The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-09 00:00:00

THE E.:

CLUB CATTLE SHOW.

The return of Christmas is as surely indicated by
the red-lettered placards of the annual metropolitan exhi-
bition of fat stock, as by the calendar ; and certainly not
the least interesting duty of the
,journalist at that festive
season is to record the merits of the various specimens of
animal adiposity submitted to the London appetite. Since
the commeacemeat of the Smithfield Club, many circum-
stances in connexion with the onward march of civilisation
have tended year by year to increase the interest attaching
to its operations. Not the least important amongst those
social changes has been the establishment of railways, by
means of which a complete revolution has been effected in
the live meat trade. The old-fashioned practice of putting
fat on to cattle in the rich grazing grounds of the Midland
and Eastern Counties, to be taken off again by the hard
drive into the London market, has been super-
seded, and we have now the stock brought
to the hands of our butchers, in as fine order
as when they left the stall or the grass land.
The show of the present year (to which we were admitted
to a private view last evening) is a strikins'exemplification
of the advantage of this change. The various animals, not-
withetaading their high feeding and their very recent
change of quarters, exhibit as much ease and comfort, and
presented as sleek an appearance, as though they had never
bun disturbed from their feeding-sheds. The space allot-
ted to the exhibition of the present year has been much in-
creased, as compared with fOrmer years. By an addition to
the area of the cattle-shed the whole of the beasts arc
brought together, and the visitor is enabled to pass from
the one class to tho other—from Herefords to Herons,
Demons to short-horns, and so on—and judge of their rela-
tive Merits without having his attention diverted,
bang compelled to wend his wa through
of pig and sheep pens. Under the
WSW filantgamient each description of animals is brought
Irselbar by itself, and viewed at once—a change which
must base isabd as muck to the convenience of the judges
in awarding the prizes, as it does to the sight-seeing public.
IThe additional facilities thus given, and which probably re-
sults from the over-crowded show of 1850, do not appear
to have been taken full advantage of by the exhibitors, for
anything there is rather a smaller number of animals
shown in the present year as compared with the last. In
the quality, however, there is no falling off, but on the con-
trary a decided improvement. The number of over fat
animals is smaller than in any previous year, but the
n points" of high breeding are in almost every in-
stance apparent. Amongst the cattle the Herefords are
sere than usually fine, the gainer of the chief prize of 301.
in Class 1, being, perhaps, ouo of the most remarkable ani-
mals foe symmetry, combined with great bulk and fineness
of limb, ever seen. Mr. Heath, the feeder and exhibitor
of this ox, carried away the first prize last year with a two
year and ten months old Hereford. The second prize
416 sovereigns, in the same class, Mr. W. H. Bicknell
takes for a very beautifully compact little short-horned
steer, about which the judges could have had but small
difficulty in deciding, the abort horns generally being, with
some few honourable exceptions, not of so high a standard
as we have seen at previous shows. In the same class
Prince Albert takes the third prize of 5 sovs. fora 4year and
10 months old Hereford ox, which, though ethic animal hos,
as would appear to the uninitiated, many equals amongst
these which have been less successful. In the second class,
also, a Hereford carried off the chief prize, and with good
reason, for a more perfect animal in every respect than Mr.
Longmore's 3 year and 8 months old steer is not in the
exhibition. In Class 3, Prince Albert secures the second
prize of 151. for a 2 year and 10 months old Hereford ox,
which is decidedly the best animal his royal highness has at
the show. In this class the Earl of Derby exhibits, as
executor to the late earl, a somewhat curious animal—a
cross between a Brahmin and a short-horned ox. In ap-
pearance it resembles in some degree a huge deer, being
exceedingly light and blood-like in shape, and somewhat
wild is its aspect. As a specimen, it would scarcely be in
favour with the butcher, from its deficiency in flesh as
compared with our own pure breeds or crosses. Amongst
the Devons, the Earl of Leicester exhibits a 1 year and
1 month old pure North Devon ox, which takes (and
most deservedly) the first prise in clam 4, a 3 year and 8
month ox, of the same breed, which is equally successful
with the first prize in clan 6, and with equal merit. Mr.
Bond has a very beautifully made little Devon steer in class
.5, which has not obtained a prize; and one of not
finer proportions, but of something larger size, which takes
a prize of .51. For Scotch, Welsh, and Irish cattle, which
arc classed together, Mr. kinderly takes the first prize of
101. for a4i year old Pembrokeshire ox. There is in this
class a perfectly pure Highland ox (almost the only one in
the exhibition), whose wild, shaggy, dim coat, rough mane,
long horns, and restless eye contrast amusingly enough with
the quiet, lazy, sleek appearance of his more southern
companions. ;Amongst the cows, of which there is
a fair average number exhibited, the only feature
for remark is the heavy weight they have bean
made by judicious feeding to attain, and the
profit which they will thus bring to both feeder and
butcher. The short-horn which carries off the first prize
in class 9 strikes us as over fat, and this probably is almost
the only animal in the exhibition to which the same obser-
vation would apply. In the class for extra stock is a three-
year and ten months' old Hereford ox (belonging to Kr.
William Heath, the successful competitor in the first clue),
removed from class 4 inconsequence of over-weight, which
obtains a silver medal to the breeder. This is one of the
finest animals in the show, and but for its extra weieht
would no doubt have taken the first prize in the class for
which it was originally entered. In the classes for sheep
there are some beautiful pens of Downs, Lcicesters, and
cross breeds, the most successful exhibitors being the Duke
of Richmond and Mr.Sainabury for Southdown, Mr. Brad-
shaw and Mr. Willmore for Leicester', and Mr. Overman
for cross-breds. Prince Albert exhibited a pen of very fine
Southdown wethers, and Mr. Shelly and several other con-
stant contributors to the show have some beautiful sheep of
the several breeds, quite up to the standard of success in
years gene by, but hardly equal to that which the competi-
tion of free trade has rendered necessary, and which, judg-
ing from results, none know better how to meet than his
Grace of Richmond. the great champion of protection. In
pigs there is the usual amount of superabundance of fat,
accompanied with an almost total loss of the moving power
of the animal. Whethee the most profitable way of feed-
log hogs is to fit them for the melting pot the farmer must
be the best judge, but unless the food costs nothing we
should be induced to doubt the soundness of the practice.
Amongst the very few visitors admitted to the private view
we observed the Marquis of Exeter and the Earl of St. Ger-
mans, both of whom appeared to take great interest in the
stock, a portion of which has been contributed by the
I former.
Towing is a complete list of the prizes u awarded
bytes:

