SOURCE: "On His Writings," in The Opinions of William Cobbett by William Cobbett, edited by G. D. H. Cole and Margaret Cole, The Cobbett Publishing Co. Ltd., 1944, pp. 42-3.

In the following excerpt from an essay originally published in 1829, Cobbett expresses contempt for critics while stating the intent of his own writing.

As to merit, as an author or writer, I have always despised what is generally called criticism. I know well that those who carry on the trade of critics are a base and hireling crew; more corrupt, perhaps, than any other set of beings in the world. The only critics that I look to are the public; and my mode of estimating a writing, is by the effect which it produces. If there be two writings, having the accomplishment of the same object in view, that writing which soonest and most completely accomplishes its objects, is...