Monmouthshire Merlin

ce place hd from a ,.ar that was _.lte Cellini, for master-piece to ^«0,000. Unfortunately j-'proud of his acquisition, _.s friends. One of these—an Quietly informed the millionaire original of the work, and that the AS simply a replica. Of course M. -Once placed himself in communication ..dealer, and insisted upon his taking as imitation. The London dealer was pious to take a similar course with his Vienna, who, it appeared, had been making v me from the manufacture of copies of the .re' work3 but the original sinner had flown, -ne silver of the altar being valued at £2,000, the wadon dealer estimates that he has lost £ 1S,000. The English specimens of fine art have just arrived from Philadelphia-" in safety"—as one London paper states. I can only say that in certain quarters I have heard sad and manifold complaints respecting their condition. Twenty-seven cases arrived per Indiana on December 6th, and sixty-three cases in the Illinois. Mr. Jopling, the Fine Art Superintendent, is now engaged in their distribution. The fault that is found with their appearance and treatment is that they were exposed to a glaring sun and intense heat, with- out precautions being taken to prevent blistering. The depression in trade which has for some time past preyed upon the City, has had a deplorable effect upon clerkly labour, and caused many a homestead to look gloomy at this festive season. A broker recently advertised for a book-keeper at thirty shillings per week salary, and in the course of the next few days received upwards of six hundred answers to his adver- tisement. The Lambeth Water Works Company have also advertised for a secretary, at a. salary of X600 per annum, and half the unemployed of London have responded thereto. Mr. Sullivan's accident appears to be far more serious in character than was anticipated. During the stage combat, his adversary cut through his eyelid and injured the eye. The accident was looked upon as a very slight one at first, but considerable danger has since arisen. Sympathetic blindness has attacked the other optic, and Mr. Sullivan has now to remain in a darkened room. No small amount cf' perturbation has recently stricken the members of proprietary clubs in London. The proprietor of a well-known establishment in the West End threatened some days ago to close his ¡ establishment summarily in consequenceof somedispute between the members and himself. Since then the Universities Club has closed its doors upon solvency, and its proprietor has betaken himself to the sweet pastures of liquidation.

The Empress of Brazil has presented the Queen of England with a dress the equal of which has never been seen. It is woven of spiders' webs, and is, as may be imagined, a work of art as tegards quality and ber.ty. The handsomest silk dress cannot compare •with it. A SPEAKING MACHINE.—The Press was two days back convoked to hear, at the Grand Hotel, a piece of mechanism imitating the human voice. It consists of a table with pedals, an org.an-bellows, and a key board. In the centre is an iugenious arrangement of india-rubber representing the human lungs, larynx, glottis, and tongue. The pronunciation is generally thick and nasal, but the vowels are distinctly heard. At the end of the sitting the machine makes the follow- ing little speech, wbbh was very fairly said :— I was born in America. I can speak all languages, and I am very pleased to see you. I thank you for your visit." According to the constructor, the machine cost thirty years' labour and research. The vowel "i" alone took six years. Yet it is almost only monosyllables which Senators have as yet learne 1 to pronounce. I A CO-OPERATIVE FAIU KI.—Mr. Rupert Kettle, the Judge of the County Court at Dudlev, has refused to order the dlsso'u'um of the ChainmaVers' Co-Opera- tive Society, on the application of Mr. Stoke#, who alletr ,%t the society was wretchedly managed and made while its property was yearly decreas- ing. iir. X rule uointed oir that the shareholders ap- peared to iitue made no effort to help themselves ;n the matter, and no case had been made out, in his opinion, to justify him in exercising the powers vested in him. EMBEZZLEMENT BY A LEEDS CorvrY COURT CLERK. —At the Leeds Town Hall, on Saturday, a middle- aged man, named Thomas Pike, was charged with stealing certain moneys while in the employment of Mr. Thomas Marshall, registrar of the Leeds County Court, as entry clerk. Prisoner had neglected to make ar entry of a plaint in which the plaintiff was Mr. J. G. Middebrough, Ironmonger, West street, and the defendant was himself (Pike). He bad also received 7s. for a certain document from Mr. Middebrough's -clerk, and bad failed to account for the same. There were also other allegations of moneys received by the prisoner for entering plaints, which duty he had neg- lected to perform. Prisoner acknowledged his fault, but pleaded in extenuation that he had intended to enter duly the piaiats iu question, and had no fraudu- lent intention. The magistrates took a lenient view of the case, and sent him to gaol for a month. MOST SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTION WITH DR. DJL- Jo.GH's LIGHT-BROWN COD LivER OIL. —Mr. Allen G. Chattaway, District Medical Officer, Leomister, testifies, as follows, to the unequalled efficacy of this celebrated Oil in the treatment of Consumption Having for some years extensively used Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil, both in public and private practice, I have no hesitation in stating that its effects are very far superior to those of any other Cod Liver Oil. Nearly four years since, two cases of confirmed consump- tion were placed urnler my care In both, the lungs were a mass of tubercular deposit, and every possible sound to be heard in Phthisis was present. The sole remedy em- ployed was Dr. de Joag i's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil and now the patients are strong and fat the diseased (abnormal) sounds nearly inaudible and in the one case (male), hunting, fishing, and shooting are freely indulged in, the patient expressing himself quite capable of under- going as much fatigue as any of his fellow-sportsmen." Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown CodLiver Oil is sold only in capsuled imperial half-pints, 2s 6d pints, 4s 9d quarts, 9s with his stamp and signature and the signa- ture of his sole consignees on the label under wrapper, by all respectable chemists. Sole consignees, Ansar, Harford, and Co., 77, Strand, London. id oy Mr. „ing in question as, named Ball, de- ae 11th December he dd to be the prisoner, Bryn Glas, with a bundle a dark, and he could not say MS of the same kind as that previously rolled up in a has not been found since, and the tbe charge. jc BEATING.—JohD Luke, collier, was a assaulting Elizabeth, his wif., at Risca. t7th instant he beat her in consequence of a -out a child she bad had before narriage, and her a black eye. -It appeared that great provo- -on had been given to Luke, asOPhis wife had acted tihmorally, and he was only ordered to be bound over. THE SCAB.—Wm. Stark was summoned for not re- porting a flock of sheep to the policy the same being afflicted with scab. Defendant is the bailiff of Mr. Herbert Daniel, and the sheep in qnestion, 49 in num- ber, were pastured on Rumney Moors.-Inspeotor Sheppard produced an order in Privy Council, which renders persons having charge of sheep liable to a penalty, and defendant was fined 40s. and costs. BOROUGH POLICE-WIZDNESDAY. (Magistrates: G. FOTHERGILL, Esq., Mayor; and R. G. CuLiUM, Esq.] THE DISORDERLY ELEMENT. Morgan Evans, an old mall, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Commercial-road, on Christ- mas night.—Fined 5a. Daniel Sullivan admitted being helplessly drunk in High-street, and was fined 5s. John Thomas, on bail, was also fined 5s, for fighting in Commercial-road, oa Saturday night. John Gregory, miller, for being drunk, and William Manship, for being drunk and causing a crowd to assemble in High-street, were fined 5s. each. William Beer was charged with being drunk and re- fusing to leave the Rum Puncheon, Commercial- street, on Saturday night. On being ejected, he broke the door of the inn,-Fined lOa. and ordered to pay the damage in default, 14 days. Owen M'Carthy, for being incapably drunk, was fined 5s. John Morgan, for throwing a large stone at a boy, in Fothergill-street, on Tuesday night, was fined 10s. 6d., or 14 days's hard labour. Ann Hines, who has recently returned from Usk, was ordered to return thither for 14 days, for being drunk and making a disturbance in Cross-street. Catherine Sullivan was charged with being drunk disorderly, and knocking a sailor down, and kicking him in Cross-street.—Fined 10s. 6d. ASSAULTING HIS MOTHER.—JohnMahoney, a youth of 19, was charged with assaulting his mother. —Mrs Mahoney stated that she was a widow, with six chil- dren, of whom the prisoner was the eldest. He was idle, and had frequently beaten her. It was very hard for her to take an oath against her own child, aud she did not wish to press the charge.—He pro- mised to be quiet and industrious in future, and was discharged.. ANOTHER BAD SON.-Alfred Gould was charged with assaulting Walter Blackmore, and being disor- derly in tie Alexandra beerhouse, which is kept by his mother.—Prisoner's conduct was very bad, and his mother said she wished for protection from him. — Fined 40s. a id boun 1 over. ABUSIVE DOMESTIC. —Emily Ray, a girl, was sum- moned for being disorderly, and using bad language towards James Wright, of Dolphin-street.—Ray had been a servant with Wright, and on Thursday last she abused him in the street.Ordered to pay costs, and to be bound over. A BOARDING-HOUSE KEEPER FINED £ 20.— Edward English, a coloured man, who keeps a boarding-house in Mill-parade, was charged with harbouring runaway seamen.—Mr. R. Graham appeared for the defendant. —Superintendent Chamberlain, of the Alexandra Dock-police, stated that he received information that two Swedish seamen had deserted, end went to defen- dant's house. Defendant showed him over the house, and he found no one there, with the exception of a coloured seaman. As he was leaving, the house he accidentally saw a trap-door in the ceiling. He asked English if there was anybody up there, and he said there was no one there to his knowledge, and that, in fact, he was sure there was not. Witness had his suspicions, however, and, after a great deal of trouble, he got his head up against the trap-door, and forced it open, and put his hand through, and caught hold of a man's face. He found two men in the loft. There were places and jugs, as if the men had been living there. There was no ladder or entrance to the loft except the trap-door.—In feply to Mr. Graham, wit- ness said defendant employed a Norwegian runner, named Anson, and he had no doubt that he was the man who stole" the men out of the ship.