The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

Occasional Papers. Dj nder this h.e&d £ dilttibutions, in Welsh-and English, on Subjects social, ffioral, political, &c., will appear from time to time, The papers will not be editorial, and the writers Will be responsible for their own opinions.] Y PETH FEL Y MAE. PA.\»eth yw gwirionedd ebai Pilat yn chwareuus ond ni tQsai am atebiad ?" Eill cwestiwn ni ar ddechreu yr ysgrif Hon ydyw, "Pa beth ydyw geir-wiredd ?" Gadewch i ni gymeryd ychydig amser i aros am atebiad. Y mae cysvlltiad agOS rhwng y cwestiwn a'r un a ofynwyd gan Pilat; o hervfydd gwirionedd mewn gair, ydywhanfod geir- wiredd. A gwirionedd mewn gweithred ydyw gwir natur cvfiawflder. Yr oedd y rhan yma gan hyny o gwestiwn Pilat wedi ei ateb er ys oesoedd cyn iddo gael ei ofyn gan hen Patriarch Edom, sef "mynegi y peth fel vmae,"—nid y peth fel v dvmunem ni iddo fod, nid y peth fel y dymunem i eraill feddwl ei fod, ond y peth fel y mae yn ein gwybodaeth a'n crediniaeth ni. Un o addurhiadau penaf y gallu rliyfedd ar hwn y cynysgaeddwyd ni gan y Creawdwr i amlygu ein meddyliau ein teimladau a'n dymuniadau mewn geiriau, ydyw gwirionedd. Pan na byddo gwirionedd yn ein geiriau, ymaent yn amddifad o wir fywyd a phrydferthwch. Fel y mae y corph yn farw heb yr ysbryd, fell y mae y gair yn farw heb fod y gwirionedd, fel ysbryd y peth byw yn ei anadlu. Un o amryw o ddybenion a galluoedd iaith a geiriau ydyw ein galluogi i fynegi ein meddwl ein calon a'n hewyllys i eraill, o ganlyniad pan fyddom yn defnyddio y cyfryngau hyn i yuddio ein meddwl yn lie ei tfcWguddio, ac yn offerynau twyll yn lie gwirionedd, yr ydym yn gwrthweithio un o ddybenion penaf ein Creawdwr yn rhoddi y gallu ardderchog hwn i ni. Dylai y. gair oddi allan fod fel awrlais cywir yn fynegai perffaith o weithrediadau y meddwl oddi fewn ond ysywaeth, y mae y seiliau wedi eu dinystrio, ac am hyny mor ami ydyw yr engreifftiau mewn masnach, ) mewn ymddyddan cymdeithasol, mewn cysylltiad a'n dy- ledswyddau gwladwraethol: ie, mewn cysylltiad a chre- fydd eu hun, o anghywirdeb a thwyll ein geiriau an liyrn- ddyddanion. Mor lluosog ydyw yr awr-leisiau anghywir, rhai yn rhy fuan ac eraill, yn rhy ddiweddar, rhai yn darn- guddio y gwirionedd ac eraill yn ychwanegu ato, yr hyn sydd heb fod yn wirionedd. Onid ydyw y ffaith alarus fod y rhinwedd hanfodol hwn o eirwiredd mor ddiffygiol yn ein plith yn profi ar unwaith fod yn aumhosibl fod Crist- ionogaeth, yn ystyr fanwl y gair, wedi cael gafael cryf yn ein cydwybod fel cenedl; o herwydd dysgeidiaeth gyntaf crefydd Crist, ar sail ei hathrawiaethau gogoneddus, ydyw, Dywedwch y gwir bob un wrth ei gymydog." Un wedd, yn wir, i'r athrawiaeth fawr sydd yn ganol- bwynt iddi, sef athrawiaeth yr lawn, ydyw geirwiredd. Pa beth ydoedd ei Sylfaenydd mawr yn ei wneuthur pan yn marw dan ddedfryd, yrhwn a ofynoddiddo Pa beth yw gwirionedd?" Un peth ydoedd tystiolaethu, fel y dywedai ef ei hunan o flaen Pilat, i'r gwirionedd. Pa wirionedd ydoedd hwnw, nid yw yn perthyn i ni wneyd ymchwiliad yn yr ysgrif hon. Pa fodd, ynte, y mae miloedd o'r rhai sydd yn cael eu galw ar enw y person mawr hwn mor anhebyg iddo yn hyn? Pa fodd yr oedd rhai o'r hen Baganiaid Inor loew a dysglaer yn y rhinwedd hwn o eirwiredd ? Yr ydym yn cofio, pan yn blant yn dysgu elfenau cyntaf dysgeidiaeth, ddarllen fod un o honynt yn tystio nad yd- oedd yn ystod ei holl fywyd, wedi dweyd anwiredd hyd y nod mewn difyrwch (nejoco quidem). Pa fodd, ynte, y mae i ni roddi cyfrif fod miloedd o'r Cymry yn amlhau anwireddau, nid mewn digrifwch yn umg, ond mewn difrifwch hefyd. Onid ydyw yn bryd i ni ddechreu o ddifrif i wella a diwygio yn ein geiriau ? i gashau celwydd ac anwiredd o bob rhyw, a hoffi geirwiredd. Dywed Bacon nad oes yr un bai yn cuddio dynion a gwarth ac atgasrwydd yn fwy na geudeb a thwyll. "Y mae y cel- wyddwr," medd Montaigne, yn wrol tuag at Dduw, ond tuag at ddynion yn llwfrun anwrol; o herwydd y mae celwydd yn wynebu Duw ac yn cilio yn ol oddiwrth ddyn. Y mae celwydd ac anwiredd yn wir wendid; ond ar y llaw stall, "Mor gryfion ydyw geiriau uniondeb." "Y mae gwirionedd yn gryf ac a lwydda," medd yr hen ddiareb. Y mae yn gryfach na'r diafol. "Tell the truth and shame the devil." Dywedwch y gwir a chywilyddiwch y diafoL Y mae y diafol yn cywilyddio ac yn gwrido pan yn clywed y gwir. Nis gall ei oddef, er ei fod yn gelwyddog, ac yn dad iddo. Ac am fod celwydd yn wendid ynddo ei hunan, y mae yn ffynonell ac yn achos o wendid i'r person neu y genedl ag sydd yn ddarostyngedig i'w lywodraeth. Nid oes dim yn fwy o achos gwendid i wladwriaethau na diffyg geirwiredd ei deiliaid. Cymmerer, er engraifft, y diffyg o eirwiredd gwladwriaethol mewn cyssylltiad ag etholiadau. Y mae yn rhyw beth ddychrynllyd i feddwl am dano, y fiifer aruthrol o anwireddau a draethwyd mewn cyssylltiad etholiad diweddar. Yr oedd pob etholwr, pa un bynag ai Rhyddfrydwr ai Ceidwadwr ydoedd, ag a roddes ei bleidlais yn groes i'w farn a'i gydwybod, mewn gwirionedd yn traethu anwiredd, gan ei fod yn tystio yn ddifrif ol wrth awdurdodau y wladwriaeth ei fod yn barnu mai yr eg- Wyddorion a'r egwyddorion a ddylai fod yn sail ei llywod- •"aethiad ac am hyny, ei fod yn barnu mae y personau a'r personau a ddylai gael eu hanfon i'w cynnrychioli yn y Senedd, pan yr oedd eu barn a'u cydwybod yn tystio yn fewnol yr hyn oedd hollol groes. Efallai yr atebir fod bywioliaethau yn troi ac yn dibynu ar y celwydd hwn. A ydyw bywioliaethau felly yn cyfiawnhau, neu, hyd yn nod yn esgusodi traethu twyll? Ac mewn dwy ran o dair, ie, mewn llawer ychwaneg o engreifftiau, nid ydyw y perygl yr ymgysgodir tano i lefaru yr anwiredd cenedlaethol hwn ond ffug a bwbach a greir gan ddychymyg y dyn ei hunan. Dylid cofio fod anwiredd o'r natur hwn yn un personol, ai fod yn taflu cyfrifoldeb personol ar yr hwn sydd yn ei draethu, 3.1, fod heblaw dwyn euogrwydd, yn dwyn gwendid i mewn Sydag euogrwydd i gymmeriad personol y dyn unigol, ac i Symmeriad cyffredinol y llywodraeth. o.