ORIN OR IMMO.

Qum 1.--Ozen or eteere of iinYll7e4tl above 4, and not
exceeding 6, years-old, without restrictions as to feeding,
yet specifying the kind of foal—First prime of 30 son., to
Mr. William Heath, Ludham-hall, Norwich ; miller medal
to the breeder, Mr. John Oakes, Mao% Church .Thretton ;
taseond lobe of 15 more., to Mr. Win. Henry Brickwell,
Leckhampstead, Bucks; third prise of 6 sore., to Prince

Class 2.—Ozen or steers of any breed above 3, and not
exceeding 4, years-old.—First prize of 30 son., to Mr.
Edward Longmore, Adforton, near Ludlow ; silver medal
to the breeder, Mr. Edward Longmore, Adforton, near
Ludlow ; second prize of 16 son., to Mr. William Heath,
Ludham-ball, Norwich ; third prize of 6 son., to Prince
Albert.

Class 3.—Oxen or steers of say breed above 2, and not
exceeding 3, yeen-old.—First prise of 2.5 son. to Mr.
[Joseph Phillips, Ardington, near Wantage, Berk'; silver
medal to the breeder, Mr. Thome Carter, Dodmor, near
Ludlow, Salop; second prise of 15 sovs., to Prince Albert ;
third prise of 5 son., to Mr. Isaac Niblett, Conygre Farm,
Finest near Bristol.
Class 4.—Oxen or steers of any breed and age not exceed-
ing 80 stone weight —The first prise of 20 son., to the
Earl of Leicester, Holkham Hall, Norfolk; silver medal,
to the breeder, Mr. William Baker, Bishop's Nyeipton ;
second prim of 18 son., to Mr. Daniel Maydwell, Ash-
stead, Surrey.
Clue s.—Olen or steers of any breed and age not exceed-
ing 80 stone weight.—First prize of 15 son., to the Earl of
Leicester' Holkham Hall, Norfolk ; silver medal, to the
breeder, Mr. Geosge Turner, Barton, near Exeter; second
prim of 5 son., to Mr. Thomas Bond, Bishop's Lydeard,
Taunton. _ _ _ __ _ _

61MS01.—Oxen or steers of the Scotch, Welsh, or Irish
(Kerry) breed, of any age, without restriction as to feeding.
—Prise of 10 sots., to Mr. G. H. Kinderley, Kilpaison,
Pembroke.

COWS AND 11111,11113.

Clan 7.—Fattened cows or heifers under 8 years old.—
First prize of 20 sore., to Mr. Samuel Bruce, Bs-
ham, near Oxford; • silver medal, to the bender,
Samuel Bruce, Ennham, near Oxford ; second prize of 10
son., to Mr. Richard Stratton, Broad Hinton, near Swig'.
don, Wilts; third prize of 5 son., to Mr. John Phillips,
Ardington, near Wantage.
Class B.—Fattened cows of 5 years old and upwards.—
First prize of 20 son., to Lord Fevershain, Duncombe
Park, lielmaley, York; silver medal, to the breeder,
Lord Faversham, Buncombe Park, Helmsley, York ; second
I prize of 10 son., to Mr. Joseph Gillett, Little Henley, near
Wheatley, Oxon.
Class 9.—Fattened cows of 5 years old or upwards that
shall have had, at least, 2 live calves at separate births.
First prize of 20 eon. to Mr. Wm. Holland, I.4ht,
elide, near Halifax ; sliver medal to the breeder, 111 r.
Wm. Holland, Ligbtcliffe, near Halifax; second prize
of 10 son., to Mr. Robert Boman, Moretonin-the-Manh,
Gloucester.

