Our sheep
about Chalke doe never die of the rott. My Cos. Scott does assure me
that I may modestly allow a thousand sheep to a tything, one with
another. Mr. Rogers was for allowing of two thousand sheep, one with
another, to a tything, but my Cosin Scott saies that is too high.
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SHEPHERDS. The Britons received their knowledge of agriculture from
the Romans, and they retain yet many of their customes. The festivalls
at sheep-shearing seeme to bee derived from the Parilia. In our
western parts, I know not what is done in the north, the sheep-masters
give no wages to their shepherds, but they have the keeping of so many
sheep, pro rata; soe that the shepherds' lambs doe never miscarry. I
find that Plautus gives us a hint of this custome amongst the Romans
in his time; Asinaria, Act III. scene i. Philenian (Meretrix):
" Etiam opilio, qui pascit (mater) alienas ovis,
Aliquani habet peculiarem qua spem soletur suam.''
Their habit, I believe, (let there be a draught of their habit) is
that of the Roman or Arcadian shepherds; as they are delineated in Mr.
Mich. Drayton's Poly-olbion; sc. a long white cloake with a very deep
cape, which comes halfway down their backs, made of the locks of the
sheep. There was a sheep-crooke (vide Virgil's Eclogues, and
Theocritus,) a sling, a scrip, their tar-box, a pipe or flute, and
their dog. But since 1671, they are grown so luxurious as to neglect
their ancient warme and useful fashion, and goe a la mode.
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