The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

CHRISTMAS TIMES. long before Christmas makes its appear* ance, certain social signs are visible, Warning us of the period when "settlements" are expected, when little and large bills must be paid, difficulties encountered, and, what appears anomalous, when enjoyments of the heartiest, raciest kind, may be with certainty looked for. Thus, gleams flicker on our wall as well as shadows, for the coming event" teems like life with mingled and blended £ ares and joys. First in the list of these forewarning signs we have" NOB Galan gauaf," or Winter's Night eve, almost everywhere appreciated and observed,—a time warmly admired by young and old in our own Welsh counties, especially in country places; a time when apples are at a premium, geese exorbitantly high, and rheumatism can be purchased •cheaply, by ducking for it. This is the portal of-the, winter's festivities, the first recognition of winter, and the acceptance of ita-ffclfte. Soon afterwards those innumerable urchins, whose specialities win them the designation of the Penydarren boys-the fame of whose exploits have travelled into distant counties, borne by the Cardy and Shirgaer, the legend bearers of their time, and of their district—divert the few pence they become the owners of from their legiti- mate channel—Pulman's treasury, or the tossing pieman'? pocket—and purchase masks against the coming festival. If curious, watch them to their house of assembly; see a band glorying in ribbons, swords, and masks, that would have chagrined Momus—see the rust fly, instead of sparks, from weapons made of old hoops, and be highly diverted with the skill of fence shown -the dodges, the manoeuvres—the going down on one knee, and battling in extremis —the orthodox stage artifices, learnt from the gallery of cheap theatres—the last grand charge, and final scramble, when science is laid on one side, and an inglorious row ter- minated a "scene;" a scdne, we may add, that is vastly to the delight pf sundry elders, (not of any church), who. sitting down ia the approved attitude of colliers, enjoy greatly their short pipes and the fun, so reminiscent of their own unwashed boyhood. Then comes the waits," those disturbers of that brief luxury we enjoy in the arms of Morpheus. We are dreaming of climbing up-not a greased pole-but what is far more difficult, the ladder of distinction; we are winning honours and pelf-in fact getting on in the world capitally, not in a train for capital conviction, when the roll of the drum starts us up from roaming in that land where equality is the order of the day-increases the pulsation of our heart by the art exhibited in making such a woeful noise, and places us at once amongst that class described by our great dramatist as having no music in their soul." The schemes and dark designs and plots the mind runs upon amply proves this, to our satisfaction, and would to the dissatis- faction of those below our window, were the thermometer not so low, and the fear of a scene not sovstrong. Happilytbowever, the big drum wanders off to greener pastures, where the music is enjoyed, leaving our sick muse to its repose. Still we love the waits—pleasantly, at times, in the dark hour, when by accident or ail we are wakeful, listening to the heavy footstep of the watchman,-now hearing the faint refrain of we won't go home till morning," then hearing afar off the hoarse voice that won't go home at all, but would appear to be getting its owner into the station-house,— pleasantly comes the tinkle of the harp, and the fine mellow voice—not as yet mellowed by ale—dreamily comes the plaintive melody, so remote in association from plaints. We have been engaged, perhaps, in the land of Nod, adding up doctor's bills of a fabulous length, and constructing totals that would shame the national debt. Visions flit before us, come and go. Very stern and stolid comes a lawyer's face near our own, it expands into a laugh—a much more disagreeable fea- are than sternness in a lawyer-and, still expanding, and growing, and altering, sud- denly glowers upon us the very frontispiece of a Bengal tiger. As we are on the point of doing some desperate deed to rid us of the animal, doctor's bill, and lawyers, and tigers, take unto themselves various ordinary disgui- ses. The bill becomes the bed curtain; tiger and lawyers dissolve into one, and that is lost in the calm, benevolent, philanthropic bust visible in our room by the light of the lamp- as we are roused by the waits, who, in feeling and desponding tones, tell us 'tis past two o'clock and a wet morning. Hat we disagree with the disagreeable method adopted by some waits, a method, to say the least, very un-methodic. They play and --hurry off so rapidly that the charm is broken. From being enticed by the sound of soft strains to wander into the path of sentiment, of romance, we are hurried back into reality hear hob-nailed boots going off quickly; see foggy men, with mufflers and colds, and bad hats, and sore throats, hasten- ing from house to house, along the route of their weary pilgrimage-very weary when they reach their Mecca, and very beery returning home, to the amusement of early milk women and postmen, and late revellers. Then, among the final incidents, we have the "Mari Lwyd," a procession, not of "stal- wart men and chiefs of fame," but beer loving worthies, who, carrying a faint resemblance to a horse's head, go and parley at pubhc- houae doors, displaying at times considerable wit in- *their efforts to gain admittance. When the landlord is not an adept, one of the band enters, and, closing the door, sub- mits the others to a severe cross-examination, "r plies them with curious questions, as