The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-14 00:00:00

HO.RIVCASTLE GREAT _HORSE FAIR.

This great fair, which is one of the most exten-
sive and important horse marts in this country, was
formally commenced on Saturday, resumed yester-
day and to-day (Tuesday), and will continue open
the whole of this week. The show is very large,
and comprise a varied description of young horses,
many of which are yet "green in harness" and fresh
from the plough, but among them were some splen-
did cattle, developing bone and substance, combined
with perfect symmetry, and possessing the essential
points for usefulness and the growing requirements
of the public, and in every respect fully sustaining
the long-acquired reputation that this county (Lin-
colnshire) is the great horse mine of England. The
demand for young horses was steady, and brought
remunerative and encouraging figures to colt
breeders ; but taking exception to very superior
horses, there was a manifest diminution in prices
as compared with preceding fairs, and, adopting
horsedealing phraseology, " they came a little
easier." Subjoined is the average price of horses,
without reference to " choice picks" and " special
selection"—viz., young thick-set and short-jointed
horses for brewers, merchants, and town work, 40
to 50 guineas ; active light-legged cattle, suitable
for public conveyance, machine work, carriers, &c.,
35 to 45 guineas ; compact neat-going young " horses
adapted for pair harness, 55 to 65 guineas ; fine
upstanding first-class horses of high fashion realised
high figures, and matched pairs made prices rang-
ing from 140 to 180 guineas, and in many instances
higher figures were obtained ' • seasoned horses, plain
nags, and roadsters ranged in price from 20 to 28
guineas. Well-bred young horses for the hunting
field made from 95 to 220 guineas, and horses of
celebrity, and up to heavy weight, 250 and 400
guineas. Horses for park riding, chargers, and
harness horses of high action and fashion fetched
prices varying from 120 to 200 guineas. Cart
horses, sound and quick walkers, 40 to 55 guineas ;
aged and seasoned ditto, 18 to 30 guineas ; cover
hacks, cobs, and gailoways, 24 to 35 guineas; com-
pact made weight-carrying cobs fetched 40 to 50
guineas, and common description of ditto 15 to 20
guineas; ponies, 12 to 24 guineas, and choiee
matched pairs sold well. Colts, two years
dold,
varied from 16 to 40 guineas. stock sol at
prices in accordance with pedigree ; brood mares,
and ditto in foals or with a colt by their side, made
from 40 to 120 guineas, 'and van horses 22 to 35
guineas. The fair was well represented by provin-
cial and London horsedealers and jobmasters, who
were the principal buyers. Among blood stock,
amateur colt. breeders and dealers and gentlemen of
the hunting field took a deep interest, and specu-
lated freely; and young horses adapted for the
artillery and other military purposes were in good
competition, and were bought up by army con..
tractors and commission agents for home service
and foreign and continental exportation. Many
valuable strings of horses are destined for London.

A letter from Baden, of the 10th, says The
King of Prussia is really indisposed, and the cause is easily
explained. His Majesty, following the prescriptions of his
physicians, is drinking the water of the Ragocgy spring, of
Kissingen, which possesses very irritating qualities. The
late attempt on his life and the numberless deputations
which he has had to receive in consequence, were not pre-
cisely of a nature to leave his Majesty the calmness and
repose which are absolutely necessary for the treatment to
produce a good effect."