The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-14 00:00:00

THE StTN, LONDON,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY OF ENGLAND.
YORK, JULY 13.—Yesterday, shortly after his arrival,
Prince Albert visited the cattle-yard, the judges having
previously made their award of prizes. His Royal High-
'Less was accompanied by the President of the Society,
the Earl of Yarborough, and other distinguished per-
sons. At four o'clock Professor Simonds, of the Royal
Veterinary College, London, delivered a very interesting
lecture on the subject of calving and lambing. The De
Grey Rooms, where the lecture took place, were crowded
on th e occasion with an attentive auditory, and the prac-
tical information communicated by the Professor, who
explained his views by a reference to coloured illustra-
tions on a large scale, was listened to by the farmers
present with marked attention.
At six o'clock the Council dinner took place in the
Guildhall, which was entirely filled by the company.
Upwards of three hundred noblemen and gentlemen
sat down to dinner, which was supplied by the land-
lord of the Black Swan. Owing to the announcement
that his Royal Highness Prince Albert would honour
the Council with his presence, the applications for
tickets were unusually numerous, and the excitement and
crushing to get admission to the hall and secure a good
seat were quite at variance with the decorum which ge-
nerally prevails at public dinners, and the deliberation
which, from its name, might have been expected at this.
Prince Albert sat on the right of the President.
Among the company were, the Earl of Chichester
(President elect of the society). the High Sheriff of
Yorkshire, the Belgian Minister, the Marquis of Aber-
corn, Lord Morpeth, 'the Chevalier Bunsen (Prussian
Minister), the Hon. E. Bancroft (American Minister),
Earl Fortescue, the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of
Lonsdale, Lord lugestre, Lord G. Beresford, Lord
Beaumont, Lord Zetland, Sir J. B. V. Johnstone, M.P,
Sir C. Anderson, Sir J. Boileau, the Hun. A. Dun-
combe, M.P., the Hon. and Rev. A. Duncombe, the
Hon. 0. Duncombe, M.P., the Hon. Colonel Phipps,
the Hon. Captain Seymer, the Hon. G. Anson, the
HOB. Mr. Clive, M.P.; Baron de Langen' Captain Har-
court, Mr. Pusey, M.P.; Mr. Hudson, M.P.; Mr. G.
Stephenson, M.P.; Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P.;
Mr. Shelley, Colonel Chaloner, Mr. Hildyard, M.P.; the
Rev. Canon Johnstone, Mr. Manes, M.P.; Mr. Milner,
M.P.; Mr. Stansfield, M.P. &c.
A military band occupied the gallery of the hall, and
during the progress of dinner kept up a perfect storm of
music, which distracted the company below, and added
to the confusion into which country waiters on such
occasions are sure to fall. The dinner having been at
last brought to a close.
The PRESIDENT rose and said—lt is customary to
propose two toasts only at the Council dinners of the
Royal Agricultural Society, and I am sure that you will
not be at a loss to guess what the first of those toasts
will be.—(Cheers.) We shall, lam sure, drink with
the same cordiality that the farmers of England have
always done, the health of her Majesty the Queen.—
(Cheers.) I beg now to propose to you " The Queen,
God bless herr
The toast was most enthusiastically drunk, and amidst
loud and continued cheering.
The PRESIDENT then rose and said—Gentlemen, the
next toast which it is customary to drink at the Council
dinner of the Royal Agricultural Society is the "health
of the Queen Dowager, his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, Albert, Prince of Wales, the Duks of Cam-
bridge, and the rest of the Royal Family."—(Cheers.)
