The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-12 00:00:00

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE

MARKET.

, From the fact that the supplies of home-fed beasts ex-
hibited in this market for several weeks past haying been
deficient, both in number and quality, compared with
many former corresponding periods, it was pretty generally
anticipated that the show here to-day, fit for Christmas
consumption, would be extremely large. That this anti-
cipation has been fulfilled must have been evident to every
admirer of fat stock who had an opportunity of minutely
examining the various breeds.
Prior to entering into any detail in reference to the
trade, we may briefly review the different breeds as they
have come under our immediate observation. In the first
place, we may observe that for many years past there has
been a spirited contest between the Devon, Hereford, and
short-horned breeders; in other words, each party has
used great efforts to increase the numerical strength and
weight of the respective breeds. These efforts have been
so completely crowned with success on this occasion that
it is somewhat difficult for us to determine to whom the
palm of the greatest amount of merit belongs. However,
we may intimate that the Devon class, to which our atten.
tion was in the first instance directed, exhibited several
points of excellence worthy the serious attention of
graziers and breeders in all parts of the country ; in-
deed, we may remark that, collectively, this was
one of the most remarkable portions of the exhibition. Let
the reader conceive for a moment that there were collected,
almost in one spot, 1,300 or 1,400 Devons, chiefly from the
westward, all nearly of the same weight and colour—that
each animal was worth, on the average, fully 301., and it
will at once be perceived that the show was, indeed, well
worthy of a close inspection. With the remark that the
Devons were decidedly superior to those brought forward
in 1852, we shall now pass to the consideration of the Here-
fords. This noble breed, which was contributed largely
from diffet ent localities, kept up its long-established cha-
racter surprisingly. In the Baker-street exhibition, last
week, this particular breed showed a slight falling off ; but
to day, it exceeded all former markets to an important
extent. Not a few of the Herefords shown were estimated
to weigh from 200 to 2.10 stones—a weight that would
have done credit to the show yard. Thus far. therefore,
to-day's supply of Devons and Herefords has proved supe-
rior to some past years, and agreeably added to the good
things for Christmas consumption in this great metropolis.
We now come to the short-horns. The great attention
shown to this description of stock for many years
past has materially assisted in bringing it into great
repute ; indeed, we may venture to observe, that
there are larger numbers now fed in this country than
of any other separate breed. Formerly, the short horns
were chiefly bred in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire ; but
now, they have greatly extended themselves into other
parts of England, but more particularly into Norfolk,
where, apparently, they have displaced the once-celebrated
home-breds, from possibly their comparative hardiness and
aptitude to fatten. Amongst the stock to which we have
here particularly alluded, were some of the heaviest weights
we almost ever remember to have witnessed in an open
market. Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire,
Norfolk, and other quarters showed specimens of the breed
which excited the admiration and wonder of the visitors,
however practical might have been their judgment and
experience. With these general remarks, we have now to
place the short horns first as respects weight. In the se-
cond class, we assign the Devons, for weight, number, and
quality ; whilst the Herefords must be placed in the third
class for number, though they were quite equal in quality
to many of the Scots. Be it understood that we have
here drawn no invidious comparison—that we have not
endeavoured to detract from the merits of any breed—and
that our sole object has been to state particulars, which
may be found essentially useful in following years.
In addition to the breeds above-mentioned, there was an
average supply of Pembrokeshire runts, Sussex oxen, Irish
beasts, &c., which attracted great attention.
It would be almost impossible for us to overestimate the
wonderful show of Scots. That it was, collectively, the
finest ever witnessed in this or any other market was evi-
dentj at a glance. In another portion of our report we
have particularly referred to the " wonders" brought for-
ward ; but we may here remark that very general surprise
has been expressed that this extraordinary breed should
have been so long neglected by the supporters of the
Smithfield Club. We, with others, maintain that the
small amount of premiums offered in the Scotch class will,
eventually, have the effect of inducing parties in Scotland
wholly to refrain from entering their stock for competi-
tion. Thus, one of the most interesting portions of the
exhibition will be lost, solely from the want of spirit in
offering a few additional premiums. We trust, however,
that the point will be duly considered ere another year
has elapsed.

It is gratifying for us to observe that the stock—both
beasts and sheep—came to hand free from lameness,
notwithstanding the enormous weight and bulk of most
of the animals—that our accounts from the leading
districts state, that the health of most breeds
continue good—that very few losses have been of late
sustained from disease ; and, further, that graziers in
general aro well aatf.fiwl With present prices. Owing iro
the steady advance in the value of rough fat, butchers have
been in a better position to give higher prices for stock.
For instance, at the corresponding period in 1851, rough
fat was quoted at only 2s ld ; in 1852, it advanced to 2s 8d
now it is worth 3a ld per 81bs. Thus it will be perceived
that the article has risen 4d per lb in two years. Other
portions of the offal have advanced considerably, arising
from an improved demand.

It is calculated that fully two-thirds of the stock brought
forward were by railway conveyance ; and we may observe
that great credit is due to the various railway companies
for the judicious arrangements made by them to meet the
groat extra demand upon their locomotive powers.
The arrangements on the part of the City authorities for
the reception of the stock were as complete as space would
admit ; but this is the last time, after 25 annual visits,
that we shall have to report the holding of the great mar-
ket in Smithfield. Of course, the influx of visitors from
different parts of England, as well as from the continent,
was large. During the day the number increased to a
most inconvenient extent.

