The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-07-23 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL

The German company of singers, we briefly noticed in our
last publication, have been the means of cramming the house
with fashionable audiences. On Tuesday, "The Marriage of
Figaro" was performed ; Wednesday, " Beethoven's Fide-
lio" ; and last night, Kreutzer's "A Night in Granada."—
To•night will be played Meyerbeer's " Robert the Devil,"
and to-morrow evening, the last of their appearance, Weber's
" Der Freischutz." It is difficult to convey an idea of the
excellence of sound ; but when we say that, taken altogether
the operas have been performed in a style unequalled for
effect, precision, and excellence, we only say what is the truth
as to the merits of the company, and the abilities of the
members of it. In the provinces, never has there such a
company appeared, so perfect in detail, or so capable, in the
whole, as this; and we shall not be saying too much when
we prophecy that it will be many years before such another is
listened to. In the whole, including the orchestra, there are
80 persons engaged, all possessing excellent voices and great

musical knowledge. The prima donna is Madame Schodel.
She possesses a voice of great power, and displays a perfect
abandonment in passages where great expression and bril-
liancy are desirable. She manages her voice most admirably.
Her tones are like those of a bird thrilling upon the ear—now
swelling, till the theatre is filled with sound—now dying
away, like echo in the distance. Madame Schodel is a first-
rate chanteuse, and she will be long remembered by the
lovers of music who have heard her " warble the strains of
tier own native land ;"—Madame Schodel is besides a good
Madame Schumann is a pleasing singer—her voice
ias much sweetness—she wants power, but the absence of
it she quite makes up for, by her neatness in execution,
flexibility, and above all her excellent acting. In the
" Marriage of Figaro," Madame Schumann played Cherubino
with much archness. Herr Tichatschek possesses a splendid
tenor voice—perhaps as good as any of the present day. He
is a complete master of his art,—knows right well how to
avail himself of any incident or passage where an effect can
be produced—more judgment it appears impossible for any
singer to possess. Herr Staudigl has gained so great a repu-
tation, and truly a most deserved one, in London, and on
the Continent, that it is quite unnecessary to speak of him,
except that his voice is a noble bass, of great power and com-

actress

- -
pass, full of tone, and execution. Herr Stdugil besides being a
very good actor. There are others in the company who deserve
a notice, but we cannot spare space One Herr Herbold who
played the Gardener, in the "Marriage of Figaro," we could

ave declared was poor John Reeve's double

When he

came forward we fancied we saw that " mad wag " as in
Baron Sowercroutzsen Sassengen. Last, though not least
worthy of notice, are the choruses. It is quite impossible
to describe the unity of voice that these singers posssss—it
is a chorus, indeed,—not the chorus that we hear on our
stage where every one sings and independent tune, and the
great matter amongst them seems to be which shall have
done first ; but these choruses appear like one mighty voice,
bursting upon the ear—rich in melody—full of harmony,
and extraordinary in power. In the " Freischutz "
the " Huntsman's Chorus " was given quite different to
anything we ever heard,—the effect was tremendous. The
audience applauded " till echo did applaud again." As
for encoring, we thought they never would give over, and
cry " hold, enough." As the " Freisehutz" will be performed
to-morrow night, we earnestly recommend our readers to go
and hear it. The music and story of the opera being familiar,
makes it go off, in our opinion, better than any thing that has
been tried yet. Beethoven's " Fidelio" abounds in fine and
elevated passages, and is rich in harmonies. It is a noble
composition, and appeared to give very great delight. As a
stranger, the audience seemed to give it welcome, by fre-
quently indulging in tumultuous bursts of applause.—A word
for the orchestra. It is one of the most perfect imaginable.
Some, nay many of the members, are excellent instrumen-
talists. They play well together, and their precision is re-
markable.—And now a word for Mr. Clarke. close who
are fond of music cannot but feel grateful to him, and admire

his courage and spirit in giving an engagement to eighty per-
formers, (and of course keeping his excellent and large com-
pany comparatively idle.) He deserves success, if he cannot
command it.—Next week, we perceive, Madame Vestris,
llarley, Farren, Mathews, and F. Matthews make their ap-
pearance, when " London Assurance" will be produced.
This comedy has bad an unprecedented run in London, and
whoever has seen the daily metropolitan papers need only
look back through some hundred or more publications to be
satisfied that it has been good policy to play " London
Assurance." In fact, the whole time, seats have been at a
premium at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-garden.

