not, in
the strict sense of the word, hesitate; but he was prompted to make some apology
for what he was doing.
    »You seem never to have heard of this memorable transaction; and indeed that
is little to be wondered at, since the good nature of the world is interested in
suppressing it, and it is deemed a disgrace to a man to have defended himself
from a criminal imputation, though with circumstances the most satisfactory and
honourable. It may be supposed that this suppression is particularly acceptable
to Mr. Falkland; and I should not have acted in contradiction to his modes of
thinking in communicating the story to you, had there not been circumstances of
peculiar urgency that seemed to render the communication desirable.« Saying
this, he proceeded to read from the paper in his hand.
 
        »Gentlemen,
 
            I stand here accused of a crime the most black that any human
        creature is capable of perpetrating. I am innocent. I have no fear that
        I shall fail to make every person in this company acknowledge my
        innocence. In the mean time what must be my feelings? Conscious as I am
        of deserving approbation and not censure, of having passed my life in
        acts of justice and philanthropy, can any thing be more deplorable than
        for me to answer a charge of murder? So wretched is my situation, that I
        cannot accept your gratuitous acquittal, if you should be disposed to
        bestow it. I must answer to an imputation, the very thought of which is
        ten thousand times worse to me than death. I must exert the whole energy
        of my mind to prevent my being ranked with the vilest of men.
            Gentlemen, this is a situation in which a man may be allowed to
        boast. Accursed situation! No man need envy me the vile and polluted
        triumph I am now to gain! I have called no witnesses to my character.
        Great God! what sort of a character is that which must be supported by
        witnesses? But, if I must speak, look round the company, ask of every
        one present, enquire of your own hearts! Not one word of reproach was
        ever whispered against me. I do not hesitate to call upon those who have
        known me most to afford me the most honourable testimony.
            My life has been spent in the keenest and most unintermitted
        sensibility to reputation. I am almost indifferent as to what shall be
        the event of this day. I would not open my mouth upon the occasion, if
        my life were the only thing that was at stake. It is not in the power of
        your decision to restore to me my unblemished reputation, to