The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-17 00:00:00

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE

MARKET.

Notwithstanding the severe losses sustained this year
from the cattle plague, and the large sales of half-fat
animals disposed of by the feeders in the early part of the
season, there was a full average number of beasts on offer
bore to-day for Christmas consumption. Fortunately for
the graziers this has been a favourable )ear for the produc-
tion of live stock, although since the third week in
August considerable quantities of rain have fallen in most
parts of the United Kingdom natural food has been very
abundant, root crops have turned out wonderfully heavy,
and both beasts and sheep have been kept longer upon
the land than usual. The graziers' expenses have thus
bJen lessened, and there is an abundance of good food on
hand for winter use.

For numerical strength the short-horns hero to-day
stood first. This noble breed, which has extended itself
in all parts of the country for breeding purposes, came to
hand in excellent condition and in large force, considering
the numbers sold at a much earlier period than iu the
usual run of years of 200 stones, and realised high quota-
tions, in spite of the restrictions still placed upon the re-
moval of stock from this market to distant localities.
We may next place the cross-breeds in the category of
excellence. There were crosses between the short-horned
bull and the Ayrshire cow, between short-horns and Scots,
bred and fed in Norforlk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire,
and, indeed, between almost every other breed in the
kingdom. With some few exceptions, where the very best
animals had not been used, the show in this respect was
wonderfully good. The points of the animals we:e well
preserved, and the weight of moat was fully equal to any
former year.
The Herefords stood next. This splendid breed exhi-
bited points of great excellence and elicited great praise
from the butchers. The prices realised for them were
about on a par with the general run of good crosses.
As regards the Devons, we may observe that they came
to hand in excellent condition. The supply, however,was
only moderate, not from any scarcity of stock in the West
of England, but from the unwillingness on the part of the
graziers to forward largely during the continuance of the
present restrictions upon the movement of stock to the
provinces. High rates were paid for them in every in-
stance.

There was a most splendid exhibition of Scots and
crosses from Scotland and Norfolk. The Scotch cattle espe-
cially were unusually good. The Norfolks were larger in
size taken collectively, but the Scots from Scotland had
quite as much consumable meat on their backs as their
morn stately rivals. There was very little difficulty in
finding a ready sale for this portion of the supply. The
number of polled Scots brought forward was rather limited;
their quality and condition, however, were very prime.
Of Sussex beasts there was a fair arrival, but most of
them ranged from six to seven years old ; consequently,
did not command much attention.

There were some very good Welsh runts on offer, but
the Irish bullocks were deficient in quality.
Mongrel breeds were somewhat more numerous than
could be desired. The long-horns were very few in num-
ber, but most of them wero of full average weight.
With this general outline of the Show, we now direct
attention to the more salient points of the supply.
The following return shows the number of beasts ex-
hibited and the prices realised for them on the great days
during tho last 25 years :
Years. Beasts Shown. Prices.

s. d. s. d.
1841 4,500 ... 3 Bto 5 0
1842 4,541 ... 3 4 to 4 8
1843 4,510 3 Bto 4 4
1844 5,713 4 oto 4 6
1845 5,326 ... ... 3 6 to 4 8
1846 4,570 ... 4 0 to 5 8
1847 ... 4,282 ... ... 3 4 to 4 8
1848 5,942 ... ... 3 4to 4 8
1849 5,765 ......3 4 to 4 6
1850 6,311
......3 0 to 3 10
1851 6,103 2 8 to 4 2
1852 6,271 ... 2 Bto 4 0
1853 7,037 3 2 to 4 10
1854 6,181 ... ... 3 6 to 5 4
1855 7,000 ... ••• 3 8 to 4 2
1856 ... 6,748 ... 3 4 to 5 0
1857 6,856 ... 3 4 to 4 8
1858 6,424 ... ... 3 4 to 5 0
1359 7,560 ... 3 6 to 5 4
1860 7,860 ... 3 4 to 5 4
1861 8,840 ... ... 3 4to 5 0
1862 8,430 ... ••• 3 4to 5 0
18G3 10,370 ... ... 3 6 to 5 2
1861 7,030 ... ... 3 8 to 5 8
1865 7,530 ... ••• 3 4 to 5 4
At Mr. George Dickson's stand there was a large collection
of Scotch beasts, which attracted much attention. Some
of the best Scots and crosses were forwarded by Mo ssrs.
Knowles, Martin, Wished, Boddie, J 4 id, Winnor, Frost,
Bruce, and other graziers of Aberdeenshire, and by the
Messrs. Longinoro, Mr. Stodard, and others of Banffshire.
Messrs Maidwill and ILyland exhibited some very
prime animals, the property of Mr.R3id of Groystone, Vale
of Alford, Mr. Martin of Aberdeen, and various other
graziers.

