One day, when Hardcastle was laying down the law upon several subjects in his usual dictatorial manner, telling us how he managed his people, and what order he kept them in, I was determined that M’Leod should not enjoy the security of his silence, and I urged him to give us his general opinion, as to the means of improving the poor people in Ireland. “I doubt,” said M’Leod, “whether any thing effectual can be done till they have a better education.” “Education!--Pshaw!--There it is now--these book-men,” cried Hardcastle: “Why, my dear sir, can any man alive, who knows this country, doubt that the common people have already too much education, as it is called--a vast deal too much? Too many of them know how to read, and write, and cipher, which I presume is all you mean by education.” “Not entirely,” said M’Leod; “a good education comprehends something more.” “The more the worse,” interrupted Hardcastle. “The more they know, the worse they are, sir, depend on that; I know the people of this country, sir; I have _a good right_ to know them, sir, being born amongst them, and bred amongst them; so I think I may speak with some confidence on these matters. And I give it as my decided humble opinion, founded on irrefragable experience, which is what I always build upon, that the way to ruin the poor of Ireland would be to educate them, sir. Look at the poor scholars, as they call themselves; and what are they? a parcel of young vagabonds in rags, with a book under their arm instead of a spade or a shovel, sir. And what comes of this? that they grow up the worst-disposed, and the most troublesome seditiousrascals in the community. I allow none of them about New-town-Hardcastle--none--banished them all. Useless vagrants--hornets, vipers, sir: and show me a quieter, better-managed set of people than I have made of mine. I go upon experience, sir; and that’s the only thing to go upon; and I’ll go no farther than New-town-Hardcastle: if that won’t bring conviction home to you, nothing will.” “I never was at New-town-Hardcastle,” said M’Leod, drily.