-Sergeant Pratten, of the Borough police, corroborated Mr. Chamberlain's evidence, and added, that while the latter was in the loft with the seamen, he asked Eng- lish how he accounted for the men being there, and English said he did not know. The men told him where their clothes were, and they were found in English's bedruoDl. -The captain of the vessel, from which the seamen had deserted, produced the ship's register, and proved the desertion.—H. E. Berdalal, one of the sailors, was examiued, and he swore that English and Anson both showed them up into the loft. —Mr. Graham, in answer to the case, admitted that after the evidence given he could make no defence, but he urged, in defendant's favour, that he had never been previously charged.—The Mayor, in giving the < decision of the Court, -remarked that the case was a very serious one, and defendant would be fined £10 for each man, being £ 20; in default, three months' hard labour.—Defendant paid the money at once.— The two seaman were then charged with desertion, and ordered to be detained till Friday, and then placed on board. and ordered to be detained till Friday, and then placed on board. James Madden and Michael Callaghan, were charged with stealing two handbells, the property of James Bridges. Mr. Graham appeared for the prisoners. The bells were stolen from a public house in a lark and the prisoners were discharged, prosecutor with- drawing the charge. BREAKING INTO A SHIP'S CABIN.—Michael Neal and Morris Connolly, lads, were charged with break- ing into the cabin of the schooner William Canning, with intent to commit a felony, on Saturday afternoon. One of the boys did not know his age, but his mother stated that he was 15. The mate was in charge of the ship which was lying at Prothero's wharf. He left it about four o'clock, and on returning he saw three boys leaving the cabin, two of whom escaped. They had forced the door open with a crowbar. The father of Neal had threatened the life of the mate since. Conolly was subsequently apprehended. The mate could not swear to Conolly who was discharged. Neal has been three times convicted, once for ship robbery. He was sentenced to six weeks hard labour. His mother, as he was removed from the dock com- forted him with the assurance that he deserved what he had got. ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION. — John Williams was charged with obstructing Corn-street with rubbish. The case was adjourned. The deputy clerk Why do you adjourn it? Mr. Cullum: Have you any ob- jection ? The deputy then acquiesed in the decision of the Bench. STABBING CASE.—James Mc'Tierman, sailor, was charged with cutting and wounding Edwin Dacey. The men had been drinking together on Wednesday. Prisoner stood treat" till his money was exhausted, and then he pawned his shirt. They were both in drink, and ultimately Dacey wanted McTierman to stand a half gallon of beer which he refused to do. A row ensued in which, according to the statement of & servant girl Dacey knocked prisoner down. In the row the girl's hand was cut prosecutor was wounded and prisoner was also wounded in the thigh. Prose- cutor stated that prisoner told him he had had 10 years before for cutting," and lived on black beaus and bread. The Beach discharged .the prisoner, /-arby W. éfnlJogell), .port), Edgar B. Jones, P. L-- the Workhouse, re- ntes in the House was rthe corresponding week ere sick. of the Caerleon Schools, re- hildren under his supervision more than last year. 121 were training. CONTRACTS. jrought up the report of the Contract following tenders being recommended o :—Meat, E. J. Poole, Commercial-road, (first time) bread, David Morgan, 'Sid. -loaf (the last price was 5d.) grotery, Inra co&l, John Nutt, lis. per ton potacoes, .okfor^ A:4 10s. per ton. m report was adopted. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The Clerk atated that Mr. Needham, Master of the House, was a selected candidate for the mastership of Charlton Workhouse, Lancashire, and he requ:red three days leave of absence during the ensuing week. The requisite leave was granted. It was stated ihat the emoluments at Charlton were about 6 ve times the amount they are at Newport. The Chairman: And the work is five times as muoh don't forget that. DRILL AND BAND PRACTICE AT CAERLEON SCHOOLS. Mr. Connor, Master of Caerleon Schools, at present receives jElO a year for instructing the children at the Schools in drill, and also for teaching the School band, which has attained a very gratifying state of efficiency. The JE10 is paid by Government. At a recent meeting of the Board the Schools Com- mittee presented a report, in which they recommended the Board to apply to the Local Government Board for an increase of the grant from J610 to £26. Mr. Brown had agreed to the report of the Committee, of which he is a member, but on the presentation of the report he opposed the recommendation in question, and the result was that the report, after discussion, was referred back to the Committee to again report to the Board. The Vice-chairman now brought up the report, from whhh it appeared that nearly all the Unions in the kingdom where allowances were made for bands and drill, were in metropolitan districts or in very largt towns. The only Unions that resembled Newport were Reading and Wokiugham, where £ 30 was paid, and Cardiff, where JE26 was paid. At the Ely schools, Cardiff, they paid the Superintendent zES3, the