The high Estimation of Broad-tailed Sheep. iw 
» Tue carcass (which is as much entitled to celebrity ‘for 
its mutton, as is the merino fleece for its filament) must not 
be forgotten. It wants no other proofs of its excellence, but 
the “intranda lanionum laboratoria.” Yet we may find such 
proofs now, as well as in ages the most ancient ; and by tes- 
timony the most convincing. The flesh of all victims sacri- 
ficed for sin, were wholly the perquisites of the priests of the 
Israelites ; save when sacrifices were made for their own, and 
the sins of the whole congregation. In other sacrifices, desig- 
nated parts, or portions, were assigned to them. Priests, in all 
ages, have been practical judges of good living; and, when they 
can righteously obtain it, are now so. I say not this to the dis- 
paragement of modern priests, forno one respects them more 
than I do; nor is any one better satisfied than I am, that 
those who serve at the altar should live well by it. The 
divine author of the regulation, which demanded sacrifices of 
of the “adipem et partes opimas,” ordained, that the victims, 
of course, should be of the fattest and best animals. Worthless 
perquisites might have induced Pagan temptations, to lead 
astray the Zsraelitish ministers at the altars. The richest parts, 
tis true, were devoted ; but for thezr repasts, food sufficiently 
inviting remained. Only the fat which could be easily sepa- 
rated (see Leviticus, ili. 16.) was the Lord’s ; (Humphreys’s 
annotations 233).but “ that which was intermixed with it, the 
Jews ate freely of: the Gentiles also devoted the fat to their 
gods.”—But in their feasts on the carcasses, the latter in- 
dulged in the most obscene and sinful orgies; and thought 
their gods partook of their gluttony and revels. 
In Leviticus, chapter 22, and other passages of scripture, it 
will appear, that the offerings of beasts consisted only of 
beeves, sheep, and goats. For burnt-offerings the males were 
exclusively devoted ; but for sin and peace-offerings, females 
might be used. They were to be without blemish, 2. e. Aydri- 
dous mixture, deformity, disease, or uncleanness. The caw/ or 
omentum, and other separable rich and fatty parts, being holy 
when dedicated to the altar, it was indispensable, that the ani- 
