378 THE HERDWICK SHEEP. 



" Where lives the man so dull on Britain's farthest shore, 

 To whom did never sound the name of Lemster ore ; 

 That with the silkworm's web for smallness doth compare." 



From the late rage for the new Leicester Sheep, 

 this breed has been so much intermixed with them, 

 that they are now become very scarce. Since the in- 

 troduction of the Merino Sheep into this kingdom, 

 by his present majesty, Ryeland Ewes, of the pure 

 breed, have been in great request, to put with the 

 Merino Rams; not on account only of the fineness 

 of their wool, but likewise on account of their good 

 shape, excellent mutton, and ready disposition to 

 fatten. The value of the wool is about two shil- 

 lings and four-pence per pound; and its weight, to 

 that of the carcass, is as about one to thirty-four 

 and a quarter. 



THE HERDWICK SHEEP. 



THIS is a mountain breed* and chiefly known in 

 those parts of Cumberland which are situated near 

 the head of the rivers Duddon and Esk. The few 

 farms where they are bred are called Herd wicks, 

 that is, the districts of the Herds, from the circum- 

 stance of the Sheep having, from time immemorial, 

 been there farmed out, to herds, at a certain sum 

 per annum. 



The 