school- master C60 and the drill and bandmaster JE26. These offices were performed by three different persons, whereas at Caerleon they were performed by one pe% son, viz., Mr. Connor, who received £90 a year. At the Cardiff schools the Superintendent does not inter- fere with the teaching at all. The Committee sus- tained their previous recommendation that application be made to the Local Government Board for the raising of the grant from dElO to £26. In answer to a question, Mr. Gething stated that the number of children in the Ely schools was about 70 per cent. more than at Caerleon. Mr. Gething further stated that the report was adopted with two dissentients, himself refraining from voting. He pointed out that now Local Board certificates for schoolmasters were available for School Board schools, which was a very important matter to take into account. When they had a good officer they shoild endeavour to keep him. Mr. Brown asserted that the Ely schools cost in salaries of Superintendent, &c., JE133, while Caerleon schools, which had only half the children, cost il36. Mr. Cope disputed the figures. Mr. Brown challenged Mr. Cope to prove that his figures were wrong. At the close of Mr. Brown's remarks, Mr. Darby rose to address the Board, but Mr Brown interrupted, and called upon Mr. Cope to speak. Mr. Cope I'll speak when I think proper. I won't be dictated to by you or any one else. Mr. Darby then proceeded to show that chiefly owing to the Superintendent of the Cardiff schools being uncertificated, and no grant being made from Government in respect of him, the ratepayers of Cardiff had to pay £100, whereas Mr. Connor being certificated, the ratepayers of the Newport Union only paid j632, the remainder coming from Government. Mr. Price Where does it come from ? Mr. Darby: It comes from various sources. A little comes out of every glass of brandy awd water you take. (Laughter). Mr. Darby proceeded to state that tbo amount paid by the Newport Union from which dE32 had to be contributed, was X40,000, while the zE16, if granted by Government, would come from jE70,000,000 drawn from the Excise and various other sources of public revenue. He concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr. Cope, in answer to Mr. Brown, said that the latter had studiously kept back the fact that in the Ely schools the superintendent was not the school- master, and that Newport received jE60 from Govern- ment which Cardiff did not receive. Hence Mr. Brown's figures were misleading, and his comparison between the two schools did not hold good. It was absurd to say that there was no difference between local and imperial taxation. No one knew the difference better than Mr. Brown, and yet he had studiously kept it in the back ground. The amount of CI6 as coming from imperial taxation was so small as to be indivisible-it was not the hundredth part of a farthing out of the pocket of each ratepayer in the Newport Union. After some observations from Mr. Brown, who moved that the report be not adopted, Mr. Price addressed the Board and seconded the amendment. ( He contended that Mr. Connor was amply paid, and said he did not believe that there was any Guardian better off than him, with the exception of the vice- chairman and Colonel Lyne. [Colonel Lyne: Pray include yourself, and laughter.] He did not believe in the necessity of having a band at all, for it would lead the children into habits of idleness, and they would be taking their fifes and drums into bad houses after leaving school. The next thing would be that the girls in the school would have to be taught the piano, and Mrs. Connor would have to be paid extra for teaching them. (Laughter.) Colonel Lyne supported Mr. Darby^s resolution and spoke strongly against the views expressed by Mr. Price. Mr. Gething also protested against Mr. Price's views, and contended that a band was most desirable to re- lieve, what he termed the almost incredible monotony of a parish school. On the amendment (against the report) being put, nine voted for and nine against. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the amendment, which was accordingly carried.

PURE TEA IN RARE PERFECTION.—The Pur&, Strong Fragrant, and Delicious Teas imported by POLAND, ROBERTSON & Co., Curtain Road, London, E.C., can now be obtained in air-tight packets in quantities ranging from 2oz. to lib., of most respectable Grocers, Chemists. Bakers, Confectioners, Stationers, and others, at the fol, lowing prices per lb. :-Black, 2s. and 2s. 6d.; Mixed, 3s. Green, 3s. 6d.; Assam, 3s. 6d.; packed in Tins of 2, 4, and 81bs. All qualities guaranteed Pure as Imported. The 81b. tin sent carriage paid to any Railway Station in the United Kingdom on receipt of Post Office Order. The public are respectfully requested to ask for Poland, Robert- son & Co's Pure Teas, and refuse all others, as large quantities of worthless trash, consisting of warehouse sweepings, Tea. damaged by salt water and decomposition, are by a process of steaming and dyeing, made to resemble "a genuine Pure Teas. For particulars of agency apply as above. KIXAHAN'S LL WHISKY.—KINAHAN & Co., fine that, through the recommendation of the Medical Profes- sion, the demand for their CELEBRATED OLD LL WHISKY for purely medicinal purposes is very great. They think it will be satisfactory to the Public to read the following EXTRACTS OF THE ANALYSIS of the LL Whisky from the eminent Analyst, Dr. ARTHUR HILL HASSALL, "I have very carefully and fully analysed Samples of this well-known and popular Whisky. The samples were soft and mellow to the taste, aromatic and ethereal to the smell.