We have always been accustomed to drink this health,
because we had the honour of numbering among our
members at the first foundation of the society his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and since that time,
and immediately after we obtained our charter, it
pleased his Royal Highness Prince Albert to join us and
become one of our governors.—(Cheers.) I am sure
' that I say no more than every one in this room feels
when I assure his Royal Highness that we are honoured
and gratified by his having come among us.—(Cheers.)
I may remind some who have arrived here to-day,
that his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge also
came to inspect the show, but his engagements did not
allow him to attend the Council dinner. We feel
proud that his Royal Highness Prince Albert has at-
tended the Council dinner, and I can assure him that we
feel highly gratified that we can consider him one of the
governors of our society. Independently of the feeling
of attachment which the farmers of England have for the
Royal family, I can assure his Royal Highness that we
are glad to observe that ho freely mixes with that body
at their annual agricultural meeting.—(Cheers.) I beg
leave to propose to you " The health of the Queen
Dowager, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert,
Primes of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and the rest
of the Royal Family."
The toast having been drunk with all the honours,
His Royal Highness Prince ALBERT, who was re-
ceived with loud cheering from all parts of the hall, rose
and said—Gentlemen, you must allow me to express to
you my very sincere thanks for the great kindness with
which you have received the toast which has been pro-
posed to you. I think I should be acting contrary to
the rules of the society if I were to detain you by a long
speech. I beg, therefore, merely to express to you how
grateful I feel, how gratified I tun, for the kindness
which you have shown me.—(Loud cheers.)
The PRESIDENT then said that it was not the inten-
tion nor the wish of the Council that these meetings
should be held merely for convivial purposes, but with a
view to gain practical information, and as they had
heard a lecture in the afternoon upon calving and lamb-
ing, it had been thought right to continue the question
by inquiring into the best way of rearing cattle from
the time they were dropped till they were a year old.
But, as all farmers that were huntsmen knew that to
have sport they must find a fox, they would allow him
to draw cover for them by calling on Mr. Thompson to
begin the discussion.
Mr. Thompson, Sir T. Sykes, Mr. Turner, of Exeter;
Mr. Shaw, of Northampton ; Mr. Barnet, Mr. Mechi,
and others, addressed the company on the subject
pointed out by the President. There seemed to exist
considerable difference of opinion among them as to the
best mode of calf-rearing. Some advocated high feed-
ing with an early weaning; others, early weaning, an
attention to cleanliness, an exercise out of doors in
fine weather ; while some recommended an adherence,
as nearly as possible, to the laws of nature, and dwelt
upon the analogies of child-rearing. Mr. Turner's and
Mr. Mechi's observations seemed to be most favourably
received. The speakers had to compress their observa-
tions within fifteen minutes.
The PRESIDENT, at the close of the discussion, said
that after what they had heard about the different modes
of rearing calves, perhaps it would be agreeable to the
members to know the result of the exertions of those
who had been feeding for.the show of the Agricultural
Society. The director of the show-yard had just come
in with the list of prizes, which would now be read
aloud to them :