The following are the number of beasts exhibited, and
the prices obtained for thorn on the great days during the
past foourteen years :

Year. Beasts shown. Prices.
1839 5,074
1840 3,528
1841 . 4,500
1842 4,541
1843 4,510
181.1 5,713
1845 5,326
1846 5,470
1847 4,282
1848 5,942
1849 5,765
1850 6,341
1851 6,103
1&5') 6,271

The imports of foreign stock into London, last
week were 4,795 head. During the corresponding
period of 1852, we received 4,869 ; in 1851, 3,638 ; in
1850, 5,731; in 1849, 3,720 ; in 1848, 3,155 ; and in 1847,
1,913 head.

IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEER.

From Beasts. Sheep. Lambs.
Rotterdam 305 ... 1,003 ...
Ostend
Hamburgh 59 80
Harlingen ...
Autwerp — 50 ...
Amsterdam
New iep 124 1,047 ...

Calves. Pigs
58 ... 7
9 ... 17
50 ...
11

Total ... 988 ... 3,655 ... 128

By sea, from Ireland, last week, we received 29 oxen,
16 calves, and 12 pigs.

In further analysing the show of beasts hero this morn-
ing, we may observe that Mr. Robert Morgan had a large
number of well made up animals. Those forwarded to
that gentleman from Scotland were the property of Mr.
W. Milne, Mr. Peter Milne, Mr. H. Knowles, Mr. Cooper,
Mr. Thompson, and Messrs. Martin and Livingtone. From
Lincolnshire Mr. Morgan also received some fine stock, the
property of Messrs. Goodall, of Market Deeping ; Mr. R.
Cooke, Mr. W. Thomas, Mr: Plowright, and Mr. W. Hew-
son ; likewise, some wonderful Scots from Norfolk, be-
longing to Mr. Felton and Mr. Robert Leeds. Mr. Daniel
Maidwell showed some extremely fine Galloway Scots,
which were greatly admired. These animals, 32 in num-
ber, belonged to Mr. W. M'Comby of Tillyfour, Aberdeen-
shire. Her Majesty's butcher, Mr. Banister, of Windsor,
purchased twelve of them, from one of which the baron of
beef for the Royal table will he furnished, as has been the
case for some years past, and which has given great satis-
faction. On Mr. Dixon's stand we noticed a most excellent
collection of beasts forwarded chiefly from Norfolk. Some
of them were above average weights, even at this period of
the year. Mr. Vorley brought forward a large number of
very useful beasts, belonging to Mr. George Phillip, of
Keith-hall, Aberdeenshire, and Mr. Cooper, of Hillbera,
in the same county, Mr. W. Allenborough, of Northamp-
tonshire, and various other gentleman forwarded some
fine stock to the above-named salesman. Mr. Collins
had an extremely fine show of Scots, which attracted great
attention. Mr. Lamb disposed of several wonderful Scots
from Norfolk, at 451. each. The stock on Mr. Heath's
stand was remarkably good.

Amongst the sheep, were 120 very superior half-breds
and Gloucesters, exhibited by the Messrs. Weall, the pro-
perty of R. Rowland, Esq., of Creslow, Bucks ; 30 very
superior Downs from the flock of E. F. Whittingstall,
Esq., of Lanley-Bury, near Watford, and several lots from
Henley, Oxen, and St. Alban's, Herts. Mr. W. Starkey,
had on sale 14 very good half breds, fed by W. Sharpe,
Esq., of Popenhoe Farm, Walsoken, Wisbeach. Mr.
Eland showed 80 rare Lincolnshire sheep, the property of
Messrs. Corrington and Henry, of the Lincolnshire
Marshes. Some of them realised N. each. Mr. Hancock
and several other salesmen had some remarkably fine
sheep. But we must not forget to notice particularly the
remarkable show of Messrs. Giblett and Gurrier. They
exhibited 6 wonderful Downs, the property of Sir John
11 Tr, -had eeTeral belonging to Mr. Cuwardinee, toga.

1849. I 1850.

1851.

Stock this day ...... 48,795 56,152 168.451 1 48,819
[ t(3,B3s9gd 337150d6(ti0 306L9dodtc
t046080400dd
Price of Y. C.
Delivery last week •.1 2,504 2,254 3,156 3,329
Ditto from June L... 52,701 51,738 57,455 57,118
Arrivals last week.. 2,584 j 1,785 290 1,926
Dittofrom June 1.... 76,023 82,246 89,372 65,339
Price of Town ...... 428 Od 39s 6d 39s 6d i 49s 3d

42,140
i 53 9d to
56i Od
1,347
514,067
11,165
76,900

58s Od

DREADFUL ACCIDENT THIS MORNING.—TWO MEN
KILLED AND OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED, AT THE OLD
EXCISE-OFFICE.—This morning a frightful and fatal acci-
dent occurred at the Old Excise-office in Broad-street,
City. It appears that several men in the employ of
Messrs. T. W. and Wilson Piper, of Bishopsgate-street,
builders and contractors, were at work in the court-yard
in clearing a pile of several thousand bricks, and in doing
so pulled out several bricks at the bottom of the stack,
which gave way, knocking down several of the unfortu-
nate men, who were dreadfully bruised and smashed.
On assistance being obtained they were extricated, when
it was discovered that one had been killed on the spot'
and another died on the road to the hospital (St. Bar-
tholomew's), and two others lie there in a hopeless state.
The names of the parties could not be obtained at the
moment. The accident is attributed entirely to their
own carelessness.