“If, after the many remonstrances I have had occasion to make against his general conduct to the tenants, you consider him a useful man upon your property, you will, in that case, have to abide the consequences of your confidence in him.  You are, at all events, duly forewarned.

“I now must beg leave, my Lord, to render up my trust, to resign my situation as the agent of your estates—­I do so with pain, but the course of your lordship’s life has left me no other alternative.  I cannot rack and goad your tenants, nor injure your own property.  I cannot paralyze industry, cramp honest exertion, or distress poverty still further, merely to supply necessities which are little less than criminal in yourself and ruinous to your tenantry.

“Believe me, my Lord, I would not abandon you in your difficulties, if I saw any honorable means of extricating you from them.  You know, however, that every practicable step has been taken for that purpose, but without effect—­your property should grow rapidly indeed, in order to keep pace with the increasing and incessant demands which are made upon it.  We can borrow no more, and the knowledge of that fact alone, ought to set a limit to your extravagance.  Excuse this plainness, my Lord, it is well meant and void of intentional offence.

“I shall be ready in a few days to deliver all books, papers, documents, &c, connected With the property, to any person duly authorized by your Lordship to receive them.

“I have the honor to be, &c,

“Henby Hickman.”

The Right Honorable Lord Cumber to Valentine M’Clutchy:—­

Doncaster, April, 18—­

“Sir: 

“In consequence of certain communications which have passed between Mr. Hickman and myself, I have determined that he shall no longer act in the capacity of my agent.  The situation is therefore open, and, until a competent person shall be appointed, I authorize you to discharge its duties, and receive from him a correct statement of all accounts between us, together with all deeds, leases, books, papers, &c, in his possession; you first having procured me adequate security, the amount of which will be determined by M’Slime, my law agent, who will join or aid you in making all necessary arrangements.

“You will also have the goodness, as soon afterwards as you feel it practicable, to transmit me a bond fide account of the Ballyrocket and Tulygrindem estates, their capability of improvement, condition of the tenantry, what leases are expired, if any, and those which will soon drop, with a view of seeing what can be made out of it.  In this, also, M’Slime will aid you.

“As to the person who may succeed Hickman, as a necessary preliminary he must lay down two thousand pounds, in the shape of an equivalent for the appointment.  Could you within a fortnight or so, raise so much?  If so, let me hear from you without delay, as it is not unlikely in that case, I may appoint yourself.