricultural Meetings." (Loud cheers.) He was glad that he could congratulate them on the general improvement of the society since the preceding years, and also on the increase in the number of teams that appeared to compete for the prizes; and he hoped that the improvement would continue, and the country generally advance in agricultural science. (Hear.) He was happy to know that some of the landlords in the county are in lihe habit of draining for their tenants. Many farms in Monmouthshire he knew must require much draining; and a farm cannot be thoroughly productive unless well drained. He wished to call the attention of farmers to the state of their fences; they should be careful that they admitted the light and air, or the corn could not thrive as it ought. He hoped that he should see their enclosures much larger than at present, and that many of their old fences would be removed, as very often the best soil lay there. (Loud Cheers.) He would not enlarge more on the subject, but proposed Prosperity to the Abergavenny Association." A conversation ensued, during which the Vice statedfthat one-sixth of the land near Abergavenny, and one-tenth of that in the county, was lost from hedges and ttms. Mr. Steele remarkeiWn the injurious qualities of the ash tree, stating that it exhausted the soil, and even the rain-drops falling from the leaves so poisoned the ground, that nothing would grow where it fell beneath the tree. He then said that he had a toast to propose-the health of a gentleman whom he was sure would be drunk with flowing hearts and a hip-hurrah. They all knew him as a good landlord and neighbour-one who was always at home, and whose aim was to do all the good in his power. He knew he could not do honour to his merits, and would pro- pose—"Our worthy President, F. H. Williams, Esq." a (Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk with musical honours. The President said that he was much affected by the cordiality and enthusiasm displayed by the meetiug. He would assure them that he should be always ready to perfom his part in an association like this. (Cheers.) [We are reluctantly obliged, by the state of our columns, to defer, till our next, the remainder of the report of the proceedings on this very interesting occasion, which gave the highest satisfaction to a numerous meeting, and are well calculated still more comprehensively to dinuse, the advantages of an admirable association.]

MONMOUTH. MONMOUTH POST-OFFICE.- W è are requested to state, that from Sunday next, the first delivery ofietters at Monmouth will commence at nine o'clock, instead of at seven o'clock as at present; which arrangement will continue during the winter months, by order of the district surveyor. A tradesman of Monmouth wishes us to notice the great difference which exists in the railway carriage of goods. Persons sending to London from that town, frequently direct via Birmingham, an extra distance of nearly 100 miles, to save expense; and it is much feared, that if the broad guage shall be adopted in the contemplated line through our county, the carriage of goods will be higher than it is even at present The present difference of tonnage on some lines is 25s. per ton, an amount whicf) defies fair competition in the less fortu. nate towns. We understand that a watch-rate has been for some time made for collection at Monmouth. It has not yet received the assent of the council, owing to repeated difficult ties in making a house" on the days of its intended discus- sion. It has been suggested that the election of to-day has also something to do in having delayed the unpopular impost. A vacancy having occurred in Jones's Alms- houses at Monmouth, by the death of Mrs. Hayward, no less than sixteen candidates are seeking the appointment. It was stated in our last number, that the follow- ing persons retire this day from the Monmouth Town Council their term of office having expired :—Messrs. W. Whiting j! G. Hughes, W. Griffiths, and James M'Gowan, On Wednes- day evening last, a public meeting was held at the Queen's Head Inn, when it was unanimously resolved to put in nomina- tion Messrs. W. Whiting, W. Vaughan, T. Watkins and W A. Cossens. Of the former number, Mr. J. G. Hughes de- clines being re-elected. Whilst we write, it has not transpired whether Mr. Griffiths and Mr. M'Gowan will again seek mu- nicipal honours.