The Rev. Wm. D. Long, A.M., late curate of Davertown,
diocese of Chester, has been instituted to the united Vicar-
ages of Dunany, Marlinstown, and Parsonstown, in the arch.
diocese of Armagh, Patron—the Marquis of Drogheda.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

OF ENGLAND

(Continued from the Supplement.)

WEDNESDAY,

This was the first day of public ;amission to the show
ground. In consequence of the judges being busied in
determining the prizes in the cattle-yard, that part of the
exhibition was a closed book. The exhibition of imple-
' ments was announced to be open from eight o'clock in
the morning, until six in the evening--entrance ss.—a
very large sum indeed, when it is considered that the
field-working implements, the most valuable of all, would
be removed to Aintree for trial, a distance of nearly six
miles, to which parties wishing to see them might find
their way as they best might. Few or none of these im-
plements could be returned to the yard on that day, so
that parties paying their crown could not fail to be dis-
satisfied, unless indeed they had more money than brains.
But the ss. was not all. The policemen at the entrance
were instructed to tell those who enquired, as they paid
their money, that if they once entered and came out of the
yard, they must pay again another ss. No admission was
even given to the reporters of the press, but on this over-
reaching condition ; though all of them had done and
purposed to do their best, for the eclat and publicity of
the exhibition throughout. Our reporter, on remonstrat-
ing, was politely (it is true) referred to the Council at the
Mechanics' Institution ; but after dancing attendance there
for some time, he found it impossible to obtain access to
any of the magnates of the exhibition, the doors being
beset with applicants for tickets for the grand dinner in
the Pavilion on Thursday ; and, as he could make no sa-
tisfactory report on the implements there left, before the
trial at Aintree, (the time being too short,) and did not
think proper to pay an additional 55.--even if he could
have seen the remainder of them after the trial, he de-
clined to enter at all that day-10s. being rather too
much, under any circumstance, to pay for one's whistle.
We manage these things better in Lancashire ; and we
notice the circumstance as an apology for any deficiency
in our notice of the many ingenious instruments produced,
to the owners or inventors of which we should have been
glad to do more justice than we could accomplish by the
visit to the yard yesterday only. Our reporter, of course,
proceeded to the race-course, to witness the trials of the
numerous ploughs, &c.
The weather was exceedingly unKopitious, which, as
friends to the general objects of the Society, we much
regret. The morning was cloudy and drizzly, and the
day throughout, until towards the close of the show,
showery and unpleasant. Such, however, was the curi-
osity excited, that considerable numbers of persons had
congregated round the Show Ground at an early hour, in
carriages and cabs, and on foot. Tents were pitched for
refreshments by publicans in the adioining waste ground,
a temporary wooden building had alto been erected for
II
the same purpose opposite the in or northwest en-
trance. The whole, indeed, towards o'clock, assumed,
to some extent, the bustling and hol ay appearance of a
race course. Meantime, from an early hour, field imple-
ments, chiefly ploughs, loaded in carts, continued to be
conveyed along Bedford-street, northwards, in transit to
the Race Course; and " the cry being still they go—
they go," a general inclination became manifest to follow
them with all possible expedition, to the neglect, pro tem.,
of the Show Ground, in which, in truth, there was com-
paratively little left in agricultural machinery to gratify
the curiosity that had been excited. The sittings of the
Council being at the Mechanics' Institution, about a fur-
long-and-a-half from the spot, a considerable traffic in
gentlemen walking or riding to and fro between them
was kept up. Cars to Aintree became more and more
in requisition at both places as the time advanced, and
proportionably large fares were consequently demanded.
Parties were however made up, and wheeled off to the
more interesting scene of action. The members of the
Council were conspicuous by the small golden circular
piece of card, resembling a medal,. which they wore on
the left breast or button-hole of their coats. These for
the most part started from the Mechanics' Institution,
round the doors of which there was considerable crowd-
ing. The anxiety manifested in the passages adjoining
the committee or " Council" room to obtain tickets for
the grand dinner was great, and parties appeared to ob-
tain them as an especial favour. Of what occurred at
the Show Ground during the day we are not particularly
informed; but we learn that, from the amount required
for admission and the circumstances before stated, the
proceedings were not of sufficient interest to require
detail.

