COPIES AND PARTS OF COPIES

LETTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS,

WRITTEN FROM JOANNA SOUTHCOTT,

AND TRANSMITTED BY MISS TOWNLEY

TO MR. W. SHARP, IN LONDON. William Sharp was a famous engraver and a prominent follower of Joanna Southcott.

THE PARABLE OF THE LITTLE FLOCK OF SHEEP.

THE Fable that was in my heart, called to my remembrance, was of a man that was tried in Exeter Castle, for stealing of sheep. He pleaded he did not steal them ; for he was going to a fair, and the flock of sheep jumped over the hedge and ran before his horse. He rode as fast as his horse could run, to get before them ; but still the sheep kept before the horse. He turned his horse many ways to try to shun them, but the sheep would immediately turn and get before him. He then turned his horse, and thought to go home ; but the sheep turned in an instant, and came before him again. After his turning many times, trying every way in his power to get before the sheep, and finding it impossible, he thought he might as well go with them to the fair, as be found driving them home to his own house ; and in driving them to the fair he was taken. And in this manner he pleaded in the Castle, to clear himself ; and the judge said he believed him innocent ; but the jury said they believed him guilty. The judge could not bear to give it up to the jury ; and said he would try another jury. He had another jury, and tried the cause over again, and they found him guilty the same. When the judge found he could not free him ; but by the two juries had made the cause more strong against him, the judge then addressed the prisoner—“ I believe you innocent concerning stealing these sheep ; but I believe you are guilty of some fatal crime, for which the