THE STRANDING OF THE SHIP CASTILIAN. 81]1,-ln your impression of the 16th inst., I am sorry to find that your correspondent refuses to withdraw the ob- I jectionable allusions he thought proper to make in con- nection with the lifeboat stationed at Criccieth. He insists that, because lights were shown on the vessel, we I Jaust of necessity have seen them; although further on, lJ1 speaking a.bout Capt. Christie's certificate, he admits that "the weather was rainy and foggy, and no lights could be seen anywhere." Granted that the lights could be seen—the vessel being exactly opposite Harlech from here—it was impossible to distinguish whether they were On shore or on a ship. And in such doubtful cases, I do not think we should be sanctioned in going out. It is very evident your correspondent knows very little about the laws of the Lifeboat Institution. There is no law (as he seems to think) requiring the coxswain to keep any look out whatever. As regards the crew—there is a jaw that one crew at least should be connected with each boat. Here it is not so. The reason why remains with the authorities at Portmadoc. As it is, in all cases the boat is manned by volunteers and as soon as she is safely housed they have nothing in the world more to do with her fcfttil they are wanted to go out again. Such being the case, there is no responsibility whatever upon the crew, further than doing their duty while in the boat. The vindication of the crew being my only motive in writing at first, and as that is clearly done, I shall take no further notice of What may be said on the subject. Yours, &c., ONE OF THE CREW. Criccieth, January 20th, 1869.

DOLGELLEY AND GREAT WESTERN PARCEL RATES. SIR,—As you are aware, the Great Western terminus at Dolgelley closely adjoins the town, yet, strange to say, a charge of twopence is demanded for the delivery of all Parcels not prepaid, irrespective of size or distance. The company attach a ticket to their parcels, giving the charge for carriage, and the extra charge for" beyond the com- pany's delivery," which on other systems usually extends to a radius of one mile from the station; and this ticket also states that "no person is authorised to take more than is stated on this ticket." Still, in the face of all this, the parcels delivery at Dolgelley is "farmed" to a third Person, who is not in the company's service, and who charges this extra toll, as he puts it, "by authority" of the company. The Great Western Company promised great things for Is when they had a through connection with Dolgelley, and for our additional convenience we have to pay pretty the extension of the Cambrian line is therefore jooked forward to with much anxiety by the tradespeople here, in the hope that the competition will bring down of the exorbitant rates of carriage.which theG.W.R. think proper to make. Representations without end, and without effect, have been addressed to the railway officials on the subject of the obnoxious impost, and, hoping that extensive publicity may check the evil, by bringing it directly under the notice of the officials at Haddington, I ask you to insert this. Dolgelley, Jan- 22> y°™' Sc"

REBECCASIM OR WHAT? SIR,—There is a statement in your issue of the 16th *Ostant, headed "Rebeccaism or what?" which begins thus-" It appears thatatthe turnplketrusteeting held on T uesday last it was determined that the omnibuses running- Wona the hotels to the temporary station of the Great Western railway at Dolgelley should pay turnpike tolls." Anyone who was present at the meeting of the trustees 1b.ust know that this statement is simply untrue. Nothing (If the kind was determined. The lessee of Bonthwr-grtte Complained that he was a sufferer in pocket because the Ontnibuses did not pay toll, and he was distinctly told, in that it was a matter with which the trustees had Nothing to do he had hired the gate for twelve months, and if any persons liable to pay toll evaded or tried to ade it, his course was very clear, viz., to proceed accord- ing to law against any such persons. The question of the ^ability of the omnibuses was not one for the decision of '■he trustees at all. That is a simple matter of measure- ment of distance which anyone can ascertain for himself. I am, sir, your obedient servant, HENRY WM. BUNBURY, One of the Trustees present. Abergwynant, Dolgelley, Jan. 18th, 1869. ,.tWe are glad to receive Colonel Bunbury's communica- lOn, and regret that our informant made the mistake of. A report prevailed that the trustees had rne to the decision to which he referred, and the action the gatekeeper appeared to confirm the report. Hence informants's error. —ED. ]

ARCHAEOLOGY IN NORTH WALES. > ^IR,—-Referring to my letter, which appeared in a con- .-Qiporary in June last, on the subject of the two fresco routings discovered under the whitewash on the north and t walls of the nave in the old cathedral church of pla,nbadarn-fawr,during its restoration, asbeingthose of St. v eter_ and the Earl of Strygil, upon further consideration .am jpduced to draw the inference that the figure supposed ^Present a lionets," on her haunches, must be that of ra le°pard," bein<* the ixat of arms, or the representative »he Crown of England, before the present one was •' r V ■ ow" u. adopted of the lion and the unicorn. which St. Peter is appeasing by the offers of the key find the figure of the young ass immediately above the hand represents meekness and humility, thus allegorically shewing the historical connection between this church, the Crown of England, and the monastery of St. Peter's at Gloucester, to which this church was given by the Earl of Strygil. This splendid and almost perfect specimen of t: Peter is now obliterated for ever, and shews a strong distinction between North and South Wales for a taste of archfe alogy; for the good people of Wrexham have religiously preserved the old fresco paintings, similar to this, discovered under the whitewash in their fine old church—although they were not in such a fine state of preservation. In Chester, too, the fresco painting has been preserved in the old church of St. John, after being hid with whitewash for hundreds of years; but this historical painting having stood the test of time from 1111, or the eleventh year of Henry the First, to 1869, is now plastered over with a thick coating of mortar, thus destroying it for erC1., Another historical fact has also come to light, for, on taking up the flags preparatory to laying down a new floor, an immense quantity of human bones were found immedi- ateUj underneath (scarcely six inches under the flags), between the nave and the chancel, shewing no direct order of burial. A question arises from what cause could such a quantity of human bones be laid there. It can only be from that referred to in my work on the British encamp- ments and their connection with the mines in this neigh- bourhood, where, at page 10, it relates that the human bones found in the large cairns at Penygarn, near Bow- street, were removed in carts to Llanbadarn for interment, so that the probability is they have been buried in the church, and in the spot here indicated. Yours, truly, J. G. WILLIAMS. Gloster Hall, January, 1859.

