The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

MARRIAGES. MORRIS—JAMES.—At Bethesda Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Beaufort, August 28, by license, by the Rev. W. Jones (Beaufort) and the Rev. D. Edwards (Brynmawr), in the presence of Mr. T. Jones, Registrar, William Morris, Esq., Merthyr Tydfil, to Mrs. James, Brynmawr, sister to Mordecai Jones, Esq., Brecon. DEATHS. JOSBS.—At Plymstock, Devon, August 27, aged 67 years, Elizabeth Curry Jones, widow of the late David Jones, Esq., son of Theophilus Jones, F.S.A., the historian of Brecknock. Powrim.-At Abersenny Uchaf,August 29, Margaret, the beloved wife of John Powell, aged 57 years. She was a faithful member of the Trinity Chapel, Devynnock, for a great many years. WiLLum.-At Devynnock, August 28, after a long illness, borne with pious resignation, Jane, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Williams, farmer, aged 62 years.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MOKDAY Brecon Town Council Meeting; Borough Petty Sessions; Neath Gas Inspector's Meeting; Builth Fair. WEDICICSDIY Neath Highway Board. THUBSDAY Neath County Court. FRIDAY Neath County Court. SATURDAY Brecon County Petty Sessions.

NOTICES. We have received a reply to the letter of Eye-Witness," but as it is couched in language likely to lead to a religious controversy, for which our columns are totally untuited, we must decline to insert it. Our reporter's position is a sufficient guarantee that his statements are correct. In consequence of a pressure on our space we are compelled, to hold over several items of District Intelligence; amongst them: Defynock news, Bifle Match at Newport, Brecknockshire Archers, Mid- Wales Railway Meeting. This might in some instances have been averted if correspondents would only bear in mind that our arrangements are greatly facilitated by their sending their" copy" in as early in the week as possible. The Interesting Diary" referred to in our last issue will be commenced next week. Miri) HIS OWN BFSINBSS."—You cannot. reasonably expect us to allow you to reply, under an anonymous signature, to statements made by a writer who publishes his name and address, to vouch for his assertions. Those assertions you will find rebutted else- where in a proper manner.

THE RHYMNEY TRAGEDY. AMONGST other characteristics of the times in which we live, it may truly be said to be a sensational age. We have sensational lectures, sensational preachers, sensational novels, sensa- tional articles-sensational everything, indeed. The demand for this kind of food creates the supply, and on the other hand the dealing out of the sensational causes a restless desire for it. Whether the fault lie with the public or with those who pander to the public taste it is difficult to say-probably it is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. The result is palpable, and what- ever is commonplace, whatever lacks a spice of the extraordinary, or is at all trite, whether in the way of lecturing, preaching, or entertain- ment, finds no favour. In regard to those occurrences which continually crop up, whether locally or nationally, the same influence is at work, and whatever is tragical, whatever is mysterious, possesses a certain kind of charm, and the interest excited by it is almost undying. Those who greedily devour all accounts of murders, suicides, and events of a like nature, have lately had plenty of the food that they desire. Occurrences such as those named have been but too common lately, and no one could take up a journal without meeting with events of a tragic character. Chiefest among these—not because it is the last, but because of the barbarity displayed, which makes us wonder whether we are in a civilized country or not-is the murder at Alton. It is not our intention, however, to make any remarks concerning this horrible affair, but to refer to a subject of more local, though perhaps not so wide-spread, interest-we mean the Rhymney tragedy. For several weeks past the questions, Is it murder ? or Is it suicide ? have been on every lip, and investigation after investigation has taken place, for the purpose of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. Notwith- standing that a coroner's jury have expressed their conviction that there has been wilful murder, it cannot be said that the matter has been decided, and the subject, so far, set at rest. Men are still revolving the circumstances in their minds anxious to get at the truth. The possibility that the fall into the pit was accidental seems not to have entered much into the consideration of anyone, and the wall around it would no doubt preclude this eventuality. We are then shut up to the conclusion either that the deceased committed suicide or that she received foul play at the hands of someone. In support of the idea of suicide we are met at the outset with the fact of an illicit connection subsisting between her and William Protheroe, that he had refused to marry her, that she had felt keenly her position, and had vexed" about it. The medical evidence —which must have an important bearing on the case-tended to show that there were no marks at all on the body but what were consistent with the idea that the deceased had thrown herself into the pit. There were no marks which could be spoken to as those likely to be produced by a tight grasping of the arm or any other part, and the vicinity of the pit presented no appearance of a scuffle. On the other hand, there does not seem to have been anything in the demeanour of the deceased on the fatal night to lead to the belief that she contemplated so rash an act as suicide. Then comes the evidence of Ann Thomas, who heard screams after midnight, and as of a woman in distress. These came from the direction of the railway, or of the pit. The statements of Martha Jenkins seem to supplement this evidence. She says that on tne Wednesday she saw a quantity of blood on the grass near the footpath leading to the pit. The evidence of these two witnesses, if thoroughly trustworthy, lead to the inference that there had been foul play. In perusing their evidence, however, one is struck with a certain amount of vagueness which pervades it, and the fact that no blood or marks of any kind could afterwards be discovered. Even if their statements be true, it may be pos- sible to account for them in some other way. Granting, however, that they do indicate foul play on the part of someone, it does not follow that Protheroe was concerned in it. It appears that on the previous day some shows had been in