The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-16 00:00:00

THE ANNUAL GREAT CATTLE

MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

We are glad to be giving our report of this im-
portant annual gathering under more favourable aus/.ices
than on the two last occasions. Two years since we were
right in the midst of the cattle plague ; last year it still
lingered with us, although greatly abated ; now we are
happy to say it has disappeared. Our country friends are
in better spirits, and their faces have lost that deep
expression of anxiety which characterised them when the
deadly rinderpest was m►king such fearful havoc amongst
their herds. They have, however, suffered greatly, and the
topic of to-day is, what are the best preventive measures!
The market authorities, we perceive, have adopted the
principle of separation between foreign and English stock
to a certain extent, having placed them on different sides of
the market. The restrictions are, however, still retained
which prevent cattle once exposed in the metropolitan
market from being moved beyond a very limited radius.
This is felt by our English graziers to be a grievance, as of
necessity it decreases competition by keeping away a large
number of country butchers. In order to the re-
moval of these restrictions, government proposes
that an entirely separate market should be
held for the foreign stock near to the place of
landing. This scheme, of course, finds its opponents ; the
City authorities fear they shall lose revenue by this course.
Many of the graziers here to-day say they have been
prevented sending their cattle to London on account
of the restrictions, and no doubt if the separation
were carried out there would be a much larger supply
of English stock, as well as an increase in the
number of purchasers. We mast, however, confess that
unless the necessity of the case demanded it we shouldhesi.
tate considerably before dividing a long established market.
During the past year we have been but mcderately sup-
plied with beef, but much better than was expected con-
sidering the great loam that hasbeen experienced throughout
the country; and prices have ruled rather high as corn.
pared with other provisions. In consequence of the great
risk involved in cattle feeding, the attention of graziers
during the last two years has been more especially turned
to sheep, and we have, therefore, had an abundant
supply of them. Prices have been unusually low, and at
the present time, our friends tell us, the country is full
of sheep. We are also glad to hear good accounts of the
winter keeping, so we may hope to obtain good food at a
moderate rate for some time to come.

We have to-day an excellent show of cattle ; a very level
quality of beef throughout. All breeds are well repre-
sented. The shorthorns are not so plentiful as we have
seen them on former occasions ; and we could hope that
they were "sore largely patronised. This is decidedly the
animal for the people, &vine a large weight of available
meat. This description is so greatly improved
that we do not now see the unseemly heaps of
fat that once prevailed. The Scotch beasts are re-
markably good. The fortunate owner of the first
polled Scotch prize at the Agricultural Hall (Mr.
hicCombie) had 40 very choice ones here of • similar cha-
racter. The Herefords and Devons also are very good,
especially the former, a breed which we should place
next to shorthorns for the qualities above-named.
We are not so plentifully supplied from the west country
as we used to be. Indeed, there has been a falling off in
this respect theselast few years. There are some ves/ fine
large oxen from France ; but on the average our foreign
supply does not present any thing to call for particular
remark.

In the sheep market we do not observe so many speci-
mens of a prize character as we have seen on former
occasions, indeed there are very few. From Lincoln-
shire there are fewer than for many years past. We
understand that it isnot found to be profitable tomake them
so fat ; the price of tallow being very low, the butchers are
not very willing to buy them. There are some very choice
Devons on offer, which find purchasers. This class of
sheep, although made fatter than usual for this special
occasion, have a larger proportion of lean meat than the long-
woolled breed. The half-burls, however, are certainly the
more general favourites, of which description we have a very
good show. The large numbers exhibited in the early
morning caused a dull trade amongst all descriptions of
stock. The weather being bright bad a beneficial infin.
once. The prices for beef are not so high as was expected
but for sheep they are rather better. Seven., bullocks
remain unsold, but sheep are well cleared out.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.
MONDAY, DEC. 16, 1867.
Beef . ... 3 oto 5 2 Besets B,llO
Mutton ... 3 Bto 5 0 Sheep
Veal
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 17, 1866.
s. d. s. d.
Beef
Mutton ... 4 4to 6 4 Sheep
Veal
Pork
• MONDAY, DEC. 11, 1865.
Beef
Mutton ... 4 6to 6 8 Sheep
Veal
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 12, 1884.
Beef
Mutton ... 4 6to G 0 Sheep
Veal
Pork
MONDAY, DEC. 14, 1863.
Beef
Mutton ... 4 6to 6 0 Sheep
Veal ..... 4 oto 5 4 Calves lBO
Pork

NARROW ESCAPE PROM ANOTHER GREAT
COAL-PIT EXPLOSION.

A correspondent writes to us from Merthyr
yesterday :—" On Friday evening a most alarming acci-
dent occurred in the Abercwmboy Pit, in the Aber-
dare valley, which not only gave an idea of ' what
a blower is,' but also showed how terrible they
are in their character, and how, in all probability,
they are the cause of most of our great explosions.
Two hundred men were hard at work when one of them
struck into a fissure, and in a moment a strong
current of gas burst forth that in an incredible
apace of time completely checked the ventilation. The
men flew for their lives ; one lame man narrowly escaped
suffocation as he was not able to keep pace with the rest.
Happily no one was injured, and measures were at once
taken to clear the workings of gas and restore the venti-
lation. Had this 'blower' not been discovered at the
moment, or bad there been one damaged lamp, all or nearly
all of these two hundred men would have been sacrificed.
No more striking instance of the fact that awful calamities
are at the mercy of any man or boy in a pit has been
given of late years."