Mr. Varley's stand was well filled with remarkably good
stock from various counties.
Mr. Hick's stand was well filled with some wonderful
stock, consigned by the leading graziers in Scotland.
Mr. Duckworth hadsome excellent beasts, which realised
good prices. One bullock was offered for sale, which had
been exhibited in the show-yard.
Various other lots ofd prime beasts were brought for-
ward, amongst them were some remarkably good beasts,
the property of Mr. M'Combie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.
Taken as a whole the supply of beasts was quite equal
to most former years, both as regards weight and quality.
The quality and condition of the sheep were good. Mr
Gurrier had on sale some very good Cotswolds, bred by
Mr. Hewer, of North Leach.
1411. Dodd had a good show of Downs and half-breds,
forwarded by Mr. John Walter, Esq., of Barwood, Messrs.
Deane, Brighton, F. Dodd, and Healy.
Mr. Lintolt's stand was well filled with prime sheep, the
property of Messrs. Cox, Bates, Latimore, St. Albans, and
Holzen, of Chichester. Mr. Drewett, of Guildford, sent
some very fine stock.
Mr. Still had four very fine Downs, belonging to Mr.
Canning, of Elston, Devizes.
Mr. Eland had some very prime Lincoln sheep, belong-
ing to Mr. P. H. Casswehr, of Laughton, Folkingham.
Mr. Weall, Mr. 3urrell, Mr. Starkey, Mr. Caton, and
Mr. Code had some very good sheep on offer.
STATE OF THE TRADE.
The supply of beasts being very large, and of excellent
quality, the sale for all breeds was in a sluggish state.
The absence of the usual number of country butchers ope-
rated against the demand. A few very superior animals
sold at 5s 6d per 81bs, but this price was by no means gene-
ral. The best large oxen produced 5s 2d per 81bs.
Arrivals from. Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and North-
amptonshire were about 2,200 shorthorns, &c. ; from other
parts of England, including Norfolk, 1,600 Scots, &e. ;
from Scotland, 1,000 Scots and crosses ; and from Ir eland,
700 oxen, &c.
The show of sheep was very moderate, but most breeds
came to hand in good condition. The demand for all
breeds ruled steady, at an advance in the quotations of 2d.
per 81bs. The best Downs and half-breds sold at 6s. 4d.
per 81bs.
Calves were in moderate supply, and fair request, on
former terms, viz., from 4s. Bd. to ss. 10d. per 81bs.
In pigs —the show of which was good—very little was
passing, at the late deoline. Tho top figure was 4s. 6d.
per 81bs.
There was a good supply of foreign stock on sale to-
day for the time of year; but the demand for it was in-
active, at about stationary prices.
We noticed some very good Dutch cows offering, and a
few pens of shorn sheep from Germany.

Several arrests were made in Dublin, on Satur-
day, and in the house of one of the prisoners, Denis
Downey, a tailor, the police found several revolvers, three
muskets, and a quantity of ammunition. Our Dublin cor-
respondent states that he had some of the letters which
have recently came into the hands of the authorities after
the arrest of Fenian sympathisers, and that they all point
to what the writers term the " rising," as fixed to take
place between the 22d and the 26th inst. Nothing, so
far, has been ascertained as to the lurking place of
Stephens, but wherever he may be, it is highly probable
that he has arrived at the conclusion that, after all, it may
be necessary to postpone his threatened " rising."
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.---The rumour that
Signor Costa was to be replaced next season in the part
which he has filled with so much ability at the Royal
Italian Opera since the establishment of that institution
is incorrect. That able contrabassist, chef d'orchestre, com-
poser, and arranger, Signor Bottesini, has entered into an
engagement with Mr. Gye, but not in the capacity of
musical director.

GUILDFORD ELECTION.--The nomination of can-
didates for the representation of the borough of Guildford,
rendered vacant by the elevation of Sir William Bovill to
the judicial bench, is fixed to take place to-day. There is
likely to be a strong contest between Mr. Pocock (Liberal)
and Mr. Garth, Q.C. (Conservative), both of whom have
been prosecuting an active canvass during the last few
days. The polling will take place to-morrow.
STEAM-ROLLER IN THE PARKS.—At last a steam-
roller has been sot to work in the parks. It is a cumbrous-
looking machine, and is worked at night. One result of its
working may be seen on the Kensington side of Hyde -
park, where some newly-laid granite was transformed
into a smooth and compact mass on Friday night.
A NEW PASTIME.—Some American genius has
in

vented a new pastime. It is a sort of parlour skittles,
played billiard fashion, the chief instrument of the game
being called a "cue alley." The Springfield Republican de-
clares ethat it is just the jolliest, prettiest, uniquest game
out ;" and strongly recommends it as "combining amuse-
ment, exercise, good-humour, and social affections, all in a
compact form,"