The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-07 00:00:00

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from indisposition.
The show-ground occupies about ten acres of land; - --
and so simple and perfect were the arrangements, that
although nearly a thousand animals of one kind and
another were exhibited, some of them restive or rest-
less enough, not the slightest accident occurred. In one
instance the visitors got a fright. The extra stock of
West Highland oxen were enclosed in a square of tempo-
rary barracades. One of the animals accidentally dis-
placed a portion of the planking, and finding himself un-
expectedly at liberty showed every disposition to escape
from the yoke. He plunged this way and that way, now
tearing the grass with his fine horns, and now tossing
his head in the air, until at length his keeper coolly
seized him behind the ear, and walked him quietly to his
stall. Van A mburgh has not more command over his
lions than these Highland keepers have over their wild
and roaming bullocks and steeds.
The first class of cattle exhibited comprised upwards
of a hundred animals of the West Highland breed; the
second about forty short•horned cattle; the third about
eighty of the Aberdeen, Angus, and Galloway polled
breeds; and the rest a great variety of crosses from every
part of the country. The We,t Highlanders were con-
sidered to be the best display of native stock which has
ever been shown. The short horns decidedly improved;
while the oxen, without being burdened with flesh or fat,
were yet all that a good beef-eater could wish to enjoy.
The "porkers" were first-rate; the Cheviots superior
to anything of the kind hitherto seen in the north; the
black-faced sheep were greatly admired—some of the
best judges declaring that the prize stock could not be
excelled. The show of horses was pronounced superior
to that of any of the previous exhibitions, bone, muscle,
symmetry, and strength being " points" observable and
appreciated even by the uninitiated. Here the genuine
breed of native Highland ponies was seen to perfection,
and wild and shaggy es their native hills did some of
them appear.
The prizes were carried chiefly by the stock of prac-
tical farmers. This is rather a new feature at such ex-
hibitions. Formerly those who could afford to pamper
their animals until they could neither walk nor " waddle"
were sure of premiums; while the practical breeder, who
looked more to symmetry and form, however good his
sirloins might be, found that he was not adjudged a
prize. Now nature is more the standard of judgment,
and the peasant and the lord compete on equal terms.
There is room yet for improvement in other respects.
The bull which carried the first prize, for example,
though a noble animal, having previously taken first
prizes both at the great agricultural shows of England
and Ireland, it was argued should not have been put in
competition with the bulls to-day, but exhibited as extra
stock. While this would not have detracted from his
merits, it would have left the palm open for less popular,
but perhaps equally useful animals.
While the show of stock was attracting the attention
of some, the show of female beauty in the ladies' gal-
lery was engaging the affection of others. This gallery
was erected in a conspicuous part of the yard, and was
filled by elegantly-dressed ladies, who were thus set
apart to view the prize animals as they passed over a
platform before the stand. At three o'clock this per-
formance commenced, and if it lacked the excitement or
of the tilt or The race ground, it possessed the more sub-
stantial gratification of a " walk over," and no one felt
disposed to dispute the awards.
THE DINNER.
At six o'clock the dinner party met in the splendid
pavilion erected for the occasion. This building is con-
structed of deal timber, and measures a hundred feet
square. On the west side is the platform for the chair-
man and his supporters, elevated somewhat above the
floor, and tastefully fitted up; the background is covered
with crimson cloth with tartan curtains, while the
breastwork displayed an endless variety of the " garbs--
of old Gaul." Gas having been introduced, four ele-
gant standard lustres surmounted the front bench, while
the table for the president and principal guests was co-
vered with finely bleached cloth. The platform for the
vice-president and his supporters was placed immediately
opposite the chair, and was furnished with similar ap-
pointments.
For the accommodation of the dinner party, sixteen
tables, each ninety feet long, were placed parallel to
each other from the chair, divided in the centre by a
passage, that the whole might be conveniently served.
The pavilion was covered in by three roofs in parallel,
the centre division-being supported by eighteen polished
pillars. Light was admitted through eight windows in
the side walls and two in the roof, while every attention
was paid to the ventilation of the place. In expectation
that the proceedings would be protracted through the
evening, about four hundred gas jets were dis-
persed in various parts of the building, the prin-
cipal body of light being from three circular chande-
liers suspended from the roof. The appearance of this
building just before the dinner commenced was magnifi-
cent. Every variety of solids covered the table--game
being abundantly prominent ; while of liquids there
were upwards of a thousand bottles of punch and a
thousand pints of Sherry ; the charge for the whole
being but half-a-guinea !
The chair was occupied by the President of the
Society, the Duke of Montrose, supported on the right
by the Earl of Cawdor, the Earl of Egmont (President
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England), Lord
Borridale, the Provost of Inverness ; and on the left by
the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lovat, the Hon. George
Stuart, (son of the Earl of Moray), Mr. M‘Pherson
Grant, jun., of Ballindalloch, Major Cumming Bruce,
