The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADVERHSERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. All Correspondence and Advertisements to be ad- dressed to the Editor, "Reporter" Office, Bulwarl, Brecon, on or before Friday morning. The Editor will not undertake to return rejected communications, and wishes his correspondents to understand that whatever is intended jor in- sertion, must be verified by the name and address of the writer.

IF departed spirits are really cognisant of events that transpire on the earth, and if they are susceptible of wonder or surprises, the shades of Nelson and Napoleon may well be imagined to have experienced recently consider- able emotion. An English fleet lately took up its quarters in the harbour of Cherbourg, while a French fleet now occupies the roadstead and harbour of Portsmouth! In each case entrance was effected in face of the rival fleet and forti- fications; but not a shot was fired on either side. Truly, the fifty years that have elapsed since the battle of Waterloo closed the last long and desperate war between the two countries must have brought about strange changes for such events as these to be not only possible, but accomplished facts. No formal celebration of the jubilee of peace between England and France has been observed, or could well have been proposed. It is pro- verbially unsafe to rejoice too heartily over propitious circumstances, which an accident at any time may cloud. But, although this interchange of visits between the French and English fleets was not professedly designed to commemorate the fiftieth year passed by the two countries in friendly relations, it will have the effect of marking that epoch in the history of the world. It is worthy of the nineteenth century, and proof that the progress of modern civilisation is something more than an empty boast, that the warlike forces of two countries, which for centuries have been engaged in strife, should now lie peacefully side by side, ex- changing friendly greetings in each other's ports. The people on both sides of the Channel have every reason to congratulate themselves on this happy state of affairs, while the states- men by whose judicious policy it has been brought about may be excused if they regard the result with complacency and pride. But, although it be not the object of these mutual visits to celebrate a jubilee, they have an object, and an important one. France and England have long been engaged in rivalry of a peculiar description-at nrst sight inconsis- tent with the pacific relations to which we have alluded. Each country has been enr deavouring to excel the other in the construc- tions of those new and formidable engines of war—iron-clad ships and floating batteries. But being on the best terms with each other, and declaring themselves before all the world as friends and allies, this reconstruction of the navies has proceeded without cause for mistrust or alarm on either side, but has been felt to be an exigency of the time. One most impor- tant incident in the American war was the demonstration, in the conflict between the Merrimac and the Cumberland, the wooden p are incapable of resisting the attack of properly constructed iron vessels of far inferior armanent. In this one incident was found sufficient justification for the immediate and active measure adopted both in England and France, to strengthen the fleets by the addition of such a number of iron ships as should be a match for any naval force likely to be called into existence. No doubt, in each country the determination was. made not to be outdone by the other. The announcement of a new iron- clad in process of construction at Sheerness or Devonport, was followed by the notice that one had been placed on the stocks at Toulon or Brest. But it was by no means necessary to conclude that either party .was affected by the desire to overmatch the other, and to obtain a superior armament for offensive pur- poses. England and France have both to qualify themselves to hold their own, if necessity should unfortunately arise, against any other Powers who may take action either separately or in combination. It was therefore a natural consequence of their position as first- rate States, that they should pursue the course recently adopted. But, besides this, they have before now been called upon, in their connec- tion as allies, to array their mutual forces, and to count the resources either could muster for warlike operations. Tha desire not to be left at a disadvantage, if such an emergency should again arise, has no doubt had its influence in both countries in producing the emulation we have seen. Now, on both sides of the Channel a recon- struction of the fleet has been accomplished; the scientific shipbuilders of each nation having taken an independent course, and also acted quite without regard to the methods pursued and the details adopted by their fellow- KojaYiiyitlcmxurai-gHTueas, ao LJJJj.Db VJJ,) labourers across the water. Nothing could be more natural than that the two countries should desire to compare results--nothing more judicious than that they should carefully do so. The advantage may lie with us, or it may be with our neighbours. They may have a better return for their money, or we may have hit upon a more scientific and effective method of going to work. In either case it is desirable that the facts should be ascertained, that in future we may be able to act upon ex- perience thus acquired. So, in the face of the highest and most critical, naval authorities of each nation, the fleet of the other passes in review. Improvements are seen and defects are noticed; hints are given and taken on either side; and, if the opinions generally expressed in our own country by those most competent to judge may be taken ab unprejudiced and reliable, the comparison has certainly not been to the disadvantage of those powerful but costly vessels for which the English public have lately had the privilege of parting with their cash. But we cannot set this down as the only good result achieved by the visit of the fleets. Such intercourse, and the friendly proceedings with which it has been accompanied, must have a most beneficial effect in producing those feelings of mutual knowledge and respect, which go far to render war unnecessary, and even impossible. Even the sailors before the mast have felt this kindly influence. Jack, when he meets Jacques on the quay at Cher- bourg, finds that, "barring his lingo," he is a very good sort of fellow after all, and is right glad to give him a welcome at Portsmouth in return. This, in fact, is the kind of meeting that was required to cement more thoroughly a real friendship, the foundations of which were laid when the two fleets encountered side by side the perils privations of the cruise in the Black Sea, Let us hope that they may never again be destined to lay broadside to broad- side and try strength against strength, but that the only fire exchanged between them may henceforth be the ready but harmless blaze of mutual "salutes."

