... CHRISTMAS IN THE OLDEN TIME. From-a canoes Id son^ rre-erved in the Harleian Manuscripts in the B itisb. Mjseum, we learn that it was considered peculiarly lucky when Christmas-day fell on a Sundav, and the reverse vhen it occurred on a Satur- day. The in'er:: e.Hate days are, for the most part, characeri-eil :'y a hapr'y uniformity of propitious augury. The versification is of the rudest and ...

... The new canon of Peterborough is the Rev. Brooke Fo-s Wesfcott, B.D., formerly Fellow of Trinity Col- lects, Camhri Ige. Mr. VVestcott took his B.A. degree, in 14'3, being first clas-ic and twenty-fourth Wra.ig. ler. He was elpctel a Follow of Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1ô4fJ, and ordained deaco and priest by the Bishop of Manchester in 1851. Mr. Westcott's works are well known to scholars ...

... THE FKBSMWWI'an S tlol ■ liorl a Diiblic meeting which took place at the Guildhall, at twelve o'clock on Monday, the object being to form a local committee to receive subscrip- tions for the relief of the widow and orphans left by the late sad calamity. The meeting was but thinly attended, owing to the unpropitious state of the morning, there being a considerable depih of snow oil the ground. ...

... FATAL ACCIDENT AKD INQUEST.—An accident oc- curred at Morris's patch, on Wednesday evening sen'night, by which a labourer, about 60 years of age, named Leary Murphy, lost his life, in consequence of the squeezing together of a part of the ground which was being worked. One of deceased's fellow-workmen observed the ground giving way, and immediately gave warning, but before Murphy could get out ...

... POLICE COURT —SATURDAY. (Before WILLIAM WILLIAMS, E,q) Ox FURLOUGH.—George Ei-y, a soldier in the 30th Regiment of Foot, app'i- 1 en the ground ot sickness to have the petiad nf his furlough extended, which was accordingly granted, ASSAULT.—Sarah Benjamin charged Jones with having assaulted her. The parties, with other young men and women, work at the Pontilewynydd Forge. About two o'clock 011 ...

... geivs. DEATH OF COLONEL WOOD, OF LITTLETO:S- The death of Colonel Wood, which took place on Thursday last at the advanced age of ST, is an event which may well claim a tribute of commemorative regret. Co'one Wood was educated at Harrow and at Oxford. Shortly after leaving the University he joi ied the 1st or Royal East Middlesex Militia as Lieutenant-Colonel, and succeeded to the full ...

... (From the Ganltncrs' Chroniclc.) GALLS IN OAKS.— For some years past, a silent unsus- pected enemy has been invading the oak forests of Eng- land. In all the south-western counties galls, like those which we get from the Levant for the purpose of dyeing bl-ick, have been making their appearance, and annually iucreasing in quite a geometrical ratio On several oc- casions the subject bps been ...

... Lord DUNGANNON gave notice that he intended to call the attention of the House, at an early day, to the practice of turning the metropolitan theatres into places of worship on the Sabbath. Lord BROUGHAM, in moving for a return of cotton im- ported from various parts of the world during the last two years, and the amount of revenue levied upon it, advocated the removal of duties on raw cotton ...

... -Hf j • FUNERAL OF THE LATE PRINCE CONSORT. DEMONSTRATION AT NEWPORT. The profound sorrow with which the hearts of the British people were smitten on the intelligence of the death of the late Prince Consort, and the deep and un- feigned sympathy felt with the Queen in her bereave- ment, have been clearly evinced. Throughout the country the day of the funeral of the lamented Prince was ob-r- ...

... CAERLEON. PENNY READINGS.—On Thursday, the 9th inilt., the last of the series of readings in this town was given, the Rev. H. P. Edwards, vicar, being in the chair. The room was not only crowded but was densely packed in every part, more so than on any previous occasion, and the audience testified their approval of the entertain- ment by frequent bursts of applause, both during the performance ...

... It is one of the worst signs of the day that a host now generally prefers rather to entertain the guest who his enormously wealthy than the guest who is merely eminent. The host does not simply seek to be hospitable, hut is seeking his own ulterior ends of a social and selfish kind. The fine old notion that there is something sacred in partaking of a man's salt is now discarded as an idle ...

... PENNY READINGS.—The fourth of this year's series of readings, in connection with the British school, was held last week, Mr. J. Harris Stephen, presiding. The attendance was remarkably good, the room being quite filled, and many persons having to stand during the evening. Mrs. Phillipson, Miss Pritchard, and Mr. A. H. James, of Newport, kindly gave their services, and the song?, duets, and ...