The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian

HIGH WATER AT CARDIFF. ( AFRIL. Morning. Evening. Sunday 2 7 26 7 36 .L%Ionday 3 7 54 8 3 { Tuesday, 4. 8 24 8 32 5 Wednesday, 5 8 52 9 3 | Thursday, 6 9 26 9 32 I Frida)', 7 ,j 10 1 JO 16 ? Saturday, 8 { 10 59 11 5 HIGH WATER AT BRISTOL, &c. (From Bunt's Tide Table.) I HIGH WATER. 5 Cumb. 1 Bathuit APHIL. j^^MornrrETenTl Gates, j Gates. Sunday 2 8 21 8 31 29 10 18 7 Monday 3 8 49 8 58 29 1 17 10 Tuesday. 4 9 19 9 27 27 II 16 8 Wednesday 5 9 47 9 58 26 4 15 1 Thursday" 6 10 21 10 27 24 6 13 3 Friday 7 10 26 11 II 22 8 11 5 Saturday. 8 11 54- 21 0 9 9 EQUATION OF THE TIDES. These Equations, applied to the above Table, will give the Approximate Times of High Water, at the following- Places on the Coasts of England and Wales. A. M. | A. M. Aberystwith.add 0 15 I Liverpool add 4 0 Caernarvon add 1 45 Newport, Mon. sub 0 3 Cardigan Bar sub 0 15 Portsmouth. add 4 2 Carmarthen Bay ..sub 1 5 Swansea Bar sub I 6 Chepstow sub 0 13 Thames' Mouth sub 4 55 5th Sunday in Lent. ,r \lst Lesson 3 chapter Exodus. ormn £ ^2nd Lesson.20 chapter John. > 1st Lesson. 5 chapter Exodus. in' 12nd Lesson 4 chapter Heb.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. Several communications of interest are postponed till next week. week.

CHURCH-RATES. IMPORTANT DECISION IN THE COURT OF ARCHES. BRAINTREE CASE. IT is with no small gratification, that we hail the decision pronounced by Sir Herbert Jenner Fust, on the 25th March, in this interesting cause-a decision which has, altogether, reversed the judgment of Dr. Lushington, and has, so far, established the points, for which, as all our Readers can testify, we have ever most strenuously contended, viz., that when the majority of a Vestry refuse a Rate for the necessary Repairs of the Church, THE CHURCHWARDENS AND MINORITY at that same Vestry may make a lawful Rate for the said Repairs. We need scarcely inform our Readers, that the Court of Arches is superior to the Consistorial Court of London, and is, indeed, the highest Ecclesiastical Court in the Realm. The decision, therefore, of the Arches has every claim to be considered as Law, unless stayed by Prohibition, or reversed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The judgment of Dr. Lushington was only the judg- ment of a private Consistory. We cannot, however, better please ourselves or satisfy our friends, than by laying before them the ipsUsima verba of Sir H. J. Fust on this occasion. The learned Judge, in alluding to the case of GAUDERN V. SELBY, said, He had not recollected the case, but from his earliest experience at the bar he had always understood that the law was as stated in that case; he had always understood, that when a Rate for necessary Repairs was refused by the majority "of the Parishioners, a Rate made by the Church- wardens and the minority, was good.- His recollection from the earliest period of his experience at the bar, served him as to that point. It appeared to him, that the law and the justice of the case required that he should reverse the judgment of the Court below. His opinion was in favour of the law, as stated by Sir William Wynne, and that the rejection of the libel was contrary to law and justice. He was of opinion that the judgment of the Court below was erroneous; he "pronounced fdr the appeal, retained the principal cause, and admitted the libel." In addition to these sentiments of the very learned Judge we will now venture to quote a passage from the Times, which has an able article on the subject. The decision then of Sir H. Fust is in accordance with the "only precedent known to the Ecclesiastical Courts, with the dictum of Sir N. Tindal, and with the spirit of the common law." We do not think it superfluous to add a word of caution to our Readers, in order that they may clearly under- stand the whole question. Let it then be supposed, for argument sake, that the decision of the Arches had been against the validity of a Rate made as alledged. Still, in such a case, the obligation on the part of Parishioners, would in no way be affected or diminished; the Parishioners would be still bound to make a Rate for the necessary Repairs of the Church, and the decent Sus- tentation of public Worship, and would be still punish- able if they obstructed the making a Rate for such a purpose, or refused to concur in it. On this point we refer to two able letters addressed to us by NOMOPHILUS, and which we have more than once presented to the public.

