The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT COLLEGE AT BRECON. The above event took place on Wednesday last, and at an early hour the streets of the town bore indications of a large number of strangers having arrived by the first up train from Swansea and Neath—and, as the hour of half-past two o'clock had been named for the formation of a procession, in which the Mayor and Corporation of Brecon was to form the principal feature, in company with the Building Committee, the Principals of the present College, the body of Students, and several influential friends, including a large attendance of Ministers of the Gospel from different parts of England and Wales-they were soon observed in large groups, and ultimately taking advantage of the time allowed them. They formed themselves into parties, and visited those places in our town which few strangers rarely neglect doing when an opportunity affords—namely, the Priory Church, Christ's College, Cemetery, Shire Hall, Barracks, &c., &c. The weather continued beautifully fine, and one and all seemed to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Brecon. Arrangements had been made by the committee for a luncheon at the Wellington Hotel, and the price fixed at Is. 6d., was reasonable, and the place selected was convenient as being situated in the most central part of the town. Shortly after one o'clock, the time announced for the same, a large company arrived, entirely filling the large dining room of that establishment, and numbering upwards of 250 persons. An excellent cold colla- tion was placed on the table, which seemed to give great satisfaction. The chair was occupied by John Davies, Esq., mayor, supported on his right by S. Morley, Esq., H. O. Wills, Esq., and John Prothero, Esq., ex-mayor, and on his left by members of the corporate body, nearly the whole of whom were present, and among the company present were several respectable tradesmen of the town, as also several highly respectable parties from Neath and Swansea, together with a large attendance of min- isters of several denominations from various places. Grace having been said The company seemed determined to avail them- selves of the short time allowed them for the re- plenishment of the inner man, and after ample justice had been done to the viands set before them, the worthy Chairman on perceiving a portion of the company about to leave the room to prepare for the forthcoming procession, rose and said that he would offer to the company the first toast of the evening, and hoped it would be drank in a loyal spirit. He would give them the health of her most gracious majesty the Queen. The toast was warmly received, after which followed that of the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. In a short time the Chairman again said that hav- ing drank the healths to royalty, there was another that he wished to be allowed to introduce, it was the health of a gentleman on his right, and turning to Mr. Morley, said that they all felt a great plea- sure in having him there that day among them. He (the Chairman) had heard of him and had read of him, and the incomparable name he bore with all classes of the community, rendered that name wel- come to that company. He (the Chairman) was only sorry that that meeting was not going to last a few hours longer, for he was sure they should have great pleasure in hearing some excellent speeches on that occasion by Mr. Morley and other gentlemen present, but they had arranged to meet at a certain hour to form in procession, He trusted the company would do justice to the toast by drinking the health of Mr. Morley. The toast was well received with applause. Mr. Morley, in acknowledging the compliment, said, Mr. Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—He thanked them for the great kindness they had done him. He was happy to come among Welsh- men, and was also happy to see how much they are like other men. He had the honor to be ac- quainted with several Swansea gentleman of high educational attainments, and had lately had a very animating conversation of material value, and he trusted that would end in beneficial results. He then alluded to matters in connection with that day's proceedings, namely, the building of the college, its situation approaches by railway, and other topics, and concluded by agam thanking them heartily for their warm expressions in drink- ing his health, and sat down amidst prolonged cheering. Mr. Bright next proposed the health of H. O. Wills, Esq., Bristol, whose name he said stood high among the noncomformists as a gentleman, whose zeal and generosity to their cause, had earned for him the love and esteem of that great body of people. He had therefore much pleasure in proposing the health of Mr. Wills. This toast was done honor to, and Mr. Wills, in returning thanks, said that he felt greatly obliged to them for the honor done him. It gave him great pleasure in coming amongst them that day, and having had the honour to sit with so highly and respectable a party. He was also glad that he came among them for so good a cause, as laying the foundation of what he hoped under God's blessing, would lead to great results and prosper. He again sincerely thanked them for the honor done him. Dr. Spence, of London, in a most appropriate manner, proposed the health of the worthy Mayor. (Cheering.) Mr. Davies, in acknowledging the toast, which was drank with great respect, said