Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

WIT AND HUMOUR. A max should be grateful for a full grate. C'fiAMPiox of Light "Weights.—-The coal dealer. A. WIDE-SPREAD EVIL. A big umbrella in a crowd. AN ex-detective is about to issue a volume of his- ketches. «• — "• A°d" i"n yV HAT a m°ctcry to tell a man whose overcoat is ln P'l,vn to keep cool. mE,ST to do when you go shopping with ladies. — lake notes. n,n' piece of coin is double its value by deducting its half -Half-a-crown. 8 IF criminals are to be believed, none of them over had an honest conviction. WHY not call a smart dog a clever man ? We call a smart man a clever dog,you know. | JULIUS, did you ever see the Cat-kil Mountains Í" No, Sambo but I've seen the cats kill mice.' THERE is one striking resemblance between farmers and their poultry. Both delight in full crops. WHEN the Sultan loses his temper, the ladies of the household speak of him as a harem-scar'em fellow. A CORRESPONDENT asfes which tree has the strongest bark. The hoarse chestnut, we should suppose. WHEN a woman comes to the door and calls 'Hen-RE-E' you may know that she is not in a capital humour. Mr. JOHN JONES says he wishes hp could hear of some place where people never die, he would go and his days there. DIVI'ED into a weak solution of accomplishments' is the term now applied to girls professing to be so highly educated.' A WOMAN'S tongue never runs down but it is often ill-natured and voluble enough to run down almost everything else. DOUGLAS JEILUOLD, on being told that punning was the lowest form of wit, replied that it was therefore the foundation of all wit. Ax Irishman complained to his physician that he stuffed him so much with drugs that he was sick a long time after he got well. ONE of the shief objections to marrying where one iocs not love is that persons thus situatod are apt io love where they don't marry. A SUBSCRIBER wants to know how to prevent wrinkles.' The only sure remedy is to commit suicide before yon are thirty years old. THE Post Office authorities have ruled that a husband has no control over the correspondence of his wiro. Let her correspondence alone.

THE REV JOHN SHEWABD, of Milton, Kent, writes, October 29th, 1878:—'• My nerves were so shattered that I dreaded the simplest duties, and lost all energy and pleasure in the performance of them. The despondency I endured became almost unbearable. Since taking COBDEN'S PILLS the change in my health for the better is very marked. I have lost that horrible depression, my nerves are much stronger, and my general health very greatly improved. I cannot express how truly thankful I feel for the remarkable and pleasing change." COBDEN'S QUININE AND PHOS- PHOROUS PILLS give strength, energy, and vigorous vitality. Infallible in Neuralgia.—Ask for COBDEN'S PILLS," 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d., and have no others. Any Chemist will get them if they are not in stock, or they will be sent, Post Free, on receipt of 33 or 54 stamps (great saving), by the Sussex Drug Co., 135, Queen's Road, Brighton. Local Agent: -E. B. FORD, Chemist, George Street, Pontypool. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.—Glad Tidings. —Some constitutions have a tendency to rheumatism, and are throughout the year borne down by its pro- tracted tortures. Let such sufferers bathe the affected parts with warm brine, and afterwards rub in this soothing ointment. They will find it the best means of lessening their agony, and, assisted by Holloway's Pills, the surest way of overcoming their disease. More nfeed not be said than to request a few days' trial of this safe and soothing treatment, by which the disease will ulti- mately be completely swept away. Pains that would make a giant shudder are assuaged without difficulty by Holloway's easy and inexpensive remedies, which comfort by moderating the throbbing vessels and calm- ing the excited nerves.

PURGATORY. By VERITAS. II.—I now enquire into the origin and dcrclopmcnt of this dogma of Purgatory. We do not find that any reference was ever made by any professed Christian writers to this dogma, before the end of the sixth century, and at that time it is only found in certain absurd and fabulons dialogues attri- buted to Pope Gregory the Great. Otho Frisingensis; in the year 114G, an old historian, and a Roman Catho- lic bishop, informs us in his Chronicon "The doctrine of Purgatory was first built upon the credit of those fabulous dialogues attributed to Gregory I, about the year 600" (Taylor's Works, vol. x, p. 150). After this, Purgatory became a matter of speculation; and the theologians of the Church went out as the explorers of these gloomy and dismal regions. By the tenth century the subject had assumed a more definite shape, so that Mosheim (Eccles. History, Tenth Century) says The fears of Purgatory were now car- ried to the greatest height, and exceeded by far the terrifying apprehensions of infernal torments, for they hoped to avoid the latter easily, by dying enriched with the prayers of the clergy, or covered with the merits or mediation of the saints while from the pains of Pur- gatory there was no exemption. The clergy, therefore, finding these superstitious terrors admirably adapted to increase their authority, and to promote their in- terest, used every method to augment them; and by the most pathetic discourses,accompanied by monstrous fables and fictitious miracles, they laboured to establish the doctrine of Purgatory and also to make it appear that they had a mighty influence in that formidable region." Purgatory, however, was not submitted for discussion in order to be established as an article of faith until March 15th, 1438, at the Council of Ferrara; and it was not admitted as a doctrine of the Church of Rome until the Counciljof Florence in the following year, 1439. If the subject be referred to the writings of the Fathers, the passages quoted as bearing any semblance of proof are extremely few, and their supposed testi- mony miserably scanty. First of all, let it be noted that Romish writers are not able to find a single passage in the writings of the Fathers of the first century containing the most confused or ambiguous notion of the place called Purgatory. The first of the Fathers cited is Tertullian, and the light of the second century had nearly vanished from view when he rose to distinction, as it is said that he flourished be- tween the year 194 and the year 216. The passage is quoted by Dr Milner in his little book, and it has some reference to a poor widow praying for the soul of her dead husband. But this praying for the dead is quite distinct from the supposition of Purgatory, though none the less absurd. For proof of this, the Greek Church practises prayer for the dead, but repudiates the doctrine of Purgatory. This passage from Tertullian, if of any value at all, can only be so to the Greek Church, and can be of little use to prove the Purgatory of the Church of Rome. Then we come to the third century, and many absurd and nonsensical notions are held by many in the Church of this age; but from the writers of this century two Fathers only are quoted generally, Cyprian and Origen. Space will not permit the citation of the passage from Cyprian but as has been shown by Prebendary G. Stan- ley Faber, the purgative cleansing referred to by Cy- prian is that of the fiery ordeals and austerities of this life, and not to the sufferings of a Purgatory. In favour of this exposition of the passage he quotes the learned Rigaltius, a doctor of the Church of Rome. (Diff. of Romanism. 2nd Edit., pp. 180-184.) Origen only remains, and in order to be brief, for the passage contains only a wild and fantastic speculation on the state of the dead—between death and the judg- ment, and a statement that hell is only a temporary abode "-it will be enough to say that, as far as his writings are of value to the doctors and apologists of Rome, they can be of no authority; for, as Faber ob- serves, his whimsical private opinions on this, as well as on other matters, were anathematized by the Fifth General Council held at Constantinople, 553." Here the testimonies of the Fathers of the first three centuries vanish from the scene, after giving but little comfort on the subject of Purgatory. In support of what I have already advanced bearing upon the novelty of Purgatory, I would cite the words of Cardinal Fisher, Roman Catholic Bishop of Rochester (1504) and Divinity Professar at Cambridge, one of the most zealous and violent opposers of Luther:—" Many are tempted now-a-days not to rely much on indulgen- ces for this consideration, that the use of them appears to be new and very lately known among Christians to which I answer, it was not very certain who was the author of them. Among the ancients there was either no mention, or, at least, very rare mention of Purga- tory and to this day the Greeks believe not in its ex- istence neither, indeed, was the faith either of Purga- tory or Indigencies so needful in the Primitive Church as it now is. While there was no care respecting Pur- gatory, there was no enquiry about Indigencies; for on Purgatory the whole estimation of Indigencies de- pends. Take away Purgatory, and what need will there be of Indulgencies ? Since, then, Purgatory was so lately known and received by the Catholic Church, who can wonder that, in the beginning in the nascent Church (in prineipio nascent is EcclesicrJ there should be no use of them (indulgences)."—(Fisher Roffeus Cont. Luther, Art. xviii.) This is a notable admission on the part of one of the most learned authors the Church of Rome ever had in England; and in those days when the Universities of this country were under her contral. Another admission I would cite in closing: the words of the Benedictine editors of the Works of Ambrose1 published in the end of the 17 th century—"It is not,] indeed, wonderful that Ambrose should have written ini this manner about the state of souls but it may seem almost incredible how uncertain ana how little consis- k,ui, it. nave Deen on that question rrom j the times of the Apostles to the pontificate of Gregory'] XI., and the Council of Florence—that is, for the space J of nearly fourteen hundred years. For not only do they j differ one from another, as in matters not [yet] defined- by the Church as likely to happen, but they are. not even sufficiently consistent with themselves."—(Vide Collette, JSovelties of Romanism," p. 98.) Ambrose was one of the most distinguished of the Fathers, and flourished during the latter end of the 4th century and the above is the observation made by the learned Benedictine editors of his works respecting his views, and the views of the Fathers generally, upon the state of the dead.-(St. Abm. Oper., torn. I., p. 385, Admonitio ad Leetorem, Edit. Bened., Parisiis, 1686). Let the reader bear in mind, then, that Purgatory as taught by the Church of Rome had no existence until the 7th century of the Christian Era that after that, for centuries, it occupied the vague and nebulous regions of doubtful disputation and superstitions apprehensions • and that it was not admitted into the creed of the Ro- mish Church, as an article of faith, until the Council of Florence, A.D., 1439. (To be continued.)

