The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

CANADA. TORONTO, April 28. -The grand jury of this city have found a true bill of indictment against Jacob Thompson, C. C. Clay, and others, for a breach of the neutrality laws. M'Donald has been committed for trial, charged with equipping the Georgian as a pirate on the Sorthera Lakes.

FRIGHTFUL STEAMBOAT DISASTER. Fouitry-N HUNDRED LIVES LOST. ST. Louis, APRIL 28.—A telegram received by the military authorities from New Madrid, says that the Steamer Sultana, with 1,400 paroled prisoners on board, exploded her boilers, and that 1400 lives were lost. CAIRO, ILUN-OIS, APRIL 28.-The steamer Sultana, from New Orleans evening of the 21st, arrived at Vicks- burg with her boilers leaking badly. She remained 30 hours repairing, taking on board 1996 Federal soldiers and 35 officers, lately released from the Cahawba and Andersonville prisons. She arrived at Memphis last evening, and after coaling proceeded. A bout two a.m., when seven miles up, she blew up and immediately took fire and burned to the water's edge. Of 21C6 souls on board, not more than 700 will be recovered 500 were rescued, and are now in the hos- pital 200 or 300 uniujured are at the Soldier's Home. Captain Mason of the Sultana is supposed to be lost. At four o'clock this morning the river in front of Memphis was covered with soldiers struggling for life, many of them badly scalded. Boats immediately went to the rescue, and are still engaged in picking them up. General W ashburne immediately organised a board 01 officers to investigate the affair. The Times telegram says—"Whilst the Mississippi transport steamer sultana, with o er 300 paroled Federal soldiers on board, was near Memphis, at two o'clock yes- terday morning (April 28), her boilers exploded, killing or blowing overboard a great number of her passengers. Only 500 of all who were on board are known to have escaped.

PENMAENMAWR. IN HE G. JoiiNso-At the Liverpoool Bankruptcy Court, on Monday last, the case of this bankrupt, a commission agent at Penmaenmawr, was heard before Mr. Registrar Lee. His accounts disclosed debts Cl047 against assets £ 240, leaving a deficiency of iESOO. Mr. Lockett appeared for the assignees, Mr. Steble for a cre- ditor, and Mr. Lloyd Hughes for the bankrupt. An account explanatory of the deficiency, was the subject of the investigation. The bankrupt underwent a long examination upon the items of this account, but his es, planations were not considered satisfactory, and therefore it was ordered that further accounts should be turnlsh. ed, and that the meetiug should be adjourned to the 12th inst.

TOWYN. TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.—The friends of the teetotal cause in this town, are holding weekly meetings in WÓ Market Hall. Messrs Newell and Christopher appears to be the principal speakers at these meetings. TALYLLYX RAILWAY.—We are given to understand that the opposition to the carrying of passengers on this line has been withdrawn, and that the bill will come be- fore the Committee of the House of Commons this week. The new engine which arrived a short time ago; is now in working order, and conveys large quantities of slates from the quarries to this station. THE BRONPRYS BUICK AND TILE WORKS.—T^56 extensive works, not quite a mile from the town, have changed hands from Mr. John Lloyd of Newbridge, to Robert Edwards, Aberdovey. We hope to see them again in full operation before long, as material for bad- ing are greatly needed just now. THE CAETHLE BRICK FIELD.—Operations have com- menced at this new brick field, and immense sheds bvo been erected, and stoves for drying. A new wheel fOl* tempering the clay by water power, is in the course o construction, and when the works are complete, many millions of bricks will be manufactured annually- • brickyard near a thriving town like this, where so nteh building is going on, and every likelihood of a very e- tensive town being built near the beach, is a very great desideratum, it being only about a mile out of town. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Monday ne'nnight? a man named Richd. Peters, aged 78, hale and hearty, wen?t M his work as usual, but previous to leaving home he co piMned of headache, and while ascending a steep P?" of the road where he b?W work, near Abergynolwyn, he was observed by his fellow-workmen to fall suddei?Y? and on their reaching him, life was extinct An inquelt was held, and a verdict of Died from Natural Mtf returned.