that he felt great pleasure in receiving the honor done him by so distinguished a personage as Dr. Spence, and in the manner in which the toast had been received. He also felt very great pleasure in such an event as the present happening during his mayoralty. He believed that they would all agree with him that there was not a more delightful spot than the one selected for the new college in the principality. He again thanked the company for the honor done him. This concluded the proceedings at the luncheon, and the party commenced forming themselves into a body for the procession, which was met at the Wellington Hotel by the Mayor and Corporation, who had formed in the Council Chamber, and was headed by the Mayor wearing his robes of office, supported by the superintendent and staff of the borough police, the town cryer, hall keeper, and sergeant at mace, carrying the silver maces in ad- vance, the committee, the architect and builder, the different ministers, the officers and students of the present college, and the visiting strangers and tradesmen of the town in the rear. In this order they proceeded through the Watton to the spot where the building is to be erected, and which is beautifully situated on an eminence some short distance from the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Station, on land belonging formerly to the Marquis Camden. On arriving at the place shortly after 3 o'clock, the corporation and ministers together with Mr. Morley, Mr. H. O. Wills, and a few other friends took possession of a roofed platform that had been erected for the occasion, while a large concourse of spectators crowded around the foun- dation. After silence had been obtained, a Welsh hymn was given out and sung by the audience, after which a portion of scripture from the new testament was read by the Rev. J. Kennedy, M.A., London, who also engaged in prayer. Mr. Profes- sor Roberts then read an elaborate address on behalf of the collegiate, to Mr. Morley, and a beau- tiful silver trowel was presented to that gentleman for the purpose of laying the foundation stone, on which was engraved the following inscription in English and Welsh-" Presented to Samuel Mor- ley, Esq., on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Welsh Independent College of Brecon." Mr. Morley then proceeded to the foundation, in company with some of the ministers, and in a mas- terly manner performed the duty entrusted to him, and on again ascending the platform, made a most suitable and excellent address. Mr. Wills, and other ministers of various deno- minations also made addresses on the occasion, and shortly after 5 o'clock the procession re-formed, and returned to the town, taking for its return rout, the new road and Free Street. In the eve- ning a large and influential meeting was held in the Town Hall, at which S. Morley, Esq.. presided. The meeting which was crammed with people, was addressed by the chairman and several ministers of the gospel. Some able and very eloquent speeches were delivered on the occasion, and were listened to with that profound respect and atten- tion that their talented authors merited in the nature of their delivery. The whole terminated shortly after 10 o'clock.

DEATH FROM VIOLENCE. On Friday, the 7th inst., an inquest was held on the body of James Hopkins, aged 32, pedlar and rag and bone collector, at the Nag's Head Inn, Struet, in this town, before H. Maybery, Esq, coroner. Mr. Mathew James Hewitson, L.A.H., deposed that he on that day made a post mortem examina- tion of the body of deceased, in company with Mr. James Williams, surgeon; they first examined the head externally the scalp over the right eye showed that it had received a bruise or wound, not sufficient to break the skin, simply a bruise they moved the scalp corresponding with the external mark, it was found ecchymosed the same as the external; on cutting into the membranes covering the brain a quantity of pus or matter escaped, be- tween two or three ounces, and the brain was in a softened state. The Coroner Could you trace any demonstra- tive cause of death ? Witness His death was occasioned by convul- sions, depending on the state of the brain; the convulsions were caused by inflamation, which must have existed some time during his illness he attended him for two days, Tuesday and Wed- nesday he died on Wednesday night; he saw him on Tuesday, but did not attenCl him then; he requested his wife to go to the Infirmary he believed Dr. Jones, of the Infirmary, attended him once; deceased subsequently got relief from the parish, and he attended for Mr. Williams on Tuesday and Wednesday when he saw him he was but partly conscious he did not consider him in a dying state when he first saw him, but in a pre- carious state a fall in the street might have caused the mark; deceased's wife described to witness that he had a fall on a curbstone in a fight. Thomas Jenkins, brewer, Struet, deposed that on the second fair day (May 6th), he saw deceased fighting with Rees Morgan, of Mill Street, near the brewery they were both a little gone in beer; the fight did not last more than a quarter of an hour they both fell against the curbstones there was no foul play on either side. Other evidence having been adduced, the Coroner addressed the jury, who, after a short consultation, returned a verdict that deceased had died from violence, but that there was no evidence to prove how that violence was occasioned.

