We now dismiss him, and request our readers, at the same time, not to suppose that we have held him up as a portrait of Irish agents in general.  On the contrary, we believe that they constitute a most respectable class of men, who have certainly very difficult duties to perform.  The Irish landlords, we are happy to say, taught by experience, have, for the most part, both seen and felt the necessity of appointing gentlemen of property to situations so very important, and which require so much patience, consideration, and humanity, in those who fill them.  We trust they will persevere in this plan; * but we can assure them, that all the virtues of the best agent can never compensate, in the opinion of the people, for neglect in the “Head Landlord.”  One visit, or act, even of nominal kindness, for him, will at any time produce more attachment and gratitude among them, than a whole life spent in good offices by an agent.  Like Sterne’s French Beggar, they would prefer a pinch of snuff from the one, to a guinea from the other.  The agent only renders them a favor, but the Head Landlord does them an honor.

* This tale has been written nearly twelve years, but the author deeply regrets that the Irish landlords have disentitled themselves to the favorable notice taken of them in the text.

Colonel B., immediately after his return home, sent for Mr. O’Brien, who waited on him with a greater degree of curiosity than perhaps he had ever felt before.  The Colonel smiled as he extended his hand to him.

“Mr. O’Brien,” said he, “I knew you would feel anxious to hear the result of my visit to the estate which this man with the nickname managed for me.”

“Managed, sir?  Did you say managed?”

“I spoke in the past time, O’Brien:  he is out.”

“Then your protege’s story was correct, sir?”

“True to a title.  O’Brien, there is something extraordinary in that boy; otherwise, how could it happen that a sickly, miserable-looking creature, absolutely in tatters, could have impressed us both so strongly with a sense of the injustice done ten years ago to his father?  It is, indeed, remarkable.”

“The boy, Colonel, deeply felt that act of injustice, and the expression of it came home to the heart.”

“I have restored his father, however.  The poor man and his family are once more happy.  I have stocked their old farm for them; in! fact, they now enjoy comfort and independence.”

“I am glad, sir, that you have done them justice.  That act, alone, will go far to redeem your character from the odium which the conduct of your agent was calculated to throw upon it.”