( 7 ) 



had that feafon confiderably enhanced the va* 

 Me of my own (lock (though in the time of the 

 American war, when (lock of all forts fetched 

 a low price), as I proved by the fale of fome 

 drape-ewes. The average prices were from 

 fix to feven millings per head, even of thofe by 

 the moil famous breeders in the county. Bun 

 one hundred of mine were purchafed of me, by 

 Mr.FydellofBofton,at fifteen millings per head, 

 with forty culls at thirteen fhillings per head. 



I had the vanity to confider my felt the firfl 

 in rank as a breeder of fheep. It was not there- 

 fore extraordinary for a man who entertained 

 fo extravagant an opinion of himfelf, to glance 

 fuperficially over the (rock of another -, who, 

 from the envious difpofition too common in 

 mankind, had many detractors amongfl male-* 

 volentand interefted competitors. I am obliged 

 to own (what now feems aimoft incredible to 

 myfelf) I looked upon Mr. Bakewell's fheep 

 with indifference, if not contempt. The firft 

 objecls pointed out to me as worthy of notice, 

 were eight tups, three heifers and calves, on a 

 piece of land near the riGufe; but they appear- 

 ed to me fo fmall, that I bellowed no more 

 attention upon them than juft to perceive they 



were 