to their business, etc,, till, being defeated, which always happens, the door is opened, and in "ush the worthies, to demand and obtain a liberal allowance of beer gratis, gratis. "Mari Lwyd," or "Blessed Mary," is believed to be a remnant of papist'times; but it should be the head of an ass, not a' horae, as the Flight to Egypt," 0f 'Mary, Joseph and Christ is intended to be^ symbo- lized. Thus come and go the prefacing events to the great climatric; Christmas dawns, home festivities, visitings, Cynifodorion treats, con- certs, like flowers of sunshine, throw a genial warmth over every heart. The shop and the ledger are banished tor a while; the cobwebs which cover heart and mind are brushed away, and when occupations are tesumed it is with a freshened feeling of interest iti. everybody and everything, just as if the human clock had been wound up anew, and was beginning its career with zest and pleasure. A. B. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. CHRISTMAS TREATS. — Whatever our friends forget, in the midst of Christmas rejoicing, they must not fail to remember that on Monday next, the Cymrodorion Society will hold their Christ. mas meeting, and that a concert will be given in the evening, at which several popular favourites will attend. Every Christmas meeting yet has attracted crowded houses, and given great satis- faction, and there is every probability the forth. coming one will be still more worthy of praise. "COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE."—At the grand Agrieultural and Poultry Show, atjNewport, last week, Mr. Crawshay was, we presume, pleasingly reminded of the venerable but true saying" which heads this paragraph. We see, by the Merthyr Guardian, the following list of prizes awarded tohim :—Poultry—Spanish, Mr. Crawshay 2nd prize.-Cochin China Brama, or Malay, 2nd prize,. -Poland s. black, with white crests, 1st prize.—Bantams, gold and silver laced, 1st prize.—Geese, 1st prize; (2nd, Mr, Crawshay, Pontypridd.)—Turkeys, 1st pri^e.—Spanish cock. 1st prize. LIFE INSURANCE MADE INTERESTING.—Mr. Jabez Inwards,, of London, delivered a very interesting and instructive lecture on this subject in the Dowlais School-room, on Friday evening. Mr. Inwards is well-known as a popular lecturer on Temperance, &c, and is one of the most effective speakers of his class. Geo. T. Clark, Esq., occupied the chair, and recommended in forcible terms the practice of Life Assurance. The lecturer is employed by the British Equit- able Assurance Company. SINGULAR OCCURRENCE.—In consequence of the severe frost last week. it was found quite impossible to open the Pillar Letter Box, at George Town the dopr in fact being^ completely frozen. One day the letter-carrier, assisted by Mr. Matthew John^contrived to open it, but then only by applying a sheet of red-hot iron to the door, but for several days afterwards the box remained too fast to be opened at all. Now, we under- stand, the box is all right again, and the public can post as usual. THE LATE MRS. SMITH.—Three years ago the numerous friends of W. Robinson Smith, Esq., heartily congratulated him on the occasion of his marriage, and prayed that a long life of married happiness might be his portion. To all appear- ance this was certain but mutable are all earthly things; the higher we ascend the greater danger have we of falling; the happier we are. the stronger probability of the cup of happiness being dashed from our lips. Now we have the sorrow- ful duty to record the untimely decease of his beloved wife, at the early age of 28. after a very brief illness. The melancholy event occurred on- Saturday last, after every pffort had failed to combat her disease, and on' Tuesday she was borne to the New Cemetery by her almost dis- tracted husband and friends. LATE MAILS.—TI& inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood have had reason to complain lately of the irregular arrival of the London mails. On Saturday it did not arrive at six o'clock, but that was nothing unusual. When, however, no sign of the mail was visible by the 11 o'clock train, fears were aroused that an acci- dent had occurred on the South Wales line. At 4-30 the long delayed mails at length arrived, but, strange to say, we cannot ascertain that any accident had been the cause, and up to the present time no legitimate cause of delay has been made public. We are sure we but", express the general opinion TieIS, m stating vestigation into these repeated delays is due to the public, and should at once be made. The cause assigned for the occasional delay of the London mail is that the mail guard of the Taff Vale Railway has not a sufficient margin of time allowed him. Should the South Wales train not arrive in 15 minutes ajfter ft*'stated time the Taff Yale Railway engine ^'despatched, minus the bags con tailing }mportant correspondence for Merthyr, Aberdare, and$?ontypridd. Sometimes the South Wales trainihas been in sight, when these 15 minutes have expired, but the orders are imperative, and the engine leaves Now, in a matter of so much importance, a partial remedy is at once open to us if a few of the influential in these three districts have an interview with Mr. Fisher on the subject. For if a margin of, say half-an-hour or three quarters were allowed, the non-arrival of the London mail would be a rarity. We trust, for the public good. some of our influential townsmen will start this move- ment. THE POST OFFICE.