The late marquis seems to have been almost idolised by the tenants.  On or off the estate, in town or country, I have heard nothing of him but praise of the warmest and most unqualified kind; and, what is more remarkable, his late agent, Mr. Filgate, was universally respected for his fairness in the discharge of his duties.  The way in which I heard this spoken of by the people convinces me that there is nothing that wins their confidence so much as strict impartiality, and justice, calmly, kindly, but firmly administered.  The people to whom I spoke laid stress on the fact that Mr. Filgate listened quietly to the statements of both sides, carefully enquired into the merits of each, and decided accordingly.  There was no favouritism, they said, no partiality; no hasty decision in a fit of anger, or passion, or impatience; no refusal to listen to reason.

I observed to one of the tenants, ’You admit that the rents are much lower than on other estates, much lower than the value of the lands, and that during the last twenty years the tenant-right has increased in value.  Suppose, then, that the marquis should raise the rents, say twenty-five per cent., what would be the consequence?  Would they pay the increase willingly?’ ‘Willingly!’ he exclaimed, ’no, there would be rebellion!  The late lord could do anything with the people; he could raise the country.  But you see when they bought the tenant-right they believed they could never be robbed of the value for which they paid by raising the rent.’

What can be better than the social picture which Harris presents of the state of society here 130 years ago?  ’The inhabitants are warm and well clad at church, fairs, and markets.  Tillage and the linen manufacture keep them in constant employment; a busy and laborious life prevents excess and breaches of the laws, which in no part of the kingdom are more reverenced.  The people are regular in their attendance on public worship.  Few breaches of the peace, felonies, burglaries, or murders come before the judges at the assizes; convictions for capital offences seldom happen.  Men travel securely by day, and are afraid of little disturbance at night to keep them on their guard.  Every man sits down securely under his vine and his figtree, and enjoys with comfort the fruit of his honest labours.’  He ascribes in the main this prosperity to what he calls ’the spirit of tillage.’  Until that spirit arose in Ulster, the Irish had to send to America for their daily bread, ‘which,’ he says, ’to the astonishment of all Europe, has been often our weakness.’  Viewing the whole social condition of the county, he exclaims, ’Such are the happy effects of a well-peopled country, extensive tillage, the linen manufacture, and the Protestant religion.’