Class 2—The prize of 15 sovereigns, no competition.
Class 3—The prize of 15 sovereigns to No. 168, viz.,
to Mr. John Bowes, of Streetham Castle, near Barnard
Castle, Durham.

Class 4—The prize of 10 sovereigns to No. 170, viz.,
to Mr. Thomas Beards, of Stowe, near Buckingham.
Class s—The prize of 10 sovereigns to No. 172, viz.,
to Mr. Thomas Beards, of Stowe, near Buckingham.

The PRESIDENT then rose and said that the ordinary
, business conducted at the Council dinner of the society
was now concluded, but he could not vacate his scat
without expressing the thanks of the society to his
Royal Highness Prince Albert for honouring them with
his presence, and the gratification with which they looked
forward to his dining with them in the Pavilion
next day.
His teuval Highness and the President left the room
immediately after, and the proceedings of the society for
the day were at an end.
To-day the great event of the meeting took place
under the most favourable circumstances. Tho cattle-
yard has been thrown open to the public, the hoarding
which separated it from the implement department
having, been completely removed. In the morning,
though 2s. ed. was charged for admission, several thou-
sands of visitors hastened to the spot: and, the price
being reduced to Is. at two o'clock, innumerable crowds
are now gathering towards the scene of attraction.
Railways, omnibuses, and flies, are each contributing
incessantly fresh numbers to the mass of spectators; and,
besides these, an almost continuous stream of pedestrians
flows along the approaches to the yard. At ten o'clock
in the morning the stalls of prize animals were so much
filled as not to be approachable without difficulty. By
this time, in all probability, they are completely mobbed.
Before entering into details I should mention, that the
weather is magnificent, and the heat overpowering.
Entering the yard, a scene of,the most animated kind
presents itself. Ranged under the sheds which occupy
the southern half of the yard, and luxuriating in straw
bedding and a grateful shelter from the sun's rays, the
live stock are seen. The large animals are placed in
stalls, while the sheep and pigs are cribbed up in pens.
The spaces between the sheds are filled with eager spec-
tators of both sexes, all excited by the novelty of the
scene, and many loud in their exnressions of admiration
or criticism. At the stalls where prize tickets are
exhibited a knot of busy farmers is formed, who, not
content with surveying the animal within, and scruti-
nising its mould, subject it to extensive mani-
pulations on the hind quarters, the back, flanks, and
in fact everywhere. It is due lto the beasts to mention
that they submitted to this process with wonderful
composure. Scarcely a prize exhibited escaped this
process unless indeed the pigs be excepted. With
them a sharp poke or rap with a cane was considered
sufficient, and the result was that in that department of
the show, from the grunt of the large boar to the squeak
of the pigling, an endless succession of porcine sounds
assailed the ear. Those who were not occupied in the
stalls examining the cattle paced leisurely around the
yard, many of them escorting ladies, who, it is to be
presumed, picked up a considerable amount of agricultu-
ral lore on the occasion. At some points the keepers of
the stock exhibited appeared to take an active interest in
the reputation of their beasts, and exerted themselves
strenuously to show them off to advantage. This was the
case generally where prizes had been won, or a buyer was
wished for. As to the animals themselves, they had
evidently been so accustomed to good living and cleanli-
ness, and had passed their lives so comfortably, that it
is not to be wondered at that they should wear a
happy and contended look. This was particularly ob
vious with the cattle, who stood up or lay down with the
most provoking indifference. In conseqnence it some-
times happened that when you got to the stall of some
animal which had carried off an important prize, and
had edged yourself within the circle of his admirers to
have a peep at his form, you found the huge creature
prone upon the ground, and his keeper watching lest the
idle curiosity of man should disturb his siesta. As for
the sheep and pigs, they seemed to suffer grievously
from the heat. Most of them fairly succumbed beneath
it, and with panting bodies lay extended in the straw
with which their peas were littered. The fattening sys-
tern, which has, it is to be hoped, been at last put a stop
to in cattle-rearing, still exercises some sway over them,
and one could scarcely help commiserating the long
woolled sheep especially, whose fleecy coverings must
have added considerably to their discomfort.
To give a more minute idea of the show I shall men-
tion the different kinds of stock in the order in which
they were arranged, commencing with the first shed on
the south side of the yard. This and the sheds next it
were occupied with horses, which were exhibited in ex-
traordinary numbers and excellence. In fact, it is very
doubtful whether a finer exhibition of horses was ever
seen before, and any man who has an eye for such an
exhibition—and who in this country has not?—must
have been greatly delighted. Yorkshire has entirely
vindicated her ancient and well-earned reputation for
horse breeding, and this department of the show
became at once its most remarkable feature. Of stal-
lions alone there were not less than one hundred and
twenty entered for competition, most of them noble-
looking animals, and by their wonderful symmetry
filling the spectators with surprise and admiration.
That to which the first prize was awarded in the
Ist class is one of the most splended specimens of a
horse, for agricultural purposes, ever seen, and not the
least singular circumstance connected with him is that
he has carried off the prize from the best Yorkshire
horses of that class, having been himself bred in Suffolk.
This part of the exhibition was divided into classes of
horses and brood mares, for agricultural horses for dray
purposes, and of young fillies. In each class the dis-
play was very excellent in respect both of number and
quality. Next to the horses came the specimens of the
short-horned breed ; and here, taking the local circum-
stances into cuusideration, I was not disappointed, but I
must certainly say not astonished, at the character of
the exhibition. Though York is in the very centre of
the short-horn country, the show of these line cattle—