the neighbourhood, and it is possible to imagine a murder committed by someone con- nected with these, perhaps to hide a crime of another character. It is evident that robbery could not have been the object, as money to some amount was found on the body of the unfortunate woman. Protheroe's unfortunate connection with the deceased has naturally tended to throw suspicion upon him, which his ill-treatment of her has considerably increased. His desire to get rid of her would form a motive sufficient in many cases to lead to the commission of a crime even of this magnitude. There is no evidence to .show that Protheroe was with the deceased on this identical night, although it is evident that ahe wished to go out in order to see him in the <early part of the evening. Much-indeed every- thing-will depend on how far Protheroe is able to account for himself and his whereabouts. A good deal has been said about an alibi, proving that he was at Merthyr and not at Rhymney, but it is impossible at present to decide on which side the balance of testimony lies. Whether the coroner's jury exceeded their duty in com- mitting him for trial on the charge of wilful murder is a matter of opinion, but probably they felt it was necessary for a higher tribunal to investigate the affair. The magistrates may think it proper to do the same; but it must not be forgotten that until he is proved to be guilty, the English law looks upon a man as innocent. The evidence at present brought forward against Protheroe is comparatively slight. In this case it must necessarily be circumstantial, and, good though this kind of evidence may be, and even the best, as judges are in the habit of telling juries, the chain must be complete before a condemnation takes place. That due care will be taken in this respect we have no doubt. It has often been said that it is better to let a hundred criminals go free than to convict one innocent person. We may not be inclined wholly to endorse the sentiment, but it will certainly be a matter for great regret if an innocent man be condemned.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE Emperors of France and Austria have had a meeting at Salzburg, and the consequence has been that the event has caused no little conster- nation-at home, as well as on the continent. Everybody is asking what is the meaning of the affair, and nobody can give a satisfactory answer, although all sorts of rumours are afloat and expectations rife as to what the meeting portends. Ordinary folks take a journey for the pleasure of seeing one another, of giving and receiving a hearty shake of the hand, and enquiring after each other's welfare. Emperors, however, are not to be classed with the common herd, and of course the idea that they met only for the pur- pose of exchanging friendly salutations is entirely out of the question. Such exalted per- sonages must have ulterior motives, and those must be pregnant with great results. Accordingly it comes to pass that the meeting has set all Europe by the ears, politicians are looking out for squalls, and while everybody is preaching peace, everybody would not be the least bit sur- prised if war were to break out to-morrow. It does not speak well for the age that two emperors meeting thus can throw a whole continent into a state of excitement. Such it is, however. Some of the continental journals assert that Napoleon has offered his good offices at Rome to promote a revision of the concordat; others deny that any arrangement has been come to for the formation of a South German Confederation; or that any warlike policy has been decided on. Napoleon is aware of the feeling which exists, and it is probably in consequence of this that, in replying to the addresses presented him at Arras, he said, "You are right to have confidence in the future. It is only weak Governments who seek in foreign complications to divert attention from troubles at home. But he who derives his strength from the great body of the nation has only to do his duty, and to satisfy the permanent interests of the country; and while holding aloft the national flag, we should not allow ourselves to be drawn away by intemperate impulses, however patriotic they may be." At Lille, also, an address of a similar character was delivered, in which the Emperor said, The first condition of the prosperity of a nation like ours is to possess the consciousness of its own strength, and not to allow itself to be depressed by imaginary fears, but to rely upon the wisdom and patriotism of the Government." For some time past-in fact, since the battle of Sadowa, there has been in the breasts of many Frenchmen a jealous kind of feeling towards Prussia, and it would take but very little to fan these smouldering embers into a flame and produce a war. A war with Prussia would no doubt be acceptable to the majority of our volatile neighbours, and it is these who are rebuked for their "intemperate impulses." But the Emperor does not think he has lost sufficient prestige to make it advisable to adopt an aggres- sive policy in regard to neighbouring powers, and so take away attention from the Mexican business or his home policy. The people are not to have any fears in reference to the position of other nations being superior to their own, but to rest satisfied in the wisdom of their rulers. Pacific as these utterances seem to be, it is well known that similar ones have preceded the out- break of war, and people are led to doubt. Even supposing Napoleon himself is inclined to peace, the nation may not be quieted by his admonitions, and war may ensue. A pretext for it could no doubt be found in the non-fulfilment by Prussia of the Treaty of Prague, by which North Schleswig was to go back to Denmark, and only the German states north of the Maine were to enter into a confederation, with a national independent existence. A Paris paper, commenting on the language of the Prussian press, says: "At Berlin designs are on foot which are dangerous to the peace of the world, and ought to be restrained. Let us ask one thing only, viz., that the Treaty of Prague be respected. If this treaty is trampled under foot, and new acts of aggression lead to new complications, who will be condemnable ?-the one that demands tpat treaties should be respected, or the one who commits an act of robbery ?—the one who attacks, or the one who defends ?" It is said that Prussia will regard with hostile feelings any attempt to compel her to respect the Treaty of Prague. If this be so, upon her will rest the onus of a war, should such eventually break out.

