An Essay on the Character and Conduct of His Excellency Lord Visc. Townshend Lord Lieutenant General, and General Governor of Ireland, &c.&c.&c. ([Dublin], 1771)

IT has been observed long ago that to be reproached and defamed is a tax that every man must pay, for being eminent, eminence of whatever kind naturally produces envy, and envy without any opposition of interest, without any prospect of advantage, except the gratification of its own malignity, is always busy in the persecution of its object: But the same merit that excites envy to defamation, naturally renders it difficult, by securing the testimony of truth in its favour, envy therefore of necessity must have recourse to falshood, and before she can impute faults must make them; what then is to be expected when great qualities are found in / a high station? When besides the personal merit which provokes envy, there is a public character which alarms faction, and a public spirit which disappoints self-interest: We must then expect that every principle of opposition and malignity will unite in a common cause, and propagate every calumny to which cunning can for a moment give the colour of truth.