The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-02 00:00:00

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RIEMINOYAM AND MIDLAND COUNTIES
CATTLE AND POULTRY SEOW.

(MR OUR OWN CORRESPONDINT.)
BIRMINGHAM, SATURDAY NIGHT.

The nineteenth of these exhibitions opens on
llesday, that being what is called the " private view "
day. In casting the memory back it seems almost as yes-
terday that the writer of these lines recorded in these
salunins the first humble attempt to start a "Pig and
Poultrylhow." Such was the small beginning which has
gradnall evanded itself into what has become a really
great and iu.portant show of fanning stock, second to
none in the country after the time-fostered exhibition of
flaithfiel.l. nut for the weather, which hes determinedly
held up fur the last ten days, to come out in the most dis-
agreeable of conditions this morning, it might have been
mid that there was a " halo of golden glory" about
Eingley H5..11; last year, denuded of cattle lon accaunt of
the plarue, the place looked cheerless beyond anything
which the splendours of the feathered tribe could vindi-
cate ; to-slay the cattle stalls are well filled with a collec-
tion of anini.ds, numerically on an occasion or two larger,
but never in point of merit exceeding this year's entry.
All the most famous breeders and feeders who have here-
tofore contributed to the show are in their places; and
many new names appear in the classes.
This show has always been remarkable for its display of
Herefords and short-horns ; as regards both, more perfect
animals were never shown than those now standing in the
hall ; the old short-horns, especially, are pronounced to
exhibit unusual points of excellence. There are some
grand animals amongst the Herefords, but, as will pre-
sently be seen, an animal of the Scots breed carries off all
the honours of the show. We may note in passing that
the short-horn ox shown by Mr. Wood, of Clanton,
Northamptonshire, which carried off the gold medal at
the Oakham show, takes the second prize only in its class
here.
In the first class for Herefords there are eleven entries.
The first prise was awarded to the animal exhibited by
Mr. Aaron Pike, of Milton. near Tewkesbury ; the second
to Mr. T. E. Jones, near Hereford ; the third to Mr. P.
Turner, of Peusbridge, Herefordshire. In the class for
Hereford steers there were seven entries. The first prize
went to Mr. B. Cooks, of Church Stretton ; the second
to Mr. Beach, of Brewood ; and the third to Mr. R. Hill,
of Orleford Court, Ludlow. There was a good entry in
the class for Hereford cows. The first prize was awarded
to Mr. H. Bettridge, of East Hannay, Wastage; the
second to Mr. Baldwin, of Luddington, Stafford ; the
third to Mr. N. Corbett, of Wellington, Salop. In
Class 4, for Hereford heifers, the first prize
was given to Mr. Bettridge, of Wastage, Berle.
To this animal was also awarded the prize as the
best specimen of the Hereford breed exhibited. The
second prize in the clam went to Mr. J. H. Arkwright, of
Leominster ; the third to her Majesty the Queen. In the
class for short-horn oxen there were a dozen entries. The
first prize went to Mr. Heath, of Lulham-hall, Norfolk—
(this animal also gained the extra 251. prize as best of its 11
breed)—the second to Mr. Rowland Wood, of Clayton; the
third to Mr. Coleman, of Reenlist% Norfolk. The three
prizes for short-born steers went to Mr. Taylor, of Brid-
lington-quay ; to Mr. Foljambe, of Osberton.hall ; and to
Sir W. de Capel Brooke, of Ceddington-grange. In cows
of this breed the entry was also strong. The first prize
was awarded to the Duke of Sutherland; the second to Mr.
Taylor, of Haseleigh-hall, Essex ; the third to Mr. Strat-
ton, of Wall's-court, BriatoL In the class for short-horn
heifers the first prize was given to Lord Faversham ; the
second to Mr. Graddon, of Acton Pigott, Salop ; the third
to Mr. Tidy, of Middleton, Tamworth.
The show of Devona was small, but the quality was good.
The first prize for " oxen or steers " of this breed was
given to Mr. W. Smith, of Higher Hoopern, Exeter. In
the class for steers of this breed under three years old the
first prize was also awarded to Mr. Smith, of Exeter, who
obtained for this animal the extra ww. prize as the best of
its class. The second prize went to Mr. Frampton, of
Blandford, Dorset; there were some capital cows shown in
this class. The first prize went to Mr. Farthing, of Stowey
Court, Bridgwater; the second to Mr. Parfitt, of the
Palace Farm, Wells. The entry of Devon heifers was
small. The first prize was awarded to Mr. Burton, of Place
Barton, Devon; the second to Mr. W. Smith, of Hoopern,
Exeter.