POCKET PICKMG.-Large crowds of persons always assemble to witness the departure of the excursion trains to Neath and Swansea, which we have been assured "is quite a sight." Last Monday was no exception to the rule, and on the occasion a woman in the crowd had her pocket picked of a purse containing 30s. Excumioir.-On Monday last another cheap excur- sion train was run from Brecon to Swansea and back. On this occasion about six hundred persons embraced the opportunity afforded them of enjoying a few hours at the sea-side, and they were accompanied by the Volunteer band, which played some pleasant strains to enliven the journey. The weather was very fine and bright throughout the day. The excursionists returned to Brecon about nine o'clock in the evening, and the band marched through the town playing some lively airs. CRICKET MATCH.—A match was played on the Brecon ground on Monday and Tuesday, the 19th and 20th inst., between the Hon. F. Morgan's Eleven and Captain P. Lloyd's Eleven, which resulted in favour of the latter, as will be seen by the attached score. The weather on Monday turned out very favourably for the match, and at two o'clock it was commenced by sending Captain P. Lloyd and Mr. Wright to the wickets, who scored 26 runs before being separated. W. J. Price then handled the cane, and played well for 21 runs. The steady batting of Captain P. Lloyd's Eleven against the excellent bowling of Messrs. Evans, Bassett, and Wormwold, succeeded in securing a score before the last wicket fell of 214 runs. Captain P. Lloyd made several good leg-hits, two of which were out of the field. Mr, W. Price also hit in his usual style. Mr. E. Davies made an excellent drive for 6, and Messrs. Phipps, Holt, C. Lloyd, P. Williams, Walker, and Wright, played well. The Hon. F. Morgan's Eleven conunenced their innings on Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, by placing Evans and Justice against the bowling of Walker and Holt. The first wicket fell for 9 runs, and as some of the best bats were unfortunate, the 10 wickets fell for 64 runs, at about twelve o'clock. They then followed their innings by placing Messrs. Williams and Bassett to handle the willow, and the game looked more promising when the first wicket fell for 55 runs, but the tenth wicket fell for 90 runs. The batting of Messrs. Williams, Evans, Bassett, Barber, and Justice, was in very good form, and deserving of better success. The bowling of R. D. Walker and Holt was certainly admirable, as well as the fielding on both sides. The following is the score :— HON. P. MORGAN'S ELEVEN. 1st Innings. 2nd Innings. J. C. Evans, low, b Holt 4 run out 9 A. Justice, b Holt 5 c "Wright 2 R. Williams, I b w, b Walker 0 b Holt 27 E. G. Barber, c C. Lloyd 17 c C. Lloyd 13 R. Wormwold, b Walker 5 c J. James 2 G. Williams, c H. Phipps 15 st Price 1 J. Basset, run out 10 b w, Walker 17 C. Williams, b R. D. "Walker 3 cPrice. 2 R. Tyler, c E. G. Davies 0 run out 0 H. Palmer, c H. Phipps 0 not out 5 F. C. Morgan, not out 2 c P. Williams 0 Extras. 3 Extras 12 64 90 CAPTAIN PENRY LLOYD'S ELEVEN. Penry Lloyd, b Evans 21 E. A. Wright, c Barber, b Evans 10 W. J. Price, c Wormwold, b Evans I. 21 R. D. Walker, c Cap. Palmer, b Evans 11 Phipps, b "Wormwold 10 Captain C. Lloyd, c F. Morgan, b Bassett 24 E. G. Davies, b Evans 18 Phipps, b Bassett 24 Holt, run out 14 P. Williams, not out 19 John James, b Evans 0 Extras 42 214 CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION FOR THE ARCHDEACONRY OF BRECON.—This society held its meeting on Satnrday week, by the special invitation of the Rev. Garnons Williams, at Abercamlais, whence the members of the association from Brecon and the neighbourhood proceeded by the Neath line to the Abercamlais private station. The meeting was, as usual, commenced with prayer, after which the Rev. Garnons Williams, who presided, welcomed the mem- bers to Abercamlais. He then alluded to the absence of the able secretary, the Rev. T. Williams, of Llowes, through illness. He said that his brother, in conse- quence of his ill-health, wished to resign the post of secretary, but as he (the speaker) had great hopes of his brother's speedy recovery, and as the Rev. W. P. J ones, of Llyswen, was willing to conduct the busi- ness for him, he thought it might be as well if he were asked to withdraw his resignation. This was the unanimous voice of all present. The rev. Chair- man then, after a very stitring address, introduced the Rev. E. N. Dumbleton, who read a paper on the "Religious Instruction in our National Schools," which drew forth a most healthy discussion on the subject of the paper. The Rev. David Parry, vicar of Defynock, so well known as "Mr. Parry, of Llywel," brought a fifty-years' experience in the ministry to bear upon the important subject, and his remarks, so full of zeal for the cause, and characterized by such moderation and prudence, were listened to with the greatest attention by his brother clergy and the school teachers present, by all of whom he is so much respected. The Rev. Lewis Price, vicar of Llywel, made a very able and practical speech, the subject being one with which he appeared very familiar. The Rev. J. Bowen (Llangorse), Rev. T. B. Hosken, Mr. Davies (schoolmaster, of Talybont), and Mr. J. Davies (Trecastle), very ably took part in the discus- sion. Two much can scarcely be said of the paper and the discussion which followed; indeed, rarely has a meeting of the kind been marked by such earnest- ness and good feeling; in fact, it was the general opinion of all present that it was the best that had been held by the association for some years. The subject of public catechising in church on Sundays was much dwelt upon, and it appeared that this good old custom of the Church, though it has almost died out in the generality of the parishes where English is spoken, is still carried out with very good effect in many of the Welsh churches. At the conclusion of the meeting, the members were most hospitably enter- tained at dinner, Mrs. Garnons