Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

13OLICE COURTS SATURDAY,—Before C. H. WILLIAMS, Esq., and J. James, Esq. Elizabeth Ann Stokes was charged with stealing 27 lb. of coal, the property of J. Vincent, Blaenafon. Geo. Roberts, a lad, said that on Saturday night, after 7. o'clock, he saw the prisoner take the piece of coal from the yard. Saw it weighed, it was 27 lbs. The coal was the property of his uncle,J. Vincentsail thei boy was watching, and came and told him he saw the the girl taking the coal from the yard. Witness ran after her, and she dropped the coal inside the door. She had a wheelbarrow outside.Prisoner said she had no coal, but was coming down with the wheelbarrow, and he ran out and caught hold of her. Mr. Vincent told the magistrates he did not wish to press the charge, as the girl was so young, and he believed it was the parents' fault.—To pay 10s., or go to prison for 7 days. MUTTON STEALING.—:Mary Collins was charged with stealing 31bs. of mutton, the property of Mr. S. Twissle, from his stall in the market on Saturday last. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Prosecutor proved the loss of part of a breast of mutton from his stall at the time and-place before-mentioned. Sergeant Powell apprehended the prisoner with the mutton in her possession, and charged her with stealing it, when she pleaded guilty The magistrates sent her to the House of Correction for two months' hard labour. WHAT HE SAW THROUGH THE KEYHOLE. -Thomas Jones, beer-house keeper, Llanover, was charged upon the information of p.c. Lewis (14), with infringing his license. Mr. Greenway appeared for defendant and pleaded not guilty. P.c. Lewis, sworn, said he visited defendant's at 11.20 on the night of Feb. 6th, and found it full of people in consequence of a supper which had been held there. Saw no beer, and was going away when the landlord asked him if he might draw till two o'clock. Told him he might not, and returned to the house and saw all out with the exception of two men who said they were going to sleep there, and then went away. Went back again at two o'clock in the morning and, seeing a light at the side-door, looked through the key-hole—saw some parties inside—saw the landlord take a pint to the cellar-and some others playing cards. Saw the landlord return from the cellar with the pint and take it to the table. The landlord and another man then opened the door and went out, and witness went in and found five men playing at cards and two empty pints on the table.—By the Bench Four of the parties in the house were the same witness had turned out after eleven.-Witiess: The landlord offered me 5s. to keep away from the house.—Cross-examined by Mr. Greenway The cellar was to the right of the side door where he looked through the key-hole. The land- lord went to the cellar twice. Did not catch cold in his eye. Did not ask where the landlord was. Did ask a man who came in, and he said the landlord was in bed. Was perfectly satisfied about it and did not go to see. Looked in the pint. His eyesight was not so much affected by looking through the keyhole, as to render him incapable of seeing some clean water, but there was nothing in the pint. There were five or six women in the house at two in the morning, and he told an elderly woman what he had seen. It was the same woman he saw at two in the morning talking to the landlord in the passage, when he was looking through the keyhole. Visited the house on Sunday and had a conversation with the landlady. Saw no beer in the pints either time.This was the case for the prosecu- tion For the defence, Mr. Greenway called Wm. Morgan, puddler, Blaenafon,who said that on Thursday, Feb. 6th, he and his housekeeper walked six miles to'a supper at Jones's, of Llanover. At eleven o'clock, after supper, asked the landlord for a pint of beer, but he would not draw it as it was "stop tap." Had no beer. The policeman entered in about two minutes after, was sure it was not five minutes after as he looked