THE report which has been made to the Governor- General of Canada by the delegates who were sent from that colony to confer with the English Cabinet on the needful defences of-British North America has been published by order of the Colonial Legislature. The document is by no means unin teresting to the people of the mother country. Our colonists in the West have been attacked by Sam Slick and others for their apathetic indiffer- ence to the advantages that would be easily attainable by a little vigour and resolution; but this report shows that though they are still un- willing to do much for themselves they have a lively desire to prosper by the industry of others. It is, of course, very delightful to learn that four millions of people are unanimous in their desire to remain connected with the British Crown and to escape absorption into the American Republic. It is pleasing to learn that though the mixture of race in the two Canadas has been unusually great the French colonist, while preserving his language, laws, and customs intact, after a century of English dominion, has learnt the solid advantages which it yields, and that the Irish emigrant who has burnt in his youth to tear his uative island from union with Britain, is, in his maturer age, not the least disposed to sepsrste himself from the rest of the community. The spectacle is very gratifying to our national pride, and the only fault one has to find is that our endeavour to make the British con- nexion preferable in the eyes of the colonists to any other that can be offered has succeeded a little too well. It appears that the colonists are rather too fond of us, and embroce us somewhat too close- ly. And as might be expected of a people who are always ready to shirk exertions and sacrifices. they are not without a plea for lethargy and inac- tion. By some strange delusion they have brought themselves to believe that our interests are as much involved as their own in the question of union, and that stripped of her North American possessions England would sink incontinently to the position of a third-class power. Their fame and security are, they think, our fame and security, and if we fail to do our duty to a people so loyal, so willing to be helped, and so little desirous of helping them- selves, our glory will set for ever. The delegates who arrived here last spring seem to have been well selected representatives of the colonial feeling, and to have urged the peculiar views of their constituents with great shrewdness and ability. It is more surprising to find that 11 their claims met with very little resistance on the part of the Colonial Secretary. So far as the de- fence of Canada is concerned, it may be broadly stated that the delegates came with a generous offer to spend any amount of English money that might be offered them for the benefit of Canada, and that they met with as much success as the most san- guine of them could have anticipated. For form's sake, apparently, it was necessary to make a pretence of doing something in the way of self-help, but by means of a little jugglery the appearance of exertion merely ends by putting more burdens on poor John Bull. For instance —the mother country, in the first place, engages to complete the fortifications of Quebec, and it will be remembered that a vote was passed in the late Sessions for carrying out this undertaking. The delegates, on the other hand, engaged that Canada should construct the works of defence at and westward of Montreal; but the agreement im- mediatelY^xplaifl^JhatJiie^QloiysLoutk^Js^kft., | raised by means of a loan guaranteed by the Im- perial Government, so that if the colonists should ever take it into their heads to repudiate their responsibility, or to unite themselves with the United states, the English ratepayer will feel the consequences. It ought to be added that Canada further undertakes to continue its present expen- diture for militia training, which amounts, how- ever, to the very trumpery sum of X200,000, or a mere fraction of the cost which independent countries have to bear for military purposes. And as a set-off against this "flea-bite," the English Government have, it appears, promised to provide the whole armament on all the works in Canada, and guaranteed, "in the event of war, to undertake "the defence of every portion of Canada, with all "the resources of the empire." The colonists must be, indeed, unreasonable if they grumble at such terms. It remains to be seen whether the House of Commons will show equal satisfaction at the result of the conference. The fixing of the relative expenditure of war purposes, however, formed but a part of the work coufined to the Canadian delegates. English capitalists have for some years past enjoyed a full opportunity of appreciating the delights which railway prospects in British North America hold out to them. The principal Canadian lines were ushered into the world with the most flaming state- ments as to their future prosperity. No schemes were ever produced