Above all, never listen to anything that may be urged in his defence. Never attach the slightest importance to such arguments as these:—
He is the best of patriots, because he raises a sinking revenue.
He is the best of friends, for he impels all whom he addresses to do good to the state at a slight cost to themselves.
He is the most loyal of men, for he cannot bear to part with his Queen's likeness, even upon a penny-piece.
He is a gentleman, and never has vulgar halfpence within reach.
He is kind to street-beggars, and gives away the penny in charity before he can get to the post-office.
He is well read in ancient literature, and knows that those who pay beforehand are the worst of paymasters.
He is delicate-minded, and feels that a pre-paid letter implies a supposition that the receiver would care about the postage.
His house is open to his acquaintances, who write so many notes there that he never has a stamp to use.