I did not however adopt ſo grievous an Accuſation. What Reaſon ſoever I may have to be convinc'd of the great Depravity of Mankind, I yet was never ſo Credulous with regard to Crimes. I have combated, and that efficaciouſly, more than one Calumny; and am even the only Man who dar'd to juſtify the Memory of Count Piper, by Arguments, at the Time that all Europe ſlander'd him by Conjectures.
Inſtead therefore of following the Account which had been communicated to me, I contented myſelf with relating, That it was reported, ſome Hamburghers had given a Sum of Money ſecretly to Count Steinbok. This Report became univerſal, and was founded on Appearances. An Hiſtorian is allow'd to inſert Reports, as well as Facts, and when he publishes a general Report, an Opinion, merely as an Opinion, and not as Truth, he is neither reſponſible for it, nor ought to be accus'd in any manner for ſo doing. But when he is inform'd that this popular Opinion is falſe and ſlanderous, 'tis