-The Whisky must be pronounced to be pure, well- matured and of very exoellent quality. The Medical Profession may feel fnll confidence in the purity and quality of this Whisky." 20, Gt. Titchfield-st., Oxford- st., London. [475 WATERS' QUININE WINE for Sixteen Years has been universally admitted to be the best Tonic known, and a useful and agreeable accompaniment to Cod Liver Oil' We can bear personal testimony to its value as a tonic. Standard. Agents for Cardiff and Newport: J. and C. Sankey, Grocers, &c., Working-street.—Risca: E. Edwards, Grocer, &c. Wholesale Waters & Son, 34, Eastcheap, London; and Lewis & Co., Worcester. FLORILINE !—FOR THE TEETH AND BREATH.— few drops of the liquid "Floriline" sprinkled on a wet tooth brush produces a pleasant lather, which thoroughly cleanses the Teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevent tartar, stops decay, gives to the Teeth a peculiar pearly whiteness, and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour arising from decayed teeth, or tobacco smoke. "The Fragrant Floriline" being composed in part of Honey and sweet herbs, is delicious to tne taste, and the greatest Toilet discovery of the age. Price 2s. 6d. of all Chemists and Perfumers, Prepared by Henry Q. GALLUP, 493 Ozford-itreet, London. [79

(JA iiJJIFi1. ASSAULT AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.-On Tuesday night a man named William Roes,'living at li, Morgan-street. Adamsdown, Cardiff, attempted to destroy his life by cutting his throat, after he had committed a setlous assault upon his wife. It seems that Rees and his wife had a quarrel in the evening of the day mentioned, when he took up a heavy poker and struck her a violent blow just above the righ1; temple. The force of the blow caused the woman to faU, when her husband gave he a kick on the left shoulder. He afterwards went out to the yard at the back of the house, and cut his throat with a razor, inflicring a wound about two inches and a half in length, but fortunately not penetrating the windpipe. Shortly before eleven o'clock, Mrs. Rees, was dis- covered in the front room by a woman who lives in the sirae bouse, and who at once informed Police- constables Durston and Collins of the facs. They immediatel proceeded to Rees's house, and found him lying in a large pool of blood, with his throat cut. They convey him into the hous, and upon further search discovered the razor lying iu the pool of blood where Rees had been found. Polic-constable Collins went as soon ai possible for Dr. Hardyman, who was shortly in attendance, and who recommended that both Rees and his wife should should be conveyed to the infimary. Mrs. Rees was able to stat that the cut on her head had been caused by a blow .from the poker, which was used by her husband, who after- wards wiped the blood off it. She also stated that he kicked her in the left shoulder when she was on the ground.

BRYNMAWR. THE SECOND BRECON RIFLE VOLUNTEF.BS. —The distribution of the prizes given by the tradesmen for competition by the members of this corps took place on the 22nd inst., at the Griffin Hotel. The prizes were displayed in the long room of the hotel on tables. The room was crowded at the distribution. Compli- mentary remarks were made by Lieutenant Browne, and at the close a cordiol vote of thinks was, on the motion of Colour-sergeant Webb, accorded the donors for the prizes, Miss Jackson and Miss Ward for their assistance, and Mr. and Mrs. Wain for their courtesy in lending the room.

SW ANSEA. BURGLARY AT PENLLERGARE HOUSE. -On Satur- day, at the Petty Sessions for the hundred of Swansea, held at the Guild-hall, Swansea, (before Messrs J. Trevillian Jenkin and J. C. Richardson, Jun.), Lawrence Byrne, an Irishman, was charged with burglariously entering Pecllergare House, the residence of Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn, J.P., and stealing therefrom certain articles. Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn, J.P., and chairman of the Swansea Board of Guardians, deposed that he was on a visit to Penllergare, his father's house. About tive minutes before four o'clock that morning, witness was awakened by what eeemed to be the loud closing of a door, and he at once got up and d.essed. putting on a pair of slippers that would not make any noise. He then went down stairs, and having armed himself with a stout stick, walked along the passage until he came to the second stair-case of the mansion. Witness saw a light, and springing up the stairs he caught the prisoner, who had two pairs of socks be- longing to witness's father under his arm. Witness asked prisoner what business he had in the house, and what countryman he was, but he made no answer. Witness then called up two men servants, aud leaving prisoner in charge of one of them, he went with the other to find out how prisoner got into the house. On entering the drawiug-room, which is on the ground floor, witness found that the shutters had been cut in three places, and the bar was displaced. Outside, on the window sill, was, the locked mahogany box pro- duced. It contained a valuable microscope. Witness could not identify the pair of braces shown to him. Other evidence having been taken the prisoner, who said nothing, was committed for trial at the Assizes.