A considerable portion of the Factories Bill, now before the House of Commons, is in other words a plan for the Education of Factory Children by the aid of the State. It would rather seem to have required for its development two separate Bills, than the blending into one of clauses relating to the regulation of labour and the instruction of the poor. The Bill was, however, read a second time, with the understanding that the assent should not com- promise the opponents of the measure in any way, and in the Committee the Education clauses will assuredly meet with a vehement opposition. It is as a scheme of Factory Education, to be followed by an extension of the principle into other parts of the Empire, that we are to consider the Bill, and it is obvious that the Dissenters are alarmed at a movement which throws such additional power into the hands of the Church. There appear to be three parties in the discussion, so far as we can judge from the debate on the second reading, viz.—the sup- porters of the Government Bill as it is—the Dissenters who object to placing Religious Education under the controul of the Established Church—and a more High Church party than the framers of the Bill, who consider that the claims of the Church to be the supreme instruc- tress of her children, have not been sufficiently considered. Of the national importance of educating a Christian people we have so frequently spoken in this Journal, that it were mere surplusage to reiterate so manifest a truth. How much has been done in this way, both by Church- men and Dissenters, every City, Town, and Village in the Kingdom, with few exceptions, bear faithful testimony. Too long has the State neglected or overlooked this her important duty, and though the funds which Christian sympathy and benevolence have raised for Educational purposes have been great, they have been quite unequal to the great emergency. We desire to award all possible justice to the Dissenters in this pious work-there is scarcely a Sectarian Chapel which has not its Sectarian School. All interference in this would be cruel and unwise—but when the Legislature interferes, as is her duty, in the great work of National Education, we must not be charged with intolerance if we demand that the pecuniary aid it bestows should be placed exclusively in the hands of the Church. Sectarianism is voluntary, and glories in the title, but whilst it enjoys, in abundant toleration, the free exercise of opinions not politically dangerous, nor otherwise than theologically erroneous, it cannot, we think, claim any other species of support. To apply any portion of the public money to aid and abet separation and to encourage error, would, we$$pk, not only be manifestly inconsistent, but decidedly irreligious in any Government, which professes, and rightly pro- fesses, to consider the Church of England an essential element of the Constitution. The remedy for this exclu- siveness, proposed by the organs of the Dissenters in the House of Commons, is that Education be purely secular, but to such a system, we trust, the House can never be brought to agree. The University of London" is a standing warning against the proposal. Upon the whole, we think that the Bill will pass,—and that so long as the Government shall resist the demands of the Dissenters, either for direct interference in the regulation of the Schools, or for disturbing the influence of the Church, as conceded by the Bill-the latter will be disposed to waive the omission of authority to which she has a right- ful claim, and, looking to a great public advantage, give the Bill a cordial support. We do not believe, in the present state of the Legislature, that any enactment in which the full rights of the Church would be considered could pass. To Lord Ashley the praise is unquestionably due of initiating this gi eat measure-a measure compared with which the Legislation of recent years is trivial and unimportant. In his Lordship's eloquent language we close our remarks We have to deal with a mighty evil; it is too late, and it would be useless now to dispute who are responsible for it. This is a time for mutual concession. I have never seen greater evidences of a general desire for some commonfield on which all parties may strive for the common welfare, I do trust we shall avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded by this precious season, which may not occur again., It is impossible to estimate the evils delay may produce, not only by augmenting the mischiefs against which we are contend- ing, but the heartburnings and discontents excited by their operation. I do fervently hope this house may find some means for effecting a national improvement, and answering national expectations-for expectations, I emphatically de- clare, the people do entertain as to the effects of this easure, which is looked to with a degree of eagerness and gratitude unparalleled in reference to legislative efforts. I hope also that, for the honour of the country, something will be effec- tually done for the removal of this reproach. Without remorse we have disclosed our disgraceful positio-qisplay- ing the positive filth that lies on the moral surface of his our land. What a figure shall we then cut among the nations of the earth if, knowing what we do know, seeing What we do see, and feeling what we profess to feel, we fail t6 remove the abominations and corruptions which are festering in the very heart of our population. Lastly, and above all, I pray that we may not so signally fail in our solemn duty as a nation, and call down upon our heads the Divine vengeance, by obstinately persisting in a course of neglect, and ia-disre- gard of those sacred duties for which (I sincerely believe), and for no other reason, have been intrusted to us wealth, power, greatness, and dominion."

