No. 216.] 771 



wool came to their market, in the month of June, they would there 

 pick out wool for themselves, and would undertake to spin from it 

 seventy herees to the pound. As they were unanimous in this decla- 

 ration, the magistrates agreed to wait. The stockings were made of 

 the Highland wool, and were valued at five guineas the pair, and 

 were easily drawn together through an ordinary thumb ring, although 

 they were of the largest size. These stockings were sent in a box 

 of curious workmanship, to Marshal Keith, who deemed them worthy 

 of the acceptance of the Empress of Russia, to whom he presented 

 them. In the year 1710, worsted stockings were made at Aberdeen, 

 from Highland wool, valued at thirty shillings the pair, and some- 

 times at three pounds sterling, ($17,50) a pair. In 1733, similar 

 stockings were sold in Aberdeen for $27,50 a pair. And the High- 

 land wool has been spun to the extent of more than sixty thousand 

 (about thirty-four miles) yards from one pound. Three pair of gloves 

 made of this yarn were bought by lady Mary Drummond, one of the 

 Duke of Perth's family, at three guineas a pair. 



In Armenia, the fine wool raised on the cold mountains, dividing 

 it from Thibet, was made into chales (shawls,) being cloths of about 

 a yard and a half long, several hundred years ago. 



H. MEIGS. 



Judge Van Wyck. The letters read to day, from Judge Tiifany and 

 from Mr. Wilkinson, give us additional reason for maintaining the 

 opinion that almost a public necessity demands the establishment of 

 agricultural colleges, and that it is time to begin with them here, 

 where all the means are together, books, men, seeds, plants, and all 

 things. 



Mr. Williamson. Mr. Wilkinson's school was in a flourishing con- 

 dition, but Mr. Gowan, of Mount Airy, has offered the aid of fifty 

 thousand dollars, for Mr. Wilkinson to prosecute the grand plan of 

 Mt. Airy. 



Mr. Wakeman. Our agricultural college would soon have a thou- 

 sand scholars, many even from Europe. The practical education 

 proposed, will prevail. 



Judge Van Wyck. Piivate efforts will not ultimately succeed in 

 this or any other country; the poAver of the great, public is essential 

 to their success. 



