The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-08 00:00:00

TEE WELSH IRON MARKETS.

NEWPORT, JAN. 6.
Since the report which appeared in this journal on
Monday last, an improved feeling has appeared through.
out the iron districts of Monmouthshire and Glamor-
ganshire, in which the recent strikes took place. The
large body of men who turned out at Aberdare—be.
tween seven and eight thousand—have come to the end
of their means, and though a portion of them attempted
to support themselves by begging, by far the greater
manifested a disposition to return to work at the reduc-
tion, which amounts in the total to five per cent, more
than in the neighbouring county. Threats of the most
violent character were used to prevent them adopting
this course—placards in Welsh were distributed at the
. houses of those who were suspected " turncoats," inti-
mating that their blood would be taken, and their houses
destroyed. Towards the close of last week, however,
several thousands returned to their pits and furnaces,
and although a portion still hold out, the strike is
comparatively at an end. Many of the furnace, cannot
be relit and the attendant pits placed in a condition to
work in less than six months, some not even in that.
One furnace had never been extinguished previous to
this strike since it was erected, and the cost of relighting
it will be considerable. Many of the pits have been
seriously injured by water, owing to the intimidation
used towards the engineers by the colliers at the com-
mencement of the strike. Hardly a single furnace
throughout the valley was at work, and trade was en-
tirely suspended. The loss occasioned to the masters
by 211 this is of courco considerable, but with an im-
provement in the demand for iron it may he hoped tha
this will be regained in a few months, and it is certain
that the district cannot permanently suffer;
In Monmouthshire, also, I am happy to report
more favourabiy than at the close of last week.
The Pontypool men now alone remain out, and on
inquiry in the neighbourhood tc-day, we learn that
they are ready to resume work a Jaen the furnaces,
which have been exenguished, are relit. While
the colliers and furnacemen at Abersycban, Golynos,
and Varteg were on strike great encouragement WWI
afforded to all the others in the county, but now that
they have accepted the reduction—ansounting iu the
whole to 20 per cent —it is hardly possible for these at
Pontypool to refuse it. A deputation has accordingly
waited upon Mr. Phillips, the manager, offering to come
to terms, and they were told that a decisive reply would
be returned in a few days. It is said that about 150
have gone away to Risca, where work has been offered
them, Ina short time, therefore, we may fairly presume
that a series of strikes which have already proved unfor-
tunate to all parties, and which promised to exercise a
disastrous influence over the trade of the district, will be
terminated.

DLILVA. YE HEAR IT ? DINNA YE HEAR IT?

( Written, on a touching incident in Havelock's Relief of
Lucknow.)

'Mid the thunder of battle, the groans of the dying,
The wail of weak women, the shouts of brave men,
A poor Highland maiden sat sobbing and sighing,
As she longed for the peace of her dear native glen.
Bat there came a glad voice to the oar of her heart,
The foes of atilt" Scotland for ever will fear it !
" We are saved ! we are saved !" cried the brave Highland
maid,
"'Tie the Highlanders' slogan ! 0 dinna ye hear it ?"
Chorus—Dinna ye hear it ? dinna ye hoar it ?
High o'er the battle's din, dinna ye hear it?
High o'er the battle's din, hail it and cheer it !
' 'Tis the Highlanders' slogan ! 0 dinna ye
hear it ?'
A moment the
gaol
tempest of battle was hushed,
But no tidings help did that moment reveal ;
Ain to their
-shattered ramparts they rushed—
Still the Highland mailmen;
Again roared the ea
The death-mists are thick, again flashed the steel !
$ Let us welcome the brave !
clear it !
yon it ?wZi,tt el 1
k$ but their claymores will
" rho Campbells are corninc, ; ''
Tb 3 war-pipes are pealing
Dinna ye hear it? dinn! ye
They are charging and cheerin
. din" ye hear it 7?
The heroes of Lneknow ! fame crownn7
Love welcomes you home with glad songs • glory ;
And brave Jessie Brown, with her soul-strrrliajour praise!
story,
For over will live in the Highlanders' lays,
Long life to our Queen, and the hearts who defend her t
Success to our flag ! and when danger is near it, •
May our pipes be heard playing " The Campbells are
coming ;"
And an angel voice-crying, "0 dinna ye hear it?"
Dinna ye hear it ? dinna ye hear; it ?
High o'er the battle's din, dinna; ye hear it ?
High o'er the battle's din, hail it and cheer it !
"'Tie the Highlanders's logan ! 0 dinna ye hear it!"
ALEXASDE A MACLAGAN.

LINENDRAPERS' INSTITUTION.—Last night the 21st
anniversary ball in aid of the funds of the `• Linen-
drapers', Silk Mercers', Lacemen's, Haberdashers', and
Hosiers' Institution," took plao3 at Willis's Rooms.
The company numbered 400.

