The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-24 00:00:00

Grand National Exhibition of Dogs.

Exhibitions of prize dogs, like exhibitions of prize cattle,
appear to be fast asserting their places amongst our popu-
lar institutions. Commencing in the provinces, where dog
fighting, badger bating, cock fighting, and other kindred
sports, though prohibited by statute, continue to flourish,
they have of late obtained not only a footing, but open and
avowed patronage in London. The dog show last year at
the Islington Agricultural Hall was an undoubted success
—and " The first Annual Grand National Exhibition of
Sporting and other dogs" which opened yesterday, in the
Ashburnham-hall, adjoining Cremorne, is certainly not
less. Less extensive, perhaps, than the covered area of the
Agricultural-hall, the very capacious building, which com-
municates with the well•known Cremornc-gardens, affords
in all respects ample facilities for the exhibition of any
number of the canine species which one would think could
possibly be brought together to compete for the prize of ex-
cellence in this country. The specimens which aro now
congregated in this hall comprise about 1,200, which are
ranged under 63 classes; there being in two of the classes
mentioned in the catalogues "twenty couples of foxhounds,"
and " Russian retrievers (bitches)" no entries. Amongst
these 1,200 are certainly some of the finest and most for-
midable and, regarding the question in the ladies' point of
view, some of the prettiest and most attractive of dogs.
The first thing that strikes the observer who is not ini-
tiated in the mysteries of " the fancy" on passing along
the broad, roomy, well-ventilated avenues, on either side
of which the several classes are tethered, is the extraordi•
nary high prices which are marked as the selling value of
certain animals. For instance, in the class of fox terriers,
£l,OOO seems to be the average price of the principal
favourites. Bloodhounds range from £1,5 to £5OO. Deer-
hounds, amongst which there are indeed one or two of the
most beautiful dogs we ever met with, are marked at as much
as £l,OOO each. Painters, in one or two instances, figure
at the same aristocratic sum. Setters stand at as much as
600 guineas; retrievers at £1,000; one Newfoundland, a
magnificent animal no doubt, at £1,500; Mount St. Ber-
nardo, of which there are several splendid specimens, at
£1,000; bull terriers, at £l,OOO. In the classes of blood-
hounds, Skye, Dandie Dinmonto, blue, and other Scotch
terriers, Blenheim and King Charles's spaniels, Italian
greyhounds, French poodles, pugs, black-and-tan terriers,
some of these were of infinitesimal proportions, one of which,
pointed out as equal to the destruction of whole armies of
rats, being only 2!bs. in weight. There aro some very pre-
fect and valuable dogs. The show of bulldogs is peculiarly
good, both as regards number and quality, decidedly the
best specimens being those exhibited by Mr. Brown, of
Hampstead road, who, as one of the judges, is excluded
from the competition, At the private view yesterday there
was a very crowded and a very fashionable attendance. We
shall probably be enabled to give an accurate list of the
principal prizes to-morrow. •

ADJOURNMENT OF PARLIAMENT.•—It is now de-
finitely understood that Parliament will adjourn
next Friday, the 27th, for the Easter holidays, and that the
recess will extend over the fortnight—in other words, to the
13th April. The budget will bo introduced immediately
afterwards, beng fixed for the lfith, and then the real busi-
ness of the session will ktve commenced.

CAUTION TO THE PUBLIC.—Sir Augustus Clifford,
while walking home at seven o'clock one evening last week,
met with a disagreeable accident by putting his leg into the
opening of a coal. ho e, opposite Mr. Woodhead's, Charing-
cross, which was being filled on a very dark night, without
any light near it on the pavement to point it out.
'ITIIREATENING TO SHOOT THE EARL OF CARNAL
VON.—At the Duiverton Petty Sessions, on Friday
last, Mrs. O'Neill, the wife of the rector of Skilgate, So.
merset, was charged with sending a threatening letter to
the Earl of Carnarvon, expressing her intention of
burning down his mansion at Pinkstone, in this country.
and also shooting his lordship. Detectives had been em-
ployed from London, and all the force of the Somerset con•
stabulary, to find (he author. On the case being called on,
Mr. Payne, who appeared for his lordship, said the lady had
acknowledged writing the letter, and the noble earl, who
was present, would not press the charge. Mr. Donsham,
for Mrs. O'Neill, thanked his lordship, and acknowledged
there was no foundation for the charges made against him,
but, on the contrary, ho was a benefactor to the neighbour
hood. Under these eirmnstances the warrant was dis-
h charged,