PRIESTS, POLITICS, AND THE POPE SIR,-1 must thank Mr. Gedge
for his explana- tion. " The Roman hierachy," he tells us, Means " the French Bishops." And he settles the black cap yet more firmly on his head as he sentences them for hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy is an ugly word for an unattrac- tive vice, and I deplored Mr. Gedge's use of it for three reasons. First, severe moral judgments, unless they are based on a most exact knowledge of the persons and circum- stances involved, are undesirable. Secondly, it is normally better to criticise the lack of information or intelligence of an opponent: by all means call him an ass, but do not call him a rogue. Thirdly, a charge of hypocrisy seems to me to be poor tactics. The virtuous will sustain it with equanimity and the hypo- crite after his kind. Neither is likely to listen subsequently with attention. But to call another man, with all courtesy, an ass is in itself a friendly gesture. For it appeals, by implication, to a kinship in the common asininity of the sons of Adam.—Yours faithfully,
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