at the clock. The policeman said You've got a nne time of it to keep your house cpen till this time." He consen- ted to allow witness to stay in the house, and cleared it of all the others. The landlord and his wife went to bed at ten minutes after eleven, and did not get up again till he called them at five next morning. Witness and some others sat up all night in the kitchen, but no beer was drawn. About 2.25 he asked a woman for some water and she gave him some. Witness opened the door to go out and found the policeman there. Was quite sure the landlord did not'go out, because he was then in bed, When witness returned he heard some one tell the constable the landlord and his wife were in bed. Before he went to bed the landlord told Mrs. Vaughan not to let any one in the house. Some men did come in and had a pipe. One asked witness if he could play at cards. Told him he could not, and they said they would have a game bv themselves until open tap.—By the Bench The two wmen who came in were two the policeman had before turned out.—By Mr. Greenway: Witness had never been to the house before or since.Thomas Vaughan, Blaenafon, said he was at defendant's house on the night of the supper. His wife was a relation of the landlord. [This witness cor- roborated the evidence of the preceding one Lewis, recalled, and examined by C. II. Williams, Esq.: Have you any doubt, Lewis, as to whether it was the laIldlorc1 who opened the door ?-Lewis Not the least, sir. The magistrates said it was a serious case, as one of the two parties must be guilty of gross perjury. Greenway said he wished the" case to be thoroughly sifted, as in each case in which it had been his unhappy lot to meet this constable there had always been these doubts. The witnesses were ordered out of Court, and Vaughan being re-called was questioned by the magistrates as to whether the landlord or his wife went to bed first, and he said the former. Was well acquainted with the landlord, who asked him to the supper. The witness Morgan was then called in and said Vaughan told him the landlady went to bed first The case was ultimately adjourned for a fortnight for the pro- duction of further evidence. PUNISHMENT WELL DESERVED.—A woman named Mary Easton was charged by Mr. Wainwright, the Relieving Officer, with applying for relief when she had 19s. 10d. in her posses- sion. "When sentenced to one month's hard labour she begged hard to be allowed to pay a fine instead. Ð(HJBTFuL.-Ann Ems was charged with stealing 10s. from the person of Daniel Keath, at Blaenafon, on the 10th inst. From the evidence it appeared that prosecutor met prisoner at a pie at the Globe, on Monday night, when he took tier for a walk, aud on his return missed the half-sovereign.—Discharged. ADJOURNED.—Edmund. Edwards and Thomas Lewis were charged with unlawfully detaining a coat and some papers, the prope y of Thos. Thomas, Cefn-y-Crib. Prosecutor did not atteci; and the case was adjourned for him to do so. STEALING TOOLS.—John Davis, a tall shoemaker who luxuri- ated in a large moustache and imperial, was charged with stealing a punch and pricker wheel, the property of J. Bowen. Prosecutor lent prisoner the tools, but he had not returned them. Did not authorise him to sell them. llichard Reese, Glamorgan-street, Tredegar, gave prisoner Is. for the punch. John Edwards, llhymlley, gave prisoner Is, 3d. for the wheel and a waist iron.—Sergeant John Waters (67) produ- ced the articles. Apprehended prisoner at Merthyr on the 19th. -14 days' hard labour. ASSAULT.— W. Miles was fined LI for assaulting NV. Kear, at Blaenafon, on the loth inst. W AGEs.-Fear v. Williams.—Claim.- £ 1 12s. 4d. To be paid in a month. BEER-HOUSE OFFENCE.- Wm. Jones, landlord of the Ash Tree, a road-side house half-way between Blaenafon and Garn- diifaith, was charged by p.c. M'Evoy with having seven men in his house on Sunday afternoon, 16th inst.—Fined 20s. AFFILIATION,—Jane Beddoe v. Morgan,. Seven weeks' arrears of order at 2s. a-week. Ordered to pay.

