The Press.
London, England, 1854-06-10 00:00:00

Villa! and Omni.

ORDERS have been issued by the Admiralty to corn
mence the building of a new el-gun screw-ship, to be
called the Hero. The lines are to be laid down at
Chatham. The building of a screw-frigate of fifty
guns, to be named the Chesapeake, has also com-
menced at Chatham Dockyard.
THE TESTAMENTARY JURISDICTION Bar, which has
passed the Lords, stands for second reading in the
Commons on Monday next. Mr. Matins, the
Chancery barrister, will move that it be read that day
six months.

CAPTAIN PETER RICHARDS, C. 8., was sworn in on
Wednesday as one of the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty.
THE EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN ELECTRIC ParSTINe
TELEGRAPH COMPANY are laying down in Deptford-
yard an electric wire, which is to connect that es-
tablishment with Somerset-house and
CAPTAIN R. SPENCER ROBINSON, who has written
a useful pamphlet on steamers, and last commanded
the Arrogant, 47, screw.frigate, is named as likely to
be selected to commission the Royal Albert.
THE VACANT GOOD-SERVICE PENSION, relinquished.
on promotion, by Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour,
has been conferred on Captain John M.Dougall.
Ir is reported that Sir W. Molesworth will shortly
be elevated to the peerage. The electors of South-
wark are already looking about for au eligible SRC-
cessor in the representation of their borough.
THAT " THE NEWSPAPER STAMP Is DOOMED " the
Liverpool Times declares it has reason to believe,
and expects to find a bill for that purpose passed
even during the present session. Our contemporary
adds :—" The Attorney. General is reported to have
said that there were above one hundred papers which
weekly offended against the stamp laws, and that if
he prosecuted one he must prosecute all. The Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer declares that the question as
one of revenue was not worthy of mention; and, in
fact, the matter has been left to the Home Secretary,
who will soon bring in a bill abolishing the penny
stamp on newspapers, except for postal purposes."
THERE IS A "Kum "—it can only be so called—of
not less than 150 miles in length, existing in one of
the most populated and best traversed districts of
England. This agricultural phenomenon is in the
occupancy of Mr. Brotherhood, of Chipponhaw, and
consists of the narrow strip of land forming the slopes
and edges of the Great Western Railway. In some
places between the line and the fence there may be 20
yards; in other spots it is not more than 0 feet; but
all equally constitutes Mr. Brotherhood's farm, which,
however narrow, is literally 150 miles long, and
through its whole length—whether in grass or arable
—is well, and it is said profitably, kept by the tenant,
who has risen by his own industry from originally
being a workman on the line. Mr. Brotherhood is
besides a contractor, and has an engagement for
keeping the permanent way and rails on the line in
constant repair. He has a factory at Chippenhani,
where lie employs 300 men.
TIIE SECOND CHISViICK FLOWER, SHOW took place
on Saturday last. The floral exhibition deserves as
usual to be highly spoken of, and the musical attrae•
tions offered to the visitors were of their wonted ex-
cellence. Owing, however, to the unpropitious state
of the weather, which, if not wet, was almost wintry,
the muster of visitors was comparatively meagre.
THE OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY was formlly opened
to the public on Thursday, the Ist inst., in presence
of the Mayor and a number of the leading citizens.
ANOTHER GOVERNMENT EMIGRANT-SHIP, the Tan-
tivy, which left Southampton on Saturday, has her
passenger-berths fitted upon a new system, called
the "block principle." The berths form square
blocks, containing each about a dozen sleeping-
places, and between each block there is an open
space, by which a better ventilation is secured. The
whole of the blocks are taken to pieces during the
day, and packed into a email compass, and thus
ample room is afforded for the emigrants to move
about.
A RESOLUTION giving permission to the burial
board to borrow 16,0001. for the purpose of laying
out the grounds and erecting a church and chapel
on the site of the new burial-ground at Finchley
passed the Maryleboue vestry on Saturday last by a
large majority.
Br way of addition to the National Gallery it is
stated that a collection of pictures has been pur-
chased on the part of the Government from Herr
Kruger, of Minden. They are shortly expected to
arrive in England, for delivery at their destination. _

THE METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS held
a special court on Tuesday last. The accounts
showed a balance in hand from the draining account
of 34,9341. 19s. 9d. ; and from the deposit account
80,0001.. from which payments were ordered to the
amount of 7,108/. 15s. 441., leaving a balance of
107,8261.40.4 d. The business transacted was merely
formal.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF ETON FESTIVAL, " The Fourth
of June," falling on Sunday, the event was celebrated
on Tuesday last, in order that the preceding day's
unavoidable preparations should not interfere with
the Sabbath. The festival this year was honoured
by the presence of Prince Albert, who was accompa-
nied by the King of Portugal, the Duke of Oporto,
the I'rince of Wales, and Prince Alfred. The
speeches were delivered, as usual, in the upper
school, where a numerous company had assembled.
In the evening the crews manned the boats and
rowed in procession to Surley-hall. The day con-
cluded with feasting and fireworks.
THE number of public acts passed in the present
session up to the recess was nineteen. A great many
private acts have received the royal assent.

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