THE value of a "whistle" does not depend on the price that we pay for it. This remark applies as well to Government as to Individuals. We think few men in modern times have paid dearer for a "whistle" than Mr. Walter. He is for ever in the" House H and out of the House,"—seated and unseated—running the weary circle of Parliamentary Membership, and finding himself, with the loss of tens of thousands, just where he began. It is well for him that he has the Times for his Exchequer. But the great paymaster for other people's "whistles is John Bull. We will just mention two or three. The consciences of Dissenters were aggrieved by the Marriage Act-to conciliate them the Whigs, for they owed them a large debt for support, enacted a new law of Registration, at an additional expense of £90,000. a-year. The statistical returns show that of Marriages, in one year, 114,000 and upwards were solemnised in the, Church, and 8,200 in the various places where Matrimony (unholy) is allowed to be con- tracted. In a vast many instances Registration has supersaded Holy Baptism, having been considered by some analagous rites. So much for this "whistle." Another expensive whistle" is Parliamentary Returns. We wish some Member of Parliament would interfere— the cost of Paper and Printing, on useless returns, would be a seasonable aid to Church Extension, or to National Education, or Public Charity. The Houses of Members of Parliament are scarcely able to contain the papers that are distributed. In nine cases out of ten such returns are granted as a matter of course, to the great waste of public money, and to the additional cost of public time— degrading the House of Commons into a Society for the "Circulation of Useless Knowledge," of which Mr. Hume (Joseph) may be accounted President, and from which the retail dispensers of cheese and butter derive almost all the advantage. We trust the public Press will have an eye to the proceedings of this Society, and endeavour to keep its expensive activity within due bounds. A return of the total expence of returns for the last ten years would be a valuable public document; still more valuable if it were made in the shape of "conscience money," and paid in Bank notes into the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We may have occasion to recur to the subject of whistles," in the mean time we suggest to the notice of some young Member of the Lower House, whether he could not usefully concentrate his powers for a Session or two, and watch "return motions." They have become a grievous public nuisance and ought to be abated. rr THE Laodicean stage of the Church of England, which appeared to be her state and condition five and thirty years ago, the hardness of some and the indifibrence of the many, together with the hunting, shooting, fiddling clergy, of whom Cowper complained, at an earlier period, all, we trust, has passed away, to be recorded only in the pages of satire, or to be remembered only for warning and negative example. The three parties at. present dividing the Anglican Church, stirring it must be con- fesdftd pretty strongly the waters of strife, are, so far as our judgment enables us to follow them, THE TRACTA- RIANS, the SEMI-TRACTARIANS or Rubricians, and the Evangelicals. The middle party, and probably the correct one, (in medio tutissimus) hold fast by the Reformation. The first contend that the Reformation itself in some parts was a grievous sin, inasmuch as it went too far-the third that it was defective and did not go far enough. The Tractarians appeal to primitive Christianity—the Rubricians to the Prayer Book and Homilies—the Evangelicals contend for the right of private judgment in their interpretation of Scripture, not altogether accepting the Church as their ruler and guide in such matters, as she speaks by her Liturgy and Articles; and freely construing the doctrines of the Church herself where they seem at variance with their own opinions. It is, we think, in the true and middle rank that some of our most eminent prelates have enrolled themselves. We judge from their solemnly pronounced and publicly circulated opinions, through the medium of Charges delivered to their Clergy at the late Visitations. But how many shades of opinion may lie beneath the names thus applied to the parties it were impossible to enumerate-and it is by the use of such names in polemical disputes that men are condemned in the mass for opinions they do not hold, and for principles they never entertained. It cannot be denied that the Oxford party led the way to the stricter observance of the Rubric, but it must be also confessed with sorrow that they soon lost their vantage ground, and if they did not actually support those errors, which by their ordination vows they were bound to drive away," they unsettled the minds of men in the true doctrines of the Reformation, compromised, as we think, the interests of scriptural truth, and the result was that the Tracts were stopped by episcopal interference, For the good they did let the Churchmen be thankful; against the errors they would introduce let them be more and more vigilant. It is to the middle party, we think, that we may the more safely look for guidance, and it is in this party that the Church will find, under Providence, her best security. And it is, we also think, a great error in the third or Evangelical party to add to our present divisions by sounding an alarm against the return to ritual forms and observances. They either take counsel of an ill-grounded fear, or their hatred of error has blinded them to the perception of things lawful and expedient: They should rather endeavour to strengthen that party which we sin- cerely believe to be the way and the truth, acting in full accordance with the spirit of the Reformation, the true echo of the Liturgy, the via media between the corrup- tions of Rome and the errors of Puritanism. Forms we admit are not Religion, but they are-holy things belong- ing to it. They