No man possessed the art of combining several motives, under the simple guise of one act, with greater skill than M'Clutchy.

For instance, he had an opportunity of removing from the estate as many as possible of those whom he could not reckon on for political support.

Thus would he, in the least suspicious manner, and in the very act of loyalty, occasion that quantity of disturbance just necessary to corroborate his representations to government--free property from disaffected persons, whose consciences were proof against both his threats and promises--and prove to the world that Valentine M'Clutchy was the man to suppress disturbance, punish offenders, maintain peace, and, in short, exhibit precisely that loyal and truly Protestant spirit which the times required, and which, in the end, generally contrived to bring its own reward along with it.
One evening, about this period, our worthy agent was sitting in his back parlor, enjoying with Phil the comforts of a warm tumbler of punch, when the old knock already described was heard at the hall door.
"How the devil does that rascal contrive to give such a knock ?" said Phil--"upon my honor and reputation, father, I could know it out of a thousand." "It's very difficult to say," replied the other; "but I agree with you in its character--and yet, I am convinced that Master Darby by no means entertains the terror of me which he affects.

However, be this as it may, he is invaluable for his attachment to our interests, and the trust which we can repose in him.

I intend to make him a sergeant in our new corps--and talking of that, Phil, you are not aware that I received this morning a letter from Lord Cumber, in which he thanks me for the hint, and says he will do everything in his power to forward the business.