THE CASE OF "PROTECTION." "Since the imposition of the:new Canadian tariff," says that St. Alban's (Vermont) Advertiser, the tide of smuggling has turned, and instead of being out of it' it is now 'into'the Dominion. Farmers ,I wagons convey from Vermont and New York States into Canadian territory large quantities of cotton goods, crockery, hardware, and nearly all kinds of manufactured goods. The recent advance in the Canadian tariff has created a strong inducement to smuggle, and this, coupled with the low prices here, makes the profits large." Here is a fact which in no small degree explains the disappointment of the Canadian Finance Minister at the failure of his cal- eulations of increased revenue from his high duties. But the Americans themselves are being taught a similar lesson by different means. "The American people," says the Springifeld Review, "are just now paying smartly for their protective tariff. This year 3,000 miles of railroad will be built. Steel rails mean small repairs and low freight. English steel rails at Liverpool are 24 dollars a ton; freight 3 dols. —making cost in New York 27 dollars. The duty there is 25 dollars a ton—together 49 dollars—that is to say, the duty is more than the prime cost and carriage." The price of American steel rails is about 49 dollars, and for inferior manufacture. The effect is, therefore, that the American people will throw away not less than fifteen millions sterling, as the duty of X5. a ton on the three million tons of steel rails required for the 3,000 miles of road to be build in this year 1879. In other words, the protected steel and iron masters of the Union will levy a bonus of fifteen millions sterling in one year on their countrymen. -Pt 11 Mall Gazette.

THE FARMERS' EXODUS TO AMERICA. A correspondent writing to the Daily Chronicle says :—A notice appeared the other day in your pub- lication relative to an exodus of eighty farmers to Texas. As it is not ',unlikely that this exodus may be followed by another, will you permit me briefly to remark that probably throughout the whole of the Union furmeis could not choose a more unfavourable State to emigrate to. It is not long since I returned from Texas, and while there had many opportunities of ascertaining the condition of farmers and farming. The great drawl ack is the want of rain. Frequent and prolonged droughts, rendering it always a matter of chance as to whether a farmer will harvest a crop or not. I am in constant communication with a gentleman farming about twenty miles from San Antonio, and only the other day I received a letter from him, in which he says his crop of corn and cotton is almost completely destroyed, owing to the drought. He also tells ire that out of a party of eighteen Scotchmen who arrived at a place about ten miles distant from his ranche, fourteen returned home immediately, as I can well understand. I am also acquainted with a Scotch farmer, who arrived in San Antonio in November of last y-_ar with a capital of £ G00, which he spent in purchasing land and making improvements. His crop tiiero is a complete failure, and he is trying to earn a few dollars by cutting hay, such as he can got. With regard to the "enterprising agent" of the American railway company, through whom, I under- stand, most of these farmers have been induced to emigrate, 1 can only say that the statements made in his lJook are, to put it very mildly, far from accurate, and greatly exceed, both in price and production, what the farmers obtain. I have not referred to sheen raising, for which certain sections of the couniry arc weil adapted, though even on this point Mr. Kings- ourv's estimate of profits is just about 100 per coat, above what maybe safely calculated upon. Trusting that this letter may be the means of deterring ma'y from taking a step which they may learn to regivj when too late.

The report of the directors of the Furness Railway Company for the past half-year states that the gross receipts amount to £ 209,507, £ 34,808 less than in the corresponding period of last year. The directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum.

