"Mr. Bakewell, the famous grazier, has lost one of his most remarkable rams. It was of such value, that he let it out to hire, and received £400 for the season."—(Morning Post, Sept. 12, 1788.)
This was the far famed agriculturist. Robert Bakewell—who brought his father's famous "Dishley" sheep to such perfection, that in 1787, he let three rams, for a year, for £1250, and was offered, but refused, £1050 for twenty ewes. When we think of the difference of the value of Currency, then, and now, these prices are fairly staggering. These Dishley sheep had good qualities, they were quiet—they fattened quickly, and well—and they had small bones. But Bakewell, even in his cattle, as well as his sheep, always kept in view, what, even now, are the guiding principles in our Cattle shows—Perfection of form—the most meat from the least food—the least offal—and large joints with small bones.
"The following is a copy of a hand bill, which was a few days ago distributed in the city of Edinburgh:—
"'Thou shalt not steal—All persons whom it may concern are desired to take notice, that steel traps of the largest sort, for catching breakers of the eighth Commandment, are, every night, placed in the garden at St. Bernard's, between Stockbridge and the Water of Leith, on the North side of the water: That spring guns are set to rake the Walls with shot, upon a touch of a wire; and, that a tent, having in it an armed Watchman, is pitched in the middle, with orders to fire without mercy.
"'If, therefore, any evil disposed unhappy person or persons, shall attempt to break into the ground of St. Bernard's, their blood be upon their own heads.
"'Of the fruit of the garden thou shalt not eat; for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die,'" Gen. 2. 27.—(Morning Post, Sept. 17, 1788.)
"One day last week a Sub distributor of Stamps, who resides a few miles from London, and who is also a Glover, was convicted in the penalty of Eighty Pounds, before the Sitting Magistrates at the Public Office, in St. Martin's Lane, for selling Four Pair of Gloves without Stamps." Probably under 25 Geo. 3, cap. 55. (1785.)—(Morning Post, Oct. 20, 1788.)
The following singular inscription is literally taken from a sign in the vicinity of Reading:—
"Beards taken off and registered.
"By Isaac Fac-totum.