The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-12 00:00:00

THE ANNUAL " GREAT CATTLE
MARKET"-(THIS DAY.)

Mauy and widely difc•rrut have been the opinions
expressed during the past few months as to the probable
supply of cattle to this important annual mart. A large
number L.f half-fatted beast, liave been weekly *old here in
consequence of the unusually dry season. Fat beef has
been very scarce, and has commanded high prices all
thr,ugh the summer. It his consequently been a matter
of no I.ttle anxiety to those interested as to bow we should
fare at Caristmas. Last M0,,,1ay, however, the quality of
the supply was so decidedly improved that the anxiety was
doly abated, while a visit to the Agricultural Hall
during tie week proved to us that the high prices bad
failed to induce the graziers to break in upon the reserve
they had expressly made for this festive season.
The figures posted up this ramming as representing the
number ei cattle for which spice was bespoken dispel all
fears of scarcity. With respect to the quality of the
supply, we should say it is decidedly good, especially taking
into ac, fit the circumstan es already alluded to. The
gradual improvement we have bad the pleasure of noticing
on former occasions is still progressing. The members of
the Smithfield Club may lolk with satisfaction on the
result of their efforts as seen here tc-day. Every year we
are getting more serviceable animals both for producer and
consumer.

As to the comparative n.erit s of the diff..rent breeds, they
7.10;e pretty much as thy dt 1 at the Agricultural Hall.
The short born fully maintain. its standing in this respect.
It u ;noun of special iutereet to the general public that
this meo:.proslucing anima is by no meatus deface:sting ;
bat, on the contrary, promi.es to be • greeter friend than
ever. There are some ..ttifid speculum of Hanford.
and DeVOLA, but not in Lugs numbers. There us • very
superior show of Scots both polled and homed. The large
Susses beasts that formerly were • promine•t teatime are
Dot very noticeable today. The western counties, too,
which formerly afforded us a very large ,apply, have OM-
tributed very sparingly.

There is cossiderable improvement in the foreign depart•
meat. There is a goodly number from Germany and
several from Portugal ; the average quality is good. The
salesmen are asking very high prices, but buyers are very
cautious in their dealings. It is thought the number
actually at weskit is smaller than that quoted ; bat there
being yet three market days before Christmas, it may be
that our country friends have divided their consignments.
In the sheep market we do not others* so many of those
very large fat Liecolos that formed so prominent a feature
of the "great market" last year. The prime they realised
on that occasion, we understand, were not remunerative,
and graziers have been induced to sell elsewhere. The
mason also has been unfavourable. However, they are not
much in favoar, owing to the low price of tallow ; and
those here today are not very readily disposed of. There
are some very good Downs, but not many of an
extraordinary character. Them are the especial favour-
ites, and are making high prices. Next to these are
the half-breds ; of which, perhaps, there is a better
supply than of any other description. They are nearly as
much in demand as Downs. There ►re some very boo
specimens of foreign sheep crossed with the Cotswold. On
the whole we have exhibited a very saleable collection
both of beasts and sheep. The numbers are not nearly
ea great as last " Great Market," but that was quite an
exceptional year. By our comparative statement it will
be seen then is not so very much difference from previous
years. The weather is sufficiently good to cause the stock
to have a first-rate appearance. It is pretty favourable
also for the purchaser. The arrangements of the market
are so well ordered that every animal appears to be most
comfortably accommodated.

Oossperstise statement of prices and supply on She
"gait day" of thee and the put five years :

THIS DAT, DEC. 12, 1864.
a. d. s. d.
Beef 3 4t05 10 Beside
Mutton ... 4 6to 6 0 Sheep
Veal 4 4to 5 6 Calvet
Pork ...... 3 4to 5 0 Pigs
MONDAY, DEC. 14. 1863,
Beef 3 4to 5 4 Beene
Mutt*. ... 4 6to 6 0 Sheep
Veal 4 oto 5 4 Calves
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 15. 1862.
Beef 4 oto 5 2 Beast,
Mutton ... 4 4to 5 8 Shale •••••• 20,900
Veal 4 oto 5 4 Calve l7B
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 16, 1861.
Beef 4 oto 5 2 Beasts
Mutton
Veal 4 4to 5 8 Calves
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 17. 1860.
Beef 4 4to 5 6 Beasts
Mutton
Veal 3 Bto 5 0 Calves
Pork
MONDAT. DEC. 12, 1859.
Beef 4 4to 5 6 Beast,
Mutton
Veal 4 4 to 5 4 Calves
Pork