Williams taking the head of the table. The toasts of The Church and Queen" (by the Rev. Garnons Williams), "The Rev. E. N. Dumbleton, the reader of the paper," the absent Secretary," and the Rev. H. De Winton," were well received. Amongst those present were--The Revs. Garnons Williams (president), W. Powell Jones, Llyswen (acting secretary), David Parry, Devynock; L. Jones, Aberyskir; H. Price, Llanfrynach; E. N. Dumbleton, Rees Price, Llanvaes; Herbert Williams, Brecon; T. B. Hosken; D. Williams, Llanddetty; W. Evans, curate of Devynock; John Bowen, Llangorse; John Evans, Cantreff; J. Lane Davies, Battle; J. Jones, St. John's, Brecon; J. Harris, Trallong; Lewis Price, Llywel; and the following school teachers:-Mr. Davies, Talybont; Mr. Davies, Trecastle; Mr. Noland, Brecon; Mr. Thos. Davies, Brecon Mr. Palin, Glasbury Mr. Rumble, Llowes; Mr. J. Price, Harrow; Mr. Thomas, Devynock; Mr. Davies, Trallong; Mr. Price, Nantddu; Mr. Davies, Battle Mr. Davies, Abercrave; Miss Rawson, Brecon; Miss Martin, Brecon; Miss Stephens, Llyswen; Miss Richards, Devynock; Miss Wheeler, Brecon, &c., &c.

RAILWAYS OF SOUTH WALES. THE NEATH AND BRECON. [From the Railway News. J This line was opened for traffic about two months ago, and its working has since given undoubted proof of the importance of this latest addition to the Welsh system. It provides the shortest route between North and South Wales, the Midland counties, and the North of England, thus giving communication between the London and North Western, the Midland, and the Great Western Companies. Independently, however, of these systems, the line has in itself the elements of a large traffic, running, as it does, through a district rich in mineral and agricultural resources, and opening up an entirely new country to railway enter- prise. t, The importance of the scheme has been long acknowledged, and it is sometime since this, as the Welsh Midland line, was projected. It was intended to connect the seaports and collieries of South Wales with Birmingham and the manufacturing districts of Stafford but as originally laid out the cost would have been enormous, for much unnecessary expendi- ture would have been involved, and the gradients would have been very heavy. The present Neath and Brecon line well supplies its place, and all the natural difficulties presented by the mountainous character of the district are surmounted without the construction of one tunnel. Indeed, the engineering features of the 1 ne alone would entitle it to a considerable "hare of attention, for it winds with easy gradient along the side of hills the sight of which might well cause the most enthusiastic projector to return his level to its box and return homewards in despair. Despite, how- ever, the judicious selection of route there are gradients of 1 in 50 on the line, and to facilitate the conduct of the heavy goods traffic expected, the com- pany has two of its luc motivts constructed according to the plan of Mr. Fairlie, which, by their great number of driving wheels, draw much greater loads than those on the ordinary plan. These engines are with double sets of cylinders placed at opposite ends, each driving a pair of coupled wheels. As the boiler is single there is the same pressure of steam in all the cylinders, and thus the full effective power of two engines is obtained, without the drag which inevitably arises when two separate locomotives are used. They are supplied with funnels at both ends, and are driven from the centre, the driver standing opposite to the fireman. Though, of course, only tank engines, they have been found to answer admirably over the length of the line-thirty-three miles in all. At present the terminus of the line is in the Neath station of the Vale of Neath Company, and the arrangement is found to work very satisfactorily, as that company's line into Swansea both benefits its neighbour and is benefited by the traffic brougttt on to its system. To a traveller arriving from the east- ward by the Great Western, and about to depart by this new line for the magnificent scenery in the interior of the Principality, whether for fishing, shooting, or to visit the mineral wells at Llandrindod, Lla iwrtyd, or Builth, the scene on the platform will certainly be a novel one. He will here first realise that he is in Wales. The ordinary railway notices are posted up in Welsh as well as in the English language. Here and there among the crowds of women the curious Welsh hat is seen towering above the more modern bonnets or hoods like a church spire rising in the midst of a collection of village roofs, while the owner beneath is accoutred in the kind of kilt here passing for a petticoat, and terminating in thick woollen stockings and high heeled shoes. The Celtic origin of most of the men shows itself in their quick energetic motions and still more rapid speaking-so different from the slow deliberate drawl of the West of England—enough to produce a fever in the listener during the broiling August weather. The three trains which start daily each way are also, in addition to the native popu- lation, well patronised by tourists and sportsmen, to both of which classes the railway has opened a new field for exploration, and a shorter route for reaching old haunts. Nothing can say more for the high position which the line will hold for this class of traffic than the favour with which the excursions already arranged by the company have been received by all classes of people. Since the opening of the line in June more than 10,000 passengers have been conveyed by the excursion trains. These trains now run twice a w ek each way, and as the number of tickets issued are limited, application has to be made for them some days previous to the days fixed for the excursions. They are bought up rapidly, and quite a trade is driven in the selling of them at a premium on the days advertised. Indeed, on many occasions passengers by these trains pay the ordinary fare rather than miss the trip on the railway. On