are the outward decencies of a spiritual service, the Apostolic "order" of public devotion. They are the subserviency of the body to the spirit and both serving God. The Prayer Book is the Manual of our Church Protestant Faith. We have separated from Rome because she has separated from the truth, and that sepa- ration must in the very nature of things be eternal, unless, which God forbid, we also depart from the truth, or un- less, which God grant, Rome shall return to it. The Prayer Book and the Missal cannot be made to agree- as well might Dagon have stood erect in the Ark. But especially let all parties in their disputes put on charity," the only fit state of mind for the discovery of truth-the only hand that can restrain the bitterness of controversy. That heat and zeal cannot be acceptable to a Being which is accompanied by passions which his word condemns. We have been more than once accused of a more than leading to Puseyism." We have never, we think, shown a love for polemical controversies, but there are occasions when men may not be silent, and we have now spoken out. p itvnw

ARCHES COURT.—SATURDAY, MARCH 25. (Before Sir H. Jenner Fust.) VILEY AND JOSLIN V. GOSLING.—THE BRAINTREE CHURCH- RATF CASE.—JUDGMENT. This was an appeal from the decision of the admissibility of a libel propounded on behalf of the churchwardens of the parish of Braintree, in Essex, in a cause of subtraction of church-rates, brought against Mr. Gosling, a parishioner. The arguments and judgment of Dr. Lushington, as well as those in this Court, have been fully reported. Sir Herbert Jenner Fust took time until this day to deliver his opinion on the case, which is of great importance as regards the question of church-rates. The Learned Judge said this was an appeal from the Consistorial Court of London, where a case was instituted of subtraction of church-rate, brought by the church- wardens of Braintree against, a parishioner, Mr. Gosling. After a discussion before the learned judge of the court below the libel was rejected, and on that rejection the pre- sent appeal was promoted. The arguments were of im- portance, as the parish of Braintree has obtained considerable notoriety on the part of a portion of its inhabi- tants refusing to make rates for the repairs of the church. Decisions had been had upon the subject since 1837 by the Consistory Court, the Court of Queen's Bench, and in the Exchequer Court. The learned judge here referred to parts of these decisions in support of the view he intended to take of the present case. These decisions in the latter courts were fully referred to by Dr. Lushington, from whose decision the appeal was made, and as they were reported in extenso, it is only necessary to allude to them generally now. The first proceedings relative to the question of church-rates in this parish were commenced in the Consistory Court of London in 1837, and by the present churchwardens, against Mr. Burder, a parishioner, for £31; 18s. 4d., for a house and premises owned and occupied by him. The rate was at three shillings in the pound, and the sum sought to be re- covered was altogether 08 18s. 4d. The rate was made on the 6th June, 1837, and for the necessary repairs of the church. The estimate for those repairs was £532 10s., and it was pleaded that those repairs were indispensably neces- sary. On a vestry being duly called, and a rate proposed, an amendment was carried by the majority that the rate be postpdned for twelve months. On a ballot being taken the amendment was also carried. This was a virtual refusal of the rate. The churchwardens, a few days afterwards, met together, and made a rate by themselves of three shillings in the pound. Mr. Burder refused to pay it, and the church- wardens then proceeded against him. The judge of the court below admitted the libel offered on their behalf, he feeling himself bound by the decision in the case of Gordon v. Selby, pronounced by Sir William Wynne. As prohibition was obtained'from the Court of Queen's Bench, the rate was declared to be illegal, and afterwards a writ of error was brought forward, and argued in the Exchequer Chamber before the Lord Chief Justice and: seven of the other judges. They held that the decision in the Court of Queen's Bench was right, and they confirmed it. The question as to the invalidity of that rate was then set at rest, and had there been no reasons stated in the decision of the Exchequer Chamber the question now before the court would probably not have arisen. Sir Herbert J. Fust here went over the material points in the decision, in which it was held, that the payment of church-rates was imposed by the common law, and that owners and occupiers of lands and tenements were bound to pay them when made in vestry duly assem- bled. The only point raised in the case alluded to was, whether the rate was not illegal upon the face, and that, therefore, a spiritual court could not enforce it. The vestry had refused the rate, and the churchwardens, three or four days afterwards, made a rate, without giving any notice to the parishioners. A rate so made was declared to be alto- gether invalid. The churchwardens had not the sole authority to make the rate. The Lord Chief Justice Tindal, who expressed the judgment of the Exchequer Chamber, studiously guarded himself from expressing any opinion upon other subjects, such as the present. It was decided by the Exchequer Chamber, as it had been by the Court of Queen's Bench, that no rate was valid, unless made with the consent of the parishioners in vestry assembled. The court below therefore was not in a condition to proceed to recover the rate. The question was now, whether, if a rate was refused by a majority present, had the minority, with the churchwardens then in vestry, the power to make a legal rate. The differ- ence in the case of Mr. Burder was, that the churchwardens only, at a distance of time, and not in vestry, had made the rate. The necessity for making the