LONDON AND PROVINCIAL NEWS. GWENT AND DYVED ROYAL EISTEDDVOD. We are happy to hear that the marquis of Bute, and the nobility and gentry of the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth, have evinced a readiness to promote Welsh literature, poetry, and music, in a manner that reflects great credit on them. A meeting was held in the town-hall at Cardiff, on the 29th of August, for the purpose of taking preliminary steps for holding an Eisteddvod in that town next year, under the special patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria. The marquis of Bute kindly consented to accept the office of president, and gave a donation of 100l. The Rev. J. M. Traherne and T. W. Booker, esq. were appointed honorary secretaries, than whom none are more competent to fill the office with talent and respectability. Mr. Taliesin Williams (ab Iolo) was appointed Welsh correspondent, and Mr. John Parry, Bardd Alaw, conductor. Cardiff is admirably calculated for holding a national festival: the bards and minstrels will assemble in the keep of the ancient castle, which will be fitted up for the occasion. The situation is a very beautiful one; the marquis of Bute's mansion is within the castle walls, (which are nearly half a mile round,) on which there is a delightful walk, with a fine view of the surrounding country. The oratorio will be in the church, of course, the concerts given at the spacious town-hall, and the ball at the Cardiff Arms Assembly Rooms; and the festival, altogether, is expected to be a most splendid one. Among the subjects proposed for Prize Poems, Essays, &c. are the following interesting ones: An Ode, in Welsh, on the British Druids. An Essay, in Welsh, on an historical subject. A Poem, in Welsh, on Cardiff Castle. A Paper on the Minerals of the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth, with the benefit arising from them in manufacturing and commercial points of view. An Historical Account of the Castles in Glamorgan and Monmouth shires. Essays, in Welsh and English, on Welsh Poetry. A Miniature Silver Harp will be awarded to the best performer on the triple-stringed, or Welsh harp. A Silver Medal will be presented to the best performer on the singlestringed harp, without pedals. A Medal will be also given to the best singer of Pennillion, with the Welsh harp. During the Eisteddvod, Medals and Premiums will be awarded for the best Englynion (stanzas) on various subjects, which will be proposed at the time. These meetings do much good in more ways than one: they are the means of bringing together, in friendly intercourse, the peer and the peasant; they rescue from oblivion many valuable historical facts; they tend to perpetuate, the customs of our forefathers; they foster rising genius, and prove highly beneficial to the towns and neighbourhood in which they are held; so that it behoves every lover of the "mountain land" to give them his best support. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS— -(Cambrian.) The Bishop of St. David's has been pleased to institute the following gentlemen to the under-mentioned livings: Rev. James Owen, of Cilvowir, Pembrokeshire, to the perpetual curacy of Llechryd, in the county of Cardigan, on the joint nomination of Thomas Lloyd, esq. of Coedmore, and Charles R. Longcroft, esq. of Llanina, Cardiganshire, vacant by the death of the Rev. Sampson Owen.-Rev. William George, of Abbeycwmhir, Radnorshire, to the rectory of Bridell, Pembrokeshire, on the presentation of the freeholders of the parish, vacant by the death of the Rev. Sampson Owen. -Rev. Daniel Jones, Llanfihangel-y-Croiddyn, in the county of Cardigan, to the vicarage of Llandeveilog, Carmarthenshire, vacant by the death of the Rev. W. Evans, Towy Castle, on the presentation of Richard Stanley, esq. Sheffield.-Rev. W. Davies, curate of Nevern, to the vacant rectory of Llangunllo, in the county of Cardigan. The Bishop of Llandaff has been pleased to collate the Rev. Morgan Powell to the vicarage of St. Bride's with Coeckernew, near Newport, Monmouthshire, vacant by the death of the Rev. H. Jones. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS- —(Caledonian.) The Rev. Alexander Cowper has been presented to the Episcopal Chapel, Blair, Athol. The King has presented the Rev. John Mac Rae to the Church of Cross, in the parish of Barvas, isle of Lewis, vacant by the translation of the Rev. Finlay Cooke to Inverness. Lord Moray a short time since presented the Rev. John Grant, assistant and successor to the Rev. — Smith, of Petty, Inverness-shire; but of 390 heads of families only twenty signed the call, and he is objected to as incompetent in knowledge of the Gaelic; it being alleged that a sermon preached in that tongue, though satisfactory to the presbytery, does not prove his fitness for the charge. ORDINATIONS. The Bishop of Bangor held an ordination. After reading the service, his lordship delivered an appropriate discourse, and then ordained the following gentlemen: Order of Priests-James Jones, B. A. Jesus College, Oxford; Thomas Birch Llewelyn Brown, B. A. Jesus College, Oxford. Order of Deacons-John Evans, B. A. Jesus College, Oxford; Robert Williams, B. A. Christ Church, Oxford, by letters dismissary from the Bishop of St. Asaph; George Parry, B.A. Trinity College, Dublin, by letters dismissary from the Bishop of St. Asaph. We are informed that the Bishop of St. Asaph intends to hold an ordination in St. Asaph cathedral, on Sunday, the 3d of November