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THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 11, 1860. 
We begin with a novelty—the introduction of a class for 
Silver Grey Dorkings. The experiment was successful, and we 
shall look another year for more beauty of plumage and increase 
in size. We, however, doubt whether they will ever be able to 
compete with classes for open colours. The new classification 
brings them under the same stringent rules as any other class 
where feather is essential, and a trifling deviation in this parti¬ 
cular suffices to neutralise any amount of merit on other points. 
We are able to speak in high commendation of the four prize 
pens belonging to Mr. Dolby, the Hon. W. W. Vernon, Lady 
Desvceux, and Mr. Barttam. Mrs. Cargey, Mr. Dolby, and 
Lord Hill, the first who bred these, showed by their birds we 
may look for good ones next year. 
If any apology were necessary for the length of our remarks 
on the different Dorking classes, we will make it by saying 
that sixty-three pens of this breed are mentioned in the prize 
list for the general classes, and twenty in that for the single 
cocks—in all eightv-three pens. 
The coveted distinction of the Dorking Cup went, for the first 
time, we believe, into Hampshire, gained by a new exhibitor— 
the Marchioness of Winchester. Lady Louisa Thynne was 
second, the Hon. W. W. Vernon third, and Capt. Hornby fourth. 
These four pens reached the unparalleled weight of 160 lbs. 
The Chickens were not inferior, and two old and meritorious 
yards sent their best birds for the great event. Capt. Hornby j 
was first, and Mr. Wakefield second; Mr. John Shaw and Sir H. ! 
Desvceux third and fourth. 
Capt. Hornby was first in Hens and Pullets; but here again 
Mr. Wakefield ran up a good second, and Mr. Bromley also. 
The White Dorkings were very large, and shown in beautiful 
condition, but the entries were not sufficiently numerous. 
In concluding our notice of these birds, we are bound to say 
we have never seen better classes at any Exhibition. The im¬ 
provement is not confined to weight, but is visible in the con¬ 
dition of all the birds shown. The sickly birds, formerly so 
common, are now not met with, and the heavy pens no longer 
form the exception. We cannot help noticing the absence of 
rose-combed birds. It must be, though we can scarcely believe 
it, that the ridiculous doubt raised as to their purity has deterred 
exhibitors ; and we are led to mention it, because in our w r alks 
round the Show we heard people gravely affirm that white 
feathers in the tail, or white spots on the breast, were signs of 
degeneracy, if not of impure blood. These notions cannot be 
contradicted too strongly. 
We should not be doing our duty if we spoke highly of the 
adult Spanish. There were only three pens in which there were 
three perfect—Mr. Teebay’s, Capt. Hornby’s, and Mr. Rake’s. 
Nearly all these birds seemed out of condition : the Hens had 
not finished moulting, and the fat Cocks had the white of their 
faces apparently recovering from some cutaneous disorder. The 
Chickens made amends: they were very good, especially Miss 
Rake’s cup pen, and Mr. Rodbard’s. 
The classes for Spanish Hens and Pullets did not fill as well 
as they should. The prizes are good; and these pens are so 
easily filled, the competitors should be numerous. 
Cochins were numerous and excellent. Distinguished among 
them all were Mr. Tomlinson’s first-prize pen, two belonging 
to Mr. Stretch, one remarkable pen the property of Mr. Peploe 
Cartwright, and the White of Messrs. Chase and Dawson. All 
these were large, symmetrical, good in feather, and lacking 
nothing in point of condition. Among these, as if it were to 
prove the goodness of the strains, Mr. Tomlinson takes two 
prizes, Mr. Stretch two, and Mr. Cartwright three. There were 
many more good birds in these classes, twenty pens being 
noticed besides those taking prizes. We were glad to see Mrs. 
Fergusson Blair second on the list for White in a good class. 
I he Brahma Pootras are now well established, and support 
their rights by good entries. Mrs. Craigie and Mr. Teebay took 
all the prizes ; hard run, however, by Mrs. F. Blair and Mr. 
Botham. These were excellent. 
We should like to see the Polands more numerous. All the 
classes were good. The Silvers were of most unusual merit, every 
pen in the adidts was named in the prize list. The Black and 
the Golden were very good, especially the cup pen of Mr. Dixon, 
and the prize Chickens of Mrs. Pettat. 
The Golden-pencilled ILamburghs have been improving for a 
long time, and the classes here were not exceptions, especially 
the Chickens. Messrs. Wilkinson, Munn, and Martin deserve 
especial mention. 