Is this department as a full and free expression of opinion Is accorded to correspondents, the Editor wishes it to be dis- tinctly understood, that he holds himself responsible for none. All letters should be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee Of good faith.]

THE LATE FIRE AND INQUEST AT LLAN- I BEDR HALL, RU1HIN. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. SIR,-I have read in your paper of Saturday, May 6, a report of a statement which Mr. Pierce, of Denbigh, one of the County Coroners, thought fit to make at the above inquest on Robert Jones. I do not doubt for a moment the correctness of your report; but at the same time beg leave to contradict Mr. Pierce's statement, and to say that he has most maliciously contorted the truth. ?' W the Jury agreeing with Mr. Pierce's remarM, I beg ?eto doubt that fact, as most of those who were itandlng near were shocked at the violence of his man- Der and language. '"Trus?'r?ourweU known fairness, I request you will give the same publicity to this letter, as you have done to Mr. Pierce's remarks. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, HEUCULES KOWLEY. Ltanbedr Rectory, Ruthin, HE ltCULES ITOWLEY. I May 9th, 1865.

FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE AT LLANBEDR HALL. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,—It was with great astonishment I read your ac- count of the Coroner's inquest at Llanbedr Hall. The statement made by him is so false that I cannot refrain from endeavouring to put public opinion right. Major Rowley was from home at the time of the accident, and could have no part in placing the unfortunate man in the building where he died. I was present at the time of the accident. The poor fellow was at once attended to by Dr. Jenkins, of Ruthin, who, fortunately, was on the spot. and did all he could for him; but he was be- yond human skill. At Dr. Jenkins' suggestion, I went to look for a room —the house was completely gutted; the fire was sub- dued, but smouldering, and some of the walls in a very tottering condition. It waa out of the question to take him there, so I went to the outbuildings, and found the workmen's eating-room vacant. Dr. Jenkins approved of it as the most suitable place there he was taken there he died. On Monday I was at Llanbedr, immediately after the inquest. Major Rowley then complained of the violent manner and language of the Coroner, who was much annoyed that the body was in an outhouse, and had not been conveyed within the more sacred (?! !) precincts of the neighbouring public-house. He refused to hold the inquest where the body was and it was through the kindness of Major Rowley that he ultimately obtained the use of the coachman's room The police were most active in doing their duty, and did not deserve to be abused in the way they were. If the Coroner expects to impress the public with his dig- nity and importance by addressing the police officers on duty with the words—" hat the devil and damnation are you two men doing walking about that way," (which words I quote from the constable's statement in writing now before me), I think he will find himself mis- taken. I need hardly point to the liberal sum given by Major Rowley to the fund for the poor widow and children, as being an index of his true feelings on this most lamenta- ble occurrence. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, B. G. DAVIES COOKE. I Colomendy, May 10th, 1865. DAYlES COOKE. ¡

THE DENBIGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,-Iti looking over the proceedings of the Denbigh Corporation reported in yrmr paper of the 6th inst., I find Mr. Parry J ones thought fit to indulge in some misrepresentation in reference to the Grammar School Committee and to me in particular, and I have no doubt you will allow me to correct him. Mr. Parry Jones says he did the most disagreeable part of the business in the dismissal of the late master, and that in getting up the committee I have excluded his name. Both those statements are untrue. Those who attended the proposed enquiry into the conduct of the master are quite well aware that Mr. Parry Jones did nothing whatever of the disagreeable business of dismissing the master, tie attended as Mr. Myddleton's solicitor, but the fact is the master was not dismissed at all. The Trustees, in compliance with a memorial presented to them, held a meeting for enquiry