1804.1 Oa Spanish Sheep. 239

very considerable degree, arose from their example, which has, undoubtedly, wrought a sudden change in our rural economy, by rendering that almost universally fashionable, which is of the greatest public utility. To it wê may safely attribute the Jate favourable alteration in our corn laws, and Ishould not be surprised if, within ten or twelve years, it proves the means of exciting such a spirit of improvement, as will lead to a commutation of tithes a general inclosure bill, and many other important advantages. Then would the plough be seen on all our wastes, and even ascending to the very summits of our heathy mountains. Then, Sir, would Britons,(as they: ouglit) be relieved from a disgraceful dependence on foreign countries for the first article of human sustenance. I was truly sorry to observe, however, that the first and most inde- fatigable of these patriots, Sir John Sinclair, was, by your able contributor, Agricola Meridionalis, deemed a person of a contracted education, misled by prejudice; for you know, Mr. Editor, we Scotchmen possess a very national spirit; and very different sentiments are entertained in the north, with regard to the man who promoted, with so much zeal and abi- lity, the establishment of a National Board of Agriculture, to which we owe inestimable advantages, and for which we should not cease to bestow on Lim the tribute of our gratitude mingled with our admiration.

I beg that Mr. Bartley will not believe me so ill informed as not to include him and Dr. Parry in the above long and very honourable list. But while I do this act of justice, and while I acknowledge that there appears verh strong redsous for believing that the introduction of Spanish sheep into this country, will be very advantageous on certain species of lands, in certain situations, and in rendering some of our small breeds of sheep more profitable to the farmer, the proprietors of land, and the community at large, I must get withhold my assent to the sweeping and indiscriminate conclusions of your valuable friend, Mr. Bartley. I should, indeed, be a ²« sorrowful swain,“ if my fat and beautifal long-woolled sheep of the new Leicestershire breed, which may be called sym- metry itself, were supplanted by the Spanisb kind, with their „«throatiness,“ heron nogs, flat sides,“ mugged'“ ugly heads, dromedary backs, woolly legs, and lean carcases. Perhaps Mr. Bartley may bouuce at this descriplion; it is, however, conformable to that I received from a friend, who saw several of these sheep seven or eight years ago, in the Southern parts of the kingdom; and I should be very glad if Mr. Bartley can say, that the whole, or even the greatest part of these deformaties, are now removed by judicious crossing and se- lectious. Such a refutation would probably be attended with