104 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



able person could not have the execution of it. A barn, 

 with turnips, coleseed, corn, etc. was bespoke, as well as a 

 tilted cart if it shall be necessary. I have wrote to Mr. 

 Mouron at Calais with the mail of this night. I wish, sir, 

 to assure you that unnecessary expense shall not be 

 incurred, though your desire of a proper liberality shall 

 not be forgotten. ..." 



" Mr. R. Thompson at Dover has a very roomy good 

 stable for the sheep on their arrival from Calais, and a 

 field to air them in, with turnips, corn, etc. Also a steady 

 Romney Marsh drover can be had to accompany Sir 

 Joseph's servants with them to town, who is acquainted 

 on the road, and knows how to get the usual drover's 

 accommodation for flocks. Captain Sutton, if the 

 weather should make it in the least necessary, will ' take 

 every precaution to prevent the sheep from being thrown 

 from side to side/ " 



The flock was pretty large. But the affair was well 

 managed. All arrived at Dover in very good condition ; 

 one ewe having yeaned on board, and another dropped her 

 lamb since. Others had family prospects. The number 

 in all was forty-two sheep and six lambs ; and there was 

 none of them lame, so the shepherd was prepared to 

 start almost immediately for London. He counted on 

 twelve miles a day. 



Upon the first importation of the merino sheep (about 

 1790), the English and Scottish breeders were soon im- 

 pressed by the extremely beautiful quality of their wool. 

 The experimental admixture of breeds went on with 

 considerable zest, and with much addition to the average 

 weight of the fleece. It became almost the favourite 

 subject of competition with the best noblemen and gentle- 

 men of the day, whose first care in life was a high standard 

 of condition on their own estates, combined with a belief 

 in the need for nurturing the country's race of agricul- 

 turists. 