The corporation of Southampton have granted
permission to Dr. Bond, Mr. Preece, and Mr. Rankin,
to establish in connexion with the Hartley Institu-
tion in that town a complete course of scientific instruc-
tion for engineering students, to embrace the following
subjects, viz., mathematics, pure and applied ; chemistry,
experimental physics, theory and practice of telegraphy,
land surveying, principles and construction of machinery,
general and mechanical drawing, and French and German.

REVISION OF THE PRAYER BOOK.— A public
meeting was held in the upper room of Westbourne-hall,
on Thursday evening last, to hear an address from
the Rev. Henry Fry, D.D., on this subject. The meeting
was composed of members of all the evangelical churches,
including many of the influential inhabitants of Bays-
water. After the address, which occupied an hour and a
half, and was listened to with deep interest, a resolution
affirming the necessity for the revision of the Prayer Book,
removing all the pasaiges and forms now used to sanction
Romanian, and for the union and co-operation of all pro-
testant*, was moved by Dr. Fry, seconded by Dr. Glad.
stone, F.R.R. supported by the Rev. J. S. Russell and
Colonel Brockman, and carried with but two dissentients,
DEATH OP HER VAJzirry's STUD GROOM.—Mr.
John Ransom, stud groom to her Majesty, died at his resi-
dence at the royal paddocks, Hampton Court, on Wednes-
day.
after a severe illness. The deceased gentleman, who
was in his 78th year, was on intimate terms with all the
breeders, trainers, and owners of blood stock in England,
by whom, and still more by a large circle of private friends,
he was highly respected and beloved, while his loss will be
long and deeply felt. With her Majesty, whom he served
faithfully for no less a period than 26 years, he was au
especial favourite, and on inure than one occasion, we
believe, the Queen testified her sense of his merits by
substantial tokens of her regard, in the shape of marriage
presents to his daughters. In his profession, it will be
acknowledged by all who are acquainted with him and it
that be had few equals ; while as • man his uniform
courtead his gentlemanly danour rocured him •
good names among all sort, of men.em e
Before hp is connection
with the royal stud, he had for 42 years, that is from the
age of 10, been in the service of the late Lord Jersey, of
Midilleton, Oxford, the owner of the celebrated horse Bay
Middleton.— Windsor isprces.

Stock on hand thht day..eaakal
Dehves7 last week

Ditto from Ist June
Arrival lut week
Ditto from Ist June

Price Y.C. on spot this dsy
Ditto Town List Friday ....

1664. 1666. 1406.
60,847 51,074 49,440
2,096 2,722 1,667
60,813 61,919 84.147
1,171 ! 1.912 3,749
06,639 , 83,510 75,472
s. & d. a d. d. a& ad.
419 490 0140
471 0 51 6 45 9

39,54
2,043
44,253
5,171
05,210

6. d, 4.

Arrival for the week ending Dee. 24 last year, 1,480 cub, and
delivery, 2,163 casks. The arrival last week comprised 6,011 casks
Petersburg, 126 Australia; 40 other places ; total, 5,171 casks.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
(THIS DAY.)
The supply of beasts today is larger than we have had
it on any "great market" since the year 18d3. The de-
mand is also comparatively limited, in consequence of the
counts/ butchers not being allowed to take cattle home
from this market. Trade generally is very dull, and several
remain unsold. The average quality is good. The supply of
sheep is good for the day. There are but few of a prize
character. Choice qualities are selling rather dearer. A
few choice calves mike higher rates. Our foreign supply
consists of 1,330 beasts, 7,320 sheep, 207 calves, and 70
pigs. From Scotland there are 1,200 beasts ; Ireland,
490 ; Norfolk and Suffolk, 900 ; West Country, 230 ; and
3,920 from the North and Midland Counties.
Aar stone of Blba ad. adi ter 8100 a of 10134. ad. ad.
Best Roots, Harold& 5 0 5 Boat Dna& lit.bdia 0 0 0
Beet Short-horns 4 8 b 0 Best Losg-w0015.... 4 0 4
Second quaL touts 3 0 3 Si Do. do. Sheen.... 0 0 0
Calm
Pigs so4 0 1 Do. do. Shorn. 00 0
Bed Dos& Htf-hreds 4 8 5. 0 . LaTba

13an;;Y;;Ltrist, 8,110 ; abaci and lambs, 2_0.840; calves, 218;
Dial. 420.

BOROUGH HOP MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

Messrs. Pattenden and Smith report an improved
demand for both English and foreign at the reduction in
prios. The latest advice' from the Continent state that
their markets are everywhere firmer, and choice temples
commaud higher rates on account of the demand from
America.