Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE MYFYIIIAN ARCHAIOLOGT.—(Fourth…
THE MYFYIIIAN ARCHAIOLOGT.—(Fourth notice.) THE first of these three volumes, a goodly 8vo. of 584 paces, consists entirely of ancient Welsh poetry,-nothing written at or after the time of Queen Elizabeth being ad- mitted. Its first poem is The Gododin," by Aneuriu Gwawdrydd. This dates as early, at least, as the middle of the sixth century. It is not at all improbable that this most ancient piece of British poetry extant, and the oldest poem in Europe after the classical period, was written at IJancarvan, in this neighbourhood That spot, though now no more than a very inconsiderable village, was once the retreat and the home of the learning, wisdom, and virtue of our ancestors and her2, for many years, after witnessing i,, g the entire destruction of his tribe—the Gododiniaid, who occupied Cumberland and W estmorcland, escaping to North Wales, then visiting Arthur, at Cacrleon, did Aneurin rest, and muse, and sing-; and from thence has probably come down to us this remarkable fragment of British song. It is obviously part of a complete poem, and is a kind of dirge to the memory of the warriors, his countrymen and friends, who fell at the fatal and ruinous battle of Cuttraeth> fr: in which the Cumbrian tribe was totally overthrown, and the north of England lost to the British for ever. Kng- lynion y Misoedd," ascribed to him, must have been com- posed by some much later bard this is proved by internal evidence of the most unquestionable character. To TAHESIN we have ascribed no fewer than seventy- eight poems. lie was contemporary with Aieiii-in and his name and history are about as inexplicable to us as are those of AllTHUR himself. Some things are pretty certain, and one is, that he was at Llancarvan, a student or disciple of Catwg the Wise. He makes respectful mention of Aneurin, and Aneurin equally respectful mention of him and let the Glamorganshire men be proud of such facts. We confess a keen sympathy with such feeling, and we are anxious to do everything we may be able to accomplish to induce our readers, especially our more youthful friends, to attend to the history of their country, and to cherish an habitual interest, in the time, and place, and circumstance, which stand in hallowed memory associated with bygone events and departed greatness. Many of the poems ascribed to Taliesin must have been written by later bards, as is evident from the great variation of style in them,—not such varia- tion as may occur in the writings of the same man at different periods of his life, but such as unmistakeably mark different ages in the literature of the country. The thing must have arisen thus :-A poem recited, or sung with the harp, was, centuries after Taliesin was in his grave, ascribed to him, in order to attract attention, and to induce the production of the mead horn, the supper, the night's repose, and the silver Z" penny in the morning. Copyists are generally credulous men monks, friars-" white and grey," as Shakespeare says,—" Ybrodyr llwydion, as Dafydd ab Gwilym called them,—retired gentlemen, with some learning and much leisure, wrote down, these songs from the mouth of the wandering minstrel; and so they became, in cloister and in hall, on vellum and on more vulgar paper, read, conned, thumbed, sang,—and always called the poems of Taliesin. It was natural, under such circumstances for the people to call him "Taliesin Pan Beirdd,"—the Chief of the Bards. There is in this volume a poem on the characteristics of different parts of Wales. In the part that refers to Glamor- ganshire, the bard says— Gwnawd yn Morganwg ddirog ddynion, A gwragedd mewn mawredd, a murian gwynion, &c., which the author of the very valuable article on The Iron Manufacture of South Wales," in the