The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-14 00:00:00

CRIMINAL COURT—(This day).

The December session of the Central Criminal
Court was opened at the Old Bailey this morning.
The first edition of the calendar contains the
names of 79 prisoners, and the offences are thus
classified :—Burglary, 9 ; feloniously uttering coun-
terfeit coin, 18 ; embezzlement, 1 ; forgery, 7 ; horse
stealing, 1 ; larceny, 14; larceny from the person,
3 ; murder, 1 ; feloniously attempting to murder,
3 ; misdemeanDur, 5 ; rape, 4 ; feloniously receiv-
ing stolen goods, 1; robbery with violence, 9; ware-
house breaking, 1; and feloniously wounding, 1.
The Recorder, in charging the grand jury,
stated that there were fewer cases than usual to be
disposed of, in consequence of the short time that
had elapsed since last session. There was a charge
against a mother of having murdered her child,
aged three weeks. There was also a charge of
forging a will against a person named John
Spong, and the circumstances were of a very pecu-
liar character The genuine will, which was at-
tempted to be set aside, was executed in 1844. The
Recorder then referred to some other cases, and the
jury thereafter retired to their room.

MARKE7 S-2 Ills DAY.

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE ➢iARKET.

The past season has been most unfavourable for
the production of live stock of all kinds. The pro-
tracted drought of great severity, such as has not
been experienced for many years, has been most
prejudicial to the interests of our breeders and
graziers, and led during the summer months to an
immense slaughter of half fat stock.
In point of numbers the falling off in the cattle
was very perceptible, amounting to some 2,000
head as compared with last year. The collection
was, however, tolerably even, and comprised a fair
proportion of very prime qualities of beef in every
way suitable to the requirements of the period.
The trade was not say brisk, but there was a
fair current inquiry, and the prices realised were
generally about 2d per stone above those of the
grand day last year. The following are the num-
bers of cattle at market, with the current rates on
the grand days for the past six years :

Year.
1868
1867
1866
1865
1864
1863

Beasts.
6,300
8,110
7,340
7,530
7,130
10,370

Price.
3s 6d to 5s 8d
3s 4d to 5s Gd
3s 8d to be 6d
3s 4d to 5s 4d
as 8d to 5s 8d
3s 6d to 5s 2d

The number of sheep on show was smaller even
for an ordinary market, but there was that selection
of prime qualities that gave it the wonted Christ-
mas character. There was a good though not a
large selection of Downs, and among them some of
very superior condition and quality. There was
an improved demand compared with last week,
and generally prices were fairly supported. 5s 4d
and 5s 6d were the current top figures, with
5s 6d in some few instances. The following were
the numbers of sheep and current rates at the
Grand Markets for thre years :

Years.
1868 ...
1867 '
....•
1866 ...

Sheep.
19,100
20,810
19,120

Prices.
3s 6d to 5s 8d
4s Od to 6s 4(1
4s Od to 62 Od

MARK LANE.

At Mark-lane this morning the attendance was fair, and
a steady demand prevailed for most articles.
English wheat realised is to 2s advance on the rate of
this day week. •
Foreign wheat was is per quarter dearer.
Barley of good quality also made is advance.
Beans and peas firmer.
Oats 3s 6d dearer on the week.