next. NEW CHURCHES. The society for building new churches has liberally granted to the parish of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, the sum of 3,500l. for the purpose of building a new church there, on condition of a sum of 1,500l. being raised to meet it. An opportunity is thus afforded for the erecting of a church in that populous and rapidly increasing town. A new church is to be erected at the watering-place, Rhyl, in Denbighshire. The new church, St. Michael's, at Aberystwith, was consecrated on the 4th ult. by the Bishop of St. David's. MISSIONARY MEETING. The anniversary missionary meeting of the baptist congregation took place at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, in August last. On Sunday morning, the Rev. James Penney, from Calcutta, preached to a large audience; and at night the Rev. E. Carey, from Serampore, preached to an overflowing congregation. On Monday morning, at Rhydvellin chapel, the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Newtown, was performed. In the evening, from 1500 to 2000 persons attended in the Public Buildings, Newtown, when Mr. Penney addressed the company, and related many in teresting facts relating to his mission to Calcutta and other places. Mr. Carey related what he had witnessed during the revolution that took place in the island of Jamaica last Christmas twelve months. THE GWYLIEDYDD. An appeal to churchmen on behalf of the "Gwyliedydd," the only Welsh periodical conducted by members of the church of England, has recently been made by Mr. Saunderson, respectfully soliciting their active patronage and encouragement. CIVIL PROMOTIONS (Caledonian.) June 26. John Jardine, esq. Advocate, was appointed Sheriff depute of Ross and Cromarty, vice Donald Mac Leod, esq. of Geanies, who has resigned at a patriarchal age, and after holding the office fifty-nine years. The freedom of the burgh of Dingwall, and other honours, have been conferred on the learned gentleman since his appointment. June 26. James Ivory, esq. Advocate, was appointed Sheriff depute of Caithness, vice James Traill, esq. who has resigned. August. Patrick Davidson, esq. Advocate, has been elected Professor of Civil Law in King's College, Aberdeen, vacant by the death of Dr. Dauney. William Sutherland Fraser, esq. Dornoch, has been appointed by the Sheriff, Procurator Fiscal. MILITARY PROMOTION (Cambrian.) 'Captain John William Jones, of Tyddyn Elen, Carnarvon, has been promoted to the Majority of the 17th Native Infantry, in the Hon. East India Company's service. MILITARY PROMOTIONS (Caledonian.) Aug. 23. Surgeon J. H. Walker, M.D. (92d Regt.) from 36th, to be Surgeon, vice A. Anderson, who retires on half-pay.-Staff Assistant Surgeon, A. Mac Gregor, to be Assistant Surgeon. This regiment, which is now at Barbadoes, will return home early next year. Thomas Gordon, esq. of Cairness, has received the commission of Colonel in the Greek service, and has been appointed Aid-de-camp to King Otho, as a reward for his eminent services to the Grecian cause. HOLYHEAD ROAD. The royal assent was given on the 14th of August to "an Act for transferring to the commissioners of his Majesty's woods and forests the several powers now vested in the Holyhead-road commissioners, and for discharging the last-mentioned commissioners from the future repairs and maintenance of the roads, harbours, and bridges now under their care and management." CELTIC MARRIAGE FEAST. The old custom in Lower Brittany of expending immense sums on marriage feasts is still kept up. The Morlaix Journal gives an account of a recent wedding, at which 4000 pounds worth of bread and seven casks of wine, besides a great deal of other provisions, were consumed. ATHOLE GATHERING. The Athole Gathering took place at the bridge of Tilt, on the 2d of August; there was consequently a numerous assemblage of all ranks. The number of handsome equipages formed a curious contrast to the aspect of the rural and sequestered valley. An enumeration of the prizes will show the objects of the association. For industry and fidelity in service; for plaids manufactured in Athole; and for unbleached linen. To those most correctly dressed in the native costume of home-made tartan; to men and female servants for good conduct and length of service. For games: throwing a sledge hammer, putting the stone, turning the caber, leaping, footracing, excellence in dancing, and playing piobrachd on the bagpipes. TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT TO JOIN RICE, ESQ. John Rice, esq. has been for some years the honorary secretary and resident surgeon of the Metropolitan Infirmary for the diseases of children, an institution that has been of more signal benefit to helpless objects of poverty, than many of the more imposing and vaunted hospitals of the metropolis. From the first moment of his appointment, he applied the abilities of a highly cultivated and active mind in extending the charitable purposes of the establishment, and he has been for some time in a great measure its sole support. In consequence of the increased assistance the charity has lately extended to the suffering poor, and some little division in the councils of those whose united efforts were necessary for its advancement, the finances of the charity became impaired, and it was judged necessary to adopt some means to increase their amount, or at once close the institution. By the generosity of Thomas Hope, esq. M.P. for Gloucester, in offering his splendid