Westminster Review, for October, 1818,t110 whole of which has appeared in the PRINCIPALITY,—translates— That beautiful country, the land of the courteous ancl gentle people, where the wives are honoured, and the walls white." lolo Morganwg, in* a note in his poems, referring to this custom, of'whiteloashinf/ the whole house, roof and all, so prevalent in Glamorganshire, says, "This poem is ascribed to Aneurin." He makes no other remark to excite doubt or hesitation. Now, the honest and intrepid man utterly lost sight of the fact that the verses in question refer to Wales as it is (almost) at present divided into counties, hundreds, &c., —proof enough in itself that such verses never could have been written by Aneurin, who lived and suffered, say twelve hundred years ago. How many of the poems ascribed to Taliesin in this connexion, arc really his, it is impossible to determine; but taking the obscurest and most mystical as models, it is striking to observe how the plainer and (obvi- ously) the more modern compositions run in Talicsin's vein, and are so Taliesin-hke. The later bards were doubtless diligent students of the aucienter ones, and they wonder- fully succeeded in their attempts to copy their style, as well as to catch much of their fire. The next bard wdiose works arc preserved here is LLY- AVAUCH HEN. He also flourished about 550 to 640. There arc twelve picces ascribed to him in this collection. He was, like Aneurin, a Cumbrian prince, and survived the ruin of his tribe. He then proceeded to North Wales, and received the patronage of Cynddylan, the Prince of Ire seems to have been ,one of the men "made to mourn." His poetry is pre-eminently elegiac. It was published in a literal English translation by Dr. O. Pughe and a most interesting memoir of him is found in the Cambro-Briton, vol. i. 287, and somewhat enlarged, by the same author, Mr. J. H. Parry, in The Cambrian Plutarch," p. 55. He out- lived his family and friends, and his patron Cynddylan. With respect to his family this affecting anecdote is recorded o ilipl old Welsh manuscript has preserved a fugitive stanza, ascribed to Llywareh, accompanied by an incident relating to-the death of one of his sons. It is related that Gwen ab Llywareh had his horse killed under him in battle, and was himself slain some time afterwards. Subsequently, the horse's skull-was placed-for a stepping stone over a small brook. Llywareh happening soon after to pass that way, the skull was pointed out to him by a companion, who also informed him that it had belonged to the horse of his son. The bard replied, extempore,— I have seen a day on that horse, That horse with the looks of a stag—fearer of the turf; When none would have trodden on his jaw As he bore along Gwen ap Llywareh. The elegy to his patron, Cynddylan, lord of Powys, who lived at Pengwern (Shrewsbury), is exceedingly mournful,— T,ie Hail of Cynddylan is mournful to-aight, With neither tire nor family My tears, oversweliin'g, gush out: The Hall of Cynddylan I am pierced to see it,— With neither the wise nor the warmth My lord is dead alas I am alive Llywarch Hen is for the primitive simplicity of his metres he for the most part employs the triplet. He is supposed to have died in extreme old age, and to have been buried at Llaufer, near Bala, in Merionethshire. There is in that parish, at this moment, a sequestered spot, called Pabell IJywarch IIen. MEEDDIN (Merlin), the enchanter, is the fourth bard that comes before us in the Myf. Arch. Six poems are ascribed to him here and curious things enough they are:. They are dated between the periods 530 and 600. His history, as far as we can ascertain, is far more obscure than that of Taliesin, or even of Arthur and the round table. Mr. Parry, in the Cambrian ■ Plutarch, does not meddle with him at alL Dr. Paghc, in his Cambrian