228 On Tunis Sheep, 



Even the broad-tail, which Mr. Livingston considers 

 ** an excrescence and deformity," I have not viewed in 

 any disgusting aspect. The representations in the plate, 

 are faithful portraits ; taken from sheep now in my pos- 

 session. From these my opinion — or if it be so con- 

 strued — -fancy — may be judged. 



Although not overmuch of a stoick^ I should, were it 

 not that old prejudices maybe again revived, and operate 

 unfavourably, have imitated, on behalf of my sheep, had 

 they been even specially mentioned, the complacency and 

 silence, recommended by one of that sect, I think, ^j&?V- 

 tetus. This disciple of Zeno advises those of us bipeds, 

 who may be misrepresented and disparaged, to l)e con- 

 tent in our consciousness of its being unmerited: because 

 we are to presume [a la mode de la secte des stocciens) 

 that some imaginary characters, and not ourselves^ are 

 aimed at. This philosophic apathy would, no doubt, 

 be really Greek to men of ticklish tempers ; though en- 



became a great favorite. Their interests only, can conquer 

 their prejudices. When I first endeavoured (36 or 37 years 

 ago) to introduce among them the platster of Paris ^ their 

 incredulity and prejudices were strong. Some calender-macher 

 told them, it attracted thunder and lightning ! and made 

 rich gathers, by its first operations ; but poor children, by 

 its final exhaustion of the soil. — Their children, now, know 

 better. 1 lament their prejudices ; but highly esteem them^ 

 for many good qualities. 



That a cultivated mind, and those ignorant of all culture, 

 save that ot the ground, should unite in the same erroneous 

 opinion as to the sheep, proves nothing, but the meeting of 

 two extremes. 



R. ?• 



