ool and an English college, he felt, or affected to feel, all the
fashionable prejudices of the day and of his class against his native
country. He was an absentee from both pride and inclination, and it is
not surprising then that he knew but little of Ireland, and that little
was strongly to its disadvantage.

Another brother there was, whose unpretending character requires little
else than merely that he should be named. The honorable Alexander
Topertoe, who was also educated in England, from the moment his father
stained what he conceived to be the honor of their family by receiving a
title and twenty thousand pounds, as a bribe for his three votes against
a native parliament--hung his head in mortification and shame, and
having experienced at all times little else than neglect from his father
and brother, he hurried soon afterwards to the continent with a heavy
heart and a light purse, where for the present we must leave him.

CHAPTER II.--Birth and Origin of Mr. M'Clutchy

Christian Forgiveness--Mr. Hickman, the Head Agent--Darby O'Drive, the
Bailiff--And an Instructive Dialogue.

Time, which passes with a slow but certain pace, had already crept twice
around his yearly circle since the fair already described in the town
of Castle Cumber. The lapse of three years, however, had made no change
whatsoever in the heart or principles of Mr. Valentine M'Clutchy,
although he had on his external manner and bearing. He now assumed more
of the gentleman, and endeavored to impress himself upon those who came
in contact with him, as a person of great authority and importance.
One morning after the period just mentioned had! elapsed, he and his
graceful son, "Mister Phil," were sitting in the parlor of Constitution
Cottage, for so they were pleased to designate a house which had no
pretension whatever to that unpretending appellation.

"So father," said Phil, "you don't forget that such was the treatment
M'Loughlin gave you!"

"Why, I remember it, Phil; but you know, Phil, I'm a patient and a
forgiving man notwithstanding; you know that Phil;--ha, ha, ha!"

"That was certainly the worst case came across us yet," replied the son,
"none of the rest ventured to go so far, even when you had less power
than you have now."

"I didn't tell you all, Phil," continued the father, following up the
same train of thought.

"And why not," said Phil, "why should you conceal anything from me?"

"Because," replied the other,