Biography, cuts but a small figure. Let us hope that Mr. Williams, in his Biographical Dic- tionary of Eminent Welshmen, will be able tJ throw some new light on this awe-inspiring name. The reader will probably understand that Caermarthen is called after Mer-- ddin, or Myrddin Wyllt, the poet, the prophet, the on- I chanter The most valuable of the pieces given him here is a Dialogue with Gwendydd, his sister, and is ablv a historical poems. It amounts to 141 stanzas, aucl to the Welsh scholar and; student is a very valuable of antiquarian lore. CYNDDKLW cotnes next,! net" in point of time, h 4 i the amount of his works preserved; We iind 65 of 1 -,K,O here. He flourished from 1150 to 1220. He Wf1 •>; prehend, one of the most celebrated bards of t I ages; and was commonly called' Cynddehv i'-a tat Bard." He was, li're almost"all bards in all age;. t all lands, a great reviler of the monks; and in his last illness the monks of Ystrad Marcheli. his neighbours, sent to him to say he should not have ChsWuu burial. Behold his reply from his death-bed Cen ni bat ammod m herbyn, A Duw gwji y'i j bod Oedd iawnach i fyt'[cii fed I'm gwrthfyn nag i'in gwrthod." L "lde there is producible against me no condition (crime), With the knowledge (approval) of the happy God, It were more righteous for a monk To receive than to reject me." Of the poets of this age we hold Cynddclw to be by far the greatest. Words "seem entirely at his command; and to the reader who has not studied these fathers of British poetry, it is almost incredible how much rhythm and what felicitous collocations they have. Many of these poems are of great historical value, and we trust will ere long be, at a reasonable price in the hands of the Welsh people generally. GWALCIIMAI flourished about the same period as Cyn- ddelw, and twelve of his poems are found in this work. Both bards sang to Owain Gwynedd, the celebrated North Walian Prince. With one of Gwalchmal's odes to this chieftain we must conclude this article. It will be found on p. 187 of the Myf. Arch., vol. i., commencing, -ig, "Anlclwyreaf hael o hil Rodri And is thus most ably translated by Mr. Parry,- The generous chief I sing of, Rhodri, lives, With princely gifts endowed, whose hand Hath often cut-bed the border land Owain, great heir of Britain's throne, Whom fair ambition marks her own Who ne'er to yield to man was known, Nor heaps he stores at Avarice's shrine. Three mighty legions o'er the sea flood came Three fleets intent on sudden fray One from Erin's verdant coast, One with Lochlin's armed host, Long 1 urthens of the billowy way The third from far bore them of Norman name To friutless labour doomed and barren fame. 'Gainst Mona's gallant Lord, where, lo! he stands, His warlike sons ranged at his side, Rushes the dark tumultuous tide, Th' insulting tempest of the hostile hands. Boldly he turns the furious storm, Before him wild confusion flies While havoc rears her hideous form, And prostrate rank expiring lies Conflict upon conflict growing,— Gore on gore in torrents flowing—• Shrieks answering shrieks and slaughter raving, And high o'er Moelfre's front a thousand banners waving. Now thickens still the frantic war, The flashing death strokes gleam afar, Spear rings on spear, flight urges flight, And drowning victims plunge to-Hight; Till Menai's overburthened tide, Wide blushing with the streaming gore, And choked with carnage, ebbs no more; While mail-clad warriors on her side, In anguish drag their deep-gash'd wounds along, And 'fore the red-stained chief are heaped the mangled throng." Thus Loegria's onset, Loegria's flight. Tie; struggle, doom'd her power to tame, Shad, with her routed sons, unite To raise great Owain's sword to fame While seven score tongues of his exploit shall tell, And all their high renown through future ages swell.