THE PRESIDENCY OF AMERICA. VICTORIA C. WOODHALL AS CANDIDATE. Another wonder is going to be added to the many wonders of the new world. The latest important piece of political intelligence that reaches us from across the Atlantic is that Mrs Victoria C. Wood hall is to be nominated for the presidency. This is startling news indeed, if true, and we have-no reason to doubt the truth of it. We are told that the movement to return this notable lady as the 'Qiieen of America' is being supported by some of the leading politi- cians in the House of Congress and throughout the United States, who are said to be sanguine of her successful candidature. There are few living women who have attained a greater popularity in social and political circles than Victoria Woodhall, both as a lecturer and theo- rist. As a speaker she is, perhaps, one of the most eloquent and entrancing women that ever lived. During the autumn of 1877 she gave a course of ten lectures in St. James's Hall, on social and political government, which were at- tended by upwards of 40,000 persons, among whom were members of the aristocracy, nobility, and professional men of London and the pro- vinces, so that she is not entirely unknown to English people as an able speaker on those social questions which are ever moving on the surface of political life.—The Christian Union,

The following letter from the seat of war in Zululand has just been received by Mr Charles Harris, shoemaker, Sowhill:— Upoko River, Zululand, July 27th, 1879. Dear Uucle and Aunt,—I now take the pleasure of writing these few lines to you, hoping it will find you all in good health, as I am happy to tell you it leaves me at present. My dear Aunt, I send this letter just to let you know about the memo- rial I have sent to you about the men of my regi- ment that fell at the Battle of Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift on the 22nd of January. The officer commanding our depot at Brecon will forward it to you you will have nothing to pay on it when you receive it. I dare say you will get it by the time you receive my letter. I have sent you two, and you will please to give one to my sister; and please to take care of them, so as we can see them when we come home. We all three are in very good health; my brother Caul is in the l-24th Regiment, and I and Charley are in the 2-24th, but we see each other very often; my brother Caul is stopping at a place called Fort Newdigate. Charley and my Company are now on the march up the country, and we came by Fort Newdigate and saw Caul. He is looking well. I believe' his Regiment is coming home soon. They are going on the march next week down the country, but Charley and my Company are on the march up. I don't know yet where we are going. I think we have a few days heavy marching to do yet before we can come back; we heard here, at the place we are at now, that we have to go to Ulundi, the King's Kraal, where the last battle was fought at. There is great talk about my Regiment coming home, but we shall be able to know more about it in a week or two. I hope we shall, for we both have had enough of knocking about in this country during the last eighteen months, through bushes and over mountains. We lost a lot of the Ponty- pool boys out here, at the Battle of Isandhlwana. There were Alfred Farr, Dick Treverton, George Morris, Harry Smith, Charley Long, and Bill Reece (from Pontnewynydd) they all got killed. I and Charley can think ourselves lucky, for we I were staying m the same camp, only we were out with the General; we left Alf Farr in the tent asleep when we went out; the reason Alf stayed in was because he was butcher for the Regiment. I think I have told you all the news at present. Please give all our loves to our cousins. So now I must conclude by sending our love to you all. From your ever affectionate nephew, FRED EVANS, 2-24th Regiment.

BREAKING A PINT AGAINST A MAN'S FACE At the Pentre police-court on Monday, before Mr Gwilym Williams, stipendiary, Evan Bevan, Ynyshir, charged William James, a young fellow residing in the same place, with wounding him.- Prosecutor said he was a collier. Last Saturday night he was in the Butchers' Arms. A man was playing a harp and singing there. Prisoner was p standing up and "keeping" a noise. He told pri- soner to sit down "you doolbin, that we may hear the singing." Prisoner then came up to him and said, You put that word in your pocket; you had better." He requested prisoner again to sit down; prisoner did 33. Shortly afterwards prisoner got up, came to him, asked him if he wanted .anything, I and also asserted that, he would fight, Mm. He said to prisoner, Well, come out then." Priso- ner replied, Very well, come." He got up to go -out. Prisoner upon this picked up a pint and threw it at his head. Prisoner was about a yard and a half from him then. The pint cup hit him over the left eye, and he was taken to the bar, and tobacco was applied to the wounds. He became for a time insensible. The pint was broken to pieces against his (prosecutor's) face. Corroborative evi- dence was given, and the police stated that pri- soner admitted the offence. Prisoner was com- mitted for trial at the quarter sessions.

The attendance of visitors at Margate and Rams gate is very large, and the weather is very fine and seasonable. The President of the French Republic has just signed a decree pardoning sixty-five Communists detained in New Caledonia. M. Edmund About has sent a donation to the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution, of which he is vice-president. Harvest prospects have commenced in Thanet. Oats have been cut, and yielded an average crop. Barley will be cut in a few days. The reduction of calico. weavers' wages in Oldham, will, it is said, effect 3,T)00 workpeople, or about one-half the weaving power of the town. Mr. Horace Watson, barrister, late solicitor to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, has been ap- pointed solicitor to the Post Office, in succession to the late Mr. W. H. Ashurst. Tue cost of the Ministerial Whitebait Dinner at Greenwich, is estimated at £ 1-50., and, of course, includes hire of the steamer down and the special traiu back. Typhoid fever in swine has appeared in the neigh- bourhood of Helston. Twelve animals have been slaughtered at a farm at Porthleven, and thirteen others have died. A man named Aldridge has been killed on the South Cliff, at Scarborough. He was excavating for drainage works when a slip of earth buried him up to the neck. The death is announced of Mr. J. N. Dudlow, one of the coroners for Kent, in his 83rd year, the de- ceased having acted as coroner for West and Mid Kent for nearly sixty years. Mr. H. J. Robinson, son of the late Mr. Dixon Robinson, has been elected coroner for the hundred of Blackburn, in the stead of Henry Unsworth Har- greaves resigned. A great part of the works of Mr. Tattersall, spin- ning mule manufacturer, of Bow Lane, Preston, has been destroyed by fire. The fire was caused by the overheating of a stove. It is stated that the 24th Regiment, now under orders for home, will, on arrival be presented with new colours, both of which were lost at Isandula, though one of them was subsequently recovered. Mr. W. F. Hock, a native of Barnstable, has just presented to the inhabitants of that town a park of between seven and eight acres in extent. The park is pleasantly situated beside the river Taw. Great preparations are being made at the ancestral seat of the Duke of Norfolk for the reception of a very distinguished visitor from the Continent, who is none other than the Comte de Chambord. At the Brentwood Petty Sessions, Mr. Alexander Yates, of Brentwood, has been fined X,5 and costs for neglecting to give timely notice that he had in his possession a mare affected with glanders. At a meeting of the council of the Royal Agricul- tural So. iety, the other day, it was found that the total deficit on the Kilburn Exhibition will not exceed about £ 8,000, or zC,5,000 than a recent estimate which has been published. A report just issued by a Select Committee ap- pointed to control the kitchen and refreshment rooms of the House of Commons shows that during the session, up to the 6th of August, 4,599 luncheons and 6,159 dinners have been served in the House. A dog, bearing every trace of being attacked with rabies, was found foaming at the mouth, viciously snapping at men and cattle in the Derby Market Place, a few days since. He was caught by a consta- ble, and was afterwards shot. The constable was bitten. The death is announced of Dr. William Henry Young, F.R.C.S., at the advanced age of nine-three. He entered the army in 1809 as assistant-surgeon of the -8th Regiment of Foot, and saw considerable scryico in the Peninsula at Waterloo campaigns. Early the other morning, as some young men were bathing at Cherry Garden Stairs, Bermondsey Wall, n,, a young man named Priddy was suddenly seized with cramp, and before assistance could be rendered he was carried under some vessels, and was drowned. At the Thames Police Court, London, James Tay- lor, a labourer, has been charged with causing the neath of Harriet Jeffrey, a woman with whom he had been living. Evidence was given showing ill-treat- ment of the deceased by the prisoner, who was remanded.

