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CARMARTHEN COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.
CARMARTHEN COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY.—Before Messrs. Grismond Phillips (in the chair), J. L. Philipps, C. W. Jones, A. W. J. Stokes, and the Rev. R. G. Lawrence. The court-room was crowded with the general public. AN ERROR. Supt. Scott brought a charge against three persons, who were defended by Mr J. D. Valentine Jones, solicitor, Swansea, who said that an error had occurred in the three summonses, namely, May being stated instead of June, and accordingly he was not able to get his witnesses into court in time. After some discussion, it was decided by consent to adjourn the summonses to that day fortnight. Mr Valentine Jones applied for a cross-summons against Supt. Scott for assault on one of his clients, but was refused. AN EXPENSIVE DOG-FIGHT. Thomas Davies, Priory-street, Carmarthen, clerk, was charged by Inspector Charles Lascelles, on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with having incited Iii.i dog to fight at Ferryside, on Sunday, the 15th ult. Mr Brunei White, Carmarthen, appeared for defendant. Mr White said he regretted that Davies was not present in court that day, but as he was instructed to defend, he was going to make as good of an attempt as possible to do so. The defendant's employer, Mr Thomas Jenkins, merchant, was away from home, and he could not possibly leave the. office to attend. As it was a criminal case defendant's mouth would be shut owing to his not being allowed to give evidence, and therefore it did not matter so much that lie was absent, but he assured the Bench that he was not absent from any disrespect to them. It was decided to go on with the case on the defendant being sent for. The witnesses were ordered out of court, and the first called was Thomas Williams, Ferryside, fisherman, who said that on Sunday, the 15th ult about 6.30 p.m., he was on the Ferryside sands with some lads. He saw the defendant with others on the beach watching a bulldog running into the water after an old tinpot they threw in. He also had a bull bitch with him. Some females were going along followed by Mr Walton's dog. As soon as defendant and the company saw the third dog they ran towards it, when it began to run away. Someone in the group incited the defendant's bull dog, which jumped on, and the fight began. Mr Walton's dog was a mastiff. Davies was "hussing" his dog, shouting, "Catch him up, old boy," and such epithets. The mastiff was trying to get away. Davies put his own dog on to fight. Once defendant got hold of the mastiff's hind legs in order that his own dog might have a good chance. It lasted in that way for about ten minutes, when the mastiff ran towards the station followed by defendant and his two dogs, and the fight was carried on again for a long time. Both dogs were covered with blood and injured about the head mostly. It was dangerous to try and stop the dogs, as the defendant was up with his fists at once, saying he would strike anyone that interfered. He could not say that defendant was drunk he was steady enough, but excited. Cross-examined by Mr White—He was sitting on the sands about 50 yards from the dogs. The mastiff was not as high as a calf, nor did he think it weighed 112 lbs. He saw defendant taking his dogs from the station they were not muzzled, and were very quiet. The boarhound or mastiff did not go on towards the bull bitch first. He did not hear anyone tell Mary Griffiths, Mr Walton's servant, to take the mastiff away, as there would certainly be a fight. Defendant called his two dogs from the water purposely. He did not hear Davies say that he was going to exhibit his dogs at the Carmarthen dog show that week and that they had been spoiled owing to the fight. Mary Griffiths, widow, servant to Mr Walton, the owner of the mastiff, said that on the day in question she went on the sands with a female friend, followed by her master's do! She met Davies coming towards her with his two dogs. The three dogs began to play together she passed on and saw nothing further. Cross-examined—Her dog was about the size of a calf. William Harvey did not say anything to her. Her dog was very inoffensive, and was friendly with all the children of the village. It was very badly cut on the side and head. John Williams, Ferryside, fisherman, cor- roborated the former witnesses, and further stated that the dogs ran from the sands to the station, where the bull bog and mastiff went into the urinal. Defendant followed and shut the door. When the dogs came out they were loose and covered with b'ood. [Davies, the defendant, here entered the court, and witness recognised him as the man he >aw goingjinto the urinal.] William E. Phillips, Ferryside, said he was going to chapel about 6.30, and saw the dogs ru ining from the sands with the defendant following, shouting" Catch him old bny," Leg him," Kill him," and so on. Both defendant's dogs were hanging on to the mastiffs throat. John Nicholas, signalman, and P.C. Richards, Ferryside, were also examined. Mr White, having addressed the Bench for the defence, called upon William Harvey, Carmarthen, Post Office clerk, who said that on the day in question he went down to Ferryside by the five o'clock train. He was not in company with Davies, but he saw him on the sands with his two dogs. He and the com- pany with him were throwing a tin jug into the water and the bull dog was diving after it. The bull bitch was on the sands. Mr Walton's dog was between a bloodhound and a mastiff. The bloodhound was cantering towards the bull bitch. He told Mary Griffiths to take the dog away or there would be a big row, and she said, Oh it is not my dog it is big enough to look after itself," and at the same time the mastiff took hold of the bull dog by the head and neck. He shouted to Davies, Run on and stop them, or it will kill your dog." Davies never aid anything to the dogs. The bitch did not interfere at all. They went up to the station and entered the urinal. He then left, and did not see any more. Thomas Williams, the first witness, was not there-at least lie was not near enough to hear whether Davies said anything or not. 0 Mr White said he would not call any more witnesses, as they would only give direct con- tradiction to the Ferryside witnesses, and, as he dared say, the bench had already arrived at a verdict against his client. He knew he had a hard case to answer, but he hoped they would not be prejudiced by the evidence given against him. The Bench, in a short time, said they con- sidered the case proved, and defendant would be fined £ 5 including costs, or one month's imprison- ment. The money was paid down. OCCASIONAL LICENCE. Mr White, solicitor, made an application for David Howells, Castle Hotel, Llanstephan, for an occasional licence to keep his premises open on the 9th inst. from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday morning, on the occasion of a ball given by Mr. Percy Whetlan, Llanstephan. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Inspector J. Rees charged Benjamin Jjnes, Cwrt, in the parish of Merthyr, for having two weights, unjust by four ounces, in his possession. Defendant's wife appeared and said they never used the weights in the shop. Fined (id and cl costs.