THE WELSH PERIODICALS FOR…
THE WELSH PERIODICALS FOR FEBRUARY. In consequence of the lateness of the arrival of the maga- zines we have received, our Heview- this month shall be brief. We again remind the publishers, that to ensure an early notice, the magazines must be forwarded not later than the 30th of the month to Messrs. Hamilton and Co., addressed to the Editor. The Dysgedydd opens with an article on Debts," by the Rev. James Griffiths, St. David's, wherein useful and prac- tical hints are given, and which deserve the careful perusal of the reader. This subject is too much overlooked by pro- fessing Christians. We hope this article will contribute to draw attention to it. Cromwell on Democracy" is con- tinued by Mr. Parry, of Llandovery. The subject is ably treated, and full justiec is done to the maligned patriot. Mr. R. D. Thomas, in an article on "Education," recom- mends the reader to reject the offers of Government. We rejoice in this fact, for if we mistake not, Mr. Thomas ap- proved of that principle during the late Commission. The popular question of Arbitration," in a long and elaborate article, is faithfully advocated by the Editor. Our war establishments are exposed, and their extravagant expense is pointed out. The statements put forth will astonish the honest and economical Welshman. The Bedyddiior is improving. This number contains several excellent and able articles. The first is on the Radical Principles of Christianity," and is to be continued. The Peace" question is ably and earnestly advocated in a spirited article. Then follows Hanes Shon Cent," by D'ap Lillys Stephen. It is written in the author's best style, and will undoubtedly be read with great interest. Extracts from Baptist Noel's work are given. The preten- sion of the New Normal College" is very happily exposed,' and Government offers are explained and exposed in a prac- tical and telling manner. It also contains a large quan- tity of denominational and general intelligence. The Diicygiwr opens with an article on The Influence of Scientific Discoveries and Improvement on the Morals of Society," by the Rev. R. Parry. Printing, the mariner's compass, steam, the electric telegraph, and railways, are' severally explained. Several practical and useful recom- mendations are made with a view of turning them to good account. Then follows a Sermon," by the Iiev. S. Evans, Penvgroes, delivered by him some time ago at Merthyr, and published at the request of the Editor. A long letter on teetotalism, by Rev. 1). Evans, Neath, and two or three other articles, complete the Essays. The letters of W. Wil- liams, Esq., Rev. J. R. Jones, and Rev. II. Griffiths, are severely dealt with in a review by the Editor. We wish our space permitted our giving a translation of it. The Reviewer gives Mr. Williams credit for sincerity, and thanks him for his liberal exertions as a politician "but," he con- tinues, he seems to regard man as a selfish being, and that liis chief end is to get money, to enjoy it, to die, and —— With regard to Mr. Jones he says, We never heard of our friend's educational zeal until latterly. Before his visit to Llanwrtyd last year, where he translated the'Report,' we had no reason to believe the interests of the Welsh people pressed very heavily on his mind. It appears that he there read the Reports and the Minutes so many times that he believed them and if we judge from his transla- tions, he does not yet understand them. Did Mr. Jones suppose that the minutes had not been explained in Wales already? We trust he will consider henceforth that there are men in the world beside himself." Of Mr. Griffiths and his letter he says The author leads us to difficulties of which we had thought but little before, without showing one method of escape. We admit the de- sirableness of examining carefully ere we form our opinion on matters of importance; but to create men of straw, and then snoot them, is a practice we seriously condemn. This is dangerous in any man of influence, but unpardonable in a tutor and if our author pursues the same course with rc- garu to his pupils, we shall not be surprised to find the pulpits of the Independents cursed with a race of scep- tics." He strongly deprecates Mr. G/s statement-, that if anything is likely to make the salvation of a child im- possible, the teaching of religion in the day-school will do it," and says that "the idea is too awful to be left un- noticed." He hopes Mr. G. has not embraced such an opin- ion inconsiderately, and closes the article with-an earnest exposition of the evil tendency of secular education in the absence of religious training. The Ymofynydd, we are happy to still improving nevertheless there are in it, like alLthe Welsh, periodicals, serious defects which should be removed. Om; space- will not now admit of a reference to them. In future numbers we hope to be able to devote more attention to the subject. But to return. The