The family lawyer performs part, the estate steward performs part, and the landlord himself performs part;--as to small estates, by far the greater part.
In Ireland, let the estate be ever so small--eight hundred a year we will say--all the working of the property is managed by the agent.

It is he who knows the tenants, and the limits of their holdings; it is he who arranges leases, and allows--or much more generally does not allow--for improvements.

He takes the rent, and gives the order for the ejection of tenants if he cannot get it.
I am far from saying that it would not be well that much of this should be done by the landlord himself;--that all of it should be so done on a small property.

But it is done by agents; and, as a rule is, I think, done honestly.
Mr.Somers was agent to the Castle Richmond property, and as he took to himself as such five per cent.

on all rents paid, and as he was agent also to sundry other small properties in the neighbourhood, he succeeded in making a very snug income.