396 



clone, by the French government, in the department of this very ma- 

 nufaifture, and what has been done, with fuch fuccefs, in tliis country, 

 to regulate and improve the linen manufafture, may convince us, that 

 it is, by no means imprafticable. Certainly, could the eflablifliment 

 of fuch a fyftera of regulations, be accompliflied ; the woollen manu- 

 facture might acquire a credit, in the foreign market, equal to what 

 the linen manufacture of the country, at prefent poffeffes. 



The woollen manufacture of England did not attain its prefent (late 

 of perfection, without the joint operation, of encouragement and regu- 

 lation. There are clafles of wool, the ufe of which ought to be pro- 

 hibited, in manufacture ; the wool that falls off fheep, by malady, the 

 wool, of fheep that die of difeafe ; — matters of this kind deferve the 

 interference of the legiflature. The care of the Iheep was veiled, by 

 the Romans, (as we are informed) in their cenfors, who condemned to 

 penalties, thofe who negleCted their flocks, and gave premiums, with 

 the honourable title of O-vinus, to thofe who were careful of them. 



The mountain breed of flieep ought to be encouraged, as their wool 

 is of a remarkable fine ftaple. The importation of Spanijh flieep fliould 

 alfo be promoted, as was done in England, as means, of yet farther 

 improving the wool of the country. It is to be lamented, that the 

 gentlemen of this country, who apply themfelves to breed flieep are, 

 in general, more attentive to the fize and fliape of the animal, than to 

 the quality of his fleece ; and breed, rather for the butcher, than the 

 manufacturer ; though certainly the wool fliould be the prime objeCt. 

 It is alfo worth enquiry, what efFeCt the change of foil, may have, 

 either to render the fleece coarfer, or finer. The wool of Spain would 

 not maintain its prefent character of excellence, were it not for the 

 extraordinary public attention, which is paid to the breeding and paftu- 

 rage of flocks. The patriotic cares of Don Pedro the Fourth, in 1350, 

 ameliorated the breed of the country, by bringing over flieep from 

 Barbary ; and the wife plans, which Doh Pedro commenced, were at- 

 tentively 