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MIDSUMMER QUARTER SESSIONS.
MIDSUMMER QUARTER SESSIONS. CARDIGANSHIRE. The Midsummer Quarter Sessions for the county of Cardigan were held at the Town-hall, Lampeter, on Thursday (3rd inst). The chair- man of the Court (Mr J. Willis Bund) presided. There were also present Colonel J. Lewes, Llanll ear the Rev J. M. Griffiths, Llanfihangel- I geneu'r-Glyn; Dr. J. Rowlands, The Garth; Messrs Charles Lloyd, Waunivor; J. W. Szlumper, Aberystwyth T. J. Waddingham, Hafod, Aberystwyth T. H. Maddy, Dolaeron W. Jones, Glandennis Morris Davies, Ffosrhydgaled Lewis Davies, Gelly F. R. Roberts J. E. Hogers, Abermeurig, deputy clerk of the petee. J. Lloyd, deputy chief constable and D Williams, superintendent of police. THE GRAXD JURY. The Deputy-clerk of the Peace called over the I e names of the grand jury, and the following were sworn, namely: Messrs Samuel Davies, Emporium, Lampeter (foreman) John Daniel, Llwynhelig, Llanwenog J. M. Davies, Antaron, Aberystwyth David Davies, Berthlwyd, Gartheli; Thomas Ellis, Terrace road, Aberystwyth Thomas Evans, Harford square, Lampeter John Evans, Bronpadarn, Llanbadarn- fawr CharlesHarcourt, Pier-street, Aberystwyth Lewis Jones, Ffynondafolog, Cilian Aeron Morgan Jones, Llanlasissa, Cellau John Jones, High-street, Lampeter JtiiipsMejicks, Harford- sqnare, Lampeter; John Williams, Dolaeron, Bettws Leiki and David Williams, Blaenwern, Llanfairclydogau. THE CHARGE. The Chairman, in delivering his charge to the grand jury, said lie was glad to say there were no cases to come before them. He was sorry it was nefcessary to bring them there, as their time was so much occupied elsewhere. Unfortunately, it was absolutely necessary that a jury should be summoned to attend each sessions, and, that being so, the Court had no power to relieve them from their attendance. THE CHIEF CONSTABLE. The Chairman said, in pursuance with the direction of the Court, he had sent the resolution passed by them and expressing their confidence in the chief cons'able to the Home Secretary, who had formally acknowledged the same. The chairman went on to remark that the case ordered to be stated for the opinion of the High Court had been set down, and he believed it would be heard either that week or very shortly. He had hoped that the case would have been heard in time for him to communicate the result at the sessions. The case referred to by the chairman set forth those powers which he maintained were still vested in the Court in the management of police and other matters, and the decision of the High Court with respect to the different points was awaited with interest, not only by the Court of Cardiganshire, but also by other Courts throughout the country. STANDING ORDERS. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr T. H. Maddy, it was ordered that, after further revision, the report of the committee ap- pointed to draw up standing orders for the guidance of the Court be printed and circulated among the magistrates before they are finally adopted.—There was no further business, and the Couit rose. CARMARTHENS HIRE. The Midsummer Quarter Sessions for the above county were held at the Shire-hall, Carmarthen, last Friday, for the trial of prisoners, of whom there were four. The magistrates present were Viscount Emlyn (chairman) Major P. Thursby- I Pelham, Abermarlais Colonel Gwynne-Hughes, Glancothy Messrs W. Powell Jeffreys, Cynghordy, high sheriff; E. M. Davies, Uplands; John Hughes, J. L. Philipps and C. W. Jones, Carmarthen Grismond Philipps, Cwmgwilly J. H. Thomas, Derry T. W. A. I Evans, Kidwelly J. S. Tregoning, Iscoed, Llanelly J. Lewis, Caeglas J. Buckley, Bryncaerau his Honour Judge Bishop A. J. Stokes, Ystradwr- allt: and the RevR. G. Lawrence, MiddletonHall Mr Thomas Jones, clerk of the peace Mr D. Long Price, under sheriff; and Mr W. Phillips, chief constable, were also in attendance. GRAND JURY. The following gentlemen were empanelled on the grand jury — Messrs David Lloyd, Drysllwynfawruchaf, Llangathen (foreman); Joseph Badger, New-street, Burry Port John Davies, Liangwn, Llangathen James Evans, Dolauhirion, Llandingat David Harries, Nantrhebog, Llangunnock Thomas Harries, Newton Park, Conwil David Howells, Pantmeredith, Llangadock David Jones, Llanfair, Llandingat; D. T. Morris, Cobden Villa, Ferryside; Thomas Rees, Glanrafonddu- ganol, Talley John Rees Thomas, Towyn, Pembrey and Joseph Williams, Lakefield-road, Llanelly. THE CHARGE. The Chairman, in addressing the grand jury, said they had that day to consider five cases that would be tried before them against four different prisoners, and it would be necessary for him to say a word with regard to each. He need not remind them that their duty was not to try the case as a petty jury, but firstly to go into the case to see if the charges were definitely clear against thoae whom they had been brought, and .P it so their duty was to bring in a true