“‘Beggingyour pardon, father, I say we are bound to hate them.’

“‘Why, so, sir, may I ask,’ said I.

“’Why so—­why because—­because—­they—­because as—­aren’t they Papists, and is not that sufficient—­and, again, here’s another reason still stronger, aren’t we Orangemen?  Now, sir, did you, or any one, even hear of such a thing as a good, sound Orangeman loving a Papist—­a bloody Papist.  My word and honor, but that’s good!’

“‘The truth is,’ said the father, ’that the turbulence of their principles has the country almost ripe for insurrection.  I have myself received above half a dozen notices, and my son there, as many; some threatening life, others property, and I suppose the result will be, that I must reside for safety in the metropolis.  My house is this moment in a state of barricade—­look at my windows, literally checkered with stancheon bars—­and as for arms, let me see, we have six blunderbusses, eight cases of pistols, four muskets, two carbines, with a variety of side arms, amounting to a couple of dozen.  Such, sir, is the state of the country, owing, certainly, as my son says, to the spirit of Popery, and to the fact of my discharging my duty toward Lord Cumber with fidelity and firmness!

“‘In that case,’ I observed, ’there is little to induce any man possessing some property to reside here.’

“‘Certainly nothing,’ he replied, ’but a great many inducements to get out of it.’

“‘Does Lord Cumber ever visit his property here?’ I asked.

“‘He has too much sense,’ returned the agent; ’but now that parliament is dissolved, he will come over to the Election.  We must return either him or his brother the Hon. Dick Topertoe, who, I understand, has no fixed principles whatsoever.’

“’But why return such a man?  Why not put up and support one of your own way of thinking?’

“’Why, because in the first place, we must keep out Hartley, who is a liberal, and also an advocate for emancipating Popery; and, in the second, if it be bad to have no principles, like Topertoe, it is worse to have bad ones like Hartley.  He’ll do to stop a gap until we get better, and then unless he comes round, we’ll send him adrift.’

“‘Is he in Ireland?  I mean does he reside in the country?’

“’Not he, sir; it seems he’s a wayward devil, very different from the rest of the family—­and with none of the dash and spirit of the Topertoe blood in him.’

“’In that case, he will be no great loss; but Mr. M’Clutchy, notwithstanding all you have said I am so much charmed with the beauty of the country, that I would gladly settle in the neighborhood, if I could procure a suitable residence, together with a good large farm, which I would rent.  Is there anything in that way vacant on the estate?’

“’At present, sir, nothing; but it is possible there may be, and if you should remain in the country, I shall feel great pleasure in acquainting you.’