THE SALVATION ARMY. RELEASE OF MISS LOUISA LOCK AND HER FELLOW-PRISONERS. Tho liberation of Miss Louisa Lock and the other "Salvation Army captives," from Cardiff Gaol, took place on Monday. They had been confined there according to the decision of the Pentre magistrates, for obstructing the high- way, by holding a prayer meeting in the street on a Sunday afternoon. A short account of the case appeared in our last. It will bo remem- bered that Miss Louisa Lock, with other mem- bers of the Salvation Army, refused to pay the fine, preferring to be sent to prison. Miss Mary Lock had paid the fine, under her elder sister's advice, for the purpose of being free to carry on the work. The Misses Lock, with their mother, are residing at Ystrad, and to this place the released lady-captain and her troop of offi- cers returned from Cardiff by train. Some of their friends had gone to Cardiff to meet them. At Pontypridd, a hearty demonstration was give to them as they passed, and on tips and such places up the line from Llwynypia to Pentre, dense crowds were congregated, shout- ing and waving handkerchiefs and bonnets, as well as from the upper windows of the houses. At Ystrad, preparations had been made on a large scale to give them a positively enthusias- tic welcome, and flags and banners were hung out all along the streets, inscribed "Welcome home to the prisoner," &c. Thousands of per- sons had assembled at the railway station pre- vious to the arrival of the train, and the station gates were literally besieged, the Salvation Army band, with their flag borne aloft, being in front. As the train drew up and Miss Lock was recognised, shouts of "Hallelujah" and "Amen arose from the vast crowd, and when she and those arriving with her came forth from the gate, a grand procession was formed, Miss Lock and party leading the way, and all marched towards Tonybedw field (at the end of Pentre), singing hymns, particularly a Welsh one appropriate to the event. On its way, the crowd was augmented by waiting hundreds, until, on arriving at their destination, it was computed to have consisted of not less than 20,000 persons. Meanwhile the rain poured down in torrents, but was unheeded by the en- thusiastic multitudo. Miss Lock and others of those just released addressed the people, ex- pressing their joy at finding themselves at home again, but saying they were willing to suffer in the same way again for the same great cause. The prison fare they described as broad and water, but they did not eat much of the bread —they prayed to be kept from hunger that they might not be obliged to do so. The labour was picking oakum, which Miss Lock said was the easiest work she had ever done. James Edwards, one of the speakers, had been in prison before that for drunkenness, but did not feel as happy there then as he now had done. He produced a dark lump of bread he had brought from the gaol, which caused much laughter. In the even- ing, services were held in the chapels, 26 of which are said to have pronounced against the sentence. General Booth sent to say that he had wired to the 150 divisions of the Army in the United Kingdom, requesting their prayers for those in Cardiff Gaol. It seems a pity that the magistrates could find no other means of dealing with the leaders of the Salvation Army in the Rhondda Valley than by fining them, and sending them to prison in default. We can understand the necessity of curbing the out-door proceedings of these ec- centric religionists in towns where the greater part of the population are annoyed, rather than elevated, by their eccentricities but it is other- wise in the populous villages of the Rhondda Valley in Glamorganshire. For some months the I, Salvationists" have been hard at work among the rougher portion of the mining popu- lation, and the result has been a large increase in the membership of the various chapels that stud the valley. It is not as at Coventry, where a watchmaker the other day attempted to cool the advance of a Salvation Army leader by pour- ing three buckets of water over him. It appears that in the Rhondda: Valley almost the whole population are more or less in sympathy with these people. The prisoners were escorted to the railway station by some thousands of people singing Revivalist hymns, and, to add to the oddness of the scene the very policeitien were in toars.&hat«ver Jithe extravagances of the Salvationists," thetestimony of impartial wit- nesses on the spot, representing able provincial journals, is that they are creating a marked im- pression upon the roughest population where they work. It is to be hoped that the magis- trates will exercise as much forbearance towards them as possible.-The Echo.

PENTYRCH & MELINGRIFFITH WORKS, The stoppage of these important Works, by order of the liquidators of the West of England and South Wales District Bank, has already caused much destitution in their vicinity, and numbers of persons will shortly be compelled to seek parish relief. Many men with large fami- lies allege that they have, for months, only been able to earn sufficient for the barest necessities, and this is borne out by the state of their houses. Several young workmen have left the place, but the greater number remaii, in hope of the works being again started, as there are ru- mours of offers having already been made for them.

STEEL RAILS VERSUS IRON. Mr C. P. Sandberg, of 19, George :tret,W est- minster, writes :—" Sir,—While agreeing with "Iron" in his statement in The, Times that iron rails were much better made and of superior quality in former days than now, and also that the duration of steel rails might have in some instance been over-estimated, I cannot allow the impression which the latter leaves to pass with- out some comment, having made this subject my special study these twenty years. The su- periority of steel to iron in the form of rails is so well established that there is hardly want of proof among railway men in England and Ame- rica. The revival of the iron rail trade is solely caused by the less duty on import to America, being about X3 per ton against X5 for steel, and by prices of iron and steel being now about the same, as shown by the enclosed diagram for the last 23 years. On the Continent iron rails were of very superior material and make, and this, notwithstanding the comparative endu- rance between iron and steel rails on some of the leading German railways, may be summed up as follows :—For iron rails the annual ex- change was about 7 percent.; but since steel rails have been laid on the whole of these lines the exchange of unserviceable rails has not amounted to 1 per cent. in seven years.

