The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-10 00:00:00

THEGR•EAT CHRISTMAS CAT SHOW.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princes Christian and
Leopold, attended by General Hood and a limited
suite, visited the show yesterday, and it is hardly
necessary to add that the successful "No. 2" of
Class I. was one of the first objects of their scrutiny.
There were only three animals of the Devon breed
considered worthy to be classed with the. Windsor
specimens ; but in the remaining classes a consider-
able excellence was maintained throughout. The
first prize in the Herefords was obtained by Mr.
Joseph Beach, of Dudley, Worcestershire, a gentle-
man who to the techuical°knowledge of the prac-
tical farmer unites the experimental acquirements
of the analytic chemist. As a matter of fact, nearly
all the prizeholders of this year are animals which
have been fatted by some scientifically prepared
compound, and it would be important and satis-
factory to the public to learn that the artificial food
is likely to tell as favourably on the quality as on
the quantity of the living beef. In the short-
horns, there is nothing this year worthy of special
notice. They are as big, and as phlegmatic as ever.
The first prize of £3O is carried off by Mr. Fol-
jambe, of Osberton-hall, Notts, but the success of
the winner is as much attributable to the defects of
his competitors as to any absolute excellence on his
own part.

In class 26 we come to the Black Lion of the
show, the Scotch polled steer, which the judges
have adjudged to be the best in all the chassses.
This magnificent animal is the property of Mr.
William M'Combie, of Aberdeen, N. 8., a per-
fect cormorant of prizes, and who had already,
with the same ox, carried all before him at
Birmingham. At former Smithfield shows suc-
cess at Birmingham was not found to be at all a
sure passport to a similar result at Islington ; but
this year the verdict of the capital of the " Black
Country" is confirmed, and Mr. MiCombie's steer
will have the gratification of going to the butcher's
literally covered with laurels. Already there is a
sharp competition for his bodily effects, but Mr.
M'Combie has, we understand, intimated in the
proper quarters his wish to present this splendid
animal to the Queen, and awaits her Majesty's
decision as to its acceptance before he entertains
any trade proposals.

Of the sheep this year, the finest pen is decidedly
that of Lord Walsinghatn, which takes the first
prize as South Downs. There cannot be the slightest
doubt as to their superiority or as to the acumen
and impartiality of the judges. The Duke of
Richmond and Mr. Rigdert also exhibit in this
class, but not with their usual success, neither get-
ting more than " commended." Next to the sheep
come the pigs in the order of the catalogue. This
year they are very few in number, and present their
usual appearance, being neither worse nor better
than in former exhibitions.

The following is a complete litit of the prizes
awarded :

CATTLE.
DEVON CATTLE.

Class I.—Devon Steers, not exceeding 2 years and 6
months old.—First prize of £2O to her Majesty the Queen ;
silver medal to the breeder ditto. Second prize of £lO to
Mr. James Howard, Crediton, Devon.
Class 2.—Devon Steers, not exceeding 3 years and 3
months old. —First prize of £3O to William Smith, Credi-

ton, Devon ; silver medal to the breeder, exhibitor ; se-
cond prize of .£2O to Mr. John Overman, Burnham Mar-
ket, Norfolk; third prize of .£lO to Mr. William Taylor,
Esstbourn, Sussex.

Class 3.—Devon Steers, or Oxen, above 3 years and 3
months old.—First prize of £3O to Mr. William Smith,
Exeter, Devon; silver medal to the breeder, James Davey,
Devon ; second prize of £2O to Mr. Walter Farthing-,
Bridgewater, Somerset; third prize of £lO to Mr. James
Faiquharson, Blandford, Dorset.

Class 4.—Devon Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old.—
First prize of .£25 to Richard Burton, Devon ; silvermedal
to the breeder, George Gibbs, Taunton ; second prize of
£l5 to W. Barrington, Yarmouth, isle of Wight ; third
prize of £lO to her Majesty the Queen.
Class s.—Devon Cows, above 4 years old.—First prize
of £25 to Walter Farthing, Bridgwater, Sussex ; silver
medal to tho breJder, John Tapp, South Moulton ; second
prize of £l5 to John Coote, Blandford, Dorset; third prize
of £lO to William Taylor, Eastbourne, Sussex.