If he is insulted, and complain, he is told to wait until he is cool; and when that period arrives, he is then told he is too late.

If his remonstrance relates to the alteration of laws which are never referred to, or only known by their repeated breach, he is told that any alteration is useless; it is perfectly well known that they are never adhered to.

If it relate to the impolicy of any regulations attaching to an office, he is immediately answered, that that is a personal question, in which it is impossible to interfere--the officer, it seems, is considered to have not merely a vested right to the continuance of every abuse, but an interest in transmitting it unimpaired to his successors.
In the same spirit I have heard errors of calculation or observation defended.

If small errors occur, it is said that they are too trifling to be of any importance.

If larger errors are pointed out, it is immediately contended that they can deceive nobody, because of their magnitude.