390 Report of the Stewards of Stock at the Battcrsea Show. 
were not quite so choice as usual. There were several good 
pens of shearling ewes, and the one which took the first prize 
was excellent." 
Although the Southdown classes visibly lacked the old Ba- 
braham element, which lent such force to the Canterbury and 
preceding Shows, the breed Avas numerously represented by 51 
shearlings, 25 old rams (which had the best of their juniors), 
and 18 pens of theaves. The gold medal fell to Mr. Rigden's 
old ram, in preference to Lord Radnor's shearling. Sir Robert 
Throckmorton's pen of theaves, although inferior to Lord Wal- 
singham's in size, were neatness itself, and, as a Leicester breeder 
well termed them, " enamelled beauties." One of the Judges 
says : — 
" The shearlings were not a good class, owing to an introduction of fresh blood 
amongst the Downs, and many of the sheep showed sjTnptoms of coarseness 
and had lost much of the beautiful wool and caste of the Sussex Down. 
Beyond the prize sheep the class was moderate. The rams as a class were 
good. lilr. Rigdeus first prize sheep showed every point of a good Sussex 
Down, and was, in fact, one of the best sheep I have seen for years ; the 
second and third prize sheep (both Lord Walsingham's) were good. The 
theaves were not at all good beyond the prize pens and those commended." 
The Shropshires. — " The useful and rent-paying race of 
' Shrops ' (which is much sought after in Ireland), Avas for the 
third time shown in a distinct class, and quite kept up the 
character for symmetry, early maturity, great weight, lean mutton, 
and wool which it had gained at Leeds and Canterbury." 
" Class I. — There were 60 shearling rams exhibited in this class, but 
they varied exceedinglj' both in character and quality, which made our task a 
difficult one. We took size and earlj- maturity as the first consideration ; 
and, taking these sheep on the whole, we do not think them up to the average of 
former years, and there was certainly not a perfect animal in the class. Mr. T. 
Horton's shearling, which obtained the first prize, was a good sheep, with a 
fine dark countenance, standing wide and well on short legs ; but his loin 
was badly formed -and not well covered with flesh. The second prize sheep 
(Mr. Thomas Mansell's) was a level-grown animal, with good wool and flesh ; 
but his neck was small, and his head not masculine enough for a large breed 
of sheep. The third prize fell to a smart-looking sheep of Mr. Henry 
Matthews's, with good coat and nice quality of flesh ; but he was not long 
enough in his quarters, and his tail was liadly set on. 
" Class II. — There were only 24 competitors in this class, but their high 
character quite compensated for tlie short number shown. The three prize 
sheep were wonderfully fine animals, and there was hardly a sheep in the 
class (which was generally recommended) that was not worthy of high com- 
mendation." 
Of the first in this class (Mr. Horley's), another Judge 
writes : " He was, I think, the best sheep I ever saw and 
another, that he was a splendid old sheep, but " wanting a little 
in his leg of mutton." Of the second, Mr. P. W. Bowen's, it 
is added, " he had a head in shape more like the West Country 
