and Extension of the Merino Breed oj Sheep. 429 



Holland several Merino rams and ewes, which, zealous for the improvement and 

 extension of his flock, he had purchased at the auction of his Majesty's sheep, at 

 Kew, in 1804. 



When this gentleman speaks of doubling his flock every three years, he is 

 certainly right as to numbers. But it is easy to shew that, beginning with 2000 

 coarse ewes, and excluding the double lambs, which will probably occur only 

 from the first cross, he will be eight years before he can possibly have more than 

 125 shearling ewes of the 4lh cross. 



Merino sheep have been, at various times, imported into Great Britain. Dau- 

 benton, Lasteyrie, and other French writers, consider our finest-wooUed breeds as 

 either wholly descended from the pure Merino race, or as greatly improved in 

 fleece by an early admixture with it. This opinion seems to have been derived 

 from the Folio French Encyclopedic, which, under the article " Laine,'' gives us 

 the following history. " Henry the VHIth procured from Charles the Vth of 

 " Spain, 3000 sheep, which were placed under the direction of a committee, con- 

 ." sisting of persons of sense and probity. They began with allotdng a ram and 

 " two ewes to each parish, the climate and pasturage of which were proper ; with 

 " a stiict injunction not to kill or mutilate any of these animals for seven years. 

 " Each lot was given to a gendeman, or substantial farmer, who was rewarded for 

 " his care with an exemption from certain taxes, or with some honourable or 

 " lucrative privilege. We are told that, in consequence of these measures, the 

 " breed succeeded peifectly well, and, in a short time, greaUy increased. The 

 " advantages of this race were farther diffused by uniting Spanish rams with native 

 " ewes; and thus three precious breeds of sheep were established in England." — 

 The same relation is repeated and enlarged in the 4ro. Encyclopedic, which adds, 

 that the regulations of Henry were confirmed by Elizabeth, who also imported 

 rams from Barbary, and all other countries where they could be procured, with any 

 chance of improving our native breeds.* 



This is a very simple and plausible tale, which wants nothing to recommend it 

 but truth. One may infer, from the writer in the Folio Encyclopedic, that he de- 

 rived his information on this subject from Daniel de Foe, a lively and interesting 



author, to whose historical fidelity, in this instance, much less credit is due than to 



/• 

 • The artitle " ManufuCturcs," in the 4to. Encyclopedie,'was written by Roland de la Platiere ; 

 a name often heard amid the storms ot the French revolution. 



