The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-07-19 00:00:00

Scotlanb.

ORANGE AFFRAY AT PANNIY.-011 Tuesday this
town and neighbourhood were the scene of much excite-
ment, on account of the proceedings of the Orange
Lodge here, and the fatal and serious results which fol-
lowed. For some reason or another the authorities in
Itenfrewshire did not issue proclamations prohibiting
Orange demonstrations, although this was done both in
Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, and this circumstance ap-
peared to operate materially in making the Orangemen
of this town bold and confident. As early as 6in the
morning the lodge mustered in the High-street to the
number of 4410 or 500, among whom were a considerable
number of women, and, headed by • band of music, they
proceeded to parade the town. Ultimately they directed
their steps to Johnstone, and on reaching Millenston,
which is close to the Parliamentary boundary of Paisley,
they were attacked by a body of miners. Sonic, of their
musical instruments were damaged, and severe wounds
on the head and other parts of tho body were given and
received by both parties. One of the miners assailing
the Orangemen bad his hand severely cut with • sword.
Ultimately the miners drew off, andthe Orangemen pro-
ceeded to Johnstone. Here in the square, they waited
some time, and had 1101110 refreshment, and again stetted
their route. Shortly after 12 o'clock they left John-
stone and proceeded to Linwood by the Deaf Hillock
Toll, reaching the latter place shortly before 1 o'clock.
Here the Linwood Lodge broke off from the procession,
and the Paisley and Johnstone Lodges proceeded on the
road to Paisley, with the intention of separating at the
West Toll. On reaching the bridge over the Black Cart
at the south end of the village, they found their further
progress opposed by 200 or 300 miners, who as soon as
they made their appearance attacked them with stones
and bludgeons. The precession was driven back into
the village in disorder, but after a short delay they
induced four or five of the county police to
accompany them again to the bridge, which they again
essayed to cross. A desperate encounter then
ensued, in which fire-arms and knives were freely
used in addition to less dangerous weapons, such as
bludgeons palings, &c. continued succession of shots
were fired, but apparently the greater number of them
were discharged at too great a distance to do much
harm. As the struggle continued the combatants drew
closer to each other, and a fearful hand-to-hand fight
followed, the weapons used being chiefly clasp-knives
and bludgeons. d e are assured by a spectator that the
, scene was most fearful, the combatants apparently being
animated against each other with • most savage Ind
deadly hatred. Ultimately, after the struggle bad
lasted for about three quarters of an hour, the Catholic
party gave way and flea' along the road leading to hiker-
mann. Two or three who dropped behind were very
severely handled by the infuriated Orangemen, and, in-
deed, in one case in particular but for the energetic in-
terference of the polite it is questionable if the unfortu-
nate man would not have been murdered. He was
pointed out as one who had taken a most prominent
part in the milee. After he was in custody two pistol
shots were fired at him. After the affray WM over the
combatants presented a horrid spectacle. On the
middle of the road, where the fight had been hottest, lay
extended the dead body of a strong muscular man ap-
parently about 40 years of age. His skull had been
severely fractured, and he wu stabbed apparently with
a clasp-knife in the left breast. The body was conveyed
to the village, whither also the more seriously wounded
were taken. The procession then reformed, and accom-
panied by all who could walk, proceeded to Paisley,
which place it reached without molestation. The GIRD
killed has not been identified, but it is supposed that he
belonged to the Catholic party. The enrolled pensioners
resident in Paisley were called out in the afternoon and
lodged ill the Paisley barracks for the night, there being
nonmilitary at the present time in the district.

HOLY ROOD PALAC6.—WhiIe the Royal apartments in
this ancient palace are being fitted up for the reception
of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the exterior
improvements, which have been souse time in progress
and which were expected to be completed before the
arrival, on their way north, of Her Majesty and the
Royal Family, who usually pass a night here at least on
their way to and from Bahnoral, have been quickened
and expedited, so that if possible they may be finished,
or nearly so, on the Prince's coming. Within the last
few years very extensive improvements have been
made in the external aspect of Holyrood. Formerly
surrounded with small houses and gardens, and almost
inaccessible either from the town or the park, it now
stands in the midst of • somewhat spacious and neatly-
enclosed garden, and a carriage drive of ample breadth
has been formed all along its front, communicating on
the one side with the New Town, in the centre with the
Old Town, by way of Canongate, and on the other
extreme with the Queen's drive, the Royal parks,
and the hills of Arthur's Seat. Among the still more
recent improvemente carried out are the renovation of
the ancient mansion of Croft-an.righ, situated in the
north-east eorner of the palace gardens' occupied some
time by the Regent Murray, while his sister, the beau- !
tiful Mary Queen of Scots, still held her brief sway over
her turbulent nobles and distracted kingdom; the
erection of elegant lodges at Holyrood, Parson's-green,
and St. Leonard's, the outlets of the park; the forma-
tion of a fine sheet of water in the valley below St.
Anthony's Chapel, and skirting a portion of the drive;
and the extension of the drive from St. Leonard's to the
village of Duddingstoue, opening up some very pie•
turvoine ground, and a very useful public thoroughfare.
The principal improvements still in progress are the erec-
tion of elegant iron gates at the different entrances to
the quadrangle in front of the palace; the enclosure of
another large piece of ground within the Royal park,
almost below Salisbury map; and, in particular, the
substitution of a somewhat ungainly statue of Her Ma-
jesty, placed in front of the palace some years ago, by •
quaint but magnificent fountain taken from • dilapidated
but still attractive model in the courtyard of the ruinous
palace of Linlithgow. This fountain, which is gothic in
design, is chiefly remarkable for its sculptural embellish-
ments, the most characteristic of which are a series of
figures descriptive of the costumes and pursuits of the
frequenters of the old Scottish Court. These figures,
which are 16 in number, and are from 18 to 20 inches
in height, have been executed in models furnished by Mr.
Thomas, of London, who deserves inuoh credit for the
lively manner in which he has effected those "restora-
tions." For the supply of the fountain, water will be
obtained from the adjoining hills, and when its numerous
jets are in full play, it cannot fail to prove a welcome
and beautiful decoration to the Palace. The execution
of tie work has been entrusted to Molars. Beattie and
Sons, Edinburgh, under the superintendence of Mr.
Maitleson, of the Board of Works. Its cost, which is
about £1,460 has been provided fur by a Parliamentary
grant for the purpose. There are various directions
still in which the work of improvement may be
carried out, but the progress made within the last six
years has already done much to compensate for the
neglect into which fur many years this interesting and
picturesquely enviroued palate was allowed to tall.