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

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LONDON, THURSDAY, DEC. 12, 1867.

Agriculture is just now in the ascendant, and
those who, during the other eleven months of the
year, pay very little heed to the merits and demerits
of sheep and cattle, are now busy discussing every
question of size, shape, and quality. Two days ago
more than 20,000 persons paid the admission fee at
the Agricultural Hall, and yesterday the number
was evidently quite as great. The immense hall
was inconveniently crowded as the afternoon ad-
vanced, and a rough calculation estimated the
numbers within the building at ono time at more
than 10,000 persons. What is more satisfactory, as
evidence of the improved condition and prospects of
the trade in cattle, the sales proceeded briskly, not-
withstanding the restrictions imposed by the Privy
Council as to the removal and slaughtering of the
beasts within a given time. The whole proceedings
of the year, indeed, are marked with unusual spirit,
which is the more encouraging to all interested, as
the meetings of the last few years have been re-
markably dull, owing partly, no doubt, to the evil
influence of the cattle plague, and partly to the
depressed state of trade and other causes. Her
MAJESTY is a successful exhibitor of stock of her
own breeding, and the Heir Apparent has also en-
tered the lists, though not so fortunate as his mother.
The annual dinner took place in the evening, and
was largely attended by agriculturists. Several
speeches were made, the principal being by the
chairman, Major-General the Hon. A. HOOD. The
chairman congratulated the members on the supe-
rior qualities of the exhibition, and he alluded with
satisfaction to the perceptible improvement in the
young stock, which he thought hal been materially
assisted by the prizes offered by the Smithfield
Club for young animals. The disappearance of
the cattle plague was another matter of congratu-
lation, and the removal of so many of the
prohibitions attending the transit of cattle
from one part of the kingdom to another
is naturally a great relief to agriculturists. Major-
General HOOD remarked that he had presented the
resolution of the Council of the Smithfield Club to
the President of the Council, respecting the slaugh-
t2ring of foreign stock at the ports of debarkation.
This is a matter very earnestly desired by English
agriculturists, and so much importance do they at-
tach to it that Major-General Hoop believes that,
5y the establishment of markets for foreign stock,
we should get rkl not on!y of the cattle plague, but
of the foot and mouth disease. The prelident of
the council has stated that it is the intention of the
Government to bring in a bill to this effect; but
there is one very important consideration respecting
foreign cattle which should not be overlooked.
There can be no question but that many of their
diseases are actually contracted during the voyage
owing to the barbarous manner in which they are
consigned by the dealers, without food or water,
packed together like inanimate things. The ac-
counts which have been given of the condition
of these poor beasts when they arrive at Eng-
lish ports are quite sufficient to account for any
amount of pleuro-pneumonia in foot and mouth
disease among them. It will no doubt be a wise
precaution to provide separate markets for foreign
stock, and to arrange for their being slaughtered at
the port of debarkation, but every consideration of
economy as well as humanity protests against the
waste of property and the unnecessary suffering
occasioned by the treatment of these poor
animals. " The cattle plague," says Major
floor), " has cost the agriculturist of this
country five millions of money, and the consumers
as much more. As is usually the case, it is the
class between these who have been the loudest in
their complaints. Its results were certainly as the
chairman observed, quite serious enough to arouse
the energies of our rulers.
Coming to the fortunes of the Smithfield Club
itself, the speaker was able to give some very
satisfactory statistics. It was established so far
back as 1798, and in 1799 it held its first show.
In 1817 its finances were at a very low ebb,
and in 1821 its dissolution was proposed. This,
as we know, was not carried out, but the year after
it was left without a President. Soon after, how-
ever, its fortunes took a turn, and Lord ALTHORP
assumed the presidency in 1825, to be succeeded by
the late Duke of RICHMOND. Both these noblemen
rendered good service, not only to the direct inte-
rests of the Club, but to the cause of agriculture
generally, and now the fortunes of the Club are in a
most flourishing state. A sum of £l,OOO has been
given for the enlargement of the galleries of the
Agricultural Hall, and this is likely to be a very
profitable investment, as in this year alone
the additional space has brought in nearly a quarter
of the money expended. Major—General HOOD has
made a very wise suggestion, which has been
accepted by the Council, which is to have an annual
report of the show.

Another meeting, held yesterday at Hanover-
square, was full of interest to agriculturists. The
Royal Agricultural Society of England held its an-
nual assembly, and many very interesting and im-
portant statistics were brought forward. Among
the many pressing subjects of commercial in-
terest which engross our attention in the
metropolis we are very likely to overlook the
real importance and value of agricultural questions,
and their influence upon the public health and wel-
fare. It is therefore well that these exceptional
gatherings should now and then bring before us the
more salient points of interest, that we may at least
understand rightly the views and requirements of
the agriculturists, and so be able to legislate for
them in a fair and enlightened spirit.

Every now and then some misfortune arises
which, from its suddenness or severity, arrests the
attention of the most careless, and makes the most
indifferent feel that a real change has intervened.
The calamity which has just befallen Mr. MAPLE-
SON is indeed one of these direful misfortunes, and
we are glad to see that the subject has been taken