bill. The first was a case simple enough an indecent assault on a young woman. If he only laid hands upon her it would be an assault, but they had to see whether he had indecently assaulted her or not. The second case was that of stealing a watch—rather a peculiar one. The story told in the depositions was that two men were sitting together, one said, Your mother was in just now and took the watch from the table," and there seemed to be a joke between them about it. The other man asked what time it was, and they afterwards went out together. Coming up the street he talked to a policeman, and said to his partner, "Perhaps now you will give me that watch," and at the same time the watch was taken out of his pocket, It was a case that required attention at their hands. The person was charged with stealing a watch. From the evidence it was clear it was in his possession, but they must find that he took it deliberately, meaning to transfer it to his own possession and use. If they had a doubt, they would have to. give the prisoner the benefit of it, and not find a true bill. Another case was that in which a person was charged with attempting to commit suicide. The story was that one or two persons appeared to have heard the discharge of a gun, and they proceeded to a garden whence it came. They found the prisoner bleeding from the nose, and holding a gun in his hand. He appeared to have been drinking heavily, and from statements he had made, lie had tried to do away with him- self, but it was certain that it was the result of heavy drinking. They would have to find whsther he discharged it at himself, thereby intending to kill himself. It was not sufficient that he dis- charged the gun and hurt himself, but if they were satisfied that lie intended to kill himself, then they would have to find a true bill. The fourth case was one of obtaining llloney by false pretences. The prisoner had gone to several persons stating that he had lost a valuable horse, a sow and a litter of pigs. The charge was that his statements were false, that he knew they were false, and that he had the intention of obtaining, by fraud, money from persons. In the first place prisoner stated he had come from Maenclochog. From the depositions he (the chairman) could not see that the prisoner had said he lived at Maenclochog, but that he had come from there, and there was nothing whatever to show that he had not come from"there. A further charge of a similar character was brought against him. It was not necessary to prove directly that he never had a horse, sow, or pigs. If it was shown to them that a day or two before he was not in such a position as to have them it would be enough to show that they were zl()L u his possession. The evidence of a person who knew him for 20 years said he was a tramp with no means of sustinence, and that he did not live at Maenclochog, but as prisoner did not say he lived there, they need not take much heed of it. The law did not allow them to send prisoners to prison on supposition. They would have to be satistied that the man had not got a horse, sow, or pigs. Unless that foundation was laid the case fell through, because it did not show that the statement he made was a false one. It required their careful consideration. The grand jury then retired, and in the mean- time the Court proceeded with the other business. RESIGNATION OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN. The Clerk of the Peace read a letter from Col. H. Davies-Evans, Highmead, tendering his J resignation of his office as vice-chairman of the Court. The Chairman said they all very much regretted that Col. Evans resigned the vice-chairmar.ship. Pressure of business made it very difficult for him to attend. Speaking for himself he felt great gratitude to him for holding the office as 1 -1 r, long as he did. No one could have had a more loyal and abler a colleague during the time he had that work, and he was sure that the Court generally would be thankful to him. He moved that the magistrates present pass Col. Evans a hearty vote of thanks, on behalf of themselves and brother magistrates, for his services in the past. Mr John Hughes, seconded, and it was carried unanimously. Ti!e Chairman said as far as that matter was concerned, it affected him as much as anyone else. He had consulted a good many gentlemen upon it, and his suggestion was one that would meet with the convenience of himself, the magistrates, and those who attended the Court. Ic was de-irable as they had a layman as chairman, that they should have a good lawyer as vice-chairman. There was a gentleman admirably suited for it, and lie believed if asked by his fellow magistrates would most willingly take the office-he meant Mr Arthur Lewis (hear, hear). He would not only be of great assistance to him as chairman, but of great good to the public. His lordship said he would like to have the opinion of his fellow magistrates upon his