present number contains, several his- toricai and biographical articles—too many for one number. "The Pope and Popery," "Louis Philippe," The Welsh Bible," and Cattwg Ddoeth," are the subjects. Mr. D. L. Evans has a well-written article on an important sub- ject, The Preachers of Wales," and which requires much wisdom, prudence, and charity, in the treatment of it. There are several defects in the present ministry pointed out, and which deserve the serious consideration of those concerned. There is a good deal of truth in what Mr. Evans says, but we think his remarks would be productive of more good if they had been written in a more generous spirit. Severity in the treatment of so delicate a subjeet is not de- sirable or politic. His remarks about the duty of ministers in political matters are true and to the purpose.' We differ with him as to the relative importance of the duties of the minister and the schoolmaster. The office of the Christian minister is, in our estimation, infinitely more important than that of the schoolmaster. The latter has to do with the life that now is; the former, with that which is to come. The schoolmaster's office, notwithstanding, is a very im- portant one, inasmuch as he has to develop the youthful mind and give it a right Jirection but it should be consi- dered subsidiary to the higher and more momentous office of the Christian teacher, and for that reason we deprecate the too great attention which is paid by certain Christian ministers to the training of schoolmasters, to the neglect of those who are destined to occupy our pulpits in coming years. Mr. Evans is also wrong in his estimate of the intel- lectual powers and literary attainments of the Welsh mi- nisters. There are more than" three" men in Wales able to compose sermons that would be a credit to divines in any country. We have frequently had the gratification of lis- tening to discourses from Welsh ministers, far, far supe- rior to the average of English preaching. We do not say this of all; but of a large number of Welsh ministers we have no hesitation in bearing our testimony to the depth of thought, and originality of ideas, displayed by them in their discourses. Little space is now left to a notice of the Drysorfn Oynnulhidfaol. We shall only refer to the Rev. Hugh Jones's article on education. Mr. Jones professes a deep in- terest in the education of the children of his poor country- men, and in the success of Dissent in Wales, labours to prove the inefficiency of the voluntary principle, and advo- cates the propriety of accepting Government aid to educa- tion as the only method to accomplish the one, and to save the other from utter destruction. He says that the poor are heavily taxed, and should therefore receive a portion of that tax returned for the education of their children. This argument, if we may so term it, has been disposed of long ago. The paltry sum of 6d. or 9d. a week would be a poor compensation to the working man for the four or five shil- lings taken from him in the shape of indirect taxation. We rather think the poorman, who possesses self-respect as well as the rich, would prefer being relieved from unjust taxation, and try his own chance for the education of his children. Mr. Jones places the Poor-law and State secular education in the same category, which is quite correct. His proofs of the inadequacy of the voluntary principle in Wales go too far. On the same principle we might advocate the re- ception of State aid for the support of poor pastors, and the liquidation of the debts of poor chapels. The relative posi- tion," he says, of the different sects, is in the way of a good system of education without the aid of Government." We very much question the probability of their uniting on Mr. Jones's plan. Will the Wesleyans and Calvinistic Methodists' consent, to a secular system ? e doubt whether any denomination, save the Unitarians, will do so. Mr. Jones docs not approve of the present Minutes. He wishes some such clause as the following introduced :—" That the Government, give money only for secular education, imparted in schools where the Bible forms part of the instruction given and that the religious education be given by means of volun- tray contributions." This is like "cheating the Devil." If it is to be a condition of receiving money that the Bible be read in the school, where is the difference between the two plans ? What harm is there to take the money under the existing Minutes ? and would it not be a great boon to many a minister to receive £ 10 or £ 20 a year in addition to his scanty income ? If the one is right, the other is equally so. Mr. Jones, throughout his long article, tallcs of the expediency of State aid—principles are left in abe aiiee. We don't question Mr. Jones's sincerity, but we must see the matter proved to be in harmony with civil and religious freedom, ere we can give our assent to it.
—-0—— CARMARTHEN.
