“It is better late than never, Colonel; but still, though I am a friend to the people, yet I would recommend you to be guided by great caution, and the evidence of respectable and disinterested men only.  You must not certainly entertain all the complaints you may hear, without clear proof, for I regret to say, that too many of the idle and political portion of the peasantry are apt to throw the blame of their own folly and ignorance—­yes, and of their crimes, also—­upon those who in no way have occasioned either their poverty or their wickedness.  They are frequently apt to consider themselves oppressed, if concessions are not made, to which they, as idle and indolent men, who neglected their own business, have no fair claim.  Bear this in mind, Colonel—­be cool, use discrimination, take your proofs from others besides the parties concerned, or their friends, and, depend upon it, you will arrive at the truth.”.

“O’Brien, you would make an excellent agent.”

“I have studied the people, sir, and know them.  I have breathed the atmosphere of their prejudices, habits, manners, customs, and superstitions.  I have felt them all myself, as they feel them; but I trust I have got above their influence where it is evil, for there are many fine touches of character among them, which I should not willingly part with.  No, sir, I should make a bad agent, having no capacity for transacting business.  I could direct and overlook, but nothing more.”

“Well, then, I shall set out to-morrow; and in the meantime, permit me to say that I am deeply sensible of your kindness in pointing out my duty as an Irish landlord, conscious that I have too long neglected it.”

“Kindness, Colonel, is the way to the Irish heart.  There is but one man in Ireland who can make an Irishman ungrateful, and that is his priest.  I regret that in times of political excitement, and especially during electioneering struggles, the interference of the clergy produces disastrous effects upon the moral feelings of the people.  When a tenant meets the landlord whom he has deserted in the critical momont of the contest the landlord to whom he has solemnly promised his support, and who, perhaps, as a member of the legislature, has advocated his claims and his rights, and who, probably, has been kind and indulgent to him—­I say, when he meets him afterwards, his shufflings, excuses, and evasions are grievous.  He is driven to falsehood and dissimulation in explaining his conduct; he expresses his repentance, curses himself for his ingratitude, promises well for the future, but seldom or never can be prevailed upon to state candidly that he acted in obedience to the priest.  In some instances, however, he admits this, and inveighs bitterly against his interference—­but this is only whilst in the presence of his landlord.  I think, Colonel, that no clergyman, set apart as he is for the concerns of a better world, should become a firebrand in the secular pursuits and turmoils of this.”