present rate was not denied. The rate had been refused. The dilapidations were increasing, and in the month of June, 1841, a decree was taken out against the churchwardens-a monition was applied for then to show cause why a rate should not be made for the repairs of the church. The churchwardens were ready to propose a rate, and they appeared to the mo- nition, but none of the parishioners. A vestry took place on the 15th of July, 1841, and an estimate was given of the amount required to pay for the repairs, amounting to E713, with E20 Os. 6d. for incidentals. A rate was proposed, but an amendment was carried, refusing it upon religious princi- ples, &c. While the parishioners were assembled to make a rate in obedience to the monition from the court, and in discharge of the duty imposed upon them, to provide the funds to repair the church, and for the decent performance of divine worship, the rate now disputed was made by the minority. Mr. Gosling had refused to pay it, and his lia- bility was pleaded in an allegation, and the question raised was, whether a rate so made was valid, and if an Ecclesiasti- cal Court could enforce it. The leading point in the case was, if the minority and the churchwardens could make a rate that was valid, after the majority had refused one the Vestiy being still sitting 1 The court was not disposed to go at any length into the obligation of parishioners to repair the church. The authorities cited in the Exchequer Chamber were clear upon this point. The parishioners were bound to repair the church. In the Year Book," and other authorities, it was laid down that the burthen was on the parishion- ers. The custom had existed all over the realm; it was the common law of the land, and it had extended for a period beyond legal memory. The law was imperative, and no one could refuse to obey it—he was concluded by refusing to obey. The opinion of Lord Chief Justice Tindal, as to the common law right in the Exchequer Chamber, had the concurrent sanction of all the other judges who presided. The next question was, in which way this common law obligation is to be enforced. The Ecclesiastical Courts had the power, subject to the control of the Courts of Common Law, if the former exceeded their duty. If this Court held the rate to be legal it would proceed to enforce it, unless stopped by prohibition. Now, what is a valid church-rate? If made by a majority of parishioners in vestry there was no doubt it was legal, and the Ecclesiastical Courts would pro- ceed to enforce it without fear of prohibition. The Lord Chief Justice in the Exchequer Chamber had held that a rate made by the churchwardens and the majority present bound the whole parish, including, of course, those who did not attend the vestry, and were liable. But what was to be done when the majority refuses to make a rate, and it being not disputed that the church requires repairs. It would be no stretch of authority to say, that the present rate differed most materially from the former one that had been con- sidered. The deteriorated condition of the church had rapidly advanced. In 1834 a sum of j635 148. was only required for repairs. The churchwardens paid the money before a rate was agreed to. In 1835, the sum required for repairs was £175. In January, 1837, there were required £ 508 12s., with £ 23 10s. for incidentals; and in 1841, the estimate increased to £ 735. If such a state of things were continued, the church would be soon entirely untenable, and useless for the purposes of divine worship. Where was the power to obtain the money for these necessary repairs 1 When rates were valid, there was no remedy in the Courts of Common Law. The case of the King v. the Inhabitants of Thetford bore on the part of the question under consideration. Theie were two ways to obtain rates practised anciently-to phc the whole parish under interdict, or to excommunicate the re- fractory parties. But the times are gone by for such pro- ceedings at present. By placing a whole parish under inter- dict, made the innocent suffer with the guilty. None could attend divine service marriages, and so forth, could not be performed, and then any one observed in communion with a person excommunicated, became ipso facto also excommuni- cated. It would be a pride and satisfaction were an interdict placed on a parish to those who Voted against rates to see the church going to decay. Though excommunication might have been sufficient to compel refractory parties to obey the law, it was not so now, as all civil disabilities were at an end. It is admitted on all hands that the Ecclesiastical Courts could proceed to enforce either, but both were inoperative at the present moment. It would, indeed, be lamentable to see the churches fall to pieces for the want of the power to raise rates to pay the expenses of their repair. Excommu- nication to do so was a dead letter now, and the church- wardens would not be reimbursed were they to provide the necessary funds before a rate was agreed to in vestry for that purpose. Now, then, is this rate a valid one ? Can it be sup- ported by law, by authority, by principle, and by reason ? The churchwardens had to see that the church is repaired —was it reasonable that they should pay the expense ? The parishioners, when they become owners or occupiers of lands or tenements in a parish, know that, by the common law of the land, they were subject to the pay- ment of churchrates, for the repairs of the church. How could they be released? They could not relieve them- selves from the obligation by any vote of theirs. The tax existed long before they met to consider it. The church required repairs long before they who opposed the rate voted against it. The estimate of the repairs re- quired had been made out before they voted against the rate. Making a rate and imposing a tax were two very different things. The churchwardens had submitted estimates of the expenses of the repairs required. There was no objection to the