“I need scarcely assure you, my Lord, that in my own humble way, I did everything I reasonably could to discountenance the education system.  I even went so far as to prevent several of the tenants from sending their children to these schools; but, as usual, I experienced but little gratitude at their hands, or at those of their parents.  This, however, was not so much owing to my interference, as to the accidental circumstance of three or four of them having been hanged or transported for crimes which they were base enough to impute to the ignorance occasioned by my principles—­for so they spoke.

“Such then is the condition of the Ballyracket tenantry.  They are not in arrears, and you may consequently guess at the wretched state of their moral feelings.  They are, in fact, every day becoming more aware of the very kind of knowledge which we don’t wish them to possess.  They do not slink aside when they see you now; on the contrary, they stand erect, and look you fearlessly in the face.  Upon my credit and reputation this is truth—­melancholy truth, my Lord—­and I fear that at the next election you will find it so to your cost.

“I have lost no time in ascertaining the other particulars mentioned in your lordship’s letter.  The leases of three townlands expired on March last.  They are Derrydowny, Cracknaboulteen, and Ballyweltem.  The principal tenant of Derrydowny is a very respectable widow—–­one Mrs. M’Swaddle—­a woman of serious habits, if not of decided piety.  She has three daughters, all of whom sit under the ministration of a Mr. Bolthan—­which is pronounced Bottom—­a young preacher, belonging to the Methodist connection.  They are to all appearance well in the world, keep a conversation car, and have the reputation of being very honest and saving—­Old M’Swaddle himself was a revenue collector, and it is said, died richer than they are willing to admit.  Cracknaboulteen is altogether in the possession of the celebrated family of the M’Kegs—­or, as they are called, the Five Sols—­the name of each being Solomon, which is shortened into Sol.  There is lame Sol, blind Sol, long Sol, uncertain Sol, and Sol of the mountain.  They are celebrated distillers of poteen whiskey, but are not rich.  The estate, in fact, would be better without them, were it not for their votes.  The townland of Ballyweltem is principally the property of a wild faction, named M’Kippeen, whose great delight is to keep up perpetual feud against an opposite faction of the O’Squads, who on their part are every whit as eager for the fray as their enemies.  These are also poor enough, and in an election are not to be depended on.  I should say, in addition to this, that several renewal, fines will fall in during the course of the winter.  I shall, however, examine the leases, and other documents, still more searchingly, and see what can be got out of it, and how far we can go.