The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-05 00:00:00

Barnet Great Annual Fear, Sept. 4.

" There is no rule without an exception ;" and this quaint
maxim was truly exemplified to-day at Barnet fair. For
timo immemorial this hitherto celebrated fair has had
the reputation of being oue of the larg'bst cattle-marts in
this country, and has been tho medium of cattle breeders
and graziers to dispose of store beasts, and farmers to pur -
chase for furnishing tho fattening sheds; but the cattle

[ague, which has devastated horned stocks in all counties,

is the cause of this year's fair being a blank. The orders
emanating from her Majesty's Privy Council, in reference
to the removal of cattle, have suppressed this year's fair,
and the several sections usually appropriated for distinct
classes of Hereford, Devon, Scotch, and Welsh bullocks
did not comprise one hoof of horned stock. The green pas-
tures, invariably studded at fair-time with valuable droves
of beasts, are now laid up for a crop of rowen ; and although
ample notice specified that there was "no cattle fair,"
.'et
groups of farmers, graziers, and others interested in horned
stock would not deny themselves the satisfaction of go-
ing their usual route and viewing the enipty meadows,
descanting on the profits and advantages derived on
their speculation at last year's fair, and, faintly glancing
at future prospects, exclaimed their deep regret at what
" things had come to ;" but the forlorn aspect of the cattle
fair did not diminish the importance of the horse-show, at

which there was a large assemblage of dealers, &c. There
was a large Sheep fair held north side of Barnet, and a
good business was transacted at the following figures :
Young well-bred ewes (Sonthdowns), 50s. to 555. a-head,
and full and broken-mouthed ditto, 365. to 425. Lambs,
well-bred, 38s. to 425. Four-tooth store wethers, GOs. to
665. a-head ; two-tooth ditto, 50s. to 535. per ditto. Scotch
sheep, Cheviot ewes, 30s. to 365., and ditto lambs, 235. to
295. a-head. Rams, cross-bred 2 to 3 guineas, and Leices-
ters and long-wool tups, 4 to 5 guineas a-head.
THE HORSE Snow.—The fields on either side of the road
south of Barnet formed the horse fair, which comprised very
long strings of horses of high stamp, and a good demand
prevailed for horses of superior class and usefulness, and the
following were the average selling figures: —Horses of good
fashion, suitable for private carriages and single and double
harness purposes, 60 to 75 guineas and upwards ; and neat
stepping, active going ditto, for phaetons and light vehicles,
45 to 50 guineas. Well-grown strong horses for omnibus
work, cabs, and heavy draught purposes, 28 to 40 guineas ;
and single harness horses and roadsters, &c., 20 to 30
guineas. Strong active cart horses suitable for brewers,
merchants, and London team work, 45 up to 60 guineas; and
seasoned horses for contractors' work and agricultural pur-
poses, 25 to 30 guineas. Three-year-old cart colts, 30 to 40
guineas; two-year-old ditto, 20 to 28 guineas; and nag colts,
25 to 40 guineas. Quick sound young horses, adaptable for
town carts, vans, railway carriers, &c., met a ready demand at
prices varying from 40 to 50 guineas, and stall horses and
old scows were offered at nominal prices. Well-bred horses
for saddle purposes fetched 40 to 55 guineas, and horses of
high blood and pedigree, fit for hunting field, 75 to 100
guineas ; and neat-going weight-carrying cobs, 20 to 28
guineas. Several droves of well-bred and promising Irish
colts were exhibited, and drafts of these unbroken animals

, - --
found buyers at from, 18 to 25 gs. ;-and choice selections
were made at 30 to 35 gs. each. There Was a large show of
Welsh ponies, wild and unbroken, which formed a great
attraction to tho numerous lookers-on. The Welsh dealers
rushed into the droves sans ceremonie, and brought out the
terrified young foresters to public VSOW. Three-year-old
ponies realised 11 to 14 gs., and two-year old colts 7 to 10
gs., and yearlings and colts with their sucking teeth in
' their head found buyers at 3 to 4 gs. each.
When the horse fair was up the long horse-rows and
pony droves had been thinned out, but many horses and
unbroken colts remained on dealers' hands.
The Great Northern Railway Company continued to run
cheap special trains front London, and brought down large
cargo of passengers.