DOLGELLEY. THE CHURCH CHOIR.—On Thursday evening the mem- bers of the church choir were entertained at a supper in the United Clubroom by the rector. CONCERT.—Miss Evans (Eos Gwynedd) and party were announced to give a concert in the County Hall, last even- ing, under the patronage of Mr Charles Edwards. THE READING RomI. —Encouraged by the success that attended the amateur concert which was recently given in this town in aid of the local charities, we understand that the committee of the Reading Room propose offering a night's amusement by local amateurs, the proceeds of which will go towards liquidating the debt which has been incurred in connection with the room. THE MARRIAGE OF MISS WILLIAMS OF LLWYN. On Tuesday great rejoicings took place at Dolgelley and its neighbourhood, consequent upon the marriage of Miss Margaret Williams, of Llwyn, to the Rev. Lewis Jones, a minor canon of Bangor cathedral. The great respect and regard which is universally entertained for the family of Llwyn, their long and intimate connection with Dol- gelley and its locality, now extending over a period of four centuries, their well known characteristics as liberal and generous landlords, caused the demonstrations to par- take of a most hearty and extensive character. For once the picturesque little town threw off its wonted quiet, and signs of rejoicing met the eye and dinned the ear on every side. Business was cast aside for the day, which was re- garded as a general holiday, and cannon and gun firing and other noisy accessories to festive rejoicings ushered in the early morn, and were kept 'up almost without inter- mission throughout the day. The town itself presented a very gay appearance flags of all nations under the sun floated from many house tops, and hung from almost every window, floral decorations were to be seen in almost every direction, and arches and festoons of evergreens bearing sentiments and devices appropriate to the occa- sion and season spanned many of the streets. Across the principal entrance to Llwyn a substantial arch had been erected by the workpeople employed upon the estate, and bore the sentiment" Long life and happiness to Mr and Mrs Lewis Jones," a wish which was echoed in the Hir oes a dedwyddwch i Mr and Mrs Jones," which seemed to be the popular device upon most of the similar decorations in and about the town. At the entrance to Bridge-street a festoon of evergreens in which were entwined rosettes, flowers, and wedding gloves, crossed the street, and suspended from it in large letters of blue worked upon a white ground ran the old Welsh stanzas, Tangnefcdd a ffyniant, diddanwch a chariad, Fo rhwymyn a choron each undeb anwylfad which in the vernacular is— May tranquillity, abundance, comfort, and love The ending and crowning the uniun prove. A little further down the street the establishment of Mr Owen Rees had its exterior wreathed in ivy, amidst which there peeped out mottoes expressive of good wishes and happiness to the bride and bridegroom; and spanning Lion-street a display of a similar character was visible, and another at the entrance to Eldon-square connecting the Ship Hotel and the Post-office. A suitable arch was erected near the News Room, another near the Cross Keys, a third at the office of Mr Griffith Jones Williams, and Eldon-square was very gay with the display of bunting which was made by Mr Richard Jones (New Shop), Mr Griffith Ellis, Mrs Griffiths (the Angel Hotel), Mr William Williams, Mr Owen Owens, and others. At the entrance to the parish church a very pretty arch was constructed, and the railings were con- cealed with ivy and evergreens, amongst which nestled flowers and berries, and along the path carpeting was laid for the bridal party. The cortege arrived shortly before eleven a.m., the bridegroom being the first to arrive, attended by his" best man," Mr Humphrey Lloyd Wil- liams, Bala, cousin to the bride. The bride, who was ac- companied by her eldest brother, Mr Thomas Humphrey Williams, who gave her away, arrived shortly afterwards. She was dressed in lavender silk, ermine jacket, white chip bonnet trimmed with camellias, lace, and orange blos- soms. She was attended by four bridesmaids, Miss Laura Ann Williams, Llwyn, Miss Margaret Lloyd Williams, Miss Lloyd Williams, Bala, and Miss Ellen Williams, Llangollen, who were dressed in lavender silk, ermine jackets, and tulle bonnets, trimmed with camellias and lace. The service, which was full choral, and the first of its kind which has yet been solemnized within the walls of Dolgelley church, was performed by the Rev. Evan Lewis, M,A., rector of Dolgelley, and the responses and chants were most creditably gone through by the church choir. The hymn, "The voice that breathed o'er Eden," 212, Ancient and Modern, was sung at the close of the ceremony, and as the bridal party were leaving the church Mendelssohn's wedding march was played by Mrs Ellis, who presided at the harmonium during the service. The ceremony was witnessed by a great number of people, the church being literally filled to overflowing. At the conclu- sion of the ceremony the bells of the parish church of St. Mary rang out a joyous wedding peal, and while the bride and bridegroom were proceeding down the walk beautiful flowers were strewed in their path by the children attend- ing the Sunday school connected with the church. The bridal party then returned to Llwyn, where a recherche breakfast was laid out in the dining room, the company present including Mr and Mrs Lewis Jones, Mr Thomas Humphey Williams, Mr Meyrick Meredith Williams, Miss Laura Ann Williams, the Misses Lloyd Williams, Bala, Miss Williams, Llangollen, Mrs Lloyd Moray, Mr and Mrs Reveley, Brynygwyn, Dr and Mrs Richards, Bala, Mr Griffith Jones Williams, Coed, Dr and Mrs John Jones, Brvnffynon, Mr R. N., Mr Robert, and Miss Griffith, The Glyn, Mr and Mrs Richard Williams, Bridge-street, Mr William Pugh, National Provincial Bank, Rev. Evan Lewis, M.A., rector of Dolgelley, Rev. D. LI. Lloyd, curate of Dolgelley, and the Rev. Maurice Lloyd, incumbent of Llanelltyd. The health of the bride and bridegroom was proposed by Mr Reveley, that of the bridesmaids by Dr. Richards, and the bachelors," by Mr Griffith Jones Williams. The wedding cakes were supplied by Messrs Bolland, Chester, and Messrs Crump, Shrewsbury. The newly-married couple left amidst a shower of old slippers by the 3 5 p.m. train (G. W. R.) for town, where they will spend the honey- moon. During the afternoon monster tea parties were held in various parts of the town in connection with the rejoicings, a general invitation being issued to all the poor people and children of the town, many of whom enjoyed right heartily the hospitality which was so generously and freely bestowed. In Bridge-street a long table was set out, over which there presided Mrs David Pugh, the Misses Pugh, Mrs Margaret Williams, Miss Williams, Mrs Roberts, and others in Mill-street another table was provided, the teamakers and dispensers of the various creature comforts under which the hospitable board fairly groaned, being Mrs Rees, Mrs and Miss Jones, Meyrick House, Mrs and the Misses Roberts, Cross Keys, Mrs Lavender, Mrs Rees, Blue Lion, Miss Catherine Evans, Meyrick House Mrs Williams and the Misses Williams, Queen-square, also extended their hospitality to allcomers, and were most liberally patronised; and at the Angel Hotel there was open house, under the management of Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Edward Griffiths, Mrs Wm. Owen, Mrs Wm. Williams, and Miss Jane Griffiths. Adjoining Victoria Buildings there was a table to which Mrs Owen Owens, Mrs Richard Williams, Medical Hall, and other ladies resident in the neighbourhood, contributed trays and in the Lawnt another table was looked after by Miss Barbara Roberts and Miss Jones, Tanybryn. The band belonging to the rifle corps, which had been in everybody's opinion regarded as a thing of the past, seems to have suddenly sprung into existence once more, and, under the direction of Mr Humphrey Roberts, it vigorously dis- îursed sweet music about the streets until dusk, when !re ,^enei'al rejoicings were wound up, by the burning, on tiie reen, of a huge bonfire, whose lurid glare lit up the mountains for many miles round; and a balloon ascent by Mr rAan photographer. We understand that the rejoicings will be continued upon the return of Mr and Mrs Lewis J ones. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, THURSDAY, Jan. 21st.- Present: L. >vi iams, Esq. (presiding chairman), and Col. Bunbury, t.