—Passing our post-office the other day. we saw in the window, under the heading, "The times of the mails," the words, "The London and General Mail" is due at such a time, and, on enquiry, we found that by this is meant the first or morning mail, bringing letters from all parts. We find that there are two full, and two auxiliary, letter carriers attached to the office, each of whom has his separate round for the first delivery, at the end of which the two auxiliaries retire. The second deliv-ry, or North Mail, is made by the two full letter carriers, the senior carrier taking his own, and nearly the whole of the second carrier's round, and the second carrier delivering in the rounds of the two auxiliaries. Now, it follows, as the first delivery begins at half-past seven in the morning—our fellow-townsmen are not renowned for early rising—the second letter carrier has seldom the pleasure of seeing those whom he serves, and has, consequently, the chance of being forgotten in the distribution of Christmas favours. As the Times says, We all love the postman he is the last link in the chaiu that bl nds us to our distant friends!" There are few of* us to whom his knock is not often of the greatest importance and in acknowledgment of his care, attention, and civility, we willingly afford him a gratuity once a year-a Christmas Box-and as we should wish to be equitable in our giyings, it will be well to ascertain which is the particular postman who calls at our homes on the first or morning delivery. Each then. thankful for the kindness shown, will have no cause to complain of undue preference. IRELAND IN 1849.-In consequence of the severity of the weather, there was but. a small audience at the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening This is to be regretted, as St of Uf J" hstfned to a t'lH of fact of interest, and rendered so attractive bv the lecturer s unambitious, homely, and rither humorous dehvery The subject was "Ireland T1 P f °Uir £ esPected magistrate, J C. bowler, Esq., for the benefit of the Merthyr Library. As the lecture savoured more of a lively and well-iead letter than the argumenta- tive logical effusion we conceive by the name of lecture, so the audience merited the name of a party, by their cosily sitting around the forum, than an audience, so generally a set formal gathering. The chair having been taken by Thomas Falconer, Esq., the esteemed County Court Judge for this district, Mr. Fowler arose and began his tour." As we trust shortly to give this in extentso, we may be excused from all but a brief commentary. And yet, lrel w and the Irish," and a lecture by a magistrate, assume at the first glance a fornndabie appear. anee-shadows instead of sunshine; for there is a belief that the famine of 1847 destroyed the genial warmth of the Irishman's soul; a..d some there are who think the vocations of a magistrate unfit him for a lively companion. The belief, in both eases, is an absurdity. While the memory of'A'Becket lives we shall know that there are men who maintain their freshness of thought and feeling, there love of trie people, and their aduii- ration of ail tlut is true and noble, even while daily and almost hourly sitting in judgment be- fore the fag-ends of humanity and the outcasts of the world, And a little consideration easily „ destroys the other fiction. Ireland has suffered perhaps more than we have imagined; but that volatile .people, who carry their love of mirth even to its exercise at, the grave, spring up even higher after every fall. Mr. Fowler began his route from Waterford and ended at Bangor. With a firm hand he drew a rapid sketch of the scenery along this route, pictured the Various cities, towns, and places observed, and hit off with a livelv sense of the humorous, the unmis- takeable Milesian peculiarities which darted up everywhere along his path. Guides who posses- sed all the native assurance, fun, and lying capa- bilities of the genus cabby." everywhere came in for their photographs, and were duly presented to the amused audience. Small boys with big souls, and large men with none, racy country gentlemen of the old claret and fox-hunting O'Donoghue school; thriving Italians, beginning life with the invariable organ, and ending it as the wealthy owners of six hundred cars and 15 hundred horses with anecdotes, legendary notes, pleasant remeniscences and quotations from Tom Moore passed panoramically before an attentive assembly. But this was not all; the great famine, the encumbered estates law; questions, social, religious, and political: questions of the deepest and most vital importance were discussed in the most liberal spirit and with the interest of a true admirer of Ireland and the Irish. In this portion the special forte of Mr. Fowler's mind was eminently displayed in the closeness of reasoning, and research exhibited. He bad evidently studied, and that keenly, the different problems thrown in the way of all who examine the past historv and present condition of that country; and the result has been a col- lection of facts and of reasoning based thereon, which fairlv entitle him to the heartiest commen- dation. We must not omit rendering our meed of praise to the Glee and Madrigal Society, which gave the Last Rose of Summer" and other world-famed melodies of Tom Moore in excellent style. After some excellent remarks by the chair- man, and a vote of thanks to him and Mr. Fowler had been given with acclamation, the winter's night's amusement and instruction came to an end. -♦ THE CHRISTMAS SHOW OF 1859. The Agricultural Show. so long announced and expected, took place on Wednesday, at the Mar- ket House. At the first glance it was evident that the place of exhibition, in unison with the sea- son, was clad in its most sober hues. There was no band, no banners, and even the visitors dis- played none of the fine tints and brilliant colours as in the summer time, when it would have been difficult to say whether the flowers exhibited surpassed in beauty theftowers that