TRIAL OF IMPLEMENTS AT THE RACE COURSE.
The curiosity to witness the trial of implements at Aintree
was so great, that notwithstanding the distance from the
town, and the unpropitious state of the weather, vast num-
bers of persons, chiefly in vehicles, drew towards the ground,
from the town and the neighbouring districts. From 11 to
12 o'clock the cabs, gigs, omnibuses, &c., formed an almost
continuous chain from Scotland-road to the inn at the en-
trance to the race-ground ; and, by one o'clock, the numbers
congregated at and about the scene of action, appeared to be
from 2000 to 2500, or it may be more,—for there were so
many detached gtoups scattered up and down, examining the
several utensils, that it was difficult to make more than'a
random guess at the amount. The machines and crowd at
the inn formed a dense and dark cloud. The attendance of
the humbler classes was comparatively smaller than at our
usual races, though on the whole-, considering the short and
inadequate notice, the assemblage might be considered very
great.

The ground measured out for the trials was within the
inner ring of the race-course, on the west side, immediately
opposite the row of stands. We have not heard the precise area,
but we take it to be somewhere about ten Cheshire acres, the
whole of which was in green sward, and being almost wholly
free from stones, and of a nearly level, light, and partly sandy
nature, favourable, on the whole, for being ploughed up. Whe-
ther, however, from the ploughmen being unacquainted with
the soil, and its slight inequalities ; from some of them hav-
ing to employ strange horses, from the careless and indifferent
manner in which the ground was marked out, or the inter-
ruption of the crowd,—or a combination of these disad-
vanta;es, we know not ;—but, with a very few exceptions,
the ploughing was anything but superior. There were some
capital well-trained stout horses, chiefly the property of the
parties making trial of their respective ploughs, and these
had, of course, an advantage,—the more particularly as their
implements were principally of the simple Scotch con-
struction, (more or less varied) and in our opinion the best. By
far the greater number of ploughs were of the South of Eng-
land construction, with wheels and other gim-crackery ; some
having one wheel in front, and others two—one travelling in
the sod, _and another, of large diameter, working along the
furrow. These ploughs may be all very well where they are
generally used, in the South; but as specimens of agricultural
machinery, their advantages, if any, being counterbalanced
by their defects, they cannot compete with the improved
Scotch in the hands of a skilful and well practised workman.
In reference, indeed, not only to the implements but the men,
our South country neighbours, if they desire to shine, either
through the auspices of this society or that, must stop at
home. If they repeat their visit to the North of England
they must come in all fairness and impartiality, making every
allowance for the disadvantages in operation under which
they yesterday laboured, and admitting too that many of
them were calculated for a different soil. In some buts,
indeed, the attempts made ludicrously failed in every
desideratum held good in husbandry. The nature and
moistness of the soil, too, was favourable for the contest.
We noticed from twelve to fifteen ploughs at work at a
time, some few with single horses, others with two ; some of
the latter with a leader to each horse, in south country
fashion, others, more expert, without any such adventitious
aid. The operations began at the north end of the ground,
about noon, with scuffle-ploughs and a turf or surface plough.
The latter—" Cover's improved turf plough"—did its work
well, shaving up the turf in a thin, broad sheet, and turning
it well over. The scuffles, armed with stout prongs, were
also effective in turning up the ground, but their advantages
could not be well shown on the sod. A Jersey potatoe dig-
ging-plough attracted considerable attention. It has a sort
of sub-soil share, behind which is a four-armed iron wheel, with
blades like a manure-fork, standing horizontally and in a
diagonal position backwards with the plough. This is turned
as the implement proceeds, by means of a fulcrum wheel
