“I have the honor to be, &c., &c.,
“VAL M’CLUTCHY,”

Lord Cumber to Solomon M’Slime, Esq., Attorney at Law: 

“DEAR SIR: 

“Enclosed is a letter to Mr. M’Clutchy, which I will trouble you to forward to him as soon as you can.  It contains his appointment to the vacant agency, together with the proper power of attorney, and I have every reason to hope that my property will improve under him.  I did think it no breach of any honorable principle to make him advance, by way of compensation, the sum of two thousand pounds.  It is a thing very usually done, I am aware, and by men who would not bear any imputation against their honor.  But I know not how it is, his letter has deterred me from taking the money in that light.  It would be certainly too bad to allow a person of his birth and standing in the world to teach one of mine a lesson in delicacy of feeling.  For this reason, then, let him advance the money on the usual terms of loan:—­that you can adjust between you.  All I ask is, that you will not lose one moment of unnecessary time in accomplishing this business, and remitting the money.  Two thousand in a fortnight will be of more value to me than four in a month, owing to the peculiar difficulties in which I am placed.

“Yours, CUMBER.

“P.S.—­I say, my little saint, I hope you are as religious as ever—­but in the meantime as it is not unlikely—­but on the contrary very probable—­if not altogether certain—­that I shall be in Ireland should the election take place, I trust you will have the kindness to let me know if there’s e’er a pretty girl in the neighborhood—­that wants a friend and protector—­ha, ha, ha—­as great a sinner as ever, you see—­but for that reason you know the more entitled to your prayers for my conversion.  The greater the saint, the greater the sinner now-a-days—­or is it the other way?  I forget.

“CUMBER.”

Lord Cumber to Val M’Clutchy, enclosed in the above: 

“Dear Sir: 

“I am very happy in appointing you to the important situation of my agent, with all the necessary powers and authority to act as may best seem to you for my advantage.  The money I will take on your own terms, only I beg that you will lose no time in remitting it.  I agree with you in thinking that Mr. Hickman, however well meaning, was deficient in firmness and penetration of character, so far as the tenants were concerned; and I would recommend you to avoid the errors which you perceived in him.  With many principles laid down in your letter I agree, but not with all.  For instance, if I understand you right, you would appear to advocate too much indulgence to the tenantry at my expense; for what else is allowing them to run into arrears.  This certainly keeps the money out of my pocket, and you cannot surely expect me to countenance such a proceeding as that:—­whilst I say this, it is due to you that I consider your ultimate object a correct one.  Property loses