suggestion. Mr J. S. Tregoning said he had great pleasure in moving that he be invited to undertake the office. Turning to his lordship, he said, "You have referred to your own inefficiency. I am sure that we in this county have found that that is perfectly inapplicable (hear, hear), and in doing so I express not only the feeling of the magistrates, but the feeling of the laity and of the whole county" (hear, hear). He made the motion because there was no doubt it was of great advantage to have a legal gentleman and member of the Bar as vice-chairman. Mr Grismond Philipps seconded, and it was unanimously carried. Another letter was read from the samegentleman resigning his seat as a member of the Standing Joint Committee of the county. The Chairman said it was purely owing to pressure of business that Col. Evans was resigning. The next business was to appoint a successor, and on the motion of Mr \V. Powell Jeffreys, seconded by Mr Grismond Philipps, it was uani- mously resolved that Sir James Hills-Johnes be appointed. The Clerk was directed to transmit a vote of thanks to Col. Evans.for the valuable services he has rendered to the couuty. The Court next considered the question of having the Court's advertising equally distri- buted between two Carmarthen and two Llanelly papers—Conservative and Liberal-as suggested by the County Council at their last meeting, and it was decided to adopt the suggestion. There was no other business to be transacted, and the following were empanelled on the com- mon jury James Marsden, Park Farm, Llan- gennech Herbert Nevill, Llanelly; Frederick Michael, Llandilo-fawr William Graville, Plasbach, Llanelly James Hines, Abergwili Evan James, Goodwinstown, Burry Port Will. Leonard, Llanfihangel-Abercowin. No TRUE BILLS. The grand jury returned having found no true bill against Walter Herbert Jolities Lloyd, Llanstephan, gentleman, charged with attempted suicide on the 28th of April last at Llanstephan. o, —Joseph Beynon, labourer, Llanelly, charged with having stolen a gold watch, valued at R7 10s. Od., on the Kith May last, and James Protheroo, Llanelly, charged with an indecent assault on one Elizabeth Rees, at that place on the 3rd of June last. FALSE PRETENCES. A true bill was brought in against Win. Morris, of no fixed abode, charged with having obtained of and from Thomas ll. Johnes, Llwyndrysin, fanner, on the 8th November lair, the sum of Is. in money by false pretences. Mr Rees Davies (instructed by Mr John, solicitor, Carmarilien), prosecuted. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. The petty jury having been sworn, Thomas H. Johnes said that on the 8th of November la t prisoner came to his house, and showed him a petition signed by several persons (The petition which had been t i-ii and pasted to- gether was here handed in, and witness iden ified it as the one shown him by prisoner) Prisoner told him he had lost a very valuable horse, a s)w and a litter of eleven pigs. He also said he had come from Maenclochog. He gave him a shilling, and lie put his signature to the petition. The reason he gave the shilling was to help him to get another horse. Prisoner at the bar was the same man. Prisoner asserted that he had never been at witness' door nor had he ever seen his face before. James Symonds, a superannuated constable from the Pembrokeshire force, was next called, and he said he had known the prisoner for twenty vears, during which time he had not resided at Maenclochog at all. Witness had been stationed there himself for nine years, and knew the place well. Prisoner was tramping half his time, and in jail the other half, and he never knew him to have worked for the last 18 years nor had he any means. P.C. W. Bowen said on the 16th November last he found the petition handed in, scattered about in small pieces in a field of a farm in the parish of Litnfilittigel-Abereowiii. He had put z, it together. That was the case for the prosecution. The prisoner not being able to speak English, Mr Davies, the hall-keeper, was sworn in as an interpreter, through whom the prisoner asked the jury to hav" mercy on him," as he was not guilty of the charge. The Jury, without any deliberation, found the prisoner guilty. Mr Rees Davies thought it would not be necessary to go on with the second charge, as it was of the same character as the previous one, and very plain, and it was not heard. Prisoner admitted to four previous charges of felony and sheep stealing, for each of which he had been convicted. The Chairman, in addressing the prisoner, said he had been found guilty of the charges against him, and he had also pleaded guilty to previous offences of a serious nature. It was true they were a good many years ago. They would take that into consideration also the time he had been in custody waiting for his trial, and would only sentence him to hard labour for three calendar months. The prisoner was then removed.—The Court rose at one o'clock.
