le; that is, the widow by death, and the widow by local
separation from her husband. Indeed the latter is a class that requires
as much sustainment and comfort as the other--being as they are, more
numerous, and suffering all the privations of widowhood, poor things,
except its reality. The expression, my Lord, is figurative, and taken
from the agricultural occupation of ploughing; for whenever one animal
is unyoked for any other purpose, such as travelling a journey or the
like, the other is forthwith turned into some park or grassy paddock,
and indeed generally enjoys more comfortable times than if still with
the yoke-fellow; for which reason the return of the latter is seldom
very earnestly desired by the other. I am happy to tell you, my Lord,
that some very refreshing revivals in the religious world have recently
occurred here, such as I trust will cause true religion to spread and be
honored in the land; but on the other hand, I fear that Satan is at work
among many evil designing persons on your Lordship's inheritance in this
our neighborhood. Of this, however, that good and conscientious man
Mr. M'Clutchy, will, I doubt not, give you all proper information and
advice.

"I have the honor to be, my Lord with profound humility,
"Your Lordship's unworthy servant,
"Solomon M'Slime."

Valentine M'Clutchy, Esq., J. P., to Lord Cumber:--

"My Lord:

"In point of fact, nothing could be more beneficial to your property,
than my very seasonable appointment to the commission of the peace. It
has extended my powers of working for your advantage, and armed me with
authority that will be found very necessary in repressing outrages and
disturbances when they occur; and I regret to say, that they are likely
to occur much too frequently. I should be sorry to doubt Mr. Hickman's
candor, but in spite of all my charity, I can scarcely avoid thinking
that he did not treat your Lordship with that openness of purpose and
confidence to which every landlord is entitled. Of course, I say this
with great pain, and rather between ourselves, as it were; for heaven
forbid, that a single syllable should escape either my tongue or pen,
that might injure that gentleman's character. The path of duty, however,
is often a stern one, as I find it to be on the present occasion. The
truth, then, is, that I fear Mr. Hickman must have kept the disturbed
state of your tenantry from your Lordship's knowledge, owing probably to
a reluctance in expos