300 Particulars of the Sale of Part of 



most likely manner of placing the best individuals of their 

 improved breeds in the hands of persons most likely to pre- 

 serve and further to improve them. 



Notwithstanding the heavy and almost incessant rain on 

 the morning of the day of sale, near 50 gentlemen and 

 breeders of sheep assembled soon after eleven o'clock, at 

 the pens of sheep intended for sale, and minutely examined 

 them. Sir Joseph Banks, who has but just got abroad from 

 a severe fit of the gout, ventured out, and staid in the field 

 the whole time. 



About two o'clock, Mr. Farnham, the auctioneer of 

 Richmond, opened the business by a short but neat speech, 

 on his majesty's gracious views in promoting the breed of 

 excellent sheep before them, and read the printed conditions 

 of the sale. After Sir Joseph Banks had stated that his 

 friends Sir Richard Worsley, of the Isie of Wight, and Sir 

 James Riddle, of Scotland, not being able to attend, had 

 commissioned him to bid for six or more of the sheep, the 

 sale commenced, — at which much keen bidding was seen 

 among the amateurs and breeders present. 



The first twenty-three lots consisted each of a single 

 shearling ram. 



Lot 1, was a ram, labouring under a temporary privation 

 Qf sight, which Sir Joseph Banks and Richard Stanford, 

 the king's shepherd, stated to be not very uncommon with 

 these sheep at this season, but from which there was no 

 doubt he will perfectly recover; the weight of his fleece 

 was stated to be, at the last shearing, 3lb. 4oz.; he was 

 knocked down to captain Macarthur, at 61. 15s. after Sir 

 Joseph had apprised him that an old act of parliament stood 

 in .the way of exporting sheep from this country — the cap- 

 tain's object being to take the sheep which he was purcha- 

 sing to New South Wales, in about three weeks time, to 

 add to the flock which he is rearing near to Botany Bay, 

 with a degree of success which promises to be of the 

 greatest national importance. The sheep intended for lot 2 

 was unwell, and not offered for sale. Lot 3, fleece 4lb. 3oz. 

 was sold to George Home Summer, Esq. at 7l. 12s. Lot 4, 

 fleece 3lb. of very fine wool, was sold to Mr. Knowles, at 

 pi. 10s. Lot 5, fleece 4lb. was bought by Mr. Andrews, 

 for Mr. Beckingham, near Canterbury, at 10 guineas. 

 Lot 6, a very lively sheep, was bought by captain Macar- 

 thur, at 111. Lot 7, fleece 3.1b. I2oz. with bad eyes at 

 present, was knocked down to Sir Joseph Banks, for one of 

 his friends, at 61. 7s. Lot 8, fleece alb. 4oz. was sold to 

 Mr. Knowles, at 10 guineas and a half. Lot 9, fleece 3lb. 

 .3 12oz. 