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STRATA FLORIDA ABBEY. '
STRATA FLORIDA ABBEY. We have been favoured with an early proof of the following interesting report, which is to appear in the "Arclue >lo,ia Coiiil)reii,,is "The Local Committee having decided to complete certain works which had been left unfinished in 1888 for want of funds, the excavations wire recommenced on Thursday, June 5th, and con- tinued until Saturday, the 14th. During this period a staff of ten labourers and ore mason were employed under my superintendence, and the results obtained are very satisfactory. The east side of the cloister, from the door leading into the south aisle as far as the door of the chapel-house, has been cleared. The cloister is 10 ft. 8 in. wide, and the north-eastern angle was found. The original basement-wall, which carried the cloister-arcade, remains in situ for a height varying from 1 ft. (; in. to 2ft. Gin. above the footings. At some laterperiod, probably during the occupation of the Abbey by the Stedman family, subsequent to the dissolution, but after the build- ings had fallen into ruins, this wall had been raised with the rubble-stone from the walls of the church, and fragments of moulded freestone, to the level of the existing surface of the ground, so as to obtain access to the Abbey Church through the south door. This rough wall which blocks up the north side of the cloister, has n"t been removed. It is hoped that at some future time the whole of the cloister and cloister-garth may be cleared, as weil as that portion of the cellarium and dormitory of the conversi lying within the boundary of the churchyard. In the debris were found the internal and ex- ternal jatnbi of two lancet-windows which had fallen outwards from the west wall of the south transept, and from the library or room over the chapter house. It will be observed by a reference to Buck's View of the Abbey in 1741 that he shows a single lancet-window standing at that time in the west wall of the north transept. Evidently the transepts were lighted oil the western side by a single lofty lancet, and a similar window lighted the prolongation of the south transept over the chapter-house. The jambs of these windows externally corres- pond with the we-t-window of the south aisle, still in situ. The internal jambs had apparently the bold roll-mouldings which characterised the windows of the transeptal chapels, but which had entirely perished, probably in the tire of 1284. The external jambs are of the tine-grained, yellow sandstone used externally throughout the church the internal jambs, of Bath oolite, are reddened by the action of tire. Large quantities of the rouh roof-tiles were found at the floor- level in the cloister, and fragments of stained glass. The remains of a pair of spurs, of appar- ently fifteenth century pattern (possibly relics of the military occupation at the time of Owen Glendower's rebellion), were also found among the debris. In clearing the sacristy to the original floor-level, a mass of very line encaustic and incised tiles were discovered, which apparently had been removed from the floor of the south transept, and stacked in a heap. There was at least one hundred and eighty of these quite perfect, and we used them, as well as a quantity of other tiles that turned up duriug the progress of the excavations, in restoring the tiling of the three chapels in the south transept. As there were not quite enongh perfect tiles of the smaller patterns, some of the large 7 inch plain tiles from the nave we; e used to make up the deficiency in one of the chapels but with this exception, the whole of these chapels are now fully paved, and to a large extent the original pitte.ns ha e teJn reatoied and thus have been preserved perfect examples of every tile found in the building. In addition to the patterns already illustrated in the Arch. Camb., two new tiles have been discovered,—one, a further portion of the set of sixteen which forms a complete design, but of which only four have been found. Apparently it was never used complete, as odd tiles of this set are found scattered among the other tiling. It seems pretty clear, that if ever laid down com- plete, as part of the original design, it must have been broken up at the time of the occupation of the Abbey by the troops of Henry V when Prince of Wales, during Glendower's rebellion, when very considerable damage to the tiling must have been done and which was subsequently repaired without much regard to the original design, as I tine odd tiles introduced here and there, and the patterns broken up, although the floor is perfect. The second tile found is one of a set of four which combined nuke a complete pattern. It has upon it a grotesque, bearded head wearing a mitre in the corner a flower, apparently intendec for a marguerite. The set of four tiles, when compiete, would present the appearance of the heads set angleways, surrounded by a dotted circle, and at each corner a flower, The surface of the north transept was all cleared down to the floor-level, and portions of the tile- paving uncovered, but in a sadly broken up and fragmentary condition. Enough, however, remained to enable me to measure, and reproduce at some future time I hope, the whole of the de-tgn of the tiling of Oe north transept. The patterns were well arranged in panels extending the full width of the transept, about 5ft. broad each panel divided by bands of three rows of tiles laid square with the walls of the building, the intermediate spaces been laid diagonally in each space a separate pattern, and the colours alternating in sets of dark and light tileH, generally four of each tint together. The effect, when complete, must have been vety rich and harmonious, and it is very satisfactory to be able to say that we have found at Strata Florida probably the finest set of medueval tiles in any ancient abbey in England or Wales and that in the chapels we have retained them in perfect condition, and being under cover they will, with ordinary care and attention, be well preserved for the future. Upou clearing the floor of the presbytery it was seen that the encaustic tiling had apparently only extended for a space of about I) ft. eastwards from the eastern arch of the