into the complaints. The Master attended, and after making a statement of the difficulties ot his position from various causes, re- signed his appointment—the enquiry was cut short, or rather, I might say, was not opened, and the meeting broke up. As to my excluding Mr. Parry Jones from the Com- mittee-First I may say, I did not get up either of the Committees. When help was wanted Mr. Parry Jones' aid was sought, and he declined to act. Every person who could be prevailed upon to attach his name to the memorial to the Trustees was asked if he would assist in carrying out the object; out of eighty who had signed, sixteen consented to attend a meeting, and they formed themselves into a Committee, with power to add to the number. These, or such of them as could, or would give a little time and thought to this important business, met several times, and subsequently appointed the following to further prosecute the work :—Mr. Gold Edwards, the Hector, the Town Clerk, Mr. Evan Davies, and myself, with power to add to the number, and in virtue of this power, Dr. Tumour, on ceasing to be Mayor, was added. It was open to any member of either Committee, at any time, to propose the addition of Mr. Parry Jones. This would have been asking him again to assist--solicitilig him to do what others did without such solicitation—and it does not appear to have occurred to any member that this was necessary. At the late public meeting it was proposed to add other names to the Committee, and several were added but "no one proposed Mr. Parry Jones, who did not attend the meeting, or so far as I have heard send the Mayor any explanation of his absence. Since the Committee have nearly done all the work they have found other gentlemen most willing to assist, or to have the credit of assisting; but it is felt the Com- mittee is large enough for all practical purposes, and those who found such difficlty in joining should be gratified at seeing the good work carried on without their aid. The condition of the school has been a re- proach to the town for many years. Yours truly, (Signed) MARTIN SMITH. Denbigh, May 8th, 1865.

THE LATE MR. COBDEN. I To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,-A great deal has been said, and no doubt will be said for generations to come in honour of that great patriot, Richard Cobden. It would be useless in me to attempt to ennumentte here his ureat achievements for the world at this present moment scarcely feels able to do justice to his memory but allow me, sir, to call the attention of your numerous Welsh readers to the fact that we, as Welshmen, are as greatly indebted to him for the innumerable benefits that his free-trade principles have bestowed on the country, as any other of her Ma- jesty's subjects. The sacrifice which this great man has made of his fortune, his health, and even his life for the benefit of his country, calls upon all true philanthropists to sacri- fice something to his memory. Wales has not been behind hand at any time to do honour to the memory of the great, and I hope that we shall not be so on this oc- casion plans have been submitted in many instances to carry out that object in different parts of England. There is in one instance the sum of £ 30,000 proposed to be collected for Mrs. Cobden, which some of her late hus- band's principal friends have ably testified would not be unacceptable to her. Will some influential friend of freedom in the Principality take this subject up and propose a plan by which Wales can best show her gra- titude to the departed patriot ? Well indeed has Mr. Gladstone described him in his speech on the Budget the other night, that his memory is part of the inheri- tance of his countn, and that his distinguished services there will always survive among them as a remembrance of a character so true, so manful, so courageous, so simple, so unselfish, so devoted, so general—a character which has added as much justice to his greatest actions, as it has received j ustice from them. The question now is what shall we do in Wales in remembrance of such devoted services ? Hoping sir, that some one better acquainted with getting up such movements will take this subject in hand, for I feel confident that the country at large would respond to so noble a call, and that some. thing worthy of Wales would be the result, I am, sir, yours, &c., ONE OF HIS ADMIRERS. Beaumaris, May 1st, 1865.

