34 Essay 07i Sheep, 



Spain not being so severe as to destroy the ve- 

 getation, except in the mountains.. Necessity 

 also contributed to keep up this practice. 

 During the long wars that were carried on 

 between the natives of Spain and the Moors, 

 agriculture was neglected, and the only pro- 

 perty which could be saved from the ravages 

 of an enemy, was that which could be easily 

 removed ; but they were content at that time 

 to travel only from the plains to the adjoining 

 mountains, and not as at present to travel the 

 whole kingdom twice a year. Neither conve- 

 nience nor necessity can be offered as an ex- 

 cuse for a practice so hurtful to agriculture. 

 This was founded in abuse of power. Happy 

 would it be for mankind if this was the only 

 instance in which tyranny and oppression had 

 been engrafted upon necessity. 



The greater part of the travelling flocks in 

 process of time got into the hands of the sove- 

 reign, or into those of the principal courtiers 

 and clergy; and from thence we must proba- 

 bly date the oppressive code by which their 

 march is regulated, and the origin of the great 

 Council of the Royal Troop (Consejo de la 

 Mesta), by whom those laws are administered. 

 M. Tasterie, in his excellent treatise, gives the 

 following account of this council. 



