78 



ftitution of human nature, and focial inftitutions ; appears fo fuddenly 

 and unexpcftedly ; and produces fuch mighty effefts. The principle, in 

 itfelf, and within due bounds, is not only falutary, but abfolutely necef- 

 fary to human aftion : it is only requifite, to guard againll the immo- 

 derate redundancy. — Shall we reftrain or annihilate the freedom of the 

 prefs ? — Shall we prevent the abufe of popular credulity, by impeding 

 and interrupting the intcrcourfe of the people ; and by the feverity of 

 a (late inquifition ? — Such are the vifionary attempts, to counteract what 

 is infeparably inherent in human nature ! Yet vifionary as they are, 

 how generally have they been adopted, with one confent, by the rudeft» 

 and moft enlightened nations ! 



Ct^far relates, that the ancient Gauls prohibited the Ipreading of news, 

 of any kind, which had not firfl: been communicated to the magiftrate.* 

 " Habent legibus fanftum, fi quis quid de republica a finitimis rumore 

 " aut fama acceperit, uti ad magiftratum deferat, neve cum alio com- 

 " municet ; quod f^pe homines temerarios atque imperitos falfis rumor- 

 *' ibus terreri, et ad facinus impelli, et de fummis rebus confilium capere 

 " cognitum eft." The defcendants of thofe ancient Gauls, down to the 

 prefent day, feem to have entertained the fame notions rcfpefting the power 

 of popular rumour, and the mode of preventing the abufe of popular 

 credulity. It were eafy to dilate on this topic, were the prefent time 

 and place, proper for the purpofe. 



The Icgiflature of Britain early turned its attention to the fame fub- 

 jeft ; and has, at different times, interpofed, with various ftatutes, to 

 check the progrefs of delufion, and to prevent or punifli the abufe of 

 public credulity. " The fpreading falfe news, to make difcord between 

 " the king and nobility, or concerning any great man of the realm," 

 was punilhable, even at common law, by fine and imprifonment ; and 

 this law was confirmed by the ftatute of Wefiminjier, as it is called,! 

 and afterwards by two different ftatutes of Richard the Second. | It ap- 

 pears, 



» De Bello Gallico, Lib. 6. Cap. 19. 



■\ I ft Edward 3d, Cap. 34. % 3 Rich. 2d. St. i. Cap. 5. 12 Rich. 2d, Cap. n. 