tower, and that from that point to the east end of the whole of the presbytery had at some later period been paved with a very inferior class of plain red and black, 74 in. square tiles set chequer-pattern. During the first excavations in 1887 we found fragments of the earlier tiling underlying this common tiling; and at the east end, the level of the raised foot-pace, we found a quantity of encaustic tiles, which had been taken up and stacked away, buried beneath the commoner paving. This very curious fact seems to prove the truth of the tradition that after the dissolution of the Monastery this portion of the Church was used for Divine Service, and that for some reason or other the ancient tile-paving was taken up, and the common red and black squares laid down and that then the foot-pace of 6 ft wide, with a coarse, local stone step, was raised, burying the heap of ancient tiles. It is also possible that it was at this time, or somewhat later, that the east walk of the cloister was cleared, and the rough rubble-wall built, so as to give access to the Church on that side probably for the use of the Stedman family, who originally, no doubt, occupied that portion of the conventual buildings situate on the south side of the cloister garth, as the present house evidently dates from the time of Charles II, or even a little later. In addition to the clearing the floors of the presbytery and transepts, the floor of the nave, west of the pulpitum, has been uncovered, and a large proportion of the tiling extending as far as the centre of the fourth bay of the nave-arcade, which is also the centre of the nave, was found in a very perfect condition. In some places it had been broken up but over a considerable portion of the floor, the tiling, consisting of 7 in. square, glazed tiles of a greenish brown colour, was very perfect, and had been exceedingly well la:d. Eastwards of the line of the arms of the cross in this tiling, which is shown on the plan of the Abbey published in the previous volume of Arch. Camb., in front of the nave-altars west of the pulpitum. The large masses of walling filling the two eastern bays of the nave-arcade are somewhat puzzling. It is possible that these two arches were blocked with masonry for the purpose of strengthening the central tower-piers, which might have been seriously damaged by the fire in 1284. The western piers of the central tower strike one as being somewhat weak. The thrust of the north and south arches of the tower was sustained by the arches of the nave-arcade and if these were weakened and damaged by the fire, it is not improbable that these masses of masonry were raised to assist in sustaining the thrust of the tower arches. A port.on of one of these walls was excavated to the original foundation, and it was found that they had been carried down some 2 to 3 ft. below the surface of the floor and though very roughly put in, there was evidence of the intention upon the part of the builder to carry the foundations right down to the solid substrata of coarse gravel mid boulders, the bed of some ancient glacial tor- rent upon which the Abbey is built. The very extraordinary mass of wailling in the south-western angle of the south aisle, which seemed to indicate the position of the staircase which led from the cloister of the conversi direct into the Church, has been further investigated, and found to be of several periods. Some portions of it, built upon fallen debris, are compa- rativply modern. This has been cleared away, and in so doing we came across a small doorway at the extreme south-west angle, which had been blocked up subsequently to one of the fires which had been consumed the roof of the Church, as amongst the walling with which it was hidden we found quantities of charred wood. Upon clearing away the masonry which blocked this doorway, it was discovered that it was the approach to a small newel-staircase built in the thickness of the south wall of the Church. It had a rebate for a door, and this had been closed by a long bar sliding in a horizontal cavity and apparently this bar could be closed and fastened from within the Church, as there was a square hole in the wall at the end of the horizontal cavity, into which a block of wood acting as a stop-bolt could be inserted. The doorway itself had been carefully filled up, and among the stone used for that purpose we found three fragments of freestone, forming parts of two pointed window-heads. The windows to which these had belonged were small, obtusely pointed lancets, pierced in square blocks of stone, with sunk spaudrils. I assume these windows to have belonged to some portion of the conventual buildings, as they do not correspond in any way with the fragments of windows found in the Church. The west doorway has been cleared to its original level, and it has been found that there was one step down from the threshold into the Church. The full proportions of the great west doorway can now be seen, and visitors can realise from its dimensions, and the beauty of its design and workmanship, how fine a Church the monks of Strata Florida built. Certain protective works, in addition to the restoration of the tiling in the chapels, were also commenced but the further completion of these must stand over until the Local Committee succeed in obtaining further funds but some of the more importantare now in progress, and will be completed at once so that what has already been discovered will as far as possible, be protected from the destructive effects of the weather. I cannot conclude this short Report upon the further work done at Strata Florida without mentioning the great interest which has been taken in the ruins by the Local Committee and more especially are the thanks of archieologists and the public due to two members of that Com- mittee, Mr Morris Davies and Mr D. C. Roberts, who have given to this matter much personal care and attention, and continue to devote themselves most energetically to obtaining the requisite funds, and in applying them advantageously in the preservation of one of the most interesting relics of the IHst which Wales possesses. cl S. W. WILLIAMS, F.R.I.B.A. Rhayadcl-. one 24th, 1890. [Subscriptions should be sent to Mr. Morris Davies.]
WIT ATE LEY'S "WHAT NOTS."