MYNYDDISLWYN. The solemn festival of Christmas was duly observed in all the Church of England places of worship throughout the parish. At the parish church there was an early morning service or Plygain, at which the Rev Asa Richards preached an impressive sermon. The old sacred edince was well filled. The decorations, which were of a chaste description, had been carried out by Mr. and Mrs. E. Edmunds, Pandas, Miss Davies, Clawr plwyf, Miss Richards, Church House, Mary Jones, C. and M. Withers, Ellen Jones, and E. Edward^. — At the Abercajn School Church there was a service at 11 the above-named clergyman officiated; the attendance was good.—At Fleur-de-lis Mission Room, there was a Ply gain at 6 a. in. the Rev. J. Griffiths, vicar, being the officiating clergyman.—At i Pontlanfraith church, there was service at 10, which was conducted by the Vicar. The attendance was good,, and the church had been neatly decorated by the Misses Griffiths, of the Vicarage.—At Maesv- cwmer School Church, there was a service in the evenniug, which was welt-attended, and at which Mr. David Morris, scripture reader, officiated, SCHOOL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Mvnyddislwyn School Board vras held on Thursday week, at the schoolroom Abercarn. There were present—The Rev. J. Griffiths. (Vice-chairman) in the chair and Messrs. D. White- house, W. Griffiths, L. Lewis, D. Edwards, and J. M. Jones with Messrs. E. Davies, clerk, and A. O. Watkius, architect. Her Majesty's Inspector's report of Jerusalem School was. read by the Clerk. The amount of Go- vernment grant made to the said school was reported to be e23 16s. lid-, considerable reductions having been made on account of deficiency in the teaching, particularly as regards arithmetic and spelling. Mr. J. D. Thomas, the master of the school, hav- ing applied for an increase of salary, the Board in- structed the Clerk to inform the applicant that in the face of the Inspector's report they could not grant his request, but that if the next report of the Inspec- tor should prove more favourable the Board would consider Mr. Thomas's application favourably. The Inspector's report in reference to lslwyn School was next discussed, and the amount of grant an- nounced to be XIO 2s. 6d., large deductions having been made on account of defective teaching, &c. A letter was read from the Rev. L. Williams, ap- plying for the half-year's rent due to the trustees of New Bethel, for the use of Islwyn school-room, and informing the Board that the managers of Islwyn school had passed a resolution couched in strong terms urging the Board not to pay a penny of the grant to Mr. D. Morris, late master of lslwyn school. In reference to the above resolution the Board dis- agreed with its terms, and, upon the motion of Mr. D. Whitehouse, seconded by Mr. J. M.Jones, decided to hand over to Mr. Morris the proportion of the grant due to him. A cheque for £ 250 was handed over to the managers of the Abercarn schools towards teachers' salaries, &c. A cheque of £50 was also made over to the treasurer of lslwyu school to pay for repairs, &c. Other minor payments were made. It having been reported to the Board that the owner of the site selected for the new schools at Poutllan- fraith has a decided objection to grant it to the Board, it was resolved to ask Col. Lyne to meet a Committee of the Board at Pontllanfraith, for the purpose of selecting another site. Mr. W. Williams, from one of the training colleges of North Wales, was appointed master of the Yuysddu school, the salary to be £70 a year, with half grant, and house and coal. In reference to the Pengam school exhibitions, the Rev. J. Griffiths, in accordance with notice, moved- Chat the representative of this Board on the Board of Governors of the Pengam Endowed Schools be respectfully requested to take steps to obtain from the said Governors such information and instractions as are necessary to enable boys from public elementary schools, in the parish of Mynyddislwyn, to compete for the exhibitions to be granted to such boys under the provisions of the Pengam Endowed School Scheme, and to be tenable at the said school." The resolution was seconded by Mr. W. Griffiths, and carried unanimously. The subject of the claim for extras made by Mr. T. Williams, in respect of the Abercarn school build- ings, was fully discussed by the Board, and after the Clerk had lucidly explained the position of th6 Board in the matter, and the difficulty they would place themselves in by allowing a larger amount for extras, than that sanctioned by the architect, it was pro- posed by Mr. D. Whitehouse, and seconded by Mr. L. Lewis, that Mr. T. Williams be paid the amount of extras certified by the architect, and no more. The proposition was agreed to. The amount of extras claimed by Mr. Williams was stated to be £782, whereas the sum certified by the architect was £95. Mr. D. Edwards gave notice for the appointment at the next meeting, of managers for Ynysddu school. This concluded the business of the Board.

DUKESTOWN. INQUEST.—Mr. Lewis, deputy coroner, held an inquiry at the Full Moon Inn, Scurfa, on Friday evening last, touching the death of Wm. Sage, aged 47, » timberman, in No. 2 Pit, Sirhowy, which event occurred in an awfully sudden manner, on the previous Wednesday. The deceased went to work in his usual health, and had not been down long when he was obliged to come away, and on the roud he expired in the conveyance his comrades had procured for the purpose of taking him home. The jury recorded a verdict of died from natural causes." The funeral, on Saturday, was attended by numbers of Oddfellows and Shepherds, to which societies deceased belonged. He was greatly respected by his brother workmen. IMPROVED HOSTELRIEs,-The Royal Oak Inn, the oldest licenced house in the parish of Llangynider, has undergone very extensive alterations, and is now capable of accommodating a large number of visitors. The Rising Sun has been re-decorated and painted, under the lesseesbip of Mr. C. Huess, foriueily locomotive superintendent to the Sirhowy Railway Co.