THE Queen has ordered the money belonging to tho Mansion House Zulu War Fund, the Isandula the Mansion House Zulu War Fund, the Isandula and Rorke's Drift Fund, and the Zulu War Fund, to be handed over to the Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund, who will administer and distribute the same. SHOCKING DEATH IN THE RHYMNEY WORKS.— About one o'clock on Friday a sad accident oc- curred in the Bute Puddling Forge of the Rhym- ney Works to a puddler, residing at 3, Thomas Street, Pontlottyn. Deceased was wheeling a truck, such as is used in ironworks, and on it was a mass of heated iron, which he was about to place in his furnace. It is supposed the poor man's foot slipped, and, falling on his back, the iron fell off the carriage on to his breast, killing him almost instantaneously. The mass of iron was about l cwt. 2 SEKIOTJS BOILER EOPLOSION.-A boiler accident by which two men lost their lives occurred in the Railway Works, at Crewe, on Tuesday evening. An elderly man named Alexander Beck, and a young man named Riley, were engaged in the millwrights' shop testing an engine-boiler, when it exploded, and blew the men about thirty yards, tearing their limbs off, and causing instantaneous death. Fortunately no other workmen were very near at the time, although one or two were suffici- ently close to receive slight injuries. The explo- sion occurring near the centre of the town shook every part of it. THE Halifax magistrates have given an import- ant decision affecting the liability of married women when employed as factory operatives to their em- ployers. A woman whose husband had deserted her was sued by a firm of spinners for 20s damage sustained by them in consequence of her having left her work for six days without having given due notice. She pleaded that she was compelled to remain at home to nurse her child; and the magistrate, holding the opinion that the husband should have been made a party to the action, dis- missed the case. The husband, however, is in America, and notice of appeal was given.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. By an oversight, we unintentionally omitted the report of the speech of the Rev T. Williams, of Rehoboth Chapel, from the account of the meeting of the Pontypool Branch of this Society which we published last week, and have now much pleasure in giving it more fully than our space then would have permitted. The Rev T. Williams said We all ought to be grateful that this society has come into existence, and that it has so nobly discharged its duty. It has blessed the whole country, and there is not a single member of society from the peer to the pauper who is not the better for it. Personally, I am under an obligation to it, as all ministers of religion arc. The advantageous terms on which it offers hooks to students and ministers ought to be a sufficient reason for their support of it. Books are the mightiest instruments of the age. They were once possessed only by the few, but have now become the means of gratification to all; they penetrate everywhere, and find their way into the most obscure dwellings. But we want literature that will render undivided homage to truth and virtue, and that will tell the Story of the Cross" in such a manner as will reach the humblest hearts. And it must be said that this is the character of the books published by this society—their influence is deep, rich, and ele- vating. The deputation has made a reference to France. We all should feel indebted to this so- ciety for helping the Protestants of France in the circulation of the truth. The two great factors at work in this land are Popery and Infidelity. Popery is visibly decaying and disintegrating—a 0 ID rupture has taken place between the people of France and Roman Catholicism. The Angel of Death has passed over that church. Outwardly, Roman Catholicism has every appearance of strength and grandeur, but when you take away the draperies and bandages, you will find the spiritual life has gone out of her. On the other hand, Infidelity, which is a reaction from Popery, will be transient, because man, in his hour of sorrow, will look for a solid basis to rest his belief upon. Let us assist this society in diffusing the light of Christianity over that land, which has been watered with the blood of so many martyrs. Again, there is Italy. It is from here that the greatest system of error has emanated. Where is there a system with an or- ganization so complete ? What system is so skilful in its intertwinings with society ? It is here that the world's battle must be fought. One Italian orator has said that "the keystone in the arch of European despotism is at Rome." Never was truer word spoken. That keystone must be struck out in order that the light of the Gospel may shine on that beautiful land. Italy filled with the light of the Gospel! Italy subject to the gentle yoke of Christ This is what she needs for her properity and true greatness We all wish the society Godspeed." Its work must succeed while man sins and suffers, while there is anguish in his heart and grief in his home, the Story of the Cross will never lose its value. Truth must prevail. Tradition has tried to bury it. Hypocrisy has given it many a false kiss. Modern scientists are trying to destroy it by their interpretation of geological researches. But des- pite all, He shall yet reign from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. Let us obey the Divine command, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand."

ROYALTY INCOGNITO. During the Prince of Wales's stay in Torquay he has walked or driven to many of the numerous points of beauty or interest with which the coast abounds. It is related that, on Friday, the Prince landed at Babbicombe Bay, and, after exploring its charms, in company with Captain Stephenson and Lord Hastings, the trio betook themselves to an adjacent tea garden, and ordered refreshment. The establishment, however, is chiefly frequented hy visitors who bring their own provisions, and was unprovided with any but very homely fare. A lady who was taking tea with friends in an adjoin- ing arbour overheard the colloquy to which the re- quest gave rise, and courteously placed at the dis- posal of the gentlemen a portion of her provisions, including, of course, Devonshire cream, tea, and cakes. The offer was accepted, and the lady's creature comforts having been freely partaken of, the recipients, the Prince especially, were warm in their acknowledments of this display of courtesy to strangers. It was not until after they had de- parted that the la iy became aware that she had entertained a Prince unawares.

THE Earl of Carnarvon has, in consideration of the prevailing depression in agriculture, returned to the tenants of his Somersetshire and Hampshire estates 10 per cent. on the amount of their respec- tive rentals. BOY DROWNED WHILE SCALING APPLES.—On Wednesday, August 27th, William Locke, a boy 11 years of age, was getting some apples from a tree at Pontnewydd, Golligaer parish, and on hearing some one coming, he made his way off, and ran into the brook that leads to the Taff river. There being a great flood in the brook at the time, he was drowned. Deceased was picked up in the feeder at Melingriffith on Sunday morning last. An inquest was held at the police station, Whitchurch, on Monday. The jury returned a verdict of Acci- dental death." I LOYAL SHEPHERDS' PRESENTATION TO MR GLADSTONE.—A little more than 12 months ago Mr Gladstone joined the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, Hawarden district, as an honorary member, and recently a deputation, headed by the chief shepherd of the district, attended at the Castle, to present the right hon. gentleman with an emblem of the order, in a handsome frame. The presentation was made by the provincial corres- ponding secretary (Mr J. Wright), and Mr Glad- stone, in receiving it, said he should regard the emblem with feelings of pleasure. He should al- ways be ready to co-operate with the officers and members in promoting the benefit of the order. THE Earl of Kilmorey, whose estates are in Cheshire, has issued a circular to his tenants an- nouncing that the letting of his farms will be thrown into the market to see what they will fetch, as the only means of ascertaining if their letting value has been affected by the difficulties surround- ing the agricultural interest. He trusts that the greater part of the old tenancies will be renewed, but where that should not be the case care will be taken that reasonable compensation is given for unexhausted improvements. Since the issue of the circular notices to quit have been served, and none of the tenants have applied for a renewal of their tenancies. We are being rapidly Americanised, and our most recent development in that direction is the cobtail." The cobtail is an American tramcar whose special mission it is to do for the conductors what the rail- way has done for the old coachman-efface them. The cobtail, which is about to be introduced into the metropolis by the London Tramways Company, is a vehicle seating twenty passengers inside there is no ou'side accommodation. It is drawn by one horse, and the services of the conductor are dispensed with. The entrance is at the rear of the car; on entering, the passenger sees staring him in the face in the front of the car the money box, consisting of wood and glass. Into this box he drops the exact fare, which the driver is able to see as it falls. If he needs change he pushes a small spring in the front door, and the driver on receiving the coin hands him a package of money, selected from a box attached to the framework of the car, in which is deposited pack- ages of change for coins of all denominations. In America these cars have been found to work admir- ably, being very handy and extremely economical,

THE DISCREET BOASTER. I often try to get away, Where 1 am not well known; AVhate'er I do, be where 1 may, My trumpet must be blown. Far-sounding fame, where'er I go, Depends on my own voice: It shan't be wanting, that I know, If 1 can have my choice. I mean to use both craft and sense To blow my trumpet loud And thus I'll gain a fame immense Among the wond'ring crowd. I oft can do it, in this way— Repeat some flatterer's word, As though I happened just to say A thing which I had heard. Repeat it here, repeat it there, rntil it is well known, Still minding always to take care None see my trumpet blown. And thus 'twill seem as though it came Because of my great worth Then none will me for boasting blame, The humblest man Oil earth. And I am so unselfish, too,— I only state a fact; But this I know is also true,— I am a man of tact. From The Self Family," by T. T. SHIELDS.

ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN, DROWNED AT ELLESMERE, SEPT. 3RD, 1879. It was a warm September day,- The sun poured down his golden sheen, The Mere a burnished mirror lay, Set in a frame of glowing green. Light-hearted as the birds in May, Three friends upon the lake set sail, And wiled the sunny hours away With pleasant talk and merry tale. Ah, little dreamt they that ere night Out of their number one should be Cut off in all his manhood's might, And swept into eternity I Struck by a swinging spar he fell, And sank before his sister's eyes— 0 God who can her feelings tell p That saw his dying agonies! The soldier on the battle-field, When round his head the bullets sing, Falls while he sees the foemen yield, Nor feels the King of Terrors' sting. The sailor on the stormy main Encounters death with little dread, And sinks to rise no more again Until the sea gives up its dead. The aged pilgrim, when at close Of life's long day he sinks to rest, Dies softly in the arms of those Who all through life have loved him best. Yet thus to die is sad indeed, Though nerved to meet impending doom -For lonely hearts again will bleed To think upon the loved one's tomb. But in the flush of Hope and Youth, in joyous life's exulting Spring Su idetl and unexpected both— Death is a doubly fearful thing. Still in its frame of glowing green The Mere reflects the changing skies; But nevermore its lovely shore Shall he behold with mortal eyes. Never again her boy will come, I With smiling face and cheery voice, To scatter sunshine in the home, And make his mother's heart rejoice. O! stricken mother, weeping sore, I O sorrowing sister, in thy grief FfULhim who eometh nevermore. J This thought will give thy heart relief: j That in a land beyond the sky, i Where sorrow's tears are wiped away, All grief and gloom are scattered by The glory of eternal day The one you mourn with tender love, He is not lost but gone before; And you, in that bright land above, Shall meet again to part no more Ellesmere, Sept. 5th, 1879. J. SCOTT. =-

CHANGE IN THE LAW OF BILLS OF SALE. Judge Falconer calls attention to the following important change recently made in the realization of bills of sale: — An Order in Council of the greatest import- ance was made on the 1st of August last and printed in the Gazelte of August 22. It is ordered that the provisions contained in section 13 of the Common Law Procedure Act, 1860, shall apply to the county courts in respect of any goods seized in execution by any high bailiff under process of z!1 the said Courts of Record. The section referred to provides < that when goods or chattels have been seized in execution by a sheriff (now high bailiff) or other officer,under process of the above- mentioned courts (now including process of the county courts), and some third person claims to be entitled under a bill of sale, or other- wise, to such goods or chattels, by way of security for a debt, the court or judge may order a sale of the whole or part thereof upon such terms as to payment of the whole or part of the order a sale of the whole or part thereof upon such terms as to payment of the whole or part of the secured debt, or otherwise, as they, or he, shall think fit, and may direct the application of the proceeds of such sale in such manner or upon such terms as to such court or judge may seem just.' This enactment will check the common abuse of bills of sale in assigning all the goods of a borrower of some small amount of money, and, by a juggle between the person making the loan and the owner of the goods, withdrawing large amounts of pro- perty from executions on judgment debts of cre- ditors and also when the money lender claims to seize large quantities of goods when the money advance has been small, thus defrauding creditors of the benefits of judgments obtained in courts of law. In future the chief anticipated advantage of giving a bill of sale will no longer exist. Frauds to an immense extent will be checked."

NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS. Several new regulations for the government of the Volunteer Force have just been issued. In future, no person below the age of seventeen, or above the age of forty-nine, will be enrolled in a Volunteer corps, and no person on attaining fifty years of age will be allowed to continue to serve as an enrolled member of any Volunteer regiment. Boys may still bo enlisted for the purpose of being trained as buglers, but only in a certain proportion to the strength of the corps. These regulations will certainly do no harm but some of the Metropolitan corps will have to strike off a number of elderly men, who though enthusiastic volunteers, have long passed the meridian of life. The desire of the War Office to have the force clothed in scarlet still con- tinues for special advantages are now given to corps for which scarlet has been sanctioned as the colour of the uniform, to obtain cloth from the Government Stores at Pimlico by deducting the value from the Government grant. Corps which retain uniform of a colour other than scarlet will continue to be supplied as at pre- sent—that is to say, by paying for it before it is delivered. This arrangement will, in effect, give five months' credit to the scarlet battalions, as the capitation grant is earned by Oct. 31st but the sum earned is not issued till after the following 31st March. Non-commissioned offi- cers of the Regular Army transferred to the Vo- lunteer Force as instructors will, in future, be allowed to draw rations in kind, instead of re- ceiving a money allowance in lieu thereof, if they are stationed in any garrison town where it is practicable for them to be supplied with rations. Whether they will elect to do so is open to question, as it is notorious that married sol- diers, even when serving with a regiment of the Line, prefer the money allowance. It would ap- pear from these regulations that the authorities are determined to bring the organisation and equipment of the Volunteers somewhat nearer to those of the regular service.

SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE. The great salt industry of Cheshire is threat- ened with an Act of Parliament to restrain its devouring tendencies under the surface of the earth. It seems that, in the neighbourhood of two amongst its most important towus, the pro- cess of pumping for brine has, withiu the last years, been carried on to such an extent, that considerable subsidences of the land have taken place, and serious injuries are feared for farm-areas and the foundations of the out- stretching suburbs-for example, of Nantwich and Northwich. Mr Ponsonby Cox, the Govern- ment Inspector appointed to inquire into this question, has made an interesting report to his department, and declares that no remedial action, under present circumstances, is possible. There must, lie says, be a new and special Act Act of Parliament to save the districts referred to from, in many places "caving in" altoge- ther. They are not like the coal territories the salt is not cut from the solid, but brought up in a semi-liquid form from the subterra- nean deposits, spreading far and wide, in ex- tents and directions positively unknown. Thus the proprietor of ground enough to contain a steam-engine, with its auxilary machinery, may be undermining the land for acres, if not for miles, on every site around it and there is an essential difference between these workings and those of coal. In the latter a plan, as as rule, is followed columnar masses are left to sup- port the roofs of chambers and galleries and a certain proportion is observed between the spaces excavated and the spaces allowed to re- main intact. Whereas in the case of salt it is as though lakes of unascertained dimensions were drained, leaving above them only thin and uncertain crusts of the upper rock or soil, through which, at any moment, farm-house and farm, cottage or church, might sink and disap- pear as though they had been swallowed up by an earthquake. The subject is one of new and singular interest, and the statement of the offi- cial inspector certainly warrants his hope that it may receive some authoritative attention.

