_Here_ then there is a fair _set-off_ which squares accounts; but I come now to the _people_, who bold the same relation, in every country, with the land which they inhabit that the kernel of a nut bears to the shell; and here I unhesitatingly declare my preference for the Irish character beyond any specimens which I have as yet met with in English society, provided always that you suppose me to compare people of education with each other. If you _descend_ in the scale, the balance is greatly in favour of the English, whose trading and yeomen classes exhibit patterns which I wish my countrymen would copy; but in the extreme of the series we Hibernians hold up our heads again, and though our peasants may be, and alas are, more meanly fed, clothed, and lodged, than the sleek sons of Albion, there is a union of heart and intelligence to be found in every Kerry cabin, of which I would not give up one little grain, for all the artificial benefits in the power of bacon and beans to confer upon these votaries of good cheer. Certainly, one half at least of every Englishman amongst the lower orders must be _stomach_, and if so, a stranger need not be surprised at the unceasing anxiety expressed to provide for the due support of such extensive capacity; but there is more room for the exercise of our affections, where the mere animal range of the human economy is not the Aaron’s rod that swallows up all the rest. The eating and drinking _here_ are quite astonishing to one accustomed to our aërial diet; and I have no doubt that an English _mind_ is subdued by weight of matter, as effectually as fire is smothered by the pressure of wet sods. There is something so beneath the dignity of human kind, when compared with the inferior creation, in submitting thus entirely to _animal_ control, and being only the thing which a full or scanty meal may determine, that, much as I desire to behold some amelioration of my dear Paddy’s lot, I hope I shall never live to see his bright imagination quenched in ale, nor his light heels fettered by the leaden influence of over-feeding on beef and pork. But to return to Marsden (which, though sold from the caprice of its former possessor for £50,000, is said to be worth double that sum), it seems to me a fit residence for a prince. We have a splendid house, magnificent grounds, hot-houses, conservatories, and all the long line of fine and handsome appendages to rank and fortune, for which I have made the discovery, that I possess no taste, unless upon the quiet scale of Glenalta, where, by the bye, we have just as good and as pretty things in the fruit and flower way as any situation can boast. The views from Marsden are superb, and on a clear day command an immense extent.