The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-01 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM CATTLE AND POULTRY
SHOW.

BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY EvENING.
The annual exhibition of cattle and poultry Was
oi.?enecl to the public this morning. The exhibition
this year is a week earlier thin usual ; it also opens
and closes a day earlier in the week than it has done
in former years. The change was adopted for the
purpose of meeting the views of exhibitors of stock
who are desirous of competing at the Smithfield
show this week. Under present arrangements they
w ll have a much better opportunity _of doing so
than if the stock was detained at Bingley Hall un-
til a late hour on Friday evening.
This show, in the unanimous opinion of practical
men, possesses extraordinary merit in all respects.
There are many new exhibitors, and from the posi-
tion they hive taken, the council have every reason
to congratulate them on the numerous accessions
to the ranks of their supporters.

In the cattle departieat the Herefords take Cu:

precedence in numerical strength and aggregate
excellence, as well as in the order of the prize list.
The entries are far more numerous than on any
former occasion, and it is no exaggeration to say
tliat they have seldom, if ever, .been equalled, and
never surpassed. The first class for oxen or steers
contains a splendid array of the " white faces," one
of which, sent by Mr. John Shaw, of Huntsbury-
hi 11, Northamptonshire, obtained no less than three
distinctions, namely, the first premium of 101., the
extra prize of 201. as the best Hereford in all the
four classes, and the gold medal as the best ox or
steer of any breed. It is a very perfect animal in
all points, large, heavy, and symmetrical, and ripe
in quality, amply deserving the laurels it has won.
Its age is four years and three months. Mr. Win.
Heath, of Ludham-hall, Norwich, who in former
years can ied away the palm from his opponent,, had
to content himself with the second place. The
steers, though not equal to the oxen, are still ad-
mirable, as are also the cows. The one belonging
to Mr. Philip Turner is an extraordinarily good
beast, being full in the girth, compact, and carry-
ing a large amount of superior beef. She is six
years an two months old, and has had three
calves. Site is a good example of what may be ac-
complishe 1 by judicious feeding.
The far-famed short-horns, without presenting
any very remarkable features, are upon the whole
well-represented, the names of the most successful
" growers " of this favourite breed being met with
in the catalogue. The animals in the hall on this
occasion are rather more numerous than they were
12 montbs ago. The cows surpass any other of the
short-horn classes in merit ; one of them, the pro-
t•erty of Col. Townley, receives the gold medal as
the best cow or heifer, as well as the first prize in.
her class, and the extra premium of 201. as the
most meiitorions short-horn of any age in the ex-
hibibition. The quality of the heifers will be un-
derstood when it is stated that out of five entries,
four gain either prizes or commendations.
The show of Davons was good, especially as re-
girds the division occupied by oxen or steers, where
the competition was very close. Both this prizes
fell to the lot of the Earl of Leicester. One of these
animals received a special prize, given by the noble
esident of the association, Lord Ward, to c.onsist
of a silver cup, or other piece of plate, of the value
of 251., for the best ox or steer of any kind or age,
bred and fed by the exhibitor.
In compliance with the wishes of a number of
gentlemen, whom the council were desirous to con-
eidate, a class with a single premium was opened
for long-horn oxen or steers, but there were only
three entries, and the animals were of an inferior
d scription.
_ _

The- Scotch breeds were poorly represented ;
there were only two specimens in the yard ; these
were West Highlanders, and were both sent by
Mr. Ralph Sneyd, of Keele Hall, Staffordshire.
In the extra classes the successful competitors
this year were rewaidia -with two premiums of
Ett. each, in place of the silver medals hereto-
fore conferred upon them by the judge 4. Viscount
Dillon, of Ditchley-park, Oxfordshire, was adjudged
the prize for oxen or steers ; and to the Earl of
Lichfield the one for caws and heifers ; the latter
noble lord sending a handsome short-horn cow,
which was prevented by the want of a duly authen-
ticated pedigree from- entering the ranks of her own
race.

The show of sheep is superior to that of last year.
The Shropshires fully maintain the character for
size, shape, and quality which they have acquired.
The Leicesters are also much above the average,
both for wool and mutton, and Lord Walsingham's
Southdowns were distinguished by uniformity and
excellence of character.

The show of pigs was as large as usual.
The poultry exhibition excels the best which has
yet taken place.in this town. On this occasion the
number of silver cups is increased, a fact which has
probably helped to stimulate competition.
To-day the hall has been thronged from the mo-
nient the doors opened. The attendance included
a large number of the nobility and gentry from all
pals of the country.

LIT.ERATUBM, ART, &c.

