his agent; in the third, influence of strong party feeling--leaning too
heavily on one class, and sparing or indulging the other; and perhaps,
what is worse than all, and may be considered the _fons et origo
malorum_, the absence of any principle possessing shape or form, or that
can be recognized as a salutary duty on the part of the landlord.
This is the great want and the great evil. There should be a distinct
principle to guide, to stimulate, and when necessary to restrain
him; such a principle as would prevent him from managing his property
according to the influence of his passions, his prejudices, or his
necessities."

"That is very true," said Mr. Clement, "and there is another duty which
a landlord owes to those who reside upon his property, but one which
unfortunately is not recognized as such; I mean a moral duty. In
my opinion a landlord should be an example of moral propriety and
moderation to his tenantry, so as that the influence of his conduct
might make a salutary impression upon their lives and principles.
At present the landed Proprietary of Ireland find in the country no
tribunal by which they are to be judged; a fact which gives them the
full possession of unlimited authority; and we all know that the absence
of responsibility is a great incentive to crime. No man in a free
country should be invested with arbitrary power; and yet, it is
undeniable that an Irish landlord can exercise it whenever he pleases."

"Then what would you do," said Easel; "where is your remedy?"

"Let there be protective laws enacted, which will secure the tenant from
the oppression and injustice of the landlord. Let him not lie, as he
does, at the mercy of his caprices, passions, or prejudices."

"In other words," said Harman, "set the wolves to form protective
enactments for the sheep. I fear, my good sir, that such a scheme
is much too Utopian for any practically beneficial purpose. In the
meantime, if it can be done, let it. No legislation, however, will
be able, in my mind, to bind so powerful a class as the landlords of
Ireland are, unless a strong and sturdy public opinion is created in the
country."

"But how is this to be done?" asked Easel.

"It is to be done by educating the people; by teaching them their proper
value in society; by instructing them in their moral and civil duties.
Let them not labor under that humiliating and slavish error, that the
landlord is everything, and themselves nothing; but let th