attended. But if the exhibition failed in the beautiful and imposing, it made ample amends in the sturdy and substantial, and was one of the most fitting we have seen to herald in the real and substantial enjoyments, of Christmas. A pretty general impression seems to have got abroad that this was simply an exhibition of stock;" but instead of being so confined, it was filled with produce from the gardens of workmen, amateurs, professed gardeners, and the well- managed gardens of Mr. Crawshay, Mr. Fother- gill, and others. Among this gathering we may specially notice the potatoes, onions, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips as being very good. Those in the department allotted to working-men were deserv- ing of the strongest commendation; indeed, we saw potatoes there such as would have made even the great Dr. Johnson repent his ill and prema- turely formed prejudice. There was also a choice exhibition of geese, poultry, pheasants, ready for the spit and tempt- ing in the .highest degree—in fact, every conceiv- able materiel was there for a superb dinner. On the one hand were pieces de resistance, not cut up, we ^dmit- j pi-irne Welsh mujton, exhibited by Mr. Fothergill; fish and a few fin'e Sbrfrfips, from Mr. Ogden's establishment; turkeys, the aforesaid geese and poultry, vegetables in ample store, and a display of grapes, and apples, the genuine "Ribston Pippins," and other good things finely adapted for the desert. Such a feast! one worthy of the gods lay before—prime and luscious enough to have given the gourmand a nightmare for a week in succession. The cattle exhibited were proofs of the strict attention feeders pay to this particular depart- ment. We saw little of the fat unwieldly looking beasts such as once greased, if they did not grace, agricultralj^kow^ They were firm, honest-look- ing animals, litted for the table and not for the chandler's shop cattle which brought visions of prime surloins before our eyes, and accounted well for that prevailing taste we have for beef which, associated with plum-pudding, is linked to the Britisher's name in every quarter of the globe. Then there were ponies and horses, graceful in outline and choice specimens of their various ranks in horseolo y. Or.e poney in particular attracted much admiration by its many excellent "points." In the centre of the building there was a table of extra stock, exhibited by Mr. R. T. Crawshay, notable in many respects for the rare assortment of hot-house prdduc ions displayed thereon, but chiefly for an immense gourd, which madeus mora- lize on the scriptural one of Jonah's; on the muta- bility of earthly things, beef included, and as such a frame of mind is totally unfitted for show of the good things of earth, we turned to the-pigs! And here, in our estimation, lay one great feature of the exhibition. Pins there, in a domain all to himself, lay one that would have made an Israelite forget his forefathers, mothers, and creed—large, white, and sleepy, it seemed the very hope and perfection of pigcraft. Others there were also of large size and well fedj'but the odours by no means those of Araby the blest," which arose and roamed about the spot, com- pelled a retreat from the very excellent agricul- tural show of 1859. LIST OF PRIZES. DIVISION I. For the best fat ox, James Hole, Esq,, Somer- setshire, first prize; William Powell, Esq., Eglwysnwydd, near Margam. second prize.- For the best fat steer, James Hole, Esq,. Dun- ster, Somersetshire, first and second prizes.—For the best fat heifer, Mr. Will am Williams, Red House, Ely, first prize; Mr. Lewis Watkins, Picton, Breeonshire, second prize. This heifer was purchased and exhibited by Mr. Thomas Thomas, butcher, Dowlais.—Best fat cow, D. Dowues, Esq., Maesrcawr, near Brecon. This cow was purchased and exhibited by Mr. Thos. Thomas, butcher, Church street, Dowlais. Mr. Davies. Abersefin Farm, Breeonshire.—Best fat calf, Mr. Llewellyn Williams, Merthyr, 1st prize; fed by Mr. Rees, Williams, Cefnpennar. DIVISION II. For the best Southdown sheep, R. Fothergill, Esq, first prize.-For the two best fat sheep, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., Cyfarthfa, first prize; Mr. James Ballard,' Cow bridge, second prize.—For the six best mountain ^ethers, Mr. Thos. Rees. Mynydd Mayo, tirst and second prizes.—For the four best yearling sheep, bred in any of the parishes in the Merthyr Tydfil Union, R.T. Craw- shay, Esq, first prize; Richard Fothergill, Esq., Aberdare, second prize.—For the two best breed- ing rams, R. T. Crawshay. Esq., first prize; E. Purchase, Esq., Y n,vsynghorad. For the four best Cheviot wethers, Edward Purchase, Esq., first and second prizes.—For the ten best Welsh mountain wethers. Mr. Thomas Rees, Mynydd Mayo, first and second prizes.—For the ten best mountain wethers, Mr. Liewellyn Richards, Liyngerhan, tirst prize. DIVISION III. The best fat pig, Mr. Wm. Kernick, Heolger- rig, first prize; 1). Dowries, Esq.. Maesmawr, near Brecon, second prize. This pig had been fed and was exhibited by Mr. Thomas Thomas, butcher, Cluueen-sfcreei, Dowlais.™ For the best fat pig bred by a workman. Vir. Thomas 'Jones, Upper Colliers's Row, first prize; Mr. William Webber, Georgetow n, second priao.— For the two best iat pokers, not exceeding eighty pounds I each, B. X1. CraweUay, Esq., first aad second I I prizes.—For the best boar pig, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first tprize.- For best breeding sow, Mary James, Pentwyn, Taynor, first prize. DIVISION IV. For the best galloway, Mr. Thomas Jenkins, Dowlais, first prize; Mr. Noah Philips, Troedy. rhiw, second prize. DIVISION v. For best milchijcoWj Mr. Llewellyn Richardn, Llyngheran, first prize: Mr. W. Williams, Llan- bradach, second jjfize.