—-0—— CARMARTHEN. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.—On Thursday evenin"- the 8th instant, a lecture in connection with the above Institution, was delivered by Mr, Davison, on Animal Phy- siology." The lecturer having defined the meaning of the term physiology, proceeded to notice the points of difference between animal and vegetable physiology, and having enume- rated some of the things they enjoyed in common, he treated very lucidly and in popular language, on animal physiology, noticing some of its peculiarities and concluded an able, in- structive, and interesting lecture with an appropriate perora- tion. A vote of thanks was proposed, and unanimously awarded to Dr. Davison. THE MODEr, SCHOOLS OF THE TRAINING COLLEGE.—A meet- ing of the friends of this institution was held at the Model Schools, in this town, on Wednesday week, to arrange for the early opening of the schools, which have just been completed. The'meeting was very respectably attended. The Itev. D. A. Williams, who occupied the chair, gave a statement of the con- dition of the society. The amount to be collected by voluntary subscriptions for the building was £ 800, of which sum about £ 720 had already been subscribed; there was therefore a defi- ciency of £80 in the building fund. There were however other items which must be taken into account, the whole expense of which would be about JE300. He stated that a communication had been received from the Committee of Council, stating that, as the Infant School had not been built, the sum of £ 135 would be deducted from the grant of JE727 made by the Government, but that if the building was erected iu eighteen months, the sum would be paid over, as originally agreed; the infant school had not been built, as after mature consideration, it was deemed advisable that it was better not to attempt too much at once, but that the other schools should first be built, and they had now eighteen months before them to complete the other, before which time it was hoped they would be in a condition to proceed with it. The schools at present erected would accom- modate 450 children. The master, who was a Welshman, and had received the highest testimonials from the Rev. Mr. Mosely, one of her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, was ready to commence operations. It was proposed that his salary should be from zC70 to £ 80. A subscription for the support of the schools was then commenced, and a committee appointed to canvass the town for subscriptions. PLOUGHING MATCH.—On the 6th instant, the ploughing match of the parish of Llangunnor, in the county ol Carmar- then, was neld on Mynydd-cover, in a field belonging to Mr. Evans, of Beauleuchaf. As early as ten o'clock, no less than twenty teams were on the spot, all in readiness for engaging in the competition. By .one, p.a., all the ploughing was finished, when the adjudicators, three in number, were called into the field, and the result of whose investigation was, that prizes, varying from thirteen to three shillings, were awarded to six of the parties. The quality of the ploughing on this occasion was very superior; and it was thought by many, capable to form an opinion, to excel considerably, all preceedlllg attempts.
BRECON.
BRECON. puorbsEDBJUTISn SCHOOL.—It has at last been resolved to establish a British school in the town. A meeting was held a few days ago over whiehDr. Lucas, an Episeopalian, presided. Thomas Prothero Price, Esq., CWesleÿnn) moved a resolution to the effect that Government aid should be applied for, which Hvas seconded by Mr. Mordecai Jones, (Calvinistic Methodist,) and supported by the Rev. W. Davies, (Wesleyan Minister.) The llev. Edw. Davies, M.A., opposed the motion, but on a di- vision it was carried. It is rather remarkable that the speakers on this occasion belonged to denominations pledged to oppose any and every system of secular education, whether in con- nexion with Government or not. We know not what the opinions of these gentlemen are; one thing is quite evident, namely, that if they are consistent—and we are. sure the Wes- leyans will not consent to purely secular education—the Non. conformists, Baptists,. and Independents, will not be in a posi- tion consistently to countenance and support the school. We are not aware of any circumstance wherein the Wesleyans have acted in opposition to the decision of those in authority. Their invariable rule is, wherever practicable, to have a school of their own, but if too weak to succeed, they will fall in. with others; but never, as far as our knowledge goes, where reli- gious instruction doesr not form a portion of the education given. We wait with interest the issue of this amalgamation of heterogeneous elements. AN EMEUTE IN A KITCHEN, OR, A BELLY REVOLUTION.