TRAMPS. The love of wandering which (says the Pall Mall Gazette) is one of the motives which induce young men to take up a tramp's life is too near akin to ^v4-' « -1 i —1-i.l. 1 uw u .1 for England to make it an object of severe con- demnation. But, like other tastes which lie on the borderland between vice and virtue, it is only innocent when gratified at the possessor's own ex- pense. A tramp who indulges his tastes at the ex- pense of commonplace stay-at-home ratepayers is a nuisance. The guardians of Merthyr-Tydvil have been exceedingly fortunate in their method of dealing with this class. Ten years ago 4,274 tramps were relieved during the twelve months. This year during the same period only 142 have been relieved. The means employed was inquiry on the part of the police into the antecedents of each tramp applying for relief. The professed tramp gets no relief except in case of illness or accident. The tramp who is only so for the time is relieved if the superintendent is satisfied of the truth of the account he gives of himself, and thinks the case a proper one for relief. The con- sequence is that Merthyr-Tydvil has got a bad name among professional tramps, and they ar- range their tours as much as they possibly can with a view of keeping out of it. If the districts to which they show great favour would adopt a similar machinery, there is no reason to doubt that a similar result would be obtained. The kind of tramp whom it is most desirable to discourage has a congenital horror of the police.

GRAIN CROPS IN AMERICA. Advices from Chicago state that the largest winter wheat crop over produced in the United States has been harvested this season. It exceeds both in quantity and quality that of 1878, and the farmers are well content with the prices realized. The spring wheat crop is also a large one, exceeding that of last year, and it is now mostly harvested, except for the northern part of Minnesota and the northern part of Wisconsin. It is estimated that there will be from this year's crop a probable surplus of 160 to 175 million bushels of wheat for export for foreign countries. The importing countries of Eurcpe will probably require from, accounts so far received, from 280 to 300 million bushels. The yield of oats varies in different parts of the State, in some districts being light, whilst in others it is good. On the whole a fair crop is reported. The prospects for Indian corn are excellent all over the States. It must be borne in mind, however, that this crop is not matured until September, nor free from the blights of frost until then.

THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF GIBRALTAR. Mr. George Philippo, whom the Queen has been pleased to appoint Chief Justice of Gibraltar, was admitted to the honourable society of the Inner Temple in April, 1859, obtained a certificate of honour of the first-class in January, 1862, and was called to the Bar in Hilary term of the same year. Admitted to the Jamaica Bar in the following year, he practised there till February, 1868, during which time he was professionally engaged before the Royal and Special Commissioners appointed in consequence of the serious disturbances in that island, and of the measures of repression taken by the Government. He was detained in England for some months by the Jamaica Committee in order to give evidence as to laws of Jamaica in the various prosecutions instituted by that body. Subsequently in March, 1868, he was appointed Queen's Advocate, Sierra Leone, in March, 1870, Attorney-General of British Columbia, and in May, 1871, puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Guiana. In September, 1873, he went to Gibraltar on special service, being appointed acting Attorney-General and judge of the Court of Requests there during the absence on leave of Mr. F. Solly Flood, and remained in Gibraltar after the return :)f Mr. Flood on special service from December, 1873, till February, 1874. Mr. Philippo's appointment is junior puisne judge of the Straits Settlements took place in December, 1873, and his promotion to the post of senior puisne judge in March, 1874, being subsequently appointed Attorney-General of Hung Kong, which post he has held till the present time.

IT appears that during some building operations at the corner of Prince-street, Bristol, some work- men discovered a number of human skulls and bones. Five skulls were found in one pit, and several bones in another. The remains are in a fair state of preservation. A CLERGYMAN FINED.-At Carmarthen county petty sessions, the Rev. Samuel Church, clerk, of the Green, Llanstephan, was charged with keep- ing two unlicensed dogs. P.c. Kendall proved find- ing two dogs, both over six months old, to his own knowledge, at defendant's residence, on the 15th August, for which no licenses were produced. De- fendant was fined 15s and costs. Epps's GLYCERINE JUJUBES.—CAUTION !-These effective and agreeable confections are sold by most Chemists by others, however, attempts are often made at substitution. We therefore deem it necessary to caution the public that they can only be obtained in I boxes, 6d. and Is.; labelled JAMES EPFS and Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, 48, Threadneedle Street, and 170, Piccadilly, London.