—For best two steers, Mr. Llewellyn Richards, Llyngheran, first prize.- For best yearling bull, Mr. J. Richards,"Aber- criban, first priae. DIVISION VI. Best fat turkey, Richard Fathergill, Esq., -Aberaare, first Jmze; Miss Laura Crawshay, Hirwaun. second prize.—Best fat geese, Richard Fotherpill, Esq., Aberdare, firRt prize; R. T. Craw- shay, Esq.. second prize.—Best Galinses, R. T. Crawshay, Esq.. first prize.- Best couple of chickens, Mr. W. Ken dart, Penydarran, first prize; R. T. Crawshav,Esq.. second prize.—Best couple of ductos, R" T. Crawshay, Esq.. first prize; R. Foxier gill, Esq., Abernant House, second prize.—Best couple of fowls, Mr. William Kedart, Penydarran, first rrize R. Fothergill. Esq., second dfcize.—Fatest eatable bird, R. T Crawshay, Esq." Not limited to the District. For best fat turkeys, Mr. J Ogden, Merthyr, first prize; R.. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize. -Best fat goose, R. T. Crawshav. Esq.—Best couple of ducks,Mr. J. Ogden, Merthyr, first prize; E. T. Crawshay. Esq., second prize.—Best couple of fowls, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; Mr. J. Ogden, Merthyr, second prize.—Best couple of chickens, Mr. J. Ogden. Merthyr, first prize: R. T. C^rshay. second prize.—-Best slaughtered lamb, R Fothergill, Esq. Abernant House, first prize; W. Crawshay. Esq., Hirwain, second prize.—Best carcase of mountain mutton, prizes given by J. C. Fowler. Esq.. 1st 15s., 2nd 5s., Mr. E. Jones. Crawshay's Arms, Merthyr, first prize; Mr. Llewellyn 'Williams, second prize —Best Turhot. Mr. J. Ogden, Merthyr.—Best cod-fish, Mr. John Ogden. Merfhyr.-Best two pounds of fresh butter, D. David, Esq., Aberdare. first prize; R. T. CrawAay, Esq., second prize. —Best cwt. of cheese, Mr. T. Lewis, Tair Lan. —Best 12 fowl's eggs. Mr. J. Gibbon, Troe- dyrhiw. t .&fMATBURs.Roots, Sfc. For the heaviest six Swede turnips, R. T. Craw- shay, Esq., first prize; E. W. Scale, Esq.. Troedyrhiw_ House, second prize.-Best six red mangolds, R. T. Crawshay. Esq.. first prize; E. W. Scale, Esq., Troedyrhiw. House, second ,v prize. Six best yellow mangolds, R. T. Craw- shay, Esq., first prize; Miss Laura Crawshay, Hirwain, second prize.—Six best beet roots, Mr. G. Roach, Merthyr, first prize; R. T. Crawshay, Esq., 2nd prize.—Four best savoys, Mr. D. Price, Penydarran. 1st prize R. T. Crawshay, Esq,, 2nd prize.^T x best stalks of Brussels sprouts. R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; Mr. George Roach, Merthyr, second prize. — Four best heads of brocoli. R. Fothergill, Esq., Abernant House, first prize ;R. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize.— Twelve best long carrots, R. T. Crawshay, Esq. -Twelve best short carrots, R. T. Crawshay, Esq.-Twelve best fipld carrots, R. T. Crawsnay, Esq., first, prize; Miss Laura Crawshay, Hir- wain. second prize.—Twelve best parsnips, Mr. R. Hunter, Plymouth, first prize; Mr. George Roach, Castle Inn, second prize.-Twelve best roots of Jerusalem artichokes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq. Best bunch of parsley, Mr. D. Price, Peny- darran, first prize; R. T. Crawshay, 2nd prize. Best green kale, R. T. Crawshay, Eaciii first prize; Lewis Lewis. Esq., Glantaff House, second prize.—Best dish of sea kail, Richard Pother gill, Esq., Abernant House, first prize; Mr. George Roach, Merthyr, second prize.- Best bunch of radishes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first and second prizes.—Best six lettuces, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize.—Best four sticks or 'Crasfy, J>Biisftard" Fothergilir Esq., Abernant House, -first prize Mr. Edward Purchase, Ynysygored, second prize.-Best four heads 'of endive, Mr. George Roach, Castle Inn, first prize; R. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize.— Best six leeks, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first and second prizes.—Best rope of onions. R. T. Craw- shay, Esq., first and second prizes.—Bestcollection of sorts of onions R. T. Crawshay. Esq.-Best collection of sorts of potatoes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize Lewis Lewis, Esq., Glantaff House, second prize.-Best basket (7 lbs.) of purple potatoes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; Mr. Robert Hunter, Plymouth, second prize.- Best white potatoes, Mr. George Roach, Castle Inn. first prize, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize.Best fluke potatoes, R. T. Craw- shay, Esq., first prize Mr. E. W. Scale, Troedy- rhiw, second prize.-Best kidney potatoes, Mr. George Roach, Castle Inn, first prize; Mr. Robt. Hunter, Plymouth, second prize.Best red pota- toes, Lewis Lewis, Glantaff House, first prize; R. T. Crawshay, Esg., second prize.-Best dogs- head potatoes, E. W. Scale, Esq.. Troedyrhiw, firstprize; Lewis Lewis, Esq., Glantaff House, second prize.—Best of any other sort of potatoes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize.-The largest gourd or vegetable marrow, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize Miss Laura Crawshay, Hirwain, second prize.—Largest pumpkin, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first aud second prizes.—Best basket of apples, containing six, R. Fothergill, Esq,, first prize; E. W. Scale, Esq. Troedyrhiw, second prize. Best basket of pears, Lewis Lewis, Esq., Glantaff House, "first prize; R. Fothergill, Esq second prize, t honey, Mr. W. Jones, Cefn. Open to all England. For the best brace of cucumbers, R. T. Craw- shay, Esq. Best bunch of rhubarb, R. Fothergill, Esq., first prize R. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize—Best dish of mushrooms, R. Fothergill, Esq.Best dish of asparagus, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; R. Fothergill, Esq., second prize.