CREATORS OF PASTORAL WEALTH 131 



ago when these strong-minded, virile personalities 

 came in frequent mental contact. 



The creation of the Southdown must be classed 

 as one of the notable achievements of a century 

 phenomenally prolific in great gifts to agriculture. 

 What a Thoroughbred racer is to the road, track 

 and saddle horse stock of the world, so is the South- 

 down to most of our great modern middle-wooled 

 mutton types of sheep. 



JONAS WEBB merits a monument for his work 

 with Southdowns alone. For years his flock was 

 drawn upon by the best breeders of England as 

 well as by royalty. Choice specimens were often 

 sent to leading shows, and the Babraham pens 

 were ever a center of attraction. A particularly 

 fine group was forwarded for exhibition to one of 

 the earlier Paris Universal Expositions, and in con- 

 nection with this a story is told that proves that 

 JONAS WEBB was quick as well as deep. One day 

 during the Exposition the Emperor, NAPOLEON III, 

 drove through the live-stock section. It was of 

 course a gala day. The carriage, drawn by four 

 white horses richly caparisoned, was halted at the 

 ruler's request in front of the Southdown pens. Mr. 

 WEBB chanced to be on hand. The distinguished 

 visitor after admiring the sheep with every indica- 