-B., ex-offici(}; Rev. E. Lewis and Mr W. Jones, Dolgelley, Mr Richard/Williams and Mr Robert Williams, Llanaber, Mr John Edwards, Llanegryn, Mr W. M. Williams, Llanenddw^, Mr o. Roberts, Llan- fachreth, Mr 0. Owen, Llanfihangel, Mr Jones Jones Talyllyn, Mr John Breese, Mallwyd. Vaccination'—The relieving officers were ordered to find out during the next four weeks, not only how many and whose children of the proper age, within the union, have not been vaccinated, and who, having been vaccinated, had not delivered certificates of successful vaccination to them but also to warn all defaulters that unless they at once complied with the requirements of the law in this respect, proceedings would be taken against them without further'notice. Several of the Guardians believed that m mv neglected through an oversight, but they hoped that by allowing another four weeks to elapse, all would take care to comply with the law. Non-maintenance of Parents.— It appears that at the Board instructions were given to the clerk to apply to several persons to contribute towards the maintenance of their parents.—William Davies, a quarryman from C orris, appeared at the Board. He said he lived with his mother at Corris. She was a widow, and receiving 2s. Gd. weekly relief. He was twenty years of age, was working in the quarry, and earning on an average about 15s. per week. The guardians requested him to contribute Is. weekly towards the maintenance of his mother. He said he could not; that he could hardly keep himself. A Guardian told him that another young man, a week ago, earning similar wages, had refused to comply with the request of the Board to contribute Is., and, being sum- moned before the magistrates, they made an order upon him for 2s. 6d. weekly. However, no persuading would do he could not contribute anything, and proceedings were therefore ordered to be taken against him.—John Williams, farm bailiff, Towyn, was requested to con- tribute towards the maintenance of his parents, an aged couple, living at Abergynolwyn. He pleaded that, though being a widower for two years, and without children, he had to bear a heavy expense during those years, as his wife had been bedridden for four years, and he had hardly yet recovered from those expenses. He offered to con- tribute 6d. weekly, which was accepted by the Board.- Howel Jones, provision dealer, Bala, and Capt. Griffith Williams (Mary Jane), Portmadoc, had not taken any notice of the application to them. Enquiries were ordered to be made about them, and proceedings to be taken against them at once. The Late Collector of Lldiie/'ltyd.—A receipt was pro- duced at the Board for the balance due to the Union from Elias Williams, of Llanelltyd, the late collector, who had been adjudicated a bankrupt. The whole amount of J643 was now paid. Arrears of Calls.—Total arrears of calls due 21st Jan., 1869 Dolgelley, £5358s. 6d. Llanaber, JE176 12s. Od. Llanenddwyn, £70 4s. 6d.; Tilanddwywe-is-graig, £39 15s. 9d.; Llanfachreth, £82 13s. 6d. Llanelltyd, £46 9s. 9d. Llanymawddwy, J654 8s. Llangelynin, £()7 4s. 6d.; Llan- egryn, j681 10s. 6d. Llanfihangel-y-pennant, £52 8s; Talyllyn, £()4 9s. Id. total, £1,:331 4s. Id. Balance in the treasurer's hands, £217 4s. 3d. balance in the hand of J. Jones, relieving officer, Barmouth district, £G 10s. 4d. balance due to M. Jones, Tallyllyn district, JE1 6s. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY, Jan. 19.—Before Col. Bunbury, C.B., and John Vaughan, Esq. POACHING AT ABERGYNOLWYN. Richard Richards, Hugh Price, and Hugh Evans, were charged by Thomas Smith, river watcher in the employ of W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., of Peniarth, with poaching in one of the streams running into Dyssyni river, on the 20th of December last. Mr David Pugh appeared for the prosecution, and Mr John Jones for the defence. The case of Richard Richards was first taken. Thomas Smith said—I reside at Llanegryn. I am a river watcher in the employ of Mr Wynne, of Peniarth. On the 20th of December last I saw Richard Richards. He was sometimes in, and sometimes on the bank of one of the streams running into the Dyssyni. There are salmon in that river. It was as near half-past one in the morning as I can guess. He was holding a light. When I met him it was a bunch of straw he had burning; but before that he had some kind of torch, made of straw or some other material, tied to a stick. There were other persons with him. One of the men had a spear, and was walking in the river. I did not see him do anything with the spear. I was as near as three yards to Richard Richards, and I have not the slightest doubt of him. Cross-examined—I did not know Richard Richards before. I spoke with him in English, as I cannot speak Welsh. He did not say anything. The other man who was in the river, Hugh Price, spoke. He said, "it's Smith." I have no doubt whatever that defendant was the man. I could recognize Hugh Evans as well as Hugh Price. Hugh Evans was not more than five yards from me. They were not exactly together, as Hugh Evans was on the other side of the hedge from them, but they formed one party. Re-examined—He had no doubt whatever on his mind but that the three men summoned were the parties. Mr Jones said that the defence he intended to make was to approve an alibi, and hoped to be able to show that none of the men charged could have been in the place on the night in question, and called Hugh Evans, who said—I am the son of E. Evans, Gwastadfryn, and I live there. I am not the party sum- moned. I remember Saturday, the 20th December. One of our horses was taken ill on that night, and I had to go to Abergynolwyn for a farrier. I went on horseback. I left home about nine o'clock. The farrier was not at home when I went there, and I had to wait for some hours. He came home about one o'clock. It takes me about half an hour to go on horseback to Abergynolwyn. The farrier did not go home with me. I had to pass R. Richards's house in going from Abergynolwyn to Gwastadfryn. The farrier went with me past R. Richards's house. Some one from Gwastadfryn met us to. say that the mare was much better, and therefore the farrier returned home. This took place on Saturday before Christmas-day. By the Bench—It was Saturday night when I left home, and Sunday morning when I returned. Mary Pugh said—I live at Llanfihangel. I know the house of R. Richards. It is in the village. His mother- in-law, Anne Evans, lives in the same house. I am in the habit of going to Anne Evans's house to sleep with her. I was sleeping there about three weeks ago, when horses were heard passing and repassing in the middle of the night. I was in bed, but not asleep. I did not know then whose horses they were—how could I ? It was on Saturday night before Christmas-day. We went to bed about ten o'clock, our usual time. I saw R. Richards that night, and heard him and his wife go to bed they slept in the next room to us, with only a slight partition between us. I know it was R. Richards who was in the room with his wife, as I know his voice well, and the wooden parti- tion has large holes in it, and we could hear persons speaking in that room as plain as if they had been in our room. I heard horses passing some time about mid-night.. They passed and repassed several times. I did not know what was the matter. I called out to R. Richards and his wife if they had heard the horses, and he replied that he did. The horses had passed when I spoke with Richards I spoke very soon afterwards: it was then somewhere from one to two. By the Bench—I heard horses pass three times, but I could not say which way they went. Cross-examined—The house of R. Richards is close to the highway. The road leads from Towyn to Abergynol- wyn, and to several farm-houses. There are at least four farms in the neighbourhood, to which it leads, besides Gwastadfryn, and the occupiers of each of those farms have horses, and they use them to ride upon. Gwastadfryn is not the only farm which keeps riding horses and uses them. The door of Anne Evans's house is fastened by a lock. Our sleeping-room is the nearest to the door. Richards works with Hugh Evans at Lledwedd. He generally comes home from his work at dusk. I do not know at what time he came home on the night in question, but he was at home. I was not in the house when he came home, but he was in when I went there to sleep. It was about ten when I went there. I cannot say that I had been in the house that night before that time, but I believe not. I go to bed directly when I go there. There is a clock in the house, but it does not strike cor- rectly. We knew the time by that clock. They say that the clock is faster than the usual town time at Towyn. By the Bench—The horses might have been horses broken loose, and running wild about the road, for what I knew then. Cross-examination continued—I have heard horses gal- loping that way when medical assistance was required in the neighbourhood. I thought somebody was sick; that was why I asked Richards if he heard them. Anne Evans and I sleep at our different houses alternately. Re-examined—I always go straight to bed at ten. I do not sleep well at night. I did not sleep at all before the horses had passed. If Richards had gone out through the door I should have heard him. I can easily swear that he did not go