jpumral of irftvs. OT. UltfoeUm. On the morning of Friday se'nnight, the remains of the above lamented lady were deposited in the family vault at Trevethin church. The universal feeling of respect and sympathy was manifested by closed shops and drawn blinds, as the sad procession, which started from Glanwern House at one o'clock, moved slowly along in the following order, the hearse, surmounted by plumes, being drawn by four horses, which, as well as the horses drawing the mourning coaches, also bore plumes :— Mourning Coach. Containing Rev. T. Davies, 1\1.A.; Rev. W. D. Horwood n. Davies, Esq., M.D., Newport; D. Lawrcnce, Esq. Eight Underbearers, with cloaks. Undertaker. HEARSE. Mourning Coach, Containing Wm. Llewellin, Esq. Chas. J. Parkes, Esq.; Mr. W G. Golding., Mourning Coach, Containing Mr. G. Golding, Abergavenny Mr. James Rees Mr. Wm. Rees. Mournftg Coach, Containing Thomas Llewellin, Esq., Newport; Mr. D. Llewellin, jun., Cwm Neath; Mr. Benj. Evans, Newport. Mourning Coach, Containing T. M. Llewellin, Esq., Caerl'eon W. Llewellin, Esq Abercarn John Smith, Esq., Aberdare. All the arrangements for the funeral were care- fully conducted under the direction of Mr. J. F. Williams. The lesson appointed for the solemn ceremony was read by the Rev. W. D. Horwood, and the » burial service by the Rev. T. Davies.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE WEEK. Photographic Exhibition at Town Hall (set aau TVs,7, Sale by Mr. Philpot at Gellydeg Farm (see adi./ TI f,ui, < >, g County C01l1.t-4bergaEenny, _Th!vrsday Ciny Ft id j

SIXTHS. Feb.. 19, at Blaenafon, the wife of Mr. Philip Hancock, miner, of a daughter. DEATHS. Feb. 22, (at the house of her son, Mr. Israel Williams, Albion-terrace, Pontypool), Mrs. Mary Williams, aged 63, Feb. 22, the infant son of Mr. Thomas Jones, builder, Pont- newynydd. Feb. 23, aged 68, Mr. Richard Davies, publican, Cwrnvniscoy,

SUBSCRIBERS Are respectfully reminded that the Quarter erpii-ed Feb. 22. Payment of arrears and renewal of subscriptions will oblige.

INSTANTANEOUS-CURE FOR TIIE, Tooi.,uAcaE Punter's Nervine, immediately on its application, oives- permanent relief by causing the painless destruction of the exposed nerve in decayed teeth, forming at the same time a complete stopping, thus rendering extraction sel- dom necessary. Sold by all chemists,-Is. lfd. per packet. JENKINS'S UNIVERSAL SALVE has been held in great repute for 150 years, and is still the best remedy for wounds, bruises, and sores of all kinds. Sold, by- chemists, at Is. lfd. per packet. Hollosay's Ointment and Pills.—Bronchitis, asthma, shortness of breath, palpitation.—Now is un- fortunately the season for the prevalence of these com- plaints, and their serious nature is borne out by the weekly bills of mortality. Early and proper treatment should be adopted without hesitation or delay neither need arise if Holloway's remedies be at hand. His Ointment may be safely and advantageously rubbed on the back and chest, every night and morning, precisely as salt is rubbed on meat to preserve it. It penetrates internally, and appeases pulmonary excitement. Hollo- way's Pills should be taken at t& same tinic., as they act with energy on the circulations, glands, and absorb- ants, and materially assist in rendering the cure general and permanent.

BOOH: AND JOB PRINTING-, E.rcouÜ:d witluYeatncss, Correetnes.r;,and Punctualitj. AT the Office of the Free Press and HeraLi. c: tho- Hills, Corn Market House, Pontypo Dividers, Is. per 100. COlllltyCourtN oticcs,d. a.; 6d. per doz.; 3s.6d,pcrlCC, 2 Notices of Distraint, Id. each. Window Bills (" House to Let," &e..) from Id. History of Pontypool, in Rhyme, Id. each, 8d. per dcz. Viows of Pontypool (two on a sheet of Note Paper.) Id. each, Sd. per doz. Description of Crumlin Viaduct, Jd. each, 4d. per dcz, Ditto, with Engraving, 2d. each, Is. 4d, per doz. Waste Paper, 3d. uer lb. Old Newspapers, 3 for Id, (particular date ld.eacb:,)

GRAND EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DIS- SOLVING VIEWS.—It will be seen by an advertisement in another column, that the above exhibition will take place on Tuesday next, and not on Monday, as was an- nounced in the bills, unforeseen circumstances having rendered such postponement unavoidable. We have reason to believe that the exhibition will be one of a high class, and we have no doubt it will prove at- tractive and interesting beyond anything of the kind hitherto seen in this town. w' A GOOD TIME CONRNG, Boys7!