WIT ATE LEY'S "WHAT NOTS." WHITLAND. THE TITHE BILLS. Whateley's colleague shares the feeling of disappointment prevalent amongst the clergy and laity of the Church (Episcopal) in Wales at the probable shelving of the Bills in question for the remainder of the session. Whateley" is pretty sure that Lord Salisbury and the ma jority of his colleagues would do anything to pass them if that were possible without endangering Union- ist interests. It may be that the Ministerial Cabinet now in power for certain diplomatic reasons withheld from the public, will leave the Bills hung up till the advent of another ses- sion. Whateley's" Pal has not, however, quite given up all hopes yet of the so-called Bills Leing sprung" upon us and pushed through com- mittee, if not at the point of the bayonet, yet with the desperate determination of mea resolved, at all hazards, to improve the interests of a Church under whose protecting e-is they mean to live and die. "Whatetey" himself much deplores the unholy and unseemly agitation which calls for the interference of Parliament at all, as it cannot but strike at the root of that sanctity and of contract which our grand old country has hitherto been so conspicuous and renowned for. The direct and incoilable tendency of the doctrine inculcated by the spiritual ten- dency of the mob gathered together here and there to prevent the carrying out of a tithe sale is to undermine the honesty which has always been our boast and best policy, and to lead the way towards a general repudiation of all contracts and bargains from a grocer's account up (for instance) to a Dissenting minister's stipend. Whateley is afraid that by the moral support our good, but indiscreet, divines accord to the agitation, which has for its unworthy and un- christian object the robbing of the poor parson of his scanty pittance, they place in the hands of their people a double-edged sword, which will eventually, and, alas perhaps when too late to restore it into the scabbaid, prove to be cutting both ways, and that when endeavouring to pave the way to and bring about the disestablishment and disendowment of the ancient Church they persist in wrongly describing as an alien one. They are also unawares, and unintentionally, of course, hatching a young brood which will grow up and cause the injustice now dealt out to the Anglican communion and clergy to recoil upon I cl the devoted heads of the perpetrators themselves and their successors in our chapels. Even in these palmy days of Nonconformity a minister often finds that his cloth and choker have lost a good deal of that subtle influence which once helped a good deal to overawe and keep under the flock he is supposed to rule and guide, and that the Puritan sentiment of a former age has gnen way to democratic and socialistic ideas, which often are not opposed to the hurling of ministers from power in our chapels, or depriving them of the hread they want for themselves and famil ies. Wli--iteIL)y" gives it as an expression I of his honest opinion that the sooner our minis- ters retrace their steps, and from their pulpits boldly inculcate the Scriptural doctrine of pro- viding things in the sight of all men," the better by far for themselves in the long run. Whate- ley" trembles for them lest they have thus called up spirits from the vasty deep, but have not for- sooth the power to Jay them again. Is it not true (although a truism) that he who unjustly diggeth a pit for others falls into it himself. "Whateley" trusts they may see the error of their way, and seek the good old paths when such a course is not only possible, but feasible for them. KIKFIG CHURCH. Whateley's" colleague is glad to announce that the Rev. Owen Jones Thomas has commenced the much wanted restoration of his Church, and now sees his way clear to effect a thorough reno- vation of it, and that without destroying the distinctive character of this ancient sacred edifice. LLANROIDY. NV]i;tteley iv.ts rc,i()iced to read an account of the unveiling of the drinking fountain at the above village, erected in memory of the late Mr W. R. H. Powell, M.P., of Maesgwynne. "Whateley" would have much liked to have been present and joined in the demonstration got up in honour of so good a man as the late Liberal member for this county. itt j)(tee is Whateley's pious wish and devout prayer. EDUCATION. At the meeting of the Joint Education Com- mittee at Carmarthen, on Thursday afternoon, deputations from Whitland and St. Clears, amongst others, appeared and pleaded each for its o.vn town's interests. The further considera- tion of the subject was adjourned till the 23rd inst., when all the loyal Whitlandites will be anxious for the result.
PEMBROKESHIRE ASSIZES.
PEMBROKESHIRE ASSIZES. THI,, HAVERFORDWEST POISONING CASE. These assizes were opened at the Shire-hall, Haverfordwest, on Tuesday, by Mr Justice Stephen. He was accompanied by the high- sheriff (Major Charles Mathias). The following were the grand juries :— ,7:3 1 COUNTY OF PEMBROKE. T. Lewis Lloyd Philipps, Charles H. Allen, R. H. Buckley, (,. E. Carrow, W. S. de Winton, Lieut-Colonel F. P. Edwards, H. Lawrence, H. S. Morgan. T. R. Owen, James Philipps (Honeyboro), R. P. S. Penn, E. S. Prothero, L. Sampson, H, R. Shield, and 0. H. S. Williams. COL-NTY AND TOWN OF HAVERFORDWEST. — James Thomas, Rock House (foreman) Llew. Brigstock, Market-street Thomas Baker, High- street P. P. Ellis, High-street; F. P. Green, Bridge-street; Thomas James, Castle-square W. .John, Key-street Lewis Roberts, High-street James Rees, Bridge-street; John Shettle, High- street W. Williams, Dew-street William Williams, Market-street T. Webb-Bowen Thomas James, Spring-gardens C. C. Brown, Market-street; J. A. Bland, Bridgend-square T. R. Dawkins, High-street; H. E. Ellis, Dew- street and F. R. Greenish, Goat-street. His Lordship addressed the Haverfordwest grand jury first, and addressed tliem at great length on the only case on the calendar— the Haverfordwest Poisoning Case, in which one Sarah Anne Thomas, servant of David Evans, of Haverfordwest, verterinary surgeon was charged with administering poison to her master, and to his child, Arthur Roderick Evans. TRIAL OF THE PRISONER. Sarah Ann Thomas (on bail) was charged as follows: That slie did oil the 15th of March, 1890, at Prendergast, feloniously administer to David Evans, a quantity of a certain poison, called strychnine, with