THE ESTERIOUS MURDER AT MID-
DLETON, NORFOLK.

This inquiry was resumed on Wednesday morn-
ing at the O,rown Hotel, Middleton, before Mr.
Wilkin, cor, on er, and a jury. Since the last meet-
ing, a fortnight ago, a considerable amount of cir-
cumstantial widence has been produced, raising the
gravest suspit ions as to the mode by which the de-
ceased, John Bell, came to his end ; and it will be
seen from the observations of the coroner that there
is every reasoi a to believe the efforts both of the
coroner and jury will be crowned with success. It
is but fair to st ate that Mr. Wilkin and Mr. Wright
the bailiff of thie county court, have been most per-
severing in their efforts to arrive at a solution of
this mystery. Thee following evidence was adduced :
Mrs. Elizabotll Reynolds said—l live at Denver,
and in 1849 I wars housekeeper to Thomas Butters,
of Wormegay. 1. know John Moyce Butters, and I
recollect Mr. John Bell being lost in Nov., 1849.
John M. Butters told me soon after Mr. Bell was
lost that he shook hands with him in Lynn on the
Tuesday he was lost, and he had half a quartern
loaf under his arm. I shook hands with Mr. But-
ters this morning, but I shook nothing else with
him.

After some prevarication the witness said—l be-
lieve he (Butters) told me it was six o'clock in the
evening when he shook hands with Mr. Bell. At
the time he told me he was cool and collected. I
am sure ho told me this within a month after Mr.
Bell was lost—within a day or two lifter. He told
me this at Wormegay. Ido not recollect anybody
being at our house the night Mr. 801 l was lost. I
never heard that John M. Butters was afraid to
sleep alone after that time.
Mrs. Elizabeth Holdgate said—l am the wife of
William Holdgate. I knew the late Mr. Bell. On
Tuesday the 13th November, 1849, he came to my
shop about half-past 4 o'clock in the afternoon. He
stayed about 5 minutes. He bought a leaf of bread
from me, and paid for it in copper. At that time my
shop was in Windsor-place, and about 400 yards
from the bridge on the London-road. At that time
he was living with his niece in Tower-street, Lynn.
Mrs. Thomasina Clarke said—l am the wife of
William Clarke, bricklayer, of Lynn. I knew the
late Mr. Bell by sight. I saw him on Tuesday the
13th of November, 1849, a little after 5 o'o!ock,
between the Ranters'-chapel and the bridge on the
London-road. He had a handkerchief and what I
judged was a loaf of bread in his hand. He was
going the direct road from Windsor-place to Tower-
street. I never saw him again. He was then
going in the direction of Tower-street.
John Moyce Butters said—Did you see Mr. Bell
at Lynn on Tuesday the 13th November, 1849, with
a loaf of bread under his arm I—No, Sir.
Did you tell Mrs. Reynolds, your brother's house-
keeper, you saw him at that time with a loaf of
bread under his arm I—No, that is not true.
Mrs. Reynolds was here confronted with the wit-
ness. The question having been repeated the same
answer was given by the witness.
Examination continued—l have not sent anybody
over to Mrs. Reynolds. I have seen a person named
Rockwood, but I did not give him any directions
what to say to Mrs. Reynolds. I did not say on the
last occasion that Panton was at my father's house
at Tottenhill the night Mr. Bell was lost. I can-
not swear one way or the other whether he was or
was not there that night. I cannot say whether
Mr. Spome was there, he might be or he might nut.
I heard Panton examined ou the last occasion, Lut
I can't say whether he said he went to Lynn on
that day alone, an'l that he left my father's house
between 8 and 9 o'clock at night.
Thoma; Sporn° said—l live at Wormegay, and
knew the late Mr. Bell. He came to my house some
two or three weeks prior to his being missed. He
came from Shouldham to my house ; that was on
the Monday. I saw him the next day for the last
time, and dined with him at Tottenhill, at Mr.
Butters's house. I perfectly well recollect the
Tuesday he was lost, because I bad a strong-invita-
tion to stop and take tea with a friend at Fincham,
which I declined to do, on account of urgent pri-

vate busineis. I returned from Fincham- to
Shouldhamthorpe.mill. When I got there I found
my pony and gig there, which I did not expect.
The consequence was that instead of riding my
horse, upon which I came to Fincham, I got into
my gig and went to Butters's 1 ouse at Totten-
hill. That was about sor 6 o'clock. I saw Mrs.
Panton there. To the best of my recollection I
never saw Mr. Panton there. If I had not seen
the published evidence I could conscientiously say
I believe he (Panton) was not there. On the
Thursday after this poor man was lost I should
not think it likely I was at Shouldhamthorpe-mill.
I should not think I wag, for it was Fast-day.
I might have been there, but I do not
remember it. Mrs. Panton has said to me
that I and her uncle Butters had murdered Mr.
Bell. She also said we had buried him in Totten-
hill churchyard. I remember she said that on a
Sunday morning, but I cannot tell you the date.
There was no joke in it ; she said it seriously. I