^g* I EBBW YALE. r EBBW ALE IRON COMPANY. — An extri^ general meeting of the shareholders of this ( was held on Friday at the Manchester Totf: for the purpose of confirming the following re-;VE p which was passed on tb* 6th December: nominal capital of the Company be redtu"di8ai £ 2,38.?, 200, being 74.475 shares of £ 32 each. extinction on each of said 74,475 shares of t Mai capital to the extent of ±9 t, the intent kdzn present liability of £ 3 per shal," each on !1ntl 74,475 shares; except 527 numbered as f<>, g 8,043 to 8,044, 8,474 to 8,548, 23,824 to n' 30,955 to 30,994, 33,769 to 33.778, 40.493 tc'd°*n 44,386 to 44,465, 49,716 to 49.735, 51,691 to1 thug 56,436 to 56,465, 64,639 to 64,747, 66,580 68,308 to 68,327, all inclusive, which are fc»ai_ up, shall be preserved notwithstanding such ra to be

Ire the TREDEGAR. he 1rE CHRISTMASTIDE.—The festive season of ellhe bal has come, aud is now a thing of the past. The itcrn and grocers never provided more lavishly thajj, occasion under notice. The country farniera/ some fine poultry, Mr. Watkins, of Cwmddu, *n Gomer, of Beaufort, having an assortment e^T ?t worthy of notice. The market on Saturdh the largely attended, and the good stuff provide^-ef~! j ready purchasers at prices remunerative to thel,r, Mr. Dennis and Mr. Clayton displayed soT- specimens of photography, and Mr. C. Peaty « ls a James disposed of a large number of Christ and presents. ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH.—This Church wa9 £ iVf, r elaborately decorated as in former years. The \1" were appropriate and very neat, the lecteiV adorned to perfection. A midnight service Je cot' on Christmas eve, when the sacred edifice was ¡fI by a very orderly congregation. The direction of the organist, Mr. Caird, was efficient, and the anthem "And the Angel (Smart) was given with fine effect. The ser< £ ? "ei intoned by the Rev. E. Jones, vicar, W- cx delivered a fervent discourse on the subject|-Scene. birth of Christ. The Welsh Service (Plygaft&e-Qri held at five in the morning, when the Rev. T. preached an effective sermon. The usual s^Ssion English was held at 11 o'clock, when the serif preached by the Rev. Lewis Lewis, curate 1181 customary midnight mass took place at the et! Catholic Church, Dukestown. 34,d w ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Mary Bickleton, a ing above sixty years old, made a most determi ese tempt at suicide on Sunday last. The old woU a paralytic stroke a year or two back, which C Res her left side, and of late she has been in IU1;. desponding mood. On the morning of Sunday, Weld strange was noticed, but she had no doubt a* rd all the preliminaries to carry out her intentl reCl, person living with her had not been away fri *e> house more than half an hour. Mrs. Bickle* ? ^9ylu upstairs, and not answering when called, the gi'ertlal-M up and found her leaning over a hand basin, an^ gushing from a gash in her throat. A messen^r^ despatched with all speed for the doctor, aWi*? 8'6 very tkort time Mr. Monaghan, assistant to Dr. L j6 ST was in attendance, and by the prompt means aLL/ the flow of blood was checked, and the Woma^^ j was saved. Mr. Anthony, who was acting g,ln ,m Brown, the latter having gone to North Wales,] the patieut later in the day, and altogetheK07J* arteries had to be made secure. The woman I" eel 1 vi precarious state at her residence ia Queen's-squit tl,e

———— Nel. FOREST OF DEAN. S H L E P STEALING, i At the Worcestershire Assizes, on F rid ay, C 0 gt«tl Mr. Baron Huddlestone, a case which laid baref tetr'P'- brutal state of things existing in the Forest, waS|^rge William Vaughan, 30, collier, was charged witl"? P"1 ing a sheep and lamb, the property of Wm. c on the 22nd July last. j The trial showed that sheep-stealing has be4A,Pg^ frequent in the Forest of late, and the prisonetj™, suspected, his house was searched,, aud the ca<Vp a sheep was found there, and the lamb was dis'' alive in an adjoining building. The prisoner, ever, had left the neighbourhood, as it was but subsequently suspicions were entertained whereabouts, and a party of constables examine his house on the 20th of October, an" i5r,°rr* a hole was discovered in the ceiling of tW i room over the bed. This was about to be ex3' olln when the prisoner, from his hiding place abo* hole, said he would come downr and his bod1 Georg afterwards appeared at the opening heacUfofileh^at The ceiling giving way to the weight of his bcJJ It, P. prisoner fell through into the constable's arms. .pad. li", He was found guilty, and being charged with A. been previously convicted of fowl stealing, be J, Arno1 it, and proof bad to be given of the fact. rintor. Inspector Chipp, of the Gloucestershire Coli Mr. lary, informed the Court that ever since the r<>'lre*tb the prosecutor had required the protection ^-rs- police from the threats of his companions. T M BP* soner was one of a gang of men who were the tef Mr. the Forest of Dean. There was not, in the opi111 te". the offieer, such a gang on the face of the earth' r[r■ prosecutor had been brutally beaten with sticks1 friends of the prisoner, and he had been thre e^TTfc- that if he gave any evidence against biT,, he 1 r' have his soul kicked out of v \.i.' w ?I' Baron Huddleston inquired of tl.e prosecu^ a ^r* names of the persons who had tLus threaten6' "re maltreated him, and he desired Mr. Carter, tbw citor to the prosecution, to cause a cearcii fo g en for the men, and to have them brought, bef.ve t'0 ^f" gistrates. He also requested Mr- Ca.t.rr to infJrl It r. magistrates that it was by his (the Judge's) dite ^n'i that criminal proceedings were ;aktn against S In passing sentence on the prisoner, the learned' Tho enumerated several offences for he had Al i,3 been punished. He said it bad bf»<-a brought j^e bins that a gang of men lived in the Forest b> Q of plunder and violence, and set the law Of fiance, and even dared to interfere with the co'J jpe(1 justice. This must be stopped, and the Court alter be wanting in its duty if it did not inflict a punishment. He then sentenced the prisouer to years' penal servitude.

