228, ) On Tunis Sheep. 
ooo 
Even the broad-tail, which Mr. Livingston considers 
‘€ an excrescence and deformity,” I have not viewed in 
any disgusting aspect. ‘The representations in the plate, 
are faithful portraits ; taken from sheep now in my pos- 
session. From these my opinion—or if it be so con- 
strued—faney—may be judged. 
Although not overmuch of a stoick, I should, were it 
not that old prejudices may be again revived, and operate 
unfavourably, have imitated, on behalf of my sheep, had 
they been even specially mentioned, the complacency and 
silence, recommended by one of that sect, I think, pic- 
tetus. This disciple of Zeno advises those of us bipeds, 
who may be misrepresented and disparaged, to be con- 
tent in our consciousness of its being unmerited: because 
we are to presume (a /a mode de la secte des stocciens) 
that some imaginary characters, and not ourselves, are 
aimed at. This philosophic apathy would, no doubt, 
be really Greek to men of ticklish tempers ; though en- 
became a great favorite. Their interests only, can conquer 
their prejudices. When I first endeavoured (36 or 37 years 
ago) to introduce among them the plaister of Paris, their 
incredulity and prejudices were strong. Some calender-macher 
told them, it attracted thunder and lightning! and made 
rich fathers, by its first operations ; but poor children, by 
its final exhaustion of the soil.—Their children, now, know 
better. I lament their prejudices ; but highly esteem them, 
for many good qualities. 
That a cultivated mind, and those ignorant of all culture, 
save that of the ground, should unite in the same erroneous 
opinion as to the sheep, proves nothing, but the meeting of 
two extremes. 
R. P. 