The class for "long-horn" was not numerically strong ;
but this grand old breed showed up well in other respects.
The first prize for oxen or steers went to Sir J. H. Crewe,
of Derbyshire ; the second to Mr. W. T. Cox, M.P., of
Spinden, near Derby. For cows of this breed the first
prize went also to Mr. Cox ; the second to Mr. J. T. Bar-
bey, of the Crofts, Stratford-on-Avon.
In Class 15, for " Scotch breeds," was shown the
grandest animal in the hall; it carried off everything
possible in the way of prizes, and that, too, with the appro-
bation of all who were present and have knowledge on
such matters. This wonderful creature was shown by Mr.
William M'Combie, of Tillyforn, Aberdeen, N.B. ; its age
is four years and eight months, and its food has been
chiefly " vegetable " and corn. It took the 151. prise as
the best in its clan ; also the 251. extra, as the best of its
breed ; and was then singled out for competition for all
the other "extras." The judges had from their stalls all
the most meritorious animals, and looked them over cam
fully. Butultimately they awarded to this beast, inaddition
to the above, the gold medal, value 2Q1., for the best ox or
steer; also the President's Cup, value 23 guineas, "for
the best ox or steer" bred and fed by the exhibitor;
also the Hotel and Innkeepers' Cup, value 30
guineas, as "an extra for the best animal in the cattle
classes ; " and Mr. Charles Ratclifi's prize of 10 guineas
fez the best Soot. With the blue riband of the show,
gained and acknowlcdged beyond cavil by all connoia.
sears who were present, Mr. M'Cornbie may well be proud
of his animal and his well-deserved success.

The remaining awards in this elms do not call for special
notice. There were some good specimens of "crass breeds
and " pure breeds," in which Colonel Lindsay, M.P.; Mr.
Hawke', of Hur.soote, Warwickshire ; Mr. Marbrow, of
Newton Solney, near Burton ; and Mr. Tidy, of Middle-
ton, Tamworth, were exhibitors, and obtained prizes. In
a clan for cows and beliefs, "not specially qualified to
compete," the Marquis of Angleses obtained a prize. All
the cattle looked in unusually fine condition.
The sheep classes were filled, both as regards South.
downs and Shropshire". Lord Walsingbam never showed
a better lot of Downs than those in the hall to-day.
His lordship took two first prises ; Lord Berner,
took the first prize for Leicester', and the Duke
of Marlborough the first prize for Down ewes.
Lord Wenlock took a first prise for Shropshire wethers
exceeding twenty-two months old. The Linen and Wool-
len Drapors' prize of 201. for the best pen of fat wethers
(Downs) was awarded to Lord Walsingham. The second
of these prizes (101.), for Shropshire fat wethers, was
awarded to Mr. Thomas Nook, of Sutton-house, near Shiff-
nal, Salop. Mr. Newdegate's extra prize of 10 guineas for
the hest pen of Shropshire sheep, in classes 31 and 32, ►as
also given to Mr. Nook.
The show of pigs was Dirge and varied; but a good deal
of excitement was created by the number of disqualifica-
tions on the score of age. One exhibitor had no less thin
four pens disqualified. Most likely more of this will be
heard hereafter. The collection of roots is not so good as
usual ; the swedes and cabbages alone were up to the
average.

The display of poultry is more brilliant than ever.
There are 2,100 entries, and IdS entries of pigeons.
The judges of cattle were Mr. George Bright, Broom,
Aston-on-Clun, Salop ; Mr. Willi►m Sunday, Holm.
Pierrepont, Nottingham ; Mr. H. W. Keary, Bridgnorth.
Judges of Sheep—Mr. F. Spencer, Claybrook, Lutterworth ;
Mr. H. Fookes, Whitechurob, Blandford, Dorset ; Mr.
Thomas Mansell, Ercall Park, Wellington, Salop. Judges
of Poultry—The Rev. Robert Pulleine, Kirby Wisk,
Think ; Mr. John Bally, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square,
London; Mr. Joseph Hindaon, Barton-house, Everton,
Liverpool ; Rev. G. F. Hodson, North Petherton, Bridg-
watts ; Mr. R. Tesbsy. Falwood, near Preston ; Mr. J. H.
Smith. Skelton Grange, York ; Mr. J. P. Smith, Wick,
Worcester.

The 1)oz Show at Curzon-hall is pronounced a great
success: a few particulars in Merano* to it are reserved.

THE ORNAMENTAL WATER IN REGENT'S-PARE.
—There will be no danger of another calamity at the above
place similar to that which occurred last year. The im-
mem* drain has been completed, and the water is gradually
being let off. Every precaution has been taken to prevent
the bursting of the sewer into which it runs. Large mounds
of earth and rubbish are on the banks, with which to level
the bottom of the lake. This rubbish will be well paddled
over with clay, and then concrete placed over that.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S-INN-ROAD.—The
number of patients relieved at this hospital during the
week ending No.. 30 was 3,358, of which 1,033 were new
mow