SMITHFIELD, LONDON. 317 



toughness to the meat, which would not be found if fatted at an 

 earlier, though not a very early, period. If price is to be taken 

 as a correct index of quality, then it will be found that the beef 

 of the small West Highland cattle, and the mutton of the Welsh 

 sheep, are decidedly superior to any other, the prices which they 

 command being always higher than others. The smaller size, 

 and the better intermixture of lean and fat meat which they 

 present, render them more convenient for family dishes, and 

 more attractive than those immense rumps of beef, and saddles 

 ind legs of mutton, covered with an inordinate thickness of fat, 

 which, by their grossness, repel any but the most inveterate 

 epicure the animal who seems to live only to eat. 



My conviction is, that there is no agricultural improvement in 

 England so great and striking as that which has been effected 

 in their live stock : I refer particularly to its size, aptitude to 

 fatten, early maturity, symmetry, and beauty. Of the milking 

 and dairy properties of their stock, I shall speak hereafter. I 

 must include, likewise, in my commendation, their horses work 

 ing, carriage, pleasure, and race horses. It could scarcely be 

 expected to be otherwise. The highest degree of skill has been 

 concentrated upon these objects ; and this skill has been stim 

 ulated by premiums of the most honorable and liberal character, 

 and by expenditures absolutely enormous. The splendid and 

 magnificent premiums of gold and silver plate for successful 

 competition, which one sees on the tables and sideboards of the 

 fortunate winners all over the country, and which are exhibited 

 with an honest pride, while they display the highest triumphs 

 of artistical skill and taste, serve only to fan the flame which 

 they enkindle, and to quicken an ambition, which never can be 

 quiet while a more distant point remains to be attained. How 

 happy would it be for the world, if human ambition were always 

 directed to objects so innocent and commendable ; to purposes 

 which benefit, instead of those which curse, the world ; to the 

 triumphs of genius, industry, and science, over the elements of 

 nature, instead of the bloody conquests of power, avarice, and 

 despotism, over human comfort, liberty, and life ! 



6. SMITHFIELD BY NIGHT. Smithfield by night, and in a 

 dark night, presents a most extraordinary scene, which, though I 

 have witnessed it, it would be very difficult for me adequately 



27* 