leaving the station at Neath the line passes up the valley of the little liver Dulais, the Vale of Neath curving to the westward. A short distance from the town the railway is up among the hills, for Neath, like other old settlements, has none of those suburbs which larger towns throw out as arms to appropriate the surrounding country, previous to covering it with brick and mortar. There are, however, occasional collieries and ironworks dotting the fertile valley, and forming important feeders to the new line. The first of these, at Gellia Cadoxton, is situated about a mile: from the station; and proceeding some distance along our course we pass the Marchowelland Crinant works, at which latter place the first station is situated. The collieries here are only newly opened, life, it may be said, having been infused into them by the completion of the line. Despite the short period of their oper- ation, however, these mines are now turning out coal at the rate of 10,000 tons per week. The finest steam coal is here raised. The greater portion of that used on the Great Western Railway is raisei here, and strange to say many tons are also sent to Aberdare, a wonderful instance of "sending coal to Newcastle." As far as this point the line runs through a rich rolling country, with fine wooded hills rising in all directions; but. at Crinant we enter into a broad expanse of moorland, the upward gradient having taken us above the range of flourishing vegetation. Even at this height, however, we. are not beyond the range of disfiguring chimney stalks andfurnaces, for at Onllwyn, where the next stoppage is made, there are large collieries. Close adjoining is the junction of a branch in'ended to connect the system with the Swansea Vale line. This is nearly completed, and its opening will greatly benefit the company by giving a direct run into Swansea for the through traffic, without entering Neath at all. A line is also projected hence to Aber- dare, but the present want of confidence in railway enterprise has up to the present prevented the under- taking of this extension. At this point we are really among the hills, and until the Mont Cenis line is completed, the Neath and Brecon will certainly stand unrivalled for the magni- ficent mountain scenery it passes through. A short distance ahead the range of the Brecon Beacons, through which the line threads, rear their rugged summits, quivering in the noon-day heat, while all around are strewn huge blocks of stone, bedded in the many-tinted heather. Glorious views are obtained of a long valley stretching upwards until lost in the peaks ab .ve. We glide along the side of this at a dizzy height from the stream below, startling moun- tain sheep as wild as deer into a break-neck flight down the slope, and reach Penwyllt. The station is a primitive little affair, reminding one of a shooting lodge on the moors, and suggesting the idea that probably a bag of grouse might be made from the carriage window in our further progress, were we properly provided with breech-loaders, and could induce the engine-driver to abstain from blowing the whistle, and to stop the train to pick up the birds. The walls of the platform are topped with quaintly- shaped blocks, obtained from the adjacent quarrus, which produce a most excellent limestone. In addi- tion to that used for building purposes, a great quantity is burned in the long ranges of kilns erected here, and the lime manufactured is in such request that the orders for the season's produce are all in before the kiln operations are commenced. Leaving the station, the summit level of the line is shortly reached, and we pass through the crest of the range on the sides of a ravine dark with the long blue shadows cast from the surrounding peaks. The line begins to descend rapidly, and on emerging from the hlls, some idea is obtained of the height of the pass from the magni. ficent view over the adjacent country, the fields of which lie spread below like squares on a chessboard. Our course lies down one of the spurs of the mountain, and we are soon again surrounded by luxuriant foliage. The range recedes in the distance, but its peaks still form appropriate and picturesque backgrounds for the fine fertile valleys extending to the right and left of the line. The coal and iron district is here left behind, and the country is strictly agricultural, as is attested by the trimly-kept fields, for nowhere is the ground kept in such garden-like order as in the inland Welsh counties. A great quantity of fine timber is grown here, and exported to different parts of the kingdom,as pitwood for the collieries. Oak, especially, is the staple product, the Government manufactories at Woolwich being almost entirely supplied with logs from here, and at Devynock station we see huge piles of them waiting for transport across the country via Brecon and Hereford. From Devynock a branch is now in course of construction to Llangammarch, about 12 or 14 miles distant, where it joins the Central Wales line. When completed this will give a through route from Swansea to the Craven Arms station on the London and North Western system, add thus shorten the present line between South Wales and the North of England by about thirty miles. Its opening will doubtless greatly addtothe company's goods traffic, which is already very extensive, and rapidly increasing uflder the business-like arrangements of Mr. Morley, the manager. It is a curious fact that a great share of the merchandise passing between Bristol and the Midland Counties has already begun to find its way over the line, for a packet now runs regularly between that port and Neath and this traffic cannot but extend when the new line has given more speedy access to the northern manufacturing districts. This railway will also doubtless be the mail route of the future. Negociations are at present pending for the carriage of the mails to Brecon from Neath, and the postal arrangements of the town will be greatly bene- fited by the change, as the