with higher expectations but from some cause the Canadians generously aban- doned the bright prospects of gain to English investors, who were eager in forwarding their money. The end is pretty well known. All the millions that were sent from this country to be swallowed up in Canadian lines hardly bring the shareholders a farthing in return. The colonists have got so many thousands miles of railways for nothing, and the proprietors receive the poor con- solation that the lines will pay, some day," when the country becomes more populous. Under such circumstances it must have required some amount of assurance on the part of the delegates to make a further application on the British pocket for con- structing their internal communications. But they not only fulfilled their mission, but were successful in securing the countenance of the Colonial Secre- tary. An inter-colonial railway to unite Canada and Nova Scotia [is to be constructed at a cost of about < £ 3,000,000. This sum is to be raised by loan, which England is to guarantee, and after making ourselves primarily liable, we are to receive our interest whenever we, can get it from the Colonial Legislatures. A more foolish bargain for this country it is hard to conceive. Even the Canadians have not the face to pretend that the line will open any new avenue for commerce. There is no practical man who entertains the slightest hope that the I undertaking will pay its working expenses. Its uses, if any, will be purely military; and military authorities declare that in case of war with the United States, it would be impossible to maintain so long and undefended a line against an enemy advancing from the State of Maine. But suppo. sing this opinion proved fallacious, the construction of the railway would be highly objectionable. We are to spend our hard-earned money in order to succour a country which will do nothing worth mentioning to defend itself. NVe., are to burthen our credit in order to complete a great work for communities which contribute nothing to our re- venue, nothing to our naval and military strength, and one of which levies an important duty of 20 per cent. on our manufactures. Are we prepared to do this ? Are there no terms on which two countries can be united together than those by which all the burthen is borne on one side and all the benefits are carried off by the other ? Even after cajoling Mr. Cardwell into this absurdity the delegates were not content, and their last effort was directed aga the Hudson's Bay Company. To this perhaps, not so much objection can be offered. The Company have un- questionably prevented the influx of emigrants into a valuable and almost boundless tract of country, and if their title to the territory turn out to be invalid, as the Canadians contend it is, there would be no reason why Parliament should resist the destruction of a pernicious monoply. But the representatives of the colony not merely asked Mr. Cardwell to investigate the subject, but demanded that the territory should be forthwith made over to their Government, with a charge upon it to make good whatever claims the Company can establish., If these claims are substantiated the Hudson's Bay Company are to be paid by a loan, which loan is, of course, to be guaranteed ;by England. "The "Imperial Government," we are told, "consented "to this"—and after the concessions it had pre- viously made, it was, perhaps, hardly worth while to object. Our only surprise is that the delegates did not proceed to ask for loans to enlarge our canals and prosecute internal public works, and "promote an extensive plan of emigration from Europe," which they casually refer to as having been discussed. But the reference is probably made as a notification to us of what we yet have to do to "maintain the happy connexion existing between the two countries." The English public, however, may consider that a connexion which is so pleasant to one of the parties and so onerous and unprofitable to the other, is hardly worth main-, taining at all:

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday last, before George Cansick, Esq., mayor, and John Williams, Esq. The Overseers of the parish of St. David's were summoned by Mr. S. B. Evans, town clerk, for non-payment of a Borough Call, amounting to £48 3s. lOd. Daniel Evans deposed that he served Mr. Rees Williams, assistant overseer, on the 5th of June last, ',d< ■a, Mr. Rees Williams deposed that he had been applied to by the town clerk for a portion of a Borough Call. Ordered to pay X40 by Wednesday next, or distress in case of default. William Seaton was summoned by Mary Ann Williams, charged with being the father of her illegitimate child, but did not appear. P.C. Poyntz proved the service of the summons. Mary Ann Williams deposed that she was de- livered of a child, on the 20th of January, 1864 he had paid her XI from the Hay, by Post Office order the letter produced contained the order. Ordered by consent, to pay 5s. per week arrears, and 2/6 per week afterwards.