METRHYR. MERTHYR LITERARY INSTITUTE.—On Thurs- day se'nnight, this society held the last of their fortnightly meetings, at which Mr. John Thomas presided. This society, founded by Messrs. Thomas, Shellard, Reynolds, Stephens, and Lumby, has been kept up unflaggingly from the com- mencement. On every meeting night they have either a lec- ture or a debate. The lectures delivered have some of them been of a very superior character; and the frank, humorous, and good-spirited manner in which the debates are carried on, is fast making the society a fashionable, amusing, and in- structive resort. The demons of party and prejudice have been refused tickets of admission and theology and politics are subjects upon which the speakers never touch so that a man of any religion or party may have both the pleasure of hearing and taking part in debates of most bold, free and elo- quent character, without having cause to dread any offence to his feelings, or any illnatured allusion to any opinions what- ever. Every member is entitled to speak and those who are too diffident to do so, are allowed to read their remarks but in order to give any one who wishes an opportunity to be heard, the time allowed for each speaker is limited to fifteen minutes. At the last meeting, Mr. Lumby delivered a lec- ture upon the science of phrenology. His argument was clear and his reasoning forcible but in consequence of a wish ex- pressed to have the truth or error of phrenology tested in a debate, the lecturer was obliged to restrict himself to little else than an outline. Having been warmly cheered, Mr. Lumby sat down. A very interesting debate followed; and we need only mention the names of the speakers, to prove that it was also edifying to an extent quite unexpected. Mr. Stephens commenced by assailing the science in a torrent of wit, satire, and logic, entered into anatomical and physiologi- cal details, and concluded with an elaborate, but clearly ar- ranged expose of the scientific opinions of the day upon what he called the science of bumpology- Mr. SheHard replied in a very effective speech, exhibiting a thorough knowledge of the principles upon which the science is based, and an extensive acquaintance with the works of the ablest phrenological wri. ters. The debate appears to have placed the matter in a very intelligible form—the extremes of credulity and scepticism were both avoided. Mr. Stephens admitted that the brain was the organ of the mind, and that certain portions presided over distinct mental phenomena but he denied there was any ground for 35 divisions outside the skull, when there were not so many inside, and strongly objected to mapping out the brain.

TOWN HALL, NEWPORT. THURSDAY, OCTOBEK 23. Present-Edward Dowling (Mayor), and T. Hawkins, Esqrs. Benjamin Gollick, a simple looking young man, was charged with stealing £10 from John Redman, itinerant fishmonger. It appeared that, on Tuesday night, prosecutor and prisoner slept together- on which occasion. Redman placed his trou- sers (in the pocket of which were ten sovereigns) under his head for safety, but presently he awoke from a, troublous dream and found that Master Gollick had left the house, ac- companied by his Sio. Redman instantly made the best of his way to Chepstow, and having communicated his misfor- tune and suspicion to Constable Hall, that active officer im- mediately hired a horse and galloped to the Old Passage, Redman keeping up on foot at a steeple-chase speed. Gollick was soon overtaken and searched, when £8. 15s. 3d. were found upon him. He confessed the deed, didn't know what had induced him to do it, but said he was glad Redman could not hang him.—Committed. IVm. James, a sailor, of rather respectable appearance, was committed for having stolen and pawned a suit of clothes, the property of his shipmate, David Evans, of the Margaret, now lying at Newport. His only excuse was, that he had done it when very drunk.—Committed. Wm. Richards was bound to the peace, in consequence of civil strife with one Ann Parry, The loud explosions of civil dudgeon in this case were with difficulty repressed by the Bench.

ROCK PETTY SESSIONS, VVKDNESDAV, OcT. 22. Before — Davis, and — Williams, Esqrs. Several of the coal proprietors rated to llie poor of the pa. rish of Mynyildtisllyn were summoned foi n01 piyuii-nt of rates. Mr. Llewellin, ol Neivport, appeared on behalf of the parish and Mr. Smythies, of Newport, appeared for the coal proprietors. The first case called on was Mr. Cartwiight's, and the for- mal proofs having been gone through, Mr. Cartwright addressed the Bench, and said that he objected to pay the rate, because he considered that he had been treated most unfairly by the parish officers. Meetings of the parishioners had been called tor the purpose of agreeing to a rate, and special notice had been sent to the colliery proprietors, who attended. A rate was agreed to, by which the collieries were rated at 5d. in the ton, and Sir B. Hall was raised from f700 to £ 1 200, for his tram-road, which Mr. Cartwright said was lower in pro- portion than the rate of 5d. upon the collieries Sir Benjamin himself having stated that his road yielded a net income of £ 4,000 a-year, and had sold it upon that statement. That Mr. Llewellin, Sir Benjamin's agent, had got up a subsequent meeting, of which no special notice was given at which the present rate was agreed to, by which the collieries were rated at 8d. per ton, which he considered too high in amount, and obtained by unfair means. The next case called on was Mr. Powell's. Mr Smithies appeared for Mr. Powell, and after the forms of pronf had been gone through, addressed the Bench on behalf of his client. He said that Mr. Cartwright had very correctly and ably laid before the Bench the circumstances under which the rate had been made, and the reasons why it was not paid. He ad- mitted that, in point of law, this was no justification for not paying the rate but that the object in so many of the coal proprietors being present that day, was to endeavour to Idak. some arrangement for that and the future rates. The coal proprietors had offered to submit to a rate of 6d. per ton which was a considerable rise and that although the Renett had no authority to make terms, yet be hoped the magistrate* would assist the parties by their countenance and advice, in carrying am, the proposition which had been made. Mr. Wwellin said he had no authority to make any terms, or to alter the rate, and he pressed for an order for payment injeach case, of the present rate, and then a meeting might be called to agree to a rate for the future. Mr. Smythies then took an objection to the rate for want of proper publication, and also that the demand of payment was bad, not having been made upon Mr. Powell personally or in writing, but upon his clerk, Mr. Jones. The next case called was Mr. Evans, who had been sum- moned as the agent of Messrs. Cargill, Morrison, and Co. Mr. Smythies said he appeared for Mr. Evans. but knew no- thing of Messrs. Cargill and Co. Mr. Evans had been sum- moned for non payment of rates; his defence was very simple namely, that he was not upon the rate-book; and as to Messrs. Cargill and Co., they must be summoned to pay their own rates. The Bench, however, considered the summons sufficient. Mr. Smythies then objected to the rate for want of publica- tion, and also to the demand which had been made only upon Mr. Evans, as agent to the Company. The next case was Mr. Beaumont's. Mr. Smythies ap- peared, and took the same objections as before and after the formal proofs had been given in the remaining cases, ordert for payment were made in each case.-We understand the coal proprietors intend to appeal.