- B st dish of French beans, R. T. Craw- shay, Fèq. first prize; R. Fothergill, Esq., second prize.—Best pine apple, of any sort, Crawshay Bailey, Esq, Aberaman, first prize; R. T. Orawshay, Esq., second prize.—Three largest bunches oi grapes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; R. fothergill, Esq., second prize. Prizes given by It. T. Crawshay, Esq. | J? or the best queen pine apple, Crawshaw Bailey, Esq., Aberaman, first prize; Mr. David Price, Penydarren, second prize.—Best Jamaica pine apple. R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first prize; Crawshay Bailey, Esq., second prize.-Best three bunches ot Muscat grapes, R. T. Crawshay, Esq., first and second prize.Best three bunches of, any other sort of grapes, R. Fothergill, Esq., first prize R. T. Crawshay, Esq., second prize. Workmen's Prizes, For the six best white turnips, Mr. John Gibbon, Ti-oedyriiiw, first prize For the six best red mangolds, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedy- rhiw, first prize.—For the six best yellow globe mangolds, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize, tor the s'x best beetroots, Mr. Rees Evans, ihomas Town, first prize.-For the four best savoys, Mr. Vv llliam Williams, Troedyrhiw, first prize.—For the MX best Brussels sprouts, i r. David Le wis, railman, Plymouth-st., first prize; Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, sec 'nd prize.-For the twelve best long carrots, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize.—For the twelve best short carrots, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, iirst prize.For the twelve best parsnips, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize Mr. John Andrews, Troedyrhiw, second prize. -For the twelve best roots of artichokes, .vir. William Edwarua, LIvvyncelyn, first prize.— For thebost bunch of parsley, Air. David Thomas, Troedyrhiw, fiivt prize; Mr. Rees Evans, Thomas Town, second prize.—For the best green kail, Vir. Thomas Lewis, Pentrebach, first prize; iih {.< Lbbofi, Troedyrhiw, second prize.—For the best spinach, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, secon prize.—For the six best lettu- ces, Air. Tiiocas Griffiths, Gwaelod-y-garth, second prize.—.for the four best sticks of celery, ill-. J'.ho. Gibbon, Troedy:huv., firai yrij; Mr. Cljarles Kvori n, Cein, second jn-ize.—For the six biislieeks, Ivir.WiiliamEVivv,'Llwyncel.vn, first priae; Mr. Davui Troe<.U-mvv, s.-coad prize.—For the beat rope of omous, Mt. Benjamin Thomas, first priae 1 Mi\ David 1 Thomas, Troedyrhiw. second prize.—For the best collection of sorts of onions, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize; Mr. David Thomas, Troedyrhiw, second prize.-For the best collec- tion of sorts of potatoes, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize; Mr. Rees Evans, Thomas Town, second prize.-For the best basket (71bs.) of purple potatoes, Mr. Rees Thomas, Thomas Town, first prize Mr. John Adams, Troedyrhiw, second prize.—For the best white potatoes, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, first prize: Mr. Joseph Davies. founder, second prize. —For the best fluke potatoes. Mr. John Adams, Troedyrhiw, first prize; Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw. second prize.—For the best kidney potatoes, Mr. John Adams. Troedyrhiw, first prize; Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, second | prize.—For the best red potatoes, Mr. John Gibbon. Troedyrhiw, first prize; Mr. Rees Evans, Thomas Town. second prize.—Forthe best doarshead potatoes, Mr. Charles Everett, Cefn, first prize; Mr. Joseph Davies, founder, second prize.—For the best of any other sort of potatoes, Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw. second prize.- For the larget pumpkin, Mr. William Williams, Troedyrhiw, first prize: Mr. Thomas Lewis, Peritrebach, second prize.—For the four best cabbages. Mr. Rees Evans, Thomas Town, first prizes > Mr. John Gibbon, Troedyrhiw, second prize.:—For the best collection of vegetables, Mr. David Lewis, Glynderris, first prize; Mr. Levi John, Cyfarthfa, second prize. THE DINNER. In the eveninc, a public dinner took place at the Castle Hotel, at which many of the prizes were awarded. There were about 35 gentlemen present, among whom were the Rev. G. Thomas, (chairman), of Yrtrad J. W. Russell. Esq. (vice-chairman); N. V. Edwards, Esq., Rheola; Capt. Crawshay; — Fothergill, Esq., Cefnrychdir; Capt. Davey; Cant. Hall; Messrs. J. D. Thomas. E Purchase. F. Alldav, W. JoneOl, .T. L. White, L. Lewis, R. Jones. J. Jones, T. H. Williams, S. Buchan, Damarit, D. Williams, E. Lewis, Thos. Stephens. LI. Williams, H. Griffiths', LI. Richards, R. Partridge, &c., &r\—The dinner, as is usual at the Castle Hotel, was, in respect to quality and serving, perfectly unexceptionable. A series of toasts were proposed by the chairman and others, and the evening throughout would have been spent in a most asrreeable manner had not the exuberance of joy felt by a gentleman of Aberdare, at the success of the show, caused some little occasional interruption. Several pro- mises of additional subscriptions for the next show were announced during the evening, and, under the excellent management of the Commit- tee, and indefatigable exertions of Mr. Harris, the Secretary, it is expected that it will vie with any proceeding one in public usefulness. KHYMNEY. IT is now two years since Mr. G. P. Hubbuck, recently elected auditor, resigned the manage- ment of the Rhymney Iron Works; two years since we had a drop of 4s. in the pound, and a screw," in the shape of throwing the draws backward a week, and thus leaving many of the workpeople no alternative