-We are glad to learn that on Monday last, 500 blocks of tin were delivered at the Pontypool Iron Co.'s works at Ppnty- moil, being the largest quantity of block tin ever known to be delivered there J. one day. The tin works are undergoing thorough renovation, and it is hoped that they will now proceed with their former vigour, and re-establish their old character for the manufacture of first-class tin plates. The No. 1 iron at present made by the company, has, we believe, the name of being, in many essential respects, the best in the market. We may add that the tin in stock has been entirely cleared off. We do not despair of soon hearing the welcome music of our Town Forge again. ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL.- On Thursday, a Miss M. Rayne was announced for an entertainment at the Town Hall, consisting of recitations and a dramatic sketch. Among the former were The Raven," by Edgar Poe, The Balaklava Charge," by Tennyson, and various other favourite poems, which would no doubt have been given with spirit (as the lady appeared to be quite up to the mark,) but for the slight drawback that there was no audience. This was a sad disappointment for a lady who announces herself of the Royal Lyceum Theatre, where she had the honour of playing before Her Majesty;" but she probably consoled herself with the proverb that sun- shine follows Rayne—that though under a cloud to-day, she may again bask in the sun to-morrow. COLLECTION OF HIGHWAY RATES. Tg the -Editor.-I hope your able correspondent from Abersy- chan will not forget'the subject now the time is coming so near, for us to know the benefit that has accrued to us in paying two persons for collecting the highway rates for the present year. I think the promoters of the present method ought to be able to show us how much better the present one is than the former, and make us tviaing to bear the double expense. I think that the present are not times, to squander upwards of twenty pounds away needlessly, .and that has to be collected and paid out of the profits (?) that we are making at the present times—whether from trade or house rent. It is not now that we ought to, as he so pithily expressed it, "burn the candle at both en(Is.Yours, &c.-A PONTYPOOL RATEPAYER, MYSTERIOUS DEATIT ON THE ROAD NEAR THE LITTLI, MILL.—On Wednesday night, between nine and ten o'clock, a man about oft. 5in. in height, rather 'stout, dark complexion, dressed in cord trousers, dark waistcoat, black coat, and high crowned hat, was found by Mr. John Morgan, lying in the middle of the road below.the railway bridge, near Little Mill. Mr. Morgan at first thought the man was drunk, and moved him from the centre of the road to the side, while he went to procure assistance, and on returning found he was quite dead. On examination, his head "was found to be dreadfully cut and bruised. Some money was found near the corpse. The man has not yet been iden- tified, but it is ascertained that he was drinking at Wain-y-clare the same evening. Further particulars will be given next week. A "YOUNG MAN FROM THE COUNTRY."—A correspondent sends the following Mr. Editor One evening this week a good laugh was raised at the expense of a certain admirer of the fair sex who fills an arduous post at one of our principal commercial hotels. Out for a little recreation after, his day's work, be accosted a smartly dressed female in the street with tlic promise of a treat as the night was cold which the lady was nothing loath to accept, and together they visited more than one public house, where the lady, intent on remaining incog, would not permit her admirer to raise her veil. They staitefl for a rural walk, during which the loving swain made the unpleasant discovery that his time, money, accomplishments, and affections had been thrown away, his companion proving to be a he and not a she, and a member of the same fraternity, who had assumed this disguise for the express purpose of hoaxing him. He had, however, the gallantry to escort his hard-hearted sweetheart home again," "lIB:iIiIõ THE REV. J. E. DOYEY.—The East Suffolk Mercury reports a farewell meeting to the above gentle- man, and the presentation of a testimonial, consisting of a purse of 80 guineas. As the rev. recipient is brother to Mr. Dovey, the worthy master of our Town School", and is known to many in this town, having preached some years ago in Crane street chapel, an abstract of the proceedings will not bo uliinterestin, On Tuesday evening our Town Hall was crowded with a deeply interested audience, who were drawn together to testify their regard for the Rev. J. E. Dovey, late pastor of the Baptist church in this town, on the occasion of his leaving Lowestoft to enter upon a new sphere of labour in Edinburgh. J. J. Col- man, Esq., presided, supported by a number of ministers and friends, representing the various denominations in the town and neighbourhood. Letters, expressive of regret at the re- moval of Mr. Dovey, were read from several ministers and gentlemen, including the vicar of Lowestoft and Sir Morton Peto (the