The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-06 00:00:00

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE

SHOW.

The approach of Christmas is heralded by the usual
exhibition of fat cattle at the Baker-street Bazaar. The
objection so frequently urged against the extreme obe-
sity of the animals applies to the present collection, al-
though with diminished force, for there is a perceptible
abatement in the quantity of mere offal in this year's
show. One can, of course, more easily excuse the over-
feeding of animals devoted to the shambles than of those
sent to agricultural shows and intended for the improve-
ment of stock. Where weight is the object principally
aimed at, it may matter comparatively little that the
grossness of the beast should baffle all attemps to deter-
mine whether it possesses the acknowledged points of
breeding. Granting this, however, it cannot be denied
that the practice of over-feeding is wasteful and disgust-
ing as well as cruel, and feeders will eventually find their
account in its entire abandonment.

Apart from the objection just referred to, which will
eTery year diminish—for henceforth the awards of the
idges are to be made with reference to " quality rather
than quantity,"—the present exhibition possesses attrac-
tions tor all whose pursuits or tastes lead them to take
an interest in the treatment of domestic animals.

The number of cattle is larger than that shown last
year, and, although none of the beasts may equal in size
some of the huge creatures which one has been accus-
tomed on previous occasions to see groan and sweat under
a weary load of fat, many of them possess merit of a
high order.
The highest prize, the gold medal, has been awarded
to the Earl of Leicester for a Devon ox. This is a beau-
4tiful animal, possessing all the chief points of a well-
bred ox. The Devon is the favourite breed of the Earl
of Leicester, we believe; indeed. it is the only ono he
keeps; and, if he continue to produce such specimens as
he has furnished to the present show, he will attain the
highest reputation as a breeder. Another ox of the
lame breed (No. 42), belonging to his Lordship, which
has gained a prize of twenty sovereigns and a silver
medal, is a fine animal. The judges must have found it
difficult to determine which of these two beasts merited
Ehe highest prize.
In Class I. the highest prize of 30 sovereigns is
awarded to a Hereford ox, fed by Prince Albert ; and a
silver medal to Mr. Peter Davis, its breeder. This ani-
saal—as far as we can judge, for it was lying down—
appeared to justify the favourable opinion the judges
have formed of it.
In Class 111. the first prize is given to a Hereford ox,
which it is notified has been fed upon hay, vegetables,
barley, beans, Qp.tmeal, linseed-cake, boiled linseed, and
linseed oil I 'This oleaginous ox is the property of the
Duke of Rutland.
The sheep, generally, both long and short-woolled,
are good specimens. Amongst the former may be par-
ticularised No. 120, the property of Mr. Stoman, and
amongst the latter most of those shown by Mr. Samuel
Welt, of Babraham, near Cambridge, who has gained
seviail prizes, and one lot belonging to the Duke of
Richmond, for which his Grace has also obtained a prize.
The show of pigs is very good. There is one pen of
the Chinese' breed which will attract notice. But there
me three Berkshire pigs—which, by the way, is the
Apreitt stock of most brees—that distance all competi-
t?n. They have been bred by, and are the property of,
Mr. Pussy, RP.
Subjoined is a complete list of the prizes:—
OXEN OR STEERS.
CLASS I.

The first prize of 30 sovereigns to No. 14, viz., to his
ReyalHighness Prince Albert.

A silve-r medal to the breeder, viz., to Mr. Peter Davis,
of Milton, near Pembridge, Hereford.
The second prize of I'3 sovereigns to No. 5, viz., to
the Right Hon. Earl Spencer, of Althorp Park, near
Northom p ton.
The third prize of 5 sovereigns t. No. 15, viz., to Mr.
John Beasley, of Chapel Brampton, near Northampton.