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. REMEDY FOR THE POTATOE DISEASE. Sir,-In reference to the recipe of Dr. Rohl, and Apothecary Van Hees, of Barmen, in Germany, (recommended by the pro- visional government of the Rhenish Provinces, and of West- phalia) which appeared in the Bristol Mercury of last week, of steeping in the chloride of lime, I now beg to send it you in a popular form, for the comprehension of your rustic readers, • T° every sack of potatoes get half a pound of chloride or lime, in the lump—it will cost three pence: dissolve it in 40 gallons of water, steep your murphies therein for half-an-hour. J J half a pound of common soda,that will cost a halfpenny, and dissolve it in another large tub, steep the potatoes therein twenty minutes, after which take and wash them in clean water, store them altogether, for those infected will not further damage, and those which are sound will be preserved as such. I was loth to try the three or four sacks I have treated us above, lest the seed potatoes should have the principles of vege- tation dostroyed; but an eminent chemist convinced me to the contrary: vitality is not destroyed, neither does it alter the appearance, colour, smell, or taste of the sound. Three pence halfpenny a sack is surely a cheap experiment. Yours obediently, W. M. TOWNSEND.

FUNERAL OF THE RIGHT REV. DR. BAGGS.- W e lament the death, deplored by all who knew his talent and worth,of the Right Rev. Dr. Baggs, Bishop of Pella, and Vicar Apostolic of the western district of England. The remains of the right rev. doctor lay in state on Wednesday, in the vestibule of Prior- park college, which was fitted up in the same manner as on occasion of the funeral of his lamented predecessor. Dr. Baines. On the coffin were placed the episcopal mitre and crosier, and arranged round were sacerdotal vestments in which the deceased was wont to celebrate the solemn ceremonies of his church. On Wednesday night, by torch light, the coffin of the Right Rev. Dr. Baines, which had been deposited above ground in an oratory of the college chapel, were removed, and accompanied by a solemn procession of bishops, priests, and students, were carried to a side chapel of the new church in connexion with the college (which is now in course of completion), where they £ e vau^t destined to be their last earthly a solemn Thursday morning, at half-past nine o'clock, bishous of thL tTaS corr""enced by the clergy, and the following Grifflfhs LLho^T^ Catholic ?hurch" The Right Rev. Dr. Right Rev Dr Bri» nnu Vicar AP°stolic of London; the YoB,kdSk?WBrSI'^hVw^hi,'»*^ Mv! lis, and V.A. of the eastern dilirkt tt Pn Bishop of Appolonia, and V.A of Wale^tL RV- n"' Sharpies, Bishop of Samaria J K* Right Rev. Dr. cashire district. After the dirge the bodv°waY of tlJe.La"" college chapel, where high mafs for?hL 2j rem?Vv the Right Rer. Dr. Grfffiths The sever^ h^C<,leb/>ated turns, and according to the usages of the l j' coffin, and sprinkled it with holy water if ri! lnc^nsf the mass a funeral procession was formed. 