latter enclosing a cheque for;C20.) After speeches by the Revs. Daniels (of Somerleyton,) Tritton and Price (of Yarmouth,) Lewis (of Lowestoft,) Snell (rector of Oulton.) and others, the Rev. Geo. Gould, of Norwich (between whom and Mr. Dovey uninterrupted friendship had subsisted for thirteen years,) made the presentation in an eloquent address, in the course of which he remarked that the testimonial was composed of contributions from christian brethren belonging to different denominations the vicar being amongst the number,) and he might receive it as one of the most valuable mementoes that could be presented to him of the esteem in which he was held, the confidence which was felt in his christian integrity, and the hopefulness in which all parties concerned regarded his, re- moval from amongst them as the commencement of a career of greater usefulness. Mr. Dovey responded in a feeling address, referring to the strong attachment which had grown up be- tween his congregation and himself during their connection of seventeen years, and to the courtesy and sympathy he had ex- perienced from his brethren of every denomination. The rev. gentleman, who appeared greatly moved by the warm demon- stration of christian regard expressed towards him, resumed his seat amid the hearty applause of the large audience, and the meeting concluded with prayer. ABERSYCHAN.—FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday an inquest was held at Suatchwood Inn, before C. Ashwin, Esq., deputy coroner, and a respect- able jury, on view of the body of Thomas Prestwood, a lad, who was killed while working underground on I z;1 Tuesday last in a coal pit belonging to the Ebbw Vale Company's Iron Works at Abersychan. Forge-con- stable Griffiths proved posting the necessary letters to the Secretary of State and to Lionel Brough, Esq., the Government Inspector of Mines for this district. The first witness who gave evidence respecting the accident was William Prestwood, the unfortunate lad's father, who was badly injured at the same time and placo, and sat in a chair while he made following statement:— Yesterday (Tuesday) morning about eleven o'clock I was at work with my son in Cwmsychan top pit. My son was about three feet from me, assisting to load a tram with coal, when a stone fell from the top on both of us,—By the coroner: My son was 15 years and one month old yesterday. We were not cutting coal at the time the stone fell—the coal was already down. Should think the stone which fell weighed from eight to ten cwt Got my son out but he was not alive. Could not say what made the stone fall, as I had sounded the place less than five minutes before, when it seemed like striking a solid rock. The roof was well supported and- there was plenty of timber close at hand. Had nearly finished and did not think of putting more timber up. If I had found it in any way likely to fall I should have put something under it, or pulled it down. I looked up immediately after the accident, but could see no slip.—By a juror: It was a piece of clod which always lies on the coal, which came down. It was no uncommon occurrence for this to come down suddenly. It was usual to pull it down after the coal had been got from under. Should have pulled it down if it had not fallen. The weight of earth above might make it fall. .William Jones, Abersychan, collier, said he was a collier. Was working in the Cwmsychan top pit on Tuesday morning, at about forty yards distance from deceased. About eleven o'clock saw William Prestwood running towards him, and heard him say Jones, run quick, for my poor boy is dead," Ran to the place and saw that about ten cwt. of stones and rubbish had fallen on the boy, whose head lay just under the edge of a large stone, with his facerownwards. Turned his bead round and his mouth out of the dust, so that he might have a chance of breathing. Could not then lift him up as his right arm was fast under the stones. Told Peter James to run and fetch his bar he did so they lifted up the stone, and witness believed the boy's father pulled him from under it. He was quite dead.—By the coroner: Did not hear the fall. Believed no one was in fault with respect to want of timber, for they had plenty of timber throughout the pit. Sometimes when they struck a stone hard and believed from the sound that it wus safe, it would suddenly break over the coal and come down. No other evidence being offered, the foreman of the jury said he had known the works for years, and considered it was nothing but an accident. Sometimes when workmen thought themselves safest, accidents would occur. A verdict in accordance was returned. V ARTEG.i..F ATA.L -A-CCIDENT.