C 37 ) 



CHAPTER VI. 

 THE SHEEP. 



w Behold, where bound, and of its robe bereft 



By needy man, that all-depending lord, 



How meek, how patient, the mild creature lies. 



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A simple scene, yet hence Britannia sees 



Her solid grandeur rise; hence she commands 



Th' exalted stores of every brighter clime !" THOMSON. 



OUR attention will now be called to a species of the animal 

 creation, which, in respect of utility, may be deservedly ranked 

 with the horse and the ox, and, indeed, is scarcely less condu- 

 cive to the well-being of the human race, than those two most 

 valuable quadrupeds. In some respects, indeed, this inestimable 

 creature may be said to excel both. If the horse be conducive 

 to our pleasure and conveniency, and to the easy and expeditious 

 performance of the greatest part of our business ; if the cow 

 furnish us with the most nutritive and strengthening part of our 

 food, it is to the Sheep that we owe not only a very considerable 

 portion of our aliment, but also the most essential part of our 

 clothing. 



The Sheep is, in a peculiar manner, the creature of man ; to 

 him it entirely owes its protection, and to his necessities it amply 

 contributes. On man, indeed, its existence depends ; for with- 

 out his fostering care, and the interest he has in its preservation, 

 its numerous enemies would soon exterminate the whole race. 

 Though singularly inoffensive, it does not, however, appear so 

 stupid and inanimate as it is considered to be by Burton, who 

 describes it as "destitute of every art of self-preservation." 

 On mountains, and in extensive sheep-walks, where numerous 

 flocks browse together, the sheep assumes a different character, 

 and a ram, or even sometimes a wether, or an ewe, has been 

 seen to attack a dog, and to come off victorious. Sometimes, 

 in case of attack, they will have recourse to the collective strength 

 of the whole flock, and drawing up into a compact body, and 

 keeping close together, present towards eveiy quarter a formi- 

 dable front, which cannot be attacked without danger to the as- 

 sailant. The sheep undoubtedly discovers less animation and 

 sagacity than many other quadrupeds ; but in the selection of its 

 food, few display a greater share of instinctive discrimination. 

 Its acuteness of perception, in regard to the approach of a storm, 

 is also equal to what is manifested in this respect by almost any 

 other animal. 



D 