CRICKET MATCH. On Tuesday and Wednesday last, a match was played on the Brecon ground, between Breconshire and Radnorshire, the former winning easily in one innings. The following is the score :— RADNORSHIRE. 1st Innings. 2nd Inning?. W. Baskerville b P. Lloyd 0 b Davies 5 Romily b E. D. Thomas 0 c Davies, b Price. 10 G. James I b w b P. Lloyd 0 b P. Lloyd 0 B. Hamer b E. D. Thomas 8 c Morris, b Davies 1 E. Cheese b P. Lloyd 2 b P. Lloyd 1 Hincham b E. D. Thomas 0 run out I Jackson b P. Lloyd. 0 st C Lloyd bP Lloyd 0 Nichol b E. D. Thomas I b P. Lloyd 6 Williams not out 2 Absent. 0 Tudor b P. Lloyd 0 c Wright b Thomas 6 Powell b W. J. Price 1 not out 1 Wides 8 Wides & Byes.11 Total 22 Total.46 BRECONSHIRE. E. Wright c Hincham, b Baskerville. I E. D. Thomas b Baskerville. 25 W. J. Price b Baskerville 18 J. L. Rosher b Jackson. 12 C. Lloyd b Jackson 16 P. Lloyd c Powell, b Jackson 5 Joseph b Baskerville 4 T. Powell c Substitute, b James 24 E. Davies run out 61 J. Thomas 1 b w, b Cheese 12 J. C. B. Morris not out 21 Byes, Wides, and Leg Byes 23 Total 222

CRICKHOWELL. PETTY SESSIONS.—Before M. J. Roberts, R. Raikes, and F. X. Gwynne, Esqrs. The General Annual Licensing Meeting was held at the Town Hall, on Friday, the 25th ult. All the old licensps were renewed with the excep- tion of those of Thomas Jones, of Llangnnnider, which was transferred, and Cornelius Spillane, of Dukestown, which had been suspended for 12 months, and was now refused. The following licenses were transferred :-Lion Inn, Llanelly, from William Samuel to John Wat- kins-Castle Inn, Beaufort, from William Rees to Collins Matthews- Draggon Inn, Crickliowell, from William Williams to James Wm. Hinckley. Six new licenses were granted. THE BUSS AND HOW IT CAME TO GRIEF.— A few weeks ago a public meeting was held for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the desirability of starting a public conveyance between this town and Abergavenny, Sir J. R. Bailey, Bart., M.P., in the chair. It was then resolved to start a Buss, for the convenience of the public, and the same to be done by a "company" (limited.) The shares were Xi each, and X200 was soon subscribed, which sum was deemed sufficient to start the affair. Mr. J. W. Hallam, landord of the Bear Hotel, was communicated with, and he consented to carry out the affair. Mr. Hallam bought a pair of horses on account, and entered into a treaty for a Buss, and everything appeared to be going well for a itsit, but on Friday, the 25th ult., the Hpnble. Chailnan called on Mr. Hallam, and announced the scheme had been abandoned, sic transit gloria Buss. Per- haps the following was the true source of failure. 11 VALE OF CITICKIIOWELL RAILWAY.—We are now enabled to state that this undertaking., will be commenced in a very short time. A meeting was held at the Company's offices, in this town, on Monday, the 28th ult., at which, the contract was duly signed by the parties therto, and the seal of the company attached. We wish every success may attend this line.

BRECONSHIRE CHARITIES. From the Commissioners' Report of 1836. PARISH OF TALGARTH. ALMSHOUSE. The benefaction table records that John Gunter, Esq., of Trevecca, built and gave to the me of the poor of the parish of Talgarth an almshouse for four inhabitants, with a small garden for each, in the borough of Talgarth. It appears by an inscription in the centre of the houses that the donor died on the 11th of Decem- ber, 1689. < These buildings, which are kept in an inhabita- ble state by the parish, but are now much out of repair, have from time immemorial been used as habitations for parish paupers. There is no endowment for the support of these houses, and no deeds are known to be in existence relating to the charity. HARRIS'S CHARITY. It appears by the Parliamentary returns of 1786, that Thomas Harris, by will, dated in 1782, be- queathed the interest of X200 for clothing 10 poor men not receiving parish relief. It did not appear in what way this money had been invested, but the sum of £ 10 per annum as interest of the X2007 is yearly expended, by Mrs. Madocks, of Tregunter, near Hay in the purchase of clothes, which are distributed among 10 poor men not receiving parish pay, chosen by her from the settled parishioners of Talgarth. PROBERT'S CHARITY. By indenture of feoffment, dated 19th January, 1663, with livery of seisin indorsed, made between Thomas Watkin Probert, of the first part, Thomas Watkin and Margaret his wife, of the second part, ;and Watkin Thomas and Rees Thomas, of the third part, the said Thomas Watkin Probert con- veyed to the said Watkin Thomas and Rees Thomas, and their heirs, for ever, several closes of land, called the Kenfydd and Kevin Eithen, con- taining by estimation 80 acres, and situate in the parishes of Talgarth and Llangorse, in trust, after the decease of himself and his wife, for the said Thomas Watkins and Margaret his wife in special tail, with the