PORTMADOC WELSH CHURf'H SERVICES. PORTMADOC WELSH CHURCH SERVICES. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir I am given to understand that at a meeting held in the National Schoolroom, Portmadoc, on Mon- day last, convened for the purpose of considering the necessity of having an English Service" in the Port; a resolution was passed to the effect that the Welsh Service now held in the schoolroom on Sunday mornings, be discontinued, and an English Service substituted in the afternoon instead." Now, sir, I beg your favour to allow me a short space in your paper, to mark the unfairness of the proceedings at the meeting in question.. 1st. I consider it very unfair to pass so important a resolution without having first given due notice to those whose interest it affected, because this meeting was only called-according to the wording of the notice-" to consider the necessity of having an English Service," I and" not to discor.tilt"e the Welsh in the morning," and. that, no doubt, was the reason why the. greater part of the Welsh congregation took the movement as being im- material to them, and never respondei to the circular, therefore the promoters of the movement in question, took advantage of the moment, and indiscreetly passed the resolution in the absence of those, who (with one or two exceptions) usually attend the Welsh morning service. That there actually exists a real necessity for an English Service here, I am not prepared to prove; Tre- madoc Church being only about ten minutes walk, where two English serviced are performed every Sunday but, however, to have a third English service at the ex pense of the poor Welsh congregation, for whose benefit the schoolroom services, as well as the minister were intended, and towards the support of which the Pastoral Aid Society gives a handsome sum of ClOO per annum, would be both unjust and unfair. If there are a few persons dissatisfied with Tremaaoc Church, and who seem to hwe" raised the wind" in this affair, I think they should be made to pay for an additional service, which might be held at 3 o'clock, without interfering with the present arrangements of the Welsh population; viz. 2 services and a flourishing Sunday School, whereas to deprive the Welsh of their present morning service merely to suit the fanciful whims of a paltry few, would be shameful in the extreme. "Let well alone" would be the best motto in the case of the Welsh schoolroom service in Portmadoc, that the members may divell amicably together as hitherto; and strive hand in hand in the cause of Christ's Church, when, I doubt not, that the Incumbent's salary would be raised in a fair, open, and upright manner should such have been the main object of the meeting. Yours, &c., Portmadoe, 4th :\fny. WELSH CHURCHMAV Portmadoc, 4th May.

POOR RATES AND THE NEXT GENERAL ELEC- TION. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,—M r. Bernal Osborne, in his recent speech on Mr. Baines's Bill for the extension of the franchise, ob- served, that on the eve of an expiring Parliament the Liberal party is rather hard up for a cry." The perusal of two or three addresses issued lately by candidates for representing some parts of North Wales, seems to me to confirm the truth of the observation of the honoura- ble gentleman. The sum and substance of the addresses is,- Electors—We have been on the most friendly terms for years. You are well aware that I did my best for your personal interests, as to speaking and voting in Par- liament, you are well aware it is of very little conse- quence. Procuring a place under Government for one of your friends or relations is more precious than twenty speeches and votes. So let us always be on good terms. I shall serve you, and you shall serve me by letting me 'walk over. Not a word on politics, and why ? They think that the majority of the voters take no interest at all in any political question. Poor lambs shew them one act of kindness once in seven years, and you may be a M.P. for life without ever bothering yourself about parliamentary affairs. I am sorry to observe that the apathy shewn by voters towards political questions makes our M.P.'s so apathetic to such questions as not to care a fig whether they shall be present or absent—to vote this way or the other, when imperial questions that affect the welfare of millions is discussed and settled. But calmness, how- ever perfect it may be, has its end—the present apathy of the millions with regard to political affairs, will be over soon. The Union Assessment Committee Act, 1862, has aroused the ratepayers to apply their energies to get a fair valuation of rateable property and equalisation of rates. The proposed Union Rating Bill is one of the fruits of this agitation, and it will not end until all mines and woodlands shall be made rateable, and the Union chargeability becomes the law of the laud. It is curious to observe that all mines and woodlands are rated to the poor in Scotland and in Ireland under the present law, though by a strange construction put on 43rd Eliz., they are exempted in England and Wales. The inequality of rates in different parishes in the same union is painful to think of. I