but to become customers to Messrs. Buchan, who have during that period shewn such remarkable ingenuity in augmenting their own profits, while other branches of the Iron Company's business were exhibiting a lamentable falling off. The poor man's friend emphatically was Mr. Hubbuck, and great was the poor man's consternation when he found himself by the change in the manage- ment handed over to the tender mercies of the Shop Cwmpni." The poor workman predicted, or rather intuitively divined all sorts of disasters to himself and the shareholder; and if we look to the revelations made at the last meeting in this paper of the 3rd instant, truly not without reason. So utterly mismanaged have affairs been, that the directors are absolutely afraid to present an explicit account to the share- holders, but seek to shield themselves under we know not what reserves and equivocations. First came the schools, on which, though the estimated cost was about £3,000, they have already, by means of irresponsible contractors and other laches," managed to spend above that sum, and yet require £ 700 to finish them. Nearly £ 4,000 for a building in which there is not a single room for public purposes-the most urgent want of the town. But, perhaps, the most barefaced thing revealed in that statement is the increase in the manager's and engineers' salaries, while at the same time the poor men have had 4s. in the pound deducted from their wages, and been drawn into the shop in the bargain, where it is evident that they must have been dealt with most liberally; for how else could the shop yield Mr. Buchan £500 a-year more in 1859 than in 1857, except under the supposition that he behaved like a father to his customers ? And we have no doubt, under the present management, Mr. Bu- chan will cause the business to extend and fruc- tify for his shops are creeping down the dingle already, and will soon reach nis coal pita, from which he supplies the Rhymney Iron Company with coal of such extraordinary quality and price. Indeed, the manager himself is said to be as generously-minded as Mr. Buchan, inasmuch as his son is labouring at an iron mine in the Isle of Man night and day for the Company's advantage. But the ingratitude of man is proverbial. The first of these philanthropic gentlemen, who has a familiar practice of emptying his snuff-box into people's eyes, is said to have acquired all his large property by the moral analogue of this habit; while the second, who is said to be more remarkable for his amiability than business shrewdness, is called contemptuously — no! we shall not say what, as we have great respect for him. This is a most abominable license, and we could almost wish that the offenders had a taste of Louis Napoleon's mode of dealing with such freedom of speech. Again, with regard to the agents, we heard a man in Tredegar market last week who said there were but two honest men among the lot. He certainly ought to know, for he has been 20 years among them. It is as well to say, however, that he has got that disease called the sack," which has some symptoms resembling jaundice. He asserts that many of the agents take all the best of the meat in the company shop and leave nothing but bones to the working people-that they cultivate fine gar- idens with the Company's manure and labour I—that they are continually adding wings to Itheir houses at the Company's expense, or 'beautifying them with the shareholders' mo- ney—either in material or work. We by no means commit ourselves to such statements, but when we know the rascalities too common to under-gaflers, stealing bricks, timber, and iron, to build houses for themselves— stealing, in fact, everything they can lay their hand upon, for some private use; drawing wages for men who i had been gone abroad for months, or wbo had no existence save in their own imagination—it strikes us that these honest agents have not been remarkably lynx-eyed in their master's interests. i More scandalous stories, too, are afloat, which we give for what they are worth.—["On dit," that certain very good natured ladies have been so fortunate as to pay for heaps of dress, in no time, and thuil. escape those family jars to which a heavy shop account inevitably gives rise J—Nor is this liberality confined to the shop, but waiks;, abroad, investing pretty young ladies with in-, signia of gold watch and chain, an order of merit to which, doubtless, many others will aspire. But we are wandering from our text-the drop of 1 4s. in the pound, and the corresponding enhance ment of manager's and agents' salaries. Ah 1 I generous shareholders. For Uiaking ponds which" won't bold water for building walls which won't stand for wasting the precious days of summer after water did come, in repairswhich ought to have b; en done when water die? not come; for burning dow.. hay-stacks; lor bursting balers, by winch halt a score of people were failed—for these and many otner exploits, of coual satr,:cit,v. Mt 04a twngH ww soon come yigiit- agam. j v Besides, are we now Ravine to pay off the last £10,000 of our mortgage? It is true Mr. Hub- buck saved it for us, so we will make him an auditor, because we can't help it."—[Yes. we have faith in Mr. Hubbuck, but there is much to be done—an Augean stable to be cleansed."before the balance between gaffers and workmen is fairly struck, and, unfortunately, a bad time to do it in. We ask. is the prosperity of this work to be seriously threatened, to enable the Company to get dBSOOOa year out of one pocket into the other, by a shop. or to maW Hessrs. Buchan to button up in their pockets £ 1500 a year. Surely not. The shon is not only a cruel oppression in itself, but what a diplomate would consider of far more imporhj !