earl to
the squireen. They have been taught little that is suitable to their
stations and duties in life, either as tenants who cultivate our lands,
or as members of moral or Christian society."

"Well, well: I believe what you say is too true. But touching the
records of virtue in human life, pray who would record it when nothing
goes down now-a-days but what is either monstrous or fashionable?"

"Very true, Colonel; yet in my humble opinion, a virtuous Irish peasant
is far from being so low a character as a profligate man of rank."

"Well, well, well! Come, O'Brien, we will drop the subject. In the
meantime, touching this boy, as I said, he must be looked to, for he has
that in him which ought not to be neglected. We shall now see that this
d--d pedagogue be punished for his cruelty." The worthy Colonel in a
short time dismissed poor Jemmy with an exulting heart; but not until
he had placed a sufficient sum in the Curate's hands for enabling him to
make a respectable appearance. Medical advice was also procured for him,
by which he sooner overcame the effects of his master's brutality.

On their way home Jemmy related to his friend the conversation which he
had had with his Bishop in the shed, and the kind interest which that
gentleman had taken in his situation and prospects. Mr. O'Brien told him
that the Bishop was an excellent man, possessing much discrimination
and benevolence; "and so," said he, "is the Protestant clergyman who
accompanied him. They have both gone among the people during this heavy
visitation of disease and famine, administering advice and assistance;
restraining them from those excesses which they sometimes commit, when,
driven by hunger, they attack provision-carts, bakers' shops, or the
houses of farmers who are known to possess a stock of meal or potatoes.
God knows, it is an excusable kind of robbery; yet it is right to
restrain them."

"It is a pleasant thing, sir, to see clergymen of every religion working
together to make the people happy."

"It is certainly so," replied the curate; "and I am bound to say, in
justice to the Protestant clergy, that there is no class of men in
Ireland, James, who do so much good without distinction of creed or
party. They are generally kind and charitable to the poor; so are their
wives and daughters. I have often known them to cheer the sick-bed--to
assist the widow and the orphan--to advise and admonish the profligate,
and, in some instances, even t