.. 7,580
.. 24,420
.. 160
.. 420

CHINA AND JAPAN ro.4sr AND RIVER STEAM
HAvzoarlos COMPANIF.—(THIS DAL)

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was
held at neon at the company's offices, 10A, Kinee-arree.
pant Moorpte-atreet ; Mr. J. N. llsinitu. in the chair.
The report haring been previouly limed was taken u
sod

The Cirantmarr, in moving the adoption of the report,
sapwraed his regret that the accounts of the last half.
year would not justify the declaratioo of a dividend. and
Lis coutdeoce as regarded the future. Two of the company's
vessels, the Titan and the Ilona, had been working profit.
ably A third, the Elgin, would have dome the same
bad she been adapted for the service ; but the coatrary
being the cam stele bad been taken for disposing of her.
There was A prospect of a junction with another company
which was projected; and if the arrangements were
carried out the result would no doubt be vary satisfactory.
In rep:), to a .1055t100,
The CHAIRWA:t stated that an adequate supply of coal
would be obtained from the Lehman Company at • pines
per ton.
After some conversation the report was adopted.

GENERAL FLOATING DOCK COMPANY
(LIMITED).-( THIS DAE)

To-day the annual general meeting of the share-
holders of this company was held at the officio is Thread-
needle-street ; Mr. B. PHILII`fiON is the chair.
The report was taken as read.
The CNAIRIIAN, in moving it. adoption, stated that the
great floating dock at Bordeaux was partly coostrocted, and
that the small decks were working and yielding a favour-
able return. which was, I leaver, absorbed is buddies en-
Pen Sea. The state of monetary affairs and the appre
tension of a continuation of the crisis had rsetraioed the
board from owning dock* in other places, but there was
veer little doubt of the ultimate prosperity of the company.
The report was adopted.

REPRINENT ATI, 0N or WINI/SOR.—It is understood
that Meson. Listeinchere and Flower, two gentlemen of
liberal views who intend ci.ntestiog the borough of New
Windsor with the two present sitting members (Mr. Van.
smart and Cidotiel V7sel at the next election, will at ones
be introduced to the constituency.
Erns CoLLC,E.—Th., autumn Reboot time, which
commenced on the 2lst of September last, closes oa Friday
test, the 16th Mutant, on which day the whole of the
echo.," take their departure. The present half has wit-
nessed few changes rime its commencement. Mr. Mosley,
one of the Srst.class Eton prizerueo, has been appointed an
moistant master : and Mr. Frank Tarsal.. second French
master. Both he and Mr. Henry Terror, principal French
muter, now wear the academic cap and gown. In the
rreent list of c.ailiistes for direct comilisaions, issued on
the 22nd Noyenslor, the n0n..., of the following Etoniatw
u/de'tt :—Viscount Liscelles. C. E. Knox. C. T. M. Moot-
itnn.ene, 11. C. .t. Bentiock. U. Broughton, Sir G. R.
Pre.cott, J. G. Boller, C. Thorold, and F. A. Garden.
F. Hervey, also an Etonian, was a successful candi-
date for the Balliol scholarship, Oxford, on the '24th
being the second year in succession that all Etonian tappable
gulled that honour. The Christmas vacatkan climes on
wineeday, Jenuary lx, lei's-,
I 0.10:r SPIE: IN I{l. MMOND.—It is well known
t^ persons who have at all directed their attention to the
matter that this city and, indeed, the whole South has been
for a Icing time past infesteil with Yankee spies. They are
at ..11:1 to have regular line. of communication which leave
nightie, end our evening papers reach Grant's
baelquarters before t o'elnek the nest morning. These
µrt., have facilities for knowing a great deal, and they
r•ri.-nunicate esierything to the enemy at the earliest mo-
uoot. These feet. have been reported to tie Was Demi:t-
-r. eta long oince. and from time to time, yet so steps have
teen taken in the matter. (liar pretest system of detectives
'''surd and worthless and pmdoctive of more evil this
retl• nod yet it is adhered to while the govsrement is
c' rarn.l and Rh mud to the great detriment of
Enluartr, Nov.