behind, which takes hold of the soil with latteral blades of
iron, and the potatoes, when loosened below, are turned or
forked up to the surface on the right hand side. The plan
is ingenious, and may be adopted in light soils if the potatoes
are found not to be much smashed by the operation.
We noticed two good implements from the iron-works of
the Earl of Ducie, in Uley, in Yorkshire ; one was a scuf-
fling machine, to which various sizes and shapes of culter
bits can be affixed, from a round blunt-pointed scuffle to a
flat one like the fluke of a small anchor. The frame work
is a neat iron casting, and it travels on three wheels.—price
12 guineas. The other was much approved. It is a hand-
some horse-hoe, so contrived, the frame being of jointed pa-
rallel rods, that it can be adjusted to any required width from
a foot upwards. There were several skimming or surface
ploughs by other parties, but none of them, to our thinking,
involved any new or valuable principle.
A. considerable number of " Ransome's " ploughs were at
work, with one or two wheels, and rather clumsy wooden
handles; some of them may be suitable for certain soils,
but the Scotch plough may be applied with greater advantage
under almost any circumstances. They are generally cal-
culated for shallow ploughing only.
After the ordinary ploughing had proceeded some time,
an estimate could be formed of the respective merits of the
competitors. Squire Falkner's plough, by James Wilkie,
of Uddington, near Glasgow, a new modification of the
Scotch, with a wheel in the middle of the iron-work, close
behind the coulter, and turning in the furrow, seemed to
work well, and turned up the soil to a considerable depth
for a crop. A wooden plough by Berry Barrett, Exall,
Reading, also worked well, guided by a smart young man
with two horses, without a driver. The same may be said
of a plough by Sanders and Williams, of Bedford. Lord
Derby had a sort of new-fashioned south country plough (we
believe) on the ground, but failed to obtain a prize this time.
Mr. Ellison of Sizergh, near Kendal, had a handsome
plough at work—an improvement, or alleged improve-
ment on Wilkie's ; this instrument is very long, thereby
giving the plowman great power of leverage in working it.
Three or four good even buts were ploughed ; but the best
work, in our opinion, was performed by a Scotch iron plough,
belonging to Mr. Webster, farmer, of Upton, behind Bidston,
in Cheshire. It was drawn by two fine grays, and turned up
a fine even furrow for seed, to a depth of 6to 7 inches. A
plough from Wales also did its duty ; and one or two single
horse ploughs, particularly one drawn by a lean-looking but
well-trained old horse. There were several double ploughs
and some formed to turn the soil both ways. We noticed also
a compound plough, from the Earl of Derby's, combining the
common plough with the sub-soil plough, which, with four
horses, did its work well, loosening the soil to a considerable
depth. There were several good sub-soil ploughs, particu-
larly a neat long iron one by Wilkie, which rooted its way
to a depth of from 15 to 16 inches below the surface, with a
six inch flange below. This was the property ofJohn Mus-
catt, Esquire, a member of the society. It was drawn by
four horses, the work being stiff but effectual.—lt was made
by Messrs. Meredith, of Herefordshire.
A draining plough, or moss plough, on, as we learned, the
Jersey plan was exhibited at work, by Mr. Thomas Gibbs,
director of the show, and caused much laughter and surprise.
It was drawn by fourhorses. It is of wood principally, with
the beam suppotted by two wheels, like those of a cannon or
field-piece, and is a strong and somewhat clumsy implement.
Its purpose is to cut drains, in lieu of hand tools, or to pre-
pare boggy land for potatoes, two cuts, (one on each side,)
throwing up the soil into a ridge, and for the planting of po-
tatoes, and leaving a hollow or drain 14 to 16 inches wide on
each side. An immense crowd gathered round it while it was
at work. All the previous ploughing appeared like mere
scratching of the surface compared with it. It tore up and
threw the soil on one side, in immense clods, upwards of a
yard long, leaving a trench in which a man might be buried