ultimate remainder to the right heirs of the said Thomas Watkin for ever, subject to the payment of the sum of Sio upon every Tuesday next before Easter, yearly, towards the relief of the poor of the parish of Talgarth for ever, and with a power of entry and distress if annuity in arrear. The annuity of £10 has been always paid by the .'V'J J ,-j'" JTL' _,L name of the Wholehouse Farm, comprising about 200 acres of land, the property of Edward Jones, Esq., of Llandovery. The rent-charge is received by the minister on Good Friday in every year, and by him, with the concurrence of the churchwardens, distributed after service among the most destitute poor of the parish in sums of Is. and 2s. to each, no distinction being made between those who receive parish pay and those who do not. HAMLET OF TREVECCA. BENNETT'S CHARITY. Thomas Bennett, by will, dated 16th of May, 1727, and proved at Brecon, in 1736, gave to his son, Henry Bennett, in fee, a messuage and gar- den'situate in Trewalkin, in the parish of Talgarth, with the appurtenances, upon trust, some time be- » fore Ascension day yearly, to pay the rents and profits thereof to the churchwardens of this parish for the time being, to be by them distributed among the poor inhabitants of the parcel of Tre- vecca, in the parish of Talgarth, upon every As- chT^h yearly f°r GVer' at the P010*1 ofTalgarth The house given by the testator was pulled down about 30 years ago, being in a very dilapida- ted state, and has not been rebuilt. The garden, containing about 20 rods, has for a considerable period been thrown into a field be- longing to a farm, called Penyrwlodd, the property of Mrs. Madocks, of Tregunter, who pays 10s. yearly as the rent of this plot of land. The boundaries of this plot of land have, on the reccommendation of the Charity Commissioners, been marked out. The 10s. have been usually distributed among poor widows of the district of Trevecca, in this parish, in sums varying according to their circum- stances. GENERAL CHARITY. EVANS'S CHARITY. William Evans, by will, dated 3rd of August, 1581, gave and devised to Evan Jones, alias John J ones, all his messuages, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, and services, with their appurtenances, within the realm of England, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, upon the limitation and proviso (among others) that he and they should yearly for ever divide, according to his or their discretion, amongst his (the testator's) poor kins- men and kinswomen, and their offspring, dwelling within the county of Brecknock, the sum of £20. It appears from the office copy of a decree which was produced upon this inquiry, and which will be more particularly referred to hereafter, that this annuity had been regularly paid down to the year 1791, at which period, and for many years prior, Richard Price, Esq., of Knighton, in the county of Radnor, was the owner of the rectories and tithes of Builth and Landewy Cwm, in the county of Brecon, out of which the said annuity is payable. The payment of this charge having been discon- tinued, an information was filed by the Attorney- general on the relation of the poor relations of the testator, in the year 1807, against Charles Humphreys Price, Richard Price, and Vannam Pococke, the then proprietors of the rectories and tithes above mentioned. Under this suit the following scheme for the regulation of the charity was framed by the Mas- ter, and confirmed by the Court, by their decree dated 9th March, 1822. That the charity should be carried into effect under the management of six trustees, to whom the said annuity of S20 should be paid as it be- came due by the respective owners or proprietors of the rectories and tithes of Builth and Landewy Cwm, and that the receipt of the said trustees, or any two of them, should be a good discharge for the same. That Walter Wilkins the elder, Thomas Wood, Penry Williams, Walter Wilkins the younger, Henry Allen, Esqrs., and Richard Davies, clerk, archdeacon of Brecon, should be trustees of the said charity; and that, when reduced to two acting trustees the survivors or continuers should elect others to make up the unmber of six. Thomas Wood, Penry Williams, Henry Allen* and the Rev. Richard Davies, are the present sur- viving trustees. Sarah Price, relict; of Robert Bell Price, Esq., deceased, and Vannam Pococke, Esq., are the present proprietors of the rectories and tithes- ;j charged, by whom the annuity is regularly paid.

On Saturday, the 26th ult., Alice,, the eldest daughter of Mr. William Davies, King's .Arms, Watton, Brecon, aged 7 years. On Sunday last, at the private residence of hfe father, Standard Street, Crickhowell, of convulsions, William, the only son of Mr. William Jones, dra- per, London House, aged 4 years and 8 months. On Tuesday last, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr, David Daniel, tailor, New Road, Crickhowell, aged 68 years.