out between the time I went to bed and the time the horses passed. Hugh Price (who, being one of the defendants, was cau- tioned by the Bench not to answer any question which might criminate himself), said—I lodge at a place called Llechwedd. I remember the Saturday night before Christmas. I was that night in bed before eleven, but I cannot say exactly how long before eleven I had gone to bed. I did not see Richard Richards that night, after I went to bed. If any one has sworn that I was seen at the river with Richards that night, it is untrue. Cross-examined—I have been served, not with a sum- mons, but with a warrant, to appear here to-day for being out on the night in question. I have heard Mary Pugh and Hugh Evans giving their evidence. I understood all they said. I never saw Smith, to my knowledge, until after Christmas-day. By the Bench—I could not have said on the 20th De- cember "It's Smith," because I did not know him. I knew that the name of the river watcher was Smith. Re-examined—I was not by the river side at all between eleven o'clock when I went to bed, and the following morning. By the Bench—Smith came to the place where a lot of us were at work, and some of the men knew him, and told me it was Smith, the river watcher; that was the first time I knew him. Ellis Lewis said—I live at Corns. I am a friend of Hugh Evans, of Llechwedd. I am in the habit of sleep- ing there sometimes, because I have been there a servant lad some years ago. I slept there on Saturday night before Christmas Day; Hugh Price was sleeping with me. We went to bed about eleven o'clock. Neither I nor Hugh Price got up, nor went out that night afterwards. Cross-examined—I had been at Llanfihangel village that night. It might have been seven or eight when I went there. I left there, and went home in about half-an- hour afterwards. There is about a quarter of a mile from the village to Llechwedd. From the time I went home until we went to bed we were sitting round the hearth. Mr Pugh remarked that he was sorry to find so much cross-swearing, which compelled the Bench in believing one party to appear to disbelieve the other. He thought they might do away with the evidence of the first witness called by the defence, as not bearing on the case that of Hugh Price was also too suspicious, he being personally implicated in the matter; that of Mary Pugh, as being the particular friend of defendant's mother-in-law, was also open to the same remark; but without casting any re- flection upon the veracity of any of the witnesses, he thought that it was not unlikely that the witnesses for the defence might have been mistaken in the night when those things they had talked of had occurred while it was very unlikely that Smith, the informant, would be as likely to make the same mistake. Smith was re-called, and said that the night was a very dark one, but that the men had a very good light, and he had plenty of opportunity to watch them, and see their faces under various shades of light—especially when he was on a bridge, and they in the river below. room was cleared, and, after a long consultation, 11 611i^h said, that, under all the circumstances, they fi' r.] Is i,eve the statement of Smith and though they did not wish to say that the others had not spoken the truth, they rather thought that they must have made a mistake with regard to the date. they would, there- fore, fine Richard Richards and Hugh Price, being their first offence, £1, and costs, each. and Hugh Evans, who had been previously convicted of a similar offence, £2 and costs; or, one month's imprisonment. "I Mr Pugh applied that one-half of the fines be awarded to the Fishery Board, which was allowed. Hugh Evans strenuously objected to pay, as he was not the guilty parties, and when it was well known who the guilty parties were, neither of the three now fined being among them. Mr Pugh said he would be glad to assist him to get his money back, if he could bring forward such evidence as would convict some other parties of committing the offence. CHARGE OF POACHING AT DINASMAWDDWY. John Parry was charged with trespassing in pursuit of game on the waste land in the manor of Mawddwy, where Sir Edmund Buckley claims the exclusive right of sporting. There was a similar charge against John Davies, Owen Owen, and Joseph Jones. Mr John Jones supported the case, and Mr David Pugh defended. It was arranged to take the case of John Parry first, and to let that case govern the others. David Foulkes said—I am one of the under-keepers of Sir Edmund Buckley, at Dhiasmawddwy. I know John Parry. I served him with a copy of thi rtotice now pro- duced, on the 12th of August last. (The notice was here handed by Mr Jones to the Bench. It was a notice to John Parry from Sir E. Buckley, not to trespass in pur- suit of game upon any of the waste lands within the limit of the manor of Mawddwy, &c.) I know Erwgaregog farm in the parish of Llanymawddwy. I know the unenclosed sheepwalk or mountain belonging to that farm. My duty is to prevent people from poaching or killing game on it. Sir Edmund Buckley sports over it. I never saw any one except these men and my master sport over it. I saw John Parry there. Mr Pugh-I admit the fact of his being there. Mr J ones—Oh if you do that, that is all I want. Mr Pugh—But I want something more. Cross-examined—I think the farm of Erwgaregog is owned by Mr Anwyl, Caerberllan. Mr J ones- I admit that the owner of the farm is Mr Evan Anwyl, Caerberllan, and that the tenant is John Davies. Mr Pugh—Very well, you admit that. Cross-examination continued—John Parry is a keeper in the employ of Mr Tamberline, of the Bryn, Dinas. When I served him with a copy of'the notice just produced, Parry was on the mountain grousing with Mr Tamberline, his master. I have no doubt that I did see them kill grouse on that occasion. The place where I saw John Parry and the others, on the 15th December, was not the same place as I saw them on when I served him with that notice. Mr Jones—But they had no right to be there. Sir Edmund Buckley has the sole right to kill game there. Mr Pugh—That's just what I am denying. I say he has not that right and never had, and I object to the jurisdic- tion of this Court in the matter. Mr Jones—Deny the right of Sir Edmund Buckley I never heard of such a thing before. I have known Maw- ddwy during the time of the late owners, Mr Buckley and Mr Bird, and have been their agent for the most part of thirty years, and I never heard of any one disputing their right before. Mr Pugh—But I have. I know that Mr Tamberline claims the right to shoot upon his own property there and upon the waste lands belonging to it, and that he, and his father, and grandfather before him, have always exercised that right for a period of not less than seventy years at least, with and without the permission of the lord of the manor, and also in spite of him; and I can assure you he is not now going to give up that right. I have heard Mr Jones make the very same objection years ago. Mr Jones—If the Bench will allow me I will submit myself as a witness and depose that no one has exercised that right since I have been steward of the manor, nearly thirty years, without being prosecuted for doing so. Mr Pugh—I beg your pardon Mr Jones you are now going to prove your right, and this is not the court to do that. I dispute your right bona fide, and I ask the Bench to dismiss the case on the ground that they have no juris- diction. Mr Jones—But this is absurd. Cases similar to this have been decided over and over again in this court, without any one ever denying the right Sir Edmund claims. One of the magistrates said that no case of that descrip- tion had been before the Bench since he sat there, and he had heard many, not in the court certainly, denying the right Sir Edmund claimed. Mr Pugh submitted that he had a perfect right to make the objection he did, and that the Court had no jurisdiction, and in order to prove that the defendant had acted bonâ. fide in the matter he would call the tenant of Erwgaregog, and his evidence would prove that he had given permission to defendant to kill game there. John Davies said—I am the tenant of Erwgaregog. I hold the farm under Mr Anwyl, of Caerberllan, but not under a written agreement. Mr Anwyl has given me right to kill game on the farm, in order to prevent injury to the crops. On the 15th of December last I gave John Parry leave to go over the land to kill game, and as tenant of the farm I claim the right to do so, having had my landlord's permission to kill the game. It was in accordance with this permission that I gave him leave. The Bench thought that if Sir Edmund had the right he claimed the wrong party had been summoned, as defendant had acted under the permission of the tenant. Mr Jones strongly protested against Sir Edmund's right being disputed, and threatened that further proceedings would be taken against any one disputing that right.

