as they are, Hartley’s unjustifiable interference would leave the corps a mere skeleton.  As it is, he has taken eighteen of our very best men from us; by best, I allude only to youth and physical energy, for I need scarcely say, that all the staunch and loyal fellows remain with us.  I am sorry to add that Mr. Hickman, as I predicted he would, is vigorously supporting your opponent; and there is a scoundrel here who is often closeted with him—­a rascally painter named Easel, quem ego—­you see I have a little of my Latin still, my Lord.  The fellow—­this wild goose, Easel, I mean—­says he has come to the neighborhood to take sketches; but if I don’t mistake much I shall ere long put him in a condition to sketch the Bay of Sidney.  I have already reported him to government, and, indeed, I have every reason to suppose he is a Popish Agent, sent here to sow the seeds of treason and disaffection among the people.  Nothing else can account for the dreadful progress which Whiteboyism has made upon your Lordship’s property, where it is much more outrageous and turbulent than in any other district that I am acquainted with.  I have also to acquaint you, my Lord, that even if I were disposed to keep M’Loughlin and Harman on the property—­that is, granting that I were sufficiently treacherous to your interest to do so, it is now out of my power.  Their own dishonesty has at length fallen upon their heads.  They are bankrupts, and not now in a condition to pay a renewal fine for their leases; but I am happy to inform your Lordship, that my son Phil, and Mr. M’Slime, have each offered five hundred pounds for their respective holdings—­a tender which I might in vain expect from any other quarter and which I cannot conscientiously refuse.

“Harman was acquitted for the murder of Harpur—­in consequence, it is thought, of a treacherous scoundrel, named Sharpe, who was once one of our corps, having taken a bribe to give evidence in his favor.  This same Sharpe is to be a sergeant in Hartley’s corps; and, when I say that, Hartley and Harman are and have been on very intimate terms, I think it shows how the wind blows between them, at all events.  I have been receiving rent yesterday and to-day, and cannot but regret the desperate state to which things have been brought.  There is no gettin’ in money, and the only consolation I feel is, that I have honestly and conscientiously discharged my duty.  I have cleared a great number of our enemies from the property, but, unfortunately, such is the state of things here, that there is the greater number of the holdings still unoccupied, other tenants that we could depend on being afraid to enter upon them, in consequence of the spirit of intimidation that is abroad.  This M’Loughlin is certainly a most consummate swindler:  he was unable to pay his rent, and I sent in an execution yesterday; but, as every one knows, fourteen days must elapse before the public auction of property takes place.  Judge of my surprise then, when, short as was the time, an