}('e-a great"Mundiir for the shareholders—and the sooner it is abolished the better.] ON Monday evening, the 12th inat., the English Wesleyans in this town held their annual mis- sionary meeting. Proceedings having been opened by prayer and singing. the Rev. Mr. Russell took thp chair. and read the yearly re- port. He then cnlled upon the ministers present to speak. The Rev. S. Jones, of Tredegar, de- livered an interesting address on the "encourage- ments to persevere in supporting the missionary cause." The Rev. W. P. Davies, Independent minister, addressed the'meeting on the propaga- tion of Christianity presenting to the philanthro- pist the biehest sphere of activity and usefulness. The Rev. T. Cass, the deputation from the parent Society, gave a clear and succinct sketch of the different religions of mankind, and the number of their adherents, calling attention to the appalling fact that so small a number of our fellow creatures have been brought to a savinz knowledge of the Gospel. Mr. Bowen. a respected local'preacher, at Rhymnej, also spoke P. few words most appro- priate to the occasion. Altogether the audience seemed highly gratified. <• I APOLOGV to the surgeon f Rhymney Iron- works. We beg to apologize to the surgeon of the Rhvmney Ironworks, for having allowed a paragraph in the TELEGRAPH. of the 8th October last. under the head of "Rhymney." by which that gentleman has been greatly aggrieved. Tlje 7 r paragraph ir question imputed carelessness and incompetence to him in his character of surgeon to the above mentioned works—an imputation which we are satisfied was entireiy devoid of truth, and we deeply regret having inserted it. The gentleman referred to (who is highly res- pectable) has, we have ascertained, been the surgeon of the Rhymney Ironworks for above 20 years, and has always performed his duties with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the proprietors and the workmen. The statement in the same paragraph impugning the quality of the medicines dispensed at the surgery we admit to be equally untrue as the imputation on the surgeon and we have no hesitation in saying we were Im- posed upon by our correspondent, both as respects the surgeon and the medicines. TREDEGAR RIFLE CORPs,-Last Wednesday evening a meeting of the committee took place, at which the following resolutions were passed :—(Captain Homfray being in the chair)—Proposed by Mr. John Morgan, seconded by R. Waters, I Esq., that there shall be drill twice a day, from 71 to 8i. a.m., and from 8 to 9, p.m.—Propose j bv R. Waters, Esq., seconded bv R. Jenkins, Eqq., that the committee, composed of the undermen- tioned gentlemen, meet on Saturday morning, to draw up rules for the volunteers of Tredegar and its neighbourhood, which rules shall hesabmitted to them for approval:—Captain Homfray, R. Waters, Esq., R. Jenkins, Esq.,N. Coates, Esq., Messrs. C. R. Harris, John Morgan, John Spooner, H. C. Down. Chas. Hunter, — Forwood, — Pillinger, J. P. Williams, Thomas Morgan, Philip Pugh." THB quarterly meetings held at Ebenezer, one of the Calvinistic Methodist chapels in these works, on the 13th and 14th December, (Tuesday and Wednesday), were better attended, and excited more interest, than has attached to these important gatherings for some time. That there is a religious revival going forward, surely yet noiselessly, no one can doubt, who has observed the crowded chapels, the deep attention paid to the services, and the very protracted hours (11 or 12) at which many of them have broken up. And we are all the more hopeful of this movement because it is not attended by those painful and convulsionarvscenes which mark its progress else- where;—" still waters run deep," is old and true. The piety which can do nothing without fain tings and hysterics is not to our taste, and if slowly, we would at least proceed decorously. THE droll manner in which the Blaina Philhar- monic Society broke up recently has been the subject of an article in this paper, and we have now to add that the Blaina loss is likely to prove Tredegar's gain. Here is Christmas arrived, yet we have not had a single native musical perfor- mance, and so it might have remained all the season, had not one of the Blaina agents been kind enough to pitch into the leader of the Phil- harmonic, and throw him all the way to Tredegar. For this we thank him most heartily, and will see that he has tickets for the forthcoming grand concert at Tredegar. Yes, a concert is shortty to be given by the Tredegar Philharmonic Society, of which R. P. Davies, Esq. is the head, and Mr. Sewell, an accomplished clarionet and violinist, the hand; and the public are respect- fully invited to contribute by their presence on that occasion to the funds of the young society. PUNCH. STUNG bv paternal sarcasms, the Prince of Gwent has been obliged to come up to volunteer scratch, and he now commences the game of soldiering, in company with his,otriotic fellow- townsmen, who, for the last week of biting frost. have heroically abandoned the soft pillow at 7 a.m. to put themselves in condition to offer a checkmate to Mounseer. Though his rank and*, experience might entitle him tp a comm««djn^ (position in this brave company of rifles. Punch has deemed it better to go into the ranks at once, a step which will not only show his humilitv to advantage, but at the same time'will be an excel- lent example of the discipline and self sacrifice /which true patriotism demands. Of course he will not enter upon the mysteries of goose step and dumb bell motions on the present occasion in 'this place, but he warns his comrades that the eyes of the press and the public are upcD them, and that "England expects every man to do his duty."