The Virginia Gazette

To the PRINTER.

Very seldom dabble in politicks but now really cannot help laughing at the many ridiculous attempts of the letter writers to calumniate the character of one of the greatest men that England has had the honour to boast of for many years, I mean Mr. Pitt; but the more they write, and the more they say, only serves to be an additional advancement to his height of glory, like a dart struck against a wall only recoils upon the shooter's head; it puts me in mind of dogs barking at the moon, or the owl taking the eagle's flight against the meridian sun. I shall not endeavour, like other writers, to apologize for what I say; truth does not need it; it is not words only, but actions, that makes a man truly great. A good General, in the day of battle, has his eye intent upon the whole army, that every part of it may suffer as little as possible. Mr. Pitt, like a great statesman, at a distance views the impending storm, and, too sensible of its consequences, has sagacity and penetration sufficient to stop it in its progress, before it overwhelms us; he feels too sensibly the distress of his fellow subjects, and instead of carrying fire and sword, and destroying them root and branch, he pleads for their misfortunes, is for feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked; but the venal and low minded wretches are pleased to give this the term of popularity. Envy always follows merit, like its shadow. Addison's Cato says, True fortitude is seen in great exploits that wisdom warrants, and that reason guides, all else is towering phrenzy and distraction.

HONESTUS.