estimates. There was no objection that the rate was too large- but they would not have a rate at all. They took on themselves to alter the law, and they had no right to do so. They had not done their duty. Th were resolved not to repair the church, which by law they were compelled to do. What would be the effect if this decision should be upheld. The court could have no difficulty in citing authorities upon this point. It was good, as a general position, that the rate should be made with the consent of the majority of the pa- rishioners in vestry assembled. In further explanation of his opinion, the learned judge referred again to Gordon and Selby, Thornton and Jones,, and others, and said he thought the decision of Sir William Wynne in 1799 had been most unjustly calumniated. The Court of Queen's Bench had repudiated it, but on a careful consideration of it, he (Sir H. J. Fust) thought it bore him out on the opinion entertained in this case. The parishioners had no right to vote against any rate at all. The case of voting in corporations for persons not qualified for office had been cited in argument. It had been said that their votes were thrown away, and that the minority who voted for a properly qualified person would return the in- dividual not disqualified. The votes of those who refused the tax already imposed upon them were illegal. They have no right to say there should not be any rate at all. The rate made by the minority was in this case good. No decision had been found that a rate so made was illegal. Looking, then, to all the circumstances of this c.ase—looking to the fact that the rate was necessary, reason, authority, and principle supported it. The churchwardens did all they could to get a rate, but failed. The vestry would not grant it. The judgment of the court below, under such circumstances, was erroneous, and must be reversed. A prohibition to prevent the Court admitting the libel might be obtained. A writ of error may be applied for, or the case might go up on appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The Court expressed a desire that an appeal from its present decision might be prosecuted, as then the whole points would be settled. If not, the Court would proceed to enforce the rate. The court reversed the sentence of the learned judges of the Consistory Court. Retained the principal cause, and directed the libel to be admitted to proof. No order was made for the present as to costs. [Mr. Gosling, the Sanballat of Braintree, has proved himself a very great goose. In 1834, the sum required for repairs was £ 35 14s. In 1835, the delapidation had increased the estimate to £ 175. In 1837, to £ 532 2s. Aud in 1841, to £ 735 The parishioners will have some reason to abhor this meddling blockhead.—Ed. A. & ,0: 1

(Jjlamorganøtrt. GLAMORGANSHIRE AND MONMOUTHSHIRE DISPENSARY AND INFIRMARY. Abstract of House Surgeon's Report to the Weekly Board for the week ending March 28, 1843. u /Remained by last Report 16 1 § 1 Admitted since 1 j | Discharged 0 V 5-S ) Cured and Relieved 2 > 2 1-1 \Died 0 ) Remaining -15 g Remained by last Report 90 § -§ Admitted since 17 f .S < Discharged 5 a J f Died •' 1 1 > 18 O \Cured and Relieved 12 ) Remaining 39 Medical Officers for the Week. Physician Dr. Moore Consulting Surgeon Mr. Reece Surgeon Mr. Evans Visitors. The Rev. J. Evans and Mr. D. Evans F. M. RUSSELL, House Surgeon. TAFF VALE RAILWAY TRAFFIC, For the week ending March 18, 1843. s. d. Passengers 99 5 5 Dinas Branch 114 1 10 Dowlais Branch 231 13 ] Lancaiach Branch. 45 18 2 General Merchandise 106 16 I Mr. John Edmunds, Pontypridd Colliery 28 8 6 JE626 3 1 For the week ending March 25th. Passenger* 105 12 6 DinaB Branch 119 9 8 Laneaiach Branch 141 12 1 Dowlais Branch 214 11 4 General Merchandise 104 19 3 Stone 1 2 6 Mr. John Edmunds Pontypridd Colliery 28 2 7 i\ **»int *——1 •w. ,r. > IA £ 715 9 11 CARDIFF STEEPLE CHASE AND HURDLE RACE. On Monday, pursuant to an agreement entered into at the steeple- chase of last month, these sports came off on the race course. The day was raw and gusty—a keen north- easter blew over a common, on which the witches in Macbeth might have assembled, and severely tested the endurance of the visiters, whose love of the sport, however, was more than a match for the bluster of master Boreas. At one o'clock the steeds were brought forth, and about half-past two the competitors for the hurdle race were at the post. The hurdles, fences, &c., were got over in fine style at the first burst, by the various competitors. The termination of the race, however, gave the following results, exclusive of some awkward falls, &c., a contingency inseparable from men and horses when put on their mettle. Mr. Newman's b.g. The Mountain, 6 years, I Ist. rflbs (C. Vivian).. 1 1 Mr. Wardlow'sYoung Jerry, list., 6 yrs 2 2 Mr. Bradley's The Duke, 6 years, list. 31bs dist. Hon.F.Fitzclarence'sMantilini, 6 years, list do. Captain Baker's Montezuma, aged, list. 131bs. do. Mr. Morgan's Newcastle, 6 years, list. 31bs do. Mr. Lloyd's Jack, aged, lOst. 51bs drawn I Captain Griffith's Warwick, aged, list. 51bs. do. 1 his was a curious race, Newcastle led followed by The Duke, the rest well up till they landed in the road, when about five fell, and a scene of great confusion ensued. Many who went to look on got involved in the melee. Mountain and Jerry, however, by superior luck or dexterity, escaped, and ran in by themselves as placed, and, apparently, glad to be relieved of the escort with which they set out, The Mountain beating Jerry about half a length. A second heat was the result, when Mountain led from the post. The race was severe and fairly tested the bottom and speed of the horses. The fences were taken in excellent style by the pair. Mountain, however, took the last with his competitor a little in the rear, and came in by a length only. Mountain ran well, and is a strong, well paced horse. THE STEEPLE CHASE. Mr. Morgan's Whalebone Mr. Reynold's Ragged Jack The race