Firmly believing in the statements thus emphatically and solemnly made to them from time to time, that on this estate tenant-right was as good as a lease, the tenants went on building houses, and making permanent improvements in Lisburn and elsewhere, depending on this security.  And, indeed, the value of such security could scarcely be presented under more favourable circumstances.  The absentee landlord receiving such a princely revenue, and absorbed in his Parisian pursuits, seemed to leave everything to his agent.  The agent was rector of the parish of Lisburn, a dignitary of the Church, a gentleman of the highest social position, with many excellent points in his character, and pledged before the world, again and again, to respect rigidly and scrupulously the enormous property which a confiding tenantry had invested in this estate.  If, under these circumstances, the security of tenant-right fails, where else can it be trusted?  If it be proved, by open and public proceedings, that on the Hertfort estate, the distinctly recognised property of the tenant is liable to be seized and wrested from him by the agent, it is clear to demonstration that such property absolutely requires the protection of law.  This proof, I am sorry to say, is forthcoming.  Let my readers reflect for a moment on what might have been done for Lisburn and the surrounding country if the Marquis of Hertfort had rebuilt his castle and resided among his people.  What an impulse to improvement of every kind, what employment for tradesmen of every class, what business for shops might have resulted from the local expenditure of 50,000 l. or 60,000 l. a year!  What public buildings would have been erected—­how local institutions would have flourished!  The proverb that ’absence makes the heart grow fonder’ does not apply to the relations of landlord and tenant.  But there is another proverb that applies well—­’Out of sight, out of mind.’  Of this I shall now give two or three illustrations.  Some years ago, it was discovered that no lease of the Catholic chapel at Lisburn could be found, and in the recollection of the oldest member of the congregation no rent had been paid.  Kent, however, was now demanded, and the parish priest agreed to pay a nominal amount, which places the congregation at the mercy of the office.  Ground was asked some time ago to build a Presbyterian Church, but it was absolutely refused.  A sum of money was subscribed to build a literary institute, but, though a sort of promise was given for ground to build it on, it was never granted, and the project fell through.  Lord Hertfort spends no portion of his vast income where it is earned.  His estate is like a farm to which the produce is never returned in the shape of manure, but is all carted off and applied to the enrichment of a farm elsewhere.  One might suppose that where such an exhausting process has been going on for so long a time an effort would be made at some sort of compensation, especially at