But it is not enough for our purpose to show that the tenantry are averse to have improvements thrust upon them--it is necessary that we should exhibit their conduct towards those who have endeavoured to improve their condition, or to set them examples by following which they would be sure to profit; and above all we wish to place before the public, in its true light, the behaviour of the labouring classes which has called forth so fully the approbation of the Devon Commissioners, and to prove that it is principally the misconduct of those very men which tends to their own disadvantage, and to the ruin of their country; and again we have recourse to the _Blue-Book_. Mr Quin, whose good conduct as a landlord was borne testimony to by his neighbours, and _approved of after a public investigation by Lord Ebrington_, wished to occupy some of his own lands to build a mansion, and give employment to the people; _he determined not to turn off a single man, and this he told them personally_. To provide for those he must dispossess of their present holdings, he purchased the good-will of another part of his own property, sold by the executors of a deceased tenant, where he purposed to locate them, and there he sent his steward (Mr Powell) down to commence improvements. The wretched man was murdered in the arms of his daughter, and the first who struck him was a monster he was forbidden to employ, but to whom he had given work from compassion. "I saw the man," said he to his master in explanation of his conduct, "living in such a wretched hovel; I had pity on him, and could not help employing him." An anonymous letter, written to the unhappy victim previous to his murder, and warning him of his fate, is characteristic of the cool barbarity with which _those "patient people"_ undertake a murder--of the sordid calculations which retard or accelerate its commission--and of the gratitude which they evince to those who, following the recommendation of the Commissioners, "endeavour to introduce an improved system of agriculture, and thereby extend the employment of the agricultural population:"-- "Honoured Sir,--I take the liberty on myself in sending you these few lines, informing your honour that you and Mr Quin, Esq., is to be shot the first opportunity, _and if you had paid the men that worked at the drain when it was done, you were killed long ago_. Now they have sat on it, there are some of them that would wish to have it done at where you live at present.... They have made a collection, and the man that kills you will go to America... They have heard that you are one of the skilfullest men in Ireland for planting and making drains; and they are saying _that if they had you killed, he (Mr Quin) would never come to the country_. If you don't take my advice, your daughter will cry salt tears. And be God you will be killed."