THE COST AND CURE OF DRUNKENNESS. To the Editor of the 11 Brecon Reporter." SIR,-The cost of the liquor traffic to this coun- try is almost incalculable. In 1866, the amount spent upon intoxicating drinks exceeded eighty eight million pounds—more than the entire na- tional revenue !—and for every pound thus mis- spent at least another pound was wasted indirectly through the idleness, accidents, offences, disease, and premature death resulting from intoxication. Take Manchester as a sample. The working classes of this city spend a quarter of a million annually upon intoxicating drinks on Saturdays and Sun- days alone. Another unwelcome fact which has come to my knowledge is, that the working men of England spend more for strong drink in one day than the hundreds of co-operative stores gain in the whole year. But what is the cost in money compared with the loss in morality and happiness? During one year a weekly newspaper, published in Manchester, recorded more than two thousand two hundred cases of horrible deaths, murders, suicides, rob- beries, stabbings, &c., resulting from indulgence in these deadly drinks. Even the Times is forced to acknowledge that the use of strong drink produces more idleness, crime, disease, want, and misery, than all other causes put together." There are at- least half a million law-made drunkards in this kingdom. Every twentieth person is a pauper— and it is admitted that drink causes nine-tenths of our pauperism. It is estimated that 50,000 per- sons die prematurely every year through drink and that at least 30,000 moderate drinkers be- come drunkards every year. And 0! what a sickening account of wretchedness, neglect, and cruelty might be recorded of the doings of drink amongst English women and children. Knowing the cause of this national disease, have we the courage to apply the remedy? The cure for national drunkenness is national sobriety. I rejoice to know that individual abstinence has done wonders in preparing the way for national absti- nence. The Rev. W uI. Jay, of Bath, said that for every one person whom the gospel itself had made sober, teetotalism had made a hundred. Yet after more than thirty years labour, we have to regret that drunkenness has increased, and is increasing, not only amongst men, but amongst women and children. The comparative failure of what Earl Russell justly calls the "great question of temper- ance" is owing to the liquor traffic, -to the licensed and ever-increasing facilities for obtaining intoxi- cating drink. The law sanctions the aaie of these liquid poisons for the sake of revenue, and to keep a fale peace with the people who make, sell, and drink them. But are these a majority of the na- tion ? No, they are a minority, if you count souls; and surely the dear children are more important, when estimating the future of England, than the indulgencies of those who ought to be their exem- plars. A radical cure of England's drunkenness must come from the enlightenment of the people, and the exercise* of their social power of prevention. Already a powerful feeling pervades the country in favour of freedom from the degrading tyranny of the licensed drink traffic. It is time that every one should take sides in the coming struggle of right against might. Our weapons are Love and Truth. Let those who desire to be disciplined for the fight write to Yours truly, Manchester, HENRY PITMAN.

CHARGE OF SLATE STEALING. At the Magistrates Clerk's Office, Thursday, before the Mayor, Thomas Price, boatman, was f brought up in custody of P.C. Watkins, charged with stealing ten sktes from the yard of the South Wales Coal, Lime, and Slate Company. The charge was made by Mr. Samuel Hancorn James, the agent to the company. Mr. Games defended the prisoner. Mr. James stated that on the night of Tuesday last, hearing footsteps in his yard in the Watton, he went out and saw the prisoner, who then caught hold of a bucket, and went to the canal for water for the horses, the prisoner's employer having sta- bles in the same yard he however watched bitnt and in a short time saw him remove some slates from a stock of the same and put them into a boat; he then went up to him and charged him with the, offence prisoner said that he had never taken any before, they were only a few for Ned, meaning a man named Edwards, and that he intended telling witness of them the next day. In answer to the Mayor, the witness said that they had missed a great quantity before he had wrote to the fir10 informing them of the transaction, but had not received any answer as to their prosecuting. Mr. Lee, superintendent, asked for a remand in order to get at further facts in connection with the case, which was granted until Monday next, bail being accepted in two sureties of S10 each and himself in the sum of £20.

BIRTH. At Brecon, June 9th, Mrs. Edmund Gwynne of a son, MARRIAGE. On Tuesday last, at the Registrar's Office, Bre- con,—Miss Eliza Pritchard to Mr. Wm. Roberts, plasterer, of Free Street.

I BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY. HEREFORD, HAY, AND BRECON SECTION- I. DOWN TRAINS. 1 & 21 & 21 & 2 1,2,3- a.m. p.m. p.m. ¡ Hereford depJ 9 45 1 0 3 10 8 10 Credenhill 9 57 1 13 3 22 8 22 Moorhampton .10 8 I 26 3 32 8 35 Kinnersley 10 18 1 35 3 40 8 45 Eardisley 10 25 1 45 3 46 8 50 Whitney 10 32 1 50 3 54 9 0 Hay 10 40 2 0 4 2 9 f Glasbury 10 50 2 10 4 9 9 20 ThreeCocksJunction. 11 0 2 15 4 14 9 26 Talgarth 11 15 2 22 4 24' 9 34 Talyllyn Junction 11 35 2 35 4 35 9 50 Brecon arr. 11 45 2 45 4 4510 0 Dowlais 12 25 5 25 Merthyr.(by coach). 1 15 6 15 ..j UP TRAINS. 1,2,3,1 & 2 1 & 2 1, 2, 3- a.m. a.m. a.m. p-g^. Merthyr (by coach) 8 15 Dowlais 9 15 Brecon. dep. 7 010 3012 45 5 30 Talyllyn Junction 7 10 10 40 12 52 5 40 Talgarth 7 2210 50 1 5 5 55 Three Cocks Junction. 7 3011 0 1 14 6 5 Glasbury 7 35 11 5 1 19 6 Hay 7 4511 15 1 28 6 25 Whitney 7 55 11 26 1 38 6 35 Eardisley 8 311 35 1 45 6 42 Kinnersley 8 l'O ll 40 1 52 6 47 Moorhampton 8 22 11 52 2 3 6 57 Credenhill 8 35,12 3 7 1° Hpr°frrd arr. 8 45 12 15! 2 25 7 2j> MID-WALES RAILWAY. Mid-Wales Railway. IBrecon andj | Merthyr. STATIONS. • Up TRAINS, a.m. Mer.(coach)d. 8 15 1145 Dowlais 9 15 1245 Dolygaer 9 25 1255 Talybont. 9 50 1 30 Talyllyn J. ar. 10 0 1 40 ClassesonMd- 1,2, 3. 1,2,3. 1,2,3. 1,2,3 1 2 3 WalesRailwa a.m. mixed p.m. p.m. P. Brecon.dep. 7 15 9 30 12 35 1 305 J TalyllynJ.arr 7 25 9 40 12 45 1 40 5__1^! TatyllynJuc. d 7 25 10-012 45 1 50'5 1° # Trefinon ••• j Talgarth 7 40 10 30 1 0 2 20 5 26 J 3 Cocks Juc.d. 7 4510 40 1 5 2 30 5jM t 3 Cocks Juc.d- 7 4511 0 1 52 405 33 I Boughrood 7 54!11 15 1 12 3 7 5 3» L Erwood 8 611 35 1 25 3 32 5 Builth (Wells) 8 22 12 10 1 40 4 22 6 J j Newbridge. 8 35 1 555 13 6 Doldowlod 8 45 2 5 6 28 Rhayader 8 52 2 12 6 3 6 38 Pantydwr 9 15 2 27 6 28 6 50 Tylwch • • Llanidloes arr. 9 30 2 42 6 50 7 l0 jMrnhyj? Mid-Wales Eailway. I STATIONS. DOWN TRAINS. Classes on Mid-1,2," a 1,2,3. 1,2,3 1^3 1,2,3 Wales Railway, mixed a.m. p.m. p.m. p-01* Llanidloes dep. 7 5 8 551 0 4 15 ••• Tylwch Pantydwr 7 37 9 151 18 4 33 ••• Rhayader 8 2 9 301 35 4 53 ••• Doldowlod 8 9 9 401 46 5 3 ••• ■{ Newbridge 8 37 9 501 55 5 13 ••• Builth(Wells). 8 5410 52 155 33 'if Erwood 110 20 2 305 48 .if Boughrood jlO 30 2 40 5 58 ••• If 3 Cocks June.. 10 38 2 45 6 8 j j 3CocksJuc.dep. K)~38 2 45 6 8 ••• 11 Talgarth io 48(2 536 16 ••• |i Trefinon I Talyllyn Juc. ar. II 2 3 86 30 j' TalyllynJuc.dep 11 23 10 6 30 s Brecon .arr 11 15 3 20 6 4Q ..j J Talyllyn Juc.dep 11 35 4 35 I Talybont: 11 45 4 45 ft Dolygaer 12 15 5 15 If' Dowlais(for Mer 12 25'5 25 J ft

NEATH AND BRECON RAILWAY. I UP TRAINS. 'jr STATIONS. 1,2, and 3 Class. I -A-M. A.M. P.M. P.M. Neath dep. 8 3011 5 3 20 Crynant 8 4611 17 3 35 Onllwyn 9 511 30 3 50 ••• Penwyllt 9 2011 40 4 2 Devynnock 9 5212 5 4 32 ..• Brecon arc 10 2012 25 4 55 •••_ DOWN TRAINS. 1 STATIONS. I 1, 2, and 3 Class. A.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. Brecon. dep. 8 1012 30 5 40 Devynnock 8 4012 56 6 11 Penwyllt 9 20 I 26 6 41 Onllwyn.. 9 35 1 38 6 53 Crynant 9 5 1 52 7 7 I Neatii arr. 10 15 2 8 7 28 Printed and Published by DAVID WILLIAMS, a* his residence on the Bulwark, in the Chapelrj j of Saint Mary, in the Parish of Saint John ,( Evangelist, in the County of Brecoa.—SATURDAY, JUNE 15th, 1867. J*