LONO-WOOLLID 8111 Tr.

Class 10.—First prise of 20 sore., to Mr. R. L. Bradshaw,
Barley-on-the-Hill, Calmat; silver medal to the breeder,
Mr. R. L. Bradshaw, Burley-on-the-Hill, Oakhain ;
second prise of 10 sore., to Mr. R. F. Hall, Healey, near
Bawtry ; third prize of 5 son., to Mr. George Walmaley,
&Aston, near Bridlington.
Clam 11.—First prim of 20 sore., to Kr. Lawrence Will-
more, Whetstone, near Leicester; silver medal to the
breeder, Mr. Lawrence Willmar', Whetstone, near

Leicester • second rise of 10 sows. to Mr. Thomas Pare
Broughton, near liP ' ettering • third' prise Of 5 sore., to the
Marquis of Exeter, Burghley House, Stamford.

LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP (NOT
d LEICESTEI6).
Class 12.—Prize of 19 son., to r. Robert Boman, More-
ton in-the-Marsh, Gloucester; silver medal to the breeder.
Mr. Robert &man, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucester.

CROSS-BRED ONZEP.

Class 13.—First prize of 10 mom., to Mr. J. R. Overman,
Burnham Sutton, near Burnham Market; silver medal,
to tho breeder, Mr. J. R. Overman, Burnham Sutton, new
Burnham Market; second prize of 6 sors., to Mr. &mad
Bruce, Eynsham, near Oxford.
Class 14.—Prize of 10 son., to Mr. J. R. Overman,
Dunham Sutton, near Burnham Market, Norfolk; silver
medal, to the breeder, Mr. J. R. Overman, Burnham
Sutton , near Burnham Market, Norfolk.

BHOET•WOOLLED
Class 15.—Fint prise of 20 sots., to the Duke of Rich-
mond, Goodwood, Chichester ; silver medal, to the breeder,
Duke of Richmond, Goodwood, Chichester ; second prigs
of 10 son., to Mr. William Sainsbury, West LavingtoD,
Devizes.

Class 16.—Prize of 10 sort, to Mr. William Sainsbury,
Wait Lavingtou, near Devizes; silver medal, to the breeder,
Mr. William Sainsbury, West Lavington, near Devizes.
Class 17.—First price of 20 son. to the Duke of Rich-
mond, Goodwood, Chichester ; silver medal to the breeder.
the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood. Chichester; anon&
prize of 10 son. to Mr. J. V. Shelley, Maresfield Park,
Mansfield.

SHORT-WOOLLED (N)T SOUTH DOWNS.)
Claw 18.—Prize of 10 eove. (the prize withheld); silver
medal to the breeder.

rice.

Class 19.—First prize of 10 soya. to Mr. John Coate,
Hammoon, near Blandford, Dorset ; a silver medal to the
breeder, Mr. John Coate, Ilamrnoon, near Blandford, Dor-
set; second prize of 5 soya. to Mr. Wm. Mills Barber, Lang-
ley Broom, near Slough.
Class 20.—First prize of 10 soya. to Mr. John Coate,
Hammoon, near Blandford, Dorset ; silver medal to the
breeder, Mr. John Coate, Hammoon, near kllandford,
Dorset ; second prize of 5 110y11. to Prince Albert.
Class U.—First prize of 10 sovs. to Mr. John Coate,
Hammoon, near Blandford, Dorset ; silver medal to *ha
' breeder. Mr. John Coate, Hammoon, near Blandford, Dor-
set ; second prize of 3 toss. to the Earl of Radnor, Colesbill,
near Farringdon.

Gold medal for the best ox or steer in class 1,2, 3,4, 5,
and 6, to Mr. Edward Longmore, of Adforton, near Lud-
low, Salop.
Gold medal for the best cow or heifer in class 7,8, or 9,
to Mr. Samuel Drnee, of Eynsham, near Oxford.
Gold medal for the best pen of long-woolled sheep in
class 10, 11, or 12, to Mr. H. L. Bradshaw, of Burley-ea-
the-Hill, Oakham.
Gold medal for the best pen of short-woolled sheep is
clam 15, 16, or 18, to the Duke of Richmond, of Good-
wood. _ . .

Gold medal for the best pen of pigs in elms 19, 20, or 21,
to Mr. John Coate, of Hammon, near Illandford.

Silver medal for the best beast in extra stock, to Mr.
William Heath, of Ludham Hall, Norwich. (Elie saistall
being too heavy for class 4.)
Silver medal for the best long-woolled sheep, to Mr. Law-
rence Willmore, of Whetstone, . near Leicester.
. .

Silver medal for the best short-woolled sheep, to Mt.
William Sainsbury, of West Lavington, near Devises.
Silver medal for the best cross-bred sheep, to Mr. Job*
Hitchman, of Little Milton, Wheatley, Oxon.
Silver medal for the best pig, to Mr. William Culliford,
of Hayling Island, Havant, Hants.