LETTER XVT. 



down dead, as though shot through the head -with -a 

 musket-ball. 



No country produces finer sheep than Great Britain. 

 Those of Spain have finer wool, but their fleeces 

 stand in no degree of comparison with those of Lin- 

 colnshire, ancrmany other parts of this kingdom,, for 

 weight and general utility. 



' The Lincolnshire breed of sheep, which, with some 

 variations and intermixtures, is extended through 

 most of the eastern and midland counties of England, 

 is large, and bears heavy ilf.eces ; but the wool is 

 very long, and not so fine as some others ; the mut- 

 ton is also esteemed somewhat coarser than that of 

 smaller-sized sheep. The largest breed of sheep, in 

 the whole island, is found on the banks of the Tees, 

 in that fertile valley which separates Yorkshire from 

 the county of Durham. Some of these sheep have 

 been fed to the weight of fifty pounds per quarter ; 

 one, in particular, was found to weigh sixty-two 

 'pounds and a half per quarter ; this was supposed to 

 be the heaviest sheep ever slaughtered in this king- 

 dom. This breed of sheep is more prolific titan seve- 

 ral others ; but those of Dorsetshire are principally 

 remarked for their extraordinary fecundity, being ca- 

 pable of producing twice a year. From this breed 

 the tables of, the great and opulent are supplied with 

 early lamb at Christmas, or sooner if required. Great 

 numbers of these are sent to the London markets, and 

 sol. I at the enormous price often or, perhaps, fifteen 

 shillings per quarter, Tnis circumstance contribute* 

 not a little to enhance the value of the Dorsetshire 

 breed of sheep, which, with some variation?:, is spread 

 through most of the southern cauntie*, but found 

 pure and ur.ni'rccd only in Dorsetshire and Wiltshire. 

 In the norch-we-st pans of England, there is a hardy, 

 bla< ; : ; re .>:], the wool of whicii is coarse yml 



v, bnl the tlesh is esteemed exceHe.it. hi the 

 northern districts of Scotland, a breed of sheep is 

 common, which is remarkable for the smaliness of its 

 .size, as well vvs the fineness of its mutton : their 

 wool, which is also very tine, is streaked wih the va- 

 rious colours of black, brown, and red. Some oftb.es?- 