CORWEX. LECTURE.—On Tuesday evening, the 19th inst., at the spacious chapel of the Calvinistic Methodists (to which the lecture had to be removed from the Baptist chapel, in consequence of the large number of tickets sold) the Rev. Robert Ellis (Cynddelw) delivered an elaborate and inter- esting lecture on "The Wonders of the Cross." The lecturer skilfully dealt with his subject, and kept up the interest of the audience for upwards of an hour. The Rev. W.Williams, Calvinistic Methodist Minister, presided. The ordinary vote of thanks to the lecturer and chairman brought the meeting to a close. PENNY READINGS.—The most numerously attended meeting of the season assembled in the National School on Wednesday evening last. The room was closely packed by a most enthusiastic company. Mr Robert Lloyd, of Pentre, occupied the chair in a pleasing and able manner. The programme was an exceedingly varied one. Without noticing the performances of several who have already appeared, we would particularly mention the very ex- cellent singing of Mr Scott, of Maesgarnedd, who was repeatedly encored, the scientific playing on the cornet of Mr Maurice (son of Mr Maurice, of the firm of Maurice and Low, of Vron Colliery), and a highly humorous reading by Mr T. Anwyl; of Eryr Aran, Bala, The Vulgar Boy;" the song, "The Miller of the Dee," by Mr T. Jones, Brynmelyn, given in his usual characteristic style and highly appreciated; a well-selected recitation, "The Hope of the Family," by Master F. W. Hatchett; and a novelty introduced in the shape of a popular lecture by Mr Longstaffe, on "A Newspaper seventy years ago," wherein, taking an old newspaper of 1798, he in a concise manner gave a picture of the manners and customs of our forefathers of that period. Master Richard James recited in broad Yorkshire brogue "TheYorkshireman." The National Anthem brought the meeting to a close, all returning home highly gratified.

BALA. EARLY FISHING.—News from Bala lake, Merionethshire, has been forwarded to us. Believing that those who know the famous bit of fishing water will be interested by an account of its early doings in the trout way, Mr Owen—the Royal Lion, and good caterer for man on fishing bent-says that already there has been a nice basket of trout taken in the lake; the finest Was lilbs. This mild weather is an advantage, though the trout season under any circum- stances commences at this time of the year in the lake. The pike are also running freely in the Dee."—Court Journal. MR PRICE, OF RHIWLAS, AND HIS TENANTS.—A short time ago we reported a meeting held at the Town Hall, Bala, by the Rhiwlas tenantry, when resolutions were passed expressing the tenants' disapprobation of poaching on this and other estates, and gave the poachers to under- stand most emphatically that such proceedings not only interfered with the peace and well-being of the district, but was entirely against the wishes of the tenants, and detrimental to the harmony and good feeling which should exist between them and their landlord. They promised as far as lay in their power to discountenance and put an end to these illegal practices. They also expressed their appreciation of Mr Price's kindness and the consideration he has shown to lessen their grievances by the permission he granted to kill the rabbits on the estate. These sentiments were incorporated in an address, signed by all the tenants, and presented to Mr Price, who replied in the following terms :— Rhiwla! Bala, Merionethshire, January 5,1869. Gentlemen,—It is with great satisfaction that I have received your address expressing your disapprobation of poaching, and your determination to suppress it as far as you are able. This expression of feeling on your part is not only most gratifying to me, but it will, I am sure, tend to prevent that lawlessness which leads the evil-disposed to invade the rights of property. On my part I trust that in the exercise of the rights which I possess, as the owner of the Rhiwlas estate, I shall not forget the welfare of my tenants, and that by mutual forbearance and consideration we may be conspicuous as examples of that good feeling which should ever exist betwn landlord and tenant. With my best wishes that you may enjoy many years of happiness and pros- perity, Believe me, gentlemen, yours most truly, R. J. LL. PBICE. To Messrs E. Davies, Thomas Jones, Thomas Ellis, Owen Roberts, and other tenants on the Rhiwlas estate. We have much pleasure in inserting the letter, and from the action taken by the tenants, and the respectable character they possess, we feel certain that they will not forget nor disregard the wishes of their landlord; that by mutual forbearance and consideration they may be con- spicuous as examples of that good feeling which should ever exist between landlord and tenant."

CEMMAES. SERIOUS POACHING AFFRAY.—A serious affray between a number of river poachers and some of Sir Edmund Buckley's keepers occurred late on Tuesday night. It ap- pears that lights were seen on the river a short distance below Cemmaes, and on proceeding to the spot the keepers encountered about a dozen men, most of whom were using spears. In the meled which ensued, one of the keepers, an Englishman, who has but recently entered into Sir Edmund's service, was struck at with a spear, the prongs of which inflicted. a large wound on the cheek, just under the right eye. The poachers appear to have got clear away, but most of them did not escape identification, and two men who are be- lieved to have been implicated in the affair are now in custody. Their names are William Lewis, the son of a respectable farmer livingjat Glynlwymeurig, near Cemmaes, and Richard George, a labourer, from Commins Coch. On Thursday, Lewis, who was the only man in custody, George not having been apprehended until late on Thurs- day night, was bought before the Bev, W. G. Davies, and remanded, j

Agricultural. AGRICULTURAL RETURNS. Last week we gave some abstracts of the official re- turns: this week we give the returns for Salop, Denbigh, and Montgomery. SALOP.—Population, 247,342. Acreage, 826,055. Num- ber of returns obtained from occupiers of land owning live stock, and occupiers of land only, in 1868, 11,328 in 1867, 10,355; from owners of live stock only, in 1868, 59, in 1867, 149; average extent of land returned bv each occupier (acres), in 1868, 58, in 1867, 61; total of acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868 600,240, in 1867, 634,851; under corn crops, in 186S^ 177,106, in 1867, 171,606 under green crops, in 18G8.' 