128 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



to be extreme difficulty, and which, in his opinion, ought to rest untouched 

 for the present. We have long been of opinion that, the present Ministry 

 have a marked reluctance to any interference with those laws. 



The metropolitan cattle show took place on the 17th instant. This an- 

 nual exhibition commenced in 1798, in course, the late made the thirty-fifth, 

 every one of which we have punctually attended, which we probably shall 

 fail to do for the four-and-thirty years to come. This useful institution 

 was founded by the late Francis Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Winchelsea, 

 Richard Astley, Esq. since father of the Club, and several other gentlemen, 

 engaged in Agriculture and stock-feeding. The noble Duke above-named, 

 if our memory serve us faithfully, did also another patriotic act in setting the 

 example, and teaching ns to shear our locks d la mode de France, instead of 

 wearing our long hair, in which, according to the old saying, the devil of 

 powder nestled in Such enormous quantities. The late show presented the 

 usual spectacles of animals from the superior breeding districts, fattened up 

 to their utmost possible capacity. This particular has long ceased to be a 

 novelty. We have reached a degree of excess which cannot be exceeded, for 

 Bakewell himself would have failed in his project of making a sheep all fat ; 

 and after all, probably, making an animal over fat and beyond a certain 

 point, which may be deemed that of maturity and excellence, is wasteful, and 

 a breach of public economy. As at this late period ihere can be no longer 

 the plea of a want of experiment, it is submitted, whether it would not be 

 rational and politic, to change the principle and practice of the Clubs, and 

 to award the premiums to the best shaped animals thoro^lyhly ripe, instead of 

 to the fattest or over- ripe. There* seems to be no doubt that, the greater profit 

 attaches to the larger number of animals, properly, yet sufficiently fattened. 

 We appeal to Lord Althorp, a first-rate judge in the case. 



The curse and disgrace of England, INCENDRAISM sleeps not. The town 

 of Lamburn, Berks, has had a near escape. We were sufficiently astonished 

 at being blamed for our early recommendation of the utmost severity in this 

 most abandoned and flagitious crime, the very acme of human turpitude and 

 depravity ; but should, in future, through a weak and silly compassion, any 

 mercy, shall we say encouragement, be shewn^ to scelarats of this descrip- 

 tion, we shall lose all power of astonishment at any thing which may happen 

 in this wearisome world. We would recommend the settlement of several 

 of the London police officers in the most suspected districts. 



The Dead Markets, by the carcase, per stone of 8lbs. Beef, 2s. Id. to 

 45. 6d. Mutton, 2s. Od. to 4s. Wd. Lamb, Os. Od. to Os. Od. Veal, 3s. 6d. 

 to 5s. Qd. Pork, 4*. Od. to 5s. 8d. ; Small Dairy. 



Game at Leadenhall. Pheasants, 8s.a brace. Partridges, 5s. a brace. 

 Hares, short supply, 4s. a head. Wild Ducks, 6s. a couple. Widgeons, 

 scarce, 4s. a couple. Teal, 2s Woodcocks, scarce, 8s. to 9s. a couple. 

 Snipes, 2s. to 3s. a couple. The largest young Turkies, about 26 Ib. 30s. 

 each ; smaller from 20s. to 10s. Capons, of 7 to 8lb. 8s. each; the supply 

 not so large as formerly. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 50s. to 6ls. Barley, 21s. to 36s. Oats, 13s. to 

 24s. London Loaf, 4lb. S^d. Hay, 50s. to 75s. Clover, ditto, 70s. to 

 105s. Straw, 22s. to 33s. 



Coal Exchange. Coals in the Pool 14s. to 20s. per ton. Large stock. 

 Middlesex, Dec. 24. 