THE MARQUIS OF HARTINGTON ON AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION Lord flartington presided on Friday at a meeting of the Harlnorshire Agricultural Association at Peny- bont. There was an unusually large gathering, owing to the fact that the noble marquis is about to c ase bis representation of the Radnorshire Boroughs, in acknowledging the toast of the member for the borough,—Lord Hartinuton said that that might be, and probably was, the last occasion on which he should have the honour of returning thanks as a member for the Radnor Boroughs but whatever might be his fate, or whatever constituency he might 1 e called upon to represent, nothing cou;d efface from tus mind the generous and considerate treatment he had received from the constituency. He need not remind them how much he owed that constituency, which gave him a seat when he was rejected by the constituency he last represented. He had now, in addition, after a lapse of ten years, to thank them ior the greatest forbearance which,probably,any mem- ber ever experienced from his constituents. If he were to consult his personal feelings only,nothing would in- duce him willingly to terminate the connecti m which aad so long existed between them. He was unable— party ipolitics being forbidden at that meeting—to explain how it was that political duty called him elsewhere but he could say this-that nothing could ever efface from his grateful recollection the treat- ment he had experienced in Radnorshire. He trusted that his successor, whoever he might be, would be able to find more time and possess more local know- ledge to devote to their interests than he was afraid he, as their representative, had been able to give. With Ithese prefatory remarks, he would come at once to the toast of the day, Success to the Rad- norshire Agricultural Society." It would not be profitable to occupy their time by giving a personal opinion as to the character of the show that had taken place that day. He would leave that to more ex- perienced and better qualified judges but, judging irom the attendance he had seen both at the show ground and at that meeting—whatever the state of agricultural depression might be—there seemed to -L, be no falling off in the interest felt in the success of the Radnorshire meeting. Of course, it was impossi- ble to speak at such a meeting as that without saying a few words on a subject already touched upon, the depressed state of the agricultural interest. That was a subject in which the whole of the community were beginning to take the most lively interest. Many remedies had been suggested, but there was no one satisfactory. i C Among the multitude of sug- gestions that had been made it was not possible to extract any that would lead to a good result; and this was not to be wondered at. He believed that the depression from which the agricultural interest was now Buffering was owing mainly, if not en- tirely, to causes over which they had not the slightest control. Amongst these causes were the bad seasons they had experienced and the almost unlimited competition they had met with from abroad. He knew there were some who thought that, however powerless they might be against the elements, this competition from abroad was not beyond their power to deal with. But free trade was utterly beyond their control, and he had been glad to hear a decla- ration by a previous speaker that under no Govern- ment would the farmers have any reason to expect a return to protection (cheers.) But leaving aside the causes, which were beyond their control, it was difficult for any of them not to express the sympathy felt by everybody with the farmers in their present difficult position, to which there was no exception. Her Majesty was in no more favourable position than the rest of them. In all probability, the mem- bers of her Majesty's Government had not got any more idea than the ordinary people as to what might be the remedies that were possible for the existing state of things but at any rate there was something left for the Government to do-they could cause a full inquiry by a Royal Commission. Her Majesty's Government had done that, and if it did nothing else, it ad the appearance of being a preparation for action. Very great interest was felt m the proceed- ings of this Royal Commission, not only by the agricultural community, but by the whole nation. The commission itself was composed of very able and impartial men, and he felt perfectly convinced that they would be able to collect a vast amount of useful information. They could inform the people of this country of the most successful schemes of agriculture prevailing, not only here, but in every agricultural country, and also the relative profitableness of a high add a low cultivation. Probably the commission Tr ould be able to give them an idea as to whether tne causes ot the present state of things were perma- nent or temporary; they would also be able to show wa6s oCnf?n 2?" ™h?ther the agricultural profession was one in which it was wise to mvest their capital or not, and they would probably be able to give some information as to what the relative profits were likely to be. They would also be able to ascertain what the farming interest was suffering under burdens in regard to taxation, and they would no doubt make a careful inquiry as to whether there were any law which militated against the natural and free distribution of the land, and which did not properly regard the equitable relations be- tween landlord and tenant. At the fame time he did not deny that the anoointment of the CoinTniasi'rm V 1,0 anu its scope were iuiocunstructea wouti not answer the end anticipated. -Agriculture stood in the same relation to the country as any other intere. t, and it was the largest and most important interest in the whole country it was the interest to which the COM itry looked for the supply of the most necessary of all. the necessaries of life, the supply of food, and it was, therefore, the most important of all the interests of the country. At this moment half of our food came from foreign states; and it was absurd to suppose that the country would consent to a rise in price by the infliction of protective duties. Therefore, whatever change might be necessary it ra°™r^° a lar £ e one> int0 which he would not enter rm2'cs „we?e forbidden. At the same time, some his had been misconstrued, even bvso distinguished a statesman as Lord Beaconsfield, who, at the !IanslOn lIousp, seemed to think that he (Lord Hartmgton) had encouraged the growth of small peasant proprietors. He had done nothing of the kind. Although he did dot discourage such a growth he was by no means an advocate for encouraging a peasant or any other proprietory by artificial means • but if there were existing laws which prevented such encouragements he thought that they should receive full inquiry. He believed that in the depression under which they were labouring they should study the intimacy of their relations with each other. He advised the farmers to give up large holdings and to face in a smaller compass what they could success- fully control, and he also recommended a complete revision of leases (loud cheers).

CLOSE OF THE SIX DAYS' BICYCLE RAOE. On Saturday night the six days' bicycle rac' v ,.as been in progress at the Agricultural Hall, l(,:n- Ion, during the past week, was concluded, the result being a victory for Waller, of Newcastle-upon-I'yui, who held the lead from mid-day on Monday, whilst the second, third, and fourth prizes were taken re- spectively by Terront, Higham, and Cann. Through- out the week Waller and Terront stuck to each other with persistency, hardly leaving the track during the 18 hours that were daily allotted to riding, and on Friday the same tactics were pursued, though at 8.29 in the evening both retired for the purpose of chang- ing their attire, and were absent by agreement for 22 minutes. They then again got under weigh, though it was apparent that the Frenchman was much the fresher of the pair, as he mounted his machine without assistance, whilat Waller had to be lifted into the saddle. This was proved conclusively later on in the evening, as Terront on two or three occasions spurted splendidly, and managed to gain a hp on the leader. This, of course, created great ex- citement and enthusiasm amongst the 9,000 or 10,000 persons preseut. It, however, could have no influence on the result of the contest, as it appeared that Waller's victory was assured could be he but keep going at a moderate pace. At ten o'clock Waller had completed 1,396 miles. Terront 1,378 miles, Higham 1,138 miles, and Cann 1,092 miles. The competition finally closed at eleven, when the distances travelled by the riders were as follows :—Waller, who takes the belt, value £ 100., and a X125. in money, 1404 miles 6 laps Terront, 1,390 miles 5 laps Highman 1,145 miles 3 laps; Cann 1,100 miles 1 lap Pagis, 972 miles 3 laps; Thresher, 736 miles 6 laps; Learning, 550 miles 7 laps Andrews, 286 miles 5 laps.

Mrs. Amory Sullivan (Miss Adeline Stanhope) has been engaged as "leading lady" for the California Theatre, San Francisco. Miss Genevieve Ward's provincial tour with For. get-Me-Not" will commence on the 29th inst. at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. The Hastings Town Council have accepted the tender of Mr. Jones, of Gloucester, for the erection of new municipal buildings, at a cost of £ 12.500. A daring robbery was committed a few uaya ago., at the Midland Brewery Company's office, Lough- borough. A cashbox containing about X200 was stolen. Mr. Mundella, M.P., is visiting Mr. Osborne Morgan, M.P. at his seat, Brymbo Hall, Wrexham, North Wales, along with Mr. Fawcett, M.P., and other friends. ihe lJumtee seamen are standing out for higher wages. East India traders have been giving L2. 10,s per month, but the men have refused to sign for less than X2. 15s. The number of accidents on the six great French railways during the ten years 1868 to 1877 was 773. 2,376 persons suffered from accidents, 218 were killed and 2,158 wounded. A Massachusetts lady is reported to have scolded her little boy for taking a drink of water at an hotel; For," said she, we pay a dollar for our dinner, and water is very filling." The body of Mr. Edward Gilling, owner of the ill-fated May Flower, which foundered at Burnham regatta, has been found on a mud-bank in the rivei Parrett. PoNTYpooL. Printed by HUGHES & SON, at their General Printing Offices, for the Proprietor and Publisher, HENRY HUGIIES, Junior, of Penygarn, in the parish of Trevethin, and published at the FREE PRESS Office, Market St.—Sept. 13, 1879.