The true cause of his drawing so shocking a picture is no more
than this, and it ought rather to claim our pity than excite our
indignation;--he finds himself out of power; and this condition is
intolerable to him. The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates
the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition. It is
something that rays out of darkness, and inspires nothing but gloom
and melancholy. Men in this deplorable state of mind find a comfort in
spreading the contagion of their spleen. They find an advantage too; for
it is a general popular error to imagine the loudest complainers for
the public to be the most anxious for its welfare. If such persons can
answer the ends of relief and profit to themselves, they are apt to be
careless enough about either the means or the consequences.