know of parishes in North Wales that had to pay upwards of 8s. in the pound on their rental last year; while others had only 2s. in the pound to pay. This anomally will be removed by passing Mr. Villiers's Bill, which I earnestly hope will become law, despite the apathy shewn by the Welsh members towards the subject. There is another question that begins to take hold of the ratepayers' attention, and will soon be thrust upon the notice of M.P.s, viz., supporting the poor by an in- come tax. Lord Henley, in his speech on union rating, remarked that the whole cost of supporting the pocr in the kingdom is six million pounds. Last year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said one penny income tax produced one million so it appears that an income tax of sixpence in the pound annually would cover the ex- pense of supporting the poor. This year the ChanceHor of the Exchequer announced that one penny income tax produced one million and three hundred thousand pounds, though no one is charged to the same whose in- come is under £100 a year. l'hen, it is clear enough that if you would charge all that pay poor rates at pre- sent to an income lax, though their income is under £ 100 a year, as well as those that pay it at present, an income tix of fourpence in the pound would produce six millions of money—the sum that is spent annually on the poor I cannot divine by what. principle the landed proprie- tor is made to support the poor according to his income, while the merchant is exempted from paying a farthing on his income towards the same. If a man would buy a farm worth £ 100 a year, and occupy it himself, he would have to pay, in certain parishes, X40 per annum in poor rates alone, while his neighbour in an adjoining parish, occupying a shop and house worth X40 a year, idy.,3 only £ 3 a year in poor rates, though his income from profits of trade is X 200 a year. Yes, there are merchants that make £ 20,000 a year of profit that pay only a few pounds a year on the house and premises they hold towards maintaining the poor, though they employ scores of men with their ships, &c., and these very men, when disabled, are supported from the poor rates, and yet their employer does not pay a farthing of poor rates on the £ 20,000 profits it makes. An union officer who receives £ 300 annually from poor rates, in the shape of fees and salaries, does not pay a farthing of tax for maintaining the poor on that amount, while scores of tenant fanners that do not make £100 profit, with their capital and labour, pay each' upwards of Xlb annually in poor rates. We are taught in Holy Writ that every one ought to give to the poor according to his means; and the same has been enunciated in an Act of Parliament, that wa" passed in the days of Queen Elizabeth, but modern legislation had reversed the whole, making every one to pay according to the number of acres he holds, whatever his means may be, and excusing the very man that is well known to have ample means to do it. Charging the poor farmer that cannot make, by early rising and toiling hard, X40 a year towards maintaining himself and family, five or six pounds annually in poor rates, and excusing the rich merchant that gets his £ 20,000 a year! Really this state of things cannot last long. By making every one to pay only 4d. in the pound on his income towards maintaining the pior, all the poor rate- payers may be relieved of the poor rates assessed on them at present, excepting the police and the county rates. What a relief that would be to thousands of poor ratepayers that pay at present one third of theii rents in poor rates alone ? And it would be no hardship to any one to pay 4d. on every pound of his income for the maintainance of the poor. Well, on the eve of an ex- piring Parliament it is not hard up with the ratepayers for a cry." YoursJ &c., J. M. C. I

THOUGHTS BY THE WAY—PENMAENMAWR. Smallpox and yellow fever on, and Railway under the Mersey—Railway direct from Birkenhead to Queen's pirr,/—Steamboat to Rhyl—Llandudno sleeping— Penmaenmawr Improvements—Velinda Cotlar/e and Mrs. Jellkins-Ellfllisl. Church and doinys at Llanfair- fechan -■ Hotel Se/tcmes very profitable—Bathing boxes on wheels at last, and bathimj dresses. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Dnar Sir,—With the cuckoo and the butterflies, here I am for once more,for a dip in the "briny," and a siffof that glorious mountain air, and which is so full of ozone provocative of appetite, that I fear if the butchers do not provide plentifully, I shall be obliged to become a disciple of that society in France with the queer name which patronises equine flesh, and buy a horse for my # own eating. I should not have come down so early, but when the Etna, the other day, arrived in the river with a cargo of smallpox and yellow fever from America, and our Dr. French had the mail bags fumigated, my Mrs. L. (print it lightly, Mr. Editor), "interestingly" nervous, took it into her head, that if we remained, we might want fumigating, if not make a gap in our heraldic line, and deprive us of the expected posthumous honours. So packing a change of linen into the carpet bag, we were off by the first steamer, whither, I knew not. Arrived at the railway station, the question from the booking clerk—"Where to, sir ?"