picture gallery for the occasion, it was resolved to give a morning concert in aid of the funds, and Mr. Rice, by his activity, contributed so highly to the success of the measure, that the committee of management, by an unanimous vote, presented him for his services on this occasion, and the gratuitous devotion of his time and talents during so many years to the benefit of the charity, with a remarkably handsome snuffbox, bearing on the inside of the lid the following inscription: TO JOHN RICE, esq. M.R.C.S. This box is presented by The managing committee ROYAL METROPOLITAN INFIRMARY, For his arduous and valuable services While acting as Their honorary secretary. ANNUAL GATHERING OF BRE-MAR. The Cruinneachadh Bhrea Mhar, or Annual Gathering of Bræ-Mar, took place on the 22d of August. A respectable company, over whom the chief of the Farquharson's presided, dined in the ancient castle of Bræmar. There was an excellent ball in the evening, and the dancers were the best ever seen in that district, so celebrated for the genuine Highland fling. LONGEVITY. An inmate of St. Margaret's work house, Westminster, named Ann Parker, died lately, at the advanced age of 101 years. There is a portrait of an old woman in the same workhouse, who died June 26, 1739, at the age of 136. There is now living at a place called Havod-ty, in the parish of Llandegai, near this city, a man of the name of J. W. Hughes, who is ninety-eight years of age; his wife died in February, 1830, aged ninety-three; they lived together in wedlock seventy-one years, and they have now living the following descendants, viz. six children, thirty-three grandchildren, ninety-nine great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren; total one hundred and forty-two besides one child, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren, buried; total, thirty-five.—Bangor paper. IONA CLUB. The Iona Club held their first meeting or fète, in the interesting island of Iona, on the 6th of September. This society, as appeared from our last number, is associated for the purpose of illustrating the history and antiquities of the Highlands and islands, and on this occasion they met within the walls of the old cathedral. A great number of persons were attracted to this remote isle, and once celebrated seat of Religion and Learning. The country people were entertained with games, boat-sailing, &c. and the members of the society and their friends, after examining the ruins and burial-grounds, dined in a spacious tent; D. Campbell, esq. of Dunstaffnage, in the chair. APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE MANKS COLLEGE, ISLE OF MAN. We have been requested to insert the following appeal, and have great pleasure in doing so. "This college is called King William's College, and was opened on the 1st August, 1833; the building is not yet complete, but is rapidly progressing; the tower will be 147 feet high. "When an object of universal concern solicits the attention of the public, it may reasonably be expected that all will feel an interest in its success. Such is the object which this appeal is designed to promote, an object which involves the best interests of the country, the interests of religion and of learning. To advance these interests, the erection of a college in the vicinity of Castletown, on a liberal and extensive plan, has been vigorously undertaken, and is now approaching towards its completion. The building is spacious and elegant, furnished with suitable accommodations for the masters and students, and adorned with a house of prayer, which is designed for the use both of the inmates of the college, and of the poor in the immediate neighbourhood. "The edifice, when completed, will long remain a gem of purest ray serene,' to ornament our shores, and shed a lustre over the whole land. "A scholar, equally distinguished for piety and talents, has been selected from the first ranks of literature to be the principal of the college, and, under the Divine blessing, on his vigilant superintendance, there are good grounds to expect that the important ends of the institution will be abundantly accomplished. "Our gracious sovereign has kindly permitted it to be called 'King William's College.' Our insular rulers, both in church and state, have liberally contributed to its erection, and several individuals in different parts of the island have generously afforded their aid; but the funds are still very inadequate to the completion of the work. The sum of 800l. is wanted to finish the building; and will not the inhabitants of the Isle of Man, by their united contributions, raise this sum, to complete an undertaking pregnant with lasting advantages to all classes of the community, and promising incalculable benefits to generations yet unborn? "This appeal is made to the whole population of the country, and it solicits the contribution of every individual. The natives should feel a deep interest in an institution so fraught with good to their country, and the respectable sojourners in our land cannot regard with indifference a seminary where their children may receive a pious and liberal education, on moderate and reasonable terms, without the risk of crossing the water, and at no material distance from their home. "This is the first time that such a general contribution has been solicited from the inhabitants of the Isle of Man. Let the hearts of all respond to the appeal which is now made to them, and let the hands of all be open to |