ABERGAVENNY. POLICE COURT. — WEDNESDAY. nd 1 (Before Captain HILL and R. REES, K*. any DRUNK..—John Conolly, a labourer in tbe C1 of Mr. Crawshay Bailey, was charged by rbe t ,rje^ with having been found drunk and incapable, r'' ajg ing home from a diuner given by his master workmen. — Defendant said he was very sufry. hrol Hill: Well, its Christmas time. I suppose yf> had a headache over the matter. Go, aud don 0 ruci again. (Laughter.) ASSAULTING A SHERIFF'S OFFICER. — ^1 JOIN Roberts, of tbe Unicorn Inn, Mill-street, wascb ?as with assaulting a sheriff's officer named Reed, ,t f; in the execution of his duty as shei-itl's othcer. Uat< Jones appeared for the defendant, and said t ran and his client had arranged the matter '1th the pkz plainant.—Superintendant Freeman said the Ul rati abused so badly that he was unable to ..ttend, iriz Bench then decided to adjourn the case for 9 f t] and to take bail, the defendant in XIOU, alus I-e, surety in the same amount. nos LAKCENY.—James Dibbins, a mason, living vbl town, was charged with stealing £3 from the. v hall Inn, on Tuesday last.—Mr. Gardner pros^ v',r^ and Mr, G. A, .Jones defended.—It appear*1' abc-ut eleven o'clock Mrs. Stepney, the lainiiady-, a jiUg off a hook in the bar containing £ 3 iu g0 I 'ie silver, and changed half-a-sovere.gu fur a lad counter out of it. She put the half-sovereign 1¡) .fl' j.ag, and put it under tbe counter. She then le' 0[ bar for a few minutes, leaving the prisoner al"| 0„ the bar, and he was still there when she ref aE and begging drink of the men in the adjoining av as he bad no money. Ha shortly afterwards Ie ul marking that he was going to Usk, butreturnedj rc two o'clock, by which time the money was & a Prisoner then had plenty of money, and when r he went about drinking at several public-Pj < Sergeant Edghill apprehended the prisoner Wheatsheaf Inn, and asked him to turn o" i pockets, when he turned out two balf-sovereig .1 a lot of small silver. The money amoun^ i^0' £ 2 lis. 9d. Mrs. Stepney subsequently identic ™ of the half-sovereigns as being of this year's d»*" 'J1 a sixpence with a hole iu it.—Mr. Jonesaddres*, B< Bench in defence, contending that the other the house were as likely to take the money re. prisoner—Committed for trial, bail being accey

ORDERS and ADVERTISEMENTS for the are Received by the undermentioned AGENTS in LO^ ÁLHAR, F., 11, Oleraeuts-lane. BARKER, C., & SONS, 8, Birchin-lane BuRBIDOE, J., & Co., M5a, Moorgate-street BAILBY, A. H. k Co., Royal Exchange. CROSSLEY, C. R., 17, Moorgate-street, Bank. CLARKE, W. J., jun., 84, Graeechurch-street DEACON, S. Leadenhall-street. EYRE & Co., 41 Bouvene-street, Fleet-atreeh GREEN, H., 117, Chancery-lawe. i KN [GILT. A. R., & Co, 3, Abohurch-lane, HOOPER & CeLL, George-street, Atansiott House. KINGSBURY & Co., 12, Clements-lane. I METCHIM & Co., 32, Clements-lane. MIXCUBLL &Co., I-2. Red Lion-court, Fleet-street MAY, C. H., 7S, Graeechurch-street. RRYNELL & Sox, 4-1., Chancery-lane. Ro IERTS, C. C., 19, Channe-alley, Corn hi 11. \!1ft ET BROS., 5. Serle-street, Lincolu's-inn. 8TB Ef, G., ;¡tI, Curiiutu VI 4ER3, W..1.. c. Vich'las-lane, Ctty.. I WHITE, K, 1-. W, t'leet-Lan«i I