county, which is certainly a serious loss to you, as there is no one here to advocate your interests, especially since poor Mr. Deaker’s infirmities (would that they were all only of the body!) have caused him to attend the grand jury less frequently.  Many arrangements might be advantageously made, by which your lordship would indirectly benefit;—­that is, the money, so to speak, might be made to go into one pocket, in order that it should be transferred to yours.  Then you have not; a magistrate in your estates devoted to your special interests, as you ought to have; this is a very necessary thing, my Lord, and to which I humbly endeavor to direct your attention.  Again, my Lord, you have no magistrate of true Protestant and Ascendancy principles, who from time to time, might manifest to the government that you did not forget their interests no more than your own.  Now, my Lord, what man can be, or is better qualified to serve your Lordship in all these capacities than that staunch and unflinching Protestant, Mr. Val M’Clutchy?  In what individual could the commission of the peace more appropriately or worthily rest than in your own agent?  I therefore beg your lordship to turn this in your mind, and if advised by one so humble, I would suggest the trial of a short prayer previous to entering on it.  Should you exert your influence for that purpose with the government, the gracious, I trust I may call it so—­appointment—­would be immediately made, and I think I know the grateful disposition of Mr. M’Clutchy sufficiently well to assure your lordship, that from a thorough Christian sense of your kindness, the two thousand pounds will be, on that condition, placed in your lordship’s hands.

“I have the honor to be, my Lord,
“Solomon M’Slime.

“P.S.  Mr. M’Clutchy is ignorant that a suggestion so well calculated to advance the best interests of general religion, has been graciously intimated to one so unworthy as I am.”

Lord Cumber to Solomon M’Slime, Esq:—­

“It is done—­a bargain—­I have arranged the business here with the secretary, and am obliged to you, my sleek little saint, for suggesting it; I wonder M’Clutchy himself did not think of it.  I feel glad the old leases have dropped, for I am sure, that between you and him, you will take out of these farms all that can be taken.  Of course M’Clutchy and you are at liberty to revive anything you like, provided it be done properly.  What is it to me, who never go there?  I do believe Hickman was not merely an easy fellow, but a fool; as to glove-money—­ Healing-money—­duty-fowls—­and duty-work—­I tell you again, provided you increase my remittances, and work the cash out of these fellows, you may insist upon as many of them as you can get.

“Yours,

“CUMBER.

“P.S.—­What, my little saint, did you mean by that charitable blunder, concerning the widow, in your last letter?  I never knew before that a woman was a widow merely because her husband was transported, as he ought to be, for sheep stealing, or because he happened to live, by compulsion, in another country.  However, no matter; give her, for me, whatever you think proper, and add it to your bill of costs, as you will do.