—awoke me to con- sciousness, and I involuntarily exclaimed, "Penmaen- mawr," and so here I am, Before, however, I go any further, let me ask if you have heard of our proposed new railway arrangements, If you have not, let me tell you. We are sick of the steamer from Liverpool to Birkenhead, and Ml conse- quence we propose to join the two towns by a tunnel under the Mersey. The Bill. is actually before the House of Commons at the present writing. Of course it is opposed by competing interests, but it is confidently expected it will be passed. Then, we travelling people do not like travelling south when we want to go north, and more especially to find, after we have paid for riding some forty or fifty miles, when we arrive at Queen's Ferry, we are only fifteen miles from where we started. This anomally is to be done away with by bridging over the Dee near Queen's Ferry, and going in a direct line to Birkenhead. This will be an immense gain to you, seaboard people, as it will not only shorten the journey nearly, if not quite, one hour, an immense advantage to business men, but also, when the tunnel is completed, it will allow the mineral of Wales and heavy goods traffic of Liverpool to be conveyed by the same direct route, instead of by Crewe, as at the present time, and at, of course, a correspondingly decreased price. Then, for the summer. I hear two (frst class steamers are to ply daily between Liverpool and Rhyl, but as a steamer can only get in at Rhyl at full tide, I fear the speculation will not answer, as the time of starting will be too irregular and uncertain for the generality of pleasure Beekers. If your Llandudno friends had an eye to the true interests of the place, they would loose no time in providing a pier and proper landing ttage, to facilitate their water traffic; but they are proverbally slow and obstructive, and are determined to play with the golden eggs until they break them. Two fast steamers plying regularly, at fixed hours, between Liverpool and Llandudno would be sure to command a heavy goods traffic, independently of passengers. For the latter, all that is necessary is regularity as to time, and if that could be secured, it would add immensely to the visitors, as well as to the accommodation of the public. So much for improved traffic. Well, here I am at Penmaenmawr, which I find physically, sanitarily, morally, and intellectually, much the same as when I left it last autumn. Physically, the railway station is in the same place, the same facili- ties (?) are offered for traffic, and the same certainty that if you do not mind your eye on your way to the book- ing office, you will be safe to have it filled with either brick, lime, or coal dust. If the directors were ignorant of the requirements-l may say necessities—of the place, there might be come excuse for the delay in carry- ing out their long proposed improvements, but when it is known that their greatest luminary, Mr. Moon, spent some weeks here last autumn, and saw daily the paucity of accommodation, there is really no excuse for the neg- lect. If the directors could have heard the piercing shriek which, two years back, sent the blood curdling through my veins (I can hear it now), as a lady and gen- tleman were snatched from that certain death which a passing coal train would have consummated iu another second, they would not be so slow in making the re- quired improvements. Perhaps, howfcver, when death has claimed his victims (I hope they will be directors), something will be done to abate the danger. Till then, it is hardly worth while to incur the expense. During the winter my landlady, Mrs. Jenkins, who is most loquaciously communicative, informs me the surveyors have had many "field days" taking sights and measure- ments sufficient to calculate to a hair's breadth the re- quirements of every foot of ground they passed over. Indeed by this time Mr. Lee must be thoroughly posted on the matter. But so far as the public is concerned, it is all to no purpose. Leaving the Station, I at once proceeded to my old quarters, the large house on the hill; but the proprie. tors have perpetrated another piece of patchwork, and the din of carpenters and the stench of painters was too much for my dear Julia, who at once elected for private apartments. We benedicts, you know, I doubt not, Mr. Editor, are obliged to yield, and I am glad of it, for Ve- linda Cottage (that's my address) is most delightfully situated, is cozily furnished, and Mrs. Jenkins is the most obliging little woman in the Principality, and is so accurately posted upon all local matters—the genealogy of some, and the doings and short-comings of others- that, as a parochial gazetteer, she is quite a treasure. Well, as I was saying, the Hotel people have added ano- ther piece of patchwork, which, with the samples of pre- ceding years, may be described in the language of our school days on grammar iiiorniiigs,-ag bad, better, best; and though we accord the last addition the post of ho- nour, it is only a comparative compliment, and very lit- tle to boast of. As a