68 



The principle of credulity has its ufe, in the conduft of life, as I 

 have already obferved ; it is implanted in man, as the motive of aftion, 

 by the wife author of his nature ; but it is the province of reafon, to 

 regulate this principle, and guard us againll the abufe and excefs of a 

 propenfity, which is fo liable to both, although, under due control, and 

 in a moderate degree, it is ufeful and falutary. As reafon and mora- 

 lity ought to hold the paffions in proper fubje£lion, though they are 

 infufed into our compofition for the bed purpofes ; fo, good fenfe and 

 virtue require, that we ftiould fludy and fortify the mind, with a ge- 

 neral diffidence, againft all popular rumours. We fhould confider, that 

 they feldom include in themfelves any intrinfic evidence, to guide us in 

 our affent or diffent ; and that, in order, to eftimate the degree of cre- 

 dit they deferve, we mull refort to collateral and extraneous circum- 

 ftances. I am far from prefuming, to attempt a compleat enumeration 

 of fuch circumftances, but the following reflexions may have their ufe. 



When popular rumour fpreads abroad ; it flrould be our care, to 

 trace each report to the fountain head, if we foberly and fiiiccrcly wifli, 

 to be furnilhed with fuch data, as may enable us to form a found 

 and folid judgment, refpefring the degree of credit, to which it is en- 

 titled. Thus fliall we be enabled to difcover and eftimate the character 

 of the reporter. Thus we may difcern the paffions, prejudices, views 

 of things, the temper of mind, whether fanguine and credulous, or dif- 

 truftful, and the connexions, by which he is fwayed, and adtuated ; and 

 learn to appreciate his motives. If the rumour is calculated to advance 

 the interefts, or promote the views of the reporter, it is more than 

 probable that he is a deceiver. If the event reported is fuch as confpires 

 ■with his hopes and wilhes, it is likely that he is deceived. 



There is an obvious ground, for cautious diffidence and diftruft, when 

 we perceive, that the individuals or the party, from whom a popular 

 .report or rumour is found to proceed, have a manifeft interefl, which 

 may be ferved, a palpable objeft, which may be promoted, its circula- 

 lation, and free reception ; as if, for inftance, a rumour emanating from 

 a ruling party in a ftate, fliould be calculated, to throw a luftre of po- 

 pularity 



