1806.] On the Breeds of Shkecep: 231

land, have proved remarkably subject to the foot rof. That injurious disorder I discover among my own every time I view them; andá by comparison, I find they are subject to it in a far greater degree than other breeds upon the same pas- tures. IT presume my opponents will not venture to tell me that these observations are not founded on Facts, or that a dash of Spanish blood has operated as a preventive of this, destructive dicease. I know it hàs not, and I well remember that Mr. Bartley remained sìlent, when I put a question to him upon this subject. If then, our Anglo-spanish sheep‘are $0 subject to this wasting disorder in favourable sìtuations, what would they be upon our rough, barren, wet, and ele- vated heathy hills in the north? Trusting that I have said enough to shew that my conduct is not something like obsti- nacy, and that the concession reguired by Mr. Wright was not a reásonable one, I shall now proceed to discuss some other parts of the observations and arguments of my oppo- Nents,

As to the observations of Mr. Wright, in the third and fourth paragraphs of his letter in your last Number, on the grand question in debate, I am sorry that various avoca- L10ùs Which at present demand my attention, will not permit me to say much more than to refer him to my comparative statements in‘your 83d Number, to which he ought to have given a full and satisfactory answer, before he advanced the bold assertions in these parts of bis last letter, These state- ments I confidently oppose to his assertions, and when he attempts lo refute them by fair arguments, I shall endeavour to answer him. Even if[ were to agree with Mr. W. as to the seven shillings per fleece, I think he will have a deal of cutting and carving to give a solid basis to his opinions. L am extremely glad that[ have been s0 fortunate, upon the important subject of the diminution of price, which would take place in our markets for the finest wool,(if the flocks of Anglo-spanish sheep were greatly increased) as to have pre- vented my opponents from dwelling long upon the present high prices of that article. Mr. Wright has at length be- Come a convert to my opinion upon that point also: to an opinion which is clearly supported by one of the leading prin- ciples of political economy. Why then, does he again main=- tain the present prices? Of what ulility is it to mention these when he knows they could not be maintained? Such conduct seems calculäted to mislead the unwary farmer, by induc- ing him to change his breed of sheep, which in a short time he would discover to be an injudicious method. Of course another change would become necessary; for the New Lei- cesters would again appear to these unwary men, to be the

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