-An inquest was held at the Crown Inn on Wednesday last, before C. Ashwin, Esq., deputy-coroner, concerning the death of a lad 15 years of age, named William Hookey, who was killed by a fall in Cwmfrwd level on Monday. Richard Hookey said the deceased was his son. Were at work together in Cwmfrwd level on Monday. The boy was employed in clearing away the rubbish so that witness might put a prop under a stone in the roof, when it fell on him. The top had a great many slips in it, but was gobbed up close to the coal in one place. In about ten minutes all would have been safe. Had plenty of timber, and the regulations were such as to keep the work safe if attended to by the men. Nothing else could have prevented the accident William Bryant, a collier, was in the Cwmfrwd level on Monday with deceased. Was holding a light while deceased cleared away some rubbish for the purpose of putting up a prop to support the roof. The boy's father was cutting a stick" for the prop, and jumped round to pick it up, when the stone fell on the boy's head and knocked him down. His father picked him up, but he was quite dead. The father kept witness and his son from under the stone till he was ready to put up the prop. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." BLAEX 11 n Y.—ACCIDENT.—G.n Tuesday last, a man named Thomas Hasson, residing in Chapel row, had one of his feet severely crushed by a stone falling from the top, while working in the Coity pit. AN AWKWARD CUSTOMER.—On Wednesday evening se'nnigdit between six and seven o'clock, as a butcher was driving a boast up Broad street, the animal made a sudden rush into the shop of Mr. G. Bowen, tailor and outfitter. After admiring the cut of the different gar- ments for a short time, he appeared to make up his mind he had made a mistake, and walked out again, without doing any further damange than causing some anxiety to the proprietor and his family. NEWPORT.—SPECIAL SEHMON,—A special sermon was preached in St. Paul's church, on Wednes- day evening, by the Rev. J. H. Bradley, M.A., incum- bent of Cradley, Worcestershire. His discourse was eloquent and forcible, and was attentively listened to by a numerous congregation. FAREWELL LECTURE.—The Rev. Alex. M'Auslane of Dock street chapel, delivered a lecture at the Town Hall on Wednesday, on behalf of the Newport and Piilgwenlly Band of Hope Union. Subject" The Wines of the Bible," which he treated in his original. oratorical, and masterly style. There was a crowded attendance, this being his farewell lecture prior to leaving for London. THE THEATRE.—During the week, the celebrated tragedian, Mr. George Owen (who created a sensation here about two years, ago,) has been taking the leading parts in several of Sbakespmr's plays, tocrowded houses. The boxes have been and backs put to the seats, which is a great improvnient, and a judicious step on the- part af the inanae'er,. MERTHYR,.—THE :A WFUL EXPLOSION; AT THE GBTHIN COLLIERY.—(Some interesting particulars of this deplorable disaster will be found in our second page.) On Saturday, J. C. Fowler, Esq., the stipendiary magistrate, called attention to the late awful event, fore opening the duties of the court, and at the c'o--c of his feeling and generous remarks, observed that on Monday a meeting would be held by the commi tee of the Relief Fund, and steps taken to relieve the distress that abounds. The subscription list, it is said, will be headed by Mr. Crawshay, with i-500. Mrs. Crawshav has been unremitting in efforts to console the distressed mourners, and the extent of her practical sympathies has been very great. The jury met on Monday, for the purpose of viewing the bodies, after which they ad- journed the inquest till Tuesday next, to ena the proper parties to eleer away the workings, and put scene of the calamity into a proper state for the Go i went Inspector to examine it more minutely than he had hitherto Jiad an opportunity of doing. A similar inquiry was instituted under the same coroner (Hr. Overton) at the village of Penyrhiew, about three miles from here, where some of the sufferers resided. In this case the inquest was adjourned till the inquiry at Mer- thyr shall have terminated. As to the cause of this melancholy accident, not an event has turned up to clear away the mystery that hangs over it. In the meantime, the Government Inspector, Mr. Evans, is engaged in a scrutinizing investigation of the state of the works in which the explosion occurred, and much towards explaining the cause of the accident is expected from his labours, as soon as the removal of the ruins will enable him to prosecute his inquiries. Of mere opinions, we may mention the following, as specimens of the many that are offered as to the cause—a blower of the coal," or an evolution of gas arising from greater superincumbent pressure of the rock, which sometimes takes place in the progress