the favourite breed at present in the agricultural world—
was not superior to that at other meetings V the society.
They were not present in such numbers as was confi-
dently expected, and, while there were some very fine
animals among them, here again, as in the case of the
horses, the p7ize bull of the first class is a stranger, hav-
ing been bred, not in the northern counties, where the
short-horns have their peculiar home, but so far south
as Wiltshire. When I saw him he was resting from the
fatigues of the morning, and his keeper would not suffer
his repose to be disturbed. He is a noble specimen of
the breed, and has a hack as broad and level as a table.
Passing to the specimens of the Devon breed in the
yard, though they were few in number as might have
been expected from the distance they had to be con-
veyed, still their quality was excellent. The same ob-
servation applies with equal force to the Herefords, of
which there were some good animals exhibited. Mr.
Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, and Mr. Fouracre, of
Durston, near Taunton, were each successful enough to
carry off two prizes for the specimens of Devon cattle
shown by them. Tho display of cattle generally, though
well up to the mark of previous shows, exhibits no de-
cided or positive superiority, except in one respect. For
the credit, however, of the Agricultural Society and of
the judges who awarded the prizes, the point of su-
periority alluded to is a very important one. The aui•
mals exhibited this year approach tho natural form of
their species, and might be looked at by any carnivo•
rously minded spectator with a proper amount of satis-
faction. In this part of the show something has been
done t) rob it of its interest for the tallowchandler.
There now remains littlo in the appearance of our cattle
to provoke the indignation of the humane. Coming to
the exhibition of sheep, the anticipation that there would
be a fine display of Leicesters has been fully confirmed.
They appeared in great numbers, and were admitted on
all hands to be of extraordinary beauty. Their swarthy
rivals in public fevour, the Southdown, did not, as
might have boon expected, show in such force, but
there were nevertheless some fine specimens of them on
the ground.

As for the long-woolled sheep, the effect of overfeeding
was more obvious among them than in any other part of
the yard, and it was quite distressing to see how they
suffered from the heat.

Last of all, but not least in that beauty, the lines of
which vary so curiously with the changes of animal life,
came the pig show. From the extraordinary capabili-
ties of this creature for fattening, from their half comical
appearance, and also from a deep-seated predilection fur
bacon existing among the English people, the pig show
is always one of the most popular and best frequented
spots in an exhibition of stock. The nose refusts to be
offended when the expressive squeak assails the ears;
and ladies, notwithstanding the delicacy of their organs
and the richness of their dresses being in peril, are still
induced to look at the gross feeders whose flesh the Jew
abhors. Children go there to play tricks, and, gene-
rally, whatever part of the show-yard may be deserted,
that retains its visitors. So it was yesterday; and
worthily did Yorkshire maintain its place among the
counties for raising this kind of stock. The collection
of porkers, small and large, was very numerous, and the
successful competitors were greatly admired.
This brings to a close the ucceuut of the show, which,
altogether, must be considered a very successful one,—
Times.

WOOLWICH, JULY 13.—The Royal Horse Artil-
lery, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell;
the Riding House Establishment, under Captain Wing-
field; and the Field Batteries, under the command of
Major James, assembled yesterday, on Woolwich-com-
mon, in heavy marching order, for the Commandant's
annual inspection. Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas
Downman, C.B. and K.C.H., arrived on the ground at
half-past nine o'clock, attended by Brigade Major Cup-
page and Captain Tylden, Deputy-Assistant Quarter-
master-General, and was received with the usual general
sa.!nte. The Commandant then rode down the front and
up tile rear, closely inspecting ;;very men and horse, and
the dismounted gunners and supernumerary horse. The .
troops subsequently merched past in slow time, in single
file, which allowed Sir Thczaar. Downman another op-
and horse. They
portunity of inspecting every man
then trotted past by troops, and went through the,
manoeuvres of a field day. The field batteries having•
taken up the ground occupied by the Royal Horse Ar-
finery, the Commandant inspected them and the super-
numerary men,
and they were permitted, after walking-
past at a walk in column of batteries, to return to bar-
sks. To-day, the whole of the companies of the ten.
rbacttalions at present in the garrison assembled on the
common, in heavy marching order, for the Commandant's.
inspection; the band, the companies of the Ist, 2,1 ;sd„
sth, and 10th battalions at half-past eight, A. 51., and the:
companies of the 4th, 6th, 7th, "Pt
.9 and 9th battalions;
at one o'clock, 1'.31, and two men were selected from.
each company to show their necessaries, and as the in-
spection of each battalion was finished they were
marched to barracks and dismissed.
LONDON COFFEE AND EATING-HOUSE KEEPER S'
ASSOCIATION.—The annual excursion in aid of the funt Is
of the above association took place yesterday to Hern
Bay and back, on board the City of Canterbury, Captain
Large. About 500 of the members and their friends
assembled upon the occasion, and the weather being ex-
tremely fine a most delightful day was passed. Clapp's
band was in attendance, and dancing was continued
throughout the voyage, affording much amusement to
the younger part of the party. The vessel reached
London Bridge on its return about ten o'clock, and th a
company separated highly gratified with the, day's tri. p.
The excursion will produce profitable r tilts to t'ae
association.

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