deliveries will be two hours earlier, and the departures two hours later than at pre- sent. Cont nuing towards Brecon we pass close to Pennoyre Castle and Park, and follow for some distance the course of a beautiful richly-wooded valley, through which flows the very model of a trout stream, foaming and dimpling away to join the Usk. We come again in sight of the mountains, the three highest. peaks of which look down upon Brecon, which we shortly reach. The ancient town has that sleepy, peaceful look, so well described by Washington Irving as the characteristic of Transatlantic Dutch villages, and of which the nearest type in this country is to be found in some of the cathedral towns. Our train does not dis- cbarge many passengers at the main station to disturb the tranquillity of the streets, but passes through to the extremity of a blind line, which runs alongside the Brecon and Merthyr terminus just outside the town. The Brecon and Merthyr is now an amalgamation of the original line with the Hereford, Hay, and Brecon. The line to Merthyr branches away to the southward, shortly after leaving the station; and a second branch, passing for a short distance over a portion of the Mid- Wales, runs on to Hereford. At this city communi. cation is effected with the Midland and Great Western systems, and thus opens up an almost direct route between the Northern and Midland counties, the ports of South Wales, and the extensive coal and iron trades of the country. The Mid-Wales line passes from Three Cocks Junction to the northwards, and, as its trains also run to Brecon, that town is nor. placed in direct communication with all the adjoining great rail- ways. At present most of the lines in the southern part of the Principality depend chiefly upon mineral traffic; but the charming scenery traversed by lines we have mentioned is already attracting numerous tourists now that easy access is given to it; and cer- tainly no district deserves to be more popular with the lovers of nature than that about the quaint old town of Brecon.

LIFE OF THE REV. THEOPHILUS EVANS. VICAR OF LLANGAMMARCH, AUTHOR OF "DRYOH Y PRIF OESAEDD, MIRROR OF ANCIENT TIMES." (Translated from a Contributon to the Raul" by the liev, D. Lloyd Isaac, Llangathen, [CONCLUDED]. LLWYN EINON. This house was for many years the residence of the Rev. Theophilus Evans. It is situated on the banks of a small river which is called Ainon, in the parish of Llangammarch. Now it is a miserable farm-house. Mr. Evans resided here from the year 1738 until his death, in the year 1767. From this house he married, within its walls all his children were born, and within those grey old walls many a sermon and many a book was written. Mr. Theophilus Jones resided often, when a boy, at Llwyn Einon; here he had a taste for antiquities. Mr. Jones took a warm interest in the Rev. Thomas Price, "Carnhuanawc," author of the History of Wales. Plutarch says that Thucydides became an historian by hearing the works of Herodotus being read in public at the Olympic Games, and it is supposed that "Carnhuanawc" was induced, byreading Drych-y-Prif-Oesoedd," to write the History of Wales. There is nothing attractive in the place, nor in the parish of Llangammarch to studious persons. Nature seems to be half slumbering here amongst peat bogs and rushes, scattered villages, and smoky and dingy cottages. Llanwrtyd is improving. LLANWRTYD WELLS. One of the most interesting events in the life of Theophilus Evans was the discovery of Llanwrtyd WeUs, which is now an important place, and it is increasing at a rapid rate. It is a wonder that the Romans did not discover this far-famed well, when we take into consideration that they worked some mines in the neighbourhood, and the via Montana passed a short distance from the place. We shall here quote Mr. Evans's own account of the discovery. 1732. The writer hereof being almost worked out by radicated scurvey, of many years' continuance, and very near leprosy, so that his blood and juices were all tainted, was casually informed of this then reputed venomous spring; his curiosity led him that way, which by the smell he could easily find out without a guide. He sat on the brink of it a long time, dubious what to do. As he was thus musing and revolving in his thoughts what he had better do, a frog popped out of the bottom, looked cheerfully, as it were, invit- ing him to taste of the water. He then immediately concluded that the waters could not have any poisonous quality, because that creature lived so comfortably tnere, and he took a moderate draught—about half-a- pint or more, without any concern or dread of danger, repeated the same in about half-an-hour, and it had created a keen appetite, and finally effected a complete cure.— Vide Pryse's Handbook. THEOPHILUS EVANS AS A LITERARY CHARACTER. We have already stated that he was an eminent classical scholar. He was a member of the old school of clergymen who used to spend fifteen or twenty years in constant study. The old collegiate system of the monasteries and the Bangorau had not quite disappeared; and the superficial college education of the present day was not in existence at that time. He was quite at home in the Greek and Latin lan- guages he could write them with the greatest ease and he was a clever Welsh scholar. All his works prove that he was an accomplished man. He published a great many books. The author of the History of Nonconformity in Wales" says that the clergy have done nothing for the literature of the Principality in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is a groundless assertion—without the least foundation, according to the Catalogue of the Rev. Moses Williams, 1740, and that eminent antiquary who has passed away from amongst us, the Rev. William Rowlands, Guilym Lleyn." In the 17th century, 260 Welsh books were published, and in the first quarter of the 18th century to Theophilus Evans's time 150 were published. The authors and publishers were without exception mem- bers of the Church of England. The Rev. Moses Williams, whose star was about setting in the horizon, when that of Theophilus was rapidly ascending, published not less than fifteen different works, for the benefit of his fellow countrymen, in the 16th century. Several works were published which are considered to this day standard works Translation of the Scriptures," Sion Dafydd Rhys's Grammar," Dr. Davies's Dictionary." Those names will be dear to every native Welshman when the name of the author of Nonconformity in Wales" will be forgotten. LIST OF BOOKS PUBLISHED BY THEOPHILUS EVANS. ]. "A Serious Invitation to Quakers." Shrews- bury, 1715. 