Persuasion
Mr. John Shepherd
Sir Walter’s agent
The family’s attorney, who arranges to let Kellynch Hall and knows how to handle Sir Walter.
Mr. Shepherd is Sir Walter’s agent and attorney, and he looks after Kellynch’s affairs. He is diplomatic, practical and careful to flatter his employer.
He is also the father of Mrs. Clay, a connection that matters later in the Bath chapters. He knows his employer’s weak points and works around them with soft words. He wants to keep the Elliots’ business and not to offend them. He is the sort of man who makes difficult news sound like a favor.
“The peace will bring many wealthy naval gentlemen ashore, Sir Walter. They make most liberal and respectable tenants.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
In the opening scenes Shepherd reminds Sir Walter that the debts are pressing and that retrenchment cannot be put off. He suggests the navy as a source of liberal and respectable tenants.
He helps arrange the lease to Admiral Croft, after which Sir Walter moves to Bath. He is a minor figure afterward, but his daughter’s role in Bath makes his early scenes worth remembering.
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