“I have the honor, &c,
“Henry Hartley.”

Lord Cumber to Henry Hartley, Esq.:—­

“Sir:  Your letter merely contains a distinction without a difference.  So long as I identify my principles with myself, or myself with my principles, so long shall I look upon any offence offered to the one as offered to the other.  The principle, therefore, which you brand with the insulting epithet tyrannical, is one which I hold, and ever shall hold; because I believe it to be just and not tyrannical.  I await your explanation, and trust it may be satisfactory.

“I have the honor to be, &c,
“Cumber.”

Henry Hartley, Esq., to the Eight Hon. Lord Cumber:—­

“My Lord:  I am not anxious to have a quarrel with you, and I believe you will admit that the courage neither of myself nor any one of my family was never called in question.  I really regret that any serious misunderstanding should arise between us, from this mere play upon words.  I trust, therefore, to your Lordship’s good sense, and good feeling, not to press me on this occasion.

“I have the honor, &c,
“Henry Hartley.”

Lord Cumber to Henry Hartley, Esq.:—­

“Sir:  I never doubted your courage until now.  I have only to say, that I beg an answer to my last letter.

“I have the honor, &c,
“Cumber.”

Henry Hartley, Esq., to Lord Cumber:—­

“My Lord:  Your Lordship will find it in my last but one.

“I have the honor, &c, &c,
“Henry Hartley.”

Lord Cumber to Henry Hartley, Esq.:—­

“Sir:  I beg to say that I shall be in Castle Cumber within a fortnight from this date, and that you shall have early and instant notice of my arrival.

“I remain, &c,
“Cumber.”

Henry Hartley, Esq., to Lord Cumber:—­

“And I, my Lord, shall be ready to meet you either there or anywhere else,

“And have the honor, &c,
“Henry Hartley.”

In the meantime, and whilst this correspondence was going forward, the political reeling about Castle Cumber rose rapidly between the adherents and friends of each.  M’Clutchy called a meeting of Lord Cumber’s friends and his own, which was held in the public rooms of Castle Cumber.  The following is the report taken from the columns of the “True Blue:  “—­

“At a special meeting of the committee of the Castle Cumber cavalry, held in that town on Monday, the 15th March, 18—­, Lieutenant Philip M’Clutchy in the chair.

“Captain Valentine M’Clutchy having communicated to certain of the Castle Cumber corps a circular letter, as well as committee to the effect that Henry Hartley, Esq., having directed private letters, influencing them to withdraw therefrom, and join a troop which he is now about raising, and that in consequence of these steps on his part, several of the Castle Cumber troopers had deserted, and were enrolled in the new corps:—­