—On Monday last, the receipt of Income Tax was held at the Bull Inn, Devynnock, when, contrary to expectation, the Govern- ment officers announced their intention of dining alone. To the parochial collectors, who had ridden from a distance, this was particularly unwelcome news, but acquiring energy from hunger, they made a descent upon the kitchen: the leader of the insurgents stuck a flesh fork into a short rib, another bore off a fowl in triumph, while another secured the vegetables. The landlord in the meantime was on the alprt, and managed to carry off a leg of mutton and a fowl. With their booty, however, the iusurgent forces made a comfortable dinner, to which they invited the officers, who, however, beat a retreat on the garrison town of Brecon, as a more secure position. In the meantime the rebel army held a court martial on Mr. Jones, of Bromvidd, and the Trecastle collector, for neglect oi duty, but on account of general good conduct, they were only reprimanded, while the collector of Llanspythid was promoted to the vice-chair for his gallantry on the occasion, in which he ably supported his neighbour, the Rev. Morgan Jones, who presided at the dinner table.— Correspondent of the Silurian,
MAIJTORL
MAIJTORL NORMAL COLLEGE.—On Tuesday evening, the 6th inst., a public meeting was held at the Independent chapel, Beaufort Iron Works, in behalf of the Normal College for Wales. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Price, who having briefly ex- plained the nature and object of the meeting, called upon the Revs. J. Price, Rhymney, J. Davies, Llanelly, N. Stephens, Sirhowy, and Mr. Thomas Davies, Bryoniawr, to move and second resolutions, approving of the principles of the above in- stitution, and pledging the meeting to co-operate in raising the necessary funds for establishing and supporting the same. The plain, pointed, and powerful speeches were attentively listened to, and the resolutions passed without a single dissen- tient. Arrangements have been made to hold a series of simi- lar meetings at the various chapels of Beaufort and Ebbw Yale and this being done it is intended to canvass the whole neigh- bourhood for subscriptions. One intelligent young man put his name down for E5, and said that he was decidedly opposed to State education, believing as he did that every society ought to possess such intrinsic worth as would command sympathy and support independent of foreign aid.
NORTBTWALES"_
NORTBTWALES" GOtD MINES.- A correspondent of the Mining Journal under the signature Credenda," dated Dolgeliey, says That gold exists in the auriferous ores of Cwm-heisian, and that in large proportions, is indisputable; and the many trials made at various times on the numerous lodes and veins, embracing a circumference of at least two miles, taken from the falls of the Mowddach, in almost every instance has gold been found, combined with ores of lead, sulphur, blende, and mundic. At the Cwm-heisian mine, many powerful lodes, which have been traced for a great distance, here appear to form a bunch, or junction of lodes, from which some splendid stones, containing gold, have been taken within a few yards of the surface. I have seen the gold in some of the partially dressed ores, which was easily picked up; and, on washing a portion of the same on a shovel, the presence of gold in very large proportions could be plainly seen." HOLYHEAD.-—A GENTEEL WAY OF GETTINO MONEY.-This town was lately visited by a lady, apparently respectable, about forty years of age, of decent and genteel address, having a young infant with her. She called upon many of the respect- able inhabitants, mostly those of her own sex, and introduced herself as the wife of a gentleman implicated in the recent dis- turbances in Ireland, whose apprehension had brought her into reduced circumstances. She exhibited at the same time two valuable vest pieces, saying she intended to dispose of them by raffle, and offering a shilling ticket. Singular to say, the sim- ple dodge succeeded to a wonderful extent, a great number of tickets were bought, and of course paid for-some good-natured folks charitably taking as many as half-a-dozen each. The vests being much admired, the raffle day was expected with great concern, especially by several young ladies, who no doubt anticipated the happy event of possessing an agreeable new' year's gift for some dear friend. The day came, the hour ar- rived, and brought several anxious subscribers to the appointed place full of faith, when to their indescribable astonishment and cruel disappointment, the lady so called had decamped, and has never since been heard of. Similar impositions were practised at different tinies upon the honest inhabitants of tlnir. town within a late period and it is to be hoped such repeated lessons will make it more difficult for itinerating bad characters to ease them of their money under any pretence and will also serve as a warning to the inhabitants of other places. EDUCATION.—The Carnarvon Herald in an article advocating State aid for education—minus argument-says of the free educationists We assert that he (Mr. Baines) and his fol- lowers are a stupid, intractable, unmanageable set. Their movement is nothing more and nothing less than a toss up for notoriety at the expense of truth." t,
^HAVERFORDWEST.