1 cross"teaVr twenty of the choir m surplices, acolytes beariaK"orch^ the clergy present, in order, and the students of the two colleges preceded the corpse, and the solemn procession „i„ ft the bishops before enumerated. Having nroref>H»/ closed by °»t»ide of S. P..V. eolUg. ,o the there interred with the usual rites, in a vault adioinin* which are entombed the remain, of £ Bainel g were present at the ceremony several of the recent convert from the Church of England. Among them we observed the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Spencer, the Rev. J. M. Capes (late of Bridgwater), the Rev. Mr. Neville, Mr. Meyrick, &c. POTATOB DiSEASE-Will you be so good as to insert in your paper the following remedy, no less simple than efficacious, for the disease now so prevalent in the potatoe. Let the potatoe- pit be so constructed (by means of an opening extending from one end of the pit to the other), thus— that the fume of sulphur, blown therein, may Q N. pervade the surrounding heap of potatoes, which had been previously watered tuith a solution — af chloride of lime.-N .B. It is only requested that each case of success may be acknowledged.—Correspondent of the Belfast Chronicle. CORN AVERAGES, For regulating the Import Duties on Foreign Cornw from the 31st of Oct. to the 6th of Nov. 1845, both inclusive. Aver Whea> BarlT °at^ Beans. I Pea" Aver- s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d s d s d ag* 56 2 31 4 23 1 £ 3 J j 4, ? Duty. I 16 0 7 0 | 5 0 | 9 6 | 1 0 | 16 TAFF VALE RAILWAY TRAFFiC, For the week ending Oct. 25 1846. £ s. d. Passengers. u 6 General Merchandise IKQ 17 x W. Coffin aud Co 9 j] Thomas Powell Llancaiach Branch..244* *8 f V Ditto Lantwit Branch ..19 4 n } 263 13 0 Duncan and Co DowlaisCo «17 Q J. Edmunds 3A,( Insole and Son 13 6 5 C1183 0 5

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. T BORN. On the 28th of Oct., at Devonshire-terrace, London, Mr.. Charles Dickens, of a son. On the 22nd of Oct., at Dennil Hill House, Tiddenham, Mrs, J. S. Burr, a son. MARRIED. Tsr2l ^V29^ « °^ob«r. at the English Baptist chapel, Newport, by the Rev. D. Rhys Stephen. Mr, W. R. Jenkins, to th, third daughter of Richard Mullock, Esq. Oifeie 28th of October, at Salem chapel, Castletown, by the Rev. Evan Jones, Mr. Daniel James, farmer, to Mra. Mary Coslett, both of Marshfield. n EbMiezer chapel, Union-street, Cardiff, by the Rev Mr Powell, Mr. Abraham Powell, of SnfNewport2 °f Mr" Jwaes Edwa;<is' ^thfL2?1Vitai; Mr!hs.I„;«,cpi°tr ch.*p,M-cl,T,hd Croom, bolh of Hewelslield. B«ch«, to His. &.ohel On the 18th of Oct., at Neath hv « Tr v »,» E: SSu'SSi: K'WS; On the of October ,t "i, th. B* Rev Pulwar p a 1 ^e > youngest daughter of the Elkstone, GloucesTe^sMre °f Kintbury> and rector of n .i, DIED. On the 30th of Oct., Mr. James Mooney, carpenter, of this town. thf 29th of Oct., at Whitchurch, aged 67, Mrs. Ann otratford, formerly of Monmouth. On the 27th of October, after a very lengthened illness, aged 68 years, Mr. John Morgan, sexton of St. Mary's church, Monmouth. ^j1 ooC °A at Jones's alms houses, Monmouth, aged 83 years, Ann, relict of the late Mr. Richard Hayward, of Monmouth. On the 25th of October, aged 94 years, Mr. James Watkins, of Llangrove Common, near Monmouth. On the 26th of October, aged 69 years, Mr. Wm. Loveridge, of Beriutnen, near Monmouth. On the 24th of October, aged 45 years, John, eldest son of Mr. John Phillips, auctioneer, of Abergavenny. On the 21st of October, aged 71 years, John Jones, cord- w&iner, of Usk. wainer. of Usk. At Merthyr, aged 20 years. Mrs. Mary Hughes, of Llanbad- dock, near Usk, of black fever. "e of<CarcUff26th °f °ctober' a8*d 7"* yews, Mr. John Llewellyn, On the 26th of October, aged 56 years, Mary, wife of Mr. James Richards, Cardiff.