intent in so doing then and there, feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, to kill and murder the said David Evans, and also that she did on the 19th of March, 1890, at the same place, feloniously administer to Arthur Roderick Evans a quantity of a certain poison, called aromatic vinegar, with intent in so doing then and thereby, feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, to kill and murder the said Arthur Roderick Evans." The grand jury found no true bill against prisoner for administering poison with intent to murder, no true bill against prisoner for adminis- tering poison with intent to do grevous bodily z;1 y harm, and a true bill against prisoner for adminis- tering poison in-order to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. Messrs A. Lewis and C. H. Glascodine (instructed by Mr D. Hughes Brown) were for the prosecution, and Messrs J. Lloyd Morgan, M.P., and Ernest Bowen Rowlands (instructed by Mr WT. J. Jones, Haverfordwest) for the defence. Mr A. Lewis having opened the case, the court adjourned for luncheon. On resuming, Mr T. P. Reynolds, surveyor, proved the plans of Mr D. Evans's house, which were put in. David Evans was then called, but was not forthcoming. When he appeared the Judge said his expenses would be disallowed for keeping the Court waiting. David Evans (examined by Mr Glascodine) identified the bottle of strychnine produced, and said that on the 13th March he was ill with influenza, and the prisoner brought up tea to his bedroom. The first cup was all right, but a second cup which prisoner brought up for him at the request of his (witness's) wife tasted queerly. He swallowed a mouthful. Afterwards lie got up, and in the course of a short time he found his mouth and throat become very dry with great thirst; he felt he was losing the use of his limbs, and his sight was failing. He also vomited. He returned to bed and sent for a doctor. tie was in bed several days. The next morning lie called for hot water and a glass of water Prisoner brought up the hot water but not the cold water. He called again, and the other servant (Sarah Ann Boundy) brought it up. It tasted very bitter, and he did not swallow any. His wife tasted it, and found it bitter. It was thrown away. On the 15th he asked for bovril, which was brought up to his bedroom by the prisoner. He tasted it, and found it very bitter —like the water. He did not swallow any. His wife took it away. Subsequently he saw Dr. Williams, and afterwards he (witness) removed all the active poisons from the shelves of the surgery, and placed them in a drawer there. He removed a bottle of strychnine in crystals, and one of atrophine in crystals. He did not remove the liquid poisons. On the 18th Sarah Annie Boundy left his employ. On the 19th something took place at dinner, and after dinner he asked the accused, "Sarah, what did you put into the child's stewed rhubarb." She hesitated and then said "a bottle fell into it." His wife came in and said, I have smelt the rhubarb, and am quite sure it contains aromatic vinegar." His wife asked prisoner for the bottle with the red label which she bad sent her with from the nursery on the previous Monday. Prisoner said she took it to the surgery. Afterwards the prisoner said, in answer to his questions, that the b >ttle fell into the rhubarb, and that she had thrown it into the river. To his wife she admitted putting the bottle in the child's rhubarb, but declared she did not put it in her master's food. She said she threw the bottle into the river. He took her to the surgery and asked her to point out the bottle she had used. Mr Lloyd Morgan interposed, and with the permission of the judge, asked witness whether he had said anything to the girl to frighten her. Witness said that in the surgery he told her that if she did not point out the bottles he would send for the police. Examination in chief continued. The bottle of liquid strychnine produced contained about 20 ounces when he had it. He used half-a-ounce and did not know what had become of the remainder which was missed. No one properly had access to the surgery except himself and assistant. Cross-examined by Mr J Lloyd Morgan The bottle of liquid strychnine was on a shelf about four or five feet from the ground. He had no definite knowledge that the prisoner could read. He did not lock the drawer in which he put the crystal poison. The drawer was low down. The prisoner was nurse, and it was not part of her duty to prepare tea or bovril. The drinking water of Haverfordwest was not bad in March, not worse than usual. The girl appeared much frightened when he was talking to her. He dis- charged the girl Boundy on March the 18th, and his stable boy on the day after. After being under examination au hour and 20 minutes witness stood down. The Judge (addressing him) said he was quite satisfied, from the way in which he gave his evidence and his conduct in the witness box, that there was nothing wilful in his being late at the adjournment, and accordingly he would allow his expenses. The other witnesses examined were EN-aiis, the wife of last witness, Mrs Mary Price, Lam- peter, a professional nurse Sarah Boundy, who corroborated Mr Evans' statement Mr. Rees, assistant veterinary surgeon Dr. Williams, and Mr Morgan, county analyst. The Judge asked Dr Williams if he had ever noticed any symptoms indicating a disturbance of her mind. The doctor said he did not know her sufficiently well to express an opinion. The Judge summed up at considerable length, and the jury retired to consider their verdict. After an absence of a few minutes they ve- turned with a verdict of Not Guilty." This concluded the business of the assize, and amid some applause the crowded court rose to disperse.
Advertising
The £100 prize offered by Mr G. W. Taylor, of Denbigh, for the best treatise on Bishop Morgan and his Times," has been awarded to Uno Opera Oi-nnia De(lit "-N.lr Thomas Evan .Jacob, formerly of New Mill, Aberystwyth, and now of London. Mr Jacob won a Y,50 literary prize at Wrexham. Eisteddfod, besides lesser prizes. It became known in the Customs Service in London on Thursday that two officers had been suspended from duty on account, it is alleged, of their having interviewed a member of the Govern- ment concerning the proposed appointment of :L junior oflicial to the high and responsible position of surveyor general.