2. "Drych-y-Prif Oeoedd," "A View of the Primi- tive Ages." Shrewsbury, 1716. John Rhydderch. This publisher was a native of Lampeter Pont Stephan, Cardiganshire, and flourished between 1716 and 1741. His family lived at Alltgoch. He was a clever Welsh scholar, antiquary, and publisher. He was a con- temporary with the Rev. Erasmus Williams, the vicar of Lampeter. The Rhydderchs of Alltgoch were a respectable family. John Rhydderch became a Quaker, and was imprisoned at Tregarron for propa- gating Quakerism. He was buried, as well as several members of this denomination, at a place called Henfeddau, near Lampeter, where they had a burial ground. 3. "A Sermon on the Jews: History of their great privileges, their downfall, and the judgments which came upon them." 4. "Beauty of Holiness in the Book of Common Prayer." Four sermons Shrewsbury, 1722. 6. "A Letter on Education." 1730. It appears that he took a deep interest in the education of the people. He was a fellow labourer with the Rev. Griffith Jones, the vicar of Llanddowror, the founder of the first day and Sunday schools in Wales. Those schools were started in the year 1730, and they were the means of doing a vast amount of good in the Principality. From the year 1757 to the year 1760, 3,186 schools were established, in which 150,215 pupils were educated. The publisher of this latter was Mr. Raikes, of Gloucester, the founder of the first Sunday- schools (if he was the founder ?). The Rev. Griffith Jones started Sunday schools in Monmouthshire twenty years before him; and it appears that the idea of Sunday schools was borrowed from those two Welsh- men. See the Rev. P. Thomas's (curate of G-elligaer) letter, 1732. We ought to weigh old historical facts, and not depend upon others. 6. A Volume of Sermons." 1733. 7. Educational Letter of the Bishop of London." Gloucester, 1740. Religious enthusiasm is the subject of this book. Whitfield wrote a reply to it, which was translated into Welsh by one John Lewis, Maes- gwyn, and published at Pontypool. 8. "History of Modem Enthusiasm." 1752. The author handles all kind of schisms severely; but the chief object of this book was to check the fanaticism, enthusiasm, and religious disorder, which was preva- lent in Wales at that period, such as jumping, shouting, screaming, which are condemned by every sensible and intelligent man at present, which were encouraged by many in those days, and which brought great scandal and disgrace upon Christianity. In this book he exposes the pious frauds or tales which fanatical persons related,—that they had seen angels, and the evil spirit mounting behind them and spurring their horses, &c., dreams, visions, singing in the air, predictions of the end of the world. Wesley and Whitfield wrote a reply to this book, defending these idle tales, which drove ignorant people mad. He throws light also on the origin of Methodism in Wales. 9. "The Malicious Man." 1752. 10. "True Wisdom." A sermon preached at Llan- dulas. Abercoesni, 1757. 11. "Sin against the Holy Ghost." By the Vicar of St. David's. Brecon, 1760. 12. "Four Stanzas (Englynion) to Bishop Beve- ridge's Works. 13. 11 Drych-y-Piif Oesoedd." A View of the Primitive Ages." A second edition enlarged and corrected. Shrewsbuy, Durston, 1740. The first edition was dedicated to the Bishop of St. David's, Adam Ottley. Several editions of this book have appeared after that last was published by Mr. William Spurrell, Carmaerthen, and an English edition was published in America, and Mr. John Pryse, of Llanidloes, has published an English edition. "DRYCH-Y-PRIF OESOEDD." His principal work was "Drych-y-Prif Ooesoedd." This interesting book has made his name a household word in Wales; in this book his character as a literary man, antiquarian, and patriot, is fully developed, as it is extensively read in the Principality; it is right that we should make some inquiry how far can we depend upon the author as an historian. Before we can form a correct opinion of an author we must take into consideration the age in which he lived, and the disadvantage under which he laboured, and the materials which he had to write upon. Herodotus, the father of history, had to collect his materials from various sources, legends, traditions- the genuineness of some of them was very doubtful. Thucydides, his successor, had all these materials as a foundation to write his history upon and Polybius benefited by the labours of his predecessor; and Tacitus had a great advantage over them all. It would be unjust to judge the history of Herodotus by that of Tacitus; and we are not to judge on the same ground Theophilus Evans as an historian by Carnhuanawc;" they lived in different ages. Herodotus was the most popular writer among the Greeks; his fluent and homely style had a great deal to do with his popu- larity this was the case with Theophilus Evans, his style was chaste and simple, and quite natural, his sentences are short and to the point, his language is not above the people, no one has need to keep a dictionary at his elbow when he reads it, as it is too often the custom at the present day. We find by reading this book that the author was a true patriot; his love for his language and country is visible through every page of it. As early as Dr. Davies's time (1600) several native Welshmen proved unfaithful to their language and to their country. Every