63,772, in 18d7, 62,665 under clover and artificial and other grasses under rotation, in 1868, 65,804, in 1867 68,160; permanent pasture, or grass, not broken up in rotation (exclusive of heath or mountain land) in 1868 340,909, in 1867, 318,126; percentage of corn crops to total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 26.8, in 1867, 27.0; total number of cattle returned, in 1868, 120,786, in 1867, 110,718 proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 18.3, in 1867, 17.4; total number of sheep returned, in 1868, 519,539, in 1867, 500,055, proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 78.7, in 1867, 78.8; total number of pigs returned, in 1868, 61,220, in 1867, 78,297; proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 9.3, in 1867, 12.3. The following is the acreage under each corn crop :—Wheat, in 1868, 89,495, in 1867, 82,483; barley or bere, in 1868, 50,340, in 1867, 52,759 oats, in 1868, 25,326, in 1867, 23,407; rye, in 1868, 920, in 1867, 977; beans, in 1868, 5,276, in 1867, 3,814; peas, in 1868, 5,749, in 1867, 8,166. The following is the acreage under each kind of green crop: — Potatoes, in 1868, 6,138, in 1867, 5,363 turnips and swedes, in 1868, 53,138, in 1867, 52,079; mangold, in 1868, 2,414, in 1867, 1,740; carrots, in 1868, 192, in 1867, 171; cabbage, kohl rabi, and rape, in 1868, 46, in 1867, 79 vetches, Lucerne, and any other crop (except clover or grass), in 1868, 1,844, in 1867, 3,233 flax, in 1868, 35; hops, in 1868, 80, in 1867, 68; bare fallow, or uncropped arable land, in 1868, 12,534, in 1867, 14,226; clover and artificial and other grasses under rotation, in 1868, 65,804, in 1867, 68,160. The following is the number of cattle, sheep, and pigs :— Cattle: Cows and heifers in-milk or in-calf, in 1868, 51,007, in 1867, 47,969 other cattle, two years of age and above, in 1&8, 26,059, in 1867, 24,495; under two years of age, in 1868, 43,720, in 1867, 38,254; Sheep: One year old and above, in 1868, 321,430, in 1867, 301,784; under one year old, in 1868, 198,109, in 1867,198,271; Pigs, in 1868, 61,220, in 1867, 78,297. DENBIGH. Population, 106,132. Acreage, 386,052. Number of returns obtained from occupiers of land owning live stock, and occupiers of land only, in 1868, 5,700, in 1867, 5,131; from owners of live stock only, in 1868, 27, in 1867, 77 average extent of land returned by each occupier (acres), in 1868, 42, in 1867, 47: total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 239,076. in 1867, 238,593; under corn crops, in 1868, 69,335, in 1867, 67,837; under green crops, in 1868, 15,573, in 1867, 17,415; under clover and artificial and other grasses under rotation, in 1868, 38,272, in 1867, 35,357 permanent pasture, or grass, not broken up in rotation (exclusive of heath or mountain land), in 1868, 109,276, in 1867, 111,051 percentage of corn crops to total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 29.0, in 1867, 27.4 total number of cattle returned in 1868, 53,565, in 1867, 46,438; proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 22.4, in 1867, 18.8; total number of sheep returned, in 1868, 232,219, in 1867, 212,398; proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 97.1, in 1867, 85.8; total number of pigs returned, in 1868, 21,779, in 1867, 27,115 proportionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 9.1, in 1867, 11.0. The following is the acreage under each corn crop :—Wheat, in 1868, 19,789, in 1867,18,804 barley or bere, in 1868, 18,754, in 1867, 18,614; oats, in 1868, 29,049, in 1867, 28,023; rye, in 1868, 465, in 1867, 986; beans, in 1868, 979, in 1867,1,018; peas, in 1868, 299, in 1867, 392. The following is the acreage under each kind of green crop Potatoes, in 1868, 5,267, in 1867, 4,714 turnips and swedes, in 1868, 8,702, in 1867, 8,713 mangold, in 1868, 309, in 1867, 259 carrots, in 1868, 27, in 1867, 130; cabbage, kohl rabi, and rape, in 1868, 161, in 1867, 137; vetches, Lucerne, and any other crop (except clover or grass), in 1868, 1,107, in 1867, 3,462; flax, in 1868, 66; hops, in 1868, 20; bare fallow, or uncropped arable land, in 1868, 6,534, in 1867, 6,933; clover and artificial and other grasses under rota- tion, in 1868, 38,272, in 1867, 35,357. The following is the number of cattle, sheep, and pigs — Cattle Cows and heifers in-milk or in-calf, in 1868, 23,598, in 1867, 22,131 other cattle, two years of age and above, in 1868, 9,349, in 1867, 8,457; under two years of age, in 1868, 20,618, in 1867, 15,850 Sheep One year old and above, in 1868, 157,400, in 1867, 142,735; under one year old, in 1868, 74,819, in 1867, 69,663; Pigs, in 1868, 21,779, in 1867, 27,115. MONTGOMERYSHIRE. Population, 66,105. Acreage, 448,323. Number of returns obtained from occupiers of land owning live stock, and occupiers of land only, in 1868, 5,256, in 1867, 5,395; from owners of live stock only, in 1868, 51, in 1867, 73; average extent of land returned by each occupier (acres), in 1868, 44, in 1867, 43; total acreage of all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 233,870, in 1867, 229,166; under corn crops, in 1868, 58,231, in 1867, 55,491; under green crops, in 1868, 12,732, in 1867, 14,082; under clover and artificial and other grasses under rotation, in 1868, 26,800, in 1867, 25,728; permanent pasture, or grass, not broken up in rotation (exclusive of heath or mountain land), in 1868, 131,216, in 1867, 128,684 percentage of corn crops to total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 24.9, in 1867, 24.2; total number of cattle returned, in 1868, 61,824, in 1867, 59,510; propor- tionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fal- low, and grass, in 1868, 26.4, in 1867, 26.0; total number of sheep returned, in 1868, 318,373, in 1867, 277,059; pro- portionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 136.1, in 1867,120.9; total num- ber of pigs returned, in 1868, 23,003, in 1867, 28,564; pro- portionate number to every 100 acres under crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1868, 9.8, in 1867,12.5. The following is the acreage under each corn crop :—Wheat, in 1868, 22,358, in 1867, 20,954; barley or bere, in 1868, 12,084, in 1867, 12,087; oats, in 1868, 22,807, in 1867, 21,344; rye, in 1868, 82, in 1867,162 beans, in 1868, 223, in 1867, li4 peas, in 1868, 677, in 1867, 830. The following is the acreage under each kind of green crop:—Potatoes, in 1868, 3,150, in 1867, 3,045; turnips and swedes, in 1868, 9,059, in 1867, 8,986; mangold, in 1868, 110, in 1867, 84 carrots, in 1868,11, in 1867, 11; cabbage, kohlrabi, and rape, in 1868, 34, in 1867, 66 vetches, Lucerne, and any other crop (except clover or grass), in 1868, 368, in 1867, 1,890 flax, in 1868, 9 hops, in 1868,1; bare fallow, or uncropped arable land, in 1868, 4,881, in 1867, 5,181; clover and arti- ficial and other grasses, under rotation, in 1868, 26,800, in 1867, 25,728. The following is the number of cattle, sheep, and pigs — Cattle: Cows and heifers in- milk or in-calf, in 1868, 23,518, in 1867, 23,374; other cattle, two years of age and above, in 1868, 14,085, in 1867, 13,174 under two years of age, in 1868, 24,221, in 1867, 22,962; Sheep One year old and above, in 1868, 218,570, in 1867, 188,004 under one year old, in 1868, 99,803, in 1867, 89,055; Pigs, in 1868, 23,003, in 1867, 28,564.

