The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-12 00:00:00

TVEYIIILL GREAT FAIR.

Yesf

erday (.11')nday) this celebrated fair com-
menced. It is one of the largest in this country, and
to which the highest importance is attached by hop
growers and factors, dairy and cheese farmers,
agriculturists and stock breeders, and many other
classes whose interests are involved in this great
mart; immense droves of stock and sheep are
brought here for sale, and the largest bulk of hops
that can be brought together are invariably pitched
under canvass for competition, besides which a large
business in cheese and bacon is also transacted. The
fair lasts eight days; the first day is for the sale of
sheep, the two following are appropriated for stock
and horses, and afterwards the great hop and cheese
fair commences. The attendance yesterday was
large, but chiefly restricted to sheep dealers and
flock masters. The hill side was covered with sheep
and the pens extended over a large scope of land.
There were upwards of 200,000 head of sheep
folded. Dorsetshire contributed very larp;ely.
S riv2r-et,ltire, and Hants produced a good
supply. There were some pens of choice sheep from
Leicestershire ; Sussex brought down some well-
bred South-down ewes, and many other sheep coun-
ties contributed. The condition of the sheep was in
general healthy and free from foot-rot; there was
not a brisk sale. The short turnip crops tend to
retard any very active competition for sheep, but ,
the late exceedingly favourable weather has con-
duced very largely to the growth of rape and
coleseed, which form a good substitute for turnips
and a provision for autumn sheep keep, conse-
quently there was a fair demand at prices hereunder
quoted :---Ewes, Dorsets, 445. to 48s. a head ; ditto
couples (ewe and lamb of this autumn), 50s. to 555.;
west country Downs, 365. to 38s. a head ; half-breds,
335. to 365. ; Leicesters, 455. to 495. ; Southdowns,
335. to 375., and aged ewes, 265. to 30s. a head ;
vethers, prime bred sheep, fat, 50s. to 60s. a head ;
useful wethers for folding, 425. to 445. ; tegs, 30s. ;
well bred wether lambs, 18s. to 235. • ditto ewe
lambs, 17s. to 225. ; and pens of choice lambs 225.
to 295. a head; long-wool stcck sheep sold lower
than at last fair. There was a good show of rams
for sale and letting for the next season, and those
from eminent sheep breeders went off at high
figures. Dorset tups made sto 8 guineas ; Leices-
ter ditto 6 to 10 guineas ; Southdown ditto, 4 to 9
guineas; shearlings varied in price from 3to 6
guineas ; some rains of celebrated breeds made as
high as 15 to 20 guineas; the sheep pens were
nearly sold out. The stock fair will commence
to-day (Tuesday).

SEDUCTION AND SUICIDE IN THE

CI TI

Last evening, at seven o'clock, Mr. W. Payne,
he Coroner, held an inquest at the White Hart
Tavern, Giltspur-street, City, concerning the death
of Maria Drew, aged 28, who committed suicide
undr the following circumstances :
Eliza Drew said that she lived in the service
of Mr. Jeffreys, dentist, of the same street. De-
ceased also lived in the same house as cook, and
was her sister. She was .to have been married
to a man named Biggs, an assistant to a
packing-case maker, but he had deceived her.
She tod her that he had taken improper ad-
vantage of her. He was to have called to see her on.
Thursday as they were to have been married the
next day. She was some months enciente by him.
On the Friday night she made attempts twice to
throw herself out of window, but she prevented her
by pulling her back. At six o'clock in the morning
she went into the kitchen and found that she had
drowned herself in the water cistern. She was got
out, and everything done to restore life, but she was
past recovery. Biggs gave her steel filings on
three occasions for an improper purpose, which
used to make her ill and sick. She believed the
man had gone to work at Woolwich, but she did
not know in what part.
Mr. Jeffreys said that he had heard that the
man had got a woman and two children living in
the country. He used to lodge in the same house
as that in which the inquest was held, and he had
since heard was accepted as deceased's suitor.
David Williams said that he resided in New
eut, and was on intimate terms with the deceased
and her sister, and the deceased had told him that
she had been seduced by the man, who had pro-
cured steel filings for her and had given her one
dose. She also told him that whilst she was stand-
ing at the window on the second floor he suddenly
seized her round the waist and effected her ruin.
John Brown, the potman, said that the man
Biggs used to lodge in that house, but he had not
seen him since Thursday last. He used to work in
the city, and he believed in Watling-street. He
had seen the deceased and the man walk out
together.
Mr. Jeffreys said if he had known that deceased
was keeping company with Biggs he should have
prevented it until he had time to inquire into his
respectability.
The learned Coroner havinc, summed up, the
jury decided upon adjourning the case.

THIS DAYS MARKETS.