was confined to the two. Tartar was to have started, but was drawn. Ragged Jack came to the ground somewhat lame. However, as he is a horse of great spirit his backers thought he would throw away the sore leg, and show his usual pace, when put on his mettle. Whale- bone is a tidy bit of flesh. His appearance indicated much care and discipline in bringing him to the ground. The space to be run over was four miles. The duet was commenced between these performers at half-past 3 o'clock. As there were to be two rounds, with the break-neck appendages of hurdle and fence, the horses went to work quietly, but with determination. The jumps were taken with spirit and precision for the first round, both, apparently, reserving themselves for the ordeal of the second. This, too, was gone well over by the pair, and so nicely matched were they, that the most observant would hesitate to commit himself as to the result. When within a field of home, however, Ragged Jack's jockey was thrown, a circumstance that secured the prize to Whalebone, who came in, apparently, much distressed. The condition of both horses after the race was not a little indicative of their respective stamina. Ragged Jack wore his coat as smooth and dry as if whip and spur were things that he dis- dained. A third race took place for a sweepstakes of two sovereigns each, between Mr. Lloyd's Jack, Capt. Baker's Montezuma, Hon. r. Fitzclarance's Mantilini, and two grey horses, not named, each rode by the owner. The race was severely contested for throughout. Capt. Baker's Montezuma, however, came in with not a little difficulty. This terminated the sport of the day, which, with the drawback of the weather, and some ugly falls sustained by the professionals, afforded much satisfaction. The concourse of spectators on the ground was incon- siderable. As a matter of ordinary occurrence, after such a day, a large number sat down to dinner at the Cardiff Arms. On the events of the day and the excellent things before them ample justice was Cone, and the seeds of steeple chases, in embryo, were copiously sprinkled in the course of the night by a liquid that rarely fails in bringing to maturity embryos less promising than a young crop of steeple chases. At the Griffin also a party sat down to an excellent enter- tainment, the partakers of which appreciated it as men who were determined to do suitable honour to the Cardiff race; and « though last not least,' we must not forget to observe' that the worthy host of the Lion" was not behind his neighbours in catering for the reception of hit guests, who, on that occasion did every justice to the 4 good things' provided, and the evening was marked by the greatest con- viviality and unanimity of feeling. FISHING EXTRA.ORDI?;ARY -A gentleman, residing in this town, and a lover of what old Isaac Walton terms the gentle craft," while angling from the Cardiff bridge last week, hooked a fine salmon. The old cock showed game, ran off in sporting style the whole length of his tether, and was determined not to be taken in." The angler tried every lure and length of line to tease the old one. and get, within arms length of him to no purpose. In the midst of a capital piece of play the tackling gave wav, and the -salmon bore off in triumph a portion of the line, and a cast of flies; The angler, fairly done out of his tackling, and not a little amazed at the superior adroitness of the salmon, 14oft him in indisputed possession of his flies, to try in his turn what use it could make of them. The identical salmon, however, was netted the same evening by Mr. Lucas, with a hook stuck in its tongue, with the line and flies attached, and brought in triumph to the gentleman who had first lured him from his haunt. He was in excellent condition, and weighed 151bs. LECTURE AT THE THEATRE.-An interesting lecture on the" Organisation of Man," was delivered on Tuesday night at the theatre, by L. Reynolds, Esq. Though the lecturer manifestly laboured under indisposition, his exposition of this most entertaining of all subjects, gave much satisfaction. At the close the dissolving views, recently got up at consider- able expense by the members of the Mechanics' Institute were exhibited. Mr. E. P. Hood, at a few hours' notice, gave a running commentary on each view, as he stood in front of the curtain, illustrative of the difl'erent subjects. Few circumstances could better exhibit the tact and readi- ness of resource which Mr. Hood brought to bear on the different subjects than his exposition and illustration of the views. Many of them were exceedingly humorous, others touchingly picturesque, and the precision and facility with which they dissolved, and assumed a different aspect, gave much pleasure. The theatre was rather poorly attended, a very indifferent compliment to the labour and expense gone to by the Institute to promote an elegant and rational recre- ation, at a moderate expense; and one in which the most refined and fastidious could participate. This evening (Friday), Mr. E. P. Hood, delivers a lecture on Geology,* when the dissolving views will be repeated. TAFF YALE RAILWAY.—It affords us much gratification to be able to state—a feeling we are sure largely participated by all interested in the railway-that in consequence of an amicable settlement of the differences hitherto subsisting between the directors and Mr. Powell-that that gentleman has already commenced bringing his coal down the line. This arrangement, effected we could learn, by some judicious concessions on both sides, will necessarily increase the traffic on the line, as will be apparent from the account* of the last two weeks in aiiotheripart of our impression. The Easter Quarter Sessions for Glamorganshire will be, held at Cowbridge on Tuesday next, the 4th instant. THE NOTTINGHAM ELECTION.—The committee, after a lengthened investigation, came to the resolution last week, that Mr. Walter, was not duly returned. That bribery and treating to a large extent prevailed, but that Mr. Walter, was not conscious of it. CARDIFF CORN RETURNS.