This is a _carte blanche_ to the agent to trample
upon them if he pleases. In the next place, Irish landlords too
frequently employ ignorant and needy men to manage their estates; men
who have no character, no property, or standing in society, beyond the
reputation of being keen shrewd, and active. These persons, sir, make
fortunes; and what means can they have of accumulating wealth, except by
cheating either the landlord or his tenants, or both? A history of
their conduct would be a black catalogue of dishonesty, oppression, and
treachery. Respectable men, resident on or-near the estate, possessing
both character and property, should always be selected for this
important trust. But, above all things, the curse of a tenantry is
a percentage agent. He racks, and drives, and oppresses, without
consideration either of market or produce, in order that his receipts
may be ample, and his own income large."
"Why, O'Brien, you appear to be better acquainted with all this sort of
thing than I, who am a landed proprietor."
"By the by, sir, without meaning you any disrespect, it is the landlords
of Ireland who know least about the great mass of its inhabitants; and
I might also add, about its history, its literature, the manners of the
people, their customs, and their prejudices. The peasantry know this,
and too often practise upon their ignorance. There is a landlord's _Vade
mecum_ sadly wanted in Ireland, Colonel."
"Ah! very good, O'Brien, very good! Well, I shall certainly inquire into
this case, and if I find that Yellow Ham has been playing the oppressor,
out he goes.
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