patronage was withheld from Wales and Welshmen, and they sneered at our institutions. Amongst these were several clergymen, who were destitute of talent; but the majority of the clergy remained faithful to Cambria and her ancient language. The Vicar of Llangammarch was one of this class. He was an excellent Welsh scholar. He could write free from imitation, which is the chief fault of our literary men of the present day. The language of the Drych" bears a strong resemblance to the language of the "Brut," and this language was subsequently adopted by the author of Bardd Cwsg." The style of the "Drych" is the best in the Welsh language. As to his abilities as an historian, it can be said without any fear of contradiction, that he was a clever historian, and a ripe scholai, as we have noticed already, and he was naturally fond of history. In his preface to the second edition he says When this book was first printed, twenty-four years ago, I was then very young. I had read hastily all the printed books relating to Britain; but when I had time to make further researches, I found a great deal of information in old Chronicles" manuscripts. In order to improve the second edition,—First, I read all Latin histories, which were written by persons beyond the sea, respecting Britain; second, all the ancient English Cfciooicks; tlaird, modern works, written fcy learned Englishmen; fourth, I compared them care- fully with the history of the ancient Britons." It is a wonder how our author managed to write such an excellent history, because the Brutiau" were at that time in manuscript, and were jealouslywatched. The chief fault of our author was being credulous, and too ready to accept fiction for facts. This was not the case with his successor Carnhuanawc. Great deal of ancient history has been mixed with fiction, and our author accepted some of them as facts but he is not the only one who has fallen into this error, and we shall notice them in order to put the reader on his guard. 1. The Story of Brutus of Troy." This is a pure fiction, invented by Jeffrey, Archdeacon of Monmouth circa, 1160. Galfridus Monmothensis. It was written in the twelfth century, and inserted by Jeffrey in "Brut Tysilio," of which he was the editor and amplifier. We see that this groundless story was inserted in the "Triads" as an historical fact, and our modem historian, the Rev. W. Morgan, Tregynnon, has repeated it in his book as a fact. (See Mr. Thomas Stephens's letters on this subject in the Cambrian Journal.) 2. It is doubtful also whether those addresses of ancient generals are genuine. Julius Caesar has recorded them, and other Roman historians. Carac- tacus's speech has been chronicled by Tacitus. (See Annals xxxvii.) 3. History of Prince Madog and his followers." This is a pure fiction, without any foundation. It is a dream of modem times. This story was first pub- lished by Powell, on the authority of Gutyn Owain, who flourished in 1490, that Madog, son of Owain Gwynedd, discovered America, and founded a colony there 300 years before Columbus. This story is a true example of the credulity of Welshmen. Iolo Mor- ganwg,Dr. William Owen Pughe, F.S.A., OwenMyfyr, and others, sent a man of the name of John Evans, a native of Merionethshire, a fanatic, on the "Paduca hunt," to the banks of Missouri, in the year 1790. The poor fellow went there to find a grave. 4. The Historical Essays of King Arthur" are full of fiction, notwithstanding many believe them to be real facts. "The Long Knives' Plot," 472, is doubted by modem historians. There is no mention of such tragedy in Gildas's works, who wrote his Brut" the following century, circa 500, nor by the English chroniclers. This story was introduced by Nennius, 780, who belonged to the same school as Jeffrey of Monmouth, who also relates it with additions. (See Brut Tysilio.) Theophilus Evans has founded a large portion of his history on the Chronicles" of Gildas and Jeffrey, 1160; consequently we must expect to find some chaff among the wheat. The writer of the preface of the last edition of Drych" says that, "We must not receive as undoubted facts all the amusing tales which are so ably related by Theophilus Evans." 5. The author has quoted several pieces of poetry alleged to be written by Taliesin and other ancient bards, but it has been found out that those quotations were never written by the ancient bards they were written in the twelfth century. Theophilus Evans was a Welsh Herodotus who collected his information from old Brutiau chronicles, traditions, and legends, and he chronicles them, and leaves posterity to weigh and sift them. No one has done more than Mr. Stephens, of Merthyr, in this way, and we are under great obligations to him for his labours in separating the chaff from the grain. The author has been more fortunate in finding materials for his Church history, which has been handed down to us unadulterated from one generation to the other. He wrote his history as a Churchman, and it is worthy of remark that the Welsh people were all Churchmen at the beginning of the last century. Except few doubtful tales and legends we heartily recommend Drych-y-Prif Oesoedd" to our fellow- countrymen to read and study it. In spite of the sneers of that class which is known as Green Wales, Drych-y-Prif Oesoedd" will be read with interest as long as the Welsh language will be the language of Cambria. We admit that Carnhuanawc was superior to Theophilus Evans as an historian. Camhuanawc possessed the historical talents of Tacitus, Gibbon, or Macaulay. After many years of laborious research he presented us with an excellent history of Wales, and we should like to see a cheap editon of it out of the press without any alteration in its style. Theophilus Evans died in the year 1767, in the 67th year of his age, and was buried in the churchyard of Llangammarch, and there is a rough stone to be seen over his grave. Ye young men of Wales read his writings and study them, and imitate him as a patriot in doing good, &c.