flank movement has now been made, presenting a side front to the ConuTiy road, and inasmuch as it masks a part of the ugly offices, it is in that direction an improvement to the general appear- ance of the place. The Penmaenmawr" is said to be the largest hotel in Wales it may be so and it has also another characteristic, not less marked, I think, viz., it is the ugliest. However, the architect is not to be blamed for that. He had a bad pattern to begin with, and has been obliged to curb his aspirations in obedience to a first error. Among other novelties, I perceive there is a tunnel and bridge, the parapet of which will demand—and no dou bt obtain-the constant watchfulness of nervous. mamas and nursemaids; for if some of their young athletes, in pursuit of gymnastic or calesthenic pleasures, do not make doctors' work" of themselves they will be fortunate. The pig perfumery has been removed, but inasmuch as it has been replaced by a gas apparatus, it remains to be proved whether we have not exchanged the lesser for the greater evil but, if we have, the managers must convert the liquid amonia into carbonate (smelling salts), and thus supply their neignoouis wiui a counter-irritant if not a deodorizer. However, a little extra light is very desirable, and certainly much wanted, in the establishment. My old friend the hjndy-man, he of the blacking brushes and billiard balls," has absquatulated," and been replaced by a mustachoed gentleman of most aristocratic mien but he is a well- spoken person, and if he can play billiards, we may be- come better acquainted. As all wateriug-places are—whether they deserve it or not—noted for extortion, visitors may be glad to know there is one place where a full equivalent may be had for their money. At the Post-office, a stamp may be had for a penny, and as the postmaster, our mountain guide," has gone into the ale and porter business, the thirsty traveller may there get a refresher of bitter beer, 100 to 150 per cent. cheaper than at the larger estab- lishments. Another beerhouse has been opened where the lessor, twelve months back, Baid-" No man shall ever have a license so long as I live but all mundane things are liable to change, and pecuniary obligations are stern monitors I have seen many queer associa- tions of trades in Wales, but beer, millinery, and con- fections," is certainly something new. Only fancy Lady Mazer selecting a new bonnet, while Paddy, with the hod under his arm, is washing the lime out of his throat with a swig of XX. A number of new houses have sprung up. but most of them from the stereotyped pattern, and with the ever- lasting outer coat of "slapdash." There is, however, one worthy exception to the above rule, in a red-brick house, with buff-coloured dressings, and this, with the charming villas of Dr. Hamson, Miss Whitley, and the It ev. Purcell, forms a group fit to be looked at. I wish, however, the proprietor of the red-brick house had put a neat balcony at the ground floor level along the end and front of his house. It would have taken much from the gawkiness of the elevation, as seen from the railway, and would have formed a suitable line of de. mltrcation bptween the blue stone basement story and the bright birck above. I hope these bricks can be pro- duced at a price sufficiently low to place them in fair competition with the Penmaenmawr stone, the celebrity of which appears to be waning fast. At Liverpool, no more of the sets are to be used for street paving, as they are so exceedingly slippy and even the Macadam of the same material, according to the speech of Mr. Robertson Gladstone to the Town Council, a few weeks back, is only commendable in so far as "it affords excellent skating in the summer season." With Liverpool in the scales against Penmaenmawr, and Manchester for the sets of the Welsh Granite Company, it is certain the former must goto the wall;" and even for that purpose the working masons tell me they are usurously dear. I think it must be so for thinking last year of running up a snuggery in the neighbourhood myself, I made inqui- ries, and found that at Llanfairfechan, Conway, or LJau- dudno, masons' work could be done 40 or SO per cent, cheaper than at Penmaennfhwr. This should not be but it is one of the fruits of a combination of masters, where grasping avarice throws away hundreds of tons of good building stone weekly, rather than supply it to their neighbours at a reasonable price. I trust the bricks before mentioned will teach the stone owners better manners. The sets" of the Granite Company are from a different geological formation to those at Penmaen- mawr, and, though scarcely less durable, afford a much more secure footing to both man and beast. At Man- chester they are very much approved of and at the quarries the demand is so great that it is found impossi- ble to produce them with sufficient rapidity for the de- mand. If the working of the Penmaenmawr Quarries could be stopped, and the tramways and landing-stages -emoved, it would be a great improvement to the place, while the quarrymen would find no difficulty in obtain- ing more lucrative employment elsewhere. To return to the ne RV buildings. Can you tell