The near approach of Christmas is marked by the Smithfield Show at Islington, which closes to-day. It is the One Hundredth Exhibition of the Club since its establishment, the first having been held in December, 1799, and accordingly an effort was made to render it a specially good show. The value of the prizes was increased from about £3,800 to £5,000; and "centenary" gold and silver medals were offered. In spite of. these efforts, however, the!numbet of exhibits of live cattle is smaller than in any of the four preceding years. The quality of the beasts is, however, excellent; and there has been a steady growth in the carcase competition, which offers.a far. better test fou Strathmore's heifer Jigu, which carried of quality than do the live cattle classes.
off first honours at Birmingham, has been equally successful at Islington, winning the Queen's Challenge Cup of £150 and the Champion Plate of 100 gs. besides the silver cup in her class. The Queen took. the silver cups for the best Devon and the best Hereford, but neither could get near Juju in the final competition.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.