—Wheat, 21. 6s. lojd. per imp. qr.; Barley, 1/ 4s. 2 £ d. Oats, 14s. 9d.; Rye, 1J. 19s. 6d. 4 HUNTING.-Oll Friday last an excellent day's sport was enjoyed by the lovers of the chase with the Rev. J. P. Lewis's (New House) well-known fox-hounds. About seven o'clock on that morning bold Reynald was mvmaeij from his cover, near Ruperra, and after chasing him for nearly eight hours over romantic hills and boggy valleys, he became a prey to his unflinching pursuers at Bassalleg. Great credit is due to Mr. Smith, the huntsman, and his son, who, on the occasion, were very indefatigable in keeping up the sports. CARDIFF LIBRARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. The following report has been lately circulated amonggrt the subscribers. From the amounts annexed to the report, it appears that the receipts for the year were £ 70 7s., and the expenditure £ 81 18s. lid., and that there was a balance in favor of the institution of f22 19s. 3d.:— REPORT. It would be most gratifying to your committee could they in presenting this their fourth annual report, demonstrate to the friends and supporters of the Glamorganshire and Car- diff Institution, that the great objects for which it was originally established had been more fully accomplished, convinced that its prosperity is connected in no remote degree with the well-being of this town, and that were it supported to an extent at all commensurate with its importance, the benefit to be derived from it would soon be apparent • and the wholesome and profitable relaxation afforded by the library and museum substituted for the unprofitable, if not more objectionable disposal of those hours of leisure which most persons, particularly young men, have in their own power. It is not altogether, nor chiefly, the want of pecuniary contributions that your committee have to lament (although in this respect greater encouragement might, without pre- sumption have been expected,) but the withholding personal assistance and encouragement by the members generally and individually. Your committee fear that many are prevented from aiding the institution by the idea that a donation can be acceptable only when it bears intrinsic value, not considering that the component parts of the most extensive collections are valua- ble, not so much from their individual importance as from being incorporated in the collection of which they form an essential part. Many also are doubtless deterred from of- feriug their assistance, by the impression that to the com- mittee alone it belongs to attend to the interests of the institution and to promote its welfare; while your com- mittee assent to this as a general proposition, they, having all of them other important public and private duties to occupy their time, would be encouraged in their exertions were the library more frequented, and could they but see a desire on the part of their fellow townsmen to avail them- selves of the existence and advantages of such a library and museum as theirs, and to see it become more worthy of the chief town in a county of such rising importance as Glamorgan. So valuable a foundation for a truly important library few institutions can boast, the liberality of the Bishop ofthe Diocese, the Marquis of Bute, the Rev. J. M. Traherne and other gentlemen having furnished it with an extensive col- lection of historical records. and with books on natural philosophy and natural history, the value of which it is difficult to appreciate; and it requires but a similar interest in others who have the means to place the library in a state of complete efficiency. Under these circumstances your committee cannot report great progress during the past year, but they have again the gratification of proving that they have still some tried friends who are ever prominent for their liberality, by laying before you thej valuable presents from the Rev. J. M. Traherne, and Capt. W. H. Smyth, R.N., the former having given the cranium of a young elephant, from Ceylon, and a series of Silurian and volcanic fossils and minerals; the latter, the reports and transactions of different scientific bodies, and other philosophical papers unattainable by other means and our revered Diocesan and the Marquis of Bute have ex- pressed their willingness, when they see a corresponding effort on the part of the public, again to come forward and add to the splendid gifts which now occupy so large a portion of the library. Your committee in conclusion, cannot but bring to vour notice that the neighbouring towns of Swansea and Neath seem to be more alive to their best interests, there being at the one a large and improving public library and museum and at the other a fine building, erected under royal patron- age, for the promotion of the same objeets as you have in view; and within your own town there has lately been com- menced another institution, for the instruction and profitable relaxation of the operative population, and which it is hoped will, under careful direction, fulfil all it promises. Already it has afforded its members and friends an opportunity of attending courses of lectures upon philosophical and other subjects. There is room for all these, and most cordially do your committee wish them success; but they are desirous of seeing something of the spirit with which they are actuated infused into the supporters of this institution, that if it be not able to lead, neither should it be suffered to be altogether in the rear. Notwithstanding these discouragements, however, your committee will not despair, but with renewed vigour con- duct the operations of this year, should you be disposed to continue them in office, hoping that, if spared to muke another Report, there will be no longer occasion to express regret on account of want of encouragement, but abundant cause for rejoicing that they have been the humble instruments of effecting much good.