me how it is that so many houses are stuck up, as if they had been chopped out of a terrace,—that is, they have windows back and front, but none at the sides, and hence have a very unfinished appearance. In a situation where the scenery on all sides is magnificent, why should not advantage be taken of it ? Houses so constructed command a much better price than the lop-sided struc- tures complained of. The English Church is still, I am very sorry to say, a desideratum. Contracts for partly building it have been procured; but my landlady informs me, on the authority of one of the committee-men I believe, that although much money is promised, some of the subscribers are very slow in sending it forward. This is a great pity, for Mr. Platt's charming little church at Llanfairfechan is a great attraction to visitors; and though many may enjoy the ride or walk from here to there-, for a time it may occur to them that one of the nice houses recently erected at Llanfairfechan and the superior railway accommodation would suit them just as well as this place. Only last night (they commenced the month well) there was, Mrs. Jenkins informs me, a meeting at Llanfairfechan of the principal inhabitants, with the Rev. H. Jones in the chair, to devise means to render the place more attractive to visitors, and to bring it more promiuently before the public. A voluntary rate was agreed to and a committee appointed to carry out the work. This is as it should be, as those who try to help themselves rarely run short of friends. This Mrs. Jenkins, good soul, does not like, as she sees dan- ger looming in the not distant future but Velinda Cot- tage is admirably situated, and so she need not fear, as many houses will be empty before she wants lodgers. Llanfairfechan has added a commodious and excellent hotel, which will be open in a few days, and fill a void hitherto much felt. Speaking of hotels, I am glad to find the Alexandra Company at this place is progressing satisfactorily suf- ficient shares, I am informed, have been privately taken to warrant the Directors in commencing the building a leading member of the aristocracy has promised to lay the foundation stone, so that very shortly I hope to see the "workshop crowded," and the building assuming its uniaue and admirable proportions. By the way, have you heard of the success which is attending the Langhan Hotel at the top of Regent-street, London? This has been bruted about as a project which never could pay, but we now find that the Duke of Buckingham has taken a suite of apartments at J1200 per annum, and other leading members of ton are following his grace's example. At the New Grosvenor Hotel at Chester, which is being worked by a Limited Liability Company, reports says the Marquis of Westminster has taken a suite of apartments at £ 250 per annnm, and Earl and Lord Robert Grosvencr apartments for which they are to pay a hundred a year each. Thus three-fourths of the rent of the hotel ( £ 600 per annum) is secured, while the hunt and race subscription is expected to amount to £ 500 per annum at the least. The above is a new feature in English hotel specula- tions, and goes'to prove that if really first class accom- modation is provided there will be no scarcity of pa- trons. A friend of mine has some interest in the hotel (a limited liability) recently opened at Carlisle, and he received a note (which I forward you) from his broker yesterday announcing the X25 shares as being at "fl2 10s. premium," and certain to pay 25 per cent. This is equal to either slate or quarry speculations, and very preferable to the thousand and one new railway, gold, and foreign land projects now forced upon the market. I find I am very much exceeding the tether I had prescribed for myself, and must defer the considera- I tion of three of the divisions of my subject for future discussion. I cannot, however, conclude this epistle without congratulating the public upon one fact, and that is-that the bathing boxes at this place are getting upon their feet. I beg pardon, I mean wheels; and good roomy substantial-looking machines they are. The young men who are to work the machines inform me that Mr. Darbishire, the lessee of the foreshore, will insist upon dresses being worn while bathing, and as a variety has been provided with the machines there is a certainty of something like decency being observed. If Mr. D. would go a step or two further and give us a carriage way to the shore, it would be a great gain, and deserve and obtain the thanks of every visitor to the place. At the present time, if an invalid cannot walk to the shore, he must either place himself under an obligation to a lodging-house keeper, or get there by the accesses under the railway at Pentnaenbach or Llanfair- fechan, the nearest, little short of two miles from his lodgings. I must now bring this very discursive notice to a close. If you should be passing this way and have a few minutes to spare, I -shall be glad at any time to afford you pot luck" and a cigar, and shew you the glorious prospect from the bay window of my suuggery. Believe me faithfully yours, THE LOUNGER. Velinda Cottage, Penmaenmawr, Tilt LOUNGER. I May 2, 1865.