0 : '"

This was the only comic part of the entertainment,—the by-
standers, as the clods rolled amongst their feet, breaking out
into loud fits of laughter, and all admitting that it was a tip-
top tearer ! _ _ _

We noticed a good grubber by Peter Lose. Prom three
to nine coulters may be applied, as the case may be, to suit
the soil and prevent the implement from choking.
A considerable number of harriers were at work. One of
them, of iron of zigzag frame work, and with sharp teeth a
little bent towards the horses, was found not to be suitable
for the grass land just plouged, though it may answer for
other or corn soils. The turnip cart noticed in our introduc-
tory remarks in the Show-yard was exhibited to advantage,
strewing the cut turnips in the field (for sheep) as it pro-
ceeded. A stubble or hay raking machine was much admired.
The teeth have sufficient play to jump over a considerable
clod. This was one of the best things on the ground. It
was made at Stamford, in Lincolnshire, and had many ad-
mirers. A scuffling machine by the same maker, with dart-
shaped coalters, was also much in repute. A sub-soil wooden
framed plough, by Smith of Decenston, was also admired, as
were some others entirely of iron.

A machine for dibling-beans, grain, &c., attyacted much
notice. The dibling knobs are attached to the outside of
three wheels, and are six inches apart. Each of these opens
when in the ground—being split in the middle. One half of
the hollow knob or dible slides out beyond the other or fixed
half, and the seed, in one, or several grains, drops out. This
is ingenious.

The trials, particularly the ploughing, was not concluded
till four o'clock, and these remarks were penned before the
award of the judges was made. We may, however, venture
to say, (though not ourselves practical agriculturists)—well
done Cheshire !

MR. SKIRVING'S NURSERY GROUNDS, AT

WALTON

During the whole day numerous parties of ladies and gen-
tlemen visited these delightful grounds, which are beautifully
sheltered by intersecting hedges of privet, &c.; the former to
contemplate the beauties of Flora, the latter more particu-
larly to notice the effect on various crops of the Guano, a
new bird manure from South America. Amongst the com-
pany were many nobility and gentry, including Lord Sandon
and Sir Rowland Hill. The pleasure grounds, hot-house,
and garden pintas, and in particular, the standard vases in
the open ground, of which Mr. S. has from 300 to 400
varieties, were much admired. The nursery is in prime or
der, the walks forming fragrant, beautiful, and delightful
promenades.

The Guano is of a brown chocolate colour, and forms a
fine powder resembling snuff. Its extraordinary effects in
fertilising the soil far exceeds all manures hitherto known, and
though used in cornparitively small quantities was most satis-
factorily shown. Equal patches of perennial grass, and of
Italian rye grass, also of Sweedish. turnips, all sown at the
same time, some without manure, some with farm-yard
manure, at the rate of 20 tons to the acre, some with Guano,
at the rate of only 3 cwt. per acre, afforded undeniable proof
of the great superiority of the latter as a manure in the
superabundance of the crop produced, amounting to probably
a per centage of twenty-five in its favour. In point of economy
this new manure also promises to become invaluable, as it
can be imported at from 20s to 25s a cwt. A similar difference
is also obvious from the same maunre used in a grass field
belonging to the same gentleman, on the west side of Walton-
road. Many of the members of the Agricultural Association
who have seen its effects, have expressed an opinion that it
is the finest thing they have ever seen, and that the import
of the guano will become of the utmost value to the agri-
culture of the country generally. Parties visiting the ap-
proaching Walton Bazaar will have an opportunity of better
estimating its properties, when the crops, particularly the
turnips, are further advanced. The number of visitors to
the grounds, on Wednesday, was greater than on any former
occasion, and all expressed themselves much delighted.

THE DINNER.
The first great dinner of the Royal Agricultural Society of
England, denominated the " Council Dinner," was held in
Lucas's Repository, Great Charlotte-street, on Wednesday,
when upwards of 500 noblemen and gentlemen sat down,
among whom were strangers from all parts of the kingdom.
Philip Pusey, Esq., M.P., presided, and Earl Spencer oc-
cupied the vice-chair. Among the distinguished guests were
the Marquis of Waterford, Lord Sandon, Lord Talbot, Lord
Stanley, Earl Spencer, Lord Ilchestet, Lord St. John, Lord
Ingestrie, Hon. Charles Langdale, Sir J. Johnstone, John
Wilson Patten Esq., M.P., Robert Palmer, Esq., M.P. for
Berkshire, George W, Wood, Esq., M.P. for Kendal, H.
Handley, Esq., T. Thornley, Esq.. M.P. for Wolver-
hampton, Robert Milnes, Esq., M.P. James Houghton
Langston, Esq., M.P. for Oxford, William Fielden, Esq.,
M.P. for Blackburn, John Charles Burrell, Esq., M.P., E.
Divett, Esq., M.P., Mark Phillips, Esq., M.P. for Man-
chester, the Mayor of Liverpool, Sir Joshua Walmsley, Pro-
fessor Johnson, Sir Thomas Braucker, Dr. Buckland, E.
D. Davenport, Esq., Capesthorne, R. B. Gordon, Esq.,
Mr. Coates, the Hon. Col. Clive, Mr. Hodges, M.P., D.
Barclay, Esq., M.P.,Raymond Barker, Esq., Hon. Captain
Spencer, S.
Kinder, Esq.,—Shaw, Esq., Sir Charles Senior,
W. C. ilders, Esq., M. P.,—Kinchley, Esq.,—Boyce, Esq.,
Biggs, Esq., lloward Pickering, Esq., of Wilcot House,
Oxfordshire, P. Miles, Esq., M.P. for Bristol, Sir Charles
Lemon, J. V. Shelley, Esq., William Potter, Esq., &c. &c.
Earl Spencer, Mr. Gibb, Mr. Druce, of Ensham, near
Oxford, and Mr. Ledger, of Hale, officiated as stewards.
The tables were ornamented with a number of beautiful
small satin banners, on which were painted suitable deyices,
including live stock, implements of husbandry, &c., the
paintings being executed by Mr. Ruyton, of Windsor. The
excellent dinner, which consisted of every delicacy, and the
wines, were furnished by Mr. Radley, of the Adelphi Hotel.
On the cloth being withdrawn about ten minutes to seven
o'clock,
The CHAIRMAN rose and gave the first toast, " The
Queen," which was drunk with three cheers. The next
toast was " Prince Albert and the rest of the Royal Family."
(Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said he was sure he could
do nothing more grateful to the feelings of the company than
read the awards of the judges. (Cheers.) He then read
the following list, which, we regret to state, is necessarily
very imperfect, owing to the discourtesy shown to our re-
porters, by those to whom were entrusted the arrangements
at the dinner, in refusing to furnish it, notwithstanding their
repeated applications, and the chairman's promise that they
should have it: We have no wish to attribute motives to any
parties connected with the affair for their conduct towards
the press, but we feel it due to the public and ourselves to
state, that on no previous occasion of a public body holding
meetings in this town, have our reporters had greater ob-
stacles thrown in the way of furnishing the public with the
information expected from us than on this occasion.
PRIZES FOR IMPROVING THE BREED OF
CATTLE, 1841.

