The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-09 00:00:00

V roVintial.

A MILITIA RIOT took place at Burnley on New.
Year's-eve. A number of the Dublin Militia now in
the Burnley Barracks, by way of celebrating the
occasion, attacked the townspeople, smashed their
windows, and bayoneted every person who came in
their way. Theriot became so serious that a power-
ful police and military force was necessary to restore
order. The militia are at present confined to the
barrack, pending a civil and military inquiry. Six-
teen militia men were apprehended, and eleven have
been committed for trial. The militia have since
been removed to Aldershott.

THE NEW DEBATING Room at the Union, Oxford,
is rapidly approaching completion. The structure
is from the designs of Mr. Woodward, architect of
the new Museum, in the Parks, and will, when the
decorations are finished, be a masterpiece of art.
Some of the first artists of the pre-Raphaelite school
are and have been for some time past engaged in
adorning its walls with paintings on subjects from
the Cycle of Arthurean romance. Amongst the
members of the University and others who give their
gratuitous services are D. G. Rosetti ; the Rev. John
H. Pollen, formerly Fellow of Merton College,
Senior Proctor in 1851, and a seceder from the
Church of England to the Church of Rome ; Willism
Morris, 8.A., Exeter College; and E. Jones, BA ,
Exeter College, &c. The subjects are as follows :
King Arthur receiving the Sword Excalibur from the
Lady of the Lake—J. H. Pollen, M.A.; Sir Palo-
mides, Jealousy of Sir Tristram, and the fair 'suite—
Wm. Morris, B. A. ; Merlin allured iuto the Pit by
the Lady of the Lake—E. Jones, 8.A.; Nimue
bringing Sir Peleas to Ettarde after their Quarrel—
V. Prinsep ; Sir Launcelot Asleep before the Shrine
of the Sangreal—D. G. Rosetti ; and the Corpse of
Arthur conveyed by Weeping Queens to Avalon—
Arthur Hughes.
A MArDEN LADY, Miss Stewart, of somewhat
eccentric habits, living in the Lewisham-road, de-
liberately drowned herself in the water-butt last
Monday upon her maiden sister leaving her on a
visit to the country.
A NORWEGIAN FUNERAL took place at Newcastle
last week. The service does not differ from that of
the Church of England, but the mourners chant a
Lutheran hymn around the grave. The effect is
described as having been extremely touching and
impressive.
A LAMENTABLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT occurred OR
the Caledonian railway on Wednesday evening.
Several navvies leaving off work were just crossing
the main line near Gartcosb, when an up and down
train came in sight. The men appear to have
become bewildered; some rushed on one side, and
some another, but unhappily they did not all succeed
in getting clear betore the down train reached them.
Seven men were instantly knocked down, five of
whom were cut to pieces in a moment ; the remain-
ing two lie dangerously injured at the Glasgow
infirmary. No biame, it is said, can be attached to
the driver of the train.

WOODCOCKS, says the Hereford Journal, have
appeared in unusual numbers in some parts of that
country. _ .

MR. SMYTH, of Aston-court, Bristol, has refused to
serve as High Sheriff, as appointed by the Town
Council. The subject was discussed at a meeting of
the Town Council last week, when the following
letter from Mr. W. Smyth's solicitors was read :

We have satisfied ourselves that Mr. Smyth is not liable
to serve; and however sensible he may be of the honour
intended to be conferred upon him, be is advised that
he ought not to accept it, on grounds which we should be
prepared to state if it were necessary to do so ; but from
communications which have passed with the mayor and
the present high sheriff, we consider it unnecessary for us
to do more than communicate this decision.

The council have directed their law officers to tako
immediate steps to enforce the acceptance of the
office by Mr. Smyth, either by applying to the Court
of Queen's Bench or otherwise, as counsel may
advise.

THE ANNUAL REPORT of the Oxford Working
Men's Eduostional Institute is highly satisfsatory.

The report shows that the total number of members
enrolled was 163; that classes had been formed in
anatomy, botany, arithmetic, and mathematics,
mechanical drawing, elementary drawing, English
and Latin grammar, and general literature, and also
male and female adult schools for teaching reading,
writing, arithmetic, Sac. The total receipts from the
classes and,the sale of members' tickets amounted to
21/. Ils., and the expenses 201. 18s. Od., leaving a
balance of 12s. 6d. in the hands of the treasurer.
THE TOTAL NUMBER of emigrants who left Liver-
pool in 1857 is returned at 154,000. Of these 07,594
sailed for the United States, 51,243 (including 400
to New Zealand) for Australia, and 6,000 for the
Canadian ports. "In the latter part of the year,"
observes the return, " there has not only been a con-
siderable falling off in the emigration to the United
States, but many of the old emigrants have returned
to this port, and either proceeded to Ireland or have
taken passages for Australia, and have thus helped
to swell the numbers who are still crowding to those

colonies.
A FETAL BOILER EXPLOSION occurred at the Aber-
chan Ironworks on Tuesday, whereby the fireman
engaged, and two boys walking in the immediate
neighbourhood of the works, were killed. The
engineer escaped most miraculously. The inquest
will be held this day.
SOME of the charitable institutions of Glasgow
have lately received a most munificent bequest. By
the will of Mr. Buchanan, of the firm of Denistoun
Buchanan an 6 C0.,10,0001. are left to the Merchants'
House, 10,0001. to the Trades' House, 10,0001. to the
Royal Infirmary, and 3,0001. for ten years, or during
bis widow's lifetime, for the institution of an indus-
trial school. At Mrs. Buchanan's decease the residue
of his fortune is to be applied to the permanent
maintenance of the institution. In this view
the bequest cannot be less than from 150,0001. to
200,0001. A condition is imposed on the city of
Glasgow to provide and maintain the necessary
buildings for the institution. and it is provided that
if Glasgow shall not accept the offer it is to be made
successively to Liverpool, Manchester, and New
York.