of working onwards; a fall in the airways, and the consequent accumulation of gas, which, on being brought into communication with a light, would give rise to an explosion; insufficient air- supply in proportion to the extension of the workings or the "gobbey," or accumulation of small coal oil the floor of the level. By practical colliers, however, the accident is regarded as being, to use the words of one of them, very unaccountable," the pit being looked upon as a safe" one, the only explosion that occurred in it being about ten years ago, and that unattended with loss of life, while the workings are communicated with by no fewer than three pits-a pumping and two winding pits-besides an air-flue. It is even said that complaints have been made by the workmen that an excess of air has rendered the workings too cold for them to pursue their daily labours with comfort. How far this agrees with tlC statement that one of the unhappy vietims was so conscious of danger that he and his two sons only resumed their work when his wife and family were reduced to their last crust, we are not in a position to eay. Of the 47 men who have perished on this occasion, 21 have died from burns, and 26 from suffocation by choke-damp. They leave 21 widows and 57 children, of whom '6 only are able to work. Three widows are near their confinement, while six widowed mothers are deprived of the support of sons on whom they depended. One unfortunate man was found in a stiffened state, overcome by death in the act of convey- ing a piece of bread to his mouth; another with hia hand on the small box containing victuals which the collier carries suspended on his side, as though he was about to add to the portion of cheese found in his mouth a piece of bread. The bodies of some of these who were burnt were found blackened and otherwise disfigured, while the c away. of doors, the struction of waggons and the breaking up of portions of the road and roof of the level, attested the destructive force which marked the progress of the explosion. The scene at the pit's mouth, after the t v Ic c W8S ^iys an eye-witness) of a kind we never should iiie to cc i in our life-time. Thousands were ass2uÚJleù, anil 1 ru, a tae midst, waiting the coming up of the blackened forms h t left their cheerful homes in the morning happy and vino is were widows and orphans sobbing bitterly, and unmanning many a spectator. The poor fellows presented a woeful ^icc »e. All were blackened and singed by the destructive gas on the mouth of each was a circle of foam blood oozed slowly out of the eyes, or was congealed and matted on the face and every indication of sudden and awful agony, of the momentary ar.d fearful struggle for life, was marked on their features and in their forms. One poor lad was brought up with his hand clenched in between his teeth he had died trying' to keep his poor mouth open in order to breathe that air which, alas was wanting. The case of one young man (Thomas Walters, aged 21, who leaves a widow near her confinement,) has a peculiarly melancholy feature, from the circumstance that the (ItN ozi which he met his death was the first he had worked under- ground. He was by trade a sawyer, but in consequence of in- sufficient employment, was induced tc work as a collier. The burial of the victims by this terrible catastrophe took place by arrangement almost simultaneously on Saturday afternoon. No spectacle so mournful was witnessed bv the oldest inhabitant of Merthyr as this. The shops in the prin- cipal streets were more or less partially closed. The large Cyfarthfa Ironworks suspended operations at an early part of the day to give the thousands of workmen employed in them an opportunity of assisting in carrving their fellows to their last resting-place. The coffins were provided by the Messrs. Crawshay. At 3 p.m. the various funerals began to move to- wards the different burial places which the relatives or friends of the deceased had selected as the place of iiiterment. It was Georgetown, in the immediate vicinity of the Cyfarthfa Works, that contributed the greater number of victims to this catas- trophe, and at the hour referred to nearly every street, as well as the surrounding district, contributed its funeral procession. Twelve coffins, each accompanied by several hundreds of mourners, amounting in the aggregate to some thousands, formed one vast mournful procession to the Cefn Cemetery while funeral groups, two or three in succession, defiled 1O other burial-places in the town or neighbourhood. Among the Welsh the practice of singing in the funeral procession is com- mon, and the effect on this occasion of several hundred voices singing the mournful strains of the funeral hymn as they approached from the distance, was solemn and affecting.