CLASS 1.-SHORT HORNS.
I—Bates, Kirkleaton, Yorkshire, for the best bull calved
previously to the Ist of January, 1839, thirty sovereigns.
2—Forrest, Cheshire, for the best bull calved since the Ist
of January, 1839, and more than one year old, twenty sove-
reigns.
3—Booth, Yorkshire, for the best cow in milk, fifteen
sovereigns.
4—Ditto, for the best in-calf heifer, not exceeding three
years old. fifteen sovereigns.
5—J. Forrest, for the best yearling heifer, ten sovereigns.
6—Etches, Berks, for the best bull-calf, ten sovereigns.
CLASS 11.-HEREFORDS.
7—P. Morris, Newbury, for the best bull calved previously
to the Ist of January, 1839, thirty sovereigns.
B—J. Walker, Worcester, for the best bull calved since the
Ist of January, 1839, and more than one year old, twenty
sovereigns.
9—Earl Talbot, for the best cow in milk, fifteen sovereigns.
10—Sir Ilungerford Hoskins, for the best in-calf heifer,
not exceeding three years old, fifteen sovereigns.
11—J. Walker, for the best bull-calf, ten sovereigns.
CLASS 111.-DEVONS.
12—C. Gibbs, for the best bull calved previously to the Ist
of January, 1839, thirty sovereigns.
13—T. Umber, Warwickshire, for the best cow in milk,
fifteen sovereigns.
14—N. C., for the best in-calf heifer, not exceeding three
years old, fifteen sovereigns.
15—George Turner, near Exeter, for the best yearling
heifer, ten sovereigns.
16—Ditto, for .the best bull-calf, ten sovereigns.
CLASS IV.-CATTLE OF ANY BREED, OR CROSS-NOT QUA-

LIFTED FOR THE FOREGOING CLASSES,
17—John King, Sussex, for the best bull calved previously
to the Ist of January, 1839, thirty sovereigns.
18—William Daniel, for the second best ditto, twenty sove-
reigns.
19—T. Ellman, for the best bull calved since the Ist of
January, 1839, and more than one year aid, twenty sove-

reigns
20—William S. Wynne, Sussex, for the second best ditto,
fifteen sovereigns.
21—W. Ellison, for the best cow in milk, fifteen sovereigns.
22—J. King, for the second best ditto, ten sovereigns.
23—Ditto, for the best in-calf heifer, not exceeding three
years old, fifteen sovereigns.

AVENUE

.
:
:

I Gate. [

YARD.

