Page:Letters of Junius, volume 2 (Woodfall, 1772).djvu/207

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13. July 1771.
 * SIR,

ARCE, comedy, and tragedy,——Wilkes, Foote and Junius,—united at the same time against one poor Parson, are fearful odds. The two former are only labouring in their vocation, and may equally plead, in excuse, that their aim is a livelihood. I admit the plea for the second; his is an honest calling, and my clothes were lawful game; but I cannot so readily approve Mr. Wilkes, or commend him for making patriotism a trade, and a fraudulent trade. But what shall I say to Junius? the grave, the solemn, the didactic! Ridicule, indeed, has been ridiculously called the test of truth; but surely, to confess that you lose your natural moderation when mention is made of the man, does not promise much truth or justice when you speak of him yourself.