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racter, and beloved by everybody, has found out 
how he has been used, and is dispersing the true 
story all over Europe. My idea of the rivalship 
between these two men proves exactly true ; indeed 
I knew it could not be otherwise. Spallanzani is 
in but little credit among real philosophers, who 
examine for themselves; for many of his experi- 
ments are found false, and he is considered as a 
mere random theorist. 
I am, dear Sir, yours, 
J. E. Smit. 
of the celebrated fracas which happened at Pavia not long since, 
relative to some articles missing in the public museum. Nothing 
is more painful than to find blemishes in a distinguished charac- 
ter; nor should I mention the matter at all, but for the purpose 
of justifying the innocent. All the above-mentioned professors 
were unanimous in their account. The government was also well 
informed of the truth, and the emperor Joseph II. took care to 
have his sentiments known. But, unwilling to lose a person 
whose scientific abilities were of importance to the university, the 
accusers were somewhat harshly condemned to silence. Poor 
Scopoli, one of the most concerned in the business, died of grief 
the following year; and his only justification was a printed circu- 
lar letter, sent to the principal literati of Europe, in which the 
real cause of his death was mentioned, and which authority itself 
did not suppress. May my honest though feeble endeavours help 
to revive his blasted laurels, and protect a name which ought to 
be dear to every good man, and doubly so to every naturalist ! 
It is the privilege of an Englishman, thank Heaven! safely to 
assert the cause of justice whether in his own case or that of 
another; a privilege which, under even a mild and beneficent 
sovereign, cannot, we find, be always obtained in an unlimited go- 
vernment. May happy Britain long most jealously watch and 
preserve this inestimable blessing! May she be cautious, too, of 