1

80 feet by 4.
UPPER PARLIAMENT-STREET,

ENTRANCE

sovereigns

CLASS VIII.-LONG-WOOLED SHEEP-

21—Jos. Wolf, for the best yearling heifer, ten sovereign.
25—Mr. Hayward, for the best hull-calf ten sovereigns.
CLASS V.-lIORSES FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

DIVISION t.
26—Mr. Crisp, for the best cart stallion of four years o
and upwards, thirty sovereigns.
27—Earl of Talbot, for the second best ditto, ditto, twen

sovereigns.
. 28—Mr. Crisp, for the best three years old ditto, twer

sovereigns.
29—Earl Derby, for the best two years old ditto, foale
since the Ist of January, 1839, fifteen sovereigns.
30—Ditto, for the best cart mare and foal, twenty sove
reigns.

PRIZES FOR IMPROVINGTHE BREED OF SHEE
. 1811.

CLASS V1..7-LEICLSTERS.
33—Earl Talbot, for the best shearling raw, thirty sove

reigns.
31—Jos. Penny, Bedfordshire, for the second-best ditt
fifteen sovereigns.
35—Earl Talbot, for the best ram of any other age, thir

sovereigns.
36—Samuel Penny, Bedfordshire, for the second-bet
ditto, fifteen sovereigns.
37—T. Inskip, for the best pen of five ewes suckling thei
lambs at the time of showing, ten sovereigns.
38—T. Inskip, for the best pen of Live shearing ewes, to
sovereigns.

CLASS VIP-SOUTH DOWNS, OR OTHER SHORT-WOOLED

SHEEP.
30--. J. Webb, for the best shearling ram, thirty sovereigns
40—J. Webb, for the second-best ditto, fifteen sovereigns
41—Mr. Grantham, • for the second-best ditto, fiftee►
sovereigns.
42—Mr. Webb, for the best pen of five shearling ewes, ter

-NOT QUALIFIED T

COMPETE IN CLASS VI.
43-Mr. Large, for the best shearing ram, thirty sove

reigns.
44—J. Ewer, for the second-best ditto, fifteen sovereigns
45—Edward Smith, Oxfordshire, for the best ram of an 3
other age, thirty sovereigns.
46—Mr. Webb, for the second-best ditto, fifteen sove
reigns.

47—Mr. Large, for the best pen of five ewes suckling the
lambs at the time of showing, ten sovereigns.
48—Mr. Smith, for the best pen of five sheathing ewe:
ten sovereigns.

CLAS:I Iti.-PIGS.
49—Mr. Hampers, for the best boar, ten sovereigns.
50—Mr. Barnard, Essex, for the second-best ditto, fi
sovereigns.
51—.1. Day, Flint, for the best breeding sow, five soy

