[ i; ] 



experiment to afcertain with certainty whether that 

 wool could be produced here or not. Writers have 

 been fquabbling with each other about the poffibility 

 of a thing which could never be proved pro or con 

 by reafoning, but by fair experiment oiily. And is 

 it not alfo a faft, that, although it be now proved 

 to demonflration, by repeated experiment, that the 

 wool of ftieep brought from Spain, does not dege- 

 nerate in Britain, there has been till this hour no 

 attempt made to obtain a fmgle individual of the 

 Jinejl breed of fheep from Spain. And is it not alfo a 

 faft, that becaufe thofe flieep that have been brought 

 Over from Spain at random, have not been fo fine in 

 the carcafe as fome of the felefted and improved 

 breeds of flieep in Britain, that different perfons are 

 ftill difpUting about the poffibility of having flieep 

 with a good carcafe from Spain, as if a faft of this 

 fort could be afcertained without accurate trial and 

 experiment? Thus do we fit in oiir elbow-chairs, 

 and argue, without data, till we reafon ourfelves into 

 a habit of indolence and inattention, that makes us 

 remain contented with the dregs only of what might 

 cafily be within our reach. To meii in thefe circum* 

 ftances the words of the poet may be applied, 



O Icaden-hcarted men, to be in love with death ! 



It is moft certain, that the perfon who ventures 

 to roufe the attention of men to the inveftigation 

 of fafts which they have not been accuftomed to 



VOL. VIII. c take 



