London to John O 1 Groat's. 117 



exposed around the field from the first of the morning, 

 and a ticket at the head of each pen indicates the 

 weight of the fleece of the animal it contains. Every 

 one takes his notes, chooses the animal he approves of, 

 and can demand the last bidding when he pleases. 

 The evening after the letting, the numerous company 

 assemble under a rustic shed, ornamented with leaves 

 and agricultural devices. There tables are laid, around 

 which are placed two or three hundred guests, and 

 then commences one of those antique repasts described 

 by Homer or Eabelais. The tables groan under the 

 weight of enormous pieces of beef, gigantic hams, &c., 

 which have almost disappeared before the commence- 

 ment of the sale. From eight in the morning until 

 two in the afternoon, tables laid out in the dining- 

 room and hall are furnished, only to be refurnished 

 immediately, the end being equal to the beginning." 



This description refers to the thirty-second letting. 

 Mr. Webb's flock then consisted of seven hundred 

 breeding ewes, a proportionate number of lambs, and 

 about four hundred rams of different ages. It was 

 from these rams that the animals were selected which 

 were sent into Qvery country in the civilized world. 

 The average price of their lettings was nearly 24 each, 

 although some of the rams brought the sum of 180, or 

 nearly nine hundred dollars! What would some of the 