reigns.
52—Mr. Higginson, York, for the best pen of three breed-
ing sow pigs of the same litter, above four and under nine
months old, ten sovereigns.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Lord Spencer and
Gentlemen, I have now the honour of proposing to you the
health of a gentleman who has distinguished himself as a
competitor for stock this day. Though not one of the best
judges of stock myself, I know enough about it to be aware
bow much has been done by the Royal Agricultural Society
of England for the general benefit of the country. (Cheers.)
I know, as I dare say all of you do, that there are certain
proofs of the excellence of stock, and I know that very great
improvements have been made, through the efforts of this
society and those of the Smithfield Club, in the breed of our
stock. lam unable to state what arc all the recent improve-
ments which have been made; but when we look at the state
of stock two or three hundred years ago, it is impossible for
any man, however ignorant, not to see that much has been
dose. As I have already stated, I am not able to enter into
the merits of all the improvements that have been made
under the encouragement of this society ; but, as I was
accidentally reading, the other day, some portion of an old
History of England, published about 200 years ago, I could
not but be struck with the very different state of our stock
to what stock was then described to be, and with the differ-
ence of opinion which existed then on the subject and at the
present time. Gentlemen, I ant not going to detain you
to-night by reading over to you the History of England—
(laughter)—but there are one or two curious facts in an old
history, written in the time of Queen Elizabeth, which are
worth referring to by way of contrast with facts now well
known respecting the breed of stock, and to those I will
draw your attention. The author says, that in those days
" England was well known for surmounting other countries
in the breed of cattle, as may be proved with ease, for where
are oxen commonly more large of bone?" (Laughter.) He
then proceeds—" In most places our graziers are now grown
to be so cunning, that it they do but see an ox or bullock,
and come to the feeling of him, they will give a guess at his
weight, and how many score or stone of flesh and tallow he
beareth—how the butcher may live by the sale, and what he
may have for the skin and tallow—(laughter)—which is a point
of skill not commonly practbled heretofore. Some such
graziers also are reported to ritLa with velvet coats and chains
of gold about them." (Laughter.) Gentlemen, I think we
have made considerable progrei;s in the weight of cattle, and
in judging of their weight, Wince old Hollinshead's days ;
but here follows a point in which I doubt if we have made
much progress. He says—" And in their absence (the ab-
sence of the husbands) their wives will not let to supply
those turns with no less skill than their husbands." *(Great
laughter.) Gentlemen, hear the remainder of the sentence—
" which is an hard work for the poor butcher, sith he,
through this means, can seldom be rich or wealthy by his
trade." (Renewed laughter.) Gentlemen, he proceeds to
state, that our own breed of cattle have long had the advan-
tage of others, and he says—" Their horns also are known
to be more fair and large in England than in any other places,
except those which are to be seen among the Peones, which
quantity, although it be given to our breed generally by
nature, yet it is now and then helped also by art." So that
we see in those days science was called in to the assistance of
agriculture. (Laughter.) I don't, however, think much of
their science, because they say, when beasts "be very
young," breeders will " oftentimes anoint their budding
horns or tender tips with honey, which mollifieth the natural
hardness of that substance, and thereby maketh them to
grow unto a notable greatness." (Laughter.) " Certes, it
is not strange in England to see oxen whose horns have the
length of a yard or three feet between the tips." (Renewed
laughter.) Gentlemen, it is not often we see them now. Our
first improvement in cattle was in the long-horned breed,
and I believe they are now little seen. There was one long-
..horned beast at the last Smithfield show which was much
looked at. There are few, I presume, to whom we are more
deeply indebted for improving the roast beef of old England
than the subject of this toast. Gentlemen, I beg to propose
to you the health of the successful competitor in class 1,
Mr. Bates, of Kirkleaton, Yorkshire. (Applause.)
Mr. BATES rose, and said he begged to return his most
sincere thanks, on behalf of himself and the successful candi-
dates, for the honour they had done them. He congratulated
the assembly on the glorious prospects which were held out
as the results of that association to the whole world : for he
felt convinced that by the improvement of agriculture they
affected the interests of the entire people of the earth. (Hear,
and cheers.) They had arrived at that glorious era when the
welfare of every man was dear to his fellow-creature ; and he
hoped the society would do its utmost to encourage that feel-
ing. (Hear, hear.) It was by that alone England had risen
so high in the estimation of the world. It was by that alone
she could rise still higher ; and he also congratulated them on
the efforts now making by their society to secure that end.
He only wished those offorts would be increased a thousand-
fold. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said when he would mention the name of
one of the first breeders of short-horned cattle in this coun-
try, he was sure they would recognise in it the name of one
to whom they all, owed much. Indeed, it was impossible to
pass over the name of a noble lord whom he saw near him,
who had done so much for the breed of cattle ; and he had
no doubt, knowing how much that personage had done for
agriculture and for the breed of stock, they would be anxious
to do him honour. He would, therefore, propose the health
of Earl Talbot. (Loud cheers.)
Earl TALBOT rose amid loud cheers, and said the encou •
ragement they had been kind enough to extend to him he was
sure he could not sufficiently acknowledge, or find words to
express his gratitude. With regard to the stock he had the
good fortune to possess he had little to say except what had
been already said by his noble friend (Earl Spencer) at the
bottom of the table. The only plan he (Earl Talbot) had
acted upon had been to select the best male he could and give
his cattle the best food he could. (Hear, hear.) In the pre-
sence of those who had much more practical knowledge on
the subject than himself, it would ill become him to say much
on the object which had called them together ; but he would
just observe that it would be seen from what he had already
stated, that he held that the improvement of stock implied a
necessity for the cultivation of land, for if that was not at-
tended to, it would be impossible stock could be brought to
perfection. (Hear, hear.) He was happy to see so many
gentlemen of all classes there that night. It had always been
his wish to see the intimate connection which his worship
the mayor so happily expressed yesterday, " The unity of
trade and agriculture' —(hear, hear)—because he (Earl Tal-
bot) had always felt that without this unity—the unity of