^8^ History of the Author* s 



to wheat, or from the wool and carcase of the Merino-Ryeland sheep, compa- 

 ratively with the South Down, New Leicester, or Lincoln breeds ; and he will 

 justly infer, that, as long as that superiorily of profit continues, the object which he 

 cultivates is found to be of superior value by those who use it. As the balance in 

 his favour diminishes, he will begin to doubt ; but it will not be till the continuance 

 of comparative depreciation is become highly probable, that he will think it neces- 

 sary to change his object for a new one. In the present case, such a change must 

 be very gradual. One breed of sheep cannot be substituted for another, as a man 

 changes barley for oats ; and every man will have full time, as the nature of the 

 case may dictate, to make such substitutions as shall be suggested by his fancy or 

 his prudence. 



In the mean while, I have already expressed my opinion that the Merino breed 

 and its crosses are least adapted to that species of land which usually supports the 

 races of our truly valuable long-wooUed sheep. 



As to the apprehension respect'ng the expulsion of our native short-wooUed 

 breeds, without offence be it spoken, I see nothing in it which greatly afflicts me. 

 It is said, that, for our finer fabrics, we can get abundance of suitable wool from 

 foreign countries ; while for various other purposes the coarser wools are necessary, 

 and cannot be any where obtained in equal perfection to that which is produced on 

 our own soil. 



I deny the general truth of both these positions. Short coarse wool may possi- 

 bly be best for saddles, matresses, cushions, chairs, and sofas ; and, as far as 1 

 recollect, for no other extensive purposes whatever. Even for most of these, horse- 

 hair is much preferable. For the lists of broad cloths fine wool is certainly a great 

 deal better ; not only because the coarse, shrinking unequally with the finer which it 

 borders, injures the edges of the cloth, but because 24- lb. of the latter will serve 

 instead of 4^ or 5 lb. of the former. That blankets would be best fabricated from 

 superfine wool is evident from the softness, lightness, warmth, and beauty of those 

 expensive ones of a fawn colour, which are often brought into England from India, ' 

 The same sort of wool would also be most profitably employed for every species 

 of cloathing, whether for the rich or poor. A very intelligent manufacturer, the late 

 Mr. Wansey.of Warminster, informed me that his father was formerly accustomed 

 to make, for the East India Company, a species of cloth called Elephant. Whether it 

 •was intended for the covering of that animal, whose name it bore, I have not Icai nt ; 