We have before u 4, by the 'kindness of a friend,
a very curious blue book in English literature, a
folio volume of some two hundred pages, containing
the names of existing proprietors of some of the
most remarkable copyrights in Eriglish literature.
It is, of course, incomplete, and in some points, we
suspect, inaccurate ; but what it professes to give
it gives—a list of works in respect to which notice
has been given to the Commissioners of her Ma-
jesty's Customs that a copyright exists, and that
the introduction of pirated copies from abroad must
be prohibited under an act of the present reign by
the officers of her Majesty's Customs. It is, at least,
a list of notices given by publishers; though Mr.
Moxon, strange to say, has not attended to his
own property and to the property of bis authors.
The name of Mr. Tennyson, for instance, is not to
be found throughout the folio.
This Custom House blue book dispels many po-
pular beliefs current in society. Thus the often-
repeated story that Lord Macaulay had sold his
Whig history to the Messes. Longman for an an-
nuity is to be upset by the Cust,,m-house fact that
the old historian is the proprietor of his own copy-
right. We could mention other expressed opinions
that will not stand the test of the book before us.
These, however, we shall not at present seek to dis-
place, but shall content ourselves with mentioning
Vie more remarkable revelation to be gathered
from a careful perusal of this guide for Custom-
house officers at the seaports of England, Ire-
land, .Scotland, the Lie of Man, and Berwick-
upon-Tweed.. Thug, though Lord Macaulaypossesses
the copyright of his "History," he is not by the
return made. from the Row the proprietor of his
• "Essays" and bis "Lays." The Messrs. Long-
man own the " Essays" and the " Lays." Mr.
Murray is the proprietor of Lord Mahon's "His-
tory of England." Lord Campbell has kept his
" Lives of the Chief Justices," but has sold his
" Lives of the Lord Chancellors." The Messrs.
Blackwood are the fortunate proprietors of Sir
Archibald Alison's History. Mr. Hallam retains
his own copyrights, Mr. Carlyle is the owner of
the " French Revolution ;" but Messrs. Chapman
and Hall are the proprietors of " Cromwell's
Speeches." Mr. Dickens has a share in every one
of his works; but has only one copyright in his own
hands--‘‘ Oliver Twist"—bought back front Mr.
Bentley for, we believe, five times the sum Mr.
Bentley gave first. Mr. Thackeray i a first share-
holder with Bradbury and Evans in " Vanity
Fair" and "Pendennis," and joint shareholder
with Smith and Eider in his "History of Henry
-Estnond." Eir W. Napier's " History of the Penin-
sular War" is part the author's and part the pro-
perly of Messrs. Boone. Mr. Borrow holds " The
Bible in Spain," but has sdd " Lavengro." Mr.
Cunningham is the proprietor of his Handbook
of London," and Mr. Ford has sold his " Hair's
book of Spain" to the Tenson of Albemarle-stre .t.
Dr. William Smith has not a single share in any of
his admirable Dictionaries. Bradbury and Evans
possess the copyright of Mr. Forster's .'.' and
Adventures of Oliver Goldsm th." Dr. Layard is
. the proprietor of his three books about Nineveh.
Mr.; Ruskin_ holds all his own copyrights but
one—" The : Seven Lamps of Architecture,"
• and that is the property of Smith and Elder.
Mrs. JamesOn possesses her "Legends of the
. Madonna," and her "Legends of the Monastic
9olees." Mr. Warren has no pecuniary interest in
;Os "Ten Thousand a Year," or his "Diary of a
'le Physician.," Aytoun has sold his " Lays,"
Barry Cornwall retains a half share in his
Songs.' . Sir Bulwer Lytton's copyrights
m ousts.ll'soderalt_a_ll(l.. Mr. James owns some of his
uu
mow
a!,-„i,t!tonally does Mrs. Gora some of hers.
intereving would this book 13,)
- did it,only contain the -
erdic7 at which the several
topyieights were obtain')
their present possessors,pr.,;rlsi. their authors by
Lays," and
what did
Lord Macaulay get for his
_sand what did
unday paper.
Professor Aytouu obtain for his ?

TEM CHARGE' OF MURDER AGAIRST Tut CA
PT. OF THE ELJZABETH.—LITERPOOL, ATIIDe
investigation into the death of Roderigo, the poor
Spaniard, who it is alleged lost his life through she
brutal treatment Of Captain. J. A. Christie, of the
barque Elizabeth, and his mate, James Millard, was
reeumed to-day before Mr. Mansfield, when James
14naraer, seaman, George Pollock, steward, Francis
Dalton, second mate, and James Lambart, were ex
arn'ined, and fully corroborated the evidence given
18911:13
rSaturday,cvrog a
And, although submitted to very search-
ing by the prisoners' counsel,
was
fte all tram their original. answer. The taus
did not
gain acljonrned 'until 2 o'clock tl-morrOW.