January 20. 
THE COTTAGE GAEDENEK. 
309 
Shangliae pots, on whom they have bestowed as much care 
as the feathered favourites in more spacious “ walks,” liave 
ever received from their owners. 
The difficulty of establishing a Metropolitan Show arose 
partly from the fact, that London (unlike Birmingham) 
possessed no Bingley Hall suitable for the reception of a 
large number of poultry. Few persons, moreover, were 
eager to embark in so large an undertaking, with the cer¬ 
tainty of great trouble and responsibility, and the risk of 
heavy pecuniary loss. 
Things would probably liave thus remained, but for the 
zeal and energy of one very eager and experienced, as well 
as successful, poultry-amateur, Mr. Henry Gilbert. En- 
comaged by the promise of assistance from his friends in 
the country, that gentlemen undertook the task, and, aided 
by a clear-headed and hard-working committee, he has most 
! ably surmounted all difficulties, and has fully attained the 
success he so well deserved. He has succeeded in collecting 
a show of poultry, second only to that which a month before 
took place at Binningham ; and he has given great pleasure 
to the many, who, during the four days of the exhibition, 
crowded the Bazaar, and showed the lively interest they 
took iu the various breeds which were there displayed. 
To the many readers of The Cottage Gardener who 
were unable themselves to be present, we propose to give a 
short, and, we hope, an impartial account of what we saw 
there, and to offer the opinions, which, to the best of our 
judgment, we formed. 
The original place fixed upon for the show was the Oval at 
Keimington. At the eleventh hour, however, the committee 
found this would not be permitted. No alternative, therefore, 
presented itself but that of deferring the day from the 1st 
to the 11th of Januarj', while arrangements were being 
made to receive the poultry at the Baker-street Bazaar, a 
“ locale,” which, indeed, in most respects, we consider a 
preferable one to the Oval. In the galleries of this building 
very commodious and roomy pens were erected; and the 
space left for the visitors, and the arrangements regarding 
lighting and ventilation, were nearly all that could be 
desired. 
For the information of our readers we annex a com¬ 
parison of the entries of each variety, made respectively at 
Birmingham and the Metropolitan. It will be seen that 
(especially as a first attempt) the latter has no cause for 
shame in the comparison. 
PENS ENTERED. 
Classes 
Birm. 
Metr. 
Spanish 
04 
. 30 
Dorking 
142 
. 70 
Shanghaes 
275 
. 249 
Malays 
10 
. 10 
Game 
104 
. 48 
Golden-pencilled Hambnrghs 
13 
. 11 
Golden-spangled Hambnrghs 
28 
. 11 
Silver pencilled Hambnrghs 
58 
. 21 
Silver-spangled Hamhurghs 
00 
. 14 
Poland 
08 
. 37 
Cuckoo 
0 
Bumpless 
4 
Andalusian 
q 
Ancona 
1 
Frizzled 
4 
Norfolk or Surrey .. 
2 
Bantams, Gold-laced 
3.5 
. 24 
„ Silver-laced 
0 
. 11 
„ White .. 
12 
. 13 
„ Black 
13 
. 10 
„ other varieties 
5 
. 45 
Pigeons 
85 
.about 250 
Geese 
18 
. 11 
Ducks 
73 
. .33 
Turkeys 
23 
. 10 
Guinea-fowl 
0 
Extra Class 
. 27 
In these classes, therefore (besides rabbits), nearly 700 
pens of poultry were arranged, and taken as a whole, they 
may be considered a very good collection, amongst which 
were many superior specimens. 
The list of prizes was framed on the scale adopted at 
Birmingham, and was a liberal one. The general rules 
were also the same, with the exception of two, which were 
(as we think) with advantage omitted. 
We know that the Birmingham clause, requiring a “ two 
months ownership,” was evaded there, and as we see no real 
use in it, we rejoice in its exclusion from the Metropolitan 
rules. 
We also approve of the regulation which allows any sub 
scriber to send to the show any number of pens, on a 
certain payment for each pen, instead of (as at Birming 
ham) limiting the number to six pens, which, as we know, 
was also evaded there, and is, therefore, an unwise rule, if 
only because it is inoperative. 
We must, however, express our opinion, that the cor 
rections might still have been judiciously extended, and 
there are two rules especially, which, before any future 
meeting, we would gladly see altered. 
1st. If, as at present, chickens are allowed to compete 
with old birds, we assert that the comparison mast be 
very unfaii- to the latter. Tho plumage of the chickens 
(esiiecially in the Dorking and some other classes) will be 
brighter, and show better than that of the adult birds. We 
think that chickens ought to show against chickens, and old 
birds against their fellows. 
2nd. To any real amateur, the length of time during 
which the poultry are retained in the show, and the suffering 
(and risk of life even) which in consequence they undergo, 
must be a subject of regret; and we will venture to express 
a hope, that at the next Metropolitan Show the committee 
will take another step in the right direction. To say “ that 
the time is the same as it was at Birmingham,” does not 
prove that it is well to retain the poultry so long. If the 
poultry were received on the Monday, and judged on 
Tuesday, and if, instead of four days, the show were limited 
to three days, which would he enough to gratify public 
curiosity, the fowls might then he released on Friday night, 
to the mutual convenience and satisfaction (we are sure we 
may say) of themselves and their owners. We will now 
nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice, but pro¬ 
ceed with our critique on the different classes, which we will 
take in the order in which they stand in the prize list. 
The Spanish class, which contained altogether 30 entries, 
was weU represented. The first prize, for a cock and three 
hens, falling to a very perfect pen (9) belonging to Captain 
Hornby. Mr. Fox taking the second. The prizes in the 
second class, for Spanish chicken, going to Mr. Fox, Mr. 
Whittington, and Captain Hornby, who also won the 1st 
prize iu class 3. 
Of Dorkings of various sorts, there were altogether 70 
entries, and this was considered a very good class. For the 
vai'ious winners we must refer our readers to the prize list, 
only remarking that we are very glad that the Committee 
liberally awarded to Captain Hornby an extra first prize, as 
the inistake which had deprived him of it arose from the 
Society’s own men when taldng the birds from their baskets. 
The Cochin-China classes, as usual, atti-acted great atten¬ 
tion, and well repaid the careful inspection they received, 
for (with the exception of classes 13 and 14, which we 
thought very moderate) the pens presented, generally, a 
vei-y good collection of birds. 
Amongst the White Cochins was a beautiful pen be¬ 
longing to Mr. Fairlie, which received the first prize, as did 
also a very good lot, the property of Dr. Allen, in the 
chicken class. 
Of Malays, there was but a small show, and we cannot 
say we much admire this class. 
The Came fowls mustered in force, consisting altogether 
of 48 pens, which attracted much attention, and as a class 
deserved great commendation, which may also be said of the 
various breeds of Hamhurghs, both Spangled and Pen¬ 
cilled. Amongst the Silver-pencilled, especially, were some 
good pens, particularly one belonging to Mr. M‘Cann. 
A good show of Polands, which did not, however, attract 
very much attention. We think this class (like the Malays) 
are becoming much less popular than formerly. 
The Bantams were a numerous class, and on the whole 
well represented. As usual, they had a constant succession 
of admirers, especially among the ladies. 
Class 47, for any other distinct breed, had 4-5 entries of 
all sorts, amongst which we observed some black Coebins, 
belonging to Mr. Fairlie, which were much admired; and 