^HAVERFORDWEST. LITERARY AND SCIENTITIC INSTITUTION.—On Monday even- ing last, Mr. Howard Spear Morgan delivered his second lec- ture on Meteorology and the Atmosphere, in the library of this institution, to a numerous body of the members. The manner in which the subject was treated by the lecturer displayed much research and ability on his part, and could not fail to have been pleasing and instructive to the audience, who, at the conclusion of the lecture, testified their sense of Mr. Mor- gan's valuable efforts by the usual marks of applause. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILOR'S SOCIETY.— On the evening of the 12th inst., a public meeting was held in the Town-hall, in this town, in aid of this society. The meeting was addressed by Geo. Phillips, Esq., surgeon the llev. Messrs. Waugh, Bytheway, Davies, and other ministers and gentlemen. An able and interesting speech was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Ebenezer Davies, late of Berbice, now supplying at the Tabernacle, who gave some affecting details of the general character and condition of sailors, and of the operation of this society among them. A collection for the funds of the society was made at the closo of the meeting. THE HAVERFORDWEST PEOPLE'S INSTITUTION.—A literary society under this name has just been formed in this town. Its object is to offer to mechanics and working people the means of cultivating their mental and moral faculties at a cheap rate. For this purpose a spacious room has been hired at Messrs. Lewis and Reynolds, cabinet makers, Hill-street, which was formally opened to the members on Monday evening last. Se- veral daily and weekly newspapers, and other periodicals, are taken for the use of the members, and it is in contemplation to establish a library and lectures. This institution wears a most favourable aspect, upwards of a hundred persons have already been enrolled as members. SUDDEN DEATH OF OWEN OWEN, ESQ., HIGH SHERIFF OF PEMBROKESHIRE. We regret to have to announce the melancholy event of the decease of this gentleman, of apoplexy, on Sunday evening last, at his residence, Berllan, near Newport, Pemb. The deceased had just sat down to dinner with his family, and a friend of his, Mr. Geo. Parry, the solicitor, of Haverfordwest, when, in the most sudden manner, he fell off his chair, and instantly became insensible. Medical assistance was immedi- ately procured, but after everything was done that, under the circumstances, was possible, he expired in about an hour. The deceased was about 41 years of age, and had always en. joyed good health. He has left a widow and five small children.
LIVERPOOL,
LIVERPOOL, ON Wednesday evening, the 31st ultimo, the Rev. William Rees delivered a second lecture, on the "Revolutions in 1848," at the Concert Hall, Lord Nelson-street, in this town David Davies, Esq. Mount Gardens, again presided. The vast audi- ence assembled on the occasion proved that great interest was taken in the subject of the lecture, the object of which was to elucidate the bearings of scriptural prophecies in connexion with the late memorable events on the Continent. The subject was treated in a masterly manner, and the gratification of the assembled multitude was evinced by the plaudits which greeted the rev. lecturer both during the delivery, and at the close of his very excellent address. The vote of thanks to the lecturer was moved by the Rev. John Hughes, and seconded by the Rev. Robert Davies, A.M., and unanimously carried by the meeting. After the chairman had intimated that a gentle- man not unknown to fame, the Rev. D. R. Stephen, of Man- chester, intended shortly to deliver a lecture in this town on Wales, Welshmen, and Welsh poetry," and the meeting hav- ing, without a dissentient hand being held up, signified their desire to have such a lecture, the audience separated; all who had the pleasure of being.present testifying that they had been highly pleased.
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AUSTRALIA is getting a slang of its own. The Port Phillip- Herald saysThere are 26 teetotallers in the City (Mel- bourne) police, and the chief constable states that these Yana drinkers are the best and steadiest men he has, and mora trust- worthy than the nobbkrizers."