cious breed.
I myself was perhaps a little guilty in this matter, in busying
myself to find a living in America for the worthy Hagan, husband of my
kinswoman,--at least was guilty in so far as this, that as we could get
him no employment in England, we were glad to ship him to Virginia, and
give him a colonial pulpit-cushion to thump. He demeaned himself there
as a brave honest gentleman, to be sure; he did his duty thoroughly by
his congregation, and his king too; and in so far did credit to my
small patronage. Madam Theo used to urge this when I confided to her my
scruples of conscience on this subject, and show, as her custom was and
is, that my conduct in this, as in all other matters, was dictated by
the highest principle of morality and honour. But would I have given
Hagan our living at home, and selected him and his wife to minister
to our parish? I fear not. I never had a doubt of our cousin's sincere
repentance; but I think I was secretly glad when she went to work it out
in the wilderness. And I say this, acknowledging my pride and my error.
Twice, when I wanted them most, this kind Maria aided me with her
sympathy and friendship. She bore her own distresses courageously, and
soothed those of others with admirable affection and devotion. And yet
I, and some of mine (not Theo), would look down upon her. Oh, for shame,
for shame on our pride!

My poor Lady Maria was not the only one of our family who was to be
sent out of the way to American wildernesses. Having borrowed, stolen,
cheated at home, until he could cheat, borrow, and steal no more, the
Honourable William Esmond, Esquire, was accommodated with a place at New
York; and his noble brother and royal master heartily desired that they
might see him no more. When the troubles began, we heard of the fellow
and his doings in his new habitation. Lies and mischief were his
avant-couriers wherever he travelled. My Lord Dunmore informed me that
Mr. Will declared publicly, that our estate of Castlewood was only ours
during his brother's pleasure; that his father, out of consideration for
Madam Esmond, his lordship's half-sister, had given her the place for
life, and that he, William, was in negotiation with his brother, the
present Lord Castlewood, for the purchase of the reversion of the
estate! We had the deed of gift in our strongroom at Castlewood, and it
was furthermore registered in due form at Williamsburg; so that we were
easy on that score. But the intent