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262 SHEEP BREEDING AND
which they watch, and are reckoned a quiet, attentive, frugal, and trust-worthy
race." Tour through the southern Provinces of the Kingdom of Naples, by the
Honorable Keppel Craven, p. 80.
The scene of the following extract is the valley of the
Aternus, descending from the region of the highest Apennines,
the " montes Reatini" of Varro, not very remote from the ruins
of his farm and villa, (These ruins are described at page 45 of
the volume from which this passage is extracted.), and proceed-
ing towards the sites of the modern Aquila and of the ancient
Amdternum.
" One of the broad tratturos, or cattle-paths, runs in the same line with the
high-road to Aquila ; and I was so fortunate as to see it occupied by a very ex-
tended line of flocks, which slowly passed by the carriage for the space of a mile
or more. The word ' fortunate ' adapted to such a spectacle, may excite a smile
in my readers ;
but I own that I never beheld one of these numerous animal con-
gregations plodding across the flats of Capitanata, or the valleys of Abruzzo, as
far as the eye could reach, without experiencing a sensation of a novel and exci-
ting kind, nearly alUed to that of enjoyment, but which I shall not attempt to
account for.
" One shepherd heads each division of cattle, of which he has the peculiar care
and direction. Armed with liis crook, he walks some paces in advance of liis
flock, followed by an old ram termed il manso ; which word, meaning tame or
instructed, has undoubtedly a more apposite signification than that of our bell-
wether, though he is, as well as ours, furnished with a large deep-toned bell.
" The sheep march in files of about twelve in each ; and every battalion, if I
may so call it, is attended by six or eight dogs, according to its number ; these
accompanying the herd, walking at the head, middle, and rear of each flank.
The beauty and docility of these animals, which are usually white, has often been
described, and their demeanor is gentle as long as the objects of their solicitude
are unmolested, but at night they are so savage, that it would be dangerous to
approach the fold they guard.
" The goats, wliich bear a very small proportion to the sheep, and are in general
black, wind up the array, and evince their superior intelligence by lying down
whenever a temporary halt takes place. The cows and mares travel in separate
bodies. A certain number of these flocks, commonly those belongmg to the same
proprietor, are under the immediate management and inspection of an agent, en-
titled faftore, who accompanies them on horseback, armed with a musket, and
better clad than the shepherds, who, both in summer and winter, wear the large
sheep-skin jacket, and are in other respects provided with substantial though
homely attire, including good strong shoes.
" These Fattores are all natives of Abruzzo, an Apulian never having been
known to undertake the profession : the former, through particular habits and the
repeated experience of years, are looked upon as so peculiarly fitted for the caro
required by cattle, and indeed animals of all kinds, that all the helpers in the sta-