the avowed object of the people to drive the remaining resident
gentry from the country. I do not think the hatred is between
Protestant and Catholic, but between landlord and tenant. I should
say, between tenant and landlord. The landlords are the greatest
sufferers. Observe, what I have said applies only to the south. The
north is in good condition. The neighborhood of Scotland and
imported grafted habits of industry have made that part of Ireland
almost Scotch. Our tenantry pay comparatively well.

She proceeded to show, however, that they were all at least a year
behind-hand with their rent, and that Lovell let them pay just when they
liked, not insisting upon a rent-day.

In the spring of 1823 Miss Edgeworth and her sisters, Sophy and Harriet,
paid some visits in Scotland. At Edinburgh they settled into lodgings
near their friends, the Alisons; but the very first evening was spent
with Scott, who desired that they should hear some Highland boat-songs
at his house. Of this introduction to Scott, and the first evening spent
with him, Miss Edgeworth penned a most vivid account.

The next day Scott insisted on showing them the sights of Edinburgh,
about whose beauties he was enthusiastic.

His conversation all the time better than anything we could see,
full of apropos anecdote, historic, serious or comic, just as
occasion called for it, and all with a _bonhommie_ and an ease that
made us forget it was any trouble even to his lameness to mount
flights of eternal stairs.

Indeed, Scott almost took forcible possession of the Misses Edgeworth,
so anxious was he to show honor to the author whom he regarded as the
most distinguished of contemporary novelists.

How Walter Scott can find time to write all he writes, I cannot
conceive. He appears to have nothing to think of but to be amusing,
and he never tires, though he is so entertaining. He far surpasses
my expectations.

Their delight in each other's society was mutual. Scott wrote to a
friend at the time:--

I have very little news to send you. Miss Edgeworth is at present
the great lioness of Edinburgh, and a very nice lioness. She is
full of fun and spirit; a little slight figure, very active in her
motions, very good-humored and full of enthusiasm.

Many of the "Northern Lights" were absent at the time of Miss
Edgeworth's visit, but she made the acquaint