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Incidental Notes. During the hot weather last year a Shropshire clergyman attributed the drought to the attack of the Radicals on the Irish Church. Lancashire, we are told-and Lanca- shire clergymen especially—"behaved nobly" during the recent elections, whereby Toryism triumphed in the county. Now, we hear sad reports from Lancashire— mills are on half time, and wages are reduced. Is this a judgment on Toryism! "The whirligig of Time brings its revenges." Two years ago Punch represented John Bright as a Windbag. Now John Bright has been the honoured guest of her Majesty the Queen, and Punch, in recording the fact says— And he can boast, and truly boast The change is not in him. He waited, as the years went by, Rigid, resolved, and grim. Thought out his thought and spoke it out, Nor cared for howl or cheer: Reckless what faith his speech might win. What hate provoke, or fear. Foresaw, foretold, derided oft, The current of the laws Nor teered his course for Office, more Than shaped it for applause. Till the great tide, whose forces deep Nor men nor modes withstand, Bore spoils ot office to his feet, And power into his hand. "The Church in Danger" ;£s a cry almost as old as "No Popery," and quite as se^ggjggg^ It has been raised when honest Dissenters warded to get rid, legally, of dishonest Churchrates; it hai been raised, even, when a Dissenter has been put in nomination for the office of Town Council- man. Last week, the famous Mr Mackonochie, at a Ritualistic meeting, declared, that "the time had come when the Church should demand to be delivered from the burden of its connection with the State! Just what earnest Nonconformists have said these twenty years! The Rev. Mr Mackonochie really says things that Dis- senters would almost be afraid to utter. Our readers when they peruse the following extract of a letter from him may perhaps be pardoned for saying that after all the Church is in Danger :—" AV, hat right has the spouse of Christ to ally herself with the powers of the world? Surely, to do so is to commit that terrible spiritual adultery against which her Lord has so often warned her. If the state be unbe- lieving—and I suppose no one wishes to impose upon the ruling bodies in the English state (except upon the crown itself) the name of Christian-the very idea is an offence to the dullest spiritual instinct. And yet if we take the opposite hypothesis we shall, I think, find it worse. A Christian state is the child of the church. It is of the church, in such a state, that each individual is "begotten again of God in Christ Jesus"—it is by her that each is fed: by her prayer and blessing that all state acts seek for help from God: by her anointing that the sovereign is set apart for the high functions of government. Can we, then, defend adultery between a mother and her son? Such I believe to be, and always to have been, the nature of union between church and state. Doubtless the state owes to the church all the affectionate care and support that a dutiful son can give to his mother; but this is not the theory of establishment. The Jewish church began to fall from God, and ultimately sank into idolatry, from the time that it became an establishment, in the reign of Saul. The reign of Constantine was the beginning of the decline of Christianity in spiritual things, quite as much as it was the beginning of its rise in temporal grandeur. Nor do I think that the state has suffered less than the church from the alliance." We have before us the first three or four numbers of a series of 'English Reprints' published in London, and edited by Mr Edward Arber, Associate of King's College, a Montgomeryshire man. They consist of cheap and accurate reproductions of the gems of the 16th and 17th centuries, and comprise, amongst others, Milton's Areopa- c/itica, 'a speech for the Liberty of Vnlicenced Printing;' Htujh Latimer's Sermon on the Ploughers, preached in ye Shrouds at paules churche in London;' Stephen Gossoirs Scli/tol of Abuse, 'a pleasaunt invective against Poets, Pipers, Plaiers, Jesters, and such like Caterpillers of a Commonwealth;' John Lilly's Euphues, 'the Anatomy of Wit,' &c., kc. These reprints are so cheap, and the likely purchasers are, unfortunately, so few, that the editor does not feel warranted in advertising them; so we have much pleasure in recommending them here. To quote the pro- spectus, they form "a gymnasium of intellect, an instru- ment of culture, stored-up precious wealth of thought and fact, the accumulation of century after century." Every now and then we see paragraphs in the papers stating that the Prince of Wales is about to be made a Freemason. Then comes the contradiction: sometimes to the effect that her Majesty is averse to it; sometimes that his Royal Highness himself objects to enter a. secret society with its mysteries unexplained; or, in other words, that the Prince, unlike the late Prime Minister, objects to take a 'Leap in the Dark!' Now, however, it is rumoured that "Before leaving Stockholm the Prince of Wales was made a Knight of the Freemasons of Charles XIII., after having successively received the six inferior orders." English Masons will hope the information is not true; first because they would rather see their Prince received into the fraternity in his native land, and secondly, because the Grand Lodge of England recognises no 'six inferior orders,' and holds the 'Knightship of Charles XIII.' to be spurious masonry. If the Prince of Wales is really wishful to explore the mysteries of the Craft, would it not be a graceful tribute to the country from which he takes his title that he should be initiated into those mys- teries in Wales ? We are sure the Provincial Grand Master of the Northern Division of the Principality-Sir Watkin Williams Wynn-would be delighted to receive his Royal Highness into his province, and Carnarvon Castle would form a capital place in which to conduct the ceremony. Would not a hint to this effect, at Marl- borough House, from Earl Vane, the Senior Grand Warden of England, or from Sir Watkin, be of some avail? The inhabitants of Blackheath have hit upon a Short Way with Beggars. Some time ago they founded a Men- dicity Society, with its office, its secretary, and a most efficient system of relief-to the much-enduring public as well as the really deserving poor. When a person asks for charity he receives a ticket to be presented at the office, where the society's officer takes down particulars and pro- ceeds to investigate the case. An immediate test is applied to those who profess to be starving-bread is set before them which they either eat or leave the office. If, on enquiry, the case is found to be one deserving charity relief is afforded, in the shape of help to an honest work- man to proceed on his way in search of employment, and and of additional succour to such resident poor as the relieving officer of the district thinks need more assistance than the Guardians supply. By this system professional begging is detected and real poverty relieved, and if we could only persuade our readers to follow the excellent example of Blackheath we should help to solve one of the most pressing social problems. As long as people will encourage the remunerative "profession" of begging by indiscriminate charity, tramps will crawl over the face of the land. The soft-hearted public are hardly amenable to reason but it may be worth while to tell them that of 312 persons who received tickets from the Blackheath Society in December only 12 were found to deserve relief! Let the Conservatives be of good cheer: there is "Balm in Gilead." Although Mr Gladstone is premier, and that is a bitter pill for "Protestant" stomachs, still it is some satisfaction to find that he is really the Beast of the Apo- calypse. The gentleman who has the credit of making this discovery is the Rev. Thomas Husband Gregg, M.A., curate of Cradley, near Birmingham, and editor of the magazine called Gilead, and these are the words in which he announces it- In the Greek language, as some of my readers are well aware, each letter r, presents a certain number. For example, ia that verse (Hev. xiii, 18), where we find, "Let him that hath under- standing count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred three score and six." There in the original the number 666 is expressed by letters, those letters representing this particular number. The same number, however, can be represented by different combinations of letters, and so we find that the following Greek letters (which wln I write in English that all may understand) represent the num- bers which when added together make exactly 666, the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred three score and six: G (anima) 1" U 8 L (ambda) A ilpha) 1 D (elta) 4 S (igma) 2w T (aw) BOG 0 (micron) 70 N (eu) 50 E (ta) 8 GLADSTONE ( < # ggg No wonder he has been suspected of courting the "Scarlet Lady." Mr Cardwell is about to accomplish certain reforms in the Yeomanry, by "the substitution of the squadron as the unit m place of the troop." This arrangement will "permit of the reduction of one major and four cornets in each of the cavalry regiments." In the opinion of many people a better reform would be "disestablishment," now that railways and riflemen occupy the length and breadth of the land. No doubt many tenant-farmers who are called upon annually to do eight days' "duty" would not be averse to this, for some of them are anything but "volunteers." Be this as it may, the country generally will be glad to see reform in some shape, and we heard a suggestion the other day that might afford a useful hint to the Secretary at War. It was that every yeoman who has no horse of his own should be ineligible to serve in the ranks. Many a man is able to secure a horse for the eight days' parade, who would find it difficult to catch one on a sudden call to duty.

No less than li, 332 tramps passed through Nantwich last year. The Cheshire magistrates have been memorializing the Home Secretary on the question of beerhouses. The Lord Lieutenant of Irelaud, Earl Spencer, K. G.a has been visiting the premier at Hawarden Castle. The annual ball to the patients of the North Wales Asylum took place on the 6th, and seemed to be much en- joyed. At the last meeting of the Cheshire Chamber of Agri- culture the formation of a Cattle Insurance Association, to protect the farmers against the spread of pleuro, was suggested. As we understand it, the farmer whose herds are attacked by the disease is to exercise strict precautions to prevent it from spreading, and from the loss which he must thus sustain, in not selling or not getting full profit, he is to be compensated by the association. The idea is one which well deserves consideration.