and the Rev. Alexander Clark. The Earl of Selkirk
was vice-chairman, supported by Lord Emlyn, Lord
William Thynue, Mr. Henry Bernie, M.P., and Mr.
Mackenzie, of Applecross. Amongst the principal
guests we observed Sir James J. R. Mackenzie, of Scat-
well, Sir William Cumming, the Mackintosh, Mr. Mathe-
son, of Auchany, M.P., &c. There were about a thou-
sand present, and the whole appointments of the dinner
were of the first excellence.
The CHAIRMAN having proposed the usual loyal and
patriotic toasts, called on the meeting to charge a
bumper to the toast of the evening, " the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland." In proposing this
toast the Noble Duke said—The presence of so large a
number of the members and friends of the Society
testified how much they were alive to the advantages
which the institution was calculated to confer on the in-
terests of agriculture. The Highland and Agricultural
Society had now been established for upwards of fifty
years; though small in its beginning, it had gradually
enlarged itself until it had at length come to enjoy the
confidence, the support, and approbation of all classes
of the community, and become the parent of many other
societies in different parts of the kingdom. And whe-
ther they looked to it as instrumental for encouraging
the cultivation of the soil or the improvement of stock,
it was alike entitled to their approbation.—(Cheers.)
That institution had not only been the means of im-
proving agriculture in Scotland, but also stimulating
the proprietors and farmers in England, and now the
sister kingdom Ireland had an agricultural association
of its own. He trusted that the success which
had attended their past efforts would not lead
them to relax their energies in future. No one who
had witnessed the show that day could fail to perceive
that, while there was much to rejoice over, there was
room for improvement, and lie hoped that they would
never rest contented in their good work so long as there
was stock to improve, until every animal was equal to
those that got the prizes.—(Cheers.) One thing he
would especially press on the consideration of farmers
and all present—the necessity of bringing the science of
chemistry to bear on the science of agriculture. The
science of machinery had done much, and though the
show of implements had been greatly deficient, as com-
pared with similar shows in some other places, yet all
must admit that the show of local stock had been as
much improved as might well compensate for any regret
which the paucity of mechanical display might
theoccassanw.
The judges had commissioned him to say that
of Highland cattle had excelled everything of the kind
that had hitherto been produced, and he felt assured that
this would encourage them to persevere in every field of
improvement until the highest point of perfection was
gained.—(Cheers.)
The Earl of CAWDOR, in very complimentary terms,
proposed the health of the Duke of Montrose.
This toast was drunk with what are called " Highland
honours," which means that the company shall stand
with one foot on the chair and the other on the table,
and quaffing their glass, give " Neish, neish, neisb," in-
stead of " Hip, hip, hurrah," the band striking up some
stirring air. The scene on this occasion was highly
characteristic, and could only be appreciated by the
clans.
Several other personal and complimentary toasts
having been given,
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Royal Agricultural
Societies of England and Ireland," coupling with the
toast the Earl of Egmont, as representing the English
Association. The chairman said it was gratifying to think
that they had got two such very fine children as the
English Agricultural As,sociation and the Irish Agricul-
tural Society, Loth te ?which had grown rapidly and
promised to become yet more prosperous. They were
not jealous of this prosperity, they rejoiced that their
image had in these institutions been so faithfully repre-
sented, and he trusted that the success which had of late
been so remarkably characteristic of the' English so-
ciety, would induce the society of Scotland to renew
the efforts she had been making for the promotion of
agricultural improvements in every part of the land.
Lord EGMONT acknowledged the toast. The Royal
Agricultural Society of England would always be most
happy to tread in the steps of the Agricultural Society
of Scotland, and do all in its power to carry out the
improvements which had been so successfully begun.
This was the first time he had been to the Highlands of
Scotland. Everything he had seen far exceeded his ex-
pectation. The scenery was delightful, and the show
he had witnessed made him look forward to the
exhibi-
tion of the Royal Agricultural Society of England next
year at Northampton with some degree of anxiety. With
regard to the stock exhibited that day, he must state
that the show of horses very much exceeded that at
Newcastle; but he did not think that in horned cattle
the Highland Society bad the advantage.--(Hear.) He
would beg to propose a toast which had been entrusted to
his care. Since he had been in this country he had seen
as much of the intelligence, the industry, the skill and
unwearied perseverance of the tenant-farmer as had
convinced him that to that class Scotland was mainly
indebted for the singular success which had distinguished
her agricultural career. The industry and appl!eoo2
of the small farmers of Scotland were truly astonishilig,
and to their success they were much indeboted for
attained. the
important position which this society hadt
nowwrcumstances
members It had been whispered that, owing
o (
which he would not name, the _
eHe did not believe this.m of their societies
would decrease in numbers.did
would, the tenant-t
fho tha come what
e did not fear i,
anners would he
standpe t,
by such assail'.
and

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PRICE SD.

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