The Spangled were in full force. Mr. Lane took the Cup 
and both first prizes, closely followed in each by Mr. Worrall. 
There lias been much progress in these birds, and all the require¬ 
ments of the Judges have been accurately carried out. 
Mr. Keable took both first prizes with Silver-pencilled. This 
gentleman reminds us of the exploits of Mr. Archer in former 
times ; he is wanted again in these classes. There was this year 
an improvement, but they are neither up to the old mark nor to 
the Golden. 
Yorkshire took the Cup for Silver-spangled, Mr. Dixon 
beating with adults ; Mrs. Pettat with Chickens. These were 
both first-prize pens ; and those that followed, belonging to 
Messrs. Teebay and Hardman, were also very good. The good¬ 
ness of the Chicken class and the encomiums of the Judges lead 
us to look for numerous entries at Liverpool. 
Again the Sen and Pullet classes were weak, although three 
prizes were offered in each. 
True to their old locality the Malays came strong from the 
metropolis, and but for Mr. Manfield all the prizes would have 
gone to it—that gentleman took a second. There were many 
good birds shown, and Messrs. Rumsey and Sykes richly de¬ 
served their prizes. 
The Game classes formed a good show of 186 pens; and, 
apart from their undeniable beauty and symmetry, they as usual 
claimed the admiration of every one by their perfect condition 
and feather. Where seventy-eight are either prizetakers or Com¬ 
mended, and where a class is mentioned in such terms as we 
have used, it would almost seem all had been said that was 
necessary ; but we feel bound to mention some of the most 
remarkable. Capt. Hornby first in adults, second in chickens, 
the Hon. W. W. Yernon, Mr. Archer, second and third, and 
Messrs. Woods and Dawson—all shone even among birds that 
seemed perfect. Then in Class 3 Mr. Moss carried off first prize 
and piece of plate for the best pen of Game in the Exhibition. 
Mr. Archer second. In the next class Mr. Moss took the first. 
The Blacks were very good, especially those belonging to Mr. 
Dawson. Mr. Doncaster was at the head of both classes of 
Duckwings, but was pressed by those that followed. Whites 
and Piles were very good, but we thought the palm of excellence 
was with the latter. Unlike otl.er similar classes, we can speak 
most highly of those for Game Sens and Pullets: they were 
numerous and excellent. Distinguished among them all were 
the birds shown by Mr. Swift, the Hon. G. Howard, Miss Moss, 
and Mr. Archer, who took two prizes. We will conclude our 
notice of this breed by speaking of the Game Cocks. They were 
very good, and every breed was represented. We especially 
mention that belonging to Mr. Douglas and Messrs. Dawson 
and Robinson. We also noticed a Pile, which we thought one 
of the best birds we ever saw. 
It would have been curious and almost incredible if the weight 
of the Dorking Cocks shown in the “ Single Class ” had been 
ascertained. We have certainly never seen so many good birds 
together. Twenty-one were noticed by the Judges. Lady 
Louisa Thynne took the first; Mr. Hill and Dr. Hewson second 
and third. We need hardly say these were uncommon birds. 
The Highly Commended Cock belonging to the Marchioness of 
Winchester was claimed at ten guineas; and nearly all the birds 
that were not placed at prohibitory prices were sold. 
The show of Spanish % Cocks was the best class of this breed 
in the Exhibition. 
Cochin-Chinas were a moderate show. The best birds of this 
breed had evidently been put in the pens. Brahma Pootras were 
very good. Mr. Craigie and Mr. Botham took the honours. 
The Polish were weak, and the Samhurghs only average pens. 
The Silver-spangled were the strongest. 
The Varieties of Game Cocks brought a large muster to com¬ 
pete, and the names quoted in the other classes were again the 
successful. 
The same may be said of the “ Sweepstakes.” Mr. Gorton, 
Capt. Hornby, Hon. W. W. Yernon, and Mr. Archer, took the 
prizes. 
We are glad to record a great imprervement in the Golden and 
Silver-laced Bantams , especially in the former. They have been 
neglected for years. In these and in the Blacks it was a very 
close competition which should be first or second. 
The Game were strong in every way, and some of the Duck- 
wings were beautiful. 
The Single Cocks were a very large class. Seeing there are 
classes for Game, Sebright, Black, and White Bantams, we 
think the “Yarious Class” might be dispensed with, as there 
is really nothing to show in it. 