never heard her say that at Mr. Bat's death she

would claim 22 acres of land. Ido not know that
Panton and his wife had been urging him to let
them have the land. I know that old Mr. Bell
never intended that Panton should have the land
or to lend him a farthing of money. I have beard
old Mr. Bell say that he would not trust Mr. Pan-
ton sixpence. I might have been with John Howell
at Mr. Capew'et at the Eyre Arms Inn, but I do not
remember it. There might have been a conversation
there about the death of Mr. Bell in which I took
part. I have often said that Mrs. Panton charged
me and Butters with the murder of Mr. Bell. As
to To:tenhill churchyard, I have to say that at the
time Mr. Bell was lost I was keeping the National
School at Worinegay, and Mr. Ambrose Thompson,
of Tottenhill, came to me one day, and said, " You
and the old miller (Butters) murdered old Bell
and buried him in Tottenhill churchyard."
I said, "Do you believe it 1" He said, " No."
Thompson said, " Let's go and see if there is any
ground fresh broke up." I said, " Pho ! nonsense.'
I went with him. We were there two hours, but
could not find any ground fresh broke up, and then
he was satisfied. Ido not know that at the time old
Bell was lost, Butters owed him 1001. Bell never
complained to me of Butters in money transactions.
I know where Thos. Panton lives. I never had a
misunderstanding with him as to what his wife said
of me. He has two gardens to his house. In 1836
Panton's premises were burnt down, and then he
rebuilt his house. At the time of the fire he got his
water from an adjoining pit. In 1819 there were two
gardens, which he made himself.
Thomas Butters—l live at Tottenhill, and am a
farmer. I knew the late Mr. Bell. I saw him on a
Tuesday, three or four days after Michaelmas, 1849.
He was going to Lynn. He had been at my house
and bad some victuals. I recollect his being lost ; it
was Downbam fair day. I was ill at that time. I
owed Bell 1001. on a promissory note, which I paid
to the oil blind man (Bell's brother). I also oc-
cupied 22 acres of land under old Bell, which he
had bought from my brother. Mrs. Panton was
my brother's daughter. I never recollect her
making any claim to the land in question. I saw
old Bell in August, 1849 ; he came to my house.
He did not bring me any money. He came in re-
ference to an unsettled account between us. When
Mr. Bell came he said, " You have improved the
land, and I will give you 251. off your rent," which
he did. The rent was M. a-year. Mr. Bell
agreed to throw mo off 25/. from my year's rent for
1849. On the Gth of July, 1849, old Mr. Bell did
not put 251. into my hands. Old Mr. Bell's
brother did not say in my presence that his brother
said he had handed me 251. in money. The paper
was written by me to throw off a part of the rent.
Old Mr. Bell at that time was not feeble or childish
—not more than usual. Mr. Johnson, a surgeon,
read the paper over to him, as he could neither read
nor write. Old Mr. Bell has told me that Pant on
said he would like to have the land, but Le (Mr.
Bell) said he would never take it away from me.
Panton's how is about a quarter of a mile from
mine. At the tine Mr. Bell was lost Panton and I
were on intimate terms.o Panton has two gardens
—one at the back of the house in au out of the way
place. I do not remember Panton planting any
trees there. Mrs. Panton's saying th et I and Mr.
Spome bad put old Mr. Bell out of the way did not
alter my feeling towards Panton and her. Mr.
Spome 'was at my house the night Bell was missed.
I do not recollect anybody being there besides Mrs.
Panton. I do not recollect what time she left. I re-
paid the 1001. to Mr. Partridge, the sol citor, on
the 15th OA., I should say, 1850. (The note was
produced. It bears date in 1843.) Joseph Bell, the
blind brother, never told me that his brother went
to Gurney's beide and got 40/., and that he to. k
251. of it to me; he never told me anything of the
sort. CYcl John Bell never had words with me
about that 251. Joseph Bell, the brother, never
said to me that he knew his brother so well that he
was sure nobody but one of the Butters or Panton
could have taken him my of Lynn. I knew a man
named Merrycock, who used to live at Tottenhill.
I thick lie was living there at the time Mr.
Bell. was lost. Ido not know where he is now. I •
!vas told he was living at Marshland. Ido not
know whether he was in Panton's service.
Win. N. Butters said—l am a miller, and reside
short distance
at Tottenhill. I knew the late Mr. Bell. I cannot
name of the servant wh
say
When-I last saw him alive. I recollect his being
missed. At that time was living at Totters hill, a
fronealntou's Ido not know the
that time. I first beard ° NwaB•
previous to that event.
day after. I had not Ir. Bell was
missed the
I. do not recollect being at
living with Panton at
' the Temperance Hotel, 411123
seen him for some little time
whenapersoubrought